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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2007.06.07BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION DUNE 7, 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 (left early), and Wright Absent: Commissioner Grandcolas Staff: Director Schwartz, Superintendent Richmond, and Secretary Harvey Guests: Bobbi Benson Chairperson McQuaide reported that Commissioner O'Connor found it necessary to resign due to time constraints in a new job assignment. MINUTES — The Minutes of the May 3, 2007 Beautification Commission Meeting, were revised to read under Reports: Commissioner Ellis ... "the Historical Society would be revealing Centennial activities at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Burlingame Avenue on Sunday. " CORRESPONDENCE Letter to Commissioner O'Connor from Mayor Nagel regretfully acknowledging Commissioner O'Connor's resignation from the Commission. Copy of E-News date June 4, 2007 re: Next Steps Re: 1800 Easton Drive Tree. Draft of Letter to Easton Drive residents submitted by Chairperson McQuaide. FROM THE FLOOR — Bobbi Benson reported that the Mollie Stones corner has been planted with Raphiolepsis and once the sprinkler system is repaired she will plant Society Garlic. She concluded that on Broadway near the travel agency, the nearby businesses are watering and caring for the plants; that it looks pretty. OLD BUSINESS Landscape Award Commissioner Lahey submitted a preliminary draft of the proposed Beautification Award and Nomination Form for the Commissions review and discussion. She noted that they want the award to be fun and attainable and are considering granting awards to single family residential units and commercial businesses. She added that ideally awards would be presented to the recipient(s) at a public meeting or event. Commissioner Wright reported on the different types of plaques/awards and that the Committee will be looking into having them designed by some interested local artists. The Commission discussed the concept and made recommendation on some changes to the proposal. Commissioner Lahey will make the revisions discussed and will forward the revised document to the Commissioners via email. The Commission will get further direction from the Council on this proposal at the Joint meeting on June 18. Street Tree Reforestation Proiect — Commissioners List of Blocks with Few Trees Superintendent Richmond submitted a vacant planting site list generated from the Street Tree Inventory that has been matched with the lists of sites identified by the Commission. He stated that Director Schwartz, Administrative Secretary Harvey, and he met with John Melvin from the Department of Forestry to review and the pre -grant application to determine any revisions necessary to qualify for funding. Superintendent Richmond noted that the logistics will be complicated but, (in addition to the 300+ trees already planted each year in the City), the goal of this project will be to plant 450 trees on blocks in the City with few trees, with the project being �' funded over the next 3 years through the state Green Trees for the Golden State Grant. Arbor Day 2008 — Centennial Tree Planting Director Schwartz noted that as part of the Green Trees Grant application the City would get extra points for planting a percentage of large canopy trees and that school property can be included in the grant funding for the Street Tree Reforestation project. Director Schwartz recommended that the Centennial Tree Planting include an Arbor Day planting of 2-3 trees at each of the schools as well as at Cannon Park (island at Douglas/Bellevue "\ Avenue). He added each school would have approximately 300 children attending the ceremonial planting and it would help to promote good relationships between the City and the school district. He noted that at several of the schools, where there is not enough planting space, a significant tree(s) could instead be planted in the City planter strip instead. The Commission discussed the idea of an Arbor Day planting at each school along with the Centennial Tree Planting at Cannon Park. Director Schwartz noted that we may only be able to have the Tree City USA flag ceremony state representatives at the Cannon Park planting but that the flag given there could become part of the ceremony at each of the schools. Director Schwartz noted that donations received for the Cannon Park tree would determine the size of tree that would be planted, but that only 15 gallon size trees could be planted at the schools as part of the Green Trees Grant. Following the discussion, it was a consensus of the Commission to move ahead with the two pronged concept of the Centennial Tree Planting at the schools and Cannon Park. Joint Meetinz with Council The Commission set the topics to be discussed with Council during the June 18 Joint Meeting. 1) Update on Easton Drive Reforestation. 2) Update on tree planting on blocks with few trees (Street Tree Reforestation.) 3) Proposed Centennial Tree Planting 4) Proposed Landscape Award 5) Creating a Separate Advocacy Group for Trees Chairperson McQuaide would like to see a group from within the community that could raise funds to increase -IN the tree canopy in the City of Burlingame. The group would need to become a 501C3, non-profit organization and could be called something like "Friends of the Trees", that it would be a legacy and a mission and focus of the Commission to promote this. Commissioner Lahey stated that she believes the Commission has stayed with its mission and goals of the preservation of City trees; that the Commission has spent time and energy establishing tree view policies, an Easton Drive reforestation plan, and a street tree reforestation project and they will be the Commission's legacy. She added that the Commission's charge or its intent is not to beautify the City or to rid the City of trash; but that it is charged with the preservation of the trees in the City and she thinks the Commission is doing a good job. Chairperson McQuaide added that more time needs to be spent on educating the community on the importance of trees and realtors would be a good source to consider to pass on information to new homeowners with regard to the importance of trees in a community. After the discussion, it was the consensus to discuss with the Council at the joint meeting, the concept of establishing or supporting an advocacy group for trees. Easton Drive Reforestation Update and Community Forum Superintendent Richmond stated a community forum on June 281h, will be held at the First Presbyterian Church at 6:00 pm. The public forum will re -address the selection of the tree replacement fronting the Easton Branch library; that the Red Flowering Ficifolia may not be the preferred tree. The other item to be addressed will be to select alternative Eucalyptus species that are readily available at local nurseries; the Sugar Gum is not readily available in the United States. Notification will be sent to the Easton Drive residents as well as regular public notification. Chairperson McQuaide reviewed with the Commission the letter she drafted to be mailed to the Easton Drive residents. Pictures of the alternative trees will be included. Chairperson McQuaide will also hand deliver the item to the Easton Drive residents within in the week before the meeting. 2 NEW BUSINESS Nominating Committee Appointment for Election of Officers in August 2007 Superintendent Richmond commented that the Commission can go on the rotation system for new officers or remain with the nomination system. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Carney moved that the Commission �-- use the rotation system for new Commission officers; seconded, Wright. Motion passed 4 — 0 — 2 (absent) — 1 (vacancy). Further information will be made available on the process at the next meeting. REPORTS Director Schwartz Director Schwartz reported that staff has compiled procedures, standards, and policies that the Parks Division has been using on the trees in the City over the last several decades. The compilation of the data now named the Urban Reforestation Management Plan will be reproduced and presented to the City Council at the June 18"' meeting and might help to explain the already existing ongoing efforts in place to manage the Urban Forest in Burlingame. Copies will also be provided to the Beautification Commissioners. Director Schwartz stated that the Council has asked that the Traffiic, Parking, and Safety Commission to devel9op criteria when trees need to be modified for road side impacts and to affirm or amend the Easton Drive Tree Selection list. The Council has also asked that a liaison from the Beautification Commission attend the TSP Commission meetings with regard to these issues. Chairperson McQuaide volunteered to serve as liaison at the TSP meetings. REPORTS — (Contd.) Superintendent Richmond 1. Review of current pests/diseases in our area: a. Light Brown Apple Moth b. Sudden Oak Death —Kevin Kielty alerted us to the possible presence of this disease in Mills Canyon. My visual inspection indicated an apparent confirmation. Supervisor Disco alerted the County person responsible for testing. He will sample the identified Oaks in the Canyon to confirm the presence of the disease. The disease is vectored by Bay trees and over time is fatal to affected Coast Live Oaks. c. Supervisor Disco and Consulting Arborist Kielty inspected the Camphor trees on lower Burlingame Ave., some of which appear to be in decline. Several are in decline apparently due to work performed in the sidewalk contract from about five years ago. Several trees unaffected by sidewalk repair show evidence of Oak Root Fungus. 2. Commissioner O'Connor has resigned; Council will appoint a replacement in the near future; application period closes June 11. Applications are available on line. 3. Reviewed with the Commission the July 5th Commission meeting and the consensus was to cancel the July 5"' meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, / n { karlene Harvey Recording Secretary l v