Committee for a Better Environment

Approved: 10/22/18 Committee for a Better Environment Davis Hall, College Park September 24, 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 (arrived 7:25pm) Donna Weene X Guests Present: Janet McCaslin, City Liaison; Cameron Thurston, University of Maryland Office of Engagement; Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting was called to order at 7:08pm by co-chair, Mr. Larsen. It was noted that a quorum was not present and the minutes from the July 23, 2018 minutes will need to be approved at the October 22, 2018 meeting pending a quorum present. Mr. Larsen reviewed items with the committee members present. 1. Welcome to Mr. Cameron Thurston. He has applied to be a new member for CBE. Ms. DeWalt reminded Mr. Larsen that Ms. D’Alexander needs to send a notice to the City Clerk’s office that she can no longer serve as a member of CBE since she has moved to Virginia. 2. Ms. McCaslin noted that CBE has $8600 for the current fiscal year. The budget has generally been $11,000 per fiscal year. Ms. McCaslin stated she will confirm with the finance office. 3. The event on pruning trees will be held on November 3 from 9:00am-1:00pm. Ms. Carole Barth from Prince George’s County will conduct the workshop. Ms. Brenda Alexander will be participating in the workshop. 4. A suggestion was made to have a rain barrel workshop conducted in Spanish in the spring. Mr. Larsen will look into how we would be able to conduct this as the committee agrees this would be beneficial. 5. The Maryland Sun and Neighborhood Sun Benefit were present for the September 12 workshop. Approximately 10-15 people attended.  6. Weeding of the Permaculture Garden will take place on October 7 at 9am. Mr. Thurston said he would send out a notice to the students asking for some assistance. 7. College Park Day is scheduled on October 6 from 12Noon-6pm. Ms. Oppelt and Mr. Larsen can each be there for about 2 hours. Looking for other members of the committee to help out at the table. 8. Discussed brochures that need updated and eventually translated into Spanish. 9. At the October meeting, we will have another nomination for a Green Award. 10. Ms. McCaslin stated that we have the opportunity to put a tip in the monthly newsletter. Ms. Walfield suggested a tip about using cold water with your garbage disposal. Ms. DeWalt volunteered to write up the tip, based on Mr. Walfield’s comments, and email to Ms. McCaslin in the morning. 11. The film “Wasted” is being shown on October 13 at the Prince George’s County Department of the Environment. The film is narrated by Chef Anthony Boudain. www.wastedfilm.com for more information. 12. “Growing the Community Forest” workshop, through Prince Georges County, will be held on November 8 from 9:00am-4:00pm at Hyattsville City Hall. This will show communities how to strengthen and expand local tree canopy programs. The cost is $35 per person and includes breakfast, lunch, program materials and free parking. 13. Prince George’s County Department of the Environment is hosting a free one-day Green Summit. It is scheduled for October 5 from 9:00am-1:30pm at the Kentland Community Center in Landover. Presentations will include composting, zero waste, stormwater management practices, rain barrels, adopting a pet, litter and illegal dumping, and the Chesapeake Bay. 14. The next meeting will be October 22 at 7:00pm at Davis Hall. The meeting concluded at 7:40pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.