HomeMy Public PortalAbout20110713 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Midpeninsula Regional
Open Space District
Meeting 11-19
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
July 13,2011
AMENDEDMINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
I. ROLL CALL
President Hassett called the Special Meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District Board of Directors to order at 5:06 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,
Administrative Services Manager Kate Drayson, Acting Human
Resources Supervisor Annetta Spiegel, Human Resources Technician
Gioia Stenson, Accountant Louise Eichhorn, and District Clerk
Michelle Radcliffe.
Acting Human Resources Supervisor Annetta Spiegel introduced Katie Kaneko of Koff and
Associates. Ms. Kaneko summarized the process of the Classification and Compensation
Study conducted by Koff and Associates and explained that the consultants met with District
staff in a series of interviews and follow-up meetings. She provided an overview of the
classification study and explained the goals, the methodology and the results of the study.
Finally, Ms. Kaneko reviewed the recommended changes for 15 class titles and reviewed the
re-classification of six classifications. Lastly, she explained that five non-exempt employees
are recommended to become exempt employees. Brief discussion ensued.
Meeting 11-19 Page 2
Public Comment: The following speakers provided Public Comment: Renee Fitzsimmons,
Planning Manager Ana Ruiz, Sandy Sommer, Rick Parry, Lisa Bankosh, Jim Mort, Brennon
McKibbon, Meredith Manning, and Matt Baldzikowski.
After Public Comment, Ms. Kaneko presented an overview of the compensation study. She
explained that the study included an analysis of the information collected from various
comparator agencies. Ms. Kaneko explained that the survey results showed that there are 12
District positions where the base salary is above market median and 19 positions where the
base salary is below market median. She reported that the consultant's recommendation is to
have the District's compensation plan be based on the median range of the market base salary.
Brief discussion ensued.
Director Hanko questioned the consultant's choice of using Mountains Recreation
Conservation Agency as a comparator agency and stated that Monterey County Regional Park
District and Santa Clara Valley Water District should have been included as a comparator
agency. Director Hassett stated that the Field Employees Association requested that
Mountains Recreation be included as a comparator agency and reminded Director Hanko that
the Board approved the study comparator agencies at a past Board meeting. Discussion
ensued.
Public Comment: The following speakers provided Public Comment: Rick Parry, Kerry
Carlson, Ken Bolle, Grant Kern, Alex Hapke, Becky Bach, and Sandy Sommer.
Discussion was held on staffs concerns on the District moving from a point-based
compensation system to a merit-based system and General Manager Steve Abhors stated that
the District has not developed a merit-based system and that the recommendations given by
the consultant have not been considered by management or the Board.
Director Kishimoto stated that many employees were still confused by the report and asked
that the Board continue the study session at a later date to give employees another opportunity
to have their questions and concerns addressed. The Board agreed that they also needed time
to review and understand the report in more detail and stated that the Board will need to have
another meeting to discuss the report after reviewing staffs comments. Lastly, the Board
requested that staff analyze the cost of implementing the consultant's recommendations and
asked that staff submit their comments, questions and concerns to the District Clerk, who will
then forward it to the Board.
Motion: Upon motion by Director Siemens, seconded by the Director Hanko, and
unanimously passed, the Board directed staff to conduct a cost analysis of implementing the
classification and compensation recommendations as presented by Ms. Kaneko and to
schedule a Special Meeting to continue discussion of the report. (Vote: 7-0-0)
Meeting 11-19 Page 3
REGULAR MEETING
I. ROLL CALL
President Hassett called the Regular Meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District Board of Directors to order at 7:38 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, Senior Management Analyst Lynn
Tottori, Real Property Planner Sandy Sommer, and District Clerk
Michelle Radcliffe.
11. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Linda Houston of Saratoga spoke in regards to the Fremont Older Road Maintenance
Agreement,the tree limbs along Fremont Older Road, and the Quit Claim deed.
Karim Khaldi, a tenant living in a rental property at Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve, spoke
on the water issues the property is currently experiencing.
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)
General Manager Steve Abbors requested that Agenda Item #8 be heard first.
Motion: Upon motion by Director Cyr, seconded by Director Hanko, and unanimously
passed, the Board adopted the agenda as amended. (Vote: 7-0-0)
IV. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion: Upon motion by Director Harris, seconded by Director Siemens, and unanimously
passed, the Board approved adoption of the Consent Calendar to approve the Minutes of June
8,2011 as amended,Authorized to Establish a District Bank Account for the Hawthorns
Fund and Authorized District Signatories,and Revised Claims 11-19. (Vote: 7-0-0)
Meeting 11-19 Page 4
V. BOARD BUSINESS
Agenda Item #8—Conceptual Design Review of the Proposed Audrey Rust Commemorative
Site Design Commissioned by Peninsula Open Space Trust(POST)to be placed at the Former
POST(Silva) Property at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve (located at 5755 Alpine Road,
La Honda, California, San Mateo County Assessor's Parcel Number(APN) 080-380-030)and
Determine that the Recommended Actions are Categorically Exempt from the California
Environment Quality Act(CEQA)(R-1 1-76)
Mount Umunhum Project Manager Gina Cooney provided an overview of the conceptual
design proposed at the former POST(Silva) Property at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve.
Director Hanko expressed concern on the naming of the trail and stated that trail naming
needed to go to the Legislative, Funding and Public Affairs Committee for consideration.
Brief discussion ensued on the materials used for the proposed parking lot. Director
Kishimoto requested that when the District is involved in a partnership project, she would like
to see in detail the breakdown of what contributions the agencies will provide to the project.
Motion: Upon motion by Director Siemens, seconded by Director Riffle, and unanimously
passed,the Board approved the conceptual design of the proposed Audrey Rust
Commemorative Site Designed commissioned by POST and determined that the
recommended actions are Categorically Exempt from CEQA. The Board also directed that
the naming of the trail be considered by the Legislative, Funding and Public Affairs
Committee and that the final design be reviewed by the Use and Management Committee.
(Vote: 7-0-0)
Agenda Item #5 - Recruitment and Selection Process for District's Ombudsperson(R-1 1-74)
General Counsel Sue Schectman explained that due to the resignation of the District's
Ombudsperson the District needs to recruit a new person to fill this volunteer position. Staff
recommends having the previous recruitment process streamlined as the prior process
involved three special meetings of the Board. She stated that the District initiated its first
Ombudsperson recruitment in 2004 and since then has gained experience in recruiting for the
position. Ms. Schectman further explained that the District will widely advertise the position.
The application period will begin upon publication of the first advertisement and be open for
30 days. After completion of the 30 day application period,the Legislative, Funding and
Public Affairs Committee will screen the applications and choose the four most qualified
applicants to be interviewed by the full Board. The interview will be conducted at a public
Board meeting. Lastly, she reported that advertising of the vacancy will be placed in local
newspapers as well as the District website and posted in various locations.
Motion: Upon motion by Director Siemens, seconded by Director Harris, and unanimously
passed,the Board approved the recruitment and selection process for the District
Ombudsperson vacancy. (Vote: 7-0-0)
Meeting 11-19 Page 5
Agenda Item #6—Proposed Purchase of the Stanton Trust(Crites) Property as an Addition to
the Mount Umunhum Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve (Santa Clara County
Assessor's Parcel Number 575-06-001) located in Unincorporated Santa Clara County, at
20466 Reynolds Road, Los Gatos, CA and Determine that the Recommended Actions are
Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA) (R-11-73)
Real Property Planner Sandy Sommer provided an overview of the Stanton Trust Property
purchase and explained the terms and agreement. Brief discussion ensued.
Director Hanko was disappointed that the Real Property Committee did not receive a tour of
the property and stated that the Committee needed to meet to discuss guidelines on property
tours.
Motion: Upon motion by Director Riffle, seconded by Director Siemens, and unanimously
passed, the Board approved the purchase of the Stanton Trust(Crites)property and
determined that the recommended actions are categorically exempt from CEQA.(Vote: 7-0-0)
Agenda Item #7—Award of Contract with Minh Le of the Wilfred Jarvis Institute, Inc. for
Management and Leadership Consulting Services (R-11-73)
Administrative Services Manager Kate Drayson explained that due to the organizational
changes occurring in the District, the General Manager recommended that a management and
leadership consultant be retained to assist managers during the transition. Brief discussion
ensued.
Motion: Upon motion by Director Siemens, seconded by Director Cyr, and unanimously
passed, the Board awarded a contract with Minh Le of the Wilfred Jarvis Institute, Inc. for
management and consulting services. (Vote: 7-0-0)
VII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Director Kishimoto reported that the Use and Management Committee met to discuss the
conceptual design plan for the Silva POST commemorative site.
Director Hanko reported that the Legislative, Funding and Public Affairs Committee met to
discuss a potential parcel tax for the November 2012 election. She stated that the Committee
did not think 2012 was the right time to do a ballot measure and that staff was directed to look
at what needs to be done to pursue a ballot measure. She further explained that the Board will
need to be included in the decision.
Director Riffle reported that the Strategic Plan Ad Hoc Committee met to discuss the letter
from the Board President updating District staff on the June 10`" workshop. Director Riffle
also reported that the Board Appointee Evaluation Committee met with General Manager
Steve Abbors and General Counsel Sue Schectman.
i
Director Cyr reported that the Cooley Landing Ad Hoc Committee met to receive an update
from the City of East Palo Alto on the project.
Meeting 11-19 Page 7
STAFF REPORTS
Planning Manager Ana Ruiz reported that that the Mitigated Negative Declaration for Cooley
Landing was sent out and that the Board should have received their copy.
Mr. Abbors announced that he is trying to set up a date for the Board retreat and that the
earliest date it can be scheduled is August 3 Vt but that only four Board members will be
available to attend.
Public Affairs Manager Rudy Jurgensen announced that the San Jose Mercury News writer
Paul Rogers is doing an article on the District's finances and that the article will be in the
newspaper on Friday.
DIRECTOR REPORTS
The Directors submitted their compensable forms to the District Clerk.
Director Riffle and Director Harris each reported that they attended the District's Geocaching
event on July 91h and shared their experience with the Board.
Director Hanko stated that she has been busy with family commitments.
Director Cyr thanked Mr. Abhors for the thank you letters the District sent to those who
supported Assembly Bill 612.
Director Siemens reported that his wife had hip surgery and that he has been preoccupied with
helping her recover.
President Hassett stated that the District's Geocaching event was on one of the best events the
District has held and shared his experience with the Board. He also announced that he will
not be attending the next Board meeting and that Director Riffle will preside over the meeting.
Lastly, he reported that the efforts of Bill Sorich regarding the trees on Skyline Blvd and
Highway 35 have made the highway safer.
V111. ADJOURNMENT
President Hassett adjourned the Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District at 9:46 p.m.
Michelle Radcliffe, CMC
District Clerk