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.
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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