CITY OF
SAN BRUNO
SAN BRUNO CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
March 28, 2023
7:00 PM
Public Comment for Items Not of the Agenda
March 28, 2023
General Public Comment
Re: City Parkway
Dear San Bruno City Council,
The recent unveiling of City Parkway was underwhelming and concerning as a resident.
As the City continues to respond to questions about the width of City Parkway, it falls short of the simple fact that it is too narrow. The width is felt by all who have driven along the previous welcoming and unassuming path as you are now required to ensure the person in the other lane is not even slightly over the dividing line because there is no room for error, no room to slightly shift for that senior driving to the Senior Center, individual text messaging, new student driver or parent rushing to get their child to school; crossing over the lane divider is more likely to end in an accident now than ever before.
Traffic mitigation being the reason provided by the City Manager, and seemingly acceptable by the sitting City Council in a recent meeting for the deceivingly narrow streets, can only be justified when not tailored to reasonableness. The new and narrow lanes don't account for the fact that this lane is in the middle of a widely utilized park. It has no path for a bicycle, skateboarders or other standard recreational uses by children and other members of our community. Having attended all public meetings regarding City Park wherein various options were presented to the public, the significant narrowing of the street was not highlighted. Had it been, residents may have raised a greater need for a bike lane to ensure our children and adult riders remain safe while using City Parkway or prioritized maintaining a wider lane for practical reasons including access by emergency vehicles.
What is further concerning is the expectation that the City of San Bruno (City) will regularly rent out the Recreation and Aquatic Center auditorium for functions of upwards of 200 people in addition to the various private picnics and other community functions occurring in and around the popular park. The recently opened City Parkway is not inviting to the crowds that the new Recreation and Aquatic Center is anticipated to attract and will end up with City Parkway becoming a parking lot during highly attended events.
The recent storms only highlighted the need to immediately review the current design while still under construction and in contract. The park's prior design provided that when flooding occurred, it would overflow into the parking spaces in front of the snack shop and Diamond 1. Even when blocking off the parking space, drivers were still able to drive through the park. Whether designed in that way intentionally or not, it was functional without causing inconvenience to the public. With the new design, the water overflowed and flooded the now narrow street with no room for error and no option left to the City but to close the street. Even in these heightened storms, a new and modern system should not be functioning in this way.
The realization that flooding is occurring, at this time, during construction should cause the City pause and take this opportunity to review all of its contracts to address these issues now and directly with the contractors. It is possible that these storms are the beginning of storms to come in future years and should be seen as a base, not an extreme, as we build out the Recreation and Aquatic Center.
Lastly, the potholes driving through City Park toward Capuchino high school are inexcusable. It is unfathomable how the City could fund the majority of City Parkway leaving our residents short just 10 feet at the end of the park where the street, clearly visible, most needs attention? While there may be an answer to this, it simply does not make sense to not complete the street at one time for cost and efficiency. Provided the fact that the rest of the street was just paved, the number of existing potholes, and the funds the City has, there is simply no justification to have reopened City Parkway without having addressed these potholes going towards De Soto as well.
The City Council approved a fair contingency at the time the contractors entered into an agreement. If the City and Contractor are unable to make the changes needed at no additional cost to the City pursuant to the existing contract with the City, then the City should consider utilizing some of its contingency for what it is intended - not new additions to the project that were fixed and certain at the time of contracting - but uncertain such as the effects of the new systems in high storm conditions. Once addressed, the City can revisit the remaining contingency for other additions.
The City of San Bruno gets one opportunity for a new Recreation and Aquatic Center and should ensure the roads in and out are safe to the entire community and accessible, even in high storm conditions...especially now that we have just had a test run.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
In service,
/s/
Linda Mason
CC: Traffic, Safety, Parking and Committee (TSPC)
Recreation and Aquatic Center Committee
San Bruno Community Foundation
CITY OF
SAN BRUNO
SAN BRUNO CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
March 28, 2023
7:00 PM
Public Comment for Item 8b
March 28, 2023
San Bruno City Council Meeting
Public Comment re:
1. Restore Funding for the Florida Avenue Park Construction CIP Project Through an Appropriation of $2,000,000 From the Development Impact Fees Community Facilities Impact Fees . Subaccount
It's exciting to see this project move forward for the residents that currently utilize the space and will continue to do so in its intended capacity. Thank you to the staff who made attempts to garner State grants over the last four years without awards. These opportunities allow Cities to improve and replace parks without tapping into City resources. Although the City of San Bruno was not awarded the funds, the efforts of staff to attain them are to be acknowledged as is the work done in recent years to increase revenue generation to allow this project to now move forward.
A special thank you also goes out to the Friends of Florida Park who worked to ensure that "new" does not replace "old." We saw first-hand the value of a pocket park and tree during the COVID pandemic where outdoor space was a lifeline for so many. This sole remaining tree in Florida Park is the place so many sit under on a sunny day, where the announcements at the opening of Florida Park took place instead of under the hot sun, and where kids love to roam; the value of a tree is not to be undervalued. In fact, the Friends of Florida Park did not delay the project as stated in the staff report; but instead ensured that an area of underinvestment by leadership over 20+ years and desolate of trees maintained one... single... tree.
You cannot build a park without funds and the City did not have the funds until recently due to the work of leadership over the past few years. Why it took leadership two years to consider the value of a tree in a park and resolve the matter by agreeing to keep the tree is simply unconscionable when considering valuable staff time and resources expended. However, while awaiting a funding source it provided a good distraction and excuse for community representatives as to why the park was not being built at the cost of pitting a community against each other. It's time for City leadership to unify this community behind their park and stop the finger pointing.
Lastly, thank you to City Staff who, in 2020, worked to quickly turn an eye sore that had been fenced up for years into a useable space for the community. A place where toddlers can toddle, dogs can run and Councilmembers can play catch with their kids. The community thanks you and looks forward to what is to come. Good government leaves a legacy for their children's children... it's time to get this legacy moving in the heart of our great City.
-Linda Mason
CITY OF
SAN BRUNO
SAN BRUNO CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
March 28, 2023
7:00 PM
Document Presented to the City Council During
Public Comment Not on the Agenda
Public Copy
Do Not Remove
Chestnut Ave City Trees
Negligence on behalf of City
of San Bruno
My name Is Mike Peckham, I am 43 yrs, born and raised here neighbor across the street told her. The neighbor next-door was still and currently own a home on De Soto Way in San Bruno with in her home as they had nơ way to get out. They had called a my wife and two boys. I am here today on behalf of my mother, handyman friend of theirs to cut a window out of the tree so that Kathy Peckham who lives on 564 Chestnut Ave; however, she is they could wheel the elderly and disabled women Dorothy as needed to leave because she needs daily medical treatments in a currently staying with us due to yellow tag by the city of San facility in Burlingame. They told us that Dan from public works, had Bruno and fear from unavoidable event that transpired on come to inform them that it was the homeowner's responsibility to March 14th, 2023. have the trees removed from their home. • She returned home from lunch with friends, while exiting This was quite appalling as these were city trees located in the city park. It is as clear as day that they are on Grundy Parks property and her truck was immediately approached by her neighbor not those of a homeowner. However, my mom has still not been Testimony expressing concern about the giant eucalyptus trees close to notified of anything. Rahnya (neighbor) explained to her that he had their homes and attached to Grundy Park as one of the large knocked on my mom's door, but when she did not respond, he left trees had already fallen the other direction towards the park. ...We immediately contacted Larry Cerini, who worked for the city of The tree furthest to my mother's home was teetering back and San Bruno for 20+ years and was the city arborist along with Bruce Sund. Larry was a palled that the neighbors were told that the forth. Luckily, my mom raced into her home and immediately responsibility was on them, and that's not how it had been done in called the City of San Bruno and was talking to a woman named the years past. I have an email directly from Larry himself stating the Amy about the threat to her residence. While standing at her way they managed the situations in the years past and this email will front window the worry became reality as the 60 ft plus - 15- be included in the packets provided stating that it was a normal procedure for them to remove them from private property, ton tree came crashing down at her and her home missing her especially city trees, and at times serviced private trees, as you can outside by a minute. Amy was concerned and did reassure her imagine with this information, we headed to City Hall to speak with she would phone the police immediately. The tree (which will the city manager Javon be presented in photos) also knocked power lines out wrapped After leaving her info with the woman at the public works, desk, and with Vicky, the city clerk, we were assured that we would have around the vehicle, home and porch/pathways. The police did someone get back to us, we stated that we wanted to speak with the arrive within 10 minutes and informed her to stay in her home, city manager as we were informed, it would be his call to make the due to the powerlines. Public works showed up within the time determination of where the responsibilities lie. We were a little the police were there and set 5 cones in place to protect her taken back as we all know where the responsibility lives, since they from any threat from the downed lines. at that point, my mom About an hour later, my mom received a call from Dan, and he gave called me in a panic. I proceeded as quickly as possible to her us the same info we received from City Hall. He let us know he would home. I instructed her to pack a bag and that she was coming look into it to see where the responsibility lies as it is a city tree. We with me because there were still trees threatening her home, let him know. We were waiting for Javon to call us At this point, we still have no direction for my mom no course of and her safety, and they were bigger than the one that fell on action needed to take, no information and have completely let her in her home. the wind was still blowing extremely hard. As we left, the dark literally. Clearly the city manager, would be able to shed the workers told us that they would get the tree off her home some light ...as the day came to an end it was apparent, we were not just as soon as PG&E cut the line out, which in my opinion makes perfect sense. This was the last contact initiated by the Here we are on day three and it's pretty apparent that after a few messages we left we were not going to get an answer. I decided to city..... return back to City Hall to speak with Javon. We needed answers we After we arrived at home, my mom called her insurance and needed any kind of direction. I spoke with Vicky again and expressed was told that until the tree was removed, they could not come my disappointment. As she told me, she did not give Javon the to assess any damages. The next morning around 1130 we went information and that Dan had all the info. At this time another back to the house only to find the tree was still on her home, woman came to the window, and I gave her all the details, and she had informed us that she was Jevon and the assistant city managers and PG&E had removed the lines the day Before around 6 PM. assistant. She assured us that she would get this to him ASAP.
The only reason why we know this is because the
We received a call within an hour from Jevon to let me know he A root of a 15 + ton tree felt like a dish sponge. He points out was briefed on the situation and proceeded to tell me that it to us the white ring out the base of all the trees which is a was a homeowner's responsibility to have the tree removed fungus. A root eating tree killer. This fungus does not show itself overnight, it's been on the trees for years. How is this not seen from the private property as city employees were not allowed by the city. Besides the fact that it hadn't been manicured in on private property for liability purposes. I again reminded them over 15 - 20years. how is this level of negligence happening. At a that this was not an act from a private property, but a city tree, park where children play and soccer practices are held, but also and that the city should be responsible for it to be removed. He next to homes that are no more than 20 feet away from them, proceeded to say, and I quote "historically" San Bruno workers not even a quarter of the tree's height. All of these questions came from the arborist.
do not go on private property to remove city trees... this struck me as odd, and specifically the word "historically"??? At this time Dan showed up with West Coast arborist rep. Our immediately let him know about the conversation I had with arborist, and the West Coast arborist got to talking and they Testimony Larry, in which he said that he wasn't there and doesn't know both confirmed the same conclusion. That these trees have this Larry, so he can't confirm that. Javon then proceeded to tell me fungus and are absolutely a threat to anybody in this park or the that it's like a car accident and you just go through your homes around them. Dan informed us that tomorrow they will insurance. It was clear to me that Jevon wanted no part of this start topping these trees off to a safe height for the incoming and want to know ownership of what clearly the cities storm. However, they were not going to touch the tree that is responsibility was still laying on my mother's house.
I realize that this Convo was going nowhere. I simply asked if you could have the rest of the tree removed or at least assess The next day we pulled up to watch the show, and watch them the situation because one of the other trees was close to 100 back their bucket truck up, boom over the tree that is laying feet tall and a very evident danger to my mom's home with a across the street and on top of my mom's house and start new storm coming. And he told us he would have someone to cutting those trees. Literally boomed over the tree that's leg on assess the situation not once was I asked about my mom, status, my mom's house over the street. The next day which was mental state, or physical state he seems very invested but the Saturday the arborist that my mom and neighbor had to hire only answers we received was "yeah it goes to the insurance" showed up to cut the tree off of their house. I did such as the there was absolutely no course of action, no order of operation, new week started on Monday. I received a call from Javon no compassion for his fellow resident, but just passing the buck around 4:30 in the afternoon, and he wanted to Close the loop on the situation with me as he put it. Let me know that the Again, what about PG&E, what about when Can she get the trees were cut to a safe height, and that he's a man of his word. power back on her home. After that we decided to return to the I expressed my disappointment in the cities, actions or lack house to retrieve some more personal items and valuables. This there were to deal with my mom as a person as a resident. he is when we noticed a yellow piece of paper taped on her garage. asked if we were going through our insurance. But again, there The home has been yellow tags. It states only to go in to was zero how was your mom? Did she get hurt, how's your retrieve valuables and no overnight seats... Why was she not mental state? She must be freaked out no human compassion advised personally? No call, no messages... Nothing no nothing. It was very clear he wanted to strictly over an office desk so he could wash his hands of it and be done.
was no powerin the home indone day or kal or me s
structurally compromised. This is a 73-year-old recently widowed woman who lives alone how on earth can anyone
Know what to co. Especial ten of was ity tree, or anyone At this time, an arborist who our neighbor Rahnya called, showed up to do an assessment. He hopped into the hole
created by the two trees that had fallen and with a pocketknife, cut a piece of tree route and handed it to me. It literally felt like a dish sponge.
My name is Larry Cerini and I was an employee of the We have also cleared homeowners' private trees Former City City of San Bruno in the Parks and Rec department for when they fell on their home. over 29 years. I retired in 2013. I worked on the Tree
Crew, later became the lead and also received my Regarding the eucalyptus trees in Grundy Park, there Of San Bruno Arborist certificate. had been concerns by some of the neighbors, who lived close to them, that they were dangerous and at
Our friend Kathy Peckham's home was damaged by a risk of falling on their homes. However, some City eucalyptus tree that fell from Grundy Park. Thank neighbors did not want them removed. The city Arborist / City goodness no one was seriously injured. hired a contractor to top them. At that time, Bruce Sund (Parks Manager at the time) and I discussed
It is my understanding that she was told that the City that they should be removed. We used to trim Employee for would not help her in any way. That historically, they those trees about every 5 years upon request don't cut trees on private property. I can tell you that I had been assigned several times to do exactly this during After the tree fell on the houses, I went to see Dan, my tenure. the park manager. It is obviously a city tree, and the 20 plus yrs
city should take responsibility for the removal and
A large Eucalyptus tree fell on Livingston Terrace and cleanup. I was shocked that the City would do damaged one of the town homes. I was dispatched to nothing to help them. When I worked there, we Email - Larry aid the homeowner so that they could get in and out of worked to serve the citizens. Now you are leaving their home. the citizens in limbo.
It is disappointing that the City of San Bruno would
Cerini A tree fell on power lines at Crystal Springs Terrace. We not aid a lifelong resident in her time of need. She and her family have worked for the city schools for
over 60 years, between her mother and herself. Her
son continues to support the City coaching sports. It
to get there. is disappointing that the City would have no compassion or desire to help them in their situation.
Invoice for Arborist
Invoice
HUMMINGBIRD
HE PHASES OF ЗЛОПЕН ТИН Date: 17-Mar-23
115889056 Invoice # 102748173
How does a 73 year old woman
ERIFE-SLEE S01320
Pages Page 1 of 1
Bill To: ~ Notes ~
on social security supposed Dorothy Robins Cost for each home owner 568 Chestnut Street S7,4.000 for a grand total of
San Bruno CA 94066-4124
to pay for all upfront costs (415) 609-6797
[email protected]
DESCRIPTION QTY COST LINE TOTAL FE
associated with this? Along w/ Hazardous Tree Limb Removal Due To Storm Two Adjacent Properties Affected
568 and 564 Chestnut Street, San Bruno
having to find a place to live Front Properties On Both Homes - One Large Failed Eucalyptus Tree Located On City Park
Property Targeted Both Structures.
Remove All Wood And Debris From Structures.
And pay for the new living
Install Tarps For Rain Protection - No Guarantee For Complete Rain Water Prevention. Tarps Will Thwart Most Rain Fall. expenses out of her own Haul Away All Wood And Debris From Properties. 7,400.00
pocket and wait for insurance
reimbursements? THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS! Tax Rate % Please main bie tre Sevic Tax Total S
Line Totals $ 7,400.00
73 Bayshore Circle GRAND TOTAL S 7,400.00
San Bruno, CA 94066
If you have any questions about this Invoice, Call David Rimer at (415) 889-0568
RESTRICTED USE
SAN BRUNO (YELLOW)
3/16/23
Date:
Caution: This structure has been inspected and found to be damaged as described below: 10:23 AM
CAUTION:
Aftershocks since inspection may increase damage and risk.
Entry, occupancy and lawful use are restricted as This facility was inspected under emergency conditions by:
indicated below. BUINg AT
-DAMAgE To Rishtside of Jurisdiction: _
Address: 87 cL Санино
Telophone: 6 50 616 7074
Facility Name and Address:
544 CHESTNUT
SAR BRUNO
Do Not Remove, Alter or Cover this Placard
Until Authorized by the Building Official
(City Ordinance No. 1708)
17KHE860
•gE