Tree & Landscape Board

Approved: 091620 Minutes of the Tree and Landscape Board City of College Park Virtual Meeting August 19, 2020 Term Exp. Members Present Absent N/A Brenda Alexander, Public Works Assistant Director N/A Terry Schum, City Planning Representative 04/30/2021 John Lea-Cox, City Forester 04/30/2021 Christine O’Brien, member 10/31/2021 James Meyer, member 04/09/2021 Janet Wagner, member 04/30/2021 Rashawna Alfred, member 04/30/2021 Todd Reitzel, member Andrea McNamara, CBE representative Oscar Gregory, CBE representative ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carleveva Thompson, Contract Secretary Ms. Alfred called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. 1. Approval of Meeting Agenda: The agenda for the August 19, 2020 meeting was reviewed. Motion: Accept August agenda as presented. Moved: Ms. Alfred Second: Ms. Alexander Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 2. Approval of July Meeting Minutes: The minutes of the July 22, 2020 meeting were reviewed. Motion: Accept July meeting minutes as amended. Moved: Ms. Alfred Second: Ms. Alexander Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 3. Public Works Department Report: Ms. Alexander shared the following highlights:  Pepco line clearance work is underway in Calvert Hills. Another crew is scheduled to begin work in Old Town neighborhood later in the week and a third crew will begin work in the Lakeland neighborhood next week. 1   The tree assessment is complete. The results showed that the Willow Oak tree on 9002 48th place was identified as being solid with some decay detected in the roots.  Followed up on the Prince Georges County rain check rebate program. Waiting to receive more information. 4. Planning Report: No report. 5. CBE Report: Mr. Gregory provided the following highlights:  A presentation was presented by the Sierra Club for the school districts to adopt clean energy by year 2040.  Mayor Wojahn responded positively to the CBE letters regarding the Climate County Action Plan.  Voted yes for more mosquito traps.  Plan to distribute car magnets at farmer’s markets in North College Park.  The Council is still working on the GAP analysis.  CBE survey is still being drafted.  Permaculture planting and maintenance will begin in the fall.  Working on signs and tree tagging and would like TLB to collaborate with this project.  Looking for partners to help with water signage as well.  Green Awards is not well known within the City and would like to have advertised to get more attention.  Suggestion to reach out to residents regarding trees in the right of way.  CBE will ask the City Council to support the County bill to reduce pesticides.  Looking to see which suggestions to improve sustainability within the City can move forward. 6. Old Business a. Cover memo for tree permit recommendations to Council The Board reviewed the memo to Council for the tree permit recommendations and minor edits were made. Dr. Lea-Cox made a motion to amend the third bullet regarding the circumference. Second by Mr. Reitzel. All members in favor; no opposed, 8-0. b. Destructive climbing plants brochure 2  The Board discussed the types of vines to include in a brochure. The Board agreed that the vines to include in the brochure will be English Ivy, mile-a-minute, poison ivy, kudzu, porcelain berry, Virginia Creeper, and wild grape. Ms. O’Brien will put together a draft and Dr. Lea-Cox will help with pictures of the vines for the brochure. 7. New Business a. Odessa Park Dr. Lea-Cox motioned to move to the permaculture item first, then come back to the Odessa park item. Second by Ms. Wagner. Ms. Alexander asked the Board to review the planting selections for Odessa park. Dr. Lea-Cox motioned to approve the plan as amended by Ms. Alexander. Second by Ms. Wagner. All members in favor; no opposed, 8-0. b. Request for tree removal in right-of-way for planned permaculture Ms. Alexander shared with the Board a request from a City resident to remove two Honey Locust trees that are in the right of way for a resident to plant a permaculture garden. Dr. Lea Cox motioned the TLB does not support the removal of the two Honey Locust trees but has no objection to the resident planting fruit trees in the right of way, in the open area and to avoid utility lines. Second by Ms. Wagner. All members in favor; no opposed, 8-0. 8. Next Meeting Date The next meeting will be held on September 16, 2020. 9. Adjournment Ms. Alfred made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Second by Dr. Lea-Cox. The meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m. 3