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Home My Public Portal About20101110 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Meeting 10-30 REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT November 10,2010 A M E N D E D MINUTES REGULAR MEETING I. ROLL CALL President Hassett called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Jed Cyr,Nonette Hanko, Cecily Harris, Curt Riffle, Pete Siemens, and Larry Hassett Members Absent: None Staff Present: General Manager Steve Abbors, General Counsel Sue Schectman, Public Affairs Manager Rudy Jurgensen, Planning Manager Ana Ruiz, Senior Resource Planner Kirk Lenington, Real Property Manager Mike Williams, Skyline Area Superintendent Brian Malone, Real Property Specialist Elaina Cuzick,Real Property Specialist Michael Reeves, Resource Specialist I Clayton Koopman,Network Specialist Benny Hsieh, Information Technology Intern Owen Sterzl, GIS Coordinator Casey Cleve, and District Clerk Michelle Radcliffe. IL ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ChglesGeefge Castrovinci spoke on having a District program to work with wounded veterans. President Hassett referred Mr. Castrovinci's proposal to the Legislative, Funding and Public Affairs Committee for consideration. President Hassett thanked the Coastal Fire Protection District for the free use of their facilities for the Board meeting. Meeting 10-30 Page 2 III. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Director Riffle requested that Agenda Item#11 be heard after Agenda Item #7. President Hassett requested that the Written Communication response to George Clifford be amended to incorporate suggested changes to the last paragraph. Motion: Upon motion by Director Hanko, seconded by Director Riffle, and unanimously passed, the Board approved adoption of the agenda as amended. (Vote: 6-0-0) III. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR Motion: Upon motion by Director Cyr, seconded by Director Siemens, and unanimously passed,the Board approved adoption of the Consent Calendar to approve the Board Minutes dated October 13,2010 as amended, October 22,2010, and October 23, 2010; Approval of FY 2010-11 Annual Claims List; and Revised Claims 10-22. (Vote: 6-0-0) IV. BOARD BUSINESS A. Agenda Item 5—Appointment of Unopposed Candidates in Wards 1, 5, and 6; Approval of Certificates of Appointment; and Administration of the Oaths of Office (R-10-118) Motion: Upon motion by Director Cyr, seconded by Director Riffle, and unanimously passed, the Board approved the appointment of Director Siemens, Director Hanko, and Director Hassett for Wards 1, 5, and 6, respectively. (Vote: 6-0-0) Motion: Upon motion by Director Cyr, seconded by Director Riffle, and unanimously passed, the Board approved the Certificates of Appointment for Director Siemens, Director Hanko, and Director Hassett for Wards 1, 5, and 6,respectively. (Vote: 6-0- 0) District Clerk Michelle Radcliffe administered the Oath of Office to President Hassett, Director Hanko, and Director Siemens. B. Agenda Item 6—Informational Presentation on Bay Area Critical Linkages (R-10- 108) Kristeen Penrod of Science and Collaboration for Connected Wildlands (SC Wildlads) presented an overview of the Bay Area Critical Linkages project and gave an update on the research collected on District preserves. After brief discussion, the Board commended staff and Ms. Penrod for their work on identifying locations that are key linkages for wildlife. No action was taken by the Board. I i i ! Meeting 10-30 Page 3 C. Agenda Item 7—Authorization to Amend the Preliminary Use and Management Plans for Lobitos Ridge and Elkus Ranch Uplands Additions to the Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve to Incorporate a Rangeland Management Plan for the Lobitos Ridge/Elkus Ranch Uplands Grazing Unit; and Authorization to Approve a Proposed Negative Declaration and Grazing Lease for the Lobitos Ridge/Elkus Ranch Uplands Grazing Unit(R-10-99) Resource Specialist I Clayton Koopman presented an overview of the Lobitos Ridge and Elkus Ranch Uplands area and provided an overview of the District's Rangeland Management Plan for the area. Real Property Specialist Elaina Cuzick provided an overview of the amendments to the Preliminary Use and Management Plans,the terms of the Grazing Lease with Mr. Fontana and the associated Negative Declaration prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act. Brief discussion ensued. Public Comment: District Grazing Tenant Vince Fontana thanked the Board and shared his views on the process of entering into a Grazing Lease with the District. Motion: Upon motion by Director Hanko, seconded by Director Siemens, and unanimously passed, the Board authorized the amendment to the Preliminary Use and Management Plans for Lobitos Ridge and Elkus Ranch Upland additions to the Purisima Creek Open Space Preserve to incorporate a Rangeland Management Plan for the Lobitos Ridge/Elkus Ranch Uplands Grazing Unit and approved the proposed Negative Declaration and Grazing Lease for the Lobitos Ridge/Elkus Ranch Uplands Grazing Unit. (Vote: 6-0-0) D. Agenda Item 11 —Informational Presentation on Lobitos Ridge Property Repair Improvements(R-10-140) Ms. Cuzick presented an update on repairs the District has made on the Lobitos Ridge Property. She explained the improvements that have been made to the main home, the cottage as well as the landscape. She also reported that a 5,000 gallon water tank was installed for the tenants use and has an additional water source for the Coastside Fire Protection District if needed. Brief discussion ensued. No action was taken by the Board. Public Comment: David Abreva a thanked the District for their work Y on the property and expressed concern that the 5,000 gallon water tank installed on the property is not adequate for fire protection and suggested that the District consult with the Coastside Fire Protection District. I n Meeting 10-30 Page 4 E. Agenda Item 8—Informational Presentation on the Parking Issues along Purisima Creek Road(R-10-137) Planning Manager Ana Ruiz provided an overview of Purisima Creek Open Space Preserve and explained the parking issues that have occurred along Purisima Creek Road stating that due to the narrow width of Purisima Creek Road,parking along the road has become a safety issue for neighbors near the Preserve. She further reported that District staff has asked one Preserve neighbor to move fencing back a few feet in order to widen the road,but that movement of the fence was for a 150 foot section of the road. Ms. Ruiz presented potential solutions including creating a parking lot inside the Preserve but explained that requirements to have a 50 foot riparian set back from Purisima Creek does not make the solution viable. Discussion ensued. Public Comment: Pete Kelly, Purisima Canyon neighbor, stated that fire safety is the primary concern of the neighbors located near the Purisima Creek Open Space District. Mr. Abbors stated that the District is installing additional no parking signs along Purisima Creek Road and suggested that the neighbors petition the County to lower the speed limit on the road. He further noted the District would include a companion letter to support the neighbors in the efforts. Public Comment: Jonathon Tiers spoke in favor of installing additional no parking signs along Purisima Creek Road and thanked staff for providing status updates on the parking issues. No action was taken by the Board. At 9:00 p.m., the Board recessed for a five-minute break and reconvened at 9:05 p.m. with Directors Cyr, Hanko, Harris, Siemens, Riffle and President Hassett present. F. Agenda Item 9 -Approval of the proposed purchase of the Holmes Lumber Company property as an addition to Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, located on the north side of Summit Road approximately one-half mile east of Bear Creek Road in unincorporated Santa Clara County(Assessor's Parcel Number 544-50- 009); Adoption of the Preliminary Use and Management Plan; and Approval of a categorical exemption in accordance with CEQA(R-10-29) Real Property Specialist Michael Reeves provided an overview of the Holmes Lumber Company property and stated that property had no existing structures and would be purchased"as is". Mr. Reeves reported that the District is purchasing 86 acres for $2.5 million and that following close of escrow, the District will install a gate. Director Hanko expressed concerns about not seeing the property prior to Board consideration and requested that all potential property purchases be viewed by Real Property Committee. Brief discussion was held and by Board consensus, it was determined that the Real Property will meet to establish guidelines on property tours. 1 Motion: Upon motion by Director Riffle, seconded by Director Siemens, and unanimously passed,the Board authorized the purchase of the Holmes Lumber Company property as an addition to Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, adopted the Preliminary Use and Management Plan, and approved a categorical exemption in accordance with CEQA(Vote: 6-0-0) G. Agenda Item 10—Consideration of the Guadalupe River Watershed Mercury Total i Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)Coordinated Monitoring Plan Cost Sharing Agreement (R-10-129) Senior Resource Planner Kirk Lenington gave a brief presented on the Guadalupe River Watershed Mercury TMDL and provided an overview of the coordinated monitoring plan cost sharing agreement with the County of Santa Clara and the Santa 1 Clara Valley Water District. Brief discussion ensued. Motion: Upon motion by Director Riffle, seconded by Director Siemens, and unanimously passed, the Board authorized the General Manager to enter into the Guadalupe River Watershed Mercury TMDL coordinated monitoring plan cost- sharing agreement and determined that the recommended action is categorically exempt from CEQA. (Vote: 6-0-0) V. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS COMMITTEE REPORTS Director Hanko reported that the Legislative, Funding, and Public Affairs Committee met on November 5�h to receive a presentation on alternate funding measures and stated that the presentation will be brought to the Board at a future meeting. STAFF REPORTS Public Affairs Manager Rudy Jurgensen provided a brief update on federal funding for the site clean-up at Mount Umunhum. General Counsel Sue Schectman reported that the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Finance Authority will be holding two public hearings on November 15t1i and November 17'h regarding the Issuance of 2011 Revenue Bonds. i General Manager Steve Abbors reported that he and Mr. Jurgensen met with Assemblyman Paul Fong and that he expressed interest in carrying the District's 30 year notes in Congress. j DIRECTOR REPORTS The Directors submitted their compensable forms to the District Clerk. Director Harris questioned staff about the pilot dog waste program at Pulgas Ridge and asked if the public had provided any feedback. Operations Manager David Sanguinetti responded that the pilot program was a result of the public requesting new regulations regarding dog waste and that the pilot will last two years. r Meeting 10-30 Page 6 Director Hanko reported that she would be having lunch with Jack Davey, President Davey's husband, and that she would like to speak with him about the applicants for the Ward 2 vacancy. President Hassett reported that he will be out of the country from November 13`h to November 20`h. Director Riffle reported that he attended the San Francisco Bay Advisory Tour North Bay wetlands and stated that there is a lot of open space in the North Bay but that it was not accessible to the public. Director Cyr reported that he hiked the new Bridle Trail at Thornewood and commended staff on the work that was done on the bridge. VI. ADJOURNMENT President Hassett adjourned the Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District at 10:03 p.m. Michelle Radcliffe, CMC District Clerk