Committee for a Better Environment

Committee for a Better Environment Via Teleconferencing through Zoom February 27, 2023 7:00 PM Staff Present Absent Janet McCaslin X Susan Whitney, Councilmember X Members Term Expires Present Absent Alexa Bely 6/30/2025 X Brendan Hall 6/30/2024 X Alan Hew (d. 7:36pm; ret 8:45pm) 6/30/2023 X Wentao Guo 6/30/2024 X Todd Larsen 6/30/2023 X Nikki Pancho 6/30/2025 X Donnie Scally 6/30/2023 X Holly Simmons 6/30/2023 X Stacy Teng 6/30/2025 X Caroline Wick 6/30/2023 X Also Present: Kathryn Kovarik, Girl Scout Troop 96; Sean Phelan, resident; Ryna Quinones, City Communications Office; Mike Williams, Economic Development Manager; Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting began at 7:03pm by Todd Larsen, Chair. 1. The agenda was accepted without exception by Mr. Larsen. 2. Mr. Larsen announced that Alec Lynde has resigned from CBE due to his overwhelming work schedule and travel involved. CBE members offered their thanks to Mr. Lynde for all the work he did on the committee. 3. Green Awards were presented to Girl Scout Troop 96 and Sean Phelan. The Girl Scouts were nominated for their work on making a pollinator garden, building a bee hotel, and participating in the tree giveaway program and the bee hotel workshop. Sean Phelan saw a need to beautify the grounds around the American Legion by cleaning up the grounds, installing a pollinator garden and setting up a rain barrel – this was done as a project during Good Neighbor Day. He also volunteers on helping with the Permaculture Garden. Ms. McCaslin will make arrangements to take pictures and present the $100 checks to each. A nomination was received from Anahi Espindola for Victor and Irina Yakovenk, who live in Calvert Hills, and are big proponents of solar and geothermic power for use in homes. They have created a website and are willing to share information. Ms. Bely also  stated that they have been very community oriented. Ms. Simmons made a motion to award a Green Award. Ms. Bely seconded. Motion carries 8-0-0. 4. The January 23, 2023, minutes were reviewed. Mr. Larsen motioned to accept with amended changes. Mr. Scally seconded. Motion carries 9-0-0. 5. City activities: a. There is $4,941.23 in CBE’s budget. No change from the January 2023 meeting. b. Clean up days have been scheduled for April 15 (also shredding), April 29 and May 13. c. Curbside food pickup is going well. There will be a flyer sent out to all residents regarding the curbside food pickup and how to participate in the program. The question was asked about any areas in College Park that have less participation. Ms. McCaslin stated that Lakeland, Cherry Hill and Autoville have very few participants. 6. The March Permaculture clean-up is scheduled for March 25 with March 26 as a rain date. This will be done in conjunction with the Berwyn City Civic Association. Ms. Simmons motioned to spend up to $100 on refreshments. Mr. Hew seconded. Motion carries 9-0-0. Ms. Simmons agreed to pick up the coffee and donuts. 7. May 6th College Park parade. CBE, Bee City and TLB will participate. Mr. Hall shared several ideas for “costumes” and what to promote about the committees. Ms. McCaslin will work with Mr. Hall, Ms. Teng and Mr. Larsen. Each group needs to register with the City. 8. Better Bag Ordinance. With the ordinance being passed by City Council, it will go into effect as of September 1, 2023, and will include all restaurants, businesses, and the Farmers markets. Businesses must be notified as soon as possible; the preferred method in other jurisdictions has been to use certified mail. College Park will be using email, first class mail, press releases, City website, direct mailers, Municipal Scene, and social media to notify residents and businesses; this will begin in early July. It was suggested that owners/landlords of the shopping venues as well as corporate offices should also be notified. The City is working on ordering approximately 3000 reusable bags to hand out to residents; Ms. Quinones and her staff are working on types and designs for the bags and coordination of where the bags will be distributed (most likely City Hall, Davis Hall, College Park food bank, and delivering for the senior residents at Attick Towers and Spellman). UMD Student Government office has been contacted to help distribute information on campus. Tom Dernoga is putting forth legislation for a Better Bag Ordinance to become law throughout Prince George’s County. 9. Stormwater drains. Two more arts projects are planned in Hollywood near the dog park sometime during the first or second weekend in May, weather permitting. Mr. Scally volunteered to prime the drains for the May painting project. Other suggested areas for  stormwater drain art projects discussed were City Hall and College Park Woods near the park. CPAE continues to work with CBE. 10. A letter was distributed prior to the meeting regarding electric leaf blowers. After discussion, it was decided to table this subject until the June CBE meeting. 11. The updated letter, revised by Ms. Bely, on the Autoville development that threatens forested land was emailed to the committee. The letter will be sent to City Council for consideration. 12. Bee City updates: a. Updates to the Native Plant List were posted to the City website. b. No Mow April has been approved by City Council. c. Michael Ellis, UMD, is proposing to make UMD a Bee Campus USA. d. Five additional bee hotels will be placed throughout the City. 13. Municipal Scene: a. March – Indoor Plants – Mr. Scally b. April – Single Family Home grants/incentives – Mr. Guo 14. TLB Update: a. Casey Trees have been hired to plant trees on private property of individuals who want them. b. Discussed Level I Arboretum status for the Trolley Trail. Ms. Bely agreed to review the information regarding obtaining status and what else may be involved and report back to TLB. c. Vine removal will be done on April 22. d. Mr. Larsen will attend the March TLB meeting and Ms. Bely will attend the April TLB meeting. 15. A CBE spring “get together” will be planned for either April 15 or May 13. Mr. Larsen will send out a poll. 16. The next CBE meeting will be on March 27, 2023, at 7:00pm. Instructions will be sent out via email prior to the meeting date. Ms. Teng motioned to adjourn. Ms. Bely seconded. Motion carries 9-0-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:00pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.