HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - CC - 2024.04.15 (Study Session)CITY 0
BURLINGAME
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BURLINGAME CITY COUNCIL
Approved Minutes
Study Session with the Beautification Commission
on April 15, 2024
1. CALL TO ORDER
A duly noticed meeting of the Burlingame City Council was held on the above date in person
and via Zoom at 6:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Beach, Brownrigg, Colson, Ortiz, Stevenson
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
All Beautification Commissioners were present: Hadia Khoury, Carol Batte, Richard Kirchner,
Sean Chu, and Marcia Bauer.
3. REQUEST FOR AB 2249 REMOTE PARTICIPATION
There were no requests.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
There was no public comment.
5. STUDY SESSION
a. REPORT OUT OF BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION ACTIVITIES OVER THE PAST YEAR AND
WORK PLAN FOR CURRENT YEAR
Commissioner Kirchner reviewed Beautification Commission's activities in 2023:
• Easton tree replacement due to the winter storms
• Drafting an update to the book entitled "Trees of Burlingame"
• Discussions about El Camino Real renovations
• Series of appeals regarding tree removals
• Holiday tree lighting
Councilmember Stevenson asked if the public's opinion about the renovations on El Camino Real was
changing as a result of the 2023 winter storms and the need for safety. Commissioner Kirchner stated
that it was a delicate balance between the need to undertake upgrades and make sidewalks ADA
compliant and the desire of some members of the community to preserve the groves.
The Council and Commission discussed the City's decision to underground the utilities on El Camino Real
in order for the renovations to work.
Vice Mayor Beach thanked Commissioner Kirchner and Jennifer Pfaff for their work on the El Camino
Real task force. She discussed the work that the task force did to ensure the preservation of some of the
trees and the planting of new trees. She added that El Camino Real would not be widened to include
more lanes and instead would include larger sidewalks and utilities undergrounded.
b. UPDATE ON TREE ORDINANCE TIMELINE
City Arborist Holtz stated that staff has been working with the City Attorney's Office to update the City's
tree ordinance. He discussed the feedback that staff received from the City Council, Beautification
Commission, and the public on potential amendments. He stated that the tentative timeline for
updating the ordinance is as follows:
• Draft to Beautification Commission at their May 2, 2024 meeting
• Draft to Planning Commission at their May 28, 2024 meeting
• Presentation to City Council at their June 17, 2024 meeting
• CEQA review during summer 2024
Jennifer Pfaff asked about how some of the State housing laws could affect the City's tree ordinance.
City Arborist Holtz replied that staff is discussing in -lieu fees that would be used so that if an individual
couldn't plant a tree on their property, the fees could be used to plant a tree elsewhere. City Attorney
Guina added that this is an issue that staff is still reviewing.
Mayor Colson asked about citrus trees not counting as a tree under the City's ordinance. City Arborist
Holtz replied that it isn't just citrus trees. Nut trees and Japanese Maple trees also don't count towards
the planting requirement. He explained that the reason is because these trees are typically smaller, and
the City has a one -for -one rule.
The Council and Commission discussed how other cities have handled flexibility with the types of trees
that count towards the City's planting requirement. Additionally, they discussed the importance of
educating the public on the ordinance.
c. TREE BUDGET AND REMOVALS
City Arborist Holtz discussed tree removals that were necessary as a result of the 2023 winter storms
and SFPUC trees that the City inherited on California Drive.
Mayor Colson asked what the City's budget is for tree removals. City Arborist Holtz replied that in 2023,
the City spent approximately $3 million. Parks and Recreation Director Glomstad added that in general,
the City's tree removal and pruning budget per fiscal year is between $600,000 and $1 million.
d. BEAUTIFICATION AWARDS UPDATE
Commissioner Khoury stated that this year the Commission is adding an award for multi -family
residential building landscaping.
Mayor Colson stated that she is volunteering to be the City's new artist for the Beautification
Awards. All were excited.
The Council thanked the Beautification Commission for a productive meeting.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Colson adjourned the meeting at 6:56 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/
Meaghan Hassel -Shearer
City Clerk