HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2009.12.03BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION
December 3, 2009
The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Vice
Chair Benson.
ROLL CALL
Present: Vice Chair Benson, Carney, Dittman, Hunt, and McQuaide
Absent: Commissioners Lahey and Wright
Staff: Parks Supervisor Disco and Administrative Secretary Harvey
MINUTES — Minutes were approved as corrected to read, under ADOPT -A -PLANTERS ON
BURLINGAME AVENUE ... (Paragraph 5) "Commissioner Benson ... noted that plants such as freeway
daisies and Lantana are still working well. " And (paragraph 6) related to the on site meeting to survey the
Burlingame Avenue planters, "Commissioner Benson would join them. "
Under LANDSCAPE AWARD 2010 (C) Committee Appointment — Corrected to read: "2010 Landscape
Award Committee: Bobbi Benson (Chair), Leslie McQuaide (Vice Chair 1), and Mary Hunt (Trice Chair 2).
There was no Correspondence.
FROM THE FLOOR
There were no comments from the floor.
OLD BUSINESS
Community Garden - Discussion
Parks Supervisor Disco reported that, at the last meeting, Commissioner McQuaide had provided the
Commission with thoughts and ideas regarding development of a Community Garden in the City of Burlingame.
He stated that if the Commission were to proceed, it would be the work of the Commission to provide
recommendation detailing the project to the City Council. Supervisor Disco then provided the Commission with
Guidelines for Basic Implementation and explained that a Committee would need to determine the following
items: location of the proposed garden, how other cities monitor community gardens, installation cost, ongoing
costs, and ongoing funding, etc. He concluded that once all the information is gathered and a plan developed for
the project, the Commission could then move forward with a recommendation to Council.
Commissioner McQuaide stated that she thought a Public Hearing should be held first to find out if there is
interest in the community for a garden. She added that she had spoken to the City of Palo Alto and they have
indicated that there is seed money that would help to get the project started, and that local nurseries would
donate tools and seeds, so expense would not be great. She noted that Bayside Park might be a location to
consider because space and parking is available. Commissioner McQuaide stated other items to be determined
would be: security fencing, storage shed, insurance, what type(s) of garden to be provided, the application
process and collection of dues from users, the type of maintenance and commitment guarantees from users,
community garden rules, hours, etc.
Commissioner Dittman asked who the organizing bodies are in other Cities. Commissioner McQuaide stated
that the Parks Department oversees the garden in Palo Alto and an organized Club monitors the use. She added
that the Beautification Commission would oversee the by-laws and approximately 3 people would need to
oversee and monitor the garden.
The Commission discussed the Bayside Park location. Supervisor Disco noted because of the clay cap, a garden
in that area would need to be a "raised bed" garden. Commissioner Hunt wondered if the wind at the bayfront
�- would be an issue for plants. Vice Chair Benson responded that most plants would work well in that area.
-IN,
'-'IN
-IN
OLD BUSINESS - Community Garden — Discussion — (Contd.)
Commissioner Dittman noted that space is limited in Burlingame and taking space out of existing parks might
raise concern. She added that although she supports the idea, the Commission serves as advisory to the City
Council and that the Beautification Commission should serve more as a supporting role to club or group
interested in a project like this; that a community Garden Club would be best suited to run a project like this.
Vice -Chair Benson noted that the "Green Ribbon Task Force" had expressed interest to her with the idea of a
community garden. Commissioner Carney stated there are many different garden clubs, and a club would get
recognition for taking on such a project. The Commission discussed different clubs or groups that might be
interested as well as different locations in the City where a community garden might be suitable.
Following the discussion, Commissioner McQuaide asked if the Commission wished to pursue consideration of
a community garden. Vice -Chair Benson commented that finding a location would be the first priority and
encouraged Commissioner McQuaide to pursue identifying a location. Commissioner Carney stated she would
be willing to look into information from the City of San Mateo and how the community garden at Beresford
Park is operated. Commissioner McQuaide stated she would contact the "Green Ribbon Task Force" to find out
their interest in pursuing a project like this and then asked that the item be tabled to the February 2010 meeting.
Adopt -a -Planters on Burlingame Avenue
Vice -Chair Benson reported that she met with Patricia Love (Economic Development Specialist) and Kevin
Osborne and that Patricia Love agreed to contact the Chamber of Commerce to discuss any funding possibilities.
She added that she, Commissioner Dittman, Kevin Osborne (DBBA), and Parks Supervisor Disco met with
Malyka Chop of Community Gatepath to identify sites and to determine watering/maintenance costs. Kevin
Osborne (DBBA) agreed that the DBBA to donate the water tank for the watering of the planters. Subsequently,
Community Gatepath submitted separate bids for watering, planting, and maintenance to Kevin Osborne for
consideration but Kevin Osborne (DBBA) has now indicated that he would need to get a second bid.
Supervisor Disco stated that Patricia Love indicated that from City management's point of view, the merchants
association took over the responsibility of the planters, and need to continue to be responsible for the watering,
�-- maintenance, and upkeep and suggested that the merchants might consider forming a new business improvement
district (BID) to fund the program.
Vice Chair Benson commented that she would be putting faux (silk) flowers in the planter she adopted because
it will add color and would not require water. She added that the merchants should be encouraged to maintain
the planters fronting their business.
Following further discussion, Commissioner Dittman proposed the Commission draft a letter to the City Council
expressing the Commission's concerns. Vice Chair Benson volunteered to draft the letter to Council for the
Commission to review at the January 2010 meeting. It was a consensus of the Commission that Vice Chair
Benson draft a letter to Council regarding the Adopt -a -Planters and that the item be tabled to the January 2010
meeting.
STAFF REPORTS
ADMIN. SECRETARY HARVEY
• In October, a total of 321 City trees were serviced by the City's tree crew and 104 requests
for tree service were received from the public.
• The October street tree planting was completed with the planting of approximately 100
trees. The next street tree planting is scheduled to begin in January with the planting of
approximately 85 street trees.
• The Grant planting is also scheduled to begin in January with the planting of trees in vacant
planting strips in the northern, east and west section of Burlingame. Approximately 225
trees will be planted by contractor, Watkin & Bortolussi.
• The Parks Division has been approved to receive $5,000 over the next 3 years into the City
�-' Tree Fund from monies received from T-Mobile for an antennae installation in Washington
Park.
PA
'-IN
''IN
STAFF REPORTS — Contd. -
PARKS SUPERVISOR DISCO
• The nursery that indicated they could provide the City with Catalpa trees, mistakenly
thought we were asking for availability of the Chitalpa tree. Staff would continue to pursue
other sources to purchase the Catalpa speciosa for the 1400 Block of Balboa. Staff notified
Pat Giorni that the recommendation to Council that the 1400 Block of Balboa Avenue be
designated a themed block, would be delayed until availability of that particular specie
could be determined.
• The property owner of 1812 Easton Drive obtained a permit from the Parks Division to
remove the Cypress stump in the City planter strip; as soon s the work is completed, the a
Eucalyptus citriodora tree would be planted.
Vice Chair Benson
Vice Chair Benson reported on the following items: 1) Submitted 2010 Landscape Award information to
Georgette Naylor, for inclusion in the January Chamber newsletter. 2) A landscape crew on El Camino Real
left a mess in the planter strip adjacent to Mollie Stones. 3) The fencing around the Walgreens project near Lot
K is messy and needs to be cleaned up. 4) A Sycamore tree and a Purple Leaf Plum tree are blocking "Stop"
signs at the corners of Adeline Drive and Balboa Avenue. 5) Thanked staff as "the constants" and for doing a
good job.
Commissioner McQuaide
Commissioner McQuaide noted that the City tree fronting the Broadway Grill disappeared one day, and soon
thereafter Halloween decorations appeared in the area. Commissioner McQuaide wondered if another City tree
would be planted. Supervisor Disco reported that the day after the storm, the office received a call from the
Broadway Grill that the tree had been damaged; the tree crew removed what remained of the young tree.
Supervisor Disco confirmed that a new Carrotwood tree would be planted after the Christmas decorations (that
are now in the area) are removed.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
' aA'
Karlene Harvey
Recording Secretary
wo