HomeMy Public PortalAbout20051026 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Regional Open Space
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Meeting 05-24
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
October 26, 2005
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
I. ROLL CALL
President Larry Hassett called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Mary Davey,Nonette Hanko, Larry Hassett, Deane Little,
Ken Nitzx and Pete Siemens.
Staff Present: Craig Britton, Sue Schectman
II. CLOSED SESSION
L. Hassett stated that the Board would adjourn to Closed Session to discuss Closed
Session Agenda Items 1 and 2.
i
The Board recessed to Closed Session at 7:03 p.m. and the Closed Session commenced at
7:05 p.m. The Board concluded the Closed Session at 7:30 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING
III. L. Hassett called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:31 p.m. He announced that the Board
had discussed Closed Session Agenda Items 1 and 2 in Closed Session and that no
reportable actions had taken place.
Additional Staff Present: Rudy Jurgensen, John Maciel and Cathy Woodbury
IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS—There were none at this time.
V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: K. Nitz moved that the Board adopt the agenda. J. Cyr seconded and the
motion passed 7 to 0.
Meeting 05-24 Page 2
VI. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR
N. Hanko removed Agenda Item 7, Adoption of Resolution Approving Application for a
Grant of $150,000 in Matching Funds from the Bay Area Ridge Trail—Coastal
Conservancy for the Construction of Public Access Improvements at El Corte de Madera
Creek Open Space Preserve; Determine Recommended Action is Exempt from CEQA.
K. Nitz questioned Revised Claim No. 3646. C. Britton explained that was an invoice for
"Historic Resource Evaluation—North House" which is in the Sierra Azul OSP and
which Real Property Committee is considering for demolition. The District hired a
consultant to look into the historic background of the house.
Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calendar, including
Agenda Item 6, Adoption of Preliminary Use and Management Plan
Recommendations for Addition of the POST One-Half Interest in the
Former Hunt Property as an Addition to Bear Creek Redwoods Open
Space Preserve (Santa Clara County Assessor's Parcel Number 544-35-
009); Determine that the Recommended Actions are Catep-orically Exempt
from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); Withhold the
Property as Public Open Spaceand Revised Claims 05-19. P. Siemens
seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0.
VII. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Agenda Item No. 1 —Presentation by the Santa Clara County Parks and
Recreation (Report R-05-1 10).
C. Britton introduced Lisa Killough, Parks Director for Santa Clara County.
L. Killough gave a presentation on the Santa Clara County Parks Department 50 th
Anniversary, Celebrating Our Past, Present and Future. She also talked about all
the joint projects with the District.
The Board thanked her for such an informative presentation.
B. Agenda Item No. 2 - Adoption of Resolution Endorsing the Santa Clara County
Board of Supervisors Resolution to Place the County Parks Charter on the June
2006 Ballot and Endorse Passage of the Measure (Report R-05-113).
C. Britton echoed L. Killough's comments on the set aside of the general fund to
fund parks which must go back to the voters prior to 2009. This item is asking for
support of the continuation of the Charter for Parks and encouraging the Santa
Clara County Board of Supervisors to put it on the ballot. He introduced Gametta
Annable and she gave a presentation on Yes on Parks describing the history of the
Charter. Due to economic downturn, the Charter is once again at threat. The
Charter sets aside approximately $29 million per year and, historically, 80% has
Meeting 05-24 Page 3
been used for maintenance operation and development and 20% for acquisition.
The current proposal is for 80% operation, 5% capital improvements and 15% for
land purchases.
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board adopt Resolution No. 05-30,
Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional
Open Space District to Support Efforts to Draft a Measure for the
2006 Ballot to Increase Sales Tax by One-eighth Cent for Parks
and Open Space. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion
passed 7 to 0.
C. Agenda Item No. 3 - Report to the Board on New Directives Regarding Sudden
Oak Death and Slender False Brome (Report R-05-115).
C. Britton explained that this interim report is based on the.Board's action from
September 28, 2005 approving the addition of two new projects to the Resource
Management program: Sudden Oak Death and Slender False Brome. There are
two items in Section D of the report that have already taken place: the hiring of a
temporary research intern for investigation of SOD resistant trees and the
coordinating of two GIS interns to develop a mapping program to record SOD
resistant trees. C. Britton also pointed out the list of projects in Section E that will
be postponed in order to accomplish the two new programs. He stated that these
projects would not be completely eliminated, but merely postponed.
J. Cyr asked for clarification on Section E, item 2 of the list of projects postponed.
J. Maciel explained that the next step of the GIS-based invasive plant-tracking
program would have been hiring a consultant to work with Operations and
Planning in expanding new areas of invasive plants.
N. Hanko questioned the timeline of the Resources Management Policy regarding
Grazing and Grasslands. C. Britton stated that this would be postponed for a few
months.
P. Siemens wanted to be sure that the postponement of the projects is due to staff
time, not funding. C. Britton confirmed that money is not the problem.
K. Nitz pointed out that the word "Fully" should be taken out of Section B, item
1. Section A, item 2 should be taken out completely. C. Britton stated that a
more detailed timeline will be presented to the Board at the December 14, 2005
Board meeting. No decisions have been made and will not be made until the
Board reviews this information in December, as previously provided.
N. Hanko, inquired about the Board receiving bibliography and website
information on Sudden Oak Death from staff.
Meeting 05-24 Page 4 V
D. Little believed that the Board and Use and Management Committee assigned
staff the Slender False Brome tasks back in February 2004. C. Britton stated that
the eradication program needs to be stepped up substantially. Staff has found that
SFB is located on much more private property than the staff thought, so it has
become a much bigger project. Staff will have to work more closely with
CalTrans, City of Woodside and San Mateo County Weed Management.
D. Agenda Item No. 4 - Adoption of Proposed Amendments to District's Rules of
Procedure to Clarify
the Jurisdiction of Standing Committees and Procedures for
Assigning,Agenda Items to Board Standing Committees (Report R-05-114).
N. Hanko presented LFPAC's report clarifying the jurisdiction of each committee.
S. Schectman brought the Board's attention to the additional language that states
any Board Member may request an item be referred to a Standing Committee but
it should first come to the Board for approval. The Board can assign other tasks
to the appropriate committee. C. Britton pointed out the new name for LFPAC:
Legislative, Funding and Public Affairs Committee which differentiates between
the budget process and legislative funding.
Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board adopt the proposed amendment
to District's Rules of Procedure to clarify the jurisdiction of
standing committees and procedures for assigning agenda items to
Board standing committees. D. Little seconded the motion. The
motion passed 7 to 0.
E. Agenda Item No. 5 - Adoption of Resolution Authorizing Continued
Participation in the State Disability Insurance Program for Represented, Office
and Supervisory Employees and Discontinued Participation for the Defined
Management Employees (Report R-05-114).
C. Britton presented the staff report.
Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board adopt Resolution No. 05-28
Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional
Open Space district Authorizing Participation in State Disability
Insurance for Represented Employees, Supervisory Employees and
other Office Staff, excluding Management Employees. D. Little
seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0.
F. Agenda Item No. 7 - Adoption of Resolution Approving Application for a Grant
of $150,000 in Matching Funds from the Bay Area Ridge Trail — Coastal
Conservancy for the Construction of Public Access Improvements at El Corte de
Madera Creek Open Space Preserve; Determine Recommended Action is Exempt
from CEQA (Report R-05-1 11).
Meeting 05-24 Page 5
N. Hanko had a question regarding the spraying of thistle at El Corte de Madera
Creek Open Space Preserve and if it would affect the ladybugs. C. Britton stated
that this project would not disturb the ladybugs.
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board adopt Resolution No. 05-29
Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional
Open Space District Approving the Application for a Grant From
the Bay Area Ridge Trail--Coastal Conservancy Proposition 40
Grants Program for Construction of Public Access Improvements
at El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve and determined
the recommended action is exempt from CEQA. M. Davey
seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0.
VIII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
N. Hanko: 1. She attended the State Parks Foundation fundraiser at Hearst Castle. 2.
Patty Ciesla is running for the Black Mountain Group Representative of the Loma Prieta
Chapter of the Sierra Club.
K. Nitz had a question regarding the slide at Thornewood Open Space Preserve. C.
Britton stated that discussions have begun.
M. Davey: 1. She received a post card from Pat Brown thanking the District for
dedicating the Board Meeting in her husband name. 2. She took a tour of Bear Creek
Stables. 3. She took a tour of El Corte de Madera to look at the rehabilitation of the
trails. It was an exciting experience. 4. She passed around a draft agenda of Winds of
Change Workshop and would like the District to be a co-sponsor (in name only) of the
January 28th event.
L. Hassett: 1. He also took a tour of El Corte de Madera. He was amazed at the results
of the project and in particular, the areas where the District staff worked. The road and
trail work was incredible. 2. He will be touring Bear Creek Stables next week. 3. He
has been asked and agreed to attend the first meeting of a community committee to
interact with Jasper Ridge Open Space Preserve.
D. Little: 1. He also attended the tour of El Corte de Madera and admired the work and
stated that it will look even better in the future. 2. He attended a Use and Management
Committee meeting this past Saturday at El Corte de Madera to discuss the staging
project.
J. Cyr: 1. He attended the tour at El Corte de Madera and the work is absolutely
exquisite. 2. He has planned a hike with Patty Ciesla at El Corte de Madera OSP. 3. He
attended the Use and Management Committee meeting. 4. He participated in the staff
meeting concerning the Special Parks Districts Forum. Staff did a tremendous job of
putting together a fantastic tour for participants.
Meeting 05-24 Page 6
P. Siemens: 1. He attended the El Corte de Madera tour and was very impressed with
the work from an environmental point of view. 2. He attended the Use and Management
Committee meeting last Saturday and he feels that neighbors may not be happy with the
size of the parking lot. 3. He ran into Bob McKibben, who is on the staff member of the
Santa Clara County Tax Assessor Office, and had a nice conversation about the District.
C. Britton: 1. S. Thielfoldt is attending a Risk Management Conference put on by
CJPIA. 2. The District is providing influencing skills training by Art O'Neal to the
recently hired employees. 3. The District received a call from Beez Jones. She received
the notice regarding the Good Neighbor Policy meetings. She is very delighted with
what the District is accomplishing. 4. He mentioned the November 2nd 20-year
celebration fundraiser for Liz Kniss. 5. He attended the NRPA Conference in San
Antonio, Texas. 6. On November 3 there will be another Special Parks Districts Forum
planning meeting in the East Bay. J. Cyr is the Board representative and he will be
attending. 7. He met with Judith Steiner, Interim Director of the Committee for Green
Foothills to discuss future projects. She is also on the Sempervirens Fund Board of
Directors. 8. He emphasized that the El Corte de Madera tours were offered to no more
than three Board members at a time. 9. The County of Santa Clara has an opening on
their Advisory Council for the Finance Department for a special district member and
Mike Foster took the opportunity to apply.
S. Schectman advised all Board Members that attendance of more than three members at
the Good Neighbor Policy meetings would constitute a quorum. The fourth (and
subsequent) member must attend only as an observer. She passed out an Attorney
General's Opinion regarding the guidelines of an"observer."
J. Maciel reported that the security cameras will be installed to record illegal trail
construction.
R. Jurgensen reported that the Good Neighbor Policy Meetings post card was mailed out
to 2,500 neighbors, as well as newspaper advertisement in the Palo Alto Weekly, Half
Moon Bay Review, The Almanac and San Mateo County Times.
X. ADJOURNMENT
At 10:29 p.m., the meeting was adjourned.
Margaret Reimche
Recording Secretary