Committee for a Better Environment

Committee for a Better Environment Via Teleconferencing through Zoom March 22, 2021 7:00 PM Members Present Absent Alexa Bely X Dylan Burns X Pablo deOliveria X Matt Dernoga X Alan Hew (d. 7:55pm ) X Todd Larsen (a. 7:10pm) X Andrea McNamara X Nikki Pancho (a. 7:15pm) X Donnie Scally X Don Schmadel (a. 7:12pm) X Emily Shohfi X Holly Simmons X Stacy Teng X Cameron Thurston X Daniel Walfield X Caroline Wick X Mitchell Wyllins X Also Present: Janet McCaslin, City Liaison; Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting began at 7:03pm by Daniel Walfield, co-chair. 1. The agenda was reviewed. Ms. Bely motioned to accept. Mr. Hew seconded. Motion carries 10-0-0. 2. The February 22, 2021 minutes were reviewed. Mr. Walfield motioned to accept the minutes. Ms. Bely seconded. Motion carries 10-0-0. 3. City activities: a. CBE has a current budget of $2088.98 – no change from last month. b. There are two clean-up days in April – April 10 and April 24 from 7:30am – 12:00 Noon. Free compost for residents will be available – 1 cubic yard per resident. Paint cans containing paint will be accepted for recycling through the same vendor previously used, however, it will cost $5 per paint can. As before, if the paint can be used, the vendor will donate to various humanitarian efforts. c. There have been 177 responses received on the Sustainability survey; two were received in Spanish. The deadline for completing the survey is March 25. d. Ms. McCaslin was informed that no CBE member attended the Tree & Landscape Committee March meeting. It is in the resolution that a CBE member is present for all TLB meetings. Mr. Burns volunteered to be the representative going forward. Ms. DeWalt stated that she will email a copy of the draft TLB March minutes. e. Bulk trash will be reviewed at the April 6 Council meeting. 4. Labeling trees on the Trolley Trail. Ms. Shohfi, Mr. Burns and Ms. Bely met and discussed possible ways of labeling the trees: a. Label individual trees: Common Name, Latin Name and family, Estimated what year established, Native area b. Cluster of trees: 3-5 trees, Etching of different tree leaves c. Have individual signs in front of trees or have a large sign in a few places and put the corresponding number on the tree. It was suggested a sign the size of a coin with the number on it. The signs could have a web link and/or QR code for further information on the trees. Mr. Hew provided information from signage bought for the Permaculture Garden – 15 signs and posts for a total of $770.75. d. On the CBE page of the City website, have the following information listed: i. Map of labeled trees ii. Information about individual trees iii. Information on main tree species found in College Park iv. How to identify species v. Distribution of maps vi. Life cycle of species vii. Noteworthy Information – value to wildlife, human uses, threats to species viii. Information could also be posted in Spanish and other languages on the CBE page ix. A member suggested identifying trees and where they are located could be made into a game, perhaps encouraging school children to make it a project x. Using INaturalist as a resource xi. Ask people/businesses to sponsor a tree sign – will need City Council approval xii. Grant money 5. Tip for Municipal Scene: a. April – Tree planting – Mr. Walfield will handle. Needs to be to Ms. McCaslin by March 26. b. May – 17- year cicadas and using the carcass for composting – Mr. Scally will handle. c. June – Using You Tube to look up repair procedures – Mr. Hew will handle. d. Potential ideas of future tips: i. How to co-mingle recycle items ii. Recipe ideas for red meat substitution iii. Mosquitos. Ms. McCaslin mentioned she is currently out of GAT traps and not sure when more will be ordered. 6. Mr. Larsen has reached out to Beth Terry about setting up a Zoom session on alternatives to plastic. He has not yet received a response from her. 7. Reviewed letters of support from Mayor and Council: a. Requested a letter regarding the Maglev train. Ms. McCaslin will check with the City Clerk’s office. b. Received a copy of support letter on Climate Solutions Now Act of 2021 and Constitutional Amendment – Environmental Rights (HB 0082). c. Pollinator Gardens at City Hall and other City property. Letter was reviewed by the Committee. Mr. Larsen made a motion to send the letter to Mayor and Council. Mr. Hew seconded the motion. Motion carries 13-0-0. 8. Mr. Hew spoke to Bob Ryan with regards to No Mow May. He approves of the concept, but it will also require approval from the Interim City Manager and then will work with Code Enforcement.  9. Reviewed the American Council for an Energy Efficient Environment (ACEE) scoring. This is really meant for larger cities, but they are trying to gear it to medium and small-sized cities/towns. College Park did not include the University of Maryland, but Ms. McCaslin will try and obtain clarity for doing so in the future. 10. As a reminder, there is one more year to finalize information for Sustainable Maryland before re- accreditation. 11. The College Park Arts Exchange (CPAE) is looking for CBE’s help in co-sponsoring events with speakers and volunteers. The first virtual event “Planning Your Food Garden” will be held on April 5 from 7-8 pm. Mr. Larsen mentioned that if monies are needed for a speaker, CBE would be willing to spend budgeted funds. 12. The next CBE meeting will be on April 26, 2021 at 7:00pm. Instructions will be sent out via email prior to the meeting date. Mr. Larsen motioned to adjourned. Ms. Wick seconded. Motion carries 12-0-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:15pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.