HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PRNR-2018-05-14
PARKS, RECREATION AND
NATURAL RESOURCES
COMMISSION MINUTES
PRESENT:
Chair Roth
Commissioners (5) Hoffman, Moeller, Shelley, Freyburger, Leventry
OTHERS PRESENT:
Common Council Liaisons: Brock, Kerslick
Financial Management Assistant - Swartz
Alderperson - Mohlenhoff
Chief of Staff - Cogan
Deputy Director of Planning – Nicholas
City Forester – Grace
Deputy Youth Bureau Director – D’Alterio
EXCUSED:
Berry, Myers
Agenda Review:
Dan Hoffman asked to discuss the commission appointing advisors. Put on the Agenda
Review and Approval of Minutes:
Monika moved the motion to approve the minutes, Thomas Shelley 2nd the motion and
all raised hands in favor – approved.
Statements from the Public:
Randi Beckmann, Belle Sherman resident and teacher, expressed concern that the city
keep Strawberry Fields behind the Belle Sherman school from alienation and open as a
public park. The park is intensively used by the Belle Sherman school classes.
Commission Response:
Monika Roth, Cynthia Brock, Ellen Leventry and Jeanne Grace responded with
information regarding the alienation process. The 5 parks [in the City Parks and Open
Space Plan] mentioned for alienation is only a recommendation at this point. Alienation
is a public process that needs approval by NYS legislature. One issue with Strawberry
Fields is that there no public access to the park and people have to walk through school
property to get to it. The recommendation for consideration of alienation of 5 parks
cited in the plan [Columbia Street, Dryden Rd, Hillview, Maple Grove, and Strawberry
Fields] has drawn public attention and provides opportunities for considerations of
improvements. The Parks on South Hill cited for alienation will be discussed at the
South Hill neighborhood planning meetings.
Date: May 14, 2018
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Common Council Chambers,
3rd Floor, City Hall
Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission
May 14, 2018
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Presentation:
Lisa Nicholas, AICP, Deputy Director of Planning gave a training for Environmental
Quality Reviews. She reviewed the process of what forms to fill out and issued
handouts on the procedure. The city has their own environmental quality review process
that is based on, but is stricter, than the state’s criteria for reviews.
List of type 1 actions – only those on the list
List of type 2 actions – only those on the list
No listed actions – if it isn’t on either list
Forms, part 1, 2 and 3
Part 1: Applicant fills this form out, signs and notarizes
Part 2: Measures what the impacts would be
Part 3: Narrative of the project
PRNR group will get these forms electronically to review them. Every project has an
action and ordinance listed. She suggested a sub-committee with a couple of people to
review each project and bring any concerning items to the attention of the whole PRNR
group.
Volunteers for sub-committee - Scott Freyburger, Thomas Shelley and Dan Hoffman.
4th Tuesday of each month is the Planning Board meetings. Any comments could be
emailed prior to that meeting. Full commission is encouraged to pay attention to emails
from Planning Department and comment if interested.
Meeting time:
Monika wanted to remind the Commission members that the normal meeting time is 2
hour meetings 6-8 PM on the 2ND Monday of each month.
New Business:
1. Parks and Recreation Master Plan: Megan Wilson, planning department. Per
Cynthia Brock, at the council meeting on 6/6/18 they will be voting to adopt the
plan. Everyone should review the plan. Commission members can make
individual statements, but there will not be a group statement from our
commission given the short timing.
2. Town of Ithaca Deer Management Plan: The Town has a special committee that
has developed the plan. On 5/22/18 there is a public meeting on deer
management in the town. Monika suggested commission members read the
Town Plan. Jeanne Grace mentioned that coordinating with the Town on their
plan to address deer in the City Watershed would be a good idea. Monika
mentioned that given the increasing deer population in the city, deer is one of the
higher priority issues that the commission should begin to study.
Volunteers for deer sub-committee: Ellen Leventry and Thomas Shelley
Work Plan Discussion:
1. Chicken ordinance renewal - probably should be on the Community Life Agenda
- Monika will bring it up to the chair.
Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission
May 14, 2018
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2. Several issues related to waterfront development, storm water issues and Ithaca
Falls clean-up of lead should receive higher priority attention.
3. Natural areas are concerning with the growing homeless encampments on City
owned land behind Home Depot and Six Mile Creek area.
4. Memorial Policy - Jeanne Grace would like a long term plan. Per Ellen Leventry,
there are no memorials unless it is over $10,000. This was discussed about 3
years ago, a final resolution/recommendation is needed.
Work list – Monika shared a spreadsheet of topics that could be on the PRNR
Commission agenda and asked that every member circle the top 3 to 4 items they
would like to work on or think are of high priority. Monika will compile for the next
meeting where we will finalize our work plan.
Appointing Advisors - Monika wants to hold off appointing advisors until the work plan is
set.
Old Business:
Vice Chair – Position needs to be filled to help with the Agenda and lead meetings in
Monika’s absence. No one stepped forward, Monika will consider options.
Commissioner vacancy - Claire Concepcion dropped out, need to fill her position.
There is a list of candidates that had applied, Monika will review with Dan Cogan and
report back at next meeting.
Unfinished work – Shade Tree Advisory Committee, still meets with Jeanne Grace
every other month.
Next Meeting:
The next meeting is scheduled for June 11, 2018.
Agenda items:
Parks & Open Space Plan – where to next? What will be the process for
implementation? How can the Commission be helpful? – Megan Wilson will present
Rick Manning and Diane Riesman would like to come speak about Stewart Park Plans.
Work Plan
Vice Chair & Vacancy
Adjournment:
On a motion, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted by,
Debbie Swartz,
Financial Management Assistant