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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-10 CPSC Final Minutes
Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 4
May 10, 2023
Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee
Zoom Hybrid Meeting
Meeting Minutes
May 10, 2023
Approved: June 14, 2023
Committee Members Present: Chair Ann DiPetta, Roxanne Marino, Elizabeth Weatherby, Rebecca
Schneider, Diane Cohen, Katelin Olson, Mo Klein
Other Town Staff Present: Niels Tygesen, Mollie Duell
Members of the Public: Tim Fallon, Carrie Foster, Tai Basilius
Proceedings
Chair Ann DiPetta called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
Approval of Agenda
Motion: Klein made a motion to approve the agenda. Weatherby seconded.
Vote: Marino, aye; Weatherby, aye; Klein, aye; Cohen, aye; Olson, aye; Schneider, aye; and Chair DiPetta,
aye.
Motion Carried.
Approval of Past Minutes
Motion: Schneider made a motion to approve the April 17 meeting minutes after minor corrections and
clarifying details were added. Chair DiPetta seconded the motion.
Vote: Klein aye; Marino aye; Cohen aye; Olson aye; Weatherby aye; Schneider, aye; and Chair DiPetta,
aye.
Motion Carried.
Privilege of the Floor
Tim Fallon asked about accessing past minute meetings. Tygesen stated that draft and finalized minutes
will be available on the Town’s website.
Old Business Items
Work Plan
i. DEC Climate Smart Communities Grant Update
Tygesen explained the DEC Program Manager is still reviewing materials sent by the Town. Details within
the RFQ are being finalized, regarding Women and Minorities in business. The DEC needs to give a buy-in
before moving forward, and the Town’s attorney will need to review the draft. With the lag in DEC’s
review response, review of a draft RFQ will not occur this meeting. It’s anticipated that the draft will be
sent in mid-June for DEC approval, with a consultant hopefully being determined in July. The Town Board
will ultimately choose from a list of applicants.
Weatherby asked what needs to be documented when keeping track of outreach efforts. The
specifications will be clarified by Town Staff.
Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4
May 10, 2023
ii. Continued Committee Membership Outreach
Tygesen introduced Tai Basilius, a community member interested in joining the Ag Committee and the
Comp Plan Steering Committee. Committee members were asked to consider possible candidates for
committee members that would be affiliated with the shoreline, specifically a resident with a home on
the lakefront. Schneider identified two potential members to be contacted and expressed interest in
contacting a community member who has a long history of working with the state parks, as well as a
different individual who may be interested in representing the shoreline. Schneider noted that
Taughannock Park is a significant part of the Town’s identity and should be involved. Klein mentioned a
local CSA, and the committee discussed continuing to reach out to more community members affiliated
with farms. Marino suggested the committee could be expanded, specifying that although there are
already nine members, geographic balance could be improved.
Weatherby reviewed key points from the discussion during the Town Board meeting from the prior
evening that related to The CPSC. In the meeting, Alison Weaver and Rosemarie Hansen were approved
as committee members. Weaver represents local business as the owner and operator of Ness-Sibley
funeral home, and Hansen is a liaison to the Village. Weatherby expressed a need for an Agricultural
voice, and echoed earlier statements that a representative associated with lakefront is missing, and
having a resident from of the southern part of Ulysses would be beneficial.
The Committee continued to discuss what an ideal body of members would look like: Nine members
were originally approved by the Town Board, but eleven or twelve could be better. However, expanding
to up to fifteen or twenty members would become excessive. Klein noted that interested potential
members should be ready to commit their time to the committee through 2024; an extra member or
two would allow insurance in the case someone cannot continue to participate.
Tygesen noted that there are three slots for community members, and one is vacant. A roster that
further defines each member’s role and affiliations will be established and available on the website.
iii. Committee Member Training
Tygesen asked if any additional materials would be helpful for Committee members to access. Discussion
ensued on accessing and reviewing materials and what could continue to improve with digital
communications.
DiPetta noted the Town is working on a resolution to bring in additional training for publicly elected
officials, which includes all members of each Board and Committee. Providing standardized training in
Ethics, Civil Rights, and Sexual Harassment prevention will assist in making expectations universally
clearer. Additionally, in-house training is taking place on May 18th. Olson spoke about the training
discussion from the Town Board meeting and explained that an email would be sent describing proposed
training requirements. No requirements have been finalized, but Olson invited anyone interested in
attending the training scheduled for the following week.
Schneider noted a remote option to complete training online would be needed for board members with
other full time work commitments. Weatherby responded this is in development and will allow
completion within a deadline, to be determined.
iv. Tracking of Hours
Tygesen clarified how hours should be tracked and answered questions from committee members about
technical specifics, including what needs to be documented in submitting information and what format
to use when completing time sheets.
Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4
May 10, 2023
New Business Items
Public Involvement Plan Draft Review
Tygesen distributed copies of the draft Public Involvement Plan to Committee members. The Committee
continued to review the draft and discuss adjustments.
Schneider expressed concern over “people” being the subject of focus in the introduction, noting the
lack of language referencing the environment. Schneider offered to draft a passage including future plans
specific to environmental goals. Klein noted that although the Public Involvement Plan does lack specific
details regarding the environment, the 2009 Comprehensive Plan has in-depth environmental goals
outlined in Policy #1 and suggested using this text as a reference. Committee members offered to send in
any proposed draft edits.
The Committee then reviewed the list of “Members of the Public & Stakeholders”, and considered
possible additions. Schneider suggested that the Finger Lakes Land Trust be added to Environmental
Stakeholders. Schneider referenced the” Emerald Necklace”, an area of forest lands that stretch through
Tompkins and surrounding counties. Continuing to develop a corridor of movement would be a valuable
future investment in the area, and extending the Black Diamond Trail to Trumansburg and further
protecting Taughannock Creek should be considered.
Klein briefly spoke about the need to include Emergency Services, and noted the lack of visible house
numbers that could complicate emergency situations.
The Committee discussed reaching out to any advisory groups or neighborhood associations that have
not yet been considered. Cohen suggested Historic Ithaca. Weatherby suggested West Shore
Homeowners, the Jacksonville Community Association, and the Ithaca Yacht Club, which is in the town of
Ulysses.
Discussion ensued on involving and specifying different agricultural entities. Schneider noted Bergen
farms has bought about 10% of farmland within the town; they are based in the town of Enfield but
should still be considered. Tygesen suggested creating an Agricultural subcategory for the list. Weatherby
noted the Trumansburg Fairgrounds are missing, and Olson clarified the Fairgrounds are in the town, not
the village. Cohen suggested contacting Tompkins Learning Partners and the Racker Center. Specific
recreation groups were discussed by the Committee. Weatherby suggested 4-H, and Olson suggested
Trumansburg Community Nursery School and INHS: Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services.
Considering possible Federal Government stakeholders, Weatherby asked about involvement from
organizations such as FEMA. Tygesen specified the Town is attempting to identify if there are any federal
landowners that could be included. Marino spoke about developing a climate vulnerability study and
referenced Terry Carroll, the Chief Sustainability Officer of Tompkins County. The Committee mentioned
the updated FEMA flood maps and recent discussions within the Town of Ithaca regarding these
changes.
Marino asked what will be done exactly with this list and how outreach would be managed. How often
will these groups be asked to participate and give feedback? DiPetta asked how businesses will be
targeted. Tygesen stated that outreach will be broad.
The Public was asked for any feedback. Carrie Foster introduced herself and stated she was interested in
joining the Committee.
Members continued to discuss community engagement and awareness. Schneider suggested a poster or
something else that could be displayed in a public space, such as the Farmers Market or library. DiPetta
mentioned developing a QR code, but acknowledged it is too early. An interactive map is also being
considered. Discussion ensued on locations to make information accessible to the public. Marino stated