HomeMy WebLinkAboutCFE Meeting Summary 02122024 Orange County Commission for the Environment
Meeting Summary
February 12', 2024; 7:00 pm
Hybrid Meeting
Present: Kristie Mather, Mark Randall, Regina Baratta, Ian Morse, Jane Harris (via
Teams), Wilson Greene, Reade Oakley, Veronica Penn Beattie (via Teams),
Andrea Zimmerman(via Teams)
Absent: None
Staff: Chris Hirni, Wesley Poole, Kalani Allen, Amy Eckberg, Karina Nabors
I. Call to Order
Regina Baratta called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm.
II. Additions or Changes to Agenda
Chris Hirni notified everyone that the CFE had just received a request to review (1)
Outside Agency Application and the scorecard would need to be completed ASAP.
Options would be to hold a Special Meeting to complete, add it to tonight's agenda in
place of Sub-Committee Breakouts, or complete it on their own and e-mail results. Mark
Randall motioned to add it to tonight's agenda in place of Sub-Committee Breakouts;
seconded by Kristie Mather; all in favor; none opposed; motion passed.
III. Approval of DRAFT Meeting Summary—January 8', 2023
Motion to approve by Kristie Mather; seconded by Wilson Green; all in favor; none
opposed; motion passed. Kalani Allen asked Veronica Penn Beattie about the status of
the September 181h, 2023 Special Meeting Summary...Veronica Penn Beattie still has not
completed it.
IV. CFE Info Sheet for New Members
Regina Baratta presented an Info Sheet for New Members and the CFE reviewed and
discussed potential edits. This sheet can be given to new members to serve as a semi-
orientation. After making a few small changes, Ian Morse motioned that the CFE use this
new sheet; seconded by Reade Oakley; all in favor; none opposed; motion passed.
V. Climate Council Representation
The CFE discussed the reinstitution of the Orange County Climate Council. Amy
Eckberg gave some history/current progress of the group and discussed the charge/
goals. Kristie Mather volunteered to be the CFE representative. Regina Baratta motioned
for Kristie Mather to serve as the CFE representative; seconded by Ian Morse; all in
favor; none opposed; motion passed.
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Orange County Commission for the Environment
Meeting Summary
February 12', 2024; 7:00 pm
Hybrid Meeting
VI. Earth Evening/Day CFE Participation
Amy Eckberg will have a table at the Earth Evening event to be held April 26th here in
Hillsborough and invited CFE members to join her. Regina Baratta volunteered and said
she would come and that she would come up with an interactive activity. Kristie Mather,
Andrea Zimmerman and Veronica Penn Beattie all said they might be able to come help
as well. The Town of Carrboro Earth Day is still up in the air. Regina Baratta will send a
sign-up sheet for everything once it gets closer.
VII. 2050 Land Use Plan Events and Updates
CFE members updated the group on what they had heard while attending recent events
hosted by the County Planning Department and contractors heading up the Land Use Plan
drafting. Lots of good information but it appears that the younger population is not as
engaged as the older population. Main takeaway is that they are doing a good job but
they need more citizen feedback.
VIII. Outside Agency Application Review
Chris Hirni presented the (1) Outside Agency Application that had been received. It was
from the Piedmont Wildlife Center and they were asking for$12,000 for an Earth keepers
Afterschool Program. After some back and forth amongst members about having more
time to review, Ian Morse motioned to go ahead and review the application tonight as a
group and complete a joint score; seconded by Mark Randall; all in favor; none opposed;
motion passed. The CFE discussed the application and completed the scorecard with a
score of 88. Reade Oakley motioned to accept this score and forward to the BOCC;
seconded by Ian Morse; all in favor; none opposed; motion passed.
IX. Updates and Information Items
• Amy Eckberg gave the CFE an update on the Agro-voltaic Charette that was held last
week. It was a well-attended event that brainstormed what agro-voltaic might look
like at Breeze Farm.
• Amy Eckberg gave the CFE an update on Art and Sustainability at the Mill. It will be
held at the Eno River Mill and the deadline to submit art is February 19th. The
County Manager's Office has given the okay to purchase a piece of art for future
display at the Whitted Building.
• Amy Eckberg notified the CFE that they had 57 applicants (27 made it through the
screening process) for the New Sustainability Projects Analyst position and they are
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Orange County Commission for the Environment
Meeting Summary
February 12', 2024; 7:00 pm
Hybrid Meeting
getting ready to do interviews. This position came from the Climate Action Plan
saying that they needed more staff to work on sustainability.
• Karina Nabors gave the CFE an update on E-Waste Radio. A radio station in
Carrboro had Karina Nabors and Triangle Ecycling on a live show and they spoke in
Spanish about electronic recycling.
• Chris Hirni notified the CFE that the Agricultural Summit would be held in Cedar
Grove on February 19tn
• Chris Hirni mentioned that there were several development projects in progress that
DEAPR staff were weighing in comments on so if anyone was interested,please
reach out.
• Kalani Allen notified the CFE that the past winners of the Nature of Orange
Photography Contest are now on display in the Chapel Hill Public Library and will be
moved around to other locations for viewing in the coming months.
• Regina Baratta notified the CFE that she would not be at next month's meeting so
Jane Harris will be serving as Chair for that meeting.
X. Adjournment
Mark Randall motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 pm; seconded by Reade Oakley;
all in favor; none opposed; motion passed.
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