HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PRNR-2020-02-10
PARKS, RECREATION AND
NATURAL RESOURCES
COMMISSION MINUTES
PRESENT:
Commissioners – (7) Roth (Chair), Cotman, Darling, Figary, Freyburger, Hoffman, Shelley
OTHERS PRESENT:
Common Council Liaisons – Brock, Kerslick
Financial Management Assistant – Swartz
City Forester – Grace
Deputy Youth Bureau Director – D’Alterio
EXCUSED: Leventry, Moeller
1. Call to order:
1.1. Statement from the Public: Jan Lawless, an Ithaca resident. Is there a way to appeal the sculpture in Baker
Park that got approved?
1.2. Commission Response: Recommended to contact Joseph (Seph) Murtagh or Ducson Nguyen, the
Alderpersons of the Second Ward, to appeal with the signatures collected. This commission will continue to work on
developing a policy on art in the parks.
1.3. Agenda Review: No changes.
2. January Minutes – Review / approve: Dan Hoffman made changes. Mark Darling made a motion to approve
with the changes, Stephanie Figary second, all in favor.
3. Staff Reports: Jeanne Grace put trail closed signs in the South Hill Recreation Trail/Six Mile Creek Natural area
that is currently undergoing water and sewer work. Unsure of the duration of the project. Scott Freyburger will
contact Erik Whitney at the Water and Sewer Division to get more details. Jeanne reported that there is a policy
regarding work in natural areas - the code states that any work (other than non-emergency) should be presented to
the Parks Commission, now PRNR before work starts.
4. Old Business:
4.1. Memorial policy – final draft for BPW approval. The following changes were recommended:
The cost of the item should reflect the maintenance of that item. Costs will not be listed in the policy as these
may change over time, however, they will be included on the registry list of items needed in each park.
Revise the wording in section E: PRNR reviews and approves memorial donations at their October or
November meeting and present recommendations to BPW in November/December. Change installation in
spring after donation approval depending on workload.
Motion: Tom Shelley made a motion to move the Memorial Policy forward to BPW with the changes. Mark Darling
second, all in favor.
4.2. Tree Retention Policy update from PEDC meeting - Jeanne Grace reported there was some concern about city
regulation of private property as well as additional wor kload this might produce. Next step – Jeanne Grace is
checking with the City’s attorney for input regarding liability and will contract other cities with such policies to see how
much work is involved and how concerns about liability, private property rights are addressed. She also needs to
check with the Planning Department to see if this requires SEQR review. Jeanne Grace will bring information back to
PRNR before going to the PEDC.
4.3. Update on Art in Parks status – info only. The two proposed sculptures for Baker and Cass Park were approved
by Common Council even though there were concerns expressed by the two PRNR liaisons from Council. Monika
Roth suggested a letter to Common Council and Mike Thorne to state that PRNR is in the process of creating a
policy on art in parks and that we were disappointed when two sculptures were approved before having a policy in
place. Specific issues of concern are safety and liability.
Date: February 10, 2020
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Common Council Chambers,
3rd Floor, City Hall
Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission
February 10, 2020
2
4.4. Art in Parks policy development. Members Mark Darling and Emily Cotman have done some research into
policy that other cities have in place. Some put the liability on the artist to carry insurance, some cities only do
temporary sculptures and art installations, and some only do permanent art. NYC requires the artist to endow the art
to cover the maintenance cost $50,000-$100,000 to get $1,000-$2,000 annually. Each park is unique and a review
of what would be appropriate for each park is needed. The City should also have the ability to remove the art at any
time. For many parks, it may be more appropriate to solicit proposals for functional art vs sculpture art as a way to
address infrastructure needs. Mark and Emily will keep working on a policy proposal.
4.5. Park Grants:
(a.) IURA due 2/28/20 - pursue Stewart Park playground installation for Wood St. Park. Megan Wilson in
planning also brought this to Jeanne Grace’s attention. This group does not have to work on this grant, because
Megan Wilson is already starting the process. Monika Roth suggested a letter of support. Jeanne will plan to meet
with Megan Wilson and Tim Logue to work out details
(b.) County Funding for municipal parks grant $5000 –reviewed ideas from last meeting. Due 4/2/2020, the
project needs to be completed within a year.
Creating a trail from Cliff Street down to Cass Park is very steep. Would have to be a lot of switchbacks and
the work could get washed out. It is bounded by the Black Diamond Trail, so there is not a lot of room to
work with. Suggested hiring a consultant to work out a plan for this trail.
Look at master plan to see recommendations.
Suggested a sand volley ball court at Cass Park.
Lighting improvements, benches and/or picnic tables at Washington Park.
New back stop at Auburn Park, estimate from Whitmore Fence was $5000.
Action: Subcommittee will work on this - Mark Darling, Scott Freyburger, Jim D’Alterio and Jeanne Grace.
4.6. Six Mile Creek Trail Feasibility Study update (if any). No update at this time.
5. 2020 Work plan – Further discussion, assign work groups including advisors, identify tasks and timelines, discuss
meeting schedules.
Memorial policy – work in progress.
Park signs will be made and installed in the parks this Spring/Summer.
Natural Areas review and moving towards a Natural Areas Manager position.
Action: Subcommittee to work on this, Dan Hoffman, Todd Bitner, Hannah George, Paul Paradine and Emily
Cotman. The goal would be to develop a position description, justification and cost associated by June.
Some tasks of manager: Natural areas review and recommendations for improvements. Gorge safety needs to
be addressed. Jeanne Grace mentioned that Tourism is another important justification to emphasize.
Policy development on green space with green new deal.
Deer plan – a 2 year study.
Create a Parks and Recreation department.
6. Environmental reviews. No new projects at this time.
7. Member Announcements.
On 2/24/20 at the Tompkins County Library at 7:00 PM, the League of Women Voters will sponsor a panel
presentation about Climate Change. The program is free and open to the public.
On 2/26/20 visioning of our food system plan – at the Tompkins County Library, 5:30-8:00 PM.
8. Next meeting – Monday March 9, 2020 - Presentation - Ithaca Children’s Garden building plans.
9. Adjournment: On a motion the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM.
Debbie Swartz
Financial Management Assistant
Monika Roth
Chair - Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission