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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2025-07-03 1 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board July 3, 2025, 5:30 p.m. (In Person at Town Hall and via Zoom Video Conference) Final Minutes Members Present: Lori Brewer, James Hamilton, Eva Hoffmann, Ingrid Zabel, Frank Cantone. Staff Present: Michael Smith (Senior Planner) Guests: Pete Loucks 1. Persons to be heard: None 2. Members comments/concerns a. Frank asked the difference between a Conservation Advisory Council and Conservation Board? Having and using an Open Space Plan for project review for a board and not for a council was the main difference. Actions/recommendations of both titles are advisory. Mike passed around a paper copy of the Town’s Open Space Plan (also available on the website and in the town hall library). b. Ingrid confirmed that it was agreeable to the board to invite the Lansing Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) to the September meeting. c. All agreed to review the Town of Ithaca Open Space plan as well as the Town of Lansing plan between now and the September meeting. 3. Environmental Review Committee: a. No current projects for environmental review 4. Chair report: a. Lori reported on a short potential letter of support for a grant application to the NYS E PF for the Town Hall Weatherization project. The draft language was agreed to, with the addition of the reasons to support the grant including energy conservation in historic building that is being re-used. Lori will draft the letter and e-mail it to the board before sending it to the Town Supervisor. b. A summary from an environmental group newsletter on a recent NYS DEC Plastic Carpet Law webinar was mentioned. Submitting comments to NYS was discussed, a link to DEC details, deadline and other information will be sent around. None were opposed to sending a general letter to note the issue matters and is important to the Conservation Board. Coordinator report: c. Babcock Ridge trail - working on design plan. d. South Hill Preserve moving forward, not aware of any additional grant funding available. 5. Approval of Minutes: a. June 5, 2025 minutes. The minutes were approved with Frank so moving and Ingrid seconding, all in favor. 6. Recap of the scenic resources sign project (Eva) was moved to October. 2 7. Plan for a Tutelo Park plant walk event (Ingrid). a. Discussion with Mike Roberts and Stephen Henhawk is anticipated for more detailed planning. Town Supervisor is aware of the discussion beginning and is in support of a ribbon cutting , some type of ceremony or guided walk. A sign for the plant walk/trail is being finalized, which will be installed by the DPW staff. 8. Regular reports and updates: a. Scenic Views Committee: No news b. Communications Committee i. Ingrid shared the Facebook statistics data for the month. Use was higher compared to previous month. ii. A photo of potential flyer/poster to post around the town to promote the parks and other open space areas was passed around. The flyer would potentially have a QR code to link the town website with more information. Ingrid will draft a town specific flyer to share with Joe Talbut (Parks Maintenance Manager) for initial comments or concerns. c. Tompkins County EMC i. Moving forward with the Strategic plan will be discussed at the upcoming meeting. A Cornell student class helped design the strategic plan document that identified work goals over the next 5 years. Ingrid will share the document and information with the CB. ii. Ingrid asked if she could share any additional letter from the CB on the PFAS and or Plastic Carpet Law to the EMC; none were opposed to sharing of another letter, if one is done. d. Six Mile Creek Volunteer Monitors: i. BMI sampling anticipated at the end of August for Six Mile Creek when flow rate is within required limits. ii. On 8/27 volunteers will take scheduled synoptic sample of Six Mile’s 16 usual sites from Yellow Barn to Plain St downtown for bacterial, physical and chemical indicators of stream health. It is hopeful there is a high water event at that time for the samples. iii. Journey of Water program called 4H20 to educate families on water quality field science. e. Cornell Botanic Gardens Natural Areas Volunteers: i. Blazing and trail maintenance in the Ringwood Ponds Preserve ii. Pruning, checking boundaries Bald Hill in Caroline iii. Garlic Mustard pruning / seed harvesting in the Varna Park area rather than digging and disturbing the soil. iv. Trail clearing at Fischer Preserve in Newfield 9. Review 2025 Work Goals (Frank). a. Tree Planting went well b. Invite Joe Talbut, Parks Manager, to a future CB meeting 3 10. Other business: a. Frank suggested posting information on Facebook and the website about the common invasive weed species like garlic mustard and removal methods b. Cancel August meeting c. September Agenda: Lansing CAC guest, keep Tutelo Park walk on for update. 11. Adjourn: 6:30 pm Minutes drafted by Abby Homer, Planning Admin.