Tree & Landscape Board

Minutes of the Tree and Landscape Board City of College Park Virtual Meeting March 18, 2021 Term Exp. Members Present Absent N/A Brenda Alexander, Public Works Assistant Director 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 Daniel Warfield, CBE representative ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carleveva Thompson, Contract Secretary Terry Schum, City Planning Department Ms. Alfred called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. 1. Approval of Meeting Agenda: The agenda for the March 18, 2021 meeting was reviewed. Motion: Accept agenda as presented. Moved: Ms. Alfred Second: Mr. Reitzel Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 2. Approval of February Meeting Minutes: The minutes of the February 18, 2021 meeting were reviewed and edits were made to the minutes. Motion: Accept February meeting minutes as amended. Moved: Ms. Alfred Second: Mr. Reitzel Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 3. Approval of Special Meeting Minutes: The minutes of the February 24, 2021 Special Meeting were reviewed and edits were made to the minutes. Motion: Accept February meeting minutes as amended. Moved: Ms. Alfred Second: Mr. Reitzel Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 4. Public Works Department Report: Ms. Alexander shared the following highlights:  Two new staff members joined the landscape crew and one more will start later in the month.  The landscape crew are working on spring cleanup.  The dog park project in Hollywood at 51st Ave is near completion.  The City was awarded recertification of Tree City USA for 2020.  Enlisted help from the City’s Communications coordinator to plan the Arbor Day event. If unable to connect with one of the churches in Lakeland, then the event 1  may be held at James Adams Park. There’s interest in having an evergreen tree planted in the park for holiday decorating events. 5. CBE Report: No updates. 6. City Planning Department Report: Ms. Schum shared the following highlights:  The head of Maryland National Capitol Park and Planning (MNCPP) environmental section, Kim Finch, is an expert on regulations and mitigation requirements related to development and has agreed to speak with the TLB at a future meeting. Ms. Finch would provide an overview on the intent of tree conservation regulations and how they’re administered.  The environmental section of Park and Planning prepares an Annual Forest Conservation Report and the FY19 report is currently available online. This is a County wide report that the TLB could possibly use as a reference.  The best opportunity for the City to become more involved with the County would be to help update the County’s tree canopy coverage ordinance. Ms. Finch suggested to review Montgomery’s County ordinance as reference.  The Woodland Conservation Ordinance is administered by the Department of the Environment in Prince Georges County and not MCPPC. Any fees that are paid to the County go into the Woodland conservation bank and a portion of the money goes toward tree planting grants. Dr. Lea-Cox shared with Ms. Schum and the TLB pictures of the trees “pruned” at the College Park Airport. 7. Old Business a. Update Urban Tree Protection Recommendations The Board continued work to revise the Urban Tree Protection Recommendations that will be presented to the City Council. Mr. Reitzel motioned to recommend the Urban Tree Protection Recommendations including updates from March 18, 2021 to City Council. Second by Dr. Lea-Cox. All members in favor; no opposed. 8. Next Meeting Date The next meeting will be held on Thursday, April 15, 2021. 9. Adjournment Ms. Alfred adjourned the meeting at 9:18 p.m. 2