Tree & Landscape Board

Minutes of the Tree and Landscape Board City of College Park Virtual Meeting May 19, 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 CBE Representative Dylan Burns, CBE, representative ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fazlul Kabir, City Councilmember Maria Mackie, City Councilmember Llatetra Esters, City Councilmember Carleveva Thompson, Contract Secretary Ms. Alfred called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. 1. Approval of Meeting Agenda: The agenda for the May 19, 2021 meeting was reviewed and the CBE report was removed from the agenda. Motion: Accept agenda as edited. Moved: Ms. Alfred Second: Ms. O’Brien Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 2. Approval of April Meeting Minutes: The minutes of the April 15, 2021 meeting were reviewed. Motion: Accept meeting minutes as presented. Moved: Ms. Alfred Second: Mr. Reitzel Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 3. Public Works Department Report: Ms. Alexander shared the following highlights:  The Arbor Day celebration went very well.  Summer annuals have been delivered and the landscape crew are planting them throughout the City. 4. CBE Report: No updates. 5. Old Business Action Plan for Urban Tree Protection Recommendations The Board met with Councilmembers to discuss how to begin a plan for phase of implementation of the Urban Tree Protection Recommendations. Discussions included providing residents education on the importance of maintaining the tree canopy by starting a campaign to promote tree protection and creating a pamphlet to provide to residents. It was suggested that the tone and content of the communication to residents is very important. There was a suggestion to have a City tree registry so there is knowledge of what types of trees are planted/growing on private property within the City. Councilmembers agreed creation of a City tree maintenance fund would be critical to help City residents since the cost of maintenance and assessment may not be affordable to some residents. There was also discussion on providing grants or funding to have trees assessed. It was suggested to develop a partnership with a local tree company that City residents can contact for tree assessment or maintenance. There was a question as to which residents would have access to the tree maintenance fund. The Board will recommend to the Council to put in place a requirement for City residents to have a tree permit before cutting down a tree. Councilmembers suggested for the Board to review the proposed urban tree protection recommendations and map out which recommendations are the most important and to place into phases for implementation. The Board discussed the following phases for implementation of the Urban Tree Protection Recommendations: Phase 1  Issuing of a tree permit  Incentives for tree maintenance  The City should provide assistance to residents that need help with the cost of an Arborist.  Communication and education to City residents on the permit program  City Tree registry Phase 2  Tree replacement and penalties for tree removal without replacement.  Create partnership with University of Maryland and Maryland National Capital Park and Planning (MNCPPC) for replacement of trees within the City boundaries.  Mapping of heritage trees. Phase 3   Develop a relationship with Prince George’s County to advocate for tree replacement in the City.  Impervious surface reduction to reduce the Clean Water Act fee. The Board will draft a plan to implement phases of the Urban Tree Protection Recommendations. The drafted plan will be provided to Mayor Wojahn and Councilmembers Mackie, Kabir, and Esters for review prior to the June TLB meeting. 6. Next Meeting Date The next meeting will be held on June 16, 2021. 7. Adjourn Ms. Alfred adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m.