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Home My WebLink AboutCFE Agenda 06102024 AGENDA Orange County Commission for the Environment June 10t", 2024 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 — May 13t", 2024 The CFE will consider approval of the meeting summary from the last meeting.Action needed (Attachment 1) 7:05 IV. Committee Breakouts The CFE will breakout into subcommittees and discuss goals for the year. 8:20 V. Updates and Information Items Staff and/or CFE members will provide updates on the following items: • Subcommittee Reports • Climate Council • Intergovernmental Parks Group • C-SITE Grant • Nature of Orange Contest Extension Any other new information from CFE members and staff 9:00 VI. Adjournment *Next Meeting Date: A ugust 12t,2024;Bonnie B Davis Environment and Agriculture Center Orange County Commission for the Environment Meeting Summary May 13t", 2024; 7:00 pm Hybrid Meeting Present: Kristie Mather(via Teams), Mark Randall, Ian Morse, Jane Harris (via Teams), Wilson Greene (via Teams), Reade Oakley, John Bucher, Andrea Zimmerman (via Teams), Matthew Ferguson, Patrick Fn'Piere, Nicholas Stover, Regina Baratta, Lily Schacht, Aimee Vandemark Absent: Veronica Beattie Staff: Chris Hirni, Wesley Poole, Amy Eckberg, Kalani Allen, Karina Nabors, Melony Gilles I. Call to Order Chair Regina Baratta called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. II. Additions or Changes to Agenda Amy Eckberg wanted to introduce the new Sustainability Project Analyst, Melony Gilles, and Chair Regina Baratta wanted to introduce the new CFE member, Aimee Vandemark. III. Approval of DRAFT Meeting Summary—April 8t", 2024 Motion to approve by Nicholas Stover; seconded by Matthew Ferguson; all in favor; none opposed; motion passed. IV. Earth Evening Updates and Discussion The CFE discussed the recent Earth Evening event that was held in Hillsborough on Friday April 26t". Amy Eckberg and Karina Nabors were able to discuss the Climate Action Plan with interested citizens while making recycled t-shirt bags. Regina Baratta had a solar panel demonstration. There was also an Electric Vehicle representative there. Overall, it was a successful event and there were lots of new faces that visited the booths. V. Committee Breakouts Amy Eckberg informed new members and committees of the main points of the Climate Action Plan and the priority goals and strategies within. The CFE then 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). Page 1 of 4 Orange County Commission for the Environment Meeting Summary May 13t", 2024; 7:00 pm Hybrid Meeting Sub-Committee Breakout Meetin,-Summaries Air &Energy Resources Subcommittee: Present: John Bucher, Nicholas Stover, Ian Morse, Matthew Ferguson, Kristie Mather Absent: Veronica Beattie Staff: Amy Eckberg • Group discussed the updates done to the climate action grant. Main point is that redundancies were reduced in the grant application. Later worked on coming up with ideas to promote the grant. Focus was made on involving the agricultural community and the school systems. • Anti-idling internal campaign is beginning. This will be used as a pilot for future campaigns. Potential future campaigns may be at schools and involve students to help promote the campaign. • Work on adopting campaigns performed in other counties in NC, such as a plastic free campaign, or an electric vehicle campaign. Water Resources Subcommittee: Present: Mark Randall, Andrea Zimmerman (via Teams), Patrick Fn'Piere, Lily Schacht Staff: Wesley Poole, Kalani Allen, Melony Gilles • Reviewed goals for 2024 vs. money available...expect to get final word on money available by July 1, 2024 • Goal Ideas -stickers on water saving practices (design/distribute), water conservation kits, rain barrels,faucet aerators, drought tolerant plant policy, interpretive signage at parks, water conservation workshops • Resources -Master Gardeners, outside vendors, County staff Page 2 of 4 Orange County Commission for the Environment Meeting Summary May 13t", 2024; 7:00 pm Hybrid Meeting • Recommended going forward- bring in experts, investigate procurement, Water Resources members investigate drought tolerant plants in preparation for policy Land Resources Subcommittee: Present: Regina Baratta, Wilson Greene (via Teams), Jane Harris (via Teams), Reade Oakley, Aimee Vandemark Staff: Christian Hirni, Karina Nabors • The committee discussed ways to connect the draft No Net Loss Tree Canopy and Non-Native/Invasive Species Policies to parts of the Climate Action Plan. • Four possible Climate Action Plan goals to try to achieve via Land Committee: 1. Plant 10,000 trees in 10 years partner with Forest Service? 2. Heat Mapping Study: Where in the county can urban heat islands be mitigated? 3. Change Behavior(aka reduce lawns and their maintenance)- via more public outreach and PSAs like No Mow March and Leave the Leaves 4. Develop a Tree Master Plan—this connects to the draft No Net Tree Canopy Loss policy • Resources - CH Canopy Policy, Hillsborough Tree Policy, OC Preferred Plant List, NC Botanical Garden's List of Drought Tolerant Plants, OC's Land Use Section of Comprehensive Plan (being revamped in 2024) • Possible partners -Eno River Association, MST, Hillsborough Tree Board, Forest Service VI. Updates and Information Items • Amy Eckberg gave the CFE an update on the Energy Futures Grant. They received $500,000 and are collaborating with Durham and other municipalities to create resilience hubs. • Amy Eckberg gave the CFE an update on the "Solar for All"Program that will roll out Fall 2025. There is approximately$7 million available to provide solar for underserved communities. Page 3 of 4 Orange County Commission for the Environment Meeting Summary May 13t", 2024; 7:00 pm Hybrid Meeting • Kalani Allen gave the CFE an update on the June lst County Projects that are planned from loam- 2pm that day in honor of National Trails Day. Blackwood Farm Park will have some improvement projects available to attend and Hollow Rock Nature Park will have some planting programs available. Orange County Soil & Water will also have a Pond Clinic from 9am- 1pm going on that same day at Blackwood. • Kalani Allen gave the CFE an update on the Nature of Orange Photo Contest...entry deadline is May 31 St • Chair Regina Baratta asked members if they would be interested in a CFE Social and they were. She will be organizing a weeknight event at Eno River Brewing and Reade Oakley may organize something for the Fall once his venue is complete. VIL Adjournment Nicholas Stover motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:54 pm; seconded by Reade Oakley; all in favor; none opposed; motion passed. Page 4 of 4