Committee for a Better Environment

Committee for a Better Environment United Methodist Church, College Park May 22, 2017 7:00 PM Members Present Absent Suchitra Balachandran X (arrived 7:15pm) Matt Dernoga X Sarah D’Alexander X Alan Hew X Todd Larsen X Janis Oppelt X Daniel Walfield X Donna Weene X Guests Present: Steve Beavers, City Liaison; Andrew Fellows, University of Maryland; Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting was called to order at 7:05pm by co-chair, Mr. Larsen. 1. The agenda was reviewed. Ms. D’Alexander made a motion to accept the agenda with the additional items. Mr. Walfield seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. 2. The minutes from the April 24, 2017, meeting were reviewed. Mr. Dernoga made the motion to accept the minutes with the corrections discussed. Ms. Weene seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. 3. There is $7600 in the CBE budget. Mr. Beavers reminded the committee that the fiscal year ends on June 30, 2017. 4. Bike to Work Day, which was Friday, May 19, from 6am-8:30am, went well. There were approximately 90 people. Thank you to Mr. Dernoga and Ms. D’Alexander for manning the CBE table. 5. The Tree & Landscape Board are looking to do an ordinance on tree removal on private property. They have suggested paying people not to cut down their trees. A question was asked how may trees were removed due to solar panels. No one had an answer. 6. Discussed the idea of signage for littering. A letter would have to be sent to City Council requesting the signage. 7. The question was asked on the outcome of the fence ordinance from the May 2 City Council work session. Mr. Beavers said he would find out and email the committee. 8. Mr. Fellows discussed the University of Maryland environmental projects: a. Pujita Tipnis and her app project will be presented at the June CBE meeting. b. Storm water projects – two streams were adopted in College: Guilford and Campus Creek. c. Plant Science and Landscape architecture would like to plant trees. They may be willing to help with the Tree Canopy program. d. Grad student government received $50K grant e. SGA sustainability committee will be working with CBE when the students return in the fall. f. Food composting issue. Ms. D’Alexander volunteered to work with the students. g. Sentinel Swamp sanctuary – Capstone group did a final recap. Copy of the report will be sent to CBE. h. Working with Berwyn Heights, New Carrollton and Greenbelt also in asking for monies to work on Indian Creek. 9. Mr. Larsen stated that he is working with Prince Georges’ County on doing a workshop on rain barrels. It will be done at Davis Hall. Mr. Larsen made a motion for $100 for refreshments for the workshop. Ms. Weene seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. The committee decided it would be a great incentive to raffle off five installation kits. Mr. Dernoga made a motion to spend $500 on installation kits for the rain barrels. Ms. Weene seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. 10. Mr. Hew discussed the Permaculture Garden. He would like to get started on Phase 2 as well as have signage for the completed garden. The committee did approve $1000 for signage in FY17; if signage cannot be done and paid for by June 30, Mr. Beavers would need to encumber the monies. Mr. Hew, Ms. D’Alexander and Mr. Walfield will form the sub-committee to look at signage and place the order. The next phase of the permaculture garden has to be approved by four different groups: CBE, Tree and Landscape Board, the City horticulturist and City Council. The next phase will be discussed at the June CBE meeting. Mr. Larsen made a motion for CBE to support the next phase of the Permaculture Garden. Mr. Walfield seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. Mr. Beavers will send the information to Ms, Oppelt and Mr. Larsen who will then write a letter of support on behalf of CBE. It was also suggested that on October 11, a three-year celebration for the Permaculture Garden would be appropriate. The committee will further discuss at the June meeting. 11. Discussed new technology to make use of carbon foot prints for smart cities grant. Mr. Dernoga volunteered to write a letter outlining the need and request for CBE to submit to City Council. 12. Dr. Balachandran gave a brief update on SMART. The sub-committee is working on the report. The sub-committee will probably be meeting in a few weeks to finalize the report. Councilmember Nagle has the report scheduled for the August 2 City Council work session.  13. Mr. Beavers brought a request for two doggie waste stations on Autoville Drive. The cost would be $620 plus $200 for bags. Mr. Dernoga made a motion to approve $820 on the requested doggie waste stations and bags for Autoville Drive. Mr. Hew seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. 14. The Tree & Landscape Board is requesting $600 for gatorbags for tree plantings. Mr. Dernoga made a motion to approve $600 for gatorbags. Ms. Weene seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. 15. Will discuss the need for additional bike racks at the June meeting. 16. The next meeting will be held on June 26, 2017, at the United Methodist Church at 7:00pm. Ms. Weene made a motion to end the meeting. Mr. Dernoga seconded the motion. The meeting ended at 8:50pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.