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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PC-2012-04-10.pdfApproved by Parks Commission – 5/8/12 -1- CITY OF ITHACA PARKS COMMISSION April 10, 2012 Cornell Cooperative Extension MINUTES Attended by: Commissioners Larry Fabbroni Dan Klein Robert Moudry Margaret Hobbie Dan Krall, Chair Suzanne VanDeMark Cynthia Brock (CC Liaison) Jeanne Leccese (BPW Liaison) Staff JoAnn Cornish Jeanne Grace Jim Dalterio Megan Wilson Guests Tom Hanna Emily Sullivan Rick Manning Scott Wiggins Minutes On a motion by S. VanDeMark, seconded by D. Klein, the minutes from the February 2012 meeting were approved unanimously. On a motion by M. Hobbie, seconded by S. VanDeMark, the minutes from the March 2012 meeting were approved unanimously. M. Wilson agreed to take minutes for the April 2012 meeting. Persons to be Heard I. Emily Sullivan, a local architect, was present to address the Commission regarding her proposal for a plaque on the Carl Sagan or Adams Street Bridge. She presented the proposal to the Board of Public Works in March 2012 but was referred to the Parks Commission given the bridge’s location adjacent ton Conley Park and the Commission’s ongoing discussion of memorials. The bridge is constructed of a unique type of rebar developed by a Cornell professor, and the bridge was originally a joint project between the City’s Department of Public Works and Cornell University students in 1999-2000. There is no official recognition of the project, and E. Sullivan is proposing to install a plaque with information about the bridge. While a memorial plaque was originally considered, she has decided to keep the plaque strictly informational. The Commission reviewed a mock-up of the proposed plaque. E. Sullivan is still seeking funding and will approach both the City and Cornell for support. Approved by Parks Commission – 5/8/12 -2- S. VanDeMark noted that she appreciates the BPW informing the Parks Commission of this project and referring it back to the Commission for their opinion. She added that this again highlights the Commission’s need to continue work on a memorials policy. L. Fabbroni indicated that he would be comfortable with an information plaque as it would be helpful to provide more public knowledge of the project. R. Manning stated that the impact of graffiti and ease of removal should be considered before the plaque is installed. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Parks Commission adopted the following resolution: CITY OF ITHACA PARKS COMMISSION RESOLUTION – April 10, 2012 Resolution of Support for an Informational Plaque on the Adams St/Carl Sagan Bridge WHEREAS, local architect Emily Sullivan is proposing to install an informational plaque on the Adams Street/Carls Sagan Bridge, and WHEREAS, the plaque would provide information about the bridge’s construction, which was a joint effort between the Department of Public Works and Cornell Unviersity students, and WHEREAS, the bridge is located adjacent to Conley Park, and WHEREAS, the proposal was presented to the Board of Public Works, and the Board referred the proposal back to the Parks Commission due to the Commission’s ongoing discussion of memorials in City parks, and WHEREAS, the proposed language on the plaque will not include the words “in memory” and will be strictly informational; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Ithaca Parks Commission supports the installation of an informational plaque on the Adams Street/Carl Sagan Bridge. Moved by D. Klein 2nd by L. Fabbroni In Favor: L. Fabbroni, M. Hobbie, D. Klein, D. Krall, S. VanDeMark Against: 0 II. Tom Hanna was present to address the Commission on behalf of the Friends of Newman. The Friends of Newman was formed six years ago. While the group has an obvious interest Approved by Parks Commission – 5/8/12 -3- in the golf course, they also have an interest in all City parks, and T. Hanna expressed an interest in attending the Parks Commission meeting more regularly. The Friends of Newman hope that in reaching their objectives, they can help the City and the Parks Commission reach theirs as well. The Friends of Newman will return to the May meeting for further discussion with the Commission. D. Krall stated that he would appreciate if the Friends of Newman would share any information they have on how much subsidy the golf course receives from the City. S. VanDeMark asked that the group share information about programs for children in at the May meeting. Parks Commissioners briefly discussed the feeling of exclusiveness that surrounds the golf course. T. Hanna responded that there are two points of view on this issue. When people pay to use the golf course, there are some people who cannot use it; however, these people who pay contribute to the cost of the golf course. Update from Friends of Stewart Park Rick Manning and Scott Wiggins were present to provide an update on the Friends of Stewart Park (FSP). S. Wiggins thanked City staff, especially Jeanne Grace, for their recent work in Stewart Park. The FSP are currently organizing volunteer days for the season. There will be a volunteer day on April 21st as part of the community day of service and another day on May 19th. A monthly volunteer day will be scheduled throughout the summer. Projects • Memorial Flagpole Garden: A basic renovation of the memorial flagpole garden was completed last year. The FSP have submitted a grant application to the Garden Club for plantings. They would like to plant in June. A planting plan has been developed and can be brought to the Parks Commission. • All-Children’s Playground: The current playground does not meet code and is spread out over a large area. The Board would like the all-children’s playground to be its first project. The new playground will be located on the site of the existing spray park and adjoining grassy area. The playground design and fundraising are on two parallel tracks. The playground will be a community-build, and the FSP estimate that $500,000 will be needed to complete the project. • New Study: The Stewart Park Rehabilitation Action Plan and the architectural study of the park’s buildings have been completed. A grant application has been submitted to the Strategic Tourism Planning Board to study everything in the park outside of building elements in greater detail. • Dogs on Leash: The FSP would like to see dogs allowed on leash in Stewart Park. They will be sending a letter with this recommendation. This topic will be on the May agenda for further discussion by the Commission. • Log Clean-Up: R. Manning noted that there were many logs that have ended up on the shore in Stewart Park. J. Grace explained that the City used to clean up the logs more frequently but they no longer have a place to store the logs until a tub grinder is rented. The tub grinder is expensive to rent so it is important to accumulate a critical mass of Approved by Parks Commission – 5/8/12 -4- logs. R. Manning is going to follow up with J. Grace on possible ways the FSP could help. Special Events Update C. Brock reviewed her memo to the Parks Commission regarding special event use fees and policies in City parks. The special event use fee that is being proposed is $60 per hour, which is three times the field rental fee. There will be additional charges for load-in and load-out times. It is a nominal fee so as not to shock event organizers and discourage special events that are valued by the community. The fee can be increased over time as needed. L. Fabbroni would like to see a waiver process such that an event would have to prove they are covering the costs and/or giving back to the community to be exempt from the fee. S. VanDeMark stated that she would like to ensure that the fee goes back into the park to cover the costs and maintenance of the parks due to special events. C. Brock noted that many departments feel the special event fee should be directed to them. It would be helpful to develop a list of things that should be done to improve park maintenance that funding could be directed toward. Parks Inventory Update L. Fabbroni reported that he has met with Planning Department staff and Ray Benjamin to obtain additional information for the Parks Inventory and the process to update the document. He plans to meet with Jeanne Grace, Jim Dalterio, the Friends of Stewart Park, and the Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in DeWitt Park as well. He will also schedule another meeting of the Parks Inventory Subcommittee prior to the Commission’s May meeting. Staff Updates J. Grace reported on the projects: • Lawn repair at DeWitt Park: One tree has been removed and a second is scheduled to be removed this winter, per the Commission’s discussion at the February meeting. She has also re-seeded grass in the park. • Gardens at Conley Park: The gardens at Conley Park are in terrible condition. DPW crews will begin mowing one of them, as they are unable to care for perennial gardens. J. Grace has spoken with Monica Roth at Cornell Cooperative Extension about help from the master gardeners. If they are unable to help, the garden will likely need to be removed. o Tom Hanna suggested that community members might be willing to help. J. Grace responded that she never turns away anyone who wants to garden, but it is difficult to recruit and coordinate volunteers. Volunteers for new plantings or other new work cannot be accepted at this time due to the demand on staff resources. D. Krall noted that the City has had an Adopt-a-Park program for years and that also has been difficult. • Stewart Park Trees: J. Grace reported that she will be planting 10 trees in Stewart Park with the grant award. Approved by Parks Commission – 5/8/12 -5- • Bryant Park: J. Grace is preparing a note that will be sent to the neighbors regarding the movement of the fence and installation of a new sidewalk in Bryant Park. The work has been approved by the BPW. • Thompson Park: J. Grace noted that the new location for the pavilion has been prepared and the Commission has requested its relocation but the BPW has not yet discussed the issue. M. Wilson will follow-up with the Superintendent of Public Works about getting the request to relocate the pavilion on a BPW agenda. Ghost Bike Parks Commissioners reviewed the draft resolution regarding the ghost bike in Washington Park. C. Brock suggested adding that the ghost bike was installed by unknown persons to the first “WHEREAS” clause, and the Commission unanimously agreed to this amendment. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Parks Commission adopted the following resolution: CITY OF ITHACA PARKS COMMISSION RESOLUTION – April 10, 2012 Recommendation of Removal of Ghost Bike Memorial in Washington Park WHEREAS, following the death of a local bicyclist in a traffic accident in 2007, a ghost bike memorial was installed by unknown persons in Washington Park near the corner of Washington Street and West Court Street, and WHEREAS, the ghost bike has been in place for several years and has received little maintenance since its original installation, and WHEREAS, the condition of the ghost bike has deteriorated, and several complaints about the bike have been directed to the Parks Commission, and WHEREAS, in order to learn more information about the history of the ghost bike and its maintenance as well as neighborhood comment, the Parks Commission reached out to the Washington Park neighborhood and the international ghost bike organization (ghostbikes.org), and WHEREAS, there was a mixed response from residents of the Washington Park neighborhood; some residents would like the ghost bike removed while others appreciate the memorial and provide minor upkeep, and WHEREAS, while some minor clean-up is provided by neighborhood residents, there is no individual or organization that is responsible for ongoing maintenance of the ghost bike, and WHEREAS, the ghost bike was installed without a recommendation from the Parks Commission or approval by the Board of Public Works, and Approved by Parks Commission – 5/8/12 -6- WHEREAS, other proposals for memorials have sought approval for installation in City parks and have been denied for both logistical reasons and to prevent parks from being overpopulated by memorials, and WHEREAS, the Parks Commission will be preparing a proposed memorials policy that will provide guidelines for the future acceptance and installation of memorials in City parks; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the City of Ithaca Parks Commission recommends that the Board of Public Works authorize and direct the removal of the ghost bike memorial from Washington Park. Moved by R. Moudry 2nd by D. Klein In Favor: L. Fabbroni, M. Hobbie, D. Klein, D. Krall, R. Moudry, S. VanDeMark Against: 0 Markles Flats C. Brock reported that the Ithaca City School District will be demolishing the Markles Flats building and installing two basketball courts, lighting, and parking on the site. While the property is owned by the school district, it is likely that people will think that this is a City park, and she wanted Parks Commissioners to know about the plans in case they receive any questions or comments.