HomeMy WebLinkAboutCFE Meeting Summary 04102023 Orange County Commission for the Environment
Meeting Summary
April loth, 2023; 7:00 pm
Hybrid Meeting
Present: Veronica Penn Beattie, Kristie Mather, Mark Randall, Regina Baratta, Reade
Oakley, Jessie Birckhead (via Zoom), Jane Harris, Andrea Zimmerman (via
Zoom), Kim Livingston, Geneva Gray
Absent: Ian Morse, Kim Piracci, 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 7:02 pm.
II. Additions or Changes to Agenda
None.
III. Approval of DRAFT Meeting Summary—February 13t', 2023
Motion to approve by Geneva Gray; seconded by Mark Randall; all in favor; none
opposed; motion passed.
IV. CFE Recruitment Applications Review
Veronica Penn Beattie notified the CFE that Jo Leslie Eimers had withdrew her
application after the group had recommended her for appointment at the last meeting. A
new applicant, Wilson Greene, was invited to attend this meeting to see if he was
interested in being recommended for appointment in the future. Veronica Penn Beattie
hoped this process would ensure applicants were truly interested considering the time and
energy it takes to appoint them to the CFE.
V. Earth Evening/Day Celebrations—Discussion and Sign Up
Amy Eckberg informed the CFE of the upcoming 2 events that were scheduled: Earth
Day in Carrboro on April 22nd 3:30PM—6:00 PM and Earth Evening in Hillsborough on
April 28th 6:OOPM— 8:00 PM. Amy Eckberg will have a Climate Action Plan/ Solarize
the Triangle table at each and will have room for CFE members to join and help do
activities. Andrea Zimmerman and Kristie Mather volunteered for the April 22nd event.
Regina Baratta and Geneva Gray volunteered for the April 28th event.
VI. Sub-Committee Breakouts
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Orange County Commission for the Environment
Meeting Summary
April loth 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, Veronica Penn Beattie
Absent: Ian Morse, David N. Mcnelis
Staff Amy Eckberg
CAP Update-Amy
• Survey has 314 responses so far. We want to increase engagement and ensure it is a
sample that reflects the diversity of Orange Co. Members brainstormed different methods
on increasing engagement for the survey which is due April 30, 2023.
UNC Climate Action Day-Bladen
• Engaging students on filling out the CAP survey.
Internal Staff Engagement-Amy
• 60 staff responses on an internal version of the CAP survey. Focus groups to follow.
Water Resources Subcommittee:
Present: Mark Randall, Andrea Zimmerman (via Zoom)
Absent: Kim Piracci
Staff: Wesley Poole
• Discussed upcoming presentation by Emily Sutton, Haw Riverkeeper. Scheduled for 518
on PFASIPFOS. Fifteen minute presentation and fifteen minutes for questions.
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Orange County Commission for the Environment
Meeting Summary
April loth, 2023; 7:00 pm
Hybrid Meeting
• Discussed information on PFAS/PFOS impact on composted materials. Talked about
information sent to Kim Piracci from Brooks Composting and whether there is a need to
eliminate PFAS/PFOS sources form compost. Needs further study.
• Discussed ground water testing for PFAS/PFOS to occur in the third quarter 2023.
• Discussed the need for increased public awareness relating to the PFAS/PFOS issues.
Needs further discussion.
Land Resources Subcommittee:
Present: Jessie Birckhead(via Zoom), Regina Baratta, Jane Harris, Reade Oakley, Kim
Livingston
Absent: None
Staff: Chris Hirni
• Discussed current draft of the Tree Policy which is under review by Orange County staff.
• Discussed the need for an invasive plant species policy for use by DEAPR. Committee
plans to start drafting this policy once the tree policy is completed.
• Discussed the need to present the recently completed Eno-New Hope Landscape
Conservation Strategic Action Plan to the entire CFE. Committee hopes to gain support
of this work and present a Resolution of Support to the BOCC at an upcoming meeting.
VII. Updates and Information Items
• Amy Eckberg updated the CFE on the Climate Action Plan. They are currently
working on the strategy and April 30th is the deadline to take the survey. They are
also doing 1 on 1 calls to get the word out. A survey has been sent out to Orange
County staff and there will be an upcoming focus group for them as well.
• Amy Eckberg updated the CFE on the Solarize the Triangle campaign. March 31 st
was the last day of the first round and they finished strong. They had 63 contracts
and Orange County was 2nd in the region. The second round will be starting up soon.
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Orange County Commission for the Environment
Meeting Summary
April loth, 2023; 7:00 pm
Hybrid Meeting
• Wesley Poole updated the CFE on the success of Orange County Creek Week.
Orange County staff cleaned up 3 truckloads of trash on March 30th from local
streams and waterways.
• Kalani Allen updated the CFE on planned hikes for the Year of the Trail. On April
28th there will be a hike at River Park and on June 3rd there will be a hike at Little
River Park.
• Kim Livingston notified the CFE that the Panther Branch Natural Area would be
opening on April 22nd
VIII. Adjournment
Geneva Gray motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:53 pm; seconded by Reade Oakley;
all in favor; none opposed; motion passed.
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