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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CAB-1980 Commons Advisory Board Minutes February 5, 19$0 THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 AT 9:30 A.M. voting members present : 8essou, Brown, Goldman, Niederkorn, Roths- child, Schuler, Underwood excused absence: Osborn others present : Clardy In discussion of the minutes of the last two meetings, the ' Board was reminded of the decision that three consecutive unex- cused absences from Board meetings will terminate membership on the Board. The experiment with Tuesday as a meeting date will continue. If there are problems with this choice of day, they should be shared with Clardy. The process of rotating chairmanship of the Board will be continued. Each member will chair one month of meetings. The Board membership has been expanded to 11. Laurent Bessou, Manager of the Ramada Inn, has accepted the Mayor's invitation to join the Commons Advisory Board. In addition to his personal insights, he will bring to the Board the perspective of food and drink merchants and those who deal tith night life on the Commons. A warm welcome was extended to Laurent by members of the Board. The minutes of the prevEhous meetings were accepted. In an effort to reach a final decision on the apprppriate signs' Frank Gombas, Traffic Engineer for the City, was invited to join the meeting. After some discussion, the idea of paint&ng or attaching a sign to the overhead bridge was abandoned because it is very un= likely that such signage would be permitted on an arterial by the Department of transportation. Niederkorn then moved that the Board endorse as a solution to the problem of signs on the Green Street parking ramp the placement of a sign similar to that on Seneca Street. parking ramp, to be placed against the pillar, approximately as shown in the enclosed sketch, with the sign large enough to be seen from the intersection of Cayuga and Green Streets. Brown seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Clardy will share this resolution with the Superintendent of Public Works and with the DIBA and will ask the DIBA to also endorse this solution. Clardy proposed that the summer concert series be extended to run from mid—June to mid—September and that the Ithaca Concert Band be asked to play every other or every third concert. They shoudl be offered an honorarium of about $200. Of the remaining concerts, about half would be professional groups paid for with MPTF funding. The Board approved the proposal. Clardy also shared plans developing for a Saturday event focussed on services for the young child and organized by the Finger Lakes Association for the Education of Young Children. This is tentatively scheduled for April 19. Tentatively scheduled for April 12 is an appearance by a group from IC and the end of the Heart Fund's run around the Lake. A letter has also been written to explore the idea of an Oktoberfest and also the idea of a major magic show during the summer monthes. There was some discussion of the likelihood of Common Council endorsing the recommendation of the Urban Renewal Agency for preferred conditional developer. Also considered was the future of parking under the ramp. In unrelated short discussionF, Clardy was granted permislion to spend up to $50 to have the operations manual typed on a word processor so that it could be more easily amended and re—typed when needed. It was noted that the lights in City Hall should not all be on for evening meetings. And Schuler offered to t , ask the cooperation of the Planning Department in re—designing the directories of businesses on the Commons. Once they are t in place, the directories will be maintained tby the DPW in cooperation with j the Commons Advisory Board. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE EXPERIMENT WITH TUESDAYS IS CONTINUING. As there was no further business, we adjourned at 10:30. Respectfully submitted, , Andrea Clardy • Commons ,Coordinator , , 6 g1/4, 07 • Commons Advisory Board Minutes February 19, 19$0 members present : Bessou, Brown, Goldman, Hilton, Niederkorn, Osborn, Rothschild, Schickel, Schuler, Underwood others: Clardy, M. Faber for Beach Hill Meditation Center, Marge Carlson and Bill Brothers for SPCA The minutes of the previous meeting were unanimously accepted as sent. As no objections have been voiced and attendance is increased, the Tuesday meeting time will be continued. Underwood noted that her envelope containing a single sheet of minutes of the previous meeting was metered for 540 postage. Clardy will draw this to the attention of the person responsible. Board members are asked to note the postage on the envelopes containing these minutes to determine if the over-metering is a general problem. Michael Faber asked if Beach Hill Meditation Center might receive a permit to continue to sell kindling and honey on Saturday afternoons, and also to add the sale of hot cider and home-made cookies and possibly representations of oriental calligraphy. An extended discussion followed on the question of whether the three appearance limit should be upheld so that no non-profit group becomes a constant presence on the Commons, whether an exception should be made because activities are welcome and cannot be scheduled in the winter months, whether sale of the originally permitted items should be extended but no further items added or whether, if sales did contribute a significant revenue or significant exposure to a group, it might be expected to pay a user's fee after three initial appearances at no cost. Goldman suggested that three appearances to raise money were offered to all non-profit groups. Further appearances suggest that Commons sales are sufficiently important as fund-raisers for the group that charging a fee may be appropriate. He emphasized the need for flexibility in setting the fee if this approach is followed. Faber indicated that he did not have the authority individually to agree to payment of a fee. Brown then moved that the Beach Hill Meditation Center be permitted to use the vacant lot one day a week on the basis of a commercial user, paying $5 to the City per day. Goldman seconded and the motion passed by a vote of 7 to 3 with Goldman, Hilton and Bessou dissnnting. Faber was asked to establish definitively what would be offered for sale and report in writing in advance. The difficulty of writing such a list and submitting it was acknowledged. Bessou expressed reservations about the sale of food, drink and cards on a continuing basis because of their competition with regular merchants. Osborn then moved that only the sale of kindling and honey be permitted. Brown seconded and the motion passed by a vote of $ to 2, with Goldman and Hilton opposed. Goldman asked that the minutes show his opposition based not on approving the sale of kindling and honey but on limiting the items. Faber was advised that the cards might be viewed differently if they could be made on the site so that passers-by could watch the process. Bill Brothers, Executive Director of the SPCA and Marge Carlson, Educational Coordinator, asked permission to organize a variety of events on the Commons on Saturday, May 10, the concluding day of "Be Kind to Animals Week". The purpose would be to encourage new member- ships and, more generally, emphasize the positive aspects of pet ownership. Prior to the event, poster or photo contests might be held with the focus on responsible pet ownership and care. On the Saturday, a pet show would occur on the vacant lot, emphasizing fun and loveableness rather than breed categories and formality. The SPCA would take responsibility for allowing access only from Green Street and maintaining control of all animals. One the Commons itself, informational displays by veterinarians or vet students might be set up and a demonstration of dog obedience training would take place in the center of the Commons. That area might be cordoned off with the only opening at the Green Stree—vacant lot side, to avaid any dogs being loose on the Commons. The SPCA would be responsible for clean—up. Brown moved the SPCA be allowed to present a program including a pet show on the vacant lot and the central commons on Saturday, May 10, subject to relevant local laws. Rothschild seconded. Clardy pointed out that Mr. Dingman has authority over the regulation against all dogs and his permission would be necessary and that May 10 is the day before Mother's Day, which is one of the DIBA's major promotions, and that she is constrained from endorsing any activity during a major promotion without the consent of the DIBA. She will ask Mr. Dingman and the DIBA to endorse the event. Approval by the Commons Advisory Board is subject to these endorsements. The motion then passed, with Schickel opposed. Niederkorn then moved that a bake sale and the distribution of information be approved for the SPCA in the central pavillion on May 10. Brown seconded and the motion passed with Bessou opposed. Clardy asked the Board's response to the possibility of using leftover dollars to purchase shirts or jackets saying Ithaca Commons for the main- tenance staff. The Board expressed interest. Such shirts or jackets may have existed in the past. Clardy was advised to send off the letter to Mr. Dingman endorsing the Green St. ramp sign discussed and approved at the last meeting. As there was no further business, the meeting was . adjourned. THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE TUESDAY, M.4RCH -1 ,,: 1980. MEMBERS ARE ASKED TO INFORM THE COMMONS OFFICE OR THE ACTING CHAIR IF THEY WILL BE UNABLE TO ATTEND. Respectfully submitted, dritA- %' Andrea Clardy Commons Coordinator '2;'1 : , '," ////v 1;4 A, v li'Vr W•N NEXT MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 19$0 ! Commons Advisory Board Minutes JanuEary 25, 19$0 voting members present : Brown, Hilton, Osborn, Rothschild, Schickel, Schuler, Underwood others: Clardy Clardy apologized for not sending the minutes of the previous meeting. She has had pneumonia. They will be sent with the minutes of today's meeting. Underwood reported that at Clardy's request a committee on membership had met. The Mayor is waitingfbr a recommendattion on appointments to the Board. If any new members are to be added, the total number of members must be increased from nine to ten or eleven. Brown moved and Schuler seconded a mtion that the Mayor be asked to add to the Board a represen- tative of the Aurora Street food and drink businesses. The restaurants, a major Commons industry and interest group, are not now represented on the Board and a number of the issues we h:.ve addressed recently involve that interest. P:e motion passed unanimously. Underwood will approach Jerry Dietz of Ragman's who has been recommended to her by several sources. Clardy will contact Goldman to see if he wishEs to be reappointed. Brown moved and Schuler seconded a motion that Goldman be recommended to the Mayor for reappointment. The motion passed unanimously. Osborn suggested that we add to our regulations and by-laws a state- ment that anyone with three consecutive unexcused absences from Board meetings shall no longer be a member of the Commons Advisory Board. The suggestion was approved. The possibility of the DIBA chair and the executive director of the Chamber of Commerce being invited to Board meetings was discussed. Clardy will extend an invitation to Joanna Bard of the DIBA and to Ralph Jordan of the Chamber of Commerce to attend Board meetings whenever they wish to do so. Schickel introduced a discussion of the problems of parking under the ramp and on the vacant lot and advised the Board that it may be expected soon to have ideas or suggestions for utilization of this space. One idea which was suggested was to make the area under the ramp available for parking only to those people who had special stickers. Stickers would be issued to the elderly, the handicapped and others with special needs. This might allow a well defined group to enjoy the free parking and not create extended competition with the ramps. Another suggestion was that parking be available to everyone but that it cost more than ramp parking so that the additional fees would pay for the additional staff required and also so that use of the area fem. parking would not discourage all use of the ramps. Clardy presented a request from a Transcendental Meditation group :for a permit to sell tickets on the Commons to a concert they are planning to co-sponsor witha a commercial promoter. They will receive a portion of the price of each ticket sold. Because the commercial co-sponsor is involved, the Board did not feel that ticket sales on the 8ommons were appropriate. The sale of kindling last weekend created two problems. One was that honey was also sold. However, Clardy said she had been asked about the sale of honey and had authorized it since there is a long tradition of allowing non=profit groups to sell local. produce to raise funds. The other problem was that the group members actively solicited passers=by. Clardy will try to contact the group and remaind them that active solici- ting is not permitted. At the request of Bpard members, Underwood agreed to chair the meetings in February. The craft fair finances were discussed briefly. A written statement of how the responsibilities and the income are divided would be helpful. The althernatiees of a flat fee and a charge Commons Minutes January 25, page 2. per booth were discussed. The per booth charge was felt to be appropriate only if a minimum to be received could be set beforehand. Clardy reported that she had invited Raymond Novak to attend today's meeting. However, he was committed to being in Lake Placid today. He suggested that Mr Idzi replace him. Mr. Idzi does not feel, however, that he could add anything to discussion of the green Street ramp signs beyond what is stated in the manual governing such signs. Clardy does not feel the chances of the DOT contrilguting new ideas to this problem are sufficient to warrant scheduling this meeting at antther time. It is her sense that the Department of Public Works would seriusly work to implement any suggestion which is not prohibitively expensive. The Board agreed at its previous meeting to explore the possibility of meeting on a day other than Friday. Therefore, THE NEXT MEETING OF THE COMMONS ADVISORY BOARD WILL BE ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5. The change in day is experimental. Respectfully submitted, � j b v/'r;'' ' C5 Andrea Clardy -- 14 _u r ii � `' Commons Coordinator JAN 980 CITY CLERK'S GFF1 I , J,- I 4 Commons Advisory Board Minutes January 11, 19$0 voting members present : Brown, Ciferri, Hilton, Niederkorn, Osborn, Rothschild, Schickel, Schuler, Underwood others : Clardy,Ma;;-or Bordoni, permit applicants The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted by acting Chair Underwood, and applicants for permits were heard. .,ichael Faber of Beach Hill Pond Meditation Cneter in Danby, a non—profit group, asked permission to sell pine tar kindkling. The "Georgia Fat Lighter; in bundles of about 30 pieces, will sell for $6. In order to demonstrate how slowly and effedtively the wood burns, Faber would like to be able to light splinters or small pieces. The Board agreed to grant the permit for sale of the lighters. The permission to light pieces will depend upon the approval of the Fire Department. Clardy will inquire and will contact Faber. Cheryl Woolf, Coach of the Cornell University Women's Lacrosse team, asked permission to set up a barrel to solicit contributions to help sponsor the teams Spring trip to Florida. She was told of the restriction on active soliciting. The suggestion was made that appearing a few times with some kind of activit* and adequate publicity might be more useful than appearing a larger number of times with only the barrel. She was granted permission to passively solicit contributions. She will contact Clardy to discuss alternative means of enhancing the appeal. Peter Ciferri requested permission to present craft fairs on the Commons May 2 and 3 and also September 12 and 13 with the following day as a rain date in each case. The craft fairs have been jointly sponsored by the DIBA and Peter in past years. The Board asked that the craft fair receive the endorsement of the DIBA for the dates suggested before it would respond to the permit request. There was some discussion of the unique financial arrangements for the craft fair in the past. The arrange- ments should be clarified, regarding both payment to the city and the involvement of the DIBA. Mayor Bordoni introduced himself to members of the Board. He apolo- gized for the delay in completing appointments and expressed his desire to fill the openings which may exist on the Commons Advisory Board as quickly as possible. He commented on some of the issues which he feels the Board might address in the coming weeks. The on—again—off—again nature of the parking under the Green Street ramp is a problem. Con- fusion also exists in the minds of the public regarding the evening openings. Friday nights have a traditional appeal. With some stores open Thursday, some Friday, some both and some neither, it is difficult fot the mconsumer to know what to expect . There is also a general problem in making the Com- mons a comfortable place for the elderly as well as the young. Were more housing for the elederly available on the peripheral streets, there might_ be some change in the make—up of people on the Commons. The Green Street parking ramp sign problems were discussed again. Mr. Dingman was invited to join the meeting. After some consideration of alternatives and of the constraints imposed by the Department of Transportaion because Green Street is an arterial, it was suggested that Mr. Raymond Novak of the DOT be asked to come to the Board's next meeting to discuss the mater. He would be asked for advise and guidance. Clardy agreed to contact him on behalf of the Board. Clardy reported she was contacted by Elva Holman regarding the moratorium on new liquor licenses which has run out. There is a request for anew license and Elva has asked the Board to state its opinion in time for a committee meeting on the subject to be held on Monday. After some discussion, Brown moved and Osborn seconded the following resolution: "Be it resolved: In spite of its reluctance to interfere Minutes of Jan. 11 page 2.. with the workings of free enterprise, the Commons Advisory Board supports a continued moratorium on new liquor licenses in the central business district as a means of maintaining an atmosphere where all members of the community will tend to feel comfortable and safe. We do not, however, believe that restricting licenses will solve current problems. The City should advise current holders of liquor licenses of their legal responsibilities and existing laws must be vigorously enforced." The motion passed with Brown, Niederkorn, Osborn, Schuler and Underwood voting pro and with Ciferri and Schickel voting con. Clardy asked members of the Board if they would consider moving the regular meeting day from Friday to earlier in the week. The advantage would be that permit requests would not have to be dealt with in the eleventh hour and because Clardy would prefer not to meet on Friday - mornings. The aisuussion implied that Tuesday might be the best alter- native. We will meet on the 25th of January as usual and then try meeting on a different day of the week. The change will be brought to the attention of Board members and will be considered tentative until we have experimented with it. As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Andrea Clardy, Commons Coor. NEXT BOARD MEETING: FRIDAY, JANUARY 29. try cuvrs