Committee for a Better Environment

Approved: 042318 Committee for a Better Environment Davis Hall, College Park March 26, 2018 7:00 PM Members Present Absent Suchitra Balachandran X Sarah D’Alexander X (arrived 7:42pm) Alan Hew X (arrived 7:20pm) Todd Larsen X Janis Oppelt X Jordan Schakner X Daniel Walfield X Donna Weene X Guests Present: Steve Beavers, City Liaison; Janet McCaslin, Sustainability Coordinator, City of College Park; Kate Harrison, UMD Student Sustainability Committee; Scott Somers, College Park City Manager; Mark Stewart, UMD; Owen Kahn, Prince George’s County Council Chair Glaros’ office; Aimee Olivio, Prince George’s County Council Chair Glaros’ office; Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting was called to order at 7:04pm by chair, Ms. Oppelt. 1. The agenda was reviewed and additional items were added: Food composting, Doggie Depot at Duvall Field, community gardens, and the order of the agenda was changed slightly to accommodate our guests. Mr. Walfield made a motion to accept the agenda changes. Ms. D’Alexander seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. 2. The minutes from the February 26, 2018, meeting were reviewed. Ms. Oppelt made the motion to accept the minutes with the changes discussed. Ms. Weene seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. 3. Mr. Beavers gave the following City updates: a. There is $6230 left in the budget. b. College Park received a $75,000 award from the Maryland Energy Program. c. On Route 1, the pedestrian lights were replaced with LED bulbs. d. Bike to Work Day flyers are available. Sign up is online. 4. Mark Stewart provided a discussion around 100% renewable energy goals for the City of College Park. 5. Owen Kahn, an intern from Prince George’s County Council Chair Glaros’ office, provided information on a draft bill for Solid Waste Disposal – Commercial Recycling  and Food Scrap Composting for Prince George’s County. The committee suggested the verbiage stating “voluntary” should be removed from the bill. The committee suggested that business recycling be mandatory. It was suggested that signage should be either on the lid of the recycling trash can and/or 30 inches above it. The bill should ensure that the percentages are correct and accurate. There needs to be a stiff penalty for those who do not comply with the bill. Ms Olivio assured the committee she would speak to the County attorney on all suggestions. 6. The Tree and Landscape Board meeting will be on Wednesday at 7:00pm. The vegetation control ordinance will be further discussed. The preliminary information Ms. Oppelt received is that Code Enforcement officers need guidance on this issue. 7. Ms. Weene stated that the doggie depot that used to be at Duvall Field is no longer there. She suggests that a new one should be placed by Blackfoot rather than on the concession stand. Mr. Beavers stated he would make inquiries as to what happened to the previous doggie depot. 8. Good Neighbor Day is scheduled for April 7. Approximately 800 people are signed up to help on the various projects. Cleanup of the permaculture garden is on the list. It will be a zero waste event. The tables need to be manned from 10:00am-1:30pm. 9. There will be two more community gardens: Calvert Hills – 12 plots, 4 ft x 10 ft each and College Park Woods pool – 12 plots, it will be a stepped garden. 10. Mr. Larsen checked with the County and they are offering 3:00pm-5:00pm on April 21 for the Rain Barrel workshop. Ms. McCaslin stated she would check to see if we have space for the event. 11. Ms. McCaslin stated that College Park will be working with a company to pick up food waste. The food waste will be collected at the Hollywood Farmer’s Market beginning May 1 through the end of October. Volunteers are needed to be at the table. DPW will be in charge of setting up and taking down the table, tent and chairs. Ms. Oppelt will work on a volunteer schedule. 12. The next meeting will be held on April 23, 2018, at Davis Hall at 7:00pm. Mr. Larsen made a motion to end the meeting. Ms. D’Alexander seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. The meeting ended at 9:06pm.. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.