HomeMy WebLinkAboutCFE Meeting Summary 05122025 Orange County Commission for the Environment
Meeting Summary
May 12t", 2025; 7:00 pm
Hybrid Meeting
Present: Kristie Mather, Ian Morse, John Bucher, Regina Baratta, Lily Schacht, Aimee
Vandemark, Patrick Fn'Piere, Reade Oakley, Veronica Penn Beattie (Teams),
Mark Randall, William Branch
Absent: Matthew Ferguson, Mayur Lodaya
Staff: Chris Hirni, Wesley Poole, Kalani Allen, Amy Eckberg, Karina Nabors, Melony
Gilles
Guests: Margo Lester
I. Call to Order
Chair Regina Baratta called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm.
II. Additions or Changes to Agenda
None.
III. Approval of DRAFT Meeting Summary—April 14t", 2025
Motion to approve by Kristie Mather; seconded by Ian Morse; all in favor; none opposed;
motion passed.
IV. CFE Introductions of New Members and Candidates
Chair Regina Baratta recognized the current CFE applicant in attendance, Margo Lester.
CFE members and staff went around the room and did introductions to familiarize
everyone.
V. Introduce and Discuss Potential Environmental Awards
Amy Eckberg introduced the concept of the CFE potentially doing environmental awards
here in Orange County to recognize good environmental work in the community. There
would be no money given,just awards. Amy Eckberg stated that it has been successful in
the City of Raleigh and Loudoun County, Virginia. CFE members discussed the different
types of environmental awards that could be given out. Amy Eckberg mentioned that
David Stancil reached out to let her know that the 2007 CFE had discussed doing the
same thing but decided not to because of political reasons. CFE members agreed it would
be a good idea, but some were concerned it would take away from time spent on the State
of the Environment Report. Chair Regina Baratta and Vice-Chair Ian Morse offered to
flush out the details with Amy Eckberg and bring back a draft to see if the CFE wanted to
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Orange County Commission for the Environment
Meeting Summary
May 12t", 2025; 7:00 pm
Hybrid Meeting
do it or not. Motion to move forward with the concept by Chair Regina Baratta;
seconded by Mark Randall; all in favor; none opposed; motion passed.
VI. State of the Environment Discussion
Chair Regina Baratta recently sent out a Google Doc check-in sheet to CFE members so
that they could track progress within sub-committees on the State of the Environment
Report. The group discussed progress within each sub-committee. Chair Regina Baratta
would like to see some organization within the check-in sheet by the June meeting and
some rough drafts by the August meeting.
VII. Sub-Committee Breakouts
The CFE broke out into committee assignments and discussed goals/projects for the
year.
Sub-Committee Breakout Meeting Summaries
Air& Energy Resources Sub-committee:
Present: John Bucher, Ian Morse, Kristie Mather, Veronica Penn Beattie (Teams)
Absent: Matthew Ferguson
Staff: Amy Eckberg
• Some modifications to topics on Due Dates document.
• John walked us through the excellent draft on air quality that he's written. Discussed
whether wildfires should be included in this section.
• Commented that we found pre 2019 reports better to follow with regard to continuity.
• Questions about length/word count so that different sections of the entire report are
similar.
Water Resources Sub-committee:
Present: Lily Schacht, Patrick Fn Piere, Mark Randall
Absent: None
Staff: Wesley Poole, Melony Gilles
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Orange County Commission for the Environment
Meeting Summary
May 12t", 2025; 7:00 pm
Hybrid Meeting
• Report will include questions that are unanswered due to lack of data availability.
• Issues impacting drinking water quality/availability and impact of land use change and
climate change to be covered after individual sections are complete.
• For next meeting-detailed outline and initial conclusions of individual sections.
• Mark to ask Environmental Health department to send private well data.
Land Resources Sub-committee:
Present: Regina Baratta, Aimee Vandemark, Reade Oakley, William Branch
Absent: None
Staff: Chris Hirni, Karina Nabors
• Discussed Land Legacy Program and how the numbers break down.
• Christian is updating the 2024-25 Protected Land Table.
• Discussed SOE Land section/recommendations to stress:
o Request for a Comprehensive Tree Canopy Study of OC
o High Density Development (50% of open space in land trust)
o Preserving Affordable Farmland
o Wildlife Corridor/Protection and Habitat Connectivity
VIII. Updates and Information Items
• Amy Eckberg and Chair Regina Baratta notified the CFE that the Earth Evening
event was successful and had a good turnout. Chris Hirni mentioned that the event
may be revamped in the future and potentially held at a different location.
• Chris Hirni reminded the CFE that the Nature of Orange Contest would be closing on
May 31 st and that they were still looking for more youth submittals.
• Kalani Allen reminded the CFE that the Trails Community Vision Workshops were
coming up on May 181h 2-5pm and May 2 1" 6-9pm.
• Melony Gilles reminded the CFE that the Clothing and Art Supply Swap was coming
up at the Eno Arts Mill on May 171h 11-1 pm.
• Amy Eckberg notified the CFE that the Summer Reading Event by the Orange
County Library was coming up on June 7th. There is going to be 35 exhibitors.
• Amy Eckberg notified the CFE that the solar feasibility study on County facilities
was getting ready to start up and they were looking at vendors.
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Orange County Commission for the Environment
Meeting Summary
May 12t", 2025; 7:00 pm
Hybrid Meeting
• Amy Eckberg notified the CFE that the school food share program was moving
forward so that they could collect unopened, wasted food to be stored for students to
get for free whenever they were hungry throughout the school day.
• Melony Gilles notified the CFE of the upcoming Heat Campaign Event where
information would be going out on social media 2x per week to bring awareness to
the dangers of heat.
IX. Adjournment
Regina Baratta motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:01 pm; seconded by Kristie Mather;
all in favor; none opposed; motion passed.
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