HomeMy WebLinkAboutCFE minutes 021113
FROM: Commission for the Environment
SUBJECT: Monthly Meeting Summary
DATE: February 11, 2013
LOCATION: Southern Human Services Center, Chapel Hill
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MEMBERS PRESENT: David Neal (Chair), Jan Sassaman (Vice Chair), Lucy Adams, May
Becker, Terri Buckner, Peter Cada, Loren Hintz, Bill Kaiser, Tom O’Dwyer, Gary Saunders,
David Welch
MEMBERS ABSENT: Sam Yellen STAFF PRESENT: Rich Shaw, Tom Davis
GUESTS: Brian Wittmayer, Elizabeth Zander, Jae Furman, Jeanette O’Connor
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I. Call to Order: Neal called the meeting to order at 7:32 pm.
II. Additions or Changes to Agenda – Added one item to the Updates and Information.
III. Approval of Minutes – The January 14 meeting summary was approved unanimously.
IV. Chapel Hill Sustainability Committee – Brian Wittmayer and Elizabeth Zander (Chapel
Hill Sustainability Committee) provided an overview of the committee’s mission and
activities. They discussed regional solid waste management issues and asked whether
the CFE might be interested in collaborating with the Sustainability Committee and
others on a solid waste public forum. The CFE discussed the merits of this proposal.
Sassaman motioned that the CFE encourage the Chapel Hill Sustainability Committee to
continue its efforts to convene a solid waste forum and to express its willingness to co-
sponsor the forum. O’Dwyer seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
V. Proposed Renewable Energy and Efficiency Work Group – Neal reported on the
BOCC’s January 29 work session during which he presented the CFE’s proposal for a
Renewable Energy and Efficiency Work Group. He said the commissioners had not
received the CFE’s memo in advance so there was insufficient feedback. CFE members
discussed going ahead and choosing a specific problem or topic, bringing in experts,
discussing the issues and formulating recommendations for presentation to the BOCC.
They agreed to invite staff to the next meeting present data on energy and fuel used by
County departments and facilities. CFE members discussed how to obtain guidance on
how to get the BOCC and County staff to fully consider its recommendations.
VI. 2014 State of the Environment Report – Shaw reviewed the contents of the 2009 State
of the Environment report and a proposed timetable for developing a 2014 report.
O’Dwyer motioned to recommend staff find the resources to hire a part-time employee to
work on the 2014 State of the Environment report and to include solid waste and energy
use data where available. Sassaman seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
VII. Updates and Information Items – CFE members received updates and information on
the following: a) CFE recruitment efforts, b) County budget outlook for 2013-14, c) the
NC Mining & Energy Commission’s consideration of hydraulic fracturing (fracking), d)
carbon emissions down at Duke, and e) OWASA’s annual update to the BOCC.
VIII. Committee Meetings – The CFE broke out into its two standing committees: the Air and
Energy Resources Committee and the Water and Biological Resources Committee.
IX. Adjournment – Neal adjourned the meeting at 9:15 pm. The committees met until 9:45.
Minutes by Rich Shaw, DEAPR Staff