Committee for a Better Environment

Approved: 062518 Committee for a Better Environment Davis Hall, College Park June 4, 2018 7:00 PM Members Present Absent Suchitra Balachandran X Sarah D’Alexander X Alan Hew X Todd Larsen X Janis Oppelt X Jordan Schakner X Daniel Walfield X Donna Weene X Guests Present: Steve Beavers, City Liaison; Robert Stumpff, Director, DPW; Robert Marsili, Asst, Director DPW; Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by chair, Ms. Oppelt. 1. Without a quorum present, the April 23, 2018 minutes were not able to be approved. The meeting continued. 2. Mr. Stumpff announced his retirement in three weeks. Mr. Marsili was introduced and will be taking over DPW upon Mr. Stumpf’s retirement. 3. Mr. Stumpf indicated that one skid (33 rain barrels) will be kept at Davis Hall for sale to College Park residents. 4. The Rain Barrel event is scheduled for July 14 from 9:00am-12:00 Noon at Davis Hall. The event will be promoted in the weekly bulletin, July’s Municipal Scene; College Park University; Next Door; printed flyers; Facebook; Farmers’ markets; Sierra Club; listservs of College Park; Prince Georges Environmental Groups; and Ms. D’Alexander will send out via email to her groups. We will print out copies of the Tree Canopy program for display. Snacks will be served. Ms. Weene, Mr. Walfield, Ms. Oppelt, Mr. Larsen and Ms. DeWalt volunteered to be at the event. 5. Business Recycling will be discussed on Thursday at 10:00am at the Prince Georges County district building. Ms. Oppelt stated she would send an email to Aimee to see if they will be taking testimony. CBE will send a letter to Mayor and City Council supporting business recycling. The current proposed legislation has a loophole and the legislation needs to be written to be more effective. Mr. Hew suggested that for restaurants and bars, when their liquor license is up for renewal, the legislation should state they must comply with business recycling or the license will be denied.  6. The Urban Land Institute hosted a two day seminar for the City of Greenbelt, College Park and Berwyn Heights on various planning issues and suggestions such as bike lanes, road diagrams, etc. A report will be forthcoming. The roads discussed were Greenbelt Road and Kenilworth Avenue to Route 1. 7. Mr. Beavers shared the following monetary requests: • Attick Towers, bench for residents - $1165 • 50 Gator bags - $1000 • Mr. Beavers indicated that providing a quorum is present for the June 25 meeting, the vote could take place and the monies could be accrued to come out of the current fiscal year’s budget. 8. The tour of the permaculture garden will be on July 21 in the morning. Discussed having the additional signs made for announcing the tours/talks, etc. Ms. Oppelt will check with Suburban Signs and the University Sign Shop. 9. Ms. Oppelt is working on the revision of the fence letter. She will speak to Dr. Balachandran on Thursday in regard to the revision. She will also consult Brenda Alexander for her input. 10. The presentation for 100% Renewable Energy is a two-hour session. There will be no charge for the Maryland Sun presentation which will be scheduled for an evening in mid- September in Council Chambers. Mr. Beavers agreed to look for a potential date. The meeting ended at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.