HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2015-07-02 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board
July 2,2015 at 5:30 pm
Minutes Final
Members present:James Hamilton,Jon Meigs, Ellie Stewart,Vladimir Micic
Absent: Carrie Simon, Eva Hoffmann,Mike Roberts, Elizabeth Sanders
Staff: Mike Smith
Guests: Lima Hossain and Mara Alper
After waiting for enough members for a quorum,the meeting opened without a quorum at 5:40 pm
1. Persons to be heard:
2. Members Concern: No members concerns
3. Chairs and Coordinator Report:
Chair: Ellie pointed out that we need more members and made an appeal that we should use our
events to recruit more members.Jon mentioned he has a neighbor that might be interested.
Coordinator: Mike Smith informed the board that the husband of Diane Conneman (former CB
member)was in the hospice care. Mike also reported that the Town is applying for funds to replace
the existing playground structures at the Grandview Park and Hungerford Heights Park.
4.Approval of Minutes: none (no quorum)
S. Ithaca College Summer Scholar program Project(Lima Hossainl: Lima Hossain gave a
presentation about the tier structured water rates and their impact on water consumption in the
town. Lima's research was based on the water pricing data from 5 different municipalities in the
area.The findings have confirmed that water price is highly inelastic.Which means that the
customers' consumption habits will not change significantly even if the price of water goes up
significantly. Part of Lima's research was also focused on alleviating the impact that change in water
price would have on Bolton Point's maintenance cost and on finding the pricing structure that
would not compromise the facilities maintenance needs.
6. Discussion of long-term water planning for the Ithaca area (Mara Alper)
Mara came up with the slogan that could best summarize the rationale behind the board's water
conservation efforts: "Water-just because we have enough, doesn't mean that we should waste it."
Mara pointed out that in the not so distant future the global population increase would likely turn
the currently abundant supplies of water from Northeast America into high-demand commodity.
Private individuals and large corporations may want to claim their rights on the existing water
resources for the sake of profit. Mara pointed out that our water access laws and ordinances should
be ready for such situation. She asked whether the current water sources are in the public trust and
what do we have to do to regulate future consumption? Some of the members pointed out that
Cayuga Watershed Network is one of the organizations that may be able to address some of these
questions. Mike mentioned that all water wells in town are regulated by the County Health
Department.
7. Finalize plans for the NY Invasive Species Awareness Week event(July 16cn)
James mentioned that PRISM: Partnership for Invasive Species Management have been informed
about our event and that this organization may be able to donate some t-shirts for the event
participants. Mike confirmed that he sent out the press release and informed all relevant media
about the event.
8. Regular reports and updates:
Environmental Review Committee: No news or updates.
Scenic Resource Committee: The committee will be meeting with Todd Edmonds from Iron Design
to help finalize the sign near Longview.
Communication Committee: James reported that this committee had a discussion about the use of
chemicals and pesticides to regulate the invasive species and pests.
Tompkins County EMC:Vladimir reported that the June EMC meeting took place at the Bolton Point
Municipal Water facility.The EMC members were given a tour of the facility and explained how the
water is extracted from the lake,purified and distributed to the rest of the town. Vladimir also
mentioned that the EMC members have approved unanimously a resolution in support of the
Pesticide Use Reduction Law that was on the agenda in the Tompkins County Legislature.
Six Mile Creek Volunteer Monitoring Program: James reported that sixteen sites were tested on 17
June and that he went to the Community Science Institute meeting which was organized on 26 of
June.
City of Ithaca Natural Area Commission: No news or updates.
Cornell Plantation Natural Areas Program: James reported about new updates in management of
garlic mustard,primarily that this invasive does not need to be weeded out as aggressively as it is
likely to diminish in population after certain number of years (10?).James also mentioned that he
did some trail maintenance by removing invasives along the local trails.
9. Other Business: Ellie reminded the board that Cornell is potentially planning a new development
along the Ellis Hollow Road and that the board should be cognizant and on the top of this
development proposal.
10. Review 2015 Work Goals/Set August Agenda: Board members have agreed to continue
discussion about deer management and pest management policy research at the next meeting.
11.Adjourned:Adjourned at 7:14 pm.
Submitted by Vladimir Micic