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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2001.02.01BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION FEBRUARY 1, 2001 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Acting Chair Rossi. ROLL CALL Present: Acting Chair Rossi, Commissioners Ellis, Hesselgren, Lauder, McGowan, Webb Absent: Chairperson Locke Staff: Director Williams, Superintendent Richmond, Administrative Secretary Harvey Guests: City Manager Nantell MINUTES - The minutes of the October 5, 2001 meeting were approved as submitted. CORRESPONDENCE Memo from Director Williams regarding demonstration of the new small street sweeper for Burlingame Avenue and Broadway. Copy of the revised Urban Reforestation and Tree Protection Ordinance. Letter from Chairperson Locke to Mariko Roberts, Senior Landscape Architect (CalTrans) regarding clarification of CalTrans' commitment to renovate the landscaping at the 101Broadway interchange following recent staff changes. Letter from Vincent & Doreen Cauchi, 131 Loma Vista Dr., requesting removal of a City Pine tree, located in the rear of his property, at an adjacent address. Letter from Chairperson Locke to Vincent & Doreen Cauchi, 131 Loma Vista Dr., referring them to the Parks Division for evaluation and inspection of the Pine tree by City Arborist Porter. Letter from Superintendent Richmond to Vincent & Doreen Cauchi, 131 Loma Vista Dr., reminding them of the pruning that occurred on the Pine tree in April of 1999, and that the City Arborist has currently found the Pine tree to be in better health than when pruned in 1999 and would not approve removal at this time. Copy of memo from City Attorney, to Superintendent Richmond and Arborist Porter (dated December 1998), regarding Height of Trees above Roadway. Copy of Downtown Trash Receptacles, noting completed placement of new trash receptacles as requested by Beautification Commission in the Burlingame Avenue area. Request, denial, and appeal for the removal of all Eucalyptus trees in the backyard of 2669 Martinez Drive. Letter from Mrs. Stanley Cox, 2532 Valdivia Drive, requesting the Beautification Commission grant approval of the removal of all Eucalyptus trees in the backyard of 2669 Martinez Drive, because the trees are 100 feet tall, tower over her house, and the wind blows them toward her house. Email from Chairperson Locke updating the Commission on the local group requesting permission to cleanup litter along El Camino Real and referral to appropriate personnel at CalTrans. FROM THE FLOOR Acting Chair Rossi recognized the new City Manager, Jim Nantell. City Manager Nantell introduced himself to the Commission. Stated he has served in the public sector for 25 years and empathizes with the energy spent protecting trees. Has lived in Burlingame for 25 years and is familiar with many of the issues the Commission faces. He added that he is looking forward to working with Commission volunteers in the City of Burlingame. OLD BUSINESS Arbor Day - March 7`' - Washington Park - Superintendent Richmond reported that the ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. The trees (three Coast Redwoods, two Elms, one Carpinus, and one Chitalpa) will be planted in the back of Washington Park behind the Recreation Center in anticipation of the removal of large trees in that area of the park over the next 10 years. Acting Chair Rossi stated that this is a very nice event and encouraged all the Commissioner's participation. Spring Garden Seminar - March 24th - Speaker William McGowan - Acting Chair Rossi requested that Chairperson Locke announce the seminar at the Commissioner's Dinner of March 23`d. He reminded the Commissioners that it has been a tradition that they provide cookies or finger desserts for the seminar. Commissioner McGowan stated that his presentation will be on Designing the Small Garden'. Commissioner Lauder stated she would arrange for any changes on the banner and schedule the hanging of the banner. Director Williams noted that the grand opening of the new ballfield and the dog park at Bayside Park will be on March 24"'; the same day as the seminar. NEW BUSINESS San Francisco Airport Runway Expansion Mitigation - Superintendent Richmond stated this item was --� placed on the agenda at the request of Chairperson Locke following her discussions with Commissioner Webb and his concerns with Shoreline improvements and possible mitigation with the airport runway expansion. Superintendent Richmond reported that information he obtained form City Planner Monroe, indicates that the Council has asked the City's Planning Department to attend runway expansion meetings, monitor, and report back to the Council. Currently, the airport's planning staff is in the data information gathering process. Commissioner Webb stressed his concern that proper data be developed so that the EIR would address creek deposits in the bay, bay trail impacts, and the flow. He suggested that the mud be tested for toxic levels and that guidelines be developed to assure clean water quality. Director Williams stated that the Mayor has been insistent that the City of Burlingame being included in the airport runway expansion mitigation. REPORTS Richmond - 1) Superintendent Richmond reported that the City Attorney has indicated that shop owners have no obligation to sweep the sidewalks in front of their establishments. 2) Vince Falzon, from the Street and Sewer Department was responsible for getting the spoils (left by the contractor) cleaned up in the drainage channel near the railroad tracks. 3) The City Council will meet with the Beautification Commission on Monday, March 5tn at 6:30 p.m. 4) Tree pruning contractor has trimmed the Eucalyptus on Skyline Boulevard, South of Trousdale, and will soon be trimming the Eucalyptus on Burlingame Avenue. 5) Street trees have been ordered for the March tree planting; approximately 40 trees will be planted. 2 REPORTS - (Cont'd.) Lauder - Commissioner Lauder stated that she recently spoke with Mariko Roberts, Sr. Landscape Architect of CalTrans. Ms. Roberts reported to Commissioner Lauder that three to four dozen Ballerina roses have been ordered for the 101 Broadway interchange planting and that the irrigation will be serviced prior to planting. Webb - Commissioner Webb reported that the Shoreline is being eroded along the South end where the large broken concrete (rip rap) has been placed; sink holes have been created and a 4' hole covered with rusty steel is very dangerous and could pose a liability to the City. Commissioner Webb stated that since the BCDC has indicated that the Shoreline is a City problem, the City should make the property owners adjacent to the Shoreline responsible for the repairs or perhaps, make the repairs as part of the mitigation with the airport runway expansion. Commissioner Webb continued that a plan for the bay front would improve the City and suggested that a beach for wind surfers get built on the land owned by the State Lands Commission. City Manager Nantell responded that the state lands will probably be an option in the mitigation process. He indicated that the City needs to be careful to not be enticed by attractive amenities before an adequate drainage system is addressed. He stated that he will be asking Public Works staff to look at the items mentioned by Commissioner Webb. The Commission discussed the relevancy of the Shoreline to their scope of responsibilities. It was decided that the issue would be agendized for the next meeting so the Commission could determine what, if anything, would be included in the Joint Commission/Council meeting in March. Acting Chair Rossi also asked the Joint Commission/Council meeting be placed on the next agenda so the Commissioners can prepare discussion items they may want to share with the Council at the March 5`h meeting. There being no further business, Acting Chair Rossi adjourned the meeting at 6:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, t Karlene Harvey Recording Secretary