Tree & Landscape Board

Minutes of the Tree and Landscape Board City of College Park Virtual Meeting Thursday, December 9, 2021, 7:00PM Term Exp. Members Present Absent N/A Brenda Alexander, Public Works Assistant Director 06/30/2022 John Lea-Cox, City Forester 06/30/2023 Christine O’Brien, member 06/30/2022 James Meyer, member 06/30/2023 Rashawna Alfred, member 06/30/2021 Todd Reitzel, member Dylan Burns, CBE, representative Caroline Wick, CBE representative ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Also Present: Carleveva Thompson, Contract Secretary Ms. Alfred called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. 1. Approval of Meeting Agenda: The agenda for the December 9, 2021 meeting was reviewed. Motion: Accept agenda as presented. Moved: Ms. Alfred Second: Mr. Reitzel Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 2. Approval of November Meeting Minutes: The Board reviewed the meeting minutes of the November 17, 2021 meeting and edits were made to the minutes. Motion: Accept November meeting minutes as amended. Moved: Ms. Alfred Second: Ms. O’Brien Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 3. Public Works Department Report: Ms. Alexander shared the following highlights:  The online form for tree maintenance has been revised to make it clearer.  Pepco’s contractor, Asplundh, is currently working in the College Park Woods neighborhood for line clearance work.  The landscape crew is installing remaining tree identification signs in Calvert Hills and Old Town. Once all the signs are installed, an online story map will be created to identify where the tree markers are located.  City Hall is now open for business.  Checked various resources to work on implementing the new private tree planting program and free tree give-away for the City. 4. CBE Report: Ms. Wick shared the following highlights:   Working on the Trolley Trail story map that identifies trees in Berwyn and Calvert Hills.  Allocated funds to buy more tree identification signs.  Storm water drain artwork project delayed until the Spring.  No Mow Month was presented to the City Council at the December 7, 2021 meeting and was approved for April.  The January CBE meeting will focus on what projects will be conducted in 2022.  Voted on the Green Awards nominations and Renee Domogauer and Catherine Oberfield were selected as recipients.  Prince George’s Sierra Club provided a presentation on banning plastic bags. 5. Old Business a. Annual Report Ms. Alfred drafted the annual report and the Board reviewed and made the following change:  Changed the Purpose of the Board to include the County as an agency the Board coordinates with and added to advise and recommend methods to protect, sustain and increase the City’s urban tree canopy. Ms. Alfred motioned to update the City Code to include the proposed changes to the Board’s purpose. Second by Ms. O’Brien. All members in favor; no opposed. The Board continued reviewing the annual report and updated the activities that the Board conducted in 2021. Ms. Alexander explained the 2022 work plan will need to be very concise. The Board will finalize the annual report by the end of December. b. Municipal Scene – Winter maintenance is an idea for the next article. 6. New Business a. In-person meetings vs. Virtual meetings Ms. Alexander shared that City Hall is open for meetings. The Board previously held meetings in Davis Hall, so Ms. Alexander has asked the City Clerk’s office if Davis Hall is still an option to hold meetings and is waiting to hear back. The Board prefers the virtual meetings because they are more convenient. b. Requesting ARPA funds for Urban Forest Master Plan with City Manager Ms. Alfred shared with the Board that the letter has been submitted to the City Manager. The Economic Development Coordinator contacted Ms. Alfred to acknowledge receipt of the letter and expressed interest in the idea and will contact vendors. The Board will review other City urban forest master plans to obtain ideas on what can be included in an urban forest master plan for the City. 7. Next Meeting Date The next scheduled meeting will be held on January 19, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. 8. Adjourn Ms Alfred adjourned the meeting at 9:12 p.m.