Tree & Landscape Board

Minutes of the Tree and Landscape Board City of College Park Virtual Meeting March 20, 2024, 7:00PM Term Exp. Members Present Absent Staff David Wigglesworth, City Arborist 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 1 Alexa Bely, CBE representative 1Left meeting at 8:15 p.m. Also Present: Carleveva Thompson, Contract Secretary Ms. O’Brien called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. 1. Approval of Meeting Agenda: The Board reviewed the March 20, 2024, meeting agenda and Mr. Reitzel suggested to add the ivy removal door hanger to the agenda. Motion: Approve the March 20, 2024, agenda as amended. Moved: Ms. Friend Second: Mr. Reitzel Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 2. Approval of February Meeting Minutes: The Board reviewed the meeting minutes of the February 21, 2024, meeting and edits were made to the minutes. Motion: Approve the February 21, 2024, meeting minutes as amended. Moved: Ms. Friend Second: Mr. Reitzel Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 3. Public Works Department Report: Mr. Wigglesworth shared the following highlight: a. Tree Permits  3 Removals approved  2 Pruning approved  1 Removal denied  1 applied not required b. Right of Way Tree Planting   Inspected 41 locations, 45 trees sighted for planting  Currently in the process of putting together the tree order and hope to be completed and trees ordered by the end of the week. c. Contract Tree Work-Right of Way Trees  Inspected tree work that on the December contract. All work has been completed.  Inspected 15 trees that will require tree work on the next contract. 4. CBE Report: Dr. Bely shared the following highlights:  Letter - Support for Maryland Bottle Bill: CBE submitted a letter to Mayor and Council urging the city to support the Maryland Bottle Bill, which would help to increase beverage container recycling in MD  Letter - Roanoke Pocket Park - CBE drafted a letter supporting the idea of a rain garden with native pollinator-friendly plantings at the park  Update - lead in small aircraft fuel - with CBE support, the Council sent a letter to the Airport Authority about the importance of curbing lead fuel use, which is an issue here in College Park, since CP Airport involves leaded fuel use near residents, and even a school  Permaculture garden clean up – April 20, 9 a.m. – noon. RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfDSKCD7f7flNaK_LnoadZN5KKle59PSwah1u  Bee City Committee - has been doing ongoing native seed collections. 5. Old Business a. Municipal Scene Articles – Future Topics  Solar Companies and Trees  Adopt A Park  Tree Planting  Spring Cleanup  Woodland Tree Act  Lesser Celandine b. Autoville development – Ms. O’Brien submitted the Board’s letter to City Council. The developer’s application will be submitted to MNCPPC. c. Arbor Day Tree – April 26, 2024  Received notice from Tree City USA that our College Park application was approved as a Tree City for 2023.   Inspected potential locations for Arbor Day tree planting.  Requested tree planting sites from Councilmembers: rd o 53 Ave Island o Davis Playground o St. Andrews o Calvert Rd School o Dartmouth Ave The Board discussed selecting Calvert Hills playground as the tree planting location for Arbor Day. Sycamore and Oak were suggested tree types to plant since there is space to plant a large tree. d. Ivy Removal Door Hangers – The video is finalized, and the next step is to create a QR code to add to the door hangers. The Board discussed having door hangers in both English and Spanish. 6. New Business a. MNPPC Woodland Conservation Section 25 update – Prince George’s County is updating the conservation law and made changes to the stream buffer requirements. The Board plans to invite a representative from the City’s Planning Department to a future meeting to discuss the changes. b. Hollywood Farmer’s Market – Council suggested for members from City Boards and Committees to have presence at the Hollywood Farmer’s Market. c. College Park Parade – May 4, 2024 d. Master Plan Discussion – The Board discussed having a master plan for the City and selecting an outside company to draft the plan. The Board will gather more information and continue discussion at the next meeting. 7. Next Meeting Date The next meeting is scheduled on April 17, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. 8. Adjournment Mr. Reitzel motioned to adjourn the meeting. Second by Ms. Friend. All members in favor; no opposed. Motion carries, 3-0-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m.