Committee for a Better Environment

Approved: 022221 Committee for a Better Environment Via Teleconferencing through Zoom January 11, 2021 7:00 PM Members Present Absent Alexa Bely X Dylan Burns (a 7:32pm) X Pablo deOliveria X Matt Dernoga X Alan Hew X Todd Larsen X Andrea McNamara X Nikki Pancho (a 7:52pm) X William Scally X Don Schmadel X Emily Shohfi X Holly Simmons X Cameron Thurston X Daniel Walfield (a 7:25pm) X Caroline Wick (a 7:40pm) X Mitchell Wyllins X Also Present: Janet McCaslin, City Liaison; Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting began at 7:08pm by Todd Larsen, chair. 1. The agenda was reviewed. Mr. Larsen accepted the agenda without exception. 2. The November 23, 2020 minutes were reviewed. Mr. Hew added updated comments from Good Neighbor Day regarding the Permaculture Garden. Mr. Walfield motioned to accept the minutes with the changes. Ms. Bely seconded. Motion carries 10-0-0. 3. City activities: a. CBE has a current budget of $2063.98. b. The Dog Park, by Davis Hall, has broken ground. It should be ready in late spring/early summer. c. The Strategic Plan needs CBE help for educational components in the areas of increasing recycling and decreasing trash. The plan is calling for a reduction of household refuse by 25 tons annually and reduction of bulk trash by 75 tons annually. The plan is calling for a 10% increase in recycling and a 10% decrease in greenhouse gases over the next five years. The goals have almost been met for 2020, however, the statistics may be skewed due to the pandemic and not having the UMD students on and off campus. Committee had discussion on the use of  FreeCycle, Craigslist, working with UMD on off campus housing leasing. Discussion on this topic will continue at the February CBE meeting. 4. Ms. Bely reviewed the two additional questions to be added to the Sustainability Survey regarding LED lights and Volume of trash. After discussion with the committee, the questions were finalized. Ms. Bely and Ms. McCaslin will work with the City’s Communication Coordinator on adding these additional questions. The survey will be translated into Spanish, which may take about 2-3 weeks. Once the survey is ready, it will be sent to all College Park residents via social media, newsletter, etc. 5. Labeling trees on the Trolley Trail will be discussed at the February CBE meeting. 6. No response has been received from Mayor and City Council on the Default Veg letter. 7. Ms. Bely would like to nominate the Friends of Guilford Run for a Green Award. After discussion with the committee, Ms. Bely will speak to the Friends of Guilford Run to research their classification and ensure that they are not part of a religious organization. 8. Tips for February Municipal Scene: a. Time to purchase seeds for your garden. b. Sugar Snap Peas can be planted now. c. Kale grows all year long d. Encourage ordering of organic seeds 9. TLB Report: No one from CBE attended the TLB meeting, however, Ms. DeWalt has copies of the draft December TLB minutes and will share with the committee. Mr. Larsen reminded that one of the two CBE members appointed to TLB needs to attend the meeting each month. 10. The 2020 activities report was reviewed. Committee discussed possible 2021 activities 11. The next meeting will be on February 22, 2021 at 7:00pm. Instructions will be sent out via email prior to the meeting date. Mr. Larsen motioned to adjourned. Ms. Bely seconded. Motion carries 14-0-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:00pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.