HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PRNR-2019-06-10
PARKS, RECREATION AND
NATURAL RESOURCES
COMMISSION MINUTES
PRESENT:
Chair - Roth
Commissioners – (6) George, Hoffman, Leventry, Moeller, Sanders-Jauquet, Shelley
OTHERS PRESENT:
Common Council Liaison(s) – Brock
Public Information Specialist - Faraday
City Forester – Grace
Deputy Youth Bureau Director – D’Alterio
EXCUSED:
Myers, Freyburger
1.1. Statement from the Public: None
1.2. Agenda Review: No changes
2. Special Presentation:
City of Ithaca Budget Overview - Dan Cogan, Chief of Staff
Chair Roth explains how the Commissioners might be able to benefit from the understanding the City’s budget.
Chief of Staff Cogan presents the Commissioners with the City’s budget, breaking down budget allocations, capital
and operating budgets, identifying budget constraints.
Topics and areas discussed include tax exempt property within the city, various methods for creating revenue, tax
revenue allocation, capital and operating budgets. Chief of Staff Cogan stated that the Commissioners can impact
the budgeting process by assisting in developing rationales for proposed budget increases. The timing of the PRNR
meetings would not line up very well with the timeline for budgeting meetings this year, and therefore might require
coordination outside of the regular PRNR meetings. A discussion was held regarding the best way to involve the
Commission with the budgeting process. COS Cogan recommended that any items brought to the budgeting
discussions by PRNR would be best supported with specified costs, City Comptroller Thayer could help guide the
monetary estimates, along with the Commission’s Council Liaisons.
The pdf files from the Budget presentation are available from Dan Cogan upon request.
3. Staff Reports:
City Forester Jeanne Grace reported that the Stewart Park Carousel is up and running, and renovations on the large
pavilion are complete. The swan pond overlook in Stewart Park was temporarily closed due to structural instability.
Deputy Youth Bureau Director D’Alterio reported that the renovations at the Cass Tennis Courts are still in progress,
the Cass Park pool will be inspected and is scheduled to open 6/17/19.
A discussion ensued about the City Cemetery and its current goal to gain park designation, ways this would impact
the funding of the restoration projects and assist with grant applications.
A conversation ensued about the Blueways trail, aquatic weed disposal boxes and trailhead sign placement. Also
discussed were fees collected from event ticket sales at Stewart Park , and user fees for groups using the parks for
advertised events.
4. Old Business:
4.1. Capital budget request by city staff, resolution to support requests.
Discussion: Jim D’Alterio’s capital projects-D’Alterio stated that he would prioritize the projects as follows- 1) Cass
Park rink renovation; 2) Professional Service for Upgrading Cass Park Athletic fields, outbuildings, and facilities; 3)
Cass Park large pool gutter and surfacing replacement. He went on to explain that the present momentum of the
Date: June 10, 2019
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Common Council Chambers,
3rd Floor, City Hall
Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission
June 10, 2019
2
Rink upgrades should be maintained, hence the priority being placed there.
Motion: Leventry; Seconded: Shelley
Resolved: That the Commission support these three projects in full, Chair Roth will draft a letter. Carried
Unanimously
Discussion: Jeanne Grace’s capital projects- Hardscaping between sidewalk and curb for Cayuga street at side of
Dewitt Park; repair of the swan pond overlook at Stewart Park; continued funding to repair the deteriorated vaults at
the city cemetery; funds for park signage. A discussion was had about the vault repair price tag ($75,000). Cornell is
being asked to contribute to the vault repairs as well. Friends of the Cemetery group has done over $75,000 worth of
volunteer work.
Resolved: That the Commission support these four projects in full, Chair Roth will draft a letter. Carried Unanimously
4.2. Memorial Policy revisions & next steps: Hannah George reported that the subcommittee met and will be meeting
again with Jeanne Grace. A follow up letter to applicants has been created. Jim D’Alterio will be joining for the next
meeting to figure out how things go through the system. Hannah George will send the related documents out.
4.3. Natural areas update & next steps: The group met twice and have more people joining, looking at the four
defined natural areas. Dan Hoffman stated that the group anticipates a recommendation that the city establish a
position to oversee and plan for these natural areas. They are presently gathering information and putting
recommendation down on paper. This might be an item for this year’s budget. A discussion followed regarding what
this position would be responsible for: apply for grants, access internship opportunities, perhaps oversee staff at
some point. Alderperson Brock suggested that the position could be something that the county, town, or tourism
departments might partner with the city on.
4.4. Other updates: Jeanne Grace reported that a study is happening right now focusing on where to place n ew
plantings of oak seedlings to assess the presence of deer. She will reach out to the Commissioners if volunteers are
needed for this project.
5. Environmental review subcommittee report:
The committee submitted comments regarding the proposed project on 510 W . State St. and 501 W. Seneca St.
Planning and Economic Development Committee has W State street/ MLK street rezoning on their agenda. There is
a proposal to step back the upper stories of the new building along the street and reduce the maximum height of the
new buildings from 6 to 5 stories.
Infill guidelines are being discussed at PEDC as well, no vote is scheduled at this time.
The Commissioners inquired about the City Harbor project grant application, Alderperson Brock stated that
Wednesday (June 12th) evening is the meeting discussing this project, an update will follow.
A study to create a shared law enforcement campus at the site of the Harbor Freight store is being discussed. The
sheriff does not support relocating the sheriff’s department without relocating the jail. This potential site has some
wetlands on it.
6. New Business: Jeanne Grace had a meeting with Seph Murtagh and Ducson Nguyen to discuss tree removals
from private property. A CFC will be coming to the Commission through City Administration. They would like to know
what an ordinance look regarding tree removal on private property would look like, what the ones that are in place in
other communities consist of.
7. Minutes – Review and approve 5/13/19:
Dan Hoffman made minor changes. Tom Shelley made a motion to approve with the changes and Ellen Leventry
seconded. All were in favor.
Next meeting is July 8, 2019.
8. Adjournment:
On a motion the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 PM.
Melody Faraday, Public Information Specialist
Monika Roth, Chair - Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission