HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC- 2024.03.07BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION
Approved Minutes March 7, 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: None
Staff. Parks and Recreation Director Glomstad, Parks Superintendent/City Arborist Holtz, Parks
Supervisor Burow, and Recording Secretary Flores
Others: None
MINUTES
Commissioner Bauer made a motion to approve the February 1, 2024, Regular Meeting with the correction
of Chair Batte opening the meeting. 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 of the City Street Tree Planting Lists
Parks Supervisor Burow recommended that the Tupelo tree not be included on the City's street tree
plantings lists. She explained that although the Tupelo tree is visually pleasing, and a few are planted in
Washington Park, her research showed that it can cause significant root damage, as seen in other cities.
Commissioner Chu thanked Supervisor Burow for her research on the subject.
2. Addition of a Landscape Award Category for Multifamily Housing Balconies or Apartment
Complexes
Commissioner Kirchner stated that the discussion focused on one award for either standalone balconies or
apartment complex landscaping in its entirety. He explained that the award would be dependent on
nominations, solicited through the internet, dropping off nomination forms at complexes, and Commission
nominations. Due to challenges in contacting individual residents, Commissioner Kirchner explained that
balcony nominations would work best if they were self -nominated versus entire complexes that the
Commissioners can nominate. Chair Batte inquired about the restrictions associated with self -nominations.
Commissioners Kirchner and Khoury stated that nominees would have to be visible from street view to
ensure that the community enjoys them at large. Chair Batte said that she preferred an award for an entire
complex versus individual units and balconies. Commissioner Chu stated that it is not feasible for members
of the Commission to identify individual balconies, which would require those nominations to be submitted
by the residents. Based on historical experience, he does not believe we would receive many nominations
unless there were a significant outreach effort. Commissioner Khoury stated that she thought the incentive
from the Council was to encourage renters to beautify their balconies. Chair Batte explained that tenants
may be incentivized to do so if their entire complex was nominated. Commissioner Bauer stated that she
also agreed that balconies would have to be self -nominated. Director Glomstad noted that the Commission
should consider whether one balcony led to a complex being awarded over a complex with better or more
consistent landscaping in its entirety is appropriate. Further, she suggested incorporating multifamily
complexes into the residential award or creating a third award and modifying it in future years. Director
Glomstad asked the Commission to consider what the addition of a new award may be or look like and how
the winner would be acknowledged, aside from the City Council Meeting. Commissioner Kirchner stated
that there was thought of this previously, and the idea of a posting in the E-news for the winner was an
option for balconies. He stated his inclination for an award for apartment complexes and exploring the
option of balconies at a later date. Commissioner Bauer suggested that the Commission vote on including
a third award for multifamily complexes and further discuss the kind of award and acknowledgment at a
future meeting.
Commissioner Bauer made a motion to add a third category for the annual landscape awards to include
multifamily units. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Khoury and was approved. 5-0-0
3. Business Landscape Award and Residential Sustainable Landscape Award Chair Rotation
Director Glomstad presented the staff report for the BLA and RSLA committee chair rotation and discussed
the proposed schedule. She asked Commissioners to propose a submittal date for all nominations and
photographs at the April commission meeting, preferably before the end of June. Commissioner Kirchner
clarified that the number of nominees each Commissioner would solicit was two and confirmed with
Secretary Flores that the nomination form would be edited to include two nominee entries per each award
and re -distributed to the Commissioner.
REPORTS
City Arborist Holtz reported that his research into the Citibank development, per Commissioner Bauer's
inquiry from the last Commission meeting, showed that the extent of the tenant improvement did not trigger
Parks review or qualify for sidewalk replacement and enhancement requirements. He explained that as part
of the modification and update to the City's tree code, he is working with the City Attorney's office to
ensure Community Development is part of the process. Furthermore, he reported that the April planting is
larger than typical, and staff always looks for opportunities to plant more city trees. He informed the
Commission that daylighting existing pavement to create tree planting sites is a project that may be revisited
in the fall of this year.
He informed the Commission of the significant tree work being bid out along California Drive north of Oak
Grove Ave; the work is expected to commence in early April. He stated that the urban forest was holding
up better than last winter. There was one tree failure across the railroad tracks. He thanked the Commission
and Council for supporting staff and the preventative maintenance program. City Arborist Holtz spoke of
the field conditions due to the rain and staff working diligently to keep fields open for sports users.
Lastly, he reminded the Commission of our Arbor Day celebration on March 13, 2024, at Skyline Park and
invited all to join if available.
Commissioner Khoury reported that the Downtown Burlingame Improvement District had partnered with
a Google graphic designer who has volunteered to assist with branding concepts.
Commissioner Kirchner reported that the Washington Park chapter of the Trees of Burlingame book was
completed and would be distributed before the next Commission meeting. Further, he discussed the map
he handed out to the staff of the groves and stands of the trees in Burlingame that require further revisions
and will also be available to the Commission for review at the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m. The next Beautification Commission
meeting is scheduled for April 4, 2024.
Respectfully submitted,
Vervvlic'n Flores
Veronica Flores
Recording Secretary