HomeMy WebLinkAboutCFE minutes 121211
FROM: Commission for the Environment
SUBJECT: Monthly Meeting Summary
DATE: December 12, 2011
LOCATION: Environment and Agricultural Center (Hillsborough)
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MEMBERS PRESENT: Renee Price (Chair), Michael Hughes (Vice Chair), Chris Adams, Lucy
Adams, May Becker, Peter Cada, Clay Hudson, Bill Kaiser, David Neal, Tom O’Dwyer, Gary
Saunders, David Welch
MEMBERS ABSENT: Michele Drostin, Loren Hintz
STAFF PRESENT: Rich Shaw, Tom Davis, and David Stancil GUEST: Jae Furman
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
I. Call to Order: Price called the meeting to order at approximately 7:35 pm
II. Additions or Changes to Agenda – None
III. Approval of Minutes – The Nov 14 meeting summary was approved as drafted.
IV. 2012 Meeting Calendar – The CFE meeting calendar for 2012 was approved.
V. Annual Report and Work Plan – The CFE reviewed a revised draft of its annual report
and work plan. Shaw reported that he incorporated the many edits received from
members and shared by email. After further discussion, some final edits were approved
and the CFE voted unanimously to approve the document for submittal to the BOCC.
VI-II. Committee Break-out and Reports – The four standing committees met separately for 20
minutes and then reconvened to report on the status of various projects underway.
Saunders and Cada reported on ongoing initiatives by the Air Resources and Water
Resources committees, but neither item was ready for action by the full CFE.
O’Dwyer reported on three initiatives from the Energy Resources Committee pertaining
to solar energy generation, energy conservation in buildings, and the composting of food
waste. O’Dwyer presented a draft memo outlining a proposal to preserve solar energy
sites within new developments. He reported on his efforts to share his idea with
Planning Board members and staff, and answered questions from CFE members.
O’Dwyer offered to work with Shaw to refine the memo based on comments received.
The CFE agreed to have a revised draft memo circulated via email for final comments by
December 15 and the final memo from the Chair sent to the BOCC Clerk as an
attachment to the CFE annual report and work plan. Neal and Becker provided updates
on the other initiatives, but neither was for action by the CFE at this meeting.
Welch reported on two initiatives from the Biological Resources Committee. He and
Shaw presented edits to the CFE memo (approved in November) about plans to protect
native plant habitat along county roadsides from herbicide application. The CFE
approved sending the revised memo to the BOCC and requesting time on an upcoming
BOCC agenda to present this plan. Welch then updated the CFE on plans to develop a
comprehensive conservation plan with assistance from outside entities.
VIII. Updates and Information Items – CFE members received written materials and brief
updates on the following: County landfill gas to Carolina North, UNC Bingham facility,
EPA decision about “fracking”, improvements to Triangle ozone levels, regional transit
news, electric vehicle charging stations, and the Eno River capacity use area agreement.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:20 p.m. Minutes by Rich Shaw, DEAPR Staff