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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2012.10.04BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION October 4, 2012 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 6:30 pm. by Chairperson Hunt. ROLL CALL Present: Chairperson Hunt, Commissioners Hinckle, Kirchner, and McQuaide Absent: Commissioner Dittman Staff. Parks & Recreation Director Glomstad, Parks Supervisor/City Arborist Disco, Administrative Secretary Harvey, and Parks & Recreation Office Asst. Gina Borba. MINUTES - Minutes of the September 6, 2012 meeting were approved as submitted. Letter from City Arborist Disco to Eugene Podkaminer, 1452 Cabrillo Avenue, informing him that at the public hearing of the City Council meeting on September 4, 2012, the Council voted 3 — 2 to deny his appeal and uphold the decision of the Beautification Commission to approve the removal of two privately owned Redwood trees at 1433 Cortez Avenue, with the condition that 2 — 24" box size landscape trees be planted on the property. Letter from Business Landscape Award Committee Chair, Anne Hinckle, thanking local artist, Dale Perkins, for his continued support of the annual Business Landscape Award by providing award recipients with a watercolor of the their business landscape. PUBLIC COMMENT There were no public comments. `-- OLD BUSINESS Future of Business Landscape Award — (Discussion) It was a consensus of the Commission that since Commissioner Dittman had asked this item be placed on the agenda that the item be postponed until the next meeting when Commissioner Dittman would be present. NEW BUSINESS Burlingame Avenue Streetscape Proiect — Selection of Gingko Trees Parks Supervisor/City Arborist Disco stated that this item was placed on the agenda at the request of Commissioner Kirchner at the September 61h meeting. Commissioner Kirchner stated that there had been community workshops regarding the project and that City Commissions had been invited to attend and provide input. Commissioner Kirchner noted that since those meetings, it was learned that only one species of tree, the Gingko tree, had been chosen for the Burlingame Avenue streetscape. Commissioner Kirchner then presented a draft letter for the Commissions review that requests the City Council: 1) Consider options that provide for a mix of species. a) Avoid a multiple or concurrent loss scenario of trees due to a single specie disease susceptibility or adverse environmental influences. b) Affords a mix of fall color and staggered seasonal loss of leaves. 2) Consider planting the largest trees the budget and/or physical sitting constraints will allow. City Arborist Disco reported that since the last Commission meeting, he had discussed the tree specie selection with the Public Works Director who indicated that the plans for the project were 95% completed, that there was time to `.- make changes to the choice of tree, and to include his comments in a "Memo' to the Council along with any input the Commission may have. NEW BUSINESS - Burlineame Avenue Streetscape Proiect — Selection of Gingko Trees — (Contd.) Arborist Disco reviewed his memo with the Commission citing his primary concerns with the current plan to plant .IN only Gingko trees: 1) Creating a monoculture by planting one single species is not an acceptable practice in arboriculture because it could be devastating if a serious pest emerges; 2) Recently, several mature Gingko trees had reverted from "male" trees and began bearing extremely obnoxious smelling fruit, requiring removal. 3) Gingko trees are very slow growers and would hide shop owners signs for many years, resulting in frequent, non standard ISA pruning techniques for sign clearance, impacting the structural integrity and aesthetics of the tree. The Commission discussed and edited the draft letter proposed by Commissioner Kirchner and asked Arborist Disco what his vision of a suitable planting scheme would be. Arborist Disco responded that he believed the original choice of Gingko, Acer, and Zelkova trees was a good decision, and would recommend they be planted in the order of Zelkovas, Maples, Gingko, Maples, Zelkovas. Following the discussion, revisions were made to the draft letter stating that the "Commission concurs with the City Arborist's recommendation for the planting of a sequential mix of tree specie; Zelkova, Red Maple, Gingko, Red Maple, Zelkova, on each side of the length of Burlingame Avenue". It was a consensus of the Commission that the letter with its revisions, be forwarded to the City Council along with the "Memo" from the City Arborist. REPORTS P & R Director Glomstad Director Glomstad reported on preliminary discussions and plans regarding a Community Center, stating RFP's had been mailed to numerous architectural firms, interviews had been conducted with 12 architectural firms, and 2 firms were under current consideration. The interview panel consisted of PW Engineer Art Morimoto, P&R Supervisor Karen Hager, Councilmember's Vice Mayor Ann Keighran and Cathy Baylock, and P&R Director Glomstad. Director Glomstad noted that the process is moving slowly and cautiously to avoid and address any concerns expressed during previous Community Center discussions i.e., the Lion's Club has been assured that the building space currently used for their meetings and events is a protected building. The new building site would not encroach into passive space areas in Washington Park and that there would be no "eminent domain" considerations. Director Glomstad stated it will be "key" to get the right architect, a firm that would listen to what the community says and wants, adding that the Beautification Commission, other groups, and the community would be invited to share their different ideas and visions. Parks Supervisor/City Arborist Disco • Gina Borba has been promoted to the position of Parks & Recreation Secretary in the Parks Division and would begin on Monday, October 22nd. Gina worked in the Parks Division part-time for 7 years before filling a full-time Office Assistant position in the Recreation Division in 2006. • Approximately 116 trees would be planted by the City's tree crew during the October street tree planting. • Horseshow Pits in Washington Park are nearing completion and have been relocated to make space for the new Bocce Ball Courts. The Bocce Ball courts would be completed within the next several months. Both projects are being conducted in-house by Parks crew. Commissioner Hunt Commissioner Hunt reported that Councilmember Brownrigg made a presentation to the Women's Club highlighting the City's trees and the downtown streetscape. She reported that she would soon be sending out invitations from the Newcomers Club to Burlingame/Hillsborough newcomers and she would include the brochures, Trees, What's the Big Deal. -IN 2 REPORTS — (Conid ) Commissioner Kirchner Commissioner Kirchner asked Supervisor/City Arborist Disco where he could get information about the Broadway Interchange project. Supervisor Disco responded he had not been involved in the project; however, he did know that the City would have maintenance jurisdiction on the corners of Rollins Road and Old Bayshore Blvd., and said he would be able to provide Commissioner Kirchner with the information on the maintenance areas. Commissioner Hinckle Commissioner Hinkle reported that the Business Landscape Award presentation before the City Council at the September 171° meeting was very nice and representatives from Carr McClellan were very pleased, including the gardener, Gene Fleet, who happened to be the same gardener of last year's award recipient, Il Fomaio! There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:25pm. Respectfully submitted, Karlene Harvey Recording Secretary