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Meeting Minutes
Dec 3, 2013
Members present: Joe McMahon, Jon Meigs, Todd Bittner, Anna Stalter, Ron Herring, Dan
Hoffman, Robert Wesley
Guest: Roxy Johnston, Watershed Coordinator
Note taker: Anna S.
Reports and Announcements
Dan and Joe attended the Government Performance and Accountability discussion
about "potential new organizational and operational structures" for committee and board
members. There was representation from the more active committees. Joe and Dan gave some
feedback about the proposed reorganization as discussed at last month's NAC meeting.
Water plant - Roxy reported that the press building might be completed soon.
Joe reported seeing that the hillside alongside the new access road was cleared and
covered with landscape fabric.
Dan reported that a lot of clearing had been done along the trail at Fuertes, apparently
by the Parks Dept. (as per Jeanne Grace). Formerly muddy portions of trail have been
relocated.
New Business:
Signage in Natural Areas. (Joe) All three of the signs in the natural area have been defaced.
Joe asked if Todd could comment on process for designing new signage in CU natural areas.
Todd reported that there has also been spray paint vandalism on CU trails near the suspension
bridge, and that it has been increasing in Cascadilla Gorge. In general, when designing signage,
a laundry list of "don'ts" is generally not well received and the attractiveness of sign makes little
difference. CU Plantations signs were developed using the services of a graphic designer and
the Cornell sign shop. Boundary signs are aluminum diamonds, bought in quantity. Plantations
could provide their template to NAC if it would be helpful.
At best, signs inform and hopefully lead to compliance vs. prosecution if rules are broken. A
graphic depiction of hazards is very effective given that, on average, signs are "read" for only
three seconds.
Joe related his encounter with hunters on the South Hill rec way. Although the town does close
the rec way during hunting season, no announcements are made in local media, the signs are
simply put up.
Todd asked why not allow hunting in Six Mile Creek? Ron: safety issue.
Todd: Plantations natural areas are open to hikers during archery season with the restriction
that there be no hunting within 30 yards of the trail. An approach like this is feasible in CU NAs,
but may not be at SMC, with its many access points. Constraints can be set: Require hunter
safety training, and issue permits.
Hunting is allowed in Cayuga Heights with landowner permission.
Without permission, hunter must be at least 500 feet from property boundary. (There is already
some perception that the deer population in Cayuga Heights has decreased, but it is more likely
that behavior has changed. Deer are becoming more nocturnal and less active; their energy
needs are lower since sterilization.)
Eleven deer were shot on the Cornell campus with a DEC nuisance permit, by hand picked
hunters in the program. This approach is safe and effective, said Todd.
NAC could work to change ordinance and allow archery under a nuisance permit.
Vetting hunters would require (city) staff time but other costs are nominal.
Further discussion on the pros and cons of hunting in Six Mile Creek was postponed for a later
date. The immediate concern is that there are people with guns coming into natural area. How
can NAC deal with that? Joe talked with Rich S. (Town of Ithaca), who said the Town hadn't
addressed this. Signage has to be better. Volunteers could be at risk when out on the trails and
city could be liable for any accidents. NAC should pressure city to put out PSA.
Where to put signs? After an incident with non - Cornell- approved hunters on CU land, Todd
checked with DEC about required signage and found out that signs are required every 300 feet
around entire perimeter. Though this would be too onerous for the city to do at Six Mile, the
placement of some signs should discourage hunting. Joe will get in touch with DPW and will
recommend putting signs at 13 trail access points including: turnstiles at rec way (2), Giles St.,
van Natta, around settling pond area toward rec way, at rec way entrances (2), Penny Lane,
turnstile at end of recway, Burns Rd. access.
NAC will also ask city to improve and replace general signage. Include "No graffiti" in
prohibitions.
Sale of city owned property to developer. Dan is aware of the proposed sale of a city -owned
parcel near the Cayuga Inlet. A 3 -acre parcel northwest of the railroad tracks, which was
included in a purchase by the city and designated as "substitute parkland" in 1999 (AKA
Southwest Natural Area) may go up for bid after a developer expressed interest. It is not entirely
clear if this 3 -acre parcel is considered "substitute parkland — SW NA" (Dan will research) but
because it is at least adjacent to the SW NA, NAC should have been notified of this pending
sale. All members present echoed Dan's concern. Dan will attend tomorrow evening's Common
Council meeting if possible, or if not, will send letter for someone (Joe ?) to read at the meeting.
Ron Herring was presented with a certificate of appreciation and small gift for his service to the
NAC (two terms) and the City of Ithaca.
Meeting ended at 6:55