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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2008.10.02BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION OCTOBER 2, 2008 �. The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Acting Chairperson McQuaide. ROLL CALL Present: Acting Chair McQuaide, Commissioners Benson, Ellis, Grandcolas, Lahey, and Wright Absent: Chairperson Carney Staff: Interim Parks Superintendent Foell and Admin. Secretary Harvey Guests: Jim Briggs (1443 Montero Avenue), Kara Abendroth (1620 MacDonald Way), Ashley Canty (1128 Douglas Avenue) MINUTES — The minutes of the September 4, 2008 meeting were approved as submitted. CORRESPONDENCE Staff Report to Beautification Commission from Parks Superintendent Foell, dated August 27, 2008, regarding Adoption of the City of Burlingame Themed Block List and the Policy to Establish a Themed Block. FROM THE FLOOR Jim Briggs, Kara Abendroth, and Ashley Canty introduced themselves and individually stated that they had come to observe the work of the Commission because they had applied for the upcoming vacancies on the Commission. The Commission welcomed them and thanked them for coming. OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS Green Trees Grant Tree Planting Proiect Superintendent Foell stated that the bid process for the tree planting had been completed and that the company Watkin & Bortolussi had been awarded the project. Trees would be purchased from local growers and all plant material and planting specifications would need to meet state specification standards in order to be funded. Letters had been mailed to the property owner's notifying them of the tree planting and requesting they choose I of 3 species offered for the planting area fronting their property. He concluded that approximately 150 trees will be planted this November and December to take advantage of the winter rains, but clarified that this is separate from the City tree planting that is now being conducted by City crews. Arbor Day 2009 — Location/Date Superintendent Foell stated that the Arbor Day ceremony is being scheduled for Friday, March 6`h with the planting of 8-10 Redwood trees at Bayside Park to make way for future plans of installing a synthetic ball field. The necessary dimensions of the new field might require the removal of some of the young Redwood trees that were previously planted as well as some old Pine trees. Commissioner Benson commented that she would like to see the young Redwood trees transplanted instead of being removed. Commissioner Lahey expressed that she had concerns about removing the existing Redwood trees and hoped efforts could be made to save the trees. Superintendent Foell responded that he would report back to the Commission further information and more details on the overall plan at a future meeting. Business Landscape Award 2009 — Timeline/Planninz Superintendent Foell submitted a proposed timeline for implementation of the next Business Landscape Award. The Commission reviewed the timeline and discussed moving the date up for the Council award presentation to a June or July Council meeting instead of September, and also discussed other venues for recognizing the winning business. Following the discussion, it was the consensus of the Commission that the timeline be adopted and that the next Business Landscape Award be presented at a September Council meeting. NEW BUSINESS — (Contd.) Business Landscape Award Committee Appointment Commissioners Wright, McQuaide, and Benson agreed to serve on the Business Landscape Award Committee and Commissioner Wright will serve as Chair. The Commission briefly discussed publicizing the event in the 2009 Spring Recreation brochure and the Chamber newsletter and asked that the Business Landscape Award be placed on the November meeting agenda for further discussion and follow-up. REPORTS Superintendent Foell Superintendent Foell noted there are two vacancies on the Commission and that the application process had been extended to October 15''. He also stated that the rotation of the Chairperson would occur and the new chair would be seated at the December meeting. After the appointment of the new commissioners, those commissioners would draw lots to determine their placement in the rotation. Superintendent Foell reported that the Stump Removal Contract would begin soon for the removal of over 60 stumps that are remaining from our postponed April planting, and stumps that have yet to be removed for the upcoming October tree planting. This year's Tree Pruning & Stump Removal contract required rebidding due to confusion over the increased prevailing wage rate requirements. The cost of this years contract represents a 70% increase over the last time this project was out to bid. Superintendent Foell reported that the City's tree crew had begun the April/October street tree planting and approximately 170 street trees should be completed within the next month. Acting Chair McQuaide Acting Chair McQuaide noted that the Centennial tree is doing well and asked when the Centennial plaque would be installed. Superintendent Foell responded that he would follow-up with Supervisor Disco. Commissioner Grandcolas Commissioner Grandcolas stated that regretfully, it would be necessary for him to resign from the Commission due to work related conflicts, but that he enjoyed the dialog and debate and was proud of the work of the Commission and how the Commission handled some really tough issues. He asked that commissioners remember two things with regard to appeals for tree removals: 1) Tree's roots do not crack open drainpipes, nor will the roots of a tree crack foundations; this just does not happen. 2) Do whatever can be done to protect the tall canopied trees in the City; that they are and must be considered as valuable financial assets. The Commissioners expressed their appreciation to Commissioner Grandcolas, that his input would be missed, and thanked Commissioner Grandcolas for his service on the Commission. Commissioner Lahey Commissioner Lahey stated that everything on Broadway looked lovely. Commissioner Wright Commissioner Wright commented on the beauty of the Crape Myrtles that have been planted around Burlingame that are now in bloom. Commissioner Wright commented on a concern expressed to her about the planting of plastic flowers in the containers on Broadway. Commissioner Benson responded that since there is no irrigation in the containers, the plantings have died and or disappeared and that merchants have provided funds for the colorful plastic flowers. Commissioner Benson explained that she cleaned out the garbage from the planters and installed the plastic plants just so there would be some color. _I\ Commissioner Ellis Commissioner Ellis thanked Commissioner McQuaide and her husband for their support and manning the booth at the Shoreline Cleanup. She noted that over 200 participants attended the annual event, including 45 students from St. Dunstan's Catholic School. Commissioner Ellis concluded that she would not be making reapplication at this time to serve another term on the Commission due to time restraints. The Commissioners thanked Commissioner Ellis and expressed their appreciation. Commissioner Benson Commissioner Benson reported that she planted more fake flowers for color in the containers on Chula Vista, removed trash, changed out some plants that were not performing well, and continued cleaning up and weeding planters on Broadway and Burlingame Avenue. Commissioner Benson also reported that she "deadheaded" the roses in the Washington Park Rose Garden and would be happy to conduct a rose pruning seminar in the winter. She noted that City employee John Zimmerman is busy cleaning the avenues but that the streets are still dirty. Commissioner Benson also reported that there are bed springs on the northwest corner of Hillsborough side of El Camino Real. Commissioner Benson commented that she had been in discussions with Parks Superintendent Foell with regard to her ideas and interest in beautifying Washington Park by donating and installing gardens someplace appropriate within the City for nearby neighbors to enjoy. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:15 PM. Respectfully submitted, Karlene Harvey Recording Secretary