HomeMy Public PortalAbout20060909 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting 06-19
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
August 9, 2006
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
1. ROLL CALL
President Jed Cyr called the Special Meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Mary Davey, Larry Hassett,Nonette Hanko, Ken Nitz,
Pete Siemens (arrived at 6:36 p.m.), and Deane Little (arrived at
6:45 p.m.).
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Craig Britton, Sally Rice, John Maciel, Ana Ruiz, Duncan
Simmons, Michelle Jesperson, Meredith Manning, Cindy Roessler,
Michael Williams, Rudy Jurgensen.
J. Cyr stated that the Special Meeting would be a study session to further discuss
Resource Management matters.
11. STUDY SESSION
C. Britton gave an introduction to the study session and then turned the discussion over to
M. Jesperson.
M. Jesperson stated that the purpose of this portion of the meeting was to discuss the
resource management report from the consulting firm and she asked if any of the Board
members had questions. N. Hanko brought up points she felt needed to be discussed,
including getting public involvement.
N. Hanko also gave a suggested re-wording of Goal 4 in the 5-year plan (page 11) to
include language about the heritage eucalyptus trees. L. Hassett said that he has heard
negative feedback on the eucalyptus trees and that he would like to hear from a specialist
to explain the negative impacts of these trees. D. Little gave his thoughts on eucalyptus.
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Meeting 06-19 Page 1
J. Cyr commended the work done to prepare the ESA report and said he especially liked
the phrase "near neighbors." M. Davey agreed, adding that the report shows how well the
District is doing.
J. Cyr noted that on page 27 of the report the comments from the East Bay Regional Park
District mirror the goals of the District. He found that the second paragraph on page 210
showed an interesting staff/land ratio. He agreed with what Chapter 5 discussed in that
the established plan be flexible.
L. Hassett said he would like to see the Resource Management group/staff placed
-outside" of the Operations Department, including separating out their budget so that it
will be easier to monitor and oversee the "true" costs. He added that he didn't mean that
the staff of the Resource Management program would not work closely with Operations,
Planning and other District staff, but that by doing this it would help distinguish them.
P. Siemens asked if there was a written District policy regarding logging. If not, he said
there should be something that discusses it.
J. Cyr said that the Board had heard that the public supports acquisition, but not the care
of the land. N. Hanko said that was not correct and that recent polls showed the exact
opposite.
M. Davey said that she sees that there is cooperation between the Resource Management
and Operations staff. She said that staff should be asked what it needs to make the
program succeed..D. Little agreed with M. Davey.
M. Jesperson handed out a sheet showing a chart of ideas, concepts and programs. This
was followed by discussion about the differences between mowing and disking, which J.
Maciel explained that discing was required by the Fire Marshalls.
The Special Meeting of the Board of Directors adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
J. Cyr called for a 5-minute break before the start of the Regular Meeting.
REGULAR MEETING
111. J. Cyr called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
Additional Staff Present: S. Cousins, K. Miller, M. Casaretto, L. Patterson,
T. Hammond, R. Carlson.
Mary Davey asked that this meeting be dedicated to the memory of Tony Look, recently
deceased founding director of the Sempervirens Fund. The Board agreed to do so.
IV. INTRODUCTION OF NEW STAFF
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A. Ruiz presented Andrea Christianson as the District's new Planning Technician and she
gave some background information about Ms. Christianson. The Board welcomed her to
the District.
A. Ruiz also announced the recent promotion of M. Manning to the Open Space
Planner 11 position.
V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
A. Jim Bodwin of Cupertino, CA, said that he was there to reintroduce the Adopt-A-
Trail program, and reminded the Board that he had spoken to them about this
program a few years earlier. He said that Santa Clara County Parks and
Recreation has begun this program with signs. He asked if the District Board
would like to reconsider this program. The Board thanked him and said that staff
would be in touch with him to discuss this further.
VI. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: K. Nitz moved that the Board adopt the Agenda. M. Davey seconded the
motion. The motion passed 7 to 0.
VII. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR
L. Hassett pulled Agenda Item 6 from the Consent Calendar to discuss. K. Nitz pulled
Agenda Item 7 from the Consent Calendar to discuss. J. Cyr pulled the Written
Communications to discuss.
K. Nitz asked for explanations of two Revised Claims, as follows:
#5330 J. Maciel explained this expense.
#5357R R. Jurgensen said that this was the District's portion (sharing
costs).
J. Cyr asked for explanations of two Revised Claims, as follows:
#5313 M. Manning explained this was for the oil cleanup.
#5331 R. Jurgensen said that the District was sharing costs for this item.
N. Hanko said she would abstain from Revised Claim #5287. She also pointed out an
incorrect spelling of G. Betts in the Board Minutes dated July 12, 2006. The Minutes
showed the incorrect spelling of"Betz".
Motion: K. Nitz moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calendar, including the
Board Minutes of July 12, 2006 Special and Regular Meetings, as
corrected; Agenda Item 8 Adoption of Resolution No. 06-26 of the Board
of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Establishing Financial Instrument Signatories for Santa Clara County
August 9,2006 Minutes
Meeting 06-19 Page 3
Accounts; and Revised Claims 06-15. N. Hanko seconded the motion.
The motion passed 7 to 0.
VIII. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
J. Cyr said he pulled this item because he wanted to add language to the letter about the
timing. L. Hassett asked how bad the house is. C. Britton suggested that a meeting of the
Real Property Committee be called to discuss and review the residence at Thornewood.
L. Hassett said he had concern that salvaged construction wood was being sold on the
property, and asked if there was a side-business occurring. M. Williams said that no side-
business in the selling of wood was taking place. N. Hanko echoed L. Hassett's concerns.
IX. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Agenda Item No. I —Approve Entering into a Cooperative Service Agreement
with a Right-of-Entry Permit for the United States Department of Agriculture
Wildlife Service (APHIS-WS) to Conduct Predator Control at Ravenswood Open
Space Preserve; Determine that the Proposed Actions are Categorically Exempt
under the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA) Based on Findings
Contained in This Report; Authorize the General Manager to Execute the
Cooperative Service Agreement with a Right of Entry Permit Allowing the
APHIS-WS Access into Ravenswood Open Space Preserve for the Purpose of
Conducting Wildlife Predator Management Activities; Authorize the General
Manager and General Counsel to Approve Minor Revisions to the Rig t of Entry
Permit•, Authorize Payment to the APHIS-WS of Budgeted Funds for Wildlife
Predator Management Activities for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $55,000
(Report R-06-97).
Stella Cousins introduced representatives of the APHIS-WS seated in the
audience. She reviewed the predator control program at Ravenswood Open Space
Preserve and the historical control measures used at that Preserve.
N. Hanko said she was in favor of continuing the program and was happy to have
read that a clapper rail had been seen at the Preserve. She asked about cats being
caught in the traps and what happened to them. Brian Popper, with APHIS-WS
replied that cats that are caught are turned over to the local SPCA, and if they
have collars their owners are notified; but as far as he knew, only feral cats have
been caught in their traps.
N. Hanko said she would like leaflets distributed to the neighbors in the adjacent
area. Mr. Popper said that they could work with District staff on doing that. D.
Simmons asked where the traps were set and C. Britton asked if they were closer
to the homes or closer to the Bay. Mr. Popper said that they are set closer to the
August 9,2006 Minutes
Meeting 06-19 Page 4
boat equipment areas and he showed the area on a map where the trapping occurs.
He added that there are only a few access points.
P. Siemens asked how many have been caught and Mr. Popper said they have
caught 13 animals, including cats, a raccoon, three skunks and four grey fox.
K. Nitz asked if there are signs, and if the weeds are being sprayed. A. Ruiz
replied that there were notices on the signboards and that the weeds were
scheduled to be sprayed this year.
L. Hassett asked Mr. Popper if the presence of the grey fox was why they had not
observed red fox in the area. Mr. Popper said that was the case, and if the grey
fox were not in the area, then it would be more likely to see a red fox.
L. Hassett asked about the funding for this project, and D. Simmons answered that
the funding would cover a five-year period of time.
J. Cyr thanked the representatives for attending the meeting and answering the
Board's questions.
Motion: L. Hassett moved that the Board approve entering into a
Cooperative Service Agreement with a Right-of-Entry permit for
the United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Service
(APHIS-WS) to conduct predator control at Ravenswood Open
Space Preserve; Determine that the proposed actions are
categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) based on findings contained in this report; Authorize
the General Manager to execute the Cooperative Service
Agreement with a Right of Entry Permit allowing the APHIS-WS
access into Ravenswood Open Space Preserve for the purpose of
conducting wildlife predator management activities; Authorize the
General Manager and General Counsel to approve minor revisions
to the Right of Entry permit; Authorize payment to the APHIS-WS
of budgeted funds for wildlife predator management activities for a
total amount not to exceed $55,000. P. Siemens seconded the
motion.
Discussion: D. Little asked if the grey foxes pose a problem to the clapper rail
population. Mr. Popper said that maybe they could, but they are
not able to determine this completely. They do not want to take all
predators out of the environment. K. Nitz asked if they had caught
any rats and Mr. Popper said they had not and that the rodent
populations are difficult to control.
Vote: The motion passed Ito 0.
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B. Agenda Item 2 —Agreement with San Mateo County Mosquito Abatement
District for Vector Surveillance and Control Activities-, Determine that the
Proposed Actions Will Not Result in a Significant Effect on the Environment
Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Based on Findings
Contained in the Report-, Authorize the General Manager to Approve and Sign the
Agreement between Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and San Mateo
County Mosquito Abatement District (Agreement)—(Report R-06-90)
M. Jesperson presented the staff report giving background information about the
San Mateo County Mosquito Abatement District. She said this was a new
agreement from the agreement the District entered into previously.
Motion: K. Nitz moved that the Board enter into an agreement with San
Mateo County Mosquito Abatement District for vector surveillance
and control activities; Determine that the proposed actions will not
result in a significant effect on the environment under the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) based on findings
contained in the report; Authorize the General Manager to approve
and sign the agreement between Midpeninsula Regional Open
Space District and San Mateo County Mosquito Abatement
District (Agreement). N. Hanko seconded the motion.
Discussion: L. Hassett pointed out that the District is a multi-county agency,
but this agreement is only with San Mateo County and he asked
they also monitored outside of their county or if a similar
agreement would be entered into with Santa Clara County. M.
Jesperson responded that San Mateo County Mosquito Abatement
District will only stay in its own area, but that she expected to
bring a similar agreement to the Board with Santa Clara County.
D. Little asked if the District had any birds infected with the West
Nile Virus, and C. Roessler said that the District did.
K. Nitz asked if mosquito fish attack and/or eat red-legged frogs.
C. Roessler said that there was a concern that they could eat red-
legged frog eggs.
Vote: The motion passed 7 to 0.
C. Agenda Item 3 —Approval of Memorandum of Agreement with Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District Field Employees Association and Approval of
Salary and Benefits for the Office, Supervisory and Management Employees;
Adopt the Resolution Approving the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Field Employees Association
(MROSDFEA), For a Term of April 1, 2006 through March 31, 2011. Retroactive
August 9,2006 Minutes
Meeting 06-19 Page 6
to April I or Date of Hire, Whichever is Later, for Association Employees
Employed by the District as of Approval of this MOA, Adopt the Resolution
Approving the Salary and Benefits for the Office, Supervisory and Management
(OSM) Staff Retroactive to April 1, 2006 or Date of Hire, Whichever is Later, for
OSM Employees by the District as of Approval of This Resolution; Amend the
Position Classification and Compensation Plan as Recommended (Appendix A);
Appropriate Funds from the Fixed Assets (Land Acquisition) Category of the
2006-2007 Fiscal Year Budget to be Transferred to Salaries and Benefits in the
Amount Not to Exceed $183,000 and Direct Staff to Return with the Appropriate
Budget Amendments to Reflect These Adjustments at the Mid-Year Budget
Adjustment by the Board• Direct Staff to Work with the California Public
Employees Retirement System (PERS) to Implement the Appropriate Provisions
of Recommendations I and 2 as Necessary, Including Returning to the Board for
Any Additional Required Actions• Direct Staff to Return to the Board with
Appropriate Revisions to the District's Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual
to Implement Recommendation 2 for OSM Employees. as Needed—(Report R-
06-86)
C. Britton introduced the staff report and gave some historical data on benefits
and increasing costs.
S. Rice said that this is a five-year program and she recognized the represented
staff in the audience. She added that the negotiating process was good, respectful,
professional and that there was good dialog.
S. Rice then reviewed the key economic changes for all District staff, which
included:
• Enhancement of PERS to 2.5% @ 55, up from 2% @ 55
• Retiree medical benefit enhancement
• Cost sharing with employees-
o Staff to pay 1% increased to 2% by 2008 toward PERS
o Staff to pay a percentage of health insurance premiums
• Salary adjustments
* Staff looked at comparables with other agencies
* 3 point salary increase this year
For the Office, Supervisory and Management Employees:
• Permanent increase of 1% for Senior Administrative Assistant position
(with removal of the 1% stipend) due to the increased responsibility to act
as the Deputy District Clerk
• "At Will" Department Managers to receive severance pay and possibility
of merit pay with the General Manager's discretion
• Increase in the Area Superintendents' pay range by 5 points to reflect
higher level responsibilities in terms of staff and budget
August 9,2006 Minutes
Meeting 06-19 Page 7
Other Field Employee changes include:
0 An increase in the call-back time and uniform allowance
0 Expansion of the 9/80 scheduling as a pilot program
* Agreement to begin labor-management meetings on a regular basis
K. Nitz asked if Article 14, Tuition Reimbursement, would increase in the budget.
S. Rice said that the amount budgeted is $2,000 and that they have not topped out
on that budget line, so at this time there is no reason to increase the money funded
for this line item.
K. Miller spoke as a member of MROSDFEA, and was on the negotiating
committee. He said that the negotiating meetings were productive. He told the
Board that the MROSDFEA voted to pass the agreement, but that it was not a
unanimous vote. He said he was surprised to see the Managers' merit increase in
the report. He had asked for the negotiations to re-open but was told, "no".
D. Little said he had been working with the Open Space Technicians and that they
work very hard and should be acknowledged for it. He said they were doing a
great jab.
Motion: D. Little moved that the Board approval of Memorandum of
Agreement with Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Field
Employees Association and approval of Salary and Benefits for the
Office, Supervisory and Management Employees; Adopt
Resolution No.06- 28 approving the Memorandum of Agreement
(MOA) with the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Field
Employees Association (MROSDFEA), for a term of April 1, 2006
through March 31, 2011, Retroactive to April I or date of hire,
whichever is later, for Association Employees employed by the
District as of approval of this MOA; Adopt the Resolution
Approving the Salary and Benefits for the Office, Supervisory and
Management (OSM) staff retroactive to April 1, 2006 or date of
hire, whichever is later, for OSM Employees by the District as of
approval of Resolution No. 06-29; Amend the Position
Classification and Compensation Plan as recommended(Appendix
A); Appropriate funds from the Fixed Assets (Land Acquisition)
category of the 2006-2007 fiscal year budget to be transferred to
Salaries and Benefits in the amount not to exceed $183,000 and
direct staff to return with the appropriate budget amendments to
reflect these adjustments at the mid-year budget adjustment by the
Board; Direct staff to work with the California Public Employees
Retirement System (PERS) to implement the appropriate
provisions of Recommendations I and 2 as necessary, including
returning to the Board for any additional required actions•
; Direct
staff to return to the Board with appropriate revisions to the
District's Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual to implement
August 9,2006 Minutes
Meeting 06-19 Page 8
Recommendation 2 for OSM employees, as needed. P. Siemens
seconded the motion.
Discussion: J. Cyr added that he agreed that the Area Superintendents'jobs
have expanded and that they should be compensated for their work.
C. Britton said that the negotiations provided good information and
that he wanted to thank the negotiating team for their efforts.
J. Cyr said that the shift to having employees pick up a portion of
the medical costs is a very difficult issue, and acknowledged that
this change is not an easy one. He appreciates the complexity.
Vote: The motion passed 7 to 0.
D. Agenda Item 4—Authorize Retention of the Law Firm of Pillsbury Winthrop
Shaw Pittman to Provide Leizal Services to the District in Stated Matters, Approve
Payment of Previously Authorized Funds to Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman in
Lieu of Miller Starr& Remalia, and Authorize Payment of Additional Legal Fees
in an Amount Not to Exceed $30,000•, Authorize the General Manager to Execute
a Retainer Agreement with the Law Firm of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman in
theMatters of. Fogqrtv v. Midneninsula Regional OpgnS ace District:
CQlinty Club v. Midneninsula Regional Space District: and a Potential
Encroachment and Conservation Easement Violation at Sierra Azul Oven Space
Preserve; Authorize Additional Legal Fees in the Matter of Fogarty v
Re *goLftn Space District,for the Pillsbury Law Firm in an
== Sj
Amount Not to Exceed $30,000; Approve the Payment of Funds Previously
Approved for Miller Starr & Regalia to Pillsbury in the Above Described Matters
(Report R-06-98)
Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board authorize retention of the law firm
of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman to provide legal services to
the District in stated matters, Approve payment of previously
authorized funds to Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman in lieu of
Miller Starr& Regalia, and authorize payment of additional legal
fees in an amount not to exceed $30,000; Authorize the General
Manager to execute a retainer agreement with the law firm of
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman in the matters of: Fogarty v.
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District; Saratoga County
Club v. Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District; and a
potential encroachment and conservation easement violation at
Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve; Authorize additional legal fees
in the matter of Fogarty v. Midneninsula Regional Open Space
District for the Pillsbury Law Firm in an amount not to exceed
August 9,2006 Minutes
Meeting 06-19 Page 9
$30,000; Approve the payment of funds previously approved for
Miller Starr& Regalia to Pillsbury in the above described matters.
L. Hassett seconded the motion.
K. Nitz said that he wanted to vote against the General Counsel's
Recommendation number 2, having to do with the Fogarty matter.
J. Cyr called for the vote to be made by the Board for each of the
three General Counsel's Recommendations.
Vote: General Counsel Recommendation Number 1:
M. Davey moved that the Board approve General Counsel's
Recommendation Number 1. L. Hassett seconded the motion. The
motion passed 6 to 0. (N. Hanko was not present to vote on this
item.)
General Counsel Recommendation Number 2:
M. Davey moved that the Board approve General Counsel's
Recommendation Number 2. L. Hassett seconded the motion. The
motion passed 5 to 1. K. Nitz voted against this motion. (N.
Hanko was not present to vote on this item.)
General Counsel Recommendation Number 3:
M. Davey moved that the Board approve General Counsel's
recommendation Number 3. L. Hassett seconded the motion. The
motion passed 7 to 0.
E. Agenda Item 5—Approval of Amendments to Purchase Agreement-Bargain Sale
for the Purchase of Peninsula Open Space Trust (Driscoll Ranch) Property (San
Mateo County Assessor's Parcel Numbers 078-270-010, -020, -030; 078-290-010,
-020, -030, -060; 082-140-020, 082-170-010, -040), Located in Unincorporated
San Mateo County Adjacent to Highway 84 as an Addition to La Honda Creek
Open Space Preserve; Adopt the Resolution Approving and Authorizing
Execution of an Amendment to the Purchase Agreement-Bargain Sale for the
Peninsula Open Space Trust (Driscoll Ranch) Property—(Report R-06-1 00).
Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board approve the Amendments to
Purchase Agreement-Bargain Sale for the Purchase of Peninsula
Open Space Trust (Driscoll Ranch) property (San Mateo County
Assessor's Parcel Numbers 078-270-010, -020, -030; 078-290-010,
-020, -030, -060; 082-140-020; 082-170-010, -040), located in
unincorporated San Mateo County adjacent to Highway 84 as an
addition to La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve; Adopt
August 9,2006 Minutes
Meeting 06-19 Page 10
Resolution No. 06-30 approving and authorizing execution of an
Amendment to the Purchase Agreement-Bargain Sale for the
Peninsula Open Space Trust (Driscoll Ranch) property. M. Davey
seconded the motion.
K. Nitz asked if the Board was re-approving this purchase.
Discussion: pp g
M. Williams explained that this was an amendment needed to
formalize in writing the extension of the escrow closing and the
District's agreement to make a $5,000,000 deposit toward the full
purchase price to POST, an amount that would be fully refundable
to the District by POST if the purchase fails to be completed for
any reason.
L. Hassett asked why pollution insurance was holding up the
escrow. C. Britton said that was not the reason for the delay.
M. Williams gave further information on the residence and the j
complexity of acquiring this property, and added that this particular
purchase has been a learning experience for staff and for the
District.
K. Nitz asked about the activity level planned at the event center,
including the rodeos. M. Williams replied that they are still
clarifying the uses, but that staff was told there would be three to
four events per year. P. Siemens asked if the District can limit the
number of times they use the parking lots. M. Williams said they
would only use the lots three to four times per year, and that they
have parking available on their property; they only use the District
lots for overflow parking.
Vote: The motion passed 7 to 0.
F. Agenda Item 6—Final Adoption of an Amendment to the Use and Management
Plan for Los Trancos Open Space Preserve to Formalize an Existing
Connection with Palo Alto's Foothills Park and to Realign a Section of Page Mill
Trail; Amend the Use and Management Plan for Los Trancos Open Space
Preserve to Designate the Existing Trail Connection Between the Preserve and
Palo Alto's Foothills Park as a Hiking Only Trail; Amend the Use and
Management Plan for Los Trancos Open Space Preserve to Realign the Upper
Section of Paize Mill Trail to Accommodate Drainage and Recreation Use
Improvements and to Change the Use Designation of a Portion of the Trail to
Hiking Only (Report 06-96).
J. Cyr said he pulled this item from the Consent Calendar because the CEQA J
section was not specified and he wondered why. C. Britton stated that because
this is the second vote on this item, it is not required to be listed again.
August 9,2006 Minutes
Meeting 06-19 Page I 1
Motion: N. Hanko moved the final adoption of an Amendment to the Use
and Management Plan for Los Trancos Open Space Preserve to
formalize an existing trail connection with Palo Alto's Foothills
Park and to realign a section of Page Mill Trail; Amend the Use
and Management Plan for Los Trancos Open Space Preserve to
designate the existing trail connection between the Preserve and
Palo Alto's Foothills Park as a hiking only trail; Amend the Use
and Management Plan for Los Trancos Open Space Preserve to
realign the upper section of Page Mill Trail to accommodate
drainage and recreation-use improvements and to change the use
designation of a portion of the trail to hiking only. M. Davey
seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0.
G. Agenda Item 7—Authorization to Solicit Bids for Four Prefabricated Fiberglass
Composite Pedestrian/Equestrian Bridges for El Corte de Madera Creek Open
Space Preserve—(Report R-06-95).
K. Nitz said he pulled this item from the Consent Calendar because he wanted a
definition of the proposed bridges. M. Manning said that these bridges will be
sitting on a foundation, but they are already manufactured and will save the
District money. K. Nitz asked if the District can just hire people to install the
bridges rather than the District building and installing them, and he asked if that is
where the 10% savings was coming from. M. Manning said that the District has
done this in the past, and gave an example from Pulgas Ridge Open Space
Preserve. L. Hassett asked why the District didn't do this more often, and M.
Manning said she would look into that.
Motion: N. Hanko moved to authorize staff to solicit bids for four
prefabricated fiberglass composite pedestrian/equestrian bridges
for El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve. K. Nitz
seconded the motion.
Discussion: P. Siemens said he agreed with this process and thought it was a
good idea as it simplified the process.
M. Manning told the Board that there will be a formalized
competitive bid process for this project.
Vote: The motion passed 7 to 0.
X. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS /COMPENSABLE MEETING REPORTS
August 9,2006 Minutes
Meeting 06-19 Page 12
N. Hanko said she wanted to agendize the Ombudsperson report that was in the FYI's to
the Board. C. Britton said that this is a one-year appointment and that the Board could
discuss it at that time.
N. Hanko said her compensable meetings included the Good Neighbor Policy Committee
meeting on August 8 1h and tonight's Board meeting. She attended the South Skyline
picnic and said that the speaker was from Cowell State Park and that he was outstanding.
She requested help with the Peninsula Corridor Study, and suggested having staff attend
meetings occasionally. She said the Good Neighbor Policy Committee has received 14
comments and that they are all quality comments.
K. Nitz's compensable meetings included the Good Neighbor Policy Committee on
August 8 1h and tonight's Board meeting. He said he had only seen two notices about the
upcoming elections for the District Board seats. He went on vacation in Europe and did
hiking in several countries. He asked about the Environmental Impact Report on the
Hetch Hetchy line included in the FYIs, and asked if it will run through Pulgas Ridge
Open Space Preserve. C. Britton said that he would check on that and get back to him
with the answer.
M. Davey said her only compensable meeting was this Board meeting. She thanked staff
for finding out what kind of beetle it was that she brought in.
P. Siemens said his only compensable meeting was this Board meeting.
L. Hassett said his only compensable meeting was this Board meeting. He attended the
South Skyline picnic and agreed with N. Hanko that the speaker was excellent. He went
on a farm tour with M. Davey and said they went to four or five different farms along
Highway 1. He said it was a great tour attended by about 95 people.
J. Cyr said he attended the Good Neighbor Policy Committee meeting on August 8, and
that tonight's Board meeting was his only other compensable meeting. He said that page
2 of the San Francisco Planning Department letter was missing from the FYI's. He went
with L. Hassett on a helicopter ride given by the East Bay Regional Park District
(EBRPD), arranged by John Escobar on their behalf He said that it is an expensive
program and that EBRPD owns two helicopters. He thanked staff for the update on the
North property. On August 4 he went with J. Maciel to hike the new Dusky Footed
Woodrat Trail in Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve and said that it was an excellent trail
with wonderful views.
D. Little said his only compensable meeting was this Board meeting. He announced his
resignation from the Board of Directors. He spoke about his eight years on the Board and
gave a photograph he had taken as a gift to the District. The photo was taken at the
District's Foothills Open Space Preserve.
August 9,2006 Minutes
Meeting 06-19 Page 13
L. Hassett thanked D. Little for being a mentor to him and gave him an out-of-print book
as a gift.
P. Siemens thanked D. Little for his service on the Board.
K. Nitz thanked D. Little for being a driving force for the Resource Management
Program.
C. Britton said he appreciated D. Little for bringing resource management into focus for
the District. He announced that September 20th would be the daytime event for the staff
recognition event, and that it was going to be held at Dear Hollow Farm; he said that
September 29th was the date for the evening staff recognition event, which will be held
again at Saratoga Springs, and he encouraged the Board members to attend both events.
He and D. Woods met with staff at East Palo Alto to discuss Cooley Landing and to come
up with a plan for low-impact recreation opportunities there. S. Schectman and he met
with Santa Clara County Park's new legal counsel, Katherine Harasz. He said that Tom
Lantos thinks California will have a Democratic majority, and asked about what
environmental issues the District would like to see come forward. C. Britton told the
Board that with the resignation of D. Little from the Board there will be options to fill his
seat, and that there was a 60-day time period to do so. He said that staff would bring
these options to the next Board meeting. C. Britton said that Tony Look, who recently
passed away, was a good friend of the District and will be missed. M. Davey said that
the memorial service would be in October.
J. Maciel said that Santa Clara County had collected 5,000 marijuana plants near Long
Ridge Open Space Preserve off of the Achistaca Trail (sp?).
XI. ADJORNMENT
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District adjourned at 10:05 pm.
Lisa Zadek
Recording Secretary
August 9,2006 Minutes
Meeting 06-19 Page 14