HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2010.01.07Ow —
BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION
January 7, 2010
The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by
Chairperson Wright.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chairperson Wright, Benson, Carney, Hunt, Lahey, and McQuaide
Absent: Commissioner Dittman
Staff: Parks Supervisor Disco and Administrative Secretary Harvey
Guest: John Taylor; Charles Voltz
MINUTES — Minutes were approved as submitted.
CORRESPONDENCE
There was no Correspondence.
FROM THE FLOOR
John Taylor stated he moved to Burlingame into an apartment and no longer has a garden; noticed in the
December Commission minutes that the Commission is considering a Community Garden. Mr. Taylor noted
that he is very interested in a project like this and would volunteer to help gather information and/or identify
possible sites to establish a Community Garden in Burlingame.
Charles Voltz expressed his concerns about water rates increasing at a rate of 15% a year, the proposed State
ordinance regarding water conservation requirements for planned developments, and the consequences this may
have on City trees and private trees, planters in the business districts, and proposed Community Gardens if
people stop watering or if property owners replace lawns with artificial turf. He added that cheap water is gone
forever and wanted the Commission to have a heads up so they might begin to consider how water restrictions
will affect the Burlingame community.
OLD BUSINESS
Adopt -a -Planters on Burlineame Avenue
Supervisor Disco asked if anyone had any new information regarding the Adopt -a -Planters on Burlingame
Avenue. Administrative Secretary Harvey noted that Parks staff was in receipt of a copy of the bid submitted to
Kevin Osborne (DBBA) from Community GatePath for watering and/or maintenance of the planters. Secretary
Harvey noted that when Commissioner Dittman had called to say she was ill and would be unable to attend
tonight's meeting she had stated that she had not heard from Kevin Osborne of any progress regarding his desire
to obtain a second bid. Secretary Harvey added that she, (Secretary Harvey) had contacted the Burlingame
Business License for a list of businesses on Burlingame Avenue and is now in receipt of a list and had counted
approximately 160 businesses on Burlingame Avenue alone.
The Commission then reviewed and made revisions to the proposed letter to Council drafted by Commissioner
Benson. Following a brief discussion, Commissioner McQuaide moved that the revisions and additions, as
stated at tonight's meeting, be included in the second draft and be brought back for final approval at the
February 4'* Commission meeting, seconded Carney. Motion carried 6 — 0 — I (absentlDittman).
Landscape Award 2010 — Committee Update
Commissioner Benson stated that the Chamber of Commerce would be including information in their quarterly
newsletter and information would also be in the Spring Recreation Brochure soon to be delivered to Burlingame
residents. Commissioner Benson concluded that she, Commissioners McQuaide and Hunt would soon be
meeting to discuss distribution of applications to the local businesses.
NEW BUSINESS
Commissioner McQuaide stated (and it was a consensus of the Commission) that Water Conservation be added "1
to the February 0 Agenda for further discussion.
STAFF REPORTS
ADNIINISTRATIVE SECRETARY
• In December, a total of 238 City trees were serviced by the City's tree crew and 33 requests for
tree service were received from the public.
• The January street tree planting of approximately 80 trees has begun and will be completed
sometime in February, once the Stump Contractor has removed the remaining stumps.
• The Grant tree planting is also scheduled to begin mid January with the planting of 204 trees in
vacant planting strips in the northern, east and west section of Burlingame.
• Revisions to the Tree Pruning contract for trimming Eucalyptus trees in the City have been
completed and the bidding process will soon begin. It is anticipated that a contractor will be in
place by March.
Commissioner Hunt
Commissioner Hunt stated that the Broadway Grill Restaurant on Burlingame Avenue looked gorgeous for the
Christmas holidays.
Commissioner Benson
Commissioner Benson reported that she filled in some of the empty spaces in the planters with silk Poinsettia's
for the holidays. She also reported that 10 Master Gardeners would be participating in her annual Winter Rose
Pruning Clinics from 9:00 am to Noon on January 161h at Washington Park Rose Garden and January 30'h at the
Park Road Rose Garden; the clinic is free and anyone is welcome to participate.
Commissioner Lahey
Commissioner Lahey expressed that she wished the City would consider imposing fines for littering.
Commissioner Carney
Commissioner Carney reported that a swing is still on the City tree at 458 Chatham. Supervisor Disco noted
that the property owner had been notified and the swing had been removed by the deadline, but would inspect
the site again.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Karlbne.Harvey
Recording Secretary
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