Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council

Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council Meeting Minutes August 31, 2022 This meeting of the Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council was held in person at the River Crest Community Center. Chairwoman Becky Greenwald called the meeting to order at 12:04p.m. WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS Ms. Greenwald welcomed members, staff, and guests. Announcements: • Please send committee reports Members Present: Vikki Barnette, Kendra Dildy, Christel Dyer, Becky Greenwald (Chair), Jared Hoernig, Mike Hoffman, Sandy Madison, Mike Perry, Adrienne Sawyer (Secretary), Lacie Wever, Amy Weber (Vice-Chair), Jennifer Williams Members Absent: James Haluska, Lauren Ragsac, Lacy Shirey Associate Members: (Non-voting) Rogard Ross Staff Present: Megan Hale Guests: None present Guests: None MINUTES: Approval of Meeting Minutes: June minutes were sent electronically; hearing no corrections, they were approved as sent. Environmental Tip: • None Environmental Group Spotlight: • None REPORTS: • Executive Committee – Chairperson Becky Greenwald reported on the following: • Executive Board: New officers were elected in June: Becky Greenwald, chair; Amy Weber, vice chair; and Adrienne Sawyer, secretary. • Executive Board Meeting: The executive board met in July to develop a plan for the 2022-2023 year. Mike Barber joined the second half of the meeting. 1. The committee set the following goals for the 2022-2023 year: a. Continue the current programs and contests b. Consolidate project committees into three: ▪ Landscape: License Plate Fund, Notable Yards, and Adopt a Garden  ▪ Outreach: Newsletter, tabling social media, businesses, Schools/Youth, and the Calendar Photo contest ▪ Waste Management: Litter Control, Clean and Green Poster contest, single-use plastic reduction, plastic bag fee, and straws on request. c. Recruit new Outreach committee chair d. Better collaboration with Waste Management: Mike Barber suggested asking Mayor West for a representative from Public Works e. Partner with schools possibly targeting 9th grade Environmental Science. Adrienne Sawyer will lead this initiative f. Focus on reduction of single-use plastics and a plastic bag fee g. Revision of bylaws h. Continue to plan and hold the Chesapeake Conservation Conference and Environmental Awards Luncheon 2. Discussed with Mike Barber the need to define the role and responsibilities of the Tree Broad vis a vis Urban Forester and Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Planning Division. 3. Addressed with Mike Barber the need for better communication regarding Chesapeake’s environmental initiatives (i.e., City Manager’s regional HRPDC group.) The Executive Committee is scheduled to meet with Mayor West on September 27. CEIC members should let the Executive Committee know at least one week in advance of any issues they would like to see addressed during the meeting. • Landscape Committee – Becky Greenwald reported on the following: • Update on the approved License Plate Application Submissions: ▪ Chesapeake Conference Center: Waiting for cooler weather to plant ▪ Oscar Smith High School: Backed out of their submitted project ▪ Amy Weber mentioned Notable Yards winners were recognized and posted on the CEIC website • Outreach Committee – Lacie Wever reported on the following: • Social media – Environmental content (i.e., environmental holidays) will be added to the Google Calendar • Organic Content Ideas – Environmental holidays and CEIC member spotlights • Heron Chronicle: Information is due to Sydney by September 3, 2022 • Tabling Events/Opportunities: Farmer’s Market • K12 Outreach: Will work with Adrienne Sawyer to propose secondary field trip opportunities and other educational opportunities • Tree Board – Rogard Ross reported on the following: • School Tree Planting Update – The application will be sent to Kendall Topping for a cover letter to be submitted to fund the Deep Creek Middle School planting in October – November • City Tree List Updates: The City is working on list of recommended trees 2  • UVA Tree Canopy Project: The canopy survey project will begin after students return to the University • Chesapeake Conservation Conference Update: Registration is open for the October 6, 2022 conference • Waste and Recycling Committee – Becky Greenwald reported on the following: • Fall Cleanup in conjunction with Longwood University’s International Coastal Cleanup (ICC): ▪ Jared Hoernig is leading a cleanup on September 10, 2022, from 9:00am - 11:00am at the Elizabeth River Park ▪ Lacy Shirey is leading a cleanup on September 10, 2022, from 9:00am – 11:00am at Newton Neck Park ▪ Mike Hoffman is leading a cleanup on September 17, 2022, from 9:00am – 11:00am at the Western Branch Park and Community Center • Cigarette Litter Prevention Program: The Big Butts displayed recently moved from the Conference Center for repair. They will be on display at the Virginia Marine Debris Summit at the Virginia Aquarium. The Conference Center applied for and received a cigarette receptacle. • Litter Grant Fund: The award amount is estimated to be approximately $43,000. $20,000 has been earmarked to be spent on office equipment, reusable zip ties, branded trick-or- treat bags, collapsible pet bowls, outdoor water bottle and pet bowl refill stations, trash cleanup supplies, nature art supplies, calendar contest, and printing of calendars. • Adopt a Park/Spot/Highway: Signs were posted in August 2022 for the four groups that fulfilled their obligations • Straws on Request Campaign: Planning to meet with council members in January after the election • Proposed Litter Ordinance: Research is being conducted on municipal codes throughout the state • Other: askHRgreen has a call for artists to create a mobile LOVE sign. Information may be found at: https://askhrgreen.org/callforartists/ • PRT Special Programs/askHRgreen – Megan Hale reported on the following: • Ana Elezovic will likely attend meetings while Megan Hale is out. Questions will be submitted to Becky Greenwald who will contact PRT. • Symphony Under the Stars: September 4, 2022 NEW BUSINESS: 3  • Revised Bylaws – Suggested revisions were emailed to members for review. Amy Weber made a motion to approve the revisions as written. The motion was seconded by Mike Hoffman. The motion carried with all members voting yes. • Chesapeake Conservation Conference – The conference will be held on October 6, 2022; registration opened in August. Members are asked to sign up to assist and to spread information about the conference throughout the community. Registration will close on September 15, 2022. Amy Weber suggested adding the speaker’s names to the marketing to increase interest. • Volunteer hours – Megan Hale reminded everyone to email their hours to her by September 5 SEEKING VOLUNTEERS – Volunteers are needed for the following upcoming events: • Chesapeake Farmers’ Market at City Park – Saturdays through November 19, 2022. • AutumnFest and Arbor Day will be on October 1, 2022, at the arboretum. The ceremony begins at 11:00 am. Volunteers are need at the CEIC table 9:30-12:30 and 12:30-3:30. • Chesapeake Conservation Conference - October 6, 2022. • Chesapeake Recycles Day – October 15, 2022, and November 12, 2022 HEARING OF CITIZENS: • None in attendance ADJOURNMENT: Becky Greenwald adjourned the meeting at 1:17p.m. NEXT MEETING: The next regular meeting will be on September 28, 2022, at 12:00p.m. at River Crest Community Center Upcoming meeting schedule: September 28 October 26 January 25 February 22 March 22 April 26 May 24 June 28 Chesapeake Recycles Days for 2022: • October 15, 2022, Greenbrier • November 12, 2022, Great Bridge Minutes submitted by Adrienne Sawyer, Secretary 4