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Home My WebLink AboutMN-PRNR-2018-10-11 PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES PRESENT: Chair – Hoffman (in Monika Roth’s absence) Commissioners - (3) Leventry, Myers, Shelley OTHERS PRESENT: Financial Management Assistant - Swartz City Forester – Grace EXCUSED: Berry, Brock, D’Alterio, Freyburger, Kerslick, Moeller, Roth Announcements: Tompkins County Environmental Management Council will meet on 10/18/18 at the Tompkins County Library 5-6:30 PM on dealing with waste reduction and changes in the recycling plan. There was a community dinner and three other events over the past month and a half to discuss the Southside plan. It was recommended that we ask Megan Wilson to give a presentation on that program to get more information. Historic Ithaca is hosting an Ithaca City Cemetery Sprint f undraiser for the Friends of the Ithaca City Cemetery on 10/27/18 at 9 AM, a one mile fun run and prizes for the best costume. Staff Update – Jeanne Grace Stewart Park playground is open. Waiting for 3 more structures to arrive. Statements from the Public: David Gallahan stated that the bicycle/pedestrian bridge and public right of way at Buttermilk Falls has a chained gate across it that blocks public access. Commission Response: Our commission will follow up on it and make recommendations. Review and Approval of Minutes 9/10/18: Dan Hoffman would like the following changes made: Page 2: Elizabeth Hageman, add “considered” after “We need to find out if Six Mile Creek is” Page 2: Environmental Review Update, 2B, add “of another development parcel” after “relocate it to the middle” Page 3: h. add “In a” before “Positive” and add “area” after “land buffer” Page 3: Mid page, d, remove “spaced along” replace with “proposed for” and add “of the street extension” after “wooded side” Page 3: Mid page, 3, add “building” after “enforcing the green” Page 3: Bottom line, replace “Connelly” with “Conway” Page 4: 1/3 down, replace “collapse” with “collapsed” These changes will be made and voted for approval at the November’s meeting. Date: October 11, 2018 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Conference Room, 2nd Floor, City Hall Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission October 11, 2018 2 Environmental Review: Environmental review for the Cherry Street project is done. Jeanne Grace will discuss the street trees along the wooded side of the property with the developer once the project gets underway. Cornell has a large new housing project on North Campus. Scott Freyburger offered to do some research on this project. There are three different governments involved; Cayuga Heights, City of Ithaca and Town of Ithaca. The city is moving forward on dredging Cascadilla Creek between W illow Avenue and the Farmers Market. They are proposing two sites for the dredged spoils. The first site is the Johnson Boatyard, a large undeveloped area, between the docks and buildings. The second site is near the Waste Water Treatment Plant and the W aterfront Trial. How are they going to get the spoils from the creek to the second site? Is it going to stay behind the fence or migrate in the trail? The Planning Department is asking for comments by Monday 10/15/18. Thomas Shelley will look into and make comments. The Planning Board did use the up to date SEQR forms for this project. Our Commission will contact the citizen who voiced concern over the out of date forms. Updates / Old business: Biophilia designation – Revised proposal from advocates may be ready for our November meeting. Dan suggested we invite them to the next meeting for a brief update and questions, all were in favor. Deer Population Study/Management Plan – Monika contacted Paul Curtis from Cornell and he would be willing to help promote the idea of a deer management plan. Tom Shelley went to the Town of Ithaca meeting and has volunteered to be a liaison with the Town of Ithaca. Tom will contact Paul Curtis and also the Town of Ithaca to follow up. All were in favor. Park signage – Ellen Leventry is working on the sign design with Todd at Iron Designs. Once we get a cost estimate for the signs, we need to work out funding for them. We will bring examples, once we have them. Adopt-A-Park Program – nothing new to add at this time. Thompson Park concerns – Still receiving complaints of inappropriate behavior in the park including drug use, graffiti and trash. The Police have been informed. There was a request to remove the picnic table, but instead we can try moving the picnic table to a more open area. We can also cut back bushes to make things more open to avoid illegal things from happening. Beth Myers will contact the Youth Bureau to see if they can help. Playground Committee idea – Jeanne Grace asked Mary Archin to change some items in her proposal due to some apparatus that is worn, but still safe and ok to use. She also suggested the appropriate steps for her to take going forward. New business: Donation for bench – Gorges Group would like to donate a bench in the vacant lot North of Ithaca Falls in memory of a friend that use to live in the house that was torn down. There is a site meeting with them on Monday 10/15/18 at 1:00 PM, to get more information. Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission October 11, 2018 3 Winter Village Trail proposed for Six Mile Creek – (from Creek Walk to Giles St) - Todd Bittner wrote a letter that he was opposed to this trail project. It would be costly and hard to maintain. The city reapplied for a grant to do this, as they didn’t get it the last time. Todd will come to our meeting next month and discuss. He is also interested in becoming a member of a working group. Fence, Gate installed across long-time pedestrian/bike access to Buttermilk Falls Park – We will ask Tompkins County Community action if they put it there and if it will be permanent or temporary. Dan Hoffman will follow up on this. Process; vacancy, advisors, working groups & task groups: Vacant seat on this Commission - In order to have this seat filled by 2019 we have to act by 10/31/18. Elizabeth Hageman from the Town of Ithaca is interested in this position. We could recommend her for a voting seat or we could appoint her ourselves as a non-voting advisor and she could start immediately. Dan is suggesting informally that she be appointed. Monika or Dan will contact Elizabeth Hageman to follow up. Another volunteer interested in joining the Project Review Group is Michael Culotta. Tom Shelley will get reappointed as EMC liaison by Dan Cogan, unless there is someone who opposes this. No one was opposed. Next Meeting: The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 6:00 PM in the 2nd floor conference room. Review Agenda items for next meeting: Nina Bassuk, Shade Tree Advisory Committee presentation will be reschedule to 11/15/18 Environmental review on the Cornell Project Cascadilla Park Dredging Biophilia designation Deer management Park signage Thompson Park Playground committee Ithaca Falls bench Winter Village Trail proposed for Six Mile Creek Adjournment: On a motion the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM. Respectfully submitted by, Debbie Swartz Financial Management Assistant