HomeMy Public PortalAbout20201207 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD)
December 7, 2020
Board Meeting 20-28
*Approved by the Board of Directors on December 16, 2020
SPECIAL MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Monday, December 7, 2020
The Board of Directors conducted this meeting in accordance with California Governor
Newsom’s Executive Order N-29-20. All Board members and staff participated via
teleconference.
APPROVED MINUTES*
SPECIAL MEETING
President Holman called the special meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
to order at 9:00 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Larry Hassett, Karen Holman, Zoe Kersteen-Tucker, Yoriko
Kishimoto, Curt Riffle, and Pete Siemens
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: General Manager Ana Ruiz, General Counsel Hilary Stevenson, Chief
Financial Officer/Director of Administrative Services Stefan Jaskulak,
Assistant General Manager Brian Malone, Assistant General Manager
Susanna Chan, District Clerk/Assistant to the General Manager Jennifer
Woodworth, Controller Mike Foster, Budget & Analysis Manager Mike
Bower, Finance Manager Andrew Taylor, Natural Resources Manager
Kirk Lenington, Chief Ranger/Visitor Services Manager Matt Anderson,
Planning Manager Jane Mark, Land & Facilities Manager Brandon
Stewart, Engineering & Construction Manager Jay Lin, Human Resources
Manager Candice Basnight, Information Systems & Technology Manager
Casey Hiatt, Public Affairs Manager Kori Skinner, Real Property Manager
Mike Williams, Budget Analyst I Lupe Hernandez, and Budget Analyst I
Elissa Martinez
District Clerk Jennifer Woodworth announced this meeting is being held in accordance with
Governor Newsom’s Executive Order allowing Board members to participate remotely. The
District has done its best to conduct a meeting where everyone has an opportunity to listen to the
meeting and to provide comment. The public has the opportunity to comment on the agenda, and
the opportunity to listen to this meeting through the internet or via telephone. This information
can be found on the meeting agenda, which was physically posted at the District’s
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Administrative Office, and on the District website. Ms. Woodworth described the process and
protocols for the meeting.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Ms. Woodworth read the submitted public comments into the record.
Michael Castro expressed opposition to the District’s ban on electric bikes on District preserves
and requested District information supporting its decision to ban e-bikes.
BOARD BUSINESS
1. Progress Update on the Fiscal Year 2020-21 Capital Improvement and Action Plan
(R-20-114)
Assistant General Manager Susanna Chan provided the staff presentation summarizing progress
made on the fiscal year 2020-21 (FY21) projects, describing delays to some projects due to
COVID-19 and carryover of some projects to the following fiscal year. Projects to be carried into
the next fiscal year include: Lone Madrone Ranch fence installation, Purisima Upland site clean-
up and soil remediation assessment, Bear Creek Stables site plan implementation, and Hawthorns
public access site plan.
Director Kishimoto requested clarification regarding the allocation of state funding for the
Cloverdale acquisition.
Ms. Chan reported staff is meeting with newly elected officials in order to discuss this funding
and potential for District use of these funds.
Members of the Board praised staff for continuing to move forward with District projects in the
face of difficult challenges, including COVID-19, wildfires, etc.
Public comment opened at 9:29 a.m.
District Clerk Jennifer Woodworth reported no public comments were submitted for this item.
Public comment closed at 9:29 a.m.
No Board action required.
2. 2020 Environmental Scan and Fiscal Year 2021-22 Strategic Plan Goals and
Objectives (R-20-112)
Chief Financial Officer Stefan Jaskulak described the purpose and process used to develop the
annual environmental scan. Mr. Jaskulak described key themes of the environmental scan,
including the District’s continued stable financial position, high preserve visitation levels,
increased project complexity impacting project costs and timelines, climate change impacts,
potential legislative policy shifts, and recruitment and retainment of employees. Mr. Jaskulak
presented both internal and external strengths, challenges & barriers, and opportunities for the
District.
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Director Riffle commented on the financial stress partner organizations may be under and
inquired if the District should potentially fund a larger share of joint partner projects.
Mr. Jaskulak commented staff has been discussing this topic and developing potential funding
plans. The Board may want to continue this discussion in the future.
Director Riffle commented on the higher visitation rates since the start of the COVID-19
pandemic stating he does not think this visitation will lessen in the future. Director Riffle also
commented on the impact of climate changes through wildfire, drought, and the impact on
biodiversity stating the District should remain focused on all three areas and not just the most
pressing. Finally, Director Riffle commented that the focus on diversity, inclusion and awareness
should continue to be a key theme and focus at the District.
Director Kersteen-Tucker commented on the potential long-term impact of continued remote
working leading to fatigue for employees and suggested the District may be able to adapt to a
remote/in-office hybrid approach to work once staff returns to the office.
Mr. Jaskulak reported on some of the measures being taken by the District to combat employee
fatigue and stated staff will be returning at a future meeting with options for incorporating
lessons learned from remote working into the District’s work culture.
Director Kishimoto suggested the District can help promote open space as a way to unite people
of all backgrounds. Additionally, climate change continues to be a driving theme for the District
and suggested it may need to be its own goal with associated objectives in the strategic plan.
Director Hassett inquired what areas and partners the District could consider supporting with
District funding and assistance for partner projects. Director Hassett commented on the need to
focus on fuel-reduction projects.
Mr. Jaskulak reported only preliminary conversations are occurring, and staff will report back to
the Board to receive direction once options are developed.
Assistant General Manager Brian Malone reported on various District projects which require
partner funding, such as the Highway 17 crossings. Partner funding for this type of project could
potentially be delayed and impact project timelines.
Director Siemens commented on the need to increase the amount of parking for future projects in
anticipation of higher visitor use. Director Siemens also suggested the new administrative office
space may not all be needed for staff if more members of staff continue to work from home more
than before, stating additional space could be leased.
Director Riffle suggested additional focus and attention is needed on promoting various means of
accessing District preserves, including public transportation, bicycles, and virtual visitation.
Director Riffle commented on the work of the La Honda Public Access Working Group and the
large amount of staff time and support needed to support this effort. Increased engagement of the
coastside areas is needed as a large number of upcoming District projects are located in that area.
General Manager Ana Ruiz commented on the impact of remote working on District staff and
the need to be mindful of what new initiatives are added for the upcoming fiscal year. Ms. Ruiz
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also provided responses to District comments, including the need to examine parking capacity at
and near District preserves, partnerships with the San Mateo County Farm Bureau and other
District partnerships.
President Holman suggested the District may want to consider partnering or collaborating with
corporate partners for potential parking areas for shuttles, ideas to address employee fatigue, etc.
President Holman suggested holding a volunteer and docent charette to promote personal
interaction among them and suggested socially distant, small group gatherings with docents at
the preserves once it is safe to do so.
The members of the Board commented on the incredible job being done by staff in adapting to
the remote and changed working environment. President Holman suggested the District should
consider reducing the number of projects or initiatives in response to the current working
environment.
Director Kersteen-Tucker suggested expanding the District’s partnerships with the agricultural
communities and partner organizations on the Coast.
Ms. Ruiz commented corporate partnerships will be considered as the District continues its work
to expand multi-modal access to preserves and that coastside outreach would include the
coastside residents and the broader agricultural community.
Board members also made suggestions for additional strengths, challenges & barriers, and
opportunities.
Public comment opened at 10:28 a.m.
District Clerk Jennifer Woodworth announced no public comments were submitted to be read
into the record.
Public comment closed at 10:28 a.m.
The item was continued until after item 3.
The Board recessed at 10:35 a.m. and reconvened at 10:42 a.m. with all Directors present.
The Board returned to this agenda item at 1:47 p.m. after agenda item 3.
Mr. Malone reviewed the process used to develop the District’s strategic plan which guides the
development of each year’s budget and action plan. Mr. Malone reviewed the draft FY22
Strategic Plan Goals and Objectives and proposed edits.
The Board suggested edits to the FY22 Strategic Plan Goals and Objectives.
Motion: Director Siemens moved, and Director Riffle seconded the motion to approve the FY22
Strategic Plan Goals and Objectives, as modified.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 7-0-0
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3. Potential Focus Areas for Fiscal Year 2021-22 (R-20-113)
Ms. Chan, Mr. Jaskulak, and Mr. Malone described potential focus areas for fiscal year 2021-22
(FY22), including preparations for the new administrative office, post-COVID adjustments,
adequate staff support and resources for wildfire resiliency efforts, management and response to
higher preserve use, net-zero impacts and resource management priorities, evaluation of e-bike
use, and fiftieth anniversary planning and activities.
Director Cyr inquired regarding the flexibility of the new administrative office to adjust with a
potential shift toward greater levels of remote working by staff.
Ms. Ruiz reported staff is looking at options for increasing flexibility to maximize the amount of
office space that may be leased and to maximize the efficiency of the District-allocated office
space.
Director Kishimoto suggested the District may want to reconsider the options for public
comment during virtual meetings to allow for live audio comment for the public.
Ms. Woodworth commented that at the beginning of the virtual meetings, staff and the Board
were concerned with the security of the meetings and the potential for “Zoom-bombing,” which
was prevalent in many public agency meetings. The virtual meeting technology allows for live
audio comment if the Board would like to provide additional direction on this topic.
The Board directed staff to bring forward an agenda item on this topic to a future Board meeting.
Director Kersteen-Tucker inquired how the District was taking steps to retain current District
employees.
Ms. Ruiz reported on wellness trainings offered by the District, adjustment of work schedules to
fit employee schedules, reduction of employee work hours upon request, etc.
Human Resources Manager Candice Basnight commented on the District’s onboarding program
to connect with new employees, ongoing retention of employees, and frequent communication
with staff regarding changes due to COVID-19 to provide a sense of stability.
President Holman inquired regarding options for balancing additional staff to support wildfire
resiliency against potentially delaying other District projects if current staff is reallocated to
wildfire resiliency efforts.
Mr. Malone commented on potential options, including additional staff to oversee fuel
management projects, additional grant funding, shifting project priorities away from Measure
AA projects, etc.
Director Siemens suggested additional staff may be needed soon in order to support fuel
management and wildfire resiliency projects rather than wait to hire them later.
The Board recessed at 11:55 a.m. and reconvened at 12:42 p.m. with Directors Cyr, Hassett,
Holman, Kersteen-Tucker, and Riffle present.
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Director Siemens joined the meeting at 12:52 p.m.
Director Kishimoto joined the meeting at 12:57 p.m.
Public comment opened at 1:05 p.m.
Ms. Woodworth read the submitted public comments into the record.
Michael Ferreira with the Sierra Club opposed allowing e-bikes on District preserves because of
the negative impact on natural resources.
Public comment closed at 1:06 p.m.
Director Cyr spoke in favor the District’s measured approach to regulating and allowing e-bikes
on District preserves.
Director Riffle commented on higher visitation rates and the impact of new preserve users on
staff capacity to meet visitor needs. Director Riffle suggested a working group of various
preserve users may be helpful in examining the topic of e-bike use at District preserves due to
the various opinions of users and stated the public is eager to have additional guidance on this
topic.
Director Kersteen-Tucker inquired regarding the report on the carrying capacity of preserves as
studied by the Science Advisory Panel (SAP) will be presented.
Mr. Malone reported the SAP is studying the impact of public access and also the positive
benefits of public access.
Natural Resources Manager Kirk Lenington reported staff plans to bring the information from
the SAP in summer 2021.
Director Kersteen-Tucker suggested working with other organizations on the e-bike pilot
program to help inform regional e-bike usage and to potentially shorten the timeline for the
project. Additional data is needed to understand the impact on unpaved trails and supports
allowing e-bikes on paved trails, which are often used as a commute route.
Director Siemens suggested prioritizing the e-bike pilot project to allow the District to give
additional guidance on the topic sooner.
Director Hassett spoke regarding the impact of high visitation on preserve neighbors, including
overflow parking negatively impacting neighbors. Director Hassett also spoke in favor of
prioritizing the e-bike pilot project.
Director Kishimoto spoke in favor of taking a measured approach to e-bike regulations rather
than prioritizing the pilot project over other District projects.
Directors Riffle and Kishimoto spoke in favor of focusing on the work at Lehigh Quarry
including continuing the ad hoc committee.
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President Holman spoke in favor of net zero impacts from District projects and stated impacts
may need to be studied on a localized level and part of the focus should be avoiding impacts and
raising consciousness regarding the impacts of projects.
Director Riffle suggested placing an item on an upcoming future Board meeting agenda
regarding the timeline for the e-bike pilot program.
No Board action required.
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
• Development of a True Multi-Year Capital Improvement and Action Plan
• Progress Update on Measure AA Commitments
ADJOURNMENT
President Holman adjourned the special meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District at 3:08 p.m.
________________________________
Jennifer Woodworth, MMC
District Clerk