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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20100428 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Meeting 10-12 SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT APRIL 28,2010 MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING I. ROLL CALL President Mary Davey called the Special Meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. Members Present: Pete Siemens, Jed Cyr, Cecily Harris(arrived at 5:30 p.m.), Larry Hassett, Nonette Hanko, Curt Riffle, and Mary Davey. Members Absent: None Staff Present: Steve Abbors 11. CLOSED SESSION The Closed Session commenced at 5:02 p.m. and adjourned at 7:00 p.m. REGULAR MEETING 111. ROLL CALL President Mary Davey called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. President Davey stated that there were no reportable items from the Closed Session Agenda Item Number 1. Members Present: Pete Siemens, Cecily Harris, Jed Cyr, Nonette Hanko, Larry Hassett, Curt Riffle, and Mary Davey. Members Absent: None Staff Present: General Manager Steve Abbors, General Counsel Sue Schectman, Administrative Assistant Jean Chung, Resource Planner I Julie Andersen, Operations Manager David Sanguinetti, Administrative Assistant Nicole Perez, Public Affairs Manager Rudy Jurgensen, Senior r 1� Meeting 10-12 Page 2 Planner Meredith Manning, Mount Umunhum Project Manager Gina Coony, Planning Manager Ana Ruiz, and Senior Real Property Planner Sandy Sommer. IV. APPOINTMENT OF ACTING DISTRICT CLERK Motion: Upon motion by Director Hanko, seconded by Director Siemens, and unanimously passed, the Board appointed Administrative Assistant Jean Chung as the Acting District Clerk for this evening's Regular Board Meeting. (Vote 7-0-0) V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were none. VI. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion: Upon motion by Director Cyr, seconded by Director Riffle, and unanimously passed, the Board approved the Agenda. (Vote 7-0-0) VII. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR Motion: Upon motion by Director Siemens, seconded by Director Hanko, and unanimously passed, the Board approved adoption of the Consent Calendar to approve the Board Minutes dated March 10, 2010, the Written Communication letter to Aviva Garrett; and Revised Claims 10-09. (Vote: 7-0-0) VIII. BOARD BUSINESS A. Agenda Item 4—Resolution of Support of the State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010—(Report R-10-63) Public Affairs Manager Rudy Jurgensen provided statistics about the state's parks system and stated that the State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010 would establish a dedicated and stable funding source to support state parks. Discussion was held on whether the Trust Fund Act would replace other funding for the state parks system and Mr. Jurgensen informed the Board that it would not ,but with a new dedicated revenue stream in place, approximately$130 million of General Fund dollars—that provide a portion of overall state parks funding—would now be available for other needs, like schools, health care, social services or public safety. Director Riffle inquired about the process by which the Board and District would show support of this issue. Mr. Jurgensen stated that an important way of showing support is to submit a resolution of support,but he also added that he would research other ways. Director Riffle suggested that staff look at other avenues of support such as using the District's website. He also expressed concern that the Trust Fund Act would suffer the same fate as the license plate program. Mr. Jurgensen stated that he did not think the Trust Fund Act will have a similar fate as the license plate program because that program's establishment depended on people buying a sufficient number of license plates whereas a plurality vote for the Trust Fund Act would establish a Meeting 10-12 Page 3 mandatory surcharge on all California vehicles. Ms. Schectman noted the legal parameters applicable to such support. Discussion ensued. Motion: Upon motion by Director Hanko, seconded by Director Hassett, and unanimously passed, the Board approved adoption of Resolution No. 10-13 to support the State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010. (Vote: 7-0-0) B. Agenda Item 5—Authorization to amend the contract with Ascent Environmental Inc. to provide consulting services and prepare CE A/NEPA documents for Phase I Abatement of the Mt. Umunhum Remediation Project in an amount not to exceed $50 000 for a total contract amount not to exceed $75 000 and determine that the recommended action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)_(,Report R-10-47) Mount Umunhum Project Manager Gina Coony provided background information on the Mount Umunhum project and stated that there are two projects for the site: 1) the site-planning project that is led by Senior Planner Meredith Manning; and 2) the remediation project that she is leading. Ms. Coony informed the Board that the $3.2 million federal funds the District received needs to be obligated by September 30, 2010, and that the scope of the projects will need two funding cycles. The District is seeking$4.8 million in federal funding in the next funding cycle. Ms. Coony summarized the projects that needed to happen at the site which include abatement of the hazardous materials and demolition of on-site structures. She reviewed the timeline for the environmental process and stated that it was determined that an environmental consultant was needed immediately to assist in preparing the National Environment Policy Act(NEPA) and California Environmental Quality Act CE A documents. She further stated that staff is requesting to amend to the contract ( Q ) q g with Ascent Environmental, Inc. in order to assist in preparing the necessary I environmental documents. i Discussion was held regarding concerns about obligating the funds by the deadline. Ms. Coony stated that based on current information, the District did not have any concerns because Northgate has provided a lot of preliminary work already and the Army Corps of Engineers will be putting the documents together. Further discussion ensued. Director Hassett inquired about when the determination of the radar tower and the maintenance garage would come before the Board. Ms. Manning informed the Board that once the site planning process begins, a series of options will be developed and presented to the Sierra Azul/Bear Creek Redwoods Ad Hoc Committee. Planning Manager Ana Ruiz added that the Planning Department has done some initial idea exploration and would like to engage District staff in discussions. She also added that the Planning staff will put together more defined ideas and will work with the Ad Hoc Committee to refine those ideas. Ms. Ruiz believes the full Board would review the plans in early 2011. Motion: Upon motion by Director Cyr, seconded by Director Hassett, and unanimously passed, the Board determined that the proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)based on the Meeting 10-12 Page 4 findings as set out in this report; and authorized the General Manager to amend a contract with Ascent Environmental, Inc., for an additional $48,000 that includes an $8,000 contingency, for a total contract amount not to exceed $73,000, to provide environmental services and prepare CEQA/NEPA documents in support of Phase I Abatement for the Mount Umunhum.Remediation project at Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. (Vote 7-0-0) C. Agenda Item 6—Adoption of an Amendment to the Use and Management Plan for Thornewood Open Space Preserve for a Minor Intervention, Long-Tenn Management Approach of Schilling Lake and Determine that the Recommended Action is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)— (Report—R-10-58) Senior Planner Meredith Manning presented the Use and Management Committee recommendations and provided. She said that Schilling Lake is over 100 year old, and she gave some historical background information and showed photographs of the lake and area. She said that there was public outreach about the Bridle Trail in 2007 and that staff received many comments in favor of restoring Schilling Lake. Ms. Manning reviewed the results of the geo-technical study of the dam and stated there are no risks of downstream flooding at the current lake volume. She stated that the dam is in good condition and because very little light gets to the lake, the Department of Fish and Game advised that the lake is not a good site for them to provide funding. Ms. Manning provided an overview of the management options and summarized the Use and Management Committee's recommendations of removing six redwood trees, pruning madrone trees, and removing duckweed and cattails. She noted that the approximate cost of the recommendations would be $22,000.00. Director Hassett, Chair of the Use and Management Committee, complimented Ms. Manning and staff for their work. He revealed that initially he was concerned about the potential cost of the project especially since it is a lightly used preserve and that he was delighted to see the cost for the second option was lower than what he expected.. He also complimented the residents who came to the site meeting and stated that they support the tree removal. Discussion ensued. Public Comment: Joseph Szabo of Woodside spoke in favor of dredging the lake and stated he would like to see a clearer lake. Motion: Upon motion by Director Hassett, seconded by Director Riffle, and unanimously passed, the Board determined that the proposed project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)based on the findings as set out in the report; and amended the Use and Management Plan for Thomewood Open Space Preserve to Implement a long-term management plan for Schilling Lake that adopts a minor intervention approach as outlined in the report. (Vote 7-0-0) D. Agenda Item 7—Amend the Contract with BAGG Engineers to Conduct Construction Monitoring for the Pond DR06 Repair Project Located in the Former Wool Ranch Area of La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve—(Report—R-10-62) 10 Meeting 10-12 Page 5 Resource Planner I Julie Andersen presented the staff report and provided reasons for an amendment to the contract with BAGG Engineers. Ms. Andersen informed the Board that the berm at the Pond DR06 is failing, making the repair project urgent due to the three species located there: the red-legged frog, San Francisco garter snake, and the Western pond turtle. Discussion ensued. Motion: Upon motion by Director Hanko, seconded by Director Siemens, and unanimously passed, the Board authorized the General Manager to amend the contract with BAGG Engineers for an additional $17,910 for a total contract amount not to exceed $38,685 to include permit-required construction monitoring for the Pond DR06 repair project located at the former Wool Ranch Area of La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve. (Vote 7-0-0) IX. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS COMMITTEE REPORTS Director Cyr, Chair of the Sierra Azul/Bear Creek Redwoods Ad Hoc Committee, reported on tour of Mount Tamalpais that was held on April 22, 2010. Director Hanko, Chair of the Legislative, Funding and Public Affairs Committee, said they met on April 26, 2010, and reported that the Committee reviewed suggestions to rename trails in the Skyline area, rename the Mills Creek Preserve, and reviewed bench recommendations. Director Hassett, Chair of the Facility Ad Hoc Committee, said the Committee met on April 28, 2010 to look at alternative site locations for the Skyline Field Office project. Director Harris, Chair of the Cooley Landing Ad Hoc Committee, said the Committee met and reviewed maps of the project area. STAFF REPORTS Public Affairs Manager Rudy Jurgensen said that the Nature Center is open for the season and there is a new snake in residence. He stated that Director Siemens and his wife were the docents on duty and that the center had over 50 visitors. Mr. Jurgensen said that the Outdoor Docent training and Trail Patrol training has begun and that staff is planning a training with Peninsula Open Space Trust at the Cloverdale Ranch. Mr. Jurgensen also reported that the District had a table at the Woodside Environmental Festival and stated that the "Environmental Ethics Campaign"has a new name entitled "Leave No Trace". Planning Manager Ana Ruiz said that staff is organizing a tour of Mt. Diablo on June 111h and reported that she and Real Property Manager Mike Williams are attending a Leadership Academy. General Counsel Sue Schectman said she will be sending a memo to the Board about the May 17, 2010 Mount Umunhurn event. General Manager Steve Abbors said that they have hired Lynn Tottori as the Senior Management Analyst and noted that she will be introduced at the next Board meeting. He reported that he would be on vacation next week and that Ms. Ruiz would be Acting General Manager. Mr. Abbors reported that the Rancho San Antonio Agreement with the County of Y Meeting 10-12 Page 6 Santa Clara is moving forward and that he will be attending a meeting regarding Deer Hollow Farm on April 29'h. DIRECTOR REPORTS The Board members submitted their compensable meeting reports to the Clerk. Director Riffle reported that he met with Congresswoman Anna Eshoo in Washington, DC last week. He also noted that the he will be attending the Trail Patrol training as well as attending the meeting regarding Deer Hollow Farm. Director Hanko announced that her plumber found a green rattlesnake at Arastradero Preserve. Director Cyr reported that he attended the wildflower training given by Senior Resource Management Specialist Cindy Roessler and stated that it was wonderful to see the native plant response in the bum areas. Director Hassett reported that he also attended the wildflower training with Ms. Roessler. He also stated that he attended the Farm Bureau meeting where Mr. Abbors and Resource Specialist I Clayton Koopman were also in attendance. He mentioned he will attend the next Farm Bureau meeting because he will be discussing the grazing plan at Lobitos Creek. Director Siemens reported that he would be back at the Nature Center on May 1, 2010. President Davey complimented the District booth at Westwind. She also reported that the wildflowers and the views on the Mount Tamalpais tour were marvelous. X. ADJOURNMENT President Davey adjourned the Special and Regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District at 8:35 p.m. Lisa Zadek, Recording Secretary