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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2019-05-02 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board May 2, 2019 Final Minutes Members in attendance: Vladimir Micic, Mike Roberts, James Hamilton, Eva Hoffmann, Hannah George, Elizabeth Hageman Staff: Mike Smith, Senior Planner Meeting called at 5:48 following Eva sharing about recent climate change talk at the American Philosophical Society. There are very concerning projections for warming particularly in the poles. 1. Persons to be heard - none. 2. Member concerns - Hannah shared information from a similar article about the human activities that can help reduce climate emissions or carbon dioxide uptake hfifips://www.cnn,com/infieractive/2019/04/specials/clirnate-change-solutions- .!uiz/index.html a. Upcoming Events: i. May 11 10-3 Dryden Rail Trail celebration. 5K fun run, music, bikes, games, trail walk. ii. Sweedler Preserve trail service day with Cayuga Trails Club May 11 from 9-12. 3. Chair and Coordinator Reports a. Mike Roberts, Chair: i. Food waste law has been passed in New York State. b. Mike Smith, Coordinator: i. There should be a new planning proposal email to ERC Members for the Cornell Moakley House Parking Lot project. ii. Deer Management: 1. 1 deer was taken during the Deer Management Program. iii. Trumansburg Road pedestrian study received a grant. There is a survey circulating, and the first public meeting is May 16 from 5-7PM at PRI. Consultants will be there, and the format will be an open house, with information available from the study. iv. Mike just got back from a Trails Conference this week. DEC had many display materials, and contact information for a DEC staff person who has educational materials that Ithaca CB could share at events. 4. Minutes a. March 7 Minutes: James moved to approve and was seconded by Eva. Minutes were approved. 1 b. April 4 minutes Mike R moved to approve, pending suggested changes by members, and was seconded by Elizabeth. Minutes were approved. 5. Richard B. Fischer Environmental Conservation Award: Joe Talbut (Town Parks Maintenance Manager) found an eastern hemlock tree to plant in honor of the New York State Hemlock Initiative. Mike R. is coordinating a possible date for planting in Forest Home Park. James will get the tree tag and draft language for the award certificate. 6. Streets Alive Recap: Elizabeth said some people stopped by the table, even though the weather was not great. The New Roots School is looking to partner with groups on environmental projects - for example, some students are going to plant cattails around Cayuga Lake this summer. For future events, we should consider what the outcome or impact would be. a. Discussion about possible collaboration with New Roots. Hannah suggested some kind of collaboration focused on promoting democratic processes for the environment. Vlad volunteered to draft an email to teachers and then provide students with context just prior to a public meeting. b. The New Roots contact person is Lee Kaltman. Possible projects mentioned were composting or bluebirds. 7. Invasive Species Awareness Week- discussion about where to host an event. Instead of the usual July Ithaca CB meeting on July 11, members will run the event from 5-7pm at East Shore Park, where there will likely already be people enjoying the park. Hannah will contact Floating Classroom and give them the option to join the event. James will contact PRISM. 8. Regular Reports & Updates. a. ERC: no update. b. Scenic Resources Committee (Eva): Eva has not heard anything regarding the signs. c. Communications Committee: no update. d. Tompkins County EMC: no update. e. Six Mile Creek Volunteer Monitoring Program: May 8 will be another synoptic water sample collection day. f. Cornell Botanic Gardens Natural Areas Program. Volunteers opened the Cascadilla Creek Trail. Volunteers have continued searching for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid-infested trees for the program. Volunteers completed trail maintenance at Fischer Old Growth. 9. Other Business 10. Review 2019 work goals a. Meeting adjourned at 7:12pm Minutes drafted by Hannah George. 2