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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.