HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - BC - 2014.12.04AGENDA
BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION
DECEMBER 4, 2014 @ 6:30 PM
BURLINGAME RECREATION CENTER
850 BURLINGAME AVE — Conference Room
L ROLL CALL
II. MINUTES
III. CORRESPONDENCE
IV. FROM THE FLOOR Speakers may address the Commission concerning any matter over which the
Commission has jurisdiction or of which it may take cognizance that is not on the agenda. Additional public comments
on agenda action items will be heard when the Commission takes up those items. The Ralph M. Brown Act (the State
local agency open meeting law) prohibits the Commission from acting on any matter that is not on the agenda.
Speakers are asked to fill out a "request to speak" card located on the table by the door and hand it to staff, although
provision of name, address or other identifying information is optional. Speakers are limited to three minutes each,
although the Commission may adjust the time limit in light of the number of anticipated speakers.
V. OLD BUSINESS
1) 2015 Business Landscape Award
VI. NEW BUSINESS
1) Cancellation of January 1It Beautification Commission Meeting
2) Rotation of Chairs — Richard Kirchner new Chair
3) 10 Elm Trees and 1 Eucalyptus Tree will be removed on El Camino Real Between
Howard Ave and Rosedale by Caltrans starting 12/8/14 to 12/19/14.
VII. REPORTS
1) Staff
2) Chairperson
3) Commissioners
VIII. UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS
Next Regular Meeting_ January 1, 2015
NOTICE: Any attendees wishing accommodations for disabilities should contact the Parks & Recreation Dept. at (650) 558-7330
at lease 24 hours before the meeting. A copy of the agenda packet is available for review at the Recreation Center, 850
Burlingame Avenue, during normal office hours. The Agendas and minutes are also available on the City's website:
www.burlingame.org.
Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Burlingame Beautification Commission regarding any items on this
agenda will be made available for public inspection at 850 Burlingame Avenue during normal business hours.
BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION
December 4, 2014
The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 6:30 pm by Chairperson
Hinckle.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chairperson Hinckle, Commissioners Hunt, Dittman and Kirchner.
Absent: Commissioner McQuaide
Staff: Parks & Recreation Director Glomstad and Recording Secretary Borba.
MINUTES
Minutes of the November 6, 2014 meeting were approved.
CORRESPONDENCE
None
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
OLD BUSINESS
1. 2015 Business Landscape Award
Commissioner Hunt will prepare a statement to forward to the City E-News. Secretary Borba will forward
information on the 2015 Business Landscape Award to the Chamber of Commerce for their newsletter.
ILI LWAVA : Ub W,L&W
1. Cancellation of January 1, 2015 Meeting
It was moved by Commissioner Dittman to cancel the January 1, 2015 meeting. Commissioner Kirchner
seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.
2. Rotation of Chairs
Commissioner Hinckle steps down as chair and thanked the committed Commissioners. Commissioner
Kirchner takes over as chair of the Beautification Commission.
3. 10 Elm Trees and 1 Eucalyptus Tree Removed on El Camino Real
Caltrans will be removing the 10 Elm trees that are dead and 1 Eucalyptus tree that is structurally unsound
between the dates of 12/8/14 to 12/1914. The trees are tagged so Caltrans can easily identify them.
REPORTS
1. Parks Supervisor/City Arborist
Absent
2. Parks & Recreation Director
None
3. Commissioner Hinckle
Stated she was very impressed by Jennifer Pfaff s letter to Caltrans regarding El Camino Real
/Floribunda trees.
4. Commissioner Krichner
None
5. Commissioner McQuaide
Absent
6. Commissioner Hunt
None
7. Commissioner Dittman
Reported 2 addresses with swings in trees and noted that the Mercy Property has lost a lot of
trees.
The next Beautification Commission meeting is February 5, 2015. There being no further business, the
meeting adjourned at 8:20pm.
Respectfully submitted,
gitm 33o46a
Gina Borba
Recording Secretary
BUR- INGAME STAFF REPORT AGENDA NO:
MEETING DATE: December 1, 2014
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
Date: December 1, 2014
From: Margaret Glomstad, Parks and Recreation Director — (650) 558-7307
Bob Disco, Parks Supervisor/City Arborist — (650) 558-7333
Subject: Update Regarding Mills Canyon Illegal Tree Pruning
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council receive an update on the status of the illegal pruning of ten
trees located in Mills Canyon between Valdivia Way and Toledo Court.
BACKGROUND
On July 30 2014, the homeowners at 3 Toledo Court requested a tree work permit for trees
located behind their property in Mills Canyon. The work permit was requested to trim, thin and
remove undergrowth on Eucalyptus, Oak and Pine trees. Based on past City practice, the City
Arborist approved the permit August 11, 2014. Under the permit, trimming and thinning in excess
of 25% of the trees' crown was prohibited. On August 13, 2014, ten trees were pruned
significantly beyond the scope of the permit. Of the ten trees that were significantly trimmed, four
were of protected size.
Upon notification of the over -pruning, the City Arborist visited the site and completed a tree
report, which said:
1. The affected Oak trees were severely topped, over thinned and improperly pruned based on
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) standards.
2. Several of the trees were trimmed to a point where they had little or no leaf growth left on the
limbs, and two trees were stripped of all secondary limbs and branches with only large
leaders remaining.
3. More than 1 /3 of each tree's canopy was removed.
4. The trees will more than likely survive the severe trimming, as Oak trees tend to regenerate
new growth quickly after pruning.
Given the severity of the impact on the trees and the need to fully assess the damage to City
property and the best methods of recovering from that damage, the City contracted with two
independent arborists to perform a survey and appraisal of the ten trees. The City also hired a
surveyor to verify ownership of the trees.
1
Update Regarding Mills Canyon Illegal Tree Pruning December 1, 2014
The survey confirmed that all of the significantly trimmed trees are on City property. All of the
arborists' reports recommended the trees be given the opportunity to return to their previous
condition, and they recommended against planting new trees in the area, as new trees would fail
to thrive. In order for regrowth to occur, the trees will need additional care and maintenance.
This work will be completed by a licensed tree company hired by the City over the next few years.
The City will also be requesting that the lights that had been installed on the trees by another
neighbor be removed in order to ensure that the lights do not inhibit the regrowth of the City's
trees.
The City has notified the property owner and the landscape contractor that performed the work
that they are financially responsible for the damage caused to the City's trees and has requested
payment.
DISCUSSION
In order to ensure that this type of over -pruning doesn't occur again, staff has made changes to
the tree permit process. A review and revision of the City's tree ordinance are in progress. The
following is a list of changes to the permit forms.
Private Protected Tree Removal Permit
1. Added the requirement that applicant provide a schematic drawing with the location of
the trees on the property.
Tree Work Plan Permit for City Trees
1. Added the requirement that applicant provide a schematic drawing with the location of
the trees in relationship to the property line.
2. Added a requirement that the applicant provide the number and type of trees to be
pruned.
3. Added clarifying language regarding how much of the tree canopy may be pruned.
4. Added a requirement that the permit be given to the tree company prior to work being
performed.
5. Added space on the form to fill out an issue date and a completion date.
Department staff is currently working with the Beautification Commission and City Attorney to
update the City ordinances that pertain to trees. This includes the Street Trees and Urban
Reforestation and Tree Protection sections. The update will include a refinement and clarification
of the definitions, penalties and enforceability and an overall reorganization of the section. This
review includes evaluation of best practices from other jurisdictions. It is anticipated an updated
ordinance will be before the City Council in April of 2015.
FISCAL IMPAC
There is no financial impact related to this staff report. Additional staff time will be required to
confirm completion of work for the Tree Work Plan Permit for City trees.
2
Update Regarding Mills Canyon Illegal Tree Pruning
December 1, 2014
Exhibits:
• Revised Private Tree/Pruning Permit
• Revised Tree Work Plan Permit