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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 1998.09.03kk 1 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 5:33 p.m. by Chairman McGowan. ROLL CALL Present: Chairman McGowan, Commissioners Gilmore -Friend, Lauder, and Schinagl Absent: Commissioners Locke, Root, and Ward Staff: Park Superintendent Richmond and Administrative Secretary Harvey Guest: Ann Kim, Reporter/B.V. Independent MINUTES - Minutes of the August 6, 1998 meeting were corrected to read under REPORTS/Locke: 1) Recently someone hired a company to remove a City street tree. Commissioner Locke stated that it appears many residents don't know what is or what is not a City tree. Commissioner Locke asked if there would be some way to educate new residents through Title or Real Estate companies. Superintendent Richmond stated that the Recreation Division mails information regarding recreation programs and City tree policies to new residents on a regular basis. Commissioner Locke stated that, because of their very different level of importance and potential financial implication (efine) to citizens, try belong in separate mailings. Commissioner Schinagl suggested that it may be better -for those items to go out on separate, pieces or color of gaper. CORRESPONDENCE Welcome to Burlingame, City of Trees and Welcome to Burlingame from the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Department flyers mailed to new residents. Letter from Rosanna Myres, 2304 Poppy Drive, requesting a permit extension for replacement of a private Acacia tree because of a swimming pool addition to her property. Letter from Frank Espina, 1216 Cortez Avenue, requesting a permit extension for replacement of a private Pine tree because of a proposed garage addition to his property. Memo to Beautification Commission from Commissioner Locke regarding Communicating City Tree Policy to Residents. P. G. &E. flyers and information regarding tree growth regulators for trees under primary utilities. OLD BUSINESS Revision of City Street Tree Lists - Committee Report - Commissioner Lauder read the Committee Report in Commissioner Root's absence. Committee met on August 25th and discussed changing some varieties to different planter widths as well as removing certain tree varieties that they felt were not suitable for various reasons. Superintendent Richmond stated that the Committee is also focusing on the availability of certain varieties and considering adding back some varieties that were removed in the past, such as the Camphor tree. Chairman McGowan asked the Committee to consider disease resistant Elms and Willow Oaks. The Committee will meet again on September 16th. OLD BUSINESS - (Contd.) P.G.&E. Soil Injected Growth Regulators for Trees Under Primary Utilities - The Commission received informational pamphlets from P.G.& E. regarding tree growth regulators. Chairman McGowan asked that Dow-Elanco Company be contacted for the product label. The Commission asked that this item be held over to the next meeting so the information can first be reviewed. NEW BUSINESS Public Information Regarding City Trees - Commission reviewed memo submitted by Commissioner Locke with regard to communicating city tree policies to residents. The Commission asked that this item be held over to the next meeting for review and discussion. Reauest for Extension of Permit for the Removal/Reulacement of an Acacia Tree n 2304 Poppy Drive - Superintendent Richmond stated the applicant is requesting an extension because they are considering installing a swimming pool at the above address. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Schinagl stated that, in order to allow enough time for the resident to comply, she would move that the permit be eadended for one year, expiring on September 24, 1999; seconded Motion carried 4 - 0 - 3 (absent). Reauest for Extension of Permit for the RemovaUReolacement of a Pine Tree na, 1216 Avenue - Superintendent Richmond stated the applicant is requesting an extension because a garage will be built in the backyard at the above address and the applicant is not sure where he would plant another tree. Superintendent Richmond added that the applicant addressed other issues in his letter that the landscape inspector will need to consider. The expiration of the permit is September 3, 1998, so an extension is being requested at this time. Commissioner Gilmore -Friend moved that the permit be extended for six months, expiring on March 3, 1999; seconded Motion carried 4 - 0 - 3 (absent). REPORTS - Richmond - 1) Timberline Tree Company has started the 1998-99 large tree pruning contract. 2) During the Public Works sidewalk repair project, some tree removals have occurred in the Easton and Columbus area. Typical considerations, once the damaged sidewalk is removed, are the trees root structure, the utilities in the area, ADA requirements, and sidewalk widths. The City Arborist tries to save as many trees as possible by directing root pruning and moving sidewalks around the trees but, sometimes with the other considerations, removal of the tree is the only option. 3) Arborist Porter and Landscape Inspector Quadri attended the final meeting on the Resistograph study. It was concluded that the Resistograph is a useful tool but needs to be used along with other considerations. CalTrans has recently purchased a Resistograph. A subcommittee has been established with CalTrans and City representatives to begin laying out principals and rationales for tree removals on El Camino Real; this may mean bringing in an independent person to help make some reasonable determinations. McGowan - 1) Submitted a copy of the Senior Resources Handbook. The Senior Commission has asked City Commissions to review and make suggestions and or corrections to the Senior Commission. 2) Bruce Hagan recently spoke for the Friends of the Urban Forest with regard to street trees and Chairman McGowan suggested he could be a possible speaker for the Spring Garden Seminar. N REPORTS - McGowan (Contd.) 3) Reported that the straps around the Magnolia tree at 1641 Coronado are too tight. 4) Reported that the fence at the Royal Donut Shop on California Drive has fallen down. 5) The sidewalks are dirty on Burlingame Avenue in front of Bayview Savings and Pete's Coffee Shop, as well as on the Lorton side of the Burlingame Hotel. Gilmore -Friend - Commissioner Gilmore -Friend submitted an article from the SPCA Magazine for Director Williams regarding dog parks. Lauder - The flower box in front of the Tarot Card shop on Burlingame Avenue is dry and Commissioner Lauder stated that she will contact the Public Works Department. hin - Commissioner Schinagl commended the planting of geraniums in the planter in front of the new parking lot at the corner of Burlingame Avenue and El Camino. Chairman McGowan added that the Lantana on Burlingame Avenue also looked nice and asked when the newsracks would be placed in front of the Luggage Center. Superintendent Richmond stated that Director Williams and Jane Gomery from Public Works have been working with the newspaper agencies involved and placement should be happening sometime soon. Chairman McGowan also noted that Poplar Recare employees clean the parking lots between Lorton and Primrose Avenues and recommended a letter of appreciation be sent from the Commission to Poplar Recare Center. The Commission agreed that a letter of appreciation be sent to Poplar Recare thanking them for their work in the City of Burlingame. There being no further business and no comments FROM THE FLOOR, Chairman McGowan adjourned the meeting at 6:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Karlene Harvey Recording Secretary