HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-Parks-2014-11-04Approved – 12/9/14
CITY OF ITHACA PARKS COMMISSION
Tuesday, November 4, 2014, Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Cornell Cooperative Extension, 615 Willow Avenue, City of Ithaca
MINUTES
Present:
Commissioners: Dan Krall, Margaret Hobbie, Ellen Leventry, Roberta Moudry, Larry Fabbroni,
Margaret Hobbie (Roberta taking notes)
Staff:
Jim D’Alterio, Recreation Facilities Director/Cass Park
Megan Wilson, City Planner
Jeanne Grace, City Forester
Liaisons:
Bill Goldsmith, BPW liaison
Cynthia Brock, Common Council liaison
Others:
Marc Messing, Caleb Thomas (Public Art Commission), Sam Boscoe, Indigo Wylde
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER
On a motion by Margaret, seconded by Ellen, the September minutes were unanimously
approved.
On a motion by Margaret, seconded by Ellen, the October minutes were unanimously approved.
OLD BUSINESS
Cascadilla Boat Club Lease
Megan updated on the Cascadilla Boat Club lease issues. She contacted the City Attorney. They
are still drafting lease and when completed, the Parks Commission will be able to review and
comment to Common Council. The Parks Commission feedback would be a formal
recommendation to BPW and Common Council. Megan stated that the City Attorney is aware of
the issues discussed at last month’s meeting.
Dan asked a broader question: what role does the lessee (the city or this commission) have in
regulating the uses of the facility that are rented or the behaviors of the renter?
Jim noted that he rents space frequently in Cass. The requirements are primarily about safety and
liability. If the City requires specifics about how a program is run, then we become a collaborator
and have even more liability. He added that if the City Attorney’s office adds requirements about
how a program operates, then it has to be enforceable.
Bill noted that when the Children’s Garden wanted to build or change things physically, they
come and ask for approval, but that is about the physical plant and not about programming.
Cynthia stated that she has spoken to the IYB about how they manage their various teams and
believes there are requirements for safety plans. Jim said that these requirements are only for
internal IYB programs and do not apply to outside organizations.
Cynthia stated that the Commission is an advisory body and could suggest that specific questions
be asked and raise concerns that might guide future lease arrangements.
Larry proposed that we develop a list of questions or concerns we might have with any group
leasing space in the park. We should think more broadly about policy and uses.
Cynthia stated that public parkland is held in public trust and has to be accessible to the public
for their benefit. The boat club is a private club that has exclusive use of a facility. Cynthia feels
it is exclusionary. She believes that this is not a public benefit. If the CBC would change its
structure and allow occasional public use, then it would be a different case.
Ellen suggested that this is a facility issue. The CBC wouldn’t have to be the vendor, but the
point is that the public should have access and the structure should benefit from it.
Bill stated he feels it is not a back and white issue. Softball leagues use city facilities as an
exclusive use. He does not feel that the CBC is any different, in that they occupy city property.
Ellen stated that the public probably doesn’t know that the City owns the boathouse. They likely
believe that the CBC owns the structure. The CBC doesn’t pay an appropriate rent to maintain
the structure, and the City carries that burden with no benefit. She would like to see what the
contract will ask the boat club to pay and then consider what else might be changed. (The CBC is
negotiating a new lease with the City.)
Murals in City Parks
Caleb Thomas made a short presentation last month and returned for a longer presentation and
discussion. The Public Art Commission is interested in going to the BPW and asking for more
opportunities for murals in City parks. They would like to work with Common Council and the
BPW to identify more spaces for art. Specifically, he asked the Commission if there are locations
for City park spaces that would be appropriate for the placement of art.
Jeanne asked about parks where there are no walls or structures. She asked if the PAC was
interested in placing sculptures in those places.
Cynthia stated that if sculptures are available, she suggests the Hector Street Bridge that once
had lights. They have been removed and this would be a good place for sculptures. Murals are
inexpensive and have been very popular, but this bridge would benefit from three-dimensional
art. Caleb noted that it has been suggested in the past.
Dan asked if there were concerns about art in the parks. Larry sees public art as a part of drawing
attention to a park but would like to identify places where art can be showcased while also
enhancing the park. Larry believes there should be a theme or an overarching idea.
Ellen suggested a theme that could drive a temporary installation in many parks, such as the cow
project in Chicago and other projects in NYC.
Caleb talked about the PAC and how they screen volunteer submissions. They issue calls for art,
such as the electric box project. They review submissions, and there is input from nearby
residents or businesses. It is then approved by the Common Council.
Dan asked about graffiti. In the past, the PAC has maintained murals and repaired graffiti.
Megan noted that those who create murals sign an agreement and acknowledge that a mural may
remain for an unknown period of time. Either the artist or the PAC can repair graffiti. If it is not
repaired, the mural will be removed/painted over by the City.
Jim commented on the mural project. He said that other than the main building at Cass, he is
supportive of the program.
Cynthia suggested areas that receive graffiti and utility sheds would be good locations for
murals. She is reluctant to see murals on restroom structures, as they are clearly visible as
bathrooms in their unadorned state. Stewart Park buildings are likely off-limits but the
concession building might be a candidate.
Megan explained the actual process. PAC presents a list of sites to BPW. Megan stated that the
Parks Commission’s task is to propose any sites that Caleb has not suggested or to note specific
structures or sites that are not appropriate.
Caleb stated that he and Megan will draft a list of possible sites for the commission to review.
He welcomes individual conversations about the murals. He noted that Megan sends out
postcards to neighboring areas when a site is considered and that Commissioners could also be
sent these cards.
Collaboration with PAC in 2015
There was a suggestion that the PAC work with Parks Commission on a specific park next year.
Commission members expressed an interest in working on individual projects that come up or an
overall plan for art in parks (rather than focusing on a single park).
Bill Goldsmith noted that he grew up in San Francisco near parks that did not contain public art.
He sees most of the public art along streets and wonders if parks would be enhanced by art.
MEMBER AND STAFF REPORTS
City Cemetery Clean Up and Sprint (Ellen)
There was a cleanup on October 25. Jeanne dumped gravel there and it was spread to make paths
level. Potholes were filled in paved areas. Volunteers also raked leaves to make it less slippery.
There were 90 registrants and 25 competitive runners in the sprint. The winning time was 6
minutes and 18 seconds. Trophies were slate tiles to resemble tombstones. The race and clean up
were organized by the Friends of the Ithaca City Cemetery. Ellen felt it was a great success and
that many people came and spent time in the cemetery. Over 40 of the runners returned in the
afternoon for the historic tour.
Cynthia suggested that when we have events like this, it be helpful for the City to be identified as
one of the sponsors of the event. The City logo be included and acknowledged as a sponsor of
this kind of event, in virtue of its longstanding support and maintenance of the spaces.
Bryant Park Work Day (Jeanne)
This was the second and final attempt to establish a community planting at Bryant Park. Last
year, dear ate many plants that are typically deer-resistant. There will be planting on Friday
(11/7) and bulb planting on Saturday morning (11/8).
Dewitt Park (Jeanne)
The Farmers’ Market has an interest in doing something with the area around the perimeter of
the park that is damaged by vendors. Jeanne has in a capital improvement request to pave the
area, redo the curbing, remove the meters and replace them with a pay station. However, the
capital project was not approved. The Golf Course specialist might offer advice on grass in the
area. One of her suggestions is for honeycomb pavers that will permit some grass growth that
can be mowed. Dan noted that they don’t work well and will become dirt (Cornell has used them
unsuccessfully).
Cynthia asked if a raised mat could be required for all vendors. Jeanne suggested that one
strategy would be to excavate, add fill, seed it and then leave it to the farmers market to come up
with a strategy to maintain the grass throughout the season. If they kill the grass, they could be
required to replace it.
Bill suggested that the City ask the Farmers’ Market for additional funding to improve the site.
Jeanne noted that the market only receives a year-to-year lease and so they are unwilling to fund
big improvements.
Dan believes that there needs to be a permanent fix. Jeanne concurs. This is an excellent capital
project as that corner needs so much work.
Other Updates
Cynthia stated that she understands that the Town has reinstated a larger percentage of the parks
funding that they originally had slated to cut. However, they still intend to cut funding 50%.
They are giving another $28,000 but that funding is committed to Stewart Park.
Cynthia asked about the 2014 capital projects for South Hill. Jeanne stated that nothing had
happened. The Commission requested an update for the next meeting.
Dan reported that there is a presentation about Stewart Park on November 18th at 5 p.m. at
Cinempolis.
OLD BUSINESS (CON’T)
Proposed Sign Policy
Last month, the vote was not sufficient to approve the policy and send it to BPW so the
Commission needs to reconsider the proposed policy.
Larry suggested that a sign in a park might be useful for the week prior to an event, right at the
site. Jim is comfortable with the policy as it is written because he manages many events in one
space over the course of a week. If they are allowed up earlier, there could be a proliferation of
signs. Jim stated that he has been on Special Events Committee for years and most groups do
not object to post the sign the day of the event.
Larry proposed an amendment that permits an event sign in the park for a week prior to the event
in City parks OTHER THAN Stewart and Cass Park. In Stewart and Cass Park, posters/signs
may only be posted on the day of the event. The friendly amendment was approved by the
consensus of the Commission. The amended sign policy was unanimously approved, as shown
below, and will be sent on to the BPW.
Recommendation of a Temporary Signage Policy to the Board of Public Works
WHEREAS, the City has recently received several requests to install temporary signs and
banners in City parks, and these signs are considered temporary, but they may remain in
the parks for several months, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works requested that the Parks Commission prepare a policy
regarding temporary signage in City parks for the Board’s consideration, and
WHEREAS, the Parks Commission discussed the issue of temporary signage in banners in parks,
noting the following:
• Many temporary signs and banners are installed within City parks because they are in
highly visible locations or attract many community members, but the signs themselves do
not pertain to the park;
• Temporary signs and banners can be disruptive to park users and obstruct views of the
park;
• Many City parks have an overabundance of signs, and additional signage should be
installed only if necessary, and
WHEREAS, the Parks Commission acknowledges that it would not be desirable to prohibit all
temporary signs or banners because many special events and recreational programs
utilize signage to share information and promote the event; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Parks Commission recommends that the Board of Public Works adopt a
policy that prohibits the installation of temporary signage in City parks with an exception
for City-permitted special events and park-related activities, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the policy should require that temporary signage for City-permitted special
events or park-related activities be limited to the duration of the event or activity in
Stewart Park and Cass Park and to seven days preceding the event or activity in all other
City parks.
Moved by: R. Moudry
Seconded by: M. Hobbie
In Favor: L. Fabbroni, Jr., M. Hobbie, D. Krall, E. Leventry, R. Moudry
Against: 0
Abstain: 0
Absent: S. Schmidt
Vacancies: 1