HomeMy Public PortalAbout20110622 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Midpeninsula Regional
Open Space District
Meeting 11-17
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
June 22,2011
A M E N D E D MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
I. ROLL CALL
President Hassett called the Closed Session Special Meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional
Open Space District Board of Directors to order at 5:00 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, and
District Controller Mike Foster.
President Hassett stated that the Board would adjourn to Closed Session for the purpose of
discussing Closed Session Agenda Items 41 through 92. The Closed Session adjourned at 6:55
p.m.
Meeting 11-17 Page 2 j
REGULAR MEETING
I. ROLL CALL
President Hassett called the Regular Meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District Board of Directors to order at 7:02 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 Abbors, 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, Management Analyst Gordon Baillie,
Open Space Planner 11 Tina Hugg, Planning Technician Galli Basson
and District Clerk Michelle Radcliffe.
President Hassett stated that there were no reportable actions for Closed Session Agenda
Items 41 through #2. He stated that the Closed Session would reconvene at the conclusion of
the Regular Meeting.
11. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Linda Houston of Saratoga requested that the Board sign a quit claim deed on the easement
the District has on her property and requested that the road maintenance agreement be
amended to increase the money paid by the District. Lastly, she spoke about the tree limbs
over the road and requested that they be cleared to 15 feet to meet county and fire code
clearance.
111. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: Upon motion by Director Cyr, seconded by Director Siemens, and unanimously
passed, the Board adopted the agenda. (Vote: 7-0-0)
IV. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion: Upon motion by Director Kishimoto, seconded by Director Cyr, and unanimously
passed, the Board approved adoption of the Consent Calendar as amended to approve the
Minutes of May 25,2011,and Revised Claims 11-16. (Vote: 7-0-0)
Meeting 11-17 Page 3
V. BOARD BUSINESS
Agenda Item #4—Authorization to Establish District Bank Account for the Hawthorns
(Woods Trust) Fund and Authorization of District Signatories(R-1 1-70)
General Manager Steve Abbors requested that this item be pulled from the Agenda and heard
at the next Board meeting.
Motion: Upon motion by Director Riffle, seconded by Director Hanko, and unanimously
passed,the Board deferred this agenda item to the next Board meeting. (Vote: 7-0-0)
Agenda Item #5A- Year-End Review of FY20 10-11 District Budget and Expenditures (R-
11-68)
Senior Management Analyst Lynn Tottori summarized the FY20 10-11 budget and
expenditures for the District. Brief discussion ensued.
Motion: Upon motion by Director Riffle, seconded by Director Harris,and unanimously
passed, the Board accepted the report. (Vote: 7-0-0)
Agenda Item #5B—Year-End Review of the FY201 0-11 Action Plan (R-11-7 1)
Administrative Services Manager Kate Drayson summarized of Administration Departments
FY20 10-11 Action Plan. She briefly highlighted that some of the department's
accomplishments were: 1) filling the Administrative Services Manager and Senior
Management Analyst vacancies; 2) Human Resources' completion of the classification and
compensation study and successfully negotiating a 15-month status quo on the Memorandum
of Understanding between the District and the Field Employees' Association; 3)the purchase
of a records container for the Annex for records management; and 4)the creation of a five-
year operating budget forecast.
Real Property Manager Mike Williams summarized the of-Real Property Department's
FY201 0-11 Action Plan and highlighted some of the department's accomplishments as: 1) the
addition of the Bergman and Silva Properties at Russian Ridge; 2)the purchase of the Powell
Property in partnership with Santa Clara County and Peninsula Open Space Trust; 3)the
purchase of the Forest-Holmes property; 4)the purchase of the Presentation property at Bear
Creek Redwoods area; 5)the purchases of the Eagleview, Chen, Price, and Slaght properties
at Sierra Azul Area; 6)the monitoring of clean up at the Hawthorns property and preparation
for the transfer of the property to the District; and 7)monitoring the Golden Gate National
Recreation Area Tower at Black Mountain.
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Planning Manager Ana Ruiz summarized the Planning Department's FY2010-11 Action Plan
and highlighted some of the department's accomplishments as: 1)the completion of the
project description for the Mount Umunhum Site Planning Project in order to begin the
Environmental Impact Review process; 2)the commencement of the permitting phase of the
El Corte de Madera Parking Area and Trails project after approval of the CEQA document; 3)
the start of the Mount Umunhum Remediation Project; and 4)the Pond DR06 Repair Program
which secured $83,000 in grant funding and restored a critical pond at La Honda Open Space
Preserve.
Acting Operations Manager Brian Malone summarized the Operations Department's
FY201 0-11 Action Plan and highlighted some of the department's accomplishments including
1)the installation of the repeater system for District communications; 2) locating a second
frequency for the communications simulcast system; 3) finalizing the Rancho San Antonio
Open Space Preserve/Santa Clara County Park agreement; 4)the opening of the South Area
Outpost in Sierra Azul; 5) restoration of the Skyline Tree Farm; and 6) completion of the
Operations Manual.
Public Affairs Manager Rudy Jurgensen summarized the Public Affairs Department's
FY2010-11 Action Plan and highlighted some of the department's accomplishments including
1)the passage of Assembly Bill 612 in the Finance Committee; 2)continued work on the
District's website and mass media by staff, 3) starting the District's 40th Anniversary Coffee
Table book; 4)completion of the District's Crisis Communication Plan; 5)completion of
media training to District staff, 6)preparation of the District's geocaching event on July 9th;
and 7) beginning the District's interpretive plan.
Director Riffle stated he was very pleased with the staff and the District for their work in the
last fiscal year and the Board gave staff a standing ovation He further noted that he was
happy with the outcome of the Action Plan review process.
Mr. Abbors stated that the District does have "the world's greatest staff"and that it was a
tough year but everyone stayed on course.
Motion: Upon motion by Director Riffle, seconded by Director Cyr, and unanimously
passed, the Board accepted the year end review of the Action Plan. (Vote: 7-0-0)
Agenda Item #6—Approve the Right of Way Contract for the Exchange of Easements with
the California Department of Transportation(Caltrans)along State Route 35 (Skyline
Boulevard)at Monte Bello, Skyline Ridge, Russian Ridge and La Honda Creek Open Space
Preserves (Santa Clara County Assessor's Parcel Numbers 351-06-025; 351-07-004 and 35 1-
07-005; State Department of Transportation Parcel Number 19765 in San Mateo County) and
Determine that the Recommended Actions are Categorically Exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act(R-11-69)
Real Property Manager Mike Williams provided an overview of the property and the terms of
agreement. Brief discussion ensued.
Meeting 11-17 Page 5
Motion: Upon motion by Director Riffle, seconded by Director Kishimoto, and unanimously
passed, the Board approved the Right of Way contract for the Exchange of Easements with
the-Caltrans. (Vote: 7-0-0)
Agenda Item #7—Authorization to Amend a Contract with Weiss Associates for
Hydrological Investigations for Well Testing Related to the South Area Field Office Project at
Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve (R-I 1-63)
Planning Technician Galli Basson provided an overview of the amendments to the contract
with Weiss Associates stating that the amendments were needed to include hydrological
investigations at the South Area Field Office to locate a suitable water source for the field
office. Ms. Basson explained that the two existing wells located on the property are not
suitable for the South Area Field Office due to the lack of water pressure and bacteria content.
Brief discussion ensued.
Motion: Upon motion by Director Hanko, seconded by Director Siemens, and unanimously
passed, the Board authorized the amendment to the contract with Weiss Associates. (Vote: 7-
0-0)
VII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Director Hanko reported that the Legislative, Funding and Public Affairs Committee
(LFPAC) met to discuss potential locations for the Mary Davey Memorial Bench and stated
that the Committee will go on a tour of the Windmill Pasture area of Rancho San Antonio to
view three possible locations. Director Hanko also reported that the Committee received a
report from Bryan Godbe from Godbe Research regarding the polling results and from Bob
Woods from Stewart Woods and Associates regarding District fundraising and that the
Committee had invited Mr. Godbe and Mr. Woods to present their findings to the full Board
at a future meeting.
Director Kishimoto reported that the Use and Management Committee met to discuss
amendments to the Preliminary Use and Management Plan for the Hawthorns Property. She
expressed her dissatisfaction on not receiving the complete Committee packet on time, stating
that she received the amended Preliminary Use and Management Plan at the meeting. Mr.
Abbors acknowledged Director Kishimoto's dissatisfaction and stated that all meeting
materials will be given to the Board in a timely manner.
STAFF REPORTS
Administrative Services Manager Kate Drayson updated the Board on the status of the
Integrated Accounting and Financial Software and stated that New World Systems is the only
vendor left for consideration since two vendors opted out of consideration. She reported that
the core team will visit the City of El Cerrito, which is a current customer of New World
Systems. Lastly, Ms. Drayson invited the Board to the retirement event of Senior Accounting
Specialist Bunny Congdon on June 29, 2011.
Meeting 11-17 Page 6
Planning Manager Ana Ruiz announced that Open Space Planner I Erica Simmons is leaving
the District to attend graduate school to obtain a Masters Degree in Planning. She also
reported that Resource Planner Julie Anderson will return from maternity leave next week.
Real Property Manager Mike Williams commented on the Use and Management Committee
meeting that was held and stated that staff is aware of the Board's expectations in regards to
receiving meeting materials. He also reported the District is waiting on the Trustee to
determine when the Hawthorns' Property will be transferred to the District.
Management Analyst Gordon Baillie reminded the Board of the tour of District land with the
East Bay Regional Park District Board on July 22°d
Mr. Abbors reported that he met with Palo Alto Weekly writer Jay Thorwaldson regarding a
Public Records Act request he submitted. He also reported that the met with Directors
Siemens and Hanko and briefed them on the Board retreat that was held on June 41h. Lastly,
he stated that the District is hosting a watershed summit with the Santa Clara Valley Water
District.
General Counsel Sue Schectman reported that she sent out an email regarding the dismissal of
the Gullicksen lawsuit as well as the status of Go Native contract and explained that Go
Native has resumed work on District land.
DIRECTOR REPORTS
The Directors submitted their com ensable meeting forms to the District Clerk.
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Director Riffle expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the Strategic Plan Workshop.
He also shared his experiences at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve as a volunteer
equestrian patrol.
Director Hanko reported that she is attending an event for Sally Lieber who announced she
will be running for the California Senate 11` District seat.
Director Cyr reported that he will be attending the Special Parks District Forum in Virginia in
September.
President Hassett announced that he will not be able to attend the retirement event for
Peninsula Open Space Trust President Audrey Rust and that Director Riffle will attend on
behalf of the Board.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
President Hassett adjourned the Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District at 9:00 p.m. and reconvened the Special Meeting
Closed Session at 9:10 p.m. The Special Meeting Closed Session concluded at 10:20 p.m. and
no reportable actions were taken.
t
Michelle Radcliffe, CMC
District Clerk
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