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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2009.11.05BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION November 5, 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 (arrived @ 6:15), Hunt, McQuaide (left @ 6:15), and Wright Staff: Parks Supervisor Disco and Administrative Secretary Harvey Guests: Pat Giorni (1445 Balboa Avenue) MINUTES — Minutes were corrected to read, under REPORTS — Commissioner Benson ... "Commissioner Benson thanked Supervisor Disco for removing and replacing the 3 female Gingkos on Donnelly Avenue." CORRESPONDENCE Picture of Landscape Award presentation to Earthbeam to be submitted in Spring Recreation Brochure promoting 2010 competition. Burlingame Avenue Planters/Landscape; areas of responsibility and history of maintenance. Letter to Pat Giomi, copying all property owners on the 1400 block of Balboa Avenue, regarding setting a public hearing to establish a street tree theme of Catalpa trees on the 1400 block of Balboa Avenue. City Street Tree Themed Blocks policy. Community Garden ideas submitted by Commissioner McQuaide. Chair Rotation Order. Landscape Award Committee Rotation/Structure. FROM THE FLOOR Pat Giorni congratulated Commissioners Hunt, McQuaide, and Wright on their reappointments to the Commission. She also noted that a new restaurant owner on Burlingame Avenue is interested in starting a business improvement district on Burlingame Avenue. Chairperson Lahey asked that the order of the agenda be changed to accommodate the public present for the scheduled hearing. NEW BUSINESS Petition for Avulication for Street Tree Theme — "Catalua Trees" on the 1400 Block of Balboa Avenue Parks Supervisor Disco stated that a signed petition was received from two thirds of the property owners on the1400 Block of Balboa Avenue requesting Catalpa trees be planted as replacement trees or in vacant planting sites. Staff notified by mail all property owners on the 1400 block of Balboa of tonight's public hearing. The Commission discussed condition of existing trees, suitability and characteristics of the Catalpa specie, and pests/disease common to the specie. Supervisor Disco stated that the condition of the Catalpa trees on the 1400 block are in fair to good condition, unlike the Catalpa trees that had been topped under primary utility lines on Vancouver Avenue; that, Catalpa trees in our area had not experienced any pest or disease, and had been a suitable specie, but that nursery vendors had not had this specie available in the past few years. He noted most recently, one of the nurseries had indicated they were able to get this specie tree and if approved, Catalpa trees could be planted in January in approximately 3 different vacant planting sites. Chairperson Lahey then opened the hearing to the public. 1 NEW BUSINESS — (Contd.) Petition for Application for Street Tree Theme — "Catalpa Trees" on the 1400 Block of Balboa Avenue Pat Giorni, 1445 Balboa Avenue, stated that the tree does have large bean pods but do not present a problem and the neighborhood would be happy to continue the planting of Catalpa trees; adding that, none of the trees on the block are under primary wires. She also noted that a young Eucalyptus tree at 1441 Balboa is leaning and might become an available planting site (if it were determined by Supervisor Disco that removal would be required) as well as a new building project on the block (that when completed) would also need a new street tree. Chairperson Lahey closed the public hearing. Following a brief discussion, Commissioner Benson moved that the Commission recommend to the City Council that the 1400 Block of Balboa Avenue be designated as a "themed block" of Catalpa trees; seconded, Carney. Motion carried 5 — 1 (abstain/Dittman) - 1 (absent/McQuaide). Chairperson Lahey returned the meeting to the regular order of the agenda. OLD BUSINESS Community Garden Chairperson Lahey noted the Commissions receipt of Commissioner McQuaide's ideas related to the Community Garden, and asked that the item be tabled to the December meeting when Commissioner McQuaide would be in attendance. It was a consensus of the Commission that the item be tabled to the December 3, 2009 Commission meeting. Adopt -A -Planters on Burlineame Avenue Commissioner Benson stated that the Committee surveyed other Peninsula cities to determine responsibility of watering and maintenance in other downtown areas and that generally costs for most City's downtown area planting/maintenance or watering is paid out of the general fund. In Burlingame, the Broadway merchants assessed themselves and have hired Community Gatepath to maintain the small planter pots fronting the businesses. Commissioner Benson noted that she also had expressed her concerns to Kevin Osborne (Downtown Burlingame Business Association) and Patricia Love (Economic Development Specialist) and had recently received information that a new restaurant owner, Mr. Kennedy, is interested in starting a business improvement district for Burlingame Avenue. Commissioner Benson reported on the downtown areas of the following cities: 1) City of San Carlos — Public Works Department crew waters the hanging baskets and maintains. 2) City of Redwood City — Parks Department crew waters and maintains and monies come out of the general fund. 3) Los Gatos — Costs for maintenance and watering comes out of the general fund and through donations. Commissioner Carney reported on the following cities: 1) Palo Alto, Hillsborough (islands), and San Carlos are all funded by the City's general fund and donations. Commissioner Hunt reported on the following cities: 1) City of San Mateo has some irrigation in their downtown area but hires Lorel Tree Service to water several trees. 2) Millbrae — Watering in the downtown area is performed by a City maintenance worker and a watering system that takes care of other plants. 3) San Bruno — Automatic irrigation system is provided in the planted areas; Jeff Daniels suggested water system be traced to locate where water pipes are so they can be repaired and made operable. Commissioner Benson stated that Kevin Osborne thought hiring someone to water the planters would cost approximately $5,000 annually and $1,000 extra to supplement the plants. Commissioner Benson suggested plants such as freeway daisies and lantana would work well. 2 Old Business - Adopt -A -Planters on Burlineame Avenue — (Contd.) Commissioner Dittman reported that she contacted Community Gatepath and arranged for a meeting with Kevin Osborne, Bob Disco, and Malyka Chop (Gatepath) to survey the avenue and determine who is responsible for L what, and asked Gatepath to submit an estimate to the Downtown Burlingame Business Association of what it might cost to water the planters. Commissioner Dittman concluded that she would report back at the next Commission meeting. Arbor Dav Celebration Update — March 2010 Supervisor Disco reported that this year's ceremony would be held on March 4th at 10:30 at the City parking lot adjacent to Lions Hall Building (990 Burlingame Avenue). Approximately 5 -7 trees would be donated by the Lion's Club and planted next to the Lions Hall and in a nearby area of Washington Park. Administrative Secretary Harvey noted that the theme of the day would be celebrating the completion of the Grant tree planting, completion of the City's tree planting program for the year 2009, and encouraging public donations to the City tree fund in order to continue the tree planting program in the City. Commissioner Carney asked that a program brochure be provided as a hand out on the day, such as had been done for last year's program. NEW BUSINESS — Chair Rotation Beginning December 3, 2009 Meetina The following rotation of officers will begin serving at the December 3, 2009 meeting: Donna Wright - Chairperson Bobbi Benson - Vice Chairperson Leslie McQuaide - Secretary Landscape Award 2010 a) Timeline — It was a consensus of the Commission that the "timeline" would remain the same. b) Committee Structure — Chairperson Lahey presented an example of a rotation process noting that it could be followed and would allow for rotating Landscape Award Committee members in order to help ensure transparency and sustainability of the program. Commissioner Dittman stated she liked the process and it would be easy to follow, noting that the process matched the Commission's Chair/Officers yearly rotation. Following a brief discussion, Commissioner Dittman moved that the Commission adopt the Landscape Award Committee Structure; seconded, Wright. Motion carried 6 — 0 — 1 (absent/McQuaide). c) Committee Appointment — The following Commission members were appointed to serve as the 2010 Landscape Award Committee: Donna Wright (Chair), Bobbi Benson (Vice Chair 1), and Leslie McQuaide (Vice Chair 2). REPORTS Administrative Secretary Harvey • In September, a total of 262 City trees were serviced by the City's tree crew and 77 requests for tree service were received from the public. • Approximately twenty (mostly younger trees) were lost/removed due to the Oct. 13th storm; there were approximately 83 storm related calls received from the public. The removed trees would be scheduled for replacement during the January 2010 tree planting. • Homeowner at 1812 Easton Drive secured a permit for a tree company to remove the Cypress tree stump. City crews would remove the Cypress tree in November and a 24" box size Eucalyptus citriodora tree would be planted soon thereafter. • At the request of a Council member, the item regarding tree removals at 1568 Alturas Drive was placed on the October 15`h Council agenda for Council to consider setting a date for public hearing, but the item was subsequently withdrawn. The homeowner of 1568 Alturas Drive was contacted and the permit was issued per Beautification Commission decision. • Picture of Landscape Award information was submitted for inclusion in the next Recreation Brochure. `,, Nomination forms for 2010 are available at the Parks & Recreation Department. REPORTS — (Contd.) Parks Supervisor Disco • P.G.& E. will be conducting work on the Eucalyptus trees on west side of El Camino the week of ... November 8th Chairperson Lahey Chairperson Lahey stated that she had enjoyed serving and learning as Chair of the Commission over the past year and reported that the holiday tree lighting at City Hall would be on Friday, December 0. Supervisor Disco added that there will be over 100 LED light strands (that look like real bulbs) placed on the tree this year. Chairperson Lahey also added that the Broadway Lights program will be held on Saturday, December St'. Commissioner Carney Commissioner Carney reported that a swing was again placed in the City street tree at 464 Chatham Avenue. Commissioner Benson Commissioner Benson reported that she was asked to stop watering by the owner of one of the private businesses on Burlingame Avenue and that she had also a run in with someone who was removing and planting other plants in one of the aggregate planters on Burlingame Avenue. Commissioner Benson reported that the City Magnolia tree near the entrance to Mollie Stone's Market needs to be "limbed up". Commissioner Dittman Commissioner Dittman thanked Chairperson Lahey for her service this past year staring that she had done an unbelievable, outstanding job; that the Commission really got some things done. Commissioner Wright Commissioner Wright reported that 1) the tree on Vancouver and Carmelita was trimmed, 2) between Vancouver and Bernal there is a broken branch hanging over the street 3) the garbage can was placed on Chula Vista in front of the Broadway cleaners and the area is much nicer 4) she will not be able to attend the December meeting and asked that Vice -Chair Benson chair the meeting; Commissioner Benson agreed to chair the December meeting. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, --vvi- Kar ene Harvey Recording Secretary M 4