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Home My Public Portal About20100609 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Meeting 10-15 SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT JUNE 9,2010 MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING I. ROLL CALL President Davey called the Special Meeting to order at 5:40 p.m. Members Present: Pete Siemens, Cecily Harris, Jed Cyr, Larry Hassett, Curt Riffle, and Mary Davey Members Absent: Nonette Hanko III Staff Present: None II. CLOSED SESSION The Closed Session commenced at 5:40 p.m. and concluded at 6:50 p.m. REGULAR MEETING I. ROLL CALL President Mary Davey called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Pete Siemens, Cecily Harris, Jed Cyr, Larry Hassett, Curt Riffle, and Mary Davey Members Absent: Nonette Hanko Staff Present: General Manager Steve Abbors, Assistant General Counsel Duncan Simmons, Real Property Manager Michael Williams, Public Affairs Manager Rudy Jurgensen, Operations Manager David Sanguinetti, Interim Administration/Human Resources Manager Annetta Spiegel, Human Resources Technician Sonya Morrison,Network Specialist Benny Hsieh, Deputy District Clerk Anna Duong, Management Analyst Gordon Baillie, Real Property Specialist Elaina Cuzick, Senior / e Meeting 10-15 Page 2 1 1to Accounting Specialist Bunny Congdon, and District Clerk Michelle Radcliffe. President Davey stated that there were no reportable items from the Closed Session Agenda Item Numbers 1 and 2. II. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were none. III. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Agenda Item#9 was moved to be heard after Agenda Item #6. Motion: Upon motion by Director Hassett, seconded by Director Cyr, and unanimously passed, the Board approved adoption of the agenda as amended. (Vote 6-0-0. Absent: Hanko). IV. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR Motion: Upon motion by Director Cyr, seconded by Director Riffle, and unanimously passed, the Board approved adoption of the Consent Calendar to approve the Board Minutes dated April 28, 2010; ; Approval of FY 2010-11 Annual Claims List; and Revised Claims 10-12. (Vote: 6-0-0. Absent: Hanko) V. BOARD BUSINESS A. Agenda Item 4—Authorization for the General Manager to execute a professional services contract with Koff& Associates Inc. in an amount not to exceed $43 560 to complete a Classification and Compensation Study(Report R-10-73) Interim Human Resources and Administration Manager Annetta Spiegel provided an overview of the agreement and explained that the study would review the classification and compensation of current District employees and an analyze if the compensation is competitive with other agencies. It would also set benchmarks that were not previously in place. She further noted that conducting this study is a requirement in the Memorandum of Agreement(MOA)with the Field Employees Association. Ms. Spiegel introduced Georg Krammer of Koff& Associates and Mr. Krammer spoke about the history and experience of the company. Discussion ensued. Director Siemens stated he thought the District was conducting a total compensation study which included benefits and expressed his concerns for only conducting a survey on salary. General Manager Steve Abbors replied that the Field Employees Association MOA states only a salary and classification study. Further discussion ensued. Director Riffle asked that the topic of total compensation versus salary be discussed at a future meeting. Motion: Upon motion by Director Cyr, seconded by Director Hassett, and unanimously passed, the Board approved authorization for the General Manager to execute a professional services contract with Koff&Associates, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $43,560 to complete a Classification and Compensation Study(Vote: 6-0-0. Absent: Hanko) 1 Meeting 10-15 Page 3 B. Agenda Item 5—Approval of proposed purchase of the Chen property as an addition to the Cathedral Oaks Area of the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, located at 21680 Aldercrest Heights Road in unincorporated Santa Clara County, Santa Clara County Assessor's Parcel Number 558-30-010• and Determine that the recommended actions are categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act CEQA), as set out in this report(Report R-10-75) Real Property Manager Michael Williams delivered an overview of the Chen property and stated that a neighbor of the property, Brian Mooney, has raised concerns about a gap in the deeded access easement. Mr. Williams explained that a 400 feet section in the property is not deeded though historically that section had been an access point. Mr. Williams further explained that he would like to work with Mr. Mooney regarding his concerns about public access and maintenance equipment. Mr. Williams provided an overview of the terms and conditions of the purchase. Discussion ensued. Motion: Upon motion by Director Hassett, seconded by Director Riffle, and unanimously passed, the Board approved the proposed purchase of the Chen property as an addition to the Cathedral Oaks Area of the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, located at 21680 Aldercrest Heights Road in unincorporated Santa Clara County, Santa Clara County Assessor's Parcel Number 558-30-010 and determined that the recommended actions are categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA) (Vote: 6-0-0. Absent: Hanko) C. Agenda Item 6—Award of Contract with TKO General Engineering and Construction Inc., for Pond DR06 Repair at La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve(R-10-67) Resource Planner I Julie Andersen provided an overview of the contract, request for proposal and award of contract with TKO General Engineering and Construction, Inc. Ms. Andersen stated that there will be a project kick-off ceremonial event where a symbolic "check"will be presented to the District by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The Board will be invited to attend. Brief discussion ensued. Motion: Upon motion by Director Siemens, seconded by Director Harris, and unanimously passed, the Board awarded the contract to TKO General Engineering and Construction Inc., for Pond DR06 Repair at La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve (Vote: 6-0-0. Absent: Hanko) D. Agenda Item 9—Resolution in Opposition to the Proposed Development of the Redwood City Salt Ponds (R-10-71) I Public Affairs Manager Rudy Jurgensen provided an overview of a proposed development at the Redwood City Shores Salt Ponds. Mr. Jurgensen stated that the proposed development has generated a lot of controversy and that the developer proposes to build 12,000 homes on half of the land and restore one-third of the wetlands. Mr. Jurgensen further noted that the salt ponds is one of the most fragile j and productive lands on Earth and that some endangered species live there. Mr. Abbors stated that the District does not normally get involved in the internal affairs of cities but that this resolution is consistent with the District's past practices of submitting comments on matters impacting the District's natural resources conservation mission. I', l Meeting 10-15 Page 4 Director Harris disclosed that she personally is opposed to the proposed development and expressed her concerns regarding the impacts to the environment and to traffic. Director Riffle stated that the Redwood City is an important constituency to the District and questioned whether the District should tell Redwood City how to run its business. Discussion ensued. Public Comment: Lennie Roberb from the Committee for Green Foothills and Nancy Arbuckle from the Sequoia Audubon Society spoke in favor of the District resolution. President Davey, Director Hassett, and Director Siemens expressed opposition to the proposed development and gave personal views. Motion: Upon motion by Director Siemens, seconded by Director Harris, and unanimously passed, the Board passed the resolution in opposition to the proposed development of the Redwood City Salt Ponds (Vote: 6-0-0. Absent: Hanko) E. Agenda Item 7—Presentation of FY2009-10 Budget Review(R-10-72) Real Property Specialist Elaina Cuzick provided an overview of the FY2009-10 Budget Review and explained how employee vacation payouts can alter the budget for certain department. She further noted that the District is within its historic range of 97%of the budget. Ms. Cuzick announced that the Administration and Budget Committee will meet to look at the FY 2011-12 Budget Forecast in order to look at the upcoming budget. Director Riffle stated that District has an efficient use of the budget but that there is room for improvement. Mr. Abbors stated that the District improved its target from last year and that the goal is to show incremental improvements every year. He stated that District will not achieve its budget goal of 100%due to external factors like weather conditions. Discussion ensued. Motion: Upon motion by Director Riffle, seconded by Director Siemens, and unanimously passed, the Board accepted the presentation of FY2009-10 Budget Review. (Vote: 6-0-0. Absent: Hanko) F. Agenda Item 8—Presentation of FY2009-10 Action Plan Review Management Analyst Gordon Baillie provided an overview of the FY2009-10 Action Plan Review and introduced the Department Managers who will be presenting their "top three"projects. Deputy City Clerk Anna Duong provided a summary of the new employee orientation process, the new phone system, and the new copier machine and noted that it saved the District $30,000. A brief discussion ensued. Operations Manager David Sanguinetti provided a summary of the radio improvement project, the slender false brome project, and the prescribed burns. Discussion was held on the three prescribed burns scheduled in June and clarification on the District's grazing program. 1 Meeting 10-15 Page 5 Planning Manager Ana Ruiz provided a summary of the Driscoll Ranch re-mediation project, the Schilling Lake management plan, the Rapley Ranch Road restoration and sedimentation reduction, the former Fletcher site clean-up and site restoration, and the El Corte de Madera parking lot and trail improvement. Ms. Ruiz noted that the Rapley Ranch restoration and sedimentation reduction project was a joint project with the Operations and Planning department. Public Affairs Manager Rudy Jurgensen provided a summary of the funding and political support received on the Mount Umunhum remediation project, the District's website, and the volunteer and docent programs. Real Property Manager Michael Williams provided a summary of the land purchases made, the land protection matters addressed by the Land Protection Program, and the key property management accomplishments of the District. Mr. Abbors thanked the Managers and staff and stated that the District completed a large number of projects for a relatively small organization. There was no action taken by the Board. VI. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS COMMITTEE REPORTS There were no committee reports. STAFF REPORTS Mr. Sanguinetti informed the Board about an e-mail received regarding the shade at Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve and stated that discussion was being held on looking at shade structures. Mr. Baillie reminded the Board that the controlled burns from Rancho de Guadalupe, Russian Ridge, and Monte Bello Open Space Preserve were coming up and invited the Board to observe if they were interested. Ms. Ruiz reminded the Board that the tour of Mount Diablo will be held on June 1 lth. She also noted that the District received an approval of a multi-year permit with the San Francisco Water Board. Mr. Jurgensen stated that the press release for the resolution opposing the Cargill salt pond development will be released on June 1 Oth Acting Administrative/Human Resources Manager Annetta Spiegel announced that the staff recognition event will be held on September 1st at Mindego Hill and invited the Board to attend. Mr. Williams reminded the Board that the Ravenswood Exchange with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission will need a unanimous vote at the July 14th Board meeting. I . Meeting 10-15 Page 6 Senior Accounting Specialist Bunny Congdon stated that the auditors were at the Administration Office the week of May 241h and stated that the auditor's report should be submitted at the end of June. Mr. Abbors informed the Board that he spoke at the Campbell Rotary Club and announced that the he has asked other Board members to review the agenda. DIRECTOR REPORTS The Board members submitted their compensable meeting reports to the Clerk. Director Riffle informed the Board that his dog qualified for the Volunteer Trail Patrol Training. Director Harris announced that she went on a docent led program. Director Cyr stated that he hiked the Sunol Ridge and stated that the post numbering could be used at the District. He also suggested that the District read the Stewardship Council— Redwood City 2020 H.Y.P.E. newsletter as a resource in engaging youth with land conservation. Director Hassett had nothing to report. Director Siemens stated that a desire for a trail segment to Collard's Peak was expressed by a trail user and that a formal request will be submitted to the District. President Davey expressed her appreciation of the District staff. VII. ADJOURNMENT President Davey adjourned the Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District at 9:58 p.m. Michelle Radcliffe, District Clerk