HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CAC-1992nj
MINUTES
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Meeting of January 13, 1992
PRESENT: Betsy Darlington, Bara Hotchkiss, Judy Jones, Rob Shapiro, Keith Waldron, John Wertis;
Liaisons: Dan Hoffman (CC), Guy Girard (BPW)
ABSENT: Cathy Emilian (down South% John Johnson (unofficial CC liaison)
1. Dec. minutes approved unanimously, with following new wording: "Tipping fee may be lower than
expected, pending bids for out -of- county transfer."
2. Lead paint brochure- -Judy and Bara: goal is to have it ready for the spring painting season.
Work is proceeding on revisions; time - consuming to go through all the comments from around the State.
Lead binds tightly to soil; dissolves more readily if soil is highly acidic. Doesn't normally get
into vegetables since it's bound tightly in top 2" of soil. Main problem is kids eating the soil.
We'll discuss EPL's lead paint bill in Feb. Bara will get details from Lew.
3. Names proposed to fill our two vacancies: Paul Salon, Ashley Miller, Mark Walker, David Kay,
Gary Samuels, Ruth Yarrow. People will call those they know, and ask.
Betsy announced her intention to step down as Chair, and passed out paper for people to write
down nominations, for a vote to be taken in Feb. After some discussion, nominations were made - -of
everyone in the room, as it turned out. But no one was willing to take on the position. Betsy agreed to
continue, but suggested that chairing meetings rotate among various members, and presentations to
Common Council, etc. be made by various members, as appropriate for the given topic. People were
reminded to let Betsy know of items they wished to have on agenda.
4. Inlet Valley: Betsy and John W. will work on revised resolution for Common Council. Make clear
devel. that couldn't go near the water could be clustered closer to the road.
5. BPW: Guy reported on 3 6 -Mi. Cr. plans from DPW: Cleanup of silt dam, need for repairs of 60-
foot Dam, and possible road from Burns Rd. to 60 -ft. Dam, on the Rt. 79 side of Reservoir. Latter is
related to threat from zebra mussels. Discussion of need for plant inventory and study of other
environmental concerns, and of why existing service road isn't enough. 60 -ft. Dam is a gravity dam- -
rests on bottom by virtue of its own weight. It has to be weighted down /anchored. Have to drive
pylons /steel rods into shale. DEC orders.
Rob was asked to consult with Chuck Baker re road plans; John J. will be asked to do same with
Bill Gray. After hearing from them, Betsy will write memo to Bill and BPW, asking about plan and what
environmental review will be done, after first circulating to CAC for comments. (Note: not done
because of outcome of Rob's conversation, etc.)
the in. John W. will contact someone for more info on zebra mussels; Judy will give him her files on
6. SWAC (Solid Waste): Judy: Info and analysis needed on trash disposal tags. Possible consequenc-
es--e.g. burying, burning, dumping - -need investigation. Co. Bd. of reps. discussing it. No guidelines on
distribution of tags. John W. will see if tag sheets could be cut into smaller units to make purchases
easier for those with small pay checks.
7. Conrail followup. Waiting to hear from them.
8. DEC and OPRHP's Open Space Plan: discussion. Supportive memo written to send to DEC from
CAC. Betsy will circulate "final" copy for comments before sending it.
9. Jon Meigs's idea re reduction of environmental pollution; we'll all generate ideas for the list and
bring to Feb. meeting. Bara will call John Edmonson ( ?) re air pollutants.
10. EAF subcommittee: Bara, Rob and Betsy will continue, with Keith as backup for Bara.
11. SW Park land use study: committee being formed that might or might not include a CAC member.
12. Betsy reported on letters from (and to) Charles Weaver re postering. Dan H. said this was not
about to be taken up again anytime soon, he thought.
13. Bara passed out, and explained, her SWAP forms (Solid Waste Abatement Project) for us to fill
out and return at Feb. meeting.
14. Adjourned about 9:45 PM.
Bara Hotchkiss and Betsy Darlington
MINUTES
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Meeting of February 10, 1992
PRESENT: Betsy Darlington, Cathy Emilian, Bara Hotchkiss, Judy Jones, Paul Salon (new member), Rob
Shapiro, John Wertis; Liaisons: Guy Girard (BPW), John Johnson (CC), Dan Hoffman (CC); Guest: Jerry
Weisburd
ABSENT: Keith Waldron
1. Jan. minutes approved unan.
2. Heard report from Jerry Weisburd about his proposed development for West Hill, along Floral Ave.
Project is being proposed as part of Community Devel. Block Grant. 5 acres, 30 houses [note: since been
changed to 27]. Two gullies. 51 % of homes would have to be sold to families with incomes 80% or less of
median income ($30,000 for family of 2, $36,000 for family of 4). Their aim is that the houses for these
families would cost about $70,000. They'd have 1100 -1200 sq. ft. of floor area, in two stories. Super energy
efficient -- NYSE -Star program. Two impacts he asked us to look at: impact on community at large and impact
on the site itself. Re first, he feels that the City is the best place for affordable housing. Various other aspects
were discussed.
3. Lead paint draft: will be sent out for our review before the March meeting. Bara will also write a
letter to Cuomo, and send to us for review. [CAL BARA wrm commENTS oN MEsE!]
4. Jon Meigs's idea: dry cleaners, gas stations, printers, and other generators - -what chemicals do they
use? MSDS (material safety data sheets) - -too long to be useful for this purpose.
5. Inlet resolution discussed, modified slightly, and passed unan. (Bara motioned, Cathy seconded.)
6. BPW report (Guy): Recycling in City Court House, etc. Guy will ask Police Chief whether, and
what, they are recycling. Big restructuring of BPW meetings is in the works.
Six -Mile Creek area: DEC - mandated project at 60' Dam, to reanchor it: consultant to investigate. Other dam
repairs also needed. Access road projects: repairs to rd. from Giles St. to 30' Dam, and possible new one
from Burns Rd. to 60' Dam. Rob talked to Chuck Baker who said these things are being talked about, but no
plans yet. Re rd. from Burns Rd.: might be needed if zebra mussels come or if new rules require potassium
permanganate at the intake. Current rd. from Rte. 79 is thought to be too steep, icy, and muddy, and City
owns too little land on each side to improve it. John W. reported from Six -Mile Creek Committee that DPW
hoped to have something on Burns Rd. access by April. Betsy was asked to ask Planning Committee to look
into and take lead on these various activities.
Consensus that land acquisition along 6 -Mile should be a top priority.
7. John Wertis gave brief report on proposals for Inlet Island. Little parkland would be left.
8. Report on trash tag idea: sheets can't be cut and sold in smaller amts.
9. SWAP projects were turned in to Bara.
10. Earthday: CAC endorsed Betsy's proposed project with Southside CC on water quality. Many
downtown kids fish in the often dirty streams through downtown. Project would heighten awareness of water
quality, where storm drains lead to, possible effects on fish taken home to eat, etc. A few ideas suggested:
more storm drain stencilling; get canoes from Youth Bureau and canoe up the creeks to look at the water and
test it with kits from Co -op Ext.; put blue runoff - testing dye down some storm sewers and track where it
comes out. Betsy to call Southside. Further discussion and planning at March meeting, if possible with
someone from Southside.
11. Members agreed with Betsy's proposal to "opt out" of commenting on the West State Street rezoning
EAF; not our area of expertise.
12. Meeting adjourned about 9:50.
I.
MINUTES
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Meeting of March 9, 1992
Notice: From March 17 -Aug. 7, at Johnson Art Museum, there's an exhibit of photos on the environ-
ment, by Robert Glenn Ketchum and others. Said to be a superb exhibit.
PRESENT: Betsy Darlington (Chair), Cathy Emilian, Bara Hotchkiss, Paul Salon, Rob Shapiro;
LIAISONS Dan Hoffman (CC) and Guy Gerard (BPW)
GUEST: Lacretia Pearson (Southside CC)
ABSENT: Judy Jones, Keith Waldron, John Wertis
1. Feb. Minutes approved unanimously with one correction: Guy's last name is spelled Gerard.
Guy will ask Police Chief McEwen about ??
2. Southside stream quality project: Lacretia Pearson, who works with Southside's afterschool
project, was here to plan for this event:
First week - -storm drain stencilling; second week- -water testing in nearby creeks and /or canoeing up them.
Should plan on five groups of kids, so each group can be small. Ages 5 -11. "Adopting a stream" is an
additional possibility.
Lacretia will look into getting canoes from Youth Bureau and finding out about liability, etc. Guy will
find out from John W. what supplies we still have, and get remainder from DPW (paint, stencils, 15
orange cones). Dan will also look into liability aspects. Paul will look into getting water testing kits.
Dates: Thur. May 7 and 14, with 21 and 28 as raindates.
Cathy, Dan, Guy, Rob, Betsy, and Bara may be able to help on at least one of these dates.
3. Lead paint abatement brochure: Letter to Cuomo was approved. Lew Durland is incorporating
last- minute changes, suggested by Tom McCarthy. Possibility of joining forces with Co -op Extension;
Lew will talk to Nancy ? .
4. Wilcox Press site: Rob checked out the area and found pallets and misc. junk still there, but they
appear to still occupy the site. Rob will write a polite note asking about their clean -up plans. (This was
in response to the letter to the Journal from someone, complaining about debris there.)
5. Discussion of Weisburds' West Inlet subdivision plans and the EAF.
6. Shade Tree Adv. Comm. -- Cathy: STAC discussed our suggestions about watering street trees in
front of homes. Cathy will call Jim Houghton to suggest a Consery -a -tip on this. Our idea of planting
fruit trees was rejected because of�_-llow jacket problems, need for spraying, and short life expectancy.
7. EMC- -Bara: EMC is regrouping. Bara's on Land Use and Trans. Committee. They've been
discussing pesticide spraying on right -of -ways.
8. BPW- -Guy: also regrouping. Traffic: they're trying to prioritize streets -- neighborhood vs.
through streets. (Jill Tripp and Paul Brandford working on this.) Discussed Bill Gray's memo re ours to
Common Council (concerning 6 -Mile Creek projects). Agreed that a letter should be sent to him, but
circulated to all CAC members first, for comments. Cathy to draft, then send to Betsy. Gist should be:
sorry he misunderstood our intentions; one thing we do is field inquiries; we just want to be kept
informed; what is our charge - -send copy of CAC's enabling legislation.
9. CAC opening: decided to put a notice in the paper.
10. EAF subcommittee for Mid -March to Mid -June: Rob, John, Betsy
11. Betsy will call Dick Booth, then others, about need for our second CC liaison. [Note: no one has
time to do it, so it seems we'll have just one liaison, for now.]
12. Recycling bins on Commons: problems involve pickup and dropoff; quality control. Betsy will
ask Jean Demming to talk to Commons cleanup staff, et al. This simple act seems to be impossible to
achieve!
NEXT MEETING: Monday, May 11, 1992
a
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Meeting of April 13, 1992
PRESENT: Bara Hotchkiss, Peter McDonald, John Wertis, Betsy Darlington, Judy Jones, Rob
Shapiro; BPW liaison Guy Gerard; guest Stephanie Michael (IC student)
ABSENT: Cathy Emilian, Paul Salon, Keith Waldron; CC liaison Dan Hoffman
1. March Minutes were approved unanimously, after filling in the info asked re Guy
Gerard asking someone something: the "something" was recycling in the City Court House.
2. Southside C C. project: (3:15 PM, MAY 7 AND 14, RAIN DATES 21 AND 28) John
will check out good places to launch the canoes; Betsy will check with City Atty. or Dan H.
on any liability problems. [Note: because of logistics problems, we have since decided to
scrap the canoeing part of the project and substitute a walk along Six -Mile Creek to Wegmans
and the Flood Relief Channel behind it, picking up trash and checking on the water quality
along the way. This will be the week after the street drain stencilling.]
3. Lead paint brochure: Judy and Bara reported that this is in Lew Durland's hands now,
for final changes. Hope to have ready soon. Co -op Extension is planning one on interior paint
removals. We might collaborate on a training program.
4. Introduced new member, Peter McDonald.
5. SWAC (Solid Waste) report: (Judy) Solid Waste management plan is now available in
draft form. Judy's on the Reduction and Reuse Study Committee of SWAC. Trash Days
brought in a huge volume of stuff, far more than expected.
6. BPW.- (Guy) BPW passed a resolution of commitment to environmental consider-
ations when planning 6 -Mile Creek projects. Discussed beaver situation in area between Van
Atta's Dam and 30 -foot Dam. Our consensus was that before any are trapped, more info is
needed- -how much of a threat are they there? how many are there? opinions of biologists
knowledgeable about beavers?
7. Footbridge over 6 -Mile Cr. near planned Court House: (Rob) This committee is
meeting to review the design. (Already been decided to build the bridge. Rob feels that,
while it will be nice to have, it is a rather large expense and may not be needed since road
bridges are so nearby.)
Wilcox Press site: (Rob) Called the manager and asked if the trash is being or will be
cleaned up - -that we had received complaints. Answer: yes.
S. EAF's: Betsy reported on the EAF's reviewed by the subcommittee this month.
9. Mass Transit Committee: Rob may be able to be our new liaison to this. Will call
Andy Yale.
10. Conrail: Betsy reported that Keith told her we'd be getting an invitation from DuPont
(Tom Evans), inviting us to send one or more people to their Wilmington, Del. plant for
meetings they're planning with reps. from communities all over the country -- probably in June.
Purpose is to hear from all of us about community concerns with pesticide use along rail
rights -of -way, and to explain their products to us. They'll pay for transportation, hotel, etc.
[Note: letter hasn't come yet.] Bara and Judy expressed an interest in going, and Keith told
Betsy he would be happy to, also. (We'll send as many as they'll pay for.)
11. Ithaca Festival and recycling: Bara will call Ted Crane, Festival coordinator. Betsy
will call Jim Houghton, suggesting a Conservatip - -bring your own dishes and utensils to Ithaca
Festival (to cut down waste and to avoid having to eat from potato pancake- soaked paper
plates).
12. Open Space Inventory: Discussed whether or not we might want to undertake such a
project (as mandated by the State). John and Judy will check out what's already been done.
Adjourned at 9:27 PM T
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Meeting of May 11, 1992
Present: Betsy Darlington, Bara Hotchkiss, Cathy Emilian, Peter McDonald, Paul Salon, John
Wertis; BPW liaison: Guy Gerard
Absent: Judy Jones, Rob Shapiro, Keith Waldron; CC liaison: Dan Hoffman
1. April minutes approved unan.
2. Recently learned that EAF subcommittee meetings have to be open to the public, announced
in advance, and accessible to handicapped. To comply: such meetings will be once a month on the
Thursday evening prior to the P &D Board's Codes Committee meeting, in City Hall. No more 9AM
Sunday meetings, to get in quicky reviews of things that come to P &D on Friday!
3. Neighbors of Weisburds' West Inlet proposal sued City (and lost) when City gave it a neg.
dec. Barbara Blanchard suggested different wording from current City ordinance. Group was
supportive of the concept, and voted to send a memo suggesting wording as in the State's, or at least
as strong as State's, if different from it (and have City atty. check this). (Moved by John, seconded
by Paul.) (Has to do with Type I actions, and likelihood of these requiring an EIS.)
4. Proposed stream corridor and steep slope protection ordinance is being reviewed by Town of
Ithaca. We'll review.
5. Recycling at Ithaca Festival: Bara is organizing this. Volunteers needed to stand next to
bins. [Note: 7 CAC members have signed up! Some time slots still need filling, however.] Cathy
said husband, Joe Daley, might be able to lend his truck to the cause.
6. Lead paint: in Lew Durland's hands. Still more info has come in from NYS, and he's
continuing to work on it. Maybe ready by June meeting?
7. Guy, BPW: Re beavers along 6 -Mile Creek - -Roger Miner (sp ?) from DEC met with Guy,
Betsy, and Dan Schmohe (City Forester). Spent 3 hours checking on extent of damage, from Van
Atta's Dam to 30 -ft. reservoir. He felt damage was not extensive, and did not indicate a large
population of beavers. Habitat only marginal for them, so he predicted pop. would not get out of
hand. He would not issue permit to eradicate, at this point. Dan suggested reassessing it in the fall,
and Roger agreed that was a good idea.
Bara suggested that the deer population there as well as on West Hill should be of much
greater concern to everyone, in terms of habitat destruction and problems in people's yards.
8. Bara, EMC: Carol Sisler gave excellent presentation at EMC on the uses of Cayuga Lk., and
their effect on water quality. Latter seems to be in good shape, but one problem is the low utilization
of the septage removal tanks, of which there are only two, by boaters. (In other words, raw sewage
is being dumped from boats into the lake.) Betsy suggested lake user fees that include the pump -out
service: if people have to pay for it anyway, maybe they'll be more inclined to actually use it. Bara
will pass this idea on.
EMC is interested also in lending support on acquisition of land along east side of Flood
Control Channel (Cayuga Inlet), as part of park alienation process. Bara will convey to them that
John Schroeder and John Whitcomb should be consulted.
EMC is looking at roadside spraying policies in the County.
9. Betsy reported on May 7 storm drain stencilling with Southside CC kids, and plans for May
14 project to check stream quality with them. - --
10. Long discussion of Weisburds' West Inlet project, and of memo to Planning Board. Brief
discussion of rumor that some (on Common Council? Planning Dept.? Planning Board ?) think Betsy
doesn't represent CAC views, but just her own. Agreed that others should try to attend P &D Bd.
meeting and show this isn't so. Agreed that such a notion is insulting to other members of the CAC.
- -Bara Hotchkiss and Betsy Darlington
MINUTES
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Meeting of June 8, 1992
PRESENT: Betsy Darlington, Keith Waldron, Rob Shapiro, Judy Jones, Paul Salon, Bara Hotchkiss,
John Wertis; Liaisons: Guy Gerard, Dan Hoffman; Guests: Lew Durland, David Kay
ABSENT: Cathy Emilian, Peter McDonald; Liaison: Jill Tripp
1. EAF reports
Shade Tree Adv. Comm. report: adopt -a -tree and group purchases of trees being discussed.
2. Lead paint brochure: Lew handed out the "final" draft. Decided to send to City Atty. for advice
Le a disclaimer and other matters. Also to send copy to John Andersson at County Health Dept. for final
chance to comment on it.
A new bill on lead paint removal: Bara will draft a letter of support and bring to July 13th
meeting.
3. Cluster ordinance discussion: David Kay from Planning Board listed problems he perceives with
it, e.g.:
At conceptual level -- ambiguous. What's "open space "? What's role of open space?
Purpose isn't primarily to provide affordable housing, yet being used that way.
Is a lawn "open space" that "counts "?
Perverse incentive to developers to include sensitive land in private lots.
"Other areas not normally appropriate for building construction " - -this is unclear.
In practice, submission of 2 plans (one standard subdiv., one clustered) is unrealistic; what would
actually be allowed under a standard subdiv. needs to be looked at realistically.
Planning Bd. needs more flexibility in implementation.
Needed:
Clear definition of "unbuildable." Subtract out that entire area, not just 50% of it. (I.e., none
should be included in the set -aside area.)
Need a good standard subdiv. proposal to compare with- -a realistic scenario. Doesn't work to
compare the cluster plan with a contrived and unrealistic grid laid down on top of the site.
Should set - asides be publicly or privately owned?
Should severely disturbed areas (e.g. cut - and -fill areas along roadways) be counted in the set -
aside calculations, as was done with Weisburds' project?
Bara will call Thys Van Cort and ask if summer intern could look at the ordinance and come up with
improvements. RA w , I 1 �,64 cow -A—L, A,,- c Ac , Lq.,. 4') c A c , 4.-
4. Inlet Island substitute lands -- discussion: 1st choice has real logic to it;
2nd choice is weird; 3rd choice also has logic to it - -along future bikeway.
Unanimous vote for 1 and 3, with #3 made longer and narrower.
(Note from Betsy: this was relayed to John Schroeder, Chair of Inlet Is. Committee. He asked that we
come up with additional ideas as more may be needed to fulfill equal value rule.)
5. Beavers along Six -Mile Creek: letter from Beth Mulholland /Circle Greenway to BPW was read,
advocating eradication.
6. EAF committee for next three months: Rob, Betsy, Peter (if he agrees - -if not, then Keith)
7. BPW report - -Guy: Bridge - painting again coincided with swallow nesting. Mowing along Inlet
coincided with duck nesting. Guy to get schedule of remaining projects, if he can.
6 -Mile Cr. -- damage from trail bikes; New ranger - -James ?
8. Excavation and fill ordinance. Paul will look at it and call Betsy with comments.
9. May Minutes approved unan.
10. Adjourned at 10:05 PM
MINUTES
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Meeting of July 13, 1992
PRESENT: Peter McDonald, Keith Waldron, Cathy Emilian, Betsy Darlington (Chair), Bara Hotchkiss; Liaisons:
Jill Tripp (P &D), Dan Hoffman (CC)
ABSENT: Judy Jones, John Wertis, Rob Shapiro, Paul Salon, BPW liaison Guy Gerard
1. Betsy announced that Judy was absent because the Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAG) meeting was
rescheduled for this same night. Since we are supposed to be represented on SWAC, she will try to have their meetings
changed so they don't coincide with ours.
2. Discussion of street hierarchy idea, led by Cathy. For years, such a system has been used by the DPW in making
decisions about such things as stop signs, although the public really wasn't aware of this. Other things can be done to
help relieve various traffic problems: e.g. put back Plain St. Bridge, synchronize traffic lights, improve bus system (esp.
so buses run on time!), improve enforcement of speed limits.
Cathy will draft a letter to BPW, circulate it to all of us for comments, then send to BPW.
3. Jill has moved to 114 Monroe St
4. June Minutes approved unan.
5. Cluster ordinance comments: draft approved unanimously, with addition of items that came up during West Inlet
(Weisburd) review.
6. Peter led discussion on pesticide use. Towns and Counties can set their own rules, provided they're at least as
strict as State or Federal regs. Peter has packet of recommended practices for Towns, etc. Jill will find out cost of
pesticide program at Golf Course and other details (e.g. what's being used). Betsy reported that IPM was about to be
instigated at Golf Course, but isn't after all (lost the person hired to do this). Keith ( ?) reported that IPM for golf course
turf can save $30- 40,000 a year. IPM uses the best management, least toxic approach, and consensus was that the City
should be doing this. Norm Hummel and Marty Petrovic at Cornell were suggested as good contacts on IPM for this
purpose. Keith will talk to Dan Schmohe and see if he could come to next CAC meeting to update us on pesticide usage
by the City. He'll also ask Dan what problems he perceives and what we may be able to do to help.
EMC may do .a survey on pesticide usage by homeowners in the county.
7. Dupont trip: consensus was that we should send in questions /comments in advance. Agreed to come to Aug.
meeting with ideas.
8. Lead paint bill got passed by NYS legislature in very watered -down form.
Our brochure: Bara will call Lew and Judy about some minor changes, then get wording to Keith to put into his
computer. General approval of format Keith came up with on his computer (after many hours of struggle!).
9. Cathy- -Shade Tree A. C.: Adopt -a -tree program - -need a catchy name for it. Nina Bassuk has secured a grant for
plantings on an island along Elmira Rd. ( ?)
10. Bike sign resolution approved unan.; will send to BPW.
11. John Schroeder presented a report on the Inlet Island Plan. Concerns were raised about the extensive bank
erosion of the Island and on how development proposals will be reviewed to ensure that it will be attractive.
MINUTES
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Meeting of Sept. 14, 1992
PRESENT: John Wertis, Keith Waldron, Rob Shapiro, Cathy Emilian, Judy Jones, Paul Salon, Bara Hotchkiss;
liaisons: Dan Hoffman (C.C.), Guy Gerard (BPW)
ABSENT: Betsy Darlington, Peter MacDonald
1. #10 in minutes for August meeting changed so that information will be brought to November meeting.
August minutes approved with change.
2. Lead paint booklet distribution:
Bara- -Co -op Ext., John Andersson, (Landlord Association, painters ?)
Paul -- Grossmans, Wickes
Judy -- Valley Lumber, Agway, Cayuga Lumber
John - -IBC and Hancock Plaza
Keith- -East Hill Paint
Rob -- Sherwin Williams
Cathy-- KMart, Woolworth
Betsy has distributed to City Hall, IPD, Perfect Painters, INHS, Historic Ithaca, Bishops, Southside
Community Center
PR- -Ithaca Journal, press release: recommendation
- -Betsy volunteered by CAC
3. Dan Hoffman- -City Master Plan: Strategic planning steps: housing, transportation.
Idea: single master plan. Somewhat undefined; interested in finding out what CAC would like to see
included.
Judy: avoidance of further development of waterfront (e.g. bus garage) and City waterways; concern with
run -off from chemicals. Three major gas spills in CU bus garage in recent past: flushed into drainage ditches!
Guy: frustrated because many studies done over time without any result (case in point: water protection, but
no one used steep slopes, gorges)
Suggestions: Guidelines for process of development
Review /incorporation of past studies
Continued acquisition of land along Six -Mile Creek
Alternative transportation pathways
Considerations of air pollution: mass transit
Varied land use
Planning Committee: Planning Dept. (staff) and 1/2 of Common Council
- -Will have to make major decisions re goals for development /protection
Cathy: improve aesthetics of South and West sides; plantings, upgrading; City beautification; enhance
neighborhoods.
Interest expressed by all to make Rt. 96 overpass at Octopus as well landscaped as possible (trees, plantings);
want to take opportunity to take cohesive look at when plantings should be considered.
CAC may want to forward recommendations. Paul made a motion, Rob seconded.
CAC would like Planning Committee to review process of final evaluation of Octopus reconfiguration. Make
sure that City gets advance information.
Motion to write memo to Planning Committee: "green" recommendation; CAC wants to review plan as soon
as possible to have input on environmental and aesthetic aspects. We don't want ignoring of bicycle paths to occur
again.
4. New EAF subcommittee: Betsy, Rob, John
5. Trash tags: John - -City now allows purchase of 1/2 sheets of both sizes ($22 and $36: $11 and $18).
No process for buying individual tags.
Suggested tag machine like postage stamp machines, for individual purchases.
- -Bara Hotchkiss
MINUTES
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Meeting of November 9, 1992
Present: Peter MacDonald, Rob Shapiro, Judy Jones, Betsy Darlington, Bara Hotchkiss; liaisons Guy Gerard (BPW)
and Dan Hoffman (CC); guest Dr. Jerry Hersh
Absent: Cathy Emilian, Keith Waldron, John Wertis, Paul Salon; liaison Jill Tripp (P &D Board)
1. Sept. minutes approved unanimously. (There was no Oct. meeting.)
2. Dr. Jerry Hersh who lives at the end of Renzetti Pl. on South Hill was present for discussion of deer
population explosion in his yard. Everything they plant gets eaten. 7 deer currently hang out (pig out ?) in his yard
which adjoins the Six -Mile Creek forest. Bara attested to the same problem on West Hill. It was mentioned that
overpopulation of deer along Six -Mile Creek has an adverse impact on tree regeneration and wildflowers as well.
Dr. Hersh pointed out that eventually Lyme Disease is bound to reach Ithaca, and this could be an additional
problem -- although, Betsy mentioned, since deer mice also carry the deer tick, and there are numerous deer mice in
the City, the deer might not add significantly to the problem.
Various ideas were suggested: having a permit system with which a homeowner could bring in someone to
shoot the deer on the property, then donate the meat to shelters; live - trapping and relocating (but this costs $500 per
deer!); feeding them birth control drugs; various types of fencing. Cayuga Nature Center is sponsoring a meeting on
the problem on Dec. 2 at Co-op Extension, and it was agreed that we would wait till after that meeting to take any
sort of action. At Dec. CAC mtg. we'll discuss again. Judy will call Gordon Gabaree (wildlife control officer) and
see if he has any suggestions.
3. Betsy reported on her and Candace Cornell's August visit to DuPont. 5 other "concerned citizens" from
around the country were also present. Many meetings with a variety of DuPont employees involved in their
agricultural pesticide division. New class of pesticides-- Sulfonylureas- -that DuPont has come up with: far safer and
better than their predecessors; kind of "designer" pesticides. Each is targeted at a particular weed that's a problem
with a particular crop. DuPont pushes IPM and does a lot of training of users of its pesticides. They don't use
overseas any pesticides that would not be permitted in the U.S. or that do not pass their own strict standards (which
are stricter than the EPA's). They are trying to get EPA to pass stricter pesticide legislation so that other companies
would have to meet the standards that DuPont requires internally. Candace and Betsy were favorably impressed with
the quality of the people they met with, and with DuPont's attempts to operate in an environmentally "friendly" way.
4. Bara read a resolution passed by the EMC, commending the CAC for the lead paint booklet.
5. Betsy gave STAC report, called in by Cathy: new tree program has been named "Ithaca Tree Works;" a few
will be planted this fall, but most next spring. Cathy is designing a logo for it. City forester (both the position and
the person) are still in limbo.
6. Betsy gave P &D report, called in by Jill: Rick Cowles project at Ithaca Scrap site: Board is pushing for trees
in parking lot, and careful drainage management, including grease traps. No news to report on City Master Plan.
7. SWAG- -Judy: burning, illegal dumping, 60% increase in solids at WWTP are all problems. User fees: hard
to assess for each living unit.
8. BPW - -Guy: beavers along Six -Mile Creek up for discussion again. Roger Miner from DEC is coming
this Friday to reevaluate. Betsy reported that she surveyed the area a few days ago and was surprised at how little
fresh damage there was. Since beavers are laying in supplies for the winter now, a lot of damage would be expected
if there were a lot of beavers in the area. BPW was asked if this was a maintenance or a policy question, and the
decision was made that it was the latter.( ? ?)
9. Rte. 96- Octopus: Betsy will write to DOT, asking status of landscaping and bike lane proposals for the new
road.
10. Single trash tags: Peter will call John Wertis to find out what City Chamberlain (Debby Parsons) said about
this. If appropriate, he'll call Parsons. Betsy said that 1/2 sheets were now available. Consensus was that single tags
should be available.
Adjourned about 9:40 PM.
- -Betsy Darlington
CONSER VA 77ON AD VISOR Y COUNCIL
Minutes -- Meeting of December 14, 1992
Present: Paul Salon, Peter McDonald, Betsy Darlington, Judy Jones, Bara Hotchkiss, Cathy Emilian, Keith Waldron;
Liaison: Guy Gerard (BPW); Guest: Doria Higgins
Absent: John Wertis, Rob Shapiro; Liaison: Dan Hoffman (CC)
November Minutes approved unanimously.
2. Festival Lands /Treman Marina discussion: Many members spoke, all in opposition to various aspects of the
proposed development, and expressing the opinion that we already have two nearby parks where one can drive right up to
lakeside picnic tables, but this is the only undeveloped Lakeshore open to the public. General support for reestablishment of
flood plain forest, as proposed.
Sample quotes: "We can't build a cement highway to every beautiful place." "For whose benefit would the City's
land be transferred to the State ?" "It's superbly beautiful and unique right now." "It would be vandalism to come in and
change it." "It's now available to all, 12 months a year." "There's already far more parking available there than is
needed." "It's an oasis from society, cars, pavement." "Every time we specialize the use of a park, we get away from
universal use." "New road is totally unnecessary. Paved path would be ok. What does the City get out of this ?" "The
new road is more of a problem than the new slips." "Rather than putting line of trees west of Marina, let's recommend
putting trees in the existing parking lot. "
No consensus on the expansion of the Marina itself with a new bulkhead- -more water quality studies are needed in
the lake, the ones that have been done being very limited.
Finally, votes. were taken on each of various elements as proposed in the preliminary draft master plan, and the
Chair was directed to communicate these votes to State Parks (OPRHP), Finger Lks. St. Parks, Common Council, and the
Mayor:
New road from Rt. 89: all opposed;
New parking lot, new parking spaces, new parking along west side of Marina: all opposed;
Contraction of the existing natural area (as would be necessitated by the proposal): all opposed;
Paved sidewalk to end of bulkhead: all in favor;
New bathroom: all opposed;
New sewage pump station: all opposed;
New line of trees west of expanded marina: all opposed (they would increase the encroachment into the natural
area and block view of the boats);
Marina expansion: no vote taken -- consensus was to wait for more info. on water quality.
3. Beavers in Six -Mile Cr. between Van Atta's Dam and 30 -Foot Dam: discussion, then resolution, approved
unanimously, recommending that BPW not kill them at this time.
4. EAF subcommittee for mid -Dec. to mid - March: Betsy, Peter, Rob
5. Betsy reported on BZA's granting of a variance for large project along Rt. 13, to be partly in City's Floodway
Zone: no EAF done although a Type I action. (Over 116,000 s.f., parking for about 700 cars, etc.) Betsy passed around a
letter to City Atty. and BZA Chair, from her, Dick Booth, and Dan Hoffman, requesting reversal of decision.
6. Deer control discussion: Judy reported on two recent meetings she attended on this: Rochester has big problem
and is initiating a control procedure to deal with it (including hiring sharpshooters!). But NYS Ag and Markets forbids use
of the venison for soup kitchens. BGR, available at Agway actually does repel deer, if put out every month. Also, "deer
stopper" works and is to be licensed soon. Ropel and Hinder don't work.
Consensus that this is a county -wide problem and should be addressed at that level.
Adjourned about 9:30 PM.
- -Betsy Darlington