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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2001.04.05BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION APRII.S. 2001 `-' The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 5:35 p.m. by Chairperson Locke. ROLL CALL Present: Chairperson Locke, Commissioners Ellis, Hesselgren, Lauder, McGowan (arrived at 6:00 p.m.), Rossi (arrived at 5:45 p.m.), and Webb. Staff: Director Williams, Superintendent Richmond, and Administrative Secretary Harvey MINUTES - The minutes of the March 1, 2001 meeting were approved as submitted. CORRESPONDENCE Letter to Larry & Grace Ngai, 2669 Martinez Drive, advising them of the Commission's decision to deny their appeal for the removal of all the Eucalyptus in the back yard as well as informing them of appeal procedures. Letter to the Garden Study Club of the Peninsula thanking them for their $50.00 contribution toward the Arbor Day tree planting in Washington Park. Memo from Recording Secretary Harvey regarding the new date ofMarch 19' for the Beautification Commission/City Council meeting. Flyer announcing: Earth Day 2001 and California Trails Day - Saturday. April 21, at 9: 00 a.m. Letter from Arborist Porter to Larry & Grace Ngai, 2669 Martinez Drive, informing them that their re -application to remove four Eucalyptus trees in the back yard was approved with the condition that four replacement trees be planted. Recap of topics discussed at joint meeting of the Beautification Commission/City Council meeting, submitted by Chairperson Locke. (Commissioner Hesselgren noted that she was not in attendance because the notice regarding the new date was delivered to her neighbor's home. Commissioner Rossi stated that, because it was rescheduled so quickly, he did not open the Commission minutes envelope [which also contained the notice regarding the new meeting date] until it was too late.) FROM THE FLOOR There were no comments from the floor. NEW BUSINESS Review of Recent Events: Arbor Day - Commissioner Lauder stated that the skits, songs, and poems were wonderful. Commissioner Hesselgren noted that seven trees were planted in the back of Washington Park. Superintendent Richmond stated that two different species of disease resistant Elms were planted and that it will be interesting to see how they do. Commissioner Ellis noted that St. Catherine's school made a photographed booklet of trees located throughout the City of Burlingame and presented it to Mayor Galligan. NEW BUSINESS - Review of Recent Events - Arbor Day (Contd.) - Chairperson Locke asked if the Washington Park trees are identified. Commissioner McGowan pointed out that the Library has a map of the trees in Washington Park and Superintendent Richmond added that the same map is available at the Recreation Center. Meeting with the Council - Chairperson Locke noted that Mayor Galligan made mention of an appellate court ruling with regard to the heights of a trees causing loss of view and neighbors being able to remedy the situation at their own expense. Because of questions that may come to the Commission, Director Williams stated he would get further information from the City Attorney. Chairperson Locke also noted that the Council was concerned about the unsightly center divide on the Eastside ofBroadway. Director Williams commented that the Director ofPublic Works has since indicated that the center divide on Broadway is part of a CalTrans project for the Broadway/101 improvements and that cobblestone will be placed in a new center divide that will only be about one foot wide. Chairperson Locke reported that one of the Councilpersons suggested that there be a Public Art program in the park or in the downtown area. Chairperson Locke commented that a project like this is very complex and the Commission would need to carefully organize a project like this and establish a clearly defined process. Commissioner Webb commented that funding for a project like this would be needed; that the City of San Francisco has an Arts Council complete with funding. Commissioner Ellis stated that the Commission could consider restoration of the children's art at the Library. Chairperson Locke stated that the Commission asked the Council and the City Attorney ifthe existing ordinance with regard to trash could be expanded to include all merchants as well; the City Attorney will report back his findings to the Commission. Chairperson Locke concluded that tree planting along Airport Boulevard was also brought up as a --� project for the Commission to consider. Commissioner Rossi asked if the Teen Center was discussed and if the Beautification Commission would have any responsibility. Chairperson Locke stated that the Teen Center was not discussed at the joint meeting. Commissioner Webb stated that Mayor Galligan indicated that he wanted input, so the Commission should let him know that the Beautification Commission wants to have representation on the new Committee. Commissioner Ellis clarified that Mayor Galligan welcomed commissioners to call him individually if they wished to discuss something with him. Spring Garden Seminar - The Commission agreed and thanked Commissioner McGowan for the excellent presentation on Designing the Small Garden. Chairperson Locke commented Commissioner McGowan's presentation was well received and that 28 persons, in addition to the Commission and staff, were in attendance. Commissioner Hesselgren stated that the Commission might consider asking one of the gardeners from Filoli to speak at next year's seminar. Chairperson Locke asked Commissioners Lauder and Ellis to pursue that effort. REPORTS Richmond - 1) The street tree planting for Spring has been completed. 2) Sycamore pruning has ended for this season. Some Sycamores in this section remain to be pruned but will be trimmed as time permits. 3) The tree contractor is currently pruning the Eucalyptus trees on Burlingame Avenue near the Rec Center. '1 2 REPORTS - Richmond (Contd.) - 4) Merit insecticide injection was completed by contract on approximately 150 trees for the control of aphids and elm leaf beetle. 5) A diseased elm was removed on Primrose Road, immediately East of City Hall. 6) The new dog exercise park and softball field opened for public use at the Bayside complex. 7) The new website is up — www.burlingame.orm. The website contains policies and infor- mation on both private and City -owned trees. The Protected Tree Removal Permit appli- cation is also included. 8) Parks & Recreation Director John Williams will be retiring in May of this year. Randy Schwartz has been appointed as the Acting Parks & Recreation Director during the interim until a new Parks & Recreation Director is hired. Locke - Chairperson Locke asked Superintendent Richmond why the trimming of the Eucalyptus trees on Skyline did not go all the way down to Trousdale Drive. Superintendent Richmond stated that the end ofthe contract is drawing near and that the Eucalyptus trees on Burlingame Avenue, near the Recreation Center, need to be completed on this years contract. Chairperson Locke reported that she spoke with Eugene Peterson who is interested in his group performing trash cleanup on El Camino Real. Mr. Peterson indicated that it has been two months now and he has yet to hear back from CalTrans. Chairperson Locke stated she encouraged Mr. Peterson to call CalTrans again. Chairperson Locke also reported that the Commissioner's Dinner was very nice and that the food was excellent. Webb - Commissioner Webb commented that he would like the Commission to send a memo to the City Council stating that one or two members from the Beautification Commission be appointed to the Teen Center Committee. Director Williams stated that the Mayor and the City Manager have already selected a "blue ribbon" type committee and the Council has approved the committee and the concept. He added that the committee is a broad based group including some who are in opposition to the Teen Center. Commissioner Webb asked if anyone had ever thought of building a two-story addition/remodel behind the existing Recreation Center (in the patio area); that it could be done without touching a blade of grass? Director Williams commented that the City Manager is hoping to broaden the scope because the Recreation Center is old. Director Williams stated, should Washington Park be selected as the site, he prefers that the existing Recreation Center be removed and replaced with park open space and that a full facility Community Center be built on the Northeast corner of Carolan and Burlingame Avenues. Commissioner Webb stated he is very concerned that someone from the Beautification Commission was not included on the Committee. Director Williams commented that the Community Center is currently just a concept and until it becomes a project, the Beautification Commission would not be asked to serve on the Committee. Chairperson Locke clarified that since the Teen Center was not yet a project, it would not be appropriate at this time for the Commission to have input. Commissioner Webb asked if the repair of the pathway at the bay front was discussed at the joint Beautification Commission/Council meeting. Director Williams stated that trash along the shoreline is being addressed. The City Manager has heard from business people who would like to see the l shoreline/eastside area improved and cleaned up. In some areas, BCDC has to issue permits for REPORTS - Webb - (Contd.) - cleanup because the shoreline and lagoon are in their jurisdiction. Commissioner Webb added that there should be an overall plan for the bay front area; that a park should be created so people can enjoy the bay front. He asked if the Commission could initiate a memo to Council that would state that the Commission would like to see an overall plan for the bay front area. Director Williams stated that a specific plan for the area was discussed at the joint meeting of the Planning Commission and Council but no one from the Beautification Commission attended that meeting. Commissioner Webb stated he wanted to go to that particular meeting, but had to work. McGowan - Commissioner McGowan apologized for arriving late but was in attendance at another meeting. He reported that there are tall weeds and trash in the parking strip in front of the Country Inn on Lorton Avenue. Commissioner McGowan also reported that the young Elms and Hackberry's planted on Cambridge Road need some training. Commissioner McGowan asked that tree planting on Airport Boulevard be placed on the May agenda for further discussion. Lauder - Commissioner Lauder reported that irrigation at the 101/Broadway triangle has been reportedly damaged by a contractor, permitted by the City of Burlingame, working in that area. CalTrans has contacted the contractor to come back and snake repairs. Mariko Roberts indicated to Commissioner Lauder that the roses will not be planted until repairs have been made to the irrigation and that trees would probably not be planted until the Fall. Commissioner Lauder will continue to track the progress of the work on the triangle. Chairperson Locke thanked Commissioner Lauder for her persistence; that improvements in this area have been a topic since she was appointed to the Commission four years ago. Commissioner Lauder also thanked Commissioner McGowan for his beautiful presentation at the Spring Garden Seminar. .-, Director Williams - Director Williams reported that the City Council unanimously gave him direction at its April 2, 2001 meeting to discuss reorganizing the Senior and Parks & Recreation Commissions. Williams will meet with both the Commissions on April 19 to discuss his proposal that the Senior Commission be abolished and two "senior seats" be added to Parks & Recreation, similar to the two "youth advisory seats", presently on that Commission. A final proposal will be brought to the City Council on May 7, 2001. Director Williams thanked the Beautification Commissioners for their dedication and encouraged them to continue to support a more attractive Burlingame. He also encouraged them to communicate individually with council members. Chairperson Locke thanked Director Williams for his advice and for sometimes serving as a "buffer" between the Commission and the Council. There being no further business, Chairperson Locke adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, r Karlene Harvey Recording Secretary 4