HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-NAC-2015-01-06NATURAL AREAS COMMISSION
January 6, 2015
Present: Joe McMahon, Eric Whitney, Jeanne Grace, Dan Hoffman, Robert Wesley, Alderperson Cynthia
Brock, Anna Stalter, Todd Bittner, Ashley Miller, Mike Thorne and three IHS students
The December 2014 minutes were moved, seconded and approved.
Reports and Announcements
Joe McMahon reported that the foxes inhabiting the fox den in the vicinity of the new water settling facility
were still in the area. Jeanne Grace observed a fox in the cemetery.
Anna Stalter announced the first in the Nature Journaling for Kids series will be held on February 14th. The
theme will be animal tracking and will begin from the parking lot of the Mulholland Wildflower Preserve.
The Conservation Advisory Council will be re-visiting the issue of steep slope protection. Alderperson Brock
observed that since Cliff Street and Floral Avenue are expected to be developed in the next 5-10 years,
steep slope legislation is a timely issue.
Ithaca Falls/Lake Street Rebuild Update
Mike Thorne of the city's Department of Public Works communicated that he is waiting for Common Council
approval of $30,000 for railing and bench design for the planned improvements to the Ithaca Falls area. The
remaining money needed will come from grants. Hoffman suggested that the bridge re-design take into
consideration the informal trail running along the south bank of Fall Creek from Lake Street to Stewart Park
in order to enable a connection between Ithaca Falls and Stewart Park.
McMahon asked about ownership of the parking lot behind the Fall Creek House and whether in the future it
might be a possibility for Ithaca Falls parking.
Brock questioned whether the area is a park or a natural area. Hoffman explained that technically it is a park
and as it was acquired as substitute park land in 1988. The city has designated it as a Natural Area.
Brock expressed concerns about re-contamination of the area from Ithaca Gun and a need to be assured
that its second remediation has created an environmentally safe condition. She also noted that since 2006,
the area above and below Ithaca Falls has seen 6 drownings and several near drownings. She has not yet
received information on the city's legal responsibilities on this issue.
Thorne remarked that it should be possible to take soil samples at the plaza.
On the subject of drownings, Bittner explained that in 2011, Cornell created a Gorge Safety Committee.
Through combined efforts, this group has made great strides in public safety education and compliance. At
their next meeting, they will be focusing on city gorge issues.
Giles Street Restoration
Hoffman brought up the subject of the water settling site's bare dirt and erodable slope in back. Whitney said
they would be working on restoration in Spring and will use the last of the spoil piles to grade the area. Field
or wildlife grass will be planted and mowed once a year. Hoffman suggested that the fence be screened with
vegetation.
Giles Street will be repaved in Summer.
Wildflower Preserve Plantings
Grace reported that for a few hundred dollars that a lot of seedlings could be planted in the area that was
mowed to eliminate wild parsnips.
As for signage in the Six Mile Creek area, it was suggested that the wording be more welcoming at the
entrance and more severe in high hazard areas.
2015 Priorities List- This was unanimously approved.