HomeMy Public PortalAbout20090114 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) ' IMidpeninsula Regional
Open Space District
Meeting 09-02
REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
JANUARY 14, 2009
MINUTES
I. ROLL CALL
President Siemens called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Members Present: Pete Siemens, Mary Davey, Larry Hassell, Nonette Hanko, Jed Cyr, Cecily
Harris and Curt Riffle
Members Absent: There were none.
Staff Present: S. Abbors, G. Sam, S. Schectman, D. Simmons, G. Baillie, M. Williams,
A. Ruiz, B. Malone, R. Jurgensen, L. Maze, N. Perez, A. Speidel, B.
Downing, D. Danielson, D. Sanguinetti, C. Barresi and M. Foster
President Siemens requested that the meeting be dedicated to the memory of former Board director
Wim de Wit.
II. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS—There were none.
III. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: Director Cyr moved adoption of the Agenda. Director Ruffle seconded the
motion.
Discussion: President Siemens asked to move Agenda Item #8 to be presented prior to
Agenda Item #6 and to move Agenda Item#4 to the end of the Agenda.
Vote: The motion passed 7 to 0 as amended.
CEREMONIAL G. Sam administered the Public Oath of Office to Director Harris.
IV. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Director Riffle requested a change to the December 10, 2008 Board meeting minutes on page 3,
under Agenda Item No. 10, Public Comment. He asked that"Director Riffle"be changed to "A
Director."
Director Hanko requested deleting the word"was"on page 3, third paragraph of the December 4,
2008 Board meeting minutes.
Meeting 09-02 Page 2
Directory Cyr corrected a typographical error to the December 22 memo about the Boyd property.
President Siemens pulled Agenda Item #4 from the Consent Calendar to be discussed at the end of
the Agenda. He also said he would be recusing himself from Revised Claim number 9475R.
Motion: Director Hassett moved adoption of the Consent Calendar to Approve the
Special and Regular Board Meetings Minutes of November 20,2008 and the
amended Minutes of December 4 and 10, 2008; Approve the Revised Claims
09-01; Agenda Item 3 - Receive the Purchase and Acceptance of the Boyd
Property Under the General Manager's Authority (Unincorporated San Mateo
County APN 080-330-170), Determine the Adoption of the Preliminary Use
and Management Plan as Recommended in the Report is Categorically Exempt
from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and Adopt the
Preliminary Use and Management Plan for the Boyd Property as Set Forth in
the Report, and Name the Property as an Addition to the Russian Ridge Open
Space Preserve; Agenda Item 5—Adopt a Resolution Increasing the
Employer's Contribution to Retiree Medial Benefit from $300.00 to $350.00
Per Month Under the Public Employees' Medical and Hospital Care Act
(PEMHCA) Pursuant to the Memorandum of Agreement with the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District Field Employees Association. Director Hanko
seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. For Revised Claims, Director
Davey recused herself from voting on claim numbers 9354, 9400, 9470, 9478R,
9496R, 9501 R and Director Hanko voluntarily recused herself from the same
claims. The vote for Revised Claims numbers 9354, 9400, 9470, 9478R,
9496R and 9501 R passed with a vote of 5 to 0. Director Siemens recused
himself from voting on Revised Claim number 9475R. The vote for claim
number 9475R was 6 to 0.
V. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Agenda Item 8—Appointment of Brad Pennington, Stephen Michael Gibbons 11 and
Rebecca Trout as Peace Officers—(Report R-09-1 1)
D. Sanguinetti announced the appointment of three new District Rangers. He introduced
Brad Pennington, Stephen Gibbons 11 and Rebecca Trout and gave background information
for each Ranger. The Board welcomed each one to the District.
Motion: Director Davey moved to adopt Resolutions appointing Brad Pennington,
Stephen Michael Gibbons 11 and Rebecca Trout as Peace Officers. Director
Riffle seconded the motion.
Discussion: Director Riffle said the Board was proud to have the new rangers on board as
they represent the face of the District to the community.
Director Hassett said he was impressed with their level of achievements.
Vote: The motion passed by a vote of 7 to 0.
B. Agenda Item 6 -- Election of Board Officers for Calendar Year 2009—(Report R-09-04)
G. Sam reviewed the voting procedure for the election of officers for the Board of Directors
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for 2009. He asked President Siemens to call for nominations for President.
President Siemens asked for nominations for President. Director Hassett nominated Director
Hanko for President. Director Cyr seconded the nomination. President Siemens asked if
there were any further nominations. There were none. President Siemens asked for a motion
to close the nomination. Director Hassett moved to close the nomination for President.
Director Cyr seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. The Board voted by written
ballot. G. Sam announced that there were seven (7) votes for Director Hanko for the office of
Board President.
The Board thanked Director Siemens for his work as President of the Board of Directors for
2008. President Hanko presented Director Siemens with a bottle of wine. Director Riffle
thanked Director Siemens for his year as President. Director Siemens handed the gave] to
President Hanko.
President Hanko asked for nominations for Vice-President. President Hanko nominated
Director Davey for the Office of Vice-President. Director Riffle seconded the nomination.
Director Cyr moved to close the nomination for Vice-President. Director Siemens seconded
the motion. The motion carried 7 to 0. The Board voted by written ballot. G. Sam announced
there were seven (7) votes for Director Davey for the office of Board Vice-President.
President Hanko asked for nominations for Treasurer. Director Siemens nominated Director
Riffle for the office of Treasurer. Director Davey seconded the nomination. Director Cyr
moved to close the nomination for Treasurer. Director Hassett seconded the motion. The
motion carried 7 to 0. The Board voted by written ballot. G. Sam announced there were seven
(7) votes for Director Riffle for the office of Board Treasurer.
President Hanko asked for nominations for Secretary. President Hanko nominated Director
Cyr for the office of Secretary. Director Hassell seconded the nomination. Director Siemens
moved to close the nomination for Secretary. Director Hassett seconded the motion. The
motion carried 7 to 0. The Board voted by written ballot. G. Sam announced there were seven
(7) votes for Director Cyr for the office of Board Secretary.
C. Agenda Item 7—Renewal of Investment Authority and Adoption of Annual Statement of
Investment Policy—(Report R-09-06)
President Hanko asked M. Foster about the District purchasing certificates of deposit(CD's)
and if they needed to purchase CD's before they expire at the end of the year. M. Foster said
if the District were to purchase CD's, they would need to be purchased before the end of the
year, but he did not anticipate purchasing any at this time and gave the business reasons to the
Board's satisfaction.
Motion: Director Siemens moved to adopt a Resolution to renew the District
Controller's investment authority until January 14, 2010, and to approve the
District's Revised Statement of Investment Policy. Director Hassett seconded
the motion.
Discussion: Director Riffle asked staff to include a strike-out version of documents for
changes in District policy to compare the old text to the new text.
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Vote: The motion passed by a vote of 7 to 0.
D. Agenda Item 9—Appointments to the Administration and Budget Committee for 2009—
(Report R-09-05)
President Hanko appointed Director Davey, Director Harris and Director Riffle to the
Administration and Budget Committee.
Motion: President Hanko moved to approve the appointment of Directors Davey, Harris
and Riffle to the Administration and Budget Committee for Calendar Year
2009. Director Siemens seconded the motion.
Vote: The motion passed by a vote of 7 to 0.
Discussion: President Hanko made temporary voting alternate appointments to the Real
Property and Legislative, Funding, and Public Affairs Standing Committees in
order to convene two committee meetings prior to Board Committee
appointments scheduled for the next regular Board meeting on January 28,
2009.
To the Legislation, Funding, and Public Affairs Committee, President Hanko
appointed Director Harris to replace Director Nitz, and Director Siemens to
replace her as voting alternates.
To the Real Property Committee, President Hanko appointed Director Hassett
to replace her on the Committee as a voting alternate.
President Hanko stated that at the next regular Board meeting, the permanent
appointments for the 2009 Board Committees would be announced.
E. Agenda Item 4 -Acceptance of the Marks Property Gift under the General Manager's
Authority(Santa Clara County APN 562-26-001); Determine that the Adoption of the
Preliminary Use and Management Plan as Recommended in the Report is Categorically
Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and Adopt the Preliminary
Use and Management Plan for the Marks Property as Set Forth in the Report and Name the
Property as an Addition to the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve— (Report R-09-02)
President Hanko said in the past, the District has accepted gifts of property outside of the
District's boundaries, but the gifted property was turned over to another appropriate agency.
She said it was not appropriate to name the property. Director Hassett said he was not
concerned about naming the property. He added that another agency may or may not want to
accept the property. President Hanko asked M. Williams to review the acquisition.
M. Williams showed a map and described the area and the process of the property gift. He
said the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority was not in a position to receive the gift at
this time and they had requested the District accept the gift. S. Abbors added he had talked
with Patrick Congdon, General Manager of the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority,
and Mr. Congdon provided some history of the property. S. Abhors said he extended an offer
to help the Open Space Authority.
Meeting 09-02 Page 5
Director Riffle asked how often the District purchases or receives gifts of property outside of
its boundary. M. Williams gave examples including tax default property. M. Williams said
he notified other agencies when tax default properties of interest were available within the
other agency's boundaries.
Motion: Director Siemens moved to approve acceptance of the Marks Property gift
under the General Manager's authority; Determine that the adoption of the
Preliminary Use and Management Plan as recommended in the report is
categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA)
and adopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan for the Marks Property
and name the property as an addition to the Sierra Azul en Space Preserve.
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President Hanko seconded the motion.
Vote: The motion passed 7 to 0.
VI. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
COMMITTEE REPORTS
La Honda Ad Hoc Committee—Director Hassett reported that the Committee had reviewed the
administrative draft of the Master Plan. There were a few minor revisions returned to staff. They
expect to finalize the Master Plan in September. Director Davey said that Director Hassett led an
excellent meeting and Director Riffle said he was happy with the progress. Director Hassett said
the administrative draft of the Master Plan will return to the Committee one more time before it
goes public and to the full Board.
Use and Management Committee—Director Riffle said that C. Roessler gave a presentation about
slender false brome. S. Abbors said staff was meeting with the City of Woodside and discussing
working with the public. Director Riffle-said staff came up with good suggestions. Director
Hassett said that Philippe Cohen, Administrative Director, Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve,
Stanford University, was an active participant at the meeting.
STAFF REPORTS
D. Sanguinetti announced that two ranger candidates were at the Santa Rosa Academy. When they
are badged, the District will be fully staffed. Director Hassett asked about the incident reports and
what action was being taken about illegal trails. D. Danielson gave an update to the satisfaction of
the Board. Director Cyr commented on the bicycle event article and asked about staff support. D.
Sanguinetti said this is an annual "spontaneous"event and several rangers staffed it.
R. Jurgensen pointed out the Christmas tree farm article. He also said the San Mateo County
Times website has a slide show and video about the sudden oak death issue. He said the Bay
Nature Magazine had an article about Mt. Umunhum. Director Cyr thanked L. Maze for her
article. Director Siemens asked R. Jurgensen if he had seen the video by Mr. Schwaderer and R.
Jurgensen said he had, but it needs to be edited down to 2-1/2 to 3 minutes. Director Siemens
asked if the Board could watch the video and R. Jurgensen said they could see both versions(long
and short). Director Riffle said the new District online merchandise looks great. R. Jurgensen
said they are missing a few pieces, but all of the items will be posted on the District website soon.
A. Ruiz said Planning staff met with the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) and no
remediation was needed at the Driscoll Ranch property. She gave an update on the office remodel
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and about the small repairs to the HVAC system. She said she was acting as Interim Planning
Manager. Director Hassett congratulated her. He asked her to describe the drain problem and she
said she would look into it and let him know, adding that it may be a warranty issue.
M. Williams pointed out the closing memo on the Stanton property in the FYI's and that he had
spoken with the other half interest owner, Chuck and Linda Jeffery. He said he attended the
Agriculture Advisory meeting on December 15 to discuss the Purisima to the Sea project. He said
the Real Property Committee will meet on January 22. Director Riffle asked about the status of
the Bear Creek Stable lease. M. Williams said the lease is still month to month and E. Cuzick was
working with the tenants.
S. Abhors described the budget process and he described the challenges of the changes staff is
working on including adding actual costs to the Action Plan projects. He said it is a big
organizational change for staff and they were meeting the challenge. He said that he and R.
Jurgensen would be going to Washington, D.C. in February to meet with Congressman Honda and
the Army Deputy Secretary. They have met with the Ferguson Group to set their strategy. He
said he went to Skyline and met with Mr. Djerassi on his property and saw interesting sculptures.
DIRECTOR REPORTS
Director Siemens reviewed how the new sound system works and stated it was capable of
recording 141 hours. There is also a wireless microphone for staff and the audience.
Director Riffle said he liked seeing the addition of the"Fiscal Impact"on some staff reports and
asked if they could expect seeing it in all staff reports. S. Abhors said they would.
Director Davey said her compensable meetings included the December 16, 2008 La Honda Creek
Committee meeting, the January 10, 2009 Special meeting and tonight's Regular meeting.
Director Cyr said his compensable meetings were the January 10, 2009 Special meeting and
tonight's Regular meeting. He said he attended the staff holiday party. He said he likes the new
District badges, especially the large type-face. On January 9, 2009, he hiked at Almaden Quick-
Silver via the north entrance.
Director Hassett said his compensable meetings included the December 12, 2008 Use and
Management Committee meeting, the December 16, 2008 La Honda Creek Committee meeting,
the January 10, 2009 Special meeting and tonight's Regular meeting.
Director Riffle said his compensable meetings were the December 12, 2008 Use and Management
Committee meeting, the December 16, 2008 La Honda Creek Committee meeting, the January 10,
2009 Special meeting and tonight's Regular meeting. He visited the Stevens Creek area and said
it is an interesting opportunity. On January 3, he attended a docent-led mountain bike ride at
Sierra Azul and stated they nearly rode through the entire preserve. He said the docents were
knowledgeable. He will be working with P. McKowan to staff a table at a preserve on January 24,
2009, to answer questions from the public. He said he enjoyed the January 10, 2009 retreat.
Director Harris said her term on the Board began on January 5, 2009 and she had a staff
orientation on January 9. She said her compensable meetings were the January 10, 2009 Special
meeting and tonight's Regular meeting.
Director Siemens said his compensable meetings included the January 10, 2009 Special meeting
and tonight's Regular meeting. He said he walked the new area by the Dumbarton Bridge and the
Meeting 09-02 Page 7
area will be a phenomenal addition.
President Hanko said her compensable meetings were the January 10, 2009 Special meeting and
tonight's Regular meeting. She said she was invited to President Obama's Inauguration. She said
she looked forward to the material that Director Riffle was putting together from the January 10,
2009 retreat. She thanked Director Siemens for his work as president.
Director Siemens said he appreciated the opportunity to serve as President of the Board of
Directors. He said the biggest milestone last year was hiring the new General Manager. He said
he was also pleased that the District is making forward progress on Mt. Umunhum.
President Hanko said that her future plan, as President of the Board of Directors, is to listen to the
plans and ideas of the General Manager and staff.
V11. ADJOURNMENT
President Hanko adjourned the Regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District at 8:53 p.m.
Lisa Zadek, Recording Secretary