HomeMy Public PortalAboutFinancial Report - Measure AA Oversight- FY21Me
a
s
u
r
e
A
A
B
o
n
d
O
v
e
r
s
i
g
h
t
C
o
m
m
i
t
t
e
e
Measure AA Bond
Annual Accountability Report
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2021
Ana María Ruiz, General Manager
Stefan Jaskulak, Chief Financial Officer
Table of Contents
Click on the table of contents below to jump to that page. You can also click on the table of contents icon
at the bottom of every page to jump back to this table of contents.
INTRODUCTION————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Letter from the General Manager ii————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Letter from the Chief Financial Officer iv ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Mission Statement v————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Measure AA Portfolio Map vi————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
REPORT————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Executive Summary 1——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation to Expenditure Roll Up 2——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Expenditures to Allocations 2——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Land Acquisition MAA Expenditures 4————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Priority Portfolio Actions by Region (from MAA Expenditure Plan) 7 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Expenditures (Numerically by Portfolio Number) 14————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Financial Report by Project 84————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
ATTACHMENTS————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA Ballot Language 93————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Ordinance NO. 2014-02 94————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Exhibit A: Expenditure Plan 99————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Exhibit B: Tax Rate Statement 106————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA Bond Program: Schedule of Program Expenditures 107————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA Fund Balance Schedule 109————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PHOTO CREDITS
Top: Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve by Jon Martin
Lower left: La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve by Frances Freyburg
Lower middle: Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve by Sohum Phadke
Lower right: Ravenswood Open Space Preserve by John Green
iMeasure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Message from the General Manager
to the Bond Oversight Committee
As Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District turns 50 in 2022, let us reflect on the many accomplishments
we have made as a community thanks in great part to your ongoing support. Together, we have invested for
the future: preserving more than 65,000 acres of open space lands in perpetuity, protecting our local native
plants and animals, restoring damaged habitats, and opening nearly 250 miles of trails for public enjoyment
and exploration. Our path to this restorative vision began in earnest in 2014 with voter approval of Measure AA,
which provides $300 million in general obligation bond funding to accelerate 25 priority actions designed to
ensure open space enhances our collective quality of life.
In fiscal year 2021, Midpen staff relied on strong partnerships with local organizations and publics agencies to
overcome pandemic-related slowdowns and complete two of the 25 Measure AA priority actions. Final construction
and a virtual celebration of the small-but-mighty Ravenswood Bay Trail capped Portfolio 2: Bayfront Habitat
Protection and Public Access Partnerships in August 2021. We also supported the City of Saratoga through the final
stages of trail and bridge construction to open the Saratoga-to-the-Sea Trail, completing Portfolio 18.
Other public access improvements were made at Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve with the demolition
of dilapidated nonhistorical structures and beginning the construction of new trails to add to the existing trail
system. The La Honda Creek Public Access Working Group completed its work to identify parking and trailhead
sites to further explore as part of feasibility studies for opening access to the central portion of the preserve and
construction began on a new loop trail in lower La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve.
The Highway 17 wildlife corridor and trail crossings project, which will provide both a safe wildlife crossing
and a regional trail connection across a major highway to link 30,000 acres of open space lands, moved forward
with the completion of various field, geotechnical and engineering studies. Other work completed to promote
healthy nature include the creation of a draft restoration forestry plan for accelerating the transformation of
second-growth forests into mature, diverse forests that provide better wildlife habitat, carbon storage, and fire
resilience; and removing more than 300 tons of hazardous waste from an old dump site along Madonna Creek
and planting approximately 240 willow stakes to revegetate and restore the site.
In support of our coastal mission to encourage viable agricultural land use, we completed a fencing project
at Bluebrush Ranch, made water system and pond improvements at Lone Madrone and Mindego ranches,
stabilized the White Barn at Deer Hollow Farm to support ongoing interpretive programming, and began repairs
on an agricultural workforce housing unit at La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve.
In FY21, we also preserved an additional 686 acres of open space land in perpetuity, including more than 350
acres on the San Mateo County Coastside, nearly 200 acres in El Sereno Open Space Preserve and approximately
130 acres in Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve.
We also maximized Measure AA funding by securing $10 million in state funding allocations and $1.5 million in
grant funding.
We are pleased to present these highlights and the complete details in this report and are deeply appreciative
of the Bond Oversight Committee’s dedicated review of all MAA expenditures. Your work Is critical to meeting
public expectations for upholding trust and transparency and allows us to continue to
fulfill our mission.
Sincerely,
/s/ Ana María Ruiz
Ana María Ruiz
General Manager
ii Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve by David Anses
iii
Message from the Chief Financial Officer
to the Bond Oversight Committee
Bond Oversight Committee:
Midpen is pleased to present our sixth Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report. Approved by voters in 2014,
MAA is a $300 million bond measure to accelerate land acquisition, environmental restoration and public access
within the District. We present this report to you to fulfill two key tenets of this legislation — transparency and
accountability — by highlighting MAA project progress and providing an overview of bond expenditures for FY21.
As committee members, your role is defined and authorized by Midpen board policy, adopted on Aug. 12, 2015,
which states: ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
The committee has the following three responsibilities for each of the years the MAA general obligation tax
is collected, or revenues expended: ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Review plan expenditures on an annual basis to verify conformity with the expenditure plan ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Review Midpen’s annual audit and annual accountability report and present the committee’s findings to
the board at a public meeting ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Review any proposed amendments to the expenditure plan ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
The committee chair shall report the committee’s findings at a public meeting of the board.
The committee shall not have authority to recommend, advise, or direct any such matters that may fall under
its responsibility to review. The committee is not advisory to the board and has no power to determine how
General Fund monies are spent. The board retains its authority to make such decisions and determinations. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
As of the end of this reporting period, Midpen has spent a life-to-date total of $75 million in MAA bond funds.
Midpen spent a total of $9.9 million on MAA projects in FY21, with $65.1 million spent in previous reporting
periods. Through leveraging $7.3 million in grants and partnership funding, along with an additional $4.2 million
in interest income from the bond proceeds, available MAA bond funding has increased to $311.5 million total.
MAA projects are grouped into 25 portfolios. Projects are completed or underway in 21 of the 25 portfolios, with
progress in the current reporting year spanning 17 portfolios. Additional efforts in support of the MAA portfolios
are also noted in Portfolio Expenditures.
Looking ahead, Midpen continues to invest in projects across the 25 MAA portfolios. The adopted Budget and
Action Plan for FY22 includes projects in 12 MAA portfolios.
We thank you for your time and service to our community, including the inspection of this accountability report,
which supports the health of the environment we all share.
Sincerely,
/s/Stefan Jaskulak
Stefan Jaskulak
Chief Financial Officer
iv Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Monte Bello Open Space Preserve by Tom Scannell
MISSION The mission of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
is to acquire and preserve a regional greenbelt of open space land in
perpetuity, protect and restore the natural environment, and provide
opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education.
COASTSIDE MISSION To acquire and preserve in perpetuity open
space land and agricultural land of regional significance, protect and
restore the natural environment, preserve rural character, encourage
viable agricultural use of land resources, and provide opportunities for
ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education.
Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21 v
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Measure AA Portfolio Map
MAA01 Open Miramontes Ridge
MAA02 New Bayfront Trails
MAA03 Purisima-to-the-Sea Trail
MAA04 Walking, Hiking and Biking Trails at El Corte de Madera
Creek
MAA05 Upper La Honda Creek Preserve
MAA06 New Trails at Windy Hill
MAA07 Driscoll Ranch Area at La Honda Creek
MAA08 Upper San Gregorio Creek Watershed
MAA09 New Trails at Russian Ridge
MAA10 Alpine Road at Coal Creek
MAA11 Welcome Center at Rancho San Antonio
MAA12 Complete Middle Stevens Creek Trail
MAA13 Expand Grazing at Cloverdale Coastal Ranch
MAA14 New Trails throughout the Redwoods
MAA15 Redwood Forest Protection
MAA16 New Access Facilities at Long Ridge
MAA17 Upper Stevens Creek Trail
MAA18 Saratoga to Sea Trail
MAA19 El Sereno Trails to Dogs and Complete Trail
MAA20 Safe Wildlife Corridors Across Highway 17
MAA21 Bear Creek Redwoods
MAA22 Cathedral Oaks at Sierra Azul
MAA23 Mount Umunhum at Sierra Azul
MAA24 Rancho de Guadalupe at Sierra Azul
MAA25 Open Loma Prieta Area at Sierra Azul
vi Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Executive Summary
We are pleased to present Midpen’s sixth Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report. This report reflects
Measure AA expenditures from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. The structure of this document is guided by MAA
ballot language, specifically Priority Portfolio Actions by Region, beginning on page 7.
The MAA expenditure plan with 25 priority actions and project portfolios were the culmination of the vision
planning effort that began in 2012. The public portion of this visioning process spanned 18 months to define
Midpen’s strategic direction for the following 40 years. In total, the vision plan yielded 54 priority actions. The top
25 priority actions were subsequently incorporated into a ballot initiative. In 2014, voters approved MAA, a $300
million general obligation bond, designed to fund the top 25 priority actions as described in the expenditure
plan. This MAA accountability report is arranged in parallel with that expenditure plan to facilitate review.
Projects are grouped into 25 key project portfolios organized by geographic area within District boundaries.
No changes in portfolio allocations were proposed for this reporting period. In the future, should a shift in
portfolio allocations be needed, the MAA Bond Oversight Committee will be advised.
Bond Oversight Committee Connection with Budget and Action Plan
In keeping with its role of reviewing retrospective expenditures, this committee is not charged with reviewing
the budget or other prospective information, unless it is provided as part of an explanation of a proposed
portfolio allocation adjustment. There is, of course, a synergy between the budgeted and actual expenditures,
and the following information is provided as context for, and insight into, Midpen’s management of MAA
spending.
Each year, Midpen embarks upon a priority-setting and budgeting process with the board, allowing for at least
a six-month planning process. The Budget and Action Plan is approved prior to the start of the fiscal year. The
annual budget includes a Measure AA Projects Budget Overview, providing a prospective view into the next
year’s planned spending.
Bond Issuance, Size and Look-Back Period
In June 2014, voters approved MAA to: protect natural open space lands; open preserves or areas of preserves to
public access; construct public access improvements, such as new trails and staging areas; restore and enhance
open space land, including forests, streams and watersheds; and support local agriculture.
In August 2015, Midpen issued its first tranche of general obligation bonds to cover the first few years of planned
project expenses, as well as the legally permitted look-back period of 60 days prior to the board’s certification
of election results. Midpen issued $40 million of tax-exempt general obligation bonds (Series 2015A) which have
now been fully spent, and $5 million of taxable general obligation bonds (Series 2015B).
In February 2018, Midpen issued its second tranche of $50 million in general obligation bonds to cover project
expenses planned for approximately the next three years.
1Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio Allocations and Expenditures
The rollup below shows how much of the total MAA expenditure plan allocation has been used on
a life-to-date basis.
Portfolio
Allocation to
Expenditure
Roll Up
Total Life -To-Date Through 6/30/21
25.00%
Expenditure Plan Remaining
75.00%
The following chart shows the portfolio allocations approved in the expenditure plan and the life-to-date
expenditures in each portfolio through June 30, 2021. For details, please reference the financial report starting
on page 84, which contains actual expenditure numbers and remaining allocations.
Portfolio Expenditures to Allocations (in millions)
MAA01
MAA02
MAA03
MAA04
MAA05
MAA06
MAA07
MAA08
MAA09
MAA10
MAA11
MAA12
MAA13
MAA14
MAA15
MAA16
MAA17
MAA18
MAA19
MAA20
MAA21
MAA22
MAA23
MAA24
MAA25
$0.0 $2.5 $5.0 $7.5 $10.0 $12.5 $15.0 $17.5 $20.0 $22.5 $25.0 $27.5 $30.0
Total Life-to-Date Through 6/30/21 Expenditure Plan Remaining
2 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
MAA15 Portfolio Allocation is $50.73M
Spending Trends
As of June 30, 2021, $75 million has been expended from MAA funds. The primary spending for FY21 was in real
property associated with the purchase of the South Cowell Upland property as an addition to Purisima Creek
Redwoods Preserve (MAA03). This purchase provides opportunities for future parking and trails to support the
Purisima-to-the-Sea regional trail, for which plans are underway to connect Purisima Creek Redwoods to the
Cowell-Purisima Coastal Trail. The purchase also supports Midpen’s Coastside mission by encouraging viable
agricultural use of land resources, preserving the rural character, and protecting valuable watersheds for fish
recovery.
Another focus area was completing the phase I public access improvements at Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve
(MAA21), including demolishing nonhistoric structures to open new areas of the preserve to public access.
Other work at Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve includes phase II trail improvements, which include completing
construction of the Briggs Creek Trail, Public Stables Loop Trail, and segments of a multi-use Trail. A fourth year
of targeted nonnative invasive species removal work was completed in riparian areas, partially funded by a five-
year grant from Valley Water. Additionally, Midpen completed traffic studies along Bear Creek Road to inform the
final design of a future trail/pedestrian crossing located at the northeast corner of the preserve.
Also in this reporting period, Midpen completed the following: construction of a 0.6-mile segment of the San
Francisco Bay Trail at Ravenswood Preserve (MAA02); removed hazardous waste from a riparian corridor and
planted native species at an old landfill site in Miramontes Ridge Preserve (MAA01), and supported and funded
the City of Saratoga to complete the Saratoga-to-the-Skyline Trail (MAA18). Furthermore, Midpen completed the
cultural and biological field studies and developed the Mitigation Credit Agreement strategy with Caltrans for
the Highway 17 Wildlife Corridor and Bay Area Ridge Trail Crossing (MAA20) projects.
Midpen actively seeks land acquisition opportunities for conservation and preservation and added 130 acres to
Sierra Azul Preserve (MAA25) and 182 acres to El Sereno Preserve (MAA19).
In addition to direct spending on MAA projects, Midpen prioritized key initiatives in support of MAA portfolios,
including land acquisition negotiations, visitor use surveys, operational infrastructure improvements,
environmental assessments, geotechnical studies and habitat restorations. Though the Bond Oversight
Committee review is primarily focused on actual MAA expenditures, additional accomplishments not funded
by MAA that support these projects have been included to provide a sense of the work required to move capital
projects forward, which sometimes involves early feasibility studies and partnership collaborations. These
accomplishments are described in detail in the portfolio expenditure summary starting on page 14.
Midpen’s annual audited financial statements can be found at openspace.org/financials.
3Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Of the $12.4 million expended in this reporting period (excluding grants), about $7.6 million was related to land
acquisition and associated expenses, representing 61% of all spending for the period. The tables below contain
a breakdown of land acquisition costs by portfolio for the current fiscal year and life-to-date.
Land Acquisition MAA Expenditures (July 1, 2020–June 30, 2021)
Portfolios with
Land Acquisition
Expenses
Cost Project Type of Activity
MAA03 $4,799,957 South Cowell Uplands Land Purchase Land conservation purchase
MAA03 $16,715 Rieser-Nelson Land Purchase Land conservation purchase
MAA19 $1,085,237 San Jose Water Co Land Purchase Lease management agreement then
subsequential land conservation purchase
MAA25 $1,684,933 Billingsley Property Acquisition Land conservation purchase
FY21 TOTAL $7,586,842
Land Acquisition MAA Expenditures (May 11, 2014–June 30, 2021)
Portfolios with
Land Acquisition
Expenses
Cost Project Type of Activity
MAA02 $108,273 San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Easement at Ravenswood Trail
Easement property right
MAA03 $5,406,158 Riggs Property Purchase and Site Cleanup
& Remediation, Chamberlain/Lundell Trust
(Lobitos Creek), Giusti Property Rights
Transfer, South Cowell Uplands, and Rieser-
Nelson Land Purchase
Includes lot line adjustment, as well as Guisti
Uplands, Lobitos Creek, South Cowell Uplands,
and Rieser-Nelson land conservation purchase
MAA04 $57,340 Gallaway Property Purchase Land conservation purchase
MAA05 $1,756,093 Toepfer and Ashworth Property Purchases Land conservation purchases
MAA07 $9,008,773 Apple Orchard and Event Center property and
Cunha Property Purchases
Land conservation purchases
MAA08 $2,153,910 Woodruff Redwoods Property Purchase Land conservation purchase
MAA15 $3,061,049 POST/Alpine Ranch Easement, Conley
Property Purchase and Irish Ridge Land
Conservation Purchase
Easement property right and land
conservation purchases
MAA17 $754,552 Lysons Property Purchase Property Expense equals Purchase Price minus
grant income of $740,000
MAA19 $1,564,764 Gupta/Kahn Property Purchase, Dunham-
Bohlman Easement, Haight-Perry, and San
Jose Water Co land Purchase
Easement property right and land
conservation purchases
MAA22 $540,587 Freudenberg Land Purchase, Hendrys Creek Land conservation purchase, land conservation
easement to Valley Water who funded full
amount of $1,500,000 for Hendrys Creek parcel
MAA23 $3,314,084 Meyer Property Purchase, Twin Creeks Land
Purchase
Land conservation purchases
MAA24 $1,591,996 Barth, Peterson, Navid/Gagher, Kahn Land conservation purchases
MAA25 $2,095,083 Burton Land Acquisition and Billingsley
Property Purchase
Land conservation purchases
Total Land
Acquisition MAA
Expenditures
$31,412,662
4 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Anticipated Future Trends
The Bond Oversight Committee primarily reviews retrospective expenses. The following section provides a
high-level glimpse of anticipated expenditures based on the approved fiscal year Budget and Action Plan and
operational workload. This is provided for contextual purposes and to demonstrate the progress Midpen is
making toward MAA projects.
Next year’s report, covering FY22, will include the seventh year of MAA funding. Based on the approved FY22
budget, planned life-to-date spending is estimated to exceed $80 million, or approximately 27% of the $300
million bonding capacity authorized under MAA.
The capital program for FY22 continues to progress on many phased projects and regional trail connections,
with a concentrated effort on public access at Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve (MAA21) and the wildlife passage
and trail crossing across Highway 17 (MAA20), restoration forestry at La Honda Creek Preserve (MAA05), and the
Purisima-to-the-Sea Trail and parking area at Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve (MAA03).
Finally, portfolio allocations include estimated land acquisition costs. Because purchases are primarily
opportunity driven, estimates are not tied to a specific time frame, as we do not know when properties and/or
rights will be available for purchase. The real property department actively pursues targeted opportunities for
land purchases, as well as the purchase of property rights and easements, so purchase expenses may be realized
as future opportunities become available.
Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve by Mike Asao
5Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve by Alexandra Uti6Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Priority Portfolio Actions by Region
From the Measure AA Expenditure Plan
South Bay Foothills
Los Gatos, Monte Sereno,
Saratoga and Santa Cruz
Mountains
El Sereno Open Space Preserve by Amanda Mills
PORTFOLIO 18
South Bay Foothills—Saratoga-to-the-Sea Trail and Wildlife Corridor————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Protect wildlife corridor along Highway 9————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Connect trail to Saratoga-to-the-Sea Trail and Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $1,365,000————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PORTFOLIO 19
El Sereno—Dog Trails and Connections————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Provide infrastructure to open trails to dogs————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Develop connections to Skyline, Sanborn County Park and Lexington Reservoir————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $2,254,000————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PORTFOLIO 20
South Bay Foothills—Wildlife Passage and Ridge Trail Improvements————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Establish safe corridors for mountain lions across Highway 17————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Establish Bay Area Ridge Trail crossing————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $13,966,000————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PORTFOLIO 21
Bear Creek Redwoods—Public Recreation and Interpretive Projects————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Open for hiking, equestrian activities————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Provide parking areas, trails; upgrade stables————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Restore and protect habitats for various species————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Repair roads and trails to reduce sediment————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Rehabilitate Alma College site————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $17,478,000————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
7Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
PORTFOLIO 22
Sierra Azul—Cathedral Oaks Public Access and Conservation Projects————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Develop multiuse trail and plan future trails as land is available————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Develop parking————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Restore plant communities and soils————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Install trailside amenities————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Preserve additional open space and complete wildlife corridor in upper Los Gatos Creek watershed————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $6,714,000————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PORTFOLIO 23
Sierra Azul—Mount Umunhum Public Access and Interpretive Projects————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Open Mount Umunhum for multiuse public access to summit via road and trail————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Open Bay Area Ridge Trail and nearby trail connections————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Preserve additional open space and complete wildlife corridor————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $27,972,000————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PORTFOLIO 24
Sierra Azul—Rancho de Guadalupe Family Recreation————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Open Rancho de Guadalupe to public access————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Develop accessible multiuse trails with amenities such as parking and family recreation————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Restore habitat for rare species————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Protect cultural and natural resources————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $10,078,000————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PORTFOLIO 25
Sierra Azul—Loma Prieta Area Public Access, Regional Trails and Habitat Projects————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Provide public access and recreation, including small campground————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Develop, improve and connect regional multiuse trails to Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, protected land
to east, and Mount Umunhum————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Protect steelhead habitat, rare plants and grasslands, and restore knob cone pine stands————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $7,986,000————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
8 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Peninsula Foothills and Bay
Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills,
Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Palo Alto,
East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton,
Redwood City, San Carlos, Woodside,
Portola Valley and Skyline
Monte Bello Open Space Preserve by James Snyder
PORTFOLIO 2
Regional—Bayfront Habitat Protection and Public Access Partnerships————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Partner to complete gaps in Bay Trail and develop city-to-bay trails————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Support wetland restoration and associated interpretive facilities————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Preserve additional bayfront open space————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $5,052,000————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PORTFOLIO 4
El Corte de Madera Creek—Bike Trail and Water Quality Projects————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Develop single-use biking/hiking trails, complete Ridge Trail gaps and develop trail system leading to
parking area————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Restore damaged trails to improve water quality————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Preserve additional open space as available————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $8,376,000————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PORTFOLIO 5
La Honda Creek—Upper Area Recreation, Habitat Restoration and Conservation Grazing Projects————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Open upper half of the preserve to public; provide biking/hiking/equestrian trails, dog access and staging areas————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Provide loop and connector trails————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Restore habitat for rare species————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Improve fencing, corrals and water systems to reintroduce conservation grazing————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $11,733,000————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
9Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
PORTFOLIO 6
Windy Hill—Trail Improvements, Preservation and Hawthorns Area Historic Partnership————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Improve trails; complete pond facilities————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Increase multiuse trails; study possible improvements to increase dog use————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Open Hawthorns Area; develop trails connecting to Portola Valley and Palo Alto trails————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Partner to protect, restore and interpret historic buildings————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Improve habitat conditions in Los Trancos Creek————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Preserve additional scenic open space as available————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $12,740,000————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PORTFOLIO 8
La Honda Creek and Russian Ridge—Preservation of Upper San Gregorio Watershed and Ridge
Trail Completion————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Preserve Upper San Gregorio watershed; restore endangered species habitats————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Support opportunities to provide additional water for fisheries————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Complete Bay Area Ridge Trail multiuse connections and gaps————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Provide additional public use facilities————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $15,347,000————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PORTFOLIO 9
Russian Ridge—Public Recreation, Grazing and Wildlife Protection Projects————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Open currently closed areas of preserve————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Construct and extend trails————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Improve fencing, corrals and water systems to reintroduce conservation grazing————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Improve habitat for sensitive species; implement pond enhancement projects for garter snakes and
red-legged frogs————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $5,560,000————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PORTFOLIO 10
Coal Creek—Reopen Alpine Road for Trail Use————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Reopen Alpine Road as trail connection between Portola Valley and Skyline Boulevard————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Reroute trails to reduce erosion and improve visitor experience————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $8,017,000————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PORTFOLIO 11
Rancho San Antonio—Interpretive Improvements, Refurbishing and Transit Solutions————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Add welcome center————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Refurbish and add interpretive exhibits to Deer Hollow Farm————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Support of transit improvement options such as bike trails, bike share station, bus service or additional parking————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $10,811,000————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
10 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
PORTFOLIO 12
Peninsula and South Bay Cities—Partner to Complete Middle Stevens Creek Trail————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Support work by cities to develop the middle section of the Stevens Creek Trail and enhance neighborhood
connections————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Support work by partners to complete stream corridor restoration and steelhead habitat enhancement
below dam————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Develop and install interpretive signage————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $1,038,000————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PORTFOLIO 16
Long Ridge—Trail, Conservation and Habitat Restoration Projects (Saratoga)————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Improve roadside parking and provide restrooms————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Develop new trail connections to Eagle Rock and Devils Canyon————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Repair trails for year-round, multiuse access————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Protect watersheds for steelhead————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Preserve additional open space as available————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Implement pond and habitat enhancement restoration projects to benefit rare species————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $5,140,000————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PORTFOLIO 17
Regional—Complete Upper Stevens Creek Trail————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Complete multiuse connection between the Bay Trail and Bay Area Ridge Trail above the reservoir through
Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve and Lower/Upper Stevens Creek County Parks————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Improve preserve trails and neighborhood connections————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Preserve additional open space as available————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $7,760,000————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Windy Hill Open Space Preserve by Christine Clarke
11Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Coast
Half Moon Bay,
San Gregorio, Pescadero
and La Honda
La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve by Carol Daniels
PORTFOLIO 1
Miramontes Ridge—Gateway to the Coast Public Access, Stream Restoration and
Agriculture Enhancement————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Preserve scenic open space land as available, and establish wildlife corridor————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Restore fish and red-legged frog habitats in Madonna Creek watershed————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Partner to enhance water availability for agriculture and fish————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Develop trail loop system, including Ridge Trail and neighborhood access points————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Develop staging area; repair bridges————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $27,774,000————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PORTFOLIO 3
Purisima Creek Redwoods—Purisima-to-the-Sea Trail, Watershed Protection
and Conservation Grazing————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Complete and open multiuse Purisima-to-the-Sea Trail connection between Ridge Trail and Coastal Trail, and
new parking areas————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Preserve additional open space as available————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Remove fish barriers and restore Lobitos Creek————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Restore ponds for endangered species————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $7,608,000————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PORTFOLIO 7
La Honda Creek—Driscoll Ranch Public Access, Endangered Wildlife Protection and
Conservation Grazing————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Open Driscoll Ranch area; provide biking/hiking/equestrian trails, limited dog access, parking areas and
interpretive displays————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Develop loop and connector trails————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Restore habitat for endangered species————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Restore La Honda Creek; remove fish migration barriers————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $14,825,000————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
12 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
PORTFOLIO 13
Cloverdale Ranch—Wildlife Protection, Grazing and Trail Connections————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Improve fencing, corrals and water systems to increase conservation grazing and sustain large contiguous
grasslands————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Restore habitat for endangered species————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Provide trail connections to nearby state parks————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $15,712,000————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PORTFOLIO 14
Regional—Trail Connections and Campgrounds————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Develop trails between Butano State Park, Pescadero County Park and Russian Ridge, and between Skyline
Ridge and Portola Redwoods and Big Basin state parks————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Partner with county and state parks to improve existing campgrounds————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $3,966,000————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PORTFOLIO 15
Regional—Redwood Protection and Salmon Fishery Conservation————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Preserve additional open space as available————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Protect and enhance redwood stands, mountain scenery, various habitats and steelhead————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $50,728,000————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve by Karen Kincy
13Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio Expenditures
Numerically by Portfolio Number
Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve by Hongyan-Liu
14 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Preface
Portfolio Expenditures includes a description of each of the top 25 MAA portfolios and its allocation, as per the
MAA ballot language under the expenditure plan. Bond funding allocations may be shifted if needed following
board approval, however, for this reporting period, no deviation from the original expenditure plan was proposed.
Portfolio expenditures listed in the description represent all project costs that have been deemed eligible for
MAA reimbursement from inception through June 30, 2021. The FY21 Notable Accomplishments are highlighted
in light yellow throughout this section of the report.
Portfolios that have no incurred expenditures are included in this report to keep continuity from year to year.
Additional contextual information is included in notable accomplishments, project challenges and potential
next steps, as well as the tables and charts associated with each portfolio. Though the Bond Oversight
Committee review is focused on actual expenditures, additional accomplishments not funded by MAA, but
support MAA projects, have been included to help provide a sense of the preceding effort that is required to
move MAA projects forward. The tables and charts restate information gleaned from Midpen’s accounting
system and provide another graphical way to view the expenditures. Finally, where available, we have included
photographs of the preserves in which the projects occur.
Portfolio Progress Indicators
The following indicators show the progress to date on each element of the portfolio description.
Yellow indicates progress in this FY and orange indicates a previous FY, for example:————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Not started, or little progress to report———————————————————————————————————————————————————————— Started and approximately 25% complete (in a previous FY)———————————————————————————————————————————————————————— Approximately 50% complete (with 25% completed this FY)———————————————————————————————————————————————————————— Approximately 75% complete (with 50% completed this FY)————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Complete (with 25% completed this FY)————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
15Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
DESCRIPTION———————————————————————————————————————————————————————— Preserve scenic open space land as available, and establish wildlife corridor. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Restore fish and red-legged frog habitats in Madonna Creek watershed. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Partner to enhance water availability for agriculture and fish. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Develop trail loop system, including Ridge Trail and neighborhood access points. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Develop staging area; repair bridges. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $27,774,000 Portfolio Expenditures Through 6/30/2021: $421,962 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
MAA01-004 Remediation Plan and Ranch Dump Clean Up, Madonna Creek Ranch
Fiscal Year 2021————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Removed over 300 tons of hazardous waste from the riparian area and planted approximately 240 willow
stakes to revegetate the site.
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed the testing phase and identified debris and contaminants for the remediation plan and ranch
dump cleanup project. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA01-005 Johnston Ranch Land Acquisition
Fiscal Year 2021————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed Local Coastal Plan minor text amendments approved by San Mateo County Board of Supervisors
and California Coastal Commission.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Drafted and finalized easement exchange documents, including public trail easement, access easement, and
waterline easements with City of Half Moon Bay and Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST).————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
A $500,000 purchase grant was approved by the California State Coastal Conservancy.
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Signed a partnership letter of intent with the City of Half Moon Bay and POST involving the city’s
Johnston House Park and POST’s Johnston Ranch property to provide local and regional trail and parking
opportunities, support farming and ranching, and protect the scenic landscape and Arroyo Leon watershed. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Substantially completed an application to amend county zoning and subdivision code to reflect Coastal Act
exemptions for land divisions brought about by the purchase of land by a public agency for public recreational use. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed due diligence documents for the botanical study, hydrology study and draft rangeland
management plan for the potential purchase of the POST Johnston Ranch Uplands property.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio 1
Miramontes Ridge
Gateway to the Coast Public
Access, Stream Restoration and
Agriculture Enhancement
Miramontes Ridge Open Space Preserve by Midpen
Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY2116
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed botanical study and hydrological study of pond area.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Assessed regional trail link to Wavecrest and Coastal Trail with POST.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Met with City of Half Moon Bay to discuss shared public parking, Highway 1 crossing at south end of Main
Street and trail/bike path along Higgins Road. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed California red-legged frog surveys and habitat characterization at Madonna Creek Ranch. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Pursued negotiations and due diligence investigation regarding proposed transfer of 650 acres of POST’s
Johnston Ranch Uplands to public ownership.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Participated in the development of a lot line adjustment application for seven parcels and submitted the
application to the County of San Mateo in June 2018. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PROJECT CHALLENGES————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
San Mateo Farm Bureau filed lawsuit against California Coastal Commission’s approval of the minor LCP text
amendments delaying approval of land division application.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Acquisitions on the coast require a willing seller.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Access to Johnston Ranch Uplands south of Higgins Canyon Road will require acquisition of permissive
rights through City of Half Moon Bay property. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
The 100% fee ownership transfer of the Johnston Ranch Uplands acquisition is contingent upon County of
San Mateo approving a lot line adjustment application.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
POTENTIAL NEXT STEPS————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Complete lot line adjustment application for Johnston Ranch Uplands to County of San Mateo.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Record public trail access and waterline easements between the City of Half Moon Bay and POST to provide
future public trail access from downtown Half Moon Bay to the city’s Johnston house property and the Johnston
Ranch Uplands property, and patrol and maintenance access through the City’s property to the Uplands property.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Seek District’s Board of Directors approval of an undivided partial interest purchase in the Johnston Ranch
Uplands property.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Continue partnership with San Mateo Resource Conservation District to develop stream restoration and
pond enhancement plans.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio 1: Miramontes Ridge—Gateway to the Coast Public Access, Stream Restoration and
Agriculture Enhancement
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Total Portfolio Allocation $27,774,000
01-004—Remediation Plan
and Ranch Dump Clean Up,
Madonna Creek Ranch
$414,346 $414,346
01-005—Johnston Ranch Land
Acquisition
$7,616 $7,616
Grand Total $27,774,000 $0 $421,962 $421,962 $27,352,038 1.52%
Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
1.52%
OF FUNDS
USED
Total Life-to-Date Through 6/30/21
$421,962
Expenditure Plan Remaining
$27,352,038
17
Portfolio 2
Regional
Bayfront Habitat
Protection and Public
Access Partnerships
Stevens Creek Shoreline Nature Area by Thirumalai Suresh
DESCRIPTION————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Partner to complete gaps in Bay Trail and develop city-to-bay trails. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Support wetland restoration and associated interpretive facilities. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Preserve additional bayfront open space. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $5,052,000 Portfolio Expenditures Through 6/30/2021: $4,445,067 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
MAA02-001 Cooley Landing Interpretive Facilities Design and Implementation
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Continued plant restoration activities in and around Cooley Landing Park (trail junctions, trash screen, entry
sign, and ethnobotany garden). Resumed volunteer activities when allowed during the pandemic.
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed habitat and plant restoration work for FY20 (part of a multi-year restoration effort). Also, 638
volunteers in 36 working days installed approximately 1,100 native plantings at the trail junctions and parking lot. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Funded the completion of design drawings, permitting, and construction of public access improvements at
Cooley Landing Park, consistent with the Cooley Landing Vision Plan.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed third and final year of first phase of habitat and plant restoration work at Cooley Landing in
partnership with Grassroots Ecology. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Obtained board approval for $1.25M in MAA funding for remaining project elements at Cooley Landing Park.
Amended partnership agreement to include MAA funding and coordinated reimbursement of eligible city expenses. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA02-002 Ravenswood Bay Trail Design and Implementation
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed remaining construction punch list items, including the Samtrans property boundary fence.
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed construction of the asphalt trail, boardwalk, and bridge across wetlands on the new Ravenswood
Bay Trail connection, which closes a critical 0.6-mile gap to connect 80 miles of continuous San Francisco Bay Trail. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Received $700,000 in funds for public access improvements from Caltrans through a cooperative funding
agreement related to a Bay Conservation and Development Commission permit requirement for the Caltrans
San Mateo 101 Express Lanes Project. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
18 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed construction of two high tide refuge islands adjacent to Cooley Marsh to provide enhanced
habitat for federally protected species, salt marsh harvest mouse and Ridgway’s rail. Island plantings and
vegetation were completed in January 2020 and will be monitored for 3-5 consecutive growing seasons.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Recorded trail easement from Caltrans.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Received approval of a memorandum of understanding with City of East Palo Alto from the city council
addressing a) patrol and emergency response, b) site security and c) future community trail access. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Received two grants: $300,000 from Facebook and $1,055,328 from the California Natural Resources Agency -
Urban Greening Program.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Negotiated an exchange agreement and public trail easement with the City and County of San Francisco and
City of East Palo Alto. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Concluded negotiations with the City and County of San Francisco, which resulted in the board of
supervisors approving a 0.6-mile Ravenswood Bay Trail easement over San Francisco Public Utilities
Commission lands. This agreement will close a gap within a segment of the SF Bay Trail that connects 80
miles of continuous trail within the 500-mile route along the shoreline of the nine Bay Area counties. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
In Support of MAA02————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Celebrated the public opening of the Ravenswood Bay Trail Connection Project with an innovative virtual
event that successfully garnered 1,400 views. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PROJECT CHALLENGES
MAA02-001 Cooley Landing Interpretive Facilities Design and Implementation
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
No project challenges. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA02-002 Ravenswood Bay Trail Design and Implementation
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
No project challenges.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 2: Regional—Bayfront Habitat Protection and Public Access Partnerships
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Total Portfolio Allocation $5,052,000
02-001—Cooley Landing
Interpretive Facilities Design
and Implementation
$1,226,353 $29,947 $1,256,300
02-002—Ravenswood Bay Trail
Design and Implementation
$5,124,863 $463,902 $5,588,765
SubTotal $5,052,000 $6,351,216 $493,849 $6,845,065 ($1,793,065)135.49%
02-002—Ravenswood Bay Trail
Design and Implementation
Grant Income
($1,999,998)($400,000)($2,399,998)
Grand Total $5,052,000 $4,351,218 $93,849 $4,445,067 $606,933 87.99%
87.99%
OF FUNDS
USED
Total Life-to-Date Through 6/30/21
$4,445,067
Expenditure Plan Remaining
$606,933
19
Portfolio 3
Purisima Creek Redwoods
Purisima-to-the-Sea Trail,
Watershed Protection and
Conservation Grazing
Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve by Andre DeVito
DESCRIPTION————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Complete and open Purisima-to-the-Sea Trail connection between Ridge Trail and Coastal Trail,
and new parking areas. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Preserve additional open space as available.* ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Remove fish barriers and restore Lobitos Creek. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Restore ponds for endangered species. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $7,608,000 Portfolio Expenditures Through 6/30/2021: $6,404,739 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
* The final step to 100% fee ownership of the South Uplands property will be achieved when a land division application is approved by the County of
San Mateo, anticipated for FY23.
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
MAA03-001 Purisima Uplands Lot Line Adjustment and Property Transfer
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Prepared record of survey and set survey monuments on the northerly boundary of the Purisima Upland
property.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Closed escrow on the 240-acre Purisima Upland property on July 3, 2019 and completed amendments to
property’s trail and conservation easements.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Received board approval to finalize lot line adjustment documents with the County of San Mateo and
transfer of the 240-acre Purisima Uplands property to Midpen, to assemble public lands for the future
Purisima-to-the-Sea Trail. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Purchased the 40.2-acre Riggs property, helping to protect the Lobitos Creek watershed and spawning
habitat for coho salmon and steelhead. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA03-002 Purisima Upland Site Clean Up and Soil Remediation
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed special status plant surveys, preliminary investigations of the oil wells, road improvements
plans, and the initiation of regulatory oversight. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Solicited for and selected the CEQA consultant. Conducted site assessments for biological and cultural
resources. Developed draft CEQA project description. Supported ongoing coordination with the California
Geological Energy Management Division.
Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY2120
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Received county coastal development and demolition permits.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed a phase 1 environmental site assessment for a remnant structure on the property (hunting cabin).————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Prepared right of entry for Midpen use of farm roads for site cleanup and restoration of oil facilities and
hunting cabin assessment.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed Purisima Uplands lead and asbestos abatement for the hunting cabin to inform future
demolition work.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed corral demolition, water system installation and fence installation for Bluebrush Ranch at
Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed phase 2 oil tank and facilities assessment, including site cleanup and restoration cost estimates
to address site safety issues as part of the property land transfer.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed road erosion assessment for farm roads on Purisima Uplands property and private farm roads
providing access to the property to inform condition of property assets (roads) and need for future repairs.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA03-003 Purisima Creek Fence Construction
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed construction of 7,500’ of livestock fencing along the eastern and northern boundaries of the
Bluebrush grazing property to mark property boundary and prevent livestock from accessing neighboring
properties and riparian areas.
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Began and completed initial scope of work and scheduled bid walk just before county-issued shelter-in-
place orders. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed installation of fencing along riparian areas to keep cattle out of Purisima Creek. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA03-004 Harkins Bridge Replacement
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed the Harkins Bridge installation project. Project secures long-term vehicle and pedestrian access. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA03-005 Purisima-to-the-Sea Trail and Parking Area—Feasibility Study
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Received Board authorization of consultant contract for feasibility study to analyze key project elements
such as trail alignment, trailhead and parking locations, and roadway crossings. Information will then be
used to develop conceptual design for project options as part of the contract. Developed a robust public
engagement plan to inform public outreach activities and to solicit broad and diverse public input. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Initiated preliminary technical studies for the proposed regional trail and parking area and identified three
potential trail options for consideration.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Initiated public and stakeholder engagement, conducting stakeholder meetings with neighbors and
interested parties.
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Initiated project scoping for Purisima-to-the-Sea Trail and Parking Feasibility Plan.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Purchased a 45-acre riparian conservation and public access easement over private property along Lobitos
Creek for protection of significant scenic, open space, riparian and natural wildlife habitat values. The
easement also contains provisions for a possible future public trail through the area. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
21Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
MAA03-006 South Cowell Upland Land Conservation
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Purchased an undivided 54% interest in South Cowell Ranch, entered into tenancy-in-common agreement
providing for exclusive use and management of upland area and for planning of future parking and trail
improvements. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed an assignment of a grazing lease with the existing rancher and a water allocation agreement
with other owners of the property.
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Initiated discussions with POST for potential purchase of the South Cowell Ranch Uplands property to
support protection of Lobitos Creek, improve access for conservation grazing within the preserve, and
provide additional options for the Purisima-to-the-Sea Trail alignment and parking. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed due diligence work, including a historic resource assessment, phase 1 and phase 2 studies, and
building inspections due diligence work for the South Cowell Ranch Uplands property. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Identified viable parking and trail options on the South Cowell Ranch Uplands property along Verde Road for
further planning studies.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Worked with POST to prepare a month-to-month grazing lease for the South Cowell Ranch Uplands property. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA03-008 Rieser-Nelson Land Purchase
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Purchased the 2.5-acre Rieser-Nelson property adjacent to the South Cowell property under the General
Manager’s low-value purchase authority.
In Support of MAA03
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Received four gift parcels totaling 0.84 acres as additions to Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve for the
purposes of watershed, open space and redwood forest preservation. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed design and construction of a double vault restroom to replace an existing single vault. Obtained
a County of San Mateo building permit. Project improves public facilities at Purisima Creek Redwoods
Preserve. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Collaborated with the United States Geological Survey to install experimental fog collection stations at
Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve to conduct research on the viability of fog water harvesting to support
agricultural uses and/or improve water availability for wildlife.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed mowing projects at October Farm to control brush encroachment and at Bluebrush Canyon to
control invasive species and reduce wildfire fuels. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Attended a site tour with POST and a property owner to discuss parking and access opportunities related to
the Purisima-to-the-Sea Trail.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PROJECT CHALLENGES
Purisima Upland Site Clean Up and Soil Remediation
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Special status plants required the project to undergo substantial scope changes and added CEQA process to
the project. Additional hazardous materials investigations and oil well decommissioning investigations were
added to the scope. Negotiations with CalGEM on the responsible party for decommissioning was initiated.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
22 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Purisima-to-the-Sea Trail and Parking Area—Feasibility Study
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Assessing opportunities and constraints to the preferred trail alignments based on site conditions, including
topography, sensitive species and communities, and existing trail easements. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Ongoing discussions and negotiations with property owners. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Uncertainty as to where to locate connector trails and pedestrian trail crossing at Highway 1 and Verde Road
to connect the Purisima-to-the-Sea Trail to the California Coastal Trail. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
POTENTIAL NEXT STEPS————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Continue trail alignment scouting within the Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Conduct additional rare plant survey and coordinate with California Department of Fish and Wildlife, develop
environmental documents, acquire all necessary permits, and implement site cleanup.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Prepare and submit minor subdivision application for the South Cowell Ranch Uplands property to San Mateo
County.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio 3: Purisima Creek Redwoods—Purisima-to-the-Sea Trail, Watershed Protection and
Conservation Grazing
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Total Portfolio Allocation $7,608,000
03-001—Purisima Uplands Lot
Line Adjustment and Property
Transfer
$425,113 $425,113
03-002—Purisima Uplands Site
Cleanup and Soil Remediation
$110,584 $138,065 $248,649
03-003—Purisima Creek Fence
Construction
$90,021 $79,169 $169,190
03-004—Harkins Bridge
Replacement
$516,917 $0 $516,917
03-005—Purisima-to-the-
Sea Trail and Parking Area -
Feasibility Study
$156,130 $104,295 $260,425
03-006—South Cowell Upland
Land Conservation
$43,010* $4,799,957 $4,842,967
03-008—Rieser-Nelson Land
Purchase
$16,715 $16,715
SubTotal $7,608,000 $1,341,775 $5,138,201 $6,479,976 $1,128,024 85.17%
03-005—Purisima-to-the-Sea
Trail and Parking Area—
Feasibility Study Grant Income
($75,237)($75,237)
Grand Total $7,608,000 $1,341,775 $5,062,964 $6,404,739 $1,203,261 84.18%
* Prior year adjustment (transfer of South Cowell expenditures from Fund 40 General Fund Capital to Fund 30 MAA).
84.18%
OF FUNDS
USED
Total Life-to-Date Through 6/30/21
$6,404,739
Expenditure Plan Remaining
$1,203,261
23Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 4
El Corte de Madera Creek
Bike Trail and Water
Quality Projects
El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve by Derek Blogin
DESCRIPTION————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Develop single-use biking/hiking trails, complete Ridge Trail gaps and develop trail system leading to
parking area. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Restore damaged trails to improve water quality. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Preserve additional open space as available. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $8,376,000 Portfolio Expenditures Through 6/30/2021: $966,168 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
MAA04-001 El Corte de Madera Creek Gallaway Property Purchase
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Purchased the 1.7-acre Chet Gallaway property to remove inholding and protect watershed. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA04-002 El Corte de Madera Creek Watershed Protection Final Phase
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed the Watershed Protection Program. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA04-004 El Corte de Madera Creek Oljon Trail Implementation
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed phase 3 and phase 4 of the Oljon Trail connecting Steam Donkey to the Springboard Trail. Final
construction and restoration are associated with the Watershed Protection Program.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed Oljon Trail construction, which included bridge construction, puncheon installation, road-to-trail
conversion and trail construction to open additional public recreational opportunities within El Corte de
Madera Creek Preserve.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed majority of closure and restoration of the upper segment of the Steam Donkey Trail.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Removed and restored existing deteriorating roads and trails to eliminate potential sources of
sedimentation within the watershed. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
24 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
In Support of MAA04
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed second year of sediment and stream monitoring and data collection and completed a report
on the sediment monitoring for the Watershed Protection Program 2004-2020. Data showed reduced
sedimentation in creeks after completing the Watershed Protection Program road and trail improvements.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed first year of sediment and stream monitoring and data collection.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Pursued Ridge Trail gaps between El Corte de Madera Creek and La Honda Creek preserves by working with
partners and meeting with landowners to convey interest in possible land or trail easement purchases. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PROJECT CHALLENGES
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Land acquisition to complete gaps in the Bay Area Ridge Trail requires willing seller.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
POTENTIAL NEXT STEPS
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Continue to seek willing sellers to complete gaps in Bay Area Ridge Trail.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio 4: El Corte de Madera Creek—Bike Trail and Water Quality Projects
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Total Portfolio Allocation $8,376,000
04-001—El Corte de Madera
Creek Gallaway Property
Purchase
$57,340 $57,340
04-002—El Corte de Madera
Creek Watershed Protection
Final Phase
$235,934 $235,934
04-003—El Corte de Madera
Creek Watershed Protection
Reassessment
$45,507* $45,507
04-004—El Corte de Madera
Creek Oljon Trail Implementation
$627,387 $627,387
Grand Total $8,376,000 $966,168 $0 $966,168 $7,409,832 11.53%
* Prior year adjustment (transfer of Watershed Protection Reassessment expenditures from Fund 30 MAA to Fund 10 General Fund).
11.53%
OF FUNDS
USED
Total Life-to-Date Through 6/30/21
$966,168
Expenditure Plan Remaining
$7,409,832
25Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 5
La Honda Creek
Upper Area Recreation, Habitat
Restoration and Conservation
Grazing Projects
La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve by Bobby Wheelock
DESCRIPTION————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Open upper half of the preserve to public; provide biking/hiking/equestrian trails, dog access and
staging areas. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Provide loop and connector trails. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Restore habitat for rare species. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Improve fencing, corrals and water systems to reintroduce conservation grazing. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $11,733,000 Portfolio Expenditures Through 6/30/2021: $2,675,767 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
MAA05-001 La Honda Creek Land Conservation Opportunities
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Purchased the 38.14-acre Toepfer property to facilitate a future Ridge Trail opportunity between La Honda
Creek Preserve and El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Purchased the 5-acre Ashworth property to facilitate a future Ridge Trail extension opportunity between La
Honda Creek Preserve and El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA05-002 Upper La Honda Creek Grazing Infrastructure
Fiscal Year 2021————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Made significant improvements to existing springbox located in Pasture 3 of the Lone Madrone (formerly
McDonald) Ranch property to support the conservation grazing program, which serves as a land management
tool to preserves grasslands and local biodiversity while reducing fuel loads and wildfire risk. Installed new water
tank in Pasture 3 and water trough in Pasture 4. Installed new water line from the improved springbox to the tank
and then to the trough. Design of springbox allows for overflow water to remain to serve riparian area around
springbox. New water trough is designed with a permanent wildlife escape ramp in it for wildlife safety.
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed virtual bid process and received board approval to award the construction contract for water
infrastructure improvements to the Lone Madrone (formerly McDonald) Ranch.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Installed riparian protection fencing to resume conservation grazing, as well as water pipe and new water
troughs at Lone Madrone Ranch. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
26 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
MAA05-005 La Honda Creek Red Barn Parking Area and Easy Access Trail
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Began feasibility studies for a new parking area and trailhead at the Red Barn site, including conducting
traffic counts, site evaluations for a new driveway, and evaluation of historic features to ensure new
improvements do not impact the historic landscape of the site.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed nine preliminary technical site investigation studies and conducted an iterative design
development process resulting in two conceptual parking and staging area design alternatives. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Conducted focused stakeholder outreach for the conceptual designs. Held Planning and Natural Resources
Committee meeting and community open house to solicit public input on the Red Barn public access area
concept design alternatives. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Conducted preliminary trail scouting from the proposed new parking location.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed a third design alternative based on public input received in May 2017. Presented design
alternative and additional technical information at three public meetings. On June 12, 2018, the board
directed staff to propose a process to form an advisory committee and assess alternative locations for a new
parking area that meets project goals and objectives. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA05-008 La Honda Creek White Barn Structural Rehabilitation
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Began the environmental (CEQA) review process to evaluate any potential environmental impacts and
mitigation associated with the structure stabilization work planned for the White Barn.
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed site assessment, basis of design report analyzing four different design alternatives, and
presentation of findings to the board, resulting in board selection of the structure stabilization design
alternative.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Started the design and additional assessment for the La Honda Creek White Barn project.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed historic and structural assessments for the La Honda Creek White Barn. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA05-009 La Honda Creek Redwood Cabin Removal and Site Restoration
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Retained consultant to conduct CEQA compliance process for the planned structure demolition and site
restoration. Circulated Notice of Preparation to prepare an Environmental Impact Report in June 2021.
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed site assessment, basis of design report analyzing four different design alternatives, and
presentation of findings to the board, resulting in board selection of the demolition design alternative.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Started the design and assessment for the La Honda Creek Redwood Cabin project. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA05-010 Restoration Forestry Demonstration Project
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed all the forest inventory and roads assessments. Compiled the findings into a draft La Honda
Forest Management Plan for Board and public input.
27Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
MAA05-011 Lone Madrone Ranch Fence Installation
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Developed a fencing plan to prevent cattle from accessing the La Honda Creek riparian corridor to protect
sensitive habitat and keep cattle from entering the neighboring private property. Signed easement
agreements and walked the proposed fence location with neighbors to make certain all parties are in
agreement on the fence installation work. Contractor will begin work in FY22.
In Support of MAA05
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Negotiated reciprocal road access and waterline easements with neighboring property owners in the Red
Barn Area of La Honda Creek Preserve.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed the Public Access Working Group pilot engagement process with committee review in July
2020 and board approval of the final report and recommendations in October 2020. Initiated a request for
proposals for consultant services to conduct technical analyses, site opportunities and constraints analysis,
and a feasibility study of the Public Access Working Group recommended sites. Released RFP on June 21, 2021.
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Formed a Public Access Working Group with community members, constituent representative(s) from each ward,
and two board liaisons to identify new, viable parking area and trailhead options to open the central area of the
preserve to public access. Held seven Working Group meetings between August 2019 and March 2020. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Developed process for and formation of the new Public Access Working Group for the La Honda Creek
Parking and Trailhead Access Feasibility Study. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Pursued trail connections to the central area of La Honda Creek Preserve by meeting several times with
landowner to convey interest in possible land or trail easement purchases as part of efforts to design and
implement phase 2 trails of the La Honda Creek Preserve Master Plan. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Contracted with consulting professionals to develop the La Honda forest management plan to evaluate
restoration and management priorities in the watershed.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PROJECT CHALLENGES
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
None at this time.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
POTENTIAL NEXT STEPS
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Develop phase 2 trail designs for planned trail connection between central La Honda Creek Preserve and
existing Sears Ranch Road parking lot (lower La Honda).————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Construct Lone Madrone grazing water infrastructure improvements.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
28 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 5: La Honda Creek—Upper Area Recreation, Habitat Restoration and Conservation Grazing
Projects
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Total Portfolio Allocation $11,733,000
05-001—La Honda Creek Land
Conservation Opportunities
$1,756,093 $1,756,093
05-002—Upper La Honda Creek
Grazing Infrastructure
$209,765 $87,667 $297,432
05-004—La Honda Creek Sears
Ranch Interim Parking*
$0
05-005—La Honda Creek Red
Barn Parking Area and Easy
Access Trail
$327,514 $327,514
05-006—La Honda Creek Sears
Ranch Road Repair*
$0
05-008—La Honda Creek White
Barn Structural Rehabilitation
$81,918 $60,893 $142,811
05-009—La Honda Creek
Redwood Cabin Removal and
Site Restoration
$88,486 $31,201 $119,687
05-010—Restoration Forestry
Demonstration Project
$32,067 $32,067
05-011—Lone Madrone Ranch
Fence Installation
$163 $163
Grand Total $11,733,000 $2,463,776 $211,991 $2,675,767 $9,057,233 22.81%
* Actuals were transferred from MAA05 to MAA07 to more accurately assign project expenditures.
22.81%
OF FUNDS
USED
Total Life-to-Date Through 6/30/21
$2,675,767
Expenditure Plan Remaining
$9,057,233
29Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 6
Windy Hill
Trail Improvements,
Preservation and
Hawthorns Area Historic
Partnership
Windy Hill Open Space Preserve by Gail Wesling
DESCRIPTION————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Improve trails; complete pond facilities. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Increase multiuse trails; study possible improvements to increase dog use. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Open Hawthorns Area; develop trails connecting to Portola Valley and Palo Alto trails. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Partner to protect, restore and interpret historic buildings. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Improve habitat conditions in Los Trancos Creek. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Preserve additional scenic open space as available. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $12,740,000 Portfolio Expenditures Through 6/30/2021: $40,950 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
MAA06-002 Hawthorns Area Plan
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Initiated vision and goal-setting process with the Planning and Natural Resource Committee. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Developed draft stakeholder outreach plan and working group strategy for future consideration by the
Planning and Natural Resource Committee. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Worked with the Town of Portola Valley to establish ongoing coordination timeframe and preliminary
permit requirements.
Prior Years ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Conducted initial evaluation of potential public access programming and feasibility for new parking area
and trail. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
In Support of MAA06
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed short-term repairs to the Hawthorns House foundation and temporary roof covering.
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Held meetings with Town of Portola Valley and onsite with stakeholders and community members for
discussion of permitting approach with Town. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY2130
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Retained planning consultant to assist with project planning due to vacant Planner III position.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Conducted a parking study to assess site feasibility for a proposed parking area and driveway location. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed a cultural resources field survey and assessment report. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Initiated development of public outreach and stakeholder engagement process for site plan project to
review with board committee and Town of Portola Valley.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PROJECT CHALLENGES————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Historic complex of structures, including the main residence and garage, are in significant disrepair. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Multiyear effort to secure a viable partnership for maintenance and reuse of the property has not been
successful. Currently there is no viable potential partnership opportunity. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Integration of Midpen’s planning and environmental review process with the Town of Portola Valley
permitting and public engagement process is complex and requires additional coordination.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
POTENTIAL NEXT STEPS————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
To facilitate the planning of public access improvements at the Hawthorns Area, Midpen will first establish
the vision and goals for the property with the Midpen board committee and full board. Midpen board
committee and board will also consider formation and composition of a potential working group. Midpen
will proceed with a robust public and stakeholder engagement process to develop conceptual plan
alternatives to present to the Midpen board committee and board. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio 6: Windy Hill—Trail Improvements, Preservation and Hawthorns Area Historic Partnership
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Total Portfolio Allocation $12,740,000
06-001—Hawthorns Parking Lot
Concept Design*
$8,490 ($8,490)$0
06-002—Hawthorns Area Plan $22,759 $18,191 $40,950
Grand Total $12,740,000 $31,249 $9,701 $40,950 $12,699,050 0.32%
* Actuals were transfer from MAA06-001 with MAA06-002 to more accurately assign project expenditures.
0.32%
OF FUNDS
USED
Total Life-to-Date Through 6/30/21
$40,950
Expenditure Plan Remaining
$12,699,050
31Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 7
La Honda Creek
Driscoll Ranch Public
Access, Endangered
Wildlife Protection and
Conservation Grazing
La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve by Tom Pickett
DESCRIPTION————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Open Driscoll Ranch Area; provide biking/hiking/equestrian trails, limited dog access, parking areas and
interpretive displays. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Develop loop and connector trails.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Restore habitat for endangered species. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Restore La Honda Creek; remove fish migration barriers. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $14,825,000 Portfolio Expenditures Through 6/30/2021: $12,267,713 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
MAA07-001 Event Center and Apple Orchard Purchase
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Purchased the 307.64-acre Apple Orchard and Event Center property, as well as a 3-acre conservation
easement from POST to protect and further restore redwood, coho salmon and steelhead habitat along
San Gregorio Creek. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed invasive weed control work at the Apple Orchard and Driscoll Ranch properties of La Honda
Creek Preserve. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA07-002 Fisheries Restoration, Design and Permitting
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Partially funded by CDFW Fisheries Restoration Grant Program. Completed road and trail upgrades and
drainage improvements along nearly 5 miles of road to address priority erosion control sites to reduce
sediment delivery to San Gregorio Creek and tributaries.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA07-003 Fisheries Enhancement, Apple Orchard
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed fisheries habitat enhancement project at the Apple Orchard parcel of lower La Honda Creek,
installing 13 in-stream, large woody debris structures, in partnership with the San Mateo Resource
Conservation District and CDFW Fisheries Restoration Grant Program. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
32 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
MAA07-004 Fisheries Enhancement, Event Center
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed fisheries restoration project at the Event Center, installing large woody debris habitat within San
Gregorio Creek to improve salmonid habitat. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA07-005 Grazing and Water Systems Infrastructure
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed pond reconstruction to enhance breeding habitat for California red-legged frog and to improve
the water source as a cattle stock pond. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Constructed a new corral system at the previous site of the Wool Ranch house to support the conservation
grazing program. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Installed riparian protection fencing, water pipe and new water troughs at Driscoll Ranch to support
conservation grazing.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA07-006 Cunha Land Purchase
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Purchased the 30-acre Cunha Trust property at the end of Sears Ranch Road to provide on-site patrol and
management oversight, and secure ownership of the private road that now serves as the driveway entrance
into the Sears Ranch parking lot. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA07-007 Demolitions, Wool Ranch House/Sears Ranch Rd
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed site clean-up and demolition of numerous dilapidated structures, after completing photography
documentation of the structures, to prepare the preserve for public access. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA07-008 Lower Turtle Pond Repair—La Honda Creek
Fiscal Year 2021————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Assessed flooding risk and berm stability through hydrological and geotechnical investigations.
MAA07-009 Sears Ranch Parking Area
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Finalized deck replacement and installed new rails on the Harrington Creek Bridge, allowing trail users to
safely cross a major creek. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Constructed the new Sears Ranch parking area, providing 22 vehicle spaces, a restroom, signage and the
main trailhead to access the trails in the southern area of the preserve. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed phase 1 trail and road repairs in preparation for the public opening of lower La Honda Creek
Preserve, including installation of signage and self-closing gates.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed permit-only equestrian parking area and equestrian-only trail segment connecting to the new
Folger Ranch Loop Trail. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA07-010 Sears Ranch Road Repair
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed over 3 miles of ranch road repairs, including culvert replacements, to the main ranch road in
lower La Honda Creek Preserve. These were critical for opening the roads to public access; maintaining safe
passage for patrol, maintenance and emergency vehicle use; and providing ranch access to support the
ongoing conservation grazing program.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
33Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
MAA07-011 Lower La Honda Creek Phase II Loop Trails
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed San Mateo County Grading, Resource Management and Building permitting processes for a new
loop trail. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Performed necessary pre-construction biological surveys and coordinated with the grazing tenant.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Initiated construction, completing 3,400 linear feet of trail construction with compacted aggregate base
surfacing.
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed biological/cultural/wetland reports and provided copies to the appropriate agencies.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Submitted County of San Mateo permits.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed trail design at 90% (contracted with Fall Creek Engineering to design and engineer the La Honda
Creek Loop Trail).————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed rare plant survey and wetland delineations to inform the design of the trail alignment.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
In Support of MAA07
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Received San Mateo County permits for the agricultural workforce housing project to repair an existing
residence that supports the conservation grazing program/agricultural program. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed the construction bidding process. Received Board approval to award the construction contract,
with construction scheduled to begin in August 2021.
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed installation of new water line, storage tank and water trough.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Received board direction to repair an existing housing facility and to designate the residence as Agricultural
Workforce Housing.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed a housing structures assessment for the Driscoll Ranch area of La Honda Creek Preserve and
secured board approval to build/repair agricultural workforce housing in partnership with the County of
San Mateo. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Hosted groundbreaking ceremony and public grand opening celebration at lower La Honda Creek Preserve. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
34 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
PROJECT CHALLENGES————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
No project challenges identified at this time. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
POTENTIAL NEXT STEPS————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Develop plans for and construct phase 2 roads and trails that will connect the new Sears Ranch Road
parking area (lower La Honda) with the central La Honda area (upper La Honda). ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Amend the La Honda Creek Master Plan to include the Apple Orchard and Event Center and Cunha Trust
property additions.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio 7: La Honda Creek—Driscoll Ranch Public Access, Endangered Wildlife Protection and
Conservation Grazing
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Total Portfolio Allocation $14,825,000
07-001—Event Center and Apple
Orchard Purchase
$6,007,601 $6,007,601
07-002—Fisheries Restoration,
Design and Permitting
$727,716 $727,716
07-003—Fisheries Enhancement,
Apple Orchard
$16,152 $16,152
07-004—Fisheries Enhancement,
Event Center
$50,000 $50,000
07-005—Grazing and Water
Systems Infrastructure
$189,423 $189,423
07-006—Cunha Land Purchase $3,080,705 $3,080,705
07-007—Demolitions, Wool
Ranch House/Sears Ranch Road
$357,803 $357,803
07-008—Lower Turtle Pond
Repair—La Honda Creek
$14,963 $14,963
07-009—Sears Ranch Parking
Areas*
$1,147,554 $1,147,554
07-010—Sears Ranch Road Repair*$557,044 $557,044
07-011—Lower La Honda Creek
Phase II Loop Trails
$171,506 $178,216 $349,722
SubTotal $14,825,000 $12,305,504 $193,179 $12,498,683 $2,326,317 84.31%
07-002—Fisheries Restoration,
Design and Permitting Grant
Income
($230,970)($230,970)
Grand Total $14,825,000 $12,074,534 $193,179 $12,267,713 $2,557,287 82.75%
* Actuals were transferred from MAA05 to MAA07 to more accurately assign project expenditures.
82.75%
OF FUNDS
USED
Total Life-to-Date Through 6/30/21
$12,267,713
Expenditure Plan Remaining
$2,557,287
35Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 8
La Honda Creek
and Russian Ridge
Preservation of Upper San
Gregorio Watershed and
Ridge Trail Completion
Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve by Jeffrey Schwegman
DESCRIPTION————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Preserve Upper San Gregorio watershed; restore endangered species habitats. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Support opportunities to provide additional water for fisheries.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Complete Bay Area Ridge Trail multiuse connections and gaps.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Provide additional public use facilities. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $15,347,000 Portfolio Expenditures Through 6/30/2021: $2,153,910 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
MAA08-001 Folger Property Purchase
Prior Years ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Purchased the 190-acre Woodruff Redwoods property as an addition to La Honda Creek Preserve.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
In Support of MAA08
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed an appraisal and initial site inspections of the Pratt Trust property.
PROJECT CHALLENGES————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
No project challenges identified at this time.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
POTENTIAL NEXT STEPS————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Continue to pursue opportunities for to expand Bay Area Ridge Trail connections. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY2136
Portfolio 8: La Honda Creek and Russian Ridge—Preservation of Upper San Gregorio Watershed and
Ridge Trail Completion
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Total Portfolio Allocation $15,347,000
08-001—Folger Property
Purchase
$2,153,910 $0 $2,153,910
Grand Total $15,347,000 $2,153,910 $0 $2,153,910 $13,193,090 14.03%
14.03%
OF FUNDS
USED
Total Life-to-Date Through 6/30/21
$2,153,910
Expenditure Plan Remaining
$13,193,090
Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve by John Harvey
37Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 9
Russian Ridge
Public Recreation, Grazing
and Wildlife Protection
Projects
Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve by Sharon Humphreys
DESCRIPTION————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Open currently closed areas of preserve.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Construct and extend trails. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Improve fencing, corrals and water systems to reintroduce conservation grazing.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Improve habitat for sensitive species; implement pond enhancement projects for garter snakes and
red-legged frogs.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $5,560,000 Portfolio Expenditures Through 6/30/2021: $689,925 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
MAA09-001 Russian Ridge Grazing Infrastructure
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed brush management of the south pasture at Mindego Ranch. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Upgraded the corral and water system at Mindego Ranch, installing two 5,000-gallon water storage tanks,
11,000 feet of buried pipe, six water troughs, and solar-powered water pump for storage tanks. Selected a
grazing tenant to manage the conservation grazing operation. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA09-003 Russian Ridge Mindego Pond Improvement
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed the final design, permitting, and construction of the pond improvements.
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
The US Army Corps of Engineers authorized the Section 404 permit in April 2020.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
The San Mateo County Resource Conservation District Board of Directors approved a grading permit
exemption for the 630 cubic yards of proposed grading work in February 2020.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Design-build entity completed project construction documents, basis of design, integrated pest
management plan and vegetation management plan in September 2019.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
The design-build entity applied for a grading permit exemption from County of San Mateo and a section 401
permit from the RWQCB.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Selected a design-build firm to improve the ponds to support endangered species’ habitat. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
38 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
MAA09-004 Mindego Hill Trail Construction
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Constructed and opened an extension of Mindego Hill Trail to the top of the prominent Mindego Hill with
360-degree panoramic views. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed remediation of the Mindego Ranch area. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA09-006 Mindego Ranch South Pasture
Fiscal Year 2021————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Received Board approval for the grazing tenant to perform fence and water infrastructure installation to support
the conservation grazing program. Fence construction will be performed first and begin mid-summer. Based
upon public feedback, water system improvements will include a water trough for public equestrian use.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
The grazing tenant applied and was awarded partial funding for the water system improvements from the
National Resource Conservation Service Environmental Quality Improvement Project program. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
The grazing tenant completed coyote brush mowing in the planned pasture expansion area.
In Support of MAA09
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed year four of the San Francisco garter snake field study and ongoing bullfrog eradication work at
Mindego Ranch in Russian Ridge Preserve. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PROJECT CHALLENGES
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
No project challenges identified at this time.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
POTENTIAL NEXT STEPS
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Complete fence installation and water infrastructure improvements at the Mindego Ranch South Pasture.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio 9: Russian Ridge—Public Recreation, Grazing and Wildlife Protection Projects
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Total Portfolio Allocation $5,560,000
09-001—Russian Ridge Grazing
Infrastructure
$174,416 $174,416
09-003—Russian Ridge Mindego
Pond Improvement
$152,737 $295,369 $448,106
09-004—Mindego Hill Trail
Construction
$67,403 $67,403
Grand Total $5,560,000 $394,556 $295,369 $689,925 $4,870,075 12.41%
12.41%
OF FUNDS
USED
Total Life-to-Date Through 6/30/21
$689,925
Expenditure Plan Remaining
$4,870,075
39Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 10
Coal Creek
Reopen Alpine Road
for Trail Use
Coal Creek Open Space Preserve by Stan Hooper
DESCRIPTION————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Reopen Alpine Road as trail connection between Portola Valley and Skyline Boulevard. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Reroute trails to reduce erosion and improve visitor experience. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $8,017,000 Portfolio Expenditures Through 6/30/2021: $467,648 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
MAA10-001 Alpine Road Regional Trail, Coal Creek
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed the environmental review (CEQA) process with the certification of the Initial Study/Mitigated
Negative Declaration by the Board in January 2021. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Submitted permit applications to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Regional Water Quality
Control Board, and US Army Corps of Engineers. Coordinated with San Mateo County Public Works on a
memorandum of understanding to streamline the county permitting process.
Prior Years ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed the 65% design documents, Alternatives Analysis report, geotechnical investigation and report,
wetland and riparian delineation, botanical survey and report, and an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative
Declaration CEQA document has been drafted and is ready for release for public comment. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Executed a memorandum of understanding with County of San Mateo regarding future transfer of Alpine
Road to Midpen.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Began assessment of trail conditions and developed recommendations/alternatives and cost analysis for
repairs. Developed agreement with the County of San Mateo for long-term repairs.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Updated the road and trail inventory and completed preliminary conceptual design alternatives for two
large failures on Alpine Road. Presented options for repairs and improvements to the board, who selected
the approach of repairing failures to trail width (6-foot-wide standard). ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PROJECT CHALLENGES
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Changes at the federal level impacted the regulatory permitting process and timeline. Additionally,
COVID-19 related staffing impacts at the regulatory agencies and at County of San Mateo continues to make
communication difficult.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Alpine Road Trail is owned in fee and easement by the County of San Mateo; repairs will require careful
coordination and approval from the county.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
40 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
POTENTIAL NEXT STEPS
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Finalize construction plans.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Secure permits.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Complete bid and award process and initiate construction. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio 10: Coal Creek—Reopen Alpine Road for Trail Use
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Total Portfolio Allocation $8,017,000
10-001—Alpine Road Regional
Trail, Coal Creek
$345,341 $122,307 $467,648
Grand Total $8,017,000 $345,341 $122,307 $467,648 $7,549,352 5.83%
5.83%
OF FUNDS
USED
Total Life-to-Date Through 6/30/21
$467,648
Expenditure Plan Remaining
$7,549,352
Coal Creek Open Space Preserve by Asha Kulkarni
41Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 11
Rancho San Antonio
Interpretive Improvements,
Refurbishing and Transit
Solutions
Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve by James Snyder
DESCRIPTION————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Add welcome center.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Refurbish and add interpretive exhibits to Deer Hollow Farm.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Support of transit improvement options such as bike trails, bike share station, bus service or additional
parking.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $10,811,000 Portfolio Expenditures Through 6/30/2021: $282,352 ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
MAA11-001 New Trails to Connect Quarry Trail to Black Mountain Trail
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Accepted two trail easements, two rights of first offer and rights of first refusal, and a conditional grant deed
conveyance, for properties adjacent to Monte Bello and Rancho San Antonio preserves. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA11-002 Rancho San Antonio, Deer Hollow Farm: White Barn Rehabilitation
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed construction of stabilization and weatherproofing improvements of the White Barn as
an important agricultural support building that provides for active environmental programming and
interpretation on site, including hosting elementary school camps, offering weekend events, and providing
drop-in visitor exploration.
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed project design and started the permitting process with County of Santa Clara; and issued
Request for Bids for construction. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Selected consultant for the design and assessment of the Rancho San Antonio White Barn to improve
building access, structural stability and public safety.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
With MAA and other funding, completed historic and structural assessments for the Deer Hollow Farm White
Barn; obtained Legislative, Funding, and Public Affairs Committee confirmation of partnership agreements
to fund project. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
42 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
In Support of MAA11
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed multimodal access study with Planning and Natural Resources Committee review in September
2020 and January 2021 and Board approval of final report and transportation demand management
strategies in April 2021. Prepared a high-level implementation plan for next steps. Completed signage
installation efforts on Foothills Expressway and St. Joseph’s Avenue in Los Altos.
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Collected traffic data at the main entrance on Cristo Rey Drive from October through November 2019. Traffic
data is being used to evaluate current parking behaviors, specifically peak parking per lot, time of day, day
of week, and holiday parking demand to inform the development of multi-modal transit solutions and
improvements for the preserve. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Developed an intercept survey that was posted online from Oct. 1, 2019 to Jan. 3, 2020 to understand how
visitors access the preserve and the opportunities and challenges that exist to encourage multi-modal
transit use. After closing the survey, the consultant received 1,000 responses, 106 via intercept surveys and
894 via online surveys. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Designated a curbside area near the restroom and installed a rideapp sign to direct rideshare drop-off/pick-up.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Installed three bicycle racks - two near the restroom and one near the PG&E trailhead. All new bicycle racks
have been advertised on social media platforms to promote bicycle transit to access the preserve.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed draft scope for parking and transportation demand analysis (Multimodal Access Study); and met
with Santa Clara County Parks on project scope review and coordination. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Presented the draft Multimodal Access Study scope and potential short-, medium- and long-term measures
to address parking challenges at Rancho San Antonio Preserve to board committee. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Restored the Deer Hollow Farm White Barn milk room at Rancho San Antonio Preserve, facilitating ongoing
environmental interpretation and animal husbandry at the popular farm site. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed 69 days of vehicle occupancy counts to understand the parking use patterns at Rancho San
Antonio Preserve. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Initiated stakeholder agency engagement in identifying opportunities for parking and transit improvement
options. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Conducted a one-week tabling campaign for mountain lion awareness at Rancho San Antonio Preserve.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Coordinated with the City of Mountain View and Friends of Deer Hollow Farm to prepare for a historic and
structural assessment of the White Barn at Rancho San Antonio Preserve that was conducted during fiscal
year 2017-18. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
43Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
PROJECT CHALLENGES
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Implementation of some of the Board-approved Tier 1 transportation demand management strategies are
dependent on partnership coordination, agreements, resources and co-implementation with other agencies.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
POTENTIAL NEXT STEPS
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Continue to actively engage stakeholder agencies and community in identifying partnership opportunities
to implement new bicycle facilities, improved bicycle access to the preserve, and other MAA eligible
improvements. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve by Doris-Livezey
44 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 11: Rancho San Antonio—Interpretive Improvements, Refurbishing and Transit Solutions
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Total Portfolio Allocation $10,811,000
11-001—New Trails to Connect
Quarry Trail to Black Mountain
Trail
$728 $728
11-002—Rancho San Antonio,
Deer Hollow Farm: White Barn
Rehabilitation
$164,600 $347,905 $512,505
SubTotal $10,811,000 $165,328 $347,905 $513,233 $10,297,767 4.75%
11-002 Rancho San Antonio,
Deer Hollow Farm: White Barn
Rehabilitation Grant Income
($15,000)($215,881)($230,881)
Grand Total $10,811,000 $150,328 $132,024 $282,352 $10,528,648 2.61%
2.61%
OF FUNDS
USED
Total Life-to-Date Through 6/30/21
$282,352
Expenditure Plan Remaining
$10,528,648
45Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 12
Peninsula/South Bay Cities
Partner to Complete
Middle Stevens Creek Trail
Stevens Creek Trail by Dicklyon, CC BY-SA 4-0
DESCRIPTION————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Support work by cities to develop the middle section of the Stevens Creek Trail and enhance
neighborhood connections. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Support work by partners to complete stream corridor restoration and steelhead habitat enhancement
below dam. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Develop and install interpretive signage.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $1,038,000 Portfolio Expenditures Through 6/30/2021: $0 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
In Support of MAA12
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Supported work by partners to complete stream corridor restoration and steelhead habitat enhancement
below Stevens Creek Dam. Coordinated with partners, reviewed technical reports, held site visit to Deep Cliff
Golf site and produced letter of funding support. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PROJECT CHALLENGES
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
No project challenges identified at this time.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
POTENTIAL NEXT STEPS
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Continue to coordinate with cities, Santa Clara County Parks, Friends of Stevens Creek Trail, and other
stakeholders on implementing new signage for the Stevens Creek Trail through preserves, parkland and
other jurisdictional lands. Obtain Midpen board approval for regional trail designation and implement
Stevens Creek Trail signage pilot program at Monte Bello Open Space Preserve.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
46 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 12: Peninsula/South Bay Cities—Partner to Complete Middle Stevens Creek Trail
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Total Portfolio Allocation $1,038,000
Grand Total $1,038,000 $0 $0 $0 $1,038,000 0.00%
0.00%
OF FUNDS
USED
Total Life-to-Date Through 6/30/21
$0
Expenditure Plan Remaining
$1,038,000
47Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 13
Cloverdale Ranch
Wildlife Protection,
Grazing and Trail
Connections
Cloverdale Ranch by Midpen
DESCRIPTION————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Improve fencing, corrals and water systems to increase conservation grazing and sustain large
contiguous grasslands.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Restore habitat for endangered species.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Provide trail connections to nearby state parks.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $15,712,000 Portfolio Expenditures Through 6/30/2021: $0 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
In Support of MAA13
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Initial botanical studies of the property and Lake Lucerne water system infrastructure evaluation completed.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
State approved $8 million in funding in the 2021-22 state budget for the proposed purchase of Cloverdale
Ranch by 2023. Additional State Recreational Infrastructure Revenue Enhancement grant funding in the
amount of $1,428,000 is also available for Cloverdale that will also need to be encumbered by 2023. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Initiated community engagement process to develop familiarity with neighbors and surrounding
community and to facilitate awareness of Midpen mission, values and work. Met with four agricultural and
two grazing tenants of the Cloverdale Ranch property.
Prior Years ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed compilation of background information and existing conditions report for the Cloverdale Ranch
property. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Initiated community and partner outreach, including meeting with the Resource Conservation District, La
Honda Pescadero Unified School District, Pescadero Municipal Advisory Committee, State Parks, Sustainable
Pescadero, County of San Mateo, Puente, State Coastal Conservancy and grazing tenants.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Held site tours at Cloverdale Ranch for board members, local officials, State representatives and funding
agencies.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Initiated bimonthly meetings and conducted staff site tours of Cloverdale Ranch with POST. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Conducted ongoing due diligence investigation to evaluate site resources and obligations of a potential
future land purchase and subsequent management of POST’s 6,500-acre Cloverdale Ranch. Worked with
POST to conduct an introductory site tour for board members and key management staff to learn more
about the property. Added Cloverdale Ranch to the Capital Improvement and Action Plan for FY2018-19. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
48 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
PROJECT CHALLENGES
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Need to complete acquisition of Cloverdale Ranch by March 2023 to meet state grant funding deadline.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
POTENTIAL NEXT STEPS
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Continue public outreach and community engagement, including legislative engagement.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Complete all necessary site studies of the property, including roads and trails, biotic survey, species studies.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Complete Coastal Area Management Plan to identify resources needed to manage expanded Midpen land
holding in the coastal area and present findings to the Board.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio 13: Cloverdale Ranch—Wildlife Protection, Grazing and Trail Connections
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Total Portfolio Allocation $15,712,000
Grand Total $15,712,000 $0 $0 $0 $15,712,000 0.00%
0.00%
OF FUNDS
USED
Total Life-to-Date Through 6/30/21
$0
Expenditure Plan Remaining
$15,712,000
49Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 14
Regional
Trail Connections
and Campgrounds
Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve by Kevin Peercy
DESCRIPTION————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Develop trails between Butano, Pescadero County Park and Russian Ridge, and between Skyline, Portola
Redwoods and Big Basin State Park. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Partner with county and state parks to improve existing campgrounds. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $3,966,000 Portfolio Expenditures Through 6/30/2021: $0 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
In Support of MAA14
Prior Years ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Acquired a conservation easement from POST covering the 353-acre Alpine Ranch property to protect
redwood forests, watershed and habitat values (expensed in MAA15 portfolio). Supports MAA14 for future
trail connections and campgrounds to San Mateo County’s Pescadero Creek Park Complex. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
50 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 14: Regional—Trail Connections and Campgrounds
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Total Portfolio Allocation $3,966,000
Grand Total $3,966,000 $0 $0 $0 $3,966,000 0.00%
0.00%
OF FUNDS
USED
Total Life-to-Date Through 6/30/21
$0
Expenditure Plan Remaining
$3,966,000
Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve by Bobby Wheelock
51Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 15
Regional
Redwood Protection
and Salmon Fishery
Conservation
Long Ridge Open Space Preserve by Reza Yoosoofmiya
DESCRIPTION————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Preserve additional open space as available. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Protect and enhance redwood stands, mountain scenery, various habitats and steelhead. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $50,728,000 Portfolio Expenditures Through 6/30/2021: $3,110,818 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
MAA15-001 Conservation Easement Upper Alpine Ranch Area
Prior Years ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Acquired a conservation easement from POST covering the 353-acre Alpine Ranch property to protect
redwood forests, watershed and habitat values. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA15-002 Conley Property Purchase
Prior Years ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Purchased the 191-acre Conley property from POST as an addition to Long Ridge Preserve to protect
redwood forest and the upper Pescadero Creek watershed. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA15-003 Long Ridge Property Addition
Prior Years ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Made appraisal and offer for a property addition. Offer was rejected. Negotiations may continue. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA15-004 Irish Ridge Land Conservation
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Entered into a purchase agreement to extend close of escrow given time delays to finalize lot line
adjustment approvals. Received approval of minor text amendments to the Local Coastal Program from the
California Coastal Commission (CCC) that facilitates the property acquisition. Unfortunately, a San Mateo
County Farm Bureau lawsuit challenging the CCC approval has substantially deferred the acquisition,
resulting in falling out of contract with the seller.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Tentative map for minor subdivision to facilitate the proposed acquisition was prepared and reviewed by
county planning, building, public works and county surveyor for submittal to county planning commission.
Prior Years ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Submitted lot-split application to County of San Mateo for review and is running concurrently with the
zoning amendment application.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
52 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Received board approval for the purchase of the 151-acre Irish Ridge (Tabachnik) property. The property
purchase is contingent upon a land division (lot-split) and a zoning amendment with County of San Mateo. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
In Support of MAA15 and other MAA Portfolios
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed appraisal and staff site assessment for the Boy Scouts property.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Purchased 190-acre Woodruff Redwoods property as an addition to La Honda Creek Preserve (expensed in MAA08
portfolio); purchase includes 51 acres of old-growth redwood forest that support MAA15 priority actions.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Held several meetings with SJWC executive staff concerning the potential purchase of their California Public
Utilities Commission (CPUC) regulated utility lands in addition to the potential purchase of their 182-acre non-
CPUC regulated property near El Sereno Preserve.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Pursued watershed protection opportunities at Sierra Azul and El Sereno preserves after state legislation created
the opportunity to purchase land governed by the CPUC. Established initial contact with site owners, toured
the property with site managers and Midpen board members, and conveyed goals for a working partnership to
negotiate a mutually beneficial transaction. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PROJECT CHALLENGES
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Farm Bureau lawsuit delayed County land division (lot split) application approval process for the 151-acre
Irish Ridge property and resulted in District and sellers falling out of contract.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Land acquisition requires willing seller.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
POTENTIAL NEXT STEPS
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Continuing to communicate and work towards the purchase of SJWC lands, but purchase is contingent on a
willing seller. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio 15: Regional—Redwood Protection and Salmon Fishery Conservation
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Total Portfolio Allocation $50,728,000
15-001—Conservation Easement
Upper Alpine Ranch Area
$2,508,695 $2,508,695
15-002—Conley Property
Purchase
$509,855 $509,855
15-003—Long Ridge Property
Addition
$14,500 $14,500
15-004—Irish Ridge Land
Conservation
$42,499 $35,269 $77,768
Grand Total $50,728,000 $3,075,549 $35,269 $3,110,818 $47,617,182 6.13%
6.13%
OF FUNDS
USED
Total Life-to-Date Through 6/30/21
$3,110,818
Expenditure Plan Remaining
$47,617,182
53Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 16
Long Ridge
Trail, Conservation and
Habitat Restoration
Projects (Saratoga)
Long Ridge Open Space Preserve by Bobby Wheelock
DESCRIPTION————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Improve roadside parking and provide restrooms. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Develop new trail connections to Eagle Rock and Devils Canyon.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Repair trails for year-round, multiuse access.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Protect watersheds for steelhead.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Preserve additional open space as available.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Implement pond and habitat enhancement restoration projects to benefit rare species.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $5,140,000 Portfolio Expenditures Through 6/30/2021: $0 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA funds have not been expended on this portfolio through the reporting period, therefore there are no funds
in this portfolio for the Bond Oversight Committee to validate at this time.
This does not necessarily mean that work is not underway in this portfolio. If there is work in process, other
funding sources are being utilized and either the scope is not what was contemplated as part of this MAA
portfolio, or the scope is not currently eligible for MAA funding.
54 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 16: Long Ridge—Trail, Conservation and Habitat Restoration Projects (Saratoga)
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Total Portfolio Allocation $5,140,000
Grand Total $5,140,000 $0 $0 $0 $5,140,000 0.00%
0.00%
OF FUNDS
USED
Total Life-to-Date Through 6/30/21
$0
Expenditure Plan Remaining
$5,140,000
Long Ridge Open Space Preserve by Karl Gohl
55Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 17
Regional
Complete Upper
Stevens Creek Trail
Pichetti Ranch Open Space Preserve by Karl Gohl
DESCRIPTION————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Complete multiuse connection between the Bay Trail and Bay Area Ridge Trail above the reservoir
through Picchetti Ranch Preserve and Lower/Upper Stevens Creek County parks. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Improve preserve trails and neighborhood connections. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Preserve additional open space as available.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $7,760,000 Portfolio Expenditures Through 6/30/2021: $1,646,441 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
MAA17-001 Land Conservation: Last Piece Upper Stevens Creek
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Purchased the 60-acre Lysons property, securing land to facilitate the Upper Stevens Creek regional trail.
Leveraged partnership funds to match the MAA funds expended for this purchase. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA17-002 Demolition & Restoration: Lobner/Lysons
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed demolition and site restoration activities to prepare for future public access/regional trail
connection. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Finalized and closed all permits.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed design and contractor bidding process to demolish existing structures for site restoration and
future public access. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Evaluated the Lysons property for demolition and restoration. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA17-004 Stevens Creek Nature Trail Bridges, Monte Bello
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed final bridge construction and revegetation of project area.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Constructed two new pedestrian bridges on the Stevens Creek Nature Trail and removed one old bridge.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
56 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
PROJECT CHALLENGES
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Coordination with Santa Clara County Parks to consider multiuse trail designation for Upper Stevens Creek
Trail and to extend the regional Stevens Creek Trail corridor across county and Midpen lands—coordination
dependent on county staff capacity and timing given other county project priorities. COVID-19 more
recently has impacted county capacity given temporary redeployment of county staff to the Emergency
Operations Center.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
POTENTIAL NEXT STEPS
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Continue to coordinate with Santa Clara County Parks regarding consideration of multiuse trail designation
and identify best timing to co-initiate the Stevens Creek Trail extension project.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio 17: Regional—Complete Upper Stevens Creek Trail
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Total Portfolio Allocation $7,760,000
17-001—Land Conservation:
Last Piece Upper Stevens Creek
$1,494,552 $1,494,552
17-002—Demolition &
Restoration: Lobner/Lysons
$461,320 $461,320
17-004—Stevens Creek Nature
Trail Bridges, Monte Bello
$430,569 $430,569
SubTotal $7,760,000 $2,386,441 $0 $2,386,441 $5,373,559 30.75%
17-002—Lysons Property
Purchase Grant Income
(50% of purchase price)
($740,000)($740,000)
Grand Total $7,760,000 $1,646,441 $0 $1,646,441 $6,113,559 21.22%
21.22%
OF FUNDS
USED
Total Life-to-Date Through 6/30/21
$1,646,441
Expenditure Plan Remaining
$6,113,559
57Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 18
South Bay Foothills
Saratoga-to-the-Sea Trail
and Wildlife Corridor
Saratoga-to-the-Sea Trail by Brian Malone
DESCRIPTION————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Protect wildlife corridor along Highway 9. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Connect trail to Saratoga-to-the-Sea Trail and Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $1,365,000 Portfolio Expenditures Through 6/30/2021: $1,164,189 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
MAA18-002 Saratoga-to-the-Sea Regional Trail Connection
Fiscal Year 2021————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Collaborated with partners to create virtual public celebration of trail completion.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Processed all reimbursement requests. Project was completed on time and under budget. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Supported the City of Saratoga through final stages of trail and bridge construction and assisted with
preparations for the grand opening.
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
City of Saratoga completed 45% of trail construction work. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
City of Saratoga completed draft interpretive signs. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
In Support of MAA18
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
City of Saratoga completed engineering design and environmental review and initiated permitting for
the proposed Saratoga-to-the-Sea regional trail connection within city’s easement area on San Jose Water
Company lands.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
City of Saratoga completed phase 1 park improvements at Quarry Park, which is the trailhead for the
Saratoga-to-the-Sea Trail.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Finalized partnership agreement with the City of Saratoga and obtained board approval for a funding
contribution of the final design and environmental review for the Saratoga-to-the-Sea Trail. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PROJECT CHALLENGES
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
No project challenges.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
58 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 18: South Bay Foothills—Saratoga-to-the-Sea Trail and Wildlife Corridor
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Total Portfolio Allocation $1,365,000
18-001—San Jose Water Land
Purchase
$3,850 $3,850
18-002—Saratoga-to-the-Sea
Regional Trail Connection
$730,548 $429,791 $1,160,339
Grand Total $1,365,000 $734,398 $429,791 $1,164,189 $200,811 85.29%
85.29%
OF FUNDS
USED
Total Life-to-Date Through 6/30/21
$1,164,189
Expenditure Plan Remaining
$200,811
Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Saratoga-to-the-Sea Trail by Brian Malone
59
Portfolio 19
El Sereno
Dog Trails and
Connections
El Sereno Open Space Preserve by Vince Hernandez
DESCRIPTION————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Provide infrastructure to open trails to dogs. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Develop connections to Skyline, Sanborn County Park and Lexington Reservoir. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $2,254,000 Portfolio Expenditures Through 6/30/2021: $345,887 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
MAA19-001 Gupta/Khan Property Purchase
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Purchased a 9.37-acre fee property and a 1.97-acre floating trail easement from Gupta-Khan to improve
opportunities for wildlife corridor and trail connectivity. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA19-002 Dunham-Bohlman Easement
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Purchased a 0.33-acre public trail and patrol easement from a private landowner ($15,000 purchase).
These purchases fill a gap in the Bay Area Ridge Trail between El Sereno Preserve and Sanborn County Park
(one property acquisition remains). ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA19-003 Haight-Peery Low Value Land Acquisition
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Purchased the 1.87-acre Haight-Peery property, including a portion of the Aquinas Trail, as an addition to El
Sereno Preserve.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA19-004 San Jose Water Company Land Purchase
Fiscal Year 2021————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
In June 2021, Midpen purchased the property from POST and terminated the lease & management agreement.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
In May 2021, the Wildlife Conservation Board approved a grant covering the full purchase price of $1,075,000.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
In July 2020, the board approved the purchase and assignment of purchase rights of the 182.15-acre San Jose
Water property to POST to allow Midpen to secure Wildlife Conservation Board grant funds. Midpen signed a
lease & management agreement with POST to manage the property while under POST’s ownership.
60 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
In Support of MAA19
Fiscal Year 2021————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Signed letter of intent with an El Sereno Land Conservation property owner to sell trail easement to Midpen.
Staff have flagged trail alignment in preparation of a property/trail survey.
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Signed letter of understanding with the San Jose Water Company (SJWC). Reached agreement with SJWC to
purchase 182-acre El Sereno inholding, including Aquinas Trail as an identified section of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed CEQA review and a use and management plan amendment for board approval to open existing
trails to dogs on-leash and added on-leash dog use to 6 miles of existing trail. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
To facilitate future MAA trail projects, initiated site investigations for regional trail connections between
Sanborn County Park, El Sereno Preserve and a potential Highway 17 Bay Area Ridge Trail crossing. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PROJECT CHALLENGES
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Need to secure additional trail easement to provide future Bay Area Ridge Trail connection between the El
Sereno Preserve and Sanborn County Park. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
POTENTIAL NEXT STEPS————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Continue seeking property rights required for a trail connection from Highway 17 through El Sereno
Preserve to Sanborn County Park.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Continue analysis of regional trail connections between Sanborn County Park, El Sereno Preserve and a
potential Highway 17 Bay Area Ridge Trail crossing.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio 19: El Sereno—Dog Trails and Connections
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Total Portfolio Allocation $2,254,000
19-001—Gupta/Khan Property
Purchase
$406,553 $406,553
19-002—Dunham-Bohlman
Easement
$19,997 $19,997
19-003—Haight-Perry Low Value
Land Acquisition
$52,977 $52,977
19-004—San Jose Water Co Land
Purchase
$1,085,237 $1,085,237
SubTotal $2,254,000 $479,527 $1,085,237 $1,564,764 $689,236 69.42%
19-001—Gupta/Khan Property
Purchase Grant Income
($191,577)($191,577)
19-004—San Jose Water Co Land
Grant Income
($1,027,300)($1,027,300)
Grand Total $2,254,000 $479,527 ($133,640)$345,887 $1,908,113 15.35%
15.35%
OF FUNDS
USED
Total Life-to-Date Through 6/30/21
$345,887
Expenditure Plan Remaining
$1,908,113
61Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 20
South Bay Foothills
Wildlife Passage and
Ridge Trail Improvements
St. Joseph’s Hill Open Space Preserve by Midpen
DESCRIPTION————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Establish safe corridors for mountain lions across Highway 17. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Establish Bay Area Ridge Trail crossing. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $13,966,000 Portfolio Expenditures Through 6/30/2021: $1,181,211 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
MAA20-001 Wildlife Corridor: Highway 17 Crossing and
MAA20-002 Bay Area Ridge Trail: Highway 17 Crossing
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Hosted monthly meetings with Caltrans, completed cultural and biological field studies for the full project
and engineering and geotechnical studies within the Caltrans right-of-way (ROW). ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Developed Mitigation Credit Agreement strategy, secured Wildlife Conservation Board grant funding ($5.0
million), invited to submit $1.0 million proposal for Moore Foundation grant funding and a $50,000 proposal
for Windward Fund grant funding, and supported Senator Cortese’s $2.0 million member request that was
approved in the FY22 state budget. Funding covers current phase of the project (Project Approval and
Environmental Documentation) plus the next phase (PS&E - plans, specifications, and engineering) including
final design. Agreements with other public and private agency partners are underway. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed the request for qualifications and proposals process and contracted with AECOM for
environmental review services for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Caltrans reviewed the final project study report developed by Midpen and consultants. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed project study report and initiated project approval and environmental document with Caltrans.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Consultant selected and under contract for CEQA/NEPA and Caltrans project approval and environmental
documentation.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Submitted draft project study report to Caltrans and received initial comments. Held additional meetings
with project partners and stakeholders (Caltrans, SJWC, Green Foothills, National Wildlife Federation), as well
as a second public meeting to continue to advance a proposed wildlife crossing.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Conducted preplanning, trail scouting and preliminary conceptual-level design and cost estimates for a
proposed regional trail crossing over Highway 17. Completed a pre-permitting coordination meeting with
Caltrans.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
In coordination with a consultant team, completed a draft project preliminary alternatives report for both
the wildlife corridor and regional trails crossing at Highway 17 for agency review. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
62 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Engaged public and stakeholders for input on proposed draft alternatives and received agency comments
on draft report. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Released draft recommended alternatives report for both the wildlife corridor and regional trails crossing at
Highway 17 and received agency comments. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Developed a cooperative agreement with Caltrans and developed a Caltrans project initiation document. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Continued evaluation of the Highway 17 wildlife crossing and regional trail crossing through identification
and analysis of additional crossing alternatives in response to partner, stakeholder and public comment on
initial drafts.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Collaborated with partner agencies (Santa Clara County Parks, Valley Water, Ridge Trail, etc.) to identify best
opportunities for a public access crossing at Highway 17, including trail connections. Crossing will close a
major gap in the regionwide trail system and connect open space areas for multiple regional trails. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve by Ken Hickman
63
In Support of MAA20
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Signed a letter of understanding with SJWC on Dec. 23, 2019 for collaboration on watershed open space
lands, including cooperation on Wildlife and Ridge Trail crossing of Highway 17.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed preplanning and site investigations to identify potential trail routes to connect trail crossings.
Worked with consultants to develop preliminary trail design and completed draft trail connections report.
Shared draft report with stakeholders (Caltrans, SJWC, Santa Clara County Parks, etc.) for review prior to
public presentations. Scheduled public informational meeting on trail connections.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Conducted numerous field investigations and trail route evaluations for a potential future regional trail
crossing over Highway 17 that would become part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail near the El Sereno, St. Joseph’s
Hill and Bear Creek Redwoods preserves. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Co-hosted with POST a free screening of “The Cat that Saved America” and panel discussion on wildlife
corridors and the Highway 17 wildlife crossing attended by 325 guests on April 7, 2018. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Conducted additional ground-truthing and analysis on potential trail alignments that support the potential
trail crossing locations to include in a feasibility study. Identified eight trail alignments to include in the
project study report for Caltrans. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PROJECT CHALLENGES
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Complex Caltrans process and coordination with numerous project partners and stakeholders and
Midpen as the project lead despite not owning or managing any of the underlying land or immediate trail
connections.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Caltrans recently changed its guidance for the use of anticipated federal funding for the Project—now
requiring that actions to comply with NEPA be expanded to include connecting trails within and outside the
state ROW.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Federal funding is not guaranteed in a competitive environment; Midpen nonetheless intends to submit
requests for state and federal opportunities, working with partner agencies. Completion of NEPA is
dependent on securing federal funding. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Additional studies and coordination needed to identify feasible trail connections linking to a regional trail
crossing at Highway 17, evaluating multiple scenarios for trail connections on either side of Highway 17.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Requires negotiations with multiple property owners to secure property rights.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
POTENTIAL NEXT STEPS
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Complete CEQA/NEPA document concurrently (ideally) for entire project, including crossings and trails.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Complete Caltrans Project Approval and Environmental Document phase, which identifies changes since the
last phase, and develop a Caltrans draft/final Project Report.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Continue to secure permission to access private properties for studies and to negotiate for property rights.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Work with partners to secure federal funding and target grants to fund project construction phase.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
64 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 20: South Bay Foothills—Wildlife Passage and Ridge Trail Improvements
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Total Portfolio Allocation $13,966,000
20-001—Wildlife Corridor:
Highway 17 Crossing
$410,907 $176,586 $587,493
20-002—Bay Area Ridge Trail:
Highway 17 Crossing
$159,708 $434,010 $593,718
Grand Total $13,966,000 $570,615 $610,596 $1,181,211 $12,784,789 8.46%
8.46%
OF FUNDS
USED
Total Life-to-Date Through 6/30/21
$1,181,211
Expenditure Plan Remaining
$12,784,789
65Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 21
Bear Creek Redwoods
Public Recreation and
Interpretation Projects
Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve by Joon Lee-Tan
DESCRIPTION————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Open for hiking, equestrian activities. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Provide parking areas, trails; upgrade stables. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Restore and protect habitats for various species.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Repair roads and trails to reduce sediment.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Rehabilitate Alma College site.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $17,478,000 Portfolio Expenditures Through 6/30/2021: $10,506,302 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
MAA21-003 Bear Creek Redwoods Stables Water System
Prior Years ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Combined with MAA21-004 Bear Creek Stables Site Plan Implementation. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA21-004 Bear Creek Stables Site Plan Implementation
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Use Permit path to secure county permits for the repairs has been confirmed and the permit application has
been started. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Conducted extensive consultation with Santa Clara County Planning, Building and Fire regarding permit
requirements and permitting paths. Identified critical permitting challenges associated with legal non-
conforming site status. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed construction document set to 50%, including the water system design. Developed temporary
construction operations plan.
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Combined MAA21-003 Bear Creek Redwoods Water System project with MAA21-004 Bear Creek Stables Site
Plan Implementation. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Water demand was determined, and final direction was provided by Santa Clara County Fire.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Board approved the funding source and the final design direction to focus exclusively on repairs. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed an assessment of water source options and associated cost estimates for the preserve,
concluding that the most cost effective and secure option is to execute an agreement with SJWC to
complete the water line installation from their main line as the new source of water for the preserve and
Bear Creek Stables. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
66 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Established and filed pre-1914 water rights for the preserve, installed meters, and completed required
annual reporting. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Started the design of a water main extension at gate BC01 to provide water access to staff and provide initial
connection to water system for stables. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Met with County of Santa Clara Planning staff and Fire Marshal office to discuss the type of repair and
maintenance work that would be permissible under the existing legal, nonconforming use.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed a fundraising pre-feasibility assessment.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Advanced maintenance and repairs in the near-term and the stables site plan as a long-term solution.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Developed the stables site plan alternatives and secured board selection of the preferred alternative for
CEQA review purposes. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA21-005 Bear Creek Redwoods Public Access
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Submitted notice of completion to County of Santa Clara.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed restroom construction, final punch list items, repairs of damaged loop trail sections, and final
payments for the parking.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed construction of a new parking lot, bridge, retaining wall improvements, vault toilet restroom,
ADA pathway, and road/trail improvements, opening 6 miles of new trail to public access.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed second (final) year of cultural resource evaluations for 19 sites within the preserve. Final report
completed. Provided archaeological monitoring for parking lot and trail construction. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed installation of two interpretive signs for the new main parking area at Upper Lake.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed an archaeological resources curation guidelines report.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed archaeological studies in advance of ground disturbance activities.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Conducted an engineering feasibility study to identify the preferred location for a Bear Creek Road trail
undercrossing as an option for connecting visitors between the new parking area and the western area of
the preserve.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed geologic assessment, geotechnical drilling and fault trenching. Completed regulatory/code
assessment.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed cultural resource assessments. Prepared a request for qualifications and proposals, selected and
contracted with consultant to complete a final survey/ assessment reports for 10 sites, parking lot area and
Mud Lake improvements. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed phase 1 public access road and trail construction, upgrades, and drainage improvement,
including constructing two segments of new trail to complete the westside loop.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Investigated a legacy landfill at BCR to determine size and potential constituents of concern. Scoped project,
prepared RFPQ, and selected consultant.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
67Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
MAA21-006 Bear Creek Redwoods Alma College Cultural Landscape Rehabilitation
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed demolition of the majority of nonhistorical structures and installation of bat exclusion measures. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed a successful rebid of the site improvement and structure rehabilitation/stabilization work.
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Demolition permits were received, and demolition project was successfully bid and awarded. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
County planning director and building official attended a site walk to discuss the project and ADA approach.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Presented Alma College cultural landscape plan to Santa Clara County Historical Heritage Commission for a
landmark alteration permit. County of Santa Clara Planning Department issued a landmark alteration permit
for the rehabilitation project.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed 90% of plans and specifications and prepared permit package for submission to the County of
Santa Clara planning department. Completed conversion of mansion ruins to bat habitat.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Conducted a recreation planning analysis for potential reuse of the Alma College chapel. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed an earthquake fault rupture hazard study to determine if the Alma College chapel could be
occupied. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Constructed two structures to provide alternative bat roosting habitat in anticipation of demolition work at
Alma College.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA21-007 Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve Plan Invasive Weed Treatment
Fiscal Year 2021————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Priority invasive species within both Phase I and Phase II areas of Bear Creek Redwoods have been treated
using approved methods under the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program.
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Proceeded with year three of invasive weed management with disruptions from county-issued shelter-in-
place orders. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed treatments as planned and selected contractor for final two years of project through a request
for proposals process. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed all work under a task order with Valley Water for the implementation of grant-funded invasive
species work.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Implemented the first year of a targeted invasive species treatment to restore native habitat throughout the
preserve. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Received a grant from Valley Water for $200,000 per year for five years with a possible five-year extension for
another $1 million.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA21-008 Bear Creek Redwoods Ponds Restoration and Water Rights
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed the Mud Lake Improvements Project, including the replacement of the Mud Lake spillway and
outlet, installation of 115 linear feet of storm water swale improvements, replacement of 200 linear feet of
storm water culverts and the replacement of a 60-foot-long culvert under Bear Creek Road. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Executed a funding agreement with the County of Santa Clara in September 2019, which reimburses Midpen
for the Bear Creek Road culvert replacement work.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Project plans were reviewed and approved by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(USACE), Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), and County of Santa Clara. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
68 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed construction documents and began the permitting process to improve drainage from Mud Lake to
Briggs Creek.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed a pond assessment and management plan to determine the water needs for wildlife and habitat
values at aquatic sites. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Began the first year of the western pond turtle population study and developed a western pond turtle
management plan. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed the Mud Lake drainage improvement project plans to 60%, which allowed for pre-permitting
meetings to be held with the USACE, RWQCB and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to
determine the permit and review timeframe required before construction. The project will improve the
stormwater drainage system for Mud Lake.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA21-009 Bear Creek Redwoods Webb Creek Bridge
Prior Years
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed the removal of an existing bridge and installation of a new bridge to provide safe public access
and patrol route.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Designed the Webb Creek Bridge replacement foundation. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Submitted CDFW and RWQCB permits for the Webb Creek Bridge replacement. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve by Alisha Laborico
69Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
MAA21-010 Bear Creek Redwoods Landfill Characterization and Remediation
Prior Years
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed site investigations and preliminary historic resource evaluations.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed a landfill characterization and developed the project remedial approach.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA21-011 Phase II Trail Improvements
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Submitted permits to the California Department of Fish & Wildlife and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Foothills crew completed construction of Briggs Creek Trail and reroute, Public Stables Loop Trail
improvements, and segments of the multiuse trail. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed traffic studies and used the results to hire an engineering team to finalize design of the trail
crossing and northeast trailhead.
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed trail feasibility analysis, basis of design document, preliminary design for trail structures, protocol
botanical surveys, cultural/biological resources report and contract amendment with consultant team.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Secured traffic consultant to begin analyzing multiuse trail crossings near the Summit and over Highway 17.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA21-012 Bear Creek Redwood Tree Restoration
Prior Years ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Removed all abandoned ornamental trees within the project area and installed native trees. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
In Support of MAA21
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed the Bear Creek Redwoods online story map.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Celebrated completion of phase 1 public access improvements and progress on natural resources
restoration projects with partner ribbon-cutting and tours, media outreach and extensive public
educational outreach during the opening weekends.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Received board approval of the Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve Plan and certification of the accompanying EIR. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Hosted a groundbreaking for the preserve parking area project on May 1, 2018.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed construction of the Alma College site fencing in April 2018 to improve site safety and security.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PROJECT CHALLENGES————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA21-004: Securing a use permit to receive other county permit approvals for the stables repairs requires
additional time and consultant services, extends opportunity for additional public review and comments,
and requires discretionary approval from the County Planning Commission with an uncertainty of new
permitting conditions and additional costs.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Land acquisition requires a willing seller. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
POTENTIAL NEXT STEPS————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Finalize construction plans for high priority repairs of existing stables site and submit use permit application.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Continue integrated pest management implementation on roads and trails, and in shaded fuel break.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Complete demolition of remaining non-historic structure and begin construction of Alma site improvements.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
70 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 21: Bear Creek Redwoods—Public Recreation and Interpretive Projects
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Total Portfolio Allocation $17,478,000
21-001—Moody Gulch Fence &
Gate Improvements
$847 $847
21-002—Bear Creek Redwoods
Preserve Plan
$0* $0
21-004—Bear Creek Stables Site
Plan Implementation
$717,189 $47,230 $764,419
21-005—Bear Creek Redwoods
Public Access
$5,542,970 $5,033 $5,548,003
21-006—Bear Creek Redwoods
Alma College Cultural
Landscape Rehab
$1,188,052 $660,925 $1,848,977
21-007—Bear Creek Redwoods
Preserve Plan Invasive Weed
Treatment
$957,524 $117,640 $1,075,164
21-008—Bear Creek Redwoods
Ponds Restoration and Water
Rights
$681,560 ($43)$681,517
21-009—Bear Creek Redwoods
Webb Creek Bridge
$487,492 $487,492
21-010—Bear Creek Redwoods
Landfill Characterization and
Remediation
$39,195 $39,195
21-011—Phase II Trail
Improvements
$239,108 $475,165 $714,273
21-012—Bear Creek Redwood
Tree Restoration
$90,915 $90,915
SubTotal $17,478,000 $9,944,852 $1,305,950 $11,250,802 $6,227,198 64.37%
21-007—Bear Creek Redwoods
Preserve Plan Invasive Weed
Treatment Grant Income
($440,621)($74,379)($515,000)
21-008—Bear Creek Redwoods
Ponds Restoration and Water
Rights Grant Income
($80,000)($80,000)
21-009—Bear Creek Redwoods
Webb Creek Bridge Grant Income
($149,500)($149,500)
Grand Total $17,478,000 $9,504,231 $1,002,071 $10,506,302 $6,971,698 60.11%
* Prior year adjustment to clear negative project expenditure balance.
60.11%
OF FUNDS
USED
Total Life-to-Date Through 6/30/21
$10,506,302
Expenditure Plan Remaining
$6,971,698
71Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 22
Sierra Azul
Cathedral Oaks Public Access
and Conservation Projects
Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve by Karl Gohl
DESCRIPTION————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Develop multiuse trail and plan future trails as land is available. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Develop parking.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Restore plant communities and soils. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Install trailside amenities.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Preserve additional open space and complete wildlife corridor in upper Los Gatos Creek watershed. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $6,714,000 Portfolio Expenditures Through 6/30/2021: $908,568 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
MAA22-001 Hendrys Creek Property Land Restoration
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Continued ongoing monitoring.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Coordinated with Valley Water on conservation easement held on the property, accomplished monitoring
and reporting on the long-term management plan, which is a task to be done in perpetuity.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Met Valley Water grant requirements and secured $269,116 through reimbursements on a $484,650 grant to
implement restoration plans at Hendrys Creek. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Removed culverts that impeded the creek and restored natural creek flow.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed annual monitoring and submitted annual report to Valley Water and CDFW, as required by the
long-term management plan and CDFW permit conditions.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Received partnership funds to purchase the 117-acre Hendrys Creek property to protect wildlife corridors
and watershed lands. No MAA funds were used on this purchase.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed fifth year of the coordinated monitoring effort to reduce mercury within the Guadalupe River watershed. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed first phase of invasive plant removal and developed a partnership with the San Jose Conservation
Corps for the Hendrys Creek watershed restoration effort. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Negotiated with resource agencies, including CDFW, RWQCB and USACE to finalize permits to perform
the Hendrys Creek restoration project. Rare opportunity to perform environmental restoration to benefit
wildlife and water quality. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
72 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
MAA22-003 Freudenberg Land Purchase
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Purchased the 24.41-acre Freudenberg property to protect wildlife and watershed lands. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA22-004 Beatty Parking Area and Trail Connections
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Presented programming alternatives of parking and trailhead options for committee review and feedback in
August 2020. Coordinated with partner agencies on project program elements and regulatory requirements.
Provided Board FYI in September 2020 to share committee feedback and project status. Presented project in
January 2021 per board request. Also presented new information from citizen scientists about newt mortalities
along the public roadway (Alma Bridge Road) that accesses the project site. Given this new information and
concerns about potentially further impacting the newt population, the committee recommended and the board
concurred on directing staff to defer the parking and trail project until a newt mortality study is completed
along the public roadway to inform next steps for the parking and trails project and to understand whether
and if any site improvements could be made to the roadway to protect newts during their migrations.
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed on-site field reconnaissance and preliminary assessment of the county’s Miller Point parking lot.
Met with stakeholders to develop scoping of studies regarding newts. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Held consultations with Santa Clara County Parks and Valley Water regarding proposed parking and trail
development and permitting requirements.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Released RFPQ for consulting services to develop bridge design and evaluate the stability of the trail alignment.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Issued RFPs and selected consultants for site surveys, traffic, hazardous material assessments and
environmental and biological services to support the implementation of the Beatty Parking Area. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Initiated traffic counts and line of sight analysis, phase 1 environmental assessments, and completed
topographic surveys. Initiated conceptual parking area design.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Awarded a $149,906 grant from Valley Water for the Beatty Trail connection project (grant income Included in FY20).————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
73Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
MAA22-005 Beatty House Site Security Improvements
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Cancelled the Beatty House Removal Project in response to Board direction provided on March 24, 2021.
Changed project scope to provide security fences around the structure; updated project name.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Retained consultant to conduct California Environmental Quality Act compliance process. Circulated Notice
of Preparation to prepare an Environmental Impact Report in February 2021.
In Support of MAA22
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Signed funding agreement with POST to conduct a newt mortality study along Alma Bridge Road given
concerns about roadkill levels. POST provided oversight of a consultant who developed the field methodology
for the newt study. With assistance from county parks staff, the study team completed installation of drift
fence/pitfall traps. Midpen provided a traffic counter to get daily vehicle totals over the study period. County
parks recruited volunteers who assisted the consultant team to count newts in the traps and conduct road
mortality surveys. Consultant tabulated and analyzed data and provided a draft report to document findings
and determine if road mortality is impacting the resident population to inform next steps regarding newt
protections along the roadway.
PROJECT CHALLENGES
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Permit monitoring requires up to 10 years of tracking and reporting, which is cumulative for every project
requiring a resource agency permit.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Newt studies and enhancements are critical to address prior to continuing work on the parking area and
trail connections project. Implementation requires coordinating with multiple partners and stakeholders,
especially Santa Clara County Roads.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
POTENTIAL NEXT STEPS
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA22-001: completed 3 years of monitoring and will continue for the next 6 years for up to 9 years for
resource agency permits, and monitoring required in perpetuity under the Long-Term Management Agreement
associated with the Conservation Easement with Valley Water. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
74 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 22: Sierra Azul—Cathedral Oaks Public Access and Conservation Projects
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Total Portfolio Allocation $6,714,000
22-001—Hendrys Creek Property
Land Restoration
$513,343 $513,343
22-003—Freudenberg Land
Purchase
$540,587 $540,587
22-004—Beatty Parking Area
and Trail Connections
$171,986 $1,821 $173,807
22-005—Beatty House Site
Security Improvements
$17,059 $17,059
SubTotal $6,714,000 $1,225,916 $18,880 $1,244,796 $5,469,204 18.54%
22-001—Hendrys Creek Property
Land Restoration Grant Income
($67,111)($269,117)($336,228)
Grand Total $6,714,000 $1,158,805 ($250,237)$908,568 $5,805,432 13.53%
13.53%
OF FUNDS
USED
Total Life-to-Date Through 6/30/21
$908,568
Expenditure Plan Remaining
$5,805,432
Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve by Douglas Croft
75
Portfolio 23
Sierra Azul
Mount Umunhum
Public Access and
Interpretation Projects
Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve by Colin Delehanty
DESCRIPTION————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Open Mount Umunhum for multiuse public access to summit via road and trail.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Open Bay Area Ridge Trail and nearby trail connections.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Preserve additional open space and complete wildlife corridor. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $27,972,000 Portfolio Expenditures Through 6/30/2021: $21,646,838 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
MAA23-001 Mt. Um Road and Trail Property Rights
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Purchased the 38.97-acre Meyer/Connolly property to protect additional open space and wildlife corridors.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
In support of MAA improvements, purchased the 28-acre Rossetta property to secure public access rights
along Mt. Umunhum Road and the Woods Trail in the Mount Umunhum area of Sierra Azul Preserve. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA23-002 Mt. Um Trail
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed nearly 4 miles of the new Mt. Umunhum Trail to connect people to the summit. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed major construction milestones on the Mt. Umunhum Trail, including the construction of an
additional 0.5-mile trail segment, the narrowing of old, abandoned road cuts into a trail, and the installation
of three new pedestrian bridges and signage. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed final preparations for opening Mount Umunhum, installing fencing, signs, horse trough, trail
construction and new bridges.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA23-004 Mt. Um Summit Restoration, Parking and Landing Zone
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Volunteers and contractors installed 1,085 nursery plants. A plant maintenance contractor continues to
maintain the site with watering and weeding around previously installed nursery plants.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed phase 2 plant restoration and sign installation.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Created a new contract with Grassroots Ecology’s Native Plant Nursery to grow approximately 1,900 native
plants and 5 pounds of native grass and forb seed for phase 1 of the Mount Umunhum revegetation project. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
76 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Developed a habitat restoration plan for the Mount Umunhum Summit to enhance the native plant
recolonization of the restored mountaintop, incorporating input from the Amah Mutsun tribal group on
Native American restoration techniques. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Surveyed and mapped rare plant populations and collected native plant seeds in support of the restoration
planting plan. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed the construction of the Mount Umunhum Summit restoration project, including a new parking
lot, summit shelters, turnaround area, ceremonial circle, ADA pathways, stairs, trail steps and other site
amenities. Opened Mount Umunhum Summit area to the public in September 2017. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Developed and created broad interpretive displays for the Mount Umunhum summit project, providing
visitors with a substantially greater understanding of the site’s rich history.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA23-005 Mt. Um Guadalupe Creek Overlook and Bridges
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed the design, permitting and construction for the Guadalupe Creek overlook (a featured overlook
along Mt. Umunhum Trail), including permitting and construction of three new trail bridges along the trail.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Installed the Guadalupe Creek overlook railings and mitigation planting and removed trail debris to open
the Woods Trail to the public. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA23-006 Mt. Um Road Design/Permitting/Construction
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed the construction of the Mt. Umunhum Road improvement project, including the installation of
new culverts, asphalt concrete paving, drainage structures, gabion retaining walls, guardrail, mass grading and
off haul, striping and other road safety improvements. Completion of the project opened public vehicular
access to the Mount Umunhum Summit area. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA23-007 Twin Creeks Land Conservation
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Incorporated an integrated pest management plan into the annual work plan. Completed FY20 invasive
weed work. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Incorporated review of long-term management for bat species into ongoing core duties.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed site cleanup and demolition of structures to support land preservation and riparian habitat
restoration.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Purchased the 153.59-acre Twin Creeks property providing water quality protection within the Los Alamitos
Creek watershed, continuity of wildlife habitat corridors and the potential for a future trail connection with
Rancho Cañada del Oro Preserve. The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation provided grant funding in the
amount of $750,000 toward the purchase of $2,800,000.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
In Support of MAA23
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed design and received county permits for the Radar Tower Repair project. Construction began in
May/June 2021.
77Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Prior Years ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed the Mt. Umunhum Road Improvements Project in June 2020, which included the installation of
paved bicycle turnouts, repairs to roadside drainage scupper, curb repairs, the application of sharrows and
installation of a solid double yellow centerline. Installed additional road safety signs and markers.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed the basis of design for the Radar Tower 2nd assessment and presented it to the board in November
2019. The board selected the long-term repair option and approved the development of construction documents
for the selected scope of work. Construction documents were in development by the project engineer. Draft
65% plans and specifications were delivered to Midpen in June 2020.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Selected a consultant to complete a radar tower assessment and develop repair alternatives with costs
estimates that protect public safety and implement the board’s retain and seal decision for the structure.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Completed interim repairs on the radar tower to open the Mount Umunhum Summit to public access.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Finalized and recorded the Mount Umunhum public access easement, drainage easements, fee property and
patrol/maintenance easement to Mt. Thayer, ensuring legal access to these areas of the preserve.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Continued to respond to wildlife entrapment issues at the Mount Umunhum radar tower. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Submitted an application to nominate Mount Umunhum as one of the 2018 Great Places in California, an
award program under the American Planning Association California Chapter in March 2018. The APA Great
Places jury selected Mount Umunhum as one of three Great Places in California for 2018. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Stayed in communication with Mount Umunhum neighbors for the summit and road projects before, during,
and after the grand opening.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Produced a “Stories of Mount Umunhum” audio tour app and made it available for free download on iTunes
and Google Play. The app offers a virtual guided tour of the summit. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Held the Mount Umunhum grand opening on Sept. 17, 2017, with extensive media coverage.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PROJECT CHALLENGES
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Land acquisition: property rights required from potential unwilling seller.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
78 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 23: Sierra Azul—Mount Umunhum Public Access and Interpretation Projects
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Total Portfolio Allocation $27,972,000
23-001—Mt. Um Road and Trail
Property Rights
$1,271,318 $1,271,318
23-002—Mt. Um Trail $959,548 $959,548
23-004—Mt. Um Summit
Restoration, Parking and
Landing Zone
$10,457,260 $1,098 $10,458,358
23-005—Mt. Um Guadalupe
Creek Overlook and Bridges
$259,311 $259,311
23-006—Mt. Um Road Design/
Permitting/Construction
$6,282,378 $6,282,378
23-007—Twin Creeks Land
Conservation
$3,735,925 $3,735,925
23-008—Twin Creeks Restoration $0* $0
SubTotal $27,972,000 $22,965,740 $1,098 $22,966,838 $5,005,162 82.11%
23-004—Mt. Um Summit
Restoration, Parking and
Landing Zone Grant Income
($570,000)($570,000)
23-007—Twin Creeks Land
Conservation Grant Income
($750,000)($750,000)
Grand Total $27,972,000 $21,645,740 $1,098 $21,646,838 $6,325,162 77.39%
* Prior year adjustment (transfer of Twin Creeks Restoration expenditures from Fund 30 MAA to Fund 10 General Fund).
77.39%
OF FUNDS
USED
Total Life-to-Date Through 6/30/21
$21,646,838
Expenditure Plan Remaining
$6,325,162
79Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 24
Sierra Azul
Rancho de Guadalupe
Family Recreation
Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve by Liv Ames
DESCRIPTION————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Open Rancho de Guadalupe to public access. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Develop accessible multiuse trails with amenities such as parking and family recreation. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Restore habitat for rare species. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Protect cultural and natural resources.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $10,078,000 Portfolio Expenditures Through 6/30/2021: $1,591,996 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
MAA24-001 Barth Property Purchase
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Purchased 4-acre Barth property improving access into the preserve from Hicks Road. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA24-002 Petersen Property Acquisition
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Purchased the 23.41-acre Petersen property to protect grassland habitat and water quality in the Guadalupe
Creek watershed. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA24-003 Property Exchange Navid/Bagher
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Negotiated a property exchange with Navid/Bagher covering 3.42 acres, further improving access from Hicks
Road to the preserve. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA24-004 Kahn Property Acquisition
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Purchased the 24.01-acre Kahn property for open space and watershed protection. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
80 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
In Support of MAA24
Fiscal Year 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Staff met with the Ohlone tribe to discuss protection of a cultural site in the vicinity of Valley Water’s
proposed staging area.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Midpen discussed buffer areas with Valley Water for a proposed staging area.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Staff worked with Santa Clara County Planning Department and the Open Space Authority to propose
amendment to Santa Clara County zoning ordinance for permitting exemptions for low intensity park and
open space parking and trail improvements. Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approved Zoning
Ordinance Amendment allowing exemptions from land use permitting.
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Valley Water conducted a natural resources assessment of a potential construction staging area on Midpen
property that can be subsequently repurposed into a new public use staging area to access the Rancho de
Guadalupe area of the preserve in May 2020. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Pursued land conservation opportunities by continuing to work with a landowner and consulting with
County of Santa Clara planning department about possible lot line adjustments or remainder lot legalization
along Pheasant Creek. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Continued to negotiate with Valley Water about a land exchange to facilitate widening of Hicks Road near
Guadalupe Reservoir and construction of a potential new parking area for the preserve. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PROJECT CHALLENGES
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Land acquisition requires a willing seller.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
POTENTIAL NEXT STEPS
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Continue negotiations for potential land acquisition.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Complete western pond turtle studies. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio 24: Sierra Azul—Rancho de Guadalupe Family Recreation
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Total Portfolio Allocation $10,078,000
24-001—Barth Property Purchase $300,035 $300,035
24-002—Petersen Property
Acquisition
$700,603 $700,603
24-003—Property Exchange
Navid/Bagher
$39,184 $39,184
24-004—Kahn Property
Acquisition
$552,174 $552,174
Grand Total $10,078,000 $1,591,996 $0 $1,591,996 $8,486,004 15.80%
15.80%
OF FUNDS
USED
Total Life-to-Date Through 6/30/21
$1,591,996
Expenditure Plan Remaining
$8,486,004
81Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 25
Sierra Azul
Loma Prieta Area Public
Access, Regional Trails
and Habitat Projects
Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve by Colin Delehanty
DESCRIPTION————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Provide public access and recreation, including small campground. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Develop, improve and connect regional multiuse trails to Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, to protected
land to the east, and to Mount Umunhum.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Protect steelhead habitat, rare plants and grasslands, and restore knob cone pine stands.————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Portfolio Allocation: $7,986,000 Portfolio Expenditures Through 6/30/2021: $2,095,083 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
MAA25-001 Burton Land Acquisition
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Purchased the 40-acre Burton/Robinson property to protect additional habitat within the Loma Prieta area. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA25-002 Billingsley Property Acquisition and Site Cleanup
Fiscal Year 2021————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Purchased the 130.23-acre Billingsley property as an addition to the Loma Prieta area of Sierra Azul Preserve,
which provided a key property needed for the future Mt. Umunhum to Sea regional trail corridor and
eliminates an inholding to the Preserve.
Prior Years————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Sent letters of intent and negotiations are occurring on a key 35-acre inholding property near the
intersection of Mt. Umunhum Road and Loma Prieta Road.
PROJECT CHALLENGES
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Land acquisition requires a willing seller.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
POTENTIAL NEXT STEPS
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MAA25-001: Site clean-up and restoration of former Burton property. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
82 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Portfolio 25: Sierra Azul—Loma Prieta Area Public Access, Regional Trails and Habitat Projects
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Total Portfolio Allocation $7,986,000
25-001—Burton Land Acquisition $410,150 $410,150
25-002—Billingsley Property
Acquisition and Site Cleanup
$1,684,933 $1,684,933
Grand Total $7,986,000 $410,150 $1,684,933 $2,095,083 $5,890,917 26.23%
26.23%
OF FUNDS
USED
Total Life-to-Date Through 6/30/21
$2,095,083
Expenditure Plan Remaining
$5,890,917
Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve by Karl Gohl
83
Financial Report by Project
Measure AA Expenditures
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Portfolio 1: Miramontes Ridge—Gateway to the Coast Public Access, Stream Restoration
and Agriculture Enhancement
Total Portfolio Allocation $27,774,000
01-004—Remediation Plan and
Ranch Debris Cleanup, Madonna
Creek Ranch
$414,346 $414,346
01-005—Johnston Ranch Land
Acquisition
$7,616 $7,616
01 Total $27,774,000 $0 $421,962 $421,962 $27,352,038 1.52%
Portfolio 2: Regional—Bayfront Habitat Protection and Public Access Partnerships
Total Portfolio Allocation $5,052,000
02-001—Cooley Landing
Interpretive Facilities Design and
Implementation
$1,226,353 $29,947 $1,256,300
02-002—Ravenswood Bay Trail
Design and Implementation
$5,124,863 $463,902 $5,588,765
Subtotal $5,052,000 $6,351,216 $493,849 $6,845,065 ($1,793,065)135.49%
02-002—Ravenswood Bay Trail
Design and Implementation Grant
Income
($1,999,998)($400,000)($2,399,998)
02 Total $5,052,000 $4,351,218 $93,849 $4,445,067 $606,933 87.99%
84 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Portfolio 3: Purisima Creek Redwoods—Purisima-to-the-Sea Trail, Watershed Protection
and Conservation Grazing
Total Portfolio Allocation $7,608,000
03-001—Purisima Uplands Lot Line
Adjustment and Property Transfer
$425,113 $425,113
03-002—Purisima Uplands Site
Cleanup and Soil Remediation
Assessment
$110,584 $138,065 $248,649
03-003—Purisima Creek Fence
Construction
$90,021 $79,169 $169,190
03-004—Harkins Bridge Replacement $516,917 $0 $516,917
03-005—Purisima-to-the-Sea Trail
and Parking Area—Feasibility Study
$156,130 $104,295 $260,425
03-006—South Cowell Upland Land
Conservation
$43,010 $4,799,957 $4,842,967
03-008—Rieser-Nelson Land Purchase $16,715 $16,715
Subtotal $7,608,000 $1,341,775 $5,138,201 $6,479,976 $1,128,024 85.17%
03-005—Purisima-to-the-Sea Trail
and Parking Area—Feasibility Study
Grant Income
($75,237)($75,237)
03 Total $7,608,000 $1,341,775 $5,062,964 $6,404,739 $1,203,261 84.18%
Portfolio 4: El Corte de Madera Creek—Bike Trail and Water Quality Projects
Total Portfolio Allocation $8,376,000
04-001—El Corte de Madera Creek
Gallaway Property Purchase
$57,340 $57,340
04-002—El Corte de Madera Creek
Watershed Protection Final Phase
$235,934 $235,934
04-003—El Corte de Madera Creek
Watershed Protection Reassessment
$45,507 $45,507
04-004—El Corte de Madera Creek
Oljon Trail Implementation
$627,387 $627,387
04 Total $8,376,000 $966,168 $0 $966,168 $7,409,832 11.53%
85Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Portfolio 5: La Honda Creek—Upper Area Recreation, Habitat Restoration and Conservation
Grazing Projects
Total Portfolio Allocation $11,733,000
05-001—La Honda Creek Land
Conservation Opportunities
$1,756,093 $1,756,093
05-002—Upper La Honda Creek
Grazing Infrastructure
$209,765 $87,667 $297,432
05-005—La Honda Creek Red Barn
Parking Area and Easy Access Trail
$327,514 $327,514
05-008—La Honda Creek White Barn
Structural Rehabilitation
$81,918 $60,893 $142,811
05-009—La Honda Creek Redwood
Cabin Removal and Site Restoration
$88,486 $31,201 $119,687
05-010—Restoration Forestry
Demonstration Project
$32,067 $32,067
05-011—Lone Madrone Ranch Fence
Installation
$163 $163
05 Total $11,733,000 $2,463,776 $211,991 $2,675,767 $9,057,233 22.81%
Portfolio 6: Windy Hill—Trail Improvements, Preservation and Hawthorns Area Historic Partnership
Total Portfolio Allocation $12,740,000
06-001 —Hawthorns Parking Lot
Concept Design
$8,490 ($8,490)$0
06-002 —Hawthorns Area Plan $22,759 $18,191 $40,950
05 Total $12,740,000 $31,249 $9,701 $40,950 $12,699,050 0.32%
86 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Portfolio 7: La Honda Creek—Driscoll Ranch Public Access, Endangered Wildlife Protection
and Conservation Grazing
Total Portfolio Allocation $14,825,000
07-001—Event Center and Apple
Orchard Purchase
$6,007,601 $6,007,601
07-002—Fisheries Restoration,
Design and Permitting
$727,716 $727,716
07-003—Fisheries Enhancement,
Apple Orchard
$16,152 $16,152
07-004—Fisheries Enhancement,
Event Center
$50,000 $50,000
07-005—Grazing and Water Systems
Infrastructure
$189,423 $189,423
07-006—Cunha Land Purchase $3,080,705 $3,080,705
07-007—Demolitions, Wool Ranch
House/Sears Ranch Road
$357,803 $357,803
07-008—Lower Turtle Pond Repair—
La Honda Creek
$14,963 $14,963
07-009—Sears Ranch Parking Areas $1,147,554 $1,147,554
07-010—Sears Ranch Road Repair $557,044 $557,044
07-011—Lower La Honda Creek
Phase II Loop Trails
$171,506 $178,216 $349,722
Subtotal $14,825,000 $12,305,504 $193,179 $12,498,683 $2,326,317 84.31%
07-002—Fisheries Restoration,
Design and Permitting Grant Income
($230,970)($230,970)
07 Total $14,825,000 $12,074,534 $193,179 $12,267,713 $2,557,287 82.75%
Portfolio 8: La Honda Creek and Russian Ridge—Preservation of Upper San Gregorio Watershed
and Ridge Trail Completion
Total Portfolio Allocation $15,347,000
08-001—Folger Property Purchase $2,153,910 $2,153,910
08 Total $15,347,000 $2,153,910 $0 $2,153,910 $13,193,090 14.03%
Portfolio 9: Russian Ridge—Public Recreation, Grazing and Wildlife Protection Projects
Total Portfolio Allocation $5,560,000
09-001—Russian Ridge Grazing
Infrastructure
$174,416 $174,416
09-003—Russian Ridge Mindego
Pond Improvement
$152,737 $295,369 $448,106
09-004—Mindego Hill Trail
Construction
$67,403 $67,403
09 Total $5,560,000 $394,556 $295,369 $689,925 $4,870,075 12.41%
87Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Portfolio 10: Coal Creek—Reopen Alpine Road for Trail Use
Total Portfolio Allocation $8,017,000
10-001—Alpine Road Regional Trail,
Coal Creek
$345,341 $122,307 $467,648
10 Total $8,017,000 $345,341 $122,307 $467,648 $7,549,352 5.83%
Portfolio 11: Rancho San Antonio—Interpretive Improvements, Refurbishing and Transit Solutions
Total Portfolio Allocation $10,811,000
11-001—New Trails to Connect
Quarry Trail to Black Mountain Trail
$728 $728
11-002—Rancho San Antonio,
Deer Hollow Farm: White Barn
Rehabilitation
$164,600 $347,905 $512,505
Subtotal $10,811,000 $165,328 $347,905 $513,233 $10,297,767 4.75%
11-002—Rancho San Antonio,
Deer Hollow Farm: White Barn
Rehabilitation Grant Income
($15,000)($215,881)($230,881)
11 Total $10,811,000 $150,328 $132,024 $282,352 $10,528,648 2.61%
Portfolio 12: Peninsula and South Bay Cities—Partner to Complete Middle Stevens Creek Trail
Total Portfolio Allocation $1,038,000
12 Total $1,038,000 $0 $0 $0 $1,038,000 0.00%
Portfolio 13: Cloverdale Ranch—Wildlife Protection, Grazing and Trail Connections
Total Portfolio Allocation $15,712,000
13 Total $15,712,000 $0 $0 $0 $15,712,000 0.00%
Portfolio 14: Regional—Trail Connections and Campgrounds
Total Portfolio Allocation $3,966,000
14 Total $3,966,000 $0 $0 $0 $3,966,000 0.00%
Portfolio 15: Regional—Redwood Protection and Salmon Fishery Conservation
Total Portfolio Allocation $50,728,000
15-001—Conservation Easement
Upper Alpine Ranch Area
$2,508,695 $2,508,695
15-002—Conley Property Purchase $509,855 $509,855
15-003—Long Ridge Property
Addition
$14,500 $14,500
15-004—Irish Ridge Land
Conservation
$42,499 $35,269 $77,768
15 Total $50,728,000 $3,075,549 $35,269 $3,110,818 $47,617,182 6.13%
88 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Portfolio 16: Long Ridge—Trail, Conservation and Habitat Restoration Projects (Saratoga)
Total Portfolio Allocation $5,140,000
16 Total $5,140,000 $0 $0 $0 $5,140,000 0.00%
Portfolio 17: Regional—Complete Upper Stevens Creek Trail
Total Portfolio Allocation $7,760,000
17-001—Land Conservation: Last
Piece Upper Stevens Creek
$1,494,552 $1,494,552
17-002—Demolition & Restoration:
Lobner/Lysons
$461,320 $461,320
17-004—Stevens Creek Nature Trail
Bridges, Monte Bello
$430,569 $430,569
Subtotal $7,760,000 $2,386,441 $0 $2,386,441 $5,373,559 30.75%
17-002—Lysons Property Purchase
Grant Income (50% of purchase price)
($740,000)($740,000)
17 Total $7,760,000 $1,646,441 $0 $1,646,441 $6,113,559 21.22%
Portfolio 18: South Bay Foothills—Saratoga-to-the-Sea Trail and Wildlife Corridor
Total Portfolio Allocation $1,365,000
18-001—San Jose Water Land
Purchase
$3,850 $3,850
18-002—Saratoga-to-the-Sea
Regional Trail Connection
$730,548 $429,791 $1,160,339
18 Total $1,365,000 $734,398 $429,791 $1,164,189 $200,811 85.29%
Portfolio 19: El Sereno—Dog Trails and Connections
Total Portfolio Allocation $2,254,000
19-001—Gupta/Khan Property
Purchase
$406,553 $406,553
19-002—Dunham-Bohlman
Easement
$19,997 $19,997
19-003—Haight-Perry Low Value
Land Acquisition
$52,977 $52,977
19-004—San Jose Water Co Land
Purchase
$1,085,237 $1,085,237
Subtotal $2,254,000 $479,527 $1,085,237 $1,564,764 $689,236 69.42%
19-001—Gupta/Khan Property
Purchase Grant Income
($191,577)($191,577)
19-004—San Jose Water Co Land
Grant Income
($1,027,300)($1,027,300)
19 Total $2,254,000 $479,527 ($133,640)$345,887 $1,908,113 15.35%
89Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Portfolio 20: South Bay Foothills—Wildlife Passage and Ridge Trail Improvements
Total Portfolio Allocation $13,966,000
20-001—Wildlife Corridor: Highway
17 Crossing
$410,907 $176,586 $587,493
20-002—Bay Area Ridge Trail:
Highway 17 Crossing
$159,708 $434,010 $593,718
20 Total $13,966,000 $570,615 $610,596 $1,181,211 $12,784,789 8.46%
Portfolio 21: Bear Creek Redwoods—Public Recreation and Interpretive Projects
Total Portfolio Allocation $17,478,000
21-001—Moody Gulch Fence & Gate
Improvements
$847 $847
21-002—Bear Creek Redwoods
Preserve Plan
$0 $0
21-004—Bear Creek Stables Site
Plan Implementation
$717,189 $47,230 $764,419
21-005—Bear Creek Redwoods
Public Access
$5,542,970 $5,033 $5,548,003
21-006—Bear Creek Redwoods Alma
College Cultural Landscape Rehab
$1,188,052 $660,925 $1,848,977
21-007—Bear Creek Redwoods
Preserve Plan Invasive Weed
Treatment
$957,524 $117,640 $1,075,164
21-008—Bear Creek Redwoods
Ponds Restoration and Water Rights
$681,560 ($43)$681,517
21-009—Bear Creek Redwoods
Webb Creek Bridge
$487,492 $487,492
21-010—Bear Creek Redwoods
Landfill Characterization and
Remediation
$39,195 $39,195
21-011—Phase II Trail Improvements $239,108 $475,165 $714,273
21-012—Bear Creek Redwood Tree
Restoration
$90,915 $90,915
Subtotal $17,478,000 $9,944,852 $1,305,950 $11,250,802 $6,227,198 64.37%
21-007—Bear Creek Redwoods
Preserve Plan Invasive Weed
Treatment Grant Income
($440,621)($74,379)($515,000)
21-008—Bear Creek Redwoods
Ponds Restoration and Water
Rights Grant Income
($80,000)($80,000)
21-009—Bear Creek Redwoods
Webb Creek Bridge Grant Income
($149,500)($149,500)
21 Total $17,478,000 $9,504,231 $1,002,071 $10,506,302 $6,971,698 60.11%
90 Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Portfolio 22: Sierra Azul—Cathedral Oaks Public Access and Conservation Projects
Total Portfolio Allocation $6,714,000
22-001—Hendrys Creek Property
Land Restoration
$513,343 $513,343
22-003—Freudenberg Land Purchase $540,587 $540,587
22-004—Beatty Parking Area and
Trail Connections
$171,986 $1,821 $173,807
22-005—Beatty House Site Security
Improvements
$17,059 $17,059
Subtotal $6,714,000 $1,225,916 $18,880 $1,244,796 $5,469,204 18.54%
22-001—Hendrys Creek Property
Land Restoration Grant Income
($67,111)($269,117)($336,228)
22 Total $6,714,000 $1,158,805 ($250,237)$908,568 $5,805,432 13.53%
Portfolio 23: Sierra Azul—Mount Umunhum Public Access and Interpretation Projects
Total Portfolio Allocation $27,972,000
23-001—Mt. Um Road and Trail
Property Rights
$1,271,318 $1,271,318
23-002—Mt. Um Trail $959,548 $959,548
23-004—Mt. Um Summit Restoration,
Parking and Landing Zone
$10,457,260 $1,098 $10,458,358
23-005—Mt. Um Guadalupe Creek
Overlook and Bridges
$259,311 $259,311
23-006—Mt. Um Road Design/
Permitting/Construction
$6,282,378 $6,282,378
23-007—Twin Creeks Land
Conservation
$3,735,925 $3,735,925
23-008—Twin Creeks Restoration $0 $0
Subtotal $27,972,000 $22,965,740 $1,098 $22,966,838 $5,005,162 82.11%
23-004—Mt. Umunhum Summit
Restoration, Parking and Landing
Zone Grant Income
($570,000)($570,000)
23-007—Twin Creeks Land
Conservation Grant Income
($750,000)($750,000)
23 Total $27,972,000 $21,645,740 $1,098 $21,646,838 $6,325,162 77.39%
91Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Project Expenditure
Plan
Total Through
Prior Period
6/30/20
Current Period
7/1/20 Through
6/30/21
Total Life-to-
Date Through
6/30/21
Expenditure
Plan
Remaining
Percent
Expended
Portfolio 24: Sierra Azul—Rancho de Guadalupe Family Recreation
Total Portfolio Allocation $10,078,000
24-001—Barth Property Purchase $300,035 $300,035
24-002—Petersen Property
Acquisition
$700,603 $700,603
24-003—Property Exchange Navid/
Bagher
$39,184 $39,184
24-004—Kahn Property Acquisition $552,174 $552,174
24 Total $10,078,000 $1,591,996 $0 $1,591,996 $8,486,004 15.80%
Portfolio 25: Sierra Azul—Loma Prieta Area Public Access, Regional Trails and Habitat Projects
Total Portfolio Allocation $7,986,000
25-001—Burton Land Acquisition $410,150 $410,150
25-002—Billingsley Property
Acquisition and Site Cleanup
$1,684,933 $1,684,933
25 Total $7,986,000 $410,150 $1,684,933 $2,095,083 $5,890,917 26.23%
Subtotal $300,000,000 $69,904,008 $12,406,218 $82,310,225 $217,689,773 27.44%
Reimbursements from Grants
and Other Contributions
($4,813,700)($2,482,991) ($7,296,691)
GRAND TOTAL $300,000,000 $65,090,308 $9,923,227 $75,013,534 $224,986,464 25.00%
92
Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
MAA Ballot Language
YES ✓To improve access to hiking and biking opportunities, protect and preserve redwood forests, natural open
spaces, the scenic beauty of our region and coastline, critical wildlife habitat, restore creeks to protect water
quality, and reduce forest fire risk; shall Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District be authorized to issue up
to $300 million in bonds, at a tax rate not to exceed $3.18 per $100,000 of assessed value of property owned,
with expenditures verified by an independent citizen oversight committee?NO
MAA Votes by County
County Yes No
Votes %Votes %
Santa Clara 50,977 68.8%23,109 31.2%
Santa Cruz 1 50.0%1 50.0%
San Mateo 24,783 66.3%12,606 33.7%
Total 75,761 68.0%35,716 32.0%
Original MAA Promotional Graphic
93
94
95
96
ATTEST:
/s/ Larry Hasset
—————————————————
Secretary
Board of Directors
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
/s/ Sheryl Schaffner
—————————————————
General Counsel
APPROVED:
/s/ Cecily Harris
—————————————————
President
Board of Directors
97
/s/ Jennifer Woodworth
—————————————————
District Clerk
98
EXHIBIT A
Expenditure Plan
TITLE: To improve access to hiking and biking opportunities, protect and preserve redwood forests, natural
open spaces, the scenic beauty of the region and coastline, critical wildlife habitat, restore creeks to protect
water quality, and reduce forest fire risk.
1. SUMMARY
Founded by voters in 1972, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (“District”) has protected, in
perpetuity, 62,000 acres of open space containing 26 preserves and more than 220 miles of trails that serve
Santa Clara, San Mateo, and a portion of Santa Cruz counties. The District’s preserves provide a scenic
backdrop to the region offering residents places for hiking, biking, horseback riding, or simply connecting with
nature, close to home. Throughout its 41-year history the District has used taxpayer dollars wisely, leveraging
funds to bring in state, federal, and private grant money, and providing annual audits in a transparent public
process. The District is governed by a publicly elected board of directors.
Over the years, the number of acres and miles of trails the District owns and maintains have steadily
increased, as have the number of visitors and the cost of land. Expanding public access, restoring sensitive
environments and purchasing land are costly, yet are high priorities for the public.
To reinforce and expand these types of services and resources, the Board of Directors is placing this
funding measure on the June 3, 2014 ballot.
$300 million in General Obligation Bonds will be sold. The bond repayment would be financed by an
annual property tax override based on a tax rate not to exceed $3.18 per $100,000 of assessed value of
property owned per year.
This Expenditure Plan outlines priority actions identified by the public and proposed by the District to be
funded with bond proceeds. Part B describes each priority action and describes what goals it will achieve. Part
C of the Expenditure Plan describes the establishment of an independent Citizen Oversight Committee.
Measure AA Ballot Language, as approved by voters on June 3, 2014 99
2.PRIORITY ACTIONS
The priority actions listed below are the result of a process that combined scientific analysis with broad
public engagement to create a shared vision for the future of the District and the region’s open space. Each
priority action may address one or more of the following as more specifically described in the table Priority
Actions, By Region attached to this Expenditure Plan:
•Improved hiking, biking, and equestrian opportunities
•Protection and preservation of redwoods, natural open spaces, the scenic beauty of the region
and coastline, critical habitats
•Restoration of creeks to protect water quality
•Reduction of forest fire risk
Priority actions are distributed throughout the District as depicted on the map attached to this
Expenditure Plan.
If approved, the bond proceeds would be allocated to fund the capital improvements necessary to
implement the priority actions listed below. Note: the number associated with each priority action does not
denote its priority level, but is only used for identification purposes to correlate with the locations depicted on
the map.
The estimates associated with each priority action are in 2014 dollars. These are estimates only, and
the actual costs may change in implementation.
The District may annually review and propose amendments to the Expenditure Plan to provide for the
use of additional federal, state and local funds, to account for unexpected revenues, or to take into
consideration unforeseen circumstances. The District shall act on no more than one package of amendments
each fiscal year. The District shall establish a process for proposed Expenditure Plan amendment(s) which
ensures that the Citizen Oversight Committee is included in the development. Upon completion of this
process, amendments(s) to the Expenditure Plan must be passed by a two-thirds majority of the District Board
in a publicly noticed meeting.
Measure AA Ballot Language, as approved by voters on June 3, 2014100
PRIORITY ACTIONS, BY REGION
South Bay Foothills
(Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Saratoga, and Santa Cruz Mountains)
18 South Bay Foothills: Saratoga-to-Sea Trail and Wildlife Corridor
Protect wildlife corridor along Highway 9. Connect trail to Saratoga-to-Sea Trail and Skyline-to-Sea Trail.
$1,365,000
19 El Sereno: Dog Trails and Connections
Provide infrastructure to open trails to dogs. Develop connections to Skyline, Sanborn County Park, & Lexington
Reservoir. $2,254,000
20 South Bay Foothills: Wildlife Passage and Ridge Trail Improvements
Establish safe corridors for mountain lions across Highway 17. Establish Bay Area Ridge Trail crossing.
$13,966,000
21 Bear Creek Redwoods: Public Recreation and Interpretive Projects
Open for hiking, equestrian activities. Provide parking areas, trails; upgrade stables. Restore & protect habitats
for various species. Repair roads & trails to reduce sediment. Rehabilitate Alma College site. $17,478,000
22 Sierra Azul: Cathedral Oaks Public Access and Conservation Projects
Develop multi-use trail & plan future trails as land is available. Develop parking. Restore plant communities and
soils. Install trailside amenities. Preserve additional open space and complete wildlife corridor in upper Los Gatos
Creek watershed. $6,714,000
23 Sierra Azul: Mt. Umunhum Public Access and Interpretation Projects
Open Mt. Umunhum for multi-use public access to summit via road and trail. Open Bay Area Ridge Trail and
nearby trail connections. Preserve additional open space and complete wildlife corridor. $27,972,000
24 Sierra Azul: Rancho de Guadalupe Family Recreation
Open Rancho de Guadalupe to public access. Develop accessible multi-use trails with amenities such as parking
and family recreation. Restore habitat for rare species. Protect cultural and natural resources. $10,078,000
25 Sierra Azul: Loma Prieta Area Public Access, Regional Trails and Habitat Projects
Provide public access and recreation, including small campground. Develop, improve, connect regional multi-use
trails to Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, to protected land to east, and to Mt. Umunhum. Protect Steelhead
habitat, rare plants and grasslands, restore Knobcone Pine stands. $7,986,000
Measure AA Ballot Language, as approved by voters on June 3, 2014 101
Peninsula Foothills and Bay
(Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Palo Alto, East Palo Alto,
Menlo Park, Atherton, Redwood City, San Carlos, Woodside, Portola Valley, Skyline
2 Regional: Bayfront Habitat Protection and Public Access Partnerships
Partner to complete gaps in Bay Trail and develop city-to-bay trails. Support wetland restoration and associated
interpretive facilities. Preserve additional bayfront open space. $5,052,000
4 El Corte de Madera Creek: Bike Trail and Water Quality Projects
Develop single-use biking/hiking trails, complete Ridge Trail gaps, and develop trail system leading to parking
area. Restore damaged trails to improve water quality. Preserve additional open space as available.
$8,376,000
5 La Honda Creek: Upper Area Recreation, Habitat Restoration and Conservation Grazing
Projects
Open upper half of the preserve to public; provide biking/hiking/equestrian trails, dog access, and staging areas.
Provide loop & connector trails. Restore habitat for rare species. Improve fencing, corrals, and water systems to
reintroduce conservation grazing. $11,733,000
6 Windy Hill: Trail Improvements, Preservation and Hawthorns Area Historic Partnership
Improve trails, complete pond facilities. Increase multi-use trails, study possible improvements to increase dog
use. Open Hawthorns Area; develop trails connecting to Portola Valley and Palo Alto trails. Partner to protect,
restore, and interpret historic buildings. Improve habitat conditions in Los Trancos Creek. Preserve additional
scenic open space as available. $12,740,000
8 La Honda Creek/Russian Ridge: Preservation of Upper San Gregorio Watershed & Ridge Trail
Completion
Preserve upper San Gregorio watershed; restore endangered species habitats. Support opportunities to provide
additional water for fisheries. Complete Bay Area Ridge Trail multi-use connections and gaps. Provide additional
public use facilities. $15,347,000
9 Russian Ridge: Public Recreation, Grazing and Wildlife Protection Projects
Open currently closed areas of preserve. Construct and extend trails. Improve fencing, corrals, and water
systems to reintroduce conservation grazing. Improve habitat for sensitive species, implement pond
enhancement projects for garter snakes and red-legged frogs. $5,560,000
10 Coal Creek: Reopen Alpine Road for Trail Use
Reopen Alpine Road as trail connection between Portola Valley & Skyline Blvd. Reroute trails to reduce erosion
and improve visitor experience. $8,017,000
11 Rancho San Antonio: Interpretive Improvements, Refurbishing, and Transit Solutions
Add welcome center, refurbish and add interpretive exhibits to Deer Hollow Farm. Support of transit improvement
options such as bike trails, bikeshare station, bus service, or additional parking. $10,811,000
12 Peninsula/South Bay Cities: Partner to Complete Middle Stevens Creek Trail
Support work by cities to develop the middle section of the Stevens Creek Trail and enhance neighborhood
connections. Support work by partners to complete stream corridor restoration and steelhead habitat
enhancement below dam. Develop and install interpretive signage. $1,038,000
16 Long Ridge: Trail, Conservation and Habitat Restoration Projects (Saratoga)
Improve roadside parking and provide restrooms. Develop new trail connections to Eagle Rock and Devils
Canyon. Repair trails for year-round multi-use access. Protect watersheds for steelhead. Preserve additional
open space as available. Implement pond and habitat enhancement restoration projects to benefit rare species.
$5,140,000
17 Regional: Complete Upper Stevens Creek Trail
Complete multi-use connection between the Bay Trail & Bay Area Ridge Trail above the reservoir through
Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve & Lower/Upper Stevens Creek County Parks. Improve Preserve trails and
neighborhood connections. Preserve additional open space as available. $7,760,000
Measure AA Ballot Language, as approved by voters on June 3, 2014102
Coast
(Half Moon Bay, San Gregorio, Pescadero, La Honda,)
1 Miramontes Ridge: Gateway to the Coast Public Access, Stream Restoration and Agriculture
Enhancement
Preserve scenic open space land as available, and establish wildlife corridor. Restore fish and red-legged frog
habitats in Madonna Creek watershed. Partner to enhance water availability for agriculture and fish. Develop
trail loop system, including Ridge Trail and neighborhood access points. Develop staging area, repair bridges.
$27,774,000
3 Purisima Creek Redwoods: Purisima-to-Sea Trail, Watershed Protection and Conservation
Grazing
Complete and open multi-use Purisima-to-Sea trail connection between Ridge Trail and Coastal Trail, and new
parking areas. Preserve additional open space as available. Remove fish barriers and restore Lobitos Creek.
Restore ponds for endangered species. $7,608,000
7 La Honda Creek: Driscoll Ranch Public Access, Endangered Wildlife Protection and
Conservation Grazing
Open Driscoll Ranch Area; provide biking/hiking/equestrian trails, limited dog access, parking areas, and
interpretive displays. Develop loop & connector trails. Restore habitat for endangered species. Restore La
Honda Creek; remove fish migration barriers. $14,825,000
13 Cloverdale Ranch: Wildlife Protection, Grazing and Trail Connections
Improve fencing, corrals, and water systems to increase conservation grazing and sustain large contiguous
grasslands. Restore habitat for endangered species. Provide trail connections to nearby State parks.
$15,712,000
14 Regional: Trail Connections and Campgrounds
Develop trails between Butano, Pescadero County Park, Pescadero, Russian Ridge, and between Skyline and
Portola Redwoods, Big Basin State Park. Partner with County and State Parks to improve existing campgrounds.
$3,966,000
15 Regional: Redwood Protection and Salmon Fishery Conservation
Preserve additional open space as available. Protect and enhance redwood stands, mountain scenery, various
habitats and steelhead salmon. $50,728,000
Measure AA Ballot Language, as approved by voters on June 3, 2014 103
Measure AA Ballot Language, as approved by voters on June 3, 2014104
3.INDEPENDENT CITIZEN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
An Independent Citizen Oversight Committee will be formed to verify expenditures of bond proceeds.
The Independent Citizen Oversight Committee will consist of seven at-large members, all of whom shall be
District residents. The Citizen Oversight Committee will be selected by the Board and interviewed and
approved in open session, and will be subject to the conflict of interest constraints of the California Political
Reform Act.
The responsibilities of the Committee include:
•Review Plan expenditures on an annual basis to verify conformity with the Expenditure Plan.
•Review District’s Annual Audit and Annual Accountability report and present the Committee’s findings
to the Board at a public meeting.
•Review any proposed amendments to the Expenditure Plan.
Measure AA Ballot Language, as approved by voters on June 3, 2014 10
EXHIBIT B
TAX RATE STATEMENT
An election will be held in the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (the "District") on June 3,
2014, to authorize the sale of up to $300 million in bonds of the District to provide public access and acquire,
restore, and preserve open space throughout the District as described in the ballot measure. If the bonds are
approved, the District expects to sell the bonds in several series over time. Principal and interest on the bonds
will be payable from the proceeds of tax levies made upon the taxable property in the District. The information
contained in numbered paragraphs 1 - 3 below is provided in compliance with sections 9400-9404 of the
Elections Code of the State of California.
1. The best estimate of the tax which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue during the
first fiscal year after the sale of the first series of bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available at
the time of filing of this statement, is $1.00 per $100,000 of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2015-16.
2. The best estimate of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue during
the first fiscal year after the sale of the last series of bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available
at the time of filing of this statement, is $2.90 per $100,000 of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2044-45.
3. The best estimate of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond
issue, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is $3.18 per
$100,000 of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2034-35.
Voters should note that the estimated tax rates are based on the estimated ASSESSED VALUE of
taxable property on the respective County's official tax rolls, not on a property's market value. Property owners
should consult their own property tax bills to determine their property's assessed value and any applicable tax
exemptions.
Attention of all voters is directed to the fact that the foregoing information is based upon the District's
projections and estimates only, which are not binding upon the District. The actual tax rates and the years in
which they will apply may vary from those presently estimated, due to variations from these estimates in the
timing of bond sales, the amount of bonds sold and market interest rates at the time of each sale, and actual
assessed valuations over the term of repayment of the bonds. The dates of sale and the amount of bonds sold
at any given time will be determined by the District based on its needs for funds and other factors. The actual
interest rates at which the bonds will be sold will depend on the bond market at the time of each sale. Actual
future assessed valuation will depend upon the amount and value of taxable property within the District as
determined by the respective County Assessor in the annual property value assessment process.
Dated: _______, 2014.
_________________________
General Manager
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Measure AA Ballot Language, as approved by voters on June 3, 2014106
The notes to the financial statements are an integral part of this statement.
cts
Expenditures Expenditures
from from
July 1, 2020 Inception
through through
Project No. Project Description June 30, 2021 June 30, 2021
AA01 $421,962 $421,962
AA02 493,849 6,845,065
AA03 5,138,201 6,479,976
AA04
AA05 211,991
- 966,168
2,675,767
AA06 9,701 40,950
AA07 193,179 12,498,683
AA08
AA09 295,369
- 2,153,910
689,925
AA10 122,307 467,648
AA11 347,905 513,233
AA15 35,269 3,110,818
AA17
AA18 429,791
AA19 1,085,237
AA20 610,596
- 2,386,441
1,164,189
1,564,764
1,181,211
AA21 1,305,950 11,250,802
AA22 18,880 1,244,796
AA23 1,098 22,966,838
AA24
AA25 1,684,933
Miramontes Ridge - Gateway to San Mateo Coast
Regional: Bayfront Habitat Protection & Public Access Partnerships
Pu risima Creek Redwoods: Purisma-to Sea Trail, Watershed & Grazing
El C or te de Ma dera Cree k: B ike Tra il & Wa ter Qua lity Pr ojec ts
La Honda Creek - Upper Recrea tion Area
Ha w thorn P ublic Acce ss Im pr oveme nts
Dr isc oll Ra nch P ublic Acce ss, Wildlife P r otec tion & Graz ing
La Honda /R ussian R idge: Upper San Gre gor io Wa ter shed
Russian Ridge: Public Recreation, Grazing & Wildlife Protection
Coal Creek: Reopen Alpine Road for Trail Use
Rancho San Antonio: Interpretive Improvements, Refurbishing
Regional: Redwood Protection & Salmon Fishery Conservation
Regional: Complete Upper Stevens Creek Trail
South Bay Foothills: Saratoga-to-Sea Trail & Wildlife Corridor
El Sere no Dog Park & C onnec tions
South Bay Foothills: Wildlife Passage/Ridge Trail Improvements
Bear Creek Redwoods: Public Recreation & Interpretive Projects
Si erra Azul: Cathedral Oaks Public Access & Conservation Projects
Si erra Azul: Mt Umunhu m Public Access & Interpretation Projects
Sierra Azul: Rancho de Guadalupe Family Recreation
Sierra Azul: Loma Prieta Area Public Access, Regional Trails/Habitat Project
- 1,591,996
2,095,083
12,406,218 82,310,225
(2,482,991) (7,296,691)
Total MAA Bond Project Expenditures
Reimbursements from Grants, Contributions, and Other Funds
Total MAA Bond Project Expenditures - Net Reimbursements $ 9,923,227 $ 75,013,534
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Measure AA Bond Program
Schedule of Program Expenditures June 30, 2021
This page is an excerpt from the Consolidated Annual Financial Statement of for fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, page 71.
Annual audited financial statements can be found at openspace.org/financials.
108
Financial Report of Revenues, Expenditures
and Changes in Fund Balance
Measure AA Capital Projects Fund
For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2021
Budgeted Amounts Actual
(GAAP Basis)
Variance to Final
Budget
More (Less)Original Final
Revenues
Grant Income $1,621,509 $1,765,009 $2,482,991 $717,982
Investment Earnings 411,475 411,475 96,799 (314,676)
Total Revenues 2,032,984 2,176,484 2,579,790 403,306
Expenditures
Salaries and Employee Benefits - 587,235 543,264 (43,971)
Capital Outlay 11,868,588 14,519,151 11,862,954 (2,656,197)
Total Expenditures 11,868,588 15,106,386 12,406,218 (2,700,168)
Excess (Deficiency) of Revenues
Over (Under) Expenditures
(9,835,604) (12,929,902) (9,826,428) 3,103,474
Other Financing Sources
Transfers In - - - -
Transfers Out - - (311,159) (311,159)
Total Other Financing Sources - (311,159) (311,159)
Net Change in Fund Balance (9,835,604) (12,929,902) (10,137,587) 2,792,315
Fund Balance Beginning 32,301,379 32,301,379 32,301,379 -
Prior Period Adjustment - - (28,828) (28,828)
Fund Balance Beginning—Adjusted 32,301,379 32,301,379 32,272,551 (28,828)
Fund Balance Ending $22,465,775 $19,371,477 $22,134,964 $2,763,487
109Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report FY21
Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve by Janie Krag
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
330 Distel Circle
Los Altos, California 94022-1404
650-691-1200
info@openspace.org
openspace.org
PRINTED ON POST
CONSUMER WASTE PAPER