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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-Parks-2016-02-09 1 CITY OF ITHACA PARKS COMMISSION Tuesday, February 9, 2016, Noon to 1:30 p.m. Cornell Cooperative Extension, 615 Willow Avenue, City of Ithaca MINUTES Present: Commissioners: Margaret Hobbie Dan Krall Ellen Leventry Staff: Jim Dalterio, Cass Park Recreation Facilities Director Megan Wilson, City Planner Josephine Martell, Common Council Liaison Bill Goldsmith, BPW Liaison MINUTES Due to a lack of quorum, November 2015, December 2015, and January 2016 minutes will be reviewed at the March meeting. Since this has been an ongoing issue, the commissioners present agreed that the draft minutes should be posted to the City’s website until a final version is approved. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA An update on the Geese Working Group was added to the agenda. PERSONS TO BE HEARD None. NEW BUSINESS Proposed Picnic Pavilion & Cob Oven in Conley Park (Josh Dolan) Josh Dolan presented a proposal to create a picnic pavilion and cob oven in the southern end of Conley Park. The project would be a joint effort of Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Northside United neighborhood association. The cob oven would be located beneath the pavilion and would be approximately 3’ tall on top of a 2’ foundation. Local residents Mateo and Peaches, who have built several of these ovens throughout the country, would build it out of 100% local materials. In terms of maintenance, plaster needs to be reapplied each year, and Mateo and Peaches have volunteered to do this. Josh and Chrys Gardener would provide routine maintenance. They also hope to partner with Northside United on 2 maintenance and possibly adoption of the park. Exact specifications on the pavilion have not been provided. The builder suggested 24’ x 24’; it would need to be a minimum of 10’ x 10’ just to cover the oven. All of the commissioners present felt that a 24’ x 24’ pavilion is way too big and would take up too much of the valuable green space in the park. Additionally, maintenance of the new installation is a concern. They questioned whether the project would be better located in the Children’s Garden. Josh responded that he believes that Mateo is approaching them but his focus is on Conley Park. He believes that locating the oven right in the neighborhood would provide access for more residents. He stated that Northisde United could help with maintenance pavilion reservations, if use of the pavilion becomes popular. Megan asked about the neighborhood’s reaction to the proposal. Josh noted that it was mixed, and many felt the proposed pavilion was too big. The Commission noted that with the creation of the green space along the creek as part of the project at 210 Hancock Street and the closure of Adams Street, community green space will increase considerably. There is no overall vision for this area, and new projects are coming forward with little consideration of the area as a whole. Several commissioners expressed surprise that this project is not being coordinated with the Sciencenter. Bill noted that BPW will have lots of questions about this project. He noted that sometimes there being “nothing there” is exactly what people like about a park. Like the Parks Commission, BPW will be concerned about maintenance and repair needs as well as who will oversee operation. While a quorum was not present, those commissioners in attendance unanimously agreed that they do not support the proposal for the picnic pavilion or cob oven in Conley Park due to its size and maintenance concerns. They strongly encouraged Josh to work with either the Sciencenter or Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services to locate the project on private property near the park. Josh also noted that Cornell Cooperative Extension is considering signage as part of the Permaculture Project. Signage has not been reviewed by Parks Commission or approved by BPW and will need to be presented at an upcoming meeting. Friends of Stewart Park Update (Rick Manning) Rick Manning reported that the Friends of Stewart Park (FSP) are currently waiting on three studies that will guide their upcoming efforts: (1) the City’s building study by Pam Kingsbury; (2) the revised Stewart Park Revitalization Plan (SPRAP); and (3) a campaign feasibility study for fundraising. There will be more discussion on these studies in the coming months, but the new playground has emerged as a leading project for the FSP. 3 The SPRAP will be looking at entry and wayfinding signs. Rick will bring the designs to the Parks Commission in the near future. Rick also reported that the FSP have been awarded a $10,000 grant to renovate the stone overlook at the Fuertes Bird Sanctuary. They need additional funding to move forward and are seeking an additional $5,000 from the Cayuga Bird Club. Rick noted that he thinks the City should decide about allowing dogs in Stewart Park. With the park being a community gathering place as well as a home to one end of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail, it is difficult to prohibit dogs. There are areas where dogs should not be allowed, such as in or near Fuertes, but those areas could be the exception. The Commission will discuss this idea further at an upcoming meeting. Geese Working Group Update (Josephine Martell) Josephine reported that the Geese Working Group is following up on the stakeholder meeting held in early January. The goals for this year include preparing a management plan, working with the DEC to collar adult geese, reaching out to the Lab of Ornithology, and working with volunteers to create a map of the locations of geese nests. If there is time, volunteers could oil some nests this year. The DEC is also looking into the possibility of using an experimental hazing drone to harass the adult geese, but a grant or other funding source is needed. The Commission discussed the need for public outreach on the program as well as approvals from the Board of Public Works. Josephine and Megan will also work on a no‐feeding ordinance to accompany the other components of the program. Bill stated that he had heard mixed opinions on whether this program could actually work to reduce the geese population. Josephine noted that the goal is to discourage geese from locating on City lands where the conflict between people and wildlife is greatest. Park Logo Design The Commission reviewed the draft call for proposals for a park system logo. Commissioners indicated that they wanted it to be clear that: (1) the City will own the selected logo; (2) entries will not be returned; and (3) the City is not obligated to choose a logo from the submissions. The groups discussed the possibility of working with an artist to refine a submitted design if the Commission likes the concept but would like a few “tweaks” to the proposal. Bill reminded the group that the BPW is looking for a recommendation on the entire sign, not just the logo. The Commission will need to consider the content of the sign as well. The Commission discussed what the winner would receive. Jeanne Grace had mentioned that she may have a small amount of funding that could be the stipend/prize for the winner. Passes to Cass Park were also discussed. 4 Previously, the Commission had considered holding a community vote on the submitted logos. Upon further discussion, the Commission decided that they would narrow down the selections to a few finalists and then hold a vote to get input on their final recommendation. Membership (Megan Wilson) Megan reported that the press release announcing the available seat on the Parks Commission was released shortly after the January meeting. Only one application has been submitted so far. Parks Commissioners should still continue to recruit new members. Martha Giomousis is interested in joining to represent the beautification program. If she is unable to participate, the Commission will need to seek a change to the City Code that mandates that one seat be dedicated to the designee of the beautification program.