Committee for a Better Environment

Committee for a Better Environment Via Teleconferencing through Zoom March 28, 2022 7:00 PM Members Term Expires Present Absent Alexa Bely 6/30/2022 X Dylan Burns 6/30/2024 X Brendan Hall (a 7:11pm) 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 6/30/2024 X Daniel Walfield (a 7:08pm) 6/30/2023 X Caroline Wick (a 7:10pm) 6/30/2023 X Also Present: Janet McCaslin, City Liaison; Susan Whitney, City Council; Martha Ainsworth, Sierra Club; Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting began at 7:05pm by Todd Larsen, chair. 1. The agenda was reviewed, and Mr. Larsen accepted the agenda without exception. 2. The February 28, 2022, minutes were reviewed. Ms. Bely made a motion to accept the minutes; Mr. Walfield seconded. Motion carries 10-0-0. 3. City activities: a. The current budget is $2,597.92. b. City Clean up days are scheduled for April 2, April 9, April 30, and May 21. Shredding capability will be available only on April 2. There is also a Clean up day for North College Park which CBE always sponsors. Mr. Larsen made a motion for CBE to continue the sponsorship; Ms. Bely seconded. Motion carries 10-0-0. c. There are 252 residents currently scheduled for No Mow Month. d. There are 133 residents scheduled for tree distribution which will be on April 23 from 7:00am-12Noon. e. Maryland Day is scheduled for April 30. f. The City Clerk’s office will be sending the annual Conflict of Interest statements to all committee members. They are due by April 30, 2022.  g. Any board member who has a June 30, 2022 term expiration and wishes to remain on the board should re-apply through the City Clerk’s office. h. Discussed the City’s request for a new software program that would list committee members’ names and term expiration date. No other personal information will be listed. i. The committee decided to continue with Zoom meetings. 4. The Trolley Trail tree labeling continues. The website is still being updated with information. The decision was made to add the link and it will take you directly to the Maryland Biodiversity Project. This will have all information about the trees, including pictures. Discussion on ordering more signage based on recommendations from Brenda Alexander for an additional 10 trees. Mr. Walfield motioned to increase the allocation to $1400 for tree signage (previous allocation was $700). Caroline seconded the motion. Motion carries 10-0-0. 5. Discussed potential plastic bag ban for College Park with Martha Ainsworth from the Sierra Club. The survey was completed using 10 different stores during February and March 2022. Ms. Ainsworth shared the survey presentation with the group. Next steps are fact sheets; Ms. Simmons, Mr. Larsen, and Ms. Teng volunteered to do the fact sheets. 6. Storm Drain update. Out of the $750 allocated towards supplies, $400 was spent on paint, primer, gloves, and rags. The remaining $300 will be spent supplementing additional supplies. For safety, it has been recommended to have green vests for all involved to wear. Mr. Larsen made a motion to spend $100 on green vests; Mr. Hew seconded. Motion carries 10-0-0. With regards to the grant application – funds are no longer available. The grant applications may be resubmitted in early July. Mr. Larsen and Ms. Wick will update the application and submit. Ms. Simmons is working on identifying the additional storm drains that could be considered for future painting. The identified drains will be confirmed that they belong to the City of College Park and not Prince George’s County. The information is being developed to add to the City’s website. Working on a map of the storm drains and following the route of the water once it enters the storm drains. 7. Bee City Committee. There are approximately 250 people signed up for No Mow Month in April. Additional signage was ordered. In honor of Pollinator Week, there will be a Bee Hotel building workshop on June 25 from 1:00pm-3:00pm; CPAE is assisting Bee City with this workshop. 8. Municipal Scene – May – Green Cleaning – Ms. McCaslin  9. Meg Oates was put forth by Ms. Wick for a Green Award based on the creation of the Calvert Hills Green Team during the pandemic and her continued support of cleanup and recycling. Mr. Larsen made a motion to give Meg Oates a Green Award; Mr. Scally seconded. Motion carries 10-0-0. 10. TLB Update: a. Ivy Removal in Calvert Hills was successful. Would like to have it done in other communities. b. Forty trees will be planted on March 17. c. There will be 241 trees given away for Earth Day. 11. Mr. Larsen emailed out a letter encouraging Mayor and City Council to support the Prince George’s County bill, by Councilmember Glaros, for plastic utensils to be given upon request only. Mr. Walfield motioned to send the letter; Ms. Wick seconded. Motion carries 10-0-0. 12. The next CBE meeting will be on April 25, 2022, at 7:00pm. Instructions will be sent out via email prior to the meeting date. Ms. Wick motioned to adjourn. Mr. Walfield seconded. Motion carries 10-0-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:50pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.