Mecklenburg County
Environmental Policy Coordinating Council Meeting
November 8, 2007

Present:
EPCC Members: 
Bruce Andersen, Storm Water Advisory Committee
Cristina Fisher, Waste Management Advisory Board
David Howard, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission
Randy Perkins, Air Quality Commission
Brian Sigmon, Building Development Commission
Andy Zoutewelle, Zoning Board of Adjustment

Other Participants:
Ralph Messera, Town of Matthews Public Works Director

Other Organizations/Agencies Staff:
Eldewins Haynes, Air Quality Specialist, City Department of Transportation (CDOT)

Mecklenburg County Land Use & Environmental Services Agency (LUESA) Staff:
Dave Canaan, Water & Land Resources Director
Ginny Creech, Support Services and EPCC Secretary 
Bruce Gledhill, Solid Waste Director
Heidi Pruess, Environmental Policy Administrator, Staff Liaison to the EPCC

Andy Zoutewelle, Environmental Policy Coordinating Council (EPCC) Chair opened the meeting, attendees were welcomed and introductions were made. 

The September EPCC meeting ended in agreement that the membership requires additional information and education about the efforts of the advisory boards, County, City, and Town staff with regard to their selected priorities below.  As a result this November meeting was comprised of an information session on Air Quality and Transportation.  Don Willard, Mecklenburg County Air Quality Director provided a presentation on Meeting Air Quality Standards-Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s Ongoing Challenge.  Eldewins Haynes, Air Quality Specialist, City Department of Transportation (CDOT) provided a presentation on Charlotte’s Transportation and what Conformity means related to Air Quality.  Links to these Power Point presentations will be sent to the EPCC group for their review.

Andy Zoutewelle requested in broad context, comments and assessment from Randy Perkins on behalf of the Air Quality Commission (AQC) on present and future Air Quality initiatives after the presentations.  Mr. Perkins reported that the group is actively promoting Air Quality’s Clean Air Works program and other air pollution initiatives within limits of their jurisdiction.  The program has reduced 1. 4 million vehicle miles traveled this year which is a substantial improvement from last year’s numbers.  Unless another agency is willing to provide funding for the program, money will be unavailable after February.  Mr. Perkins has been in discussions with the Charlotte Chamber to enlist them and others to continue this program.  He stated that another piece of the Clear Air Works program that has been hugely successful in reducing emissions has been in the industrial sector.  The AQC has identified priority areas within local and regional sectors which include but are not limited to: PM2.5 regulations, NOx emissions, Regional approach to non-attainment with the eight counties affected, and air quality education programs.

David Howard indicated that the Planning Commission has also been discussing regional issues with regard to the Centers and Corridors plan which was originally designed to extend beyond Mecklenburg County to adjacent counties in the region.

Heidi Pruess indicated that she would facilitate development of a spreadsheet that identifies what each advisory board is working on with regard to the air quality issues discussed at today’s meeting, including those from the TSAC that were not able to be present at today’s meeting.   

It was agreed that Surface Water and Land Use Planning information sessions will be presented at the January meeting.  The EPCC will be notified when a meeting date, time and location has been determined.

The meeting was adjourned.