HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-NAC-1997-11-10 SIX MILE CREEK ADVISORY COMMITTEE
November 10, 1997 Minutes
Committee Present: Richard Fischer, Peter Fortunato, Dan Hoffman
(Chair) , Elizabeth Mulholland, Patricia Vaughan, City Forester
Andy Hillman (ex officio) .
Others Present: Rick Gray, Roxy Johnston, Tom Clavel, Harry
Littel, Don Rakow.
Committee absent: Jack Booker, Mary Gutenberger (BPW) , Nancy
Ramage; ex officio - Larry Fabbroni, Chuck Baker, Thys Van Cort.
1. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the 10/29/97 meeting
were tabled, to give Committee members more time to review them.
2. Draft Contract, re: Ithaca Falls Natural Area: In the
absence of an official "Natural Areas Commission" for the City,
the Six Mile Creek Advisory Committee was asked to review the
proposed "Contract" between the City and various landowners who
are considering conveying land under and around Ithaca Falls to
the City (as "substitute parkland") . The document sets forth
conditions apparently intended to be attached permanently to the
conveyed land, requiring the City to treat and maintain it in
certain ways ( "as a low level use natural area park. . . " ) .
Cornell University, one of the landowners, has taken the
lead in drafting the conditions. Don Rakow, director of Cornell
Plantations, attended the meeting at Dan Hoffman's request, to
explain the proposed "contract" and to answer questions.
Committee members present appeared to be generally favorable
to the conditions. Some concern was expressed about the complete
prohibition of picnic tables and the dusk to dawn curfew, as
these would be at odds with historical use. Also, is the City
comfortable with the assertion that the area has a "limited
capacity for visitors?" The draft would commit the City to
maintaining the area "at the Phase I level of the Ithaca Falls
Park Improvement Program. " No documentation of said Program was
attached to the copy of the "contract" supplied to the Committee.
Don believes the reference is to Roger Transcik's study from the
1980s; he will try to find out the specifics. The Committee
pointed out that it has tried to make a distinction between a
City "park" and a "natural area, " and suggested that the
"contract" refer to the Ithaca Falls area as a "natural area, "
not a "park. " Don agreed that this was a good idea.
3. City Forester's Report: Andy Hillman reported that an
Alternative Community School student who said he would coordinate
repair of the trail along the creek did not follow through.
Gorge Ranger Bob Drabicki is finishing up his employment for this
year; he produced a handout for dog owners, copies of which were
distributed. In the pipeline repair area, some of the trees
planted last Spring have survived. The connection between the
maintenance road and the path down to the reservoir has still not
been restored; Andy said he may try to fix it himself.
SIX MILE CREEK ADVISORY COMMITTEE
December 8, 1997 Minutes
Committee Present: Richard Fischer, Peter Fortunato, Dan Hoffman
(Chair) , Elizabeth Mulholland, Nancy Ramage, Patricia Vaughan
(for last item only) , City Forester Andy Hillman (ex officio) .
Others Present: Rick Gray, Roxy Johnston, Harry Littel.
Committee absent: Jack Booker, Mary Gutenberger (BPW) ; ex
officio - Larry Fabbroni, Chuck Baker, Thys Van Cort.
1. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the 10/20/97 meeting and
the 11/10/97 meeting were approved as submitted.
2. Reports: It was reported that erosion in the area of the
emergency pipeline repair (on the downhill side of the
maintenance road) is continuing. Andy Hillman will look into
putting more hay bales in place, to prevent more erosion.
It was reported that beaver damage to trees along the lower
trail is worsening. Andy said he would try to have protective
material placed around the bases of particularly vulnerable
trees.
Beth Mulholland reported that there is very little traffic
through Commonland into the Natural Area at this time of year.
Peter Fortunato reported that he has not heard anyone shooting
(illegally) on his side of the Creek (i.e. , near the Recreation
Way) .
3. Town of Ithaca Open Space Plan: Dan Hoffman reported that
since the last SMCAC meeting, Town planners had recommended
against providing additional protections for the Six Mile Creek
Natural Area (i.e. , no acquisition or rezoning of Sincebaugh
parcel) . Dan and others made a concerted effort to get citizens
to comment to Planning Board and at public hearing on Nov. 18th.
As a result, Plannning voted unanimously to amend the proposed
Plan, with the recommendation that all of the Sincebaugh parcel
be rezoned into the Conservation District (requiring that lots be
at least 7 acres) , and that the parcel be included in the
proposed Purchase of Development Rights program. Dan and Peter
Fortunato reiterated the SMCAC's concerns about the development
of Iacovelli Park, but the Planning Board did not recommend any
changes to the proposed Plan. The Committee expressed its
appreciation for Dan's efforts to secure protection of the
Sincebaugh property.
4. Water System(s) Report: The Committee continued its
discussion of the Comprehensive Water System Evaluation report
and the alternatives it addresses (reconstruction of full-size
City water treatment plant, keeping the City independent;
construction of a smaller City water plant, and relying in part
on Bolton Point & Cornell systems; no replacement of City water
plant, relying entirely on Bolton Point & Cornell) .
SIX MILE CREEK ADVISORY COMMITTEE -- 12/8/97 minutes page 2
Concerns were expressed about possible impacts of an
"improved" City system: upgrade of Pearsall Place pump station
(what will it entail?) ; construction of presedimentation basins
in upper reservoir (will they be visible?) ; upgrade of pipeline.
Roxy Johnston volunteered to investigate and present a list of
potential impacts at the next meeting.
The Committee will decide whether it wishes to take a
position on the alternatives.
Peter offered to arrange a tour of the existing water
treatment plant for Committee members (and others interested) .
5. Repair & Restoration Projects: No new developments. Rick
Gray will investigate the status of the second bridge from the
Giles Street parking area. What was the proposed design?
6. Natural Areas Commission: Dan has received no new
information (since last meeting) . Pat Vaughan arrived (from
another meeting) at this point. She reported that an
environmental analysis of the Ithaca Falls properties was being
conducted prior to any transfer to the City. Pat said that the
report of the session involving herself, Dan, Superintendent Bill
Gray, City Attorney Mariette Geldenhuys and Planner Doug Foster,
which appeared in the 11/10/97 SMCAC minutes, did not fully
explain Bill Gray's position. She said that Bill advocated
making a distinction between "working areas" of the Six Mile
Creek Area and "wilderness zones. " In the "working areas, " i.e. ,
where the components of the water supply system and its access
routes are located, the Public Works Department must be able to
operate without constraint. In the "wilderness areas, " the
concerns of the SMCAC (or a Natural Areas Commission) would be
considered. She said that having both the Board of Public Works
and another entity (SMCAC or NAC) trying to determine what
happens in the area that contains the water system was seen as
confusing and not practical. Dan argued that trying to divide
the Natural Area up into "zones" that would be handled
differently was not practical or wise; the Area is one ecosystem
and needs to be approached and managed as a whole. He pointed
out that the Committee is simply asking that the NAC have an
advisory role, and that its advice be considered before
significant actions are undertaken in the Natural Area(s) .
7. Committee Member Terms: The terms of Dan Hoffman, Jack
Booker, Beth Mulholland, Dick Fischer and Mary Gutenberger expire
on December 31, 1997. Jack indicated in a message to Dan that he
is willing to serve another term. Dan, Beth and Dick said they
would like to continue. It was noted that Mary had not attended
a meeting since her appointment last winter and that it would be
highly desirable to have a liaison from the Board of Public Works
who could attend regularly. Dan will so inform the Mayor.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:30 PM.
Minutes by Peter Fortunato._