Orange County NC Website
Other Initiatives <br /> • Current <br /> — Space study <br /> — Sustainable commute survey <br /> — Green and reflective roofing <br /> — Solar power pilot project <br /> — EV charging stations <br /> — Ambulance idle reduction <br /> • Future <br /> — HVAC controls optimization <br /> — Teeework policy <br /> — Energy storage assessment <br /> — Event waste reduction guide <br /> — Computer reuse partnership <br /> — GPS vehicle efficiency monitoring <br /> — Propane vehicle conversions <br /> — Vehicle pooling <br /> Commissioner Rich asked Jim Northup if there is a numeric goal for the amount of <br /> reduction in paper use. <br /> Jim Northup said one way to know that paper has been reduced is when floor space <br /> can be reclaimed in departments. <br /> Commissioner Rich said she is glad that Orange County is gathering food waste and <br /> encouraged the further investigation into offering residential composting. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier asked if there are any policies regarding the use of pesticides <br /> in the County's cleaning supplies. <br /> Brennan Bouma said he is working with colleagues and contractors to determine all the <br /> active ingredients currently used and will report back to the Board of County Commissioners. <br /> Commissioner Price asked if it is possible to determine how much of the collected <br /> recycling is actually recyclable. <br /> Blair Pollock said historically the MRF (Materials Recovery Facility) reports residue rates <br /> of about 5 percent but with single stream recycling the residue amount has gone up to 10 <br /> percent. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said one of the reasons he brought up the pesticides issue a <br /> couple of weeks ago is in relation to the declining numbers of monarch butterflies and bees. <br /> He asked staff to look at planting flowers instead of hay in some of the newer parks in order to <br /> bring back the bees. He also suggested putting grazing animals on these sites instead of <br /> diesel tractors. <br /> David Stancil said these ideas are currently being worked on at Blackwood Park and <br /> Northeast Park Site. <br /> Commissioner Rich referred to the Space Study Work Group and its research into <br /> telecommuting. She asked if there is a specific purpose to this research. <br /> Brennan Bouma said telework is popular, especially in the private sector, as there is <br /> less space needed leading to more flexibility in work spaces. He said it is being researched as <br /> a possible option within Orange County. <br /> 9. County Manager's Report <br />