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Home My Public Portal About20111109 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Meeting 11-30 SPECIAL MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT November 9,2011 AMENDED MINUTES SPECIAL 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, Yoriko Kishimoto, Pete Siemens,Cecily Harris, Nonette Hanko,Jed Cyr,and Larry Hassett Members Absent: None Staff Present: General Manager Steve Abbors, District Controller Mike Foster, Assistant General Counsel James Atencio, Planning Manager Ana Ruiz, Public Affairs Manager Rudy Jurgensen, Real Property Manager Mike Williams, Administrative Services Manager Kate Drayson, Real Property Specialist Elaina Cuzick, Senior Real Property Planner Sandy Sommer, Senior Management Analyst Lynn Tottori,Rangeland Ecologist Clayton Koopman, Senior Resource Planner Kirk Lenington, Senior Planner Meredith Manning, Information Technology Intern Owen Sterzl, and District Clerk Michelle Radcliffe 11. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were none. 111. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion: Upon motion by Director Kishimoto, seconded by Director Siemens,and unanimously passed, the Board adopted the agenda as amended. (Vote: 7-0-0) Meeting 11-30 Page 2 IV. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR Motion: Upon motion by Director Kishimoto,seconded by Director Harris, and unanimously passed,the Board approved adoption of the Consent Calendar to approve Revised Claims No. 11-30,Minutes of September 28,2011,and Written Communications. . (Vote: 7-0-0) V. BOARD BUSINESS 1. Agenda#4—Authorization to Amend the Preliminary Use and Management Plans for the Lobitos Ridge Property Addition to the Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve located at 2050 Purisima Creek Road in unincorporated San Mateo County(Assesor's Parcel Number 066-230-030)to Incorporate a Farming Grounds Management Plan; Approval of a Categorical Exemption in Accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act;and Authorization to Execute an Agricultural Lease for the Lobitos Ridge Farming Grounds (R-11-91) Real Property Specialist Elaina Cuzick provided an overview of the Lobitos Ridge property and explained that the District purchased the property in March 2010. She explained that the Lobitos Ridge farming grounds are leased to a local farmer, Mariano Ochoa,on a month-to-month basis for agricultural row crop production and since 1994 that under the terms of the lease, Mr. Ochoa grows flowers and vegetables on 7.63 acres of land. Ms.Cuzick continued to report that the Lobitos Ridge property has a number of structures that include a two-story farmhouse,single-story cottage, barn, garage and several wood-frame sheds. She explained that the Ochoa family currently leases the farmhouse in a separate month-to-month residential lease that complements the farm operation. She stated that in conjunction with the creation of a District agricultural lease, the residential lease is being modified to increase the monthly rent to align more closely with market rates. Senior Resource Planner Kirk Lenington reported ed that tho Lobitos Rid ge e farming grounds are within the Coastside Protection area and that based on the San Mateo County Local Area Formation Commission(LAFCo),the District consulted with interested public agencies,officials,organizations and community interest groups regarding the Farming Grounds Management Plan for thisproperty. He stated that staff met with the San Mateo g County Farm Bureau and the Agricultural Advisory Committee on April l i`". In addition, Mr. Lenington reported that the San Mateo Coastal Annexation Final Environmental Impact Report(FEIR)have been considered in the development of the Farming Grounds Management Plan and throughout the planning process for the property. Mr. Lenington then stated that the project will require the District to amend the District's Preliminary Use and Management Plan for the Lobitos Ridge addition to the Purisima Creek Open Space Preserve to allow farming to continue under the management practices specified in the Farming Grounds Management Plan. Rangeland Ecologist Clayton Koopman reported that the District prepared a Farming Grounds Management Plan with the assistance of consultant Mike Gatzman. He stated that the plan includes guidelines to assist and promote sustainable farming practices to help preserve the productive agricultural qualities of the property. Mr. Koopman explained that the plan was written with input from Mr.Ochoa, local farmers and ranchers, representatives from the San Mateo County Farm Bureau, San Mateo County Y � Meeting 81-30 Page Agricultural Advisory Committee, local Natural Resources Conservation Service staff,the County Agricultural Commissioner, and District staff. Bcexplained that the intent ofthe plan is to be an adaptive management plan and is subject to change as needed. Next, Mr. Koopman provided an overview of how the Farming Grounds Management Plan is organized and explained the p|an`e three primary sections: Farming Techniques, 8ui| Management and Sanitation. Brief discussion ensued. � � Lastly, Ms.Cuzick reported that the proposed Fanning Grounds Management Plan and � lease ofLohitnm Ridge will not have nsignificant effect outhe environment and is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. Board discussion ensued. Motion: Upon motion by Director Kiabinnoto, seconded by Director 0unko, and unanimously passed,the Board authorized amending the Preliminary Use and Management Plan for the Lohituu Ridge property to incorporate u Farming Grounds Muougrmnot Plan,authorized execution ofun Agricultural Lease for the Lohitow Ridge Fanning Grounds,and approved a Categorical Exemption in accordance with the California Environmental Act. (Vote: 7'0'0) 2' AgwmdaUt*mm#S—Aoproveibe Lease and Management Agreement with Peninsula Open � Space Trust for the October Farm property as an addition to Purisima Creek Redwoods � Open Space Preserve, located at 2200 Lobitos Creek Road in unincorporated San Mateo County (San Mateo County Assessor's Parcel Numbers 066-2o0-0\0,'030`'05O);and Detnnnine that the Recommended Actions are Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act(R-|)-)06) � � � —^~^^'`~~'/ ,~~~~~` the ~~~~~rr``~~the'~''~~^ 'e ~'~^`~^^'*~^~'~and~rr~`~` � the feselutiffli � | - existing � | Real Property Planner Sandy Sommer that the District is proposing 0n enter into a i lease and management agreement with Peninsula Open Space Trust manage the | ' ` i October Farm property purchased bv POST in July 2O| l. She explained that the property � is within the Cnmtmide Protection Area and although it is not being considered for � | i purchase uttonight's Board meeting,the property would be an important candidate for � District purchase iothe future. K4o. Sommer provided uu overview of the property and stated that the Preliminary Use and Management Plan for the property is to establish a status quo approach to land management while the District is leasing the property. � Discussion ensued. � Public Comment: Mike 0ercheamof Belmont requested that the Board look atopening other properties within Puhoimu Creek hm multi-use trails. � Motion: Upon motion 6v Director Siemens,seconded bv Director Riffle,and unanimously passed,the Board approved the Lease and Management Agreement with � � POST for the October Farm property and determined that the recommended actions are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. (Vote: 7-0-0) Meeting 11-30 Page 4 3. Agenda Item#6—Authorization to Amend a Contract with Restoration Design Group, LLC for an Additional $16,000 to Provide Additional Graphic and Design Consulting Services for the Mount Umunhum Environmental Restoration and Public Access Project (R-11-109) Senior Planner Meredith Manning reported that the District has an existing contract with Restoration Design Group(RDG)to provide conceptual designs and graphic illustrations to support the Mount Umunhum project. She stated that RDG has provided exemplary design and graphic services on an accelerated schedule for public meetings previously held by the District. Ms. Manning stated that staff is recommending that RDG's contract be amended for an additional$16,000 to provide drawings of the various radar tower options for Mount Umunhum to be used at future public meetings. She stated that the Sierra Azul/Bear Creek Ad Hoc Committee approved staff s recommendations at its October 24"'meeting. Discussion ensued. Director Riffle stated that he would support the amendment to the contract, but expressed concern on the amount of staff resources is being used on this project. Director Siemens expressed the same concern and questioned if there are ways to generate revenue on the site. Ms. Manning responded that staff is still looking at revenue generating options. Motion: Upon motion by Director Cyr,seconded by Director Hanko, and unanimously passed,the Board amended the contract with RDG for an additional $16,000 to provide additional graphic and design consulting services for the Mount Umunhum environmental restoration and public access project. (Vote: 7-0-0) 4. Agenda Item#7a—Approval of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Midyear 2011-12 Budget(R-11-108) Director Riffle reported that the Administration and Budget Committee(ABC)met to discuss the midyear budget and stated that this year's process was extremely streamlined and thorough that the Committee only needed to meet once. He stated that the Board is looking at the same budget presented at the beginning of the fiscal year and that staff is doing an excellent job of controllingef costs. General Manager Steve Abhors thanked staff for their effort in managing the District's money. He stated that this year's midyear process consisted of a two hour meeting with the Managers and one ABC meeting. District Controller Mike Foster provided an overview of the District's finances and stated P 0 that he estimates tax revenue for the next fiscal year to be u 2.5/o. Next Senior Management Analyst Lynn Tottori provided an overview of the District's budget and highlighted the District's CapEx and OpEx figures. Discussion ensued. 5. Agenda Item#7b—Approval of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District FY2011-12 Midyear Action Plan(R-11-103) Administrative Services Manager Kate Drayson provided an overview of the District's midyear Action Plan process and provided a brief summary of District-wide projects. � Meeting 11-30 Page 5 | Each Manager then presented uu overview nymidyear changes to department's Action Plan. Discussion ensued. Director}{iobiono1n questioned the deferral of the Bay Trail Easement project at Ravenswood. She stated that the new Fucebook headquarters will he moving into the area of Ravenswood and Focchook has made ucommitment to decrease its employee drive-in � rate to50%. She stated that she would like the District tn continue with the Bay Trail � 2nycrocrt project to accommodate employees who will br moving into the new Fucebook facility. Mr. /\bbors responded that the Fucebook campus iminone jurisdiction and that the Bay Trail easement ioin another jurisdiction. Hc explained that the District needs hm speak to the stakeholders involved. Real Property Manager Mike Williams also responded that the deferral of the project was due to a staff vacancy and that the position has since been filled. Public Utilities Commission will be included again in the FY MIN-13 Action Plan.. Public Comment: Adina Levin of Menlo Park urged the Board to move forward with the Bay Trail Easement Project atRavcne*ood. Director Riffle stated that the Board needs\o show discipline in directing staff tomore projects. He acknowledged that staff is at its capacity on workload and requested that the General Manager advise the Board when urequest takes staff more time to respond tothan expected. � Motion: Upon motion by Director Cyr,seconded by Director Harris, and unanimously � passed, the Board approved the District' PY2O||-|2 Budget and Action Plan. (Yotc: 7-O'O) 6. Agenda Item#8—Addition of Executive Assistant Job Classification to Distfict's � Classification and Compensation Plan and Conforining Amendment(R-1 1-110) � � Administrative Services Manager Kate Dnavyon reported that the resignation uf the � incumbent Administrative Assistant 0u the General Manager was effective on October 20, � � 2O\),and stated that staff evaluated the support needed by the General Manager and determined the classification of Executive Assistant more reflected more accurately the � scope of work and responsibilities of the pomihon 8hey��d�hutudra� 'ohc|uauiDco1ioo. � � and corresponding salary recommendation have been developed in consultation with Koff and Associates in order to ensure consistency and u|ignmncrk with the recommendations in � m the(�|uuyi�cutionand��ompcuuudonrcpo��ceivu]bvthe Board on8epVrmmhcr }3 . My. Druyoon further stated that the proposed salary range for the Executive Assistant io$4,72/ to$6,058 monthly and ia the highest level uf the Administrative Assistant series. Brief discussion ensued. Motion: Upon motion by Director Riffle,seconded by Director Hanko,and unanimously passed, the Board approved the addition of the Executive Assistant job classification tothe District's Classification and Compensation Plan. (Vote: 7-0-0) Meeting 11-30 Page 6 V1. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS COMMITTEE REPORTS There were no Committee reports. STAFF REPORTS Assistant General Counsel James Atencio reported that there is an Amended Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for Resource Management Policies in the Board's Late FYIs folder and he provided a brief status on the policies. District Clerk Michelle Radcliffe reported that she is scheduling a District Financing Authority meeting for December and that she will be in contact with the Board members for their availability. General Manager Steve Abbors reported that he attended the County of Santa Clara Leadership Academy graduation in Cupertino and he briefly spoke about the Volunteer Recognition Event held on November 41h DIRECTOR REPORTS The Directors submitted their compensable forms to the District Clerk. Director Siemens reported that he attended the dedication of the Congress Springs Road property purchased by the District,the County of Santa Clara and the City of Saratoga. Director Cyr requested the status of the net at the golf course at Fremont Older. Director Riffle thanked staff for their efforts at the District's Volunteer Recognition Event and asked staff about the status of the District Ombudsperson. Public Affairs Manager Rudy Jurgensen responded that the applicant will be available to start in February and that a meeting of the Legislative, Funding and Public Affairs Committee will be scheduled in the near future in order to interview the applicant. V11. ADJOURNMENT President Hassett adjourned the Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District at 10:38 p.m. Michelle Radcliffe, CMC District Clerk