Committee for a Better Environment

Committee for a Better Environment Via Teleconferencing through Zoom February 26, 2024 – 7:00 PM Staff Present Absent Janet McCaslin X Susan Whitney, Councilmember (arr. 8:05p,) X Members Term Expires Present Absent Alexa Bely 6/30/2025 X Frank Cifaldi 6/30/2026 X Wentao Guo 6/30/2025 X Brendan Hall 6/30/2024 X Michael Hottinger 6/30/2026 X Todd Larsen 6/30/2026 X Sam McGranahan 6/30/2026 X Nikki Pancho 6/30/2025 X Shyamala Rajan 6/30/2026 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: Students from UMD: Peyton McDonald, MO Makes, Oriel Ockerman, Anthony Spinelli, Darby Jones, Adam Hare, Naana Asameah, Ava Pitt, Rachel U., N.C. Raven, Adam Sachs, Curtis Sechler, Dan Oates, Kyle Pumphrey, Lydia Yom, Maryellen; Martha Ainsworth, PG Sierra Club, Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting began at 7:03pm by Todd Larsen, Chair. The new members of the committee were introduced. 1. Ms. Sieck motioned, and Ms. Pancho seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carries 13-0-0. 2. The October 2023 minutes were reviewed. Mr. Scally motioned, and Ms. Sieck seconded to accept the minutes. Motion carries 13-0-0. The January 2024 minutes were reviewed. Mr. Scally motioned to accept with one change, and Ms. Wallace seconded to accept the minutes. Motion carries 13-0-0. 3. City activities: a. There is $11,840.63 currently in CBE’s budget. $8,000.00 will be dedicated to the electric lawn equipment incentive leaving $3,840.63 for the fiscal year. A reminder that $400.00 will be dedicated to the Green Awards.  b. Spring Clean-up days will be April 6, April 20, April 27 and May 18 (shredding will also be available on May 18). c. LEED certification was tabled for consideration by the City until next year. d. The College Park parade will be held on May 4. 4. Martha Ainsworth shared a presentation on the Maryland Bottle Bill, HB 735/SB642, to increase beverage container recycling in Maryland. The bill goes into effect on January 1, 2027. Mr. Larsen shared a letter to send to Mayor and Council to support the Bottle Bill. Ms. Bely motion to accept with suggested changes and Ms. Wallace seconded. Motion carries 13-0-0. 5. The electric lawn equipment program is waiting for final approval from finance. The webpage has been completed. A flyer will be created and will be inserted into the Spring Resident Guide. 6. The Green event was tabled for discussion until the March CBE meeting. 7. Spring stormwater drain art/medallions. There will be draft art pictures to share at the March CBE meeting. Melissa Sites, from College Park Arts Exchange has stated that they have funds in their budget to assist with storm drain paintings along the Trolley Trail. There was a comment that the storm drain by the dog park is very slippery. 8. Climate Action Plan. Mr. Guo and Mr. Larsen had are working on a draft letter to Mayor and City Council outlining a course of action for the Climate Action Plan. Ms. Rajan volunteered to assist with drafting the letter. 9. The Sustainability Survey is waiting for City Communications to review and once approved, it will go out to all residents. 10. Labeling of trees on the Trolley Trail continues. 11. Roanoke Pocket Park. Mr. Larsen attended a meeting at the park, prior to CBE. Present were City staff and Todd Reitzel from TLB. The property is ringed with several native trees and has small bushes trees in the center. There is a lot of runoff from the road that drains through the property to a cement drainage ditch in the back which leads to mosquitoes. There was consensus amongst those gathered that a rain garden/pollinator garden ringed by mature trees, could be a good use of space. There could also be seating, and a system to help with drainage. There was enthusiasm for bat boxes since the bats would eat the mosquitoes. There is a poll where residents can give feedback as well: www.collegeparkmd.gov/roanokepark. The city is collecting feedback for a few weeks and then there will be a discussion of the best use for the park. Ms. Bely made a motion to send a letter of support to Mayor and City Council and Mr. Hottinger seconded. Motion carries 13-0-0.  12. With regards to the pending bill on lead in small aircraft fuel, the EPA is reviewing the bill. 13. Permaculture Garden clean-up day is scheduled for April 20 from 9:00am-12:00Noon. RSVP to volunteer on the google doc site provided on the agenda. 14. The Small Business survey regarding green actions has been tabled until the March CBE meeting. 15. Bee City update: a. Native plants are available at Davis Hall for any planting projects or individuals. You can contact Maria Ulloa-Bustos, Chair. b. The Bee Lab will be opening in March. c. Recertification of Bee City USA is being completed. d. There will be a planting event in April with MNCPPC. 16. Municipal Scene - April – Migration time – Ms. Rajan. 17. TLB Update: a. On going discussion on Autoville Development. b. The Campus Village subdivision has been approved by the County. c. Continue enforcement on the Tree Ordinance. 18. Green Awards selections will be discussed at the March CBE meeting. 19. The next CBE meeting will be on March 25, 2024, at 7:00pm. 20. Ms. Sieck motioned and Mr. Hall seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion carries 13-0-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.