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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2009.05.07BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION MAY 7, 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 (left at 6:35 p.m.) Staff: Interim Parks Superintendent Foell, Parks & Recreation Director Skeels, and Admin. Secretary Harvey Superintendent Foell introduced the new Parks & Recreation Director, Jim Skeels. Director Skeels noted that he would be working at a 50% capacity for the City of Burlingame and also works for the City of Brisbane in the same capacity and will be trying to establish a fixed schedule between the two cities over the next several weeks. The Commission welcomed Director Skeels. MINUTES — Minutes were approved as corrected, under OLD BUSINESS/Reconsideration of Denial to Remove Redwood Tree (a, 1533 Meadow Lane (page 2, paragraph 3, first sentence) to read: "Chairperson Lahey thanked those who had spoken to the issue and stated all parties concerned would be noti ted (omitted) by mail of the Commission's decision ... " CORRESPONDENCE Letter to Sharon O'Byrne (1533 Meadow Lane) and copied to surrounding property owners, notifying that the Commission voted 7 — 0 — 0 to reverse the Commission's action of February 5, 2009 by denying the appeal of Erin Stannard, and instead allowing removal of the redwood tree because the tree was deemed structurally unsound by two certified arborists. Maintenance of the Broadway Ave. Streetscape submitted by Commissioner Benson identifying maintenance needs on Broadway. FROM THE FLOOR There was no comment `From the Floor'. Order ofAgenda was changed at the request of Commissioner Wright. OLD BUSINESS 2009 Business Landscape Award/Committee Recommendation for Review Commissioner Wright reported that the Committee reviewed and screened all four nominations to determine that the business sites had met the overall criteria worthy of the award. She stated that although all were eligible the Committee felt there was one business that stood out over the rest and had the greatest impact to their area. The Commission discussed changing times for announcing the final winner and perhaps moving the time back, closer to spring. Superintendent Foell responded that the current schedule was in place to accommodate the time needed for the artist and the rendering of the business as well as timing conflicts for the award presentation at a Council meeting during the summer months. He added that the current time line had also been made public and for these reasons the current time line would need to be followed for this year's announcement and presentation. The Commission asked that the schedule for the next Business Landscape Award be placed on the July agenda for further review. The four nomination forms were then submitted to the Commission for their review; the Commission will visit �- all nomination sites and vote for the award recipient at the June 4, 2009 Commission meeting. Two of the Commissioners noted that they would be absent for the June 4"' meeting and asked if they could vote by "proxy". Staff will clarify "proxy" voting with the City Attorney. OLD BUSINESS — (Contd.) Broadway Planters '"1 Referring to Commissioner Benson's report Maintenance of the Broadway Ave. Streetscape Superintendent Foell identified and clarified maintenance jurisdiction and responsibilities on Broadway. Superintendent Foell noted that of all the items listed,'the City Parks Division is responsible for the following maintenance areas: • Street trees (pruning and all maintenance) • Corner "bulb outs" (plantings, maintenance, and irrigation) • Sidewalk cutouts (plantings, maintenance, and irrigation) • Broadway alley plantings; (on the Southside of Broadway extending from El Camino to the parking lot behind the shops) • Small round planters on north and south sidewalks of Broadway, near the curb - Irrigation only Superintendent Foell stated that the merchants association, shop owners, and Public Works are responsible for the other remaining areas: • "Permanent" flower boxes attached to the buildings are the maintenance and watering responsibility of the individual shop owners • 7 "large" planters are the maintenance responsibility of the merchants association with watering agreements from nearby shop owners • "Small round planters" are the maintenance responsibility of the shop owners adjacent to the planters but currently have been maintained by Commissioner Benson's volunteer efforts and the shop owners paying for the plants or faux flowers. • Litter cleanup of cigarette butts, food and drinks, napkins from outside tables, bags, newspapers etc. are the maintenance responsibility of the Public Works employee assigned to Broadway and Burlingame Avenue. Commissioner Wright left at 6:35 p.m. ''*N The Commission discussed the different responsibilities and the landscape needs on Broadway. Chairperson Lahey stated that she is hoping the Commission will come up with a plan for a volunteer group to provide the maintenance of the all the planters on Broadway. The Commission discussed different types of plant material; merchant's desire for seasonal colors; volunteers conducting seasonal plantings or maintenance as well as regular watering; cost of materials or plants, and who will pay (merchants/donors?); and the adopt -a -planter concept. Commissioner Benson noted that Ross Bruce (BID) had indicated that the merchants had discussed removing the 7 "large planters" from Broadway. Commissioner Dittman responded that if the large planters were removed, and Coni nissioner Benson is maintaining the small planters, then a volunteer group for the maintenance of the Broadway landscape (with the exception of watering) would become a moot point. Superintendent Foell noted that it would be important to first check with Public Works as to jurisdiction of the large planters. He continued that the merchants would need to pay for any plants or maintenance to their planting areas. He stated that if the large planters were to be removed, the maintenance of the "bulb outs" taken care of by City crews, and Commissioner Benson is willing and able to continue her volunteer efforts on the small planters, then the Commission would need to identify a clear purpose and need for a volunteer group. Commissioner McQuaide responded that it is always nice to have volunteer groups that contribute hours to work in the City and added, that if the large planters are removed on Broadway, there should be a plan in place to beautify Broadway;�tathe Commission should have input with regard to the design of the shopping avenues in Burlingame. Ccluded that t some of the adopted planters on Burlingame Avenue had been abandoned and are not being watered, and now Commissioner Benson had begun watering those planters too. OLD BUSINESS — (Contd.) - Broadway Planters Following the discussion, Chairperson Lahey asked that this item be tabled to the next meeting for further consideration and that, the Commissioners bring 2 ideas of how or where a volunteer group could be used or, if `-' the Commission wishes to expand the focus to Burlingame Avenue too. Superintendent Foell asked the Commissioners to provide their ideas in writing to Administrative Secretary Harvey before May 26`h so the ideas would be included in the June agenda packet. Street Tree Fundraising — Art in the Park Booth (June 13 or June 14) After a brief discussion, the general consensus was that the Commission would staff a booth on Sunday, June 10, at Art in the Park. Commissio er McQuaide stated that the Commission could purchase wild native California flower seed packets for $for 50 packets that could be given to anyone that donates toward the tree fund. Chairperson Lahey and Commissioner Dittman offered to underwrite the cost of the seed packets. The following Commissioners volunteered to staff the booth on Sunday, June 14`h: Commissioner Dittman (8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.); Commissioner Hunt (10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.); and Commissioner Carney (1:00 p.m. to 5:00 P.M.). Superintendent Foell asked if Commissioner Dittman, being the first person to staff the booth, would be willing to also set up the booth, and that, Administrative Secretary Harvey would provide her with the 30 year Tree City USA flag, tree flyers, and the Tree City USA signage. Commissioner Dittman agreed to set up, will meet with Secretary Harvey, and will contact Commissioner Wright to check on her availability to staff the booth. NEW BUSINESS Urban Forest Management Plan Update Superintendent Foell submitted and reviewed with the Commission the updated Urban Forest Management Plan and stated that once further information is received from Public Works and Supervisor Disco, it would be forwarded to Council for approval. He then asked the Commission to further review the plan and to forward any corrections or comments to Parks Division staff. The Commission thanked and commended Superintendent Foell for all the good work on the management plan. REPORTS Superintendent Foell 1) Two Pine trees will be removed due to structure and disease in front of the Washington Park tennis courts, on the corner of Burlingame Avenue and East Lane, and will be replaced with Accolade Elms. 2) A hearing will be set for the June 4th Commission meeting regarding an appeal of the denial to remove a City -owned Monterey Cypress tree at 1812 Easton Drive; the tree is in good condition but is causing sidewalk, driveway, and other issues to City and private property. 3) Thanked the Commission for their efforts promoting the Storm Drain measure. Superintendent Foell then announced that he had accepted a full time position as District Administrator with the Orangevale Recreation and Park District and will be leaving the City of Burlingame effective May 13`h. He added that he loved his time with the City of Burlingame and working with the Commission on some of the important tasks over the last year. The Commission expressed their disappointment in his leaving, but congratulated him in his new position, and thanked Superintendent Foell for all his help over the last year•, that he would be really missed. Commissioner Benson Commissioner Benson reported that she had deadheaded flowering plants, had conducted weeding and watering on Broadway and Burlingame Avenue. She concluded that anyone is welcomed to do watering on the business avenues; just fill up milk gallon jugs (with screw tops) with water and water. Commissioner Hunt �-- Commissioner Hunt announced that the 2°d Sunday of every month the Citizens for a Better Burlingame are sponsoring a Bike ride and will meet at Summit Bikes at 10:00 a.m. REPORTS — (Contd.) Commissioner McQuaide Commissioner McQuaide stated that she had attempted to make arrangements so she could make a tree presentation to the San Mateo County Realtors but had not had any response from the person she had contacted. Commissioner Hunt, who is a realtor, offered to assist Commissioner McQuaide with the appropriate contacts. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Karle e Harvey Recording Secretary -IN ''\