Committee for a Better Environment

Committee for a Better Environment Via Teleconferencing through Zoom April 25, 2022 7:00 PM Members Term Expires Present Absent Alexa Bely (a 7:12pm) 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 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 6/30/2023 X Also Present: Janet McCaslin, City Liaison; Wentao Guo, resident; Meg Oates, resident; Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting began at 7:04pm by Todd Larsen, chair. 1. The guests were introduced. 2. The agenda was reviewed. Mr. Walfield made a motion to accept. Ms. Wick seconded. Motion carries 10-0-0. 3. The March 28, 2022, minutes were reviewed. Ms. Wick made a motion to accept the minutes with an amended change; Mr. Scally seconded. Motion carries 10-0-0. 4. City activities: a. The current budget is $2,297.92. The following monies are set aside for expenses and leaves a balance of about $350 for the current fiscal year: i. $1400 on tree signage ii. $440 on storm drain supplies iii. $100 – final Green Award for FY. b. Food scrap curbside pick-up should start in next fiscal year. c. 241 trees were given away for Earth Day. Brenda Alexander sends her thanks to the CBE members and Mr. Walfield’s students for helping with the trees.  d. 350 residents participated in No Mow Month. It seemed to be a very successful pilot program. 5. Meg Oates was given recognition for a Green Award. Ms. McCaslin will make arrangements to present the certificate and check to Ms. Oates and take a picture for the Municipal Scene. The committee is reminded that there is one more Green Award for this fiscal year which ends on June 30, 2022. Mr. Hew will research potentially offering a Green Award to Girl Scout Troop 96. 6. The Trolley Trail tree labeling continues. The City GIS engineer has the website live: https://arcg.is/IP9yPU. There is still more information to be added to the website and he appreciates any feedback. Committee members are encouraged to view the website and send any feedback to Ms. McCaslin. Mr. Larsen motioned to increase the allocation for an additional $100 which brings it to $1500 for tree signage (previous allocation was $1400). Ms. Wick seconded the motion. Motion carries 11-0-0. 7. Storm Drain update. For Lackawanna Street, the drawing will include the Red Back Salamander and the Beaver. The date for painting is May 14 with a May 21 rain date. Mr. Scally, Mr. Hew and Mr. Larsen have volunteered for the May dates. Eight safety vests have been ordered. Ms. Simmons had identified 8-10 storm drains for potential painting. Mr. McCaslin and Ms. Simmons are conferring on the safety of the locations for painting. Ms. McCaslin and Ms. Wick will be discussing paint colors to purchase. Once new drain locations are identified, Ms. Wick will coordinate with CPAE on potential artists. Discussion will take place at May’s CBE meeting regarding the purchasing of medallions. 8. Plastic Bag Ban. Mr. Larsen emailed several informational pieces to the committee which supports why plastic bags should be banned in College Park. Ms. Shohfi made a motion to have the handouts sent to Mayor and City Council. Ms. Bely seconded. Motion carries 11-0-0. Mr. Larsen will work with Ms. McCaslin to send the information to Mayor and City Council. CBE members will reach out to their respective Councilpersons to inform them that this information is forthcoming: Mr. Scally – District 1; Mr. Lynde – District 2; Ms. Bely – District 3. Any information received will be shared at the May CBE meeting. 9. Bee City Committee. In honor of Pollinator Week, there will be a Bee Hotel building workshop on June 25 from 1:00pm-3:00pm at Davis Hall; CPAE is assisting Bee City with this workshop. Copies of the Xerces kids activity books were distributed in the Little Free Libraries. There was suggestions to send a notice to the management companies of HOA’s next year to participate in No Mow Month. 10. Municipal Scene – June – Mosquito control and using other methods beside spraying pesticides – Mr. Lynde.  11. TLB Update: a. Replacement trees will be planted in the fall. b. There will be a playground at the end of Odessa Road in Sunnyside. c. The City is hiring an arborist. 12. The next CBE meeting will be on May 23, 2022, at 7:00pm. Instructions will be sent out via email prior to the meeting date. Ms. Wick motioned to adjourn. Mr. Hew seconded. Motion carries 11-0-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:32pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.