HomeMy WebLinkAboutCFE Meeting Summary 11132023 Orange County Commission for the Environment
Meeting Summary
November 13', 2023; 7:00 pm
Hybrid Meeting
Present: Kristie Mather, Mark Randall, Regina Baratta, Jessie Birckhead, Kim Livingston,
Ian Morse, Jane Harris (via Zoom), Andrea Zimmerman(via Zoom)
Absent: David N. Mcnelis, Wilson Greene, Veronica Penn Beattie, Reade Oakley, Kim
Piracci
Staff: Wesley Poole, Chris Hirni, Amy Eckberg, Kalani Allen, Abby Mattingly
I. Call to Order
Chair Veronica Penn Beattie is out sick so Vice Chair Jessie Birckhead called the
meeting to order at 7:04 pm.
II. Additions or Changes to Agenda
Amy Eckberg asked to begin by introducing her new part-time Sustainability staff
member, Karina Nabors.
III. Approval of DRAFT Meeting Summary—October 9', 2023
Motion to approve by Regina Baratta; seconded by Kristie Mather; all in favor; none
opposed; motion passed.
IV. Chair and Vice Chair Nominations and CFE Recruitment
Jessie Birckhead notified the CFE that they would need to nominate a new Chair and
Vice Chair and that the roles would begin with the December 2023 meeting. Regina
Baratta volunteered to be the Chair and Jane Harris the Vice Chair, with Veronica Penn
Beattie agreeing to help with the transition. Motion to approve by Kristie Mather;
seconded by Ian Morse; all in favor; none opposed; motion passed. Regina Baratta
created a new flyer for CFE recruitment and has been actively posting it. A few new
applications have already been received.
V. CFE Annual Report and Work Plan—Discussion
Chris Hirni presented the template for this year's BOCC Report and Work Plan. Most
everything is boiler plate that Chris Hirni will enter except for the last two questions
referring to 2024 BOCC goals and priorities and concerns/emerging issues for the
upcoming year that will need CFE input. CFE members and staff worked together to
enter the information into the Report. The Report is due to the Clerk's office by January
19th, 2024.
Page 1 of 2
Orange County Commission for the Environment
Meeting Summary
November 13', 2023; 7:00 pm
Hybrid Meeting
VI. Lands Legacy Action Plan 2024-2027—Discussion
Chris Hirni led the CFE in a discussion and asked the group to make recommendations
for focus points for inclusion in the next 3 years of the Lands Legacy Action Plan 2024-
2027. He showed the previous memo outlining previous recommendations and potential
subject matter for consideration. CFE members and staff worked together to create new
recommended focus points. Chris will finish drafting the memo and bring it back for
consideration at the next meeting.
VII. Updates and Information Items
• Amy Eckberg updated the CFE on the status of the Climate Action Plan. The BOCC
passed it on November 2"d, 2023. They are working on last minute edits and will be
posting it on the website soon along with the dashboard.
• Amy Eckberg updated the CFE on the status of Solarize the Triangle. Contracts are
still being accepted through December 31", 2023. There will be some last minute
educational events to help with those people on the fence.
• Veronica Penn Beattie was going to give an update on the Intergovernmental Parks
Work Group that met October 25th, 2023 but she is not here so will push that to the
next meeting.
• Kalani Allen updated the CFE on the Nature of Orange Photo Contest. She went over
the Adult/Youth winning photos. There was a total of 79 total entries, 57 adult and
22 youth...an increase of 38.5% from last year's contest.
• Jessie Birckhead notified the CFE that members can bring a treat to share at the
December meeting and reminded everyone that Jane Harris had sent an e-mail about
potential car-pooling from Chapel Hill to CFE meetings.
• Kalani Allen mentioned that there would be a historical hike at Blackwood Farm Park
on November 181h, 2023.
VIII. Adjournment
Kristie Mather motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:51 pm; seconded by Regina Baratta;
all in favor; none opposed; motion passed.
Page 2 of 2