HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CLC-2019-03-18
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Community Life Commission
March 18, 2019
2
proposals as well as the public comments and then provide recommendations to CLC;
then CLC vote on recommendations of subcommittee to then recommendations to
Common Council. Alex advised the names of the members of the Subcommittee: Jim
Garbhousen, mural artist, Samantha Hillson, former Art Committee member, John
Spence, Executor Director of Community Art & Jay Stokes, mural artist. They rec’d 5
mural proposals on 2/15/19 and on 2/26/19 subcommittee met and reviewed proposals
and decided on 3 for public comments. Of these 5 mural proposals, 3 upheld and other
2 were not approved because of the sites and encouraged 2 artists to reapply for 5/15
different sites and also offered assistance for looking at sites. Currently there are 3
murals that are proposed, one is the “Giraffe Box” by Rusty Keeler and is mural on
electric box on northeast corner on S. Albany St & S. Titus Ave; City of Ithaca owned
property; 2nd is “Aikido” by Melody Often and is on Dryden Rd Parking Garage paint on
internal wall, 3d is “other World” by Annabelle Popa and is on Seneca St Parking
Garage on external wall. On 3/12 subcommittee met again to review public comments
and reviewed the concerns over content on “Aikido” over interpretation and “Other
World” concerns over scary nature and the subcommittee decided that all three were
high quality, bold and worthy of the location and recommends these 3 murals to CLC for
approval;
Member questions: Question regarding the mural on Cayuga St and what orientation
would be used as there were several preferences given and it would the preference 1
art that was printed for meeting and emailed to members and this will be on outside
wall; CLC vote of all at 3 proposals at once – 1st McClinsey made motion for all three
murals be recommended by CLC and Scriber 2nd motion – all in favor of approving all
three murals to Common Council.
Communities:
IC Strategic Planning – Carlie McClinsey and Erin Rosenblatt gave a powerpoint
presentation regarding Ithaca College’s Strategic Planning. They gave in-depth
presentation regarding what better suits students coming in/down the line as well as
local business, the housing effect on the size of college, community members/working
partnerships with IC, interns/students volunteering in the community. With higher
education shifting want to hear the community’s voices and any concerns/opinions.
The powerpoint covered: vision, mission, values & 3 working group themes; goals for
process; imagining Ithaca. The 3 themes – hone in partnerships with community and
having mutually beneficial relationship (i.e., IC using local bookstores for purchasing
books rather than using outside vendors/large corps. After meeting – can email
cmcclinsey@ithaca.edu – send any comments to her and she will forward on any
questions/comments;
Questions: Member stated want to make sure that ALL community represented as a
“whole” – including low income and making real interconnections. Council Liaison
reminded that IC doesn’t pay taxes to town or county and that IC is a large user of City
services…IC should be paying something to local governments who provide these
services. There should be more on-campus available rental/housing and IC doesn’t
currently have off campus housing office and would like to see that in future. They
Community Life Commission
March 18, 2019
3
would like CLC to have monetary and housing resources brainstorming session and
they can take back to IC. They will have someone from IC provide who looks into
monetary/taxes issue as not Strategic Planning Committee. IC provides extensive
training for people and there are tons of jobs in the area, but no one applying? There is
enormous need in the area for keeping people in the home longer – elderly – residential
housing? Maybe looking at having IC students living with elderly in exchange for rent to
help out?? Kinds of interconnections they are looking at for the future. There were
comments that these interconnections already exist like: Racker, Lifelong, etc., growing
student population; Southill increasing opportunities increasing need for transportation
… not in city – IC could in some way support TCAT – Common Council extending
sidewalk for IC students walking back and forth in night/inclement weather downtown
and back – financial support/partnership??
IC – rate of spending money 5-10 years continuing at this rate looking at ways of
sustainability - students and community mutually benefit – improves community
specifically for students – partnerships = fire TCAT sidewalk plan etc., think creatively
and let Carlie know of ideas – voice of us that we know that IC doesn’t – grow together
Sustainability: Plastic Bag Ban: Thomas Shelley – member of Parks Rec
Commission, current Chair of Waste Reduction Committee; Thomas gave a powerpoint
presentation and also thanked IC prof & students, they were significant contributors.
Fabric waste; food containers are also a problem but immediate focus is single use
plastic bag ban; plastic toxins are in plants; soil; animals; humans; 405 OF PLASTICS
comes from single use plastic bags; don’t decompose just degrades; absorb toxins and
becoming poisonous; urban drinking water – lakewater Bolton water microplastics in
drinking water ; bottled water has microplastics in it, as well as in the lake – focus/target
on single use bags as the average American takes home 1500 bags – 1% nationally
recycled – Tompkins County - 100,000 people – one bag per day – 700,000 bags per
week – 36.4 million bags per year; many countries have already banned plastic bags:
like Ireland and California working on statewide ban and NYS – 2013 attempt made by
EMC - 2018 similar bill introduced into assembly again; many states 130 communities
and/or stated ban one or another – statewide policy for NYS on plastics. Currently
working on ban from local retail, food & grocery stores, supermarkets as well as
convenience stores or food marts; Exceptions to this: dry cleaning bags pharmacy
bags thin film bas without handles - 10CENTS PER BAG/BRING YOUR OWN BAGS/ -
paper no good big amount of paper recycled – paper removes carbon from
environments – trees removed to make paper – toxins escape into environment making
or recycling paper; State policy state wide law to set up recycling program -
CLC thinking of demographics of the community some cannot afford a bag – is this
taken into consideration? Increasing interest in some bags being provided free reusable
bags!! Volunteers sews bags – idea given like DSS to make own bags – so green on
the commons bag making events continue making cloth bags and give away - WIC and
SNAP – park foundation grant this year and there will be bags distributed to lower
income folks will receive free set of bags at WIC and snap – merchants have committed
to giving to people – lightweight bags made for elderly/disabilities; workarounds for
community; enforcement concerns – very few violations once in place! Tourist
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March 18, 2019
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community here = bags from park foundation to hotels with reusable bags and reuse the
bags – public education – knowing effects of plastic bags – suggestions to be at IC and
Cornell with these bags – IC banned single use bags – Cornell working on it now –
research of cost/customers from municipalities ?? it would be important to note that no
cost increase to customer! Bag the ban – paid for and supporters of company that
manufactures bags. Working w/commissions on the plastic bag bans. Questions from
CLC members: Littering in the city? Enforcement? Politics – why isn’t city making an
effort to decrease plastic bag ban? Hopefully city and county supporting ban and help
enforce it – case: bottle returns recycling cans getting deposit for it.
Chair: ?? Subcommittee for plastic bag ban? County working on – what is needed on
our part – put together subcommittee- research this and other communities already in
place to encourage the city of do this – we as a CLC is to support and send on our
support to common council – alternatives to using bag – garbage bags? public
education frequently asked questions to help people make decision? Asked tom what
can we do? Tom as info – county working on plan – waiting on State to make decision –
once we develop education programs, CLC to help get word out to the community and
help get people talking to people and helping to educate. Valid uses for plastic bags –
polluting factor is the thin single use bags – not garbage bags which go to landfill not
thrown into environment.
CHAIR: Rather than subcommittee – 1-2 point people appointed/identified on the CLC
– waste reduction subcommittee – Amanda brought handouts at previous meeting –
powerpoint produced by IC and Facebook page – social media to reach young people.
Any stores/companies using corn single use bags? Little bags at produce section of
Wegmans – biodegrade better. CLC member point person? Someone to attend the
Waste Reduction Subcommittee Meetings? If not we will talk in future and appoint a
person and Tom to give communication and education to Chair in future
April Meeting – Mayor and Dan Cogan to come to give us background of what
happened and not happened regarding tax abatement Cornell; Mobility Transportation
Commission – progress with ADA Coordinator for the City – Scriber. More info on
advocacy flags/combine with half-staff policy – Hall. Human Services Coalition training
– AARP talking building age friendly communities; what communities need to do =
transportation? Scriber will get info and connect us and report back.
Members asking when Anisa coming back and Chair will reach out to see if there is
specific info we can help, members can attend those meetings to get more info
7:46 Adjourned
Next Meeting:
Monday, April 15, 2019, 6:00 p.m., Common Council Chambers, 3rd Floor
Adjournment:
On a motion, the meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
Community Life Commission
March 18, 2019
5
Respectfully Submitted by,
Jody Hallett-Harris, Executive Assistant
Imagining Ithaca: Shaping IC’s Future, Together Community Life Commission Presentation March 18, 2019
Imagining Ithaca: Alignment •Alignment •Aligning the priorities of IC with the needs of future students •Aligning IC with the realities of the changing market for higher education •Aligning the resources of the institution with IC’s mission and vision •Aligning the community behind a shared vision and common values
Imagining Ithaca: Goals for the process •Empower the community to think boldly and strategically •Create meaningful opportunities for everyone to contribute •Build trust through a transparent process •Ensure that the resulting plan is mindful of resources, opportunities, and tradeoffs
Imagining Ithaca: Workgroups •Each workgroup is charged with identifying a small number of concrete goals and objectives to recommend in relation to their theme. •A goal is a statement of an outcome that IC seeks to achieve in pursuit of its vision. •An objective is a specific, measurable, and timebound strategy for achieving that goal. •Goals and objectives must do the following: •Move us toward our vision •Reflect our mission and core values •Identify opportunities for growth, redesign, or innovation •Demonstrate the necessity of financial sustainability for the institution, through new or increased revenue, reduced costs, or expense management
Imagining Ithaca: Themes Investment in People, Place, Planet Workgroup Definition •This workgroup will focus on how success at the college will come about through strategic investments in our people, our place, and our planet. We must develop and empower our community to help us achieve our most strategic goals. This group will examine three areas: Human Resources, Sustainability, and the Campus. This workgroup will explore initiatives that embrace a culture of innovation to support the mission of the college, and to develop our community and our world.
Imagining Ithaca: Themes Interconnections Among Disciplines, Schools, Partners Workgroup Definition •This workgroup will focus on the interconnections among groups, departments, schools, offices, and with the broader community. We have heard a desire for a greater sense of connection and community on campus, and a concern about the detrimental impacts of “silos.” This group will examine three broad areas: Integration and Interdisciplinarity, Cross-Sector and Cross-Institutional Partnerships, and Governance. This group will consider systemic barriers to integration and places where policies, procedures, or organizational structures may need to be redesigned or created in order to support these connections.
Imagining Ithaca: Themes Evolution of Students, Curriculum, College Workgroup Definition •Ithaca College must adapt to an environment of dramatic change, simultaneously preserving and strengthening its identity while transforming to meet new challenges. We need to be responsive to shifting demographics and the changing needs and expectations of tomorrow’s students. This working group will examine three broad areas: Enrollment Strategy, Curriculum Design for a Changing World, and the Transformative Student Experience. The group will also consider how the processes by which institutional structures, practices, and policies evolve and might be altered to be more effective and promote needed change.
Imagining Ithaca The charge •Asking the big questions •Embracing bold realism •Acknowledging the urgency and profundity of this moment •Activating an uncompromisingly excellent student experience
Imagining Ithaca: Brainstorming •Goals •A statement of an outcome that IC seeks to achieve in pursuit of its vision •EXAMPLE: •IC will identify academic program areas for growth, opportunities for interdisciplinarity, and enhanced efficiency. •Objectives •A concrete strategy for achieving that goal •EXAMPLE •Deans and Chairs will lead departments to analyze majors and minors across schools to determine programs that can be reimagined, revitalized, or retired.
Tompkins County Plastic Bag Ban ProposalPresented by: EMC’s Waste Reduction CommitteePrepared for EMC 10/18/2018Tompkins County Environmental Management Council
The Problem with PlasticsPetroleum and natural gas, finite non‐renewable resources, are made into a wide variety of products, including plastics
The Problem with PlasticsPetroleum and natural gas, finite non‐renewable resources, are made into a wide variety of products, including plasticsCommercial, industrial and agricultural plastic products are disposed of and some are released into the environment Consumers release plastics to into the environment by flushing hygiene products, contact lenses, beauty products, etc. into the waste stream
The Problem with PlasticsPetroleum and natural gas, finite non‐renewable resources, are made into a wide variety of products, including plasticsCommercial, industrial and agricultural plastic products are disposed of and some are released into the environment Consumers release plastics to into the environment by flushing hygiene products, contact lenses, beauty products, etc. into the waste streamPlastic litter is washed or wind blown into water bodies where it entangles and suffocates birds, fish and aquatic mammals
The Problem with PlasticsPetroleum and natural gas, finite non‐renewable resources, are made into a wide variety of products, including plasticsCommercial, industrial and agricultural plastic products are disposed of and some are released into the environment Consumers release plastics to into the environment by flushing hygiene products, contact lenses, beauty products, etc. into the waste streamPlastic litter is washed or wind blown into water bodies where it entangles and suffocates birds, fish and aquatic mammalsPlastics in the environment do not decompose but break down into tiny particles called microplastics which absorb toxins becoming increasingly poisonousTreatment plants are unable to filter microplastics from the waste stream. They are conveyed to soils in fertilizer sludge and returned to water bodies that are drinking water sources
The Problem with PlasticsPetroleum and natural gas, finite non‐renewable resources, are made into a wide variety of products, including plasticsCommercial, industrial and agricultural plastic products are disposed of and some are released into the environment Consumers release plastics to into the environment by flushing hygiene products, contact lenses, beauty products, etc. into the waste streamPlastic litter is washed or wind blown into water bodies where it entangles and suffocates birds, fish and aquatic mammalsPlastics in the environment do not decompose but break down into tiny particles called microplastics which absorb toxins becoming increasingly poisonousTreatment plants are unable to filter microplastics from the waste stream. They are conveyed to soils in fertilizer sludge and returned to water bodies that are drinking water sources Microplastics in soils may carry disease causing organisms and also affect soil fauna, diminishing their ecological function
The Problem with PlasticsPetroleum and natural gas, finite non‐renewable resources, are made into a wide variety of products, including plasticsCommercial, industrial and agricultural plastic products are disposed of and some are released into the environment Consumers release plastics to into the environment by flushing hygiene products, contact lenses, beauty products, etc. into the waste streamPlastic litter is washed or wind blown into water bodies where it entangles and suffocates birds, fish and aquatic mammalsPlastics in the environment do not decompose but break down into tiny particles called microplastics which absorb toxins becoming increasingly poisonousTreatment plants are unable to filter microplastics from the waste stream. They are conveyed to soils in fertilizer sludge and returned to water bodies that are drinking water sources Microplastics in soils may carry disease causing organisms and also affect soil fauna, diminishing their ecological functionIngestion by organisms results in bioaccumulation thus entering the food chainMicroplastics are presently found in food that contains or was processed in water. They have also been detected not only in fish and seafood but in salt, sugar and beer.
The Problem with PlasticsPetroleum and natural gas, finite non‐renewable resources, are made into a wide variety of products, including plasticsCommercial, industrial and agricultural plastic products are disposed of and some are released into the environment Consumers release plastics to into the environment by flushing hygiene products, contact lenses, beauty products, etc. into the waste streamPlastic litter is washed or wind blown into water bodies where it entangles and suffocates birds, fish and aquatic mammalsPlastics in the environment do not decompose but break down into tiny particles called microplastics which absorb toxins becoming increasingly poisonousTreatment plants are unable to filter microplastics from the waste stream. They are conveyed to soils in fertilizer sludge and returned to water bodies that are drinking water sources Microplastics in soils may carry disease causing organisms and also affect soil fauna, diminishing their ecological functionIngestion by organisms results in bioaccumulation thus entering the food chainMicroplastics are presently found in food that contains or was processed in water. They have also been detected not only in fish and seafood but in salt, sugar and beer.Every human in the developed world has traces of plastics in their blood!https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180205125728.htm
Plastics Life Cycle
Plastic Pollution = Microplastics = Toxic¾Plastic does not decompose, it degrades into microplastics ¾A single plastic bottle can break up into 10,000 pieces of microplastic¾All plastics ever made are still in existence¾Microplastics absorb toxins in the environment becoming 1 million times more toxic than the water around it¾Microplastics are difficult to filter out in water treatment plants and create contaminated sludge with disposal issues¾Microplastics are found increasingly in drinking water and the food chain¾Pose threats to many types of life, including humans
Microplasticsare showing up in Cayuga Lake020406080100120140South of Salt Mine Off East Shore Park Off Yacht ClubMicroplastic particles (in millions)Microplastics in Surface Water of Cayuga Lake¾Preliminary estimate is that there are tens of millions of microplastics particles in Cayuga Lake.¾Sampling wastewater effluent, 3 locations in lake and the Inlet for the last two summers¾Using a very fine mesh net (50 microns) and a combination of identification techniquesSample before StainingSample After Nile Red Staining•Research by Ithaca College and the Ithaca Area Waste Water Treatment Facility•2017‐2018 •(very preliminary: based on 6 or 40 samples collected)
Why Target Single Use Plastic Bags?¾They are intended for single use and disposal¾The average American family takes home 1,500 plastic bags per year¾According to Waste management only 1% of plastic bags are returned for recycling in the proper manner¾Plastic bags that are mistakenly recycled in the zero sort waste stream cost recycling centers thousands of dollars on a daily basis when they clog the machinery¾Plastic bags create litter problems and clog storm sewersIt will be easy to do without them! A great first step in controlling plastics pollution.In Tompkins County:1 bag per person per day X 100,000 people (2015 census)____________________700,000 bags per weekOR36.4 million bags per year
Plastics and Tompkins CountyResolution by the EMC; tabled by PDEQBan concerns: ¾Did not specify exemptions¾Unclear of fee for paper bags was retained by stores or not ¾Did not address efforts to accommodate lower income sectors of community¾Lack of support among stakeholders and LegislatureNY State Proposal: https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/PlasticBagBan.pdfKey provisions¾Exemptions for materials other than plastic; bulk items, meat, dry cleaning, etc.¾Endorsed by Tompkins County Legislature¾Introduced by the Senate; stalled in the Assembly (as of summer recess)2013 Proposed Ban AttemptNY State Ban 2018
What other Communities are DoingStatewide Bans¾California¾HawaiiNYS CommunitiesUlster County Legislature voted to approve the Bring Your Own Bag Act on 9/21/2018East Hampton Village 2/12 banHastings on Hudson, town of Greenburgh 2/15 banVillage of Mamaroneck 1/13 banTown of Newcastle 1/17 banVillage of New Paltz 4/15 reusable must be 2.25 mils, paper bags ‐40% postconsumer contentPatchogue 9/16 ban plastic must be 2.25milsCity of Rye 5/12banVillage of Southampton 11/11 banSuffolk County 1/18, 5 cents for plastic and /or paper, reusable 2.25 mils
¾Single‐use plastic bags are proposed to be banned from retail establishments, food service establishments located in or outside grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, or food marts. ¾A carryout bag fee would start on a specified date, and all stores would provide paper checkout bags at the charge of 10 cents per bag to customers who request a bag at the point of sale.¾Exemptions would be as follows: dry‐cleaning bags, bags provided by a pharmacy to carry prescription drugs, or thin film plastic bags without handles used to carry produce, meats, dry goods, or other non‐prepackaged food.The Proposed Ban¾Enforcements and penalties would be applied to any store that violates this ordinance and shall be guilty of an infraction. ¾The proposed infractions would be:¾$100 for first violation¾$200 for a second violation within the same year, and¾$500 for each subsequent violation within the same year ¾Retailers would retain the fee that exceeds their costs to enable them to provide their customers with a free or low‐cost reusable bag and/or may use that portion of the fee to support local sustainability initiatives of their choice.¾Effective Jul.1, 2018•Our Goal for Tompkins County:•Join the movement to be ecologically responsible
Concerns vs. BenefitsConcerns¾Impact on Retailers – localities that banned plastic bags but did not impose a fee saw a huge increase I paper use, increasing their carbon footprint¾Impact on Lower Income Individuals ‐Seeking funding for bag program for WIC and SNAP participants¾Enforcement ‐Other municipalities find this not to be a major issue¾Adjustment by Visitors ‐Propose working with hotels on letting people know and/or bag borrowing or promo bagsBenefits¾Reduce resource use¾Reduced fossil fuel use eases global climate change¾Reduce waste to landfills given current difficulties in recycling market¾Reduce litter in the county¾Reduce hazards to wildlife¾Reduce municipal costs of storm sewer clean up
Arguments against Banning Plastic Bags¾Less energy and water to make than paper bags ¾TRUE, but we are not promoting same number of paper bags¾Take up less space in landfills that reusable bags ¾TRUE, but reusable bags do not end up in landfills at same rate¾Not made from oil¾TRUE, but made from natural gas¾Does not decrease litter¾NOT SURE; 0.2% decrease in one year in California (could be tons and could take more than one year due to latency effect)¾Plastics are 100% recyclableTRUE, but recycling rates are low and contamination rates are high¾Hurts small businesses¾NOT SURE: Slight increase in costs, but allowed to charge for paper bags¾Customers may choose to shop outside ban area¾UNLIKELY, due to greater gas costs¾Reusable bags can harbour bacteria¾TRUE, but they can be washed. Same as reusing a single use plastic bag¾People reuse single use plastic bags¾?, maybe once, so double use plastic bag. Half of 36 million bags a year in Tompkins County is still a lot of bags.Info from: http://www.bagtheban.com/By Novolex; the makers of single‐use plastic bags
Thank You!