Tree & Landscape Board

October 24, 2018 FINAL Minutes of the Tree and Landscape Board Davis Hall, City of College Park September 19, 2018 Term Exp. Members Present Absent N/A Brenda Alexander, Public Works Assistant Director 11/30/2018 John Krouse, Member 04/30/2019 John Lea-Cox, City Forester 08/30/2017 Christine O’Brien, member 01/2019 Janis Oppelt/Chair and CBE Representative 10/31/19 James Meyer ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N/A Carleveva Thompson, Contract Secretary Ms. Oppelt called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm. 1. Approval of August Meeting Minutes: The minutes of the August 15, 2018 meeting were reviewed, and minor edits were made. Motion: Adopt August meeting minutes with corrections. Moved: Ms. Oppelt Second: Mr. Krouse Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 2. Public Works Department Report: Ms. Alexander shared the following highlights: • The City Council has revised their meeting schedule for the remainder of the year. • The SavATree assessment report presentation moved to December 4th. • A Fall list of contract tree work has been put out for bids and will be awarded by the end of September. • Fall pansies and bulbs have been ordered and will be planted in October. • Met with Pepco planner to discuss planned tree work along a Route 1 feeder line. • Currently planning for Fall street tree replacements. • Sat on an interview panel for the landscape laborer vacancies. • Working on a project for renovation of Crystal Springs playground. • The Prince Georges County Beautification award ceremony will be held at the Newton White Mansion on September 26th. • Continuing the work on the dog park proposal. • Public Works will be open 2 Saturdays in October from 7:30 am – noon. 3. CBE Report: Ms. Oppelt shared the following highlights: • About ten people attended the Neighborhood Sun and Maryland SUN presentations. 1  • A tree pruning workshop will be held in November. Ms. Alexander will present on the TCEP and Ms. Barth will present and demonstrate tree pruning. 4. Old Business a. TLB Annual Report The Board reviewed the updated draft annual report provided by Ms. Oppelt. Mr. Krouse discussed concerns on not completing the update on the ordinance for hazardous trees and asked that it should be added to the goals for the upcoming year. There was also a suggestion to add that the TLB will work positively to ensure planting of new trees. 5. New Business a. New Initiative for TLB Mr. Krouse discussed an article on heat and how much the biggest use of electricity is on air conditioning. The article also stated how trees help reduce electricity and enhance the value of the neighborhood. Mr. Krouse suggested the Board be responsible for developing an advertisement to show the value and benefits of trees and to help encourage the planting of curbside trees. Mr. Krouse made a motion to initiate for neighbors to request street trees. Second by Ms. Oppelt. The motion was approved. b. Spotted lanternfly Mr. Krouse discussed concerns on the spread of the spotted laternfly in the City and suggested the Board and City Council need to open dialogue to take action and help prevent the spread of this insect. The Board will make a recommendation to have control measures included as a potential budget item as populations of the spotted lanternfly increase. 6. Adjournment Mr. Krouse motioned to adjourn the meeting. Second by Ms. Oppelt. The meeting adjourned at 8:38pm. 2