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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2005-06-09 (2) Town of Ithaca Conservation Board June 9, 2005 Final Minutes Present: Brent Katzmann, James Hamilton, Diane Conneman, Melissa Anthony, Larry Sallinger, Eva Hoffmann, Lenore Durkee, Susan McCutcheon. Staff: Susan Ritter Meeting called to order at 7:35PM. Chair/Coordinator Report: Lenore had no report. Sue distributed copies of the NYS Association of Conservation Commission newsletter. She discussed the idea of CB members being assigned Town email address aliases, similar to what the Town Board uses. This would allow personal email addresses to stay private, but the aliases could be used on more publicly available documents, such as the CB list provided to the Town Clerk's office and the CB website. All members expressed support for obtaining town assigned email addresses, and favored the idea of posting these addresses on the town's website, but prefered inclusion of the addresses on other board documents to be determined on a case by case basis. Several members had just attended the public meeting concerning the Town's progress in drafting a Transportation plan, and this was briefly discussed. Sue described the recent meeting concerning Watershed Assessments for Fall Creek, Salmon Creek, and Cayuga Inlet, sponsored by Tompkins County. The consultants, Milone and MacBroom, had previously studied the erosion in Six Mile Creek, and were now hired to examine these other creeks. The study concluded that these creeks are still in the process of natural erosion and have not yet reached equilibrium since the period of glaciation. The wetlands that had naturally existed at Cayuga Lake's south end would have collected these sediments. To insure that ongoing development does not exacerbate this problem, measures such as stream buffers should be employed. Minutes: Approved unanimously. The Fischer Award: The presentation ceremony will follow last year's format. Lenore reviewed her outline for the presentation. A copper beech tree will be planted in the Eastern Heights Park in the fall to honor the awardee. Stream Setback Law: Use of graphics in the ordinance discussed. 219-A-2 language was changed to reduce redundancy. Language discussing the harm that invasive exotic species cause should be incorporated into 219-A-2. James requested changes throughout the draft to correct grammatical errors. Melissa recommended clarification of the definitions of drainage areas used in chart 6.17a. Brent asked about the calculation of the setback with slope versus how the measurement is taken (horizontally or along the slope) and this is answered in Paragraph F, Page 5. More discussion of slopes, percentages and setbacks followed. Sue Ritter will consider using graphics to illustrate how 219-A-6 works. Sue digressed into a brief discussion of tree ordinances to address preservation of forested land. Diane expressed interest in expanding prohibited activities to include disposal of hazardous materials, Amended Paragraph 6, Page 8. Our suggested changes will go to Codes and Ordinances for additional input and then to other Town boards (Planning, Town) for consideration, then will be distributed to other water resource professionals for comments (ie. Tompkins County Water Resources Council)prior to the general public. Reports: Environmental Management Council: Lenore received information from Herb that the EMC is continuing discussion of burn barrels, wind power, and the green grocery baskets to use in place of plastic/paper. ERC: Some members of the committee have reviewed the Rite Aid sketch plan proposal for the Judd Falls Plaza. There is no update on the Friends Meetinghouse proposal. Scenic Resources Committee: The Committee met on June 8th. Photos were reviewed and will be matched to grid maps. Work on the inventory will continue this summer, as well as work on a policy to precede actual ordinance. Six Mile Creek: James reported that the last meeting concerned gathering of BMI (Benthic Marine Invertebrates) data in the near future. Current data is being put into a meaningful format. Sue recommends developing a budget forecast for the Town's budgeting process. NAC: No report. Sue Ritter discussed the options that the City is considering for the water filtration plant and that the NAC will be following the progress of this project. Other Business: The award certificates were displayed and members voted on the most pleasing format. The meeting adjourned at 9:15PM. Submitted by Larry Sallinger/Lenore Durkee