Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CLC-2019-03-18 PRESEN Commis OTHER Assistan EXCUSE Meeting Introduc Review Scriber - Stateme Karin Su working participa Greenst karinlee Anisa M CLC had Consolid her or ca she is av Question deadline Denise K that she and sho departm Public A Alex Phi Commis Alex adv of two cy CO CO NT: Chair ssioners (8) S PRESEN nt Hallett-Ha ED: Bryne g called to ctions of me and Appro - all in favo ents/Quest uskin, local on reusabl ating includ tar and TJ M sus@gmai Mendizabal – d any feedb dated Plan all her with vailable and ns: Is there e for the pu Katzman co had landlo uld check t ment and tha Art: illips and M ssioner Kee vised last fa ycles 2/15 a OMMUN OMMIS r Swayze ): Keeler, S NT: Commo arris e & Hall order: 6:0 embers to n oval of Min r tions from therapist a le bag givea ing: Wegm Maxx. Any l.com – Ithaca Ur back on hou as follow u any questio d can voice e a deadline blic and go ommunity m ord issues/c the status o at renters h Megan Wilso eler was exc all the CLC and 5/15 an NITY LI SSION M Scriber, Hag on Council 03 p.m. new commis nutes: Jan the Public advised that away for Ea mans, AFCU questions ban Renew using or co p from pres ons at: AM e what prior e for input? ood time fra member and concerns an of any landlo have right to on – Planne cused from agreed to c nd also a m IFE MINUTE good, Hillso Liaisons: F ssioner Isha uary 18, 20 c: t she and o arth Day on U, Ithaca Ba can be ema wal Agency mmunity de sentation at Mendizabal@ rities we ha ? Anisa sta me for CLC d resident o nd wanted t ord’s Certif o do this. ers, City of the meetin change mu mural subco ES on, McClins Fleming and aan Bakhle 019 Minutes other therap n 4/22 and akery and p ailed to her – Anisa wa evelopmen t January m @cityofitha ave and loo ated that cu C as well. of Ithaca wa the commu ficate of Co Ithaca – 3 ng while vot ural process ommittee w Date: Marc Time: 6:00 Location: C 3rd Floor, Ci sey & Bakhl d Lewis, Ex e s: 1st Hago pists from a local shops pending wo r at: anted to ch t needs for meeting. Yo ca.org or 6 k forward to rrently 3/28 anted to ad unity to know ompliance w Mural Prop ting on mur s, review cu ho would re h 18, 2019 PM Common Cou ity Hall e xecutive ood and 2nd rea have b s will be ord from To eck to see r the ou can ema 07-274-655 o input. 8 is the dvise the CL w that they w/the buildin posals - ral proposa urrent proce eview the uncil Chamber d een ps, if ail 53 LC y can ng als. ess rs, 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 Community Life Commission March 18, 2019 4 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!