Committee for a Better Environment

Approved: 102317 Committee for a Better Environment Davis Hall, College Park - DRAFT September 25, 2017 7:00 PM Members Present Absent Suchitra Balachandran X Matt Dernoga X (term expires 12/31/17) Sarah D’Alexander X (arrived 7:23pm) Ben Flamm X Alan Hew X (arrived 7:15pm) Todd Larsen X Tim Miller X Janis Oppelt X Daniel Walfield X (arrived 7:20pm) Donna Weene X Guests Present: Andy Fellows, UMD; Ayana Archie, UMD journalism student; Steve Beavers, City Liaison; Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting was called to order at 7:05pm by chair, Ms. Oppelt. 1. The agenda was reviewed and an addition was made, without objection as a quorum was not yet present, to Mr. Fellows updating on student projects. 2. There are 10 student projects that are being continuously handled with the UMD Campus Community Connection: a. Storm water management b. Zero waste/SMART c. Carbon footprint d. Green app e. Food composting site f. Business recycling g. Rain garden h. Website to promote projects to students i. Wetlands project j. Anti-litter campaign 3. The minutes from the July 24, 2017, meeting was reviewed. Mr. Larsen made the motion to accept the minutes with the correction discussed. Mr. Dernoga seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. 4. Mr. Beavers gave the following City updates: a. There is $9750 in the CBE budget. The rain barrel attachments were purchased. b. Completed locking system for Bike Share program. We are 16 months into a three-year contract. FYI- there have been 35,000 rides and 800 members. There  are 22 stations and 178 bikes. There will be three new stations: The Hotel, Whole Foods and east side of College Park metro. Capital Bikeshare will also be used the City and therefore, dual systems will be in place. c. Permaculture signs installed at Rhode Island Avenue and at Naragansett. d. The City put in an offer to purchase the College Park Woods pool. e. Bike Trail should be completed by the end of 2018. f. City Clerk’s office wrote a lovely thank you letter to the United Methodist Church for allowing CBE to use the meeting space while Davis Hall was out of commission. 5. The second Rain Barrel pick up went very well. There are still a few extra downspouts. They will be available at College Park Day. 6. Dr. Balanchandran stated that the SMART proposal for Mayor and Council is in the final stages. The sub-committee has decided to wait for presentation until after the elections. 7. Ms. Oppelt discussed that Ms. Alexander, the City’s horticulturist, is recommeding that the permaculture garden is weeded once a month instead of once a quarter. Mr. Hew disagreed stating that the permaculture is supposed to be natural in appearance, not a classical garden. Mr. Larsen stated he would take pictures of the garden and email to Mr. Hew and Ms. Oppelt to judge whether or not scheduling a “weeding session” would be necessary. Pictures could be placed on Facebook asking for help to weed and what to weed and what not to weed. Mr. Hew stated that he did plant some Thai basil. Mr. Hew and Ms. D’Alexander worked on pricing for the signs. To purchase 15 4x8 signs and 3 24x18 signs, the total cost is $3509.75. To purchase just the 15 4x8 signs, the cost is $815.75. Since the motion was made to spend $1000 on signs, at this point in time, only the 15 4x8 signs will be ordered. 8. Green Awards will be handed out at College Park Day on October 7, 2017, 11am-4pm. CBE will be at the City table. Mr. Hew and Ms. Oppelt will work with a few others to go through the nominations and select the winners. Ms. DeWalt will make copies of the LED light bulb quiz and the remainder of the LED lightbulbs will be given out. Ms. Oppelt will bring the CBE brochures for th event. 9. Ms. Oppelt attended the Tree and Landscape Board meeting. Mr. Joe Smith has vacated the chair position and Ms. Oppelt is the new chair. 10. The next meeting will be held on September 25, 2017, at Davis Hall at 7:00pm. Ms. Oppelt made a motion to end the meeting. Mr. Hew seconded the motion. The meeting ended at 8:29pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.