Committee for a Better Environment

Approved: 11/27/17 Committee for a Better Environment Davis Hall, College Park October 23, 2017 7:00 PM Members Present Absent Suchitra Balachandran X Matt Dernoga X (term expires 12/31/17) Sarah D’Alexander X Ben Flamm X Alan Hew X Todd Larsen X Tim Miller X Janis Oppelt X Jordan Schanker X Daniel Walfield X Donna Weene X Guests Present: Andy Fellows, UMD; Steve Beavers, City Liaison; Janet McCaslin; Bob Ryan; Tally, UMD Student Sustainability Committee; Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting was called to order at 7:10pm by chair, Ms. Oppelt. 1. No changes were made to the agenda. 2. The minutes from the September 25, 2017, meeting were reviewed. Ms. Oppelt made the motion to accept the minutes. Mr. Larsen seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. 3. Discussed Business Recycling. Cornerstone Bar and Ledos Pizza are interested in doing recycling. Eric Olson will set up a meeting with both of them; suggestion was made the City leaders will need to be involved. The main issues with businesses setting up for recycling is the lack of space in downtown College Park. Looney’s is currently doing recycling and Milk Boy is in the process of trying to set up recycling. It is contained in the lease for Milk Boy that they must recycle. CBE will follow up with Eric. There was also a suggestion of shared trash compactors for businesses to help reduce the number of dumpsters. There is a meeting on November 2 which will feature trash compactor vendors. FYI – There is no money left in the business recycling grant. Mr. Larsen will forward a letter to Mayor and Council asking for time in January on the agenda to discuss business recycling after the election. 4. The student group is considering a project on sustainable electricity. CBE is glad to assist the students and any help requested can be emailed to Ms. Oppelt and/or Mr. Fellows. 5. A reminder that Styrofoam was banned in the summer of 2016 for Prince George’s County. The City is trying to educate the business community and will be doing a work session in early 2018. 6. Discussion ensued on violations of city codes and how it is handled. Mr. Ryan stated that code officers will contact the property owners about the violation. First violation is documented and the owners are given a time period for compliance. If compliance does not occur in the specified time period, violations will continue and fines will be given. 7. Mr. Beavers gave the following City updates: a. There is $9750 in the CBE budget. The rain barrel attachments were purchased. b. On October 28, you can turn in drugs, no questions asked, to the State Police Barracks. c. There is a Prince George’s County Green Summit on October 25 in Fort Washington from 8:30am-5:00pm. d. On October 28 from 8:00am-3:00pm is the Champion Tree Tour for $25 per person. Lunch is included. 8. The permaculture garden was weeded; at least a week’s notice will be given for future weeding. Mr. Hew received three quotes on signage. After discussion, Mr. Hew recommended Precision Sign & Labels for 15 4x8 signs, 15 mini posts and shipping and handling for $770.75. Ms. Oppelt made a motion to purchase the signs from Precision Sign and Labels for $770.75. Dr. Balachandran seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. A large sign is needed at the beginning of the garden. Mr. Hew stated that cost would be $2200. Ms. Oppelt made a motion to spend $2200 on a 24 x 18 sign. Mr. Dernoga seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. 9. Three judges have the nominations for the Green Awards. The deadline is Friday. 10. Ms. Oppelt attended the Tree and Landscape Board meeting as the new chair. A member of CBE should be a member of the Tree and Landscape Board. There is a total of three vacancies for the Tree and Landscape Board. They are thinking of doing a workshop on pruning trees. 11. At College Park Day, 29 people took the LED quiz and 29 LED lightbulbs were distributed. There are 26 LED lightbulbs left. 12. There are several rain barrel downspouts that still need to be picked up.  13. Compost bins are still available from Ms. McCaslin. 14. Good Neighbor Day will be on April 7, 2018. The UMD Office of Community Engagement is handling Good Neighbor Day and is looking for projects. You can email your suggestions to Ms. D’Alexander. 15. The next meeting will be held on November 27, 2017, at Davis Hall at 7:00pm. This will be a potluck meeting. Mr. Dernoga made a motion to end the meeting. Ms. Oppelt seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. The meeting ended at 8:50pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.