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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CAG-2013-02-04Community Advisory Group (CAG) Minutes for February 4, 2013 APPROVED Present: Nels Bohn as City Facilitator, Ken Deschere, Cynthia Brock, John Graves, Michele Palmer, Leia Raphaelidis, Kathy Woodcock Guest(s): None Minutes from the December3, 2012 CAG meeting approved for posting after edits are made. Agenda Additions and/or Deletions: Emerson Empire Grant Award PROJECT SITE UPDATES: *See the Department of Conservation (DEC) update from Karen Cahill, and Stephanie Harrington, Syracuse Office – after these Minutes PROJECT DISCUSSION: Emerson Cleanup – Cynthia Brock sent Walter Hang’s cleanup information to DEC in August 2012 which was late due to miscommunication (she thought Walter had already sent it to DEC). The city council voted against easement for NYSEG. However streets may need to be dug up, and if so, DEC may also want access for a vapor venting experiment. C. Brock wants to be prepared if the Emerson stack venting issue arises again with DOH and DEC. More public education about potential solutions for removing vapors is needed. New EPA TCE standards compared to NY’s: C. Brock will request NY State Department of Health (DOH) and DEC match new EPA standards for trichloroethylene (TCE) which is 2 micrograms per cubic meter. Currently New York DOH standards are 2.5 times this amount and DEC will only take corrective measures if testing results show 5 micrograms per cubic meter. • Cornell students are working on bringing NY up to EPA standards. • In the Emerson neighborhood, a lower standard (0.8 ug/m^3) was used to determine which houses needed mitigation. But in Therm neighborhood, DEC used NY State TCE standard of 5 ug/m^3. Axiohm – The bioremediation process has not been working well because groundwater flow has decreased. NELS BOHN REPORT: Ithaca Overlook – It is clean at the base of the hill. A review with Gary Priscott indicated low lead readings are detectible so the border line may move. Groundwater checking continues with grant funds from the Environmental Restoration Program. Ithaca Gun Hill – Two hot spots were found in the final stage phase of cleanup. A recent grant application to EPA for $200,000 will be used for remediation and redevelopment of this site, if received. Emerson Sale – L. Enterprises is interested but must complete due diligence after signing. If phase one is approved, they can move forward with an Empire State Grant Award of $344,000 for these investigations. WOOD SMOKE ISSUES – Cynthia Brock’s Committees report According to Mick Niechwiadowicz, Acting Building Commissioner, and Fire Chief Tom Parsons, wood smoke is complaint-driven. Firstly the stove is inspected and secondly the resident is educated about proper wood burning methods. A structure is set up to encourage voluntary compliance to use seasoned wood and adjust burning temperature to reduce smoke. Currently Tompkins County has a relevant wood burning law based on DEC rules and regulations. However the City of Ithaca has no relevant city ordinance and this needs to be addressed. Cynthia has studied model ordinances from Fort Collins, CO, the Bay Area, CA and Canada to determine an approach that might be used in Ithaca. It would be considered a “Nuisance Ordinance”. • 1st Visit – A fire engine would arrive and photos would be taken from a distance of 25 feet of the house, so the smoke could be compared to DEC photos. These photos show the desired amount that is less than 20% opacity, the 57% opacity amount allowed at stove start up and shut down and the unacceptable amount of smoke. The resident would receive educational information about proper use of their stove. • 2nd Visit – Resident would receive a written notice but if the person is uncooperative and/or belligerent, a ticket would be given. Kathy Woodcock questioned why a big fire engine would be used at tax payer’s expense? And wouldn’t the photos be arbitrary based on whether it is a cloudy or sunny day when natural light might alter the photo? What would happen if a resident received more than one or two tickets? Cynthia will present her recommendation at the City Administration Committee February meeting for approval before the “nuisance ordinance” is presented to Common Council for consideration. Work Assignments: Cynthia – Try to get NY DOH and DEC to revise NY state TCE standards to match EPA Next Meeting Schedule: Monday, May 6, at City Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Updates from the DEC: From Karen Cahill, Jan. 29, 2013: Emerson's consultant, WSP, has completed the Pre-Design Report and Boundary Modification sampling effort summary and is submitting both reports to Emerson this week for their review. They expect to get them to me in the next few weeks. I have also provided comments to WSP on the Scope of Work for the LNAPL extent investigation. I am expecting that final workplan this week. I will forward all final reports/workplans to Ken for posting on the SHIP, and WSP will also be sending copy to the library. Also a few additional updates: 1) Phase VII SVI testing: letters went out to the four additional homeowners whose homes were tested last November in the Phase VII SVI study area. DOH and DEC are recommending mitigation for two homes. Results for the other two homes indicated that no further action was necessary. 2) Therm: Groundwater elevations have finally been restored to "normal" conditions allowing Therm to develop the 6 new wells (3 well pairs) installed on the Therm property last summer. Development was conducted last week and sampling is scheduled for this Thursday. Results should be provided to DEC within 2 months. 3) Axiohm Site: Post-injection quarterly sampling began last fall, however, permanganate still persisted in 5 of the 13 monitoring wells, therefore the January sampling round was postponed with DEC approval. The next sampling round is scheduled for March 2013. From Stephanie Harrington, Feb 1, 2013: Clinton West: draft enhanced bioremediation pilot study report submitted by project engineer and reviewed by DEC in January. Final report expected to be released in February.