Committee for a Better Environment

Committee for a Better Environment Via Teleconferencing through Zoom March 25, 2024 – 7:00 PM Staff Present Absent Janet McCaslin X Susan Whitney, Councilmember X Members Term Expires Present Absent Alexa Bely (a 7:13pm) 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: Dorian Mitchell, Ella Winters, Vasha Vijay, Anthony Spinelli, Mia Meredith, Ryleigh Lanza, Joseph Cho, Anthony G., Avani Ambardekar, Sophia Stein, Marcel Rosas; Girl Scouts: Kathyrn Kovarik, Josephina McAndrew, Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting began at 7:04pm by Todd Larsen, Chair. The new members of the committee were introduced. 1. Mr. Scally motioned to accept with one addition, and Ms. Wallace seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carries 9-0-0. 2. The February 2024 minutes were reviewed. Mr. Hall motioned to accept with one change, and Mr. Hottinger seconded to accept the minutes. Motion carries 9-0-0. 3. City activities: a. The budget number is not available. Ms. McCaslin is waiting to receive the number once the lawn care rebate money is subtracted from the balance. There have been 11 lawn rebate applications received from March 5 – March 25. An accurate balance will be shared at the April meeting.  b. Spring Clean-up days will be April 6, April 20, April 27 and May 18 (shredding will also be available on May 18). Bulk trash rules will be waived during these four dates. There will be a $4.00 charge per tire which have to be off the rim. 4. The letter supporting the Maryland Bottle Bill was sent to Mayor and Council. 5. Reviewed Green Award applications for Vincent McDonald and Janet and Richard Wagner. Mr. Hottinger made a motion to approve these two applications and Ms. Wallace seconded. Motion carries 10-0-0. 6. Ms. Wallace shared ideas for the green event during the week of September 15, 2024: a. Nature Walk/Foraging Talk with Jared from Vital Traditions b. Environmental Movie c. Electrify Your Home Event d. Town Hall meeting on Sustainability Survey e. Clothing Swap 7. Spring stormwater drain art/medallions. Several pictures were shared that were done by NASA. Josephina McAndrew, with the Girl Scouts, shared her drawing with the committee. The suggestion was that it might be great to have it at the rear entrance of Gateway Park. 8. Climate Action Plan. Work continues on the climate action plan. Further updates will be given at the April CBE meeting. 9. The Sustainability Survey should be going out to resident in the near future; Ms. McCaslin and/or Ms. Bely will alert the committee when it is “live.” Mr. Larsen made a motion to spend up to $500 for the survey to be translated into Spanish. Ms. Wallace seconded the motion. Motion carries 10-0-0. 10. Ms. Bely could use assistance with putting in the signs for the trees along the Trolley Trail. 11. Permaculture Clean-up Day will be on April 20. CBE is co-sponsoring the event from 9:00am-12:00Noon. We will need volunteers from CBE and you can RSVP on https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfDSKCD7f7flNaK_LnoadZN5KKle59PSw ah1uVWHq_z8n0W6Q/viewform. The girl scouts will also be assisting with the clean- up. 12. There is a small business survey regarding green actions and recognizing greener companies. 13. Bee City update: a. No Mow April starts on Monday, April 1. You can ask for a sign at Davis Hall from Ms. McCaslin.  b. There is a seeding event at the Bee Lab on March 23. c. Recertification of Bee City USA has been completed. d. There will be a planting event in April with MNCPPC. e. Bee City will be marching in the May 4 College Park parade. f. Starting to work on Pollinator Week in June. 14. Municipal Scene - April – Migration time – Ms. Rajan. 15. TLB Update: a. Meeting concerning Roanoke Park on March 27 at 5:00pm. b. Discussed the Bottle Bill c. Arbor Day tree planting at Calvert Hills playground. d. Ivy removal from trees. 16. Municipal Scene: a. May – Heat pump/Hot water heater – Mr. Larsen b. June – Green Vacation – Ms. DeWalt 17. The College Park parade is May 4. CBE will participate and march with Bee City and TLB. Mr. Cifaldi volunteered to be the “bee.” Mr. Larsen, Ms. Wallace, Mr. Hottinger, and Mr. Scally will also participate. Mr. Larsen made a motion to spend up to the $200 on supplies. Ms. Bely seconded. Motion carries 10-0-0. 18. There is a Healthy Homes Fair on April 6 at the DC Armory. Check out www.healthyhomesfair.org. 19. Ms. McCaslin attended the most recent Sustainable Maryland leadership training. 20. Ms. Rajan discussed the US Fish & Wildlife Refuge Service land protection. She will draft a letter for CBE to review via email and send to Mayor and Council asking for support. Ms. Bely motioned to have the letter sent to Mayor and Council once approved by CBE. Ms. Wallace seconded. Motion carries 10-0-0. 21. The next CBE meeting will be on April 22, 2024, at 7:00pm. 22. Ms. Bely motioned, and Ms. Wallace seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion carries 10-0-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:22pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.