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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2012.03.01BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION March 1, 2012 �-- The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 6:30 pm. by Chairperson Hunt. Chairperson Hunt introduced and joined the Commission in welcoming new Commissioner, Richard Kirchner. ROLL CALL Present: Chairperson Hunt, Commissioners Dittman, Hinkle, Kirchner, and McQuaide (arrived @ 6:35 pm) Staff: Parks & Recreation Director Glomstad, Parks Supervisor/Arborist Disco, and Administrative Secretary Harvey MINUTES Minutes of the February 2, 2012 meeting were approved as submitted. Letter from Mr. & Mrs. Realyvasquez, 1411 Vancouver Ave., withdrawing the appeal for the removal of one Black Acacia tree in the easement behind 1408 DeSoto Avenue. Arborist Report from Kielty Arborist Services, addressing new findings discovered after a second visit to 1408 DeSoto Avenue,and stating that removal of a preexisting fence exposed a decayed area of the trunk that extended from the ground to the base of the poorly formed crotch of the tree. PUBLIC COMMENT There were no public comments. OLD BUSINESS Appeal Regarding the Approved Removal of One Black Acacia Tree (In the Easement) Behind 1408 Desoto Ave. Administrative Secretary Harvey reported that the appeal had been withdrawn by the appellants at 1411 Vancouver Avenue. The approved permit accepting replanting of 1-24" box size landscape tree in the same general area, but back on the private property, had previously been signed by the applicant at 1408 De Soto Avenue, so the permit process would continue and the permit would be issued as soon as possible. The permit would be in effect for 6 months to 1 year in order to conduct and complete all the work. JJ KI111U211 Arbor Lay' 4.G1GUt2lL1Vll — r�cunGJU2�y, ITAUXGu /, 6V1Lr kw, 2V:VV urn' Park Supervisor/Arborist Disco reported that the Arbor Day ceremony will be held at Cuernavaca Park and that 4 Crape Myrtle trees would be planted near the ball field. 2012 Landscape Award Commissioner Hinkle reviewed the Business Landscape Award and process for new Commissioner Kirchner as well as distribution of the nomination forms to the local businesses. Commissioner Kirchner agreed to distribute nomination forms to the Burlingame Plaza; and Commissioners McQuaide will distribute on Broadway, Hunt on the side streets off Burlingame Avenue, Dittman on both sides of Burlingame Avenue, and Hinkle on the eastside of the freeway. The Commission asked that the "timeline" for the award process be reviewed and placed on the April 5�' agenda. NEW BUSINESS Publicizing Tree Policies in the City of Burlingame The Commission discussed getting information related to the City's tree policies to new people moving into the City of Burlingame. Arborist Disco noted that illegal removal of private protected trees often occurs with new property owners who have come from out of area. The Commission briefly discussed different ideas to get the information out to new property owners. Secretary Harvey submitted a "What's the Big Deal" tree brochure that had been used in the past. Chairperson Hunt, who is also involved with the Burlingame/Hillsborough Newcomers Club, offered to send brochures to "newcomers" as well as making the brochures available during the "Welcome" at the San Mateo County Association of Realtors tour meeting. The Commission thanked Chairperson Hunt for offering to provide this service on behalf of the Commission. Secretary Harvey will provide Chairperson Hunt with the brochures. REPORTS — Staff 1 } The City Council is in the process of reviewing and considering changes to the existing Leaf Blower ordinance to restrict/modify leaf blower use throughout the City. Changes could also impact maintenance schedules for parks, playground, and trees. Item is scheduled for Council consideration at the Monday, March 5t' Council meeting. Additional information regarding any proposed changes to the existing ordinance could be obtained from the City Clerks office at City Hall. 2) Public Works 50150 sidewalk repair program has increased the incidence of complaints to the office regarding the City's trees vs. city sidewalks i.e., some citizens requesting tree removal due to sidewalk damage caused by tree roots, and other citizens complaining because of the increased incidence of tree removal for sidewalk replacement. Arborist Disco then explained the decision making process that uses sound arboricultural standards in determining whether a tree can remain during sidewalk repair; i.e. the health and structure of the tree, the tree's root structure, root pruning versus maintaining the stability of the tree, sidewalk ADA standards, and room to enlarge planter areas with meandering sidewalks. 3) Burlingame Avenue Streetscape Improvements Project Community Workshop #3 has been rescheduled for Monday, March 5 h, 5:30-7:00 pm in the Lane Room of the Main Library. Chairperson Hunt Chairperson Hunt reported that there are 4 City trees on the corner of Stanley Road and Burlingame Avenue that still have ivy growing up into the canopies. Arborist Disco stated that, with the reduced tree crew staff, this type of work would only be conducted during the 4 year Grid Pruning cycle. He added that the trees in the Stanley Road and Burlingame Avenue area are scheduled for the 2013-2014 Grid Pruning cycle. Commissioner McQuaide Commissioner McQuaide reported that the newly formed Burlingame Garden Club continues to look for a site for the Community Garden but that, in the meanwhile the group has volunteered their time to give back to the community. Recently the club met with Ross Bruce from the BID to discuss landscape maintenance on Broadway. The club has agreed to meet the I" Saturday of each month at Earthbeam on Broadway between 8:00 and 9:30 am to weed and replant the merchant planter pots on Broadway. Commissioner McQuaide added that everyone's invited to join them. "1 Commissioner Dittman Commissioner Dittman asked about the replanting of the City tree on the 1800 block of Easton Drive. Arborist Disco responded that the tree was replanted without incidence in January. Commissioner Dittman then asked about replanting requirements for the project at 2300 Poppy Drive. Arborist Disco stated that the property owner had recently requested an Official Street Tree list for replanting and that the project would not be finaled until the work had been completed. Commissioner Kirchner Commissioner Kirchner reported that he had heard of the Council potentially considering the renaming of the Beautification Commission and would share with the Commission a list of possible commission/committee names and other related information he found while researching this possibility. Commissioner Hinckle Commissioner Hinkle noted that there are some lovely and some neglected areas of El Camino Real. She asked who would be the contact for maintenance improvements on El Camino Real. Arborist Disco stated that El Camino Real is a state highway and maintained by CalTrans, and the maintenance station that oversees this area is in Foster City. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm. Respectfully submitted, Kar ene Harvey Recording Secretary