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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 1997.10.02BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION OCTOBER 2, 1997 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chairman McGowan. ROLL CALL Present: Chairman McGowan, Commissioners Gilmore -Friend, Lauder, Root, and Ward. Absent: Commissioners Plyer and Schinagl Staff: Park Superintendent Richmond, Parks & Recreation Director Williams, and Administrative Secretary Harvey Guests: Mr. and Mrs. Thomson and Jack Friend MINUTES - Superintendent Richmond noted a correction to the September 4, 1997 Commission meeting under OLD BITSlNESS/Tree Removal & Replacement Proposal na. 1705 Murchison (Calif. Teachers Association that should read ... Following the discussion, Commissioner Schinagl moved to accept the concept as proposed with the condition that the applicant enter into an agreement with the City for the maintenance of the trees planted on the City's right of way before a building Dermit is issued, seconded. Motion carried 6 - 0 - 1 abstention (Root). Commissioner Root also noted that the correction in the September 4 minutes to the Landscape Award should read ... Motion carried 6 - 0 - 1 abstention (Root). Minutes were approved as corrected. CORRESPONDENCE Memo from Superintendent Richmond to Brian Karnacki (Public Works) informing him of the concerns expressed by Mr. and Mrs. Thomson (1709 Easton Drive) at the September Commission meeting with regard to specific dates for sidewalk and driveway repair at their residence and interim patching. Letter from Inspector Quadri to Harold & Margaret Romanowitz (3088 Alcazar) informing them that the Commission unanimously approved an additional six month extension to meet the planting requirements for the removal of two private pine trees. Letter from Inspector Quadri to the California Teachers Association (1705 Murchison Drive) informing them that the Commission unanimously approved their proposal for tree removal and replacement as part of their building project at 1705 Murchison Drive. Letter(s) from City Manager to Commissioners Lauder and Plyer informing them of their term expirations and reappointment procedures. Letter from Superintendent Richmond to Crosby & Gray Company (2 Park Road) notifying them that the Commission voted their property to receive the 1997 Landscape Award. Welcome to Burlingame, City of Trees flyer regarding street tree and private tree ordinances in the City. Flyer will be mailed to new residents and will be included in the Recreation brochure alternating street tree and private tree ordinances. Commissioner Application from David Plyer. Letter from Carl Minerva (36 Arundel) requesting the required 24" box size replacement tree (for private removal) be waived, and that he be allowed to plant a 15 gallon size tree at his address. OLD BUSINESS Landscape Award Process - The Commission discussed the Landscape Award procedures. Commissioner -� Ward stated that having the companies or other individuals submit applications is not working. Commissioner Gilmore -Friend stated that interest has declined since the drought years. After discussing several alternatives, Commissioner Gilmore Friend moved the Commission dispense with the 1998 Landscape Award and review after a year whether to reinstate or not; seconded Motion carried S - 0 - 2 absent (Schinagl and Plyer). NEW BUSINESS Street Tree Policies - Superintendent Richmond presented the flyer to be distributed to new residents in the City of Burlingame and to be also included in the Recreation brochure. Director Williams added that information on street trees will alternate with information on private trees in consecutive recreation brochures. Superintendent Richmond stated that in the past, the Commission has agreed to the removal of objectionable trees such as ginkgo's, English walnuts, and olive trees if the resident has requested removal. He asked if the Commission reaffirms that decision or if they would prefer these requests be brought before the Commission. Superintendent Richmond added that if one of these particular trees was a specimen tree, then, it would be brought to the Commission for review. Commissioner Gilmore -Friend commented that those varieties are on the list for objectionable street trees and are no longer on the approved street tree lists. She added that the City Arborist should have the authority to make the decision on those removals without needing to come to the Commission. Following a brief discussion, it was the consensus of the Commission that the City Arborist continue to have the authority to grant removal of gingkos, English walnuts, and olive trees. Arbor Dayftring Garden Seminar - Superintendent Richmond reported that Arbor Day will be celebrated on Friday, March 6th and will possibly be held at Bayside Park. Superintendent Richmond stated that March 21A is tentatively set for the Spring Garden Seminar and asked the Commission to be thinking about a possible theme and speaker. Chairman McGowan asked that the Spring Garden Seminar be placed on the November agenda. REPORTS Richmond - Superintendent Richmond reported on the following items: 1) Park crews cleaned the planter strip on Lorton and a tree was planted. 2) Public Works has indicated that the sidewalk repair contract will be let in October following the marking of additional areas in the City. 3) Burlingame Avenue sidewalks are steam cleaned by City forces and the gutters are cleaned weekly. Starbucks plans to eliminate the window seats and replace with planters for flowers. Currently, Starbucks management is meeting with the Police Department in an effort to resolve some of the problems in that area. The City Council will be reviewing the issues at Starbucks at their October 6th meeting. Superintendent Richmond stated that Public Works Director, George Bagdon, has indicated that --I complaints are being handled as has been set forth in the new encroachment permit guidelines. 2 REPORTS - Richmond (Cond.) - Commissioner Lauder asked if the streetscape on Burlingame Avenue still includes the tree grates. Superintendent Richmond commented that he believed that was still part of the plan but that Jane Gomery in Public Works is overseeing the streetscape project. 4) The Tree crew will be planting over 100 street trees between October and November. 5) Arbor Care has been trimming the Eucalyptus on the 900 block of Burlingame Avenue. The City Arborist is recommending removal of several Eucalyptus in the area; one has rot in a large branch, one, that was cabled years ago has rotted and poses a potential hazard, and one has died. In addition, there is a tree in Washington Park that has a crack down the center of the trunk. 6) A Eucalyptus tree near 1709 Easton Drive, reportedly was a potential hazard, but upon inspection, the City Arborist found only a large canker on a lateral limb. According to the City Arborist, this is not a safety hazard and he will continue to monitor the situation. 7) CalTrans will be planting 21 trees on El Camino to replace the 10 Eucalyptus removed for resistograph testing and the 11 Elms removed due to Dutch elm disease. The replacement variety chosen will be the Eucalyptus microtheca and will grow to 40+ feet. The City of Albany has used this variety on the City's main business district, Solano Avenue. Commissioner Gilmore -Friend stated that she hopes the replanting that CalTrans is doing will be well publicized. McGowan - Chairman McGowan thanked Park staff for the tree trimming at 214 Lorton Avenue and reported that two years ago two magnolias were removed at 1215 Bayswater Avenue, but were never replaced. Chairman McGowan commented that at Ansel and Floribunda Avenues several City Ash trees were pruned by P.G.&E. and are very unsightly. He added that the Condominium next door has power lines underground which looks much better. Chairman McGowan noted that there is no landscaping or street tree planting at the new building on Highland Avenue and Howard Avenue. He inquired if the City requires landscaping on that type of project. Superintendent Richmond stated he did not believe landscaping is required on that type of project, but that the Sr. Landscape Inspection, Rich Quadri, may be able to answer that question. FROM THE FLOOR Chairman McGowan asked Mr. and Mrs. Thomson (1709 Easton Drive) if the temporary patching at their address had met with their satisfaction. Mrs. Thomson stated that the temporary patching had helped. Mr. Thomson stated that he reported the branch on the Eucalyptus tree to the Parks Division because it had previously been twisted in a windstorm and the trimming contractor had indicated to him that the limb was dead. There being no more business, Chairman McGowan adjourned the meeting at 6:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, i Karlene Harvey Recording Secretary