Tree & Landscape Board

Minutes of the Tree and Landscape Board City of College Park Virtual Meeting December 20, 2023, 7:00PM Term Exp. Members Present Absent Staff David Wigglesworth, City Arborist Staff Brian Barr, Assistant Director 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 representative1 1Left meeting at 8:12 p.m. Also Present: Bob Ryan, Public Services Director Carleveva Thompson, Contract Secretary Ms. O’Brien called the meeting to order at 7:18 p.m. 1. Approval of Meeting Agenda: The Board reviewed the December 20, 2023, meeting agenda and Mr. Reitzel asked to add the English Ivy removal video on the agenda. Motion: Approve the December 20, 2023, agenda as amended. Moved: Ms. Friend Second: Ms. Batten Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 2. Approval of November Meeting Minutes: The Board reviewed the meeting minutes of the November 15, 2023, meeting and no edits were made to the minutes. Motion: Approve the November 15, 2023, meeting minutes as written. Moved: Ms. Batten Second: Mr. Reitzel Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 3. Code Enforcement - Tree Ordinance Enforcement: Mr. Ryan informed the Board that the Tree Ordinance puts the responsibility of determining a violation on the Director of Public Works or a designee (Mr. Wigglesworth). For a municipal infraction notice to be written, Mr. Wigglesworth would need to conduct an investigation and give Code Enforcement a report on the  investigation. Code Enforcement can then issue the municipal infraction and schedule a trial with the municipal court. Mr. Wigglesworth would need to attend the trial as a subject matter expert. During the trial, the judge has the option to find the resident guilty of a violation and issue the established fine outlined in the Tree Ordinance and also issue an abatement order to the resident to plant the required replacement trees. The judge can also dismiss the case. There is also a right of appeal in the Tree Ordinance that would bring the resident before the TLB and if a withdrawal of the infraction is deemed by the TLB, then the municipal infraction would be withdrawn. Mr. Ryan also informed the Board that City staff cannot walk on resident property without permission or a search warrant. The Board asked the best pathway to have City staff intervene with the company removing the tree or speaking with the resident if a tree permit is not posted. Mr. Ryan stated the best way is to call the City’s code enforcement hotline at 240-487-3588. 4. Public Works Department Report: Mr. Barr and Mr. Wigglesworth shared the following highlights:  The landscape crew is working on tree pruning and leaf removal.  From October to December 16 tree removal permits approved; 0 tree pruning permits; 1 denied permit; 2 rescinded permits by the residents.  Casey Trees residential tree planting – 24 residents signed up for 36 trees to be planted.  Bid request for contract tree work submitted. Work will include pruning 26 trees, removing 10 trees, and grinding 16 stumps.  Inspected the landscaping installed at the Edmonston Road sidewalk project.  Submitted Tree City USA application.  Submitted Maryland DNR roadside tree removal report– 34 trees removed and 270 trees pruned. 5. CBE Report: Dr. Bely shared the following highlights:  At the December 11th meeting, the CBE discussed their annual report main activities such as the Better Bag Ordinance, gas leaf blower incentive program, Trolley Trail Day, College Park Day, Go Electric event, handing out reusable bags, storm drain painting, Green Awards, and tree labeling along the Trolley Trail.  Discussed planning spring and fall event ideas such as nature walks, clothing swaps, and showing environmental focused movies.  Working on incentives for residents to turn in gas leaf blowers for an electric leaf blower or rake.  Preparing for the next sustainability survey in early spring. 6. Old Business  a. Annual Report The Board reviewed the annual report and edits were made to the report. Dr. Lea-Cox motioned to approve the annual report. Second by Ms. Batten. All members in favor, no opposed. Motion carries, 5-0-0. Mr. Wigglesworth corrected the tree reporting numbers in the annual report. Dr. Lea-Cox motioned to approve the annual report as amended. Second by Mr. Reitzel. All members in favor; no opposed. Motion carries, 5-0-0. b. Tree Canopy Assessment Mr. Wigglesworth stated the report was revised and that the report can be updated with revised maps and be made accessible to the public. c. Municipal Scene Articles  Benefits of Evergreens – January – Ms. Friend  Winter Tree Care – February – Ms. O’Brien d. MNCPPC updates  College Park Airport Tree Trimming – MNCPPC provided short notice of tree trimming that was planned at the airport. Ms. O’Brien suggested to reach out to the College Park Airport Board to obtain notice of future tree trimmings. e. Tree Letter to Planning and CBE Letter – Ms. O’Brien will draft the letter to Planning and will follow up with Dr. Bely at the next TLB meeting on the CBE letter. 7. New Business a. English Ivy Video Mr. Reitzel suggested for the Board to move forward with the video and will contact Ms. Quinones to set up a date and time. b. How to respond to press inquiries. The Board inquired on the process if a Board member is approached by a reporter. c. Time Saving Minutes Idea Ms. Batten suggested to include a short report from Public Works and CBE that includes all tree pertinent items and is attached with the meeting agenda for the Board to review ahead of the meeting. Mr. Wigglesworth agreed to provide his report ahead of the meetings. 8. Next Meeting Date  The next meeting is scheduled on January 17, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. 9. Adjournment Dr. Lea-Cox motioned to adjourn the meeting. Second by Ms. Batten. All members in favor; no opposed. Motion carries, 5-0-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.