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Home My WebLink AboutMN-SMC-1997-04-28 SIX MILE CREEK ADVISORY COMMITTEE Minutes of Special Meeting - April 28, 1997 Committee Present: Dan Hoffman, Nancy Ramage, Beth Mulholland, Jack Booker, Peter Fortunato, Andy Hillman (ex officio) . Others Present: Rick Gray (Common Council) . Committee Absent: Dick Fischer, Marjorie Olds, John Johnson. REPORTS: Beth Mulholland voiced concern over dangerous conditions along the lower trail through wildflower areas, particularly the washout area with exposed, sharp rocks. At the last meeting, the Committee asked that a letter be written to Ass 't Superintendent Larry Fabbroni, expressing the Committee's great dismay about recent changes made to the maintenance road without consultation with or notice to the Committee. Copies of the letter, drafted by Nancy Ramage and signed by Nancy and Dan Hoffman, were distributed. APPLICATION FOR RECREATIONAL TRAIL GRANT: Andy Hillman presented possible components of a grant application for funding from NYS - between $5,000 and 35,000, which the City must match, in dollars or in-kind contributions - including: 1. Repair of washed out portions of lower trail, with boardwalks, etc. 2 . Provision of small handicapped access parking area for upper trail, off Giles Street. Majority of Committee weren't prepared to endorse new parking area, without seeing a design. Some felt enforcement of handicapped parking only would be difficult. Boardwalks weren't supported, due to concern they would change the character of the Natural Area. Members present unanimously endorsed submission of an application with the following components: 1. Restoration of the washed-out section of the lower trail above the old pipeline/retaining wall, to create a level surface of gravel and/or crushed stone. 2 . Restoration of the footbridge from the Giles. Street parking area which was destroyed by flooding in 1996 . 3. Creation of a handicapped-accessible path around the outer edge of the "butterfly meadow" between the Giles Street parking area and the entrance to the lower trail (with hard-packed gravel or stone surface and modest width - about four feet) . 4. Other repairs to the lower trail, including: protection of eroded areas just before the rock point at the first turn and along the new creek meander where a portion of the trail was lost in 1996; wood chip treatment at any appropriate points (to keep trail width from increasing) ; and judicious trimming of honeysuckle where it encroaches on the trail. Dan will write letter of endorsement that Andy can include with grant application, which is due on April 30th. Minutes by Jack Booker SIX MILE CREEK ADVISORY COMMITTEE Monday, May 12, 1997 5:15 - 6:45 PM 3rd Floor Conference Room - City Hall AGENDA Estimated Time 3 min. - 1. Introductions & Agenda Review 2 min. - 2 . Approval of Minutes April 14, 1997 Meeting - Not yet ready April 28, 1997 Meeting - ENCLOSED 15 min. - 3 . Other Reports - Chair - City Forester - Beth Mulholland - Land Protection & Acquisition 5 min. - 4 . Gorge Ranger Hiring 10 min. - 5 . Dog Control Issues 10 min. - 6 . Restoration of Area Near Pipeline Repair - See enclosed correspondence with Larry Fabbroni 10 min. - 7 . Bicycle Damage Prevention Measures Along Rec. Way 35 min. - 8 . Natural Areas Commission & SMCAC - Any comments from invited guests: Mayor, Planning Director, Superintendent of Public Works, Vice Chair of Board of Public Works (see enclosed letter) - Committee concerns - Proposal on SMCAC Position (Bring copy from previous agenda) - Proposed Revision of Relevant Sections of City Code (Bring copy from previous agenda) Adjournment NOTES: June Meeting: June 9, 1997 (2nd Monday) COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Please contact Dan Hoffman, Chairperson, if you expect to be absent or wish to see the agenda modified. 273-6933 (H) or 273-2202 (W) SIX MILE CREEK ADVISORY COMMITTEE April 24 , 1997 Mr. Larry Fabbroni Assistant Superintendent of Public Works 108 East Green Street Ithaca, New York 14850 Dear Larry: We write on behalf of the Six Mile Creek Advisory Committee with regard to a number of recent developments involving the road leading to the pipeline repair project, and to convey some broader concerns of the Committee. 1) A substantial amount of additional gravel has been deposited on the roadbed in the past few weeks, raising its grade by an estimated one to two feet (or more) along parts of its route, and widening it by up to several feet on each side. This major modification of the road was not discussed in advance (or since) with our committee. Ironically, prior to this development, we had several discussions at our meetings (including the January meeting, which you attended) about the need to rake the edges of the upgraded roadway, by hand, so as to soften the border between the road and the woods, and to encourage the growth of smaller plants along the edges. These plants are now buried deep under the new gravel. In addition, the new gravel is now stacked up at the foot of trees all along the road, to a depth of several inches to one or two feet; we understand that this kind of treatment greatly increases the mortality of the affected trees (many of which have already been battered by the vehicles using the road) . 2 ) At our meeting in January, you agreed with us that walkers need to be able to use the paths from the maintenance road down to the reservoir and other lower areas. You assured us that these connections would be restored when the road and pipeiir}e repair were completed. As of this date, the grade differential is even worse, because of the new gravel added to the road, there is still no safe or easy access to the paths from the road, and many walkers are scrambling and sliding over the steep drops to get where they want to go; less agile persons are prevented from enjoying the lower trails . Now that Spring weather is here, this problem needs to be addressed immediately. To avoid removing even more trees, perhaps some simple wooden steps would provide safe access with the least disruption. We would appreciate discussing with DPW how these connections will be re-established. Furthermore, there is debris left over from the construction projects, including a plastic culvert and two metal culverts, one of which is dangerously located just where people are scrambling up and down the hill at the top of the path to the reservoir. -- Page 2 -- Re: Six Mile Creek April 24, 1997 3) You also promised, as the minutes of our January meeting note, that the maintenance road "turnaround" area would extend no more than "a few feet" beyond the "party [campfire] area" where the meadow overlooking the reservoir begins. Now we find that gravel has been dumped more than 100 feet beyond the point where you said the project would end, and the beauty of the meadow has been seriously compromised. We ask that the gravel deposited beyond the "campfire area" be removed and that the area be carefully raked and reseeded. It was clear from the passionate discussion at our April meeting that the Committee considers the instances listed above as merely symptomatic of a long-standing problem with regard to the Six Mile Creek Natural Area. The City Code commits the City to "protect and maintain. . . the current natural resources and natural character of the [Six Mile Creek] area. . . " The City holdings are to remain "as natural as possible, with the addition of only minimal human-made elements, such as hiking trails and/or facilities necessary for public safety, and for operation, maintenance and necessary alterations of the water supply system. " City staff "involved in any plans for construction of new facilities or rehabilitation of existing facilities in the Six Mile Creek Natural Area shall give thorough consideration to the objective of preserving, to the greatest extent possible, all three of the uses listed above [water supply system, natural resources & character, opportunities for passive recreation] (emphasis added) . " DPW work is to be conducted consistent with "ecologically informed guidelines, " to be promulgated "in consultation with the SMCAC" and others. We understand and have no intention of interfering with the need to maintain the water system. It is the other parts of the City's commitment that we believe are routinely overlooked by DPW. If there are "ecologically informed guidelines" for work in the Six Mile Creek Natural Area, we have not seen them (nor evidence that those who direct the earthmovers and chainsaws are aware of them) . What is most frustrating to us is that we continually learn about construction and maintenance activities affecting this fragile area only after the work is done. Promises of better communication or more involvement or of the limits of work are not kept. We are left with little opportunity to "advise; " instead of sharing our skills and working together, we are relegated to the unbecoming position of scrambling for information or complaining, after-the- fact. We note that you (as well as Andy Hillman, Chuck Baker and Thys Van Cort) are named by the City Code as ex officio members -- Page 3 -- Re: Six Mile Creek April 24, 1997 of the Six Mile Creek Advisory Committee; only Andy has been appearing consistently. We request your regular attendance at our meetings, to help ensure that a real channel of communication is established among those concerned about and responsible for the City's three-part commitment in the Six Mile Creek Natural Area. Thank you for your consideration of these matters. Sincerely yours, //rt;P___ Dan Hoffman and Nancy Ramage e g Chair & Vice Chair, respectively cc: Six Mile Creek Advisory Committee f :4uF * b CITY OF ITHACA f 6.. L`-'` ,,.t', 510 First Street Ithaca,New York 14850-3506 •r 0; DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS • WATER AND SEWER DIVISION ",OAi•'.. ..-...j.„.., .: '706:03)_=-- Telephone: 607/272-1717 Fax: 607/277-5028 April29, 1997 Mr. Dan Hoffman Ms. Nancy Ramage Six Mile Creek Advisory Committee City Hall 108 E. Green Street Ithaca, New York 14850 RE: Construction Activities and Committee Liaison Dear Mr. Hoffman and Ms Ramage: One of the biggest discouragements to the sacrifices necessary to dedicated public service is when some of governments'most stalwart volunteers criticize and rebuke those who take the risk and initiative to make long lasting improvements for a partnership that was born by Mrs. Mulholland and my predecessor Pat Hannan long before we brought our own talents to cooperative and mutual coexistence. The easy answer to your letter is that work is in progress and will not be completed until at least Fall planting. The division just completed a sensitive and permanent stabilization of a remote area, much discussed for at least two decades, during adverse and dangerous conditions. After two and one-half months, December, January, and part of February, of emergency mode operation, even the most organized of operations needs to get on with the normal public business. The road could have been left with the two foot craters unavoidably created in wet winter soil conditions and left as a hazard and annoyance to joggers, walkers, and other passive users of the area. Instead, aware of access needs for other repairs of the raw water main, the desire of enforcement agencies and gorge rangers for emergency access and backup, and your own desire for a passive safe walking/jogging route, I committed one workman on a bulldozer to restore the road that otherwise might involve half my division. The results are rough in spots, overdone in others brit overall, an improvement over the six inches to a foot of mud not all of you had the pleasure of walking through during or immediately after the disaster. Yes, the pathway to the lower path is not yet reestablished. Yes, it was necessary to slightly enlarge the turnaround to avoid further widening or damage from the passage of large material trucks on a one lane, two mile dead end. Neither my employees, most of whom are avid hunters and fisher persons or I dispute the need to work together on a functional and natural environment. Perhaps your lack of familiarity with the progress and setbacks leads to some mistrust of attitude and follow-through that I am at a loss to explain. We are no less committed to trimming the edges and adding'to the wildflowers while insuring our access. I wonder how many of you dedicated volunteers would like to be soundly criticized at first thaw about the remains of your winter garden or about how dirty your freshly rototilled garden is as thanks for your efforts. I attempt to bring a unique talent to the City and public service, motivating ordinary people to extraordinary accomplishments. We should and will be proud of what we were able to do in the worst of conditions for all parties concerned. While we cannot change the geology of the area, without our major intervention Baker slope would not be stabilized. Instead, the storm events of November 8, December 1, and December 13 wouid have undermined this slope and the main City water supply leaving the area impassable to all for the foreseeable future. While I would like to interact more constructively with the committee, this is not possible timewise with the erosion of DPW manpower and funds orchestrated by present and past decision makers. My time is too fragmented already to best serve the priority water and sewer needs of the public. Andy Hillman is somebody I respect and collaborate with on a daily basis and will have to serve the DPW liaison role as he is able. As you have said many times about my questions being a phone call away, so are your concerns. Si erely } CI A ' all'C a rence P. Fabbroni, P.E., L.S. Asst. Sup't. DPW, W&S cc: Bill Gray John Johnson Mayor Cohen Andy Hillman "An Equal Opportunity Employer with an Affirmative Action Program" t4: City of Ithaca SIX MILE CREEK ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 2, 1997 Alan Cohen Mayor, City of Ithaca William Gray Superintendent of Public Works H. Matthys Van Cort Director of Planning Steven Ehrhardt Vice Chair, Board of Public Works RE: Proposed Natural Areas Commission Gentlemen: Through Mayor Cohen and the Planning Department, the Six Mile Creek Advisory Committee has learned that the City wishes to form a Natural Areas Commission that would oversee, among other things, the Ithaca Falls area and the Negundo Woods/substitute Southwest Park. We have been asked to endorse this concept, including the merging the Six Mile Creek Advisory Committee with such a Commission. Members of the Committee have expressed various concerns about such a merger. They have pointed out that it is already difficult for the Committee to achieve its current objectives, given the relatively low level of funding and staff support and the inadequate channels of communication between City Hall/Public Works and the Committee. They fear that it will be even more difficult for a Natural Areas Commission, with greatly expanded responsibilities, to address the concerns for and needs of the Six Mile Creek Natural Area, unless there is a significant change in City support and in the nature of the relationship between City Hall/Public Works and the lay board responsible for the City's natural areas. The Committee has asked me to invite each of you to attend our next meeting, where we will discuss a proposal to endorse the formation of a Natural Areas Commission (and merger therewith of the Six Mile Creek Advisory Committee) . Your perspectives on the concerns of Committee members - about funding, staff support and timely communication of and involvement with important decisions - is vital. The meeting will be on Monday, May 12, 1997, at 5: 15 PM in the Third Floor Conference Room of City Hall. Please let me know if you will not be able to attend. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely yours, C476t7. , / IEL L. HOFFMAN Chairperson 273-6933 (home) 273-2202 (work) cc: Six Mile Creek Advisory Committee City of Ithaca SIX MILE CREEK ADVISORY COMMITTEE April 28, 1997 Andrew Hillman City Forester 108 East Green Street Ithaca, New York 14850 RE: Application for 1997 Recreational Trails Funding Dear Andy: The Six Mile Creek Advisory Committee met today and discussed the possibility of your making application for funding, from the State of New York Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, for restoration and improvement of trails in the Six Mile Creek Natural Area. Members present unanimously endorsed the submission of an application with the following components: ( 1) Restoration of the washed-out section of the lower trail above the old pipeline/retaining wall, to create a level surface of gravel and/or crushed stone. (2) Restoration of the footbridge from the Giles Street parking area which was destroyed by flooding in 1996 . (3) Creation of a handicapped-accessible path around the outer edge of the "butterfly meadow" between the Giles Street parking area and the entrance to the lower trail (with hard-packed gravel or stone surface and modest width - about four feet) . (4) Other repairs to the lower trail, including: protection of eroded areas just before the rock point at the first turn and along the new creek meander where a portion of the trail was lost in 1996; wood chip treatment at any appropriate points (to keep trail width from increasing) ; and judicious trimming of honeysuckle where it encroaches on the trail. Thank you for your continued efforts to support the work of the Committee in preserving the character of the Six Mile Creek Natural Area and in facilitating reasonable and environmentally sound access by the public. Sincerely yours, DANIEL HOFFF , Chairperson cc: Mayor Alan Cohen Six Mile Creek Advisory Committee Tompkins County Planning Federation Workshop MUNICIPAL PLANNING AND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT REVIEW: A Discussion of the Implications for Flooding, Drainage, Streams, and Lakes ;r' The Proposed Agenda for the Evening. Opening Remarks: Lyle S. Raymond, Jr.(Cornell Local Government Program, Cornell Cooperative Extension)will provide a brief introduction to more general information regarding water issues and how they relate to the management of watersheds. Water Issues and Municipal Development This portion of the evening will include roundtable discussions with the attending audience and a panel discussion addressing an example site plan. The panel will be moderated by Barbara Blanchard. Members of the panel will include a highway superintendent,Frank Satterly; an engineer,Brent Cross; a planner,Tom Niederkorn; and someone to address the development perspective,Larry Sharpsteen; and environmental perspective,Phil Zarriello. Closing Remarks: Members of the Tompkins County Planning Federation will discuss municipal planning efforts related to water issues,resources available to communities, and municipal training opportunities. Date: Tuesday,May 13, 1997 Time: 6:30pm Registration 7:OOpm-9:04)pm Presentation Place: Holidayecutive Tower 222 South Cayuga Street Sponsored By: Tompkins County Planning Federation City of Ithaca Planning and Development Tompkins County Environmental Management Council Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County There is no charge for this workshop.Pre-registration is appreciated,although people may register at the door. For further information call Rebecca Lubin at(607)274-5560. /'44Q.—.1—'0-- CITY OF ITHACA (41~"�'°''` �" •�'�''', 510 First Street Ithaca New York 14850-3506 fTT11f1_117 ' 4 $.I , I. 8 4=�f• ft' DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS • WATER AND SEWER DIVISION 'q�RpTtO- Telephone: 607/272-1717 Fax: 607/277-5028 April 29, 1997 Mr. Dan Hoffman Ms. Nancy Ramage Six Mile Creek Advisory Committee City Hall 108 E. Green Street Ithaca, New York 14850 RE: Construction Activities and Committee Liaison Dear Mr. Hoffman and Ms Ramage: One of the biggest discouragements to the sacrifices necessary to dedicated public service is when some of governments' most stalwart volunteers criticize and rebuke those who take the risk and initiative to make long lasting improvements for a partnership that was born by Mrs. Mulholland and my predecessor Pat Hannan long before we brought our own talents to cooperative and mutual coexistence. The easy answer to your letter is that work is in progress and will not be completed until at least Fall planting. The division just completed a sensitive and permanent stabilization of a remote area, much discussed for at least two decades, during adverse and dangerous conditions. After two and one-half months, December, January, and part of February, of emergency mode operation, even the most organized of operations needs to get on with the normal public business. The road could have been left with the two foot craters unavoidably created in wet winter soil conditions and left as a hazard and annoyance to joggers, walkers, and other passive users of the area. Instead, aware of access needs for other repairs of the raw water main, the desire of enforcement agencies and gorge rangers for emergency access and backup, and your own desire for a passive safe walking/jogging route, I committed one workman on a bulldozer to restore the road that otherwise might involve half my division. The results are rough in spots, overdone in others but overall, an improvement over the six inches to a foot of mud not all of you had the pleasure of walking through during or immediately after the disaster. Yes, the pathway to the lower path is not yet reestablished. Yes, it was necessary to slightly enlarge the turnaround to avoid further widening or damage from the passage of large material trucks on a one lane, two mile dead end. Neither my employees, most of whom are avid hunters and fisher persons or I dispute the need to work together on a functional and natural environment. Perhaps your lack of familiarity with the progress and setbacks leads to some mistrust of attitude and follow-through that I am at a loss to explain. We are no less committed to trimming the edges and adding to the wildflowers while insuring our access. I wonder how many of you dedicated volunteers would like to be soundly criticized at first thaw about the remains of your winter garden or about how dirty your freshly rototilled garden is as thanks for your efforts. I attempt to bring a unique talent to the City and public service, motivating ordinary people to extraordinary accomplishments. We should and will be proud of what we were able to do in the worst of conditions for all parties concerned. While we cannot change the geology of the area, without our major intervention Baker slope would not be stabilized. Instead, the storm events of November 8, December 1, and December 13 would have undermined this slope and the main City water supply leaving the area impassable to all for the foreseeable future. While I would like to interact more constructively with the committee, this is not possible timewise with the erosion of DPW manpower and funds orchestrated by present and past decision makers. My time is too fragmented already to best serve the priority water and sewer needs of the public. Andy Hillman is somebody I respect and collaborate with on a daily basis and will have to serve the DPW liaison role as he is able. As you have said many times about my questions being a phone call away, so are your concerns. Si erely GC/11,t rence P. Fabbroni, P.E., L.S. e a ` Asst. Supt. DPW, W&S cc: Bill Gray John Johnson Mayor Cohen Andy Hillman An Equal Opportunity Employer with an Affirmative Action Program" as