HomeMy WebLinkAboutCFE Agenda 11142022 AGENDA
Orange County Commission for the Environment
November 14t", 2022
7:00 p.m., Bonnie B. Davis Environment and Agriculture Center
Time Item Title
7:00 I. Call to Order
7:01 II. Additions or Changes to Agenda
7:03 III. Approval of DRAFT Meeting Summary — Oct. loth 2022
The CFE will consider approval of meeting summary from the last meeting.Action needed
(Attachment 1)
7:05 IV. Chair/Vice Chair Nominations and Elections- Action Item
The CFE will nominate and vote to elect the new Chair and Vice Chair for the next year.
7:20 V. Right of Way Task Force- Update and Action Item
Staff will provide information regarding the previous CFE resolution to form an inter-County
"Right of Way Task Force'.The CFE will discuss the expectations,and nominate new member
representative(s)for the Task Force. (Attachment 2)
7:40 VI. CFE New Member Recommendations Process
The CFE will discuss method of review and input for new applicants in relation to member
vacancies,timeliness,Policy and Procedure,and BOCC memorandums.
8:00 VII. Climate Action "Education"Tax Grant
The CFE will discuss the portion of the Climate Action Tax Grant Funds that are dedicated to
schools.
8:20 VIII. Sub-Committee Breakouts
The CFE will discuss subcommittee assignments and current composition. New and current
members will be able to determine which subcommittee they wish to serve on. If time allows,
the CFE will break out into committee assignments and discuss goals/projects for the year.
Committees will report on projects upon returning to the main meeting.
8:40 IX. Updates and Information Items
Staff and/or CFE members will provide updates on the following items:
• CFE Subcommittee Brief Report
• Climate Action Plan
• Nature of Orange Photo Contest
• Annual Report and Work Plan Template(Attachment 3)
Any other new information from CFE members and staff
9:00 X. Adjournment
*Next Meeting Date: December 12rh, 2022(Bonnie B Davis
Environment and Agriculture Center
Orange County Commission for the Environment
DRAFT Meeting Summary
October 10, 2022; 7:00 pm
Hybrid Meeting
Present: Kim Piracci, Veronica Penn Beattie, Jessie Birckhead, Kristie Mather, Ian Morse,
June McWhorter, Jaya Nair(via Zoom), Jane Harris (via Zoom), Reade Oakley,
Kim Livingston, Regina Baratta,Geneva Gray,David N. Mcnelis (via Zoom),
Mark Randall
Absent: Bill Ward(excused)
Staff: Wesley Poole, Chris Himi, Amy Eckberg(via Zoom), Kalani Allen, Beth Young
I. Call to Order
Chair Kim Piracci called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm.
II. Additions or Changes to Agenda
Beth Young, DEAPR Communications Manager, was present at the meeting briefly to
explain how non-CFE members are not to speak during the meeting. As well, there was a
non-member who attended via Zoom. Chris Himi added that there would be additional
updates under "Updates and Information Items."
III. Approval of DRAFT Meeting Summary—September 12', 2022
Motion by Jessie Birckhead; seconded by Veronica Beattie Penn; all in favor; none
opposed; motion passed.
IV. Introduction of New CFE Members-Piracci asked members to introduce themselves to
everyone as a welcome to new appointed members.
V. CFE Policy and Procedure Change in Edits-Himi reviewed the edits that needed to be
made for the CFE Policy and Procedure. Per the County Attorney, if there is a conflict
between the Orange County BOCC policy and the CFE policy, the CFE policy would
supersede the Orange County BOCC policy. Kim Livingston moved to approve the edit,
with Kristie Mather seconding. A vote was taken and passed unanimously with no
objections.
VI. Community Climate Action Grant Review-Amy Eckberg conducted the Community
Climate Action Grant review. There were seven community applications and one from a
school district. The total amount requested from all 7 community applications was
$585,873 and$368,000 for the one school district (Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools)
Page 1 of 2
Orange County Commission for the Environment
DRAFT Meeting Summary
October 10, 2022; 7:00 pm
Hybrid Meeting
that applied. The total amount available to allocate was $275,075 for each category.
Eckberg facilitated the review of all applications and criteria with discussion from
members' input from reviewing the applications. Members voted for the recommendation
to approve 100% for the Eno River Farmers' Market compost station and partial funds for
all other community grant applications, with the exception of not recommending any
funding for the Arts Center water bottle filling station. Kristie Mather motioned for
approval, and Ian Morse seconded. The Commission voted with all in favor and none
opposed to recommend the funding. Kim Livingston motioned, with Geneva Gray
seconding the motion, to accept the recommendation that all available funding for the
school district be awarded to the Chapel Hills-Carrboro City Schools. The vote passed
with 9 to 5 in favor. The Commission also proposed to create a letter to the BOCC
addressing concerns about the accountability that schools should have to show progress
on the projects they have requested the funds to accomplish, as well as how to distribute
funds equally amongst school districts within the County.
VII. Updates and Information Items
• June McWhorter let members know that this would be her last meeting, as she
prepares to move. Piracci asked that McWhorter submit her resignation via email.
• Hirni reviewed member terms that are up for reappointment and explained staff
would be in contact later to determine if members wish to continue on the board.
• Right Away Task Force discussion was brought up as a refresher to the board.
Piracci asked that this be put on the agenda for the November meeting.
VIII. Adjournment
Livingston motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:15pm; seconded by Morse; all in favor;
none opposed; motion passed.
Page 2 of 2
ORANGE COUNTY RIGHTS OF WAY TASK FORCE
MEMBERSHIP, TENURE AND CHARGE
On December 18th, 2018 the Orange County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution
(RES-2018-085) recommending that all roadside and rights-of-way be managed using best
practices that benefit native pollinators and native wildflowers, such as minimizing the use of
herbicides, and authorized the Commission for the Environment and County staff to work with
the North Carolina Botanical Gardens to encourage NC Department of Transportation, utility
companies, and property owners to plan, implement, and study roadside and rights-of-way
management practices that enhance habitat for native wildflowers and pollinators.
The Orange County Rights of Way Task Force is being organized as a subcommittee of the
Commission for the Environment. Section VI I of the Orange County Advisory Board Policy
permits Advisory Boards to form special purpose subcommittees.
CHARGE
To build on the momentum of the 2018 resolution by accomplishing the following:
• To gather, exchange and share information on rights of way management within Orange
County;
• To foster communication between the rights of way managers, the North Carolina
Botanical Gardens, and Orange County on future opportunities and collaborative
ventures;
• To provide a coordinating mechanism for rights of way management within Orange
County;
• To develop and coordinate public education and public outreach on rights of way
management (coordinated brochures, etc).
MEMBERSHIP
• Orange County Board of Commissioners (one member, or designee of Board)
• Orange County Commission for the Environment (up to two members)
• Duke Energy (up to two members)
• Piedmont Electric Cooperative (up to two members)
• NCDOT (up to two members)
• PSNC energy (up to two members)
• NC Botanical Garden (up to two members)
• At large: (three members)
At large members will be people with specific expertise such as knowledge of rights-of-way
biodiversity and/or Orange County residents.
TENURE AND MEETINGS
The task force will work for three years (March 2020-March 2023), providing yearly updates and
a final report in March 2023. After three years, the task force membership may propose to
extend the tenure.
The task force will meet three times a year (fall, winter, and spring).
NAME OF BOARD/COMMISSION
Report Period January 2022-December 2022
ORANGE COUNTY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
ANNUAL REPORT/ WORK PLAN FOR THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
The Board of Commissioners appreciates the dedication of all the volunteers on their
boards and commissions and welcomes input from various boards and commissions
throughout the year. Please complete the following information, limited to the front and
back of this form. Other background materials may be provided as a supplement to, but
not as a substitute for, this form.
Board/Commission Name:
Person to address the BOCC and contact information:
Primary County Staff Contact:
How many times per month does this board/commission meet, including any special
meetings and sub-committee meetings?
Brief Statement of Board/Commission's Assigned Charge and Responsibilities.
What are your Board/Commission's most important accomplishments?
List of Specific Tasks, Events, or Functions Performed or Sponsored Annually.
Describe this board/commission's activities/accomplishments in carrying out BOCC
goal(s)/priorities, if applicable.
Describe the collaboration relationship(s) this particular board has with other advisory
boards and commissions?
Identify any activities this board/commission expects to carry out in 2023 as they relate
to established BOCC goals and priorities. If applicable, is there a fiscal impact (i.e.,
funding, staff time, other resources) associated with these proposed activities (please
list).
What are the concerns or emerging issues your board has identified for the upcoming
year that it plans to address, or wishes to bring to the Commissioners' attention?