Committee for a Better Environment

Committee for a Better Environment United Methodist Church, College Park June 26, 2017 7:00 PM Members Present Absent Suchitra Balachandran X Matt Dernoga X Sarah D’Alexander X Alan Hew X Todd Larsen X (arrived 7:17pm) Janis Oppelt X Daniel Walfield X Donna Weene X Guests Present: Steve Beavers, City Liaison; Jackie Kirby, College Park resident; Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by chair, Ms. Oppelt. 1. The agenda was reviewed. Ms. Weene made a motion to accept the agenda with the additional items. Ms. Oppelt seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. 2. The minutes from the May 25, 2017, meeting were reviewed. Ms. Oppelt made the motion to accept the minutes with the corrections discussed. Mr. Hew seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. 3. There is approximately $3400 in the CBE budget. Mr. Beavers reminded the committee that the fiscal year ends on June 30, 2017. Unless you have receipts, purchase orders, invoices, etc. to show as proof of a purchase for FY17 so the monies can be encumbered, the balance will revert to the general fund. 4. There are two new bike share stations: Cambria and the Courtyard by the Woods. 5. Mr. Dernoga explained SMART to our guest, Ms. Kirby. The sub-committee is meeting on July 5 to finalize the report to City Hall. 6. The Rain Barrel workshop is scheduled for July 22 from 10am-12Noon at Davis Hall. Ms. Weene volunteered to pick up food for the event; requesting RSVP by July 17. Ms. Weene and Mr. Larsen volunteered to help distribute flyers to area businesses. Ms. Oppelt will email the flyer to her compiled lists. The first 20 College Park residents will be eligible for a downspout kit to attach the rain barrel. Ms. Weene, Mr. Larson, Mr. Walfield and Ms. DeWalt volunteered to assist at the event.  7. Mr. Hew discussed the Permaculture Garden. There was a bit of a miscommunication with Brenda Alexander and only about one-half of the mulch needed was delivered. There were 10 volunteers who assisted Mr. Hew and Ms. D’Alexander and the mulching was completed in about an hour. DPW destroyed several plants with mowing: Echinacea and Pawpaw. Ms. Oppelt made a motion to spend $300 on replacement plants. Ms. Weene seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. Ms. D’Alexander stated that 14 small signs (8x4) and 3 large signs (8x10) will be needed for the garden. Ms. Oppelt will attend the Tree & Landscape Board meeting to garner support for the next phase of the permaculture garden. Mr. Larsen will work on a letter of support. 8. Mr. Dernoga wrote a draft letter on behalf of CBE asking the Mayor and City Council to support Business Recycling. Ms. Oppelt made a motion to approve the letter. Ms. Weene seconded the motion. All in favor; no oppose. Mr. Beavers will send the letter to City Council. 9. Maryland Mayors Pledge to support the Paris Climate Agreement. College Park’s mayor is asking for CBE to supply goals and measurement on reaching the goals. In addition, the Bloomberg Philanthropies have invited U.S. mayors to complete for six and seven figure grants who draw up compelling proposals for policy experimentation. Mr. Beavers suggested the energy efficiency goal set up by the City to have a 20% reduction by 2022. Mr. Dernoga and Ms. Oppelt will write a draft letter to Mayor and City Council by mid- July and will send to CBE for review. 10. The CBE annual report was reviewed. Several suggestions were made for additions: a. Add to Business Recycling – pass a business recycling ordinance b. Energy efficiency c. Reduce gas emissions d. Help educate residents about energy efficiency 11. Mr. Hew brought up the potential elimination of plastic straws. He will send a link to CBE to review the information he found. 12. The next meeting will be held on July 24 2017, at Davis Hall at 7:00pm. Ms. Oppelt made a motion to end the meeting. Ms. Weene seconded the motion. The meeting ended at 8:30pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.