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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - BC- 2024.12.051 BURLINGAME BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION Approved Minutes December 5, 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, and Damico Absent: Commissioner Kirchner Staff: Parks Superintendent/City Arborist Holtz, Parks Supervisor Burow, and Recording Secretary Flores Others: None Arborist Holtz began the meeting by thanking Commissioner Khoury for her time of service. Commission Khoury brought an aesthetic perspective and viewed items differently than had been viewed previously. He commented on her great contribution to beautifying the downtown business areas and communicating her findings with staff. Secretary Flores administered the Oath of Allegiance for new Commissioner Damico. MINUTES Commissioner Bauer made a motion to approve the November 7, 2024, Regular Meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Chu and was approved. 4-0-1 CORRESPONDENCE None PUBLIC COMMENT Jennifer Pfaff addressed the Commission to welcome Commissioner Damico and informed her that the Historical Society would be sending her a book on the Burlingame Centennial, 1908- 2008. PRESENTATION None OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS 1.Approval of the Installation of Two New Didactic Panels Secretary Flores presented the staff report and opened the floor to Burlingame Historical Society member Jennifer Pfaff to address the Commissioner further. Ms. Pfaff stated that a similar presentation was made to the Parks and Recreation Commission for installing two panels within Washinton Park. She explained that Director Glomstad approached her about another panel for the Easton Railway Company on Hillside Drive, providing historical information on the track and trolley used by the Easton family in the early 1900s to sell property further away from the train. The shelter remains on Alvarado and Hillside Drive, where the sign would be installed. She applied for the community grant program the City offers non-profit 2 organizations and received enough money and general fund money to supply two panels. The second panel design focused on sandlot baseball played at Washington Park baseball field and wooden stands. Ms. Pfaff asked the Commission for their feedback and shared her ideas on location, although she confirmed the final location installation is the discretion of Arborist Holtz. Chair Batte stated that at the rapid pace, our community is evolving, it was a great idea to have historical placements to educate the community on what the City was like in the past before becoming the metropolitan city we are today. Commissioner Bauer asked about the cost of panel installation. Secretary Flores confirmed installation costs of $2,000 in staff time and material per panel. Arborist Holtz confirmed that there are enough funds in the budget to complete the installation. Ms. Pfaff confirmed that although the designs are completed, production of the panels will take some time. Commissioner Chu inquired about the City’s budget for projects such as the didactic panels. Arborist Holtz confirmed the money comes out of the General Fund, which includes a general amount that the Parks Division has for staff time and benefits, estimated at 4 million dollars per year. The Division utilizes an asset management system that tracks time and money spent on specific tasks. He confirmed that staff would not be paying anything extra than what was budgeted; staff would be taking existing accounted staff time and directing it towards this work. Materials would also be drawn from our general budget. Chair Batte made a motion to approve the installation of two new didactic panels. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bauer and was approved. 4-0-1. REPORTS Chair Batte reported that the Winter Market would be held in the Community Center on December 7 and 8, 2024. Arborist Holtz reported that the tree ordinance update passed the first iteration with the City Council. A second reading will occur on December 16th, 2024, and then it will have a 30-day wait period before going into effect. Staff will then work to update our public documents and forms and educate the public as best as possible. Supervisor Burow reported that a significant planting season is approaching in January 2025, and preparations are underway with removals and re-using wood chips in our parks. Arborist Holtz stated that the Division feels comfortable entering the winter season, given all the significant work that has occurred over the last couple of years. Secretary Flores reported that the Laguna Playground Project demolition was completed, and other minor work is underway while waiting for the playground equipment delivery in January 2025. She stated that the Town Square Project is scheduled to break ground on January 6, 2025. She confirmed that the Cuernavaca Field Renovation, Mills Canyon Landslide Repair, and the Mobility Hub project are nearing the final construction stages and that closeout documents would be prepared for City Council approval early in the new year. 3 UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS Commissioner Chu proposed that the Commission revisit the Adopt-A-Tree program and discuss its mission and participation further. He would like to invite previous program members to the meeting date on which the discussion would take place. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m. The next Beautification Commission meeting is scheduled for February 6, 2025. Respectfully submitted, Veronica Flores Veronica Flores Recording Secretary