Tree & Landscape Board

FINAL Minutes of the Tree and Landscape Board City Hall, City of College Park August 23, 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 7:09pm. 1. Approval of July Meeting Minutes: The minutes of the July 19, 2017 meeting were reviewed and minor edits were made. Motion: Adopt July meeting minutes with changes. Moved: Dr. Lea-Cox Second: Ms. O’Brien Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 2. Public Works Department Report: Ms. Alexander shared the following highlights:  A maintenance project at Davis playground to increase the size of the swing set has been completed. The wooden timbers around the play structure for the 2-5 year old children have been replaced.  The new structure for 5-12 year old children has been ordered and should be installed in October.  Fall pansies, violas, spring tulips, and daffodils have been ordered and will be planted in October.  Asplundh is currently performing line clearance work in College Park Woods neighborhood and signs are posted.  All Pepco line clearance tree work is posted on the City’s website under “interactive public works maps”.  One new person starts in September. Currently checking references for another person.  The vegetation control ordinance discussion has moved to the City Council work session on October 17th.  Compost and backyard compost bins are still available. 3. Planning Report: No update. 4. CBE Report: No update. 1 5. Tree Canopy Mr. Aubry from University Park Tree Board wanted to have Casey Trees come to College Park and provide a presentation on tree canopy, but Casey Trees is not available in the evening. This has been tabled until a date can be scheduled. 6. Hazardous Tree The committee discussed the upcoming Vegetation Control Ordinance and there is interest to include more definitive language to include hazardous trees on private property. 7. Chair of TLB Mr. Smith is moving out of the city and the Chair for the TLB needs to be replaced. Mr. Smith stated he has enjoyed his time on this Board and has always learned something new. He commented that the committee has done good things especially with the tree canopy enhancement. The TLB is currently down to 3 members. Dr. Lea-Cox made a motion to encourage the City Council to fill the vacant positons on the TLB. Second by Ms. O’Brien. All members were in favor. 8. New Business  The State of Maryland has a new requirement for City appointed Boards and Committees related to the Open Meeting Act. Each board or committee must have at least 1 member in addition to the staff liaison, complete the training on the Maryland Open Meetings Act by October 1, 2017. The training is an online class and can be found at http://www.igsr.umd.edu/VLC/OMA/class oma intro1.php  The committee reviewed the revised plan for planting at the park located at Route 1 and Edgewood Road. 9. Wrap Up, Confirmation of Next Meeting: The next meeting of the TLB will take place on September 13, 2017. A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Smith and second by Ms. O’Brien. Meeting adjourned at 8:13pm. 2