The Commission took the following actions at the Annual Meeting on October 20, 2011:

Public Comments:  There were no comments from the public.

Approval/Modification of the Agenda:  There was a new business item added, Item #22, Grant Application and Contract—Chesapeake Bay TMDL.  The agenda was approved as amended.

Employee Recognition:  Shernita Bethea, Whitney Katchmark and Dale Stith were recognized for five years of service.  Greg Grootendorst and Sheila Wilson were recognized for ten years of service to the HRPDC.

Consent Agenda
The following items were approved by Consent Agenda:
•    Minutes of the September 15, 2011 Executive Committee Meeting
•    Treasurer’s Report
•    Regional Reviews

o    PNRS Reviews
o    Environment Impact Assessment/Statement Reviews

•    Authorization to submit a grant proposal and accept a grant award if offered: Department of Housing and Community Development—Virginia HOME Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program
•    Contract Amendment—Hazard Mitigation Program
•    Contract Amendment—UASI Contractor for Analytical Technical Support
•    Regional Stormwater Cooperation Summary Report: This report summarizes the regional efforts in the stormwater program for FY 2010-2011.  The report is made available online.

Regular Agenda:

HRPDC FY 2011 Audit: HRPDC CFO, Nancy Collins presented the successful audit findings.  The audit was accepted unanimously by the Commission.

HR Green Program Briefing:  HRPC Public Information and Community Affairs Administrator, Julia Hillegass provided an update on the regional environmental education initiative, askHRgreen.org, which includes the launch of a new website and a series of advertisements.  These efforts are targeted based on regional survey and focus group research.  Recent campaigns have resulted in over 9 ad impressions region-wide.

Resolution—Great American Cleanup:  Ms. Lisa Hardy, Environmental Planner with the HRPDC explained that Hampton Roads has been selected as one of the national kickoff locations for the 2012 Great American Cleanup.  In addition, staff requested authorization to recruit an Honorary Planning Board for this event. HRPDC Resolution 2011-08, encouraging widespread regional participation in the regional kickoff event was adopted.

Chesapeake Bay TMDL:  Ms. Whitney Katchmark, HRPDC Principal Water Resources Planner, presented the latest information from the state regarding conceptual strategies to be submitted and changes in how nutrient reductions will be tracked.  The Commission authorized a comment letter to EPA requesting the removal of the individual Waste Load Allocations from the Chesapeake Bay TMDL for the localities that currently have Phase I MS4 permits. The Commission also approved a request to the Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources for guidance in light of recent correspondence between the state and EPA.
 
Nominating Report & Election of Officers:  Mr. Thomas Shepperd provided the Nominating Committee’s report for the following officers:
    Chairman:    Stan D. Clark, Isle of Wight County
    Vice Chair:    Thomas G. Shepperd, York County
    Treasurer:    James O. McReynolds, York County
    Secretary:    Dwight L. Farmer, HRPDC Executive Director

New Business:   The Commission authorized the Executive Director to participate in a joint “super regional” project with other PDCs to continue facilitating Chesapeake Bay TMDL efforts in Hampton Roads through a Memorandum of Agreement with the Middle Peninsula PDC for this project. Funding to support this project is to be provided by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).