HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2021-11-04 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board (CB) Meeting
November 4, 2021, 5:30 p.m.
(via Zoom Video Conference)
Final Minutes
Members present--Lori Brewer (Chair), Lindsay Dombroskie,James Hamilton, Eva Hoffmann,
Joann Kowalski, Mike Roberts
Staff: Michael Smith, Senior Planner
1. Persons to be heard: none
2. Members' Concerns: Mike Roberts commented he felt that COP26 is a smokescreen; he is
disenchanted with politics. James Hamilton commented that perhaps acting local is the best
approach.
3. Environmental Review Committee: (Mike R.): Recent projects were subdivisions and property
lines being moved so no environmental impact to speak of so nothing to discuss. It's helpful
when Mike S. provides information as to what the application is about to help prevent
additional unneeded review. The Cornell University baseball field plans were up for review.
Mike S. indicated the planning board preliminarily approved the plans. Main concern is the
sewer capacity (bathrooms/locker rooms) for the project. The town is working with public
works to determine the path ahead.
Eva asked what direction the drainage flows in that area? Mike R. responded that he felt it
would go into Cascadilla or Six Mile Creek. It seems the facilities are sited enough into the field,
north of Ellis Hollow Road. Gravity would take storm water into Cascadilla. Most important
concern is to consider whether there is anything we wouldn't want to drain into the creek.
Mike R. mentioned that he and Lori should connect offline to talk about the chairmanship of
the ERC. He is under the impression that the chair of the Board is the chair of the ERC.They will
schedule a meeting.
4. Chair and Coordinator Reports:
Chair Report— Lori Brewer: Lori indicated she had received information from JoAnn regarding
signing a petition from NYPIRG regarding the NYS Returnable Container Act (aka the "Bottle
Bill") Lori wondered how the Board had handled such requests in the past.
JoAnn provided additional information that the bottle bill is 40 years old and much has changed
in that time regarding recycling bottles. The act would increase the refund and expand the
types of containers that would be included for refunds.
Eva mentioned that she didn't believe that many similar requests had happened too often
before. James H. mentioned that he comes across forms that ask for citizen input and he would
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like to see the bottle bill be improved and the refund increased. Whether it means as
individuals we support the legislation or as a group.
NYPIRG is seeking organizations to submit the letters. Mike S. indicated that sometimes a topic
such as this one is presented, and individuals might submit letters or sign petition. If it's a more
substantial matter that would involve having a letter written from the Board, as a group, then
the Board would authorize the Chair to write a letter. Lori is going to look up the act and see if
public comments are still being accepted.
Eva mentioned that Dick Fischer was a CB member who was involved when the bottle bill was
first introduced. When was the bottle bill first introduced? Having some background would help
to inform us as to further actions. NYPIRG has possibly provided information about the act. Lori
was able to click on the link sent previously about the letter and will attempt to submit.
JoAnn will investigate the topic and provide information to the Board.
Lindsay provided information from an EMC meeting that an Earth Source Heat Open House is
scheduled for Tuesday, November 9 and Lori plans to attend. Earth Source Heat, Cornell's
version of a deep geothermal system, may hold the potential to sustainably heat Cornell's
Ithaca campus without the use of fossil fuels. Lori asked that if anyone has specific questions to
send her an email. Mike R. wonders about the knowledge they've obtained in the last six
months as far as the technology and what hurdles they might encounter in developing the
project. Eva wondered how soon the project might begin. The pilot project is located near the
Caldwell & 366 intersection. It did not require planning board approval.
Lori wondered about the status of the compensation issue. She also asked about the status of
the grants the CB recently wrote a support letter for. Mike S. indicated we usually receive word
in December.
Did anyone attend the Conservation Commission conference online and wish to share
information? No one responded.
Coordinator Report— Mike Smith: Regarding compensation for the Conservation Board
members, the town attorney researched the subject and determined that CB members are
eligible to be paid. This was the first step for the decision to be made and now it will move
forward and be considered by the town board. Human Resources is also doing some research.
Mike forwarded an e-mail regarding the South Hill Traditional Neighborhood development
project. The town has hired some consultants to work on a plan.
The area is 170 acres near the intersection of Danby Road and King Road and involves a couple
of landowners, Auble and Monkmeyer, interested in developing their properties; the area
surrounding the properties is being considered for commercial, residential, and open space
development. The consultants toured the site, talked to landowners, neighbors, Dept of
Transportation and other stakeholders about the project. They put together presentations
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which are available as YouTube videos. There is a website with information about the project
that can be viewed at, t p, www p ro..Jthaca....n ...usZp.l. . p.i. -board . The CB is encouraged to
look at this, especially the ERC. This is a long-term project, but some development may begin
short-term, particularly the landowners with the largest portion of land owned.
An Agricultural Conservation Easement, started in 2018 with a Bostwick Road owner, is back on
track after delays because of personal situations. It's located at the end of Bostwick Road
before entering Enfield and includes 52 acres with open farm land, nursery spruce trees and
natural areas on the southern part.
Part of the Gateway Trail project is under construction and should finish in a couple of weeks. It
goes from Stone Quarry Road, follows the rail bed to Buttermilk Falls State Park and continues
to Home Depot and past that building with a future connection to the Black Diamond Trail.
Funding will eventually be available to connect the trail through the city and to the South Hill
Rec Way.
Eva indicated that "the bridge to nowhere" is unfairly denoted as such.The City of Ithaca got a
grant for the bridge but there were no trail connections to south hill or the Black Diamond Trail
to use the bridge.
She mentioned the South Hill project and the property owned by Auble and Monkmeyer near
the intersection of King Road and Danby Road. Monkmeyer has proposed various projects and
received approval so there is some history in regard to the South Hill Traditional Neighborhood
project.
5. Approval of minutes from August 5, 2021; September 2, 2021, and October 7, 2021: James
moved to approve the minutes from the Conservation Board's August, September, and October
meetings. Eva seconded the motion. Mike S. mentioned there were a few small corrections he
received from Eva and James that he will incorporate.
6. Continue Discussion of Conservation Board member recruitment ideas: Mike S. said
someone requested an application from the town clerk, but it has not been submitted. Lori sent
emails to some grad student coordinators and Ithaca College students regarding involvement
with the Conservation Board. JoAnn sent a form as a follow up to the CU Service Fair which
would post an announcement on Instagram for Engaged Ambassadors. Also, she sent
information to the Einhorn Center. She also sent an email with information to a representative
of the Local Level of Cornell's Office of Student Government Relations which had been posted
on the local listserv.
Eva asked about the individual who came to the August meeting and whether we had heard
from her. Theresa DeBoover lives in Dryden and would be an associate member. Suzy Strickler,
another individual who attended a past meeting is not currently available because of additional
work responsibilities. Lori suggested emails be sent again in January with the start of the new
semester to the Cornell constituents. Mike mentioned that the Planning Board and Zoning
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Board are also looking for members without much luck. James believes that personal invitation
is an effective way to talk people into joining the board.
Lori suggested doing an activity for potential recruits like walking where we have the bluebird
boxes and do a walk and talk with prospective members and post on FB that it's not for the
public but for those who are interested in joining. Perhaps targeting the late winter if we are
still looking for members.
Eva suggested there might be some guidelines to consider for this sort of event in terms of
public accessibility. Mike said he would investigate the subject but didn't feel this was an issue.
Lindsay mentioned there has been a lot of work done on the South Hill Rec Trail with invasive
species and that could be a location to consider for outreach or an event for interaction with
our board members.
7. Regular Reports and Updates:
a. Scenic Resources Committee (Eva): no report
b. Communications Committee (James): Facebook posting as usual: mostly sharing posts
from various Green Conservationists. If you're still avoiding Facebook for whatever reasons,
please consider opening an account.The CB found it to be an appropriate way of engaging with
the public.
c. Waste Awareness (Lori): no report
d. Tompkins County EMC (Lindsay): EMC held their last meeting outside and held a tree
planting at Lindsey Parsons Biodiversity Preserve. Next meeting is November 18 at 4:00 p.m.
and is a delayed date because of Veteran's Day occurring on the regularly scheduled meeting
date. Lindsay asked about whether board members were interested in continuing to receive the
Green Scene events listing she has been sending out. No one objected to having her send it.
e. Six Mile Creek Volunteer Monitoring Program (James): For lack of time and
volunteers,the Six Mile Creek Water Quality Monitoring group couldn't sample the Plain Street
riffle as usual. One of the other 3 sites has been completely analyzed, the other two samples
are preserved for analyses as time allows.
CSI, with the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network, held its annual community water quality
conference via Zoom online, October 27 with presentations on HAGS and storm runoff impacts.
On Nov 18th, another Zoom conference session will be held on Hydrilla monitoring programs,
and hydrilla herbicide treatment in Cayuga Lake. Presentations are recorded on the Cayuga
Lake Watershed Network's YouTube channel.
Preserved BMI samples from Six Mile and other creeks in Cayuga watershed will be analyzed by
volunteers in a Covid-safe open lab at Langmuir on Thursday nights, 6-9 pm starting November
18th.
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f. Cornell Botanic Gardens Natural Areas Program (James): Volunteers worked on trail
maintenance in Cascadilla Gorge near Collegetown and rerouted a section of Monkey Run trail
that was about to fall into Fall Creek in Varna; a plan to plant trees in Park Park in Forest Home
was rained out 10/26, but managed ok 11/2 despite brief graupel storm. 3 volunteers and 3
CUBG staff transplanted about 20 black & yellow birch, sugar maple, and oak trees.
Volunteers are invited to a Zoom Virtual Volunteer Appreciation gathering Friday Nov 19
afternoon. In better days, this involved very tasty catering; last year's Zoom party was
entertaining even without the food, drink, and door prizes.
Not really CUBG, but relevant: PRISM held a webinar Oct 27 on indentifying & reporting spotted
lanternfly (SLF) and tree-of-heaven with NY iMapinvasives, hoping to get volunteers to help
locate the spread of this insect pest on its preferred invasive tree. The city removed tree-of-
heaven along Stewart Ave that were infested with SLF; since then an adult SLF was found on
top of the Seneca St parking garage downtown. See htt.ps //vrevv�r.r y% riruv s%r s;,o g/sVf for
info & links to this program.
8. Other Business: Eva mentioned a Cornell program on Zoom entitled "Cornell's Changing Tree
Canopy" to be presented on Tuesday, November 16 at 7:00 PM. One of the presenters is Todd
Bittner whom the board is familiar with. Lori asked again if anyone had attended the
Conservation Commission conference online and wished to share information? Eva said it didn't
work out for her and Lindsay attempted to do so but it didn't work out because she was on her
phone.
9. Review 2021 Work Goals/ Discuss December Agenda: On the December agenda the board
will review the work goals and prepare for 2022 items including the meeting dates and chair,
co-chair assignments. The December meeting is scheduled for Zoom. Mike R. asked if there is
any update on the Open Space and Preservation Plan. Mike S. indicated the Park and Open
Space committee last met in October and the next meeting is tentatively set for January, 2022.
10. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 6:43 PM.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Joann Kowalski
11/15/2021
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