Committee for a Better Environment

Approved: 12/02/19 Committee for a Better Environment Davis Hall, College Park October 28, 2019 7:00 PM Members Present Absent Suchitra Balachandran X Alexa Bely X Pablo deOliveria X Matt Dernoga (a. 8:05pm) X Oscar Gregory (l. 8:00pm) X Alan Hew X Todd Larsen X Andrea McNamara X Cameron Thurston X Daniel Walfield X Caroline Wick (a. 7:15pm) X Also Present: Janet McCaslin, City Liaison; Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting began at 7:10pm by Todd Larsen, Chair. 1. The agenda was reviewed and an addition of discussing Natural Space was added. Ms. Bely motioned to accept the agenda with the change. Mr. Walfield seconded. Motion carries 8-0-0. 2. The July 29, 2019 minutes were reviewed. Ms. Wick made a motion to accept. Ms. Bely seconded. Motion carries 8-0-1. 3. The September 23, 2019 minutes were reviewed. Ms. Bely made a motion to accept. Ms. McNamara seconded. Motion carries 8-0-1. 4. City activities: • CBE currently has a budget of $8,497.50. • Ms. McCaslin received official notification of the Sustainable Maryland renewal certificate. A copy of the certificate will be sent to the City Clerk’s office for official notification to Mayor and Council. • The general brochure about the Committee for Better Environment was distributed. There was discussion about having updated information in it. Ms. McCaslin asked CBE members to forward information to her and she will have the brochure revised. • Some brochures have finally been translated into Spanish: Permaculture Garden, and Composting. The committee would like to have a Rain Barrel brochure created. Food scrap pilot program will be going through June 30, 2020. There is interest in a proposal for curbside food pickup, which is about 25-40% of the trash, to begin in the new fiscal year. CBE would like to support this proposal. Mr. Larsen will draft a letter for CBE members to review. 5. There will be a public hearing on Bulk Trash on November 12 at 7:30pm in Davis Hall. Mr. Walfield and Ms. Bely stated they would be in attendance. Members are encouraged, as residents, to write to their councilmember regarding any concerns on bulk trash. 6. Mr. Larsen would like to send a letter to Mayor and Council, on behalf of CBE, concerning using clover and grass instead of artificial turf on fields and playgrounds. Mr. Thurston motioned. Ms. Bely seconded. Motion carries 9-0-0. 7. Ms. McNamara discussed items from the Tree and Landscape Board: • Falling leaves should lay in yards and allow them to fodder or mow with a mulching mower and put in compost bin. Ms. Bely agree to prepare a brief on leaf mulching for a future Municipal Scene tip from CBE. • Discussed Mayor’s Monarch Butterfly Challenge. • There is an updated brochure on recommended trees for College Park and especially for trees planted in the right of way. • Rules for tree replacement and/or cutting down will be submitted to Mayor and Council for the November 19 meeting: i. 36 inches or larger – submit application to TLB ii. Dead trees to be approved immediately and replaced iii. Fine recommendations CBE will send a note to TLB endorsing their recommendations. • Since Ms. McNamara is not able to attend November’s TLB meeting, Mr. Gregory stated he would attend as the CBE representative. 8. Discussed the idea of educating University of Maryland students on “Trash to Treasure” and utilizing Freecycle, Green Drop, etc. instead of the massive disposal of items at the end of each semester and encouraging landlords to keep houses furnished. This would be a project to work with the Office of Sustainability and Student Government at University of Maryland. CBE (Mr. Thurston, Mr. Walfield and Ms. Wick) will work on a draft letter outlining this proposal. It was suggested to invite Mark Stewart to a CBE meeting. 9. The 50th Anniversary of Earth Day will be April 22, 2020. SGA is making this an important date for the University of Maryland. CBE would like to participate in any way possible. Mr. Thurston will coordinate with the president of SGA and Ms. McCaslin on ways CBE can participate. 10. Discussed Trash Audit. Prince Georges County did a trash audit in 2016. If CBE would like to have a trash audit done for College Park, it would take Mayor and Council approval as well as funding. 11. Issues to focus on in 2020: • Greenhouse gas and specific recommendations to Mayor and Council. • Refrigerant management. • Renewable energy. • Water quality – invite Andy Fellows back to a CBE meeting. • Rain barrel workshop in Spanish. – Ms. Wick volunteered to find a Spanish speaker to help with the workshop. • Letter to Mayor and Council on the water feature in front of the proposed New City Hall – Ms. Bely and Ms. Wick to draft. • Rhode Island Avenue ownership and right hand turn at Greenbelt Road and University Blvd. • Educational workshop on pesticide use and how to avoid using them.  12. The next meeting is scheduled for December 2, 2019 at 7:00pm in Davis Hall. This will be a combination of the November and December meetings. Mr. Larsen will be out of town, however, Ms. Bely has agreed to chair the meeting on Mr. Larsen’s behalf. Ms. Bely motioned to adjourned. Mr. Thurston seconded. Motion carries 9-0-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:00pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.