Tree & Landscape Board

Approved: 12/18/15 M&C Somers Gardiner APPROVED Minutes of the Tree and Landscape Board City Hall, City of College Park October 21, 2015 Term Exp. Members Present Absent N/A Brenda Alexander, Public Works Deputy Director N/A Steven Beavers, Planning Dept. Representative 8/30/2017 Eric Hoffman, Member 11/30/2016 John Krouse, Chair 4/30/17 John Lea-Cox, City Forester 8/30/2017 Christine O’Brien, member N/A Terry Schum, Staff Liaison 9/30/2016 Joseph Smith, Member 10/31/2016 Mark Wimer, Member ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N/A Laura Salers, Contract Secretary Lee Sommer, College Park Airport Manager Mr. Krouse called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. 1. Meeting with Mr. Lee Sommer, College Park Airport Manager: Mr. Sommer shared a PowerPoint presentation and updated the TLB on the airport. Highlights include: - Airport was inspected by the Aviation Administration a month ago. 95% of tree trimming and removal is complete in the obstruction zones. - Need to complete removal of fast growing saplings. - Branch trimming at the disc golf course complete. - Planted 85 trees at the disc golf course. - Scheduled to plant 90 saplings in the wetland area near railroad track. - Replanting goal is: Remove 1- Plant 3. - Some dead trees are left standing for wildlife habitat; others are cut down and left to decompose. - WSSC is investigating the sewer line along river stream. Possibly leaking into stream, odor present. - Coastal Resources will be working on remediation efforts to the development of the Purple Line. Redirecting a portion of the stream to help with fish populations. Approximately 14 months to complete. - Airport is considering applying for a grant for solar panels. They would be placed in unused large grassy area, using non reflective materials to prevent interference with planes. 2. Approval of Meeting Minutes: The minutes of the September 16, 2015 meeting were reviewed. Motion: Approval of the September 16, 2015 TLB meeting minutes as written. Moved: Mr. Wimer Second: Mr. Smith Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 1  3. Pepco Tree Work Flyer: Ms. Alexander shared the “Be Informed about Your Trees, Know Your Rights” flyer which included Pepco’s final edits. The TLB made several additional edits and added a city logo and date. Ms. Alexander will make the edits and submit a final copy to the City Clerk to include with the approved minutes. Motion: Approval of the flyer, Pepco Tree Work in College Park “Be Informed about Your Trees, Know Your Rights” with final edits from today’s meeting. Moved: Mr. Smith Second: Mr. Hoffman Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 4. State of the Trees: Mr. Smith suggested he draft a PowerPoint presentation for City Council in lieu of a formal written report. The Tree Inventory data will be used to create the report. 5. Resignation of John Krouse as Chair: Mr. Krouse shared his desire to resign and asked the board members to consider the position. Mr. Krouse has been serving as Chair for 14 months. Mr. Smith volunteered to accept the position if he could wait until January to begin. The offer was accepted and the Board will plan for the transition to take place in January. 6. Partnership for Active Learning in Sustainability (PALS) Program: Ms. Alexander asked Mr. Hoffman if he knew people in the PALS program who could help update the City’s Tree Inventory. Mr. Hoffman has already reached out to the PALS office on campus and they reached out to two Plant Science Department professors. Mr. Hoffman will update the TLB when he gets a response. 7. Public Works Report: Ms. Alexander reported that since last month, the crew has been weeding and brush cutting throughout the city. Fall pansies and spring tulip bulbs have been installed in the landscape beds throughout the City. Fall replacement trees are being planted this week. The remainder of the trees will be delivered soon and they will be planted by the end of the month. Public Works is preparing for curbside leaf collection to begin on Nov. 7 and they are preparing for snow removal as well. There is plenty of finely screened compost available for sale. 8. Planning Report: In Mr. Beaver’s absence, Ms. Alexander reported that there are two construction projects happening in Berwyn. One is on the site of the Koons Ford location and the other is a building across from Spellman House, 4700 Berwyn Rd. which is scheduled for demolition. The red maples along the street front under the power lines are slated for removal and they will be replaced with trident maples. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm. The next TLB meeting is scheduled for November 18, at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall. Minutes prepared by Laura Salers, Contract Secretary 2