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