Tree & Landscape Board

Minutes of the Tree and Landscape Board City of College Park Virtual Meeting November 15, 2023, 7:00PM 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 06/30/2026 Christine O’Brien, Chair 06/30/2024 Todd Reitzel, member 06/30/2025 Emily Friend, member 06/30/2026 Tina Batten, member 06/30/2026 Jennifer Konish, member Alexa Bely, CBE representative Also Present: Mary Cook, Resident Carleveva Thompson, Contract Secretary Ms. O’Brien called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 1. Approval of Meeting Agenda: The Board reviewed the November 15, 2023, meeting agenda and Ms. Cook’s discussion topics were moved to the beginning of the agenda. Motion: Approve the November 15, 2023, agenda as amended. Moved: Ms. Batten Second: Mr. Reitzel Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 2. Tree Ordinance Enforcement: Ms. Cook informed the Board of a neighbor that cut down all the trees on their property and notified Code Enforcement. Code Enforcement spoke to the resident and informed the resident of the City’s Tree Ordinance, but the resident was not aware of the Tree Ordinance. Ms. Cook asked the Board what the process is and if any action will be taken. Ms. Alexander stated Code Enforcement usually would visit the resident to request they fill out a tree permit after the fact but was not clear of the process. After discussions, the Board will invite Code Enforcement to the December meeting to discuss the process if a resident does not have an approved tree permit before cutting down trees on their property. Ms. Cook also notified the Board that 65 trees were planted at Cherry Hill Park, but the trees are not in the right spot, are very large trees and there are too many planted. Ms. Alexander explained the collaboration with Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission (MNCPPC) regarding tree plantings and MNCPPC was planting trees to make up for the trees removed at the airport. Ms. Alexander will go look at the trees in the park and will then contact MNCPPC. 3. Approval of October Meeting Minutes: The Board reviewed the meeting minutes of the October 16, 2023, meeting and edits were made to the minutes. Motion: Approve the October 16, 2023, meeting minutes as amended. Moved: Dr. Lea-Cox Second: Mr. Reitzel Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 4. Approval of November Special Meeting Minutes: The Board reviewed the meeting minutes of the November 2, 2023, special meeting and edits were made to the minutes. Motion: Approve the November 2, 2023, meeting minutes as amended. Moved: Mr. Reitzel Second: Dr. Lea-Cox Aye: 5 Nay: 0 Abstain: 1 5. Public Works Department Report: Ms. Alexander shared the following highlights:  1 person resigned and the position is advertised.  The landscape crew is working on weeding and pruning for street clearing.  Holiday decorations will be installed on the pedestrian poles downtown in the business district and Berwyn after Thanksgiving. 6. CBE Report: Dr. Bely shared the following highlights:  Working on climate action plan  Preparing for the next sustainability survey  Proposed to TLB a collaboration with CBE to write a letter to Council to recommend a process of providing a map that shows the locations of tree removals for new development in the City. 7. Old Business a. Municipal Scene Articles  Leave the Leaves – December 2023 – Ms. O’Brien  Benefits of Evergreens – January 2024 – Ms. Friend b. Tree Canopy Assessment Report – Mr. Wigglesworth requested for the revised report to be submitted by the end of November so the Board can review in December. The report presentation to Council is rescheduled to January. 8. New Business Annual Report – Due end of December Ms. O’Brien added the annual report to the Google Drive for the Board to review and update. 9. Next Meeting Date The next meeting is scheduled on December 20, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. 10. Adjournment Dr. Lea-Cox motioned to adjourn the meeting. Second by Ms. Friend. All members in favor; no opposed. Motion carries, 5-0-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.