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
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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
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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.
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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:
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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.
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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