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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2019.05.02BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION Minutes May 2, 2019 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 6:30 pm by Commission Chair Kirchner. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Kirchner, Kearney and Dinuri Absent: Commissioner Hinckle and Hunt Staff. Parks and Recreation Director Glomstad and Recording Secretary Borba Others: None MINUTES Commissioner Kirchner made a motion to approve the April 4, 2019 minutes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kearney and unanimously approved. CORRESPONDENCE Secretary Borba distributed the Tree Board Handbooks from the Arbor Day Foundation to the Commissioners. PUBLIC COMMENT None OLD BUSINESS 1. Business Landscape Award — Decals Presented to Past Business Landscape Winners and Update Secretary Borba reported the decals are ready to be distributed to the previous winners. The Commissioners will deliver the decals to the past award recipients. Secretary Borba stated a link to the Business Landscape Award registration form was in the eNews today and will be again on May 30, 2019. Commissioner Kirchner reported the Commissioners will turn in their nominations at the June meeting. 2. Residential Sustainable Landscape Award Update Commissioner Kirchner stated the Commissioners are in the processes of inspecting the areas assigned to them for potential nominees and each Commissioner will nominate two locations at the June meeting. 3. Commissioner Report on Solar Panels and Trees Commissioner Dinuri reported she would like the Beautification Commissioners to have a say in the direction that Council takes on solar panels and trees. She would like to provide the Commission's findings to Council so they know what the Commissioner's recommendations are, how they feel about solar panels and solar policy in regards to trees. Director Glomstad suggested the Commission form a committee of two people to draft some general guidelines that could be submitted to Council. Commissioner Kirchner stated that the City can opt out of the entire Solar Shade Control Act or just parts of it. Public Comment- Matt Feemster a resident of Burlingame stated that he does not think it is worth cutting down trees for solar panel installation. He stated solar panels are an energy dilute intermittent source of power and solar panels aren't on during the night time and produce less power when it is cloudy. He commented intermittent power has to be backed up by something else and fossil fuel is backing solar power because they know they will be the backup source. Mr. Feemster stated solar panels are a hoax and the idea that a tree would be cut down for Solar Panels is preposterous. His hope is the Commissioners will advocate on the side of the trees. Commissioner Dinuri asked the Commissioners what their thoughts were. Commissioner Kirchner stated we are all about trees and how we preserve trees in our City but their recommendation would need to be legal. Commission Dinuri stated that she feels the Commission recommend not opting out of the Solar Panel Act but ad on to it. She noted that there are some unique and interesting approaches in other states that were added on and they could provide good language that could be used. Commissioners Dinuri and Kirchner will draft a proposal and bring it back to the Commissioners for review. 4. Commissioner Discussion on Updating the Description of the Beautification Commission on the Webpage Director Glomstad stated the ordinance cannot be changed by the Commission but that the Beautification Commission description is outdated and could be updated. The content on the webpage can include a description and links that are important and consistent with the ordinance. Commissioners Dinuri and Kirchner will prepare a draft proposal to be reviewed by the Commissioners. NEW BUSINESS None REPORTS 1. Director Glomstad Director Glomstad reported the City Tree Crew planted 47 new street trees in the spring planting. Two Eucalyptus trees will be removed at 1712 Easton Drive in the next few weeks by the City contractor. Both trees have structural issues, have dropped limbs and are growing directly over residences. One of the trees is a scheduled removal, listed on the tree contract and the other was added on as a safety precaution. The City Tree Crews and contracted tree crew continue to prune the street trees between Sanchez Avenue and Adeline Drive and Balboa Avenue and Bernal Avenue. They are scheduled to complete the grid by July. The Parks crews built and completed a new picnic area in Washington Park. The picnic area includes a shelter with a 1 Oft table and benches, large BBQ and several concrete picnic tables. Washington Park Playground, Sport Court and Picnic Area Renovation will tentatively break ground in July. The contract will go to Council for approval at the May 20, 2019 meeting. The Community Center is scheduled to break ground in early 2020. Top Golf will tentatively start construction in the summer of 2020. The Park and Recreation Foundation is hosting a Bocce Ball Tournament on May 18, 2019 from 8:30am-12:OOpm. 2. Parks Superintendent/City Arborist None 3. Commissioner Hunt None 4. Commissioner Hinckle None 5. Commissioner Kirchner Commissioner Kirchner commented that in the eNews the 2030 Climate Action Plan is being reviewed and as far as trees are concerned the target goal is to plant 33 new City trees per year. He also stated that the Beautification Commission does have a team for the Parks and Recreation Bocce Ball Tournament and if any other Beautification Commissioners would like to join there is space. Commissioner Kirchner also stated that he appreciated having a member of the public attend and speak at the meeting regarding solar panels and trees. 6. Commissioner Kearney Commissioner Kearney commented she saw some comments on Next Door about tree removal on Oak Grove. Director Glomstad stated that the development projects with tree removals are heard by the Planning Commission and Arborist Disco. 7. Commissioner Dinuri Commissioner Dinuri thanked the City for ordering the Tree Board Handbooks. The next Beautification Commission meeting is June 6, 2019. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:23 pm. Respectfully submitted, Gina Borba Administrative Staff