Tree & Landscape Board

Minutes of the Tree and Landscape Board City of College Park Virtual Meeting September 21, 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, Chair 06/30/2021 Todd Reitzel, member 06/30/2024 John Horowitz, member Emily Friend, member Caroline Wick, CBE representative Todd Larsen, CBE representative ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Also Present: Carleveva Thompson, Contract Secretary Ms. O’Brien called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. 1. Approval of Meeting Agenda: The agenda for the September 21, 2022, meeting was reviewed. Motion: Accept agenda as presented. Moved: Mr. Reitzel Second: Ms. Friend Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 2. Approval of August Meeting Minutes: The Board reviewed the meeting minutes of the August 17, 2022, meeting and edits were made to the minutes. Motion: Accept August meeting minutes as amended. Moved: Dr. Lea-Cox Second: Mr. Reitzel Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 3. Public Works Department Report: Ms. Alexander shared the following highlights:  The July 12th storm clean-up of residential clean-up is winding down.  DPW is collecting the woody debris from the storm at the facility.  The compost screener has been delivered and compost will be available for Fall projects.  The landscape crew is continuing weeding. The crew is short staffed due to injuries and there is 1 vacancy.  The arborists interviews are continuing, and new applications have been received for the position. 4. CBE Report: Mr. Larson provided the following report:  The plastic bag ordinance is scheduled to be presented to City Council on November 15th.  Continuing to label trees along the Trolley Trail and additional labels were purchased. The map is live and is posted on the CBE webpage.  Working on the project to paint storm water inlets. A new inlet was painted in Lakeland. University of Maryland students will paint 5 drains located in Terrapin Row this Fall. Also purchased medallions to label the storm water drains and 80 medallions will be placed next week, with a goal to place 250-300 medallions this Fall.  Currently working with the City Council to develop a climate action plan.  Discussing writing a letter to City Council regarding the proposed Paint Branch Preserve development. 5. Old Business a. Fall Tree Giveaway – October 1st The tree giveaway registration closed on Friday. 114 residents have registered and 219 trees were requested. Ms. Alexander confirmed that help is needed 8am- 12pm and has contacted M&T Bank staff as well as the Girl Scout Troop leader that helped with the last giveaway. b. Tree Permitting Application Updates Ms. Alexander presented to the Board an application for tree removal of a Southern Magnolia that was submitted by a family member of an elderly resident. The application stated the tree was causing damage to the owner’s property and is a hazard to the property and to the resident. Ms. Alexander will contact the family member to schedule a meeting at the property. c. Vine Removal Workshop/Good Neighbor Day Projects Ms. O’Brien informed the Board that her ideas to remove vines from trees behind Attic Towers and to do vine removal at Hollywood Elementary were not accepted as Good Neighbor Day projects. The Board will create a list of ideas to submit projects for Good Neighbor Day next year. The Board discussed conducting an in-person workshop on vine removal. Mr. Horowitz will contact Ms. Barth to confirm availability on October 9, 2022, to be held at the Department of Public Works.  d. Municipal Scene Article for October – due September 26 Ms. O’Brien suggested the topic for the next article to be on the Woodland Conservation Act, but after further discussion, the Board decided the Woodland Conservation Act is too complicated to summarize into an article. The Board decided to write an article on tree planting to align with the upcoming free tree giveaway. e. Reporter Inquiries There were requests from Diamondback reporters and other reporters for statements regarding the free tree giveaway and the July 12th storm. Ms. Alexander informed the Board of the City’s policy on the Code of Conduct for Advisory Board members and requested members to forward any reporter inquiries to the City’s Communication Coordinator for response. 6. New Business a. Riverdale Park Tree Seminar Ms. O’Brien and Mr. Larson attended the seminar and found it very interesting. Dr. Richard Olsen from the National Arboretum presented on planting the right tree in the right spot and the conditions a tree needs to grow. Riverdale is having problems with Barlett pear trees. b. Paint Branch Preserve North and South Community Meeting Dr. Lea-Cox will draft the discussions in a summary and will provide to the Board. 7. Next Meeting Date The next meeting is scheduled on October 19, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. 8. Adjourn Dr. Lea-Cox motioned to adjourn the meeting. Second by Mr. Horowitz. The meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m.