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Home My WebLink AboutCFE Meeting Summary 04082024 Orange County Commission for the Environment Meeting Summary April 8th, 2024; 7:00 pm Hybrid Meeting Present: Kristie Mather(via Teams), Mark Randall, Ian Morse, Jane Harris, Wilson Greene, Reade Oakley, John Bucher, Andrea Zimmerman(via Teams), Matthew Ferguson, Patrick Fn'Piere,Nicholas Stover, Veronica Penn Beattie (via Teams), Regina Baratta, Lily Schacht Absent: Aimee Vandermark Staff: Chris Himi, Wesley Poole,Amy Eckberg, Kalani Allen, Karina Nabors, Emma Hedinger(Intern) L Call to Order Chair Regina Baratta called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm. II. Additions or Changes to Agenda Chair Regina Baratta added"Approval of DRAFT Special Meeting Summary- September 18th, 2023"to agenda after CFE New Member Introductions. III. Approval of DRAFT Meeting Summary—March 111h, 2024 Motion to approve by Mark Randall; seconded by Wilson Greene; all in favor; none opposed; motion passed. IV. CFE New Member Introductions The CFE welcomed new members and performed round table introductions for all current members, new members and staff. V. Approval of DRAFT Special Meeting Summary- September 181h, 2023 Motion to approve by Jane Harris; seconded by Nicholas Stover; all in favor; none opposed; motion passed. VI. Committee Breakouts The CFE broke out into committee assignments and discussed goals/projects for the year. New members were given the opportunity to select a subcommittee to join or just sit in to gauge interest. Afterwards, subcommittees came back together and reported information discussed to the overall CFE (see below). Page 1 of 4 Orange County Commission for the Environment Meeting Summary April 8th, 2024; 7:00 pm Hybrid Meeting Sub-Committee Breakout Meeting Summaries Air& Energy Resources Subcommittee: • No summary provided. Water Resources Subcommittee: Present: Mark Randall, Andrea Zimmerman (via Zoom), Patrick Fn'Piere, Lily Schacht Staff Wesley Poole, Kalani Allen, Emma Hedinger (Intern) • New members shared their interest regarding water resources and Wesley Poole informed the group of current water resources work in progress at the County level. • Group discussed opportunities in Climate Action Plan with proposed FY 24-25 Budget to (1) spend$50,000 to collaborate with educational institutions and the wide community to increase awareness of water saving practices and(2) spend$25,000 to expand workshops and resources for rainwater capture. Land Resources Subcommittee: Present: Regina Baratta, Wilson Greene, .lane Harris, Reade Oakley Staff Christian Hirni Reviewing Non-native and Invasive Plant Management Policy in Orange County Resources used in writing policy: NC A Management Guides for Invasive Plants in Southern Forests NC Identification Guide for Invasive Plants in Southern Forests NC Botanical Garden's publication Invasive Exotic Plants from Dept. of Transportation EPA's pest management policy Goals of policy Identify and map where non-native plants are a problem/concentrated and then remove them. Page 2 of 4 Orange County Commission for the Environment Meeting Summary April 8th, 2024; 7:00 pm Hybrid Meeting Using the EPA's pest management outline, Orange County would set thresholds/amounts of non-natives "allowed"in an area. County will no longer plant non-native plants. OC would require subcontractors to abide by the policy (BUILD policy into contracts). Most important 1st Step (B on policy): Monitor and Identify Non-Natives (EDUCATION Piece). CFE Ideas to help implement policy • Focus on Education to Monitor and Identification • Park Conservation Stewardship Volunteers—Suggest monthly invasive removal day— Application form on website • Looking for more OC staff assistance to educate OC staff and organize volunteers (policy would help delineate land managers to be help learn and implement the expectations) • "Adopt a Park"/Park Stewards would be one way to organize and monitor citizen volunteers. Our goal would be to build a Coalition/Task Force Staff from non profits and the County could be part of this. Possible Partners to help educate the public and try to create a citizen action volunteer group • Master Gardener • Eno River Association • NC Botanical Garden • Triangle Land Conservation • Wildlife Federation Concerns: Time, staff, resources ($), certifications needed for use of herbicides. Liability is a concern so working with volunteer groups that come with their own insurance would work well(Girl Scouts, BSA, etc) Page 3 of 4 Orange County Commission for the Environment Meeting Summary April 8th, 2024; 7:00 pm Hybrid Meeting VIL Updates and Information Items • Amy Eckberg gave the CFE an update on tabling for Earth Day/Evening. Regina Baratta and Veronica Penn Beattie are planning to help at Earth Evening on April 26th in Hillsborough. • Amy Eckberg gave the CFE an update on 1 '/2 Degree Art Event. Art pieces will stay up all of April for viewing. • Amy Eckberg gave the CFE an update on the Chapel Hill Tree Planting Project from the Climate Action Grant. It was finally completed and 40 native species of trees were planted. • Amy Eckberg gave the CFE an update on the Solar Permitting FAQ Sheet. They are working on it with the Planning Department to make it easier to install solar here in Orange County. • Emma Hedinger gave the CFE an update on"Sustainable Swag" Resources. Their goal is to make sure giveaways do not become waste. • Emma Hedinger gave the CFE an update on Climate Action Day. It was a successful outreach event at UNC. • Chris Himi gave the CFE an update on the (2) County Conservation Easement Closings that just occurred, Terry Rd. Farm and Moorefields. • Wilson Greene notified everyone that his wife had accepted a new job in Wilmington, NC and they would be moving this summer so his last meeting with the CFE would be June loth • Wesley Poole informed the CFE that the Intergovernmental Parks Work Group would be meeting April 1 Oth and asked who would like to represent the CFE moving forward. No one volunteered, so Veronica Penn Beattie who had been representing the CFE said she would go to this one if a new person could volunteer to take over for the following meeting. VIII. Adjournment Ian Morse motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:59 pm; seconded by Reade Oakley; all in favor; none opposed; motion passed. Page 4 of 4