Committee for a Better Environment

Committee for a Better Environment Via Teleconferencing through Zoom October 25, 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 Brendan Hall 6/30/2024 X Alan Hew 6/30/2023 X Todd Larsen 6/30/2023 X Alec Lynde 6/30/2024 X Abigail Muro 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 6/30/2023 X Stacy Teng 6/30/2022 X Cameron Thurston (a 7:12pm) 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; Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting began at 7:04pm by Todd Larsen, chair. Introductions were made for our new CBE member present: Brendan Hall. Another new CBE member is Abigail Muro; she should be present at the November meeting. 1. The agenda was reviewed, and additions were made. Mr. Larsen motioned to accept. Ms. Wick seconded. Motion carries 11-0-0. 2. The September 27, 2021, minutes were reviewed and one change was made. Ms. Wick motioned to accept the minutes as amended. Mr. Hew seconded. Motion carries 10-0-1. (Mr. Hall abstained since he was not present for September’s meeting). 3. City activities: a. The current budget is $2,597.92; $402.08 was spent on supplies for the storm water drain painting. b. City clean up weekends went very well. c. The new Food Scrap site at the old College Park Woods pool has been placed on hold even though the concrete pad site has been poured. Several residents had  concerns with it. Ms. McCaslin will keep CBE updated as she receives further information. d. Tree tagging with the new signs are going well. 4. Ms. Bely is working on information for the CBE page on the city website. She welcomes all help and suggestions. She will also reach out to the Tree and Landscape Board. Ms. Bely also reminded the committee that there are several other trees that would benefit from having signage. Mr. Walfield motioned to spend up to $750 for additional tree signage. Mr. Lynde seconded. Motion carries 13-0-0. 5. Stormwater Drains. Thank you to Ms. McCaslin for all the logistical help and coordination in getting the first storm water drain painted. Hilary (artist) is working on the drawing for the second storm water drain which will have pictures of herons. CPAE is working on submission of grants for this project. Ms. McCaslin is also looking into available grants to assist for this project. There was a suggestion made that neighborhoods may be interested in having a painted storm water drain and that a contest could be created where residents would pay a nominal fee and vote for the picture on their storm water drain. Ms. Mc Caslin reminded the committee that this would require approval from Mayor and Council. 6. Discussed Trolley Trail map and possible information to be included on the map: Permaculture garden, Bio swell, Trees labeled on Trolley Trail, new painted storm water drains, bike racks, scooters, James Adam park in Lakeland. Mr. Lynde will reach out to Stuart Eisenberg from Hyattsville. 7. Bee City activities: a. Mr. Hew stated that the resolution for Mayor and City Council to consider for No Mow Month is on November 2. The signage contest has been put on hold. b. Swamp milkweed seeds were packaged and dropped off at the Little Libraries around the area. c. The pollinator garden on Cherokee Street will be done on November 13 as part of Good Neighbor Day. Volunteers are needed. d. GAT traps – will need to do more education for the residents. The traps are only made for the Tiger mosquitos and residents need to remove standing water. 8. The webinar on the Sustainable Survey results was held on October 9. There was a good attendance including several City Council members. Several actionable items were discussed. The survey will most likely be done on a yearly basis. 9. Project Open Space. Mr. Lynde will prepare an update for the December 6, 2021 CBE meeting. 10. Discussed potential spring events and will further discuss in January 2022 CBE meeting: a. Walk of the Trolley Trail – April/May b. Spring clean of Paint Branch  11. Municipal Scene article for December – Salting walkways and driveways – Mr. Lynde. 12. TLB meeting: Mr. Burns shared that CBE would like to write a letter to the City Council to express concern on tree removal due to development and that trees should be re- planted within the City. The letter will also ask the City Council to recommend to Prince Georges County for trees to be re-planted within College Park and not outside of the City. TLB was not as receptive to the idea as the committee has asked for this assistance in the past. However, they will lend their support if requested. This will be further discussed at the December 6, 2021, CBE meeting. 13. ARPA fund letter was discussed. Several suggestions were made to add to the letter: a. Avoid fossil fuel burning equipment b. Different take-out containers c. Discourage plastic bag usage Ms. Wick made a motion to approve the letter as amended. Mr. Walfield seconded. Motion carries 13-0-0. 14. The next CBE meeting will be on December 6, 2021, at 7:00pm. Instructions will be sent out via email prior to the meeting date. Mr. Burns motioned to adjourn. Mr. Walfield seconded. Motion carries 13-0-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:00pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.