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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 09082025 AGENDA Orange County Commission for the Environment September 8t", 2025 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 — Aug. 11, 2025 The CFE will consider approval of meeting summary from the last meeting.Action needed (Attachment 1) 7:05 IV. CFE Membership and Introductions of New Members The Chair will lead a discussion about membership and recruitment,and a vote for current applicant. 7:20 V. CFE Environmental Awards Discussion and Vote The CFE members will discuss names and any edits to the description,application,and/or scoring rubric.Vote to send the proposal to BOCC for their approval.Action Needed 7:35 VI. 2025 Climate Action Grant The CFE will discuss and ensure members log into the Submittable program,review the GHG document and component,timeline for scoring and due dates for final scoring and submittal. 7:50 VII. State of the Environment Discussion The CFE will discuss progress and successful methodology as well as any setbacks and due dates for materials. In committees, begin the organizing and editing each section(Air, Land,Water.) 8:10 VIII. Sub-Committee Breakouts The CFE will break out into committee assignments and discuss goals/projects for the year. Committees will report on projects upon returning to the main meeting. 8:45 IX. Updates and Information Items Staff and/or CFE members will provide updates on the following items: • Committee Summaries • National Drive Electric Month • Sustainability Intern Projects Any other new information from CFE members and staff 9:00 X. Adjournment *Next Meeting Date: October 13, 2025;(Bonnie B Davis Environment and Agriculture Center) Orange County Commission for the Environment Meeting Summary August 11", 2025; 7:00 pm Hybrid Meeting Present: Ian Morse, Regina Baratta, Aimee Vandemark, Patrick Fn'Piere, Mark Randall, William Branch, Matthew Ferguson, Mayur Lodaya, Veronica Penn Beattie (Teams), Lily Schacht Absent: John Bucher, Kristie Mather Staff: Wesley Poole, Chris Hirni, Kalani Allen(Teams), Karina Nabors, Melony Gilles, Amy Eckberg (Teams) Guests: Jeffrey Ryan, Rhonda Patterson (Teams) I. Call to Order Chair Regina Baratta called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. II. Additions or Changes to Agenda None. III. Approval of DRAFT Meeting Summary—June 9th, 2025 Motion to approve by Mark Randall; seconded by Aimee Vandemark; all in favor; none opposed; motion passed. IV. CFE Membership and Introductions of New Members Chair Regina Baratta recognized the new CFE applicant in attendance, Rhonda Patterson, who gave a brief introduction of her background and interest in the CFE. Chair Regina Baratta put recent applicant Jeffrey Ryan up for a vote to recommend appointment to the CFE by the BOCC; seconded by Ian Morse; all in favor; none opposed; motion passed. V. CFE Environmental Awards Update and Discussion The CFE discussed the DRAFT OC Environmental Award description and application. They also discussed the criteria for being eligible for the award, the scoring rubric, and the timeframe. The plan is to announce late December/early January, apply by February 15th and award on Earth Evening in April. The group will be thinking about a name for the award. VI. 2025 Climate Action Grant Amy Eckberg gave a brief history of the grant and informed the CFE that they have $262,500 to give away this year. Melony Gilles discussed the submittable platform they Page 1 of 3 Orange County Commission for the Environment Meeting Summary August 11", 2025; 7:00 pm Hybrid Meeting have created for the grant which will make processing applications a lot easier. There are currently 18 applications in process and the deadline for final submittal is August 15th. Karina Nabors added that the greenhouse gas calculation would self-calculate and be a lot easier as well. VII. State of the Environment Discussion The CFE discussed progress with the State of the Environment Report along with successful methodology as well as any setbacks. The Water Resources Sub-Committee is developing an analysis protocol to organize its collected data, general research, and preliminary findings. They are also conducting external interviews with subject matter experts,public officials, academics, and relevant stakeholders. The Air& Energy Sub- Committee already has a DRAFT in progress. The Land Resources Sub-Committee has collected lots of good data as well. The overall group discussed the mission and purpose of the Report. VIII. Updates and Information Items • Wesley Poole notified the CFE that the Rain Barrel Workshop held on July 171h at Blackwood Farm Park was a success and the Department hoped to schedule another in late September. • Amy Eckberg notified the CFE that they had just finished the 2024 Climate Action Plan Annual Report and it was available online. • Karina Nabors notified the CFE of upcoming National Drive Electric Month. There is an event planned for Hillsborough at the Sportsplex on September 20th and they hope to have another in Chapel Hill sometime. • Amy Eckberg notified the CFE that the County had embarked on a Solar Feasibility Study to look at all County buildings to see if they were a good candidate for solar. They are working with a consultant, Pisgah Energy. They are fast tracking two projects...Cedar Grove Community Center and the Southern Human Services building. • Chris Hirni notified the CFE that Orange County Solid Waste had scheduled a Recycle Right Workshop for August 25th • Kalani Allen notified the CFE that DEAPR had been conducting a Trails Plan Survey and it would end on August 22"d...the goal is to get 100 participants and we are close to 79 now. Page 2 of 3 Orange County Commission for the Environment Meeting Summary August 11", 2025; 7:00 pm Hybrid Meeting • Chair Regina Baratta notified the CFE that the County will be having meetings to discuss the Heat Action Plan. Wesley Poole will be attending the August 15th meeting on behalf of DEAPR. IX. Adjournment Chair Regina Baratta motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:57 pm; seconded by Lily Schacht; all in favor; none opposed; motion passed. Page 3 of 3