HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2014-08-07 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board
August 71"2014 5:30 p.m.
Final Minutes
Members Present:James Hamilton, Eva Hoffman,Jon Meigs, Mike Roberts, Carrie Simon, Ellie Stewart
Absent:Valdimir Micic, Kristine Shaw
Staff: Mike Smith
Guests: none
Meeting started at 5:38pm
Member concerns: Mike R. has applied to graduate school at Cornell's Department of Natural
Resources. If he does start school this fall his availability will become limited. Mike B. has resigned from
the board.
Chair report: Ellie will not be at the Sept. meeting;James will take the lead for that meeting.
Coordinator report:The Greenways project has received its initial approval, there remains some concern
about floodplain drainage;August 191" meeting has been cancelled; ERC discussion and the sketch plan
is the best time for comments... the sooner the better;Tree inventory grant in June was not received,
only 42 out of 137 were funded, keep in mind that it is an annual grant; Invasive Spp. Workshop will take
place in October in Syracuse, the Town will cover the cost of registration.
Minutes: Motion to approve the minutes by Eva, seconded by Mike R.
James noted a typo on page two about the proposed invasive species event.
NY Invasive Species Awareness Week Event: Swallow-wort removal at East Ithaca Nature Preserve; It
was noted that the publicity for the event was great, it got the word out; Ellie did an interview for Ithaca
weekly;the attendance was estimated at 28 individuals;the situation seemed to lend itself better to
one-on-one conversations rather than a formal presentation;An entire pick-up truck was filled with
swallow-wort;Yet James noted that it is "still blowing in the wind"; It was noted that there was a good
balance between the talks and the actual weeding work; The evening was nice and the location allowed
the event to catch walkers;A side conversation about the DEC working on a list of plants prohibited
from sale. An example from Craigslist was used where an individual was trying to sell invasive plants. It
was also discussed that the general public really do not know that laws about firewood;James
recommended that the event be held again if NYS does it. Ellie noted that we should do the event again
anyway and if possible partner up with other boards for such activities; NY invasive species blog
http://www.nyis.info/blog/about/.
Pest Management in Other Communities: Kristine was unable to get a lot together for August... maybe in
September. Ellie suggested a committee and will try and find a couple of examples. James will look into
what Cornell Plantations has for pest management and hunting as a means to control pests. Mike R.
chimed in saying that he does not think that Plantations has a specific report that explains why they do
what they do. Mike S. said Kristine mentioned that maybe we should just focus on a few different
species and not a plan to deal with everything. Eva mentioned a Syracuse article on the topic and Mike
R. reported that the article despite having a few errors provided good exposure. The discussion then
switched to the deer population in Ithaca and based on personal experience if we have seen more or
less deer. Eva then pointed out that she has seen lots of turkeys!
Deer Management: Mike R. read the deer management cover letter that will be presented to the Town
Board. The last sentence was modified to include individual members. The 2004 report was added to
the reference list on the actual report. Mike R. made a motion to approve the cover letter. James
seconded the motion and the cover letter was approved.
Regular Reports and Updates
Environmental Review Committee:Vladimir was not present but he has not had the opportunity to do
much in the last month.
Scenic Resources Committee: Eva reported that the committee has not met recently. She also reported
feeling a bit discouraged by the rt. 96B views. She feels the view has become obstructed by tree growth.
Views are not to be taken for granted. We have to realize that nature can, and sometimes will, take
over. A thank you is needed for the farmers that keep things mowed so you can see the views. IC might
own some of the land and might be willing to control/manage some of the trees? James mentioned that
maybe we should design a sign that addresses the view as is... but was then wondering what should be
put on the sign? Jon mentioned that NYSDOT would be involved as it is their pull off.
Communication Committee: No report
Tompkins County EMC: No report
Six Mile Creek Monitors: During the June 181"water sampling it was almost flooding. Monitors did not
meet in July.
City of Ithaca Natural Areas Commission: No report
Cornell Plantations Natural Areas: No report
Other Business:
Recruitment of new members, there are three full time spots available. Mike R. mentioned the
possibility of undergraduate students (maybe as part of a class), through the Cornell Natural Resources
Department. Folks involved in local issues such as plants might be interested,James will contact the
Native Plant Society. A town press release might be a good option to get the word out?We need to
continue to think of other options.
Ellie was wondering what is happening with the comprehensive plan. Should we wait for the
comprehensive plan to be released before we do anything? The brochure for the CB needs to be
updated.
September Agenda: Pest management;feedback on deer; plan for recruiting people
Adjourned: 6:50 pm
Minutes written by Carrie Simon