Committee for a Better Environment

Approved: 112320 Committee for a Better Environment Via Teleconferencing through GoToMeeting October 26, 2020 7:00 PM Members Present Absent Alexa Bely X Dylan Burns X Pablo deOliveria X Matt Dernoga (a. 7:15pm) X Alan Hew X Todd Larsen X Andrea McNamara X Nikki Pancho X William Scally X Don Schmadel X Emily Shohfi X Holly Simmons X Cameron Thurston X Daniel Walfield X Caroline Wick X Mitchell Wyllins X Also Present: Janet McCaslin, City Liaison; Yvette Allen, Assistant City Clerk; Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting began at 7:05pm by Todd Larsen, chair. 1. The agenda was reviewed. Mr. Larsen motioned to accept the agenda with one change. Mr. Walfield seconded. Motion carries 13-0-0. 2. The September 21, 2020 minutes were reviewed. Ms. McCaslin made a few corrected changes and additions. Mr. Larsen motioned to accept the minutes as amended. Mr. Schmadel seconded. Motion carries 13-0-0. 3. City activities: a. CBE has a current budget of $2,063.98. The Spanish interpreter for the rain barrel event was $239.40. The survey cost is $250.00. b. Tips for Municipal Scene: i. Paint disposal – Ms. Wick ii. Trim trees and hedges – Mr. Walfield iii. Candy Wrappers – Mr. Burns iv. Leaf Disposal – Ms. Shohfi  c. The Clean-up days from October 10 and October 24 went very well. About 144 people dropped off about 1000 cans of paint; the City hired a vendor to retrieve the paints. Many of the cans will be sent to Africa for humanitarian efforts. A large number of light bulbs were also received. A 35 gallon receptable was filled with batteries. d. There is a Household Hazards Waste Day in Upper Marlboro on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 8:00am-3:30pm. Please check the Prince Georges County website for dates. e. The survey on the GAT traps needs to be sent out for the pilot program. 4. Since Mayor and Council have re-appointed members and added new members to CBE, introductions and brief background information was shared with the committee. 5. Ms. Wick and Mr. Thurston will be drafting a letter from CBE to Mayor and Council for consideration of encouraging apartment managers to rent furnished apartments and try to eliminate mass amount of bulk waste. This letter will be shared at the November CBE meeting. 6. The Rain Barrel virtual seminar, which a Spanish translator was also present, was very successful; approximately 20 residents attended. Discussed rain check and rebate program and GAT traps. The Anacostia Watershed and Sierra Club were unable to participate. There is a link on the CBE website from the event. FYI – 250 rain barrels have been distributed in the past three years; Ms. McCaslin keeps about 30 on hand at Davis Hall. 7. Mr. Walfield is working on the Weather-proofing training video and it should be ready by end of November. 8. Reviewed letter sent to Mayor and Council pertaining to shifting the public schools to 100% clean energy. 9. Discussed the labeling of trees along the Trolley Trail: a. What kind of tags to use? Should it match the placards used in the Permaculture Garden? b. QR codes for trees c. Map on CBE website d. Ms. McCaslin stated she would discuss with Brenda Alexander on having the Tree & Landscape Committee involved. 10. Reminded about the Green Awards. The committee has up to 4 per year to nominate and hand out. Ms. Bely suggested Guildford Run for a possible Green Award. 11. Good Neighbor Day is scheduled for November 7. The permaculture garden will be part of the Good Neighbor Day projects. 12. Reminder about the car magnets being available at Davis Hall. Please coordinate with Ms. McCaslin. Flyers are hung by all electric charging stations.  13. The GAP Analysis survey is with the Communications Coordinator for College Park. The survey will be sent to residents and will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. 14. TLB report: a. More restrictions on developers who cut down trees. b. Community forum on November 18 at 7:00pm to discuss Tree Canopy program and replacement of trees. This led to discussion about tree protection laws and their inadequacy and holding developers accountable and encouraging developers to create green space. 15. Discussed how resident feral cat population is damaging to wildlife. Mr. Hew stated that the Animal Welfare Committee focuses on wildlife and the feral cats. It was suggested that a Tip of the Month could be how fecal matter is bad for the environment. 16. There is a new committee created by the City – Bee City Committee. Mr. Hew is part of this new committee. 17. The committee is suggesting sending a letter to Mayor and Council to recommend using Default Vegetarian food for any type of events (when they are permitted to be held again). This is better for the planet and the environment. Mr. Walfield made a motion to draft a letter to Mayor and Council. Ms. Shohfi seconded. Motion carries 14-0-0. 18. The next virtual meeting is scheduled for November 23, 2020 at 7:00pm. Instructions will be sent out via email prior to the meeting date. Mr. Burns motioned to adjourned. Ms. Bely seconded. Motion carries 14-0-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:50pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.