Tree & Landscape Board

Approved: April 15, 2015 M&C Nagro Gardiner Schum Minutes of the Tree and Landscape Board City Hall, City of College Park March 25, 2015 Term Exp. Members Present Absent N/A Brenda Alexander, Public Works Deputy Director N/A Steven Beavers, Planning Dept. Representative 11/30/2016 John Krouse, Chair 12/31/2014 John Lea-Cox, City Forester 9/30/2016 Joseph Smith, Member 10/31/2016 Mark Wimer, Member ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N/A Gemma Evans, CBE Liaison N/A Janis Oppelt, CBE Chair Mr. Krouse called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. 1. Proclamation and Program for Arbor Day The 25th Arbor Day celebration will be held on Friday, May 1, at 6:00 p.m. in the 7300 block of Rhode Island Avenue. The commemorative event will recognize Amelia Murdoch for her contributions to the City. Mr. Beavers has requested the dates of service regarding her involvement in the CBE, TLB, and VMIC, and Ms. Alexander will revise the City proclamation to reflect this information. The City will advertise the event on cable TV channels and character generator; the City Clerk also suggested sending out a “constant contact” notification about 2 weeks prior to the event. A 6- to 7-foot Fringe tree as well as shrubbery will be planted, possibly in the area of the Veterans Memorial. Ms. Alexander will contact the Boy Scouts for participation in the event. 2. Planning Activities Mr. Beavers discussed the tree boxes and a rain garden planned for the City. He will inform the TLB as additional updates are received. 3. Public Works Activities  The crews removed snow from the bike trail.  The crews removed dead plants, fallen limbs, and also pruned trees from along Bowdoin Avenue.  The perennials have been cut and mulched on all four Route 1 medians. 1   One hundred cubic yards of playground mulch were delivered to Duvall and installed at the Duvall, Muscobee, and Davis fields.  The exterior lighting at the Public Works building walk path was upgraded with the installation of 21 new LED lights.  University of Maryland staff helped with planting bed creation by using the side cutter to reduce the bed preparation time.  Residents are asked to contact Loree for composted mulch delivery. Public Works will be open each Saturday in April from 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon for Cleanup Month, and mulch and compost will be available for sale. 4. Public Works Plans for Good Neighbor Day Good Neighbor Day will be celebrated on Saturday, April 28. A total of 50 native plants will be installed in Old Town between College and Knox Avenues to screen the parking area from the trail at University Gardens Apartments, and sod has been cut for preparation. Two crew members will supervise the project, and approximately 20 students have volunteered to participate. Vegetation that has been cut will be removed, and compost and mulch will be installed. Interested volunteers are requested to sign up on the Good Neighbor Day website. 5. 3/17/15 Council Worksession regarding TLB “Charge” and Potential Changes Mr. Krouse explained that during the City Council Worksession, he stated that the TLB is “sort of a professional advisory group that’s here to provide expert guidance to the City.” At the TLB meeting, he stated that there had been a discussion during the Worksession regarding combining the TLB with CBE. Mr. Krouse was quite adamant about proposing changes to the City Charter to make it more specific to the current TLB activities, although the other TLB members disagreed. Motion: Make no changes to the TLB “Charge,” except concerns from the City Council regarding pending legislation. Moved: Mr. Smith Second: Dr. Lea Cox Oppose: Mr. Krouse Motion: To table the above motion until the next meeting. Moved: Ms. Evans Second: Mr. Smith Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 Motion: The TLB is requesting the City Clerk’s office to request the Airport Authority to present an update of the tree replacement plan for the M-NCPPC property to the Mayor and Council. Moved: Dr. Lea-Cox Second: Ms. Evans Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 6. Approval of the Meeting Minutes 2  The February 25, 2015 Tree and Landscape Board meeting minutes were not approved. Although less detail was requested during the February meeting, now more detail has been requested. The minutes will be reviewed at the April meeting. 7. Other Activities There was a discussion regarding the wording for the flyer for distribution to residents with information on tree pruning and removals on private property by Pepco. TLB members will receive an electronic copy for review. 8. CBE Activities & Plans  The Green Awards will be presented at College Park Day. The CBE is requesting nominations for residents who may deserve an award.  The CBE has held a number of workshops including Canning and Preserves; Birding; and Movie Night, which was held in conjunction with the College Park library. Another Movie Night to show, “Dirt” is being considered. Other planned workshops are on Bees, Foraging, and another Birding workshop.  The CBE has discussed the College Park fencing ordinance and the impact it has on front- yard vegetable gardens; residents must get a variance to erect a front-yard fence.  The CBE has approved funding for the plaque that will be installed on a bench to commemorate Amelia Murdoch. 9. Adjournment The TLB meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. The next TLB meeting is scheduled for April 15 at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall. Minutes prepared by Debra Pinkett, Contract Secretary for the City of College Park 3