Committee for a Better Environment

Committee for a Better Environment Via Teleconferencing through Zoom July 26, 2021 7:00 PM Members Term Expires Present Absent Alexa Bely 6/30/2022 X Dylan Burns (a 8:35pm) 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 Alex Lynde 6/30/2024 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 (d 8:20pm) 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 (a 7:11pm) 6/30/2024 X Also Present: Janet McCaslin, City Liaison; Maddie Koenig, College Park resident; Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting began at 7:02pm by Todd Larsen, chair. 1. The agenda was reviewed. Ms. Bely motioned to accept. Mr. Hew seconded. Motion carries 12-0-0. 2. The June 28, 2021, minutes were reviewed. Ms. Teng motioned to accept the minutes with one amended change. Mr. deOliveria seconded. Motion carries 13-0-0. 3. City activities: a. The budget for FY2022 is $3,000.00. b. Bulk trash rates went into effect on July 1, 2021. c. Public Works is trying to increase food scraps waste by 42 pounds weekly and encourage increased recycling. There is the possibility of another drop off site for food scraps waste in College Park Woods near the pool renovation site. The question was posed about food scrap waste pickup at homes; the response is not in this fiscal year. Another question posed was picking up food scrap waste from College Park businesses and the University of Maryland; the response is the College Park does not collect from businesses and the University of Maryland has their own program. 4. Labeling trees on the Trolley Trail. Sign proofs were reviewed by the committee. A question was posed about adding a leaf to the sign; the response is that is too difficult to add the leaf and make it look presentable on the black background. However, the information will be placed on the CBE page of the College Park website and a picture/drawing of the tree leaf will be added for each tree. Ms. McCaslin and Ms. Bely stated there are a few minor edits to the signs before the final order is placed. Ms. McCaslin stated she was able to encumber the monies from FY 2021 to pay for the signs. Mr. Larsen motioned to accept Ms. Bely and Ms. McCaslin to finalize and order the signs. Mr. Lynde seconded. Motion carries 14-0-0. 5. Municipal Scene Tip for September – using electric lawn equipment or push mower. Mr. Larsen volunteered to do this article. 6. Bee City activities: a. Pollinator Week went well. One person turned in their BINGO card and was awarded a Bee Hotel kit. b. The committee has formed a sub-committee to work on the presentation of No Mow Month to Mayor and City Council. c. Brenda Alexander is going to help with planting pollinator friendly native plants at the corner of Rhode Island and Cherokee Street (triangular area – across from Duvall Field). d. The committee approved the pollination verbiage for the Green Awards brochure. e. The signage contest is being coordinated by Ms. Teng (CBE) and Mr. Beatty (Bee City). Mr. Larsen and Mr. Hew will work on a letter to Mayor and City Council to introduce the signage contest. f. Maddie Koenig, guest, discussed the idea of having a native wildflowers or herbaceous plants rebate, similar to what is done for trees. She shared a spreadsheet showing the various tree rebates available in the immediate residential areas. Ms. McCaslin and Mr. Larsen both stated that since College Park has a tree rebate program, residents are not eligible for the Prince George’s County tree rebate program. Ms. McCaslin also stated that County Councilperson Danielle Glaros is working on an amendment to allow any residents in Prince George’s County that has a city/town program to also avail themselves of the county program. Ms. McCaslin stated she will speak to Brenda Alexander about the idea of a rebate program for native wildflowers or herbaceous plants. 7. Ms. Wick has spoken to Prince George’s County about the possibility of painting the storm water drains and they have given their consent and are willing to assist with supplies. College Park Arts Exchange is willing to partner with CBE to accomplish this project. The first locations will be near the College Park metro and the Greenbelt metro since they are high traffic areas. Instead of using Chesapeake Bay plants or animals, Ms. Wick has indicated that the storm water drain first flows into the Anacostia River and would like to use native plants and animals of the Anacostia. She shared a presentation showing the various native plants and animals. The painting will most likely begin this fall. Ms. Koenig stated that she worked on the Anacostia Watershed Project and would be willing to offer any assistance.  8. Discussed subject areas for possible webinars/events: a. Survey results. b. Partner with TLB – connect webinars to ongoing events. c. Table at Farmer’s Market and/or College Park Day. Giveaway seed packets or native plants. d. Ms. Bely, Ms. Teng and Mr. Larsen will work on specific ideas and report in the October CBE meeting. 9. The Green Awards brochure will find another word instead of “Judges,” and then it will be printed. Mr. Larsen made a motion to finalize the brochure. Mr. Lynde seconded. Motion carries 13-0-0. Mr. Lynde volunteered to help have the brochure translated into Spanish. 10. TLB meeting: a. A meeting was held with Pepco that are planning work on feeders located in North College Park and College Park Woods. There will be some tree removal in those areas. b. The city attorney drafted the Tree Protection Ordinance, and it will be reviewed by the TLB. The public hearing is scheduled for August 10. c. Discussed the Prince George’s County Rain Check rebate program. d. University of Maryland is developing 11 acres at Guilford Woods to build graduate housing and will be cutting down trees and essentially abolishing a natural environmental ecosystem. 11. Mr. Schmadel would like to draft a letter asking the City to have an administrator to protect public owned lands. Mr. Burns motioned to have the draft letter done and reviewed by CBE. Mr. Scally seconded. Motion carries 14-0-0. 12. The next CBE meeting will be on August 23, 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 9:03pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.