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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2013-03-07 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board March 7, 2013 Final Minutes Members Present: Chair, Kristine Shaw; V.C. James Hamilton; Andy Goodell, Eva Hoffmann, Vladimir Micic, Susan Perri, Ellie Stewart; Jon Meigs Staff: Mike Smith, Environmental Planner Guest: Supervisor Herb Engman 1. Persons to be heard: none 2. Member concerns: none 3. Chair report: none Coordinator Report: No significant new Planning Board applications up for review. Workshops on woodlot management and home conservation are to be held soon in Cortland. 4. Minutes of CB meeting of February 7, 2013, approved with minor editorial changes. 6. Town Water Conservation Efforts: Discussion taken up next to accommodate Supervisor Engman. Vladimir reported on his follow-up on studies of actions undertaken by local governments across the US to reduce municipal water consumption by means of a tiered fee/rate structure. The studies showed that higher rates for increased use resulted in overall reductions in water use of between 1% and 8% per system, though costs per customer increased; Vladimir questioned whether this outcome was fair or desirable. He commented that in Ithaca, a large portion of users are students, who are probably less aware of the cost of water use since they pay indirectly through rent to landlords who bear the costs directly; the students, as end users, thus have limited incentive to conserve. He noted that these various studies each approached the general issue in different ways, depending on factors such as what they wanted to get out of it. Herb explained that the term 'demand charge' for electricity means that users get charged at a rate that should cover the cost of power at maximum demand, even if average use is lower, since it is the system's goal to meet maximum demand. He reported that in a committee of the Bolton Point authority, of which he is a member, discussion of rate structure showed more support for the concept of'fairness' in setting a rate structure, rather than either 'conservation' or 'cost savings' (which latter isn't as flexible as might be thought, because fixed system costs like infrastructure and overhead are fairly constant and are greater than the cost of power to operate). He asked what is the 'fair' share of fixed costs (70% of the total), and what is the 'fair' way to charge for consumption? James raised the issue of environmental costs, such as CO2 for pumping. He noted that the present power provider, while inexpensive, is a heavy coal user. Herb stated that he hopes Bolton Point will engage a consultant to look further into the overall issue. (Nick Goldsmith, Sustainability Planner, entered the meeting at this point via speakerphone) Herb noted that Bolton Point had seen decreasing demand for a few years before 2012, possibly due to such factors as higher precipitation levels than in '12, as well as increased customer use of means to reduce water consumption, such as low-flush toilets. Kristine asked Nick to try to determine the Town's share of the costs of pumping water in the Bolton Point system, including pumping to Town water tanks. Eva stated that, regarding the matter of'fairness,' consideration should be given to the facts of the proportion of small, low-water-use households, many of which consist of low-income, elderly, retired people. Herb commented that, in fact, the cost per gallon in Ithaca is actually relatively low (compared to other areas). James stated that, based on his experience in a 4-person household that actively tries to limit water use, a 5000-gallon per quarter first-tier rate level may be too low. In conclusion, the Board asked Vladimir to continue researching the experience of other water supply entities in addressing the matter of encouraging water conservation through equitable rate structuring. 5. Town management of invasives/pests. Minor edits were made to the text of the Draft White Paper which the CB intends to present to the Town Board in support of development of an official Town approach to invasives management. Jon reported that he had approached Anna Stalter, who is experienced in and knowledgeable about invasives management, to look the draft over and to provide comment. (Meigs represents the CB on the City of Ithaca Natural Areas Commission, of which Stalter is also a member) She has not had time to provide feedback, and he asked whether the Board would be willing to allow another day for response, before the White Paper is finalized and sent to the Town Board and Supervisor; there was tacit assent. 7. Discussion of CB outreach: tabled 8. Committee reports. Scenic Resources: The Town's Public Works Department will emplace the sign for the East Shore Park in late April or early May; an unveiling ceremony will be organized. Communications: The committee proposes, and the Board accepts, that the Fischer Award for 2012 be given to the Cornell University Natural Areas Program, whose continuing activities enhance the appeal of Cornell's natural areas within the Town. Work continues on updating the CB brochure. The committee is drafting an article for the Town's Spring Newsletter; it will publicize the East Shore Park sign and the recently launched CB Facebook Page. Conservation Zoning: The Southwest Glens and Creeks Conservation Zone report has been reviewed by the Town Board, which gave the go-ahead for proceeding. The next step is to hold a public information presentation and evaluate resulting comments, before finalizing a conservation zoning proposal that would be subject to a Public Hearing before presentation to the Town Board for action. Mike will prepare materials for public information and display. CB members will need to take a major role in presentation, and help record public comments. Possible dates for the presentation were suggested, but not finalized. 6-Mi.Creek Volunteer Monitoring: activity continues. Cornell Plantations Natural Areas Commission: Hemlock Wooly Adelgid monitoring continues; more infestation has been found in areas monitored by Plantations, including around Beebe Lake. Various treatment measures are being employed. Community Energy Action Plan Advisory Committee: The committee is working to set annual goals for energy use reduction (overall 80% by 2050), and to identify actions to take to reach annual goals. 9. Other business: Supervisor Engman addressed an issue that had been brought to his attention, concerning reimbursement of expenses incurred by members of the CB in conducting Town business. There is no current system for approving and processing expenses such as, for instance, baby-sitting and parking. Some possibilities are per diem reimbursement, or allowances for regularly-scheduled meetings, but incidental, occasional expenses are a different matter. He asked for Board member input. The CB was generally in favor of a small per diem reimbursement ($10 - $20 per regular meeting), but liked the idea of being able to opt in or out, depending on how the program is set up. 10. April CB meeting agenda items: Continue discussion of water conservation efforts, focusing on fairness, and where CB effort might be most effective; and CB outreach. Meeting adjourned at 8.55 pm. Minutes submitted by Jon Meigs