Committee for a Better Environment

Committee for a Better Environment Via Teleconferencing through Zoom August 23, 2021 7:00 PM Members Term Expires Present Absent Alexa Bely 6/30/2022 X Dylan Burns 6/30/2024 X Pablo deOliveria 6/30/2024 X Matt Dernoga 6/30/2022 X Alan Hew (a 7:10pm) 6/30/2023 X Todd Larsen 6/30/2023 X Alec Lynde 6/30/2024 X Nikki Pancho 6/30/2022 X Donnie Scally 6/30/2023 X Don Schmadel (a 7:36pm) 6/30/2022 X Emily Shohfi (d 7:40pm) 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 (a 7:10pm) 6/30/2023 X Mitchell Wyllins 6/30/2024 X Also Present: Janet McCaslin, City Liaison; Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting began at 7:05pm by Todd Larsen, chair. 1. The agenda was reviewed. Mr. Walfield motioned to accept. Ms. Wick seconded. Motion carries 10-0-0. 2. The July 26, 2021, minutes were reviewed. Mr. Larsen motioned to accept the minutes. Mr. Scally seconded. Motion carries 9-0-1. (Mr. Walfield abstained since he was not present for the July meeting.) 3. City activities: a. The budget for FY2022 is $3,000.00. b. The tree signs have been ordered and should arrive in 4-6 weeks. The cost of the signs was paid from FY2021 budget. When the signs arrive, Ms. Bely will coordinate with Brenda Alexander and the Tree and Landscape Board on installation. 4. Mr. Lynde showed pictures of two areas of College Park that were proposed to be purchased through Project Open Space: Roanoke & 51st Avenue and Greenbelt Road by the Trolley Trail. CBE will write a proposal to Mayor and City Council with  recommendations on how to use the two spaces. Mr. Lynde also offered to reach out to Dr. Esters who is a District 2 Councilmember. 5. Municipal Scene Tip for October – Leaf litter that can be reused from 2019. It’s still prevalent and great information. 6. Bee City activities: a. Mr. Hew shared a draft briefing and letter to Mayor and City Council for the No Mow Month proposal. City Council is always interested in what other Big 10 cities/towns might be involved with and Mr. Hew stated that Madison and Ann Arbor are working on a similar concept. Bee City is asking for CBE support of the project once the briefing and letter are finalized. Ms. Bely made a motion for CBE to support the project. Ms. Wick seconded. Motion carries 10-0-0. b. With regards to the Signage contest, there is no update as the subcommittee is waiting on the No Mow Month proposal to be finalized. Ms. Teng will email the committee the latest version of the contest. 7. Ms. Wick is working on identifying the storm drains around the metro stations. Several of them are surrounded by brick and she is not sure that the County would like to have the brick painted. She also discussed the idea of painting the drains to correspond with the trash campaign. She will offer further updates at the September meeting. 8. Discussed subject areas for possible webinars/events: a. Survey results will be scheduled for late September/early October. b. The city is discussing about closing the city buildings for in person events. It was suggested that events could be held at the Farmers Market, such as Sustainable Transportation (electric cars, bikes). c. Suggested outdoor events for the fall: i. INaturalist session on how to use it ii. Nature photography iii. Invasive species clean up at Paint Branch d. Suggested outdoor events for the spring: i. Pollinator walk ii. Bird walk around Lake Artemesia iii. Native tree walk around College Park iv. Foraging workshop e. Mr. Larsen also mentioned that the Sierra Club of Prince George’s County has a contest each month that could be publicized for residents. f. Ms. McCaslin will find out the details about College Park Day and whether it will be in person or virtual. 9. Green Awards. Ms. Bely mentioned Aaron Springer with the Farmers Market and Ms. Wick mentioned a resident in Calvert Hill – Renee. Both committee members will write up a nomination with details and present to the committee for review and approval.  10. TLB meeting: a. Excel Tree Experts are completing the contracted tree work. b. PEPCO line clearance work in College Park Woods will be done later this fall. Pansies and spring bulbs are in the process of being ordered for fall planting. c. A tree fell in early August in the Lakeland community. There is a sidewalk repair crew doing work throughout the neighborhood. Red Maple trees are dominant street tree species, and eventually the roots will push up the sidewalks; this brought forth a brief discussion on impervious vs. pervious pavement. Previously there was some sidewalk repair work done in Berwyn and Calvert Hills where pervious pavement was used. d. Public Hearing on Tree Ordinance: i. 26 people spoke; 10 were supportive, 14 were opposed, and 2 were so-so. e. A representative from MNCPPC - Prince George’s County will be attending the September 15, 2021, TLB meeting to discuss the development requirements related to the Woodland Conservation Act. 11. The next CBE meeting will be on September 27, 2021, at 7:00pm. Instructions will be sent out via email prior to the meeting date. Ms. Bely motioned to adjourn. Mr. Walfield seconded. Motion carries 9-0-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:32pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.