Tree & Landscape Board

Minutes of the Tree and Landscape Board City of College Park Virtual Meeting April 17, 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 Alexa Bely, CBE representative Also Present: Miriam Bader, Planning Director Carleveva Thompson, Contract Secretary Ms. O’Brien called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. 1. Approval of Meeting Agenda: The Board reviewed the April 17, 2024, meeting agenda and no edits were made to the agenda. Motion: Approve the April 17, 2024, agenda as presented. Moved: Ms. O’Brien Second: Mr. Reitzel Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 2. Planning Discussion with Miriam Bader: The Board invited Ms. Bader to the meeting to discuss the ongoing projects in the City: a. Autoville Drive – 1 parcel for a multi-family dwelling unit b. Leonardtown will be re-developed. c. Project Turtle by LV Collective, the shopping center on Campus Drive – This project will be presented during the Planning Board on April 18, 2024, 10am - 12pm. 3. Approval of March Meeting Minutes: The Board reviewed the meeting minutes of the March 20, 2024, meeting and no edits were made to the minutes. Motion: Approve the March 20, 2024, meeting minutes as presented. Moved: Ms. Friend Second: Mr. Reitzel Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 4. Public Works Department Report: Mr. Wigglesworth shared the following highlights:  a. Tree Permits  8 Removals approved  0 Pruning approved  1 Removal denied  0 rescinded b. Right of Way Tree Planting – 44 trees planted c. Contract Tree Work-Right of Way Trees – Inspected approximately 6 trees that will require work. d. Residential Property Tree Planting - 67 trees planted e. PEPCO Tree Work Review with Davey Resource Group Contract Forester – Reviewed proposed pruning and tree removals with the Davey forester. Work will begin last week of April and continue for one month. Work will be done in neighborhoods of Calvert Hills, Cavert Manor, Old Town, Lakeland, Berwyn, Oak Springs, Daniels Park, and Hollywood. f. There are plans to hire a summer intern to do tree inventory and mapping projects. 5. CBE Report: Dr. Bely shared the following highlights:  Support for Maryland Bottle Bill: Mayor sent letter to state representatives in support of the bill, highlighting the effectiveness of bottle bills for increasing recycling and decreasing costs (tipping fees). City estimated that if the Bottle Bill were instated, it would save the City about $20,000 in tipping fees annually. (Unfortunately, the state legislative session ended without this bill being voted on.)  Permaculture garden clean up – April 20, 9 a.m. – noon. RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfDSKCD7f7flNaK_LnoadZN5KKl e59PSwah1uVWHq_z8n0W6Q/viewform  Green Event - planning is ongoing for an event this fall. Discussions include uplifting environmental movies, clothing swap, and more.  Electric/manual lawn equipment incentive program – the program is now live (rebates for city residents for the purchase of manual or electric yard equipment)  Sustainability Survey - is waiting to be translated into Spanish but is otherwise ready to go live.  Bee City committee - is promoting No Mow April; wrote a Municipal Scene article about No Mow April; will be in the City parade 6. Old Business a. Municipal Scene Articles  Bradford Pear Trees – June (Ms. Friend) o Future Topics  Casey Trees - July (Ms. O’Brien)  Solar Companies and Trees – August (Mr. Reitzel)  Adopt A Park  Tree Planting  Spring Cleanup  Woodland Tree Act  Lesser Celandine b. Arbor Day Tree – April 26, 2024, 6:00 p.m. - Mr. Wigglesworth suggested to plant a Red Maple or London Plane. The Board decided to plant the Red Maple at Calvert Hills playground for Arbor Day. The London Plane will be planted at the Old Town playground. A flyer on the event has been posted through the City’s communication outlets. c. Ivy Removal Door Hangers – The door hangers are finalized, and Mr. Wigglesworth has already distributed some to resident homes. d. College Park Parade – May 4, 2024 e. Urban Tree Master Plan – Ms. O’Brien informed the Board that Arlington County and Takoma Park has updated their master plans. Mr. Wigglesworth will be meeting with a forester from Davey Resource Group to have a street tree inventory or maintenance plan for the City created. 7. New Business a. Recruiting New TLB Members – The Board discussed reaching out to the Councilmembers to see how to get new members appointed to the TLB. 8. Next Meeting Date The next meeting is scheduled on May 15, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. 9. Adjournment Ms. Friend motioned to adjourn the meeting. Second by Mr. Reitzel. All members in favor; no opposed. Motion carries, 4-0-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m.