Committee for a Better Environment

Committee for a Better Environment Via Teleconferencing through Zoom April 26, 2021 7:00 PM Members Present Absent Alexa Bely X Dylan Burns X Pablo deOliveria X Matt Dernoga X Alan Hew X Todd Larsen X Andrea McNamara X Nikki Pancho X Donnie Scally X Don Schmadel X Emily Shohfi X Holly Simmons X Stacy Teng X Cameron Thurston X Daniel Walfield X Caroline Wick X Mitchell Wyllins (a7:21pm) X Also Present: Janet McCaslin, City Liaison; Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting began at 7:03pm by Todd Larsen, chair. 1. The agenda was reviewed. A correction was made to review the March minutes and an addition under New Business for various correspondence. Mr. Larsen motioned to accept. Ms. Bely seconded. Motion carries 10-0-0. 2. The March 22, 2021 minutes were reviewed. Mr. Walfield motioned to accept the minutes. Mr. Scally seconded. Motion carries 10-0-0. 3. City activities: a. CBE has a current budget of $2088.98 – no change from last month. b. The April clean-up days went very well. About 40-45 cubic yards of compost were given to College Park residents. Ninety-nine gallons of paint were collected. c. The Dog Park, near Huron and 51st, should be open in about two months. 4. One Hundred Eighty (180) Sustainability surveys were completed, most by homeowners. Two surveys were completed in Spanish. There seemed to be interest in the following areas: a. Green space and gardening/pollinators  b. Awareness of programs available through the City, but not necessarily participating in them c. Food scrap/waste program d. There did not seem to be any concern about using green cleaning products versus standard cleaning products. This may be an education issue. The committee will use this survey as a benchmark and continue to send out the survey on a yearly basis. The information and comments received will be put into a power point and shared with Mayor and City Council. The committee would also like to share the residents with College Park residents and Ms. McCaslin will coordinate with the City’s Communication Coordinator on the best way to handle. 5. Labeling trees on the Trolley Trail. This will be tabled for the May meeting. 6. Tip for Municipal Scene: a. May – 17- year cicadas and using the carcass for composting – Mr. Scally will handle. b. June – Using You Tube to look up repair procedures – Mr. Hew will handle. c. July and August topics will be discussed at the May meeting. 7. 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. 8. Three nominations for Green Awards were presented: a. Rick Borchelt–Ms. Bely motioned. Mr. Larsen seconded. Motion carries 12-0-0. b. Urs Weber–Ms. Bely motioned. Mr. Walfield seconded. Motion carries 12-0-0. c. Janis Oppelt–Mr. Hew motioned. Mr. Larsen seconded. Motion carries 12-0-0. All four Green Award winners will be invited to attend the May meeting. 9. The letter concerning the pollinator garden was sent to Mayor and City Council. No response has yet to be received. 10. No Mow May will not happen this year. It will be targeted for April 2022. The proposal needs to be presented to Mayor and Council for approval before it is enacted. 11. Mr. Burns did attend the TLB meeting, however, he was not able to attend this CBE meeting. Ms. DeWalt will email out copies of the draft TLB minutes to the committee. 12. Brief discussion on leaded gas being used for piston driven airplanes and the effect the fumes cause on the environment at the College Park Airport. Ms. McCaslin suggested this topic could be sent to the College Park Airport Committee for consideration and discussion.  13. Discussed the pesticides used and how harmful the PFA is to animals. Ms. McCaslin reminded the group that residents can complete and submit an exemption from spraying to Prince George’s County. The form is on the MDA website. There were 30 more GAT traps ordered and there are only 10 left. Ms. McCaslin will inquire if more can be ordered. The cost is $50 per resident. 14. Mr. Hew brought up the idea of CBE potentially purchasing Bee Hotel kits. They would be done in conjunction with the College Park Arts Exchange. The kits are about $15-$20 each. This will be reviewed at the May CBE meeting. 15. The next CBE meeting will be on May 24, 2021 at 7:00pm. Instructions will be sent out via email prior to the meeting date. Mr. Hew motioned to adjourned. Mr. Larsen seconded. Motion carries 11-0-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:00pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.