HomeMy Public PortalAbout20091202 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Midpeninsula Regional
Open Space District
MEETING 09-31
SPECIAL MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
DECEMBER 2,2009
MINUTES
CLOSED SESSION
I. ROLL CALL
President Hanko called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. She called the Roll.
Members Present: Mary Davey, Jed Cyr, Larry Hassett, Nonette Hanko, Pete
Siemens, and Curt Riffle
Members Absent: Cecily Harris
Staff Present: Steve Abhors, Sue Schectman, Duncan Simmons, Mike Williams,
Michael Newburn, David Sanguinetti, Rudy Jurgensen
11. CLOSED SESSION
THE BOARD RECESSED TO CLOSED SESSION AT 6:04 P.M.THE CLOSED SESSION
CONCLUDED AT 6:50 P.M.
PUBLIC SESSION MEETING
111. President Hanko called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:02 p.m., and asked for the Roll
Call.
Members Present: Mary Davey, Jed Cyr, Larry Hassett, Nonette Hanko, Pete
Siemens, and Curt Riffle
Members Absent: Cecily Harris
Additional Staff Present: J. Chung, B. Congdon, A. Ruiz, S. Sommer, S. Babcock,
M. Williams, R. Fitzsimons, A. Speidel
President Hanko stated that therewer-e no r-epoi4able items from the Closed Session items
1 through 3 was one reportable item from closed session, regarding, tiAgenda iltern
nNumber 2. President Hanko stated that, pursuant to Government Code Section
54957.1(a)(3)(A), the Board of Directors had considered a settlement offer from the
plaintiffs in Santa Clara County Superior Court Case No. 108-CV-1 12242, voted t
accept the offer, and directed the Board President to execute the appropriate documents.
The vote was unanimous.
Meeting 09-31 Page 2
IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS—There were none,
V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: Director Hassett Riffle moved adoption of the Agenda. Director Siemens
seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
VI. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Agenda Item 1. Approve Minutes
Agenda Item 2. Approve Revised Claims Report. - Director Riffle commented that
he had a few questions on Revised Claims,but they were answered
to his satisfaction.
Agenda Item 3. Approve Written Communications. —There were none.
Motion: Director Hassett moved adoption of the Consent Calendar to approve the
October 28, 2009 Regular Meeting Board Minutes; Agenda Item 4 -
Approval of the Adoption of CalPERS 457 Deferred Compensation Plan;
and Revised Claims 09-20. Director Siemens seconded the motion. The
motion passed 6 to 0.
VII. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Agenda Item 5—Annual Land Dedication Report and Resolution of Dedication—
(Report R-09-123)
S. Sommer presented the staff report with a PowerPoint presentation. She
reviewed the purpose of dedicating lands. She indicated that the District was at
57,984 acres of land, of which 67% are now dedicated (37,341 acres).
President Hanko asked if the District is getting close to knowing which properties
it wanted to keep. She especially wanted to know when the Mt. Umunhurn area
might be opened and dedicated. S. Sommer responded that the District has
13,000 acres in Sierra Azul. Once the master plan is completed, the District
would be better at knowing how much of that 13,000 acres could be dedicated.
Director Hassett asked about the Hanson purchase and the safety regarding
undermining the stability of the slope next to the quarry. M. Williams referred to
the purchase contract and stated the District would be financially protected if it
failed. There are funds set aside in case of a partial or full slope failure with
specific dollar amounts (up to $2,000,000 for complete failure).
Motion: Director Davey moved to adopt Board Resolution No. 09-34
dedicating interests in certain specified District lands for public open space
purposes. Director Riffle seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
Meeting 09-31 Page 2
B. Agenda Item 6—Receive an Update on the District's Docent Program—(Report
R-09-1 11)
R. Jurgensen gave a brief introduction and R. Fitzsimons presented a PowerPoint
presentation. She reviewed the docent program in detail, commenting that
Director Siemens and his wife recently went through the program and would soon
be volunteering by next spring. She indicated the types of program the docents
offer along with the hours they volunteer. She also talked about the different
school programs they were involved with and the challenges to get the less funded
schools more involved with the activities available. The program includes a
shuttle bus for those that do not have funding for field trips.
Director Siemens asked if there are enough docents if more schools signed up. R.
Fitzsimons responded there is a lottery for the spaces available therefore there will
be enough docents for these activities.
Director Riffle asked how the District would be able to increase the amount of
people who visit our sites and use the docent programs. R. Fitzsimons responded
that we do have a limit of how many different activities that can be offered during
the week and weekend. Due to other groups and activities, it is not possible to
have the Sierra Club with 40-50 people go on a hike in an area with a docent lead
hike of an additional 40 people on the same day. In addition, there is a lot of
coordination with other people that have to be taken into consideration.
Director Hassett wanted to know if teachers could access our website from their
schools' websites. President Hanko also asked how the District could get its
information out to more schools. R. Fitzsimons responded that the District posts
on its website and sends news to different media; however, there is another
challenge in itself and that is who to send the information to, and it is different for
each district as well as each school. Some want them to go directly to the
teachers or the science departments, while others want them to go only to the
principals.
Director Riffle asked if it is the same docent group every year or if there is a high
turn over. R. Fitzsimons responded that there is a core group of docents, some
that have been with the district for 20-30 years. There is also an influx of new
people, which makes it a diverse group.
The Board accepted the staff report and thanked staff for the information. No
formal Board action was required.
X1. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
COMMITTEE REPORTS—There were none.
STAFF REPORTS
R. Jurgensen reported on Cooley Landing and indicated that Director Harris would be
able to attend the meeting via web conference.
Meeting 09-31 Page 3
A. Ruiz said she had nothing to report at this time, but will have something in the next
few months.
M. Williams reported and handed out a flyer on Elkus Ranch.
B. Congdon reported there is a Second Harvest Food Drive along with a Toy Drive at the
District to help those in need this holiday season.
S. Abhors reported that the Rancho San Antonio Management Agreement with County
Parks will end next year. Director Siemens requested to have a workshop to make sure
the Board is on board with what will happen in the future. President Hanko agreed that
she did not want this to be an agenda item, but a separate workshop.
S. Schectman reported on CalJPlA's recent risk management evaluation of the District.
The evaluator's preliminary comments were very favorable. A report will be issued later.
DIRECTOR REPORTS
Director Davey said she was happy to be back.
Director Hassett reminded everyone of the Board meeting of South Skyline Association
at his house and suggested carpooling if possible. He also asked about the coffee table
book and was concerned with the closing date. R. Jurgensen responded that the District
has extended the initial date and will also have another opening later next year to capture
the different seasons, and also mentioned that this will be an ongoing process.
President Hanko said she would like a workshop on the Rancho situation
Director Siemens said the District has 1-2 mountain motorcycles and would like a report
on them. S. Abbors said they are a very useful transportation to patrol. D. Sanguinetti
said they are a tool, like a mountain bike, quad, or foot patrol. He also indicated that there
have been no complaints and only one injury since we purchased them. Director Siemens
than asked if we needed more and would like a verbal report regarding them. D.
Sanguinetti said he will put together something to cover the program, changes, and report
back to the Board.
Director Siemens asked about the hiring of a project manager for the Mt. Umunhum
project and was concerned with the closing date. A. Ruiz responded and said it has not
been posted yet, but would like to have a relatively short turn around period. She would
have a better idea how long it will be opened for bid when they post it.
X11. ADJOURNMENT
President Hanko adjourned the Special meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District at 8:28 p.m.
Jean Chung, Recording Secretary