HomeMy WebLinkAboutAG Minutes 2015-05-12
Agriculture Committee Members and Associates (*)
A.J. Teeter Farm (Debbie Teeter), Devon Van Noble*, Forest Family Farm (Claire Forest), Ithaca Equestrian
Center (Russ Wedemeyer, Chair), Lance Ebel*, Laughing Goat Fiber Farm (Lisa Ferguson), Steep Hollow Farm
(Christianne White), Sweyolakan Farm (Jamie Baker), Tree Gate Farm (Sharon Tregaskis, Vice-Chair)
TOWN OF ITHACA
AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE
6:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Aurora Street Conference Room
215 N. Tioga Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
(The rear entrance is handicapped accessible)
607-273-1747
AGENDA
6:00 pm 1. Persons to be heard
6:05 pm 2. Member Announcements / Concerns
6:10 pm 3. Chair and Coordinator Reports / Updates
6:15 pm 4. Ithaca Town Board Report / Update
6:25 pm 5. Approval of Minutes – January 27, 2015
6:30 pm 6. Town Board Farm Tour 2015
a. Review feedback regarding how last year’s farm tour went
b. Goals and objectives of the farm tour
c. Timing for this year’s tour
d. Selection of farms to participate
e. Insuring an impactful visit
6:50 pm 7. Outreach; how do we increase the participation of the Ag Committee
with additional farmers
a. Ideas (bring a “guest” farmer / spouse)
b. Key people to reach out to
7:10 pm 8. Update on the Town’s Economic Development Committee – Inlet
Valley Corridor (possible farmer opportunities)
7:30 pm 9. Tompkins County Farm leadership notes
7:50 pm 10. Other Business
8:00 pm 11. Adjourn
Please call (607-273-1747) or email
(msmith@town.ithaca.ny.us) if you cannot attend
Agriculture Committee
Town of Ithaca
May 12,2015, 6 P.M.
Final Minutes
Members Present: Debbie, Alan and Abigail Teeter, Claire Forest, Russ Wedemeyer, Christianne White,
Lisa Ferguson, Sharon Tregaskis, Dean Koyanagi
Others Present: Rod Howe, Bill Goodman, Mike Smith, Greg Reynolds (Glenwood Farms)
5. Approval of Minutes:Alan Teeter moved to approve the January 27, 2015 minutes, seconded by Clare
Forest, passed.
2. Member Announcements/Concerns:Tree Gate Farm experienced a fire and loss of outbuilding, and
thanks Mike Smith for coaching them through the process of applying for the necessary permits. He
provided a friendly voice from the Town offices and answered many of the questions that came up that
were not addressed by the Town web site.
4. Ithaca Town Board Report: Bill reported that the COC is still working on the sign ordinance. There
have been no changes since the last draft. Murals are under discussion. There still is time to comment
during May. The main idea behind the restrictions on off-premise signs is to keep billboards out.
Rezoning will be the next big task. The last total rezoning was in 2003. Town is especially considering
form-based zoning for the TND traditional neighborhood development areas by East Hill Plaza, and
South Hill and 96B. There are no plans for extending water and sewer anywhere. Clare Forrest has a
concern that agriculture will be impeded.
6. Town Board Farm Tour 2015: Farm visits by Town Board members are under consideration for fall.
How long should be spent in each location? Teeters could easily fill an hour. Maybe try less locations
and a little more time this year. The Town Board cannot influence Code Enforcement but it's good for
the Town Board to see the farms and understand the impact of Town policies. The visits will not be the
venue to solve problems. There are 24 farms in the Town, but not all of them would be interested in
participating in future Board tours. Visits would be about relationship building. Teeters would like to
host the fall visit. Perhaps Indian Creek Farm and Jackman Vineyards would be interested. Lisa would
be interested in participating again. Christianne and Russ are willing to be backups if needed. Mike will
start to contact Town Board members for a possible date and farmers to start scheduling the tour.
Town Board is interested in changing the climate of the code enforcement office. They have been
surveying visitors to the office. It is possible that 2 code enforcement officers will be retiring within the
next year, which comprises half the department. Reorganization is possible.
7. Outreach: Debbie mentioned that there are many items in the Town's Ag Plan that the Committee
could be working on. It would be nice to get some of the younger generation to start attending
meetings.
10. Other Business: Greg Reynolds from Glenwood Farms in Ulysses visited and told a little of his story.
He runs the bison farm. His family owned the Glenwood Pines until 1950. He is the current Vice-
president of the Tompkins County Farm Bureau. He recommends we take a look at Article 25 in the Ag
and Markets law, especially to learn how to challenge restrictions that restrict farms. The Town
Planning Board should have a farm owner on the Planning Board.
8. Town's Economic Development Committee—Inlet Valley Corridor: Rod mentioned recent activity of
the committee and that the Town would be applying for a consolidated funding grant for a planning and
feasibility study for the corridor.
Meeting adjourned at 7:34 pm.
Minutes by Christianne White