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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCFE Agenda 09112023 AGENDA Orange County Commission for the Environment September 11t", 2023 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- August 14t", 2023 The CFE will consider approval of meeting summary from the last meeting.Action needed (Attachment 1) 7:05 IV. Community Climate Action Grant Round 3- Discussion CFE will review and discuss application for both grant funds and set group ranking on scoresheet.The CFE will determine the need for the previously scheduled"Special Meeting"to complete application ranking and vote.Action needed (Attached under separate cover) 8:45 V. Updates and Information Items Staff and/or CFE members will provide updates on the following items: • Climate Action Plan • Solarize the Triangle • Lawrence Road Recreation Development Any other new information from CFE members and staff 9:00 VI. Adjournment *Next Meeting Date: **Special Meeting for CCAG Review-September ISt' 7 pm; Bonnie B Davis Environment and Agriculture Center** *Regular Meeting; October 01, 2023;Bonnie B Davis Environment and Agriculture Center Attachment 1 Orange County Commission for the Environment Meeting Summary August 14th 2023; 7:00 pm Hybrid Meeting Present: Veronica Penn Beattie, Kristie Mather, Mark Randall, Regina Baratta(via Zoom), Jessie Birckhead, Kim Livingston, Ian Morse, Jane Harris, Wilson Greene, Kim Piracci Absent: Reade Oakley, Geneva Gray, David N. Mcnelis, Andrea Zimmerman Staff: Chris Hirni, Amy Eckberg, Abby Mattingly 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—June 12t", 2023 Motion to approve by Mark Randall; seconded by Kristie Mather; all in favor; none opposed; motion passed. IV. Eno-New Hope Landscape Conservation Plan - Update Chris Hirni reminded the CFE of the DRAFT resolution for adoption of the Eno-New Hope Landscape Conservation Plan by the BOCC, which was approved in the June 121n meeting, and suggested to the CFE that they draft a cover letter to the BOCC. Veronica Penn Beattie and Jessie Birckhead re-affirmed that they will draft the cover letter. Jessie suggested that the BOCC might want a presentation to accompany the cover letter. Kim Livingston offered to support the presentation while also reminding the CFE of the education and outreach subcommittee of Eno-New Hope. Chris Hirni stated that there are members of the Eno-New Hope Landscape Conservation Group's steering committee that would be willing and able to present on the plan and data. V. Community Climate Action Grant Round 3 -Discussion Veronica Penn Beattie informed the CFE about the scorecard that will be given to them and demonstrated how the scoring system works. The scorecards will be used to rank the grant applications submitted to the CFE. Amy Eckberg told the group that there are more grants expected this year than in previous years and that $564,000 dollars is available. The fund is divided in two, to be split between the two school systems and the rest of the applicants. Veronica asked Amy for updates on the grant applicants. Regina Baratta Page 1 of 4 Attachment 1 Orange County Commission for the Environment Meeting Summary August 14th 2023; 7:00 pm Hybrid Meeting expressed concern over last year's numbers regarding greenhouse gases listed on the scorecards. Amy explained that greenhouse gases have been a challenge in the past and encouraged the CFE to explore the numbers for any inaccuracies. Jessie Birckhead suggested to the group that they explore the scorecard in more depth to check for any questions or concerns that they had. Veronica suggested putting a"Special Meeting" on the calendar to allocate extra time to review the applications and give time to explore the school side of the grant applicants. Amy stated that she would like applications to be wrapped up by October to be brought before the county commissioners by November. The CFE agreed that a"Special Meeting" could be hosted on September 18th via Teams. Veronica Penn Beattie motioned to vote on the adoption of the "Special Meeting"; seconded by Jessie Birckhead; all in favor; none opposed; motion passed. VI. Committee Breakouts 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 Meeting Summaries Air& Energy Resources Subcommittee: Present: Kristie Mather, Veronica Penn Beattie, Ian Morse Absent: David Mcnelis, Geneva Gray Staff: Amy Eckberg • Discussed inventory of greenhouse gases and the DRAFT Climate Action Plan. Water Resources Subcommittee: Present: Mark Randall, Kim Piracci Absent: Andrea Zimmerman Staff: Abby Mattingly Page 2 of 4 Attachment 1 Orange County Commission for the Environment Meeting Summary August 14th 2023; 7:00 pm Hybrid Meeting • The PFAS, PFOA concerns are well known by local governments and water authorities. The EPA is working on regulations for them. We believe that no further work is needed by the water subcommittee on this issue. • Emerging concerns include PVC pipes commonly used in buildings now. • County water concerns mostly include farm chemical runoff. Guidance by staff concerning our next action is needed. • Kim is now on the OWASA Board of Directors. Awareness of conflicts of interest must be maintained. Land Resources Subcommittee: Present: Jessie Birckhead, Regina Baratta (via Zoom), Jane Harris, Kim Livingston, Wilson Greene Absent: Reade Oakley Staff: Chris Hirni • Discussed ongoing developments with the No Net Loss Policy and the need to circle back with the BOCC following feedback received. • Discussed invasive species and e-bikes on public land. VII. Updates and Information Items • The group introduced the new staff member, Abby Mattingly. • Chris Hirni updated the CFE on the OC Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Planning & Inspections put out an RFQ, have selected a company and are awaiting making a recommendation to the BOCC. • Amy Eckberg gave an update on"Solarize the Triangle". They have made it to Tier 3 and the goal is still to make it to Tier 8. There is an event August 19th that Amy made the group aware of. • Veronica Penn Beattie informed the CFE that the Aging Plan Workgroup is not yet ready to collaborate. • Amy Eckberg gave an update on the Climate Action Plan and when it will be presented to the BOCC. There is a community wide symposium September 6th to Page 3 of 4 Attachment 1 Orange County Commission for the Environment Meeting Summary August 14th 2023; 7:00 pm Hybrid Meeting discuss the Climate Action Plan. Amy informed everyone that she will be having an intern join her and a part-time position has become available. VIII. Adjournment Kim Piracci motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:41 pm; seconded by Kim Livingston; all in favor; none opposed; motion passed. Page 4 of 4