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