HomeMy Public PortalAbout20091112 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Midpeninsula Regional
Open Space District
Meeting 09-29
SPECIAL MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
NOVEMBER 12,2009
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING CLOSED SESSION
I. ROLL CALL
Secretary Jed Cyr called the Special Meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. He asked for the Roll Call.
Members Present: Pete Siemens, Jed Cyr, Cecily Harris, Larry Hassett and Curt Riffle.
Members Absent: Nonette Hanko, Mary Davey
Staff Present: Steve Abbors, Sue Schectman, Ana Ruiz, Tina Hugg, David Sanguinetti,
Rudy Jurgensen
II. CLOSED SESSION
Secretary Cyr announced that the Board was holding a Closed Session to discuss Agenda Item
One. The Closed Session commenced at 6:03 p.m. and concluded at 7:00 p.m.
SPECIAL MEETING PUBLIC SESSION
I. ROLL CALL
Secretary Cyr called the Special Meeting to order at 7:03 p.m., and asked for the Roll Call
Members Present: Pete Siemens, Jed Cyr, Larry Hassett, Cecily Harris and Curt Riffle
Members Absent: Nonette Hanko, Mary Davey
Additional Staff Present: K. Lenington, E. Simmons, S. Sommer, N. Perez, , S. Babcock,
B. Congdon, C. Beckman, D. Simmons
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Motion: Director Cyr presented a motion to elect Director Hassett as President Pro Tem.
Director Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0.
Closed Session Report: Director Hassett stated that there were no reportable actions from the
Closed Session.
II. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: Director Cyr moved adoption of the Agenda. Director Riffle seconded the
motion. The motion passed 5 to 0.
111. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
David Crane, La Honda, asked the Board what it was doing to be a good neighbor in La Honda.
Director Hassett said that the staff report would address that question.
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR
Director Riffle asked about Revised Claims numbers 11411 and 11412 that staff answered to his
satisfaction.
Motion: Director Riffled moved approval of the Consent Calendar, included Revised Claims
number 09-18. Director Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0.
V. BOARD BusINESS
Director Hassett gave opening remarks as the chair of the La Honda Master Plan Ad Hoc
Committee and he reviewed the procedure of the meeting.
A. Agenda Item 1 —Third Public Hearing on the La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve
Draft Master Plan; Receive Additional Public Comment on the La Honda Creek Open
Space Preserve Draft Master Plan (Draft Master Plan); Identify a Preferred Public
Access Option and Tentatively Approve the Draft Master Plan to Serve as the Project
Description for the Environmental Review Process; Schedule a Fourth Public Hearing at
the District's Administrative Office to Receive Additional Public Comment, Consider
Certification of the Environmental Review Document in Accordance with the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and Consider Approval of the Final La Honda
Creek Open Space Preserve Master Plan—(Report R-09-105)
Staff Presentation: S. Abbors said that they are nearing the end of the planning process.
He reviewed the District's mission and how it relates to this draft master plan. He said
that it would take about four years before the public will be able to use the land, and he
reviewed the cost of preparing the preserve for public use.
A. Ruiz gave a PowerPoint slide presentation. She focused on the public use portion of
the Master Plan. She reviewed the public comments and desires regarding parking, trail
uses and said that they needed to balance the public desires with the District's mission to
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protect the land. She said that 30 miles of trails are proposed and that they include short,
medium and long trails. She reviewed trail plan Option I and Option 2.
K. Lenington reviewed the resource protection of the preserve and he discussed the
recommendations for the two CMU's (Conservation Management Unit), the road
upgrades, and the protection of the ponds. He said the road upgrades would include
installing drainage to reduce sediment. He said that staff had finished drafting the Wool
Ranch pond management plan in 2008. He noted that the highest quality habitat for the
California garter snake would be found in the Wool Ranch area.
A. Ruiz reviewed the four phases, based on level of priority, that cover the next 30
years. She showed a slide that gave the costs afor each phase. She reviewed the public
access improvements, the operation costs, and discussed additional funding needed to
cover costs. She reviewed the next steps.
Board Comment:
Director Siemens referred to Option I and asked if docent-led events would be on the
entire trail system. A. Ruiz said that staff will look at that issue to determine if these
could be on more trails.
Director Riffle asked K. Lenington for a scenario of what action the District needs to
take if a San Francisco garter snake is found on the preserve. K. Lenington said that if
this snake is found, staff would need to look at all activities on the preserve; they would
talk with the Department of Fish and Game; and develop a plan to mitigate any impacts
to the species.
Director Riffle asked when grazing would be reintroduced in the new area. A. Ruiz said
it would not be right away, but sooner than Phase 2. Director Riffle asked for more
information regarding the school's concern about the parking lot. A. Ruiz said the
school was concerned about the public using their lot, toilets, etc. She said that the
proposed parking lot at the Sears Ranch Road entrance would be set back from the road
by about 30 feet and that this would resolve the school's concerns.
Director Siemens asked if it is possible to actively reintroduce the garter snake into a
CMU. K. Lenington said he had spoken to US Fish and Wildlife Service staff who said
they lacked the resources to pursue a reintroduction of the species.
Director Hassett reviewed the Committee recommendations. He complimented staff on
the complex and elaborate Master Plan work. He said that the Committee was split on
the recommendations and that is why two options are being brought forward. He said
that Director Davey supported Option I because the historic use of the land was
ranching, and she would like trails restricted to hiking and equestrian, except for the
Ridge Trail portion.
Public Comment:
Frank Crossman, Palo Alto, said he has been a District Trail Patrol volunteer for ten
years. He said his dream is to hike from the top to the bottom of La Honda Creek Open
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Space Preserve. He said he does not want to have to wait until a future phase. He said
he thought it would be feasible to build the trail for$300,000.
Theresa Martin, La Honda, thanked the District for its commitment. She said the La
Honda community is actively involved in the process. She said she is concerned about
the trail use plan. She said she attended the meetings over the past five years. She said
she supports dog access and multi-use trails. She said that Option 2 is the most justified
option.
David Crane, La Honda, said that this was a frustrating issue. He said he is bewildered
by the fact that trails are open to walkers and equestrians, but not to bikers. He asked
why equestrians have full access, but bikers need to beg for trails to ride on. He noted
that the biking community has been respectful of the process. He said he is in favor of
Option 2.
Chuck Fry, Sunnyvale, said he is a member of ROMP and in favor of Option 2. He said
he has a concern that there is no connecting trail in the Ridge Trail corridor and that
there is a gap until a connection is built and made available. He asked the Board to open
up more ranch roads to bikes. He said bikers prefer single-track trails, but there are a lot
of ranch roads in this preserve that would be fine to ride on.
Patty Ciesla, Los Altos Hills, who is a ROMP member and a District docent, said she is
impressed with the District's purchase of the Driscoll property. She said both Option I
and Option 2 are deficient and asked the Board to consider amendments. She said that
Option I is a dis-service to the La Honda neighbors. Cycling should be allowed in
phase I at Sears Ranch and she suggests that trail construction be moved to Phase 1.
She said that the District should provide a way for the La Honda neighbors to use the
preserve at the Sears Ranch Road entrance. She said some access for bikes should be
allowed through Driscoll Ranch. She supported opening access to the Preserve right
away.
Neil Panton, Director of San Gregorio Resource Center, San Gregorio, said he has been
involved in the project since the beginning and that he is very impressed with the
process. He said he agrees with the previous speaker; however, he is concerned with
bike use. He said there should be access to the preserve from La Honda. He asked if it
is possible to allow bike use and monitor it to see how it goes. He said he supports
minimizing construction and maintaining buffers to minimize bank erosion.
Sean Gordon, San Jose, said he supports Option 2. He said he is in favor of biking
throughout the preserve and that he would like to see bike use allowed in the Driscoll
Ranch area.
Cathy Switzer, Sunnyvale, said she is new to the process. She said she supports Option
2 and asked if it was possible to look at even/odd day use. She said it is important to
allow access to the locals in La Honda.
Josh Moore, Director of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, Woodside, said he is happy to see
that the trail alignment for the Ridge Trail is in the Master Plan. He said he encourages
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the District to build an alignment in Phase 1, and asked that the District amend the plan
so that the Ridge Trail would be opened to multi-use. He asked if bikers could ride the
Ridge Trail without a docent (referring to Option 1), and A. Ruiz nodded. He said that
Trail #1 should be opened to multi-use. He suggested raising revenue and cutting costs
in order to begin working on the trails.
Frank McMillan, San Jose, said he does not want to wait to ride from top to bottom at
the preserve and that he supports Option 2. He said the District should consider
even/odd day use, and he gave examples of that use working in the Sierras. He said that
bikers like fresh air and respect and protect the environment.
Theral Mackey, Burlingame, said he is a ROMP member and said he is frustrated by the
lack of bike trails. He asked why the existing fire roads were left out of Option 2.
Steve Binder, La Honda, said he supports Option 2. He said it is dangerous for bikes to
ride on the road and said he hopes there would be trails bikers could use to ride on
instead of riding on the road.
Ted Fong, Palo Alto, asked why some segments of users were looked at differently. He
said they all know that preserving nature is the priority. He said people are respectful of
each other. He asked that the Board listen to the public.
Russ Haines, La Honda, said he is in favor of Option 2. He said his wife and he ride
bikes, horses and hike the trails.
Public Comment concluded.
Board Discussion:
Director Riffle said that La Honda is a gem and that he has toured it eight to ten times.
He said he is a hiker, biker, equestrian and dog walker. He noted that there are a lot of
trade-offs and that staff has done a good job. He said he supports Option 2 because it
allows the District to achieve its two top priorities, it allows for ecological education and
enjoyment, it is sensitive to the land, and it allows the work to be done in phases in a
financial prudent way. He said the financial model does not allow a faster way to open
the preserve. He ended saying that this will be the first preserve to be opened in the
coastal protection area.
Director Harris thanked the public for attending the meeting. She said she has had a
tough time deciding. She said she worries about the length of time to open trails. She
said she would like to see a ridge-to-sea trail available for multi-use. She said she has
heard the public, read the e-mails and listened to the La Honda neighbors. She said she
would like to see the process happen faster. She said she would support Option 2.
Director Cyr said he wanted to hear President Hanko's suggestions.
Director Hassett said he is in agreement with Director Riffle's comments. He said that
he's concerned that the expense over the next several years will be phenomenal at this
preserve. He said that they should be sensitive to the La Honda property owners. He
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noted that the La Honda and surrounding area property owners are not paying for any of
the expenses (through taxes). He said the District needs to temper how fast the work can
occur. He said he is in support of Option 2.
Director Hassett said that President Hanko suggested that a motion to adopt the trail plan
only be made. The trail plan is the same in both Option I and Option 2.
Director Riffle asked for clarification that they would only be voting on the trail plan
and not the trail use. Director Hassett said that is correct.
Motion: Director Riffle moved tentative adoption of the trail plan only. Director
Cyr seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0.
Director Hassett said that they would next vote on the uses between Option I and Option
2 in the upper section of the preserve.
Director Siemens asked about dog access versus proposed grazing. A. Ruiz said that
there would be seasonal grazing in the grassland areas near the barn. It was the plan to
reintroduce grazing in the area. She explained how the dog access would work in
conjunction with the seasonal grazing. Director Riffle asked if the public would need
permits to access the trails. A. Ruiz said they would because access is at the pen-nit
parking lot. She said that dogs would not need permits. Director Riffle asked if dogs
would be allowed in the lower area. A. Ruiz said that dogs on leach would have access
to a loop trail off Sears Ranch Road, and she showed the area on the map. Director
Siemens noted that compliance is poor with dog access on District preserves.
Motion: Director Riffle moved tentative adoption of the trail use in the upper section of
the Preserve. Director Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0.
Director Hassett explained a motion proposed by President Hanko's suggestion that
would create a nearly separate hiking and equestrian-only trail, which is a change to
Option 2. He said she wanted a length of trail only available to hikers and equestrians.
Director Siemens asked for clarification that Director Hassett gave. Director Hassett
said he could not support this motion, but he did ask for a motion. There was no support
for this proposed motion..
Director Hassett explained another motion proposed by President Hanko depicting Sears
Ranch Road trails 5-6-1/6/12 as multi-use. Director Riffle said he did not like this.
There was no support for this proposed motion.
Motion: Director Riffle said that if there were no other proposed motions, then he
would move tentative adoption of Option 2. Director Harris seconded the motion.
Discussion: Director Siemens asked about a mile loop at trail #6 and questioned why
there was no multi-use loop trails considered in that area.
S. Schectman clarified the motions and said that the Board was not being asked to
approve the Master Plan, but rather to tentatively approve the project description upon
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which the environmental document would be based and directing staff to include Option
2.
Director Siemens asked if they could amend Option 2 to consider a multi-use loop. A.
Ruiz said that at the parking lot locations, the most people would be using the trail
system, and staff tried not to concentrate users in that area. Director Siemens withdrew
his amendment suggestion.
Director Cyr said that it is obvious a lot of thought had been put into the trail system.
He said that he is leaning toward Option 1, but he does not like the docent-led only
aspect, so he said he would support Option 2.
Director Hassett said he would support Option 2 with reservations. He said there would
need to be strong compliance regarding dogs on leash, equestrians staying on trails;
biker's speed and watching for illegal trail building. He said this is a gem of a property
and that it needs to be protected. He thanked Mr. Panton for his suggestion of the
wetland setbacks and buffers.
Director Siemens said he would support Option 2 and that he, too, has similar
reservation like Director Hassett. He said he would like to see a trail to the sea. He
noted that this is a 30-year plan showing design for the future,but it could be modified
as time goes on. He said he would like to see the preserve provide access to all user
groups. He said the local community needs multi-use loops out of the area. He said
they would need additional funding support.
Vote: The motion to tentatively adopt Option 2 passed 5 to 0.
Motion: Director Cyr moved the Ad Hoc Committee Recommendation to
schedule a fourth public hearing at the District's Administrative Office to receive
additional public comment, consider certification of the environmental review document
in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and consider
approval of the final La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve Master Plan. Director
Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0.
Director Hassett adjourned the meeting for a recess at 9:00pm. The meeting reconvened
at 9:09pm.
VI. INFORMATION REPORTS
Director Hassett congratulated staff on Agenda Item 4.
Board Committee Report
Administration and Budget Committee— Director Riffle said that the committee met on
November 4 and that they had completed their work. He said the full Board would receive the
mid-year budget at their next meeting.
Real Property Committee— Director Cyr said that the committee met on November 5 and
toured the Sare property off of Highway 92. He said that the property seemed like it's in the
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wilderness even though it was just a short distance from civilization. He said he appreciated the
staff preparation for this tour.
Director Riffle reminded the Board that the mid-year reviews for the Board appointees was due
and that he was looking at December 9 to meet.
Staff Reports
A. Ruiz said that the Cooley Landing Ad Hoc Committee's first meeting is scheduled for
November 16, 2009.
N. Perez said that her last day before her leave is November 13, 2009 and that S. Babcock
would be filling in temporarily while she is away.
D. Sanguinetti said that the first Operations Use and Management Sub-Committee would meet
on November 17, and they would tour Monte Bello and look at a proposed re-routing of a trail.
Director Reports
Director Cyr said he attended the Real Property Committee meeting. He said he had been hiking
quite a lot.
Director Hassett said he attended the Real Property Committee meeting and tonight's meeting.
Director's Harris, Siemens and Riffle had nothing to report.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:18pm, Director Hassett adjourned the Special Meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District.
Lisa Zadek, Recording Secretary