HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2004.05.06BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMNUSSION
May 6, 2004
The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by
Chairperson Hesselgren.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chairperson Hesselgren, Commissioners Carney, Ellis, Grandcolas, Lauder, and Webb
(arrived late).
Absent: Commissioner McQuaide
Staff: Parks & Recreation Director Schwartz, Parks Superintendent Richmond, Arborist Porter,
Supervisor Disco, and Administrative Secretary Harvey
Guests: Nina Hoskinson (1915 Broadway), Bobbi Benson (550 El Camino Real #103); John Campos
(212 Stanley); Ste#w#Vamilton, Dan AnderW and Jennifer Pfaff (Citizens for a Better
Burlingame)
MINUTES
Under FROM THE FLOOR, the comments in the minutes by City Manager Jim Nantell, were corrected
to read : "... the measure would prevent the State from being able to take any more funds from the Cities
unless it is approved by a simple majority of the voters. He stated that at the request of the Council, he is
meeting with City Commissions, special interest groyps and citizens o Burlingame to inform them o the
initiative. " The minutes were approved as corrected.
CORRESPONDENCE
Ideas to Promote Tree Policies Within the City of Burlingame (March 4, 2004 Beautification Commission
Meeting).
Copy of Staff Report from City Manager Nantell to Honorable Mayor and City Council regarding Local
Taxpayers and Public Safety Protection Act.
Letter to jkdo�klane L. O'Rielly Weber, Botanical Art, thanking for her interesting presentation at the 25a'
annual Spring Garden Seminar.
Letter to Wacek Dennaoui, TCI Cablevision, thanking him for televising the Arbor Day Ceremonies.
Letter from Ario Gregorie suggesting the City require the "state to plant 5 trees for every one they cut
down" ... [on El Camino Real], and that replacement should be with "mature 20 foot trees".. .
Memo from Parks Superintendent Richmond regarding Volunteer Maintenance Proposals for City Owned
Facilities.
Letter to Richard & Nina Hoskinson, 1915 Broadway, informing them that their appeal of the denial for
the removal of a protected Cedar tree would be placed on the April 1' meeting agenda.
Letter to Richard & Nina Hoskinson, 1915 Broadway, informing them that, due to schedule conflicts, the
Beautification Commission was unable to obtain a quorum for the April 1' meeting, and their appeal
would be postponed to the next regularly scheduled Beautification Commission meeting of May 6a', 2004.
FROM THE FLOOR -
Bobbi Benson stated she was a new resident of Burlingame from Dallas, Texas and was a member of the
Dallas County Master Gardeners Association. She has been picking up litter in the planter, strip on El
Camino and that she has noticed a lot of litter on Burlingame Avenue, Lots K and Kl, Primrose Road and
Lorton Avenue and suggests the City add more trash cans for litter removal. She added that she has been
communicating with Molly Stones regarding planting in the planter strip on El Camino. She stated that
she loves Burlingame and is happy to do anything for the City of Burlingame. Chairperson Hesselgren
thanked Ms. Benson for her comments and suggested she contact the=Wt
ry Eem*tee for volunteer activities related to her interests. �`•; �4,0=erl
John Campos, 212 Stanley Road, stated that he has two Tulip trees in the City's planter strip that are
planted too closely together constantly drip sap from aphids and drop black residue, have roots that have
lifted the sidewalk and are invading the sewer lateral. Mr. Campos stated that he is not anti tree but is
requesting that one of the Tulips be removed and replaced with a Gingko tree. Chairperson Hesselgren
thanked Mr. Campos for his comments and advised him to submit his request in writing in order to be
placed on the June agenda.
OLD BUSINESS -
Appeal of the Denial to Remove a Cedar Tree na,1915 Broadway - Arborist Porter stated he denied the
removal of the Cedar tree based on criteria that the tree is healthy, there was no significant property
damage, and the reasons requested by the applicant were not justified based on criteria used with regard to
structure and health. Parks Superintendent Richmond stated that the applicants appeal appears to be based
on conditions 1 and 7 of the review process in the ordinance with regard to "proximity to existing or
proposed structures, yards, driveway ..." and, ... "the economic consequences and obligations of
requiring a tree to remain." He added the City Arborist only considers disease, health, and structure issues
as well as damage to permanent structures, such as the house foundation; the Commission, however, may
consider other issues.
Commissioner Lauder stated it is a beautiful Cedar tree and asked Arborist Porter if pruning for weight
reduction, trimming out deadwood, and root pruning would help to alleviate some of the concerns.
Arborist Porter responded that root pruning could be done to alleviate damage. Chairperson Hesselgren
asked if the root heading toward the gas line could be pruned? Arborist Porter stated that the root could
be severed without causing any harm to the tree.
Commissioner Ellis asked how old the tree was and how fast it will grow? Arborist Porter stated the tree
appears to be 50-60 years old and will reach full maturity at about 100 years. The foliage (crown) will
grow at a rate of approximately 6-8" each year; it is a mature tree so the trunk will only grow about 1/4"
in diameter each year.
The Commission further discussed with Arborist Porter the close proximity and repair to the hardscape
(patio & neighbors driveway), root pruning, root barriers and other possible alternatives to removal.
Chairperson Hesselgren then recognized the applicant, Ms. Nina Hoskinson.
OLD $USINESS - Appeal of the Denial to Remove a Cedar Tree n,1915 Broadway - (Contd.) —
Ms. Hoskinson stated that the trees roots are starting to crack her neighbor's driveway, and they are unable
to grow anything under this "acid type tree". ` Chairperson Hesselgren asked applicant if she has
maintained or trimmed the tree? Ms. Hoskinson said "no", that it is a nice tree and has not needed
maintaining. Commissioner Lauder asked if the neighbor had considered planting "acid loving plants".
Ms. Hoskinson said "No", that the neighbor ended up moving most, of the plants out from under the tree
to other locations.
Commissioner Ellis noted that upon her inspection she did not see any evidence of roots growing into the
neighbors yard and the large crack in the driveway looked like it could have been caused by age. She did
state, however, that the roses planted very close to the covered area were not blooming as well as those
that were in the sun. Commissioner Ellis remarked that the branches of the tree cover the roof and
believed cutting the branches back and. maintaining the tree would be very_ helpful in alleviating some of
the concerns. Commissioner Grandcolas agreed that maintainingthe tree would be helpful and noted he
has the same specie tree in his yard. He added it is hard growing plant under the canopy but success can
be achieved by trimming back, thinning out, and removing litter.
Commissioner Lauder commented that a tree in an area where children play may be the child's first
experience with nature, providing shade, and shelter and is a great teaching tool. She added that with
proper maintenance and care, the applicant may be able to live in harmony with the tree.
Following the discussion, Commissioner Grandcolas moved that the Commission deny the appeal of the
denial to remove the Cedar tree because it is a healthy tree and mitigation can be accomplished by the
cutting of the roots and trimming of the tree without causing harm to the tree; seconded, Lauder.
Motion carried S - 2 (absent/McQuaide and Webb).
`-- Chairperson Hesselgren thanked the applicant and advised of appeal procedures to Council.
With permission of the Commission, Chairperson Hesselgren moved the agenda to NEW BUSINESS to
accommodate representatives from the Citizens for a Better Burlingame (CBB) wishing to make a
presentation.
NEW BUSINESS
Volunteer Maintenance Proposal - Superintendent Richmond explained that a community group had
approached Director Schwartz wishing to organize volunteers to conduct maintenance projects on city
owned facilities. The Commission is being asked to consider the overall concept of volunteer
maintenance. If the Commission affirms the concept, it will make that recommendation, and Director
Schwartz will use the recommendation as he sees fit. Presuming a recommendation is approved, the
Commission will then need to define its involvement in the proposal/implementation process. Those
considerations may require additional Commission meetings. Finally the Commission will consider an
experimental maintenance project proposal by CBB members.
Chairperson Hesselgren opened the hearing on volunteer maintenance proposals to public comment.
Several residents spoke affirmatively of the concept. Bobbi Benson noted that the President of the
Masters Gardeners in Dallas headed up a "Green Team" to do plantings as directed. Volunteers were
found through advertising and getting local businesses involved.
NEW BUSINESS - Volunteer Maintenance Proposal - (Cont'd.) —
Chairperson Hesselgren asked for Commission comment. Commissioner Webb asked how large the
projects would be and if City Staff would be involved. Superintendent Richmond stated that the
volunteers would provide the people power and supplies; staff would provide minimal direction, approval
and oversight.
Director Schwartz stated that in the past, the City has only had individuals, such as Eagle Scouts,
volunteer to assist the Department. A framework has already been established for individual volunteer
efforts, now it will be the Commission's task to establish criteria for volunteer groups and to determine
the Commission's level of involvement in these projects.
Following the discussion, Commissioner Ellis moved that the Commission recommend that subject to
Council comment/approval, the Commission hear, consider, and approve or reject, volunteer
beautification/maintenance proposals; seconded, Grandcolas. Motion carried 6 - 1 (absent/McQuaide).
Chairperson Hesselgren then invited representatives from CBB to present their experimental maintenance
proposal for Commission consideration.
Steven Hamilton, Treasurer for Citizens for Better Burlingame, Dan Anderson, and Jennifer Pfaff
discussed with the commission the 'Adopt a Planter' program as an experiment of how the Volunteer
Maintenance Proposal would work. The experiment is currently occurring as a volunteer project under
Parks Division supervision. Dan Anderson noted with the budget cuts, the planters have gone into
disrepair and volunteers can help to bridge the gap to improve the landscaping in the planters.
Steven Hamilton then showed a slide presentation of the current 'Adopt -a -Planter' proposal. The current
trial is in the planters fronting La Scala and Copenhagen Restaurants on Burlingame Avenue. He noted '1
that since there is no irrigation in the planters, plants will be watered from the merchants sources.
Vandalism, volunteer management, care and watering, Burlingame Avenue renovation, and recognition of
volunteers are items that will need to be addressed as the project moves along. Key questions that the
Commission would address would be what will be planted and how will volunteer management be
conducted.
Dan Anderson stated that there are other available planters on Burlingame Avenue. The Burlingame
Garden Center has offered to work with the group with the pricing of plant material as well as other
assistance and has even most recently offered to remove and replace a dying tree in one of the planters.
Steven Hamilton stated an example of what the process might look like: The proposals would first be
presented to the Parks & Recreation Department staff for approval, staff would then inform the
Beautification Commission of the particular proposal, and then the Commission would be responsible for
publicizing and recommending approval by City Council.
Following the presentation, Commissioner Grandcolas stated that the proposal was well researched, well
studied and very thorough and moved that the Commission affirm the trial program; seconded, Lauder.
Motion carried 6 - 1 (absent/McQuaide).
Chairperson Hesselgren thanked the CBB members for their presentation and asked that the Volunteer
Maintenance program be placed on the June agenda for further discussion.
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Review of Spring Garden Seminar - Superintendent Richmond stated that Alane Weber -Rielly made a
very good presentation on composting for the home gardener. The seminar had been well publicized in
the newspaper and the recreation brochure, and the banner was hung on Burlingame Avenue, but there
were only 9 members from the public in attendance. Superintendent Richmond wondered if the
Commission should consider canceling the event because of the lack of public interest that has been
experienced over the last 5 years. The Commission discussed possible reasons for the decline in
attendance from the types of topics presented, to over -saturation or duplication of topics offered
elsewhere and on the internet, to changing the time to a week night rather than a Saturday. Following the
brief discussion Chairperson Hesselgren suggested the Commission revisit this item in the Fall and be
prepared to discuss different ideas.
Chairperson Hesselgren then returned the meeting agenda to OLD BUSINESS.
OLD BUSINESS
Public Education Regarding Tree Practices & Policies - Chairperson Hesselgren, with permission of
the Commission, requested that due to the absence of Commissioner McQuaide who was to make a report
on this item, this item be held over to a future meeting.
Tree Trimming Policies Under Public Utilities - Commissioner Grandcolas submitted copy of the
committees goals, issues, and objectives relative to P.G.&E's current practice "flat topping" (instead of
"tunnel -cutting") of City -owned trees under primary utilities. Superintendent Richmond stated that
Arborist Porter had recently met with P.G.&E.'s Quality Assurance Specialist, Kathleen Haufmann, to
discuss a tree issue; Kathleen Haufmann is also a Certified Arborist. In the course of their conversation,
she offered to come to a future Beautification Commission meeting to discuss issues of mutual concern
(either from the floor or as an agenda item). Arborist Porter will contact Ms. Haufmann and ask if she
would be available to address the Commission either at the June or September Commission meeting.
REPORTS - Superintendent Richmond -
l. Soil injection for aphid control on selected City street trees completed. Selected fertilization with
injection/tank is now being performed.
2. Burlingame Avenue Downtown Improvement Committee is formulating plans for the Avenue. Mayor
O'Mahony suggested that a Beautification Commissioner would be a good addition to that group.
Acting Chairperson Lauder attended the April 27'h meeting. Chairperson Hesselgren will try to attend
the next meeting and Commissioner Carney will act as backup.
3. Park Supervisor Bob Disco tested for and was awarded Certified Arborist certification.
4. Cal Trans representatives made a presentation to Council on Monday, April e about the removal of
the 11 Eucalyptus trees on El Camino.
5. 35 street trees were planted in April. The next planting will be in October.
6. Bids were opened March 31st for the contract to install the vegetation screen on the east side of
California Drive north of Dufferin. The project was approved in 1999 by Council before the BART
project began. It involves removal of the existing plants, except for several native Oaks, to be
replaced with shrubs, trees, and irrigation.
7. Grand Opening for the new playground at Washington Park occurred on April 17a'.
8. Council passed an ordinance giving property owners responsibility for sidewalk repairs fronting their
property. Commission will discuss at future meetings, the possible effects of the new ordinance and
how it may impact the Commission.
9. A view ordinance concept was mentioned at the last Council meeting. The Commission will likely
be involved in any such discussions.
M
REPORTS - Superintendent Richmond (Contd.) -
10. Steve met with PG&E rep regarding a power line/tree issue. In the course of their conversation, she
offered to come to a future Beautification Commission meeting to discuss issues of mutual concern
(either from the floor or as an agenda item).
11. Steve is working with Rector Motors on the selection of the replacement of landscape trees that
blew down.
Chairperson Hesselgren - Chairperson Hesselgren noted that she has been contacted by 4 citizens asking
if there is any reason why so many "No Parking" signs are required on the green storage fence on the
corner of California Drive and Oak Grove and, if the "Got Junk" signs will be removed? Superintendent
Richmond will contact the Public Works Department.
Commissioner Lauder - Commissioner Lauder asked if a green fence will also be installed in the area of
Broadway and California Drive? Superintendent Richmond will ask the Public Works Department to
clarify and will report back to the Commission.
There being no further business, Chairperson Hesselgren adjourned the meeting at 7:40 pm.
Res ectfully submitted,
Karlene Harvey
Recording Secretary
-'IN
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