Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout20080709 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Regional Open Space MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 08-16 SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS July 9, 2008 MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING I. ROLL CALL President Pete Siemens called the Special Meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Members Present: Pete Siemens, Jed Cyr,Nonette Hanko, Mary Davey, Ken Nitz, Curt Riffle and Larry Hassett Members Absent: None Staff Present: Steve Abhors, Sue Schectman, Duncan Simmons and Mike Williams 11. CLOSED SESSION At 7:03 p.m., the Board recessed to the Special Meeting Closed Session. The Closed Session concluded at 7:28 p.m. REGULAR MEETING 111. President Siemens called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:34 p.m., and asked for the Roll Call. President Siemens stated that there were no reportable items from the Closed Session. Members Present: Pete Siemens, Jed Cyr,Nonette Hanko, Mary Davey, Ken Nitz, Curt Riffle and Larry Hassett Members Absent: None Additional Staff Present: G. Sam, A. Ruiz, D. Sanguinetti, R. Jurgensen, and E. Simmons. IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS David Crites, 15900 Rochin Terrace of Los Gatos, stated that he wanted to speak about a development project in Los Gatos and a ballot initiative he was drafting. He said he wanted Meeting 08-16 Page 2 to know if the Board had an interest to look at document and give their position on the initiative. He asked if the Board might agendize the item for discussion. President Siemens gave some additional comments about the project. S. Abbors noted an"FYI" in the Board's packet referencing this project. The Board thanked Mr. Crites. V. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Director Siemens led the Pledge of Allegiance at the meeting. VI. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion: Director Cyr moved that the Board adopt the Agenda. Director Davey seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. VII. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR Director Nitz asked to pull the Revised Claims from the Consent Calendar. He commented on the following claims: 9371 S. Abbors gave the explanation of this claim to the Board's satisfaction. 9381 D. Sanguinetti gave an explanation of this claim to the Board's satisfaction. Motion: Director Cyr moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calendar, including approval of Agenda Item 2—Proposed Release of All Claims for Damage to District Property at Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve; Approve the Settlement and Adopt Resolution No. 08-xx Authorizing the General Manager to Execute the Release of All Claims Agreement with Lincoln General Insurance Company on Behalf of their Insured, Great America Towing, for the Claim of Damages to District Propeqy Upon Payment of $31,317.00; Agenda Item 3—Consider Rescinding Cancellation of the August 27, 2008 Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors and Consider Cancellation of the September 10, 2008 Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors; and Revised Claims 08-13. Director Davey seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0 except for the AT&T and Verizon Claims identified on the Revised Claims list. Director Davey and Director Hanko are recusing themselves from voting on the AT&T items and Director Hanko on the Verizon. The Board vote on the Verizon was 6 to 0. The Board vote on the AT&T claims was 5 to 0. VIII. BOARD BUSINESS A. Agenda Item No. 4—Amendment of a License Agreement with UNAVCO, Inc. for the Purpose of Installing and Maintaining a Global Positioning System(GPS) Monument at La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve; Determine that the Project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act(CEOA)Based on the Findings Contained in the Report-, Authorize the General Manager to Execute a License Agreement Allowiniz LJNAVCO, Inc. Access to La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve for the Purpose of Installing and Maintaining a QPS Monument Meeting 08-16 Page 3 Consistent with the Terms and Conditions Set Out in the Report and Required Under the Terms of the License Agreement- (Report R-08-88) E. Simmons presented the staff report and gave background information about the project and amended license agreement with UNAVCO. She said that the GPS monuments are being installed strategically throughout the western United States and include the District's La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve. She showed slides of the area. Director Hanko asked if E. Simmons knew of any monuments on District land that have been approved that are closer to the coast. E. Simmons said that there are a number of monuments on the coast and she could find out where they are located. Director Siemens asked how UNAVCO locates a monument site and if they found sites by survey. E. Simmons said there is a science committee that chooses the areas most important for their research, based on statistics and the proximity to geologic features. Director Riffle asked for clarification about the location of the monument wanting to be sure that it is out of the way of the cattle operation. E. Simmons said that they will work with the grazing tenant and also install fencing around the monument to protect the area from the cattle. Director Riffle asked R. Jurgens en if the District had done or will be doing any public education element to this project. R. Jurgensen said that staff is looking at the best way to educate the public. Director Nitz asked if some general information on the website could be added about this kind of project. Director Hassett said he would like to see a short article in the District's newsletter, not naming specific sites,with a photograph of the equipment. Director Hassett asked for the website information for UNAVCO. E. Simmons said that the public can look at the UNAVCO website at pboweb.unavco.org which shows all of the data that they collect. Motion: Director Hanko moved that the Board approve the amendment of a License Agreement with UNAVCO, Inc. for the purpose of installing and maintaining a Global Positioning System (GPS)monument at La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve; Determine that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)based on the findings contained in the report; Authorize the General Manager to execute a License Agreement allowing UNAVCO, Inc. access to La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve for the purpose of installing and maintaining a GPS monument consistent with the terms and conditions set out in the report and required under the terms of the License Agreement. Director Davey seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 7 to 0. Meeting 08-16 Page 4 B. Agenda Item No. 5—Approve and Authorize the Creation of a New Administrative- Assistant Position in the General Manager's Office - (Report R-08-90) S. Abbors presented the staff report and gave the business reasons for the creation of a new Administrative Assistant position in the General Manager's Office. Motion: Director Davey moved approval to authorize the creation of a new Administrative Assistant position in the General Manager's Office. Director Hassett seconded the motion. Discussion: Director Riffle said he is in favor, but he said he had a few questions. He said it is clear the District can afford paying for this position this year; however, going forward he asked if there was a position they could do without, in essence maintaining the same level of staffing. S. Abbors said he did not look at it from that point, however, he said that staff had projected out staff positions. Director Riffle asked S. Schectman about receiving a half-time administrative assistant and if she would be able to keep a half-time person busy when,previously, she was just expected to receive a quarter-time person. S. Schectman said that she agreed with the General Manager's recommendation. She said that Legal Services has operated without dedicated administrative support since she started working at the District, which has proven to be difficult and inefficient, and that existing workload demands warrant this position. S. Abbors elaborated about other Administration positions and his discussions with G. Sam regarding revamping the department to work more efficiently. Director Riffle stated that he will always ask about increasing the District staff and that he is less anxious to add office staff,but more interested in adding field staff. Director Nitz commented that he worried about adding a half-time position that will become a full-time position over time. S. Abbors said he is very aware of this situation. Vote: The motion passed 7 to 0. C. Agenda Item No. 6—Authorize Additional Expenses for OFFICE TEAM in an Amount of$16,469 for TeMpoEM Staffing Services and Conversion Fee—(Report R-08-87) Motion: Director Davey moved approval. Director Cyr seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. IX. INFORMATIONAL/COMPENSABLE MEETING REPORTS Staff Reports: Meeting 08-16 Page 5 D. Sanguinetti described an assault on two District rangers and damage to District property. He said there are six rangers going through background checks, of which four have passed the first round. There are currently four openings. He gave an update on the Santa Clara County Sheriff's contract. D. Simmons said that he attended the pre-bid meeting with Planning staff for the El Corte de Madera bridge project and that there was a very good turnout. G. Sam announced that the candidate filing period starts the Monday, July 14 and will run through August 8. S. Schectman said she has sent each Board member a copy of the Attorney General's opinion regarding the extent of peace officer authority of District Rangers. She said the opinion was favorable and concluded that District rangers have peace officer authority outside of the District's jurisdictional boundaries. She said the annual San Mateo County Grand Jury's report is due out July 10. Board Member Reports: Director Hanko said the District had received a generous check from the Kabcenell Foundation in honor of C. Britton. She said she thought about discussions with C. Britton about having a"Craig's Place" on any of the Preserves he would like. She said she would like the LFPAC committee to follow-up and ask C. Britton where he would like a bench in his honor. S. Abbors said he had spoken with C. Britton. He has not decided on a place yet. Director Davey stated that tonight is her only compensable meeting. Director Cyr said that tonight is his compensable meetings included the July 3 Board Appointee Evaluation Committee and tonight's meeting. Director Hassett said the Driscoll rodeo would occur on July 26 and 27. He said he saw a pair of peregrine falcons and their young. He attended a meeting at the Skyline Field office called by the Portola Heights residents and the topic was being prepared for a fire. Director Riffle said his compensable meetings included the Board Appointee Evaluation Committee meeting on July 3 and tonight's meeting. He acknowledged Director Davey for being the co-chair for the Committee of Green Foothills farm tour on June 28. He said they visited four different farms. He said he introduced S. Abbors and R. Jurgensen at the Los Altos City Council meeting on July 8. He stated he rode horses up Wunderlich to the junction of Bear Gulch Road and Wunderlich where the parking lot is planned. Director Nitz said that tonight was his only compensable meeting. Director Hanko said that tonight was her only compensable meeting. Meeting 08-16 Page 6 President Siemens said his compensable meetings included the Board Appointee Evaluation Committee meeting on July 3 and tonight's meeting. He announced that he would not be attending the next Regular Board meeting on July 23. General Manager's Repo S. Abbors said that Dave Holland is working with the District to determine how to solve the crossing issue along Skyline as part of developing the new parking lot at El Corte de Madera. The ideal solution is to link to the San Mateo County parks trail that goes through the California Water Company property. He said that Mr. Holland has a relationship with Cal- Water and spoke with them about putting a spur trail in and they are interested in this project. He attended the Santa Clara County and City Manager's Association meeting today and he met someone from the Santa Clara Valley Water District. They had a good conversation about collaborating with the District. He said the parking lot is installed at Overlook at El Sereno Open Space Preserve and that the final step is moving the gate. He said that escrow on the Mindego Ranch closes on July 10 and a joint press release will be issued by the District and POST. He said there will be six docent-led hikes in the fall, with more in the spring. He attended the Docent and Volunteer event and met with a ROMP representative. X. ADJOURNMENT President Siemens adjourned the Special and Regular meetings of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District at 9:15 p.m. Lisa Zadek Recording Secretary