HomeMy WebLinkAboutCFE Meeting Summary 10102022 Orange County Commission for the Environment
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)
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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.
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