Committee for a Better Environment

Committee for a Better Environment Via Teleconferencing through Zoom June 26, 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 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 Janice Wallace New* X Nicole Sieck New* X *New members to be appointed in July Also Present: Carleveva Thompson, Contract Secretary The meeting began at 7:05 pm by Todd Larsen, Chair. 1. The agenda was accepted by Mr. Larsen without exception. 2. The May 22, 2023, minutes were reviewed. Ms. Bely motioned to accept the minutes. Mr. Guo seconded. Motion carries 6-0-0. 3. City activities: a. There is approximately $3,000 currently in CBE’s budget. Money has been allocated for additional tree signs. b. Next week the trash and food scrap collections will be pushed 1 day due to 4th of July holiday. c. The City will have reusable bags available for residents. 4. CBE discussed encumbering funds for the permaculture garden and for trees along the Trolley Trail. Ms. McCaslin shared the draft permaculture garden sign and suggestions to update the wording and symbols on the sign were made. The sign size is 24 x 36. Mr. Larsen motioned to encumber $1,000 for a permaculture sign. Mr. Scally seconded. Motion carries 6-0-0. 5. Better Bag Ordinance - The City is educating local businesses on the Better Bag Ordinance. The County Bill has passed and goes into effect in January 1, 2024. 6. Labeling trees on the Trolley Trail - Almost all of the labels are in and there are a few trees that need to be labeled. Mr. Larsen motioned to allocate up to $150 for a digging bar. Second by Mr. Scally. Motion carries 6-0-0. 7. Trolley Trail Day – The brochures were very nice. Plan to add the brochure to the trees page on the City’s website. 8. Green Awards. Ms. Wick has volunteered to update and will touch base next week. 9. Stormwater drains - The last 4 drains were painted. 2 at the dog park, 1 at City Hall, and 1 in College Park Woods. 10. Climate Action Plan – The past month Mr. Guo has reviewed the data the City has on energy usage and transportation that have been updated over the years. Currently reviewing the progress and where the City currently stands. Plan to finish reviewing the data and look at neighboring cities, such as Bowie, as Bowie has a climate action plan. 11. The Sustainability Survey - Ms. Bely, Mr. Guo, Ms. Teng and Mr. Larsen will get together in the next month to review the old sustainability survey and see what needs to be updated. 12. Electric Vehicle Event: showcasing electric cars and electric bikes. The event will be held at the Hollywood Farmer’s Market (by Mom’s) on September 23rd from 10am – 1pm. Information will also be made available for residents to obtain a pass and ride the UMD electric buses. Space will be made to test drive electric vehicles and bikes. Proteus bikes will also be joining the event. Mr. Larsen will also ask College Park Bikes to participate. Mr. Larsen, Ms. Teng, and Ms. Bely will meet in July to plan for recruiting electric vehicles. 13. Bee City update – A fair and movie night that were held last week were well attended. 14. Municipal Scene: a. July – Why dog waste is bad for the environment – Ms. DeWalt b. August – Tips for grocery shopping to reduce waste – Ms. Wallace c. September suggestions: Not using pesticides, Appropriate height of grasses, Garden watering tips d. Discussed adding the articles to social media, such as NextDoor so more residents can see the educational articles. 15. TLB Update: a. New City planning director, Miriam Bader attended and provided updates on the process for tree removal and re-plantings for City projects. b. Public Works received a couple tree removal requests that were approved.  c. The City Arborist met with consulting group that will be getting the bid for the new tree canopy assessment report. d. MNCPP planning a fall tree giveaway. e. Educational article – Spotted lantern fly f. Ms. Bely brought up an issue that there is no formal request for removal of City trees now that the Tree Ordinance is in effect. 16. A College Park resident expressed concerns on litter in the City and proposed to the CBE a weekly litter pick up initiative for residents. Members discussed having small groups pick up litter monthly and take a group picture to be posted in the Municipal Scene. Another suggestion was hosting neighborhood walks in different neighborhoods in the City to learn history within the City and pick up litter at the same time. Another suggestion was to maybe have students or boy scout/girl scout troops help with litter pick up and provide lunch/treats afterwards. Another suggestion was to put the resident in contact with other residents that are currently conducting litter collections in their neighborhoods. 17. Survey on No Mow Month was sent out. 18. The next CBE meeting will be on July 24, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Larsen motioned to adjourn. Mr. Guo seconded. Motion carries 6-0-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Carleveva Thompson, contract secretary.