HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2020-05-07 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board
Thursday May 7,2020(via Zoom)
Final Minutes
Members Present:James Hamilton, Elizabeth Hageman, Mike Roberts, Lindsay Dombroskie, Vladimir
Micic, Lori Brewer, Hannah George, Carolyn Lee
Staff: Mike Smith (Senior Planner)
1. Persons to be heard: None
2. Member concerns: Board members with extended absence from meetings can consider
becoming an associate member. Maintaining presence at meetings is encouraged so quorums
can be met.
3. Chair and Coordinator reports:
Planner-Mike Smith
a. Two constructions projects are starting.The first is a sidewalk project on Danby
Road from the City line to the Ithaca College entrance.The second is an
extension of the current Town of Ithaca Public Works Building for office staff.
b. At this point the Town has not needed to furlough any employees.The tax
revenue stream in the town is not as dependent on sales tax as the city of
Ithaca. Based on member questions, Mike S will provide additional information
on the Town budget breakdown.
Chair- Mike Roberts
a. If anyone is interested in becoming the chair of the board next year, please
reach out to Mike R.
4. April minutes were voted on and approved. Moved by Elizabeth; seconded by James.
5. The Board would like to encourage a virtual presence for the invasive species week in June.
Consider participating in online webinars. In addition, encourage others to post pictures of
invasive plant"round ups" on the Facebook page. Lindsay will draft something to post.
6. Carolyn will work on creating a sub-committee that will focus on compostable/biodegradable
containers.The tentative idea is to begin to explore the differences between recyclable vs.
biodegradable containers. Carolyn, Lori and Eva will work on this topic.
7. Regular Reports and updates
a. Environmental Review Committee- nothing to report
b. Scenic Resources Committee-James is requesting a picture of the view from Snyder Hill
Road and Pine Tree Road. Please considering stopping and taking pictures if you are
driving by.
c. Communications Committee- Nothing to report
d. Tompkins County EMC- Nothing to report
e. Six Mile Creek-Thirteen sites were sampled the first week of May.The 2019 summer
sampling has been finalized and can be accessed on the Community Science Website
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f. Cornell Botanic Gardens-They are hoping to allow the public back into the gardens
following social distancing rules.James and his wife worked on pulling some invasive
recently.
8. Other Business-
a. Mike R. has noticed an increased use of trails with people walking around wet areas
thus making the trails wider. Encourage people to not do this.
b. Hannah recommended highlighting the work James does on invasives as part of the
invasive species week next month.
9. Work Goals- Lindsay and Elizabeth will work on setting up cameras on bluebird boxes. Please
email Mike R with movement on other work goals.
10. Meeting adjourned at 6:45 pm
Minutes prepared by Elizabeth Hageman.
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