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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) Meeting 11-15 Page 3 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) Meeting 11-15 Page 4 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 Meeting 11-15 Page 5 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. Meeting 11-15 Page 6 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