HomeMy Public PortalAbout20051130 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Regional Open Space
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Meeting 05-26
SPECIAL MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Los Altos Youth Center
1 North San Antonio Road, Los Altos,California
November 30, 2005
I
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
I. ROLL CALL
President Larry Hassett called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Mary Davey, Nanette Hanko, Deane Little (arrived at
7:35 p.m.), Ken Nitz, Pete Siemens and Larry Hassett.
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Craig Britton, Sally Thielfoldt, Matt Freeman, Rudy Jurgensen,
John Maciel, Meredith Manning, Mike Newburn, Matt Sagues, David Sanguinetti, Sue
Schectman, Doug Vu, Cathy Woodbury
II. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board adopt the agenda. P. Siemens seconded and
the motion passed 6 to 0.
III. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calendar, including
Agenda Item 2, Cancel Special Meeting of December 7, 2005; Call
Special Board Meeting for December 20, 2005; and Revised Claims 05-
21. K. Nitz seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. N. Hanko
abstained on Claim No. 3858.
IV. BOARD BUSINESS
L. Hassett laid out ground rules for the procedure of the meeting.
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Meeting 05-26 Page 2
C. Britton provided background on the trails and the designations as interim trails.
M. Freeman described the notification process, noting that more than 400 people were
notified of the meeting. He added that emails and other communications were included
in the Board's packets.
M. Freeman paraphrased the District's trail use policies. He talked about conformity to
trail use policies and application of trail use guidelines including physical and social
factors used in the assessments.
A. Agenda Item No. I a — Adoption of a Use and Management Plan Amendment for
the Black Mountain Trail at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve which
Currently Has an Interim Designation for Hiking and Equestrian Use Only-,
Determine that All Recommended Actions are Categorically Exempt from CEQA
—(Report R-0 5-12 1).
M. Manning presented the staff report and answered questions from Board
Members.
M. Newburn said the trail is usually hiked as a round trip. M. Manning said
mountain bicyclists prefer the trail because it is single track. M. Freeman said it
is popular because it connects to other trails in the Monte Bello preserve. D.
Little commented that he had encountered bicyclists barreling down the trail. He
supported the idea of other trails to allow bikes to access the summit.
B. Agenda Item No. Ib - Adoption of a Use and Management Plan Amendment for
the Ridge Trail at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve which Currently Has an
Interim Designation for Hiking Use Only, Determine that All Recommended
Actions are Categorically Exempt from CEQA—(Report R-05-121).
D. Vu presented the report and recommendations from the Use and Management
Committee and the staff. D. Vu said the reasons to support multiple uses on this
trail, even though there is a parallel trail, was that it was more scenic and is single
track.
C. Agenda Item No. le - Adoption of a Use and Management Plan Amendment for
the Zinfandel Trail at Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve which Currently Has
an Interim Designation for Hiking Use Only; Determine that All Recommended
Actions are Categorically Exempt from CEQA—(Report R-05-121).
M. Sagues outlined staff s and the Committee's recommendations. M. Freeman
said he thought the reason that no dogs were allowed was that the trail
designations were based on regional considerations.
D. Agenda Item No. Id - Adoption of a Use and Management Plan Amendment for
the Soda Gulch Trail at Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve which
Currently Has an Interim Designation for Hiking Use Only; Direct Staff to
Meeting 05-26 Page 3
Evaluate Trail Bridges for Equestrian Use; Determine Number of Trees to be
Removed Which Would be a Requirement for Multiple Use; Direct Staff to
Prepare a Proposal to Expedite Planning and Implementation of a Bay Area Ridge
Trail Segment Along Skyline Boulevard; Determine that All Recommended
Actions are Categorically Exempt from CEQA - (Report R-05-12 1).
M. Freeman highlighted the staff report and recommendations. He said there
were stiles on all tracks discussed at this meeting. He said the grant was not
specific on trail use. He did not think the District should be forced to designate
trail uses that violate two of its policies. He said there are many other ways for
cyclists and equestrians to get from point A to point B without using this trail.
This is also a more desirable situation because it is easier to enforce.
Public Input
Robert Stutz, Los Altos Hills, talked about his experience with Los Altos Hills
Pathways and with the Horsemen's Association.
Bill Kerns, Los Altos Hills, said he was concerned about opening Rhus Ridge trail
to cyclists, and expressed support for staffs recommendations. Another concern
was that the trail is very narrow and there will be safety issues and parking
problems along Moody Road.
Patty Ciesla, Los Altos Hills, commented that staff and committee
recommendations were different. She encouraged the District to include Item 3 of
the committee's recommendations, but to change "expedite" to "promote and
assist."
Paul Nam, Cupertino, said he appreciated the excellent trails on District land. He
thought the Board had pretty much made up their minds and that was why not
many cyclists came to the meeting. He thought the District puts too much
emphasis on trail conflicts. He said they could get along if everyone works on it.
Regarding restoration of the Christmas Tree Farm area, he said it would be nice if
there could be an alternate trail there. He said he was disappointed that Zinfandel
Trail cannot be considered for opening as a multi-use trail. He said the Soda
Gulch Trail is excellent as it is. He thought that work at ECDM is progressing
beautifully and commented on the reports on each trail. He thought there would
be less conflict with bikes on narrow, winding trails.
C. Britton talked about work that is ongoing and the ideal location for a ridge
trail. D. Little responded that implementing the Committee proposal could be as
simple as a detailed letter from the General Manager explaining what they are
doing and how they think that plan would lead them forward. He felt that going
against the Committee's recommendations would subvert the role of Committee.
Board Discussion
Meeting 05-26 Page 4
N. Hanko commented that this was not setting a precedent and was not violating
policy. She did not see why the Board could decide to not support the
Committee's recommendation.
M. Davey said all recommendations were fully presented. She agreed that that a
letter would suffice to tell the Board what the hope is in the future and that this is
in the process of being developed.
Motions, further discussion,votes:
Agenda Item I a:
Motion: D. Little moved that the Board find that the recommended actions
are categorically exempt under the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) as set out in the staff report; and adopt a Use
and Management Plan Amendment to designate the Black
Mountain Trail at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve for
hiking and equestrian use only. N. Hanko seconded the motion.
Discussion: J. Cyr talked about his hikes on the trail. He said that what was
before them was whether to make the current situation permanent
or keep it interim. He said the recommendation is not to change
existing use patterns.
Vote: The motion passed 7 to 0.
Agenda Item I b:
Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board find that the recommended actions
are categorically exempt under the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) as set out in the staff report; and adopt a Use
and Management Plan Amendment to designate the Ridge Trail at
Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve for hiking only. K. Nitz
seconded the motion.
Vote: The motion passed 7 to 0.
Agenda Item I c:
Motion: K. Nitz moved that the Board find that the recommended actions
are categorically exempt under the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) as set out in the staff report; and adopt a Use
and Management Plan Amendment to designate the Zinfandel Trail
at Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve for hiking only. M.
Davey seconded the motion.
Meeting 05-26 Page 5
Discussion: C. Britton explained the difference in the recommendations from
the Committee and the General Manager, noting that it related to a
decision the county might make in the future. The point staff made
at the committee meeting was the fact that if the Board designates
this as hiking-only at this point, if the county at some future time
wanted to reconsider their point of view they could come back to
the District and the Board could change their mind. He said there
was a letter from the county in the packet that indicated that they
would not be reconsidering it for at least a ten year period. They
see that there would probably be a parallel trail at some future date
that would make it unnecessary for this to be multi-use. The
staff's recommendation is to make it a permanent closure, and that
would not preclude reopening the question if the county were to do
some master planning in that area.
D. Little said the Committee made recommendations that ran
counter to staff's or amended them. He thought the Board should
respect the work that the Committee had done. He said he could
support the General Manager's recommendation because the
county will not do anything in the foreseeable future. Speaking as
a Committee member, P. Siemens agreed. J. Cyr, who is also a
Committee member, said that given the fact that the county will
not consider this soon, he would support it as well.
Vote: The motion passed 7 to 0.
Agenda Item I d:
C. Britton said he could write the Board a memo on his plan on the east side of
Skyline.
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board find that the recommended actions
are Categorically exempt under the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) as set out in the staff report; adopt a Use and
Management Plan Amendment to designate the Soda Gulch Trail
at Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve as hiking only;
and direct staff to prepare a proposal to expedite planning and
implementation of a Bay Area Ridge Trail segment through
properties along the east side of Skyline Boulevard, this to be
implemented by a letter from the General Manager as to his
intentions. M. Davey seconded the motion.
Discussion: D. Little responded on the Committee's position. He said they are
hoping that there will be real ridge trail on the east side of Skyline
and is satisfied that C. Britton will write a letter regarding his
Meeting 05-26 Page 6
plans. He said the interim designation that the Committee voted
unanimously for was related to the fact that once they make a
permanent decision about a trail, it is very hard to reverse it. They
wanted to maintain maximum flexibility. He requested as chair of
the Committee that the status remain as interim. Regarding
Committee recommendation No. 2, he said he did not intend to
propose a full study. He said he would like to encourage the Board
to recognize the role and authority of committees in making
recommendations and decisions.
Amendment to Motion: D. Little moved to amend the motion to maintain the interim
status. P. Siemens seconded the motion.
Discussion: P. Siemens spoke as a Committee member noting there was not
much support from the Committee for opening this section to
bicycles. There was some concern that they might want to look at
allowing equestrians. He thought the Committee's
recommendation 2 was to have staff take a look primarily at the
bridge supports and come back next year to finalize it. D. Little
said he thought the Committee felt that this trail's highest and best
use would be hiker-only. He thought the reason they felt it should
remain interim was that they want to have the flexibility, if the
eastern side corridor of the ridge trail never becomes a reality, to
reopen it to multi-use. He said they made the decision for good
reason.
C. Britton said any Board Member could bring a change of use to
the Board. L. Hassett said if this truly becomes a regional trail the
Board would look at that with a very open mind about making the
right connections. N. Hanko said she did not want to insult the
Committee, but she thought this trail should be hiking-only. She
said it did not fit as a regional trail. J. Cyr said that from a physical
standpoint, he did not think the trail tread supports any activity
beyond hiking. He said there are certain sections of the trail tread
where substantial work would have to be done to alter any use. D.
Little noted that bicyclists gave much more testimony at the U&M
meeting. He reiterated that they should maintain maximum
flexibility out of respect for other communities, including cyclists,
who want to use preserves.
Roll Call Vote on amendment:
AYES: J. Cyr, D. Little, P. Siemens
NOES: M. Davey,N. Hanko, K. Nitz, L. Hassett
The motion failed 3 to 4.
Meeting 05-26 Page 7
Roll call vote on original motion:
AYES: M. Davey, N. Hanko, K. Nitz, P. Siemens, L. Hassett
NOES: J. Cyr, D. Little
The motion passed 5 to 2.
C. Britton clarified that he meant no disrespect to the Committee or the Board. L.
Hassett thanked staff.
V. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
J. Cyr: 1. He had enjoyed hiking while the weather was good. 2. He showed an
advertisement in the national BMW magazine in which the District's red barn was
featured.
L. Hassett: 1. He enjoyed Thanksgiving hikes with family members on the Ridge Trail.
They encountered two bicyclists who were going at incredible speeds and caused him and
a young child to jump from the trail. 2. He will host the South Skyline Association
holiday party December 11. 3. There was a great turnout for the Dennis Martin Road
information meetings in Half Moon Bay. He said the staff presentations were fabulous.
M. Davey: 1. She complimented staff and Committee members for a job well done on
the work for this meeting. 2. She said staff provided good information for the Budget
Committee meeting held this week.
K. Nitz: 1. He said the Budget Committee was conducting the mid-year review. 2. He
said there would be a Good Neighbor Policy meeting tomorrow.
N. Hanko talked about the Good Neighbor Policy meetings.
C. Britton: 1. He announced that the December 7 meeting was cancelled and there
would be a regular meeting on December 14. There will be a special meeting on
December 20 at the Skyline Field Office. District offices will be closed December 23 to
January 2. 2. He had an invitation to the staff holiday party on December 21. 2. He had
received notice of an Open Space Authority ribbon cutting on December 3 at Rancho
Canada del Oro.
M. Newburn introduced and acknowledged the attendance of Stephanie Ferris.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:44 p.m., the meeting was adjourned.
Roberta Wolfe
Recording Secretary