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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCFE minutes 090919 Attachment 2 Orange County Commission for the Environment Meeting Summary September 9, 2019; 7:30 pm Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill Present: Bradley Saul (Chair), Carrie Fletcher, Bill Ward, Jim Eichel, Laura Doherty, Lynne Gronback, Kim Piracci Absent: Jody Eimers, Alan Parry, Matt Crook, William Newby, Jeremy Marzuola Staff: David Stancil, Christian Hirni, Brennan Bouma I. Call to Order— Saul called the meeting to order at 7:35. II. Additions or Changes to Agenda—No additions or changes to the agenda were requested. III. Approval of Draft Minutes from August 12th, 2019— Stancil noted that due to lack of staff at the August meeting, minutes will be drafted for the August 12th and September 9th meetings concurrently and approved at October 14th meeting. IV. State of Environment (SOE) Approval of Content a. Bouma began the meeting with the caveat that the commission would not be conducting an additional detailed review of the entire SOE report.,as prior meetings (including the special meeting on August 27) have done a thorough review. Instead he proposed to focus on and discuss the "Watershed" section as significant additions had been made and then move onto the approval of the SOE document pending editorial committee review. b. Bouma presented the current Watershed indicator pages with up to date edits and the further inclusion of an E.P.A. "Watershed Vulnerability Index"map and information. c. The discussion concluded with a recommendation for 1)more definitive language on Water Quality and Ecosystem Health comparisons, 2) watershed law and protective regulations, and 3) comparisons with neighboring Triangle counties, etc., . • Motion to approve the 2019 SOE report pending further review and communication by the editorial committee was made by Pirraci, seconded by Doherty; All in favor, none opposed, motion passed. d. CFE members agreed to include Jodi Eimers on editorial committee if she desires. V. State of the Environment Event a. Discussion of event conflict with a statewide SELC's Transportation and Climate Change meeting on the same date as the Environmental Summit(November 22nd), which may limit the participation of County Commissioners and other Orange County Commission for the Environment Meeting Summary September 9, 2019; 7:30 pm Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill stakeholders in our event. The event's co-sponsors are actively discussing changing the date. Proposal to check on availability of other dates,particularly the first week of December(2nd-6th) for a rescheduled Environment Summit. No motion to reschedule as of yet, pending further discussion. VI. Planning and Development Process—Update a. Bouma presented information on the Planning Department conversations and efforts to coordinate with staff on environmental concerns. Bouma summarized the sustainability initiatives and environmental program elements that Planning provided_previously. Discussion of the flood-plain mapping program and which flood-plain maps the planning department has adopted. Sol Smart program policy review and clarification. Bike share program planning. Stream buffer rules and other ordinances regarding mandatory vegetative buffers were also discussed. VII. State Climate Change Initiative and Electric Vehicles- Update a. Bouma and Ward discussed Executive Order 80, or State Climate Action Plan. Some good elements. Discussion of"hole" in plan for natural gas dependence reduction. VIII. Adjournment- Saul adjourned the meeting at 9:05 following the unanimous approval of a motion to adjourn the meeting which was offered by Piracci and seconded by Gronback.