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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2006.11.02BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION NOVEMBER 2, 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 (departed at 7:05), Carney (departed at 7:05), Ellis, Lahey, O'Connor (arrived at 6:20), and Wright Absent: Commissioner Grandcolas Staff. Director Schwartz, Superintendent Richmond, and Secretary Harvey Guests: Terra Pratt (2116 Easton Dr.) and Dawn Stefko (2012 Easton Dr.); Doug Pherson (PG&E Area Supervisor), Erin Parks (PG&E Vegetation Manager), and Tacy Alferos (PG&E Public Affairs) MINUTES — The Minutes of the October 5, 2006 Beautification Commission Meeting, were approved as submitted. CORRESPONDENCE -- -- Leiter from Drecto i chartz to City of Palo Alto'City Manager, Frank Benest, thanking the City of Palo Alto for allowing Managing Arborist, Dave Dockter, to participate in the Community meeting on October 2nd, and to share his expertise and knowledge with the Commission and Community members. Key Ethics Law Principles for Public Servants from the Institute for Local Government. Letter from Superintendent Richmond thanking former Commissioner Jill Lauder, for the 5 terms served on the Beautification Commission, for her commitment to the urban forest, as well as her dedication and reliability to the Commission. Letter from Jennifer Pfaff regarding street tree policies in the City of Burlingame, stating that the planting of one or two types of trees in neighborhoods, (to give a more elegant, cohesive look), be considered, rather than allowing homeowners to choose the types of replacement trees from the Official Street Tree lists. FROM THE FLOOR — None OLD BUSINESS Long Ranee Reforestation Plan for Easton Drive — Director Schwartz complimented the Commission for the excellent public outreach to gain consensus on the Easton Drive Reforestation plan. Residents on Easton Drive were sent a copy of tonight's agenda as well as the brochure recommending select Eucalyptus varieties as replacement trees when removal of an existing Eucalyptus tree is required. Chairperson McQuaide thanked Director Schwartz for creating the picture brochure and the information provided on the different trees. Director Schwartz noted that if the Commission approves the selected replacement species, the recommendation will be forwarded to the Council for its approval at the December meeting. Chairperson McQuaide then recognized guests, Terra Pratt (2116 Easton Drive) and Dawn Stefko (2012 Easton Drive). They stated that they were there to just to listen but were pleased to know that the existing trees would only be removed when necessary on a case by case basis and will be �- replaced with suitable Eucalyptus varieties. OLD BUSINESS - Lona Range Reforestation Plan for Easton Drive (Contd.) -� Following a brief discussion, Commissioner Carney moved that it be recommended to the City Council that the existing Tasmanian Blue Gum be retained on the Easton Drive street tree list, the Cladocalyx Sugar Gum be used as the primary replacement tree, the Nicholii Willow -leafed Peppermint be used as the corner accent tree, and the Ficifolia Red Flowering Gum be used for the replacement in front of the Easton Branch Library; seconded, Commissioner Wright. Motion carried 4 0 - 2 (absent/Grandcolas, O'Connor) 1 (abstain/Lahey). P.G.&E. Pruning Practices in the City of Burlingame Chairperson McQuaide stated that; representatives from P.G.&E. have been invited to discuss current pruning practices and concerns made by the public with regard to those practices. Doug McPherson, Area "Supervisor, stated that he appreciated the opportunity to speak to the Commission regarding these issues, that P.G&E. wants to cooperate with the Communities they serve. He stated that P.G.&E. is proud that for 12 years in a row, they have been awarded the `Best Management Practices" award. He noted that safety and reliability is P.G&E.'s primary goal and that it is a state law that the trees be a minimum distance of 18" from the power lines. Every line is insper,te -every year; foresters then identify the trees that need trimming for line clearance. The contractor, Asplundh Tree Company, most often trims to the `Best Practices" trimming standards, but at times is unable to because of the previous pruning practices on some trees i.e., pollarded Sycamores. He concluded that the tree crews receive extensive training but admitted that some crews are better than others. The Commission further discussed with Doug McPherson and Erin Parks the different pruning techniques, options for homeowners, notification of property owners, registering complaints, crew scheduling and monitoring, identifying pruning circuits/schedules/maps, yearly permits with the City, bidding practices with pruning contractors, undergrounding of power lines, replacement of trees that are damaged due to pruning techniques, etc. Mr. McPherson stated he would be interested in meeting with City Staff and Commission representatives on site to discuss with him, Erin, and Carlos (Asplundh crew supervisor) specific trees or areas that were improperly trimmed and how the job could be done differently. Erin Parks believed that schedules/circuits could be provided to the City to assist with public communication and that, the crews could be reminded of the `Best Practices" standard that is to be followed. She also stated that P.G.&E. is currently updating their website to help provide better information to the public and that complaints to the 1-800-743-5000 number are responded to within a week. Following the discussion it was the consensus of the Commission and the'P.G.&E. representatives that a meeting with Staff and a Commission representative be scheduled for mid December, early January. The Commission will provide specific trees/areas of particular concern to be discussed. Street Tree Planting in Vacant Areas - "Street Tree Reforestation Proiect" Superintendent Richmond reported that the Council approved the project to plant trees in targeted planter strips throughout the City that are vacant. Funding will be considered in the 2007-2008 Budget. He stated that the Commission has been asked to determine areas to be planted and brainstorm ideas to get the public involved. Director Schwartz stated that the Commission will need to begin to identify other funding sources such as grant _opportunities, bequests, or individual donations to the general fund; that this project will not be funded through the existing "Tree Replacement Fund". He noted that he and Superintendent Richmond would be meeting with the City Planner, Meg Monroe, to discuss mandating street tree planting for residential reconstruction or remodels as well as for commercial developments. 2 OLD BUSINESS — Street Tree Plantine in Vacant Areas "Street Tree Reforestation Proiect" (Contd.) Director Schwartz directed the Commission to the letter submitted by Jennifer Pfaff that addresses a changing philosophy to that of the existing street tree policies, suggesting the planting of only one or two species on a block to provide a more uniform look. Secretary Harvey reported that currently on blocks that have only one species, attempts are made whenever possible to replace with the same species, but that primary utility lines and narrow planter strips sometimes hinder those attempts. Director Schwartz stated that as part of the Street Tree Reforestation Project, the Commission may also wish to discuss with different neighborhoods, different reforesting policies for their block, similar to the process used on Easton Drive. Superintendent Richmond also noted that there are property owners that do not want trees in front of their homes and that those and other issues of concern such as responsibility for sidewalk damage would also need to be addressed. Commissioner Ellis then read a list of areas identified by Chairperson McQuaide as needing street tree planting: Ray Drive near El Camino Real, Vancouver Avenue & Easton Drive, and Laguna Avenue near Lincoln & Edgehill. She then noted that Jennifer Pfaff had suggested Bayswater Avenue as a block having numerous vacant planting strips. Director Schwartz directed the Commission to identify other areas needed for planting and to report back at the next meeting. NEW BUSINESS - Reinstatement of Landscape Award The Commission briefly discussed reinstating the Landscape Award. Commissioner Lahey stated that she had researched what other cities do and will provide the information to the Commission for the December meeting for further discussion. Arbor Day Ceremony — Wednesday, March 7, 2007 at 10:00 am Superintendent Richmond asked for suggestions for planting sites. Commissioner O'Connor suggested that Village Park could use more trees. It was the consensus of the Commission that unless there are any other suggested sites, the Arbor Day Ceremony be held at Village Park. 'Secretary Harvey will check with the Burlingame Elementary School District to confirm that there are no conflicts with the date. The Commission also discussed incorporating Arbor Day into the centennial theme by planting 100 trees as part of the Arbor Day Ceremony in 2008. Director Schwartz stated that additional funding would be required to plant that many trees and planning well in advance would be necessary. The Commission asked that the Arbor Day Ceremony for 2008 be placed on the next agenda. REPORTS Superintendent Richmond a. Removals: Siberian Elm at 1145 Oxford (major lateral failed and exposed decay and failure potential of additional laterals); diseased Pine in Washington Park next to Basketball Court; diseased Pine in rear of Washington Park. Both Pines were in serious decline from Pine Pitch Canker., b. Fall Tree Planting is near completion. Over 130 trees were planted. c. Tree Contract pruning is continuing on Skyline Blvd. Contract crew has completed the block from Margarita to Rivera. Crew will complete some work assignments on Easton then resume pruning on Skyline where work stopped last spring. d. From Council concerning Commission attendance: Council has asked that Staff report attendance, late arrivals, early departures, and those who were present when quorums could not be obtained. REPORTS—.(Contd.) Director Schwartz Director Schwartz reported to the Commission that injured tree worker Fel Esikia is rehabilitating at -� home but it will be several weeks or months before he can return to work. Commissioner Ellis Commissioner Ellis reported that she attended the Town Hall Meeting -arranged by Councilman Cohen, and reported on some of the varioussuggestions offered up by the public: planting of only deciduous trees; only allowing 2 to 3 different species on each block; developing an Arts and Entertainment Commission. Commissioner O'Connor Commissioner O'Connor apologized for being late but stated that at times, she is unable to leave work and at other times commute traffic interferes. After a brief discussion, the Commission asked that meeting time be placed on the next agenda for further discussion. Commissioner Wright Commissioner Wright announced that she would be out of town for the December Commission meeting but stated she would like to serve on the Landscape Award Committee, the 2008 Arbor Day Committee, or any other Committees that may be formed during her absence. Commissioner Lahey Commissioner Lahey reported that she attended the Town Hall Meeting and participated in a round table discussion led by Council person, Ann Keighran, regarding: trash and overflowing garbage cans in the business districts and in the parking lots, garbage in the grates, assessments for street cleaning, steam cleaning sidewalks, etc., various ideas for clean up projects, and -� coordinating volunteer efforts for ongoing cleanups including ways to get the community to participate. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at'8:25pm. Respectfully submitted, Karlene Harvey Recording Secretary