HomeMy WebLinkAboutCFE agenda 051418AGENDA
Orange County Commission for the Environment
May 14, 2018
7:30 p.m.
Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill
Time Item Title
7:30 I. Call to Order
7:32 II. Additions or Changes to Agenda
7:35 III. Approval of Draft Minutes – April 9th, 2018
The CFE will consider approval of minutes from the April meeting. Action needed (Attachment 1)
7:40 IV. SOE 2019 Recommendations and Planning
The recommendations of the UNC CH capstone students concerning potential environmental
indicators and possible formats for the SOE report will be presented. (Attachment 2)
8:20 V. Discussion of Draft Divestment Resolution
The group will discuss a draft resolution encouraging the State of NC to divest from fossil fuel
companies. Action needed (Attachment 3)
8:35 VI. No Idling Campaign Petition
Commissioner Marcopolos requested the CFE review information and provide a recommendation
to the BOCC concerning supporting a “No Idling” campaign in the county. Action needed.
8:50 VII. Roadside Wildflower Conservation
Staff will discuss how to proceed with this issue. Action needed. (Attachments 4 through 9)
9:05 VIII. Committee Meetings
Committees will meet to discuss addressing their priorities for 2018. (See Attached Page)
9:25 IX. Updates and Information Items
Staff and/or CFE members will provide updates on the following items:
Continuing Action Items from previous CFE meetings:
Updates:
New Solar Energy Rebates (Attachment 10)
Political Candidates Not Accepting Funds from Fossil Fuel Companies:
http://nofossilfuelmoney.org/pledge-signers/
Eno River Association Confluence Property Grand Opening May 5th 10:00 am
Any other new information from CFE members and staff
9:30 X. Adjournment
Next Meeting: June 11th, Richard Whitted Building,
300 West Tryon Street, Hillsborough
CFE Meeting Ground Rules (Adopted 9/12/11)
1. Keep to agenda topic under discussion
2. Share relevant information
3. One person speaks at a time after recognition by the Chair
4. Everyone is invited to participate in discussions/no one person should dominate
discussions
5. Strive to reach consensus first before voting
Activities the CFE expects to carry out in 2018:
Continue to plan for and prepare the 2019 State of the Environment report
Continue to prepare articles on environmental issues of importance to Orange
County, including climate change, energy conservation, and other important topics.
Recommend ways to reduce the County’s “carbon footprint” and ways to implement
the County’s Environmental Responsibility Goal (BOCC Priority #10)
Participate in a County effort to identify and preserve important landscape corridors
that connect significant natural areas and open space (BOCC Priority #1)
Co-sponsor the annual DEAPR photography contest (The Nature of Orange).
Participate in the County’s annual Earth Evening event.
Concerns or emerging issues the CFE has identified for 2018:
Water Supply – Strive to educate county residents about their source of water,
especially those residents utilizing groundwater for their supply.
Request the BOCC sign on to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and
Energy, which includes committing to completing a greenhouse gas inventory within
a year. Upon signing, the committee will assist staff, as appropriate, with the
associated Greenhouse Gas inventory update and climate action planning.
The CFE will continue to learn about environmental justice matters and incorporate
relevant information and considerations in the next State of the Environment report
(2019) and its other activities.
Develop plan for researching potential environmental impacts of the rural buffer.
Develop methodology for monitoring changes in forest cover/land cover in Orange
County and also tie into the “No Net Loss of Tree Canopy” petition.