Committee for a Better Environment

College Park Committee for a Better Environment Monday, July 24, 2023 7:00 pm Location: Online meeting – Zoom (see instructions) Staff Present Absent Janet McCaslin X Jo’Ann Scott Woods, Contract Secretary X Members Term Expires Present Absent Alexa Bely 6/30/2025 X Brendan Hall 6/30/2024 X Wentao Guo 6/30/2025 X Todd Larsen 6/30/2026 X Nikki Pancho 6/30/2025 X William “Donnie” Scally 6/30/2026 X Stacy Teng 6/30/2025 X Caroline Wick 6/30/2026 X Janice Wallace 6/30/2026 X Nicole Sieck 6/30/2026 X Guests: Councilmember Susan Whitney The meeting began at 7:06pm by Todd Larsen, Chair. 1. Jo'Ann Scott-Woods, Contract Secretary, was introduced to the committee. 2. The agenda was accepted by Janice Wallace. Todd Larsen seconded. Motion carried 8-0- 0. 3. The June 26, 2023, minutes were reviewed. Wentao Guo motioned to accept the minutes. Janice Wallace seconded. Motion carried 8-0-0. 4. City activities: a. There is $12,000 in the budget for this fiscal year. b. Janet McCaslin reported that the new Permaculture sign was ordered. c. The City’s Communication Office shared that they will be dropping off the Reusable bags they created to Spellman House, Attick Towers, Paint Branch Elementary School, Hollywood Elementary School, the Farmers Market, the University of Maryland Student Government, and the College Park Food Bank. There will be another 1,000 bags available to residents that sign up online. d. Councilmember Whitney said she will discuss with Michael Williams, Economic Development Manager about outreach to retail stores about having a box for “Bring a bag, Take a Bag” concept. 5. Janice Wallace and Nicole Sieck offered to help hand out cotton mesh produce bags with the Better Bag Ordinance literature inside at the Hollywood Farmer’s Market, on August 26, 2023. Janet McCaslin will coordinate with the Market Manager. 6. Labeling trees on the trolley trail. Alexa Bely said labels are still being installed. Janet McCaslin said the new signs that came in were not correct, they had the wrong background. The vendor will remake the signs, and we expected them in August. 7. Stormwater drain art/medallions: a. Volunteers are needed to paint stormwater murals. b. Caroline Wick is stepping down from her role coordinating these, but Donnie Scally volunteered to be the point person going forward. c. Janet McCaslin will order paint and supplies. d. NBC did an interview with Janet McCaslin, staff Liaison and Melissa Sites, College Park Arts Exchange, regarding the 14 storm drain murals. A link to the interview will be placed on the website at https://www.collegeparkmd.gov/330/Sustainability. 8. Climate Action Plan: The group is looking at other cities’ plans and will report back their findings. 9. The Sustainability Survey is on schedule to send out in the fall. Mr. Larsen, Ms. Bely, and Ms. Teng will be working through the questions. Janice Wallace volunteered to help. 10. The Green Awards brochure is getting an update, a draft will be available for review at the next meeting. 11. Municipal Scene Tip of the month for coming months: The Committee discussed tips for grocery shopping to reduce waste, and what to look for in an Electric Vehicle. 12. Electric Vehicle Event, September 23 (rain date Sept. 30): a. Outreach to vehicle owners and bike shops – Both EV and PHEV cars. Proteus Bikes, Rad Bikes, College Scooters, and College Park Bikes onboard. b. Table with information about incentives for purchasing electric cars, as well as information about the e-bike/scooter rental program. We will have the CBE “my next car will be electric” magnets to give out. c. Promotion of the event – city newsletters and social media, College Park Here & Now, civic associations, and flyers d. The group voted to allocate $200 for snacks and incidentals. Motion carried 8-0-0. 13. Bee City update: The Committee is looking into new locations for pollinator gardens. 14. Tree and Landscape Board report. a. Alexa Bely attended the July meeting. b. Christine Fanning from MNCPPC provided an update about tree replacement and the fall tree giveaway on September 30, 2023, time TBD. There are 250 5-gallon trees  available for giveaway this fall (125 Dogwood trees and 125 Redbud trees). The event is open to the public and will not be limited to College Park residents. c. The TLB discussed the need for shade and green space in MNCPPC Parks. d. Ms. Fanning requested recommendations from TLB about parks in College Park for plantings, Cherry Hill Park was identified. e. Topics were discussed for future Municipal Scene articles, “Invasive Removal of Japanese Knotweed”, “Right Tree Right Place”, and “Leave the Leaves.” New Business: • College Park Day, October 7, 2023. There are booths available to any Committee that wants to participate. Wentao Guo, Todd Larsen, and Nicole Sieck volunteered. • Volunteers will be needed for Good Neighbor Day. Todd Larsen motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 pm. Wentao Guo seconded. Motion carried 8-0-0. Next Meeting: August 28, 2023.