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CITY of BRISBANE
Thursday August 20th, 2026 at 4:00PM ● Hybrid Meeting
Brisbane City Hall Annex, Annex Conference Room, 25 Park Place, Brisbane, CA The public may observe/participate in the Subcommittee meetings by using remote public comment options or attending in person. Subcommittee members shall attend in person unless remote participation is permitted by law. The Subcommittee may take action on any item listed in the agenda.
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Beautification Subcommittee Agenda
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Subcommittee Members:
Mayor Pro-tem Madison Davis, Councilmember Frank Kern, Park & Recreation Commissioner Trudi Davis, PAAC Committee Member Camille Salmon, OSEC Vice-Chair Mary Rogers, CSSC Committee Member Cristian Cabrera
Roll Call
Remote Attendance Under the Just Cause Provisions of the Brown Act Presentation and Discussion Items
A. Receive Proposed Adopt a Spot Program
Public Comment
Adjournment
Adopt-a-Spot Proposed Framework Page 1
BEAUTIFICATION SUBCOMMITTEE STAFF MEMO
Meeting Date: August 20, 2026
From: Christina Fernandez, Assistant City Manager
Mollie Brown, Management Analyst
Subject: Proposed Adopt-a-Spot Program Framework
Recommendation
Consider framework and site locations for proposed “Adopt-a-Spot” program.
Background
On July 13, 2026, the Beautification Subcommittee reviewed examples of Adopt-a-Spot programs in nearby communities and explored how to launch a similar initiative in Brisbane.
Potential locations included the recently designed stairway on San Benito/Alvarado, Visitacion Avenue, the Bank of America site, the corner of Old County Road with existing native plantings, and considering spots suggested by residents or volunteers. Tasks under this program could range from planting to general maintenance like sweeping the new stairs. The group also emphasized the importance of process, including application, training, planning, and monitoring. In addition, the committee considered engaging local schools, the Youth Advisory Committee, and area businesses.
Discussion
The Adopt-a-Spot Program is intended to encourage community stewardship of City-owned landscaped areas by partnering with volunteers to enhance and maintain small public spaces through beautification efforts. The program is designed to supplement City maintenance while fostering civic pride, environmental stewardship, and neighborhood engagement.
A detailed, draft framework can be found in Attachment 1.
Attachments
1. Full draft of Proposed Program Framework
2. List of potential spots
3. Example Application from City of Santa Rosa
Adopt-a-Spot Proposed Framework Page 2
Attachment 1
Adopt-a-Spot Proposed Program Framework
Program Definition
Adopt-a-Spot is a volunteer stewardship agreement in which an individual, family, neighborhood group, school, or organization commits to helping maintain a designated Cityowned landscape area through routine beautification activities such as native planting, watering, weeding, cleaning, or litter pickup, in partnership with the City.
Eligible Activities
Approved volunteer activities may include:
Planting approved native plants
Removal of invasive vegetation
Weeding
Mulching
Watering newly installed plants
Litter removal
Light pruning and general landscape maintenance
Reporting maintenance or safety concerns to City staff Non-eligible activities:
Removal of existing trees or significant vegetation
Installation of irrigation systems
Hardscape improvements
Structural or landscape redesign
Adopt-a-Spot Proposed Framework Page 3
Application Process
Prospective volunteers would:
1. Select an available Adopt-a-Spot location on our online map.
2. Complete and submit the volunteer application. (See Attachment 3 for example Adopta-Green-Space Application from City of Santa Rosa.)
3. Complete a volunteer agreement and liability waiver.
4. Participate in a brief orientation covering program expectations, approved maintenance activities, and safety procedures.
5. Receive confirmation of adoption from the City.
Volunteer Responsibilities
Participants would agree to:
• Maintain their adopted site on a regular basis and at a frequency approved by the City. • Follow City landscaping guidelines.
• Use only City-approved plant species and materials.
• Notify the City of maintenance issues beyond the scope of volunteer work. • Maintain communication with City’s designated program contact throughout the adoption period.
City Responsibilities
The City would:
• Identify and approve Adopt-a-Spot locations.
• Provide orientation and program guidance.
• Establish an approved plant list and maintenance standards. • Coordinate initial site preparation, when necessary.
• Monitor condition and progress through periodic check-ins (photo updates, site visits, etc.)
• Retain ownership and overall responsibility for each site.
Adopt-a-Spot Proposed Framework Page 4
Plants and Materials
Only approved plant species suitable for the site should be installed. To ensure consistency and support long-term maintenance, plant materials would preferably be provided by the City, obtained through approved donations or grants, or purchased by volunteers with prior City approval. Collaboration with San Bruno Mountain Watch Nursery is a viable option to explore.
Watering
During the initial establishment period, volunteers would be responsible for routine watering according to City guidance (most native plants only need supplemental watering during the first 6–12 months). Once established, selected native plants should require minimal supplemental irrigation except during periods of extended drought or extreme heat. The City will work with volunteers to identify an appropriate point of connection for watering on a case by case basis for each adopted site.
Adoption Term
Adoptions would generally be for a one-year term with the opportunity for annual renewal.
Participation may conclude if:
• The volunteer chooses to withdraw;
• The volunteer no longer maintains the site;
• Program requirements are not met;
• The City requires the site for another public purpose.
When an adoption ends, responsibility for the site immediately returns to the City until another volunteer adopts the location.
Adopt-a-Spot Proposed Framework Page 5
Pilot Program
Staff recommends implementing the program initially as a pilot.
The pilot could include:
• 3–5 City-selected locations;
• 5–7 volunteer participants;
• A one-year stewardship agreement; and
• Evaluation of volunteer participation, maintenance quality, staff workload, and program costs prior to broader implementation.
____________________________________________________________________________ Policy Questions for Committee Consideration
• Should participation be limited to Brisbane residents or be open to businesses and community organizations?
• Should the City provide all plants and materials, or allow approved volunteer donations? o If City-provided, where will the budget for plants come from? • What level of staff oversight is appropriate for long-term program success? • What recognition (e.g., signage, certificates, or volunteer appreciation) should be offered to participants?
• Following the pilot program, what performance measures should be used to determine whether the program should expand?
Adopt-a-Spot Proposed Framework Page 6
Attachment 2
Proposed Adopt a Spot Site Locations
1. Quarry Road Trail Head, by Community Garden
2. Lassen Street Steps
3. Alvarado to San Benito Stairway
4. Firth Park*
5. Park Behind Community Center/Old Library
6. Brisbane Lagoon Fisherman’s Park*
*DPW preferred locations
Adopt-a-Spot Proposed Framework Page 7
Name 1. Quarry Road Trail Head, by Community Garden
Link to map Google Maps
Link to photo
album
Link to Photos
# of subsites 2
# of volunteers 2
Description of
work
Weeding around the plantings and watering the plantings monthly during the dry season (June through early November) would be the main activities needed. Some light pruning of the plantings to remove dried leaves would also be helpful as needed.
Water PW is leaving 55-gallon water drum on site as of 8/11. San Bruno Mountain Watch watering through the rest of the summer. If there are volunteers who wish to adopt the site and help water, perhaps we could leave some watering pails secured to the drum (when not in use, with a bungee cord or rope for example) that they could use when on site.
Photo
Adopt-a-Spot Proposed Framework Page 8
Name 2. Lassen Street Steps
Link to
map
Lassen Street, Brisbane
Link to
photo
album
Lassen St Steps
# of
subsites
None, only one site
# of
volunteer
s
1 Descripti
on of
work
Weeding around the plantings and watering of plantings during the dry season (June through November)
Water Water would need to be brought to the area
Photo
Adopt-a-Spot Proposed Framework Page 9
Name 3. Alvarado to San Benito Stairway
Link to map Google Map
Link to photo
album
San Benito, Alvarado Stairway
# of subsites None, only one site
# of volunteers 1-2
Description of
work
Weekly sweeping of pine needles and other debris, picking up any litter that accumulates, keeping an eye on general condition
Water No watering needed
Photo
Adopt-a-Spot Proposed Framework Page 10
Name 4. Firth Park
Link to
map
https://maps.app.goo.gl/N97Wrtps9YZEpg3d9
Link to
photo
album
Firth Park
# of
subsites
2-3
# of
volunteer
s
3-4
Descripti
on of
work
Removing ivy from trees along east side of park, planting native plants and weeding, pruning, watering, restoring old barbeques
Water Hose spout on south side, by water fountain
Photo
Adopt-a-Spot Proposed Framework Page 11
Name 5. Park behind Brisbane Community Center/Old library Link to
map
https://maps.app.goo.gl/51kcu746ojtLUS5P8
Link to
photo
album
# of
subsites
Just one site
# of
volunteer
s
2-4
Descripti
on of
work
Weeding, pruning, sweeping, litter pick-up
Water
Notes:
Photo
Adopt-a-Spot Proposed Framework Page 12
Name 6. Brisbane Lagoon Fisherman’s Park
Link to
map
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mHtM5EkcyuacYsSm6
Link to
photo
album
Fisherman's Park
# of
subsites
# of
volunteer
s
3-5
Descripti
on of
work
Once told trees are removed: planting of native trees and plants, litter pickup, new picnic tables, cleaning of graffiti from signage
Water No water available at this site
Notes:
Photo
Adopt-a-Spot Proposed Framework Page 13
Sites that were considered but ultimately not selected for pilot:
1. Community Park
2. 70 Old County Rd
3. “Corner” of Old County Rd / in front of skatepark
Name Community Park
Link to map Community Park, behind restrooms
Link to photo album Community Park
# of subsites 2
# of volunteers 2-3
Description of work Currently just dirt. Would need planting of native plants, weeding, and watering. Pathway to access waste bin enclosure should be built.
Water Sprinklers in the area. Confirming with Keegan that they are functional.
Notes: PO for landscaping and maintenance already in the works, no need for “adoption”
Name 70 Old County Rd (old Bank of America Site)
Link to map https://maps.app.goo.gl/dYhxyAhbnH9bXVD79
Link to photo album https://cityofbrisbaneusa.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/ACMMA/IgBqsqKoxi GyTq3ftY0SjENPAZOXdFCBUF0S6wjp4g-mDF4?e=ufLV9T
# of subsites 2-3
# of volunteers 4-5
Description of work Planting, maintenance, litter pick up, watering, etc.
Water Unsure of water access
Notes: Very large space, needs some serious landscaping and maintenance, maybe not right for small volunteer-led work
Adopt-a-Spot Proposed Framework Page 14
Name “Corner” of Old County Rd / Area in front of skate park Link to map https://maps.app.goo.gl/Vgx12EtunQBW7UGH7
Link to photo album
# of subsites
# of volunteers
Description of work
Water
Notes: Not City-owned property (owned by Prologis?). Could possibly be a candidate for a business “Adopt a Spot” in the future.
Adopt-a-Spot Proposed Framework Page 15
Attachment 3
Example Application from the City of Santa Rosa