Tree & Landscape Board

Minutes of the Tree and Landscape Board City of College Park Virtual Meeting July 14, 2022, 7:00PM Term Exp. Members Present Absent Staff Brenda Alexander, Public Works Assistant Director 06/30/2022 John Lea-Cox, City Forester 06/30/2023 Christine O’Brien, member 06/30/2021 Todd Reitzel, member 06/30/2023 Rashawna Alfred, Chair 06/30/2024 John Horowitz, member Emily Friend, member Caroline Wick, CBE representative Todd Larsen, CBE representative ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Also Present: Carleveva Thompson, Contract Secretary Ms. Alfred called the meeting to order at 7:12 p.m. 1. Approval of Meeting Agenda: The agenda for the July 14, 2022, meeting was reviewed. Motion: Accept agenda as presented. Moved: Ms. Alfred Second: Ms. O’Brien Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 2. Approval of June Meeting Minutes: The Board reviewed the meeting minutes of the June 14, 2022, meeting and edits were made to the minutes. Motion: Accept June 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:  Crews are working on July 12th storm debris clean up.  Landscape crew was watering new trees, weeding planting beds, and pruning street trees. 4. CBE Report: Mr. Larson provided the following report:  Curbside food scrap collection to begin soon.  Continuing to work on labeling trees along the Trolley Trail. Will need to update the QR codes on the labels because the current QR codes do not work due to a system upgrade.   Continuing to work on the storm drain painting project. Storm drains near UMD will be painted in the Fall. Plastic medallions that contain a message to not dump in storm drains were purchased to put on storm drains that are not painted.  Working on a plastic bag ban ordinance with the City Council and staff.  Bee City Committee bee hotel project in June was successful and 19 bee hotels were built.  A Girl Scout Troop planted a pollinator garden in Berwyn.  CBE was asked to investigate gas powered leaf blowers vs. battery powered leaf blowers.  Helping to develop a climate action plan for the City. 5. Old Business a. Tree Permitting Application & FAQs Tree permitting applications and FAQs are online. The flyer is being printed and will be mailed. b. Municipal Scene Article for August Due July 25th. The article will be on what to do regarding trees that have fallen down after a storm. c. Vine Removal Workshop Ms. Alexander spoke with a Prince Georges County representative to see if the County offers workshops on vine removal. The representative is interested in conducting a vine removal workshop. Ms. Alexander will provide the contact information to Mr. Horowitz to begin planning a vine removal workshop. 6. New Business a. Board member changes Mr. Myers term ended in June and he has resigned from the Board. Ms. Alfred will be moving out of the City at the end of the month. b. Election of new Chair The Board will select a Chair at the August meeting. c. Contracted tree planting Ms. Alexander contacted Casey Trees and is waiting to hear back. 7. Next Meeting Date The next meeting is scheduled on August 17, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. 8. Adjourn Ms. Alfred motioned to adjourn the meeting. Second by Ms. O’Brien. The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.