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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2009.08.06BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION August 6, 2009 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 6:00 NI -I p.m. by Vice Chairperson Wright ROLL CALL Present: Vice Chair Wright, Commissioners Benson, Dittman, Hunt, and McQuaide Absent: Chairperson Lahey and Commissioner Carney Staff: Administrative Secretary Harvey Guests: Dale Perkins MINUTES — Minutes were approved as submitted. CORRESPONDENCE Letter to Judy Schneider, 1812 Easton Drive, informing her that the Commission voted to approve the removal of the City -owned Cypress tree at 1812 Easton Drive, but that she would be responsible for costs related to stump removal and the purchase of one 24" box size Eucalyptus citriodora replacement tree. Letter to Judy Dostal Schneider, 1812 Easton Drive, clarifying the Commission's decision and the process, noting that once she had secured a contractor to remove the stump and obtained a permit for the stump work to be done from the Parks Division, the removal of the Cypress tree would be scheduled; and that, she would be billed after the new tree was planted by the Parks crew. Letter to David and Anne Hinckle, owners of Earthbeam Natural Foods, informing them that their business landscape design had won the Business Landscape Award for 2009 and that the award presentation would be held at the September 81h City Council meeting. FROM THE FLOOR There was no comment `From the Floor'. OLD BUSINESS 2009 Business Landscape Award — Council Meeting, September 8Ih V. Chair Wright thanked Dale Perkins for attending the meeting. Mr. Perkins shared his plan to donate a watercolor rendering of the winning business as well as smaller scaled versions to be placed at the Library, City Hall. He added that he would also provide smaller prints and note cards of the winning business for each Councilmember. Administrative Secretary Harvey noted that she had confinned with the Librarian and the City Manager's office that the new renderings could replace last year's business renderings. The Commission discussed various options of what could e done, with the two publicly displayed renderings of last years art pieces. Commissioner �a mentioned that the Burlingame Historical Society might be interested and it was suggested that the owners of Solo Bambini might be interested in having the other water color rendering of their business. Mr. Perkins thought those ideas were good options to consider. The Commission reviewed the watercolor rendering of the business, discussed various options for publicity of the award, discussed presentation of the award at the Council meeting, and thanked Mr. Perkins for his work and donation to the City. NEW BUSINESS — Urban Forest Management Plan — Public Information Ideas Administrative Secretary Harvey reported that Supervisor Disco will be adding the plan to the City of Burlingame website and the following items would be available in pdf format for the public to download: • Policy for Expanding Width of Planter Strips to Accommodate Larger Canopy Trees * Planting Techniques * Landscaping Around Established Trees * Tree Protection During Construction • Landscaping Impacts Secretary Harvey added that an article would be placed in the E-Newsletter and the Recreation Brochure informing the public of the changes to the Urban Forest Management Plan, and would include a link to the plan. Commissioner McQuaide stated that contained within the information that would be posted in the E-Newsletter and the Recreation Brochure, she would like the same language included in the letter to the Realtors for new residents: "The City of Burlingame values its trees", etc. Secretary Harvey stated that could be included and asked the Commission to think about other public information ideas they may have that could be discussed at the September Commission meeting. REPORTS Administrative Secretary Harvey • A total of $446.00 was raised at the Beautification Commission's booth at Art -in -the Park � on Sunday; June 14`h. Staff thanks those Commissioner's who "woman'd" the booth that day. • Owners of Earthbeam were notified that they are the recipients of the 2009 Business Landscape Award; and that the award plaque and artist rendering of their business would be presented at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, September 8. • Broadway Improvement District contracted with Community Gatepath to plant and maintain the plants in the small pots on Broadway. City Park's crew repaired all irrigation in the small pots, and new plants were planted in the bulbouts by Park's crew. At the request of Community Gatepath, irrigation of the "small pots" was increased to 3 x's per week. • Notice regarding the "City of Trees" fundraising campaign was placed in the June 261h Burlingame -News as well as a reminder to Burlingame residents to "water" newly planted City trees (and their private trees) during "dry, drought -like" conditions. • The "Trees, What's the Big Deal " brochure, (with fundraising inserts), was placed in the Recreation Center, Water Office, and the Planning/Building Departments at City Hall. • Once the property owner at 1812 Easton Drive has contracted with a stump removal company and obtained a "no fee" permit from the Parks Division, arrangements would be made for City crews to remove and replace the City tree at 1812 Easton Drive, • Tim Richmond will work on special projects in the department on an "as needed" basis. iso 2 REPORTS — Contd. Parks Supervisor Disco • On the July 20, 2009 City Council meeting, the Council approved the revisions and additions to the Urban Forest Management Plan and also approved a new policy to expand the width of planter strips during new additions or substantial remodels. • In the month of June, the City tree crew watered approximately 470 newly planted trees; re -staked 32 trees, and liquid -fertilized 37 trees as well as watered and re -staked all the Accolade Elms along ECR belonging to CalTrans. • A park bench dedicated to the memory of Marilyn Short of the Historical Society was installed in the Fragrance Garden in Washington Park. • Park Crews planted new 5 gal lantana and lavender in several of the corner planting areas on Broadway and installed new mulch. • The Centennial Tree donor plaque was installed on a boulder in front of the Centennial tree at Washington Park. • Park Crews continue there work removing old shrubs on the islands on Airport Blvd to make room for new mulch and irrigation for the grant trees planted last year. • The Park Supervisor will now be reviewing all Private Tree Removal applications for retiring City Arborist, Steve Porter. • Caltrans will soon be removing several dead elms on ECR north of Adeline. Park Supervisor will be meeting with CalTrans representative to confirm trees and locations. • PG&E continue their plans to trim several Eucalyptus trees on the west side of ECR between Oak Grove and Bellevue. No confirmed date has been set yet. Commissioner Wright Commissioner Wright reported that Broadway looks beautiful with the colorful flowers but noted that there is no trash container in front of the Broadway Cleaners on Chula Vista and is really needed. Secretary Harvey referred Commissioner Wright to the Public Works Department who is responsible for placement of trash receptacles in the business districts. Commissioner Dittman Commissioner Dittman stated the "garage sales" signs and other signs are being posted on poles throughout Burlingame, commenting that it looks awful and wished something could be done about it. Commissioner Dittman commented that though the Beautification Commission's primary responsibility is oversight of the trees, she would like to see a Public Arts Committee or Commission. Commissioner Benson replied that the Council has also considered the formation of a committee or commission. Commissioner Dittman asked about Newsracks in the City. Commissioner Benson responded that Gordon Goettsche from Public Works had asked her to inventory Newsracks in the business districts that do not have permits and once the notification process had been completed, racks without permits could be removed. Commissioner McQuaide Commissioner McQuaide stated that in the spring she would like to see the City of Burlingame have a community vegetable garden but added that a fenced space would be required; she `— wondered if Cuernavaca Park would have space for a community garden. 3 REPORTS — Contd. Commissioner Hunt Commissioner Hunt expressed her concern that two large trees located in Lot L, behind the '1 Atherton Culinary business, may be removed as part of the plan for the new Safeway project. Commissioner Benson Commissioner Benson reported that she spruced up the planters on Broadway, was disappointed to see that some of the newer plants she had planted had been removed and replaced, but stated that the large and small pots are looking beautiful. Commissioner Benson also reported on the following items: 1) Three of the large planters on Broadway were moved to the Burlingame History museum which she will plant and maintain; 2) She cleaned the gutters at the train station and deadheaded the Park Road Rose Garden; 3) The plants in the "adopted" planters on Burlingame Avenue are dying due to a lack of water. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Karlene Harvey Recording Secretary ''*N