Environmental Sustainability Board

CITY OF HENDERSONVILLE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY BOARD City Operations Center - 2nd Floor Meeting Room | 305 Williams St. | Hendersonville, NC 28792 Tuesday, August 12, 2025 – 4:30 PM MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Emily Davidson called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m. Present: Emily Davidson, Fiona McColley, Jill Carter (Zoom), Virginia Tegel, Omar Zafra (Zoom), Alicia Stump, Jane Edgar, Kyla Christensen, and Joan Zaki. Absent: Judy Moolten and Gina Baxter APPROVAL OF AGENDA Virginia Tegel motioned to approve first followed by Fiona McColley. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Emily Davidson motioned to approve the July 2025 meeting minutes first followed by Fiona McColley. PRESENTATIONS Spotlight Solar Presentation - Tom Grimes, Guest & Fiona McColley, Member (15 minutes) Tom Grimes of Spotlight Solar presented on their Haven Solar Canopy product which includes a solar shelter with charging capabilities and a picnic table. The integrated battery makes the system completely self-sustaining without the need for electrical hookup to the grid. Tom Grimes mentioned grant opportunities that can offset the cost including the IRA tax deduction which is available until 2027. And can pay for up to 40% of the cost. Caitlyn Gendusa is going to investigate grant opportunities for this type of project. Virginia Tegel mentioned interest in having the ESB tour Spotlight Solar’s facility. Caitlyn Gendusa suggested if the board is interested in having a solar canopy installation like this that they consider drafting a letter to City Council recommending they consider a solar canopy amenity as part of the design plans for the upcoming City projects including Patton Pool and the Whitmire Center. Fiona McColley is drafting the letter for City Council. PUBLIC COMMENT No community members were present for public comment. CITY COUNCIL UPDATE City Council Update - Gina Baxter, Council Member (5 minutes) ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY BOARD – August 12, 2025 Page | 1 Gina Baxter emailed Caitlyn Gendusa her meeting notes which asked ESB members to let her know of any additional concerns with the Ecusta Trail safety to relay. Comments from members include: There are still a lot of cars driving down the trail especially by Lennox Station At the bottom of the hill at Lennox Station there is a stop sign that no one can see and there are no crossroad indicators. Improved markings are needed. On Willow St. near Dry Falls Brewery, there is a sign indicating that there is a road ahead but the placement of the sign makes you think you should turn onto the trail and that the trail is the new road. Down Willow St at the intersection, there is a left turn sign but no indication to pedestrians on who goes first. Similar to sign on Oklawaha Trail, there should be signs for cyclists to announce when passing. Connect Buncombe has resources for best trail ettique signs. There is no signage on mile markers or distance to next bathroom, distance to water, etc. There should be a sign of who to call with concerns and broadcast the punch list to ensure everything is done. Caitlyn Gendusa is also finding out who the specific contact from Henderson County is for people to relay concerns to about the trail as they arise. Caitlyn is also gong to relay these concerns to Hendersonville’s Assistant City Manager to bring up at the next Ecusta Trail meeting. OLD BUSINESS Hendo Green Partnership Update - Jane Edgar, Member (7 minutes) Jane Edgar is sending Caitlyn Gendusa a draft email that can be sent to local businesses about program. Alicia Stump asked for link to form for initiative which can be found here: https://www.cognitoforms.com/CityOfHendersonville4/HendoGreenPartnershipQuestionnaire Caitlyn is also emailing associated graphics to the board. Fiona mentioned announcing the Hendo Green Partnership program at a future Rhythm & Brews event. Hendo Earth Fest Update - Caitlyn Gendusa, Staff Liaison (7 minutes) First subcommittee meeting: August 27th at 5:15 p.m. at the City Operations Center second floor meeting room Caitlyn is finding out if businesses can sponsor the event to pay for the off-duty officers. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY BOARD – August 12, 2025 Page | 2 ESB Outreach Dates - Emily Davidson, Chair (7 minutes) Emily Davidson created Recycling Right game which can be reused at future ESB events. SDS at Farmers Market: August 9th Brooklyn Community Garden (Jules Heimer & Tae Brown) Caitlyn Gendusa hosting a waste reduction education game 10am-12pm SDS at Farmers Market: September 13th - Symbolic Monarch Migration Month Emily Davidson will help setup and Virginia Tegel will take over after from 7:30-10am and Omar Zafra from 10am-1pm SDS at Farmers Market: October 11th Kyla Christensen will be there from 10am-1pm. Emily Davidson mentioned wanting to create a SOP for ESB outreach events and have a poster of ESB accomplishments to use for future outreach events. NEW BUSINESS Low Waste City Meeting Pilot - Caitlyn Gendusa, Sustainability Manager (7 minutes) The City will be offering compostable serving ware and food waste bins for the following events as part of a new pilot program. Food waste will be taken to the Sustainability Demonstration Station's compost bins. Pilot meetings include: - Boards & Committees Appreciation Dinner (Sept or Oct 2025) - Council/Staff Retreat (Feb or March 2026) - City Council Budget Workshop (May of 2026) ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 5:57pm The City of Hendersonville is committed to providing accessible facilities, programs and services for all people in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Should you need assistance or an accommodation for this meeting please contact the City Clerk no later than 24 hours prior to the meeting at 697-3005. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY BOARD – August 12, 2025 Page | 3