HomeMy WebLinkAboutCFE Meeting Summary 04112022 Orange County Commission for the Environment
Meeting Summary
April 11, 2022; 7:30 pm
virtual Zoom Meeting
Present: Kim Piracci, Kim Livingston, Bill Ward, Kristie Mather,Veronica Penn Beattie,
Jessie Birckhead, Jaya Nair, Ian Morse, Reade Oakley
Absent: Frank Binkowski, Carrie Fletcher, Jane Harris, Elizabeth McWhorter
Staff: Wesley Poole, Chris Himi, Amy Eckberg, Kalani Allen
I. Call to Order
Kim Piracci called the meeting to order at 7:31 pm.
II. Additions or Changes to Agenda
None.
III. Approval of DRAFT Meeting Summary—March 14th, 2022
Motion by Kristie Mather; seconded by Jessie L. Birckhead; all in favor; none opposed;
motion passed.
IV. Introduction of New and Current Members
The BOCC recently appointed two new members to the CFE and tonight is their first
meeting. Ian Morse and Reade Oakley each introduced themselves to the group and
current CFE members/ County staff did the same.
V. CFE Meeting Location and Time
The next meeting date of the CFE (May 9, 2022) will be the first in-person meeting held
since the Covid-19 Pandemic. The CFE discussed the location and times of meetings
going forward. Chris Himi notified the CFE that the only currently available location
with Zoom Room capabilities is the Bonnie B. Davis Environment and Agricultural
Center in Hillsborough. The meeting facility at the Southern Human Services Center will
not be available until later this year. CFE members expressed interest in having a longer
meeting in order to get more done during Committee Breakouts and proposed extending
to a 2 hour meeting. This would be accomplished by starting at TOOPM instead of
7:30PM and keeping the end time at 9:OOPM. Veronica Penn Beattie motioned that, for
the time being, the CFE elects to hold meetings from 7:00-9:OOPM at the Bonnie B.
Davis Environment and Agricultural Center from 7:00-9:OOPM using their Zoom Room
until the CFE votes on a location in the future; seconded by Jessie L. Birckhead; all in
favor; none opposed; motion passed.
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Orange County Commission for the Environment
Meeting Summary
April 11, 2022; 7:30 pm
virtual Zoom Meeting
VI. CFE Earth Day/Evening Event Planning—Discussion
CFE members and County staff discussed the potential display/activities for tabling at
the upcoming Carrboro Earth Day Celebration on April 22, 2022 from 5:00-7:OOPM and
Hillsborough's Earth Evening on April 29, 2022 from 6:00-8:OOPM. A signup sheet was
provided and CFE members volunteered which events they could participate in. Each
event will have Bill Ward's Flip the Switch table, along with a CFE outreach table and an
educational table for children.
VII. Committee Breakouts
The CFE broke out into committee assignments to discuss goals/projects for the year.
VIII. Updates and Information Items
- Kim Piracci discussed the CFE Policy and Procedure updates that are in progress.
Once County staff comments have been incorporated, a DRAFT will be sent to CFE
members to review for the next meeting.
- Kyra Levau with Orange County Solid Waste Management is a tentative speaker for
the next CFE meeting in May. County staff will verify her attendance in light of
going back to in-person meetings.
- Veronica Penn Beattie proposed that CFE members each create a`Bio-sheet" so that
other members are aware of each other's background, knowledge and expertise. The
idea was welcomed by the group so Veronica Penn Beattie will reach out to members
by email to help facilitate.
- Chris Himi informed the CFE that, as an item on the April 51h Business Meeting, the
BOCC proclaimed April as Native Plant Month. During the comments and questions
thereafter, commissioners requested information and/or updates to the CFE's actions
regarding how utility services and the State DOT handle treatments of nonnative
species within their Rights of Way. County staff informed the BOCC that the CFE
has taken previous initiatives on such, and Chris Himi discussed the opportunity to
"re-awaken"the Orange County Right of Way Task Force, from the January 2020
meeting schedule.
IX. Adjournment
Kristie Mather motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:06 pm; seconded by Ian Morse; all
in favor: none opposed; motion passed.
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