HomeMy WebLinkAboutCFE minutes 040912
FROM: Commission for the Environment
SUBJECT: Monthly Meeting Summary
DATE: April 9, 2012
LOCATION: Southern Human Services Center, Chapel Hill
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MEMBERS PRESENT: Renee Price (Chair), Michael Hughes (Vice Chair), Lucy Adams, May
Becker, Michele Drostin, Loren Hintz, Bill Kaiser, David Neal, Tom O’Dwyer, Jan Sassaman,
Gary Saunders, and David Welch
MEMBERS ABSENT: Chris Adams and Peter Cada
STAFF PRESENT: Rich Shaw, Tom Davis GUEST: Jonathan Parker (TTA)
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I. Call to Order: Hughes (on behalf of Price) called the meeting to order at 7:34 pm
II. Additions or Changes to Agenda – In response to an earlier request by Neal, Hughes
suggested delaying the DENR hydraulic fracturing report item until the May meeting so
that the CFE could receive a presentation about the Orange County Transit Plan and
discuss the proposed one-half cent sales tax referendum. CFE members agreed.
III. Approval of Minutes – The March 12 meeting summary was approved unanimously with
technical edit by Kaiser.
IV. CFE Rules of Procedure – Shaw presented a revised draft set of new CFE policies and
procedures in response to the new BOCC policy requiring that all advisory boards’
policies conform to a more consistent model. Shaw pointed out changes he had made
to the earlier draft and identified other places that needed further discussion. CFE
members recommended further changes. Staff will discuss those changes with the
County Attorney and prepare a revised draft for CFE consideration and approval in May.
V. Draft Orange County Transit Plan – Jonathan Parker, from the Triangle Transit Authority
(TTA), presented a draft bus and rail plan for Orange County and other parts of the
Triangle Region. He provided some background of the project and outlined the
elements of the plan. Parker discussed public involvement to date and provided dates of
upcoming hearings and workshops. He responded to several questions from the CFE.
CFE members discussed whether to recommend that the BOCC place the proposed
referendum on the November 2012 election ballot. Hintz voiced his support due the
many long-term environmental and economic benefits that would result from public
transit. Adams noted there would also be improvements to air quality. Sassaman said
there would be many collateral benefits for both urban and rural residents.
Hintz motioned in favor of the CFE recommending that the BOCC approve a November
2012 referendum on a half-cent sales tax increase for public transit. Neal seconded the
motion and it carried unanimously. Neal offered to draft letter of recommendation for full
CFE consideration and approval. CFE members agreed with that approach.
VI. Updates and Information Items – Shaw reported that the CFE letter to Commissioner
Pelissier was signed by Price and mailed. CFE members received updates on the
State’s draft 303d list of impaired waters in Orange County, the DEAPR photography
contest, and a summary of the March 22 meeting at Duke (A Contemporary Land Ethic).
VII The committees did not meet due to the late hour.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:20 p.m. Minutes by Rich Shaw, DEAPR Staff