HomeMy Public PortalAbout20050112 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Regional Open Space
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Meeting 05-01
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
January 12, 2005
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
1. ROLL CALL
President Mary Davey called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Nonette Hanko, Larry Hassett, Ken Nitz, Pete Siemens
(arrived at 6:40 p.m.) and Mary Davey
Members Absent: Deane Little
Staff Present: Craig Britton, Sue Schectman, Mike Williams
H. CLOSED SESSION
M. Davey stated that the Board would adjourn to Closed Session to discuss Closed
Session Agenda Item I and 2.
The Board recessed to Closed Session at 6:35 p.m. and the Closed Session commenced at
6:35 p.m. The Board concluded the Closed Session at 7:25 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING
111. M. Davey called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. She announced that the
Board had discussed Closed Session Agenda Items I and 2 in Closed Session and that the
Closed Session would reconvene after the conclusion of the Regular Meeting.
Additional Staff Present: Sally Thielfoldt, Del Woods, Mike Foster, John Maciel, Rudy
Jurgensen
Meeting 05-01 Page 2
IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Ernst O. Meissner, 1327 Johnson Street, Menlo Park, talked about his interest in trails
and open space and the gap in the Ridge Trail between Windy Hill and Russian Ridge.
He suggested a trade of land with the Audubon Society and passed out a map showing the
proposed areas for the trade.
C. Britton said this was a desirable connection; however, Audubon is not able to convey a
trail easement at this time because of the terms of the bequest. It is a matter of timing,
but an exchange of land might be a key factor.
V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board adopt the agenda. L. Hassett seconded the
motion.
Discussion: N. Hanko asked why there was no proposed reply to an email sent to the
Board from George Cattermole. C. Britton stated staff would return to the
next meeting with a written response. Discussion followed regarding
changing the agenda title to "Communications to the Board" instead of
"Written Communications."
Vote: The motion passed 6 to 0.
VI. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Staff an questions regarding Claims as follows: No. 1996, replacement of
emergency exit signs; No. 2006, a service the District subscribes to for all assessors'
parcel data.
Motion: L. Hassett moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calendar, including
minutes of the October 27, 2004 Special and Regular Meetings; Agenda
Item 7, Amendments to District's Conflict of Interest Code; Adopt
Resolution Amending District's Conflict of Interest Code; and Revised
Claims 04-18. K Nitz seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0
with K. Nitz abstaining on Claim #1997 and N. Hanko abstaining on
Claim #2064.
VII. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Agenda Item No. 1 — Elect Board Officers for the 2005 Calendar Year— (Report
R-05-01).
S. Thielfoldt reviewed election procedures and distributed ballot packets.
Meeting 05-01 Page 3
M. Davey called for nominations for President. K. Nitz nominated L. Hassett and
J. Cyr seconded the nomination. N. Hanko moved that nominations be closed. P.
Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0 with L. Hassett
abstaining. Following balloting, S. Thielfoldt announced that five ballots had
been cast for L. Hassett.
L. Hassett thanked Board Members for their vote. He introduced his wife and son
who were in the audience. He recognized the outstanding job M. Davey had done
as President in the previous year and highlighted some of the events that took
place during her tenure.
M. Davey responded, stating that this was the world's greatest board and staff.
C. Britton added that this was one of the toughest years the District had ever had,
citing the difficult hearings and completion of the annexation. He expressed
thanks from the staff.
L. Hassett called for nominations for Vice President. P. Siemens nominated J.
Cyr. N. Hanko seconded the nomination. N. Hanko moved that nominations be
closed. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. Following
balloting, S. Thielfoldt announced that six ballots had been cast for J. Cyr.
L. Hassett called for nominations for Secretary. K. Nitz nominated N. Hanko. J.
Cyr seconded the nomination. P. Siemens moved that nominations be closed. K.
Nitz seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. Following balloting, S.
Thielfoldt announced that six ballots had been cast for N. Hanko.
L. Hassett called for nominations for Treasurer. N. Hanko nominated P. Siemens.
J. Cyr seconded the nomination. J. Cyr moved that nominations be closed. L.
Hassett seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. Following balloting, S.
Thielfoldt announced that six ballots had been cast for P. Siemens.
al of 2005 Legislative Consultinp- Services
B. Agenda Item No. 2 — Appro
Agreement with Public Policy Advocates; Authorize General Manager to Execute
the Legislative Consultinp, Services Agreement for Legislative Consulting
Services in Sacramento—(Report R-05-02).
C. Britton presented the staff report. J. Cyr commented on the exemplary service
provided by Ralph Heim with no increase in fee since 1989. P. Siemens agreed,
stating that it was a nominal cost with a hundredfold return.
Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board authorize the General Manager to
execute the Consulting Services Agreement with Public Policy
Advocates for legislative consulting services in Sacramento. M.
Davey seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
Meeting 05-01 Page 4
C. Agenda Item No. 3 - Dedication Status of District Lands, Adopt Resolution
Dedicating Interests in Certain District Lands for Public Open Space Purposes —
(Report R-05-05).
C. Britton noted that D. Woods spent a lot of time on the project of analyzing
district land purchases and was assisted by a volunteer who helped put the
information in the database.
D. Woods reviewed the staff report. Regarding the 13,000 undedicated acres at
Sierra Azul, he said they were awaiting completion of the Master Plan.
Motion: H. Hanko moved that the Board adopt Resolution No. 05-01
Dedicating Interests in Certain District Lands for Public Open
Space Purposes. P. Siemens seconded the motion.
Discussion: Ranger, A. Correia, said he was unclear about the dedication
process. C. Britton explained the process and noted that it came
under a section of the Public Resources Code. He talked about the
reasons for dedication.
Vote: The motion passed 6 to 0.
D. Agenda Item No. 4 - Adoption of Ombudsperson Communication Guidelines —
(Report R-05-06).
N. Hanko presented the recommendations from the Legislation, Finance and
Public Affairs Committee.
Addressing K. Nitz's concern about Section A.l. of the guidelines, the section
was changed to read, "The Board and staff may communicate with the
Ombudsperson via her cell phone at (650) 219-5664, or via email."
C. Britton passed out a copy of a proposed template for the Ombudsperson's
email. He said this would also be the format for Board email.
Board Members discussed the proposed template. K. Nitz said he did not think
location should be a required field.
K. Nitz asked if the Ombudsperson would appear at a meeting with the report
mentioned in guideline A.3. By consensus, the Board agreed to delete the words
"write a" from the first line of the guideline.
Following additional discussion of making location a required field in the
template, C. Britton said staff would try it the way it was proposed. Making it a
required field at a later date could be a problem. J. Cyr said there would be a
Meeting 05-01 Page 5
review at the end of the year, adding that he trusted that the Ombudsperson could
get that information from the contact.
L. Hassett stated that the Legislative, Finance and Administration Committee
would meet the following day and could discuss the template at that time. C.
Britton said that would not be helpful because only three members of the Board
would come back with a recommendation. He suggested having location as an
optional field. By consensus, Board Members agreed to remove the asterisk
indicating a mandatory field.
Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board adopt the Ombudsperson
Communication Guidelines as amended. J. Cyr seconded the
motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
S. Thielfoldt expressed staff appreciation that the Board had approved this matter
in a timely manner.
E. Agenda Item No. 5 - Appointment of the Administration and Budget Committee
Members for 2005 Calendar Year By the President With Consent of the Board —
(Report R-05-04).
L. Hassett announced that he would like the Board's consent to appoint P.
Siemens, M. Davey, and K. Nitz to the Administration and Budget Committee.
Following some discussion of the appointments, L. Hassett tabled the matter until
later in the meeting.
F. Agenda Item No. 6 - Renewal of Investment Authority and Adoption of Revised
Annual Statement of Investment Policy; Adopt Resolution to Renew District
Until JanuM 11, 2006 and Approve District's
Controller's Investment Authority
Revised Statement of Investment Policy—(Report R-04-118).
M. Foster outlined the recommendations and talked about the changes made to the
investment policy. He commented that it is still considerably more restrictive
than the State code.
Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board adopt Resolution No. 05-02
Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Mid peninsula Regional
Open Space District Adopting a Statement of Investment Policy
and Authorizing the Controller to Invest Surplus Funds Allowed
by the Government Code. M. Davey seconded the motion. The
motion passed 6 to 0.
E. Agenda Item No. 5 (Continued)
Following discussion of the policy regarding service on standing committees, L.
Hassett reiterated his original choices for appointment to the committee.
Meeting 05-01 Page 6
Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board consent to the President's
appointment of P. Siemens, M Davey, and K. Nitz to the
Administration and Budget Committee for the 2005 calendar year.
N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
VIII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
J. Cyr: 1. He pointed out an article in the Smithsonian Magazine regarding weeds.
2. He had pieces from the plane that crashed on District land. Someone he knew gave
them to him and he wants to turn them over to the District.
M. Davey: 1. She had an invitation to participate in the League of Women Voters-
sponsored forum on conservation easements on February 6. 2. She attended a meeting
regarding a potential open space initiative for Santa Clara County. Bob Girard, who
helped create this District, is going into the community to talk about the initiative to
preserve open space, ridgelines, and riparian areas in the County. She hoped he would
make his presentation to the Board and that the District would be supportive.
K. Nitz said he had seen no notification at Pulgas about knocking down the sewage
treatment plant and building the staging area. R. Jurgensen said that he did not know
when that would occur, but it would be soon. M. Williams said they were in the process
of obtaining demolition and grading permits. K. Nitz thought the notices should go up
stating it was going to happen.
N. Hanko talked about some of the problems people who use the District's web site are
having.
C. Britton: 1. He had an invitation to a meeting of Silicon Valley Index on January 27.
2. He referred to a KQED presentation called "Coastal Clash" which had aired. He had
DVD copies of the show. 3. He asked Board Members to sign copies of the District
book. 4. There had been a management retreat that was a precursor to developing the
action plan.
J. Maciel noted that C. Roessler attended the Sudden Oak Death meeting mentioned in
the FYIs.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:15 p.m., the meeting was adjourned to a reconvened Special Meeting Closed Session
to discuss Closed Session Items I and 2. The Closed Session reconvened at 9:30 p.m.
and adjourned at 9:43 p.m. At 9:45 p.m., Larry Hassett publicly announced that no
reportable actions had taken place.
Roberta Wolfe
Recording Secretary