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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PRNR-2019-10-17PARKS, �������������~N���� �&�U�� RECREATION ��u��� NATURAL U�������NBU������� mv����»������������ COMMISSION MINUTES Date: October 17, 2019 Time: 6:00 PM Location: 2ndFloor Conference Room, City Hall PRESENT: Commissioners — (6) Roth (Chair), Freyburger, Hoffman, Moeller, Sanders-Jauquet, Shelley OTHERS PRESENT: Financial Management Assistant — Swartz EXCUSED: George, LeventryCommon Council Liaisons Brock and Kerslick 1. CaII to order: 1.1. Statement from the Public: None 1.2. Commission Response: N/A 1.3. Agenda Review: Add under old business City Harbor Waterfront development; Parks budget request update. Add under new business the proposed Art work in the parks. 2. Presentation — DEC Hazardous Wastes Sites under review. Nels Bohn, Director of Community Development, |URA See attached for the handouts that were discussed. a. DEC has links on their website to access information. b. DEC is continuing to monitor properties where there has been ground water contamination. c. DEC will share the results of testing if we contact them for the information. d. There is public notice on those projects that have a public comment period. Sites under review/being monitored include those designated A or 02 in the database — this includes: Ithaca Gun FactoRdls;NYSEG—FirstGtreet(manufactured gas facility) & Court Street (coal tar); North Meadow (Dry cleaner); Emerson/Morse industrial — Chainworks. For the Ithaca Falls area, off site irnpacts are still being monitored...gas vapors. All of the area has been remediated except the cliff base. Developer Frost Travis has agreed to put a fence on the south side of the gorge for safe public access. The former bridge to the overlook had to be removed due to heavy contamination. It would be expensive to replace the bridge and there would be no easy access to work on it once the area is developed. The Gun factory chimney fate is still unknown, has historic significance but also presents a hazard — Council will have to decide. 3. Questions regarding DEC clean-up plans a. Tom Shelley questioned why Nates FIoral Estates is not on the EnvironmentalSite Remediation list. Nels Bohn stated, they are not on that list because a developer is not breaking ground on the site. There has been a lot of investigation of Nates Floral Estates over the past two years and the property owner does have a few items to address. b. Dan Hoffman asked about an old manufactured gas plant site located between the Waste Water Treatment Plant and Cascadilla Creek. Nels Bohn said NYSEG has taken responsibility to clean it up. c. Gary Priscott is the DEC project representative that deals with some of the City's projects and he is available to answer questions on sites he oversees. Nels will send contact information. 4. Staff Reports: Staff is not present. 5. Old Business: 5.1. Memorial Policy Update — Tyler Moeller and Monika Roth attended the October 15, 2019 Board of Public Works (BPW) meeting to present the drafpolicy. The BPW is concerned that the policy not make extra work for City Staff. It was explained that PRNR would screen applications for donations once a year in October or November and discuss applications with staff and then take the agreed upon applications to BPW for approval. It is assumed that projects could then be planned in winter when stafare less busy. Tyler Moeller will discuss with Jeanne Grace, since she will be doing the implementation of the items. Further discussion centered on having unrestricted donations made to address priority parks, recreation and natural areas needs, rather than focusing just on trees and benches. Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission October 17, 2019 The Commission has a list of projects for parks generated by staff, that needs to be shared with BPW. Further concerns were expressed about the city website and getting the donation application and information on the site (need to talk with Melody Faraday). Monika Roth made a motion that PRNR send a letter of commitment to review the memorial donation applications and make recommendations for installation. Tom Shelley second, all in favor. 5.2. Tree retention updates — Jeanne Grace told Monika Roth that she will present a summary of the proposed ordinance to this Commission in November with hopes that it will go to the Planning and Economic Committee in December. 5.3. Budget requests — Jeanne Grace gave Monika Roth an update. The budget should be approved around the middle of November. The tree lawn area along Cayuga St. side of Dewitt Park is in the Mayor's budget. The City Cemetery vault repairs received donations from Cornell, so it is requiring less money from the City. The Swan Pond repairs did not get approved. Park signage was included in the Mayor's budget. 5.4. Other — Todd Bittner and Cynthia Brock wrote letters regarding the City Harbor Waterfront development plan. If we want to comment on this project we should do so at the Planning Board meeting next Tuesday 10/22/19. Scott Freyburger and Tom Shelley offered to draft a letter regarding the storm water. Dan Hoffman will write an additional paragraph for that letter suggesting they reduce the car entrances into the parking lot to one crossing of the waterfront trail instead of two and full street infrastructure for the current dirt road servicing the boat slips. Dan Hoffman proposed we send comments to the planning board concerning water handling, bike issues regarding the waterfront trail and the East West access. Mickey Sanders-Jauquet second, all in favor. 6. New Business: 6.1. Moving forward to address unfinished business — Deer; Natural Areas Plan & Position proposal; Green spaces within development projects; other suggestions. See attached list titled PRNR Business. Grants - The County has a grant program for $5,000 for municipal parks and trails, the application is due in March. We need to meet with Jeanne Grace to see where the highest priority is and apply at the beginning of the year. Green space — Tom Shelley, Scott Freyburger and Monika Roth met with Megan Wilson to review what currently exists in zoning code. Scott Freyburger, Tom Shelley and Mickie Sanders-Jauquet will be the group working on this going forward. Green New Deal - There will be opportunity for public input. It is important that the plan acknowledge the importance of trees and green space to carbon mitigation. As a starting point, Nina Bassuk, Shade Tree Subcommittee chair, has data available on the benefit of trees for reducing energy costs in urban areas. Adopt a Park — Need to develop a process to work with volunteers. It was suggested that PRNR could host neighborhood meetings to get input on what residents would like to see in parks near their homes. PRNR should make recommendations, but not organize the volunteers. There are some active neighborhood associations which would be a good starting place. Adopt a Trail — There is a county wide trail group that meets to discuss overall trail development and connectivity. Monika Roth will share information. Ithaca Falls - Tyler Moeller suggested we reach out to the public about improvements to Ithaca Falls and Ezra tunnel, especially now that there is development planned for the area, maybe a subcommittee can be created. Per Monika Roth, we could also look into County Tourism Grant (via TCAD) for a feasibility study for improvements to the falls as a tourism destination. Tom Shelley suggested an archeological park as part of the park complex on the area's industrial history. General goals - Would like to see City Parks listed on the city web site. Need to focus on Natural Areas Manager position next year and that person would look for funding/grants for natural areas. Maybe this position could be shared with the Town and/or County. 6.2. Commission Vacancies — Looking ahead to year end, terms ending for Roth, Freyburger, Leventry, Sanders- Jauquet. Members should be thinking about whether you will apply for another term. Four people have applied to fill vacancies. Monika Roth will set up phone interviews with the candidates on 11/14/19 between 5-6 PM, this is the 2 Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission October 17, 2019 hour prior to our next meeting. Any Commissioner that can attend is welcome to sit in. Monika Roth will send a spreadsheet to the Commissioners with the candidate's information from their application to review. 6.3. Other - Art in the park. Monika Roth will send an email to the Planning Department and the Community Life Commissioner about the sculptures proposed to be located in Baker Park and Cass Park. Art work in the parks should come to our commission for review and discussion about exact location. 7. Environmental review subcommittee report: See attached for Tom Shelley's report. 8. Minutes — Review and approve 9/9/19: Dan Hoffman would like the units of measurement listed under 4.3. Debbie Swartz will check with Jeanne Grace and add it. Mickie Sanders-Jauquet made a motion to approve, Tyler Moeller second and all were in favor. 9. Member Announcements: None 10. Next meeting is Thursday November 14, 2019. Note: Moving to Thursday due to Veteran's Day. 11. Adjournment: On a motion the meeting was adjourned at 8:17 pm Debbie Swartz Financial Management Assistant Monika Roth Chair - Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission Hazardous Waste Sites under review - Information provided by Nels Bohn, IURA (10/2/2019) A good starting place to get the lay of the land about hazardous waste sites is to review the NYSDEC environmental site remediation database for the City of Ithaca. Type in "Ithaca" in the City prompt and a list of 22 sites in the City and Town should come up. Remediation at several of the listed sites has been completed. The information for some sites appears not to have been.updated in some cases. For instance, the Clinton West Plaza dry cleaner site was recently determined complete, but the narrative is not updated. A note on Program acronyms: BCP = Brownfield Cleanup Program (program to assist private sector purchaser not responsible for contamination remediate brownfield site) ERP = Environmental Restoration Program (program to assist municipality not responsible for contamination remediate brownfield site) HW = Hazardous Waste (regulatory program compelling responsible party to remediate hazardous waste disposal.site)_. _._ ....-.- .-.-.._ _ ._:_ ......:: _._..._.. __.. _._ _.._.-.. _...._..... _.___....__._.... ............_.... VCP = Voluntary Cleanup Program (legacy program replaced by BCP) A note on "Site Class": Alphabet Sites are listed on the State Superfund registry. Numbered sites are non -registered site. A = Active C = Completed N = No Further Action (required) 02 = Hazardous Waste confirmed that poses a significant threat to human health or the environment 04 = Closed with site management reporting required PRNR may want to focus oversight energies on "A" and "02" sites where remediation has not been completed. Requesting updates and site specific information from NYSDEC can move a project to the top of the list for NYSDEC staff juggling multiple work assignments, let NYSDEC staff know the community seeks an appropriate remediation and avoid "regulatory capture" where the interests ofthe property owner is prioritized over the public interest. Please note that some sites are divided into individual operating units or separate regulatory programs. The area impacted from Ithaca Gun factory operations has five separate listings to reflect differing property ownership or funding and regulatory programs: 1. Former Ithaca Gun Factory 2. Former Ithaca Gun Factory - Off-site 3. Ithaca Falls Proposed Park 4. Ithaca Falls Overlook 5. Ithaca Gun Company Site The Tompkins Public Library is the local repository where NYSDEC and EPA post information about each site. Here's my brief summary status report on the sites you mentioned: Ithaca Gun area City -owned Ithaca Falls Overlook site - remediation completed, on-going site management Former Factory site - Site investigation complete. Remedial alternatives analysis submitted to DEC by property owner. DEC requested modifications to include more alternatives. Next step: NYSDEC will select an a draft remediation for public comment prior to implementing selected remediation. This will be an opportunity for the public to review and comment on the proposed remediation. Cliff and floor of Ithaca Falls Gorge - EPA jurisdiction. Waiting on EPA proposal to address lead -impacted soils accumulating at base of the gorge wall. Recent sampling showed.no.lead,excee.dances..on. the_ public p.athway.lead ng_to_the.Falls.but a need.to..__. contain lead -impacted deposition. Chainworks Remediation is on-going. Original Record of Decisions (ROD) required cleanup only to industrial standards. Chainworks is conducting a higher level remediation to authorize residential use for portions of the site. Emerson (responsible party) and Chainworks will request an amendment to the ROD to authorize residential use where residential cleanup standards are met. Emerson will continue to own a contaminated portion of the site at the top of 5. Cayuga Street where on-going water and air pumping continues to remove contaminants. Dry Cleaners • Clinton West, 609-625 W. Clinton - closed: remediated with on-going site management • Campagnolo, 503-51.1 N. Meadow - closed: remediated with on-going site management • 33.5 N. Meadow - remediation implemented - unclear if it is closed Nate's Floral Estates Data collected to date collected by NYSDEC as part of a statewide initiative to analyze the impact on former dumps on drinking water does not indicate conditions at Nate's constitute a hazardous waste designation, though seeps discharging to the flood control relief channel (adjacent to Wegmans) exceed standards in the waterway and sediments that adversely impacts the environment and retention of the soil cap over the former landfill needs to be addressed to protect human health. Contamination at Nate's (former City dump) is not considered to rise to the level of an inactive hazardous waste listing at this time. For more information about the site investigation at Nate's see this link. Environmental Site Remediation Database Search EWYORK STATE OF. • OPPORTUNITY Department of Environmental Conservation. hops://www. de c.ny. gov/cfnx/extapps/derexterna1/haz/results. cfm?... Environmental Site Remediation Database Search Results -•-'• .`.Record Count:.22......•Rovis:~1:-to-22. . s. Export XLS { Export CSV ( Export kW •.• . • Site Code Site Name : • 2 Former Axiohm_Facility.: .;, OFF -SITES Former Axiohm • 2 G755012A Facility I3v,- 3 t C755019s Former:Ithaca,Gun Factory , BCP; C7501"9• A :Former Ithaca Gun Factory -, OffBGP Program. Site.' Class • a z .Old Agway Petroleum Site =:ERF - 800074•. ;..Taughannock Boulevard Site eool2o 1#haca Falls Proposed Park- - • E755018w . `1thaCa Falls Overlook 'City of Jthaca"dire 1'rairiiii School .... 0 _' 55005 j NYSEG'- Ithaca First:St. MGP.•. . -'NY.•SEG ; Ith'aca:C'ayugaInlet • County City/town.' -Address Tompkins Ithaca •• • .9.501Danby._Road, Tompkins Ithaca , 950 Danby Road :Tompkin'slthaca.: 1217:125 Lake Street Tompkins Ithaca' 121'-125.Lake Street -�• Tarripkins•Ithaca. ompkins Ithaca 50B, Tauglja nocks.4.0 levy 500' Block Taughanriac •�Boulevard'•`'�' . " Tompkins Ithaca 'ompkns Ithaca •TompkirieIthaca Tompkins lthi'aca•'' First Street •(NY Route. 1.4 :..Torripkins lth'eOa . West Court Street .Tompkins Ithaca: , . Court Street Tompkins Ithaca NYS. Route .96B • ,:,,:Tamp. nslthaca.• ; :-503-511;.,Noith Meadow•Str Tarrppkinsithaca'• . 315 North Meadow Street.,. Totmpkins`Ithaca 609-525 West GItnton Streee - 'Tompkins lt'hac:` . 'Danby'Road , . Tori pkins Ithaca . Danby Road .. Tompkins Ithaca 414 Elmira Rd> Tompkins Ithaca : 12:1. Lake.St: Tompkins Ithaca 503-511: North' Meadow Street Tompkins• Ithaca • 507-511'•N:orth Meadow. Street: .,..,••:,•. ,:-;::•,..., ...,.: ,,,:•::::-:•..:,gin:-.•., , :.:.:; 12-= 75500$= 1 s 75501Q 1:. 755013 I.. 15 .7s56.1.4 1-6 -755015 755016. .1 ;.... lake Street 3 I`01Nest Green Street NYSEG Ithca•CourtSt: MGP .:HW:. Morse .fndustrialCorporation•• • -HW Campagnolo. Property.•...,,,; : •.•:......:.HVii 315 North•.Meadow Street:: C�{rnton�V1(est Plaza : •��., NCR Sewer-Off"sife:' .••• 18 755017 j • NCR .Sewer. ;`=19 =V0026s ;; Star 031 Compo 20 V0051s .;.Ithaca Gun Compariy Si#e;° ' 21; V00590 Campagriol.o' Property, 22' V0066s .. Campagrioto.Propeity '' Refine This Search ' I • VCP: 1 of 1 10/17/2019, 5:20 PM P1oTFad:Jm 28, 20T1 — 1:36PN Sri By. 1.02 I;\sT,arad\1300\1V7002\GROUNDWAmaV107002 FIC ZB.dprq 00t 2. �..... ��77ir1.... cit .i..n.z y ��- zrrgm .tea Tri Z. _0z>-. • -..: s.DA rrE -cr 73-m v; o �, �dc v0. v� m 0 mOz a v c"03 pz* 0< >7 0-a aT a b -1 0�1 Z M —IM ZZ> y artdu feci1lici;;D C. ITHACA URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY ITHACA FALLS OVERLOOK SITE PLAN — REMEDIAL JURISDICTIONS TC PIANS COW • Develop (or Revlso) RI Work Plan Including CP Plan ryComm nt Period on RI ork Plan (Fact Sheol( BCP Investigation Process Y SIgnlaoant Revisions to RI Work Plan? 14 Inor Rovislons to RI Wo Plan (as necessary) • Approve RI Work Plan. RI Start • of OEC Letter Approving • RI Work Plan . Complete.MvestigoLlotR �. leisSepet9teFlowCtia tfgf JRM.Ftgcedures find.... • • R0E14' iilenta'• .1RMs Pedormed? • o Makas_Signlli Issue Investigation Report • Fact Sheet blah Threat DalarroNailon ••4SlgntfidenlThreat Site? 'arrner'[tbaca,.Gpn •Factoryprojecf , is at this Step in the B.CP• program asof DEC Approves Remodlal I,pvestigaltop Repott:. . • Dovalop Remedial Work.• Plan with Allematlyeit. . Analysis.. DEC Review/Approval of Allemhltves Analyals • .BCP a Brownfield Cleanup Program BCA = Brownfield Cleanup Agraoment CP = Clifton Pardclpegon IRM = Interim Remedial Measuro RWW= Remedial Work Plan • TAG= Technical Assistance Grants RD = Remodlal Design RA= Remodlal Mikan COC = Certificate of Completion IC = Instdullonol Control EC =Engineering Control PR = Pedodls Review SM = Ske Management Requires DOH PM approval, e•tnall sufficient "Requires DOH Bureau Director Coneunence AS•Day Comment Period on Proposed Remedy (Fact Shoat) Y DEC Issues 00 and Approyes,' Remedial Work Plan (Remedy Selection)" RI End: Date of Leger Approving Remedial Work Plan NYSDEC Environmental Remediation Process • Remedial Investigation Work Plan/Report • prepared by applicant • mail fact sheets: (1) availability of Work Plan; (2) Results • Proposed Remedial Act on Plan (PRAP) • Released by NYSDEC • Public Meeting & 30 -clay public comment period OecOrd:of DeciSion ROO) ., • . • • Issued by NYSDEC: • • • mail:notice:to coptpct . • . • • • . •;•„, . , , .• . ' • • • • . • • emedial Work Ian. • • • • Prepared by aPPlicant • ''• ••• mail fact sheet about upcoming remedial action •• •. • Remedial Action/Ftnal•Engineering Report • . • Prepared by applitant:. •• teitifiCate 'Of COrn-pletion,tcoc) . • Prepared by NYSDEC • • • .• • mail fact sheet to contact list': • • • • • • . . • . • : , . • • • • nvironmental Easement 8t.InStititional:COnfrols. • Interim Remedial Measure (IRM): If IRM represents a significant part of remedy: • Mail faction sheet about IRM Work Plan • Public Meeting & 30 -day public comment period PRNR Business Progressing Anticipated next steps/completion -Memorial Policy Nov BPW, done byyearend, promote in spring -Deer JeanneismeetinQvviththeK8/haSnnith8kDunCogan Aboutacnoperat/vaogneement—baitstatiunson 2 city Pnoport/eu—PRNRvote/Dedtnmovafonward Deer P!ots — looking at data, info in Nov -Park signage In city budget (Council votes in Nov) — then finalize design & installation plans -Private property tree removal Dec Planning & Econ Dev agenda Work to move forward on in 2020 ,.Natural-areas/ranger position Group�work-on-this~�ni-Hannah7Todd-B,-Paul-P., others? -County Grant for city parks -Green space requirements for new Development projects -- ' Relates also to In -Fill and to Biophilla goals Feb or March due date...review possible projects Group to work on this —Scott, Tom, Mickie -Adopt a Park Group to work on this? Get updates -Geese -Green New Deal Is there a plan for 2020 as in 2019? How to integrate green spaces as part of plan Notes from the Planning and Devlopment Board Project Review Committee meeting, Oct. 10, 2019 1. 620 S. Aurora St., aka Chain Works. This is a "minor subdivision" in which .897 acres (OU -1) is being split off from the main area of the project to be retained by Emersonsub 15 LLC (the current owner) so that on-going remedation of the site can be continued. The remaining 95.04 acres (OU -2) is being conveyed to L Enterprises LLC so that Phase I of the Chain Works project can now start. All environmental reviews, rezoning and other permit requirements are in place for Phase I to begin. The subdivision also includes easements for the proposed Gateway Trail, a primary and two alternative routes, so that the long awaited Gateay Trail can now be built out as well. 2. 411-415 College Avenue. The review of the redevelopment of the Chacona Block (Student Agencies, CIB, etc.) is under way. The project is next to the Cascadilla gorge which is an environmentally sensitive area. 3. 101 Pier Rd., aka City Harbor /Guthrie Clinic Development Approval of Phase I of this project is in the works. Notably, a secondary, independent project is the removal of the existing docks and sea wall to be rebuilt in unison with the dredging of the section of Cascadilla Creek from the Rt. 13 bridge '' * to*the mouth' of Cascadilla Creek. -Apparently DEC and Army Corps of Engineers approvals for this project will be in place by the time the dredging starts. The developer noted that thisis a critical subproject as the docks are all rented for the next boating season. The Golf Course Community Building and golf course parkingwill be part of Phase II of this project. 4. Immaculate Conception Redevelopment Project. Appovals for this project are underway. There are no real environmental issues involved. Noteworthy is that the new apartment/townhouse structures are being built 3-4 feet off the ground (as with many nearby Victorian age houses) as the water table is only 5 feet below the ground. Many of us are living in a fprmer swamp!