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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2023-08-03 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board (CB) Meeting August 3,2023, 5:30 p.m. (In Person at Town Hall and via Zoom Video Conference) Final Minutes Members present: Lori Brewer(Chairperson), Frank Catone, Elise Edwards,James Hamilton, Eva Hoffmann, Ingrid Zabel Staff present: Michael Smith (Senior Planner) Guest: Ryan McCune from Nexamp(via Zoom) 1. Member comments/concerns: Comments were made regarding the Carrowmoor Solar project located on Mecklenburg Road. Discussions were had about how we can best answer questions related to the need for clarification about invasive species protocols as part of the construction of the project. Points were made about wanting a hedge row of hemlocks to aid in raising the biological control of hemlock woolly adelgid, and about the need for planting species that would create good monarch butterfly habitat. 2. Persons to be heard: Ryan McCune from Nexamp provided insights into the changes made to the Carrowmoor Solar project.They plan on seeding and stabilizing disturbed soil as soon as possible, and they are going to plant a seed mix that was good for both grazing and pollinators.The board expressed their concerns about invasive species seed dispersal and introduction from construction vehicles moving on and off the property to Mr. McCune.The board also brought up the desire to see hemlocks planted as the conifer hedgerow around the project so that these hemlocks could possibly aid in raising the biological control of the hemlock woolly adelgid project that Cornell University is working on. Mr. McCune discussed changes that were made to the construction drawings to add details about cleaning protocols of construction vehicles. Mr. McCune mentioned that there would be an informational session at the Thrive Center at EcoVillage on the 9th of August at 6:30pm for those interested in learning more about the project. 3. Environmental Review Committee Update: (Lori and Mike S.) Once Mr. McCune left the board talked about ERC protocol and how neighbors are informed of nearby projects, including Carrowmoor Solar.There were no other new ERC projects to report about from the last month, but Mike mentioned that a couple of new projects would be coming up shortly, including a Comfort Inn Hotel on Elmira Road and an elevator installation at Ithaca College Terrace Dining Hall to help with ADA accessibility.The Comfort Inn Hotel on Elmira road was approved four years ago, but the approvals have since expired so they are looking to get approvals again. 4. Chair and Coordinator Reports: a. Chair Report (Lori): 1 We are presenting at the New York State Association of Conservation Commissions (NYSACC) on September 20`" and there was a discussion of what we want to talk about during the presentation, and about the drafted outline for the talk. Comments were made to include what types of work the ERC does, and how we reach levels of engagement with project personnel.There was mention of how persistence on a specific topic, such as Eva's work with scenic views, can after some time make it into the regulations. Points were made to include how the ERC can be proactive through the CB but is generally reactive when it comes to reviewing projects. Ingrid mentioned that we should also be sure to discuss both things that go well, but also what could go better, such as the timing of the Conservation Boards comments to the Town Board. b. Coordinator Report (Mike S.) There are two things that will be coming up for further discussion in September.The first is that there will be more details about the tree planting at the East Ithaca Nature Preserve this fall, including a date and time.The second was that there will be discussion about the deer program moving forward and how it is working. 5. Approval of minutes from July 2023 meeting: Ingrid moved to approve, and James seconded.The minutes were approved unanimously with no corrections. 6. Continued discussion of Indigenous Environmental Justice: (Mike R.) Tabled given Mike Roberts was unable to attend the meeting, however it was noted that an email went around from Mike R. and that folks should look at that prior to the September board meeting. 7. Continued discussion of York Yard Could be a Wildlife Sanctuary/Garden Tour: (Ingrid) Ingrid reported that there are currently 45 people registered for the event. Concerns were expressed that there might be more people than the small gardens can handle, so promoting the event should be limited. Given the concerns of the large group, suggestions were made about possibly keeping the introduction to each garden short but allowing folks to talk amongst each other while they walk through the gardens. Lori mentioned that we should be sure registrants are told via email prior to the event that they should not give the details of the event to anyone who hasn't pre-registered and that they are limited to seeing each garden in the time slots provided in the email. Brandon Hoak from Marshy Garden asked if the Ithaca CB would like to be a community partner with the pollinator pathways program.There was general agreement amongst the board that this would be a good idea. 8. Committee Reports a. Scenic Resources: (Eva) no report b. Communications Committee: (James) 2 As of Aug 2, our Facebook page has 337 followers;the recent post on NYSACC conference reached 47, engaged 15. Members may have noticed our email discussion of Stella's draft Fischer Award poster. Additional input is welcome. c. EMC: (Ingrid) The NYSACC conference is coming up and they are looking for volunteers for the field trips, please register if you can make it and volunteer if you are able.The last EMC meeting discussed that the solid waste management plan is open for public comment but that will end soon.The climate adaptation committee discussed potential advice about extreme heat and flooding.There was a presentation from Jayden Beck from BlocPower on Electrify Ithaca, with a goal of electrifying 6,000 buildings by 2030.Thus far they have one project completed and 6-10 projects in the pipeline.There was additional discussion about the solid waste management plan and how recycling glass has changed in Tompkins county. d. Six Mile Creek Volunteer Monitoring Program: (James) 61VIC Water Monitor Volunteers plan to take a synoptic water sample from Six Mile on Wednesday morning, Aug 16th.They're invited to attend a volunteer picnic at Camp Comstock on Friday,Aug 18th. e. Cornell Botanic Gardens Natural Areas Program: (James) Volunteers joined summer interns and NA staff for a picnic lunch and a poverty oatgrass (Danthonia spicata) seed collection field trip in a slash fence deer exclosure trial at Arnot Forest. (See µlaps://blo s.cornell.edu/slashwall/for more info.)The deer fence was made from treetops and branches piled around logging harvests by specialized machinery used in the harvest. Excluding deer allows the logged area to regenerate from healthy seed trees left standing and understory plant seedbank.The Botanic Gardens plans to use the collected Danthonia seeds to start a potentially commercial market for the native bunchgrass, which makes a good grass lawn that doesn't need mowing.Volunteers also weeded a few swallowwort persisting in the South Hill NA, and pruned trails in the Bald Hill NA in Caroline and the Slim Jim Woods on the south side of the arboretum.The BG are offering a lot of guided tours and hikes in the Arboretum and campus gardens. 9. Other Business: Lori mentioned that Joann Kowalski is moving and will not be able to be a board member any longer. She was the vice-chair and thus we need to fill her position.James nominates Frank to be vice-chair and Lori seconded, with all in favor. 10. Review 2023 Work Goals/ Discuss September Agenda: Items to be discussed next meeting are to include prep for the 10-minute conference presentation as a separate item on the agenda and to include an item for a garden tour debrief on the agenda as well. 11. Ad'lourn: at 7:01 p.m. Minutes drafted by Elise Edwards 3