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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2010.03.04BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION March 4, 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, Dittman, Hunt, Lahey, and McQuaide Staff: Parks Supervisor Disco and Administrative Secretary Harvey Guest: John Taylor MINUTES — Minutes were approved as submitted. Letter from Dale Perkins, (local artist) expressing his interest in providing art rendering for the winning business of the 3'd Annual Business Landscape Award. PUBLIC COMMENT None. OLD BUSINESS Landscape Award 2010 — Committee Update Commissioner McQuaide reported that the Committee is in the process of distributing nomination forms to the businesses. Administrative Secretary Harvey reported that one nomination had been received and noted that information about the Landscape Award would be posted on the ENews. The Commission discussed various strategies for publicizing the annual award. Community Garden Parks Supervisor Disco noted that at the last meeting, Commissioner McQuaide had indicated that she would be attending the Green Ribbon Task Force to find if there were any volunteer groups that would be interested in developing a Community Garden. Commissioner McQuaide stated that the Green Ribbon Task Force was very excited about the idea, but is busy with many other things, so no one from that group volunteered. Commissioner McQuaide suggested the possibility of the Commission having a booth at the upcoming Green Street Fair on May 166 and that a sign up might be provided for individuals interested in a Community Garden. The Commission briefly discussed the possibility of having a booth at the event and discussed what types of information they would wish to provide. Following a brief discussion, it was a general consensus of the Commission that this item be placed on the April V agenda. Chairperson Wright opened the meeting to the floor and recognized Mr. John Taylor ... John Taylor stated he is very interested in a Community Garden and found a vacant lot behind a "Fitness" building on the first block of Park Road that appears to be an unused space by the property owner. Commissioner McQuaide stated she would further investigate the site and report her findings back to the Commission at the next meeting. STAFF REPORTS PARKS SUPERVISOR DISCO • On Saturday, April 171h a Commissioners Training Session would be conducted from 9:00 — 1:00 pm, lunch is provided. Any interested Commissioners are encouraged to contact the Parks Division by April 2°d. • BAWSCA — Is offering FREE to the public, Water Efficiency Classes from March to June; �-- further information can be obtained at Landscape@,BAWSCA.org . STAFF REPORTS — (Contd. ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY HARVEY • Letter from the Beautification Commission to City Council regarding the Commission's recommendation for maintenance of the Adopt -a -Planters, was forwarded to the Council on February 8`b. • The Grant tree planting has been completed. Approximately 192 trees were planted during this phase in City right-of-way in the northern, east and west section of Burlingame. Less than 20% of property owners receiving notice of the planting declined. Overall the Grant Plant added approximately 370 trees to the City's street tree inventory. The trees will be inspected by the Beautification Commission in April/May. • The January street tree planting has been completed. Approximately 80 trees were planted by the City's tree crew. • Six Red Maple trees, donated by the Lion's Club and were planted as part of the Arbor Day ceremony. Students from Lincoln, Franklin, Roosevelt, and St. Catherine's elementary schools participated in the ceremony and the tree planting along with Mayor Baylock, the Council and Beautification Commissioners, as well as other community members and City staff. Commissioner Dittman Commissioner Dittman stated she also distributed Business Landscape Award nomination forms to businesses in Burlingame. Commissioner Lahey Commissioner Lahey noted that she too had distributed Landscape Award nomination forms but was sorry that she was unable to attend Arbor Day. Commissioner Lahey commented that she is concerned about cuts to .the City budget and how that might impact the tree planting, tree maintenance, and the Parks staff. She added that she hopes the Commission would make this area a priority and a focus, and that other things should take a back --� seat at this time. She suggested the Commission begin to look for ways to supplement the maintenance of the trees and become proactive in the City Tree fundraising campaign to help save our trees in the City of Burlingame. Commissioner McQuaide Commissioner McQuaide stated she was able to attend the Arbor Day ceremony adding that it was nicely organized, the school children's presentations were enjoyable, and that she was pleased to hear that Burlingame is 92 in the State of California to have continually received the Tree City USA award for 31 years in a row. Chairperson Wright Chairperson Wright noted that she had attended the Arbor Day ceremony and thanked Administrative Secretary Harvey for the letters and phone calls to the schools; noting that several local elementary schools attended this year's event. She stated the event was delightful, the student's presentations and poetry were darling, and she would be sending thank you letters to the participating schools. The Commission asked that the Council be copied on the thank you letters to the schools, and to also include a letter to Council, thanking Parks Staff. Chairperson Wright reminded the Commission of the upcoming Commissioners Dinner on March 12`1' and confirmed with those Commissioners who would be attending. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Karne Harvey Recording Secretary