Tree & Landscape Board

Minutes of the Tree and Landscape Board City of College Park Virtual Meeting Wednesday, February 16, 2022 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 06/30/2021 Todd Reitzel, member 06/30/2023 Rashawna Alfred, member1 06/30/2024 John Horowitz, member Dylan Burns, CBE, representative Caroline Wick, CBE representative ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Also Present: Carleveva Thompson, Contract Secretary 1Joined at 7:18 p.m. Ms. Alexander called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 1. Approval of Meeting Agenda: The agenda for the February 16, 2022 meeting was reviewed. Mr. Reitzel motioned to add invasive vine removal to the agenda. Motion: Accept agenda as amended. Moved: Mr. Reitzel Second: Dr. Lea-Cox Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 2. Approval of January Meeting Minutes: The Board reviewed the meeting minutes of the January 19, 2022 meeting and edits were made to the minutes. Motion: Accept January meeting minutes as amended. Moved: Dr. Lea-Cox Second: Ms. O’Brien Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 3. Public Works Department Report: Ms. Alexander shared the following highlights:  Contract tree work has been awarded to Excel Tree Experts and they have started working on mature tree pruning and tree removals within the City.  The landscape crew has one vacancy.   Crews are continuing to work on tree pruning for street and sidewalk clearance. They are working in Berwyn and North of 193 on the east side of Rhode Island Ave.  4 Bradford Pear trees were removed in Berwyn Park by MNCPPC earlier this month and replacement trees will be planted this Spring.  Currently working on the FY23 budget and planning to include request for funding for an urban forest master plan, a tree canopy assessment and for private tree planting and maintenance. 4. CBE Report: Ms. Wick shared the following highlights:  The Green Awards were presented to Renee Domogauer and Catherine Oberfield.  Continuing to work on labeling of the trees along the Trolley Trail.  Planning to paint two storm drains in May. One in North College Park and another in Lakeland.  The upcoming event in April is “No mow month” in which residents can sign up with the City to not mow their lawns in the month of April in support of pollinators. 5. New Business a. Recommendations to Council The Council will re-visit the Board’s recommendations for a tree ordinance and this is scheduled for the Council’s April 19th meeting. b. Invasive vine removal Mr. Reitzel informed the Board of Takoma Tree Savers, which is a neighborhood group in Takoma Park that conducts removal of invasive vines. There is a program in Baltimore City and Montgomery County also has a program called Weed Warriors. Within the City, the Calvert Hills Green Team conducts removal of invasive vines. Dr. Lea-Cox suggested invasive vine removal as a Good Neighbor Day activity that could involve University of Maryland students. The Board discussed City neighborhood groups to help with invasive vine removal and ways to inform City residents of these groups. Mr. Reitzel will invite the Calvert Hills Green Team to the next TLB meeting to learn more about their program. 6. Old Business a. Free Tree Giveaway Ms. Alexander provided an update that 77 requests for free trees has been received to date and majority of the requests are for 2 trees. Dr. Lea-Cox, Mr. Reitzel and Mr. Horowitz volunteered to help with the free tree giveaway on April 23rd.  Ms. Alexander asked the Board to review the tree planting brochure and provide edits before the next TLB meeting so the brochure can be printed and ready for the event. b. Arbor Day The City’s event planner will contact Calvert Road School to see if the students can participate. The tree planting is planned for Friday, April 29th. c. Municipal Scene Article February 22nd is the due date to submit the next article. The next article will be on planting the right tree in the right spot. Additional ideas for an article were reasons why Bradford pear trees should be removed and bamboo removal. 7. Next Meeting Date The next scheduled meeting will be held on Thursday, March 17, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. 8. Adjourn Ms. Alfred motioned to adjourn the meeting. Second by Ms. O’Brien. The meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.