Committee for a Better Environment

Committee for a Better Environment Via Teleconferencing through Zoom February 28, 2022 7:00 PM Members Term Expires Present Absent Alexa Bely 6/30/2022 X Dylan Burns 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 (a 7:06pm) 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 (a 7:31pm) 6/30/2023 X Also Present: Janet McCaslin, City Liaison; Terry Schum, Director of Planning, College Park; Felicia Hutchinson, Planning Department, College Park; Tom Litke, College Park resident; Susan Whitney, City Council; Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting began at 7:02pm by Todd Larsen, chair. 1. The agenda was reviewed, and Mr. Larsen accepted the agenda without exception. 2. The January 24, 2022, minutes were reviewed. Mr. Larsen accepted the minutes without exception. 3. City activities: a. The current budget is $2,597.92. b. Clean up days are scheduled for April 2, April 9, April 30, and May 21. Shredding capability will be available only on April 2. c. There are 86 residents currently scheduled for No Mow Month. d. There are 100 residents scheduled for tree distribution which will be on April 23 from 7:00am-12Noon. If anyone can volunteer to help with the tree distribution, please contact Ms. McCaslin. Mr. Hew, Ms. Simmons, Mr. Hall, and Mr. Walfield’s students have volunteered. 4. Terry Schum discussed Project Open Space which was established in 1969 and is monitored through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Land is acquired for  development and public activities. The money comes from the real estate transfer tax allocation when a house or land is purchased. The amount of money allocated to a community is based on city population; the average is between $100,000 and $300,000 per ear. Monies must be allocated at 100% for acquisition and 50% for development. Currently College Park has $818,000 in the Open Space budget. Currently College Park is in negotiations with the College Park Fire Department to acquire 5100 Roanoke Place (Berwyn). CBE recommended the property at 8807/8811 Rhode Island Avenue – the new owners have not communicated with the City. The corner of Route 1 and Edgewood Road has been sold. There is $100,000 set aside for the Hollywood Wellness Trail for benches, landscaping, street lighting. There is land at the end of Lackawanna, near the metro, that would be ideal for Project Open Space, but the owner is not interested in selling. The committee asked about Guilford Woods; Guilford Woods is a state-owned property. The committee asked about purchasing flood plain properties; it would depend on the particular property and how readily accessible it would be to the public. Ms. Schum is suggesting four projects for FY 2023 and have funding assigned to each of them. 5. The Trolley Trail tree labeling continues. The website is still being updated with information. There was a recent article about the tree labeling in the Here and Now. The committee was reminded that monies have been allocated to purchase additional signage. 6. Ms. Wick is continuing to complete the grant application for the stormwater drains. The next drains will be at Lackawanna and 51st Street and in Lakeland near the Lakeland neighborhood park. The chosen date is May 14 with a rain date of May 21. Primer will be done the day before. Volunteers are needed to on painting days; please coordinate with Ms. McCaslin. In trying to find additional artists, the committee decided to continue working the CPAE. 7. Those who volunteered to do the plastic bag study are reminded to survey their stores within the next two weeks and send in their findings. 8. Bee City Committee is meeting on March 9. From 7:00pm-9:00pm, the committee will give an overview on No Mow Month and respond to questions from residents. In honor of Pollinator Week, there will be a Bee Hotel building workshop on June 25 from 1:00pm-3:00pm. 9. Briefly discussed potential spring events. Mr. Lynde suggested a City Nature walk on April 30 with a rain date of May 1. Any other suggestions will be discussed at the March CBE meeting. 10. Municipal Scene – April – How to protect newly planted trees – Mr. Walfield. 11. No Green Awards nominations were suggested.  12. Sustainable Maryland is hosting the 3rd Annual Route One Corridor Green Team Summit on March 16. All are welcome to attend, however, registration is required. 13. Reviewed letter to Mayor and Council on purchasing 4704 Calvert Road and retain the portion that is undeveloped as green space. Ms. Bely motioned to accept the letter and send to Mayor and Council. Ms. Shohfi seconded. Motion carries 12-0-0. 14. Reviewed letter to Mayor and Council on support an Environmental Rights Amendment to the state constitution. Mr. Lynde motioned to accept the letter and send to Mayor and Council. Mr. Walfield seconded. Motion carries 12-0-0. 15. The committee was reminded that any press communication, on behalf of the committee, must go through the City Communications Coordinator. 16. Councilperson Whitney shared her blog post: https://cpdistrict2digest.com. 17. The next CBE meeting will be on March 28, 2022, at 7:00pm. Instructions will be sent out via email prior to the meeting date. Mr. Walfield motioned to adjourn. Mr. Lynde seconded. Motion carries 12-0-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:55pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.