HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2019-08-01 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board (CB)
August 1, 2019, 5:30pm
Final Minutes
Members in attendance: Jon Meigs, Eva Hoffmann, Mike Roberts, James Hamilton, Hannah
George, Lindsay Dombroskie, Will VanDyke
Staff: Mike Smith (Senior Planner)
Guests: Mara Alper (afforestation group representative), Maria Stycos (Kendal resident)
Meeting called at 5:41 PM.
1. Persons to be heard
a. Mara Alper would like to know whether water prices went up for Town of Ithaca's
Bolton Point water distribution. James noted that the rate structure has changed
with a different minimum amount now being used. Mara is Chair of the Tompkins
County Water Resources Council's Water Withdrawal Committee. Mara is
requesting that DEC notify the county in addition to the municipality when water
withdrawal permits are filed.
b. A local afforestation group is looking at ways to sequester carbon by planting
trees locally and is interested in finding a way to collaborate with the Town of
Ithaca. They are currently collaborating with Greenstar, local property owners,
Ithaca College, etc.
c. Discussion ensued about Town lands that could be afforested, as well as the
funding sources such as Trees for Tribs or Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
This group may be looking to engage volunteers to conduct the tree planting
once trees are secured, as well as follow-up maintenance &watering. Possibly
the Town may be interested in promoting education about the benefits of trees.
Tree propagation could be part of what the Town does, in order to
reforest/afforest Town lands.
2. Member concerns
a. Lindsay invited someone from the Sunrise Movement to a future meeting, so we
will wait and see.
b. NYSEG proposed line - Mike R will email NYSEG representative today about
setting up a meeting with him and Hannah
3. Chair and Coordinator Reports
a. Mike Roberts, Chair:
i. none
b. Mike Smith, Coordinator:
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i. No planning board meetings in August. Next meeting September 3. ERC
will get info on the Cornell Wrestling Center addition, to be sent out after
final piece of info is received from Cornell.
ii. September 17 meeting - new subdivision on Alex Way, an existing private
road with 3 lots on it. Only 1 lot has been constructed, and they would like
to modify the lots to create 6 total lots.
iii. Several other projects are incoming, but there are no timeframes yet.
iv. Discussion about whether addressing climate change was incorporated
into Town zoning. Agreement that cluster development is better for
maintaining intact blocks of undeveloped green space. Developers are
allowed to pursue cluster development, but not required to. Cluster
development is also more efficient and cheaper for installing utilities and
roads.
v. Town and City have been working together on the Ithaca Energy Code
Supplement, which will be a supplement to NYS Building Code. It will
apply to new construction that needs energy, in addition to new additions
over a certain square footage. The code applies points to certain features,
such as lighting, renewable energy, etc. in order to get a permit. Copies
will be distributed to CB members for the next meeting.
vi. Steve Williams, Code Enforcement, has retired and his position may or
may not be replaced. Director of Code Enforcement is also retiring at the
end of the year.
4. Minutes
June Minutes: James moved to approve and was seconded by Mike R. Minutes were
approved.
5. Invasive Species Awareness Week
July 11 event at East Shore Park went very well. Ithaca CB members were tabling from
5-7pm alongside Community Science Institute and Cayuga Watershed Network. Finger
Lakes PRISM provided free educational materials, natural insect repellent etc. to
distribute to the public. It was estimated that approximately 25 people visited the tables
or talked with CB members. Mike S will submit the organizer event report to PRISM.
Compost
a. Brainstorm for identifying a South Hill Compost Drop Spot:
i. American Legion
ii. South Hill Business Campus
iii. Church near the Legion
iv. Fire Station
v. Sam Peter furniture store
vi. La Tourelle
vii. Courtyard Hotel @ King
viii. Gas station next to Sam Peters
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ix. Big Al's
Discussion about a fall event - Streets Alive is September 15. Possibly get a table near
Tompkins County Recycling and Materials Management and include composting.
Discussing possible future trail construction would be appropriate. There was interest in
teaming up with CSI and CWN in the future. Will will send an email.
6. Regular Reports & Updates.
a. ERC: no update.
b. Scenic Resources Committee: Town Maintenance will meet Jon Meigs on August
19 to finalize the sign location. However, they are waiting on a survey to make
sure that the sign location will not interfere with any pipelines.
c. Communications Committee: The direction has shifted to tabling at events, which
is very effective, while also maintaining a strong and consistent social media
presence.
d. Tompkins County EMC: no update.
e. Six Mile Creek Volunteer Monitoring Program: July 10 - volunteers took a
synoptic water sample at 13 spots, though the creek was low. Adriana Hurtler,
the biomonitoring coordinator hosted a biomonitoring family picnic on July 25 at
Buttermilk, which gives children the opportunity to play with science in the creek.
f. Natural Areas - On July 30, volunteers dug up swallowwort near the Deer Run
neighborhood/the South Hill water tank. The swallowwort is less pervasive than it
used to be.
g. City of Ithaca - discussion about tree removal.
7. Other Business
a. NYSI info website has been improved.
b. Unanimous vote to buy a 1 0x1 0 foot tent for use at future tabling events. Mike S
will purchase one for the CB.
8. Review 2019 work goals
9. Meeting adjourned at 7:15pm
Minutes drafted by Hannah George.
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