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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2006.08.03BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION AUGUST 3, 2006 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, Grandcolas, Lauder, and O'Connor Absent: Commissioner Lahey Staff: Director Schwartz, Parks Superintendent Richmond, and Secretary Harvey MINUTES — The Minutes of the July 13, 2006 Beautification Commission Meeting, were approved as corrected to read under OLD BUSINESS: Request for removal of 6 City -Owned Pittosporums at 2100 Easton Drive .... and Chairperson McQuaide adjourned the meeting at 7:50 pm. Letter to Mr. Thomas Homblower, 2100 Easton Drive, informing him of the Commissions denial of the appeal to remove 6 City -Owned Pittosporums, with the recommendation that alternative systemic treatment be investigated and/or pruning be conducted to reduce or eliminate the fragrant flowers. Letter to Ms. Judith Schneider, 1812 Easton Drive, informing her of the Commission's denial of the appeal to remove the City -owned Cypress tree, based on the information in the Arborist's report that the Cypress tree is a healthy tree. �. Letter and pictures from Ms. Judith Dostal Schneider, 1812 Easton Drive, appealing to Council, the Commissions denial of the appeal to remove a City -owned Cypress tree. Letter to Judith Schneider, 1812 Easton Drive, (copied to neighboring properties) informing her that the appeal of the denial to remove a City -owned Cypress tree due to damage to her driveway and brick fence, would be heard at the September 5 b City Council meeting. Notes submitted by Chairperson McQuaide, from a conversation with Arborist Dave Dockter, regarding possible Eucalyptus varieties to be used for the long range reforestation on Easton Drive. FROM THE FLOOR - None OLD BUSINESS — Long Range Reforestation Plan for Easton Drive - Chairperson McQuaide reviewed with the Commission her conversation with Eucalyptus expert and Arborist, Dave Docktor, (employed by the City of Palo Alto). She stated that Mr. Dockter, suggested a list of Eucalyptus varieties that would meet the preferred criteria discussed by those who were in attendance at the forum in April. Chairperson McQuaide submitted a letter drafted by Commissioner Lauder and her that could be used to invite Easton Drive residents to a future forum. The forum would provide information regarding proposed Eucalyptus varieties (suggested by Arborist Dave Dockter) to be used for the long range reforestation on Easton Drive. -0 OLD BUSINESS — Long Range Reforestation Plan for Easton Drive - (Contd.) --� The Commission reviewed and discussed the suggested list of Eucalyptus varieties. Following the discussion, it was the consensus of the Commission that the forum be the item for the October 5'h Commission meeting. Chairperson McQuaide stated she will reserve a space that is handicap accessibie at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church and will invite Dave Dockter to attend. Easton Drive residents and the public will be invited to attend. Superintendent Richmond stated that at any point, if there are any issues beyond the Commission's expertise and/or purview, expert opinion can be sought as well as direction or comments from the Public Works Department and/or Traffic & Safety. Director Schwartz stated that any parking issues or concerns that may surface can also be addressed at a later date. P.G.&E. Pruning Practices in the City of Burlingame The Commission reviewed the memorandum from Director Schwartz regarding the field meeting with P.G.&E.'s representative, Vegetation Manager, Erin Parks. Superintendent Richmond presented a booklet for the Commission to review: Best Management Practices — Utility Pruning of Trees. Superintendent Richmond also stated that the meeting with two P.G.& E. representatives, three Commissioners, Director Schwartz, himself and Supervisor Disco was a very cooperative meeting. He stated that Ms. Parks indicated that: she would be willing to come to a Commission meeting to discuss P.G.&E.'s pruning practices, that P.G.&E. would be willing to participate in a removal/replacement program of selected City trees that were damaged due to past pruning practices, that P.G.&E. would make their pruning schedule available to the City, and that any complaints should be referred to her at (650) 985-5710. The Commission discussed P.G.&E. pruning practices. Commissioner O'Connor stated she would like the goal of the Commission to be to get some kind of agreement with P.G.&E. as to their pruning practices in the '1 City and to also develop a cooperative exercise with the public. Commissioner Carney commented that the public also needs more information with regard to P.G.&E. pruning practices in the City. Commissioner Grandcolas commented that the Commission first needs to convince P.G.&E. that there is a problem with current pruning practices. Superintendent Richmond responded that Ms. Parks agrees that some pruning is problematic; some of that is connected to improper pruning practices in the past. Following the discussion, it was the consensus of the Commission that Erin Parks be invited to the September 7h Commission meeting to discuss P.G.&E. pruning practices in the City of Burlingame. Director Schwartz instructed the Commission to send specific addresses and pictures of trees that were improperly pruned by P.G.&E., to the Parks office in advance of the meeting so those particular issues can be discussed at the meeting. (Note: Erin Parks will be out of town on September 7`h, but will attend the Commission's Nov 2"d meeting) City Streets with No Trees Director Schwartz stated that the Council has asked the Commission to address this issue that was brought to its attention earlier in the year. He stated the components that would need to be considered and addressed would be funding, staffing, materials and labor costs, identifying planting sites (areas), speaking with residents, specie selection(s), and a process to meet the goal. The Commission discussed different approaches on how to promote and educate residents with regard to the City's street tree planting program, as well as the individual commitment that is needed to care for the newly planted trees. '1 City Streets with No Trees — (Contd.) Following the discussion, it was the consensus of the Commission that it is interested in beginning a program to add trees in the community and would be willing to look for funding sources in addition to any funds the City Council can appropriate. Director Schwartz stated he would report back to Council the Commission's interest in accomplishing this long range plan. NEW BUSINESS — Nominatina Committee Appointment for August Election of Officers — Commissioner Carney reported that she and Commissioner Lauder developed a list of nominees for the Commission officers: Chairperson — Commissioner McQuaide Vice Chair — Commissioner Grandcolas Corresponding Secretary — Commissioner O'Connor Commissioner Ellis moved that the slate of officers be accepted; Commissioner Lauder, seconded. Motion carried 5 — 0 — 2 (Absent/Grandcolas and Lahey). REPORTS — Superintendent 1. Bids have been received and opened for the Tree Pruning and Stump Grinding Contract for the current Fiscal Year. Timberline Tree Service was the low bidder. Contract will be on the August 21 Council agenda. If approved, Timberline will complete one tree on Easton Drive and then resume work on the Skyline (east side) Eucs between Trousdale and Margarita. It will also begin immediately on a backlog of stumps to be ground. 2. City Tree Crew is side trimming the Eucalyptus row that separates the Crowne Plaza from Bayside Park. 3. City Crew upgraded the landscaping around the Lions Hall in Washington Park. 4. Supervisor Disco has identified five declining Black Locust trees on Costa Rica for removal. He will present pictures which support the need for removal at the September meeting. Removals will occur in September. All property owners where the removals will occur have been contacted, and many have selected replacement trees. 5. An elm with Dutch Elm Disease on Anita by the Putnam Body Shop will be removed in September and replaced in October. 6. Permission granted to enter City property again this year for the Invasive Spartina eradication project in Burlingame estuaries. The Coastal Conservancy sponsors the effort in various locations around the Bay. The chemical application is performed by Mosquito Abatement Board personnel. 7. Denial by the Beautification Commission of the request for removal of the Cypress at 1812 Easton Drive has been appealed to Council. There will be a public hearing at the 9/5 Council meeting. McQuaide — Chairperson McQuaide stated that she and other area residents are very upset about the number of mature trees that are being removed from the Mercy Center on Adeline Drive, noting that the trees on the property are a beautiful urban forest that is going to be lost over time. Administrative Secretary Harvey noted that Mercy Center has gone through the permit process for the removal of several protected size trees over the past year, any trees under the protected size may be removed without a permit. Chairperson McQuaide also stated that she would like to see the entrances to Burlingame beautified. L REPORTS — (Contd.) Lauder - Commissioner Lauder stated that she had been asked about the possibility of reinstating the Landscape Award. The item will be placed on the November Agenda for further discussion and consideration. Commissioner Lauder also submitted an article from the San Mateo County Times regarding placement of rubber sidewalks as an alternative to concrete. O'Connor — Commissioner O'Connor reported that the San Francisco Water Department removed a dead Casuarina., behind her house, on the eastside of California Drive. There being no further business, Chairperson McQuaide adjourned the meeting at 7:15 pm. Res ectfully submitted, Kar e e Harvey Recording Secretary -IN