HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2023.07.06BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION
Approve Minutes July 6, 2023
The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 6:30 pm by Chair
Bauer.
ROLL CALL
Present:
Chair Bauer, Commissioners Batte, Chu, Khoury, and Kirchner
Absent:
None
Staff:
Parks Superintendent/City Arborist Holtz, and Recording Secretary Flores
Others:
None
MINUTES
Commissioner Batte made a motion to approve the June 1, 2023, Regular Meeting minutes. The motion was
seconded by Commission Kirchner and was approved 5-0-0.
CORRESPONDENCE
None.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Trees of Burlingame Ad Hoc Committee Members Update
Commissioner Kirchner presented Secretary Flores with a thumb drive with the up-to-date chapters of the
Trees of Burlingame book. He explained that the remaining items are a chapter on Washington Park that
he and Commissioner Khoury are working on and duplicating a few maps from the previous publication.
Commissioner Kirchner spoke of a small number of Eucalyptus groves that are not recognized and
explained that he would work with the Historical Society to clarify. He also inquired about an updated
landscape plan for Washington Park, including tree locations. He spoke of forming an Ad Hoc committee
to meet and discuss the collation of the final publication. He took a poll, and Commissioner Batte confirmed
she would like to join the committee, along with Commissioner Khoury and Kirchner.
2. Residential and Business Landscape Award Update
Commissioner Chu provided a brief reminder that voting on both the Residential and Business Landscape
Awards will occur during the August Beautification Meeting. Commissioner Khoury discussed the
possibility of adding an apartment or multi -unit property landscape award. Chair Bauer confirmed that a
new award could be implemented for the next year.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Ad Hoc Committee to Review the Art in Public Places Policy
Commissioner Kirchner explained the possibility of charging new development projects a percentage of the
construction cost towards art on the development site or the City for public art. Chair Bauer explained that
she and Commissioner Kirchner have volunteered to be on the Ad Hoc Committee to discuss this policy
further.
REPORTS
Commissioner Khoury reported on the all -year tree lighting project fundraiser to help light the side streets of
Lorton Avenue, Primrose Road, Park Road, and Howard Avenue. She explained that the timeframe for
installation is currently estimated for after the Labor Day Holiday. Further, she said that Broadway is not
currently included in the fundraising.
City Arborist Holtz reported that the City Council approved three large tree contracts to do maintenance work
in some of our large Eucalyptus groves, including reduction pruning and some removals. Further, he spoke of
several staff projects coming out of winter and larger projects in the exploratory or plan phases that have been
funded for the new fiscal year, such as the Town Square, Laguna Park Playground, Cuernavaca ballfield, and
a new batting cage in Washington Park. Chair Bauer asked about the status of tree removals along El Camino
Real. City Arborist Holtz explained that these trees belong to the State of California and are not the City's
responsibility. He stated that Caltrans had been actively having trees inspected by several independent
arborists, and several trees would be removed before the rehabilitation project due to concerns that the tree
might be compromised or at greater risk of failure.
City Arborist Holtz explained that we will revisit the Easton Theme Block item, and there will be a new tree
appeal to consider for next month's meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:54 pm. The next Beautification Commission
meeting is scheduled for September 7, 2023.
Respectfully submitted,
Vcroviicoi -Flores
Veronica Flores
Administrative Staff