HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-E&NQ-2007-10-22 Environment and Neighborhood Quality Committee
Monday, October 22,2007
Common Council Chambers
Committee members present: Robin Holtham Korherr, Chair; Michelle Berry; Dan Cogan;
Gayraud Townsend;Joel Zumoff;Mayor Carolyn Peterson
Staff present: Megan Gilbert, Planner; Dan Hoffman, City Attorney;Mike Niechwiadowicz,
Acting Building Commissioner,Building Department
1) Call Meeting to Order: Chair R. Korherr called the meeting to order at 7:33pm.
2) Approval of Minutes
3) Agenda Review/Introductions
*Dan Cogan and Michelle Berry arrived at 7:35pm.
4) Public Comment
Nora Gunneng—Permanent off leash dog area
Linda Russo—Off leash dog area
*Mayor Carolyn Peterson arrived at 7:40pm.
Katie Noonan—Concern Off leash dog area
Ken Zeserson—Dog Park Swap (alternative site)
Megan McCallan—Positive economic impact of dog park; comparison of alternative
sites for the dog park
Leon Kochian—Use of state park as a result of dog park; discussion of Cherry Street
site
Ken Freedman—Importance of dog owner input in discussion; discussion of Cherry
Street site
Liz Constable—Dog park design in Lansing,Michigan
Brian Zapf—Studies on dog park; need to design dog park
Alderperson Berry read letters from Barbara Blantz and Joanie Groome, two city
residents who were unable to attend the meeting to comment but wished to express
their support of the dog park.
5) Response to the Public/Privilege of the Floor
Chair R. Korherr asked members of TCDOG to email her the current executive
board contact information. She also thanked Liz Constable for her research on dog
parks.
Alderperson Berry shared information about a climate change conference scheduled
for November 3rd.
6) Exterior Property Maintenance Ordinance Article VI — Maintenance Requirements
Relating to Skirting — Discussion with Building Department Staff — Mike
Niechwiadowicz
The committee reviewed information about skirting provided by Tom Nix.
Niechwiadowicz noted that there has been concern about rodents getting in under
porches. He reported that to adopt regulation on top of those adopted by the state
requires that the City prove circumstances in Ithaca are so unique that they warrant
additional regulation. In addition, the financial burden of the additional regulation
will be on property owners. Niechwiadowicz also noted that skirting tends to create
a safe environment for rodents, attracting rodents as well as garbage. The Building
Department recommends that the Committee not present a resolution that would
address skirting.
In response to questions from Alderperson Townsend, Niechwiadowicz noted that
other regulations can require property owners to repair their damaged skirting but
because it is a cosmetic issue, ticketing is not seen favorably, and tickets are often
thrown out. The Building Department can make enforcing other regulations a
greater priority but noted that the department currently has only one housing
inspector. Two new inspectors have been hired, and the department hopes to be
better able to enforce this and other violations. Alderperson Zumoff asked why
tickets are thrown out. Niechwiadowicz stated he did not know why the judicial
system does not take the issue seriously, and committee members agreed that they
would like to hear from the prosecutors and judges.
Frances Weissman came forward to speak to the committee. She has repeatedly
reported maintenance issues and would like to see existing codes enforcement. She
was told that code related to this issue does not exist. Niechwiadowicz noted that a
state amendment passed on October Yd added language allowing the Building
Department to enforce the maintenance of skirting. He is working with the
Attorney's Office to adopt the model language provided by the state as a local law,
and it will be going to the Planning & Economic Development Committee next
month.
Alderperson Cogan stated that he would like the prosecutor's office to come and
speak with the committee regarding enforcement of property maintenance code. He
also stated he was interested in adding more penalties to those required by the state
even if local code cannot be stricter.
The committee agreed to invite someone from the prosecutor's office to come speak
at the November or December meeting. Weissman will provide Niechwiadowicz
with the addresses of specific properties that are not maintained. (Niechwiadowicz
later reported Weissman stated that there were no specific properties where the code
needed to be enforced.)
7) Dog Park
Chair Korherr gave a brief history of the dog park.
The Mayor noted that the memo released last week provided an update on
negotiations with the state over the festival lands. The City is currently
waiting on the state for additional information (sample land use management
plan). Thys Van Cort, Director of Planning and Development, has spoken
with State Parks about an extension of the off-leash dog park.
Chair Korherr stated that she believed that the off-leash dog area should be
extended for a period not to exceed one year.
Alderperson Zumoff noted that the issue would not be settled in the next
two-three months and agreed that the off-leash area should remain in effect.
The Mayor stated that there could be methodology other than a unilateral
extension of the off-leash area. She suggested meeting with State Parks to
work out the management of the dog park. It would be best to have a
solution that allows the dog park to remain without fluctuation as the mayor
and the council change. The city knows what it would like to see and would
like to work out a quick,permanent solution.
*Members of TCDOG Pat Pryor and Alicia Plotkin came forward to join the
discussion.
Alderperson Cogan noted that he too would like to extend the off-leash dog
area for three-four months and to work with State Parks to reach a solution.
He stated the city should get out of the dog park business but should set up
the framework for the continuation of the dog park before its involvement
ends. State Parks is better able to manage the issue of SEQR and liability. It
would be a win-win situation to retain ownership of the Festival Lands and
work out a land management agreement with State Parks. For the time
being, the off-leash dog area should remain for three-four months, the city
should complete a SEQR short form, and work on a permanent solution.
TCDOG has also contacted State Parks and the governor's office. They
would like to see a permanent resolution that works for the city, TCDOG,
and State Parks. They wish it had not come to an extension, but they would
like an extension until a permanent solution is reached.
Alderperson Berry noted the success of TCDOG at policing, educating, and
persuading public officials. The extension would make sense. She stated she
is pleased to see cooperation with the state and hopes to find a solution that
satisfies all those who have been involved throughout the course of the
debate.
Pryor suggested reviewing the scope of the environmental review and
reducing it to only the Festival Lands to reduce the cost.
Plotkin noted that the Trowbridge & Wolf report was conducted at a time
when the signs for the off leash area were posted incorrectly. The dogs
counted as off-leash outside of the designated area were really inside the
marked area at that time.
The Mayor and Dan Hoffman noted that at the last meeting with State Parks
they mentioned looking at the Festival Lands and their lands to determine
the best site for the dog park.
8) Smoke Free Ithaca—Item postponed to the November meeting.
9) Old Business/Updates
a) Alderperson Berry suggested a discussion of the school district at the next
meeting. The committee has previously spoken about race and racism, and the
committee could have a role in what has been occurring in the school district. The
Mayor noted that she has been very involved in the issue through communication
with the Superintendent and decisions about the involvement of the police
department. The Youth Bureau and GIAC staffs have offered to help in the
schools, and other members of the community have expressed an interest in being
involved. The Mayor agreed that it would be very appropriate for the issue to return
to the committee.
10) Adjournment: Chair R. Korherr adjourned the meeting at 9:43.