Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council

Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council Meeting Minutes October 26, 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 12:06 p.m. WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS Ms. Greenwald welcomed members, staff, and guests. Announcements: • Becky Greenwald welcomed new members: Gregory Hughes, Christine Parrish, Linda Bradley, and Michael Doyle. Members Present: Linda Bradley, Christel Dyer, Becky Greenwald (Chair), James Haluska, Jared Hoernig, Gregory Hughes, Mike Hoffman, Christine Parrish, Lauren Ragsac, Mike Perry, Adrienne Sawyer (Secretary), Lacie Wever, Jennifer Williams Members Absent: Kendra Dildy, Sandy Madison, Amy Weber, Lacy Shirey Associate Members: (Non-voting) Sydney Covey, Rogard Ross Staff Present: Ana Elezovic Guests: Carol Warren MINUTES: Guests: None Approval of Meeting Minutes: September 28, 2022, minutes were edited to correct a spelling error. After correction, the minutes were approved. Environmental Tip: • Look for businesses that rent live Christmas trees. Environmental Group Spotlight: • None noted REPORTS: • Executive Committee – Chairperson Rebecca Greenwald reported on the following: • Meeting with Mayor West: Becky Greenwald and Amy Weber met with the mayor on October 11. He approved the goals and suggested waiting to meet with Council members during a work session after new members are installed in January. • Environmental Awards: In lieu of the awards luncheon that was unable to be held earlier in the year, Becky Greenwald, Amy Weber, and Mayor West presented the 2020-2021 awards during an outdoor ceremony at City Hall on October 11. Chesapeake’s TV coverage and interview with Becky can be seen on Chesapeake Weekly on the city’s website. Nomination period of 2022 environmental awards is  Nov. 15 – Jan. 15. Becky encouraged CEIC members to nominate groups and/or individuals who have contributed to improving Chesapeake’s environment in 2022. • Public Works hired a new Public Communications coordinator, Allison Harper. She has been invited to future CEIC meetings. • Landscape Committee – Lauren Ragsac reported on the following: • The license plate grant work at the Chesapeake Conference Center has not started. • Outreach Committee – Lacie Wever reported on the following: • Rogard Ross, Amy Weber, and Lacie Weaver will keep the public up to date on CEIC through the Facebook page. Single-use plastic reduction is an upcoming focus. • Heron Chronicle: The next issue will be in January with the theme of ‘Rethink’. Rethink how you drink water, how you garden, etc. • Tabling Opportunities: A meeting will be set up with Lacie Wever and Liz Vaughn to coordinate CEIC messaging with City of Chesapeake Communications. • Tree Board – Jim Haluska reported on the following: • School Tree Planting Update: The status of the application needs to be determined by the VDOF. A spring planting in 2023 was proposed. • Community Tree Planting: A fall tree planting in the Fairview section of Chesapeake has been scheduled by Mike Andruczyk on October 29, 2022. Twenty-two trees are scheduled to be planted. Mike is asking for suggestions for a March planting. • City Tree List Update: The list is approximately 90% completed. • UVA Tree Project: A meeting with the UVA Tree Study group was held on October 22 to view sites in the northern section of Chesapeake. • Waste and Recycling Committee – Lacey Shirey reported on the following: • No meeting held this month. • PRT Special Programs/askHRgreen – Ana Elezovic reported on the following: • No news at this time. NEW BUSINESS: • Email volunteer hours to Ana Elezovic and cc:/ to Megan Hale by November 5. • Holiday gathering: Amy Weber will work with a group of volunteers to plan a holiday potluck luncheon in December. SEEKING VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers are needed for the following upcoming events: • Chesapeake Farmers’ Market at City Park – November 19th. • Chesapeake Recycles Day, November 12 2  • Holiday Craft Show, 10 am-5 pm on November 19 and 11 am -4pm on November 20 HEARING OF CITIZENS: None ADJOURNMENT: Ms. Greenwald adjourned the meeting at 1:06 p.m. NEXT MEETING: The next regular meeting will be on 25, January, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. at River Crest Community Center Upcoming meeting schedule: January 25 February 22 March 22 April 26 May 24 June 28 Minutes submitted by Adrienne Sawyer, Secretary 3