Tree & Landscape Board

Tree and Landscape Board City of College Park Via Teleconferencing through Zoom October 16, 2023 – 7:00 PM Staff Present Absent Brenda Alexander, Asst. Director, DPW X David Wigglesworth, City Arborist X Members Term Expires Present Absent Tina Batten 6/30/2026 X Emily Friend 6/30/2025 X Jennifer Konish 6/30/2026 X John Lea-Cox, City Forester 6/30/2025 X Christine O’Brien, Chair 6/30/2026 X Todd Reitzel 6/30/2024 X CBE Representative X Also Present: Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary [Noted: The meeting date changed, and CBE was not notified of the change in date.] The meeting was called to order at 7:03pm by Christine O’Brien, Chair. 1. Noting the wrong date for the next meeting on the agenda, Ms. Batten motioned, and Mr. Lea-Cox seconded. Motion carries 4-0-0. 2. The September 20, 2023, minutes were reviewed, and Ms. Alexander amended several items. Mr. Lea-Cox motioned, and Ms. Batten seconded to accept the minutes with amended changes. Motion carries 5-0-0. 3. Public Works Report: a. Tree permits from 9/21/23 – 10/16/23:  9 tree removals approved – mostly dead trees, some had bores holes.  0 pruning requests  0 denials  Suggestion was made to place this information in a database to be used as a resource and as historical information. Will also need to use this information for the Annual Report to Mayor and City Council. b. 56 trees were planted in the right aways. c. 2 homeowners requested assistance in planting trees. d. The article on Deer Protection was submitted for the Municipal Scene. e. The work done by a consultant on storm drainage damage was completed on 10/13/23.  f. Fall pansies and spring bulbs were delivered and have started to be planted. g. The tree replacements for the various streets are expected both this week and next week. 4. CBE update: a. Prince George’s County Better Bag ordinance will go into effect for enforcement on October 1, 2023. CBE will approach several stores about “Leave a Bag, Take a Bag” program for residents who do not have reusable bags. b. Good Neighbor Day projects discussed: Muskogee Playground, American Legion, Calvert Hills, Cherokee Median, and Permaculture Garden. c. A couple stormwater drains will be painted by the Youth and Family Services building by Eco-Latinos. d. The Electric Vehicle event was held on September 30 at the Farmer’s Market in Hollywood. e. CBE will have a table at College Park Day. 5. MNCPPC Updates: a. Tree Giveaway – seemed to be very successful and well organized. All the trees, which were good quality contained in five-gallon containers, were given away. b. Discussed Berwyn Neighborhood Park planting (33 trees) which is currently scheduled at the beginning of November. These are replacement trees due to storm damage. Ms. Alexander is hopeful of receiving a detailed plan of what tree species and where the trees will be planted in the park. There will also be trees planted in College Park Woods. The committee would like MNCPPC to notify TLB of when tree plantings will occur in the College Park area. Ms. Alexander indicated she would email Mr. Kyle Lyle, Assistant Division Chief, and ask him to keep the TLB apprised of any future tree plantings. c. The fingerprinting and background check for volunteers to help with the Adopt a Park program will be waived. 6. Good Neighbor Day – October 21, 2023 a. Guilford Run tree planting b. Calvert Hills playground c. American Legion planting d. North College Park 7. Tree Canopy Assessment. The draft was received last week and emailed to the committee. Ms. Alexander and Mr. Wigglesworth reviewed the document. After reviewing the report, it does not seem accurate. Information concerning trends, area construction, age of tree structure, and information from previous reports are lacking in this draft document. Data for the assessment should be done every five years, however, it appears that the data is showing shorten intervals and noting information from a year where a report was never requested (2011). There does not seem to be any information through to the end of 2020. The graphics need to be of a higher resolution and show recognizable geographical features. Changes in each district should be noted. The maps of the University of Maryland and MNCPPC should not be present in the report. Ms.  Alexander will contact the University of Vermont and ask them to rework this report based on the information shared by the committee and ensure that it is returned by October 31. The sub-committee (Mr. Wigglesworth, Ms. Alexander, Ms. O’Brien, Mr. Lea Cox, and Mr. Reitzel) will meet on November 2 at 6:00pm to review the revised report. The tree canopy assessment will be presented to the Mayor and City Council on Tuesday, November 14. Mr. Reitzel made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Mr. Lea Cox seconded. Motion carries 5-0-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:58pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.