Committee for a Better Environment

Committee for a Better Environment Via Teleconferencing through Zoom December 11, 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 7:07pm by Todd Larsen, Chair. 1. Mr. Larsen accepted the agenda without exception. 2. The October 2023, minutes were reviewed. No changes were noted, however, without a quorum, the minutes were not approved. 3. City activities: a. There is $10,733.00 currently in CBE’s budget. b. Brian Barr is the Assistant Director of Landscape and Greenspace and is replacing Brenda Alexander. c. The food scrap program is at a lull. Ms. McCaslin will be sending out an email to all residents with a reminder to notify her if you will need to skip a week or two. She will also work with putting out a general announcement on the City website about signing up for the program. 4. Thanks to Ms. Wallace and Ms. McCaslin for getting the Google Drive set up for CBE. 5. Annual Report Reviewed that Mr. Larsen sent out to the committee prior to the meeting. A few items were noted: a. Correct the spelling of Troop for the Girl Scouts. b. Future activities: i. Survey to different businesses on what they do to be more green. Need to connect with Michael Williams.  ii. Could businesses be a part in the food scrap program. Business cannot be part of the residential program but can open up their own account. Someone will need to speak with Michael Williams. iii. Creating a decal or sticker for Green Businesses as an Award. iv. Try to get more apartments renters involved in sustainability, recycling, etc. Include more information on the City website for apartment dwellers and do a flyer for new residents for apartment management to include for new renters. 6. Spring Green Events were discussed: a. Yoga class b. Nature walk c. Clothing Swap – work with UMD SGA d. Environmental movie screening with lunch e. Green town hall session f. Green trade show – appeal to homeowners 7. Better Bags. Several towns that have a plastic bag ban are doing follow up surveys at various stores. A few committee members indicated they would be interested in helping. Mr. Larsen will follow up with the Prince Georges Sierra Club for further information. 8. Trolley Trail labeling will commence again in the spring. All signs that need to be purchased will be finalized in January. 9. Spring stormwater drain art/medallions and the Climate Action plan are tabled until the January 2024 meeting. 10. The Sustainability Survey will largely remain the same. There will be a few questions that will change. Ms. Bely will send out the survey prior to the January meeting. 11. Gas leaf/Electric leaf blower exchange program. Councilmember Whitney will get this scheduled on the City Council agenda. 12. Bee City update: a. Mayor’s Monarch Pledge is due by December 30, 2023. Ms. Alexander worked on it prior to her retirement. b. The Xerces Society recertification needs to be completed by the end of February. c. The committee is working on updating the plant list. 13. Municipal Scene - Mr. Larsen will work on an article about holiday lights. 14. TLB Update: a. Tree ordinance and enforcement was discussed and how Code Enforcement is involved. b. Tree Canopy Survey done by the University of Vermont was not completely accurate. The revision of the report is due by the end of November.  c. Natural Tree regeneration will be presented to City Council in January. d. It’s been a dry year and there is concern for plantings. e. The committee wants to be made aware of tree planning projects that will be coming to the area and will be removing trees. The Route 1 corridor has lost a tremendous number of trees. 15. The Seniors Committee would like to interact with CBE on energy efficient programs for seniors. Mr. Larsen will invite a member of the Seniors Committee to an upcoming CBE meeting. 16. 2024 CBE meeting dates for consideration: a. May 27 is Memorial Day. Potentially moving meeting to May 20. b. Combining the November/December meeting to December 9. 17. The next CBE meeting will be on January 22, 2024, at 7:00pm. The meeting concluded at 9:00pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.