HomeMy WebLinkAboutCFE minutes 021119 MEETING NOTES
Orange County Commission for the Environment
February 1 ith, 2019
Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill
Item Title
In Attendance:CFE Members: Bradley Saul,Alan Parry, Bill Ward, Kim Piracci, Lynne
Gronback,Jody Eimers, Laura Doherty,Will Stanley,Jim Eichel,and Carrie Fletcher
Staff: Brennan Bouma, Kim Livingston Interested Citizen: Brigitte Vaughn
I. Call to Order — Saul called the meeting to order at 7:30pm
Additions or Changes to Agenda — Bouma suggested adding a
II. discussion on the Eco-tips for the weekly Orange County newsletter or tweets
drafted by Piracci. Saul added this item to the agenda before committee
meetings.
III. Approval of Draft Minutes — January 14th 2019
The CFE considered approval of minutes from the last meeting. Saul added
an edit to the draft minutes to received regular updates from designated CFE
liaisons on other boards and commissioners. A motion to approve as
amended was made by Ward, seconded by Stanley, and approved
unanimously.
IV. Chair Update
Saul recounted discussions from the Our Climate Resolution event in Chapel
Hill. The CFE was mentioned many times throughout the night, which
indicates the leadership is listening to the CFE and that the CFE is in a
position to influence policy. The meeting discussions demonstrated that the
leaders want to hear from groups such as the CFE and be as proactive as
possible.
Saul said that in December, the BOCC passed the Wildflower Resolution.
Livingston mentioned that she had received positive comments from other
people working in environmental fields around the Country about the passing
of the resolution.
Saul discussed the Green New Deal resolution passed by the BOCC on
January 22, 2019. The BOCC endorsed the resolution and wants to form a
committee to study climate change as well as request David Price endorse
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's resolution.
Saul discussed the reformatting of the 2nd page of CFE agenda which now
lists current activities, CFE member responsible for the action, next steps, and
recent achievements.
Saul reminded the CFE that in April, the BOCC will need the 2019 CFE actions.
V. CFE Activities and Concerns for 2019
Saul led a discussion to identify activities the CFE would like to pursue in
2019, in addition to concerns and emerging issues the group may consider in
2019. See updated Activitieson March 2019 agenda.
VI. BOCC Agenda Abstract Environmental Impact
Bouma led a discussion concerning options to recommend to the BOCC for
consideration of environmental impacts on agenda abstracts. CFE decided to
add back into the draft the impacts to natural resources category as well as
adding example metrics. Eichel motioned to approve the template as
amended and send it to Dave Stancil for him to present to the Board of
County Commissioners in March. This was seconded by Fletcher, and
approved unanimously.
VII. Idle Reduction Campaign Update
Bouma updated the CFE on the status of this petition item. The petition is
closed, yet Commissioner Marcoplos remains interested. Bouma discussed the
draft letter to parents and signs for schools. Gronback encouraged a more
direct focus on a campaign for kids to ride the school bus. Suggestions were
made to add a section of suggested alternatives to driving children to school.
CFE would like to explore ways to measure the effectiveness of the campaign.
Parry suggested that the kids could encourage their parents through
incentives. Parry suggested turning over ownership to the schools and
having Bouma give teachers a set of resources to encourage idle reduction.
Eimers suggested having the schools report back their successes if they
choose to participate. Bouma requested that CFE members send any
edits to the letter to him.
Addition Eco-tips-
Piracci led a discussion on Eco-tips to be sent out via Orange County emails
or tweets. Todd McGee sends out weekly emails and tweets and an eco-tip
(fact, suggestion for action, and further information) sponsored by the CFE
could be added. Piracci suggested calling the section"Climate Corner." This
was countered by others saying that the eco-tip could have a broader focus.
The structure should be that of a tweet. CFE should create a list of
"evergreen tweets"that Todd McGee pick from and post as needed. Bouma
will send out Piracci's suggested eco-tips. Saul suggested that CFE
will review by email. Piracci suggested making the tips actionable and to
follow a consistent format.
VIII. Committee Meetings
CFE Committees met to discuss issues and indicators for the 2019 State of
the Environment report and made plans to finish a first draft by the March
CFE meeting.
IX. Updates and Information Items
None were discussed.
X. Adjournment- Fletcher 1st, Parry 2nd
Fletcher motioned to adjourn and this was seconded by Parry. The meeting
was adjourned at 9:15pm.
• Next Meeting: March 11 th, West Campus Office
Building, Room 302, 131 West Margaret Lane,
Hillsborough