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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2008.12.04BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION DECEMBER 4, 2008 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, McQuaide, and Wright. Staff: Interim Parks Superintendent Foell and Admin. Secretary Harvey Guests: Nancy Locke, Mary Hunt, and Alisa Ruiz -Johnson MINUTES — Minutes were approved as submitted. CORRESPONDENCE Letter from Mayor O'Mahony to Commissioner Lahey, congratulating her re -appointment to the Beautification Commission. Letter from Superintendent Foell to the Burlingame/Hillsborough Newcomers Club, thanking them for the $100 donation for plant purchase for the newly renovated Helen D' Arcy Fragrance Garden in Washington Park. FROM THE FLOOR Nancy Locke and Mary Hunt introduced themselves and stated they were there to observe. OLD BUSINESS Arbor Day/Saturday, March 7, 2009 — Bayside Park/Report Superintendent Foell reported that Director Schwartz has asked that the Arbor Day ceremony be held on Saturday, March 7t' so that service clubs, as well as other adults and children may attend. This larger event would provide an opportunity to promote community funding to replenish the parks division's tree fund account that has now been depleted. The City Council's commitment of $5,000 over the next several years has provided the match required for the state funded grant planting of street trees throughout the City, but does not provide funding for the City's ongoing street tree replacement fund. The Arbor Day ceremony will include the planting of 17 new Redwood trees at Bayside Park. Superintendent Foell also reported that the removal of the young redwood trees at Bayside Park to make way for a synthetic field has been put on hold due to the current budget issues that have postponed plans for a synthetic field. Business Landscape Award 2009 Commissioner Wright stated that the extensive media list that was received by staff would be a real asset in the Commission's efforts in promoting the award. She reported that she has given out a number of application forms on Broadway and spoke to Ross Bruce of the BID. Commissioners McQuaide and Benson commented that they had also given out applications on Burlingame Avenue. Commissioner Benson noted that though there are many businesses that "look good"; many do not have frontages that can support landscaping. The Commission further discussed qualifying elements of the Business Landscape Award. Business Landscape Award 2009 (Contd.) Superintendent Foell reported that Mayor Keighran had suggested promoting the Business Landscape Award on the City's website; the application and award information has now been --� forwarded to the City Clerk for website posting. The Commission discussed other ways of promoting the Business Landscape Award. It was a consensus that Commissioners contact the Lions and Rotary Clubs and other service groups to promote the award. Commissioner Carney agreed to contact Dan Anderson of the Lions Club; Commissioner Benson will contact Randy Schwartz of the Rotary Club, and Commissioner Wright will contact Georgette Naylor of the Chamber. NEW BUSINESS Networking with Realtors Regarding Community Tree Information Commissioner McQuaide stated that she would be very interested in providing realtors with information that can be communicated to their clients, the City of Burlingame's philosophy, ordinances, and policies with regards to public and private trees. Superintendent Foell noted that several tree related tri-folds are available in the Parks & Recreations Department that might be helpful in developing a useful flyer for the realtors. Commissioner McQuaide concluded that she would be willing to draft a letter and put together an accompanying flyer for the Commission to review at the February 2009 meeting. Cancellation of the January 1, 2009 Beautification Commission Meeting It was a consensus of the Commission that the January 1, 2009 Commission meeting be cancelled and that the next regularly scheduled meeting be held on February 5, 2009. REPORTS Superintendent Foell 1) Director Schwartz and Parks staff met to discuss establishing a policy/ordinance requiring "significant" remodels to meander sidewalks whenever possible to open up or enlarge planting strips for future planting of larger tree species. Superintendent Foell noted that this would be an administrative action and Planning Department staff would be drafting a resolution. 2) Burlingame/Hillsborough Newcomers Club donated $100 designated for plant purchase for the Washington Park Fragrance Garden. Superintendent Foell reported that the clubs representatives visited the garden and photographed the presentation of the donation. 3) Superintendent Foell reported that he met with representatives of the Friends of Mills Canyon and discussed several items i.e., posting "No Smoking" signs as well as other signage; using the Hillsborough Open Space Master Plan as a template for the Mills Canyon (although no funding is currently available); the annual clearing of brush behind the homes; and the upcoming Friends of Mills Canyon work day. 4) The Grant Tree Planting has begun with the tree planting on the median islands at the southern end of Airport Boulevard. The contractor will complete this winter's grant planting of 173 trees within the next several weeks. Chairperson Lahey Chairperson Lahey noted that she recently met with Superintendent Foell to review the agenda and commented that she believes good progress has been made on the Business Landscape Award. She asked that the Broadway planters be placed on the February agenda to discuss the Commissions level of involvement in that area, and that the Commission's meeting time be '� placed on the March agenda. 2 REPORTS — (Contd.) Commissioner Benson Commissioner Benson stated she had placed Poinsettia's in the small and large planters on Broadway; noting that the merchants like the color and pay for the plants. She concluded that she has California Poppies seeds ready to plant on Burlingame Avenue and continues to pick up litter. Commissioner Wright Commissioner Wright reported that she had spoken to Ross Bruce and merchants on Broadway with regard to watering the large and small planters, and that most merchants expressed a willingness to allow water to be used from their businesses so that volunteers could do the watering. Commissioner Wright also reported that the location of the street sign and the large planter in front of Rocca's Restaurant on Broadway, compromises access for those parking in the handicap parking stall. She wondered if the sign or the planter could be moved. Superintendent Foell directed Commissioner Wright to contact him at the office so they could discuss the issue further. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Resp ctfully submitted, Kar e Harvey Recording Secretary M