Committee for a Better Environment

Approved 10/28/19 Committee for a Better Environment Davis Hall, College Park September 23, 2019 7:00 PM Members Present Absent Suchitra Balachandran X Alexa Bely X Pablo deOliveria X Matt Dernoga X Oscar Gregory X Alan Hew X Todd Larsen X Andrea McNamara X Cameron Thurston X Daniel Walfield X Caroline Wick X Also Present: Janet McCaslin, City Liaison; Barry Schintler, resident; Stuart Adams, resident; Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary N.B. There was not a quorum present for this meeting. The meeting began at 7:17pm by Todd Larsen, Chair. 1. A Green Award was presented to Stuart Adams, President, Calvert Hills Civic Association for preserving property from WMATA by the Riverdale Park Station. 2. Ms. McNamara briefed on Tree & Landscape Board information: • There is a brochure that has the full list of approved trees for the City of College Park. • The committee is working on a recommendation to Mayor and Council on how to preserve trees. • Discussion via email on fungus affecting red oak and white oaks. We will finalize discussion at the October meeting. • Discussion on workshop for a Butterfly garden. • Working on planting activities for Good Neighbor Day 2020. 3. College Park Day is October 5. Brochures, compost bins, and mesh bags will be at the table. Mr. Larsen volunteered from 12 Noon-2 pm. Ms. DeWalt indicated she would be there with support for all of her committees, including CBE. 4. City activities: • Food waste program has netted 6 tons since April 1. • The City of College Park has been recertified from Sustainable Maryland. There will be a formal announcement forthcoming. • There is a Leadership Training class on November 14 from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.  • DC Sustainability Summit will be held on October 16. Ms. McCaslin will send the link for any who would like to attend. • Maryland Clean Energy Summit on October 22 in Hyattsville. 5. Mr. Larsen would appreciate having a member step up as Co-Chair of CBE. 6. Continued discussion on SMART/PAYT. It was discussed at a recent Mayor and Council Worksession, but it appears to be tabled until after the election. Dr. Balachandran would like to start educating the residents. Until Mayor and Council give their approval, discussions should be limited to CBE meetings. 7. The next meeting is scheduled for October 28, 2019 at 7:00pm in Davis Hall. The meeting concluded at 8:50pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.