Tree & Landscape Board

Minutes of the Tree and Landscape TLB City of College Park Virtual Meeting July 19, 2023, 7:00 PM Term Exp. Members Present Absent Staff Brenda Alexander, Public Works Assistant Director Staff David Wigglesworth, City Arborist 06/30/2025 John Lea-Cox, City Forester departed at 9:04 pm 06/30/2026 Christine O’Brien, Chair 06/30/2024 Todd Reitzel, Member 06/30/2025 Emily Friend, Member departed at 9:04 pm Tina Batten, Member Jennifer Konish, Member Alexa Bely, CBE Representative Also Present: Christine Fanning, MNCPPC; Joi Woods, Contract Secretary 1. Ms. O’Brien called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. 2. Approval of Meeting Agenda: The TLB reviewed the meeting agenda, the following amendments were recommended. Ms. O’Brien proposed to move the MNCPPC tree replacement and fall tree giveaway update up on the agenda. Motion: Approve the additional amendments to the July 19, 2023 meeting agenda. Moved: Ms. O’Brien Second: Dr. Lea-Cox Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 Ms. Alexander proposed to change Item 3 to include the approval meeting minutes from May 17, 2023 and June 21, 2023. There was not a quorum in May or June to approve the minutes. Ms. Bely proposed to add discussion about city tree removal to the agenda. Motion: Approve the July 19, 2023, agenda as amended. Moved: Dr. Lea-Cox Second: Mr. Reitzel Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 3. MNCPPC Tree Replacement and Fall Tree Giveaway Updates Fall Tree Giveaway- September 30, 2023, Time 10am to 12pm  Christine Fanning provided an update about tree replacement and the fall tree giveaway. There are 250 5-gallon trees available for the fall giveaway to distribute to the community (125 Dogwood plantings and 125 Redbud plantings). Ms.  Alexander noted there are pollinator friendly left over plants from the Bee City pollinator Event.  The proposed start time is 10:00 am. Ms. Fanning will present planting plan for the event by September 2023. The TLB discussed partnership, promotion, and also giving consideration to events occurring on the same day while underscoring the commitment from the airport.  The event is open to the public and will not be limited to College Park residents. Event promotion will be geared towards College Park for residents to join in tree planning efforts. The TLB identified a limit of 2 trees per car, on a first come, first served basis. There will not be a reservation system in place.  The TLB discussed an inquiry about assessing the needs for shade and green space in MNCPPC Parks. Ms. Fanning noted the creation of the Land Management and Stewardship Division intended to focus on improving land use, including spaces designated for recreation.  Ms. Fanning will request a marketing plan and share with Ms. Alexander for distribution to the TLB. Ms. Alexander noted that promotions will flow through the City Communications department for approval and distribution in College Park.  Ms. Fanning requested recommendations from the TLB about parks in College Park for tree plantings, Cherry Hill Park was identified. 4. Approval of Meeting Minutes: The TLB reviewed the meeting minutes of the May 17, 2023 meeting and edits were made to the minutes. Motion: Accept the May 17, 2023 meeting minutes as amended. Moved: Mr. Reitzel Second: Dr. Bely Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 The TLB reviewed the meeting minutes of June 21, 2023, meeting and edits were made to the minutes. Motion: Accept the June 21, 2023 meeting minutes as amended. Moved: Mr. Reitzel Second: Ms. Batten Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 5. Public Works Department Report Mr. Wigglesworth and Ms. Alexander shared the following highlights:  June 21- July 19, 2023 - Tree Removal Permits: 8 approved, 0 denied; 2 Pruning Permits approved; 1 permit request awaiting  A Contract Bid Request for tree work on city property has been sent out to private 3 tree companies; bids are due on August 1, 2023.  Mr. Wigglesworth met with 28 residents about tree plantings on private property.  Mr. Wigglesworth and Ms. Alexander have a meeting scheduled with a consultant from SavATree the week of July 24th to discuss the Tree Canopy Assessment Project.  Landscape Crew updates-1 Full time Staff Member and 1 Part-time Summer Worker has been hired, acquiring an additional Part-time Summer Worker is pending.  The current focus of the Landscape Crew is weeding and watering new trees throughout the city.  The TLB discussed Japensense knotweed growing along the bike trail between Berwyn and Lakeland. o The plants are resilient and hard to remove; require constant maintenance. o Areas containing Japanese Knotweed require maintenance to try to control this difficult plant that has underground rhizoms. The DPW Landscape Crew does not currently have the bandwidth to manage this aggressive growth. The plants were previously removed as a Good Neighbor Day Project approximately 3 years ago. o The TLB discussed city policy regarding chemical control. Triclopyr has been currently used. Dr. Lea-Cox suggested the use of plastic to cover the area to inhibit growth. Signage would be placed to advise residents about the efforts to use chemicals to maintain the rogue plantings. 6. CBE Report Ms. Bely shared the following highlights:  A meeting was held on June 26, 2023  Tree signage along the Trolley Trail to provide education about the Permaculture Garden in the north part of the trail has been installed.   Education signage will be created to identify the Trolley Trail trees in the coming year.  Storm drain medallion placement projects continue  Storm drain art paintings continue  Focus on educating residents about the Better Bag Act, effective September 1, 2023.  Electric Vehicle event, Hollywood Farmer’s Market September 23, 2023, 10:00 am -1:00 pm. o Residents will display their Electric Vehicles, E-bikes will also be on display. o Informational handouts are being developed. Ms. Bely will forward to the TLB when finalized. 7. Old Business a. Municipal Scene Articles  Spotted Lantern Fly – July (Ms. O’Brien)  Tree Permitting Process and statistics – August (Mr. Reitzel) o Mr. Reitzel accepted the edits offered by the TLB  Promoting tree giveaway – September 2023 (Ms. Batten)  Protecting Trees from Deer – October 2023 (Dr. Lea-Cox)  Solar Panels – November 2023 o The TLB will revisit presenting the topic at a later date b. Door Hangers  The TLB discussed door hangers to educate residents about English Ivy growing on trees, potential challenges it may cause, and removal.  Mr. Reitzel shared a draft door hanger with suggestions to include a QR code that links to a video about English Ivy removal techniques and potential challenges it may cause. o Mr. Reitzel will circulate an additional draft of the door hanger for TLB members to review  The TLB discussed targeted distribution of door hangers  o Distributing by neighborhood blocks; partnering with neighborhood committees, university groups, and pairing the distribution during city- wide events o DPW has created 2 door hangers “Are you Interested” used for properties that are suitable for tree planting. o “Tree Care after tree planting” door hanger has been drafted based on the work completed by Casey Trees focusing on the importance of watering, mulching and deer protection. Ms. Alexander shared plans to redesign the door hangers and have them translated in Spanish. o Tracking the distribution of the door hangers in targeted areas with an infestation of English Ivy by city block or neighborhoods to assess the effectiveness in reducing of English Ivy. 8. New Business a. Tree Removal Issue The TLB discussed the following:  Dr. Bely informed the TLB about feedback from residents who were unaware of the loss of trees as a result of the Basketball Court Project. Dr. Bely cited a need for increased communication to residents about the loss of green space, green buffers, and shade.  Expanding information and communications that will increase residents’ awareness about the loss of green space and tree removal. Currently communications have a heavy emphasis on the gains and advantages to city development projects.  Informational issues with current advertisement on the city website.  The TLB discussed Tree Canopy Ordinance and potential conflicts with city projects that require tree removal. The board also discussed strategies to partner with the Planning Department to increase awareness about development plans that involve tree removal. The board discussed requesting the Planning Department to submit written reports about projects detailing tree removal and replacement that will allow the TLB to track & vet information about city development projects. o The TLB discussed drafting a letter to city council requesting that the Planning Department notifies the council and TLB on a month or a bi- monthly basis about the number of trees removed, along with the number of plantings installed within the city limits. The Letter will also highlight conflicts with the city Tree Canopy Ordinance. The TLB also discussed accountability for the county and MNCPPC.  b. Good Neighbor Day – Vine or other Tree/Landscape Project or Talk The TLB discussed project ideas and the need for active project leadership, volunteer recruitment, and participation.  Planting trees at the basketball court in Calvert Hills  English Ivy removal for trees on Muskogee Street and the Hollywood Shopping Center 9. Next Meeting Date a. The next meeting is scheduled on August 16, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. b. The TLB discussed agenda items:  Door Hangers  College Park Woods vine removal – what has been learned  Drafting a Letter to the Mayor & City Council about project reporting 10. Adjourn Mr. Reitzel motioned to adjourn the meeting. Second by Ms. Batten. All members in favor; no opposed. The meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m.