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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2007.05.03BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION MAY 3, 2007 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chairperson McQuaide. ROLL CALL Present: Chairperson McQuaide, Carney, Ellis, Lahey, Grandcolas, and Wright (left early) Absent: Commissioner O'Connor Staff: Superintendent Richmond and Secretary Harvey Guests: Bobbi Benson MINUTES — The Minutes of the April 5, 2007 Beautification Commission Meeting, were revised to read that Commissioner Grandcolas was `present" and under Easton Drive Reforestation Plan: Tree Hazard Evaluation Form Approval ... "has been adopted for use by the International Society of Arboriculture and will be used during the next evaluation of the Easton Drive trees as well as on other City -owned trees (requiring comprehensive evaluation) throughout the City. " CORRESPONDENCE Draft submitted by Commissioner McQuaide: possible letter to be sent to residents regarding centennial tree planting. Tree Planting Programs current and future considerations submitted by Superintendent Richmond. Tree Assessment — Large Blue Gum Eucalyptus — 1800 Easton Drive, Burlingame, CA submitted by Kevin Kielty, (Kielty Arborist Services) and Robert Weatherill, (Advanced Tree Care) for Council consideration. FROM THE FLOOR — `.- Bobbi Benson reported that the Friends of Mills Canyon have been working on the removal of Scotch Broom in the Mills Canyon; almost all the Scotch Broom is gone and in the process has revealed a bluff. She encouraged everyone to visit the canyon; that it is beautiful right now. Bobbi reported that her group is now attacking the unsightly newsracks on Broadway and Burlingame Avenue and are working with Public Works staff person, Gordon Gottsche. She reported that on Sunday, May 6"', the Newcomers Club will plant on Broadway, trash cans will be painted, and there will be some new plantings at Molly Stones on Chapin Avenue. She then showed the Commission pictures of some of the plantings on Broadway and Burlingame Avenue. She added that she would like to see work done on the Fragrance Garden in Washington Park and that the Broadway overpass triangle is unsightly with weeds. Bobbi concluded that she has developed a School Garden Guide to assist and promote gardening in the schools. NEW BUSINESS Update on North End Planning Process — Maureen Brooks, Sr. Planner Superintendent Richmond introduced Maureen Brooks from the Planning Department who agreed to review the North End Plan with the Commission. Ms. Brooks noted that the plan includes the area from Peninsula Hospital on El Camino, West and East side, North to Trousdale and including Marco Polo and Ogden. Ms. Brooks then showed a power point presentation of conceptuals for the El Camino Streetscape, Linear Park walkway, Rollins Road Gateway, and Adrian Road Landscaping. She noted that the project will occur as new development occurs and so will take many years to be completed, but that there are developers who are already showing interest and there are some projects in the design phase. Following the presentation the Commission thanked Ms. Brooks for the informative presentation. OLD BUSINESS -11-1 Street Tree Reforestation Proiect — Commissioners List of Blocks with Few Trees Superintendent Richmond noted that Supervisor Disco is reviewing the list of blocks that have been turned in so far and that lists are still needed for a couple of more areas. He noted that once all the lists have been turned in and reviewed, the Commission will need to discuss a strategy for implementation and funding. Arbor Day 2008 — Centennial Tree Plantine Chairperson McQuaide stated she attended the Executive Committee Centennial Planning meeting. She presented the Commission's idea to the Committee of raising funds to plant a centennial Oak tree on the island near Stacks at California Drive as well as planting the tree during the Arbor Day Ceremony. Chairperson McQuaide reported that the Committee suggested that consideration be given to planting a tree on the South end of the Train Station with the planting taking place during the Train "plaza" celebration; they also expressed concern that there may be too many fundraisings at the same time. The Commission discussed the different ideas. Superintendent Richmond reported that Supervisor Disco obtained the cost for the planting of a large California Live Oak with a crane: 72 in box size — 20' tall, $10,000; and 120" box size — 35' tall, $40,000. It was the consensus of the Commission that they continue to pursue the idea of planting a Live Oak tree on the island near Stacks for Arbor Day 2008, and that they develop a fundraising campaign for the planting of a 72" box size Live Oak tree at the cost of $10,000. Superintendent Richmond stated he would forward the Commission's comments to Director Schwartz for further direction. Rescheduled Meeting with Council The Commission discussed topics to be discussed with Council during the June 18 Joint Meeting. 1) Arbor Day Centennial Tree Planting 2) Pursuing historic street designation for Easton Drive Eucalyptus. (Commission further expressed interest in more information on this item. It was the general consensus of the Commission that a fact finding committee be established for further study. Chairperson McQuaide and Commissioner Grandcolas agreed to serve on this committee. 3) Trash in the City: What is the source? a) Garbage cans overflowing. b) More garbage cans needed? c) Issuing citations to litterers. 4) How can Burlingame go "Green"? a) Shuttle Bus 2) Limiting use of plastic bags (retail/grocery stores). 5) Updating Council on Street Tree Reforestation project. 6) Yearly rotation of Commission officers. Superintendent Richmond noted that the Commission will have approximately 40 minutes to discuss topics with the Council, that the Council will have topics of interest, and that the Commission should prioritize their topics of interest at the June 7"' meeting. REPORTS Richmond 1. Chairperson McQuaide, Bobbi Benson, and Supt. Richmond will be attending an Urban Forestry Seminar in San Jose tomorrow (5/4). 2. Supt. Richmond attended a Sudden Oak Death update in Los Gatos this week. 3. The Downtown Cleanup Committee held its first volunteer clean up event on Sunday morning, focusing on downtown parking lots. 70+ volunteers participated. Next event will be Sunday, May 6; it will involve painting garbage cans and planting annuals in boxes on Broadway. 4. Parks Crew will be changing out annual plantings this month. 5. Soil treatment with Merit insecticide for street trees with chronic aphid problems completed. 6. Staff Report on the Easton Library Eucalyptus tree will be presented at the Monday Council meeting. Kevin Kielty will present the findings of the arborists who studied the tree. REPORTS — (Contd.) Chairperson McQuaide Chairperson McQuaide stated that she appreciated Maureen Brooks presentation and that she was glad to see that there may be a new entrance to Burlingame someday. She stated that the Commission needs to be discussing what the Commission's focus is ... that the Commission should be seen helping to beautify the City and asked that the "vision for the Beautification Commission" be placed on the July Agenda. Commissioner Ellis Commissioner Ellis reported that the Historical Society would be revealing Centennial activities at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Burlingame Avenue on Saturday. Commissioner Grandcolas Commissioner Grandcolas commented that he would like to see the Commission establish a vision. Commissioner Lahey Commissioner Lahey reported that the Cleanup Task Force had their first event on Broadway. She reported many children participated as well as the City of Burlingame Firemen. She commented that she was thankful to Ann Keighran and Jean Silveira for recruiting students from the local schools to help out. Meeting adiourned at 7:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 1 I`L/ Karlene Harvey Recording Secretary