HomeMy WebLinkAboutCFE Meeting Summary 12112023 Orange County Commission for the Environment
Meeting Summary
December 11th, 2023; 7:00 pm
Hybrid Meeting
Present: Kristie Mather, Mark Randall, Regina Baratta, Jessie Birckhead, Ian Morse,
Wilson Greene, Kim Piracci, Jane Harris (via Zoom), Veronica Penn Beattie (via
Zoom)
Absent: David N. Mcnelis, Reade Oakley, Kim Livingston, Andrea Zimmerman
Staff: Wesley Poole, Chris Hirni, Amy Eckberg, Kalani Allen, Karina Nabors
I. Call to Order
Chair Regina Baratta called the meeting to order at 7:12 pm.
II. Additions or Changes to Agenda
Veronica Penn Beattie requested time in the Updates and Information Items to recognize
Kim Piracci for her time served on the CFE before her final appointment ends on
December 31St
III. Approval of DRAFT Meeting Summary—November 13th 2023
Motion to approve by Mark Randall; seconded by Wilson Greene; all in favor; none
opposed; motion passed.
IV. CFE New Member Applications
The CFE reviewed and discussed current applicants to recommend to the BOCC for
appointment. Motion to recommend John Bucher to Position#9 (At-Large)by Ian Morse;
seconded by Mark Randall; all in favor; none opposed; motion passed. Motion to
recommend Matthew Ferguson to Position#2 (Air Quality)by Mark Randall; seconded
by Wilson Greene; all in favor; none opposed; motion passed. Motion to recommend
Patrick Fn'Piere to Position#5 (Water Resources)by Ian Morse; seconded by Kristie
Mather; all in favor; none opposed; motion passed. Motion to recommend Nicholas
Stover to Position#12 (At-Large, formerly Engineering)by Kristie Mather; seconded by
Wilson Greene; all in favor; none opposed; motion passed. Motion to recommend Aimee
Vandermark to Position#14 (At-Large)by Mark Randall; seconded by Kristie Mather;
all in favor; none opposed; motion passed. Motion to recommend Lily Schacht to
Position#3 (At-Large, formerly Land Resources) by Veronica Penn Beattie; seconded by
Kristie Mather; all in favor; none opposed; motion passed.
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Orange County Commission for the Environment
Meeting Summary
December 11th, 2023; 7:00 pm
Hybrid Meeting
V. CFE Annual Report and Work Plan—Action
Chris Hirni presented the DRAFT BOCC Report and Work Plan. CFE members and staff
worked together to finish entering the information into the Report. Once complete, Jessie
Birckhead motioned to approve the Report; seconded by Kim Piracci; all in favor; none
opposed; motion passed. The Report is due to the Clerk's office by January 19th, 2024, so
Chris Hirni will submit accordingly.
VI. Lands Legacy Action Plan 2024-2027—Action
Chris Hirni presented the DRAFT memo with the CFE recommendation from the last
meeting for the CFE to discuss and vote for application to the next iteration of the Lands
Legacy Action Plan. CFE members and staff worked together to make final edits to the
memo. Once complete, Kristie Mather motioned to approve the memo; seconded by
Mark Randall; all in favor; none opposed; motion passed.
VII. Nature of Orange Photo Contest Sponsorship—Action
Kalani Allen informed the CFE that it was time to discuss continuing sponsorship of the
Nature of Orange Photo Contest. The CFE and the Parks and Recreation Council have
co-sponsored the contest for many years. Ian Morse motioned for the CFE to continue
sponsorship; seconded by Mark Randall; all in favor; none opposed; motion passed.
VIII. Sub-Committee Breakouts
The CFE decided to skip Sub-Committee Breakouts due to time constraints.
IX. Updates and Information Items
• Amy Eckberg and Karina Nabors updated the CFE on the status of the Climate
Action Plan...it is officially complete and now on the website along with the
dashboard.
• Amy Eckberg updated the CFE on the status of the Solarize the Triangle
program...December 3 Vt is the deadline for contracts to be turned in.
• Amy Eckberg informed the CFE that the County is undergoing their strategic
plan...there is a DRAFT mission and vision statement and some priority areas that
they are looking for public comment on. The public comment period will be open
until the end of December and may get extended.
• Kim Piracci was recognized for her time served on the CFE...her final appointment
will end on December 3 I st
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Orange County Commission for the Environment
Meeting Summary
December 11th, 2023; 7:00 pm
Hybrid Meeting
X. Adjournment
Jessie Birckhead motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:56 pm; seconded by Ian Morse; all
in favor; none opposed; motion passed.
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