Committee for a Better Environment

-Committee for a Better Environment Via Teleconferencing through Zoom October 23, 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 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 Nicole Sieck 6/30/2026 X Stacy Teng 6/30/2025 X Caroline Wick 6/30/2026 X Janice Wallace 6/30/2026 X Also Present: Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting began at 7:04pm by Todd Larsen, Chair. 1. Adding additional items and a change for the next meeting on the agenda, Mr. Larsen accepted the agenda without exception. 2. The September 25, 2023, minutes were reviewed. Mr. Scally motioned, and Mr. Hall seconded to accept the minutes with amended changes. Motion carries 8-0-0. 3. City activities: a. There is $10,733.00 currently in CBE’s budget. Reminder that $400 will be applied for Green Award winners. Other suggestions for the budget: i. Signage around the City promoting “green” and “reusable.” ii. Education about the environment. iii. Potential rebates for electric leaf blowers. b. The Permaculture Sign has been installed. c. October 28 is the final clean up day. 4. Ms. Wallace has created a shared Google Drive account. Either an email or cell phone number is needed for further verification. She will work with Ms. McCaslin. 5. A number of retailers have not been in compliance with the Better Bag Ordinance. Code Enforcement has been diligent about enforcing the ordinance. Mom’s Market has indicated that they will make space for people to place reusable bags that others can take and use. Mr. Larsen indicated that the Prince George’s County’s ordinance to charge 10  cents maximum per bag and provide free bags to SNAP and WIC recipients was not passed. 6. Stormwater drain art. Eco-Latinos painted two drains by Youth and Family Services building. Mr. Scally will be reaching out to the neighborhood committees to inquire about potential drain sites for future paintings. Ms. McCaslin stated that she also has a list of potential sites. She also stated that one of the Girl Scouts troops reached out about painting a drain in the spring and Hilary indicated she would assist them. Councilmember Whitney indicated that she will reach out to District 4 for potential drain locations. 7. Climate Action plan was tabled until the December 11th CBE meeting. 8. The Electric Vehicle event went well. Approximately 50-70 people stopped by to not only inquire about electric vehicles and electric bikes, but to discuss energy efficient changes in their homes. Unfortunately, there was a large protest in front of Mom’s Market, and it overshadowed the Farmer’s Market and the EV event. It was suggested that the committee do another event in the spring on Trolley Trail Day (June 2024) close to the Trolley Trail. 9. The Sustainability Sub-committee will be meeting in November to update the survey and would like to have it go to the residents in March 2024 in both English and Spanish. 10. College Park Day went well. Thank you to all who volunteered to be at the CBE table. 11. Bee City Activities: a. Will be participating in Good Neighbor Day with several projects. b. Reviewed No Mow April. It’s a permanent event for College Park, but strictly voluntary for residents. c. Brenda Alexander announced her retirement as of November 30, 2023. 12. Municipal Scene Articles: a. December – Using various materials for wrapping presents – Ms. Wallace b. January – Properly disposing of Christmas trees 13. TLB report: a. Discussed the Tree Canopy Assessment. There are some items that need further clarification and will be addressed with the University of Vermont. The assessment will be presented to the Mayor and City Council on November 14. b. The tree giveaway on September 30 went very well. c. Fall pansies and spring bulbs are starting to be planted throughout the City. 14. Brief discussion on light colored roofs. The committee discussed incorporating this and other energy saving ideas into a larger sustainability event next spring – the event would incorporate a clothing swap, sessions on sustainability, and vendors. We could try to  work with the County and Sustainable Maryland on such an event. Ms. Wallace, Mr. Hall, Mr. Guo, and Mr. Larsen volunteered to look into this event. 15. Councilmember Whitney will be looking for CBE support regarding adopting unleaded fuel for small aircrafts as opposed to leaded fuel. Mr. Larsen and Ms. Sieck volunteered to help compose a letter of support. 16. The next CBE meeting will be on December 11, 2023, at 7:00pm. This is a combined November/December meeting due to the holiday season. Instructions will be sent out via email prior to the meeting date. Mr. Larsen motioned, and Ms. Wallace seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:40pm. Motion carries 6-0-0. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.