HomeMy Public PortalAbout20110608 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Midpeninsula Regional
Open Space District
Meeting 11-15
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
June 8,2011
A M E N D E D MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
I. ROLL CALL
President Hassett called the Closed Session Meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open
Space District Board of Directors to order at 5:00 p.m.
Members Present: Curt Riffle, Cecily Harris,Nanette Hanko, Yoriko Kishimoto,Jed Cyr
Pete Siemens, and Larry Hassett
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: General Manager Steve Abbors, General Counsel Sue Schectman,
Assistant General Counsel James Atencio, Operations Manager David
Sanguinetti
President Hassett stated that the Board would adjourn to Closed Session for the purpose of
discussing Closed Session Agenda Items #1 through Q.
Meeting 11-15 Page 2
REGULAR MEETING
I. ROLL CALL
President Hassett called the Regular Meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District Board of Directors to order at 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Curt Riffle, Cecily Harris,Nonette Hanko, Yoriko Kishimoto,Jed Cyr
Pete Siemens and Larry Hassett
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: General Manager Steve Abhors, General Counsel Sue Schectman,
Planning Manager Ana Ruiz, Operations Manager David Sanguinetti,
Public Affairs Manager Rudy Jurgensen, Real Property Manager Mike
Williams, Administrative Services Manager Kate Drayson, Assistant
General Counsel James Atencio, District Clerk Michelle Radcliffe,
Maintenance and Resource Supervisor Craig Beckman,
Communications Specialist Rhea Maze, Planner 11 Matt Baldzikowski,
Support Services Supervisor David Topley, and Management Analyst
Gordon Baillie
President Hassett stated that there were no reportable actions for Closed Session Agenda
P g
Items#1 through#2.
II. INTRODUCTION OF NEW DISTRICT STAFF
Public Affairs Manager Rudy Jurgensen introduced Rhea Maze as the temporary
Communications Specialist while Leigh Ann Gessner is on maternity leave. Ms. Maze
thanked the Board and the District for the opportunity.
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Linda Houston of Saratoga requested that the Board sign a quit claim deed on the easement
the District has on her property. She stated that she entered into a road maintenance
agreement with neighbors and the District and stated that the road has not been maintained in
years. She also requested that the road maintenance agreement be amended to increase the
money paid by the District. Lastly, she spoke on the tree limbs over the road and requested
that it be cleared to 15 feet to meet county and fire code clearance. Directors Siemens and
Kishimoto reported that they had met with Ms. Houston prior to tonight's Board meeting.
IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: Upon motion by Director Hanko, seconded by Director Siemens, and unanimously
passed,the Board adopted the agenda. (Vote: 7-0-0)
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V. 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 as amended to approve the
Minutes of May 11,2011; Revised Claims 11-15, and Approval of a Right of Entry to the
California Department of Transportation for the construction of Slope Protection
Improvements along Highway 9 west of the city of Saratoga at Saratoga Gap Open
Space Preserve and Determined that the Proposed Action is Categorically Exempt from
the California Environmental Ouality Act. (Vote: 7-0-0)
VI. BOARD BUSINESS
Agenda Item #5—Receipt of District Ombudsperson Carol Joyce's Report to the Board of
Directors; Acceptance of District Ombudsperson's Resignation and Direct Staff to Commence
Recruitment(R-11-66)
General Manager Steve Abbors introduced District Ombudsperson Carol Joyce. He
announced that Ms. Joyce is resigning from her position and thanked her for her years of
service with the District. Ms. Joyce presented her annual report to the Board and shared your
observations with the Board. She stated that most of her public contact involved users who
did not live on the coast and that she would advise her successor to stay involved with the
District by reading the District's agenda and minutes to understand the issues. Brief
discussion ensued.
President Hassett thanked Ms. Joyce for her years of service and presented her with a framed
photograph. No action was taken by the Board.
Agenda Item #6 -Award of Contract with TKO General Engineering for the Big Dipper
Ranch Roads Project at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve (R-1 1-64)
Open Space Planner 11 Matt Baldzikowski provided an overview of the project at Big Dipper
Ranch Roads at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve and explained that the project received a
Mitigated Negative Declaration from the Department of Fish and Game. He explained the bid
process and stated that the District received eight bids and that TKO Construction received the
lowest bid at$148,650 with a 20%contingency, for a total amount not to exceed $178,360.
Director Riffle asked for the reasons for the 20%contingency fee and Mr. Baldzikowski
explained that there are a variety of unknowns in the culverts particularly the area is a known
breeding ground for the California Red-Legged Frog and it is unknown whether there are San
Francisco garter snakes on the property. Discussion ensued.
Motion: Upon motion by Director Siemens, seconded by Director Riffle, and unanimously
passed,the Board awarded the contract to TKO General Engineering for the Big Dipper
Ranch Roads Project(Vote: 7-0-0)
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Agenda Item#7—Approval of Agreement with Santa Clara County Communications for
Design and Installation of a Simulcast Radio Communications System (R-I 1-57)
Support Services Supervisor David Topley provided an overview of the District's radio
system and explained how the radio system has evolved. He explained that the District
needed to be upgraded to a simulcast system due to the District's size and that the District
contracted with Macro Systems to do a cost analysis on the most cost-efflicient way to build a
two-way radio system. Mr. Topley further explained that Santa Clara County can build, house
and maintain the simulcast radio system and that by contracting with the County it would be
the most cost-effective way to build the District's system.
Director Kishimoto inquired on opportunities for the District to produce revenue for the
communications system and asked whether the District leases lands for towers and other
structures. Mr. Topley explained that in order for towers to be helpful, they need to be placed
high enough to get a signal and in most cases,the District does not own many mountain tops.
He also explained that the District would need to have generators on site and that there is
currently no capacity to provide that. Brief discussion ensued.
Motion: Upon motion by Director Hanko, seconded by Director Kishimoto and unanimously
passed, the Board approved the agreement with Santa Clara County Communications for the
design and installation of a simulcast radio communications system. (Vote: 7-0-0)
VII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Director Riffle reported that the Strategic Plan Ad Hoc Committee met to prepare for the
Board workshop on Friday, June I oth. He stated that the Ad Hoc Committee will still meet in
order for the Committee and staff to continue discussions how to move forward with the
Strategic Plan. Director Hanko stated that it was beneficial to have these discussions on how
to move forward and that they are working on the agenda for the Board workshop.
STAFF REPORTS
Operations Director David Sanguinetti reported that-the District's dog waste program will be
expanded to the remaining dog-friendly preserves and that information on the new policy will
be distributed to District volunteers and posted on the District's website.
Public Affairs Manager Rudy Jurgensen reported that the Bay Area Ridge Trail will not hold a
cruise this year due to capacity issues, reminded the Board about the Geocaching event on
July 9th, and that the District received a letter of support from the Silicon Valley Leadership
Group on AB 612.
Planning Manager Ana Ruiz gave a brief update on the Folger House remodel at Driscoll
Ranch and reported that permits have been submitted to San Mateo County. She stated that
the permits are standard and hopes to have a quick turnaround and be able to award the
contract this summer. She reported that staff is reviewing the draft Environmental Impact
Report on the Mount Umunhurn and hopes to have it released in July. Ms. Ruiz gave an
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update on the parking signs on Highway 35 for El Corte de Madera and reported that staff is
meeting with Aides of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors to brief them on the
project so when the Board of Supervisors vote they are informed about the project. She
explained that the District needs to provide to CalTrans a letter of support from the Board of
Supervisors.
Administrative Services Manager Kate Drayson reported that the District participated in&-two
days of software demonstrations for the Integrated Accounting and Financial Software and
that the next step of the project is to go the Board with a recommendation.
Management Analyst Gordon Baillie thanked General Manager Steve Abbors and Operations
Manager David Sanguinetti for re-hiring him and stated he was happy to be back with the
District.
General Manager Steve Abbors reported that he had an interview with San Jose Mercury
News Environmental Editor Paul Rogers and that the interview was a follow-up on
presentation Mr. Abbors gave to the Board on funding. Mr. Abbors also gave an update on
the Board retreat and stated that the Board has agreed to move from being tactical to strategic,
that discussion was held on how to open up communications between the Board and staff, and
that discussion regarding the process for organizational change occur and how to manage and
support the process. He stated that a retreat between the Board and Management staff is being
planned to discuss District priorities for next fiscal year.
DIRECTOR REPORTS
The Directors submitted their compensable meeting forms to the District Clerk.
Director Cyr shared his hiking experience at Purisima Creek Open Space Preserve and at
Sunol Regional Wilderness.
Director Kishimoto reported that she visited Fremont Older and Purisima Creek Open Space
Preserves and had cup of coffee with Semper Virens Fund Executive Director Reed
Holderman.
Director Harris thanked staff for organizing the Board retreat.
Director Riffle reported that he attended an informational meeting hosted by Lehigh Quarry
and expressed disappointmented in how the quarry disseminated information. He stated that
he was happy that the District staff and General Manager are is-Paying attention to the effects
of the quarry output. Lastly, Director Riffle reported that he visited La Honda Creek Open
Space Preserve and that the re-modeled garage looks great.
President Hassett stated that he appreciated getting YouTube links of mountain bike—riding on
District preserves.
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VIL ADJOURNMENT
President Hassett adjourned the Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District at 8:48 p.m.
Michelle Radcliffe, CMC
District Clerk