HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CAC-1989t
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
MINUTES
January 9th, 19$9
PRESENT: (9) Eric Broberg, Betsy Darlington, Cathy Emilian, Roger Farrell,
Barbara Hotchkiss, Judith Jones, Jill Tripp, John Wertis, Keith
Waldron
LIAISONs: (3) Joe Daley, Carolyn Peterson
ABSENT: Gary Braun and John Johnson were both out -of -town.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM by Betsy Darlington, Chairperson.
*Last month's notes were revised and approved, and additions were made to
the agenda.
*Discussion of a letter to Beth Mulholland, Chair of Circle Greenway.
• John Wertis asked about the designation of the walkway area below
Columbia St. walking bridge...it is not designated as part of the Wildflower
Preserve.
*Discussion re: meeting on Sunday, Jan. 14th, to review CAC's 1988 progress,
and plan CAC's continued progress in 1989 (and have fun, of course)!
Decision was made to pow -wow at Betsy's cabin.
*Discussion re: out -of -city members. Questions about the legality of
encouraging conserva -types from outside Ithaca's limits to join CAC. If CAC
cannot legally allow non - Ithaca members, what other options exist for
involvement, titles, etc. of interested persons? It was pointed out that CAC
has a need for someone with expertise in groundwater, and many
groundwater 'experts' known to CAC folks are non -city residents. It was
suggested that the youth member requirement for be made 'allowable',
rather than mandatory..Betsy is going to ask Ralph Nash and Dick Booth
about all of this ... stay tuned!
• Joe Daley reported, on behalf of the BPW, that:
1) Jack Dougherty told him that trash is being dumped on newly acquired
city property on Coddington Rd, eg., on the pond bank, potentially causing
reservoir pollution. Ralph Nash is drafting a letter to the trashers. (where
will he send it ?)
2) A directive has been given to, and ignored by, some property owners
on Inlet Island (namely, DeGraff, for his boat yard, and Ciaschi, the Station
Restaurant), disallowing the use of some of this property.
..And, on behalf of the the P &D Board, that:
1) They are backing Plan B option for Route 96 /Octopus. 400 new units
are slated for Spring construction, off of Rt. 79 in the town of Ithaca, on West
Hill. Presumably, none of these units would use Rt. 96 for city access, since
they are all south of Hayts Rd. The Board wants to encourage the town to do
more long -term planning, and is pushing for a connector road outside the
city on (Nest Hill, to drain traffic southward (possibly connecting by
Southwest Park ?) A bridge, over the RR tracks and inlet (costing $2 million),
could serve as an emergency bridge between Nest Hill and down town.
2) The Town powers- that -be are pretty much universally lobbying for Rt.
96 Plans B or C.
3) The P &D Bd. is looking for assurances from the town as to what will be
gained by the city if Plan B is chosen.
4) The majority of the Board would have supported Plan A -2 otherwise.
+ A subcommittee -- comprised of members of P &D (John Johnson and Dan
Hoffman), C &O (Dick Booth & ?), and CAC (Betsy and Eric) - -is going to meet to
update the Conservation Overlay Zoning Ordinance, after the SEAR update.
*WANTED: CONSERV -A -TIP IDEAS. Contact Betsy soon!!
*The meeting was adjourned at 9:30, a new record!!
Respectfully submitted
Barbara Hotchkiss, Secretary
MINUTES of Meeting of March 13, 1989
Conservation Advisory Council
Present: Gary Braun, Eric Broberg, Betsy Darlington, Roger Farrell,
Bara Hotchkiss, Judy Jones, Jill Tripp, John Wertis, Common Council
Liaison John Johnson
Absent: Cathy Emilian (in Peru); P &D, BPW liaison, Joe Daley (in
Peru); Associate Member Keith Waldron; CC liaison Carolyn Peterson
We attended a presentation and discussion of the West Hill Master
Plan. Following this, we held a brief meeting of our own:
I. EAFs will continue to be reviewed by 3 people; we will not use
just two for trivial matters.
2. Jill Tripp will attend the Feb. 21 Hydropower meeting for Cathy.
3. Two recent EAF s, negative declarations on both (copies of reports
not made for members):
a. Small waiting room and handicapped ramp for Dr. Salerno ,s
office at 404 N. Cayuga St. In DeWitt Historic District. ILPC approved
the architectural aspects of it.
b. Minor lot line adjustment between 126 and 130 Chestnut St.
Applicant owns both parcels and wants to build a house (apparently)
at 130. He lives at 126.
4. Copies of all EAF reports should continue to be given to members,
although they were not, for the above two.
5. $7700 is needed for replacement of trees on the Commons that were
damaged in Octobers snowstorm (mostly pear trees). Common Council
will be voting on allocating funds for this. It was suggested that
members let their alderpersons know what they think about this.
5. Joe Daley will be asked to give his reports from P &D and BPW later
in our meetings instead of at the beginning - -maybe around 9 PM unless
we have a long agenda, in which case, perhaps around 9:30 or 10.
Respectfully submitted,
Betsy Darlington, Chair
CONSERV47ION ADVISORY COUNCIL MINUTES: MARCH 13, 1989 MEETING
PRESENT: Gary Braun, Betsy Darlington, Cathy Emtlran, Roger Farrell, Barbara
HotChkiss, Judy ,Jprn5 Keith Waldron, John Wertis.
Cvm:mon C'or_!nci! Lraison °: ,�ror)n Jo�>nsor), Carolyn 1= 'etersor)
ti �SENi : Eric Broberg, Jve Daley, Jill Tripp
eMee-ting was called to order at ';'::30 by Betsy I�arlir)gton Chairrersor).
*Minutes of 1/89 and 2/89 approved.
•PCev!ew and approval of letter to town supervisor, members of the Town hoard, town)
planners., and the to,,vn attorney, regarding the b -Mir'e Creek Recreation Trail E4F.
(Cate breaking ne,,+is: city portions of the proposed trail will most likely go through the
City s new, it} proved Site PIan Review.)
eDiEcussionlapproval of resolution made to Common Council, endorsing the
designotion of tall Creek as o 'Wild, Scenic, and Recreational River ". Review /approval
nt letter to Jorling and Lu -ster endorsing "the designation of Fall Creek as a
Scenic, and Recreation" {l laver ". Roger Farrell raisedthe clues"tion of whether FERC
VcYl Energy Regulatory Cornmission ?) has authority to supersede state vidd 4vc`te,'-
designation. !twos concluded that state designations supersede federal desiynotions.
e,oiscussior, of the skating rink at Coss Park: it must go through Site Plan Review!!
Builders are interested in using ash for fill. However, CC has refused permission to
use fly -o=h, and -the other choice, bottom ash, is regulated as a solid waste, reefuiring
o plastic liner, etc. (There was some ciuestia� as to w67ether tr)e current r irk 7 liras
Tower s, arid tree City golf course are all bui1-1 on) f I y ash...)
eReporting on still more subdivision proposals for West ! -fill, including another Garcia
proposal (hef- bought up t he, 36 acres. on Taylor Place that were to be developed by
McPherson); one by LoPin"to on Floral five (tote - breaking news: LoPinto rigs withdrowr,
his proposal), another by Pivirotto. I (VHS is still hoping to develop the Mutual f!nr�sir;g
project on Floral five; they are a,a ✓aiting funding.
0Discu8sion /opprovol of proposal to Give public commendations. -to peoplelplaces for
doing good environmental deeds. 4 title suggested for such folk is "! nviro -V. i.P.S ",
h_ ecouse it rhymes with the CAC's Conserva -7l Ps in the Grapevine. Various
peOplel institutions were p ,e t e_,, inc � , r't'. Lynn I_eop Sj�: for - , r lr_ :-t , '
recycling; Margaret fabrizio, for her work on the fall Creek designationlpro"tecfion and
her garden project at the high school; Mork Finkelstein; Ithaca Farmers Market;
Common Council for -their efforts on all the environmentally protecting ordinances,
including smoking, shade tree, site plan review, etc; Ida Weber; DPW, for using, wale r
from the inlet for irrigation of the Golf course, instead of treated water; Cornell
�P, cif, cling. it was agr` ei.: .c` s:, �_:;r't the cornme . datianc witI Lynn Leopold. t ny other
ideas for Enviro- V. I.P.s?
�l•�r.Jc.�ri- r ul 1 "E6r flu / ;iCt? ! )u,t, r7)i:lue St.rri�
concess ?nns at Hog's Hole. A map Of the arecl is beinc drawn un for city crpr_?roval.
sDiscussior, Of CC suggestions: ( + ) 1S suggested by the .m,cryor, C.-C will indeed "keep
working on enf ?re Six -Mlle Creek area protection!" (2) 4{le will try, as Ten NtCi ?ois
srrr_,,Gested, to trove Our meeting notices or)d agendas Sent fo CC rnernl_'ers, and wi?l OISO
Uiv more defail5 of vGtE, ors rECOtnmendations that we make. (Th is fur, tr)E v� fes
ha'v'e cr ?l been uncrrirrcus nay ! ) (3) i - \)q ores will he double S17aced, though witrrin
reaSOjj0; -?F COrrSErvCiti'le lirnir� paper teeing frees. after all. (�')It was decided
d ti�a? Ct �1
11 7r)e IlnkaC }es. TO vuriGLtS f :lOClydS, SuG(4eS"2'I fly Sean K.ilreCn Ctre moir¢rli')Pd by C4C.
(r
��iSusurr Cuplmings'vetbaf recommendc.rt ion for CSC fo uddressprob?ems us�o�lut�.d
with wood stove emissions wilt be discussed in the future.
•r��epOl-f on Stat�aS OF S?yrofoat ;, in'trJE SCho01S: j�etsy met wilt) lthUCu' amity School
District's Gary Lindemon, who indicated thud it would be too expensive fo disconfinu'
usi ..g the nasty, ozone- deptefing stuff, because he would have to hire pEople arc'
install Washing machines (awwW). It was
also noted that at least two students are
r r r-y., r• t.? SCi'iGGI. r:;/ "'J �,0tr),. -rrnf�
;;rr7,11i1V )rlrr� ;i%� {i r 1} v�ili /'',t��',-;'t(r L r .�tri ICry from h7 1! Y
'ir _f ;ftitr ijr., .iriV trio J. <yt (junk. (Cundid�rtE� fur
.j�:; r ?1
CCt7,rr;,}:.nwcrr 1; C-" i
•Discussion of CNC "S looking for evidence Of non -p0inf water pollf�ti0n in Ithaca. (. ""he
Federal C?eun Wat ,- t<ct designates rnoney for the cleon -up of pot ?ufi d wafers.)
Everyone agreed to look at specific water bodies, between this meeting and the, next,
f mule gross as- •essrnenfs of fh.,.ir cleclrliness. lale'ti he looking for strurge
dlSCOiOrCrtlOns, Ci1lV St_tr'faCel, eXCess sedin,entutinn or turbicirty, (eft'.), tf 1 shouid','t
be occurring us. Cl pclrt of normal biotogiC'at processes. 4 field trip 'still be schedu ?E d of
the next meeting to investigate any peculiarities. (Cate news flash. The TcMP; 'ns
ccnG�+cting a non -point survey , hi we r -0V ?r„
r nr rrry Sri hn -•pr /� lrnn rc f i is !r
. _ {
..:+� / %i, r'r Jr i!UJ it "�il��� ,7!_, 1"� ,r JJIi il� 1, Irl.(i t_ +tom U1 %..�rU U•..,, /�iJ
, •: 1.:.1! i,L,liin, rJ�
Gory LoAlonte, fo our � ?uy meeting.)
study Jones recommends cr pull iCCl ±ion of Cornell s Engineering Co ?iec�e -- Chemical ar �?
Engineering New, - -us an excellent source of environmenfolly- oriented information.
She offered to copy arficies if folks would like. she also discussed post work and
U:j potential future efforts of her son, Michael - -a Ion f-CO -f urchiTecture student at
C.U. - -on conservation demands versus deveiopr-rent dernands in o region. He cieveioped
on overlay System for•b -/' ►file Creek that indicates the best sites fo develop, leased on
u l" ?4ri f <:`� .:y =` `1n• He has discussed reversing file' priorifilatiol') scherne to show
the hest sites to Conserve, rather than the best sites to develop. bdissahickon Valley
Watershed association outside of t�r,i ?udelphia is currently employing such u
pianningipriorifizofion overlay sysfem.
:(Late breaking news: EMC is planning to conduct a Household Hazardous Waste
Collection Day in the Fall. Tetoils will be forthcoming.)
•Meeting adjourned of cj':q'-3.
2 ,�i�r•� � s5
J
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL MINUTES: APRIL 10, 1989 `
PRESENT: Gary Braun, Betsy Darlington, Cathy Emilian, Roger Farrell, Barbara
Hotchkiss, Judy Jones, Keith Waldron
Common Council liaison: Carolyn Peterson
BPW /DPW liaison: Joe Daley
ABSENT: John Johnson, John Wertis
• Meeting was called to order at 7:30 by Betsy Darlington, Chairperson.
• Minutes of 3/13 were approved; changes to agenda made.
• Betsy announced that Gary Lamont, of the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), is
scheduled to come to the May CAC meeting. SCS is doing a survey of nonpoint
source water pollution on the state level, as mandated by the Federal government
(EPA ?) Betsy will send letter to Jim Skaley, Tompkins County EMC, to inquire as to
why the flood relief channel isn't included in the "Aquatic Vegetation Control
Program Report" by E. Moran? Concern has been expressed by EMC re:
phosphorous on the west side of the lake.
• FROM THE FYI FILE: -The first week of May is considered Water Week.
- Citizens against Hydropower at Ithaca Falls (CAHIF)
became Fall Creek Conservation Committee (FCCC)
• Potential Conserva- V.I.P. commendations were discussed, including: David
St. George (for using recycled paper products in his business - -Fine Line Printing);
Steve Sierigk (for using recycled products, and for levying a "green tax" on his
products: a percentage of his sales income goes to environmental groups); Ithaca
Farmers Market (for the nice job that they have done with that sight); Common
Council for a whole host of things; etc.
• Kevin Saunders' global warming article /proposal, and a blueprint for the
environment will be discussed at the May meeting.
• Jill is going to try to arrange for some authorities to come to the June meeting to
speak about composting (eg., Tom Richards, Cornell; Frank Gardener, DPW ?). Judy
mentioned that when she needed a tree (on city property) cut, a mobile chipper was
brought in, and she was offered her choice of where she wanted the chipped mulch
to be put.
• A notice has gone out from the EPA to all school districts to check for lead in
their plumbing /water.
• Fall Creek designation update: 8 miles of Fall Ck being considered, from
Cayuga Lake to Monkey Run. (BeeBee Lake is not included) Process according to
Vernon Husik, DEC: Margaret Fabrizio's study has been given to DEC;
recommendation has to be made to legislature; then 2 public meetings will be held;
boundaries will be determined (until which time the boundary is 1/2 mile in each
direction; it will be designated as either "wild ", "scenic ", or "recreational ", not all
three; the recreation river designation is the least restrictive. Under this
designation, existing hydropower plant use is o.k., but hydropower use could not
increase. Betsy has 2 books that might be of interest to anyone who wants more info
on this: 'Wild, Scenic, Rec. System - Enabling legislation; another on regulations.
• A positive declaration was given, and a scoping session will be required, on the
Garcia subdivision. The scoping session will determine what should be included in
the DEIS.
• Because another EAF for a 10 -lot subdivision on S. Taylor Pl. was not filled out
completely by the developer Pivirotto, no recommendations were made by the
subcommittee.
• Rt. 96 update: Betsy visited with NYSDOT rep, Richard Simberg. DOT will give
the city their "best" proposal/ recommendation; city can accept or reject. DOT will
take into consideration what the city says that it wants.
• The 6 -Mile Creek Committee has recommended priority- placing criteria for for
land protection and land use designations (eg., for deed restrictions, land donations,
parcel buying). 2 criteria were approved: (1) any property within 500 ft. of 6 -Mile
Creek or high water mark; (2) any property within 200 ft. of DEC designated
streams. The planning committee is going to discuss the 6 -mile creek proposal to
decide what parcels to go for; what land owners should be approached. If the city
approaches landowners and get refused, the Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) can
approach with other options: tax breaks and such. The FLLT is sending out letters
to landowners beyond German Cross Rd to ask them to protect their lands.
• EAF for State Theater being delegated as an historic landmark.
• Joe's jazz:
*Ithaca Farmer's Market had 20 -year lease approved (8 -2 /Bob and Ray had
problems with cost and timing); they'll charge $4.00 /vendor space /5 -hour
period /day. The bottom -line cost is $6000 for the lease, with an inflator representing
the Consumer Price Index (CPI). By comparison, Johnson's Boat Yard has a 1 -year
revocable lease. BPW has had problems with the proprietor, Tom Cleveland, doing
non - permitted work (eg., building concrete abutments into the inlet without
permission!); they'll be deciding whether to renew the lease.
*BPW /P &D agreed on the West Hill Master plan; it now goes before West Hill
residents for approval of various road linkages. The 3 subdivisions all meet
approximately at a large grove of spruce trees. Exactions from the 3 proposed
subdivisions - -10% from each -- avails approximately 6.5 acres of contiguous green
space between developments, including a large spruce grove, around which a park
may be created. A traffic- discouraging road system has been planned for the
southern end /below West Village. With the approval of Mr. Teeter who owns that
land, the upper road to W. Vill. will wind down and connect to Floral. Regarding
"the connector" road: the town has started laying rights -of -way (r -o -w) across the
top to divide potential subdivisions; the plan being to require developers to pay for
the road within 5 years. Also, there are a half a dozen proposals for RR r -o -w for
developments on West Hill; the only thing keeping this open is the decisions
pending on 96.
*A downtown parking study is being conducted to figure out just how serious is
the perceived parking need: Are more parking spaces needed? Are people turning
over spaces quickly enough, or pumping meters all day? Should the meter times be
shortened closer in, offering longer -term parking away from the center? They will
try to specifically identify employees who do and don't use public transit, and for
what reasons. ETC.
• Meeting adjourned at 9:40.
Respectfully submitted,
Bar'bara' E. Hotchkiss
MINUTES
J
Conservation Advisory Council Meeting of
MAY 8, 1989 '
Present: Darlington, Emilian, Hotchkiss, Tripp, Waldron, Braun (last time)
Jones, Broberg, Farrell, Johnson, Peterson
Absent: Wertis
I. Meeting called to order at 7:30. Minutes from April were approvedv.C� corrY_11_�
kb C--,r kx 4 t�- z -tom BP i 13 w, -tt.,
2. Gary Lamont from Soil Conservation Service (Tompkins County) talked
to us (and showed slides) about nonpoint- source water pollution. EPA
has mandated that each state must come up with a plan to deal with the
problem. As one step in the process, NYS DEC has asked counties to do
surveys of their streams. Each of us received a form, and we decided
to each work on this on our own: photocopy the form and fill out as many
as we can for the City ,s streams (or broader area, if desired). Fill out
as best we can. The govt hopes to have these back by mid -June? Were
to send them back to Gary at SCS. These surveys will help determine which
counties get money to help solve the problem.
3. Said goodbye to Gary Braun (had to leave early), our Phi Beta Kappa
graduating Cornell senior.
4. Tom Richards, from Ag -Bio Engineering at Cornell, and Frank Gardner
from DPW talked to us about composting. Both City and County are doing
some composting experiments, involving yard wastes. This summer, grass
clippings, yard waste and sewage sludge will be mixed together. Compost
will be used for such things as turf- growing. Our alkaline, semi -hard
water helps keep (heavy metal ?) pollutants from leaching out. Carbon -to-
nitrogen balance important in how fast the compost decomposes. (30:1 is
best; wood chips = 100:1, grass clippings = 20:1) 50% moisture is best.
Methane only a problem in absence of oxygen. Too big a pile - -not enough
02; too small - -not enough heat. 900 -1400 F is best. A little dirt in
it helps. Even biodegradable plastics take 4 -6 years to break down, and
don't know entirely what they ,re broken down into. Better if we used
big paper lawn bags. People produce about 1 cu. yd. of yard waste per
year. 5000 cu. yds. needs about 1 acre to compost on. Food waste -
15% of waste stream. Newspaper ink is now practically nontoxic; even
colored inks are pretty safe.
4. Passed a resolution (unanimously) to Common Council, asking that they
direct the Planning Dept. to investigate feasibility of designating Six -Mile
Creek under the Wild, Scenic, and Recreational River System Act. (Hydropower
Commission wants such a resolution. Not delaying is important because
of City's license for hydro at 60 -foot dam.)
5. Re Gun Hill project: Voted unanimously to send a letter to Mark Finkelstein
expressing our concern regarding the mud on top of trees he was to have
saved (and proximity of building to these trees), and the dirt piles on
the parking lot, across the street. Hill is very steep below the new
building. Loss of the upper trees could have a ripple effect down the
bank as soil from upper levels slid down the hill.
P.S. From Betsy: Mark called me and agreed to meet with Nina Bassuk. She
told me that she suggested measures to him to help rectify the problems.
Respectfully submitted, Bara Hotchkiss and Betsy Darlington
MINUTES
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Meeting of June 12, 1989
Present: Broberg, Darlington, Emilian, Hotchkiss, Farrell, Jones,
Tripp; Johnson, Peterson
Absent: Wertis, Waldron (in Mexico!)
1. May minutes were approved. Judy Jones graciously agreed
to take minutes at the July 10th meeting. Last month we went
to a new system of rotating secretary -ships (no word -play comments,
Bara% and Jill Tripp is doing them this month. Darlington
types 'em up.
2. Announcements, agenda additions, etc.: Northside park request,
downtown air pollution problems, erosion and sedimentation control
ordinance.
Alice Wood(s ?) who lives in the DeWitt building, called
Darlington with complaints about air quality downtown. It s
affecting her health. Hotchkiss will ask Bob Amundson -- Cornell
expert on local air pollution - -to talk to us in July or Aug.
Darlington pointed out that the ozone levels in Ithaca hit an
all-time high last summer, and Hotchkiss told us that that was
at the Game Farm Rd. monitoring site. What must it have been
downtown?
3. John Johnson asked if wed ever gotten a response from the
school district re styro cafeteria trays. Discussed this and
plastic recycling, etc. - -stay tuned!
4. Congratulations, best wishes, and a round of applause to
Bara Hotchkiss for her new job as County Recycling Coordinator,
and also thanks to her for all her labors as our secretary!
5. Global warming: discussion of things the City could do.
We agreed to ask Common Council to:
a. Work with the County at coordinating traffic lights
in order to decrease idling. Certain intersections - -e.g. along
rt. 13 - -are especially bad.
b. Public transit: the City and County could have a much
better bus system - -one that runs more frequently and more on
time, and gets people where they re going, when they want to
go there. Some ideas:
i. the City and County should work together on this;
ii. pursuade Cornell, IC, TC3, and other major employers
to subsidize the system. In the Amherst, Mass. area the five
area colleges subsidize the buses, which are FREE to anyone;
iii. have a system of private vans running all over
the City. Cathy Emilian told us that in Latin American countries
this works very well - -you can get just about anywhere, anytime. And
it ,s cheap;
iv. reduce the price of riding the bus;
v. use small vans and run them much more often and
on time.
C. Pass the shade tree ordinance.
d. Implement energy - saving measures in City -owned buildings.
Darlington will circulate a draft of a letter to Council for
our comments before she sends it out.
6. We talked briefly about the Minneapolis packaging ordinance
which Carolyn Peterson got for us. She told us the County is
working on such an ordinance. Well wait on this one since
a County -wide ordinance makes more sense.
Darlington will send Jim Houghton a Conserva -tip on using paper
thermal cups.
7. Erosion control ordinance: Darlington attended a day -long
workshop, run by the Soil Conservation Service, on erosion and
sedimentation control measures. Peterson will take our suggestion
to C &O that the City begin work on an ordinance. Models are
available from the State, and Darlington has circulated copies
to a few people.
Darlington suggests that, in our EAF reviews, we routinely recommend
having erosion and sedimentation plans as part of each project.
Darlington will send Houghton a Conserva -tip re erosion.
8. Voted unanimously and enthusiastically to give our June com-
mendation to Margaret Fabrizio for the beautiful garden she
planted at IHS, her leadership in the neighborhood negotiations - -and
resulting concessions- -with Finkelstein for his Gun Hill project,
and her hard work and perseverance on behalf of Fall Creek.
9. Common Council approved our request for Charter changes so
that we will no longer be required to have a youth member and
so we can now have up to two members who are non -City residents.
10. Although normally we don't vote on new members, we voted
unanimously to ask the Mayor to appoint Keith Waldron.
11. Discussed Northside- Cascadilla Neighborhood needs for more
park space. Drew up a resolution to Common Council asking that
the old sewage treatment plant be dedicated as a park and that
the site not be given up to private individuals for housing
or commercial uses. Resolution approved unanimously.
12. Broberg and Hotchkiss report on the Baling Station scoping
session for the DEIS: Elmira Rd. merchants have many concerns - -about
the tax base, noise, odor, groundwater pollution, economic impact
on their businesses. Hotchkiss will ask Barbara Eckstrom to
talk to us in July or Aug.
13. Finkelstein 's response to our letter, movingly read by Betsy(!)
He has met with Nina Bassuk and Duncan Himmelman and is making
plans to protect trees and provide groundcover to protect the
bank. He also has arranged for a silt fence to contain runoff
from the large dirt pile. Broberg will check it out and see
if all this has happened.
14. Darlington suggests we write to Assemblyman Luster and State
Senator Seward, urging their support of Fall Creek designation.
Aimless, agitated discussion of hydropower, designation, etc. Emilian
brought us info from the hydro commission re underground hydroplants.
15. Hogs Hole and Marina expansion: discussion of states plans
for the marina expansion and development north and northwest
of marina. Question Darlington will look into: does the state
erect a duck blind along the shore during duck season? If not,
does it sanction duck hunting there? Hunting is illegal within
City limits -- something the park system probably doesn't know.
16. Update on COZ s and Six -Mile Creek acquisitions. First is
progressing slowly, with a small committee (Darlington is our
rep. on it) working on mapping the gorges, to start with. Another
small committee (Darlington our rep.) is identifying parcels
to recommend Common Council purchase along Six -Mile Creek.
17. Darlington will set up a sewage treatment plant tour of
Monday, June 20th and /or June 26th, 11 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jill ( "Borneo ") Tripp and Betsy Darlington
1.
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL 1�
Minutes for Meeting of July 10, 1989
Present: Eric Broberg, Betsy Darlington, Cathy Emilian, Roger Farrell,
Bara Hotchkiss, Judy Jones, Keith Waldron,
Council liaisons Peterson and Johnson,
and visitors, Herb McCall and Steve Baker
Absent: Jill Tripp (in Borneo) and John Wertis (representing the CAC
at the Ithaca Town Board meeting on Fall Creek designation), Joe Daley
(BPW, P &D Rep.)
A. Minutes for June were approved.
B. Barbara Eckstrom (County Solid Waste Coordinator), Ken Teter (Project
Nianager for Resource Associates) and Tom Niederkorn (for Planning/ Environmental
Consultants) gave us an informative presentation on the ever - evolving
plans for the baling, station (CPF). A few highlights:
1. The plant will be designed to handle recyclables and compostables on
a large scale. Goal - 40% recycling by 1997.
2. The Elmira plant is a bad example. There are very good ones in other
places, e.g. Westchester Co., where noise, odors, etc. simply are not
a problem. But there are no smells from any of them (even Elmira's)
at a distance of 100 feet. (The Elmira plant is next to the sewage
treatment plant, and that confuses the issue of odors.)
3. If all goes as planned, the DEIS will be ready this fall, and construction
should start by March.
4. Currently, there are 22,000 vehicles a day on Elmira Rd., 18 -1900 per
hour at the peak. About 150 -200 vehicles will enter the site per day- -
many of these are already travelling that route. The traffic - activated
light at the intersection should actually help traffic on Elmira Rd. by
CY
giving; people opportunities to enter the road from the many businesses.
5. County will be considering proposals from possible private operators.
6. In response to concerns raised by the public as well as new information,
the plant has changed considerably over the months.
7. A footnote to all this: if you need wood chips for your garden, the
County has a big pile, free for the taking, at its Bostwisk Rd. facility.
(Made from yard wastes.)
C. We welcomed Keith Waldron as our newest (and now official) member,
and Steve Baker, one -time member, visiting from State of Washington to
which he defected a year ago.
D. Discussed the spill of industrial solvent (tetrachloroethylene - -sp ?)
into the sewer system that CAC members learned about last month during
tours of the treatment plant. (It set off alarms in the middle of the
night and killed all the fish in their final testin- pond.) Betsy will
ask Jim Houghton if he s done a Conserva -Tip yet on putting hazardous
materials down household or storm sewer drains. Also, Betsy will invite
plant operator, Gary Gleason (sp ?) to our Sept. meeting to see what sort
of public education campaign might be worth pursuing.
Steve Baker told us that in Olympia, WA. all the storm sewer openings
(turn)
l
have a stencil on them saying something like, "This drains directly into
Creek." We all agreed that Ithaca should have this, too.
E. Worked on, and unanimously approved, letter to Co. Planning Committee
re need for County parks.
F. Worked on and unanimously approved a letter to Common Council re measures
to alleviate global warming. (Traffic light coordination, better mass
transit system, shade tree ord. on private land, improved energy efficiency
in City buildings.)
G. Discussed mowing that was being done on Sunday on City land (Festival
Lands - -Hogs Hole) by State Park employee. Decided unanimously to have
Betsy send letter of thanks to Larry Fabbroni for stoppinb it, and recommending
that BPW develop an environmentally sound policy for that sensitive area.
H. Eric Broberg volunteered to help Darlington with EAF on R2C zoning
ordinance, when it comes in. Betsy will draft a third person later.
I. Betsy reported on a call from Mark Finkelstein in which he told her
they are addressing our concerns at the Gun Hill site. Have hired someone
to advise them on plantings to alleviate problems.
J. Betsy will find out what the State Park policy is re commercial use
of boat slips at the Marina. At least two commerciaT outfits are using
taxpayer- subsidized slips to run their businesses. One is a charter fishing
boat, and the other is a "jet -ski" operator - -a boat equipped with jet -skis
that takes people out who want to zoom around on these menaces, endangering
swimmers, wind- surfers, and one another, as well as annoying, the dickens
out of everyone within earshot. She was directed to write to Andrew Mazzella,
with a copy to Orin Lehman in Albany (at OPR), if appropriate after phone
calls to determine policy.
K. Ashley Miller is making certificates to give to recipients of our almost -
monthly commendation awards. We discussed whether she should make one
for Common Council: yes. (Ashley's certificates are real works of art.)
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Jones and Betsy Darlington
ANNOUNCEMENTS: (1) Eric Broberg- -yes, the one, the only, our very own
Eric Broberg!- -will be rowing in the Empire State Games (in which he has
received silver medals on two previous occasions!). He'll row on Thur. and
Fri., Aug. 3 & 4. If he qualifies, hell be in the finals on Sat. (He
will, if we all go and cheer!)
(2) The next time we see Cathy Emilian and Joe Daley at a CAC meeting,
they'll be "Mr. and Mrs.!" July 23rd is the BIG DAY (I think).
CONGRATULATIONS!
I`
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
MINUTES
for
Meeting of August 14, 1989
Present: Betsy Darlington (Chair), Cathy Emilian, Roger Farrell (tonight's
secretary), Bara Hotchkiss, Judy Jones, Jill Tripp, Keith Waldron, John
Wertis; Council liaisons: John Johnson and Carolyn Peterson
Absent: ESG Gold and Silver medal - winning Eric Broberg
Guests: Bob Amundson, Sean Killeen, Ben Nichols
I. Minutes: only Betsy had a copy, so she summarized the contents. Approved.
2. Cathy agreed to be next months secretary.
3. Gary Gleason, head of Waste Water Tr. Plant will come to next meeting.
4. County Planning Committee discussed CAC s County park recommendation
with Betsy. Favorable response. County will start looking into this.
5. Mark Finkelstein has not yet transferred his woodland to the City.
6. Use of Treman Marina by commercial boats: they pay the same low rate
as everyone else, but State is reevaluating this policy. Some State marinas
on Long Island are entirely occupied by commercial boats.
7. DEIS on Baling Station: Judy, Jill and Betsy will do.
LEAF on Center Ithaca project: Cathy, Jill, Betsy
Review of W. Hill Master Plan: Betsy and John W. (if needed)
8. Marjorie Olds sent Betsy information from DEC on hazardous waste sites
in City. Given to Judy to look at. In Sept. well decide if we want to
recommend Common Council designate these as CEA's (Critical Envir. Areas).
9. Bob Amundson, plant physiologist at Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI),
researching air pollutions effects on plants, talked to us about air
pollution in Ithaca. He gave us handouts with data on Elmira pollution.
a. Ozone, sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, hydrochloride ( ?), inhalable
particulates, carbon monoxide (CO), and acid rain are main ones to consider.
b. Air quality monitor at BTI and Arnot Forest, but not in downtown
Ithaca. These only monitor acid rain, ozone, and NO2.
c. Air quality in downtown is getting worse, but no measurements. (Ozone
probably only about 1/3 the level found in Los Angeles.)
d. Downtown, CO and inhalable particulates may be a problem.
e. During hot, dry periods (like last summer), ozone can be high here,
and was, at their station at BTI.
f. Organic compounds from wood - burning stoves could be a problem. Missoula,
Montana is one of the worst in the country from this. Carcinogens.
g. Also a problem, esp. in winter, is CO because of inversion. Prime
locations to test it would be along Meadow St. and at Octopus. Testing
should be done in winter, esp. at peak hours but also 24 hours a day. CO
analyzer costs about $3000 -5000. Cornell might have one somewhere on campus;
Bob will look into this for us and let Betsy know.
h. Ozone is # 1 air pollution problem in the nation. BTI monitors it
near Cornell Orchards, in McGowin Woods. Ozone reduces plant productivity - -and
causes human respiratory problems. Cars, etc. are main source. Ozone
testers cost $5000 -7000, but BTI might be willing to do the testing for
the City. Bob will ask about this and let Betsy know. The standard for
ozone is 0.08 ppm, but, for political reasons, was raised to 0.12 ppm! (Easier
to meet - -but still not met, in many places.)
z
i. Sulphur dioxide pollution has been going down for 50 years, as coal -
burning has declined. We get it from Milliken Station, Cornell, and huge
plants in PA (when wind is from south). Our level would be about like
Elmira's so no real need to test it here.
j. No information for Ithaca on particulates. With all the salt, sand,
and woodburning, City should test for this. Betsy will ask John Anderssen
at the Health Dept. if the County has a tape sampler City could use.
k. Acid rain: in Ithaca it averages a pH of 4.1 (east end of campus,
near Orchards) (this is the avg. over past ten years). Sometimes much
worse. 4.1 is 100 times as acid as it should be. Mainly from coal - burning
plants. DEC might help the City with testing for this.
In summary, downtown should be tested for ozone, CO, inhalable particulates,
and organic compounds (e.g. from wood - burning), at the least. Well look
further into various aspects, and in any event, move ahead with ozone
testing: if BTI is willing to do this, Betsy will contact BPW for permission
to set up the monitoring equipment. Next month we may ask C.C. to approve
_ a downtown testing program, in co -op. with County and Cornell. If nothing
else, this would provide us with baseline data against which to compare
future tests.
10. Sean Killeen told us about his idea for a trolley from Octopus to
Eddygate, along Buffalo St., and another from PAC to E. Hill Plaza, along
Oak and Maple Aves. We cant absorb more cars. Streets are congested,
air getting dirtier, and more and more space is being wasted on parking
lots. 1 car for every 1.7 students. We discussed how air pollution at
the coal plant (for the electricity to run the trolley) might compare
with pollution from buses. (No one knew answer.) Ben Nichols said a trolley
would be enormously expensive to install.
Betsy will draft a general resolution (for discussion at Sept. meeting)
re need for multi- pronged attack on our transportation woes, with specific
recommendations for the various recipients (e.g., to Cornell - -ask them
to charge students who own cars, and to put that money into subsidizing
a vastly improved bus system; to the City and County - -ask them to direct
their planning depts. to immediately start working on ways to improve
mass transit, including looking into trolleys and light rail systems).
Of course, the CAC has had at least two other resolutions along these
lines, but nothing has been done, and the problem is becoming urgent.
We all agreed that buses must run more often, more reliably, and be
cheaper, if people are going to ride them. Minibuses would be a good idea.
Holiday and nighttime runs are badly needed - -esp. for people outside the
City who don't have cars.
Bara will talk to Paul Mazzarella and a friend about system in Amherst.
11. Bike trail update: City and Town have aproved Towns current plans
which call for a cinder path (except for one or two short paved sections),
ostensibly 6 feet wide instead of 8'. We agreed this was in fact a fiction
since they actually plan to put in an 8-foot-wide cinder path and plant
grass seed on the outer foot on each side. given permission. Unknown if
Newspaper says some landowners haven t b p
NYSEG has given them an easement yet.
12. Baling Station: very brief discussion. End of Cherry St. another option.
Also, Wallace Steel still interested in doing the job. An industrial site
would be better than Commercial Ave. site. Munson ( ?) offered to sell
the County 100+ acres for it.
13. John W. reported that Buzz Lavine reported at 6- I4lile Cr. Comm. of
some incredible idea to raise 30 -foot dam to 90 feet! Betsy will find
out what this is all about.
14. Hogs Hole: brief discussion with Ben Nichols of possible compromise:
just have a bulk head for 26 boats (instead of full pier for 52), and
put new road along edge of that, to one new parking lot, no. of Marina,
instead of State's plan for an entire new pier, and road hugging edge
of Hogs Hole, with two new lots, one near Hog's Hole. It became clear
that Ben was talking about turning over the entire Festival Lands to State
if they accepted this compromise. Opinion was expressed that City should
only turn over what would be needed for this half -pier and road next to
it, not the entire parcel.
Notice: Next meeting is Sept. 11. Octobers meeting will be a week late - -on
Oct. 16-- because of Columbus Day the previous Monday.
Also: P &D Committee will probably discuss Marina Expansion at Aug. 23
meeting (7:30 PM). Andy Mazzella from State Parks will be there. A resolution
may go to Council from the committee. Try to be there!!
Respectfully submitted,
Roger Farrell and Betsy Darlington
3
.
'MINUTES }`
Conservation Advisory Council
S ieeting of Sept. 11, 1989
All members present: Broberg, Darlington, Emilian, Farrell, 1- iotchkiss,
Jones, Tripp, Waldron, Wertis; Council liaisons Peterson and Johnson
Joe ;Maley, liaison from SPW and P &D, had to attend another meeting.
1. Eric will take minutes next month. Aug. minutes approved without change.
2. Gary Gleason, Chief Operator of Wastewater Tr. Plant, and Dan Ramer,
biologist for same, carne to tell us about stuff that shouldn't go into
the sanitary sewer system. Laws governing industry are strict; main problem
is with others - -e.g. homeowners who don't know (or maybe care) that they
shouldn't put certain things down the drain. 1 gal. of gasoline can contamin-
ate 1 mill. gallons of water, making it undrinkable!
Three things contaminants can do: they may damage the facility or the
process (e.g. by killing the microorganisms), they may flow out of the
facility in a still- hazardous state, or they may contaminate the sludge
so that it's not recyclable. They monitor the sludge monthly, although
only required to do so annually.
Things not to put down drains include: gasoline, pesticides, heavy metals
(e.g. lead -based paint), photo processing chemicals, anything with "chloro -"
and " -ene" in it (e.g. chlorinated stripping solvents, trichloroethylene)
Dan Ramer is going to check with Ann Lemley at Co -op Ext. to see what
materials they have that might be suitable to send to all City residents- -
perhaps with the tax bills or recycling notices. (Permission to do this
would be needed.)
(Update from Jill: Co -op Ext. has several things that would be perfect.)
After hearing from Dan, Betsy will call local papers and see if they'd
do an article on the problem. People need to be aware of where their
water comes from and goes.
3. Sara Hotchkiss will talk to Larry Fabbroni about putting stencils on
all storm drains, saying, "This drains directly into Creek." (Or
some such message.) (Done in Olympia, ' ;Vashington.)
4. Bara told us that in spring of 1990, the County may come out with some
sort of plan for collection of hazardous materials.
5. Betsy read letter from iV;ark Finkelstein, thanking her for her letter
re his bank improvernents, and inviting her to walk his Gun ;-_ill site to
see what else is planned or in progress. CAC said she should take hire
up on the offer, so she will.
6. Festival Lands, riogs' Hole, Treman w;arina: Worked on a resolution to
Common Council, opposing the transfer and opposing the State's development
plans, and a letter to Commissioner Orin Lehman; moved to approve--Hotchkiss,
seconded -- Tripp, approved unanimously.
7. Betsy will ask the DEC what its timetable is for checking the toxic
waste sites in the City. DEC is checking (or has checked) the test well
for that old Emerson Transmission leak.
8. Unanimously approved giving our Sept. commendation to Todd Petrocelli
(sp ?), IC student who has single - handedly started a recycling pro -ram
at IC. Bara will call him to get the details, and will write up a statement
for the press release, then will call Betsy for feedback.
9. Betsy reported that Joe Daley has proposed a capital project for traffic
light synchronization - -one of CAC s recent recommendations.
10. Joe Daley, involved in another meeting, sent us a message regarding
Pogo Paolangeli s latest plan and the City s proposal for the Pogo Parcel.
He had nothinb else to report from BPW or P&D Bd.
11. Postponed action on traffic and air quality resolutions so as not
to dilute the effect of our Festival Lands resolution.
12. Betsy reported that Wilcox Press hasn't had the required DEC permit
for its discharge devices since last May. She has talked to City Attorney,
Ralph Nalsh. (Late news bulletin: Nash reported back that DEC will test
them next month - -part of the permit reissuance process.)
13. Baling station DEIS coming up: JillJJ,,f, Betsy will review.
14. Jim roughton can use more ideas for Consery -a -tips.
15. Update from last meeting: Betsy talked to Bill Cray about the rumor
that someone was proposing that 30 -foot dam be raised to 90 feet. This
is not going anywhere -- someone had merely suggested the idea, in connection
with hydropower at Van Atta's Dam.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Emilian, Keith Waldron, Betsy Darlington
M
MINUTES
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Meeting of October 16, 1989
Present: Darlington, Farrell, Hotchkiss, Jones, Tripp, Broberg, Wertis,
Peterson, Johnson
Absent: Waldron (o -o -t), Emilian (sick), Daley (attending to the sick)
Bara will be "secretary of the month" for Nov.
1) The Sept. minutes were approved. Items from Sept. meeting: B. Hotchkiss
talked to Larry Fabbroni (DPW) about labeling of storm sewers to educate
the public on where runoff goes. The possibility of a formal letter to
DPW was mentioned. Betsy will follow up. Sending of DEC and Cooperative
Extension handouts on household hazardous wastes, in Ithaca area tax bills
was talked about. Ann Matthews at Coop. Ext. was mentioned as a source
for Dan Ramer of the Wastewater Tr. Plant. However, since County is now
beginning to plan for handling of these materials, concensus was to hold
off on further action for now.
2) Todd Petrocelli (Oct. -Nov. recipient of our commendation award) came
and we gave him the certificate made by Ashley Miller. He set up office
recycling program at IC. It is expanding from three office buildings to
entire campus. Program now has two staff people to run it.
3) A resolution on the Festival Lands was drafted for the State Parks
Oct. 17th scoping /informational meeting on the proposed Treman Marina
expansion. Passed unanimously. Roger Farrell agree to read it at the meeting.
[Note from Betsy: the audience clapped loudly after Roger read it.] A
more comprehensive policy statement will be made when the States plans
and the DEIS are completed.
4) LEAF on Cornell 's, Stewart- Edgemoor Lane parking lot will be reviewed
by Broberg, Jones and Darlington. Field visits, further discussion warranted.
5) Air quality resolution was discussed. Betsy will write a new draft,
for action in November.
6) Traffic resolutions (to Common Council and County Board), and letter
to Burness, were revised, then passed unanimously. Decided to also send
one to IC President Whalen, like the one to Burness.
7) Discussed Susan Cummings 's suggestion that we have just one EAF review
committee, and not rotate it. Everyone agreed that current system works
well, and one committee wouldn't have time to do all of them. Concensus
also was that, despite two of the three being different each time, there
was good continuity from one review to the next.
8) Meeting adjourned about 9:45 PM
NEXT MEETING: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13 TH
Respectfully submitted, Eric Broberg
and Betsy Darlington
f
MINUTES
of
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
for
Meeting of November 13, 1989
PRESENT: Broberg, Darlington (Chair), Emilian, Farrell, Hotchkiss, Jones,
Tripp, Waldron; Johnson and Peterson (CC liaisons); Daley (P &D, BPW liaison)
ABSENT: Wertis
1. Minutes for October: approved without change.
2. Voted unanimously to request that the Mayor reappoint Roger Farrell
as our and the City's representative to the EMC. (Term expires Dec. 31.)
Darlington will send request to Mayor, copy to Nichols. (Unsure of procedure,
with change in mayors Jan. 1.)
3. Several EAF s were distributed:
North Campus: Waldron, Farrell (convenor), Wertis
Ithaco expansion: Emilian, Tripp, Darlington (convenor)
Mutual Housing: Hotchkiss, Broberg, Darlington (convenor)
R -2c zoning: Emilian, Tripp, Broberg (convenor)
Volume of EAF s (two more were just completed and still need to be written
up by Darlington) was such that we agreed to have two of the above subcommittees
not include Darlington, so that CAC will not become a source of delays
for applicants (and so Darlington wont go bezerk!). Those two subcom. will
report their findings to Darlington.
4. Terms of 5 members expire Dec. 31: Broberg, Emilian, Hotchkiss, Tripp,
Waldron. All are willing (and want) to continue to serve. Unanimous vote
to request reappointment by Mayor and Common Council. Darlington will send
request to Mayor, copy to Nichols. (Unsure of proper procedure.)
5. Air testing resolution: passed uanimously.
6. Hog Hole designation resolution: passed unanimously. Given to Johnson
as a fast track item on P &D Committee agenda, to bring to Council in Dec.
7. Commendation for Nov. -Dec.: to Florence Hoard. Darlington will get all
the details on her accomplishments and write up press release.
8. Garbage: Jill Tripp passed around copies of the magazine, Garbage. Jill
also proposed a resolution on a fee - per - container charge system, and discourage-
ment of use of one - time -only disposal containers (e.g. plastic bags). Passed
unanimously.
9. Dan Ramer at Wastewater Tr. Plant is willing to work with us on getting
info to public on hazardous household wastes. Bara Hotchkiss will follow
up with him.
10. Carolyn Peterson did show-and-tell of beautiful 6 -Mile Creek map recently
produced by Peter Weed in the Planning Dept. Includes topo lines (drawn
in by hand!), property lines, wooded areas, etc. Carolyn, Dan Hoffman,
and Darlington will meet to incorporate on it the subcommittees recommendations
Le priority parcels for acquisition.
11. Joe Daley's report: a. Satellite dish in Stewart Park will be removed
as soon as ACC installs cable to the building - -maybe by spring.
b. Trash on City's "new" parcel along 6 -Mile Creek: Ralph Nash is checking
on City's boundary line to see if neighbor's trash (he operates a carpet
cleaning . (Trash is lls down bank of pond. Pond, and probably bank, are
be taken. (T p
on City land,)
C. Pogo Parcel: because Lake Ave. is a "dedicated street," City may
be required to provide him with utilities. If so, he may be amenable to
moving Lake Ave. to west, with one row of lots on east side of it, and
two rows on west side of it. The current Lake Ave. would be turned into
a green space along the creek (25 -30' wide ?).
d. Old sewage tr. plant site: planning committee for use of site (Daley,
Blumenthal, Reeves, Killeen, Romanowski) has invited reps. from lots of
interests to participate in planning for the site. Mtg. Friday Nov. 17.
Trowbridge is consultant on this.
e. A committee of P &D Bd. is meeting with bike enthusiasts, re bike
lanes, on Fri. Nov. 17.
f. We will need new liaison(s) after Jan. 1 since Daley will be on Common
Council. Darlington will contact Blumenthal and Reeves on this.
12. EAF -on I -1 zoning change that would require permits for handling of
rubbish: Roger Farrell reported on the-review committee's findings. Parts
I and II were inconsistent. A Part III was needed - -esp. in view of the
inappropriateness of the form for assessing zoning changes. Subcommittee
wondered what the economic effect might be on businesses, newInd. Pk.
new
law ' might be a deterrent to businesses moving in, e.g.
Meeting adjourned at 9:25 PM.
MINUTES
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Meeting of December 11, 1989
Present: all members (Broberg, Darlington, Emilian, Farrell, Hotchkiss,
Jones, Tripp, Waldron, Wertis), and CC liaison Carolyn Peterson;
guest: Will Burbank
Absent: Liaisons Joe Daley (BPW, P &D) and John Johnson (CC)
NEXT MEETING: MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 1990
1. Minutes for Nov. approved without change.
2. Letter to DEC in support of Common Council's resolution asking that
Hog Hole be recognized as of "unusual local importance" and be added to
wetlands maps: revised, then approved unanimously.
3. Letter asking Common Council to remain firm about being lea_ d agency
for Treman Marina environmental review: approved unanimously.
4. Will Burbank came to discuss his concerns with the "bag -tag" (charging
people per container) proposal for charging for trash. Felt the idea
is unfair, unworkable, and arrived at through a horrible process. It
discriminates against low income people - -a regressive tax, really. Those
least able to pay will be paying the highest proportion of their income
for trash removal.
At first glance, the tag system looks good because it would encourage
a conscious approach to minimizing waste; without a tag system what will
be the incentive to recylce? But tag system also a problem in terms of
illegal dumping (or dumping that is currently legal, on one's own property).
Country roads (e.g. in Shindagin Hollow) are already becoming degraded
by large amounts of trash. How could this possibly be adequately policed?
There is no master plan for waste disposal in the County. Community
should have an opportunity to address the various problems in public meetings.
CAC decided to ask BPW or Common Council to hold a public meeting to
discuss the problem and get ideas and alternatives. Carolyn will take
this recommendation to them.
Surveys show Americans want to recycle.
Some ideas•
a. Make recycling mandatory, with penalties for not doing so;
b. Use a tag system, but also give rebates for # of containers of recy-
clables (perhaps with redeemable coupons stuck onto the containers by
the hauler);
c. Allow each household one free container of trash, and require a tag
for anything above that;
d. Make recycling as easy as possible, and include as many materials
as possible;
e. Education;
f. Encourage use of recycled materials - -e.g. City Hall was asked by
Common Council to look into using recycled paper, but nothing has come
of it. CAC asked Carolyn to revive the idea.
g. Find out more about places that use a tag system. (Bara says quite
a few places do, and it's quite successful, but doesn't know if dumping
has increased.)
h. Have a trash exchange system;
5. Follow -up on our traffic recommendations: P &D Board and Paul Mazzarella
are talking with Cornell and the County ( ?) re improvements in mass transit.
Bill Wendt at Cornell is working hard at this, including pushing for a
free bus system.
6. Gun Hill site: Betsy walked the site with Mark Finkelstein, and reported
that considerable progress has been made in correcting the erosion problems.
Steepness of slope around parking lot has led to slumping; more than grass
is probably needed to prevent this.
Gift to the City of the woods south of the new apts. is now going through
channels.
7. Six -Mile Creek: 6 -Mile Creek Committee met and approved recommendations
of priority lands for acquisition. They'll send this on to Common Council.
8. New mayor, Ben Nichols, wants to set up an interim parks commission.
Applications being accepted. (In Jan., Common Council will be asked to
vote on reviving the idea.)
9. Feb. .meeting: Betsy has a conflict, so discussed changing date. Deferred
decision till Jan. 8th meeting.
10. Continuing reports of bad smells from Wilcox Press, esp. in the night.
Betsy talked to Randy Young at DEC. in Cortland. He agreed to come over
and test at night, but will call Mr. Arnold Singer (a resident of nearby
Parker St.) first, to see if smell is a problem. (Some nights it's ok.)
He said he'd keep us posted. We should check back if we don't hear anything.
11. Hudson St. project now going through environmental review.
12. Natural History Network: a loose assemblage of groups. CAC now part
of this. Met to discuss plans for Earth Day (April 22). NHN will "coordinate"
things insofar as possible, and get a schedule of events into local papers.
CAC may want to do something. Next meeting: Dec. 14, 5PM, City Hall.
13. Liaison from or to BPW: with Joe Daley going on Common Council, we
will need someone. Carol Reeves let Betsy know that, for the time being,
there is no one she can appoint. Maybe after new mayor fills the vacancies,
there will be someone. Otherwise, we should try to send someone to their
meetings. (Every Wed. at 4 PM) We also will need a liaison from P &D Bd.
14. Betsy read a thank you letter from Florence Hoard.
15. Agreed to give our commendations on a quarterly basis (one per season).
16. Bara hasn't had a chance to contact Dan Ramer. She will be getting
more info on Household Hazard Waste plans for the County. She will be
coordinating an HHW task force.
17. Bara will be providing City and County purchasing agents with info
on recycled paper products. Quoin Copy and Fine -Line have recycled paper.
18. Ithaca Scrap accepts paper: white ledger with black ink; and mixed -- colored
paper and computer paper. No glossy paper. No envelopes. Will pay 3¢ /lb.
Save glossy inserts in Ithaca Journal, for an action someone is planning
in the spring. No one knows how the Ithaca Journal is able to get this
recycled. It's treated with clay, one extra step to clean up.
19. Idea for Consery -a -tips: start an office recycling program; where
to take paper for recycling.
@). Adjourned about 9:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Keith Waldron and Betsy Darlington