HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2013-11-07 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board
7:00 p.m., November 7, 2013
Final Minutes
Members Present: James Hamilton, Kristine Shaw, Jon Meigs, Tony Ingraham, Andy Goodell, Ellie
Stewart, Vladimir Micic, Eva Hoffmann, Susan Perri
Staff Present: Mike Smith
Guests Present: Mike Roberts (prospective CB member), Mara Alper (Ithaca College), 3 Ithaca
College Students
Persons to be heard: none
Member concerns: James voiced his concerns about climate change and the unprecedented high
levels of long living (LL) greenhouse gasses (now well over the 350 metric tipping point). This
makes it all the more important to attend to energy saving and other conservation initiatives pending
in the Town, such as the tiered water pricing structure. Kristine suggested passing the word along to
the Ithaca Times or Journal to help raise public awareness.
Chair report: Nothing to report.
Coordinator report: Ithaca Beer Co. expansion is underway with Town approval. At the Nov. 19'h
Town Planning Board meeting Cayuga Meadows (formerly Conifer), a 68 unit senior housing
project, will have its final site review. In December there are two projects coming up for review: (1)
Auto Repair and Taxi Service (Elmira Road) will occupy the vacant mattress building, clean up the
site, and additional garage doors will be installed; and (2) Rodeway Inn modifications to upgrade
esthetics and other repairs. Rodeway Inn will also add 10 feet to the back of each room to enlarge.
The Finger Lakes Research Conference is still open for registration if any CB members are
interested in attending. The conference is scheduled for Friday, November 15''.
The CB will have three vacancies beginning in January. Mike drafted a targeted press release to
send to environmental organizations in the community. He sent it to Cornell Plantations, Finger
Lakes Land Trust, Tompkins County Planning Department, Cooperative Extension, Soil & Water,
and others. Ideas and suggestions for other dissemination venues welcome. Tony mentioned that he
will not be continuing on the CB when his term is up at the end of the year.
Minutes: October minutes approved as amended.
Business:
Continued discussion regarding Town of Ithaca water conservation efforts: Mara Alper from Ithaca
College and three of her "Power of Water" students attended.
Kristine attended the last Bolton Point meeting. They have a subcommittee responsible for
assembling and reviewing their RFP to design a rate change (for a low minimum amount). There is
no tier structure in the current proposal, and the process is moving slowly. The Commission does
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not believe that a tiered structure will save Bolton Point money. They are already experiencing
decreased consumption. Because their costs are heavily fixed, decreased consumption will not
necessarily equal reduced costs. Their process and intent to change the rate structure no longer
focuses on decreased consumption/water conservation. Kristine suggested ways to build fairness
and equity into a system that penalizes the highest water users, such as warnings and household
grants to improve water efficiency. James was discouraged that Bolton Point appears to have missed
the whole point of greenhouse gas emissions and our goal of reducing them. Ellie wondered why
Bolton Point's costs are so high (75% fixed costs). Kristine said that perhaps we should revisit the
idea of working directly with the Town on this issue, or meeting in person with Bolton Point to
better make our case. We could also work with the Town to make a revised resolution to Bolton
Point.
A local action step would be to adopt James' resolution about a tiered water rate structure. James
put the resolution forward and Eva seconded. This resolution will go to the Town Board. The
resolution was amended (the last WHEREAS) — changing the word "punish" to "discourage". It
was suggested to also add amended language to state that our last resolution produced no results.
Kristine recommended using lower case letters to list the research points in the body of the
resolution, and use footnotes for the citations (especially web link references). We should add
language and evidence that speaks to the financial sustainability of the block tier system. Kristine
provided language for a new paragraph:
"A three-tiered increasing block water rate structures are financially feasible and are
in use in other U.S. municipalities."
James put the revised resolution forward, Kristine seconding, and passed unanimously. (complete
resolution attached)
Kristine will set up a meeting with Bolton Point and would like three CB members to attend,
including James. Mara would also like to attend; Kristine will confirm whether this is agreeable to
Bolton Point reps.
Update on pest management policy from other communities: Susan provided some research to show
case studies/emerging best practices in place in other communities. James referenced a deer control
initiative in New Jersey, and stated 80% of females must be culled in order to keep herd growth in
check. Eva remarked on the use of a bow hunter for deer control in Lansing. Tony referenced
sterilization studies as being ineffective in open populations. It is also very expensive. Susan and
Kristine will continue to work on this as a proposal for the next meeting.
Mike noted there are DEC public comment meetings to the new proposed invasive species
regulations. There will be a meeting in Syracuse on Dec. 11. He encouraged CB members to
review the regulations and provide commentary as a board to the DEC. Mike will email everyone
with the proposed regulations and copies of the Tompkins County list of Invasive Plants.
Regular reports and updates:
Environmental Review Committee: Nothing to report.
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Scenic Resources Committee: Tony attended the 2013 NYSACC conference to receive our award.
He attended an Economics of Great Lakes Reconstruction —the `Blue Economy" session, which he
found interesting. He also attended a "Great Lakes Impacts of Invasive Species" workshop and
learned about new strategies to control emerald ash borer. There will not be a press release about
the award. Tony is waiting for photos from the event so we can do our own press release.
Communications Committee: Fischer Award season is approaching. James would like to nominate
the Finger Lakes ReUse Center and Greensprings Natural Cemetery. Other nominations welcome.
Nominees must have a conservation impact on the Town. Will need to review criteria for
nominations.
Conservation Zoning Committee: Diane Conneman is considering rejoining the CB as an associate
member.
Tompkins County EMC: Solarize Tompkins is moving forward; Vladimir contacted Nick
Goldsmith about a similar initiative in Ithaca. Tompkins County is applying for a grant to continue
the project here, and will quarter the county into divisions for services. There is a project meeting
tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. for interested parties (Tioga Room). 6,000 solar panels are being
installed in Tompkins County by Cornell (Snyder Road). Vladimir will see if Nick can come to the
December meeting to talk more about the Solarize program. Cayuga Operating Repowering
Proposal info is available at www.ratepayersgroup.com
Six Mile Creek Volunteer Monitoring Program: CSI has been in the news through the Cayuga Lake
Watershed Network through a 2013 Morehouse Award. A Six Mile Creek—Climate Change and Us
Watershed Woes conference coming up with Mark Whitmore and Roxy Johnston.
City of Ithaca Natural Areas Commission: Nothing to report.
Cornell Plantations Natural Areas Academy: James has been planting trees in Cascadilla and Fall
Creek gorges, removing swallowwort, replanting hickory and acorns.
Community Energy Action Plan Advisory Committee: There are two more meetings anticipated this
year, with a draft plan anticipated for next meeting. This may result in a new and separate advisory
board being established.
Other business: Mike commented on the tree inventory and areas to prioritize with the limited
grant funds available. The Board passed a resolution to support the Town's grant application
through the Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program. At the next meeting Kristine wants to
continue discussion about new members and new chair for 2014.
Proposed agenda for next meeting: DEC regulations review and commentary; invasive
species/pest management recommendations; continue discussion about deer management (Brian
Eden); Solarize Tompkins (Nick Goldsmith).
Meeting adjourned: 9:17 p.m.
Susan Perri, note taker
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Town of Ithaca Conservation Board
Resolution Recommending a Three-tiered Increasing Block Structure for the Town's
Water Billing Rates to Promote Water Conservation and Reduce Greenhouse Gas
Emissions
November 7, 2013
WHEREAS, On June 9, 2011, The Conservation Board resolved: "WHEREAS Katie
Stoner, Town Sustainability Planner, demonstrated that the greatest percentage of
greenhouse gas emissions for the Town of Ithaca comes from Bolton Point operations and
that these emissions can be reduced by water conservation, it is now hereby RESOLVED
that the Conservation Board recommends that the Town of Ithaca encourage Bolton Point
to amend the current pricing structure to reflect a cost savings to end users for conserving
water and a higher cost for using more water, and further recommends that adoption of a
three tier pricing structure would encourage water conservation and lessen greenhouse
gas emissions."'
And WHEREAS that last RESOLUTION has produced no results,
And WHEREAS there is much convincing proof that a three-tier increasing block water rate
structure would decrease water consumption and the greenhouse gas emissions (GGE)
caused by such consumption, to wit:
a. "Economists have long advocated the 'polluter pays' principle—the idea that the polluter
or consumer should pay for any environmental damage or resource depletion created."2
b. "Water rates can be more than a means of meeting utility revenue requirements. Water
rates can be used to communicate to water users the private and social costs of water
development. Water users can then base their consumption decisions on a more accurate
accounting of the benefits and costs of using more or less water."3
c. "Water utilities can reduce per capita water use and maintain revenues by using water-
conserving rate structures. . . . Without decreasing revenues, utilities can lower water use
by using inclining block rates, that is, water price increases with increasing blocks of water
use. . . . Fixed charges do not encourage conservation [emphasis added]. Utilities can
lower water use by lowering fixed charges and increasing charges based on how much is
used."4
d. "Creating fair water rates can also promote water use efficiency by charging customers .
. . Increasing block rates."'
e. "Many utilities currently charge a customer a fixed amount per gallon year-round,
regardless of the amount of water the customer uses. . . . The legislature could require or
encourage utilities to adopt . . . an inclined block rate structure, where the price per
gallon increases with consumption in order to promote water conservation. . . "
[emphasis added].6
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f. "One of the most effective tools for water conservation is the rate structure"
[emphasis added].'
g. "Increasing block rate structures most effectively communicate the true value of
water when compared to other types of rate structures. . . [emphasis added].
Research has shown that conservation-oriented rate structures that send a strong 'price
signal' to customers can provide utilities with stable and sufficient revenue and significantly
reduce water use—on the order of 10-30%. . . ."8
And WHEREAS increasing tiered-rate pricing structures are financially feasible and in use
by many other U.S. municipalities,
And WHEREAS other communities, agencies and researchers are in accord that this is
such a good idea, THEREFORE the Town of Ithaca Conservation Board
RESOLVES AGAIN that The Town of Ithaca should bill its residents for their use of Bolton
Point's drinking water with a new three-block increasing rate that would reward
conservation, discourage waste, and fairly and sustainably reduce the Town's GGE.
MOVED: James Hamilton
SECONDED: Kristine Shaw
VOTE: unanimously approved, November 7, 2013
1. Conservation Board Meeting Minutes of June 9, 2011,
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=dG93bi5pdGhhY2EubnkudXN8dG93bil vZil pdGhhY2
F8Z3g6ZiExNmJiYzg2NTJmYw
2. "Water Infrastructure: Moving Toward Sustainability, Pricing Structures," United States Environmental
Protection Agency, http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/sustain/pricing structures.cfm
3. "White Paper on Water Rates and Conservation," David Mitchell &Tom Chesnutt, March 13, 2009,
www.allianceforwaterefficiency.org/uploadedFiles/Resource Center/Library/rates/White-Paper-Rate-
Structu res-and-Conservation-March-13-2009.pdf
4. "Water Rates: Conserving Water and Protecting Revenues," Southwest Florida Water Management
District, www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/waterrates/
5. "Questions &Answers, Water Rates: Paying for drinking water,"Washington State Department of Health,
Division of Environmental Health, Office of Drinking Water, Jan. 2011 DOH 331-327,
www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/l/Documents/Pubs/331.-327..Pdf
6. "Legislative Options to Promote Water Conservation," Kevin McCarthy, OLR Research Report,
Connecticut laws/regulations, Jan 25, 2011, www.cga.ct.gov/2011/rpt/2011-R-0021.htm
7. "Conservation Pricing—Water Rates," Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington (Water
Conservation Measures), www.mrsc.org/subiects/environment/water/wc-measures.aspx
8. "Water Rate Structures: Structuring Water Rates to Promote Conservation,"Western Resource
Advocates, www.westernresourceadvocates.org/water/rates.php
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