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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-14-14 Board of Public Works Meeting AgendaBOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS OFFICIAL NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING A meeting of the Board of Public Works will be held on Monday, April 14, 2014, at 4:45 p.m. in Common Council Chambers — Third Floor, City Hall, 108 East Green Street, Ithaca, New York. Agenda 1. Additions or Deletions to Agenda (Items 1 -5: 15 min.) 2. Mayor's Communications 3. Communications and Hearings from Persons Before the Board 4. Response to the Public 5. Reports Special Committees of the Board Council Liaison Board Liaisons Superintendent and Staff Other Department Heads 6. Approval of Minutes 6.1 March 10, 2014 Regular Meeting Minutes 6.2 March 17, 2014 Special Meeting Minutes 6.3 March 24, 2014 Regular Meeting Minutes 7. Administration and Communications 8. VOTING ITEMS 8.1 Buildings, Properties, Refuse and Transit A. Recommendation for Temporary Use of the Property at 967 East State Street during Construction of the Water Treatment Plant — Resolution 8.2 Highways, Streets and Sidewalks ( A. Appeal of Snow Removal Bill for 214 North Plain Street — Resolution B. Resolution to Approve or Deny Sidewalk Past Work Credit Appeals 8.3 Parking and Traffic 8.4 Creeks, Bridges and Parks 8.5 Water and Sewer 9. DISCUSSION ITEMS 9.1 Ithaca Children's Garden's Proposal for an Edible Forest Garden Expansion 9.2 Request to Rename City Court Building 10. New Business 11. Adjournment If you have a disability that will require special arrangements to be made in order for you to fully participate in the meeting, please contact the City Clerk at 607- 274 -6570 at least 48 hours before the meeting. The Board of Public Works meets on the second, third and fourth Wednesdays of the months at 4:45 p.m. Al meetings are voting meetings, opening with a public comment period. Meeting agendas are created from prior public input, Department operating, planning issues, and requests made to the Superintendent. The Board reserves the right to limit verbal comments to three minutes and to request written comments on lengthy or complex issues. This information may then be used to create committee agendas, with the speaker or author invited to attend. Notes for BPW Agenda, April 14, 2014 8.1A Recommendation for Temporary Use of the Property at 967 East State Street During Construction of the Water Treatment Plant — Resolution A resolution has been provided that reflects the Boards discussion on April 7, 2014, after receiving public input. 8.2A Appeal of Snow Removal Bill for 214 North Plain Street — Resolution A resolution is provided that reflect the Board's discussion on March 24, 2014. 8.213 Resolution to Approve or Deny Sidewalk Past Work Credit Appeals Several appeals of denied sidewalk credit applications have been reviewed and information is attached for the Board's review. Kent Johnson has provided a memo summarizing the appeals, along with a proposed resolution wherein the Board will need to make decisions whether to grant or deny each appeal. 9.1 Ithaca Children's Garden's Proposal for an Edible Forest Garden Expansion The Ithaca Children's Garden is proposing to expand the garden to include fowl (chickens and ducks) and a beehive for educational purposes. The Parks Commission has provided a memo of endorsement for this proposal. The only concern that strikes me is that there is a large pavilion in Cass Park fairly close to the Children's Garden that is used for many large fund raising events throughout the summer. My concern is that the bees, which cannot be strictly contained, may sting visitors to that pavilion and surrounding parkland. The Children's Garden will have a first aid kit for any children or garden visitors who may be stung, but what about people outside the garden? 9.2 Request to Rename City Court Building Judge Jim Kerrigan sent a request to Mayor Myrick regarding renaming the City Court Building in honor of Judge Judith Rossiter, who will be retiring this year. Judge Rossiter has been a city court judge for nearly 20 years. Kathy Gehring, Exec. Asst for Michael J. Thorne, P.E. Superintendent of Public Works April 10, 2014 Page 2 8.1A Recommendation for Temporary Use of the Property at 967 East State Street During Construction of the Water Treatment Plant — Resolution WHEREAS, the City is about to bid the reconstruction of the water treatment plant on Water Street, which will involve the demolition and rebuilding of the water treatment facilities while maintaining plant operations, and WHEREAS, staff believes there are significant cost, safety, and operational benefits to be realized through acquiring use of the adjacent property at 967 East State Street during construction, resulting in: eliminating the need for construction trailers on the limited site; increased storage and maneuvering room for contractor materials and equipment; ability to shorten the schedule by performing construction tasks concurrently rather than sequentially; physical removal of City staff from an active construction site while providing the proximity needed to maintain plant operations, and WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works also needs to replace aging underground water, sewer, and storm utilities located adjacent to and beneath the foundation of the house at 967 E. State Street, and recommends performing this work while the house is not occupied by residents and is under the control of the City, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs the Superintendent to work with the City Attorney to begin negotiations for use of the property for a three year period during plant construction and utility replacement, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board directs staff to consider various leasing and purchasing options which meet the goals of adequate control, timeliness, and economy, and then return to the Board with a recommendation for their action. Page 3 8.2A Appeal of Snow Removal Bill for 214 North Plain Street — Resolution WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received an appeal of the invoice for sidewalk snow removal at 214 North Plain Street, and WHEREAS, the Board has reviewed photos and other information provided by city staff and the owner of the property, and WHEREAS, it appears that the adjacent property owner failed to timely remove snow as required by City ordinance, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board denies the appeal for the expungement of the bill for snow removal, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board directs staff to notify the adjacent property owner of this resolution and give the adjacent property owner two weeks from the date of notification in order to pay the fees before penalties are accrued. Page 4 8.213 Resolution to Approve or Deny Sidewalk Past Work Credit Appeals WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Charter, Section C -73 (C)(2)(c)(2), allows the Board of Public Works to hear appeals for past work credit applications in the Sidewalk Assessment District program, and WHEREAS, the Superintendent of Public Works (or his designee) has denied certain past work credit applications and the applicants have appealed such decision, and WHEREAS, these denied cases have been presented to the Board of Public Works, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants /denies the appeal for 208 Willard Way, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants /denies the appeal for 124 Roberts Place, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants /denies the appeal for 1309 North Cayuga Street, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants /denies the appeal for 208 West Lincoln Street. Page 5 CITY OF ITHACA 108 East Green Street Ithaca, New York 14850 -5690 OFFICE OF THE CITY ENGINEER Telephone: 607/274.6530 Fax: 607m4 -6587 April 10, 2014 TO: Board of Public Works FROM: Kent Johnson, Junior Transportation Engineer id -J '1' RE: Sidewalk past work credit appeals for: - 208 Willard Way & 124 Roberts Place - 1309 N. Cayuga St. - 208 W. Lincoln St. 208 Willard Way & 124 Roberts Place Two of the Sidewalk Past Work Credit applications that I have received include 208 Willard Way & 124 Roberts Place; both properties are owned by Robert Mrazek. These two applications are unique in that Mr. Mrazek is requesting credit for his labor involved in the repair of the sidewalks, in addition to the material & equipment costs; according to the new sidewalk law, proof of incurred costs is required for credit eligibility. This application was brought to the sidewalk work credit appeal committee that met on Feb. 26; the sense of the group was that Mr. Mrazek had a compelling case and that his labor costs could be eligible if he adequately documented them. I am now seeking direction from the BPW: are Mr. Mrazek's labor costs adequately documented and appropriate? Personally speaking, Mr. Mrazek's documentation seems reasonable to me, so I would like to recommend that the BPW accept the labor costs. 1309 N. Cayuga St. This Sidewalk Past Work Credit application was denied because the sidewalk was removed in conjunction with a utility service for the applicant. This application was brought to the sidewalk work credit appeal committee that met on Feb. 26; the sense of the group was that this sidewalk work was incidental to the utility work and was therefore not eligible for credit. The application was then denied. The applicant is now appealing to the BPW. I do not have a particular recommendation. 208 W. Lincoln St. This application lacks proof of Street Permit, so it was denied. Approximately 17 other applications similarly lack proof of Street Permit. The BPW and staff are working on developing a mechanism (such as a "retroactive" Street Permit) that could allow such applications to become eligible for credit, but that process is still underway. That process will not be resolved in time for the 2014 applications, and perhaps not in time for the 2015 applications either (which are due May V). I do not have a particular recommendation. Robert J. Mrazek 326 Fall Creek Drive Ithaca, NY 14850 607 - 257 -4069 (bobdog 1945 @gmail. com) January 28, 2014 TO: City of Ithaca Department of Public Works FROM: Bob Mrazek RE: SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION/REPAIR CREDIT APPLICATION Permit # 6761 208 Willard Way Ithaca, NY 14850 Attached you will find the support material to reflect the amount of time and money that was incurred in repairing the existing sidewalks at 124 Roberts Place, Ithaca, NY, after receiving a sidewalk notice of defect. (Please see map of property prepared by the Streets and Facilities Division.) I have also included copies of the approved City of Ithaca Street Excavation Agreement and the Certificate of Attestation of Exemption from NYS. I am asking for no reimbursement for materials on this job. I used some of the materials purchased for work at 124 Roberts Place, Ithaca, NY, to complete this job. The most significant expense associated with doing this project up to city specifications was the cost of labor. When I first came to the DPW office to ask about my options for the reconstruction of the sidewalks, I was informed that I could allow the city to do it at cost plus 25 %. I also had the option to hire a contractor or do it myself. If I did it myself, I needed to apply for a Certificate of Attestation from NYS, and was told I could not employ anyone to help me. I began working on the project after receiving my excavation permit on April 18, 2013. Final work was completed on or about May 7, 2013. I spent about twelve hours on the job, which involved replacing one section of sidewalk and repairing three others. I feel it would be fair to be compensated for the purposes of this application at a rate of 20.00 per hour. Therefore, I have placed a value of 240.00 on my labor. Thank you for considering. Robert J. Mrazek 326 Fall Creek Drive Ithaca, NY 14850 607 -257 -4069 (bobdog 1945 @gmail. com) January 28, 2014 TO: City of Ithaca Department of Public Works FROM: Bob Mrazek RE: SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION/REPAIR CREDIT APPLICATION Permit # 6762 124 Roberts Place Ithaca, NY 14850 Attached you will find the support material to reflect the amount of time and money that was incurred in constructing/repairing new sidewalks at 124 Roberts Place, Ithaca, NY, after receiving a sidewalk notice of defect in 2013. (Please see map of property prepared by the Streets and Facilities Division.) I have also included copies of the approved City of Ithaca Street Excavation Agreement and the Certificate of Attestation of Exemption from NYS. Attached are copies of all but two of the receipts for materials used in the project. They total: 543.46 The only expenses for which I do not have a receipt are the bill from Vitale Ready Mix in Auburn (paid to driver by credit card) and the cost of the lumber I used to construct the forms. I have included a copy of my credit card statement with the amount paid to Vitale Ready Mixon April 30, 2013 (626.81). I have charged 3.00 per board (72.00) for the 24 2x4xIO's that I already owned. Total cost of materials: 1242.27 The most significant expense associated with doing this project up to city specifications was the cost of labor. When I first came to the DPW office to ask about my options for the reconstruction of the sidewalks, I was informed that I could allow the city to do it at cost plus 25 %. I also had the option to hire a contractor or do it myself. If I did it myself, I needed to apply for a Certificate of Attestation from NYS, and could not employ anyone to help me. This project involved a tremendous amount of work. I needed to use a jack hammer to break up the entire length of sidewalk. I then loaded all the rubble in my small trailer and drove it out in small loads to Caroline where a farmer used it for clean fill (I did not charge for my trailer. It took about ten trips). The original sidewalks were only 30" wide. I had to level off the entire 48" wide new sections, some of which were bordered by stone, and then construct the forms to accept the poured concrete. The property forms a semi - circle (see map) and the forms had to be constructed accordingly). The concrete could only be poured as quickly as I could level it. I paid the driver of Vitale for the additional hours necessary to allow me time to complete it properly. Additional repair work was required in two other sections of the sidewalk that bordered the next property. I began working on the project after receiving my excavation permit on April 18, 2013. I had the concrete poured on April 30, 2014. Final work was completed on or about May 4, 2013. A conservative estimate on the number of hours I spent on this project was 128 hours. To my best recollection, I was told that due to the workmen's compensation exemption, I could not even allow my son to help me. At 68, I may not be the handiest or fastest, but I did the job to the best of my ability. The work was inspected by the city after it was completed. I feel it would be fair to be compensated for the purposes of this application at a rate of 20.00 per hour. Therefore, I have placed a value of 2560.00 on my labor. Along with the cost of 1242.27 for the materials, the total I am asking for credit for is: 3802.00. At approximately 550 square feet of construction/repair, this works out to less than 7.00 a square foot. Thank you for considering. "_ 0_1�d I AAI� Beth Cohen and George Dillmann 1309 N. Cayuga St. Ithaca, NY 14850 gjdthree [at]ya hoo.com March 24, 2014 Dear Mr. Thorne and members of the Ithaca BPW, RECEIVED Dept. of Public Works MAR 2 b 2014 Office of the Superintendent ana tMilheeFlhg OWle O We are baffled by the logic used by the committee when you state that our sidewalk work credit application is being denied because the sidewalk replacement was incidental to utility work done at our house. It appears from Kent Johnson's emails to George that you do acknowledge that four sections of our sidewalk were in fact replaced in 2007. Is this correct? If it is, then we do not understand why we are being denied the credit. As we see it, the reason that the sidewalk sections were replaced is irrelevant. The fact is that these pieces were replaced, and your new policy indicates that when the homeowner has replaced sidewalk at their own expense, prior to the policy coming into force, credit will be given for that homeowner's expense. The sidewalk sections replaced at our house in 2008 are in excellent condition, and the city will not have to replace them again for many decades. The original pieces, which happened to have been broken up and removed to allow water and sewer pipe replacement at our house, were deteriorated and in need of replacement anyway, and we would have done so soon had the emergency need to replace the water and sewer pipe not occurred, Kent Johnson suggested that providing evidence to you of the sidewalk's poor condition before replacement might be helpful. We don't have any photos of what it looked like before. However, the two enclosed photos show the good condition of the new squares and the slightly worn condition of the adjacent squares - in addition, the new squares are lighter in color (given that the enclosed printouts of the photos are not as clear and well- contrasted as they appear in electronic form on our computer, we will also email them to Kent Johnson, with a copy of this letter, so that he can provide them to you if you wish; we took five photos altogether). The squares that were replaced were not as bad as some of the sidewalks we've seen in the city, but were certainly more deteriorated than the adjacent squares on our property, so the photos of the adjacent squares aren't representative of what the former squares looked like — yet they are obviously more worn than those we had replaced, as the photos will indicate. We hypothesize that the former squares were in worse shape because they were above the water pipe and sewer main that were broken by tree roots, so the pushing up of the bloated mains and the tree roots there did more damage than received by the adjacent squares, which were not on top of the sewer and water main. ! -* J t ��' r =naw..2 .Ft • 1c go; alm.- ,,, ff t^ • ti 4*�� �f :rYMYI .4,,r .., t.. OLD M „. /,I � El.m::;m Bcrs -1 co W -4- 6S'O F-CC fl, LL,- -1 All l (2 pet n! . CAJ� %I C.P. 3 -2 Li -2o)`{ i,E: SIMWAL{k LA%hr-y— CQL9DI i APrEZVAL_ 77i-E b LD S.9 Gr7 Q,,3S &= Sr D G WALtc Picc—zoS �Av� 3dzs7v ��let) Michael J. Thorne, P.E., Superintendent of Public Works City of Ithaca 108 E. Green St. Room 202 Ithaca, NY 14850 Dear Mr. Thorne, RECLb gel) Dept. of Pubtir. Works MAR 272014 Me Of the Superintendent and SnG►neering Division March 27, 2014 We are writing as the owners of the property at 208 West Lincoln Street in Ithaca to Appeal the City's denial of our application for sidewalk repair credit that John Milich submitted to Kent Johnson in the Office of the City Engineer on December 27, 2013. John received an email on January 22, 2014 from Mr. Johnson stating: "Thank you for submitting an application for sidewalk repair credit. Unfortunately, I must deny your application because you did not supply proof that a Street Permit was issued for this work (my records don't go back to 2003 so I can't find a copy of the permit for you). For additional information and requirements see http: / /www.egovlink.com /ithaca /news /news info.asp ?id =6502 . "If you wish to appeal this denial, please write to the Board of Public Works by March 31, 2014 - address your letter to Michael J. Thorne, P.E., Superintendent of Public Works, 108 E. Green St. Room 202, Ithaca, NY 14850. 1 am happy to help you with the appeal process." We removed and replaced the concrete sidewalk (5'x 37') in front of our house from May 2 -18, 2003. Our contractor Dominique Bouchard obtained the legally required Street Permit from the City for this job (and for our next door neighbor's sidewalk at 206 W. Lincoln St), as Mr. Bouchard has legally obtained each of the dozens of Street Permits for the sidewalks that he has removed and replaced for more than twenty years in the city of Ithaca. Mr. Bouchard has always maintained files for such permits for seven years, in accordance with standard record - keeping practices required by the IRS, medical and banking establishments, etc. Apparently the City of Ithaca does not keep its records beyond seven years, either. How in the name of fairness and 'ui stice can the City expect Ithaca homeowners to maintain our records beyond the City's own record - keeping practices? We can provide billing and purchasing documentation and photographic evidence of the sidewalk removal and replacement in May 2003 that are fully within the requirements of the City for homeowners to receive sidewalk repair credit. It is important to note that we are homeowners who complied with the City's sidewalk laws during the long period of time, preceding the City's recently changed sidewalk policy, when countless property owners in Ithaca have been scofflaws: un- ticketed, un -fined and still in need of repair. We replaced a sidewalk at our expense (including financial costs). Our sidewalk was not nearly as dangerous as many sidewalks in Ithaca at that time or today. We paid Mr. Bouchard to perform this work from our concern for public safety, and because it was the law. Our Appeal is based upon fairness and equal protection under the law, in this instance the City's failure to maintain its record keeping in accordance with the same requirements it places on homeowners for record - keeping, in seeking due process from the City of Ithaca for sidewalk repair credit. Sincerely, S/ 3Ohn and Iris Milich 208 W. Lincoln St. Ithaca, NY, 14850 Copies: Mayor Svante Myrick, Kent Johnson, Dominique Bouchard Proposal for a New Community Garden Site at Floral Avenue, Ithaca Prepared by Chrys Gardener, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County The goal of this project is to create an additional community garden site in the City of Ithaca. The proposed site is city -owned land between Floral Avenue and the flood control channel on the west side of town. The site is within walking distance of three low -to- moderate income apartment complexes managed by the Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Association. Neighborhood residents will help set up the garden with Master Gardener volunteers, creating local ownership of the project. Community gardens have proven to save families on their grocery bills while providing them with fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables. There is currently a strong need for additional community garden space in the city of Ithaca. The Ithaca Community Garden at Carpenter Park has 128 plot holders, 66 of whom are on low to moderate incomes. This garden site is not considered permanent as it is in a prime area for development. It is essential to start developing new community gardens in the city of Ithaca to make it possible for other low to moderate income residents the ability to grow their own vegetables and fruits and to prepare for the possibility of the loss of the Ithaca Community Garden. A working group was formed in the fall of 2012 to look at possibilities for new community garden sites on city -owned land. The group was consisted of staff and volunteers staff from the City of Ithaca's Planning Department, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Gardens 4 Humanity, Project Growing Hope, the Ithaca Community Garden, and Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play. The goal of this group was to locate and identify any possible city -owned sites that are non - parkland that might be suitable for additional community garden sites in the City of Ithaca. (Due to NYS legislation on city and state -owned parks, community gardening is not an allowable activity in public parklands, therefore, the working group focused only on city -owned sites that are not parkland.) The group identified city -owned parcels that might have gardening potential, then visited each site to rate it on a number of characteristics. Using a matrix to rate the different sites, the Floral Avenue site, located between the flood control channel and Floral Avenue (Route 13A) on the west side of town, is the most suitable for gardening and would require the least amount of work to create a garden. (The characteristics and limitations of each site are summarized in the attached document Site Characteristics.) A community survey was conducted in spring 2013 to determine the interest in new community garden sites. 192 people filled out the survey and the majority (67 %) indicated an interest in having new garden sites in the city, with 32% saying that they would like a garden site that is accessible to the west and south neighborhoods of the city. The Floral Avenue site is ideally located within easy walking distance of three low -to- moderate income apartment complexes managed by the Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services: Cedar Creek, West Village and Towerview. Apartment residents participated in a vegetable container gardening workshop in the spring and many expressed an interest in having a garden at that location, provided there is a deer fence, access to water, and free classes and mentoring. The city recently made improvements to the north end of this parcel, adding a sidewalk and lighting to facilitate the pedestrian connection to downtown. The proposed community garden would Page I 1 occupy the open land in the southern half of this parcel, starting where the sidewalk terminates in a loop and continuing south to the grove of crabapple trees. The proposed site is 45' x 150' and will provide plots for approximately 30 gardeners, as well as an area for socializing and a work area for tools, mulch deliveries and compost bins. The site has good soil and sun exposure, and would be an excellent garden site for many residents that live within walking distance. The two biggest challenges to gardening here are the large deer population, and lack of running water for the garden. We received a grant from the United Way Hunger and Food Security program to install a fence and a water system. I understand that the water main runs under Floral Avenue and it will not be practical to tap into this, so we will explore options for a rainwater harvesting system that can be set up within the garden. A complete soil test, including testing for lead, will be conducted this spring. Community gardens require strong leadership in the initial years to get them started, then ideally management of the garden should be turned over to the group of gardeners themselves. Staff from Cornell Cooperative Extension will initially manage the garden and enter into a lease agreement with the City of Ithaca, with the anticipation that management of the community garden will be transferred in several years to the group of gardeners who use the site. The CCE garden coordinator will recruit volunteers from the adjacent neighborhoods in early spring to sheet compost the site to prepare it for planting, and to help install the fence. Master Gardener volunteers will also assist with the project. By early summer the space will be ready for planting, and the garden coordinator will offer free weekly classes and mentoring to help new gardeners get off to a good start. In late summer and fall garden participants will be eligible to attend cooking and food preservation classes at CCE- Tompkins to help them learn to cook with and preserve their garden produce. Participant Qualifications Priority for garden plots will be given to residents of low -to- moderate income housing in the neighborhood, particularly residents of Cedar Creek and Towerview Apartments. Both of these apartment complexes are built into a steep hillside and there is no flat space to accommodate a resident community garden. Floral Avenue Community Garden Agreement As a Community Gardener, I agree not to hold Cornell Cooperative Extension or the City of Ithaca liable for any injury that may occur to me or to anyone I invite to the Floral Ave Community Garden site. I understand that the use period for my plot is from the time of plot registration in 2014 until the next renewal in spring 2015. I understand that any plot that has not been tended by May 318t it may be given to another gardener on the waiting list. I agree to maintain the paths around my plot at all times, and to tend my plot on a regular basis to keep them neat and free of weeds and other debris. Page 1 2 I understand that if my plot becomes overgrown with tall weeds, I may receive a warning that it appears abandoned. If I do not remedy the situation, the plot may be declared abandoned and reassigned to another gardener. I agree to keep the path next to my plot cut short or mulched if I place stakes, fencing, or trellises less than 6 inches from perimeter of my plot, which can interfere with mowing. I agree to clean and remove dead plant matter (put in compost area) and all trash from my plot at the end of the season. I will also remove my own stakes, etc. (not corner boundary stakes!), if I will not be returning next season. I agree to abstain from using chemical, non - organic herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers, or plastic mulch. I understand that failure to comply with these and other established Community Gardens policies may result in the loss of my gardening plot. Floral Avenue Community Garden Rules and Policies Membership & Plot Use Period — begins at renewal in 2014 and ends, if not renewed, in spring of 2015. Plot sizes and shapes vary, but measure about 15' x 9' (135 square feet) for larger plots, and 9' x 9' (81 square feet) for smaller plots. Membership and Plot Use Fees - The plot use fee for 2014 is $15 for each plot worked by the same person or household. Renewing members may only renew 1 plot at renewal registration time. If there are vacant plots after May 31st, it may be possible to obtain use of a 2nd plot on a seasonal basis (non - renewable). To be eligible, their 1st plot must be fully planted and well managed. Persons on the New Gardener Wait List are given priority access to available plots so that the Gardens remain as accessible to as many households as possible. Plantings — Plots may be used for ordinary flower and vegetable gardening. Perennial crops such as garlic, asparagus, raspberries, and strawberries are permitted, but no trees or tall shrubs may be planted. Plot Maintenance — Keep it clean and green! You must at least turn over the soil in your plot by May 31. You are responsible for preparing the soil and keeping it healthy. The gardens will provide some manure, compost and mulch each year. You can bring more on your own. You are expected to keep your plot neat and free of weeds and debris. Arrange for a friend to care for your plot if you go on vacation. Plots that are untended by May 31, or are overgrown with weeds later, may be mowed or given to another gardener. Path Maintenance — Do not pile rocks, weeds or other debris in the paths, or raise or lower the soil level right next to the path. Keep it clear, and we'll mow the path for you! Trash - Take out any trash you generate at the garden. We have no trash service on -site. Plant Debris and Compost - Place all excess plant materials in the compost piles. Shake dirt off plant roots. Only material generated at the Gardens may go into the compost. The mature compost in the bins is for use by all gardeners, please take as much as you want and use it in your plot. Page 13 Plastic - Plastic mulch is not allowed, since it adds plastic fragments to the soil. You may use floating row covers, but you must remove them at the end of the growing season, before they deteriorate. Fertilizer and Pesticides - The Gardens are organic, so do not use "chemical" fertilizers, sewage sludge or non - organic pesticides. If in doubt, ask. Email, Listserve, Mailings and Bulletin boards — Keep informed about Garden News and Events. Read messages on our listserve, our mailings and the bulletin board in the garden. All new gardeners with e -mail addresses are automatically signed up to the listserve. Feel free to post appropriate garden announcements. Paper mailings are expensive and kept to a minimum! Fences and trellises —A short fence, no more than 36 inches high, is acceptable around the edge of a plot if you keep the path next to it mowed /trimmed short or mulched with wood chips. Interior trellises are allowed, but they must not shade neighbor's plantings or block access to the paths or main fence around the Gardens. Keep at least 1 ft inside plot. If leaving the Gardens, please remove trellises, tomato cages and other foreign materials. Liability — Please report any potentially dangerous conditions to one of the Garden leaders. You agree to not hold Cornell Cooperative Extension or the City of Ithaca liable for injuries to you or your guests while on Community Garden's property. Other Plots — Please be considerate of your gardening neighbors. Do not take plants or produce from their plots, and don't allow your weeds or plants to invade their space. Illegal activities — Do not engage in illegal activities while on Community Garden's property. Failure to comply with this and other Gardens policies may result in the loss of your plot. Membership & plot renewals —We will mail you a membership renewal form in February, with a deadline in late February. If you want to keep your plot next year, it's your responsibility to get the form back to us on time. Page 14 LU z § � cr § � @ 0 I � � L N S _ k� @ } — $ B�� - 8 « (0 § -dO k(D C ƒ § 8E o § LO 0 3 92 UL 2 } e @ 2 # t k = m � z 0 ) ) 0 to \ c N \ I c � m w % � ) k I § © e @ 0 0) 2 ° 2k e e m ca �& k «2�§§ a ) LOEL 6- a § ° �§E� g7 z99 e9 g ; & ' ° to e M r 0 N N L Q z cc 0 cc L- 0` r� F 32 to IL c D w 0 O W U J O IL U A ID r U C �UW co � U 0 W CLS E £ 0 8 C c oEo so . c c LO o m o FL- W E'o�S9 ov M c je �$ C _.s.o � 0 aw w� s ®fig c v5 a o18 so8� c £ a �- $oEo �. e 8 �U`o� 0 d U 5� d� 3� M � y SE M L r � � �cC U� E Q O �p U 7 by U C Y E d S r O EV M FL v o a$ L CL r +�+ E l E DE r o d rr Proposed Community Garden on Floral Avenue The revised drawings for the community garden address questions which were brought up at the BPW meeting on March 24,2014: 1. Set back from flood control channel: We have relocated the proposed garden so that it is not within the 25' set back from the flood control channel. 2. Bridge from Cecil A. Malone drive: This will be located north of the proposed community garden site and will not be a conflict. If the bridge is installed in future years, it will help increase accessibility of the garden to residents of Southside and West End neighborhoods. 3. Off-street parking: There are 11 parking spots available in the 'apron' parking lots on Floral Avenue that are within 50 yards of the garden. The board members of the Ithaca Community Garden on Rt. 13 report that typically there are no more than 8 cars parked at their gardens on evenings and weekends in spring and summer. Additionally, the proposed garden is within easy walking/biking distance to a large number of homes and apartments. (For comparison, the Ithaca Community Gardens has 130 plots while the proposed garden will have 22 plots initially.) 4. Bike rack: We will install a bike rack for approximately 9 bikes next to the garden entrance. S. Path to garden entrance: We have included a stone dust path from the existing pedestrian foot path to the garden entrance. 6. Area for deliveries of mulch, compost etc: We have included a 10' x 10' pad paved with permeable green pavers between the garden and Floral Avenue. There is no curb cut here, but given the slope it should be possible for a dump truck to back up to the curb and dump materials on the delivery area. 7. Possibility of expanding garden area further south: We recommend starting with the proposed garden size of 30'x 150', however if there is sufficient interest to expand the garden in the future there is another 150' of city -owned land south of the proposed garden site. The crabapple trees currently there were planted by the Ithaca Garden Club over 25 years ago. I spoke with Jeanne Grace, City Forester, and she said that many of these trees are in poor health and are slated for removal in the next few years. One suggestion is to plant edible fruit trees at the southern end of this site to create a community orchard. L cc 0 � t+ •E a =� E c° N 001,7 V V a yea 7 LL C Q Q � O LL 2Q A� O o. CL :r a 0 N Y c m m o C H ot-L N g 0 Cl) .1 N O n a6 c c r U Q c 0 U v 0 s d U 0 3YrL.. C � N O'Q C G Oa ca ll C1 O Q O o t U g N o cc N ; 41 n `° Pagel of 2 Kathrin Gehring - FW: how many cars park by the Ithaca Community Gardens From: " Chrys B. Gardener" <cab69 @cornell.edu> To: Kathrin Gehring <kgehring @cityofithaca.org> Date: 4/8/2014 2:42 PM Subject: FW: how many cars park by the Ithaca Community Gardens Forwarded email from the board of the Ithaca Community Garden, regarding how many cars are typically parked at the gardens on weekends and evenings. From: judith barker [ mailto :judith.barker2 @gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 9:12 AM To: Chrys B. Gardener Subject: Fwd: how many cars park by the gardens, question from Chrys Gardener Everyone agrees with Doug, 3 -4 cars mostly and once in awhile 8- 10=-= -rare. Judith ---- - - - - -- Forwarded message ---- - - - - -- From: Doug Dylla <dou dg ylla@aol.com> Date: Mon, Apr 7, 2014 at 4:16 PM Subject: Re: how many cars park by the gardens, question from Chrys Gardener To: judith barker <judith.barker2(a,gmail.com> Cc: judith barker <judith.barker2Agmail.com >, renee brutvan <reneebrutvanagmmail.com >, ronda porras <rporras59ngmail.com >, sheryl <sns7@comell.edu>, will parker <wdp4(c comell.edu> I don't think I've ever seen more than 8 -10 cars in the current ICG site at one time. Typically, it's more like 3 -4 cars. -Doug On Apr 7, 2014, at 2:27 PM, judith barker <iudith.barker2(a gmail.com> wrote: Chrys sent the following message: I'm in the process of getting city approval for the new community garden at Floral Ave. One of the questions that came up from the Board of Public Works is about parking for the garden. Someone suggested that I find out approximately how many cars are parked at ICG during the busy gardening times, eg. weekends and evenings in spring and summer, then we can extrapolate for the number of plots that will be at Floral Ave (which will be less than 30 plots initially). Thanks for your help, - -Chrys Any estimates ?? Old Cree proverb file : / /C: \Documents and Settings\keehring\Local Settings \Temp\XPgrpwise \53440AC6coim... 4/8/2014 Page 2 of 2 Only after the last tree has been cut down; Only after the last river has been poisoned; Only after the last fish has been caught; Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten. Old Cree proverb Only after the last tree has been cut down; Only after the last river has been poisoned; Only after the last fish has been caught; Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten. file://C:\Documents and Settings\kgehring\Local Settings \Temp\XPgrpwise \53440AC6coim... 4/8/2014 Green Paver Options: 1: Azek Permeable Paver: A 2: PaveDrain: Recycled - material paver with joints filled with stones. Constructed over an open -grid base. 3: FilterPave Porous Pavement: This porous asphalt is made from stone and recycled glass. an open - graded base. System is similar to Azek but PaveDrain uses an arch shape to decrease weight and increase water capacity /filtration without compromising strength. All three are ADA compliant. This system uses Locust Fence Posts 6 Bike Rack Milled Fence Posts 18 Bike Rack 9 Bike Rack z.. JAMES M. ]KERRIGAN Attorney 1021 West Seneca Street Ithaca, New York 14850 kerriganjarnesl@grnail.com 607 273 3383 April 9, 2014 Ms Kathrin Gehring Ithaca City Hall Hon Svante Myrick Ithaca Mayor Re Judith A. Rossiter Courthouse Dear Ms Gehring Mr. Mayor As suggested in the mayor's recent email I have put together what has to be an incomplete list of the reasons I am suggesting that the City Court House be named in Honor of Her Honor, Judge Rossiter. As indicated I am planning to appear before the Board of Public Works on Monday April 14 for what I believe will be a discussion of any questions that this suggestion may raise. I would love a one minute opening introductory sentence opportunity. Any information on the time or placement of this matter on the agenda would be appreciated. I would also appreciate and request and feedback or suggestions, corrections or deletions. Thanks you both for your consideration. Hand delivery THE JUDITH A ROSSITER COURTHOUSE Some reasons for naming the Ithaca City Court House in honor of Judge Rossiter: INCLUSIVENESS The degree of inclusive ness in a court, in this city, and the high esteem in which Judge Rossiter is unparalleled. It is rare for disparate communities within our City to agree and to celebrate her accomplishments. Clearly the Ithaca Police Department from the bottom to the top respect and support her work on the City Court Bench. It is more rare that both the police and defendants celebrate her fairness, her commitment to justice, the manner and efficiency with which she holds court, the respect she accords to the police, defendants, witnesses, the public. The community, Drug Court officials, Drug investigators, Drug Court Defendants all recognize her commitment to our community, to limiting the damage drugs do to our community and our citizens, and at the same time her efforts, frequently successful, to encourage Drug users to be come abstinent and choose a law abiding path. It costs far less to guide a defendant through counseling, incarceration from time to time, rewards for success and ultimate completion of the program that it does to jail a drug user. As a nation we are increasingly aware that incarceration is outrageously expensive, and almost invariably a failure. It is rare that disparate communities of Prosecution Lawyers and Defense Lawyers celebrate the fairness with which Judge Rossiter presides. Invariably her rulings favor one side or the other, yet all sides agree that her decisions are delivered with respect, with fairness, with the law in the foreground, and all sides celebrate her successful efforts to be a fair and impartial judge. Landlords and tenants , and their respective lawyers, all recognize her efforts and leave her courtroom knowing that their cases have been fairly and fully heard. She recognizes landlords rights to be paid rent, to protect and preserve their property as well as the obligation to return security deposits in accord with City Ordinance. Spending a day at an eviction session leads one to observe her sensitivity to Tenants, and their families, to housing and an opportunity to get caught up or find substitute housing rather than becoming homeless. An example fair compassion. An incredible number of civil cases proceed constantly through the City Court, frequently naming the poorest among us as civil defendants. All know and recognize her efforts to listen to both sides with fairness , respect, and efficiency. VOLUME AND EFFICIENCY Although other city courts in the state handle more cases in larger communities, many with far more judges sitting, Judge Rossiter and the Ithaca City Court had almost 800 new filings in February 2014. I will let you do the math for 20 years, including outrageously busy months as students arrive and depart. Although the number of cases may have increased over the years, that would suggest that Judge Rossiters court in 20 years has handled over 150,000 cases. During her service court delay has been somewhere between rare and non existent. LEGAL SCHOLARSHIP It is rare for trial court judges decisions to be published in the Official Reports of the State of New York. However if a Judges trial court opinion is significant, noteworthy, breaks new ground or decides a new legal issue it may be published as determined by the Official State Reporter in Albany, and as such may be relied on by the public and other judges. Judge Rossiter has had 14 written decisions selected for publication in the Official New York State Reports. That may be unheard of for a City Court Judge. TEACHING She has served as an Adjunct Professor at TC3; lecturer at the New York State Judicial Training Institute, and an Instructor at N Y State Unified Court System Continuing Legal Education progams for other judges for decades. AUTHOR Co Author, Handling a Criminal Case in New York, West Publishing, ; Co Author , Schizophrenic Patients' Self- Perceptions, Legal and Clinical implications, Journal of Psychiatry and Law COUNTY COURT While almost all city court judges hear only misdemeanors and smaller civil cases, Judge Rossiter has been assigned to Tompkins County Court to try serious felonies including a murder trial, a recognition of her skills as a Trial Judge. STATE WIDE SUCCESS. Judge Rossiter has been recognized by her election by her peer Judges when elected to a two year term as President of the New York State Association of City Court Judges. During her tenure she was successful in convincing the State to add necessary staff so City Court Judges across the state could adequately perform their duties, and more significantly in changing a number of part time judge posts to full time posts. Justice can not be meted out on a part time basis; the city courts volume required more judges across the state including in Ithaca. She lead this accomplishment in a time of severe statewide budget constraints . When she started out in Ithaca City Court there was one part time judge and an acting judge to sit rarely in the regular Judges absence. There are now two full time Ithaca City Court Judges, largely as a result of her efforts. CONCLUSION Ithaca city court has become one of the best trial courts in the state, handling an incredible volume of cases for our citizens, in part, I suggest largely as a result of Judge Rossiter's excellence as a Judge. It is appropriate to name the unnamed Ithaca City Court building in her honor in the hope that this City will follow her example of fair and impartial justice. CITY OF IT11ACA 108 East Green Street — 3rd Floor Ithaca, New York 14850 -5690 DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT JOANN CORNISH, DIRECTOR OF PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT PHYLLISA A. DeSARNO, DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Telephone: Planning & Development – 607 - 274 -6550 Community Development/IURA – 607 - 274 -6559 Email: dgrunder@cityofithaca.org Email: iura @cityofithaca.org Fax: 607 - 274 -6558 Fax: 607 - 274 -6558 TO: Michael Thorne, Superintendent of Public Works Board of Public Works Erin Marteal, Executive Director, Ithaca Children's Garden FROM: Megan Wilson, Planner DATE: March 12, 2014 RE: Parks Commission Support of the Ithaca Children's Garden's Proposed Edible Forest Garden Expansion Project The City of Ithaca Parks Commission met on March 11, 2014 and discussed the Ithaca Children's Garden's proposal for the Edible Forest Garden Expansion Project, including the addition of fowl and honeybees. The Commission believes that the edible forest garden will provide a unique opportunity for children and adults to learn about food production and urban agriculture and will be an excellent addition to the Ithaca Children's Garden. The Commission supports the project in concept and will continue to communicate with the Ithaca Children's Garden as more design details of the project are finalized. If you have any questions about the Parks Commission's discussion, please contact me at mwilson@ciiyofithaca.org or 274 -6560. Edible Forest Garden Expansion Project Ir- '11' Layers of the Edible Forest Garden 1. Garroppyy/Tall7ree 5. Ground Cover /Creeper 2. S -py. opy/Large Shrub 6. Underground 3, Shrub 7. Vvrtic!Mmber 4. Herbaceous PROCESS Differentiate from existing Edible Garden Incorporate recycled objects Include public space Address water management Designed by kids Incorporate material already donated • Site designs created by each member of Dan Krall's sophomore Landscape Design class at CU • reviewed by board members at CU Critique • discussed by EM, DK, MS • selected ideas incorporated in this proposal • Guild research performed by each student in Sarah Kelsen's Regional Agriculture class at New Roots High School • Amalgamated by Megan Shay, who worked with both classes during their projects • Presented to Site Committee -- approved by ICG BoD Plants can be raised by classes across the district Garden elements can be created by classes across the district Planting can be done by selected classes Kinetic Garden sign competition in high school and colleges • Identifying signage along the top of the fence facing Rt 89 • Kinetic • Lighted at night • Made from recycled /reused material Recycled element fountains competition in high schools and colleges • Deliver water to guilds • Made from recycled /reused material GARDEN ELEMENTS v z rnuner gungs A 1 r. �. ,y� t :�. ,�. ��- � � t -_� A �- _ �- uu�.s. G �— — ---- �t �.4v � •in xlx '� Y�� �� sir �� +y;�', ,,: �, ";. �� �'�� 5Y • ` Y ' - A � �' .'•'s' t �� � _ . _ . - - - - � r =-�.� �� � � `- • Key plant is full size fruit or nut • Recycled elements fountain irrigates • Recycled herb "planters" line secondary paths into guild interiors • Musical instruments installed in guilds or buffer zones • Each guild is approximately 3o' dia NUTS: FRUITS: Chestnut (2) Pear (2) Pecan Pawpaw Hickory Mulberry Black Walnut Cherry Plum OTHER: Pine Forest Massive Mushroom Logs Friends of the Cold Season (Bamboo, plum and pine) • Showcase plants for teaching purposes • Allow plants found in Zone 6 -7 to grow in Zone 5 • Demonstrate a cultural or biozone theme Transparent solar roof with run -off channeled to cistern Floor covers aquaponics cistern Seasonal classroom /greenhouse September - May Public gathering space for events (rentable) Compass Sun Dial Microclimate for perennial vegetables and fruit hardy to Zone 6 -7 Hammocks Picnic Tables Acid - loving plants: blueberry cranberry wintergreen teaberry bearberry Emily implementation Mid -term implementation candidates (2014 -15): candidates (2016): Boardwalk Pine forest Friends of the cold season guild Black walnut guild Cherry guild Guilds without irrigation Pavillion Cistern Fountains Final Phase (2017 -2018) Fruit Guilds Nut Guilds Fowl at the Ithaca Children's Garden: Our educational, safety and health plan in 2014 The Ithaca Children's Garden proposes the incorporation of a small flock of 2 laying hens and 2 ducks into the edible garden over the course of this spring and summer, 2014. With city approval, the flock will arrive onsite in May or June. We are aware that the City of Ithaca prohibits the keeping of fowl within city limits, but that it also allows an exemption for educational institutions to keep fowl with proper safeguards to public health, safety, comfort and convenience: A.Prohibidon. No person shall keep, pasture, breed, raise, harbor, stable or maintain any be poultry, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese or any other fowl or reptiles or any swine, horses, cows, mules, sheep, goats or any other animals, except domesticated pets, within the City. B. Exception. This section shall not apply to any educational scientific or research institution maintaining, with adequate safeguards as to public health, safety, comfort and convenience, any animals or other creatures for scientific, medical or other research purposes. Thus, we have devised a plan for flock education and maintenance with public safety and health at the forefront. We are confident in our ability to keep an exemplary flock, as our staff members have ample experience in keeping both chickens and ducks in a farm and garden setting. How chickens and ducks will help us fulfill ICG's community education and science mission With city approval, ICG's Edible Garden will become home to a small flock of chickens and ducks this summer, primarily as an educational and research instrument. Children love to interact with animals, which makes an egg - laying flock of chickens and ducks a wonderful opportunity to teach children, their families and all other casual visitors science about local foods, bird life cycles, soil health and fertility and pest control. In addition, the flock will help us achieve important sustainable practices including lessening our garden's dependence on expensive, non - local, petroleum -based inputs. Our flock will also serve as a good demonstration for backyard chicken - keeping for those coming from outside Ithaca city limits. The chicken tractor is an excellent example of how sustainable design looks for connections between elements and makes use of them to create an efficient win -win situation. It uses biological resources (plants and animals) to save energy and do the work in the garden. However, the key to harnessing the power of the chicken is in the chicken coop — imagine the havoc without one! As the vegetable beds are harvested, the chicken coop is rotated around them. The chickens do what comes naturally to them and cycle nutrients by fertilising, tilling, scratching, eating household scraps, clearing weeds and pests, and laying eggs. After approximately 2 -3 weeks the bed is beautifully cleared, tilled, fertilized, and ready for the next crop to be planted. By simply allowing the chickens to behave naturally, we are able to get a lot of 'work' (and 'product') out of them. Flock management at ICG Our chickens and ducks will rotate through the beds of our Edible Garden. They will have a durable, enclosed, lockable coop with access to food and water which they will be closed into at night and on any days when staff members are not onsite. Because our staff is onsite most days during the summer, the flock will be allowed to free range inside moveable fencing enclosures when staff is at the garden. Here they will have access to insects, crops post - harvest, cover crops and grasses. In winter, when activity at ICG slows, the flock will be relocated to partner Plowbreak Farm in Mecklenburg which is owned by an ICG staff member. Common Concerns about Chickens Noise In some areas, roosters are banned, and only hens are allowed, and in limited numbers, to prevent problems with noise. Hens are relatively quiet as compared to pet dogs, though hens often vocalize after an egg is laid for a few minutes. The noise level during this squawking period has been measured at around 63 decibels, or about the level of two people talking. Other than post - laying squawking, normal hen sounds are not audible at 25 feet (7.6 m). (Ahttp: / /news.google.com/ newspapers? id= 7TMaAAAAIBAJ &sjid= Lw8EAAAAIBAJ &pg= 1619 %2C177236). The Ithaca Children's Garden will keep only hens- not roosters. Health Bird flu and salmonella are the two biggest concerns to human health. The risk for catching bird flu is low, according to Mark Slifka, Ph. D. Infectious Disease Expert with Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR. Salmonella is mostly associated with undercooked chicken meat. People who have weak immune systems, such as the elderly, young children, and those with various medical conditions, are most at risk. Proper sanitation and cooking practices lessen the threat of contracting salmonellosis. Avian influenza, commonly referred to as "bird flu" is spread through contact with the feces of contaminated migratory birds. Since these infected wild birds are currently only in Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe, there is no possible chance of it spreading to chickens elsewhere. (" "Common Backyard Chicken Objections ". Chickensinstoughton.com. Retrieved 2012- 04 -25.) Straw bedding and regular cleaning of our coop will minimize any health "risks" associated with these birds. Odor Odor concerns can be addressed by limiting the number of chickens that a household can own. Unlike large commercial operations, where thousands of chickens are kept in close quarters and thus build up enough ammonia to create a powerful odor, small backyard operations are no worse than having a dog. The average dog produces 12 ounces of solid waste per day, while the average chicken produces 1.5 ounces per day. ICG's coop will be sufficiently stocked with straw bedding as needed, which will be cleaned and composted regularly. Unwanted predators, pests, and rodents Predators and rodents are already living in urban areas. Wild bird feeders, pet food, gardens, fish ponds, bird baths, trash waiting to be collected all attract raccoons, foxes, rodents and flies. Most modem chicken pens are designed to keep predators away. (^ Jump up to' a 7 Myths About Urban Chickens I McMurray Hatchery Blog ". Blog.mcmurrayhatchery.com. 2011- 01 -13. Retrieved 2012- 04 -25.) Chicken owners have found many different ways of protecting chickens from predators without significant impact on the area. (^ Minnema, Devon. "Three basic ways to protect your flock from predators ".BestotC /uck.com. BestofCluck. Retrieved 3/4/13.) Property values One of the arguments against allowing backyard hens is that chickens kept within city limits will cause a reduction in property values. There are numerous cities across the country that allow backyard hens. Real estate figures show that property values have been unaffected by the passing of ordinances related to the keeping of urban hens. ( 7 Myths About Urban Chickens I McMurray Hatchery Bloa ". Blog. mcmurrayhatchery.com.2011- 01 -13. Retrieved 2012- 04 -25.) Model of successful chicken - keeping at a public garden: The Sustainable Backyard at the Hamilton Botanical Gardens Established in 2001, The Sustainable Backyard in Hamilton, New Zealand, is a quarter acre site located within the Hamilton Botanical Gardens. The Sustainable Backyard has a strong educational focus for both visitors and volunteers, with productive vegetable beds, chickens which are moved to different beds, a worm farm, composting, liquid manure barrels, and a range of fruit trees, berries and vines. Quotes from visitors to SBY • My favorite garden andLogan loved the pumpkins and the chooks who pecked the grass. • Barler andfamily were here and they were very happy to see a "garden that's so beautiful." Keep up the good work! • Here for the first time. It's educational — great that school kids visit! It's, uture orientated — the environment and `earth' need this Thank you to the Trust and the volunteers. This is so encouraging. • I've come all the way from the 11K to see this. Amazing! Lovely, very fun and appropriate. • I love this little garden. It holds something so very special. The little hens are a real charm. • We really enjoyed visiting this Sustaiable Backyard Garden. The concept of permaculture is great. Wish all of us could adopt it in someway. Was great talking to Katherine who cleared some of our concepts regarding ecology. Carry on this good work. • What a fabulous working garden. I have had many ideas for my new garden and it was great to see a working example. • Lovely harmonious and productive permaculture garden — and a vibrant living example. Fantastic! • This is my favourite garden. It's so inspirational and amazing what can be grown in a small space. We must keep this going as a garden. • I work on sustainable landscaping programs on the East Coast of the US. This garden is a wonderful resource — fu1I of easy and lovely ideas for landscapes that are environmentally friendly. Will share the ideas with friends in the States. Good work! Our Good Neighbor Pledge Central to the mission of the Ithaca Children's Garden is to inspire environmental stewardship. We recognize that to do this successfully, we must provide a beautiful and inviting demonstration of what sustainability looks like to the most discerning aesthetic. We have been addressing this aggressively over the past 2+ years. Our flock will be not only a strong demonstration of proper fowl keeping and ecological lifecycles; it will also attract considerable visitation to the parks and improve the quality of life for residents while enhancing and enriching visitor experience. If at any time, the care or'keeping of the chickens surpasses the means of the Ithaca Children's Garden to maintain the fowl demonstration to the highest standards as deemed acceptable by the City of Ithaca, the Ithaca Children's Garden will remove the animals and animal quarters to partner Plowbreak Farm, until further provisions can be made to restore the fowl in a manner acceptable both to the Ithaca Children's Garden and the City of Ithaca. The Ithaca Children's Garden will make regular reports on the operations of the animals as requested by the Parks Commission and city officials. Honeybees at the Ithaca Children's Garden: Our educational and safety plan in 2014 The Ithaca Children's Garden plans to install one beehive with observation window at its Route 89 site this spring and summer, 2014. The bees will arrive in May. We are aware that the City of Ithaca prohibits beekeeping, but that it also allows an exemption for educational outfits to keep colonies with proper safeguards to public health, safety, comfort and convenience: A.Prohibidon. No person shall keep, pasture, breed, raise, harbor, stable or maintain any bees. poultry, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese or any other fowl or reptiles or any swine, horses, cows, mules, sheep, goats or any other animals, except domesticated pets, within the City. B. Exception. This section shall not aonly to any educational scientific or research institution maintaining, with adequate safeguards as to public health, safety, comfort and convenience, any animals or other creatures for scientific, medical or other research purposes. Thus, we have devised a plan for hive education and maintenance with public safety in mind. Bees and education Honeybees are an important element to any ecosystem and are a wonderful teaching tool for many different topics, particularly for organizations like ours, which focus on outdoor and garden education. Having one colony on -site will enable ICG staff to educate -- and more importantly, demonstrate -- to visitors and campers the value of honeybees and other pollinator insects. Specifically, it will offer ICG staff opportunity to educate visitors on: colony collapse disorder and its consequences, the importance of pollinators, which plants and veggies need pollinators, what would happen to our ecosystems if our pollinators went extinct, and what products bees make and how they can be used, etc. A committee has been identified specifically to develop interpretive signage to educate visitors about the bees, their benefits, and behaviors. A statement notifying all visitors about the bee hive will be posted on our website, in brochures about the garden, at the main entrance to the garden, as well as at the entrances to the vegetable garden where the hive will be located. Bee products as an ancillary benefit to beekeeping The honeybee's most important role is that of pollinator, because it keeps our whole ecosystem running. Our ICG honeybees (this colony as well as future colonies) will potentially provide us with edible, medicinal and other products: honey, pollen, beeswax and propolis, among others. All products that bees create require a great deal of energy, so we will harvest only excess, so as not to exploit these hard - working insects.. Style of hive Top bar hives are an alternative method of beekeeping that is more conducive to bees' natural systems, by allowing them to build comb exactly the way they like to. It is believed that top -bar colonies are better able to stay healthy and strong because they are not confined to the smaller comb size and square frame shape designed to maximize honey production in a Langstroth hive. The main goal in keeping a colony with a top -bar hive is ensuring the health and well -being of hives. This fits well with ICG's goals, and will allow us to effectively educate our visitors on bees as pollinators, ecological beekeeping and bee product uses. We hope that our choice of top bar hive beekeeping demonstrates to you our commitment to keep bees as an educational instrument. Hive Maintenance Marvin Pritts, professor and chair of the horticulture department at Cornell, will provide bee maintenance for the year 2014 and beyond. Maintenance will include: checking hive periodically for pests and diseases, harvesting honey and other bee products when appropriate, fixing any structural issues with beehive and preparing the hive for winter with insulation and possibly relocation. To ensure public safety, hive maintenance will occur when attendance levels at the garden are low. The ICG beehive project is also supported by Peter Borst and the Finger Lakes Beekeepers Club, who will assist with care, consultations, education, and maintenance of the bee hive. Honeybees and liability Throughout the planning process, ICG staff has fielded many questions surrounding the risk of housing a colony when there may be visitors (specifically children) who are allergic to bees. Keeping honeybees is as an opportunity to teach visitors about the benefits of pollinators and the uses of their products, but also one to dispel the myth that honeybees are aggressive by nature. The hive will be elevated out of the reach of children, with the entrance /exit far above even the heads of adults. Bees will generally not sting unless they are bothered (e.g. their hive is shaken, banged on, opened at the wrong times or without authorization or proper preparation), which means that placing a hive at ICG will likely not increase beestings onsite -- there are already many pollinators and to our knowledge we have not experienced any serious beestings involving anaphylactic shock. Hornets, wasps, and other aggressive stinging insects currently nest throughout the garden each year. As a precautionary measure, we plan to strap the hive to the pergola so it is not easily harassed by vandals. Honeybee "disaster" prevention Though it is extremely unlikely that children will be "attacked" by honeybees without provocation, (hornets, yellow jackets and other stinging insects who make ICG their home independent of our site plans are generally more aggressive and more likely to sting visitors) we have planned our first aid kit contents and location around the hive. We will keep a full first -aid kit locked in our outdoor kitchen, which is located just feet from the pergola which our bees will sit atop. Inside the kit, we will keep Benedryl or a similar antihistimine as well as an epi pen if we are approved to keep one onsite. The epi pen may be administered only by a First Aid /CPR certified staff member. As such, all of our summer staff members will be First Aid /CPR certified. Model of successful bee - keeping at a public garden The Sustainable Backyard in Hamilton, New Zealand, is a quarter acre site located within the Hamilton Botanical Gardens. Who Marvin Pritts, Kara Cusolito When Estimated install date: late May (when bees arrive). Ideally the hive will be installed and secured atop the pergola before the bees arrive toward the end of May. Where Atop the edible garden pergola How Marvin will construct the hive; he will provide lumber and we will provide or reimburse him for plexiglass, fasteners, parts for sliding doors. Work with Ithaca Generator on periscope design and build Other items needed by ICG include: hive tool, bee suit, smoker