HomeMy Public PortalAbout20060426 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Regional Open Space
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
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Meeting 06-11
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
April 26, 2006
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
I. ROLL CALL
President Jed Cyr called the special meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Larry Hassett, Ken Nitz,Nonette Hanko, Deane Little
(arrived at 6:30 p.m.), and Mary Davey
Members Absent: Pete Siemens
Staff Present: Craig Britton, Sue Schectman, Sally Thielfoldt, John Maciel, Mike
Williams, Del Woods, Michael Reeves, Duncan Simmons
II. CL
OSED SESSION
J. Cyr stated that the Board would adjourn to Closed Session to discuss Closed Session
Agenda Items 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
The Board recessed to Closed Session at 6:03 p.m. and the Closed Session commenced at
6:03 p.m. The Board concluded the Closed Session at 7:30 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING
III. J. Cyr called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:31 p.m.
Additional Staff Present: Matt Freeman, Rudy Jurgensen, Cindy Roessler, David
Topley
IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were none.
V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: K. Nitz moved that the Board adopt the Agenda. M. Davey seconded the
motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
VI. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR
K. Nitz asked for an explanation of Claim number 4682. R. Jurgensen explained that the
video was created for the Special Park Districts Forum and for future District
presentations. The video included pictures of the District preserves and the coast.
K. Nitz asked for an explanation of Claim number 4708. C. Roessler stated that the seeds
were native grass seed grown from a local nursery and that the District bought several
bags. She added that this was an opportunity for the District to purchase locally-grown
and collected seeds.
N. Hanko abstained from Revised Claims numbers 4619 and 4766.
II
K. Nitz requested that Agenda Item 6 be pulled for discussion.
L. Hassett pulled the Written Communication letter to the Obenneyers. He stated his
concern was that Mr. Obermeyer's claim was not responded to directly, and L. Hassett
asked how the road condition was described in the original easement.
S. Schectman replied that the District's interpretation is that the road condition was
gravel and unpaved at the time of the Grant and the Obermeyers disagreed. C. Britton
added that the easement should refer to the original maintenance language and that staff
would work on revising the language of the letter to make the District's point clear.
J. Cyr asked for a motion to approve the Consent Calendar with Agenda Item 6 removed
for discussion.
Motion: L. Hassett moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calendar, including ,
the Board Minutes of February 22 and March 8, 2006 Special and Regular
Meetings, Agenda Item 7, Authorizing the General Manager to Extend
the Agreements with Each of the Following Vendors to Provide
Maintenance and Repair Services for the District's Fleet Vehicles, Roy's
Repair Service of La Honda for an agreement Not to Exceed $50,000, and
CMK Automotive of Mountain View for an Agreement Not to Exceed
$40,000; Agenda Item 8,Authorizing Payment of Board Member
Lodging and Other Actual and Necessary Costs to Attend the 2006 Special
Park Districts Forum in San Ramon, California; Written
Communications (I letter to be revised to Obermeyer, and I letter to
Dremarm), and Revised Claims 06-08. K. Nitz seconded the motion. The
motion passed 6 to 0.
Meeting 06-11 Page 2
VII. NEW STAFF and GUEST INTRODUCTIONS
M. Freeman introduced Stella Cousins, the new Planning Technician, and gave some
background information about her to the Board. He said that her start date was March 31,
2006 and that she will take over the graphics and mapping projects. The Board
welcomed S. Cousins to the District.
S. Thielfoldt welcomed three Stanford law students who were observing the Board
meeting that night.
VIII. BOARD BUSINESS
C. Britton gave an overview of upcoming Resource Management staff reports and
thanked C. Roessler for her work. He referred to the FYI's on the false brume issue.
A. Agenda Item No. I —Approval of Research Proposal to Study Sudden Oak Death
Pathogen in Tanoak and Coastal Live Oak Trees on District Land; Determine the
Recommended Actions are Categorically Exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act(CEQA) Based on the Findings Contained in this
Report; Authorize the General Manager to Approve a Research Proposal from the
University of California at Davis and Oregon State University to Study Infection
Pathways of the Sudden Oak Death Pathogen in Tanoak and Coast Live Oak
Trees—(Report R-06-1 1).
C. Roessler gave a brief overview of the staff report. She said she attended a
Sudden Oak Death Seminar in mid-March sponsored by the California Oak
Mortality Task Force and found out that the pathogen causing the SOD disease
was introduced by nurseries and that the pathogen can spread amongst the trees
through their root systems.
C. Roessler then reviewed the proposed project. She started by stating that this
was a long-term, I 0-year work program. A collaborative committee to research
priorities has been formed, and it is staff s goal to develop a contract by the end of
summer. C. Roessler showed a PowerPoint slide presentation showing trees
infected by SOD. She reviewed the process of how the trees were diagnosed by
describing how cross-sections of the trees were cut in both cross-ways and long-
ways which demonstrated that the disease infected the trees further into the sap
wood than previously assumed. She then reviewed the proposal as described on
page 2 of the staff report. She showed a map of potential sites where the study
would occur. She said that the conditions for the study have been set; they would
use young oak trees, look for an area where there is a low outbreak of SOD
currently, and not choose a scenic area. The researchers will need to obtain state
and federal permits to do their study.
Meeting 06-11 Page 3
N. Hanko said that she had experience injecting Ponderosa pines and that there
was success in saving the trees from beetle infestation. She noted that there was
no mention about their being an injection for the oak study. C. Roessler replied
that the study under consideration did not include an injection; however she added
that the idea was brought up at the workshop discussing the I 0-year work plan.
This study will provide additional information of how the pathogen is spreading
and may tell the impacts it is having. D. Little asked if the pathogen is coming
from District land and C. Roessler replied that it is and that it probably came from
the Monterey Bay area.
D. Little asked why the project won't be done in a controlled green house
environment. C. Roessler said that the cellular structure is different enough and
that the researchers cannot do the study in Oregon because the area is too small.
They went to other areas in California, but the areas they saw did not meet the
conditions for the study.
D. Little added that he would prefer if the researchers entered areas already
infected rather than going into areas that are not yet infected. C. Roessler said
that they can tell from looking at the outside of a tree if the area is infected or not.
K. Nitz asked if after the trees are cut down if the researchers will check other
trees near the infected trees, and C. Roessler replied that if possible they can track
to see if the disease spreads after the trees are cut and will look at the question
whether the tree removal process infects the air around other trees. She said she
would ask the researchers if they can develop a study to see if infection is spread
as a result of the initial study.
J. Cyr asked if the trees to be studied would be far enough off the trails to avoid
attracting nuisances, and he asked if the areas would be GPS-ed and flagged. C.
Roessler said the trees would be marked with silver metals on the north-side of
the trees and would be away from trails.
D. Little voiced concern that the study being proposed was basic research rather
than applied research and further asked how this project would benefit the District
and if there is a logical reason for proceeding with the project. C. Roessler
answered that this project is not direct applied research but that it is basic research
which will add data and will give the District a direct link to future research.
C. Roessler said she did not have a final dollar cost of staff time, but said that
staff will spend some time on the project and she recommends that staff be the
ones to cut the trees. When the project is completed, the researchers will give a
presentation to the Board.
L. Hassett stated that he is very excited about this study and that it is great that it
is basic research which will lead to applied research.
Meeting 06-11 Page 4
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board determine the recommended
actions are categorically exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act based on the finding contained in this
report; and authorize the General Manager to approve a research
proposal from the University of California at Davis and Oregon
State University to study infection pathways of the Sudden Oak
Death pathogen in tanoak and coast live oak trees. M. Davey
seconded the motion.
Discussion: D. Little responded that basic research is important and can pose
new questions. He would like to see staff pitching applied research
for this study. One concern he has is looking at the variation in
plant communities on District land and he would like the
researchers to look at areas that do not have the possibility of
getting infected. He would like the researchers to save living
material and preserve it for the future.
J. Cyr echoed L. Hassett's and D. Little's comments. He added
that he is very excited about the project.
M. Davey thanked C. Roessler for attending the conference in
Monterey and for the excellent report.
Vote: The motion passed 6-0.
B. Agenda Item No. 2—Approve Cooperative Agreement for Caltrans to Fund
Planting, Maintenance and Monitoring of 112 Oak Woodland Trees at Skyline
Ridge Open Space Preserve for the Amount of$37,444—(Report 06-45).
C. Roessler introduced a green amended copy of the Cooperative Agreement
between Caltrans and the District, noting changes. She said that the former
Christmas tree ranch area was slowly being restored.
K. Nitz,asked when the work is scheduled for completion. C. Roessler said it will
take 6 months to one year due to acquiring County permits and that Caltrans will
reimburse the District approximately 75 days after the planting takes place.
L. Hassett asked if Caltrans determined the dollar amount. C. Roessler answered
that Caltrans did not determine the dollar amount, but that District staff did base it
on past expenses incurred. N. Hanko asked a follow-up question about if the
money would be used for the planting phase, or if it would be used for
maintenance and she asked if there is a cost due to erosion. C. Roessler replied
that the District would do the maintenance and erosion control anyway.
D. Little asked where the new trees would be coming from, and C. Roessler said
that staff was working with a local nursery, Acterra Nursery, and that staff will
Meeting 06-11 Page 5
use the District's own acorns. She also assured the Board that she would inspect
plants from the nursery prior to planting.
Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board approve Cooperative Agreement
for Caltrans to fund planting, maintenance and monitoring of 112
oak woodland trees at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve for the
amount of$37,444. K. Nitz seconded the motion. The motion
passed 6 to 0.
C. Britton requested that the Board move Agenda Item No. 5 up as the attorney
representing the property owners was in the audience specifically for that report.
Motion: N. Hanko moved that Board Agenda Item No. 5 be presented out
of order from the printed agenda. K. Nitz seconded the motion.
The motion passed 6 to 0.
C. Agenda Item No. 5—Proposed Gift of the Hawthorns Property as an Addition to
Windy Hill Open Space Preserve (San Mateo County Assessor's Parcel Numbers
079-080-050 -080 and—090), Determine that the Recommended Actions are
Categorically rally Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act as Set Out
in This Report; Adopt the Resolution Accepting the Gift of the Hawthorns
Property; TentativelAdopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan
Recommendations Contained in this Report, Including Naming the Hawthorns
Property as an Addition to the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve; Indicate
Intention to Dedicate the Hawthorns Property as Public Open Space at the Time
the Property is Conveyed to the District—(Report R-06-53).
D. Woods introduced the staff report stating that this property was a gift of the
Hawthorns, a property located in Portola Valley near the Windy Hill Open Space
Preserve. He said the property would come to the District at two separate
occasions and that the property is divided into two parcels for that purpose. At
this point D. Woods started a PowerPoint presentation showing photographs and
maps of the property. He reviewed the boundaries of the properties two parcels
and showed sites and views of the property, as well as showing the location of the
houses on each parcel. He pointed out the existing trail on parcel two. D. Woods
stated that Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) has an easement over the property
and if the District owns the property, that easement would allow for adding a
staging area, providing Ranger housing, and continuing the current uses of the
property.
N. Hanko said that staff had done well to protect this property and that this is a
wonderful and generous gift to the District.
Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board determine that the recommended
actions are categorically exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act as set out in this report; adopt
Meeting 06-11 Page 6
Resolution No. 06-16 accepting the gift of the Hawthorns property;
tentatively adopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan
recommendations contained in this report, including naming the
Hawthorns property as an addition to the Windy Hill Open Space
Preserve; indicate intention to dedicate the Hawthorns Property as
public open space at the time the property is conveyed to the
District. K.Nitz seconded the motion.
Discussion: D. Little asked that the attorney present would convey the Board's
thanks to the family for the gift.
Vote: The motion passed 6 to 0.
D. Agenda Item No. 3 —Proposed Addition of Santa Clara County Tax-Defaulted
"Hacienda Park" Parcels to the Mt. Umunhum Area of Sierra Azul Open Space
Preserve (Santa Clara County Assessor's Parcel Numbers 562-24-003, -019, -020,
-021, -023, -030, -034, -040, -064, -065, -068, and 562-25-010, -021, -029, -03 1, -
035, -046, -047, -051, -055), Determine that the Recommended Actions are
Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act as Set Out
in This Report-, Adopt the Resolution Authorizing Purchase of the Santa Clara
County Tax-Defaulted"Hacienda Park" Properties, Tentatively Adopt the
Preliminary Use and Management Plan Recommendations Contained in this
Report and Naming the Property as an Addition to the Mt. Umunhum Area of
Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve; Indicate Intention to Withhold the Property
from Dedication as Public Open Space—(Report R-06-49).
C. Britton asked if there were any questions from the Board. There were none.
Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board determine that the recommended
actions are categorically exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act as set out in this report; Adopt
Resolution No. 06-14 authorizing purchase of the Santa Clara
County tax-defaulted"Hacienda Park" properties; tentatively adopt
the Preliminary Use and Management Plan recommendations
contained in this report and naming the properties as an additions
to the Mt. Umunhum Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve;
indicate intention to withhold the properties from dedication as
public open space. K. Nitz seconded the motion. The motion
passed 6 to 0.
E. Agenda Item No. 4—Proposed Addition of Santa Clara County Tax-Defaulted
Bachman, et al. Thirty-Four Percent (34%) Property Interest to the Mt. Umunhum
Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve (Santa Clara County Assessor's Parcel
Numbers 561-10-009, -010, -011, and -012)•, Determine that the Recommended
Actions are Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
as Set Out in This Report; Adopt the Resolution Authorizing Purchase of the
Meeting 06-11 Page 7
Santa Clara County Tax-Defaulted "Bachman" Property Interests, Tentatively
Adopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan Recommendations Contained
in this Report and Naming the Property as an Addition to the Mt. Umunhum Area
of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve; Indicate Intention to Withhold the Property
from Dedication as Public Open Space—(Report R-06-50).
Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board determine that the recommended
actions are categorically exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act as set out in this report; Adopt
Resolution No. 06-15 authorizing purchase of the Santa Clara
County tax-defaulted"Bachman"property interest; tentatively
adopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan
recommendations contained in this report and naming the
properties as an additions to the Mt. Umunhurn Area of Sierra Azul
Open Space Preserve; indicate intention to withhold the properties
from dedication as Public Open Space. K. Nitz seconded the
motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
F. Agenda Item No. 6—Authorization to Renew Feral Pip, Control Agreement with
Rural Pig Management, Inc. for One Additional Year in an Amount Not to
Exceed $35,000; Determine that the Recommended Actions are Categorically
Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act as Set Out in This Report;
Authorize the General Manager to Extend the Contract with Rural Pig
Management, Inc. to Continue a Wild Pig Management Program on District
Lands for One Additional Year for the Period of April 1, 2006 through March 31,
2007 with a Budget Not to Exceed $35,000—(Report R-06-47).
K. Nitz said that he figured that the District spent approximately $250 per pig last
year and asked how much would be spent under the proposed contract. C.
Roessler answered that since the trapping began(about 4-1/2 years), 327 pigs had
been dispatched at an average cost of$400 per pig. Rather than paying a"per
pig"rate, there is now an annual fee paid. She pointed out that the damage to
District land has declined since the program began, and she reviewed the program
for the Board. C. Roessler added that the pigs are most active in the fall and
spring months and that this is not a year-round project.
Motion: K. Nitz moved that the Board Authorize to renew Feral Pig Control
Agreement with Rural Pig Management, Inc. for one additional
year in an amount not to exceed $35,000; determine that the
recommended actions are Categorically Exempt from the
California Environmental Quality Act as set out in this report;
authorize the General Manager to extend the contract with Rural
Pig Management, Inc. to continue a Wild Pig Management
Program on District lands for one additional year for the period of
April 1, 2006 through March 31, 2007 with a budget not to exceed
$35,000. M. Davey seconded the motion.
Meeting 06-11 Page 8
Discussion: D. Little asked how coyotes are avoided being caught. C. Roessler
said that in the entire time the program has been in place not one
coyote has been caught. She said that some wild turkeys walk into
the trap, but the trapper puts in a wire which prevents capture of
the turkeys.
L. Hassett said that this has been an extremely successful trapping
program. He used to see the pigs daily, but has not seen a pig in
about two years.
C. Roessler said that the Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space
Preserve neighbors have notified District staff when they see pigs
and that the traps can now be set up very quickly.
Vote: The motion passed 6 to 0.
VIII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
N. Hanko attended the Good Neighbor Committee meeting on April 25, 2006 and the
Committee worked on the final language for the draft policy; she would be attending the
Legislative, Funding and Public Affairs Committee meeting on May 9, 2006.
K. Nitz attended the Good Neighbor Committee meeting on April 25, 2006; on Saturday
he went to the Woodside Environmental Faire and saw art all around the property, there
was talk about the Huddart Park trail, and there were runners who were upset that they
cannot hold running events on District property. On April 25, 2006 he participated at his
work for Volunteer Day and worked at the District's table. On April 29, 2006 he is going
to the Santa Clara County trail dedication; he asked if the wildflowers were out yet; and
he took pictures at Thornewood Open Space Preserve.
M. Davey attended an Earth Day event at the Westwind Barn in Los Altos and saw R.
Jurgensen and S. Thielfoldt hosting a District table and stayed for three hours; she
brought information about Santa Clara County's Measure A which is on the June 6, 2006
ballot which asks for a 'l2-cent general tax for social services and transportation.
L. Hassett had an invitation to speak before HOST (Half Moon Bay Open Space Trust)
and also received an invitation to speak before WOST (Woodside Open Space Trust); he
said that Cathy Woodbury called and asked him to sit in on an interview panel for
Alameda planning manager candidates; he met with Philippe Cohen and Debbie Gordon,
along with D. Little, to explore research projects on District land, noting that Philippe is
the Administrative Director at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve at Stanford University.
D. Little continued from L. Hassett and gave background information on the researchers
and what they work on, for example they look at Argentinean ants; he asked to have an
Pa e 9
Meeting06-11 �
agenda item for Deborah Gordon to give a presentation. He did some filming with J.
Norton; he went to a volunteer event pulling up false brome.
J. Cyr said that L. Hassett has given him a letter about San Mateo LAFCo. C. Britton
said that the District does not have a right to vote because it is not the primary county of
the District. J. Cyr attended the Good Neighbor Committee meeting on April 25, 2006;
he attended the Special Park Districts Forum meeting; he hiked to Deer Hollow Farm
with a group and said that Mary Gilman gave a tour of the farm and showed the group the
new animal babies; he saw a bobcat next to the trail between the farm and the parking lot,
completely unfazed by the people on the trail.
C. Britton stated he will attend the Santa Clara County ribbon cutting ceremony on April
29, 2006 at Rancho San Antonio in an area not managed by the District(K. Nitz,N.
Hanko and J. Cry will also attend); he handed out the June 2 Bay Area Open Space
Council flyer and asked the Board to call M. Reimche if they want to attend the meeting;
he handed out the Special Parks District Forum envelope/packet to each Board member;
he said that San Mateo County is doing a Master Plan of Huddart Park and that they want
a trail for bikes, but the equestrians have organized so there will be a"Blue Ribbon"
committee formed to look into the trail uses; he said that Los Altos City Council has a
recruitment ad for a city manager focusing on open space.
S. Thielfoldt said that the Santa Clara County Health Benefits Coalition acknowledged
that the District joined the coalition.
R. Jurgensen showed a news clip profiling the District; he said there is now a print out
showing the Los Trancos earthquake walk; there is a waiting list for the Special Park
Districts Forum event; on Saturday a Fremont Older house tour was scheduled and asked
the Board to let J. Norton know if they wanted to go.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:45p.m., the Regular meeting was adjourned.
Lisa Zadek
Recording Secretary
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