On the agenda: Media Sustainability Commission Meeting — data center (Oct 8)

Delaware County Sustainability Commission Minutes
Sep 10, 2026 – 4:00 – 5:13 PM
The Delaware County Sustainability Commission held its regular meeting virtually in Sep 2026.
Vice Chair David Director called the meeting to order.
PUBLIC MEMBERS (5 for Quorum)
✓ David Director
✓ Carol Martsolf
Julie Prey
Jaclyn Rhoads
✓ Michael Schneller
Joi Washington
✓ Justin Tibbels
✓ Mike Fuller

SPECIAL GUESTS
✓ Kyle Rose, Natural Lands

GOVERNMENT MEMBERS (4 for Quorum)
Dave Moser, DCSWA (Alternate)
✓ Ron Aquilino for Gina Burritt, Planning
✓ Anne Stauffer, Parks
Laura Goodrich-Cairns, Economic
Development
✓ Danielle Floyd, Facilities
✓ Olivia Sansone, Sustainability
Sue DePompeo, Sustainability
✓ Michelle Wheeler for Karen Lochman,
Conservation Corps
✓ Becca Yurkovich, Sustainability
ADDITIONAL STAFF & OFFICIALS
✓ Christine Reuther, Council

1. Welcome, Roll Call, and Interactive Question
The meeting began shortly after 4:00 PM while members waited for additional participants so
that quorum could be established. The Commission proceeded first to the scheduled
presentation and returned to roll call afterward. The transcript does not record an interactive
question.
2. Public Comment Instructions
Members of the public were advised that comments could be made by raising a hand in Zoom,
entering a question in the chat, or emailing [email protected].
3. Review and Approval of July Meeting Minutes
Ron Aquilino requested one correction to the July minutes: Gina Burritt should be identified as a
full member rather than an alternate. The minutes were approved as corrected. Michael
Schneller moved for approval; Olivia Sansone seconded. The motion carried with no recorded
opposition or abstention.
4. Presentation – Land Preservation Strategies
Kyle Rose of Natural Lands presented an overview of land-preservation strategies and how
municipalities can work with land trusts to conserve property. He stated that NL is based on
three pillars: saving open space, caring for nature and connecting people. The presentation
covered Natural Lands' role in conservation, prioritization of properties, conservation easements
versus fee-simple acquisition, funding considerations, and the steps involved in completing and
monitoring conservation transactions.

Delaware County Sustainability Commission • September 10, 2026

Considering how important it is for ALL groups, Kyle made a call for non-left leaning groups to
get involved with the current county drive for an Open Space referendum.
He said Natural Lands uses criteria including cost, location, adjacency, size, conservation
quality, and alignment with strategic goals when evaluating potential projects.
Fee-simple acquisition generally involves fewer steps and more potential funding sources than a
conservation easement, while conservation easements permanently limit specified uses of land
and require ongoing monitoring.
He talked about trail easements leading to a conservation easement, which may include
highest, standard, and minimal protection areas, with the level of permitted use reflected in the
easement and appraisal.
For easements, appraisal generally compares the property's unrestricted value with its value
subject to the proposed restrictions; the difference represents the estimated easement value.
He shared an NL criteria chart, ranking cost, adjacency/location/size, strategic and quality
scores.
Kyle explained how sometimes they have to decline a purchase, as in cases where the parcel is
too small, and how rezoning can be helpful for protection in those cases.
He said that in basic land conservation the strongest options are conservation easements
(conserved in perpetuity), then fee simple acquisition (if appropriate owner established has less
steps), and discussed the role of deed restrictions as a weaker option.
Funding may involve federal, state, county, municipal, private-foundation, donor, and landowner
contributions. Kyle noted that local funding can strengthen an application's ability to secure
additional funding.
Kyle explained that environmental concerns identified during due diligence are evaluated caseby-case and may be addressed through additional investigation or remediation when
appropriate.
In response to a question from Rebecca, Kyle distinguished a conservation easement from a
transfer of development rights: under an easement, the restricted development rights are held
by the conservation entity rather than transferred for use on another property.
Justin asked if environmental issues revealed in discovery are disqualifying, or subject to
remediation, and Kyle said it’s case specific and gave the example of lead removal from an old
firing range.
5. Public Comment
No public comments or questions were received.
6. Old Business/Review of Action Items from Last Meeting
Vacancies: Applications for three open Commission positions closed September 4. Nineteen
applications were received. David Director and Office of Sustainability staff were reviewing
Delaware County Sustainability Commission • September 10, 2026

applications, with recommendations expected to be provided to Barbara O’Malley, Council. The
goal was for new members to participate in the October reorganization and retreat.
Retreat Planning Committee: Brittani Hales of Selah Development Group was introduced as the
retreat facilitator, and described her background in strategic facilitation, community
engagement, project management, and partnership building.
Hales said she would conduct informal one-on-one or small-group conversations with
Commission members before the retreat to learn about members' experiences, sustainability
interests, challenges, and opportunities. She intends to use that input to help shape a
productive and forward-looking retreat.
David Director said the retreat would provide an opportunity to reinvent the organization and
determine what it should pursue next.
7. Office of Sustainability Update
Becca Yurkovich and Olivia Sansone provided updates on current Office of Sustainability
projects and programs.
Solar RFP: The County issued an RFP in August for solar installations at the Media
Government Center, Redwood Community Center at Upland Park, and the voting machine
warehouse in Chester City. All are county-owned with brand new roofs, so they align with the
life cycle of panels. Six companies submitted proposals. The Office was reviewing proposals
and expected to conduct interviews and make a recommendation to County Council in late
September or early October. Council would then determine whether and how to proceed, as
funds had not been specifically allocated in advance.
Composting grant: The County and Solid Waste Authority clarified roles for a grant-funded
composting project. The Solid Waste Authority is expected to oversee most procurement and
construction contracting and ultimately operate the sites, while the County will pay eligible costs
from grant funds and handle grant compliance. An RFP for the compost-site operator was being
developed before site design so that the operator's expertise can inform the design.
SALT initiatives: Olivia reported on grant-supported work with the Conservation District, PAC
Grant, and Penn State Extension Master Watershed Stewards. A free municipal public-works
staff roundtable was scheduled for September 22, with a peer-to-peer format. Additional SALT
programming and a fall snapshot event were also discussed to monitor and reduce road salt
pollution in local waterways through citizen science and community engagement.
The fall Snapshot, coordinated with Stroud Water Research Center, was scheduled for October
15–18, with a standardized Delaware County registration process being developed.
Climate vulnerability and Tree-canopy tools were also discussed. The climate vulnerability tool
is intended to allow users to search by municipality or address and review several climate-risk
categories. A separate interactive tree-canopy tool is being developed with parcel-level
information.
Commission vacancies: The Office reported receiving 19 applications for the three open
positions.
Delaware County Sustainability Commission • September 10, 2026

Community and educational outreach: The Office hosted a three-day visit by 23 teachers and
high school students from Pingdong County, Taiwan, and shared County sustainability activities
with the delegation.
Keep Delco Beautiful: Sharon Hill Borough, UDTJ (Upper Darby), Clean Air Council and Marcus
Hook-Lower Chichester-Trailer Joint environmental Advisory Council recently joined the group.
The Office also reported on litter kits distributed through County libraries, an Oct 24 Sharon Hill
block cleanup, and a Keep Delco Beautiful bi-monthly volunteer newsletter beginning October 1
covering October and November events.
Christine Reuther asked about cleanup support connected with the Delco 10-Miler. The Office
said it could not host a cleanup site this year but could promote the event; the City of Chester's
citywide cleanup was also noted.
Olivia shared a slide of surprise baby shower and well wishes to Becca on her maternity leave.
8. Public Comment
No public comments or questions were received.
9. Grant Discussion
No grant updates were available at this time.
10. Member Sharing/Round Table
Members shared information on energy efficiency, solar and battery storage, local cleanup
activities, and the fall water-quality snapshot.
Michael Schneller discussed the PECO Flex and Save program and his attendance at a
Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance conference. He reported discussion of grid reliability,
energy efficiency, solar, battery storage, and the impact of new loads such as data centers.
David Director added comments about residential battery storage and a New Jersey virtualpower-plant pilot.
Mike Fuller shared information about a DCVA cleanup on the N5 Trail, scheduled for September
26 at 9:00 AM, and noted that volunteers were needed.
Olivia Sansone said future DCVA/Keep Delco Beautiful events could be promoted through the
Office's volunteer newsletter and encouraged sharing events through other community
calendars, and David reminded that the League of Women Voters website should be included.
Mike Fuller asked how the County's October water-quality snapshot relates to the Stroud Water
Research Center event. Becca Yurkovich explained that the County is participating in the same
regional event through a coordinated Delaware County registration process and partner
network.
David reiterated that all environmental events should be shared with the Delaware County
Environmental Clearinghouse, operated by the League of Women Voters [envirodelco.org].

Delaware County Sustainability Commission • September 10, 2026

Olivia said she personally adopted a roadway in Delaware and cleaned out 13bags of trash from
1.5mi of road, through the Adopt-a-Highway program.
11. New Business
The Commission reviewed the survey for the October reorganization meeting, including meeting
availability and interest in officer positions.
Rebecca said ten responses had been received at the time of the meeting; members who had
not yet responded were asked to complete the survey.
The responses indicated that the second Thursday at 4:00 PM remained the preferred meeting
time.
Two members had expressed interest in serving as vice chair. No one had yet volunteered for
chair or secretary, although Mike Fuller had indicated he would serve if needed.
Members were encouraged to consider leadership roles and to submit additional ideas for future
agendas and Commission activities.
12. Public Comment
No public comments or questions were received, including through the Commission email.
13. Set Action Items for Next Meeting
Members who had not completed the reorganization survey were asked to submit it. Becca
Yurkovich confirmed that an October meeting would still be held, primarily as a short
reorganization meeting to address necessary votes and welcome new members. The retreat will
also take place in October. Becca will not attend the October meeting, and Olivia Sansone is
expected to serve as the designated leader for that meeting.
14. Adjourn
Justin Tibbels moved to adjourn. A second was provided by Michael Schneller (with the
transcript also reflecting Ron Aquilino's assent). The motion carried by voice vote with no
recorded opposition or abstention. The meeting adjourned at approximately 5:13 PM.

Delaware County Sustainability Commission • September 10, 2026