Sustainable Maryland Committee (Green Team)

Sustainable Maryland Committee Meeting Minutes December 4, 2023 Attendance Dorothy Estrada Janet Owens Orissa Samaroo Emanuel Wagner Sophia Yarrow Discussion The meeting was called to order at 7:06. The SMC adopted the minutes of November 6, 2023. (1) Dorothy Estrada provided an update of programs and actions that she has been engaged in to drive sustainability in Takoma Park: a. Building improvement grants for multifamily units launched with the Green Bank to leverage ARPA money for getting residents into the decarbonization process. However, no money for outreach and education about these grants was allocated. b. Single family home owners are eligible for electrification seed money through Montgomery County. c. Solarize Takoma Park event March 11, 2024 d. Earth Day, April 20, Sligo Creek Valley Stream Park staff presence. A ‘sweep the creek’ event will take place. e. Funding has been received from Maryland Energy Administration for solar panel installation on the library. f. Takoma Park may receive funding from the Chesapeake Bay Trust for a Fellow to work on sustainability issues. (2) Regarding the recent training on the Sustainable Maryland Program, the Committee discussed briefly about Takoma Park’s SM application that will be due in June. Without new activities it seems that Takoma Park would be eligible for a silver rating. Emmanuel agreed to review TP’s most recent application to determine what is relevant for the one to be submitted in June. (3) The Committee discussed potential action items that could be presented to the City Council for consideration of promoting sustainability: a. Expand Food Waste Compost Pick-up and Develop Education Campaign to Reduce Food Waste.  b. Install EV fast battery charging which may be too costly c. Dates in January and February were proposed to meet with the City Council on these issues. (4) Committee Elections were held: a. Emmanuel Wagner will serve as Chair b. Janet Owens will serve as Vice Chair and Secretary. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.