HomeMy WebLinkAboutCFE Meeting Summary 01092023 Orange County Commission for the Environment
Meeting Summary
January 9, 2023; 7:00 pm
Hybrid Meeting
Present: Veronica Penn Beattie (via Zoom), Kristie Mather(via Zoom), Ian Morse (via
Zoom), Geneva Gray, Mark Randall, Regina Baratta, Reade Oakley, Jessie
Birckhead
Absent: Kim Piracci, Kim Livingston, Jane Harris, David N. Mcnelis
Staff: Wesley Poole, Chris Hirni, Amy Eckberg, Kalani Allen
I. Call to Order
Veronica Penn Beattie called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm.
II. Additions or Changes to Agenda
None.
III. Approval of DRAFT Meeting Summary—December 12', 2022
Motion to approve by Jessie Birckhead; seconded by Regina Baratta; all in favor; none
opposed; motion passed.
IV. CFE Annual Report and Work Plan—Action Item
Chris Hirni presented the final draft for this year's BOCC Report and Work Plan. The
CFE discussed the document and made some minor edits. Motion to approve by Geneva
Gray; seconded by Mark Randall; all in favor; none opposed; motion passed.
V. CFE New Member Application Review and Recruitment
Veronica Penn Beattie led the review and discussion of new member applications and
recruitment. The CFE agreed that they were looking for diversity in new members along
with applicants that would be able to commit the necessary time. After looking at the six
current applicants, the CFE agreed to recommend appointment by the BOCC for the
following positions: Elizabeth Christenson to Position#5 (Water Resources), Andrea
Zimmerman to Position#4 (Biological Resources), and Christopher Austin to Position#7
(At Large). Motion to approve by Mark Randall; seconded by Ian Morse; all in favor;
none opposed; motion passed. Wesley Poole will draft the Appointment
Recommendation Memo and send to Veronica Penn Beattie for signature.
VI. Sub-Committee Breakouts
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Orange County Commission for the Environment
Meeting Summary
January 9, 2023; 7:00 pm
Hybrid Meeting
The CFE broke out into committee assignments and discussed goals/projects for the
year. Afterwards, subcommittees came back together and reported information discussed
to the overall CFE (see below).
Sub-Committee Breakout Meetinz Summaries
Air& Energy Resources Subcommittee:
Present: Geneva Gray, Kristie Mather (via Zoom), Ian Morse (via Zoom), Reade Oakley,
Veronica Penn Beattie (via Zoom)
Absent: David Mcnelis
Staff: Amy Eckberg
Water Resources Subcommittee:
Present: Mark Randall
Absent: Kim Piracci
Staff: Wesley Poole
• The group continued the discussion on emerging pollutants such as PFAS and PFOA's.
• Kim Piracci had found an interactive PFAS map produced by the EPA with a positive test
in Hillsborough so the group will look further into it.
Land Resources Subcommittee:
Present: Jessie Birckhead, Regina Baratta
Absent: Jane Harris, Kim Livingston
Staff Chris Hirni
• The committee continued review of the draft forest management policy document
regarding no net loss of tree canopy on county-owned lands.
• The committee intends to present a draft of the policy for review by the full CFE at the
March meeting.
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Orange County Commission for the Environment
Meeting Summary
January 9, 2023; 7:00 pm
Hybrid Meeting
VII. Updates and Information Items
• Amy Eckberg gave the CFE a status update on the Climate Action Plan. The
company is continuing to obtain data and the team is fine tuning the community
engagement plan. They will begin by tying in with the upcoming Agriculture Summit
followed by other activities.
• Amy Eckberg gave the CFE an update on the Solarize the Triangle campaign. There
were 1500 people that registered for a free assessment so the group is proceeding to
carry through with that work. They are also working to secure funding to provide
solar for Low to Moderate Income (LMI) families.
• Kalani Allen notified the CFE that 2023 is the Year of the Trail. The entire State of
North Carolina is celebrating and DEAPR will be asking the BOCC to join the
coalition.
• Jessie Birckhead notified the CFE that she and Veronica Penn Beattie have been
working on a CFE Looking Ahead Calendar so that members would know what is
expected of them throughout the year. They are also working on a CFE roster/
biography document so that they will know each other's background. Lastly, they
plan to attend an upcoming BOCC meeting and invited other members to come along.
VIII. Adjournment
Regina Baratta motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:52 pm; seconded by Kristie Mather;
all in favor; none opposed; motion passed.
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