HomeMy Public PortalAbout20100512 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) (2) Midpeninsula Regional
Open Space District
Meeting 10-13
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
MAY 12,2010
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
I. ROLL CALL
President Davey called the Special Meeting to order at 5:07 p.m.
Members Present: Pete Siemens, Jed Cyr, Larry Hassett,Nonette Hanko, Curt Riffle, and
Mary Davey.
Members Absent: Cecily Harris.
Staff Present: General Manager Steve Abhors, General Counsel Sue Schectman, Real
Property Manager Mike Williams, and Real Property Specialist
Michael Reeves.
Staff Present for Second Agenda Item: General Manager Steve Abhors
11. CLOSED SESSION
The Closed Session commenced at 5:07 p.m. and concluded at 7:00 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING
I. ROLL CALL
President Mary Davey called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Members Present: Pete Siemens, Jed Cyr, Nonette Hanko, Larry Hassett, Curt Riffle, and
Mary Davey.
Members Absent: Cecily Harris.
Meeting 10-13 Page 2
Staff Present: General Manager Steve Abbors, General Counsel Sue Schectman, Real
Property Manager Mike Williams, Public Affairs Manager Rudy
Jurgensen, Operations Manager David Sanguinetti, Interim
Administration/Human Resources Manager Annetta Spiegel,
Maintenance Resource Supervisor Craig Beckman, and District Clerk
Michelle Radcliffe.
President Davey stated that there were no reportable items from Closed Session Agenda Item
Numbers I and 2.
11. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
There were none.
111. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: Upon motion by Director Cyr, seconded by Director Riffle, and unanimously
passed, the Board approved adoption of the agenda(Vote 6-0-0. Absent: Harris).
IV. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Director Cyr suggested that the written response to Mr. David Whittum include a copy of the
Regional Open Space Study. Director Siemens requested that the response to Mr. Whittum be
clarified to indicate whether the 20%that is rebated to the City of Sunnyvale is a City policy
or if it is an enabling legislation for the Santa Clara County Open Space District. Discussion
ensued.
Motion: Upon motion by Director Hanko, seconded by Director Riffle, and unanimously
passed, the Board approved adoption of the Consent Calendar to approve the Board Minutes
dated March 24,2010 as corrected; the Written Communication letter to David Whittum;
Approval of FY 2010-11 Annual Claims List; and Revised Claims 10-10. (Vote: 6-0-0.
Absent: Harris)
V. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Agenda Item 3—Informational Presentation of the District Clerk's Office—(Report
R-10-66)
District Clerk Michelle Radcliffe presented an overview of the duties and
responsibilities of the District Clerk's Office. Discussion ensued. No action was
taken.
B. Agenda Item 4—Consider Adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration and
Mitigation Monitoring Program and the Approval of an Amendment to the Use and
Management Plan for Monte Bello Open Space Preserve for the White Oaks Trail
Realignment and Decommissioning Project (Report R-10-57)
Meeting 10-13 Page 3
Maintenance and Resource Supervisor Craig Beckman presented an overview of the
White Oaks Trail alignment. Discussion ensued. The Board thanked Mr. Beckman
for his presentation and expertise on trail building.
Director Riffle stated that he is an active user of Monte Bello Open Space Preserve
and that the current White Oaks Trail was his least favorite trail. He expressed
excitement for the realignment project and noted that the project will provide
opportunities by connecting the trail with Alpine Road. Director Riffle suggested that
the District provide an educational board tours at the parking lot or provide docent-led
tours to educate the public about the archeological site in the area.
Director Hassett expressed support for the trail alignment noting that the new trail is at
a better location than the current one.
Discussion was held on whether or not preserves should stay closed until trail planning
s is in place. Director Cyr stated that in the past,the public needed access to the
preserves because there were a limited amount of opened trails and that it is a different
scenario today because the District has a number of trails that are opened to the public.
Further discussion ensued.
i
Motion: Upon motion by Director Hanko, seconded by Director Siemens, and
unanimously passed, the Board adopted a Mitigated Negative Declaration and
Mitigation Monitoring Program and Approved an Amendment to the Use and
Management Plan for Monte Bello Open Space Preserve for the White Oaks Trail
Realignment and Decommissioning Project. (Vote: 6-0-0. Absent: Harris)
VI. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Director Hanko stated that the Legislative, Funding and Public Affairs Committee is currently
scheduling a meeting to discuss the District coffee table book as well as receive a presentation
from the District Ombudsperson Carol Joyce.
STAFF REPORTS
Public Affairs Manager Rudy Jurgensen announced that he attended the California Special
Districts Association Legislative Conference in Sacramento and that one of the topics of
discussion was the State's $20 billion budget deficit. Mr. Jurgensen stated that there are
currently no proposals to seek funding from the special districts.
Real Property Manager Mike Williams announced that the District received a$500 000 ant
p Y g � �'
from the Habitat Conservation Fund for the purchase of Lobitos Ridge Property. Mr.
Williams also reported on the San Mateo County Farm Bureau meeting where Resource
Specialist I Clayton Koopman gave a presentation on the draft grazing plan for the Lobitos
Ridge and UC Elkus Uplands property as part of the Purisima to the Sea project. Director
Hassett, Senior Resource Planner Kirk Lenington, and Real Property Specialist Elaina Cuzick
were in attendance at the meeting also.
Meeting 10-13 Page 4
Operations Manager David Sanguinetti stated that the Mobile Repeater tested out well on two
of the District Patrol Trucks and noted that he is planning to purchase 8-10 more units to
install in more trucks. Mr. Sanguinetti also stated that the Skyline Area Superintendent and
himself met with two Patrol Supervisors of the San Mateo County Sheriff's Department and
discussed working relationships. He reminded the County of the level of enforcement the
District Rangers perform so Sheriff Deputies can continue to quickly respond when requested.
General Counsel Sue Schectman reported to the Board that she attended the League of
California Cities Conference last week and heard an interesting lecture on the increased use of
social media in the public sector to effectively get information out to the public. She noted
that some of the challenges and issues regarding the use of social media by public agencies
include First Amendment Rights, Public Records Act requests, Brown Act, and employee
privacy.
General Manager Steve Abhors reminded the Board about the Mount Umunhurn event on
May 17, 2010.
DIRECTOR REPORTS
The Board members submitted their compensable meeting reports to the Clerk.
Director Riffle informed the Board that he began the Volunteer Trail Patrol Training on May
I"and May 8 Ih and noted that there was a diverse group of volunteers committed to
preserving the District.
Director Hanko shared her daughter's new career endeavors with the Board.
Director Cyr informed the Board he attended the wildflower hike on Russian Ridge on
April 3 01h.
Director Hassett informed the Board that he attended the San Mateo County Farm Bureau
meeting. He stated that although the attendance by the farmers was low, it was still a positive
meeting and that staff did a great job with its presentation on the draft grazing plan.
Director Siemens shared his observations during a recent visit to the David C. Daniels Nature
Center.
President Davey expressed her views regarding the proposed development of the Cargill salt
lands in Redwood City by Cargill and DMB Associates and suggested that the Board pass a
resolution opposing the proposal.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
President Davey adjourned the Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District at 8:20 p.m.
Michelle Radcliffe, District Clerk