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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2005.12.01BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION December 1, 2005 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, Grandcolas, Hesselgren, Lauder, and Webb Absent: Commissioner O'Connor Staff: Parks & Recreation Director Schwartz, Parks Superintendent Richmond, and Secretary Harvey Guests: Bobbi Benson MINUTES The minutes of the November 3, 2005 Beautification Commission meeting were approved as submitted. CORRESPONDENCE Copy of a letter from Robert and Cindy Gilson, appealing the denial of the removal of a private Deodar Cedar tree in the back yard of their property at 1480 Vancouver Avenue. Letter(s) to the appellant of 1480 Vancouver and adjacent property owners notifying that the appeal of the denial to remove a protected Deodar Cedar tree will be held at the January 5 h meeting of the Beautification Commission. Draft copy of an invitation inviting Easton Drive homeowners to attend a preliminary meeting to discuss any possible reforestation projects or plans for Easton Drive from El Camino to Vancouver Avenue. FROM THE FLOOR - `-- Bobbi Benson thanked the Commission for recommending recognition for her volunteer work in the City to the City Council. She reported that she has seeded poppy seeds in the little pots on Broadway and in some spaces in the Burlingame Avenue planters and has nearly completed the weeding/planting of the large pots off Broadway. Ms. Benson stated that future plans include: 1) planting flowering (or perhaps artificial) plants in the Washington Park Carriage House planter boxes and 2) conducting a rose pruning clinic in the Washington Park Rose Garden for the public; Citizens for a Better Burlingame have agreed to sponsor and publicize the clinic. The clinic is planned for a Saturday in January (date yet to be determined), will be held from 8-12 noon, and will be free of charge. Ms. Benson concluded that she will head up the Friends of the Mills Canyon group for the next year, helping to maintain the area by picking up litter, removing non-native plans, and general upkeep. OLD BUSINESS — Prouosed Tree View Policy Review/Recommendation — Superintendent Richmond stated that staff reviewed and made revisions, some of which were consistent with language used in the protected tree ordinance. The Commission reviewed the changes and discussed the additional comments, questions, and edits. Following the discussion, Superintendent Richmond stated the Commission's recommendation for a Tree View Policy will be forwarded (via Director Schwartz) to the City Council for further consideration and if approved, the document will be forward to the City Attorney for any further revisions. Lone Range Reforestation Plan for Easton Drive — Commissioner Lauder stated that the Committee suggests that a preliminary forum be conducted with the Easton Drive property owners to discuss long range reforestation plans for the area. She then submitted the `,, Committee's suggestion of an invitation for the Commission to review. Long Range Reforestation Plan for Easton Drive (Contd.) — Chairperson McQuaide stated that she is also very interested in a preliminary forum with the area's residents to listen to their ideas and vision for their neighborhood, but feels the Commission needs to do more research and needs further guidance from a consultant as to appropriate specie selections for the area. Commissioner Webb stated he would like to see a Master Plan design developed for 20 years down the road. Commissioner Grandcolas stated he is very interested in hearing from the residents in the area; some like the Eucalyptus and others may not, neighborhood input will be very helpful. He stated it is critical that the public understand that removal and replacement (reforestation) of the existing Eucalyptus will only be conducted on an as needed basis. Superintendent Richmond noted that currently there are approximately 20-28 available planting spaces that could be planted out when a reforestation plan is put into place and that he could confer with Larry Costello (UC Extension) with regard to consulting services. Following further discussion, the Commission made revisions to the invitation and asked Superintendent Richmond to confer with Larry Costello regarding consultant services, the Committee's reforestation recommendations, and any other suggestions Mr. Costello may have for appropriate specie selections for the area. NEW BUSINESS - Beautification Commission Meeting Time — Superintendent Richmond stated this item was placed on the agenda because there was some thought that the 5:30 pm meeting time could interfere with some people wishing to serve on the Commission. Commissioner Hesselgren stated that the 5:30 time was an ongoing issue for her to arrive on time due to her work schedule; and "the meeting time" was one of her considerations in deciding to apply for the Parks and Recreation Commission which begins at 7:00 pm. Commissioner Grandcolas thought beginning a half hour later, at 6:00 pm, may not be quite enough of a change to make a real difference but that perhaps 6:30 or 7:00 pm might be more effective. Chairperson McQuaide commented that the 5:30 pm meeting time was a particularly good time for her because a later hour would conflict with commitments she has at a later hour on some Thursday "IN evenings. Following further discussion, the Commission agreed with Commissioner Grandcolas that any decision made to change the time of the Beautification Commission meetings be postponed until after the vacant seats on the Commission are filled so the new Commissioners would also have input into this decision. REPORTS — Parks & Recreation Director — Director Schwartz reminded the Commission that the Tree Lighting Ceremony at City Hall will be on Friday, December 2nd and begins at 4:15 pm followed by activities on Burlingame Avenue. Superintendent — Superintendent Richmond thanked Commissioner Hesselgren for her service on the Commission as well as serving as Chairperson and that much had been accomplished particularly over the last year; and he also thanked Commissioner Webb for his service and the passion that he brought to certain items. a. Tree Crew began Sycamore pruning this week. They began work on Newlands and will also be working along Occidental. Crew has also been working in the currently scheduled City grid area. b. Parks Division is upgrading its tree inventory and work record software. New software has GPS compatibility. c. Parks Landscape Crew will perform turf renovation at Murray Field and Lower Bayside Soccer field starting this month now that soccer season has ended. d. No objections were received to the removal of the Cypress trees on Forestview. Work will be scheduled in next two weeks, if possible; otherwise, it will be scheduled after Christmas/New Years. REPORTS — (Contd.) e. A fruiting Gingko was removed on Bayswater at the request of the property owner. Commission gave blanket approval to such removals at Department discretion some time ago. f. Silver Maple on Chapin that was the subject of the November appeal, has been removed. g. There will be an appeal of a denial by Arborist Porter to permit removal of a Cedar tree at 1480 Vancouver Drive. The packet will include the denial document and two separate arborist reports supporting removal. McQuaide — Chairperson McQuaide would like the Beautification Commission to consider making recommendations for landscape improvements at the City's entrances, particularly at the North and South ends of El Camino Real and thinks a program by which the area businesses could donate to fund a landscape improvement project. Commissioner Grandcolas suggested the Commission could first come up with a concept that the businesses could own and then funding possibilities can be discussed at a later date. Superintendent Richmond commented that the North Burlingame Area Improvements that the Planning Department/Commission have been working on may include improvements to the northern entrance and stated he would check with City Planner and report back to the Commission at their next meeting so the item could be agendized. Carney — Commissioner Carney asked if there was any information on when the sound wall project on Rollins Road was to begin. Commissioner Hesselgren stated that it is scheduled to begin in the Spring of 2006. Commissioner Carney then asked Superintendent Richmond if the litter and debris along Rollins Road will be cleaned up by City crews. Superintendent Richmond responded that frequency of clean up in that area has been greatly decreased due to the employee cutbacks in the Parks Division and the traffic hazards while working on the planting strip. Lauder — Commissioner Lauder commended and thanked the Parks Division for all their good work throughout the City. Webb — Commissioner Webb said that serving on the Commission had been an interesting couple of years and said good-bye. Hesselgren — Commissioner Hesselgren stated she enjoyed working on the Commission, she has learned a lot about trees and much has been accomplished, and that now she is pleased to have been appointed to serve on the Parks and Recreation Commission. Grandcolas.— Commissioner Grandcolas recalled that at the last Commission meeting Arborist Porter stated that "flat topping" the trees accelerates internal decay, impacting the health of trees. Grandcolas continued that P.G.&E. "flat tops" trees under utilities in the City of Burlingame and he would like the Commission to meet with P.G.&E. representatives to discuss this practice and perhaps persuade P.G.&E. to "tunnel trim" instead. Superintendent Richmond stated he had reported to the Commission at the August meeting that Director Schwartz had been in communication with a P.G.&E. representative that would be willing to participate in a commission sponsored information session; that the Commission would just need to be schedule a time and have it placed on the agenda. After further discussion, the Commission agreed that this item should be placed on an agenda for a future meeting. Director Schwartz suggested that Chairperson McQuaide meet with Superintendent Richmond to set agenda items for future meetings. There being no further business, Chairperson McQuaide adjourned the meeting at 7:10 pm. Respectfully submitted, Kar ene Harvey Recording Secretary