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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 1988.01.07BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION January 7, 1988 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order on Thursday, January 7, 1988 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall by V. Chairman Hagstrom. ROLL CALL Present: V. Chairman Hagstrom, Commissioners Erickson, Hughes, O'Mahony, and Root. Absent: Commissioners Gilmore and Shevchuk. Guest: Mark Peters. MINUTES Minutes of the December 3, 1987 meeting were approved as submitted. CORRESPONDENCE Letter to Jeannie Gilmore, Chairman of the Beautification Commission from the City Manager, Dennis Argyres, informing her that the City Council indicated a willingness to meet with the Cahirman of the Beautification Commission at the January study meeting on the 20th to discuss newspaper racks. Letter from Carolyn Hipps of 1649 Balboa Wy. requesting that the city remove a city liquidambar due to roots damaging sidewalk, clogging sewer laterals, and raising neighbor's driveway preventing them from opening their garage door. Letter from Alexander Ossipoff, 1645 Balboa Wy. requesting that the City remove a liquidambar in front of 1649 Balboa Wy. due to sewer backups and roots raising the driveway preventing them from opening their garage door. Memorandum from Frank Agamau, Asst. Street & Sewer Superintendent, stating that records for sewer lateral problems at 1645 & 1649 Balboa Wy. indicate that in 1984 there were several calls for back-ups at 1649 Balboa due to roots in the line; that during the last two or three years, the city responded only once or twice due to back-ups at above addresses; and, that there are many lateral pro- blems on that block due to tree roots. Memorandum from Rich Langevin, Asst. Park Director, stating that within the past few years the Park Dept. has root pruned along the entire driveway at 1645 Balboa Wy. as a preventative measure against future damage. REPORTS QUADRI--Director Quadri reported the illegal removal of 2 city owned Eucalyptus at 1598 Columbus. City Attorney has sent letter to resident and company responsi- ble for the removal 'A Cut Above' Tree Service explaining liability. Ken Meyer, a local Arborist, has been retained to determine the value of the trees. Director Quadri reported that the parking lots A and C are scheduled for repaving after the utility undergrounding project is completed. The two liquidambars at 732 Farringdon that the Commission approved for removal at owners expense have not been removed and the permit has expired. The Fire Department no longer needs their lift truck and has given the truck to the Park Department. With the additional lift truck the tree crew will be able to complete the pruning of the sycamores in less time, allowing it to get back to servicing of resident requests sooner., The vacancy on the Beautification Commission may be filled by the next meeting. O'MAHONY--Spoke with Anne Parsons re the sidewalk cleaning; 30 merchants have agreed to periodic sidewalk cleaning at $8.00 per merchant each time, but it would not be economically feasible until at least 60 merchants would agree. The Broadway merchants are still looking into parking schedules and the monitoring thereof for street sweeping on Broadway. REPORTS (Cont'd.) O'MAHONY--Commissioner O'Mahony requests the 1974 Heritage and Distinctive tree ordinances be made available for Commission review. These will be mailed with the January minutes. ROOT --Spoke with the P.T.A. Council about having the elementary school children provide art for the Post Office and the P.T.A. Council is interested. The Post- master said that after February there is space available for projects. Commissioner Root will discuss with P.T.A. Council about having schools do a project for each month until summer. Bob Osberg of BIS has indicated that there is no art person in the district making it difficult for the schools to repair or replace art projects throughout the City. Commissioner Root will try to make contact with someone in the Rec. Dept. re work- ing through one of their art classes. Inquired if there had ever been consideration of decorating the Burlingame Ave. train station during the holidays. Director Quadri said the Chamber of Commerce had considered placing a Christmas tree in the planter but instead put lights on the trees on the 4 corners of Burlingame Ave.; that became costly and has been discontinued. HAGSTROM--The stairway between Easton and Hillside is deteriorating and there is an accumulation of litter and debris. Director Quadri will investigate. OLD BUSINESS Policy on Fruiting Trees - This item was deferred to the February meeting. NEW BUSINESS Spring Garden Seminar - Saturday, March 26 at the Recreation Center. Director Quadri will be asking Alex Graham to speak at the seminar. The Library has offered to have a book display and a librarian available for checking out books. The Friends of the Library might be interested in co -sponsoring the Garden Seminar next year. This possibility will be explored after the completion of this year's seminar. 1649 Balboa/Request for Removal - Director Quadri requested the Commission inspect liquidambar at 1649 Balboa and to also look at raised driveway particularly near garage door; this may or may not be caused by roots from existing tree. Problems with tree roots on Balboa are common and other residents are watching to see how the problem is dealt with. there are a number of liquidambars on the 1600 block. This is an unusual situation in that it is damaging the driveway to the extinct that the garage door cannot be opened. If Commission should recommend removal it must be clear as to what specific reasons it was approved, i.e., substantial amount of damage to private property. In certain situations the Park Dept. has shared in the expense by removal of the stump. Director Quadri will inform the residents that the Commission will render a decision at the February meeting and they will be invited to attend. FROM THE FLOOR Mark Peters asked the reasoning behind homeowner's absorbing the cost of removal of City trees. Director Quadri stated that if actual property damage is occurring then city assumes some responsibility but if no personal property damage exists then the city considers tree to be a desirable asset and will pay for sidewalk repairs rather than removal of the tree. Director Quadri reminded the Commission that the Commissioner's dinner will be coming up in March, and that Arbor Day will be celebrated on Monday, March 7, (location yet to be decided). There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Karlene Harvey Recording Secretary