HomeMy Public PortalAbout20050713 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Regional Open Space
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Meeting 05-16
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
July 13, 2005
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
I. ROLL CALL
President Larry Hassett called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Mary Davey, Nonette Hanko, Deane Little, Ken
Nitz, Pete Siemens (arrived at 6:35 p.m.) and Larry Hassett
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Craig Britton, Sue Schectman, Sally Thielfoldt, John
Maciel, Duncan Simmons
II. CLOSED SESSION
L. Hassett stated that the Board would adjourn to Closed Session to discuss
Closed Session Agenda Items 1, 2, 3 and 4.
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 7:20 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING
III. L. Hassett called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. He announced that
the Board had discussed Closed Session Agenda Items 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Closed
Session and that no reportable actions had taken place.
Additional Staff Present: Doug Vu, Rudy Jurgensen, Cathy Woodbury,
Dennis Danielson, Meredith Manning, Tracy Hammond
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IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Tom Williams, 2015 Lyon Avenue, Belmont, said he had done volunteer work for
the District in the 80s. He thought the proposed trail alignments at Pulgas were
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established in the least interesting places in the preserve.
D. Little said he was astonished at the beauty of some places where they do not
have trails, and he appreciated Mr. Williams letting the District know his feelings.
K. Nitz agreed that it is a beautiful area, and he would like to keep it beautiful by
not having trails there.
V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board adopt the agenda. J. Cyr
seconded and the motion passed 7 to 0.
VI. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calendar,
including Revised Claims 05-12. P. Siemens seconded the motion.
The motion passed 7 to 0.
VII. INTRODUCTION
D. Danielson introduced Tracy Hammond, newly hired ranger and talked about
her educ
ation and experience.
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VIII. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Agenda Item No. 1 — Presentation by the Association of Bay Area
Governments on their San Francisco Bay Trail Project—(Report 05-76).
C. Britton introduced Laura Thompson, Manager of the San Francisco Bay
Trail Project.
Ms. Thompson talked about the Bay Trail Vision and the project. She
informed the Board that 270 miles of the 500 mile .trail are complete.
Eighty percent of the trail is separated from traffic. Of the 52 miles of the
trail that pass through District lands, 43 miles are complete.
Ms. Thompson described the maps she had distributed to Board and staff
members earlier.
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Ms. Thompson provided information on the grant program, highlighting
two of the grant projects within the boundaries of the District: 1. City of
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Menlo Park, Bayfront to Ravenswood Study, and 2. City of Palo Alto,
San Francisquito Creek and PG&E substation. She said the new grant
program included $3.8 million from Proposition 40 funds.
Ms. Thompson said the Bay Trail Gap Analysis is being completed and
will be an important tool for moving forward. The cost for the remaining
construction is estimated at $190 million, and it will take 15 years to
complete the remaining segments. Critical gaps and key projects with
common interests with the District are the Moffett Field Gap (2 miles),
PG&E Substation Gap, and the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration. She
thanked the District for their support. She added that there are about 40
people on the Bay Trail Board, including C. Woodbury and D. Woods
from the District. There is a steering subcommittee of seven people.
D. Little suggested working with staff and volunteers on getting some
hikes on the Bay Trail to raise awareness of the project.
B. Agenda Item No. 2 - Authorize the General Manager to Execute a
Contract with Donald flays Trail Contractor, Inc. of Tahoe City, CA for
the Bid Amount of $119,716.80, plus a Contingency Amount of up to
$17,957.52, for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $137,674.32 for the
Construction of Ridgetop Trail that Includes the Installation of Two
Pedestrian Footbridges at Pu4zas Ridge Open Space Preserve —(Report R-
05-73).
D. Vu presented the staff report and answered questions. He said staff
was confident that Mr. Hays would be a good match for the project. S.
Schectman added that they had received no protests regarding the bid.
D. Vu said the connector trail is not yet constructed. He would find out
about the other trail that had been brushed in the area. He said they would
be re-vegetating and fencing to screen and separate the trail from private
property. He added that the expanded off-leash dog area would be opened
when the project is completed. K. Nitz asked if it could be opened sooner.
C. Woodbury informed him that an investigation is going on in the area,
and staff will return with information and a map at the next meeting.
N. Hanko said she hoped staff was planning a site opening event.
D. Vu said Mr. Hays will be living in his recreational vehicle at the site
and will be working with a crew of three others. He said that the District's
outsloping policy is included in the contract.
Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board authorize the General
Manager to execute a contract with Donald Hays Trail
Contractor, Inc. of Tahoe City, Ca for the bid amount of
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$119,716.80, plus a contingency amount of up to
$17,957.52, for a total amount not to exceed $137,674.32
for the construction of Ridgetop Trail that includes the
installation of two pedestrian footbridges at Pulgas Ridge
Open Space Preserve. K. Nitz seconded the motion. The
motion passed 7 to 0.
C. Agenda Item No. 3 - Authorize the General Manager to Execute a
Contract with Cresco Rentals of Livermore, California in an Amount Not
to Exceed $71,600 for Rental of Construction Equipment to Implement
Road Upgrades in El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve—
(Report R-05-72).
M. Manning showed pictures of the equipment that will be rented. She
also showed views of "before and after" work that had been done. She
said the District will take delivery of a water truck in January and
compared that truck to the one they propose to rent. She assured the
Board that the rolling dips had been constructed to industry standards.
M. Manning said they anticipated taking longer than the three years
originally planned because of delays in the permitting process. C.
Woodbury said staff would meet with the regulatory agencies regarding
the delay, and S. Schectman said when they see the progress that has been
made, she was certain they would not penalize the District.
M. Manning described signs and barricades that have been erected to warn
users about the construction equipment. S. Schectman described the
immunities and safety standards in the bid package.
K. Nitz asked why they did not close the trail during construction. C.
Britton said they would look into what could be closed.
Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board authorize the General
Manager to execute a contract with Cresco Rentals of
Livermore, California in an amount not to exceed $71,600
for rental of construction equipment to implement road
upgrades in El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space
Preserve. K. Nitz seconded the motion.
Discussion: M. Manning talked about what she and C. Roessler had
observed in regard to the reseeding effort. P. Siemens
noted that traffic cones work well to warn users.
Vote: The motion passed 7 to 0.
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D. Agenda Item No. 4 - Approve One Ranger Position Beginning August 15,
2005, Thereby Advancing One of the Previously-Approved Range
Positions to be Filled by January 1, 2006•, Approve Any Necessary Budget
Adjustments for Additional Salary Requirements for this Position at the
Mid-Year Budget Adjustment.- (Report R-05-76).
S. Thielfoldt was present to answer questions. J. Cyr said he appreciated
staff bringing this forward.
Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board authorize the approval of
one Ranger position beginning August 15, 2005 by
advancing one of the previously approved Ranger positions
to be filled January 1, 2006; and agree to make any
necessary budget adjustments for any additional salary
requirements for this position at the mid-year budget
adjustment. D. Little seconded the motion.
Discussion: P. Siemens said he was glad they could be flexible in order
to take advantage of the situation of having more than one
highly qualified applicant at this time. C. Britton said staff
appreciated the support of the Board in this matter.
Vote:. The motion passed 7 to 0.
IX. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
P. Siemens met with neighbors of Sierra Azul and Bear Creek. He talked about
some of their interests and said there was a lot of positive feedback at the meeting.
J.
Cyr: He asked J. Maciel to pass along a compliment to C. Roessler for her
response to a constituent's concern.
D. Little: (1) He said the mosquitoes are swarming on some preserves. (2) He
met with the people from the Bear Creek stables last weekend. (3) He said he
would be going backpacking for five days.
L. Hassett: (1) He praised the thoughtful response by C. Woodbury addressing a
constituent's concerns. (2) He said Kristi would follow up on some possible
misinformation contained in the District book and will make corrections for the
next printing, as appropriate.
M. Davey thanked staff members who worked on her computer. J. Cyr added his
thanks.
K. Nitz: (1) He worked the Los Altos Art and Wine Festival over the weekend.
(2) He asked for the Use and Management Committee to look into geocaching to
Meeting 05-16 Page 6
see if it could be done. C. Britton talked about the upcoming policy of putting
items on the agenda for committees. (3) R. Jurgensen will provide K. Nitz with a
list of docent-led hikes that relate to the District book. (4) He said the Harding
grass at Pulgas needs to be cut. (5) C. Britton answered questions about the letter
in the FYIs to the Santa Clara Valley Water District regarding the fish ladder
project. He explained the District position that was outlined in the letter.
N. Hanko: (1) C. Britton answered questions about the letter in the FYIs to David
Abrevaya. (2) C. Woodbury provided background information on the letters in
the FYIs to and from County of Santa Clara Planning. She said staff had
commented on the County's environmental document pertaining to the Rhys
Vineyards Winery.
C. Britton: (1) He distributed copies of the 2004-2005 audit and said it was
completed. (2) He had received the final official documents on the Bond
refunding. (3) He had an invitation from Wildlife Associates for a September 25
barbecue and party. (4) They had received a $500,000 grant for the Rapley Ranch
purchase. (5) He reported that Ira Ruskin dropped by the office and met staff
members. (6) He referred to the memo in the FYIs confirming that the people
from the stable were included on the District's notification list. (7) Members of
the Board Evaluation Ad Hoc Committee agreed to meeting on July 22 at 1:00
p.m.
S. Schectman: (1) She had e-mailed Board Members information on how to get
copies of the decision in the Santa Clara Open Space Authority case. She said the
decision was good news for the District. (2) Staff is developing an e-
communication policy. They will bring the LFPAC report on the policy to the
July 27 meeting.
J. Maciel reported that there had been a small arson fire on Kennedy Road the
previous night. He said this was the fourth spot fire along the road in the last
month.
Rudy Jurgensen asked that LFPAC set a meeting. Members agreed to meet on
August 3rd at 4:30 p.m.
X. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:20 p.m., the meeting was adjourned.
Roberta Wolfe
Recording Secretary