HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-NAC-1995-12-11 SIX MILE CREEK ADVISORY COMMITTEE
December 11 , 1995
Committee/Present: Jack Booker, Marjorie Olds, Dan Hoffman, Peter Fortunato,
John Johnson.
Others Present: City Forester Andy Hillman, Ed Hart, City Planner Doug Foster,
Common Council Liaison Rick Gray.
Committee Absent: Beth Mulholland, Nancy Ramage, Dick Fischer, Jill Tripp
1. Approval of Minutes:
The Six Mile Creek Advisory Committee ("Committee") approved the November
13, 1995 minutes with these modifications: Revision made to item#6: deletion of
names of owners of parcels under consideration for acquisition/protection efforts.
2. Update on City's Land Acquisition & Protection Efforts: City Planner Doug
Foster had no significant news to report. Committee hopes to meet with Mayor-
elect Alan Cohen at January meeting to discuss this topic.
3. City Forester Report: Carpenters' Local has two bulletin boards in progress
and expects to complete two memorial benches this winter if authorized.
Andy's crew will begin to clear gorges of trees downed in recent snow and ice
storm.
Beaver Activity Report.
4. Memorial Benches: Committee voted 4-1 to authorize "in-house" construction
of three benches (previously approved) out of lumber from sustainable yield
forest, along lines of"Victor Stanley Model 24" design.
5. Youth Bureau Activities: Ric Dietrich of City's Youth Bureau discussed
Outing Program's request for "exemption" from certain Natural Area
"prohibitions" (particularly rock-climbing). Ric Dietrich and Peter Fortunato
will complete a recommendation for this Committee to offer to Common Council
regarding limited "exemption" for Youth Bureau activities in Natural Area.
Resolution may address concerns such as contribution Youth Bureau has made
and continues to make in Natural Area, City liability when Youth Bureau
activities are undertaken, minimization of public exposure so as to limit "copy
cat" activities by unsupervised public who see Youth Bureau activities, a
provision for notice to Chuck Baker's staff prior to Youth Bureau activities, and
general geographical areas where Youth Bureau activities will be performed,
among other issues.
Rec Way: Peter F gave update. He has spoken with Rich Schoch, the Town of
Ithaca Parks Manager, regarding "closing" of Rec Way during hunting season
(which generally ends 12-12-95) Peter will discuss whether Town could prohibit
hunting along Rec Way with Rich Schoch. More discussion regarding posting
and theft of signs along Rec Way.
Peter, John Johnson, Chuck, Andy and MZO will meet 12-28-95 at 100 Renzetti
at 10:00 AM to discuss Rec Way issues. Interested parties invited.
Meeting adjourned around 7:00.
minutes by MZO
PROPOSED RECOMMENDATION ON YOUTH BUREAU ACTIVITIES IN NATURAL AREA
For consideration at 1/8/96 SMCAC meeting
WHEREAS, the Outing Program of the City Youth Bureau has
requested official permission to continue to conduct certain
program activities in the Six Mile Creek Natural Area which are
generally prohibited, according to the City Code; and
WHEREAS, the Youth Bureau has a history of making constructive
contributions to the Natural Area, through work programs that
maintain and enhance the area; and
WHEREAS, the Six Mile Creek Advisory Committee believes that
closely supervised rock-climbing, rapelling and ice-climbing by
the Outing Program, planned in conjunction with appropriate staff
from the Department of Public Works, can occur without detriment
to the Natural Area; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Six Mile Creek Advisory Committee recommends
that the City of Ithaca grant the City Youth Bureau special
authority to engage in the following supervised program
activities in the Six Mile Creek Natural Area:
a. Rock-climbing,
b. Ice-climbing,
c. Rapelling (and use of zip lines) , and
d. Use of the "Trillium Trail" area south of the 60-foot
reservoir;
and that this authority be subject to reasonable restrictions
which may be imposed (on notice) by the City for reasons of
safety, liability, or reducing the potential of illegal "copy-
cat" activity by other observers, and subject to review by the
City and/or Six Mile Creek Advisory Committee to determine the
advisability of its continuation. This recommendation should not
be construed as endorsing any activity in areas designated by the
City as off-limits for water supply purposes.