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Commission for the Environment C/o Orange County DEAPR, PO Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278 919 -245-2510 Orange County COMMISSION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Memorandum To: David Stancil, Director, Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation From: Orange County Commission for the Environment Date: May 14, 2018 Re: Response to Idle Reduction Petition from Commissioners Marcoplos and Jacobs At their regular meeting on Jan 23rd, Commissioners Marcoplos and Jacobs petitioned the Orange County Commission for the Environment (CFE) to consider and make recommendations on the implementation of a “no idling” campaign. The target audiences to be considered were the schools and patrons or owners of drive-thru establishments, and the focus was to be a broad informational outreach effort. Secondary interest areas to consider were the establishment of County administrative policy on idling and the engagement of the arts community and students in the creation of campaign materials. After consideration of staff presentations at their meetings in February and May exploring the issue of vehicle idling, available idle-reduction resources, and the initial response of potential partners, the CFE made a series of recommendations. 1.) Since the County’s Sustainability Coordinator made initial contact with both School Systems and has experience with idle-reduction outreach efforts, he should coordinate the County’s idle reduction outreach. The CFE would provide ongoing support for this effort by reviewing the scientific basis of the outreach materials. 2.) The CFE recommended that the Sustainability Coordinator work with Orange County Schools (OCS) and the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) based on initial statements of shared interest in idle-reduction to write a letter to parents describing the benefits of turning their cars off while on school grounds. County staff will work with School staff to draft this letter for Board consideration and approval. If the letter can be created and approved the June 19th Board meeting, the outreach program could begin in July. 3.) They also recommended that the County move forward on getting some free “Turn Off Your Engine” signs from the NC Division of Air Quality (NCDAQ) to provide to the Schools. The Sustainability Coordinator will support the Schools in connecting with the appropriate programs at NCDAQ. 4.) On the County’s side, the CFE recommends engaging the County’s Community Relations staff to customize and send out some pre-made marketing materials on the benefits of idle-reduction. Pre-made packages of idle-reduction marketing materials were reviewed by the CFE from the US Department of Energy, the state NCDAQ, and local non-profits. Among several communication methods, the County already has some paid advertising slots on WCHL radio that should enable the County to reach parents and student drivers while they are in their cars. This should help to reach both