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MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Meeting 07-04
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
February 14, 2007
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
I. ROLL CALL
President Ken Nitz called the special meeting to order at 5:37 p.m.
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Larry Hassett, Ken Nitz,Nonette Hanko, Curt Riffle,
Pete Siemens, and Mary Davey
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Craig Britton, Sue Schectman, Sally Rice, Mike Williams,John
Dickey, Ana Ruiz, Duncan Simmons
11. CLOSED SESSION
K. Nitz stated that there were no reportable items from the Closed Session regarding
Items I through 7.
REGULAR MEETING
111. K. Nitz called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Additional Staff Present: C. Roessler,Andrea Christenson, G. Baillie, M.
Newbum, M. Freeman, R. Jurgensen, S. Cousins
IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were none.
V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
N. Hanko asked the Board to dedicate this meeting to Richard Bishop, a former
District Board member who held the same ward as K.Nitz and recently passed away.
Meeting 07-04 Page 2
Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board adopt the Agenda and dedicate the
meeting to Richard Bishop. C. Riffle seconded the motion. The
motion passed 7 to 0.
Staff requested that the Board Agenda Items 5 and 6 be taken out of order, so that the
Agenda Item order would be: 1, 5, 6, 2, 3, 4.
VII. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR
K. Nitz pulled Revised Claims and said he had questions for the following Revised
Claims: 6309, 6310, 6315, 6353, 6369 that were explained by staff.
J. Cyr asked questions on Revised Claim 6311 which staff explained.
J. Cyr pulled Agenda Item 7 and K. Nitz pulled Agenda Item 8 from the Consent
Calendar.
J. Cyr said he had corrections to the December 13, 2006 Minutes, which S. Rice said
were changed, indicating page 4 the last sentence should be lined out. Also the first
name should be corrected to read"Derry"Kabcenell.
The Revised Claims and the October 25,2006 were then incorporated back into the
Consent Calendar upon agreement by the Board.
N. Hanko said she would abstain from voting on Revised Claim number 6302.
Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calendar, including
the Board Minutes of November 29, 2006 Special Meeting, corrected
December 13, 2006 Special and Regular Meeting, and January 10,
2007 Special and Regular Meeting, Agenda Item 9, Appoint
Vavrinek Trine, Day & Co. as the District's auditors for fiscal year
2006-2007 and authorize the General Manager to execute the
engagement letter agreement in the amount of$22,000, and Revised
Claims 07-03. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 7
to 0.
IIIV. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Agenda Item No. 1 —Report on Development of Administrative Guidelines
for Geocaching on District Lands; Accept Report Regarding the Development
of Administrative Guidelines for Implementation by Staff for the Control of
Geocaching on District Lands- (Report R-07-08)
G. Baillie introduced Steve Wood of REI who gave a presentation to the
Board about geocaching.
Meeting 07-04 Page 3
S. Wood thanked the Board for the opportunity to present this information.
He gave a PowerPoint slide presentation pointing out what geocaching is and
its benefits. These points included:
• GPS techniques are used to locate geocache containers;
• Geocache can be any sort of container that can be hidden;
• Over 8,000 geocache's are in the Bay Area;
• Geocache is a popular form of entertainment for families;
• Geocache is very popular in Silicon Valley;
• It is a very social activity good for group participation;
• "Cache in—Trash out"(CITO);
• Geocache is a good volunteer opportunity source;
• Other local park districts are involved.
S. Wood said there is a website where people can log in and enter information
of how they found a cache.
C. Riffle asked how many people in the Bay Area are involved with
geocaching. S. Wood estimated that about 5,000 people actively do this
activity every week. C. Riffle followed up with asking how many used
District land, and S. Wood said he would estimate that a few hundred and that
Monte Bello Open Space Preserve is the most popular site.
C. Riffle asked who checks the caches to see if it is good or bad. S. Woods
answered that it is a sensitive community of users and they note if a cache is
causing damage, and they will ask the owner to move the cache if it needs to
be moved. He added that geocache's are generally placed in areas not causing
damage.
J. Cyr said he was impressed with the organized cache community and said he
saw them as adding value to the District.
L. Hassett said he was supportive of geocaching, but had questions about the
guidelines as he wanted to be sure they were sensitive to the land. S. Woods
said that many geocache's are familiar with park uses and many are already
volunteers of the District. The community knows they have to obey rules and
they add park hours to the caches.
K. Nitz asked how the District could go about removing caches if they felt the
did not like where it was located. S. Woods replied that staff could just take it
out, or ask that it be removed. K.Nitz asked if www.geocaching.com was the
only website. S. Woods said that there were a few others, but that this was the
largest site.
Meeting 07-04 Page 4
C. Britton said that geocaching is already going on at District preserves. He
said that staff felt it was already a"legal" activity on District lands, but
needed additional guidelines; therefore, staff will use the Administrative
Policy and post it on the website. He added that most people who participate
are hikers. He sees this as a good opportunity to get people out on the trails
and it is something that staff can monitor.
N. Hanko asked how the cache is marked and S. Woods replied that they are
working on that, but generally there is a sticker or stencil stating it is a cache,
and there is a log book attached or within the cache that people make notes in.
No formal action was required. The Board of Directors accepted the report
and thanked staff and S. Woods for presenting the information.
B. Agenda Item 5—Award of Contract to Southwest Fence for Alpine Road
Ranches Boundary Fence Upgrade Project at Skyline Ridge Open Space
Preserve; Determine that the Recommendation is Categorically Exempt from
the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA) As Set Out in this Report;
Authorize the General Manager to Execute a Contract with Southwest Fence
of Patterson, California for the Bid Amount of$34,906.00, Plus an Additional
Amount of up to $29,486.00 for Additional Work Apart from Base Bid
Amount and Any Contingencies, for a Total Authorization Not to Exceed
$64,392.00 for Construction of Livestock Fencing and Associated
Infrastructure Improvements in Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve—(Report
R-07-24)
S. Cousins presented the staff report and gave a PowerPoint presentation
showinga ma of the area that indicated the fencing needs. She reviewed the
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condition of the fences which included some fences that had fallen over and
some that were okay. She reviewed the bid process saying that there were two
Y P Y g
parts to the bid, (1)the base bid and(2) additional work. Since the District is
working on finding a grazing tenant, it is necessary to get the fences repaired.
L. Hassett asked if the bottom wire would be raised and S. Cousins replied
that there would be slight modification to the wire fence and that the bottom
wire is raised.
C. Riffle asked what would happen to the old fence and was told that the
contractor will remove it. He then asked about the life span of the fence and
S. Cousins said it had a long life, depending on the upkeep of 50-plus years.
P. Siemens asked about the condition of the interior fences. S. Cousins said
they were in various conditions, but that those fence repairs would be included
as an"in kind"task as a portion of the tenant agreement. C. Riffle asked if
fencing could be included in the tenant agreement, but S. Cousins said that
cows cannot be put on the property without fencing already in place.
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Meeting 07-04 Page 5
K. Nitz asked how the additional work would be paid. S. Cousins replied that
it would be paid based on time and materials.
P. Siemens asked if cows were there now. S. Cousins said some cows were
there during the winter, about 6 to 10 cows.
Motion: Mary Davey moved that the Board award the contract to
Southwest Fence for Alpine Road ranches boundary fence
upgrade project at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve;
Determine that the recommendation is categorically exempt
from the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA) as set
out in this report; Authorize the General Manager to execute a
contract with Southwest Fence of Patterson, California for the
bid amount of$34,906.00, plus an additional amount of up to
$29,486.00 for additional work apart from base bid amount and
any contingencies, for a total authorization not to exceed
$64,392.00 for construction of livestock fencing and associated
infrastructure improvements in Skyline Ridge Open Space
Preserve. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed
7 to 0.
C. Agenda Item 6—Award of Contract for Metal Beam Guard Rail Installation
Along Loma Prieta Road and Loma Chiquita Road in Sierra Azul Open Space
Preserve; Determine that the Recommended Action is Cate og rically Exempt
from the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA) As Set Out in this
Report; Authorize the General Manager to Execute a Contract with PC&N
Construction, Inc. of Byron, California for the Bid Amount of$32,800.00,
Plus a Contingency Amount of up to $6,560.00, for a Total Amount Not to
Exceed 39 360.00 for the Installation of Metal Beam Guard Rail Along
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Loma Prieta Road and Loma Chiquita Road in Sierra Azui Open Space
Preserve—(Report R-07-25)
A. Christenson gave a PowerPoint presentation for the staff report showing a
map of the area including background information about the project. She said
that the previous fence had been vandalized and was recommending installing
a metal guardrail. She showed pictures of proposed sites for installing the
guard railing, adding that there are several sections of both roads that are
proposed to have guardrails. She said that staff recommended PC&N
Construction.
K.Nitz asked about the dumping occurring in the area and what was dumped.
J. Maciel replied that a lot of large items such as appliances are dumped there.
P. Siemens asked if the guardrail will be bolted. A. Christenson said it is and
that the steel hardware will be mounted on wood posts.
Meeting 07-04 Page 6
N. Hanko commented that once people get used to a dumpsite it is hard for
them to be deterred and she asked if there was an alternate plan in case the
dumpsite is continued to be used. A. Christenson said there was no contingent
plan; however, the guardrail should be enough of a deterrent.
M. Newburn said that the dumpsite is very steep and that vehicles are unable
to get to the majority of the garbage, but that they would need to pick-up the
garbage by hand. He agreed that the guardrail would be a deterrent for any
quick dumping.
L. Hassett said there was normally a 10%contingency and asked why there
was a 20%contingency on this contract. A. Christenson said that they were
being conservative with the overall cost as they do not know if there is
bedrock, which could slow down the work and increase the cost. Also, the
bigger contingency allows flexibility to increase the amount of railing.
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board award the contract for metal
Beam guard rail installation along Loma Prieta Road and Loma
Chiquita Road in Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve; determine
that the recommended action is categorically exempt from the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set out in
this report; Authorize the General Manager to execute a
contract with PC&N Construction, Inc. of Byron, California for
the bid amount of$32,800.00,plus a contingency amount of up
to $6,560.00, for a total amount not to exceed $39,360.00 for
the installation of metal beam guard rail along Loma Prieta
Road and Loma Chiquita Road in Sierra Azul Open Space
Preserve. M. Davey seconded the motion. The motion passed
7to0.
D. Agenda Item 2—Proposed Purchase of the BDS Capital, Inc. Property as an
Addition to the Mt. Umunhum Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve(Santa
Clara County Assessor's Parcel Number 575-07-008) Located in Unincorporated
Santa Clara County at the End of Reynolds Road; Determine that the
Recommended Actions are Categorically Exempt from California Environmental
Quality Act(CEQA) As Set Out in this Report; Adopt the Resolution Authorizing
Purchase of the BDS Capital, Inc. Property; Adopt the Preliminary Use and
Management Plan Recommendations Contained in this Report and Name the
Property as an Addition to the Mt. Umunhum Area of Sierra Azul Open Space
Preserve,• Indicate Your Intention to Withhold Dedication of the Property as
Public Open Space At this Time—(Report R-07-26).
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M. Williams gave a PowerPoint presentation showing a map indicating the
property boundaries, a GoogleEarth overview, and photographs of the
property and the views from it. He said the property was foreclosed on last
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Meeting 07-04 Page 7
year. He reviewed the recommended Use and Management and the terms
saying that the District was purchasing it at the appraised value of$1,250,000,
or$23,000 per acre.
N. Hanko asked how far the trail would be from Woods Trail and Reynolds
Road. M. Williams said it was about a half a mile in either direction and two
miles down Reynolds Road. N. Hanko asked if there was a view from the pad
on the property and M. Williams showed the photographs showing the views
looking from the pad.
J. Cyr asked about the access through two private properties. M. Williams
said the District would have rights all along the road and that the road was not
gated.
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board determine that the
recommended actions are categorically exempt from California
Environmental Quality Act(CEQA) as set out in this report;
Adopt Resolution No. 07-05 authorizing purchase of the BDS
Capital, Inc. Property; Adopt the preliminary Use and
Management Plan recommendations contained in this report
and name the property as an addition to the Mt. Umunhum area
of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve; Indicate intention to
withhold dedication of the property as public open space at this
time. C. Riffle seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to
0.
E. Agenda Item 3—Review the Proposed Preliminary Action Plan for Fiscal
Year 2007-2008—(Report R-07-28)
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C. Britton gave an overview of the staff report and said that the second and
final reading of the report will occur in March. He said he had asked the
department managers to look at the five-year plan as many projects are multi-
year.
S. Rice gave some global comments about the report regarding staffing
changes and growth in each department as needed. She also said that each
department manager works on staffing relationships.
I. Public Affairs Department
A. Public Information and Outreach
B. Legislative,Funding and Organizational Relations
C. Community Programs
Meeting 07-04 Page 8
R. Jurgensen said they are proposing a position for a Web Content
Developer/Writer. He said the website is an effective outreach tool and works
great for the Volunteer and Docent programs.
R. Jurgensen highlighted key projects including the Visitor Estimate Survey,
and community and media outreach. One goal is to keep the public aware of
Resource Management projects through the media and District volunteers.
His department would also be working on the geocaching monitoring system
development.
N. Hanko thanked R. Jurgensen for the fine report. She asked if special
events would be scheduled for the trail opening between Los Trancos and
Foothills Park, and the Dick Bishop event held in conjunction with the Pulgas
Ridge event. R. Jurgensen said that a Los Trancos trail opening event will be
held and that the Dick Bishop and Pulgas Ridge events will be separate.
C. Riffle asked about the survey this year. R. Jurgensen explained that it is a
poll and will be done this current fiscal year. K. Nitz asked if the Board
would see the questions and C. Britton replied that the Committee would see
the questions.
P. Siemens asked if the web content position was new and R. Jurgensen said it
was. K. Nitz questioned the writing portion of the job and said he thought that
was R. Jurgensen's job. R. Jurgensen replied that currently that was true,but
writing is not supposed to be his principle job and that the District needs this
capability not currently found in-house. He added that District press releases
are up 800% since he began.
K. Nitz made a general comment that it would be nice to know when projects
are completed. C. Britton said that an Action Plan evaluation is presented
each year.
H. Administration Department
A. Administration - S. Rice
B. Human Resources—S. Rice
C. Legal Services—S. Schectman
S. Rice reviewed key projects, including District funding; Records
Management—reviewing the consultant's recommendations; doing budgeting
related to land management cost analysis; succession planning, including
looking for ways to build in opportunities for staff leadership development;
electronically connecting the field offices to the Administration office by June
I St; and employee relations—setting up regular labor management meetings.
She notified the Board that she plans to bring the new Personnel Policy
Manual before the Board this spring.
Meeting 07-04 Page 9
P. Siemens asked about the asterisk next to the Administrative Assistant
position and asked if it was a new position. S. Rice said it was not a new
position,but that they needed to look at possibly upgrading this position
because it is a Human Resources skilled position rather than an
Administrative Assistant position.
P. Siemens asked about 44 on page 6 and said it looked like two subjects and
asked about the update to the Employer-Employee Relations Resolution. S.
Rice said the District's Resolution hasn't been updated for a number of years.
P. Siemens thought that was a separate item and should be renumbered. P.
Siemens asked if the training database was working and S. Rice said that it is.
N. Hanko asked about 415 on page 5 saying this item should be shown as"on
going" and not shown as "completed". J. Cyr said he thought the meetings
were complete. N. Hanko said they should be on going.
C. Riffle asked about#4 on page 4 about the database project. S. Rice said
the database project is still being refined, adding that Public Affairs has been
working on it.
C. Riffle asked about#8 on page 7 asking what meet and confer is and S. Rice
explained that public agencies need to do meet and confer's with represented
staff. J. Cyr added that that is the language in the law.
K.Nitz said he noticed that the Work Place Enhancement Plan had a name
change. S. Rice said that Management Team did change the name,but the
essence of the program is the same. She added that there is good
communication up and down the organization. There are one-on-one
meetings, staff meetings, field office meetings, and full staff meetings.
K. Nitz asked about#3 on page g e 2 wanting to know when the records
management project would begin. S. Rice said that the consultant
recommended taking time on this, as it is an expensive project and will be
time consuming. Staff will be reviewing options.
S. Schectman said that they are concentrating on streamlining projects and
looking at efficient ways to review contracts and agreements and asking for
funding for a consultant to assist in streamlining the contracts process.
N. Hanko stated that#3 under Updating Board Policies should include a
separate bullet for Public Notification Policy. S. Schectman replied that staff
is only looking at the Public Notification Policy in a limited way as it relates
to the Use and Management process.
Meeting 07-04 Page 10
Generally speaking, J. Cyr said that he appreciated the pagination in the
sections of the Action Plan. N. Hanko said she was glad that the order of
presentation was changed and she asked what happened to the idea that the
Action Plan presentation be a dedicated meeting.
III. Real Property Department
A. Land Purchase, Funding and Negotiation
B. Property Management
C. Land Protection
M. Williams reviewed some highlights including applying for competitive
grants from Proposition 84; they will be applying for Land Purchase Grant
projects with the Coastal Conservancy for some POST properties; working on
historic leases including completing the Picchetti Winery lease and working
with Planning and Operations to implement grazing leases; and under Land
Protection they plan to start up the easement monitoring program with annual
inspections.
C. Riffle asked if the easement monitoring was done using staff time or with
using volunteers. M. Williams said that it done mostly with volunteers but
there is some staff time involved.
N. Hanko said she was pleased to see #6 on page 6.
P. Siemens asked if staff needed to prepare the annual rental survey every year
(page 5) and M. Williams said they did. C. Britton added that it is a
requirement under the employee housing leases. They look at CPI and or
market rental rates.
K. Nitz asked about the Land Property Specialist position and M. Williams
II�
said they were going to be formalizing titles in the department and he let the
Board know that J. Dickey would be retiring at the end of February.
M. Davey corrected the spelling of"compliment" on#6 on page 3.
IV. Planning Department
A. Advance Planning and Geographic Information Systems
B. Resource and Stewardship Planning
C. Public Access Improvements and Staff Facilities
M. Freeman said that his department has elevated resource management to be
a sub-program of Planning. He is requesting a new position. The coastside
plan is an advanced planning project that will be phased. Both Master Plans
will continue and are expected to be completed the following fiscal year.
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Meeting 07-04 Page 11
They are changing the name of the Grazing Program to include the word
"Conservation"and continue working on the 5 year routine maintenance
agreement with Fish& Game and resolving the final comments from Fish&
Game. Under Public Access Improvements,they have scaled back the
commitment to complete implementation of the watershed protection
program, now having it be a 10 year project(El Corte de Madera).
P. Siemens asked if there was a regulatory agency time-line for the El Corte
de Madera project and M. Freeman said it was a 5-year commitment. P.
Siemens replied that at one time he had suggested a 10-year timeline, but he'd
received opposition to the idea. He said he fully supported this.
M. Freeman discussed Staff Facilities stating that because the District is now
looking at a remodel and needed expansion of the office it made more sense to
incorporate the HVAC project into the remodel project. Other projects
include expanding the Administration office into the tenant space, and a
remodel of the Driscoll Ranch house to accommodate an employee residence.
M. Freeman said the new position being added would be for an Open Space
Planner I. He said the Board approved the new GIS Coordinator,but the
department would benefit with another Open Space Planner I position because
there is a wide range of projects already for this position.
N. Hanko asked if#8 on page 4 was completed. M. Freeman replied that the
plans have been completed and approved and that the trail is open to the
public. N. Hanko said she had received a letter from Greg Betts about the re-
alignment and M. Freeman said there was a small trail alignment to be done.
N. Hanko said that Palo Alto is waiting for the opening ceremony. P. Siemens
added that the neighbors expected the trail to be done sooner rather than later
and N. Hanko said that she was getting telephone calls about it. J. Maciel said
that D. Sanguinetti has been waiting for Palo Alto to finish and that it has just
been done. N. Hanko said she was concerned because it was crossed off of
the Action Plan. J. Cyr asked if the re-route will happen in the fall or next
fiscal year. N. Hanko said it appeared that it is being ignored. C. Britton said
it was not being ignored at all. The connection was scheduled to be in the
next year's program.
L. Hassett asked why the Sausal Pond deck was being deferred and asked if
just the designing part of the project was done and M. Freeman said that plans
had been drafted, but it is an extensive project. C. Britton added that M.
Freeman is trying to weigh projects and prioritize needs however,the Board
can move projects up. L. Hassett said he agreed with K. Nitz that this is a
high visibility project on a highly used preserve. C. Britton said they can
bring it back to the Administration and Budget Committee and K. Nitz said
that staff should do that.
Meeting 07-04 Page 12
P. Siemens asked if the current staff opening would work on contract
management. M. Freeman said that they would be looking for someone with
that experience.
P. Siemens asked if the Eastside Trail along El Corte de Madera was
something Planning was following. C. Britton said that there are two parts to
that project and that it is under study by the County of San Mateo and that the
District's Planning staff was not working on it as none of the project is on
District land.
P. Siemens asked if a consultant will be hired to study the wild land fuels and
M. Freeman said there is one currently working on this.
P. Siemens asked if the Skyline field office needs a remodel even with the
addition of a Sierra Azul office (page 9). M. Freeman said that the Skyline
field office is overcrowded with staff and needs expansion for the existing
staff, plus additional staff hired for the coastal expansion.
J. Cyr said he feels the frustration of unfinished projects and the need to
revamp some of them. He said that staff needs to be clear with partners, both
public and the neighbors. Regarding the deck and changing the priorities,he
said he was nervous about changing the priorities. C. Britton said that this was
the Board's time to tell staff what their priorities should be.
K. Nitz noted on page 3 that the Thornewood landslide was not mentioned.
M. Freeman said it was not called out specifically and S. Schectman said it
was in the Legal program. M. Freeman said that it is an encroachment
problem, so Real Property had the lead on the project.
K.Nitz asked about the water tank removal at Pulgas Ridge (page 4) and the
Eucalyptus tree removal shown as resource management lower priority. M.
Freeman said there may be a market for the tank. C. Britton suggested
changing the language to read, "look into salvage" and M. Freeman said they
could incorporate the salvage into the bid package..
K.Nitz asked why just the Driscoll Ranch was mentioned under Pond
Management(page 6),because there are also Sausal, Horse Shoe and Alpine
ponds. M. Freeman said that the District did a survey and the consultant
recommended the Driscoll pond, as it ties in with the Master Plan.
V. Operations Department
A. Field Operations—J. Maciel
B. Resource Management—C. Roessler
Meeting 07-04 Page 13
J. Maciel reviewed the positions needed in the Operations Department
including two additional Equipment Mechanic Operators(one for each field
office), a half time training coordinator and converting the field
Administrative Assistants to permanents part time status. He explained further
that each field office has had a part-time Administrative Assistant under the
"temporary"work status. He explained that the half-time training coordinator
would consolidate into one position what six to eight staff is currently
coordinating. This job would include setting up trainings, keeping records
updated, centralization of the data.
N. Hanko commented that#g on page 5 said it should not be crossed out
because it is not completed, rather, it should show as on going. She also asked
what happened to the Hogle bench. C. Britton said that M. Newburn is
coordinating the Hogle bench installation and that Public Affairs will work on
the publicity and that their goal is to have the ceremony in May.
P. Siemens said that#2 on page 2 should include a timeline for the radio
improvements. J. Maciel said that this was just a piaceholder for the budget.
K.Nitz asked why#3 on page 2 about pig monitoring was crossed out. J.
Maciel said it was no longer a key project, but on going.
K. Nitz asked about the database for citations (page 4)and J. Maciel said that
G. Baillie has been working with a consultant to manage and track the
citations.
III K. Nitz asked if the neighbors will be notified for the Eucalyptus removal
(page 6, 1 A) and C. Roessler said that they will notify them beforehand
adding that there is a two-year permit in place. K. Nitz commented that the
tree removal so far had been a great job done.
K. Nitz asked about the grazing at Tunitas and C. Roessler said staff will add
Tunitas to the list.
C. Riffle asked about#6 on page 8 and asked why those surveys were chosen.
C. Roessler replied that these were long standing surveys and that staff has
been monitoring the mountain lion sightings.
N. Hanko asked about#1 A under Key Projects and asked if a plan will come
back to the Board. C. Roessler said they can bring information back about
what trees are being planned to be removed. N. Hanko said that section
should be reworded and change the word"notify." J. Cyr added that the plan
has been developed, but the implementing plan needs to be stated. N. Hanko
agreed adding that they have the plan, but need to know how many trees will
be removed.
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Meeting 07-04 Page 14
K. Nitz commented item#10 on page 8 that Shilling Lake should be added to
the list. C. Roessler said that they will look at ponds strategically and
currently Alpine Pond is a priority. She added that Shilling Pond is included
in the Thomewood Master Plan.
No formal action was required. The Board of Directors accepted the report.
F. Agenda Item 4—Accept the 2005-2006 Legislative Program Report,Adopt
the 2007-2008 Legislative Program; Authorize the Board President and/or
General Manager to Submit Correspondence on Behalf of the District to
Local, State and Federal Elected Officials in Support of, or in Opposition to
Pending Legislation when the General Manager and General Counsel
Determine Such Positions to be in the Best Interest of the District in Order to
Effectively Cagy Out District Business and Accomplish the District Purposes;
Provided that any such Correspondence be Copied to the Full Board of
Directors as Part of the Next Agenda Packet and All Such Correspondence is
Reported to the Legislative, Finance and Public Affairs Committee on a
Periodic Basis—(Report R-07-29).
Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board accept the 2005-2006
Legislative Program Report; Adopt the 2007-2008 Legislative
Program; Authorize the Board President and/or General
Manager to submit correspondence on behalf of the District to
local, state and federal elected officials in support of, or in
opposition to pending legislation when the General Manager
and General Counsel determine such positions to be in the best
interest of the District in order to effectively carry out District
business and accomplish the District purposes; provided that
any such correspondence be copied to the full Board of
Directors as part of the next agenda packet and all such
correspondence is reported to the Legislative, Finance and
Public Affairs Committee on a periodic basis. M. Davey
seconded the motion.
Discussion: C. Riffle asked if the District is involved on how the money is
granted with regard to Proposition 84. C. Britton said that the
Bay Area Open Space Council is working on this, but they
cannot really control this, but they are all pushing in the
direction of keeping the funds in tact.
K. Nitz asked what Goal 4 on page 6 was. S. Schectman
explained how this was a left over goal from last time, and a
ruling is needed currently to try to get an exemption.
K. Nitz said he was not in favor of Goal 9. C. Britton said that
if the legislation passed, it was still up to the Board to decide if
Meeting g 07-04 Page 15
it passes that authority on or not. There a quite a few projects
that are more than$25,000, but less than$50,000, so staff feels
it would serve the District to give the General Manager this
authority and other agencies currently have the higher
authority.
K.Nitz asked for the meaning of Goal 12. C. Britton explained
how a law was passed that allows employees who have more
than 5 years of service to buy more service time, or"air time"
as it is called, for PERS in order to catch up on time earned.
He said the program should be considered. The whole program
was to be at no agency cost.
Vote: The motion passed with a vote of 7 to 0.
F. Agenda Item 7—Adopt the Resolution Authorizing the General Manager, or
Designee, to Record a Notice of Completion, Acceptance or Cessation
Whenever Such is Appropriate for a District Project—(Report R-07-20).
J. Cyr said he was curious as to why this shift was being requested. C. Britton
said that it currently takes about two weeks to process a Notice of Completion
(lag time). D. Simmons said that this will protect the District adding that it is
an administrative notice to contractors to let them know the timing has started.
J. Cyr asked if the Board will be notified about the Notice of Completion. S.
Schectman said that a copy can be placed in the FYI's. K. Nitz asked if it
harms the District to do this and S. Schectman said it did not.
Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board adopt Resolution No. 07-06
authorizing the General Manager, or designee,to Record a
Notice of Completion, Acceptance or Cessation whenever such
is appropriate for a District project. P. Siemens seconded the
motion. The motion passed 7 to 0.
G. Agenda Item 8—Authorization to Execute a Contract with Ecosystems West
Consulting,Group to Provide Consulting Services in an Amount Not to
Exceed $40,000 to Conduct Surveys for Special-Status Plans and Invasive
Weeds on Bear Creek Redwoods and La Honda Creek Open Space Preserves;
Authorize the General Manager to Execute a Contract with Ecosystems West
Consulting Group for Consulting Services in an Amount Not to Exceed
$40,000.00—(Report R-07-21).
K.Nitz said he pulled this item from the Consent Calendar because it was for
an amount over$25,000.00.
C. Riffle asked if it includes the Driscoll property and La Honda Creek and C.
Roessler said that it did. K.Nitz asked if most of the work would be on
Meeting 07-04 Page 16
Driscoll and C. Roessler said it would. They are doing invasive and native
plants in grass stands; whereas at La Honda it is just native grass stands.
K. Nitz asked if the $30,000 paid to Shelter Built Builders covered several
preserves. C. Roessler said that only some portion (areas)was surveyed and it
was only for invasive plants.
N. Hanko asked if there would be a comparison of non-grazed lands to grazed
lands as far as finding non-native plants. C. Roessler said there would at
Driscoll.
Motion: K.Nitz moved that the Board authorize the General Manager
to execute a contract with Ecosystems West Consulting Group
to provide consulting services in an amount not to exceed
$40,000 to conduct surveys for special-status plans and
invasive weeds on Bear Creek Redwoods and La Honda Creek
Open Space Preserves. J. Cyr seconded the motion. The
motion passed 7 to 0.
IX. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
N. Hanko said her compensable meetings included the February 5th General Manager
Evaluation meeting, February 7th Board meeting, February 9th Legislative, Finance
and Public Affairs Committee meeting, February 13th General Manager Evaluation
meeting, and February 141h Board meeting. She said the LFPAC Committee wants to
look at the District's bench policy. She passed around Dick Bishop's obituary and
said that LFPAC would like to look at a way to recognize him and that a trail would
be the logical choice since he was a hiker. She commented about the nice letter from
C. Riffle, but said no material was included about the subject. She said that the Board
should be notified at the completion of major projects. As a comment she said it
would be nice for the Board to be notified when large projects are completed, i.e.
trails, bridges, etc.
J. Cyr said his compensable meetings included the February 5th General Manager
Evaluation meeting, February 7th Board meeting, February 9th Legislative, Finance
and Public Affairs Committee meeting, February 13th General Manager Evaluation
meeting, and February 14`h Board meeting. He said he attended the State of the
District presentation and said it was a privilege to attend. Staff did a wonderful job
i
with it.
j M. Davey said her compensable meetings included the February 7th Board meeting
and the February 10 Board meeting. She said she saw an article in the San Jose
Mercury on January 31 st about logging and stating that the District was mentioned as
looking to purchase the land and she asked how they got that idea. C. Britton said
that the reporter did not ask District staff about that.
I
Meeting 07-04 Page 17
P. Siemens said his compensable meetings included the February 51h General
Manager Evaluation meeting, February 7th Board meeting, February IP General
Manager Evaluation meeting, and February 14th Board meeting.
L. Hassett said his compensable meetings included the February 7th Board meeting
and the February 14th Board meeting. He mentioned that he thought there would be
one week notification in the Half Moon Bay Review for the February 71h meeting, but
since it is a weekly paper, there needs to be more lead time to get the notification to
the paper with enough time.
C. Riffle said his compensable meetings included the February 7th Board meeting and
the February 14th Board meeting. He said he introduced himself at a Los Altos City
Council meeting. He also attended the State of the District presentation. The Stevens
Creek trail was discussed on the committee that he is on.
K. Nitz said his compensable meetings included the February 7th Board meeting and
the February 14th Board meeting. He said the Pulgas trees were very well done and
that it was a great job. He asked when the changes made to the grazing policy at the
February 7th meeting would be available? C. Britton said it would be in the next
meeting in the FYI's.
C. Britton handed out a N.A.I.L. (Neighbors Against Illegal Logging)brochure. He
also handed out the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority's annual report. He
said that he, S. Rice and C. Riffle attended a California Special Districts Association
training that focused on Board Member orientation and the Brown Act. He said he
went on a 3-day BAOSC retreat and they discussed the 2"d million acres. He said he
met with Philip Cohn regarding programs at Jasper Ridge. He said that at the State of
the District today he announced that 2007 would be his last year at the District.
X. ADJOURNMENT
At 11:55 p.m., the Regular meeting was adjourned.
Lisa Zadek
Recording Secretary