HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CAC-1990MINUTES
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Meeting of January 8, 1990
Present: Eric Broberg, Betsy Darlington (Chair), Cathy Emilian, Roger Farrell,
Bara Hotchkiss, Jill Tripp, Keith Waldron, John Wertis; Council liaison
Carolyn Peterson
Absent: Judy Jones (in France), CC liaison John Johnson (sick with flu)
1. Meeting called to order at 7:35. Minutes from December aproved.
2. Bara reported that Dan Ramer is no longer working at the �PWTP. The "head
person" suggested she call Supt. of Public Works. She talked to Acting
Supt. Larry Fabbroni re putting stencils on storm drains (saying that they
drain into Creek. He seemed more interested in the idea when Bara
told him about the tie -in with the Household Hazardous Waste collection
the County is hoping to have next Sept. Everyone on CAC continues to feel
the stenciling idea (borrowed from Olympia, WA) is a good one. John Wertis
suggested we make this our Earth Day project -- greeted with enthusiasm.
Bara will look further into this - -e.g. getting paint and other supplies
from DPW.
Bara also will talk to the new Supt. of DPW about putting an informative
message into people's tax envelopes, regarding where stuff poured down storm
and indoor drains goes, and what's unsafe to put down them.
3. Conservation Overlay Zones: Betsy will write a memo to Dan Hoffman asking
that this be resurrected by P &D.
4. Packaging ordinance: Carolyn Peterson will ask County Bd. what's happening
with this at the County level. CAC members felt this shouldn't just drop.
Jill reported that Bd. of Educ. is having a meeting about use of styro trays
in school lunchrooms.
5. Betsy will write our thanks to Joe Daley.
6. Hydropower at Ithaca Falls: Cathy led a lengthy discussion about how
the City should proceed with this. Complicated problem - -made more so by
the sudden departure of Helen Jones from the P &D Dept. Ralph Nash said
City could not develop hydropower solely for sale to NYSEG; some would have
to be used for the community! Considerable discussion of the financial aspects.
Plant would last 40 -50 years.
At 6% interest rate, City would have neg. cash flow for 6 years, then
positive for 14 years. Paid for in 20 years;
At 7% -- 7 years neg. cash flow; paid for in 20 years;
At 8% -- 10 years neg.; paid for in 20 years.
Cost to build: about $5.3 -5.5 million. Bond would be floated.
Price NYSEG would pay would be negotiated. 6¢ /kwh was figure NYSEG once
said we could get, but this has expired.
DEC (Vernon Husek) says Synergics' and Cornell's 401 certificates are
no longer valid. If Creek is designated, DEC would not give them new ones.
City has received some conflicting info even on this, however. Still,
designation seems to assure that hydro wouldn't be developed at Ithaca Falls.
Meeting with Fabrizio re boundaries this Thursday. Cathy, and probably Eric
and John W., will go to this. Assemblyman Marty Luster also wants to have
another public meeting.
CAC consensus: City should push hard for designation of Fall Creek, but
City should not give up option to build hydro there until designation has
been approved. General agreement that if hydropower were to be permitted,
the City should do it, not a private party. Unclear as to whether or not
City would be able to exercise any controls over. how a private developer
would do things, but opinion was that City would have little or no control
since it's a federal license. (Gorge ordinance, Conservation Overlay Zones,
Site Plan Review probably would not apply.)
Five members (Broberg, Emilian, Farrell, Tripp, Wertis) (we went around
the table on this) are not opposed to having hydropower at Ithaca Falls,
if done right. One member (Darlington) is opposed, but if designation falls
through, would favor the City over a private developer. Two members (Waldron,
Hotchkiss) are ambivalent: wouldn't be too opposed to hydro there except
for serious misgivings about how well it would, in fact, be done. Intentions
and promises on other City projects have sometimes not been fulfilled. Roger
expressed some concerns about City operation, considering its tight budget: could
City tolerate 6 -10 years of negative cash flow; would Common Council try
to squeeze every last dollar out of it? Cathy said that if the City does
it, the flow would be set at 62 cfs. (Private developer might get permission
to have it be only 31 cfs ?)
Underground facility: not enough info, and too expensive to get info!
7. Natural History Network: Wertis will go (Jan. 1 1) for disc. on EarthDay.
S. CAC passed on to Carolyn a resolution asking the City to reserve Stewart
Park for Apr. 22 (Earth Day) and to let organizations use it for free, and
to cover any insurance costs for them.
9. Public meeting re City trash collection plans: Carolyn reported that
Fabbroni thought this was a good idea. She'll follow up as needed.
10. Northside planning meeting: Tripp will attend.
11. BPW meeting on Jan. 10: Broberg, and maybe Tripp, will attend.
12. SEQR: Booth and Darlington have finished their revisions of City ordinance
to incorporate changes in NYS law: Waldron and Emilian will look at this
and call comments to Darlington. Meeting of C &O Jan. 11: Darlington.
13. Use of recycled paper in City Hall: Carolyn will check into this.
14. Tree replacement law: Wertis will write a resolution. Peterson will
see what Site Plan ordinance says on this.
15. Woodstoves: discussion of a possible ordinance controlling use of woodstoves:
tabled until the City has an air testing program to determine if there is,
in fact, a problem with them.
16. Checklist for subdivision and Site Plan EAF's: Darlington will write
one up and send it to P &D as son as Waldron gets more info on structural
IPM. IN
17. Hog Hole designation: Brad Griffin from DEC has written to say they
are moving forward on this.
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 PM.
18. Some good news: Carolyn Peterson and John Johnson will continue to be
our liaisons from Common Council.
19. C &O meeting, Jan. I]: Darlington will go. S EQR changes and smoking ordinance
are on agenda. (City's sm. ord. is weaker than State's in some respects
and must be changed to comply.)
20. Town of Ithaca, with new Supervisor, Shirley Raffensperger: probably
going to start a CAC.
NEXT MEETING: FIRST MONDAY IN FEB. (FEB. 5): 3rd flr. conf. rm. 7:30 PM.
'(-ity Hall will be closed on Feb. 12 and 19).
a
Respectfully submitted, Bara Hotchkiss and Betsy Illington
MINUTES
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Meeting of February 5, 1990
Present: Betsy Darlington (Chair), Cathy Emilian, Roger Farrell (briefly),
Bara Hotchkiss, Judy Jones, Jill Tripp, John Wertis, CC liaison Carolyn
Peterson, BPW liaison Pat Connor
Absent: Waldron, Broberg, CC liaison Johnson
1. Minutes were approved with one change: Stewart Park may be needed for
EarthDay on April 21, not April 22. Apr. 22 is EarthDay, but Cornell is
planning many events on that day, at Cornell. (It's possible that Ithaca
High School will be used on Apr. 21 rather than Stewart Park.) Pat Connor
reported that BPW has approved groups using the pavilions without charge,
and also opening the park early, for the occarion. Note: after the meeting,
Betsy ran into the Mayor who told her that insurance coverage for the various
groups is no problem.
2. We welcomed our new liaison from BPW, Pat Connor.
Our guest, Charles Breckheimer, didn't make it. (Couldn't find room, maybe ?)
3. EarthDay: Bara and John are working on CAC's plans -- stencilling a message
on as many storm sewers as possible, saying something to the effect of,
"This drains into nearest creek," or "This drains into a drinking water
source." We haven't heard yet from Steve Baker as to the wording used in
Olympia. WA. Bara has talked to Bill Gray (City Engineer) about our plans,
and will discuss with Narayan Thadani (Supt. of DPW) what wording to use,
and what equipment DPW could supply. John will attend this week's meeting
(Feb. 8) of the Natural History Network, and will get the CAC's plans included
in their notices. Betsy said she would not be able to help organize things.
4. Building height: John Schroeder gave a brief presentation on his proposal
for limiting building heights on the Commons to 75 (or 70 ?) feet. He showed
drawings of the visual impact of 100 -foot buildings sandwiched in among
the current much lower ones. Possible to balance needs of development with
environmental and aesthetic concerns. Considerable room for development
in the downtown (e.g. along W. State St. and Elmira Rd.) without going to
100 -foot buildings on and near the Commons. Historical character of the
downtown, views of E. and W. Hills -- highly valued by Ithacans, and our "identity"
as a City would be significantly diminished by imposing 100 -foot structures
on the heart of downtown. If Common Council votes to go ahead with his
idea, there will be a public hearing and environmental review.
5. EAF's (when they come in): Cornell library addition -- Roger, Cathy, Betsy;
Building height (if it goes to this) - -John, Bara, Betsy.
6. Trash -tag public meeting: Tue. Feb 13, 8 PM Women's Comm. Bldg. Judy
will attend.
7. Hazardous household waste collection plans: Bara is putting together
the educational program but waiting for approval to move forward. Probably
will be limits on quantities and types of materials to be collected.
8. Festival Lands mowing policy: Pat Connor will ask to have this put on
BPW agenda, and Betsy will write up our suggestions to the Board: No more
than once a year, and after August 1. (Or once every three years.)
9. Hydropower:
Cathy reported that
the
committee voted to wait on making
a decision about
giving up license
until
end of April, to see how designation
of the creek
is proceeding. At
that
time, options will
be reviewed. City
has been asked
to appoint someone
to
work on designation.
Dan Hoffman was
to ask Mayor
to call a meeting
with
all involved parties
(e.g. Dryden and
Town of Ithaca).
10. Northside Park: Betsy reported receiving a request that we co- sponsor
an application for funds to buy Pogo Parcel for a park. Being just an advisory
group, we cannot do this; Betsy will so inform there, and also will suggest
they talk to Leslie Chatterton.
11. Postponed action on a possible resolution concerning tree replacement,
etc. until we hear from Shade Tree Committee as to what they are planning
(on their agenda). Jill will try to attend their meeting, and will also
call Nina Bassuk, to see what they have in mind and how we might help.
12. Smoking ordinance (changes in light of new State law): Bara will attend
C &O meeting on Feb. 13th when this will be discussed.
13. Hudson St.:
Concern among the residents about the loss of the
huge oak
trees in front
of Oak Hill Manor if a
sidewalk is put in there. Certain
people who wanted
a sidewalk don't feel it
is really needed, given the
trade -off
involved. Since
DPW only put in this part
of the project because of
residents'
requests for a
sidewalk, it looks quite
promising that it can be
deleted.
14. Recycled paper in City Hall: Carolyn reported that City Purchasing Agent,
Etta Gray, is working on this, and trying to sort through the rapidly changing
"scene." City Hall is now using recycled paper for scratch pads, envelopes,
paper towels ( ?). Copy paper and computer paper - -not yet. Bara is working
at getting large buyers (e.g. Co. and City) to order together since large
orders make using recycled paper more economically feasible.
15. Cathy has gone through the SEAR revisions and given her comments to
Betsy who will give them to Carolyn;. When Keith Waldron is back in town,
Betsy will see if he's had a chance to go over it yet.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
IMPORTANT MEETING ON SOURCE REDUCTION: Monday, Feb. 26, 7 PM, Women's
Community Building
Next CAC Meeting: Monday, March 12, 7:30 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Emilian and Betsy Darlington
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
MINUTES
MARCH 12, 1990
PRESENT: Betsy Darlington (Chair), Cathy Emilian, Roger Farrell,
Judy Jones, Bara Hotchkiss, Jill Tripp, John Wertis,
Eric Broberg, John Johnson (CC Liaison), Pat Connor
(BPW Liaison), Naryan Thadani (DPW Superintendent)
ABSENT: Waldron, Peterson (CC Liaison)
1. Introductions and discussions of the duties of the CAC. The
minutes were approved unanimously.
2. A mowing policy for the Festival Lands has been formulated.
the DPW will work out City property boundaries and the State
Parks Dept. will mow only on State land.
3. Jill Tripp reported that the Ithaca School District is now
recycling office paper. The school cafeterias are looking
into recycling single service styrofoam containers and
trays. The district maintenance offices have started
mulching brush and tree trimmings as well.
4. Jill Tripp also reported that the Shade Tree Advisory
Committee is looking into incentives for developers not to
cut down trees and possible restitution for cut down trees.
5. Earth Day will be celebrated on April 22, 1990 and the CAC
is participating by having an informational table on the
Commons and sponsoring a storm drain stencilling project.
The DPW has prepared a list of catch basins that are
continually being polluted and those drains will be
concentrated on. A final design and wording will be
completed as soon as possible. The DPW has graciously
agreed to provide paint, paint brushes and stencils for the
project which will involve students from three City schools.
6. A letter to Wegmans concerning their promotion of plastic
bags vs. paper bags will be drafted.
7. The trees on Hudson Street will most likely be saved. The
DPW has received considerable public input on this aspect of
of the project. The Elm Street repaving project has also
been delayed.
THE NEXT CAC MEETING IS MONDAY, APRIL 9, 1990 AT 7:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Eric Broberg
MINUTES
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Meeting of April 9, 1990
Present: Eric. Broberg, Betsy Darlington (Chair), Bara Hotchkiss, Roger Farrell,
Judy Jones, Jill Tripp, Keith Waldron; CC Liasions: Carolyn Peterson and
John Johnson; BPW Liaison: Pat Connor
Absent: Emilian, Wertis
1. Minutes of Mar. 12 meeting were approved with following corrections:
a. #2 (second sentence) should read: The DPW will work out lawn -field
boundaries and direct the Finger Lakes State Parks staff that mowing of the
field area shall be no more than once a year, this mowing to be between July
15 and Sept. 1.
b. #6: Wegmans and the newspapers. (Add underlined words.)
2. Pat Connor will ask DPW if the Festival Lards mowing map has been finished
and sent to FLSP, along with BPW's directive regarding number and timing
of mowings. (Larry Fabbroni was working on this just before resigning from
DPW.)
3. Earth Day: table on Commons, 11 -4PM on Fri., April 19. Will use Judy's
table and Eric's samples of toxic stuff not to dump down drains. Jill will
see if Co -op Ext. has handouts listing toxics -- paint, oil, etc. or will prepare
a short handout for people. Betsy will coordinate with John W. re a press
release on our storm drain stencilling - -if possible, with a reporter visiting
a class while they're doing the work. Table will be staffed as follows:
11-1: Johnson; 12:30 -2: Waldron; 1 -3: Broberg; 3 -4: Tripp, with Connor and
Wertis ( ?) as floaters. Tripp and Johnson will coordinate rounding up materials.
(Note: a possible handout about CAC is attached. Please call Betsy with sug-
gestions for improvement.)
Stencilling by fifth - graders will be done after Earth Day. CAC will schedule
a field trip so we can paint more drains, esp. in areas identified by DPW
as perennial trouble spots.
4. Hudson St. update: residents have agreed to a compromise: 30 feet wide
at bottom, less extreme curve - straightening, etc.
5. Fall Creek Designation update: passed CC 8 -2. Includes Stewart Park,
but not the Golf Course.
6. Pogo Parcel update: City making an offer to buy it, for a park and affordable
housing.
6. Air quality problems: Complaints from the public. Winter road sanding
part of the problem. Could DPW clean streets a few times during the winter?
Haze of dust in the air along major streets. Pat will look into status of
our recommendation to CC re air quality testing. (CC referred it to BPW,
P &D, and C &O. Peterson and we agreed that C &O didn't seem to be a good committee
to send it to since no legislation is involved.)
Carolyn will look into possible legislation re vehicle idling. (Note:
Betsy has since learned that there is a State code regulating idling of diesel -
fueled vehicles. Carolyn will ask City Attorney about this.)
Right -on -red: Pat will ask Joe Daley if this is included in the traffic
study he is in charge of.
7. Pat reported from BPW that a fifth lane may be added to Meadow St. from
Maguire Ford, south, for turning.
8. We asked Carolyn to renew our request that our EQR ord. state that actions
that fit Type I criteria must be considered discretionary actions, and may
not be treated as ministerial.
9. We should let Pat know if we have ideas about the Parks Commission before
the interim commission's year is up.
10. Keith will write a letter to Ithaca Farmers' Market suggesting they set
up boxes for people to return bags and egg boxes, for use by vendors.
11. "Glossies" protest: Bara will call Betsy and Roger with info as to when
this will be. Betsy will call Jill, Pat and Eric; Roger will call Cathy
and John J.; Jill call Keith; Eric call Judy; John J call John W. and Carolyn.
12. Pat will find out what new structure on Golf Course is.
13. Betsy will write to DPW and Gary Lindenbaum (City Schools) re use of
pesticides. Draft will be circulated for comments; then she'll send it.
(Note: enclosed with these minutes.)
14. Keith reported that Cornell has finally started using IPM (Integrated
Pest Management). One person has been hired and another will be soon.
He also reported that, although the pesticide notification law was overturned
notification does still apply to lawn care. There are also some provisions
which apply to farmers, but they aren't detailed out.
Respectfully submitted,
Bara Hotchkiss and Betsy Darlington
Next meeting: Monday, May 14, 7:30 PM
MINUTES
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Meeting of May 14, 1990
Present: Eric Broberg, Betsy Darlington (Chair), Bara Hotchkis, Roger
Farrell, Judy Jones, John Wertis; CC liaison John Johnson
Absent: Cathy Emilian, Jill Tripp, Keith Waldron; liaisons Carolyn Peterson
and Pat Connor
1. Minutes for April were approved without change.
2. City's pesticide application practices: DPW sent Betsy the list
for 1989. Judy suggested sending this to Norm Hummel, IPM coordinator,
for advice on IPM for golf courses and other turf areas.
3. The Chairs of the three area CAC's and the EN1C are meeting soon
to discuss mutual concerns.
4. CAC and Interim Parks Commission want to have a meeting, with as
many from Common Council as can come, to discuss protecting the City's
waterways (and in particular, the green areas adjacent to them). Three
dates (June 11, 18, 21) picked to choose from - -Betsy will set this up.
5. Request from a member of Unitarian Church for ideas of "environmental
good deeds" her group could do. Betsy gave her some ideas and will call
with info that recycling center needs attendants.
6. Write to Marty Luster and Jim Seward if you oppose legislation
that would permit billboards along interstates.
7. Betsy read a nice letter of thanks from Beth Mulholland.
8. Note from Carol Reeves saying BPW never rec'd word from P &D or
C &O re air quality testing. Also said there's no money in budget.
9. Letter of thanks from Don Culligan for CAC's help with Hudson St.
10. John Wertis reported on 5th graders' storm drain stencilling.
Fall Creek will do it on May 22 at 12:45.
H. Discussion of EAF for subdivision along Flood Control Channel,
on Floral Ave. - -Wm. Benson's proposal. (See separate memo for recommendations.)
CAC's Conservation Overlay Zoning would have prevented this. Need to
get that back on track.
12. Summer commendation to fifth graders at Fall Creek, Belle Sherman,
and South Hill for their drain stencilling. Betsy will draft a press
release and letter of thanks to the papers for DPW's and the kids' help.
John W. will review these first, and also ask Ashley Miller about certificates.
13. Betsy went through Barbara Blanchard's proposal for planning the
Elm St. reconstruction. Approval for her ideas about CAC involvement.
14. Dennis Osika and Cliff Duda are doing IPM for Cornell Campus.
15. Alienation of 4 parcels on Inlet Island: brief discussion of the
two pieces that aren't involved with Rt. 89 construction. Concensus that
City needs to do more to protect land along waterways. (Hence meeting
with Interim Parks Commission.) Conservation Overlay Zoning needed!!
Respectfully submitted,
Bara Hotchkiss and Betsy Darlington
MINUTES
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Meeting of June 11, 1990
Present:
CAC:Eric Broberg, Betsy Darlington (Chair), Cathy Emilian, Judy Jones,
Jill Tripp, Keith Waldron, John Wertis, Carolyn Peterson (CC liaison),
Pat Connor (BPW liaison).(A��,,- : ",LV,,, , A-) Tod kso — L%,-so�)
IPC: Dan Schmohe, Barbara Ebert, Nelson Hairston, LeMoyne Farrell,
Sally Grubb, Vicky Rornanoff (Chair), Dave Nutter
Also: Barbara Blanchard, Steve DeGraff, Doria Higgins, Dan Hoffman,
Sarah Adams, Beth Mulholland, Jon Meigs, Doug Foster, WTKO, WHCU
1. Most of the meeting was a joint discussion with Interim Parks
Commission on the alienation of parkland parcels on Inlet Island. Our
two groups were asked by Common Council to give our comments. Alderperson
Barbara Blanchard, speaking for herself and Alderperson Bob Romanowski,
gave a lengthy presentation on the history of Inlet Island and on the
need for alienation at this time. She said it is Common Council policy
for Inlet Island to be commercial, not parkland. She feels there has
been enough public discussion.
Some discussion followed as to whether or not alienation would remove
all parkland designation or just in terms of NYS and Fed. gov't. restric-
tions. No one seemed to have a clear answer to this.
Doria Higgins (representing Citizens to Save Our Parks) said she thought
it wouldn't be parkland once it's alienated but City could redesignate
it as local parkland. She was concerned about the lack of proper process,
that 2 & 4 should be separated from 1 & 3, that citizens need to know
what City would do with the land before it is alienated, and that CAC
and IPC haven't been given adequate info.
Steve DeGraff frorn Ithaca Boating Center told us no one has been able
to find legal proof that federal funds were in fact used to buy parcel
4- -maybe not even parkland. It would be costly for the City to develop
#4 as parkland. It's very valuable to their business. They and other
businesses in the vicinity want only small scale, attractive development
of I.I., with mixture of public parkland, not some overblown plan such
as Trowbridge proposed several years ago. His mother has drawn a possible
plan, and Steve invited anyone to cone down and look at it. They want
to be involved in any development plans for the Island. They used to
pay rent to the City for use of 1/4- -$350 a month, he thought - -but since
being told two years ago to vacate, they haven't paid anything.
Others, both on the committees and not, then made various comments;
e.g.: urban parkland and open space are valuable to the City. Shouldn't
alienate until replacement land has been identified, made sure it's
of equivalent value and that City will buy it. Can't assume we'll get
appropriate mix of uses on I.I. Parkland there could be in a different
configuration. Important to preserve waterfront amenities. We need
to be able to better visualize highway crossing. Must get true market
value; very valuable land. Need to know direction of land use for A.
Need for more communication with I.I. business people. Need for clear
identification of parcel 2 and uses for A. Bikeway would only be replacement
for #1 & 3. Someone said Thys Van Cort said he hoped we wouldn't need
more replacement land for #2 & 4. Plan first, determine value and replace-
ment lands, before alienating. No point in doing env. review of alienation
until there's a plan and substitute lands determined.
Unanimous approval for resolution:
a. making no comment re # 1 & 3 - -this being out of our hands and
being taken care of in a legitimate way and with due process;
b. recommending C.C. separate #2 & 4 from alienation process,
and wait on these until it has a clear plan for their use, has identified
substitute land, determined the true market value, and has done environmental
review.
2. Minutes from May were approved unan.
3. Report on stencilling project in the schools: Sohn Wertis is
taking care of press release, getting certificates from Ashley and getting
these to the classes.
4. Discussed Cornell's (Hummel) recommendations on use of pesticides
on City Golf Course. Pat Connor and Betsy will talk further about where
to go with this. Keith said some cities are saving $30,000 a year by
using IPM instead of the more hit -or -miss approach to pesticide use.
5. Brief discussion of addition of open picnic shelter to City Golf
Club building. No problems with this.
6. Betsy reported that City's SEAR revision is now ready for review.
7. BPW's (and CAC's) mowing policy for Festival Lands has now been
sent to FLSP. Dan Schmohe and Betsy walked the site and decided on
location for a tree to be planted to guide mowers (so lawn won't be
enlarged).
8. Off - street parking EAF (removal of requirement that landlords
provide free parking to tenants): should be per car. ( ?) Eric will
look EAF over and call Betsy with comments. (Bara already has.)
9. Discussed EAF for Martin King's proposal to build a house and
meditation house next to Fall Creek near Ithaca Falls. Everyone agreed
a positive declaration would be appropriate. See EAF report on this.
MINUTES
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Meeting of July 9, 1990
Present: Eric Broberg, Betsy Darlington (Chair), Cathy Emilian, Roger
Farrell, Bara Hotchkiss, Judy Jones, Jill Tripp, Keith Waldron, John Wertis;
Liaisons: Pat Connor (BPW ), Carolyn Peterson (CC)
Absent: CC liaison John Johnson
Guests: Peter Weed (P &D), Barbara Blanchard (CC), Doria Higgins, Jim
Houghton, Joe Daley, John Schroeder (CC), Kristin Graham (WHCU)
1. Minutes approved unan.
2. Cathy Emilian volunteered to take notes.
3. CAC's reviews of environmental reviews -- discussion: Barbara Blanchard: -
a planning person; a "built environment" person; has interest in environmental
issues and works in this area (writes DEIS's, e.g. the one for Sun Downs
Farm); expressed her concern that we (and the City) are not using S EQR,
Site Plan Review, etc. the way they're supposed to be used but to "keep
things from happening." She felt that we will do anything that needs
to be done to stop something. Gave example of Sun Downs Farm in Village
of Lansing. Felt we should take into account financial impacts for developers
and the City.
Members' response: whatever may be happening outside the City is not
CAC's concern; asked for examples in the City; we act quickly; we do
not try to stall projects; we're only group in City charged exclusively
with looking at potential envir. inripacts- -not our role to integrate financial
situations of applicants into our comments; we're purely advisory; we
try hard to identify potential environmental problems so these can be
addressed early in the planning stages rather than after a project has
been completed and mistakes made; it's for Lead Agencies to look at all
aspects of a project, taking our comments just as one source of info.
Peter Weed said he makes himself available to developer at a very early
stage, and S EQR is a useful planning tool. On those rare occasions when
CAC has recommended a positive declaration, it's been a good way of getting
the developer's attention re potential environmental impacts.
3. Smoking ordinance: quite a few small restaurants and bar - restaurant
combos aren't complying. What should be done? Betsy will talk to City
Attorney, Fire Dept., and Bldg. Dept.
4. Storm drain stencilling: Meet at John Wertis's house (111 or 106
W. York - -he's moving from 111 to 106) at 5:30 PM on Mon. July 30 to do
drains DPW says are an especially big problem. Is it possible to have
the drains marked when they're being made ??
John Wertis will get list of target drains from DPW.
Volunteers: Judy, Cathy, (Roger ?), Bara, John W., Eric, Joe Daley, Jim
Houghton, Doria Higgins, (John S. ?)
5. New parking garage for downtown: Joe Daley, Jim Houghton, John
Schroeder: 600 cars; parking committee recommended a block along West
State St. (consultant rec. Woolworth's lot). Better to have one garage
than lots of surface lots. Important to keep business healthy in the
downtown. Competition from suburban malls a growing problem. Ground floor
could be used for commercial space.
Eric: mass transit and park -& -ride should be important part of the plan.
Discussion of need to promote /improve public transportation.
(Green St. garage - -450 spaces, Seneca- -700, C'town- -200)
6. Fall Creek designation: who should administer it? (P &D Bd. or BZA)
No recommendation from CAC because we haven't hear the pros and cons on
each side. (Note: CC voted to have P &D administer it.)
7. Alienation of Inlet Is. parklands: John
favor of moving ahead now): We're currently
procedure as a way to get a plan for Island;
bike path along Inlet; alienation could begin while
alienation is years away; susbtit. lands is required.
Doria Higgins: plan and ident. of substitute
alien. process starts.
Schroeder (why maybe in
wasting the land; use the
a way to expedite getting
a plan is being developed;
lands should occur before
8. New bike path right next to Cascadilla Creek, from new foot bridge
to Farmers' Market, was built without any environmental review. Dirt
piled up at bases of many trees. Loose dirt next to path, on steep slope
leading to the water. Log supports for the fill for the path - -what will
happen when these rot? Many bare areas on steep slopes. Betsy talked to
City Forester, Dan Schmohe, who said he'd go take a look. Betsy hasn't
heard if the loose dirt has been taken care or the banks planted to prevent
erosion. Carolyn will talk to Narayan and report back to Betsy.
-- -Cathy Emilian and Betsy Darlington
MINUTES
Conservation Advisory Council
Meeting of August 13, 1990
Present: Betsy Darlington, Cathy Emilian, Roger Farrell, Bara Hotchkiss,
Keith Waldron, John Wertis;
CC Liaison: John Johnson; DPW liaison: Chuck Baker
Guests: Barbara Blanchard
Absent: Judy Jones, Jill tripp, Eric Broberg;
Liaisons: CC-- Carolyn Peterson, BPW - -Pat Connor
1. Keith agreed to take minutes.
2. Liaisons: We now have a liaison from DPW: Chuck Baker, Plant Operator
for the Water Treatment Plant. Also, the following have volunteered to
be members of, or liaisons to, the following committees:
Shade Tree: Cathy Emilian Mass Transit: Cathy Emilian
Parking Garage: Eric Broberg Inlet Island: John Wertis
3. Brief discussion of a possible idling ordinance. Still no info from
City Atty. re state law on idling of diesel - fueled vehicles. C &O Committee
is looking into this, too. NY City has a 3- minute - maximum - idling law.
Blanchard said they had to do this as part of effort to meet air quality
standards -- Federal funds tied to compliance. How would Ithaca enforce
an ordinance, given the shortness of staff and money? If there's a state
law, some public education would help so people know they can call to
complain of trucks idling for hours outside their windows. Maybe Health
Dept. could be brought in to enforce it, since it's a State law.
4. Smoking ordinance: problem with noncompliance in small restaurants
and restaurant /bar combinations. City Atty. handles complaints by sending
up to 3 letters, the first being mildly worded, the next stronger, the
3rd strongest. Decided we should send out a press release to inform people
about what the law says and what to do if they have a complaint. Fire
Dept. and Bldg. Dept. do not do inspections for compliance. Bldg. Dept.
would only be involved with compliance when there's new construction.
(Note: Betsy and Carolyn plan to work up a handout to send to all restau-
rants.)
5. Golf Course pesticides: Blanchard said Steve Torrent (sp ?) is manager
and he gets advise from Marty Petrovic at Cornell. John Johnson is going
to call Petrovic and ask if he and Norman Hummel (who wrote to CAC) are
working together on this, and also to check on appropriateness of the
pesticide applications being made.
6. Jahn Wertis agreed to chair the Sept. 10th meeting since Betsy will
be absent.
7. No meeting in October since City Hall will be closed on our meeting
date.
8. Property for sale on Giles St.: 2.02 ac.; $50k; steep - sloped access
from Giles; connects to rr bed near Crescent Pl.; not in City watershed.
Should CAC. consider supporting City purchase of this piece? If sold for
a single - family house, it wouldn't come under site plan review. Piece
appears to be pretty inaccessible, given the steep slope. John Johnson
will talk to Bill Gray re feasibility of developing this (and other) steep
slopes, and also ask if City will grant a bldg. permit if access is available,
even if very steep.
City needs to look at some type of review process for similar properties
with steep slopes -- something along the lines of conservation overlay zoning.
Similar problems above Spencer Rd., Linn and University, and on lower
West Hill.
9. Conservation Overlay Zones: on hold in Planning Dept. because of staff
shortages. (Paul Mazzarella moved to INHS.) For large projects, site
plan review can protect sensitive areas to some degree, but nothing to
protect these areas from small -scale (but potentially damaging) projects
(such as in 1!8).
10. Betsy relayed report from Jill Tripp re Downtown Visions Task Force.
So far, they've been getting organized. She's on the Land Use and Open
Space subcommittee.
11. NYC sent City info on an environmental charter proposal. Discussed
whether we should recommend that the City adopt such a thing. John Wertis
is going to look through the material sent to us. Concensus was that
this would be merely a symbolic gesture with no real meaning, and a lot
of time could be wasted discussing the provisions in it - -time better spent
doing all those good things.
12. New bike path along Cascadilla Cr., behind WWTP: Pat Connor relayed
the info to Betsy that, as of two weeks ago, the bridge still was not
accessible to wheelchairs. John W. reported it now is. (Note from Betsy:
but they'd have a very tough time on the large pieces of stone on the
trail. Small crushed stone, packed down hard might have been a better
choice ?)
No EAF was done for the new path. Blanchard reported (confirming what
others had told us) that it was discussed at BPW and the feeling was it
would be too much of a bother and a delay to do an EAF; that they can't
do an EAF for every little project. Question of what threshold DPW -BPW
should use in deciding if EAF was needed.
Concensus was that City construction should be exemplary - -both in complying
with S EQR. and in the way it's actually done. This job should have had
an EAF done (Note: an Unlisted Action), it would not have delayed things,
and could have resulted in a better job being done.
Someone recalled that even the Hudson St. project would not have had
an EAF done if, at the last minute, they hadn't been asked to do one.
Betsy, Carolyn, and John Wertis (if he can) will go to BPW to discuss
the problem.
Blanchard reported that the Capital Projects Review Group will be lookng
at the process of Public Works Projects Development.
13. Cathy suggested that any EAF's we review for which we suggest a neg.
dec., with no comments, just be reported on at the next meeting, and not
given to CAC members in writing. (This will save trees for all of us and
work for Betsy.)
14. Northside Park: decided to send a letter to Common Council giving
our unanimous support to use of part of Pogo Parcel and some of Lake Ave.
(as described in CC's Aug. 1 resolution) for a park. City will apply
for EQBA funds.
Blanchard reported that a solution to P &C's access problems (if Lake
Ave. were closed) seems to be on the way - -maybe with a permanent easement
on Adams St.
15. July Minutes approved unan.
16. Stencilling update: group did about 45 storm drains. Many more to
do. John Wertis will get the three kits to Betsy and Bara to do some in
their neighborhoods. Then these will be distributed to others. Keith
offered to help when he's in town.
17. Meeting adjourned at 9:25 PM.
Conservation Advisory Council
Meeting of Sept. 10, 1990
Present: Eric Broberg, Judy Jones, Jill Tripp, John Wertis, Keith Waldron,
Cathy Emilian;
Liaisons: John Johnson, Carolyn Peterson (CC); Chuck Baker (DPW); Pat
Connor (BPW); Dan Schmohe (IPC)
Guests: Barbara Blanchard (CC), Bill Gray (DPW)
Absent: Darlington, Hotchkiss
1. Dan Schmohe, City forester, and liaison from Interim Parks Commission, is
looking for ideas on what permanent PC will do. They need input on what
they'll deal with, how much power they'll have, what defines a park, etc.
The charter will have to be pulled together by the end of the year. CAC
members will be sent a draft of IPC's charter and method of operation, to
comment on before Sept. 20th. (Note: latter was received but not former.)
2. Minutes approved unanimously.
3. Southwest Park discussion tabled upon learning views of Common Council
members present (i.e., idea of using for consolidated DPW seems to have been
dropped).
4. John Johnson and Barbara Blanchard discussed IPM with regard to City
Golf Course. Norm Hummel of Cornell was mentioned as resource, to ask for
advice on IPM for small 9 -hole golf course.
5. Carolyn Peterson had no new info on idling legislation. (Note: Guttman
has now supplied copy of state regs.: diesel - fueled vehicles can't idle for
more than 5 minutes, with a variety of exceptions.)
6. Peterson had no new updates on smoking ordinance.
7. Bill Gray, City Engineer, gave us the slope concerns that City engineering
dept. looks at for development on steep slopes: they mostly look just at
access to projects and not the feasibility of building on steep slopes. He felt
development on steep slopes could be managed by zoning.
8. Peterson mentioned that there has been some confusion between BPW and
CAC. More communication is needed. Barbara Blanchard suggested that
environmental reviews start after budget comes out for fiscal year.
9. Reports from liaisons:
Pat Connor (BPW): talked about neighborhood concerns over speed limits on
Rte. 13 at Dey St. exit. Maybe speed limit will be lowered between City line
and Dey St. traffic light.
Jill Tripp (Downtown Visions -- planning subcomm.): talked about business
people wanting to promote natural surroundings of Ithaca.
Cathy Emilian (Shade Tree): talked about pending changes in Shade Tree
Ordinance. Nothing is set yet for changes in the ordinance.
Submitted by Eric Broberg
(with "notes" from Darlington)
MINUTES
Conservation Advisory Council
Meeting of October 1, 1990
Present: Eric Broberg, Betsy Darlington (Chair), Cathy Emilian, Roger Farrell,
Bara Hotchkiss, Judy Jones, Jill Tripp, Keith Waldron, John Wertis.
Liaison: Pat Connor (BPW)
Guest: Mayor Ben Nichols
Absent: Members- -none. Liaisons -- Johnson (until last 5 min.), Peterson, Schmohe
(IPC), Baker (DPW)
1. Minutes were aproved unan. Bara agreed to take minutes.
2. Pat will ask Barbara Blanchard to ask BPW to start EAF's on projects when
the new budget comes out each year (as Blanchard proposed last month).
3. Discussed Interim Parks Commission's charter and method of operation:
a. Relat. with 6 -Mi. Cr. Comm., Circle Greenway, etc.
b. Will ask them about their idea of having jurisdiction over street
R.O.W.'s, cemeteries and other private areas.
C. Relationship to CAC: agreed it should be the same as our reldt. with
various other City bodies - -i.e. advice and oversight
4. Discussed Conrail's serni- annual pesticide spraying along their R.O.W. Esp.
problematic next to and over waterways. Jill will call DEC (Reginald Louey) for
more info. Bara will call a friend who successfully fought such spraying by
Conrail in Mass. town.
5. Mayor Ben Nichols: Rabid raccoons: one found in nearby county; presence in
Ithaca is inevitable, probably within a year. County Health Dept. (S. Stopen)
wants City to come up with a policy /program to address the problem. Co. is
having free inocul. clinics. For ideas: Judy will call Milo Richmond in Natural
Resources (Cornell), Eric will talk to Frank Chase at Health Dept., Pat will call
a vet. friend in Pa. for info, and Cathy gave us a name for it all: Evac- a -rac!
Bated vaccine doesn't work well, apparently. What about catching and
vaccinating them? Gordon Gabarese (nuisance hotline) might know.
6. Brainstorming (where are we and where are we headed ?): Jill led discussion:
We should be more "proactive." Too much of what we do is reactive. General
agreement with this assessment. Ideas thrown out to work on: * packaging
ordinance; * conservation overlay zones (was on Pl. Dept. work plan for 1990
but got bumped to 1991); * vapor recovery nozzles on gas pumps; * toxics audit
(Emergency Response Comrnittee- -Jack Miller - -might help)(Ei/1C is doing one on
buried tanks - -Roger will check where this is now); * amt. of lead piping left in
City water mains; * procedural recommendations for emergency responses;
* promote public access to waterways; * push bike paths; * better signage and
enforcement for non - biking areas (e.g. 6 -Mi. Cr.- -write letters to paper about
this, following recent photo in IJ); * survey of local green spaces; tax on
student -owned cars; * how does DPW handle various environmental matters, and
do we have any suggestions ?; * old City durnp -- what's in it ?; * air quality - -for
example, NOX's, CO, and particulates should be tested (ozone apparently ok! --
BTI testing this summer)
7. Idling ordinance: at C &O now. Will ask them to include all motor vehicles,
not just diesel - fueled trucks and buses. Public education needed. Cost to
consumer of leaving veh. idling would be helpful info to have. Bara will ask Bob
Amundson how much CO is emitted per min., on the average. Betsy will call
Carolyn, and also Jim Houghton (for a consery -a -tip on idling). State law says
diesel veh, may not idle for over 5 min., with some exceptions.
8. Discussion of Draft Resolution re construction on slopes. Eric reported that
County Health Dept. is about to restrict construction if over 15% slope (if
septic system). Eric will draft a new resolution.
9. Brief discussion of report from someone about pesticide use at Six -Mile
Creek Vineyard, with drifting to Reservoir.
10. Pat reported on consolidated trans. facil. idea and on Linden Ave. gasoline
tank removal by City.
11. Cathy -- transp. comm. report: Ithaca is said to have excellent transit system
for City this size. Incentives to ride bus: Cornell has a pilot project going.
Eric -- parking comm. report: downtown needs 200 more spaces.( ?)
Jill and John -- nothing to report
Submitted by Bara Hotchkiss and Betsy Darlington
MINUTES
Conservation Advisory Council
Meeting of Nov. 5, 1990
Present: Eric Broberg, Betsy Darlington (Chair), Cathy Emilian, Roger
Farrell, Judy Jones, Jill Tripp, John Wertis
Liaisons: Peterson, Johnson, Connor
Guest: Blanchard
Absent: Hotchkiss, Waldron
1. Oct. minutes were approved unanimously.
2. Rt. 13: DOT's proposals for changes. We discussed comments on these to
send to Common Council, with Darlington being charged with writing them up,
circulating the draft to members for comments, then sending it on to Council.
Topics covered: safety, traffic speed, wetlands, proposed bikeway, appearance
of entrance to City, construction practices along waterways.
3. Fall commendation: Ithaca Farmers' Market. Cathy Emilian will make
presentation to them at their Annual Meeting on Nov. 8.
4. CAC structure: agreed (6 in favor, 1 abstention) to have an EAF
subcommittee that would stay the same for 3 months, then rotate, starting in
January. At that time, the committee will be Roger Farrell, Judy Jones
(convener), and John Wertis. After a couple of rotations, we'll evaluate the
new system and decide whether or not to continue with it. Whoever is serving
on the subcom. would not feel obliged to participate in other CAC projects.
5. Conrail spraying discussion: deferred to Dec.
6. Evac- a -rac.: Judy Jones passed out a draft memo for Mayor Nichols, and
reported on her calls to various experts on raccoon rabies. She'll make a few
changes in the draft and will send this to him and Darlington. (Note: done,
and sent to Common Council, the Mayor, Police Chief and maybe some others.)
Only one person in County deals with problem raccoons. Discussed training
police in how to deal with them. Recommend a "rapid response system."
7. Construction on steep slopes: Discussion deferred to Dec. (Broberg)
8. Paint removals (air pollution problems with power sanding of house
exteriors): Judy Jones will look into what Mass. is doing. John Johnson will
report from C &O. Will discuss in Dec.
9. Project for us to work on: Buried tanks are being looked into by the EMC,
so we decided not to duplicate. We'll work on pushing for walkway from IFM
past DOT to Cass Park. John Wertis will talk to Beth Mulholland and DOT.
Will discuss at Dec. meeting.
10. Liaison reports: Wertis reported that consensus of the Inlet Island
Committee is to have a mixture of public and business uses there; possibly
extend park to tip of island. Pat Connor reported from BPW on Elmira Rd.
sidewalk issue. (Merchants and that ward's alderpersons oppose putting in
sidewalks.)
11. Jan. we'll nominate people for Chair.
Submitted by Cathy Emilian and Betsy Darlington
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
MINUTES FOR DECEMBER 10, 1990
PRESENT: Bara Hotchkiss, John Wertis, Roger Farrell, Eric Broberg, Betsy
Darlington (Chair), Keith Waldron, Cathy Emilian, Judy Jones;
Liaisons Carolyn Peterson (CC), Pat Connor (BPW); Guests Barbara
Blanchard, Lew Durland
ABSENT: Jill Tripp; Liaisons John Johnson and Carolyn Peterson
1. Nov. Minutes were approved unanimously.
Bara Hotchkiss agreed to take minutes.
2. Cathy reported from Shade Tree Advisory Committee on negotiations
re tree protection legislation and citizen pruners group; and, with Pat,
from Public Transit Committee: short -range and long -range plans are
in the works; coordination and rescheduling of the many buses going from
downtown to Cornell could create a shuttle -like system.
3. Pat: Joint transportation committee is moving along; starting to review
design proposals - -70 % of design must be submitted by July to qualify for grant
money.
4. Lew Durland, Coordinator of City Energy Commission: Focus mainly on
City buildings. Trouble getting very far because of cost of upgrades. Work
with NYSEG to switch street lights to energy- efficient ones (high- pressure
sodium): can save City $20,000 a year. NYSEG will make change (for free)
over 4 years. Getting grants to do energy studies on City bldgs. Have done 8
so far. (NYS Energy Reduction Authority). NYSEG will do quick walk -
throughs, detailed studies or full -blown energy studies. State will fund 50% of
any projects. They got the City to pass the ordinance re storm windows and
efficient furnaces a few years ago. Also interested in transportation issue.
Alternative fuels (e.g. natural gas) are being explored in other communities.
Also hydrogen fuel.)
5. Power sandingof old houses - -Judy: HUD projectsare the only ones that
are regulated (HUD bans machine grinding and propane melting). At least 3
employees of one local business have had some serious lead - poisoning problems.
Model regs. exist and could be adopted by City. Propane torch should never be
used: vaporizes the material. And machine sanding also shouldn't be used. The
dust is inhaled and gets into the soil and onto carpets (tracked in on feet).
Exterior paints still contain lead. Also mercury. City should regulate paint
jobs in rental housing (interior and exterior) and all exterior removals.
Infrared or coil heat removal is recommended by model regs; also chemical
removal or scraping - -but these, too, have problems. Scraping is only ok if
tarps are used to collect the debris. Children are especially vulnerable to lead
poisoning - -nerve development problems, e.g. Regs. should require notification
of neighbors and residents. Judy will get more info to Carolyn to take to
Charter and Ordinance (C &O).
6. Buried tank study - -Roger (report from EMC): Report will be out in a
couple of weeks. Estimating the # of tanks over 1 100 gals. capacity. Looked
in ole Yellow Pages to determine probable locations. (Back to 19201s)
7. Raw sewage problem on So. Cayuga St.-- Betsy: big problem with raw
sewage coming out of street and into someone's basement. DPW is trying to
determine the cause. (Note: system throughout the City is old, and we could
see more such problems if it isn't upgraded.) Emerson Power's plans to treat
polluted groundwater, then discharge it into storm sewer, was discussed- -would
this overload the systern and cause even more cross -over problems? (Note: Bill
Gray says that if problems are worsened by their plan, it would be helpful
because it would help them pinpoint where the trouble is.)
8. Walkway around IFM - -John W.: he'll bring back suggestions and a draft
resolution at next mtg.
9. Proposed resolution requiring site -plan review for any construction
proposed on slopes over 15% in grade: approved unanimously. Carolyn will take
to C &O.
10. Conrail pesticide spraying - -Kara, Keith: Mass. successfully negotiated
with Contrail and utilities. Conrail's responsible for 24' -wide area on each side
of tracks. Keith talked with Frank DelVilbriss, Conrail rep. in Phila. They treat
area for safety reasons. Check the rails 1 -2 times a week for perennial weeds
and grasses. Maintenance can affect rail bed. Mowers can throw rocks, a
hazard. But in some places mechanical cutting can be done - -but IOX more
expensive than herbicides. There are models for IPM under utilities that might
apply for parts of r.r. bed. No IPM regime for r.r.'s. He's interested in learning
more about IPM. If we want to recommend sensitive areas (in the off - ballast
portion) for them to treat without pesticides, we can do that. (They have to use
herbicides in the "in- ballast" area.) He'd be willing to come walk the area with
us. ( ?) They spray every 2 -3 years. Don't spray within 10 feet of water or at
bridges.
We can come up with a list -- perhaps with EMC. Groundwater,
waterways, special habitats, crops, aesthetic areas, residential areas can all
be considered. Community Gardens and Fuertes Sanctuary are two likely
candidates for a list. We should schedule afield trip in the spring. Keith will
call Mark Walker and let him know what's happening (he was the one who
brought the matter to our attention).
Meeting was adjourned sometimeorother.
- -Bara Hotchkiss and Betsy Darlington