Tree & Landscape Board

Approved: 051717 Minutes of the Tree and Landscape Board City Hall, City of College Park March 22, 2017 Term Exp. Members Present Absent N/A Brenda Alexander, Public Works Assistant Director N/A Steven Beavers, Planning Dept. Representative 11/30/2018 John Krouse, Member 4/30/17 John Lea-Cox, City Forester 8/30/2017 Christine O’Brien, member N/A Janis Oppelt/CBE Representative 9/30/2018 Joseph Smith, Chair ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N/A Carleveva Thompson, Contract Secretary Mr. Smith called the meeting to order at 7:07 pm. 1. Approval of January Meeting Minutes: The minutes of the January 18, 2017 meeting were reviewed and minor edits were made. Motion: Adopt January meeting minutes with changes. Moved: Mr. Krouse Second: Ms. O’Brien Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 Approval of February Meeting Minutes: The minutes of the February 15, 2017 meeting were reviewed and minor edits were made. Motion: Adopt February meeting minutes with changes. Moved: Ms. O’Brien Second: Mr. Krouse Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 2. Planning Report: No updates. 3. Public Works Department Report: Ms. Alexander shared the following highlights:  The City received the tree USA award for 2016.  The City Council approved the Tree Canopy Enhancement Program Guidelines and the information is on the City’s website listed under Public Works. Ms. Alexander would like to have it moved to the home page for better visibility.  Ms. Alexander is currently working on the spring tree order for tree replacements.  Ms. Alexander attended an ISA class to obtain Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) certification.  Pepco contacted Ms. Alexander for tree removals along Route 193 between Rhode Island Ave and the ramp to northbound Route 1, as well as along Route 1 all the way up to the Beltway. Pepco will replant with Hollies and Eastern Red 1  Cedars later in the fall. The work will begin in April and all the Bradford Pear growth along the Route 1 bridge that goes over the beltway will be removed.  The grass mowing contract has been renewed for 3 years with the same contractor.  The landscape crew is working on spring clean-up and mulching on City planting beds.  Public Works yard will be open four Saturdays in April from 7:30am-12:00pm for Spring clean-up month, but will not be open on the Saturday of Easter weekend, 4/15/17. Compost is available for sale and Public Works will deliver in College Park. Wood mulch should be available in April. 4. CBE Report: No updates. 5. Hollywood Neighborhood Park Update Mr. Krouse shared there has been no release of detailed plans for the Greenbelt Metro by the County; they may be waiting on the FBI decision. Two picnic tables, a new grill, and two large signs were added at the park entrance of Hollywood Park. There has also been recent trench work done in the park and a huge tree stump has been removed. The TLB decided to hold the recommendation to the City Council on storm water management in Hollywood Park until more information is provided. 6. Tree Canopy Enhancement Program/Council Worksession The City Council approved the Tree Canopy Enhancement Program and it will be presented over the City’s social media sites and the City’s website. 7. Prince Georges Green The TLB discussed if Prince Georges Green would be a potential resource for funding. 8. Arbor Day Planting The Church of Nazarene is not interested in participating in Arbor Day. The VFW was suggested to Ms. Alexander as a potential site, but this may not be a suitable site for tree planting. The United Methodist Church would be a suitable site and Ms. Alexander contacted the church and is waiting to hear back. Mr. Smith suggested Fealy Hall if the Methodist Church is not interested. 9. Recap of last meeting (Jim Himel) Mr. Smith liked the idea of spreading the word of tree planting other than through the City and suggestions made by TLB. Mr. Smith will discuss with Mayor Wojahn if it would be possible to go through the City-University Partnership to get more trees planted. 10. New Business  Mr. Krouse shared details of the site on Route 1 where the house was demolished and stated that all the straw covering has been removed by the wind. 2   Ms. O’Brien shared details of the possibility of a Chick-fil-a being added to the corner of 193 and Route 1.  Good Neighbor Day is on April 1st and there will be a clean-up of Guilford Run with invasive species removal in the run area.  Ms. O’Brien shared details of a curbing project on Mangum and there is a Sycamore with roots chopped off.  Mr. Smith asked the TLB to identify places within the City that have ecological significance and serve a purpose to put on a map. The map can be added to the TLB website and periodic tours of these areas could be offered. 11. Wrap Up, Confirmation of Next Meeting: The next meeting of the TLB will take place on April 19, 2017. Motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Krouse and second by Ms. O’Brien. Meeting adjourned at 8:18pm. 3