Tree & Landscape Board

Tree and Landscape Board Via Teleconferencing through Zoom August 19, 2021 7:00 PM Members Term Exp. Present Absent Brenda Alexander, Staff Liaison X John Lea-Cox, City Forester 6/30/2022 X Christine O’Brien 6/30/2023 X James Meyer 6/30/2022 X Janet Wagner 6/30/2022 X Rashawna Alfred, Chair 6/30/2023 X Todd Reitzel 6/30/2024 X Caroline Wick, CBE Representative X (a 8:09pm) Also Present: Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting was called to order at 7:02pm by Rashawna Alfred, chair. 1. The agenda was reviewed. Ms. Alfred motioned to accept. Dr. Lea-Cox seconded. Motion carries 6-0-0. 2. The July 8, 2021 minutes were reviewed. Ms. Alfred motioned to accept the minutes with changes discussed. Dr. Lea-Cox seconded. Motion carries 6-0-0. 3. Public Works Report: a. Excel Tree Experts are completing the contracted tree work. b. PEPCO line clearance work in College Park Woods will be done later this fall. c. Pansies and spring bulbs are in the process of being ordered for fall planting. d. Thirty (30) Calvert Hills residents have responded they want street trees in front of their property. e. A tree fell in early August in the Lakeland community. There is a sidewalk repair crew doing work throughout the neighborhood. Red Maple trees are dominant street tree species, and eventually the roots will push up the sidewalks; this brought forth a brief discussion on impervious vs. pervious pavement. Previously there was some sidewalk repair work done in Berwyn and Calvert Hills where pervious pavement was used. The current work in Lakeland was done with a backhoe, which goes down six to eight inches and is damaging tree roots leading to tree decline and death. The area near the trees should be excavated by hand. Ms. Alexander has made inquiries and expressed concerns to the City Engineer, Steve Halpern and to the DPW Director. Dr. Lea-Cox offered to compose a letter, directed to Mayor and City Council, regarding the sidewalk and trees and will send out to the committee to review. 4. Old Business a. Public Hearing on Tree Ordinance:  26 people spoke; 10 were supportive, 14 were opposed, and 2 were so-so.  There was a discrepancy in the acreage for the residential tree canopy report. Ms. Alexander has worked with the City’s GIS technician and has been able to determine a more accurate residential canopy acreage – 834 residential acres [no townhouses, no condos, no apartment buildings; single family residences only]. 1,000 acres at the University of Maryland. There appears to be a 4% canopy loss over the last five years on residential land.  The vote for Tree Ordinance is not on the September City Council meeting agenda. It may be detained until after the election. b. Education Campaign  Create and put information on social media and the TLB page on the city website.  Articles for Municipal Scene:  Fall planting – Ms. Wagner will write, and Dr. Lea-Cox will review.  Simple steps to remove English Ivy as it kills trees.  Plant the right tree in the right place. 5. CBE update: a. Labeling trees on the Trolley Trail. Sign proofs were reviewed by the committee. A question was posed about adding a leaf to the sign; the response is that is too difficult to add the leaf and make it look presentable on the black background. b. Prince George’s County was approached about the possibility of painting the storm drains and they have given their consent and are willing to assist with supplies. College Park Arts Exchange is willing to partner with CBE to accomplish this project. The first locations will be near the College Park metro and the Greenbelt metro since they are high traffic areas. c. CBE is working with Bee City USA Committee on a proposal for No Mow Month for April 2022. 6. New Business: a. A representative from MNCPPC - Prince George’s County will be attending the September 15, 2021, TLB meeting to discuss the development requirements related to the Woodland Conservation Act. Even though all meetings are open to the public, the committee would like to have this meeting publicized through social media, Municipal Scene, etc. The committee would also like notification sent to the Mayor and City Council and ask for their attendance at the meeting. Terry Schum, City Planner, is working on questions; if the committee has questions, please submit them to Ms. Alexander. Some discussion ideas are:  Education on forest mitigation process that surrounds tree loss. How much is caused by developers?   Identify current requirements for new commercial development projects and how they will affect the tree canopy. b. Sustainable Maryland has a Route 1 corridor group that meetings on a regular basis. Could be a good forum for TLB to initiate a discussion on tree loss. c. Guilford Run needs to be placed on a UMD senate agenda. d. There is an Urban Forestry Conference that should be forthcoming. Ms. Alexander will inform the group when she has further information. 7. The next meeting is scheduled for September 15, 2021, at 7:00pm. Ms. Alfred motioned to adjourn the meeting. Ms. O’Brien seconded. Meeting adjourned at 9:00pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.