HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-STAC-2016-11-09City of Ithaca Shade Tree Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
November 9, 2016
Present: Nina Bassuk, Laurene Gilbert, Jeanne Grace, Beverly Hillman, Pamela
Markham, Keith
Wegmans has replaced the trees they removed along the entrance drive with
more Freemani’s and some Lindens. Since the Freemani’s didn’t survive the first
planting the group was disappointed that they were replaced with same.
Nina and students are organizing the planting of the sixteen crabapple trees along
Floral Avenue in conjunction with the Ithaca Garden Club. Setting of new stone
and ribbon cutting is planned for the spring.
Forester’s Report: Planting of 75 new trees has ensued around city after stumps
were ground.
Much discussion regarding the proposed site plan ordinance change. Jeanne met
with Dan Cogan and Seph Murtugh who suggested the proposal be formatted as a
“city policy” since changing an ordinance is cumbersome. Next step – Dan and
Seph will go to Joanne Cornish to see if the idea of a city policy is doable. This may
mean Jeanne will need to sign off on each and every project which is problematic
to say the least. Nina will draft a letter to Seph which he can bring to the Policy
and Economic Development committee which includes some Common Council
members. The letter will stress the usefulness of a “policy” in preserving the
infrastructure of the City and that it is a good use of taxpayer dollars to not have
to undo and redo the poor installation of trees.
Jeanne spoke with the City Attorney about easements with regard to planting
trees on non‐city property, i.e, Tompkins Trust Dawn Redwoods issue. Attorney
will look at how other cities have dealt with the same issue.
Next Meeting: January 11th. No December meeting.