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CITY OF ITHACA
1 O8 EAST GREEN STREET
ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850
CIRCLE GREENWAY TELEPHONE: 272-1713
CODE 607
SIX MILE CREEK GORGE COMMITTEE , Minutes of meeting , Feb. 8, ' 93 .
PRESENT : Richard Fischer , Guy Gerard , John Johnson , Chuck Baker ,
William Dress , Beth Mulholland , Guest Jill Tripp .
Chair John Johnson presided and introduced guest and former member ,
Jill Tripp , who represented the Bicycle Advisory Commission . The
Minutes of the previous meeting were approved after several typos
were noted in a jolly manner.
Guy reviewed the South Hill Recreationway project as a way of ex-
plaining the problem presented in a letter from David Nutter of
the Bicycle Advisory Commission . The Bike Commission wants the
Wildflower Preserve sign on Hudson Street entrance to be deleted of
the "No Vehicles " part in view of the fact that this location will
be the western terminus of the Recreationway , a duel walk/bike path .
Neighbors have , however , strongly complained that _the pathway now
is almost unusable by pedestrians because mountain bikers have heavily
damaged the muddy areas ; Jill requested our Committee comment . After
much discussion it was agreed that the Six Mile Committee would recom-
mend to the Board of Public Wo rks that the "No Vehicles" sign be
retained until such a time as the Recreationway is completed . W ish
to include in the statement our support of the Bicycle Advisory om-
mission , recognizing that there are two kinds of bikers , it is the
"bad" , inconsiderate and irresponsib le type that are causing here
and elsewhere in the Gorge . trouble
The Annual Report for 1992 was reviewed and approved . In view of
that Report we set up goals for 1993 :
Continue working for Gorge buffer property acquisition .
Public Relations and Educa,tiorval projects to be continued .
Continue the o e :,,coo': plIn.
Develop restoration of extirpated plants ,project .
Promote FRIENDS OF SIX MILE CREEK Volunteer group .
Monitor the Beaver damage.
Give increased attention to the Creek ' s south side .
John Chiment will be invited to take the place of Robert Dirig on the
Committee , Beth will call him.
NEXT MEETING : March 8, 1993 , 5 o ' clock , third floor.
"An Equal Opportunity Employer with an Affirmative Action Program"
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CITY OF ITHACA
108 EAST GREEN STREET
ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850
TELEPHONE: 272-1713
CODE 607
SIX MILE CREEK GORGE COMMITTEE , Minutes of Meeting , 8 March ' 93 .
PRESENT : Chuck Baker , Dennis Shimer , Guy Gerard , Bill Dress ,
Beth Mulholland .
In the absence of the Chair John Johnson , Beth presided .
Chuck reported that the Personnel Office will start advertising
the Ranger position this week .
Guy noted a new Paolangeli house going up next to the Upper En-
trance path at the curve of Giles Street , it is on part of the for-
mer Thomas property , we wondered if this has any connection with
Winners Circle by way of the opening cut 3 or 4 years ago between
both properties ; Beth reported that a house is also being built on
the Baker property , she will search further information about the
apparent sale of land , part of which is along the Gorge rim area
that we list as 2nd priority for buffer acquisition .
Dennis Shimer was asked to discuss Water Division spring projects
related to the Gorge : bridge behind Filtration plant , clear well
covering , repair of conduit carrier over ravine at 30 foot dam , and
silt removal from pond east of Burns Road . He also explained that
DEC requires maintenance of 30 foot dam because of their concern
about downstream flooding .
Beth explained her need for advance notice of any work at the 30 foot
ravine on Upper Path ; it is an area with rich flora which would be
heavily damaged by work at the site , she would like to do a certain
amount of transplanting to appropriate areas downstream.
Chuck reported continuing progress on Watershed regulations re-writing .
Chuck , Dennis , Guy and Beth will meet Wednesday , March 17th at 9 : 30
at VanNatta ' s for a walk up the Gorge to monitor beaver damage . 4,4
NEXT MEETING : Monday , April 12 , 5 o ' clock , in Third Floor Conference
Room.
An Equal Opportunity Employer with an Affirmative Action Program"
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CITY OF ITHACA
108 EAST GREEN STREET
ITHACA, NEW YORK 9 4850
CIRCLE GREENWAY TELEPHONE: 272-1713
CODE 607
SIX MILE CREEK GORGE COMMITTEE, MINUTES OF MARCH 8th MEETING.
PRESENT: John Johnson , Dan Hoffman , Chuck Baker, Bill Dress ,
Guy Gerard , Beth Mulholland .
John Johnson presided ; the Minutes of the February meeting
were approved .
Continued beaver damage was reported , especially in the area
below the 30 foot dam near the Wildflower loop .
New erosion in the slide area was noted ; Chuck will look into
seeding possibilities . Also noted : a new slide at Giles Street .
Guy described his long effort to alert the City about the
Therm toxic spill . DEC has contracted the clean-up company .
Dan Hoffman will not be running for office in November , he
will consider becoming a member of SMCGC . Bob Dirig and Munna
Rubaii have resigned , several suggestions for their places were
made.
The Baker property has been appis d but not the specific rim
portion we are interested in .
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NEXT MEETING : May 10th at 5 o ' clock at Preserve entrance on
Hudson Street just above Renzetti . Wear boots .
( If it ' s raining meet in City Hall)
AGENDA :
I . Town of Ithaca Bikeway
II. Beavers
III. Gorge Ranger
IV. Service Road Construction (Giles Street)
V. Therm Spill
VI. Secretary
"An Equal Opportunity Employer with an Affirmative Action Program"
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CITY OF ITHACA
108 EAST GREEN STREET
ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850
CIRCLE GREENWAY TELEPHONE: 272-1713
CODE 607
SIX MILE CREEK GORGE COMMITTEE, Minutes of Meeting , 10 May ' 93 .
PRESENT : John Johnson , Dan Hoffman , Chuck Baker, Richard Fischer ,
Beth Mulholland , Mary Gilliland , Peter Fortunato , Nancy
Ramage , Andrew Ramage , John Fairborn , Brian Isaacson , and
Andrew Palmeri .
The Committee met on site at the Hudson Street entrance to the
Wildflower Preserve . This walk will eventually be the Town of
Ithaca ' s South Hill Recreationway , a pedestrian and bike path . We
noted that two yellow "NO BIKES" sign have been torn from the
sign board as well as the large Preserve Prohibitions sign .
Along the path we saw the intrusion of housing into the Gorge , the
enormous damage to the woodland _by the Therm cleanup process , the
numerous drainage problems , and the rough condition of the path
caused by bikers . We noted the several path entrances into the south
bank woodland , an especially beautiful part of the Gorge - won "t the
Town ' s deterrence gates become an "attractive nuisance" to beckon
mountain bikers into the dangerous but exciting terrain of the
gorge slope? We observed the zig-zag route of the route to the
upper part of the Recreationway that will end at Burns Road .
We climbed the knoll at the 30 foot dam and held our meeting at
the top , chaired by John Johnson . We were interrupted by a good
display of polite but firm encounter with illegal bikers by Chuck .
Several guests and potential members were introduced . In view of
the potential trouble with Recreationway bikers entering the Gorge
slopes we will ask Town Planner George Franz to come to a summer
meeting to describe his barrier gates . We were pleased to have the
the new Gorge Ranger , Andrew Palmeri , attend this meeting .
At our next meeting we will try to figure out a friendly way of
working with the Bicycle Advisory Commission . Some of the members
will try to attend the May 20th meeting with the DEC concerning the
Therm cleanup proceedures .
Beth again asked for secretarial duties relief ; although this has
been presented as a gender problem it re 110, is simply a matter of
members sharing the Committee work .
NEXT MEETING : June 14, at 5 o ' clock in the third floor conference
room.
"An Equal Opportunity Employer with an Affirmative Action Program"
SIX MILE CREEK GORGE COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF THE JUNE 14, 1993 MEETING
PRESENT: John Johnson, Dan Hoffman, Peter Fortunato, Beth
Mulholland, Chuck Guttman, Nancy Ramage, John Friedeborn,
Richard Fischer
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
Therm Spill
Chuck Guttman, City Attorney, presented a detailed, fascinating
background account of the "Therm Spill" . Three agencies (NYS Dept.
of Health, NYSDEC, and the State Attorney General ' s Office) have
already spent $400, 000 . and the meter is still running. Therm has
signed a consent order which requires them to provide the state
with documentation, monitor the current status of the spill, and
clean up the spill-damaged area at their expense.
Mr. Guttman ' s presentation sparked much comment and discussion.
Dan Hoffman called for (among other items ) a plan and a timetable
for completion of the clean up and restoration.
Resolution
By Council Liaison Hoffman: Seconded by Richard Fischer
RESOLVED, That this Committee recommend that the City require
submission of a formal plan for the immediate restoration and
maintenance of the affected area .
Carried Unanimously
John Johnson stressed the need for us to be involved in decisions
concerning the restoration and how it is carried out. The
Committee agreed with him in stressing that local landscapers do
the work because they know local ecology and plant life better.
Gorge Ranger
Since Gorge Ranger Andrew Palmeri was absent, there was no Ranger ' s
report. This prompted several persons to wonder about what he
does . . . John Johnson was supported in his suggestion that Mr.
Palmeri keep a log to record areas and times of monitoring.
Signage
In discussing signage, it was agreed that we need larger signs that
are up high, out of reach. Also, signs ought to explain how bikers
affect fragile habitat .
Parks
Beth Mulholland (representing Circle Greenway) reported that Parks
would like to discuss with Circle Greenway the kinds of permits it
grants for unusual (weddings, etc . ) uses of the Gorge. Presently,
Parks has no guidelines but does receive requests . Common
guidelines for Parks and the Gorge would be a good idea. Beth will
talk to Carol Reeves about our discussion.
Grant Proposal
Beth Mulholland has been working with Jon Meigs to develop a
proposal for surfacing the walk leading from the Van Natta parking
lot to the first big rock outcrop. The Committee nodded its
approval .
City Code
The final item of business involved Dan Hoffman ' s concern that our
Committee is not listed in the Administrative Legislation section
of the City Code. He distributed copies of his planned text for
discussion and approval . The sense of the Committee was that he
should press forward with all due speed.
Respectfully Submitted,
Richard B. Fischer
SIX MILE CREEK GORGE COMMITTEE
MINUTES
July 12, 1993
Present: Beth Mulholland, Mary Gilliland, Peter Fortunato,
Bill Dress, John Friedeborn, Andrew Palmeri, Nancy Ramage
(Note: because John Johnson, committee chair, could not be
present, Beth Mulholland chaired the meeting. )
I. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting
were approved.
II . Ranger Report: Andrew Palmeri, Ranger, distributed an up-
dated log of his schedule and observations in the gorge area. He
reported that he (purposely) has no set schedule as to where he
walks at any particular time. He spends more time on the north
than the south side of the gorge.
Andrew recommended that he give a "tour" of the Six Mile
Creek area for officials of the fire and police departments and
the ambulance crews so that they would be able to find their way
around the gorge in case of an emergency. The committee approved
this idea.
The Ranger recommended, and the committee supported, the
idea of looking into giving him a boost to his authority; he
might be given the right to give citations, for instance, to
offenders of gorge rules .
III. Dogs : The committee discussed the problem of dog feces
along the gorge paths. John Friedeborn alerted us to the problem
of well-meaning people who dump their dog's feces in the garbage
cans, which then become horrid for his men to clean. We
discussed putting signs on the bins, saying something like "no
dog feces" . We should like to ask the Park Committee if they can
devise a "pooper scoaper" policy. The committee members agreed
that dogs should be allowed in the gorge area, but that owners
should carry out all debris .
IV. Therm Clean-up: The Committee wishes to ask Chuck Guttman,
city attorney, to require that Therm clean up the debris left by
AliWash, the clean-up firm that has left town, but left material
behind. We also feel the urgent need for efforts to be made to
plant appropriate vegetation so as to prevent erosion. Dan
Hoffman had made this point also at our last meeting.
V. Bikers: Mary Gilliland reported that there is an increase in
the number of bikers on the South Hill side of the gorge. The
committee agreed that the yellow signs indicating "no biking"
should be replaced; the ranger and perhaps committee members will
attempt to replace these notices as they are torn down. We also
are requesting a metal sign, appealing to bikers ' sense of
responsibility, on the South Hill side of the gorge. Such a sign
might remind them of the fragility of the flora in the region.
VI. Announcements : Beth Mulholland reported that a grant is
being submitted for surfacing of the first portion of the path at
the Van Natta entrance to the Six Mile Creek; and that she
learned interesting facts at the Urban Foresters ' Conference held
recently at Cornell .
The next meeting of the committee will be
Minutes taken by Nancy Ramage
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CITY OF ITHACA
108 EAST GREEN STREET
ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850
CIRCLE GREENWAY TELEPHONE: 272-1713
CODE 607
SIX MILE CREEK ADVISORY COMMITTEE : Minutes , 8 August , 1993.
PRESENT: Dan Hoffman , Chuck Baker, Bill Dress , Beth Mulholland ,
John Johnson , John Friedeborn , Bill Gray , Guy Gerard .
John Johnson presided ; the Minutes of the July 12th meeting were
read , amended , and passed .
Dan reported that Charter and Ordnance has revised our Resolution
about Six Mile Creek preservation to conform to Code language ; he
noted that we should provide a map to show what the City considers
to be the SIX Mile Natural Area , part of which may or may not
coincide with the Town ' s "No Build Zone" . John will check the
status of the Town ' s preservation proposal . Thys Van Cort will be
in charge of defining the City ' s natural area .
Guy expressed concern about possible new' roads from Coddington to
the Gorge ; George Frantz says the Recreationway will not be crossed .
Superintendent Gray made a clear and friendly statement that the
three Gorge designated uses - water supply , plant preservation ,
public passive recreation - are compatible and may , in fact ,
support each other. He agrees to an effort to investigate the
possible purchase of a portion of "the point" , a piece of a Burns
Road property that almost touches the Upper Reservoir , this property
has recently been sold (but not closed ) . He reported that his
Department is aware of the public ' s wish to hasten completion of
the new service road to the 30 foot dam area from Giles Street
(stopped by unexpected sewer problems in other parts of town ) .
City Attbraey Guttman will be asked by Chair Johnson about how to
handle "the point" purchase , and , again , the status of the other
Six Mile acquisitions appraisals .
Beth reported that Philip Snyder has been highly recommended for
consultation on the Therm clean-up area rehabilitation , and that
Jon Merritt is an authority on plant succession .
Peter reported that a car had been abandoned in the Therm clean-up
area behind Pearsall , and suggested that the area be cordoned off .
An Equal Opportunity Employer with an Affirmative Action Program"
The problem of more authority for the Gorge Ranger was discussed ;
it would be complicated by the necessity of sharing the Ranger
with the Town of Ithaca . John will talk with Mr Guttman about
the possibility of arranging for the Ranger to issue "appearance
tickets" .
Mary Gilliland is concerned about the continuing increase in bike
use on South Hill side of the Gorge and about the impossibility of
keeping the "NO BIKES" signs posted . Members should keep these
signs on hand for immediate replacement.
At next meeting we will review our membership requirements ,
especially the desirability of having one or two persons who are
"members from the public" . Jack Booker has expressed an interest
in becoming a member. We would look for people who actually use
the Gorge trails .
NEXT MEETING : Monday , September 13th , 5 0"clock , in the
Third Floor Conference Room.
AGENDA:
I. Approval of Minutes
II. By-Laws/Membership (Please bring your copy of the By-Laws)
III. Upper Service Road Construction Report
IV. Recreation Report
V. 1993 Committee Goals (Please bring these from January 1993 meeting)
VI. Property Acquisition
VII. Therm Spill Update
VIII. New Business
SIX MILE CREEK GORGE COMMITTEE
MINUTES
September 13, 1993
Present: Chuck Baker, Jack Booker, Peter Fortunato, John
Friedeborn, Chuck Guttman, Dan Hoffman, Beth Mulholland, Marjorie
Olds, Andrew Ramage, Nancy Ramage
(Note: because John Johnson, committee chair, could not be
present, Beth Mulholland chaired the meeting. )
I. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting
were approved with slight modification.
II. By-Laws/Membership: After some discussion, the committee
recommends that the official membership of this group should
consist of "up to 12 members. " The committee welcomed Jack
Booker, a new member.
III . Upper Service Road Construction Report: Chuck B. reported
that construction should be completed this Fall.
IV. Recreation Way Report:
Peter Fortunato and Mary Gilliland wrote a number of
proposals for signs along the Recreation Way and/or other paths
in the gorge (attached) . The committee members are asked to
consider these before our next meeting and to come prepared to
approve some or all, or to propose alternatives. We are
considering 12 permanent signs . The group will consider where
they should go in consultation with a map.
We also discussed who would have the right of way, and where
pedestrians should walk while bikers ride by. The feeling of the
group was that pedestrians should be at the edges of the path,
and bikers in the middle. This too will be discussed again at
our next meeting.
There was some discussion as to whether bikes should be
allowed on the upper trail on the north side of the gorge. We
also questioned the term "Bikeway, " which seems to have been
adopted by the Town of Ithaca; the committee would prefer to call
it the "Recreation Way. "
V. 1993 Committee Goals : Tabled
VI. Property Acquisition: Chuck G. reported that there has been
some development of a play and recreation area off Pennsylvania
Ave and Kendall, near the gorge. After discussion, members
moved, seconded, and voted unanimously that the following
resolution be sent to the Planning and Development Committee:
Resolved: that this committee recommends that the P. & D.
Committee put acquisition of the watershed property on its
agenda and take all appropriate steps to have appraisals
completed as soon as possible.
VII. Therm Clean-up: Chuck G. reported that the Attorney-
General has sent a final order to Therm. This includes the
requirement of clean-up and rehabilitation of the site after
clean-up. The D.E.C. will monitor these activities, and welcomes
the city' s eagerness to be involved.
VIII. Other:
A. The gorge-ranger submitted his final report (attached) .
Andrew Palmieri was very busy this summer, and there really seems
to have been an increase in violations, as his report shows (in
comparison with last year's) .
B. Dan submitted a new set of By-Laws (attached) for
consideration by committee members at a future meeting.
Minutes taken by Nancy Ramage
SIX MILE CREEK GORGE COMMITTEE
MINUTES
OCTOBER 12, 1993
Present: Dick Fischer, Peter Fortunato, Mary Gilliland,John Johnson, Beth Mulholland,
Andrew Ramage
John Called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm at the Ithaca Youth Bureau Building
Beth moved that the minutes of the previous meeeting be accepted as written, and they were so
approved.
Our first order of business was a review of the meeting's agenda. Dick moved that a discussion
of replanting in the environs of the Therm spill be added to Item 1 of our agenda. So approved.
1 ) John reported on the meeting held 10/7/93 with representatives of Therm. In attendance
were John Johnson, Chuck Guttman, Dan Hoffman, Betsy Darlington, Beth Mulholland, Frank
Harrigan (attorney for Therm)and Robert Sproule III (company executive). The meeting was
characterized as cordial and informative. Unnamed representatives of the D.E.C. also happened to
be present and they discussed the water filtration system presently in operation on Therm's
property. In general, the gross signs of the cleanup -- equipment, trash, etc. -- have been
removed from the 6 Mile Creek land below Therm in the watershed. Visible still is the bare and
disturbed ground and the excavated feeder-stream beds that bore the brunt of the engineering
efforts throughout the first phase of the clean-up. Therm wants to "stabilize the stream "
before winter.
Another, imminent meeting is planned for either 10/20 or 10/21 at 4:30 pm. At that time
local citizens as well as an ecologist, Philip Snyder, will be present,and more precise
recommendations for the restoration of the area will be made. (The term "rehabilitation" may
be appropriate when discussing the replanting of the area; however, the Attorney General's
office insists on the legal term "restoration"to indicate the breadth of Therm's responsibility.)
Specifics of this meeting rest with Chuck Guttman at this time. A proposed agenda for this
meeting is as follows: 1 ) Discussion of the access road installed during the cleanup along the
Bolton Point right of way; 2) Recommendations on specific plantings, their monitoring and
maintenance; 3) Stream rehabilitation.
2)Various options are being discussed in the City's settlement with Therm over the penalities
for the spill.
3) Maps were distributed for signage indication, but action was deferred until our next meeting,
as some committee members needed to leave. At our next meeting we need also to choose the
wording for the signs and the wording of the resolution to be proposed to the Board of Public
Works recommending the manufacture and placement of the signs prohibiting bicycling off the
Recreation Way.
4) There was a brief, unfinished discussion of the presence of beavers in the Creek near Van
Natta's.
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5) John urged that the Committee's by-laws be codified before Dan Hoffman leaves his position.
John suggested that Item 04 of the current by-laws be amended so as to invite participation on
this committee by a representative of the Town of Ithaca. There was some discussion of the
by-laws, but no decisions were made.
6) Liaison reports were postponed.
7) The review of 1993 goals was postponed.
8) No business was addressed; the meeting adjourned at approximately 6:30 p.m.; our next
meeting will be 5:00 p.m. 11/8/93 (presumably) at City Hall.
Minutes submitted by Peter Fortunato.
SIX MILE CREEK COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 8, 1993
5:00 P.M.
THIRD FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
CITY HALL
AGENDA
I. Approval of October 12, 1993 Minutes
II. October 20, 1993 Therm Site Tour
III. Signage Requests - Please bring the map distributed at the Oct. 12, 1993 meeting
IV. Review 1993 Goals
V. By-Laws
VI. Adjournment
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Six Mile Creek Advisory Committee
Minutes, Monday, November 8, 1993
Present: Chuck Baker, Peter Fortunato, Richard Fischer, John
Friedeborn, Dan Hoffman, John Johnon, Guy Gerard, Beth Mulholland.
Meeting presided by John Johnson; previous meetings minutes passed.
Peter described the trip in the spill area on October 20, in which
Phil Snyder roughed out a proposal to "rehabilitate" the affected
area. Talked about the need for oversite by Forester, Dept. of Public
Works until the final plan is established. Discussed the use of water
bars to slow down and divert water going down the road (between
bikeway and small creek) . In regards to this area, Peter pointed out
that all of that land is not City land; Beth pointed out that she
thought that Jon Meigs thought that it was, but would verify.
John Johnson brought up the deadlock that Therm and the DEC are in.
Peter discussed a letter from George Frantz (Town of Ithaca) in which
Mr. Frantz indicates that the Town will re-seed the portion of road
from Pearsall Place to the Bikeway in the Spring of 1994 . There are no
plans for signs.
In discussion of the open fields portion of the area for rehab (above
the ponds) , it was pointed out that the only rehab needed there is to
un-compact the soil, possibly by the use of a chisel plow.
Peter identified stream F on Beth's map as the location of the spill.
There was discussion on whether to go with the Phil Snyder plan, or a
hybrid plan. John Johnson said that we should draft a statement by
the Dec 13 meeting.
There was discussion of the need to have someone in the Committee
coordinating information regarding the spill area. Peter agreed to act
in that capacity, and contact others as appropriate.
Signage - Marjorie Olds, via letter, invited the committee to meet at
her house on our next meeting date. She also indicated a desire to
involve the students at South Hill School in the process of designing
signs.
Peter indicated signs for "no biking" needed by present access for
bikers to rec way via Giles St. Chuck disagreed, indicating that
bikers should be allowed the access to Rec Way. Peter did not think
that the invitation was a good idea.
continued
Review of 1993 Goals
1. Acquisition of gorge property- waiting for new appraisers
appraisal.
2. Public relations- felt that we had done a good job with the
maintenance road "enlargement"
3 . Restoration of extirpated native plants- John J. asked Richard
Fischer to make list of plants fitting this description.
4 . Beavers- Beth noted new activity.
5. Increased attention to the south side of gorge - more or less
forced on us by Therm spill.
Will identify 1994 goals at next meeting.
Next meeting- Monday, December 13 , 1993 5: 00 P.M. Third floor
conference room.
Minutes prepared by John Friedeborn
SIX MILE CREEK ADVISORY COMMITTEE
December 13, 1993
Present Elizabeth Mulholland, Richard Fischer, Jack Booker, John Johnson
(chair), Dan Hoffman, Bill Dress, Andrew Ramage, Guy Gerard, Peter
Fortunato, Marjorie Olds
1. Approval of Minutes: The Six Mile Creek Advisory Committee
("Committee") approved the November 8, 1993 minutes with the following
clarifications:
The decision regarding the banning of bikers from access to the Recreation Way
from Giles Street is yet to be resolved ( Chuck Baker and Peter Fortunato for the
Committee to continue this discussion.)
Elizabeth Mulholland's plan for rehabilitation and oversight of areas affected by
the Therm accident, in addition to several other plans submitted by George May,
an engineer of Therm, Peter Fortunato, Betsy Darlington of the City
Conservation Advisory Council) shall be gathered and submitted by this
Committee and referred to a subcommittee entitled "Oversight of the Therm Spill
Subcommittee".
2. Six Mile Creek Ordinance Chapter 320: At the last Common Council meeting
the Six Mile Creek Advisory Committee was formalized under the auspices of
Chapter 320, authored by Dan Hoffman.
Under this Chapter the proposed membership of the Committee is contained in
section 113.3 of An Ordinance Amending Chapter 320 Entitled "Watershed" of
the City of Ithaca Municipal Code: This Committee is indebted for the guidance
and expertise provided by long-time supporters (such as Bill Dress) and urged
Dan Hoffman and John Johnson to take necessary steps to accommodate such
persons in the Committee's formal membership. Until such time as the
membership is expanded the Committee voted to recommend the following
appointments to the mayor and Common Council:
Common Council--John Johnson
Board of Public Works--Guy Gerard
City of Ithaca Conservation Advisory Council "CAC")--Dan Hoffman
Town of Ithaca Conservation Advisory Board--Richard Fischer
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Circle Greenway--Elizabeth Mulholland
City residents-- Nancy Ramage with Andrew Ramage her alternate
Marjorie Olds with Bryan Isacks her alternate
Jack Booker
At large--Peter Fortunato with Mary Gilliland his alternate
3. Therm Update--Peter submitted a Report and Recommendation which
incorporated the recommendations of Elizabeth Mulholland (Circle Greenway),
Phil Snyder (Director of the Fingerlakes Land Trust), John Friedebom (City
Forester), George Frantz (Town of Ithaca Planner), George May (Engineer at
Therm) and Richard Fischer (Scientist extraordinaire). This report focused on
interim erosion control in the Bolton Point Right of Way and recommended an
eight point proposal including the following provisions:
1. Official coordination by one person (such as the City Forester) of
the rehabilitation.
2. Prohibition of bikes coming in from Giles street in order to keep
bikes from riding down and taking short cuts across the Bolton Point
Right of way
3. Attention and resolution of the disrupted area on the Jean Apgar
property, which is not within City land boundaries.
4. The City Forester to propose and implement immediate short-
term erosion control for the Bolton Point Right of Way.
S. Rehabilitation of the bottom of that right of way with an
immediate stream reopening.
6. Spill clean up in the main staging area in the City's land, to
include a recommendation from Dick Fisher and the Committee of
plants such as Asters, Milkweed, Goldenrod and Queen Anne's Lace
to be sown there.
7. City acquisition of property in this vicinity. Guy Gerard will
research and report on ownership of properties in the Six Mile creek
Committee. Possible assistance to be gathered from City Planning?
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8. Elizabeth and Peter shall work together to develop their Therm
Clean Up Plan, to incorporate the CAC's November 9th report that
the area needs to be stabilized before winter.
Guy Gerard requested that the Chair obtain a summary of what remediation
steps have already been taken.
4. Discussion of signage tabled till January meeting.
5 & 6. Discussion of 1993 and 1994 goals condensed into an acknowledgment of
the Committee's vital work performed in 1993 and the need to continue to
advance those same goals in the coming new year. One goal in particular--to
work with the Town of Ithaca to acquire protected properties within the natural
watershed area was singled out for recognition. Dan will provide detailed
information on the City's negotiations with two landowners to acquire land in this
area. Dan noted that the City 's delay was contributed to by difficulties with the
former appraiser and that a new appraiser had been retained. It was further
suggested that the City provide an updated map of land use and ownership in this
critical area. (Which City Department is pursuing this? Shall we ask for a report
and proposed timeline from that Department? mzo)
The meeting was adjourned shortly after 7 PM.