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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC - 2024.02.01BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION Approved Minutes February 1, 2024 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Beautification Commission was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair Batte. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Batte, Commissioners Bauer, Chu, Kirchner, and Khoury Absent: Staff. Parks and Recreation Director Glomstad, Parks Superintendent/City Arborist Holtz, Parks Supervisor Burow, and Recording Secretary Diaz Others: None MINUTES Commissioner Bauer made a motion to approve the January 4, 2023, Regular Meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Chu and was approved. 5-0-0 CORRESPONDENCE None. PUBLIC COMMENT None. OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS 1. Updating to the Street Tree Themed Block Lists Parks Supervisor Burow shared that her presentation was on the updated themed block list. She stated that a themed block is a block in which one species of street tree becomes the dominant species as trees are replaced for health and safety reasons. In 2008, 98 themed blocks were approved by the Beautification Commission and City Council. Since then, the City and residents have added 24 additional themed blocks. She stated that there are 122 themed blocks currently. Parks Supervisor Burow stated that the first proposed change would be to the 1400 block of Balboa. It was a Catalpa themed block and was changed to Trident Maple due to difficulties in sourcing Catalpas. She stated that she could find and source Catalpa trees and recommended returning to the original theme. Parks Supervisor Burow stated that 1100 Vancouver originally was a Catalpa themed block and proposed that it go back to Catalpa from the current theme of Golden Rain Trees. Parks Supervisor Burow stated that the 400-1100 blocks of California Dr. are Ornamental Pear themed blocks, but she has seen several issues, like disease and psyllid, causing stickiness on the ground. She stated that she recommended changing the theme to European Hornbeam. Parks Superintendent Holtz stated that trees will not be removed to establish a themed block, and only trees that need to be removed for health and safety purposes will be replaced with the selected tree. Chair Batte opened the floor to public comment. With no one wishing to speak from the public, Chair Batte closed public comment. Chair Batte motioned to approve updating the Street Tree Themed Block List. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bauer and was approved. 5-0-0 REPORTS Commissioner Bauer stated that Citibank is being renovated on the corner of Primrose Road and Howard Avenue. She stated that there were no street trees surrounding that building and asked if there would be as part of the project. Parks Superintendent Holtz stated that with community development projects, the Parks Division reviews some but not all projects. If the Parks Division is reviewing a project with sidewalk repair, the Parks Division will follow the Public Works policy for expanding public planters to install planters at the project site. He stated that since June 2023, community development has hired a contract arborist who does the plan reviews, is very diligent, and follows the applicable tree code. Many trees were removed due to the winter storms. Parks Supervisor Burow and the tree crew have diligently found locations to plant trees. Recording Secretary Diaz mails out street tree planting letters to residents. Most residents are happy to receive a tree, but some residents do not want a tree. Parks Superintendent Holtz and Parks Supervisor Burow had educational conversations with the residents who did not want trees and explained the importance of planting trees. Parks Superintendent Holtz stated that he spoke to Public Works regarding the area around Howard that is paved over, and they are willing to open planters for plantings. He stated that he would look into the suggested area by Commissioner Bauer. Commissioner Bauer stated that since construction was taking place, she thought it was a good time to add sprinklers if needed. She stated that it was her understanding that trees were required for new construction and renovations. Parks Superintendent Holtz stated that if a building is being remodeled, when it comes before the Parks Division, they are asked if they are rehabilitating their landscape. If they check the box stating no, there is nothing further for the Parks Division to do. If they rehabilitate their landscape, then a landscape and irrigation plan would be incorporated. Commissioner Khoury questioned if there are plans for planting new trees on the side streets downtown. Parks Superintendent Holtz stated that plantings occur three times a year: October, January, and April. He stated that additional trees would be a replacement for vacancies. One hundred eight trees were planted during the January planting, and a higher number of plantings is expected in April due to additional locations and residents wanting to wait for the newly updated street tree list. Commissioner Bauer questioned if the recent storm caused any problems. Parks Superintendent Holtz stated that residents called to state their concerns, and most residents typically live near the eucalyptus trees. He stated that Parks Supervisor Burow, the on -call staff, and himself made extra passes in the areas before, during, and after the storm to check for any changes to site conditions. Commissioner Kirchner stated that he noticed in the January minutes that the City will do maintenance for San Francisco PUC on the land along California Drive. He questioned if it was maintenance only and if replacement trees would be planted. Parks Superintendent Holtz stated that as part of Public Works' pedestrian improvement in bike lines north of Oak Grove, an agreement was entered with San Francisco PUC that the City would take care of the trees on their property. He stated that trees received little maintenance and are in poor condition. Despite their smaller stature, many trees are multi -trunk with signs of obvious decay due to lack of maintenance and significant leaning along California Drive. About two-thirds of the trees will be removed, and one-third will receive pruning. Parks Superintendent Holtz stated that there are plans to replant the area. Director Glomstad requested funding for fiscal year 24/25 to look at the recreational pathway for pedestrians and hikers. He stated that this may be an opportunity to increase recreational and accessibility opportunities for the public; however, they are in the very beginning stages and many years from that. Commissioner Kirchner reported that for the 2023 Landscape Business Award, he had a drawing by a young lady. He stated that the drawing needed to be presented to the CEO of Mills -Peninsula Medical Center Hospital. Commissioner Kirchner, Commissioner Chu, and the young lady who created the drawing would like to be present during the presentation. Commissioner Kirchner reported that he noticed an emergency tree removal at the Mercy campus and asked if the staff knew the background. He stated there was talk about a development around Hoover and stated there are tagged trees. Parks Superintendent Holtz stated that he was able to see the arborist report from Arborist Roy Leggitt and inspected the trees himself. He stated that Mercy has done a significant inventory and is doing its best to preserve as many trees as possible. They are looking to remove trees due to construction, but plans are in very preliminary stages, and replacement will be required, as well as public notification. Commissioner Kirchner reported that the Washington Park chapter of the Trees of Burlingame is finished. He stated that Jennifer Pfaff, the president of the Burlingame Historical Society, and Joanne Garrison, who wrote The Burlingame Centennial from 1908 to 2008, have looked at the book. He said he would run the last chapter by them, share it with Director Glomstad, and get it out to the Commission. He stated that he needs to work on the maps and inventory. Laura Hesselgren, the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Foundation photographer, volunteered to take the tree photos. Director Glomstad reported that the Mayor would like to set up a meeting with each Commission. She stated that if the Commission was available on a Monday at 6:00 p.m., she would set up a Beautification Study Session with the Council. Parks Superintendent Holtz reported on an emergency removal at 1128 Douglas Ave. The City received multiple calls about a dead oak tree that would eventually fall and was a fire hazard. The City Attorney's office was able to get in contact with the absent property owner. Parks Superintendent Holtz stated that he authorized the emergency removal of the tree because it had been dead for a long time and had physical decay. He stated that there would be replacement requirements. Parks Superintendent Holtz reported that the ball fields were scheduled to be opened, but it began to rain. He stated that the fields are being monitored so they can be reopened to users. He stated that the contractor is going through the grid section, and they have finished grid Cl, which is from Edgehill to Rosedale, California Drive, and El Camino. The next section is Vancouver, Alvarado, and Sanchez to the South and Adeline to the North. Every four years, they will be systematically inspected and pruned if needed. Parks Superintendent Holtz reported the construction of the girl's softball batting cage at Washington Park would start soon. There was a landslide that will be repaired during the summer. Synthetic turf will be installed at Cuernavaca Field in the spring. He stated that Director Glomstad is running the Transit Hub project to improve the front of Burlingame Ave's Train Station, and a new Town Square is planned for downtown. Director Glomstad stated the Washington Park tennis courts need to be resurfaced. She stated the contract was awarded in the fall, but the work will start in the spring due to the contractor's schedule and the weather. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. The next Beautification Commission meeting is scheduled for March 7, 2024. Respectfully submitted, -Amcnca -Pi�iZ- America Diaz Administrative Staff