HomeMy WebLinkAboutCFE Meeting Summary 06092025 Orange County Commission for the Environment
Meeting Summary
June 911, 2025; 7:00 pm
Hybrid Meeting
Present: Kristie Mather, Ian Morse (Teams), John Bucher, Regina Baratta, Aimee
Vandemark, Patrick Fn'Piere, Mark Randall, William Branch, Matthew Ferguson,
Mayur Lodaya(Teams)
Absent: Veronica Penn Beattie, Lily Schacht
Staff: Chris Hirni, Kalani Allen, Karina Nabors, Melony Gilles
Guests: Jeff Ryan
I. Call to Order
Chair Regina Baratta called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm.
II. Additions or Changes to Agenda
None.
III. Approval of DRAFT Meeting Summary—May 12th 2025
Motion to approve by Regina Baratta; seconded by Mark Randall; all in favor; none
opposed; motion passed.
IV. CFE Membership and Introductions of Candidates
Chair Regina Baratta recognized the current CFE applicant in attendance, Jeff Ryan. CFE
members and staff went around the room and did introductions to familiarize everyone.
Chair Regina Baratta put recent applicant Margo Lester up for a vote to recommend
appointment to the CFE by the BOCC; seconded by Patrick Fn'Piere; all in favor; none
opposed; motion passed.
V. CFE Environmental Awards Update and Discussion
Chair Regina Baratta notified the CFE of the progress made thus far on the CFE
Environmental Awards idea. The goal of the awards is to promote and advance climate
action, sustainability, and environmental stewardship within the County by recognizing
and celebrating the outstanding efforts of individuals, businesses, and community groups
who are making meaningful impacts. The group discussed the parameters they would like
to see for the awards. Chair Regina Baratta has created a Google Doc for CFE members
to add comments and suggestions.
VI. State of the Environment Discussion
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Orange County Commission for the Environment
Meeting Summary
June 911, 2025; 7:00 pm
Hybrid Meeting
Chair Regina Baratta gave a brief overview of the State of the Environment Report to get
Jeff Ryan up to speed. CFE members discussed what was holding up progress and next
steps to work through. Chair Regina Baratta asked members to work on their rough drafts
during the upcoming break since they will not be meeting in July.
VII. Sub-Committee Breakouts
The CFE broke out into committee assignments and discussed goals/projects for the
year.
Sub-Committee Breakout Meetinz Summaries
Air& Energy Resources Sub-committee:
Present: John Bucher, Ian Morse (Teams), Kristie Mather, Matthew Ferguson
Absent: Veronica Penn Beattie
Staff: None
• Discussed recommendations for the board and citizens regarding CO2 generation.
• Talked through Matthew's information on CO2 generation and Nuclear Energy
generation.
• Talked about other emergent issues and PFAS'place in the report.
• Talked about Landfills being PFAS source.
Water Resources Sub-committee:
Present: Patrick Fn'Piere, Mark Randall, Mayur Lodaya (Teams)
Absent: Lily Schacht
Staff: Melony Gilles
• The team has found considerable data related to water resources in Orange County. The
challenge is collecting the most practical, relevant, and comparable statistics. In other
words, how best to compare apples to apples. To narrow our approach, we agreed to
collect and utilize the most consistent data/sources that responds to foundational
questions e.g., how much water do we have, what is the overall quality of the water, and
where is this resource trending at minimum.
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Orange County Commission for the Environment
Meeting Summary
June 911, 2025; 7:00 pm
Hybrid Meeting
• The team discussed the significance of"context".e.g. Orange County may currently be in
a good position but should be analyzed within the context of the surrounding counties,
Piedmont Region, and State, etc.
• The team discussed an interest in investigating what other data or analysis should be
pursued in the future. Are we missing anything?
• The team agreed to organize meetings with internal and external experts both in search
of foundational data as well as expert advice on interpreting data. We will notify CFE of
scheduled meetings and seek input from members on questions and participation.
• Land Resources Sub-committee:
Present: Regina Baratta, Aimee Vandemark, William Branch
Absent: None
Staff: Chris Hirni, Karina Nabors
• Discussed Aimee's research on bird counts and other indicator species for SOE to
determine which species will best reflect OC's environmental status.
• William recounted difficulties determining the use and effects of biosolids in OC.
• Regina generated a list of questions and data still needed for land use, agriculture stats,
etc. that she will share with Chris.
• Karina and Chris helped provide resources and input on sources and species selection.
VIII. Updates and Information Items
• Kalani Allen gave an update on the Trails Community Vision Workshop...there was
approximately 70 people that attended the two events altogether and it was a
successful outreach.
• Melony Gilles gave an update on the Community Climate Action Grant...applications
will open mid-June.
• Melony Gilles gave an update on the May Clothing Swap Event...it was very
successful and over 100 people came out.
• Karina Nabors gave an update on the Sustainability Annual Report...it is finished but
hasn't been shared yet.
• Chris Hirni notified the CFE that the Soil &Water office would be hosting a
Conservation Easement and Farm Succession Planning Workshop on June 25 h.
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Orange County Commission for the Environment
Meeting Summary
June 911, 2025; 7:00 pm
Hybrid Meeting
• Regina Baratta and Kalani Allen notified the CFE that the Perry Hill Mini Park Grand
Opening would be on June 21 st
• Kristi Mather notified the CFE that she has postcards from North Carolina
Conservation Network to be collected and sent to legislators with regard to two bills
currently moving through on utility rates.
• Kalani Allen notified the CFE that Wesley Poole &Abby Mattingly is working on a
Rain Barrel Workshop that will be held at Blackwood Park on July 17tn
IX. Adjournment
Regina Baratta motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 pm; seconded by John Bucher;
all in favor; none opposed; motion passed.
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