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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-NAC-2010-02-08DRAFT City of Ithaca Natural Areas Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, February 8, 2010 5:30- 7:OOpm City Hall, 108 East Green St Second Floor Conference Room In attendance Members: Alison Fromme, Joe McMahon, John Megis, Todd Miner, Anna Stalter, Sarah Steuteville, Robert Wesley Other: Dan Hoffman, City Attorney; Roxy Johnston, City Water Plant Absent: Ron Herring, Gerald Cox Ex Officio: Wade Wykstra, Board of Public Works Meeting Chair: Alison Fromme; Note taker: Todd Miner Minutes of the January meeting were read and approved with minor corrections. Reports and Announcements Alison asked if NAC's natural gas drilling comments could be shared on web site. General agreement from Board that it was fine. Sarah reported on Fall Creek Clean -up. Some Restore NYfunding freed up. Should see piles being taken out as early as March. Some tarps flopping in the wind (up by Island part —city owned ?). Alison reported that Zev is willing and able to do web updates to Friends of Six Mile web site. Joe stated that Fall Creek access off of Lake street has been improved with gravel set down and compacted. Water Treatment Plant Todd reported on the results of the Water Treatment Plant meeting that he attended. Dan Hoffman and Wade Wykstra also attended. Todd stated that there really wasn't a whole lot directly impacting Natural Areas. Current plan is to use a membrane technology to filter water (as opposed to traditional sand, charcoal, etc.). It appears at this time that pumping will be necessary (to force water through the membrane), meaning more electrical power needs. However, there would be less chemical use and less water wastage. Theoretically membrane system would need less settling pond area, but current system is viewed by some as inadequate so there may be a larger footprint for this. Off -leash dogs in Six Mile Creek Area Joe passed around a 8.5 x 11 inch flyer entitled "Top Reasons to Keep Your Dog Leashed" that he would like to post in Six Mile to remind and help educate users about dogs and leash law. There were several suggestions made as to language. Joe will re -edit and share draft #2 with NAC. There was unanimous support for posting the final version (on kiosk and entrance signs). City Comprehensive Plan Anna and Alison shared info about the City's Draft Comprehensive Plan. One of the challenges is that NAC was not originally copied on sent a draft. Anna suggested that we ask that NAC be added to distribution list. There are some relevant parts to NAC. It was pointed out that it is very early in process. Dan added that there is still time to comment. Sara suggested that Ithaca Falls could be an important part of the plan. Dan shared that if significant issues don't get in early they may well not get in at all, so now is the time to comment. Dan continued that conventional plans often look mainly at zoning, land use, etc. However, there are broader issues such as biodiversity, energy, sustainability, climate change, etc. that also should be included. Some of these issues could have relevance to NAC. Jon added that Town of Ithaca plan is about at same stage. There was agreement that Town plan should be reviewed as well. Dan pointed out that SW area not officially part of Natural Areas and that this may be good time to push for that designation with Common Council. Giles Street Access Road Work Follow -Up Alison responded to Eric's update. No one has seen work in person. Dan asked about Thirty Foot Dam access road and how that fared in recent heavy precipitation. No one had any information. Vision and Priorities for 2010 Alison brought up the idea of trail markers to help indicate where official trails are. Wade commented that trails in poor locations lead to erosion and that BPW would likely be supportive of and help with signage. Dan recalled that signage was put up many years ago and that it quickly disappeared (this was signs stating where people shouldn't go and that trails were closed). Todd suggested asking IC and /or SUNY Cortland or Cornell faculty about doing some recreation /leisure research as to why people recreate in Six Mile and what they do there. Roxy pointed out that assessing use is one of the mandates of the NAC according to City code. It was suggested that the research could help with the Comprehensive Plan and that in addition to Six Mile it could also look into Fall Creek, Fuertes, SW, as well as general public as to why they might not use area. Alison asked about Ranger hiring and if that was something NAC should be thinking about and /or taking action on. Dan shared some historical perspective about how NAC originally was very much involved in hiring. Anna asked about By -Laws which we are mandate to have but still don't have. Dan offered to share list of topics that should be included. Todd suggested, based on Sarah's enthusiasm and eloquence, that Fall Creek should be a priority for 2010. There was some discussion and support for this Alison asked if safety should be a priority. There was both support and concern regarding this topic. Support because with construction related to Water Plant it may be even more of an issue. Concern because it is a topic that is probably unsolvable and it is distracting from education, environmental health, etc. —the reasons that some members joined NAC. There was a question and discussion about the NAC pages of the City web site getting updated (current Board membership, current projects, etc.) There was discussion about the City Golf Course. Apparently there has been talk that it might cease operations. If so, it appears that it will have to stay as a park, which could include natural areas. Priorities (potential topics listed below) will be voted on next meeting: By Laws Survey Research Water Plant City Golf Course Education Fall Creek Web Presence SW Natural Areas Meeting Adjournment Meeting was adjourned at 7:55.