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Meeting 08-10
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
April 9, 2008
I
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
I. ROLL CALL
President P. Siemens called the Special Meeting to order at 6:34 p.m.
Members Present: Pete Siemens, Jed Cyr, Curt Riffle, Mary Davey, Nonette Hanko
and Larry Hassett
Members Absent: Ken Nitz
Staff Present: C. Britton, S. Schectman, D. Simmons, G. Sam, M. Freeman, A.
Christenson, R. Jurgensen, D. Sanguinetti, G. Baillie, M. Williams, T. Hugg, A. Ruiz
IL STUDY SESSION
1. Review Architectural Alternatives for Administration Office Remodel Protect
with TannerHecht, Inc. (Report R-08-57)
M. Freeman introduced the purpose of the study session. He said that one of the
key projects in the Action Plan was the remodel of the Skyline Field office and the
Administrative office. He said there is a two-phased approach to these projects,
the first phase being a very conceptual phase, working with a team of consultants
to form goals and objectives. Based on the goals and objectives, the consultants
will help formulate three broad conceptual alternatives. The second phase will
begin after an alternative is chosen. He said that staff was looking for the Board's
input to select the most appropriate alternative for refinement. The
Administrative office has many issues to address so it is the sole subject for
discussion at this study session. A later meeting will be used to discuss the
Skyline Field office.
T. Hugg introduced members from TannerHecht Architects. She said an Office
Remodel Committee was formed with representatives of each department. She
said the process included a staff questionnaire, site visits, and building
Meeting 08-10
assessments by the architects. TannerHecht Architects took the information and
they generated a list of goals, trends and findings. She said some of the over-
arching goals that emerged from the project were accommodating the staff growth
for the next ten years, providing an alternative work area, and looking at the
District's carbon footprint.
TannerHecht prepared three alternative options. T. Hugg said the goal tonight is
to review these options and to receive initial input from the Board. She introduced
David Hecht and Chris Singer from TannerHecht.
David Hecht said he has taken the lead on the Administrative office programming
and Chris Singer has been working on the Skyline Field office.
Mr. Hecht gave the four programming goals established to address the
infrastructure deficiencies. They looked at staff growth over the next 10 years,
providing a more productive work environment related to looking at the existing
work stations, and reducing overall energy consumption and carbon footprint. He
showed a floor plan of the existing building.
Mr. Hecht showed some slides of images of the building. He said they established
three primary findings to go along with the goals. The first finding is that there
are various infrastructure issues within the building that need attention sooner
rather than later. He said the most important is addressing the existing air
conditioning system. He said the recommendation is to replace the entire system,
including the machinery on the roof and the distribution in the building to make it
a more efficient system. The existing roof top machinery is about 18 years old
and its useful life span is nearing its end. He said the second issue is repairing and
replacing the built up roofing, which leaks quite a bit on the south side of the
building. Another issue is providing a fire sprinkler monitoring system. The forth
issue is to replace the carpeting in the entire building, not just in the northern end.
Mr. Hecht handed out cost estimates and detailed diagram options to the Board.
He said the building can comfortably handle up to 61 people, or the I 0-year
projections. He said they might need to update the restrooms to bring them to
2008 building codes.
P. Siemens expressed concern over the timing of the workshop. He was
concerned that there were 20 items to cover and that there was not a lot of time for
questions. He said he thought they should focus on policy issues that the Board
needed to decide on. He said he wanted to have time to talk about Item 7.
Mr. Hecht reviewed images of other areas they were focused on repairing,
replacing or modifying. He reviewed slides of the third option and said it was the
most ambitious scheme that includes increasing the square footage of the building.
He spoke of putting in modular work stations that were ergonomic and provided
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quieter work spaces; reconfiguring the perimeter offices so they were more equal
in size; and replacing some windows to be more energy efficient.
T. Hugg said a lot of work went into generating the three options, based on the
priorities and committee discussions. She handed out the conception cost
analysis. She said the condition of the infrastructure of the building was found to
be deficient and not well designed, including the air conditioning unit, the carpet,
and other infrastructure items. The base-line option scope of work includes the
infrastructure items at a total of about $1 million worth of work. The base-line
option is $1.6 million, Option 2 is at$2.6 million and Option 3 is $3 million. She
said that assumptions and allowances had to be made to determine these numbers
and so these are very conceptual numbers.
T. Hugg said that the Management Team had reviewed the options earlier in the
week and had decided that Option 2 encompassed quite a few of the goals as well
as addressed some of their hopes for green technology. The solar array is in
Option 2. Option 2 addresses the infrastructure items as well as some of the areas
that will help refresh the appearance.
N. Hanko said that new chairs for the Board are only under Option I and she did
not see new Board room chairs beyond this option. C. Britton said that the chairs
are in the current budget. N. Hanko asked why the chairs were included in Option
I if they are already in the works. T. Hugg said that this was a comprehensive
look at the remodel and so staff was dove-tailing with existing projects. N. Hanko
asked for clarification about the items listed in Option 1. T. Hugg said that only
the chairs are existing items, and all of the other items were unique to Option 1.
N. Hanko said that time was running out and that the Board should be allowed
enough time to look at this project and that there was not enough time today.
L. Hassett said he was concerned about the HVAC costs. He asked what was
wrong with the distribution system that new rooftop units could not utilize. He
also commented that having solar arrays on the roof may also affect the
temperature inside.the building. M. Freeman said that this alternative provides a
comprehensive look at the HVAC system up to and including a comprehensive
replacement, but it would not preclude using the components that work. C.
Britton added some background information about the HVAC system when the
District purchased the building.
P. Siemens said he did not see anything about the window wall behind the
Boardroom table. He asked if there was a plan to install double-pane windows.
M. Davey said she saw the windows being discussed in Option 3.
Mr. Hecht said that the HVAC zoning is deficient right now and the types of
controls for the heating and cooling of the office. He said that replacing the
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rooftop unit was a recommendation because within five years the unit will be at
the end of its useful life span. He said the solar system was not completely
assessed. He said that the windows are addressed in Option 3. C. Britton said
that the window issue has not been one of his recommendations. He said that if
the windows open, it defeats the effectiveness of the HVAC system. He said he
did not see the economic value of replacing the windows.
L. Hassett asked more questions about the type of unit and the roofing area. The
current insulation is on the underside of the roof; however they could gain more
insulation by putting it on top,but this particular line item was looking at the roof
leaks and to replace the roof that is up there now. He said the next phase would
be to find a better solution for the entire building.
L. Hassett said he had additional questions and that he thought they would need to
schedule another meeting to discuss this further.
P. Siemens asked more questions about the windows. He said that looking at the
air conditioning system without looking at the windows is not looking at the
complete picture. C. Britton said that almost all of their walls are windows, so all
of them would need to be replaced. He said another question was about the
weight of double-paned windows. He asked if the building had enough value to
do all of this work. He said that maybe another solution would be to buy another
building. P. Siemens said he would like to review what options for windows
might be available.
C. Riffle agreed that they would need to schedule another study session. C.
Britton asked the Board what their pleasure was in continuing this discussion. L.
Hassett said he would like to recommend having an Ad Hoc Committee to look at
the nuts and bolts of this project and then bring their recommendations to the full
Board. J. Cyr said he recommended L. Hassett, P. Siemens and K. Nitz. L.
Hassett said that C. Riffle has extensive experience. C. Britton said he suggests
the whole Board look at this as it is a difficult assignment for a committee.
C. Britton suggested that they schedule the workshop for a week from now. He
said that they would like to move forward on this because of the lack of room for'
new employees to have work spaces. The Board members reviewed their
calendars.
Motion: A motion was made to adjourn and continue the study session to
Tuesday, April 15, 2008. There was a second motion. The motion
passed 5 to 0.
REGULAR MEETING
111. P. Siemens called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:26 p.m., and asked for the Roll Call.
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Members Present: Pete Siemens, Jed Cyr, Mary Davey, Curt Riffle, and Larry Hassett
Members Absent: Nonette Hanko and Ken Nitz
IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Cathy Crane, La Honda/Pescadero Unified School District Board Trustee, told the Board
that the School Board passed a resolution for the La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve.
She handed out copies of the resolution and read it to the Board. She said that the School
Board supported including bicycle use at La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve. She said
that they also requested an outdoor building to support outdoor education to the students.
V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: C. Riffle moved that the Board adopt the Agenda. J. Cyr seconded the
motion. The motion passed 5 to 0.
VI. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR
G. Sam stated that there was a typographical error on Agenda Item No. 9, in the title the
dollar amount should be $3,000.00.
P. Siemens said he would be pulling Agenda Item No. 6 from the Consent Calendar.
Corrections were made to the February 27, 2008 Minutes on pages 7 and 8.
Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calendar, including
Written Communications; Approval of the February 27,2008 Minutes
as corrected, and the March 11, 2008 Minutes; Agenda Item 2 Authorize
the General Manager to Enter Into a Contract for Printing Services with
IrnageX for Fiscal Year 2008-2009 for an Amount Not to Exceed
$104,000, with the Option to Extend the Contract to Fiscal Years 2009-
2010 and 2010-2011 Subject to Further Board Approval; Agenda Item 3
Authorize the General Manager to Enter into a Contract for Graphic
Design Services with Design Concepts for Fiscal Year 2008-2009 for an
Amount Not to Exceed $43,100, with the Qption to Extend the Contract to
Fiscal Years 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 Subject to Further Board
Approval; Agenda Item 4 Authorize the General Manager to Enter into a
Contract for Mailing Services with DMSI for Fiscal Year 2008-2009 for
an Amount Not to Exceed $32,000, with the Option to Extend the Contract
to Fiscal Years 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 Subject to Further Board
Approval; Agenda Item 5 Adopt Resolution No. 08-xx Supporting
Measure"0"on the June 3, 2008 Ballot to Increase the Sales Tax by One-
Eighth of a Cent(1/8%)to Support the Parks and Recreation-Related
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Activities of San Mateo County, and the Cities and Special Districts
Located within the County, Agenda Item 7 Authorize the General
Manager to Execute a Purchase Contract with the State Department of
General Services and Contract Dealership for Four(4) Vehicles at a Total
Cost Not to Exceed$160,000, Agenda Item 8 Proposed Cost Sharing
Agreement with the Santa Clara FireSafe Council, Inc. for Development o
the Lexington Hills Community Wildfire Protection Plan, Determine that
the Recommended Actions are Categorically Exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act(CEQA), As Set Out in the Report; Authorize
the General Manager to Enter Into a Cost Sharing Agreement with the
Santa Clara County FireSafe Council, Inc. for the District to Contribute
-
$5,000 Toward Development of the Lexington Hills Community Wildfire
Protection Plan-, Agenda Item 9 Authorize Additional Expenses for the
Executive Search Firm of Peckham and McKenney in an Amount of
$3,000 for the Recently Completed General Manager Recruitment-, and
Revised Claims 08-07. L. Hassett seconded the motion.
Discussion: Rick Parfett, representing the Santa Clara County Fire Safe Council, said
he appreciated the approval of Agenda Item 8. He thanked the Board and
C. Britton and presented C. Britton with a photograph taken from Mt.
Umunhum to Loma Prieta. C. Britton thanked Mr. Parfett.
Vote: The motion passed 5 to 0 on the Written Communications, the February
27, 2008 as corrected and March 11, 2008 Board Minutes, and Agenda
Items 2, 3, 4, S, 7, 8, and 9. The Revised Claims 08-07 passed 4 to 0 on
Revised Claim numbers 8835-R and 8836-R with one recusal from M.
Davey, who owns stock in AT&T that exceeds the permissible level for
voting on these claims.
VII. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Agenda Item No. 1 —Tentative Approval of an Amendment to the Use and
Management Plan for El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve to
Construct a 65-car, 4-equestrian Trail Paved Parking Lot off Highway 35 (Skyline
Boulevard), Construct 1.5 Miles of New Trail, Including a New Segment of the
Bay Area Ridge Trail; Close 0.5 mile of the Steam Donkey Trail and Replace with
a 0.3 Mile Realignment; Direct Staff to Work with Caltrans to Identify and
Establish Roadside Shoulders Along Higbwgy 35 that will be Signed as"No
Parking"Zones and Close the Gate CM04 Entrance to Pubic Use - (Report R-08-
56)
C. Britton said that copies of e-mail messages about this agenda item could be
found in the Board's FYI's packet.
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A. Ruiz presented the staff report and said that staff was seeking tentative
approval of the Use and Management Plan Amendment for a new parking lot
located at El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve. She gave a
PowerPoint slide presentation, starting with a map of the preserve and the location
of the gates. She said the project included installing a parking lot between gates
CM03 and CM04, and the installation of a 1.5-mile path. Staff was proposing to
close gate CM04 for public use, but to keep it available as a service road for staff
and emergency vehicles. Staff would also initiate a"no parking" signage area
along the highway and work with Caltrans.
A. Ruiz reviewed the points for why a parking lot at this preserve was being
proposed. She said that this preserve is the third most popular among all users,
and number one among mountain bikers. She said that with its popularity, there is
no designated parking lot for visitors. The public currently park either at Skeggs
Point, a Caltrans' rest stop, or along the roadside. The proposed new lot would
provide a bathroom facility, which is also currently not present. The proposed
new lot would also provide parking space for four equestrian vehicles and trailers,
as well as handicap parking. Trail improvements are part of the project.
A. Ruiz showed photographs of the current parking areas and conditions near the
preserve. She said that Skeggs Point is full on the weekends and non-preserve
visitors find it difficult to park there on the weekends. Skeggs Point is
approximately 500 feet from CMO I, causing the public to walk along the shoulder
of Skyline Blvd. to access the preserve. On high use days, people find any
available places to park their cars.
A. Ruiz said that a formal District parking lot is a safer alternative. She said that
staff has studied the vehicle corridor area and identified 145 parking spaces,
including pullouts on shoulder areas. Staff will work with Caltrans to install "No
Parking" signs along the roadside.
A. Ruiz reviewed the criteria for installing a parking lot. She said that Skyline
Blvd./Highway 35 is a State Scenic Highway. She said that staff was limited to
where a parking lot could be installed in order to cause a minimal disturbance.
Staff re-evaluated the best recommended location in response to public questions.
A. Ruiz showed a graphic indicating sites W, X, Y, and Z and gave the reasons
why these sites were eliminated from consideration.
For example, site W would require 38 trees to be removed; grading the available
level land is limited, and this site would only be able to provide 35 parking spots.
Also the location of site W is too far north and it would not alleviate the public
use at gate CM01. Site Z would also not alleviate the public use of gate CM01.
Site Z would require 28 trees to be removed and only 25 car spaces would fit.
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The site recommended by staff will only require that nine (9) trees be removed. It
is a large and level site, and there are vegetation screens between the proposed lot
and the highway.
A. Ruiz introduced T. Hugg who presented the site design of this project. T.
Hugg said that the proposed parking lot would be configured to hold 65 cars and
four equestrian spaces and she showed a slide picture of the lot design. T. Hugg
said that the drive into the lot would be approximately 300 feet. There would be a
trail leading to the Gordon Mill Trail and observation deck. She showed a slide
representing a conceptual view.
T. Hugg said that staff recommended that the lot be paved. She said that the
Operations staff did an analysis of gravel parking lots and said that over time the
gravel lots develop pot holes, trenches and swales resulting in ongoing, yearly
maintenance. She said that gravel lots cannot be striped and the water run-off is
not efficient. Asphalt is a low maintenance material, it has a long life, it drains
well, it is easily striped and it is quiet compared to a gravel lot. She added that the
color of the asphalt fades over time and that a choice of colored gravel is now
available.
T. Hugg reviewed the driveway studies at CM03 and CM04. She showed a line of
site study graphic and explained the details on the graphic. She said that there
were deficient site lines. L. Hassett asked for clarification about if the curvature
of the road was important for determining the site lines and T. Hugg said that was
correct. T. Hugg said the recommended driveway has no site line deficiencies and
has the best site lines.
A. Ruiz stated the recommendations for the Board to approve and she showed a
slide listing the General Manager's recommendations.
M. Freeman said that staff would initiate a project review (CEQA), which will
provide an additional opportunity for public and agency comments about this
project. He said that staff would submit permit applications with Caltrans, San
Mateo County, and the Regional Water Quality Control Board. He added that
staff would seek grant funding to help pay for this project. He said their aim was
for construction to occur during the dry months of 2009. He introduced their
consultants, Bill Freeman and Gary Black.
L. Hassett asked that since the goal of this project is to provide a mass migration
from the Skeggs Point lot, he asked what staff thought would encourage the public
to park in the District lot instead of the Skeggs Point lot. A. Ruiz said that part of
this project would require educating the public. They would put information in
the District and other newsletters, set up information booths at CM01 and CM02,
work with identified groups and use roadside signage.
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Meeting 08-10
L. Hassett asked if some of the informal spaces would be left. A. Ruiz replied
that they have identified 145 spaces and they would look at this further.
L. Hassett asked if this would be the District's first paved lot (other than the lot at
Rancho San Antonio). A. Ruiz said it would. L. Hassett said he supported paving
to alleviate dust and he said he was pleased that the drainage issues were
addressed.
C. Riffle said that this was a good staff report and thanked A. Ruiz and T. Hugg
for their work. He referred to the alternate locations and asked if there was an
accident history at Skeggs point. A. Ruiz said there was not a specific accident
history at Skeggs point, but that the CHP did have accident reports along Highway
35.
C. Riffle asked what speed is assumed when determining a line of site. Gary
Black replied that the speed is based on Caltrans' guidelines. C. Riffle said that
the car speeds are not necessarily the speed limit. Mr. Black said that they used
the information from Caltrans and further explained the concept of"design speed"
which is based on the radius of the curvature.
C. Riffle asked about the equestrian parking and asked if their rigs can pull in
without swinging out into the road. T. Hugg said that the driveway is designed
with"flare"to prevent what he described.
C. Riffle asked if asphalt was cheaper than gravel and what the time payoff was.
T. Hugg said she did not have the dollar amount but would provide the
information to the Board later. She said that asphalt had a 20 to 30 year life. C.
Riffle asked if the access road leading to the lot would be paved and T. Hugg said
it would be paved. C. Riffle asked if the access road would be two lanes and T.
Hugg said it was designed with two lanes. C. Riffle asked if grant funding would
be jeopardized if they used asphalt. M. Freeman said grant funding would not be
in jeopardy.
M. Davey thanked staff for their exhaustive work. She thanked staff for taking
the Board members to the sites under consideration. She said the best idea is to
have the lot as recommended and that the most compelling reason is safety.
J. Cyr asked if there is a trail system across CM04 at Wunderlich Park. M.
Freeman said there is a trail system. A. Ruiz said they proposed closing CM04 to
the public and that it would just be used as access to a service road. They would
post signs indicating no parking at CM04. J. Cyr said he hoped it would change
the parking pattern and improve the current situation making it safer.
P. Siemens asked how long it would take staff to prepare the CEQA report. M.
Freeman said that staff won't know until after tonight's meeting,but it could take
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up to 30 to 45 days. M. Freeman said that he thought they might be back before
the Board in early summer. P. Siemens asked if the CEQA report would be
posted on the District's website. M. Freeman said it would be posted and also
mailed to the stakeholders of the project.
P. Siemens asked if Caltrans would allow signage along the highway indicating
"no parking." M. Freeman said the signage would require an encroachment
permit with Caltrans. He added that staff has worked with Caltrans in the past
and that this should not be an issue.
Public Comment
Bern Smith, Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, said he supported this plan. He said it
was rational parking and will promote multi-use. He said he would check on the
asphalt versus unpaved staging area with regards to grants and let staff know what
he finds out. He said he was happy that there would be parking for equestrians.
He said that the Ridge Trail ends across from CM04 and that he would work with
District staff to make the connection.
Maureen O'Connor said she supports public access to public land. She said that
she lived near the area,between CM03 and CM04. She said it is not safe to put in
an access road at an "S"curve. She asked each director to drive the area in both
directions. She said she spoke with Caltrans and CHP about the proposed access
road. She said that discouraging parking on the sides of the road is important.
Eric Weiner said he lived in the area. He said he used Wunderlich Park and El
Corte de Madera. He said he disagreed with M. Davey that safety is in the plan.
He said that motorcycles speed along the road. He said that safety is very
important. Closing CM04 forces the public to walk along Skyline Blvd and is
more dangerous. He said the plans are highly flawed and not safe.
Mark Sanders said he lived in the area for over 20 years and that he was a member
•f the Bear Gulch Road Association. He said he sent a letter regarding safety. He
said the Bear Gulch Road Association comprised 100 residences. He said that site
distance is an important criterion, but not the most important. He said the
proposed lot compromises two other roads and on the weekends motorcycles go
90 mph. He said that he owns five acres at CM04 and across from Wunderlich
Park. He said turning there is dangerous. He asked why the other sites are not
suitable. He said the other sites are much better and that cutting down trees
compared to public safety is trivial. He said that this effort is narrowly defined
and puts hundreds of homeowners in jeopardy.
Paul Nam congratulated C. Britton on his retirement. He said he supported the lot
and that he was satisfied by what he heard presented. He added that the residents
should also be listened to by the District.
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John Abernethy, from San Jose, said he rides at Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve
and at St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserve. He said that there is no perfect
solution, but that this was a good plan. He said he thought it would be a great
asset to the preserve.
Mike Murray said he was a Volunteer Trail Patrol member and a mountain biker.
He said he sent an e-mail about this project. He said that if they eliminate 40
spaces along Highway 35, the net gain is only 25 spaces and asked that they wait
to eliminate the road-side parking. He suggested the District install garbage cans.
He also suggested that the Ranger's emergency telephone number be added to
District maps.
Chuck Fry said he was a member of the Volunteer Trail Patrol. He said he was in
strong favor of the draft proposal and he suggested other trail connections,
including a connection to the Blue Blossom Trail. He said he had a concern that
the speed along the highway may increase if the road side parking is eliminated.
Josh Moore, Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, thanked C. Britton for his work at the
District. He said he was in favor of the plan and that the parking lot will be a
tremendous asset to the area. He said that parking at Skeggs Point is dangerous.
He said he had a concern about the alignment of the Ridge Trail between
Wunderlich Park and El Corte de Madera. He said that a paved lot would be nice
and it would be quiet.
Jennifer Leeds said she lived in the area and that she is a donor to POST. She said
that safety is an issue, especially at Bear Gulch Road. She said that people drive
over the speed limit and she predicted a major accident within the next six
months. She said she had a concern about moving the entrance at Wunderlich
Park. She said that equestrian space alignments are too tight.
Mike Bushue, ETRAC member, thanked the Board for the four equestrian parking
spots. He said he supported the in-line parking orientation.
Robert Greene, Daly City and member of Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, said he
was pleased with the plan. He said he has been waiting for years to see a parking
lot in the area. He said he was concerned about a gap in the Bay Area Ridge Trail
and he suggested working with Caltrans to provide a pedestrian crossing.
Jim Eulian said he hikes at Wunderlich Park. He said he had a concern using
CM02 as a link to the Bay Area Ridge Trail. He said the District needs to
consider a connection between Wunderlich and El Corte de Madera.
The public comment period ended.
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L. Hassett asked if a pedestrian crossing could be installed on the state highway.
M. Freeman said that staff has worked with Caltrans to install a"Trail Crossing
Ahead" signage. L. Hassett asked if a crosswalk would be installed. A. Ruiz said
a crossing sign would be considered. L. Hassett said they should keep the
crossing to Wunderlich until there is an alternative and that they should not close
the access.
L. Hassett said that to do nothing would be a disaster. He said he drives the road
every day and has witnessed U-turns and illegal left-hand turns into Skeggs Point.
He said he understands the concerns about speed and accidents on the road. He
said that he acknowledged the concern about Mountain Meadow/Bear Gulch Road
and said that the proposed lot will take danger away from that area. He said a
similar situation occurred when the Skyline Ridge parking lot was proposed and
that now it is a non-issue.
L. Hassett asked how wide the parking spaces were and A. Ruiz said they were
designed to be 9-feet wide, or full size.
C. Riffle thanked everyone for their comments. He complimented staff on the
viable alternative and said he was in favor of better access. He said that the traffic
speed is the real issue and is concerned about how to get the speed down. He said
that they should be looking at a connection with Wunderlich Park or alternatives.
He said that from a common sense perspective he needs to rely on staff regarding
the safety issue. He said he agreed that asphalt is the best way to go.
M. Davey said that staff did a terrific job. She said she liked seeing there would
in be a SOD cleaning site in the lot.
J. Cyr said that the project had incorporated a lot of comments from the Use and
Management Committee meetings. He asked if the trail construction would occur
before the parking lot was installed or afterwards. He referred to the Blue
Blossom Trail and said he thought the trail would connect. M. Freeman said that
there was not a direct connection_
use atte pattern is extremely
J. Cyr said he echoed the comments that changing p y
difficult, especially for trail use. He said that staff had done an incredible job that
was well analyzed.
Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board tentatively approve an
Amendment to the Use and Management Plan for El Corte de
Madera Creek Open Space Preserve to construct a 65-car, 4-
equestrian trail paved parking lot off Highway 35 (Skyline
Boulevard); Construct 1.5 miles of new trail, including a new
segment of the Bay Area Ridge Trail; Close 0.5 mile of the Steam
Donkey Trail and replace with a 0.3 mile realignment; Direct staff
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Meeting 08-10
to work with Caltrans to identify and establish roadside shoulders
along Highway 35 that will be signed as "No Parking"zones and
close the Gate CM04 entrance to pubic use. J. Cyr seconded the
motion.
Discussion: P. Siemens referring to the question about installing garbage cans
stated that the District has a policy for the public to "pack it in—
pack it out"and does not provide garbage cans. He said he thought
the parking space size was adequate. He suggested that they delete
the last recommendation about closing gate CM04 to public use.
M. Freeman suggested that rather than striking that line of the
motion, to instead direct staff to do further investigation.
Amended Motion: M. Davey moved to approve the General Manager's
recommendations as amended. J. Cyr seconded the motion.
Vote: The amended motion passed 5 to 0.
B. Agenda Item No. 6—Adopt the Resolution Opposing Proposition 98—Referred.
to by Proponents as the So-Called"California Property Owners and Farmland
Protection Act"—and Supporting Proposition 99—the"Homeowners Protection
Act"- (Report R-08-54)
P. Siemens said he pulled this item because he wanted the words "rent control"
deleted from the language as it is a red-flag issue.
C. Britton said that it is a hidden glitch in the proposition, but that he sees
Proposition 98 as bad all around and should not be supported.
M. Davey said that as an environmental agency the District should care about
these issues.
C. Riffle said that Proposition 98 is very bad and that they should include the
language as it is and not delete anything.
Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board adopt, as written and without
change, Resolution No. 08-23 opposing Proposition 98—referred
to by proponents as the so-called "California Property owners and
Farmland Protection Act," and supporting Proposition 99—the
"Homeowners Protection Act." C. Riffle seconded the motion.
Discussion: L. Hassett said that he agreed that the"Whereas"with the words
"rent control"be stricken from the Resolution and asked M. Davey
if she would amend her motion.
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Meeting 08-10
M. Davey said that she would not amend her motion.
C. Britton said that this is not an environmental issue, but it is an
eminent domain issue.
Vote: The motion passed 5 to 0.
VIII. INFORMATIONAL /COMPENSABLE MEETING REPORTS
M. Davey said it was a great retirement party for C. Britton. She said that staff did a
magnificent jab. She also complimented staff on their work at tonight's meeting. She
announced that there would be a celebration for Lennie Roberts on September 28, 2008
by the Committee for Green Foothills. She said that Ms. Roberts is being honored for
being a 30-year advocate and supporter of open space.
I
i
J. Cyr announced the Bay Area Open Space Council registration for the May 21 all-day
event. He said that radio station KRTY was honoring C. Britton on his retirement. He
asked about ethics training. He said that the Board Evaluation Committee needs to
schedule a meeting with M. Foster for his evaluation. He said that Ralph Heim is
speaking at the Special Legislature District meeting. C. Britton said that R. Jurgenson is
on the Legislative Committee. J. Cyr referred to the FYI's and commended D.
Sanguinetti and M. Freeman on the trail modification document. He said he turned in his
compensable meeting report to the District Clerk.
C. Riffle handed in his compensable meeting report to the District Clerk. He said he
attended the Sem ervirens event on March 27. He complimented the staff on the art
atte p p party
for C. Britton. He said he rode on horseback at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve. He
said he attended the wildlife conservation event. He said he would attend the Los Altos
ethics training.
i
L. Hassett handed in his compensable meeting report to the District Clerk. He echoed the
compliments about C. Britton's party. He said it has been great working with C. Britton
and learning from him.. He said he appreciated C. Britton's leadership. C. Britton
thanked L. Hassett for his kind words. He said they were all great Board members and he j
said that the District was in good shape.
P. Siemens turned in his compensable meeting report to the District Clerk. He thanked C.
Bri
tton and echoed L. Hass ett s thoughts.
J. Cyr said that he has known C. Britton a long time and that it has been a pleasure
workingwith him the past 12 ears.
p Y
C. Britton po
inted out a Written Communication letter from Courtney Craig in the
C p Y g
Board's
FYI s and said that the problem was fixed. He said that due to donations towards
I
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i
Meeting 08-10
the party,no District money was spent and they ended up with a surplus of approximately
$600.00. He asked if the Board would agree to put the money toward the Daniel's Nature
Center's fund. He said he went to Washington, DC with R. Jurgenson the previous week.
He said they would meet with LFPAC about the trip, and that they had great meetings,
including one with Congressman Mike Honda and with Senator Barbara Boxer's office.
He thanked everyone for the party and said that Malcolm Smith did a terrific job.
S. Schectman said that she and D. Sanguinetti were going to be meeting with the Santa
Clara County Sherriffs Office. She handed out the reply brief on the Coast litigation
case.
M. Freeman gave a report on a trail closure at Fremont Older, mentioned in the FYI's.
He said it is basically a maintenance project.
G. Sam said that they have entered into a contract with a new auditor and that the annual
audit would occur next month.
D. Sanguinetti said he e-mailed the Board about the trail at Hamms Gulch. He said a
member of the public contacted him and that C. Beckman had taken the person on a hike
of the trail to show the work. D. Sanguinetti gave background information about the
project and added that they had followed Tim Best's guidelines. He credited M. Manning
for her assistance. J. Cyr commented that it was a Rood letter.
M. Williams presented a gift to C. Britton in honor of his retirement. The gift was from
the District's Management Team.
Steve Abbors said that he and his wife have relocated within the District.. He said he
hiked at El Sereno Open Space Preserve. He went to the Foothills Field office and was
impressed. He said he had lunch with C. Britton.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
The Special and Regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional
Open Space District adjourned at 10:45 pm.
Lisa Zadek
Recording Secretary
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