Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2009.04.02BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION APB, 2009 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairperson Lahey. ROLL CALL Present: Chairperson Lahey, Commissioners Benson, Carney, Dittman, Hunt, McQuaide, and Wright Staff: Interim Parks Superintendent Foell and Admin. Secretary Harvey MINUTES — Minutes were approved as corrected, under OLD BUSINESS/Business Landscape Award — Committee Report (paragraph 1) to read: "Commissioners Benson and Mc aide had made contact with the merchants on Burlingame Avenue ... " Letter from Sharon O'Byrne (1533 Meadow Lane) and a copy of an independent certified arborist's report (deeming the Redwood tree unsafe), for the Commission's reconsideration of the denial to remove the tree at 1533 Meadow Lane. Staff Report to the Commission from Parks Superintendent Foell and Arborist Porter recommending the Commission reconsider and reverse the February 5, 2009 denial of the removal of the Redwood tree at 1533 Meadow Lane, due to the reports of two certified arborists deeming the tree structurally unsound and a safety hazard. FROM THE FLOOR There was no business `From the Floor'. OLD BUSINESS Reconsideration of Denial to Remove Redwood Tree QW-) 1533 Meadow Lane Superintendent Foell reviewed item with the Commission, noting additional information had been received from an independent arborist report, and that, now based on the reports and findings by two certified arborists, Staff recommends reversal of the Commission's February 5, 2009 decision to deny the removal, and instead approve removal and require replacement with a 24" box size tree. Superintendent Foell noted that from City and Staff perspective, structural safety issues that can not otherwise be mitigated and pose potential liability, take preference over preservation and that Arborist Porter's decisions are generally conservative, even handed, and generally weigh in favor of preservation of a tree. The Commission reviewed and discussed the independent arborist report and agreed that the report was a comprehensive and detailed report. Chairperson Lahey then opened the meeting for public hearing. Erin Stannard, 1528 Westmoor Road, stated that though the tree has structure problems that it still had some potential and that all preventative measures should be tried; that the tree is so old and so big, that everything should be done before killing the tree. She added that perhaps the tree could be topped or another independent third party arborist could submit a report. Mark Sagorsky, 1536 Westmoor Road, stated he felt there had been no genuine effort to save the tree and the Commission should discuss obligation of the property owner to maintain the tree; that some things could be done to save the tree. Chairperson Lahey closed the public hearing. OLD BUSINESS - Reconsideration of Denial to Remove Redwood Tree (a, 1533 Meadow Lane — Contd. Superintendent Foell stated that there are standards in place with regard to evaluating health and structure of trees. In cases where safety of a tree is at issue, the Commission must weigh in with the recommendation of the professional staff. He concluded that the City Arborist determined that based on his findings the Redwood tree was structurally unsound due to the multiple co -dominant trunks extending from the crotch of the tree, posing a potential hazard, and that the tree should be approved for removal. Following a brief discussion of the Commission, Chairperson Lahey stated that the independent Arborist report was very extensive and moved that the action of the Commission at the February S, 2009 meeting (denying the removal of the Redwood tree at 1533 Meadow Lane), be reversed, and that the permit be issued to the applicant to remove the Redwood tree because the tree had been evaluated by two certified arborists as structurally unsound and a safety hazard, having multiple co -dominant trunks; and that, the applicant (owner) is required to replace the tree with one 24-inch box size tree; seconded, Benson. Motion carried 7 — 0 — 0. Chairperson Lahey thanked those who had spoken to the issue and stated all parties concerned would be by mail of the Commission's decision and appeal procedures and concluded that pending there are no appeals to the Council, the permit would be issued for the removal of the Redwood tree. Commissions Level of Involvement — Broadway Planters Chairperson Lahey noted she asked this item be placed on the agenda in order to gauge the Commission's determination of their level of involvement with regard to the maintenance of the planters on Broadway. Superintendent Foell explained that when the Commission takes on extra items such as volunteering it should be organized and sustainable and should also include checking in with City Council to make sure it is within the realm of the Council's expectation for the work of the Commission. The Commission discussed the history of maintenance responsibilities of the Burlingame Avenue and Broadway planters, irrigation issues, weeds, trash, as well as the current volunteer planting and watering efforts of Commissioner Benson on the Broadway planters. Chairperson Lahey then asked the Commission if the Commission would want to take on the responsibilities of volunteering and assisting in the maintenance of the Broadway planters. Superintendent Foell stated the Parks Division is making improvements on the irrigation in the small planters on the Broadway and has most recently installed a time clock, and commented that volunteer work is often difficult to sustain, and needs to be consistent and long term; adding that it could become difficult to sustain a constant influx of regular ongoing volunteers. The Commission further discussed. Following the discussion, Chairperson Lahey moved that the Commission form a committee to draft a proposal to present to the Council that would allow for the Commission to oversee and establish a citizen's committee for the planting, care, and maintenance of the Broadway planters, seconded, McQuaide. Chairperson Lahey called for discussion. Commissioner Benson expressed concern volunteers might not be available for the long term and dead plants and unkempt planters could lead to making the Commission look bad. There being no further discussion, Chairperson Lahey called for the vote. Motion carried 6 — 1 (opposed/Benson) — 0. Commissioners McQuaide, Benson, and Carney volunteered to serve on the Committee to develop a draft proposal to Council for the Commission to oversee and establish a citizen's committee for the planting, care, and maintenance of the Broadway planters. Superintendent Foell asked Commissioner Benson to also provide the Commission with an estimate of her time and effort involved in maintaining the Broadway planters. OLD BUSINESS — (Contd.) Business Landscape Award 2009 — Committee Report Commissioner Wright noted that 4 applications had been received, the Committee would review the nominations, visit the sites for compliance, and would make recommendation to the Commission meeting on May 71h; the Commission would then conduct a site visit and announce the winner of this year's award at the June 4th meeting. Street Tree Fundraising Superintendent Foell reported, that if interested, the Commission could reserve a booth for one or both days at the Art In the Park, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday June 13'h and 14th, but that the booth would need to be set up at 9:00 a.m. and "manned" from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. After a brief discussion, the Commission asked Staff to tentatively reserve the booth for Saturday and to table this item to the May 7th meeting for further discussion. NEW BUSINESS Preliminary Budget Discussion 2009-2010 Superintendent Foell reported that the current economy had also strained the City budget and that cuts in the Parks & Recreation Department are significant: Proposed cuts to the Parks Division include: 2 Park Maintenance Workers (1 of which is a retirement that will not be filled, and the other worker will be reassigned to the Public Works Department); Parks Superintendent cut to 50-60% time, and 1 Tree Maintenance Worker is on the "Alternate" list and may be lost depending on the severity of cuts needed. In the Recreation Division, proposed cuts include: 1 Recreation Supervisor and 1 Recreation Coordinator on the "Alternate" list, as well as some program cuts due to the loss of personnel. The Parks & Recreation Director position had also been reduced to 50% time and would be shared with another City. Superintendent Foell concluded that further budget adjustments and/or cuts are dependent on the passage or failure of the Storm Drain measure. REPORTS Commissioner Dittman Commissioner Dittman reported that she is serving on the Walk of Fame Committee, that the Committee had reviewed applicants, and would soon be selecting 3 qualifying individuals from which the Council will choose to award the honor. Commissioner Benson Commissioner Benson stated she had assessed that 120 plants are needed for the Broadway planters and that the plants should be annuals because they are cheaper. She concluded that she would plant when irrigation could be guaranteed. Commissioner Hunt Commissioner Hunt reported that the Newcomers Club sent out 60 mailings and the tree brochures had been included in the mailing to new neighbors in Burlingame. Commissioner Carney The tree planted in Washington Park in honor of Tim Richmond looked healthier and noted that the weeds and litter along the new sound wall on Rollins Road looked terrible. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Tlene Harvey Recording Secretary