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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PC-2012-02-14.pdfApproved by Parks Commission – 4/10/12 -1- CITY OF ITHACA PARKS COMMISSION February 14, 2012 Cornell Cooperative Extension MINUTES Attended by: Commissioners Dan Krall, Chair Larry Fabbroni, Jr. Suzanne VanDeMark Dan Klein Margaret Hobbie Cynthia Brock (CC Liaison) Staff JoAnn Cornish Jeanne Grace Megan Wilson Guests Kent Johnson (City Engineering) Minutes There was no quorum at the start of the meeting so the minutes from the January meeting will be held for approval at a future meeting. Additions/Deletions to the Agenda D. Krall reported that the Children’s Garden has encountered problems with their hoop house and has requested that the nursery training project be pulled from the agenda. Follow-up on Cornell Sun Article on Proposed Rand Memorial D. Krall shared an article from the Cornell Daily Sun about the Commission’s recommendation that the proposed memorial for Nathaniel Rand not be installed in the Ithaca Falls Natural Area. D. Krall was interviewed for the articles and has received a subsequent request for an interview. The Commission discussed the concern that the article seems to indicate that the Commission’s recommendation is the official City decision on the proposed memorial. The Rand family can still take their proposal to the Board of Public Works for a final decision on the installation, and the Parks Commission’s recommendation would be considered in this decision. To avoid the appearance of speaking on behalf of the City as a whole, it was decided that D. Krall will decline the additional interview request and explain the decision-making process to the reporter. If he is contacted by the Cornell representative or the family, he will explain the process to them as well. The Commission will also work on developing a proposed memorials policy. Staff will send previous work on the policy to the Commission. Report from Parks Inventory Subcommittee The Commission reviewed the inventory form for field observations of City parks. It was noted that it may be necessary to re-evaluate field conditions later in the spring. Commission members suggested adding a place to comment on Adopt-a Park or other park volunteers. Another suggestion was to add a place to indicate the number of signs and the number of benches or other amenities. Approved by Parks Commission – 4/10/12 -2- L. Fabbroni Jr. presented a work plan and timeline for the projects completion by August 2012. The goal is to present the completed inventory to the Board of Public Works. Commission members volunteered to inventory unassigned parks by the March meeting. Report from Subcommittee of Special Events Team C. Brock explained this year’s special events policy and the new subcommittee that will be looking to streamline the process, increase revenue, and decrease costs for 2013. Park fees for use of all or large portions of a park and paying for parking at special events are two parks- related items the subcommittee will be considering. J. Cornish reminded those in attendance that even with a fee, a user cannot have exclusive use of a public park. S. VanDeMark noted that the fees generated from park use should go back into the parks, not into the general fund. C. Brock responded that the Special Events Team would like to see the revenue go back into special events. D. Krall stated that this discussion goes back to the point that no one knows how much it costs to maintain City parks. C. Brock stated that the City is looking for volunteers to work with the subcommittee on proposals for 2013. Proposed Sidewalk in Bryant Park K. Johnson explained that Ithaca Road will be repaved between Mitchell Street and Dryden Road this summer. This project presents an opportunity to install a missing link of sidewalk in Bryant Park. The proposal is to relocate the fence back further into the park to allow for the sidewalk and a treelawn. This location would put the sidewalk in line with existing sidewalks in the neighborhood. S. VanDeMark noted that the project may be eligible for Safe Routes to School grant funding. The Commission discussed the concern that moving the shrubs and the fence into the park by 15- 20 feet will make a small park even smaller. There was discussion of the shrubs being removed. It was noted that while the fence keeps children and balls out of the road, shrubs would be visually more appealing. The Commission asked about installing the sidewalk within the fence (inside of the park). K. Johnson responded that the available funding is for the road-side location because it is part of the repaving project. The Commission asked about neighborhood comments on the proposal. K. Johnson and J. Grace indicated that they have not yet sought neighborhood input. The Commission would like to hear neighborhood input first but is in general agreement that the sidewalk installation is a good idea. Proposed Removal of Two Trees in DeWitt Park J. Grace presented a proposal to remove two trees at the south end of DeWitt Park to allow more light into the park. This would allow the ground to dry out and more grass to grow. The Commission had no objections to the proposal, but J. Grace will contact the Presbyterian Church (owners of the park) to review the proposal with them. Approved by Parks Commission – 4/10/12 -3- Questions & Concerns for Mayor Myrick The Commission developed the following list of questions and concerns to raise with the Mayor when he attends the March Parks Commission meeting: • Lack of clarity in funding - What do City parks cost? • Current work to update the Parks Inventory • How do City parks fit into the Mayor’s agenda? • Money originating in parks should be going back into parks • Ithaca has a lot of parks for a city of its size - Integral part of the city - Some parks are important as a tourism draw; others are neighborhood parks • Lack of clarity in oversight of parks - Some parks are managed differently - Different people and departments have a role (splintered management) Membership The Commission discussed current vacancies and possible members. Stephen Schmidt, a landscape architect, was suggested as a possible member. Parks Commission Representation at BPW The Commission discussed having regular reports to the Board of Public Works to keep parks on the Board’s agenda. There is time available for Commission members to address the Board on the 4th Monday of the month for approximately 8-10 minutes. Meetings begin at 4:45 p.m. The Commission agreed that it would be a good idea to address the Board a few times a year. Ghost Bike The Commission recapped the previous month’s discussion of the ghost bike, which is a memorial to a bicyclist who was killed in a traffic accident near Washington Park. The memorial is tied to a stop sign by the park and is now run-down. It was never approved for installation, and several complaints have been received. J. Cornish has contacted Washington Park residents Jutta Dotterweich and Tracy Farrell, and they have posted a message to the neighborhood listserv asking if anyone has knowledge of the memorial’s history and if anyone has objections to its removal. The Commission is waiting on responses from the neighborhood. Common Council member Jennifer Dotson also has information on the memorial.