HomeMy Public PortalAbout20100908 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Midpeninsula Regional
Open Space District
Meeting 10-22
REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
SEPTEMBER 8, 2010
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
I. ROLL CALL
President Davey called the Special Meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.
Members Present: Jed Cyr,Nonette Hanko, Cecily Harris, Larry Hassett, Pete Siemens,
and Mary Davey
Members Absent: Curt Riffle
Staff Present: General Manager Steve Abbors, General Counsel Sue Schectman,
Senior Real Property Planner Sandy Sommer, Senior Resource Planner
Kirk Lenington, Maintenance and Resource Supervisor Craig Beckman,
Lead Open Space Technician Rick Parry, Planning Technician Galli
Basson and District Clerk Michelle Radcliffe
II. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Agenda Item I —Consideration and Support of the District's Strategic Planning
Methodology(Report R-10-98)
The Strategic Plan Team held a workshop for the Board to consider and support the
District's strategic planning methodology. Senior Real Property Planner and Strategic
Plan Project Manager Sandy Sommer introduced Lester Olmstead-Rose from La Piana
Consulting and also introduced the members of the Strategic Plan Team. She provided
an overview of the methodology to be used to develop strategies that address District
priorities,resources, and sustainability.
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Director Hanko expressed concern about Board involvement with the strategic plan
and suggested that the team check in with the Board on a regular basis. She wanted to
ensure that land acquisition is a component in the strategic plan. Director Harris stated
that there should be a strategic plan for human resources in order to carry out the
District's work.
Continued discussion was held on the strategic plan process and methodology. The
roles and expectations of the Board and the staff were presented. Questions and
answers ensued. Ms. Sommer stated that there will be an eight-hour workshop held on
October 22 nd and October 23rd to start the strategic plan process so that the District can
determine what its priorities are.
Public Comment: Ken Nitz of Redwood City stated that clarification is needed
between strategies and tactics, and agreed with Director Harris that a strategic plan for
employee resources should be included. He suggested that cost containment should
also be considered.
Motion: Upon motion by Director Hanko, seconded by Director Cyr, and
unanimously passed, the Board supported the District's strategic planning
methodology. (6-0-0; Absent: Riffle)
REGULAR MEETING
I. ROLL CALL
President Mary Davey called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Nonette Hanko, Cecily Harris, Larry Hassett, Pete Siemens,
and Mary Davey
Members Absent: Curt Riffle
Staff Present: General Manager Steve Abbors, General Counsel Sue Schectman,
Operations Manager David Sanguinetti, Public Affairs Manager Rudy
Jurgensen, Planning Manager Ana Ruiz, Real Property Manager Mike
Williams, Acting Administrative Services Manager Annetta Spiegel,
and District Clerk Michelle Radcliffe.
11. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
There were none.
111. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: Upon motion by Director Cyr, seconded by Director Siemens, and unanimously
passed, the Board approved adoption of the agenda as amended. (Vote: 6-0-0; Absent: Riffle)
Meeting 10-22 Page 3
IV. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion: Upon motion by Director Cyr, seconded by Director Hassett, and unanimously
passed, the Board approved adoption of the Consent Calendar to approve the Board Minutes
dated August 11, 2010, as amended; Approval of FY 2010-11 Annual Claims List; and
Revised Claims 10-18. (Vote: 6-0-0; Absent: Riffle)
V. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Agenda Item 4—Authorize Donation of One Surplus District Vehicle to the Stevens
Creek Volunteer Fire Department(R-10-91)
Operations Manager David Sanguinetti provided an overview of the recommendation
to donate one surplus vehicle to the Stevens Creek Volunteer Fire Department and
reported that in 2001, the District donated two surplus vehicles to the Volunteer Fire
Department and that those vehicles are still in use. He also reported that if the vehicle
were auctioned, the District would receive$2,500 in proceeds and felt that the
donation would be more appropriate since the Volunteer Fire Department could
respond faster to a fire in the area than the District could. Mr. Sanguinetti introduced
Stevens Creek Volunteer Firefighter Chuck Frimbres and stated that Mr. Frimbres
works on the District's vehicles as well as the Volunteer Fire Department's vehicles.
Mr. Frimbres thanked the Board for the donation of the two prior vehicles.
Director Hassett thanked Mr. Frimbres and the Stevens Creek Volunteer Fire
Department for their work and commitment to the Sierra Azul area.
Motion: Upon motion by Director Hassett, seconded by Director Siemens, and
unanimously passed, the Board authorized the donation of one surplus vehicle to the
Stevens Creek Volunteer Fire Department(Vote: 6-0-0; Absent: Riffle)
B. Agenda Item 5 -Approval of Grant Applications for the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency(US EPA) Brownfields Cleanup Grant Program and the California
Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) Brownfield Cleanup Revolving
Loan Fund Program for Implementing the Remediation Phase for the Cooley Landing
Project at Ravenswood Open Space Preserve(R-10-103)
Open Space Planner 11 Tina Hugg provided an overview of grant funding opportunities
available for the remediation phase of the Cooley Landing Project and stated that there
is a potential to received $800,000 in grant funding from US EPA and DTSC for site
cleanup of Cooley Landing. She stated that the US EPA grant would require a 20%
match from the District, which has already been fulfilled with the $40,000 Nature
Restoration grant obtained by the City and the staff time the District has put in. Ms.
Hugg stated that Lily Lee from the City of East Palo Alto will prepare the grant
applications and that the granting agencies did not require resolutions as part of the
application.
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Director Siemens asked for the definition of a brownfield and Ms. Lee stated that the
US EPA defines it as a piece of land of that is feared to be contaminated, whether a
real or a perceived fear of contamination. She explained that cleaning up brownfields
make it easier to attract developers to invest on those sites. Brief discussion ensued.
Motion: Upon motion by Director Hanko, seconded by Director Cyr, and
unanimously passed, the Board approved submitting grant applications for the US
EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant Program and the DTSC Brownfield Cleanup
Revolving Loan Fund Program for implementing the remediation phase for the Cooley
Landing Project at Ravenswood Open Space Preserve. (Vote: 6-0-0; Absent: Riffle)
VI. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
COMMITTEE REPORTS
There were no Committee reports.
STAFF REPORTS
Operations Manager David Sanguinetti reported that there has been an increase of sick
bobcats found in the Rancho de San Antonio Open Space Preserve and that staff is working
with the Department of Fish and Game to find the cause. Mr. Sanguinetti stated that there is
an increase of rodents in the area and speculated that the bobcats may have eaten the poison
used to kill the rodents. He stated that the District has received authority from the Department
of Fish and Game to trap the sick bobcats and send them to a lab to determine the cause of
their illness. Mr. Sanguinetti stated that if the cause of the illness is due to the rodent poison,
the District will work with nearby municipalities to inform residents.
Planning Manager Ana Ruiz reported that the Planning Department is working on finding a
solution to the parking issues at Purisma Creek Road. She also reported that the Board should
have received their save-the-date postcard regarding the public meeting for Mount Umunhurn
on September 301h and that the team is expecting high attendance for the meeting due to local
newspaper coverage and the District's press releases. Ms. Ruiz also informed the Board that
the Mount Umunhum interested parties mailing list is currently at 4,000 subscribers.
Public Affairs Manager Rudy Jurgenson reminded the Board that the Bridle Trail Dedication
at Thornewood Open Space Preserve is on October 2"d and reported that the Public Affairs
team is working on that event.
Acting Administrative Services Manager Annetta Spiegel reported that the District received
its first allocation list for recommended changes on the Classification and Compensation
Study as well as the recommended comparative agencies and that she is working with the
General Manager and the Consultant on finalizing those recommendations.
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Real Property Manager Mike Williams reported that the Real Property Committee will meet
on September 14'h at 4:30 p.m. to discuss the potential purchase of the Slaght property. He
also reported that Elaina Cuzick, Real Property Specialist working with the Levines regarding
succession planning and potential leasees and Elaina and Julie Andersen, Resource Planner 1,
are working with the Levines on defensible space fire break around the Fremont Older
residence..
General Manager Steve Abhors reported that Planning Technician Galli Basson, Mr.
Jurgensen and himself attended the restored salt pond dedication at Dumbarton Bridge on
September 7'h and reported that Senator Diane Feinstein was also in attendance. He stated
that the project is something the Board should see and that it is a great connection for San
Francisco Bay Trail, Cooley Landing and Ravenswood Open Space Preserve.
DIRECTOR REPORTS
The Directors submitted their compensable meeting forms to the District Clerk.
Director Harris reported that the she enjoyed the Volunteer and Staff Recognition Event that
were held in the previous week.
Director Hanko stated she was in Hawaii for the last five weeks and shared her endeavors
with the Board. .
Director Cyr reported that he attended the media event held on August 201h regarding the Pond
DR06 Project. He also reported that he went on a tour of the Sierra Azul area and that he
attended both the Volunteer and Staff Recognition Event.
Director Hassett reported he attended the Volunteer Recognition Event and expressed his
apologies for missing the Staff Recognition Event. He also reported that he received an e-
mail communication from Pescadero High School teacher Randy Vail expressing interest in
volunteer opportunities for his students.
Director Siemens reported that the attended the Volunteer and Staff Recognition Event as well
as the media event for Pond DR06.
President Davey reported she attended both the Volunteer and Staff Recognition Event and
expressed her appreciation for the volunteers and District staff.
V11. ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED SESSION
President Davey adjourned the Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District at 7:48: p.m. and convened into Closed Session at
7:48 p.m. for the purpose of discussing Closed Session Agenda Item No. 1. All Directors
except Director Riffle were present. The Closed Session concluded at 8:22 p.m. No reportable
actions were taken.
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Meeting 10-22 Page 6
VIII REPORT ON RETURN FROM CLOSED SESSION
President Davey stated that there were no reportable items from Closed Session Agenda
Item 1.
Michelle Radcliffe, CMC
District Clerk