Committee for a Better Environment

Committee for a Better Environment Via Teleconferencing through Zoom June 28, 2021 7:00 PM Members Term Expires Present Absent Alexa Bely 6/30/2022 X Dylan Burns (a 7:12p) 6/30/2024 X Pablo deOliveria 6/30/2024 X Matt Dernoga 6/30/2022 X Alan Hew 6/30/2023 X Todd Larsen 6/30/2023 X Andrea McNamara 6/30/2021 X Nikki Pancho 6/30/2022 X Donnie Scally 6/30/2023 X Don Schmadel 6/30/2022 X Emily Shohfi 6/30/2022 X Holly Simmons 6/30/2023 X Stacy Teng 6/30/2022 X Cameron Thurston 6/30/2024 X Daniel Walfield 6/30/2023 X Caroline Wick 6/30/2023 X Mitchell Wyllins 6/30/2024 X Also Present: Janet McCaslin, City Liaison; Alec Lynde, new CBE member as of 7/1/21; Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting began at 7:05pm by Daniel Walfield, co-chair. 1. The agenda was reviewed. Mr. Walfield motioned to accept with amendments. Ms. Wick seconded. Motion carries 10-0-0. 2. The May 24, 2021 minutes were reviewed. Mr. Scally motioned to accept the minutes. Mr. Walfield seconded. Motion carries 11-0-0. 3. City activities: a. The budget for FY2022 will be $3,000.00. b. All Green Awards were delivered, and pictures taken. An article will be featured in Here and Now and in the Municipal Scene. c. Sustainable Maryland needs a write-up on the Permaculture Garden by July 9. Ms. Simmons has agreed to write the article. d. Discussed verbiage to be added to Green Awards brochure to include Bee City. Ms. McCaslin will send a proof to the committee to review. 4. Labeling trees on the Trolley Trail. Ms. Bely sent an email to the committee with the native trees found along the Trolley Trail. She is proposing to make two tree signs for  each of the 10 most common and easiest to identify trees labeled both in the north and the south tracts of the Trolley Trail. Ms. McCaslin will encumber the $950 for the signs. common name scientific name family Juneberry, Serviceberry Amelanchier sp. Rosaceae Eastern Redbud Cercis canadensis Fabaceae Red Maple Acer rubrum Sapindaceae Willow Oak Quercus phellos Fagaceae Black Walnut Juglans nigra Juglandaceae American Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua Altingiaceae Sweetbay Magnolia Magnolia virginiana Magnoliaceae Silver Maple Acer saccharinum Sapindaceae Flowering Dogwood Cornus florida Cornaceae River Birch Betula nigra Betulaceae 5. Tip for Municipal Scene for August and September will be reviewed at the July meeting. Several suggestions were made, and Ms. McCaslin agreed to send a list to the committee to review. 6. The Bee Hotels were ordered at a cost of $255. Three of the hotels will be awarded for Pollinator Week awards. The other two will be kept on hand to use for demonstrations. 7. A virtual Mosquito workshop was held on June 17. There were very few attendees: Mr. Larsen, two speakers from the Maryland Department of Agriculture, and two councilmembers. The video will be posted to the Mosquito webpage on the City website. 8. Ms. Teng will continue to work with Bee City USA committee on a sign/plaque design for the “No Mow Month” potential program. Mr. Hew received the ordinance from Appleton, Wisconsin that should help in producing a resolution for College Park. He will share the information with the committee. 9. Ms. Wick shared information about labeling Storm Water Drains with artwork and perhaps working with the College Park Arts Exchange. The idea would be to use native species of the Chesapeake Bay in the art depictions. Discussion ensued amongst the committee for artwork on the drains or signs by the drains. It was suggested that the artwork would eventually be covered up or worn out from the elements. Ms. McCaslin reminded the committee that the storm drains are owned by Prince George’s County and will require County approval for any changes. Ms. Wick will follow up with the County. 10. Gator bags have been purchased and are installed throughout the City. 11. Sustainable Maryland held its annual meeting on May 25. Mr. Larsen attended on behalf of CBE. There is funding available to assist with education and further information will  be forthcoming. For College Park to obtain points for Sustainable Maryland - discussed Mayor’s Monarch Pledge, giving away Native Plant or Native seeds – Ms. McCaslin will research native plant rebate program; list of nurseries not using herbicides – maybe promote at College Park Day. 12. The committee would like to host a seminar to discuss the Survey results. It will be further discussed at the July CBE meeting. 13. TLB meeting: a. Discussed Urban Forest recommendations that are being sent to Mayor and City Council. Looking for a 5% increase in tree plantings in urban areas. b. GIS map on City website for tree registration. c. Ask for tree canopy program to cover the cost of $250 per tree, an increase from the current $150 cost. d. Duvall Field will be worked on in July. 14. Encroachment on public lands is not a CBE issue. Individuals can bring this issue to the attention of their councilperson. 15. Spraying on bi-ways belongs to the State of Maryland. This is not a CBE issue with the exception of asking Mayor and Council to write a letter of support to the State for a reduction in spraying. 16. Ms. Simmons mentioned that she had been walking in Greenbelt and noticed a “seed library” on one of the streets for residents to exchange and/or take seeds. She asked if perhaps something similar could be done in College Park. Ms. Simmons will ask for further information from Greenbelt and apprise the committee. 17. The next CBE meeting will be on July 26, 2021, at 7:00pm. Instructions will be sent out via email prior to the meeting date. Mr. Burns motioned to adjourned. Mr. Hew seconded. Motion carries 11-0-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:32pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.