HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2019-05-02 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board
May 2, 2019
Final Minutes
Members in attendance: Vladimir Micic, Mike Roberts, James Hamilton, Eva Hoffmann, Hannah
George, Elizabeth Hageman
Staff: Mike Smith, Senior Planner
Meeting called at 5:48 following Eva sharing about recent climate change talk at the American
Philosophical Society. There are very concerning projections for warming particularly in the
poles.
1. Persons to be heard - none.
2. Member concerns - Hannah shared information from a similar article about the human
activities that can help reduce climate emissions or carbon dioxide uptake
hfifips://www.cnn,com/infieractive/2019/04/specials/clirnate-change-solutions-
.!uiz/index.html
a. Upcoming Events:
i. May 11 10-3 Dryden Rail Trail celebration. 5K fun run, music, bikes,
games, trail walk.
ii. Sweedler Preserve trail service day with Cayuga Trails Club May 11 from
9-12.
3. Chair and Coordinator Reports
a. Mike Roberts, Chair:
i. Food waste law has been passed in New York State.
b. Mike Smith, Coordinator:
i. There should be a new planning proposal email to ERC Members for the
Cornell Moakley House Parking Lot project.
ii. Deer Management:
1. 1 deer was taken during the Deer Management Program.
iii. Trumansburg Road pedestrian study received a grant. There is a survey
circulating, and the first public meeting is May 16 from 5-7PM at PRI.
Consultants will be there, and the format will be an open house, with
information available from the study.
iv. Mike just got back from a Trails Conference this week. DEC had many
display materials, and contact information for a DEC staff person who has
educational materials that Ithaca CB could share at events.
4. Minutes
a. March 7 Minutes: James moved to approve and was seconded by Eva. Minutes
were approved.
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b. April 4 minutes Mike R moved to approve, pending suggested changes by
members, and was seconded by Elizabeth. Minutes were approved.
5. Richard B. Fischer Environmental Conservation Award: Joe Talbut (Town Parks
Maintenance Manager) found an eastern hemlock tree to plant in honor of the New York
State Hemlock Initiative. Mike R. is coordinating a possible date for planting in Forest
Home Park. James will get the tree tag and draft language for the award certificate.
6. Streets Alive Recap: Elizabeth said some people stopped by the table, even though the
weather was not great. The New Roots School is looking to partner with groups on
environmental projects - for example, some students are going to plant cattails around
Cayuga Lake this summer. For future events, we should consider what the outcome or
impact would be.
a. Discussion about possible collaboration with New Roots. Hannah suggested
some kind of collaboration focused on promoting democratic processes for the
environment. Vlad volunteered to draft an email to teachers and then provide
students with context just prior to a public meeting.
b. The New Roots contact person is Lee Kaltman. Possible projects mentioned
were composting or bluebirds.
7. Invasive Species Awareness Week- discussion about where to host an event. Instead of
the usual July Ithaca CB meeting on July 11, members will run the event from 5-7pm at
East Shore Park, where there will likely already be people enjoying the park. Hannah will
contact Floating Classroom and give them the option to join the event. James will
contact PRISM.
8. Regular Reports & Updates.
a. ERC: no update.
b. Scenic Resources Committee (Eva): Eva has not heard anything regarding the
signs.
c. Communications Committee: no update.
d. Tompkins County EMC: no update.
e. Six Mile Creek Volunteer Monitoring Program: May 8 will be another synoptic
water sample collection day.
f. Cornell Botanic Gardens Natural Areas Program. Volunteers opened the
Cascadilla Creek Trail. Volunteers have continued searching for Hemlock Woolly
Adelgid-infested trees for the program. Volunteers completed trail maintenance
at Fischer Old Growth.
9. Other Business
10. Review 2019 work goals
a. Meeting adjourned at 7:12pm
Minutes drafted by Hannah George.
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