HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2013-10-03 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board
7:00 p.m., October 3, 2013
Final Minutes
Members Present: Eva Hoffman, Jon Meigs, Kristine Shaw, James Hamilton, Ellie Stewart, Susan
Perri, and Vladimir Micic
Staff present: Mike Smith
Persons to be heard: None
Member Concerns: Eva shared that she is concerned about the proposed ban on plastic bags, which
was discussed at the Environmental Management Council informational meeting on 9/25/13. Vladimir
was at the meeting as our representative and passed around a fact sheet encouraging the ban. Eva said
that she doesn't consider bags single use as she reuses them for trash bag, etc. She feels they are
thinner than trash bags, so that she uses less plastic. A general discussion followed with some
members stating that more and more people are using their own bags already and others stating that
you can still buy thin garbage bags to use. The discussion ended after Mike reported that the
Conservation Board had already voted its approval of the ban at its June meeting when Eva was absent.
Chair Report: Kristine announced that she will not be continuing as Chair for next year, as she no
longer has the time. We all should be thinking about a replacement for her.
Coordinator Report: Mike reported on two projects scheduled to be discussed at upcoming Planning
Board meetings. One involves consideration of a sketch plan for the proposed South Hill Complex
located at 930 Danby Road. The proposal involves converting the first floor(2,500 +/- gross square
feet) of the existing building into a restaurant use and constructing a new drive-thru ATM on the north
side of the building with a new driveway. The project will also involve constructing a bypass lane
around the ATM along with new retaining walls, outdoor lighting, landscaping, and signage. The
second item Mike reported on is the request for Ithaca Beer to expand its manufacturing space at its
current location. Mike also mentioned that the Conifer Senior Housing Project next to Overlook would
be upcoming on the Planning Board agenda.
Eva had some concerns about increased traffic from the South Hill project and others had emailed
minor concerns about the projects to Mike. Following a short discussion, the general consensus felt
that emailing comments without the Environmental Review Committee meeting to discuss them was
sufficient for small projects.
Minutes: September minutes were approved as corrected. It was noted that Andy should be
complimented for doing such a good job.
Business:
Member Attendance Concerns: Kristine initiated a discussion about maintaining full membership on
the Conservation Board and encouraging attendance in order to regularly attain a quorum of five
members. James suggested requiring attendance at eight meetings annually to retain membership, but
Eva and Ellie both stated that active members might have medical or travel circumstances forcing them
to miss some meetings, even though they would return and remain as strong, active members.
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Vladimir suggested increasing the number of associate members, but it was pointed out that this would
not affect voting members needing to attend to reach quorum.
After some discussion, a formal resolution : "If a Voting member exceeds two unexcused absences,
the chair may request that he or she resign from a voting membership on the Conservation
Board."was moved by Ellie and seconded by Vladimir. It passed unanimously. The member could
still be an associate member. Mike mentioned that any change in status of membership would need
Town Board action.
Kristine reported that a member who has not been attending regularly has already agreed to switch to
an associate membership. She will call him and confirm this. We will need to start recruiting a new
member for the Board.
Water Conservation Efforts: Kristine stated that she wasn't sure where we were at in this area.
Kristine stated that she had attended a Bolton Point meeting to remind them about pumping and
greenhouse emissions. James said that water rates had just been increased using the same fixed rate
system. He suggested making a proposal for just the Town of Ithaca to change their billing system,
separate from Bolton Point. Kristine suggested that we discuss this with Nick Goldsmith, Town
Sustainability Planner. It was also suggested that there was an opportunity to do so before the city
temporarily joins the system, but that it needed to be done in a well-thought out, comprehensive way.
It was questioned, what are the plans for providing water to the City (what distribution route is used)?
Jon suggested we form an ad hoc committee to further explore the issue and possibly draft a resolution.
Kristine, James, and Vladimir agreed to work on this.
Update on Pest Management Policy from Other Communities: Research has not yet started. Tabled
until next month's meeting.
Regular Reports and Updates
Environmental Review Committee: no report
Scenic Resources Committee: (James) Tony is absent in order to accept an award(Environmental
Excellence) in Buffalo. In Tony's absence, James reported that the Committee met on Sept 12th to
work on a revised map and guide to the Town of Ithaca's Scenic Views. The Sept 25th draft mailed to
members is adequate, but still in need of revision, which is under way; we're glad to have some printed
and available in case people ask for it. Jon suggested some minor revisions to the brochure.
Communications Committee: (James) Susan's application for the SRC's scenic view signs, map and
guide project won the Community Action & Engagement award for Environmental Excellence from
the New York State Association of Conservation Commissions. Tony has volunteered to receive the
award Friday at a lunchtime presentation at the 2013 Conference on the Environment, a Bi-National
Sustainability Summit in Buffalo. The committee thanked Susan for her efforts in getting the award
and to Tony for changing his plans and traveling to Buffalo to receive the award rather than attending
tonight's meeting.
Southwest Glens and Conservation Zone Committee: (Ellie) Ellie reported that the Planning Board
provided a positive recommendation for the Southwest Glens and Creeks Conservation Zone on
9/17/13. It is on the agenda for adoption of the rezoning to Conservation Zone at the Town Board
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meeting on 10/7/13, following a public hearing and acceptance of the SEQR Review. A minor change
to the Conservation Zone boundary on Bostwick Road was reviewed and approved.
Mike requested the Conservation Board pass a formal resolution approving the request for a new
Southwest Glens and Creeks Conservation Zone. The motion written by Mike, with minor changes
from the Conservation Board (see attached) was moved as amended by James and seconded by Ellie.
The motion passed unanimously.
EMC: (Vladimir) The Solarize Tompkins Program funded by NYSERDA is now operating in
Caroline, Danby, and Dryden,providing lower cost solar installations for those who sign up for the
program. Vladimir is looking into whether the Town of Ithaca can join the program and is hoping to
report back at the next meeting. Mike suggested he contact Nick Goldsmith, as he is already working
on this for the Town of Ithaca.
The Ithaca Community Gardens lease is expiring and the new proposed lease is too expensive. If they
cannot find a new location, this long-term community garden will have to end its program.
Vladimir reported a little more on the proposed plastic bag ban, saying he would email a fact sheet to
all members. The EMC has written a proposed resolution for the Tompkins County Legislature calling
for the banning of plastic bags at the cash register and charging for paper bags. He added that Cornell
and Ithaca College have been asked to join in the effort.
Six Mile Creek Volunteer Monitoring Program: (James) Volunteers sampled Six Mile Creek on Sept
18th, during low flow. Two of the 15 sites sampled took extra water for a special "gaswell baseline"
analysis for NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material) and the heavy metals strontium and
barium, as these pollutants would show up in fracking wastewater.
City of Ithaca Natural Areas Commission: no report
Cornell Natural Areas: (James) James worked at four jobs, installed deer exclosure cages on young
tree seedlings on the north bank of Beebe lake, where deer eat every small tree not protected; collected
beech, oak, and hickory seeds so Plantations can raise seedlings from prime parent trees in their natural
areas instead of planting other growers' nursery trees there; helped build a boardwalk to protect the
American globeflower from student and research visitors to a fen in Groton; weeded invasives at Park
Park.
The Plantations will have an Oct 23rd lecture on "Nature Wars" later this month, showing how native
animals have become pests when their population grows out of control. He'll email members more
information on this show.
Proposed Agenda Items for Next Meeting:
Water Conservation Proposal for Resolution
Pest Management Research Report
Possibility of presentation by Brian Eden on deer management
Meeting Adjourned: 9:00 pm
Ellie Stewart, note taker
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