Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CLC-2019-12-16 COMMUNITY LIFE COMMISSION MINUTES PRESENT: Chair Swayze Commissioners (6): Keeler, Scriber, Hillson, Byrne, Das & Scriber OTHERS PRESENT: Executive Assistant Hallett-Harris & Common Council Liaison Lewis & Fleming Excused: Hillson Absent: Bakhle GUESTS: Julie Holcomb, City of Ithaca Clerk. Meeting called to order: 6:04 p.m. Review and Approval of Minutes: November 18, 2019 Minutes: 1st Scriber and Das 2nd – All in favor. Minutes approved. Julie Conley Holcomb, City of Ithaca Clerk/Workforce Violence Committee – She is doing Emergency Building Evacuation Training for all commissions. All different kinds of emergencies; fire alarm, bomb scare, natural gas smell, etc., including active shooter. So, in case of fire/fire alarm, exit the bldg. using one of two emergency exits. When we have evacuated the bldg., for fire CLC should congregate to Green Street Parking Garage and stay together as a group. Bomb scare or gas smell/explosion do not go to Green Street Garage, because of danger of explosion, etc. Active shooter there would be two ways – door for Planning will be open and go through office and then straight down to 1st floor; person w/mobility issues should wait by stairwell so that responders can get to them; do not use elevator in case of fire; active shooter go Planning offices in secure/safe area; away from windows behind something that may slow down bullets. Avoid, Deny, Defend – throw things, go for the eyes, throat and groin. There is a first aid kit just outside the Chambers door on the right and blood borne kit as well. 2 nd floor Conference Room has the same layout, as does every floor, and use HR office to get through to stairs. Have situational awareness. There is a panic alarm on desk in Chambers. They are looking at having sign in sheets so that everyone who is in the building can be accounted for. Leave all your belongings, they can get TCAT to come and get things and then arrange to get everyone’s belongings back. Any questions email her, and more developed things will be shared with us. Emergency Card was given that stays in the laptop bag that should be read at the beginning of each meeting for staff and members of the public. Nels Bohn Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency – EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant Application Date: December 16, 2019 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Common Council Chambers, 3rd Floor, City Hall Community Life Commission December 16, 2019 2 Affordable housing/grants/environment review Ithaca Falls project site; EPA Grant – City has hired a grants identifier this is for planning and assessment component – identify sites in the community. Assessment to be done before lending – redevelopment of site – phase 1 environment analyses - $3-$5,000 – if potential site then onto phase 2 analyses onsite digging soil samples $5000+ ; City project or acquiring property for City like garden; affordable housing one way to defray the cost – if community presents anything to have this as a resource to analyze the question; Nate’s Floral Estates identified some issues there are no human health concern but environment concern, this grant could potentially help them - $300,000 to support local community efforts, was not awarded last year, resubmitted this year and must have process of community engagement and feedback as a resource to discuss issues; forum to select issues, select sites ; and prioritize projects/areas; would need to hire an environment consultant to have in-house person and CLC to vet this. There is a 3-5month wait to see if grant will be funded. Next step is to come to CLC and have community be knowledgeable. He has gone to Northside United and Southill – interest from this group if granted given could be forum for public discussion or appointment of member from this commission; if issues that we find important then relay system to him; CLC questions –How long is money good for? Cannot apply for another grant until used the grant in full approximately 18 months. Need to identify groups of sites? 6-8 phase 1’s, 1-2 Phase 2’s and get cost documentation on file for grant funds and how many phase 1’s done, etc. More questions regarding for how to keep track of the grants, specific expenses and have it on file. The target sites given from a year ago in the application for the grant; some have already been developed; potential new sites to be identified; if City given the grant their office gives funds; CLC told what we need to do if there is any research, outreach, etc., any of those things that fit in that parameter and help the process and CLC assist with making grant transparent to the public and have guidance what properties to be site/priority list. Chair will let him know if there is a specific Commissioner want to head this up. The grant was just recently submitted and should know by end of March/April, 2020. Two different regulations between petroleum/environment contamination; Morris Chain was a private buy/not unusual to have some benefit to the community but could easily use entire budget. The impact on the neighborhood/water supply if targeting an issue and has been studied more than most. Should be identifying potential Brownfields not already identified sites, such as Nate’s, find sites that hasn’t been documented yet. He will keep us posted. Public Art: Keeler’s emailed RE: Color of statue and his voice regarding the vote, Chair stated that it has already passed through PEDC and on to Common Council; Chair advised that the PEDC moved both sculptures forward to Common Council; the color of The Tompkins Giant is not black/brown its brass with greenish/bluish color; see Keeler’s update of color picture from John Spence. Keeler advised that the working group had 2nd meeting and its going well; great group; people are starting homework; what are some of the priorities of the group/homework assignments: come up with action plan to come up with the why and what are they Community Life Commission December 16, 2019 3 doing and how and what are the goals for an arts program, what are the plans for money; how does it match with City’s goals; getting centered for what going for and looking at other city’s; community development and economic arts based; looking at other cities and how they get big artists and how generates monies for this. Lewis brought up that when talking about public art, other commissions are kept in the loop and staying in touch; like art in the parks; reviewing the public 2003 art plan and talking with Monika Roth for parks and looking at that together. Monika to have communication with her group so no repeating work. Chair advised that PEDC accessory dwelling unit conversation that is ongoing and our commission should be paying attention; one of our core things is housing, specifically rental housing. The Planning Department came up with new guidelines to somewhat loosen fairly strict regulations of how to build additional units on already developed property. CLC to keep eye on that and we could be asked for assistance in the future. CC Lewis - Accessory dwelling units these are attached like an attic/basement added on – detached accessory dwelling units, like a cottage (DADU’s). If you are building it then its permanent and be self-sustained, full sewage, etc. January 22 nd PEDC will continue this topic; detached, attached conversion units, can benefit from other City’s and what they have done and Planning Dept has put a lot of research into this. The biggest subject was whether there should be a requirement for landlord residence owner occupancy, there was strong opinions regarding this – more info see Minutes and Brian Crandall Ithaca Voice wrote article. Application for Advocacy Flags rec’d today; application handed out to CLC members – City is aware that we haven’t finish the final plan, but in the meantime we need to recommend this to Common Council. African American History Month in February, Pan African Flag – County did fly last year – reading potential requirements; size covered and they pick up when done and he checked both Cass Park and City Hall – Common Council decides this; do we feel that CLC can recommend this forward to Common Council to be flown in February. There was a suggestion of adding what the flag is onto application and they should indicate that there can be multiple flag sites. What are the dates and what location? Indication of where and clarification if one site, multiples sites: Motion made for recommendation on to Common Council Keeler made motion and Byrne 2nd motion - all in favor. Chair Commission Chairs met and talked with process going and what works’ best – going to have meetings w/Murtagh and Mohlenhoff and with Common Council Liaisons as well; talk about what is working and not working and what our core commissions are, Chair read out the list of what was appointed to us: Art/public art, rental housing and tenant rights, youth and youth development, IYB and GIAC were coming monthly, but they haven’t been coming or bringing items; vulnerable communities (refugee, immigrant, elderly, disabled) Town Gown & college students, LGBTQIA+, diversity & inclusion, sustainability - food and food systems and environmental remediation. Start thinking about what kinds of things we can be doing and on other commission the two things that she highlighted are the two things most useful at was research and community engagements/awareness. Community Life Commission December 16, 2019 4 Some Commissions have found ways to break down their topic areas so that there is more interaction happening; people are able to check in with appropriate people at City level and projects; if members are interested in something within these category and would like to more actively working on some of these projects, we can see what we can do, looking into 2020; email Chair if there are topics that hasn’t been gotten to and Chair will reach out to GIAC/IYB if there is something that can be helped. City-wide bullying taskforce coordinated with The Sophie Fund and will be presenting in February to CLC. Lewis anyone at the moment working on any sustainability issues? The Green Building Policy going in effect in early 2020 and Green New Deal would be valuable to have CLC members connected to current Sustainability Coordinator; there will be new staff soon. There is also a need to recruit new members for CLC. Chair advised that she has spoken to 3 interested in joining: Susi Li, Megan Nettleton and Maria Thomadaki. Chair reported to the Mayor regarding these. There are 2 members that need to be replaced and Bakhle has missed three meetings in a row but has stated he is interested in staying on. If you know someone that you could recommend, currently all Commissions have openings, reach out to Dan Cogan. Let Chair know if there are specific items that you would like to work on. Suggestions of more diversified members? The City posts these openings to list serves, social media, etc., suggestions of possibly contacting other areas like Northside United, Southhill, etc., younger people? If there are specific places, let Chair know or visit City website for more Commission information. Next meeting is scheduled for January 23, 2020, which is a holiday, as is February 17 th – the dates: Thursday, January 23 – Chair will be away, she will email to ask someone to fill in for the meeting, February 20th. Jody will check for room availability for both meetings? 7:12pm Adjourned Next Meeting: Monday, December 16, 2019, 6:00 p.m., Common Council Chambers, 3 rd Floor Adjournment: On a motion, the meeting was adjourned at 7:12 p.m. Respectfully Submitted by, Jody Hallett-Harris, Executive Assistant