Committee for a Better Environment

Approved: 10/22/18 Committee for a Better Environment Davis Hall, College Park July 23, 2018 7:00 PM Members Present Absent Suchitra Balachandran X Sarah D’Alexander X Alan Hew X Todd Larsen X (arrived 7:10pm) Janis Oppelt X Jordan Schakner X Daniel Walfield X (arrived 7:10pm) Donna Weene X Guests Present: Janet McCaslin, City Liaison; Steve Beavers; Armando Gaetaniello, Neighborhood Sun Benefit Corporation; Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting was called to order at 7:05pm by chair, Ms. Oppelt. It was noted that Ms. McCaslin is CBE’s new city liaison. 1. Ms. D’Alexander announced that she is moving to Virginia and will no longer be a resident of College Park. As such, she will be resigning from the committee. She will email Ms. Oppelt an official notification. 2. Mr. Beavers indicated that CBE should have $11,000 for the new fiscal year. 3. With a quorum present at 7:10pm, the agenda was reviewed. Ms. Oppelt made a motion to accept the agenda. Mr. Schakner seconded. All in favor; no opposed. 4. The June 25, 2018 minutes were reviewed. Mr. Walfield made a motion to accept the minutes with corrections discussed. Ms. Oppelt seconded. All in favor; no opposed. 5. The Rain Barrel event went very well. There were about 20 people present and 93 rain barrels were sold. Another pallet of rain barrels were ordered and can be purchased through the City of College Park. Several speakers were present for the rain barrel event: Anacostia Watershed and PG Solar Group, to name a few. Brochures and other informational pieces were available for all who attended. 6. There was a suggestion made to have an event on pruning trees. The committee discussed it would be a good idea to host the event in October. Mr. Larsen indicated he would send the pruning group contact information via email.  7. There was a suggestion made that the CBE brochures and as well as events should be translated into Spanish. There are a fair number of Hispanic families in College Park. Ms. Oppelt indicated she would check to see who could approve the translation. 8. Presentation by Mr. Armando Gaetaniello with Neighborhood Sun Benefit Corporation. Their organization is promoting community solar energy for those who cannot afford to purchase solar panels or live in apartments/condominiums that share roofs. Their solar project is being built on the landfill in Ft. Washington and will be ready as of November 2018. Approximately 900 subscribers will be needed to make it cost effective; they already have 115 subscribers. There is a 5% savings for residents on their energy bills. Ms. Oppelt invited Neighborhood Sun to be a part of the September 12 workshop. 9. The July 21 Permaculture Garden tour was cancelled due to weather. Another may be scheduled in the fall depending on what may be in bloom. Weeding needs to continue. 10. Ms. Oppelt had distributed, via email, the revision of the fence letter and also read it at the meeting. The group has agreed with the revision. Ms. Oppelt will send it to Ms. McCaslin who will forward it to the City Clerk’s office. 11. The information for the CBE Annual Report to Mayor and Council was reviewed. The group agreed with the information contained in the report. Ms. Oppelt will send it to Ms. McCaslin who will forward it to the City Clerk’s office. 12. The solar energy presentation is scheduled for September 12, from 7:00pm-9:00pm at City Hall – Council Chambers. Maryland Sun and Neighborhood Sun Benefit will be present. 13. The Green Awards will now be done within the CBE. As people or groups perform environmental acts, they should be brought forth to CBE for a vote. Mr. Larsen has suggested Mr. Russell Robineaux to receive a Green Award for the trash pickup he does on a daily basis and has been doing for many years throughout his neighborhood. Ms. Oppelt made a motion to give Mr. Robineaux a Green Award. Mr. Hew seconded. All in favor; no opposed. 14. The August meeting will be cancelled. The next meeting will be September 24 at 7:00pm at Davis Hall. Ms. Oppelt made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Walfield seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. The meeting ended at 8:25pm.. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.