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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20120725 - Agenda Packet - Board of Directors (BOD) - 12-26 OL Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Meeting 12-26 REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Administrative Office 330 Distel Circle Los Altos,California 94022 Wednesday,July 25,2012 REGULAR MEETING OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL Open SPACE DISTRICT BEGINS AT 5:00 P.M. AGENDA 5:00 REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT— CLOSED SESSION ROLL CALL CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION—Government Code Section 54956.9(b) Significant Exposure to Litigation—One Case 2. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS--Government Code Section 54957.6 Agency designated representatives: Deborah Glasser-Kolly, Kate Drayson,David Sanguinetti, Annetta Spiegel,and Pamela Mullen Employee Organization: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Field Employees' Association 3. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION—California Government Code§54957(b)(1). Title of Employee: General Manager,General Counsel,and Controller 7:00 REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT— PUBLIC SESSION REPORT ON RETURN FROM CLOSED SESSION(IF NECESSARY)(The Board shall publicly state any reportable action taken in Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.1) ORAL COMMUNICATIONS—PUBLIC ADOPTION OF AGENDA 7:05 CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Approve Minutes of the Special and Regular Board Meetings—June 27,2012 2. Approve Revised Claims Report 3. Approve Written Communications—B.Chang,B.Benningson,C.Dilts,and K.Del Campare 7:10 BOARD BUSINESS 4. Authorization to Reject All Bids Received July 6,2012 for Ponds DR07 and DR08 at La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve—J.Andersen I 5. Authorization to Award a Contract with TKO General Engineering and Construction(TKO)for Construction Services for the Staging Area and Connector Trail Project at El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve— T. Hugg 6. Review the District's Draft Strategic Plan Document—K.Drayson 7. Authorization to Amend an Agreement with Phytosphere Research for an Additional$10,000 to Continue Monitoring of Treatment Methods to Suppress the Spread of Sudden Oak Death—C.Roessler 8. Approval of an Amendment to the Contract with Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction Company,in the Amount of$9,700 to complete additional structure sealing at the Hawthorns Historic Complex at the Hawthorns Area at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve—G.Coony/S. Somer 9. Authorization to Extend an Existing Contract with BluePoint to Assist with Public Outreach for Mount Umunhum—R. Jurgensen 10. Debrief on the July 18 Mount Umunhum Board Open House and Workshop—A. Ruiz INFORMATIONAL REPORTS—Reports on compensable meetings attended.Brief reports or announcements concerning activities of District Directors and staff; opportunity to refer public or Board questions to staff for factual information;request staff to report back to the Board on a matter at a future meeting;or direct staff to place a matter on a future agenda. A. Committee Reports B. Staff Reports C. Director Reports ADJOURNMENT *Times are estimated and items may appear earlier or later than listed.Agenda is subject to change of order. To ADDRESS THE BOARD: The President will invite public comment on agenda items at the time each item is considered by the Board of Directors. You may address the Board concerning other matters during Oral Communications. Each speaker will ordinarily be limited to three minutes.Alternately,you may comment to the Board by a written communication, which the Board appreciates. i Consent Calendar:All items on the Consent Calendar may be approved without discussion by one motion.Board members,the:General Manager,and members of the public may request that an item be removed from the Consent Calendar during consideration of the Consent Calendar. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act,if you need assistance to participate in this meeting,please contact the District Clerk at(650)691-1200. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the District to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. Written materials relating to an item on this Agenda that are considered to be a public record and are distributed to Board members less than'72 hours prior to the meeting,will be available for public inspection at the District's Administrative Office located at 330 Distel Circle,Los Altos,California 94022. CERTIFICATION OF POSTING OF AGENDA 1,Michelle Radcliffe,District Clerk for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District(MROSD),declare that the foregoing agenda for the Regular Meeting of the MROSD Board of Directors was posted and available for review on July 20,2012,at the Administrative Offices of MROSD,330 Distel Circle,Los Altos California, 94022. The agenda is also available on the District's web site at http://www.openspace.org. Signed this 20"day of July,at Los Altos,California. District Clerk July 20,2012 a a Claims No. 12-14 Meeting 12-27 Date 7/25/12 Revised Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District # Amount Name Description 18037 $25,873.17 Schafer Consulting Consulting Services-Integrated Accounting&Financial Software Selection,Evaluation&Implementation 18038 $13,733.00 Palo Alto Plumbing Heating And Air Purchase&Installation Of HVAC System at SAO 18039 $11,000.00 Vavrinek,Trine,Day&Company Auditing Services For Fiscal Year 2011/2012 18040 $10,705.00 Don Wade Electric Company Electrical Repairs And Replace&Relocate Circuit Breaker Panels-Rental Residence 18041 $8,657.55 Accountemps Two Accounting Temps 18042 $6,557.11 *1 La Honda-Pescadero Unified School Tax Compensatory Fee-Coastside Protection Program District 18043 $6,200.00 Gehrels Construction Stair Replacement-Rental Residence 18044 $5,748.10 United Rentals North America Equipment Rental-Compactor For Trail Work At Monte Bello, Windy Hill,Skyline Ridge&Russian Ridge 18045 $5,000.00 *2 MCB Remodeling Deposit For Additional Foundation Work At Rental Residence 18046 $4,625.00 Minh Le Leadership Consulting Services 18047 $4,394.98 Sol's Mobile Service Vehicle Maintenance&Repairs 18048 $4,082.54 Gardenland Power Equipment Field Supplies/Brush Cutters/Parts For Brush Cutters& Blowers/Herbicide Sprayer Parts/Grinding Wheel/Parts For Chainsaws/Carburetor&Fuel Lines/Parts For Weed Whip 18049 $3,478.20 Rich Voss Trucking Trucking Services-Rock Delivery For Trail Work At Various Preserves 18050 $3,250.25 Liebert Cassidy Whitmore Legal Services-Labor Relations 18051 $2 944.20 *3 Count Of San Mateo Fire Service Fee-Coastside Protection Program Y 9 18052 $2,550.00 Glasser Kolly Labor Relations Consultant Services-Labor Negotiations 18053 $1,842.73 The Sign Shop Signs For Various Preserves 18054 $1,760.79 Tires On The Go Tires&Tire Repair 18055 $1,673.00 California Department Of Fish&Game Streambed Alteration Fee-Hicks Flat Project 18056 $1,490.16 *4 Catering By Dana Catering Services For Mt. Umunhum Public Meeting 18057 $1,469.18 Stevens Creek Quarry Rock For Russian Ridge Trails 18058 $1,077.09 Hertz Equipment Rental Equipment Rental-Excavator And Road Work At RSA 18059 $1,015.02 Home Depot Field Supplies/Supplies For DHF/Supplies For October Farm Water System Repairs/SAO Office Supplies/Locks For Sign Boards/Supplies For Road Repairs At RSA/Painting Supplies For AO/Storage Tub For Picnic Area At Windy Hill 18060 $1,000.00 Neofunds By Neopost Replenish Postage Meter-AO 18061 $983.25 *5 Mortensen Design Additions To District Identity Guidelines 18062 $944.00 Regional Water Quality Control Board Restoration Fee For Hicks Flat Remediation Project 18063 $844.29 The Sign Shop Vehicle Decals-District Logo For New Trucks/Two Signs For Skyline Area Preserves 18064 $828.11 Hertz Equipment Rental Equipment Rental-Excavator For Russian Ridge Trail Work 18065 $700.88 Tadco Supply Janitorial Supplies 18066 $698.18 Orchard Supply Hardware Field Supplies/Supplies For Repair Of Campground Tables At Black Mountain/Saw Blades For FFO Shop/Plastic For Sign Boards/Supplies For October Farm Water System Repairs/Tool Box For Tractor/Supplies For Hazardous Material Disposal 18067 $630.00 Koff&Associates Classification&Compensation Study Services 18068 $582.98 Ace Fire Equipment&Service Fire Extinguishers For Tractors&SFO Shop Company 18069 $573.55 San Jose Water Company Water Service-RSA 18070 $554.09 The Ferguson Group Legislative Consultant-Lobbyist For Mt.Umunhum 18071 $520.67 Clean Harbors Environmental Services Hazardous Material Disposal 18072 $460.00 Green Waste Debris Box-SFO 18073 $450.00 Montgomery Highlands Association Annual Road Maintenance Fees 18074 $413.42 CMK Automotive Vehicle Maintenance&Repairs 18075 $370.56 Recology South Bay Dumpster Service-FFO Page 1 of 3 Claims No. 12-14 Meeting 12-27 Date 7/25/12 Revised Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District # Amount Name Description 18076 $353.60 Life Assist First Aid Supplies 18077 $293.36 Hertz Equipment Rental Equipment Rental-Boom Lift For Work At FFO 18078 $282.22 Turf&Industrial Equipment Company Shop&Field Supplies 18079 $275.00 Bay Cities Automatic Gates Automatic Gate Repairs At Windy Hill 18080 $273.79 Redwood Trading Post Uniform Expenses 18081 $232.30 ADT Security Services Alarm Service-FFO 18082 $193.76 R.E.Borrmann's Steel Company Steel Sheet For Backing On Signs At RSA 18083 $190.54 Green Waste Garbage Service-SFO 18084 $188.35 Costco Break Room Supplies For FFO 18085 $184.00 Galls Medic Bags 18086 $160.10 Mountain View Garden Center Landscaping Supplies For Deer Hollow Farm 18087 $143.71 Gempler's Pressure Gauges 18088 $128.20 Sommer,Sandy Reimbursement-Mileage&Membership Dues 18089 $128.05 R&B Company Plumbing Supplies For Windy Hill Trough 18090 $119.66 Bruce Barton Pump Service Supplies For Water System Repairs-Rental Residence 18091 $119.52 RDO Equipment Company Flail Mower Supplies 18092 $109.00 Coastal Sierra Internet Service-SFO 18093 $91.80 West Payment Center Monthly Subscription For Online Legal Information 18094 $78.77 Foster Brothers Keys For SFO Mailbox/Sign Board Locks 18095 $60.00 Jurich,Michael Reimbursement-Cell Phone 18096 $57.10 Barron Park Supply Plumbing Supplies For Water Tank 18097 $54.19 Summit Uniforms Uniform Expenses 18098 $42.57 Lowe's Field Supplies/AO Painting Project Supplies 18099 $38.30 United Parcel Service Parcel Shipping 18100 $34.76 Sunnyvale Ford Antenna Kit For Maintenance Truck 18101 $26.25 Rayne Of San Jose Water Service-Fremont Older 18102 $20.00 Greeninfo Network Web Development Work For The Preserve Finder 18103 R $22,982.00 California JPIA All Risk Property Insurance Premium 18104 R $10,200.00 MCB Remodeling Foundation Work At Rental Residence 18105 R $8,988.00 Shelton Roofing Company Re-Roof Garage-Rental Residence 18106 R $6,700.00 Ascent Environmental Environmental Consulting Services For Weed Projects 18107 R $5,491.88 Pape'Machinery Dozer Rental For Road Work At Sierra Azul 18108 R $5,004.95 Metro Mobile Communications Radio Reprogramming,Repairs&Preventive Maintenance 18109 R $3,750.00 Aperture Consulting Analysis&Advice Regarding Redevelopment Agency Wind Down Activities Within The District 18110 R $2,400.00 ## Woodside&Portola Private Patrol Patrol Services-Hawthorn Property 18111 R $2,000.00 John Northmore Roberts&Associates Consulting Services For Design&Construction Documents- Mindego Gateway Staging Area 18112 R $1,286.75 Redwood General Tire Company Tires 18113 R $1,277.05 Gardenland Power Equipment Field Supplies/Chain Saw For FFO/Pole Saw Parts/Pole Pruner 18114 R $1,119.74 Beck's Shoes Uniform Boots 18115 R $657.20 Hsieh,Benny Reimbursement-Airfare For New World Systems Conference For Two Employees 18116 R $550,16 United Site Services Sanitation Services-Sierra Azul&Fremont Older 18117 R $497.70 Accountemps Accounting Temp 18118 R $471.24 California Water Service Company Water Service-FFO&Rental Residence 18119 R $420.88 CMK Automotive Vehicle Maintenance&Repairs 18120 R $400.00 Rutherford&Chekene Consulting Services-Additional Structural&Cost Evaluation For Mt.Umunhun Radar Tower 18121 R $350.00 Ernie Schneider Reimbursement-Slender False Brome Treatment Page 2 of 3 i Claims No. 12-14 Meeting 12-27 Date 7/25/12 Revised Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District # Amount Name Description 18122 R $293.11 Design Signs Reflective Numbers For Gates 18123 R $280.00 Roto-Rooter Services Company Clear Sewer Line At AO 18124 R $245.00 Dominick Sinicropi Reimbursement-Slender False Brome Treatment 18125 R $200.00 Bill's Towing Service Towing Services 18126 R $200.00 U.S.Health Works Pre-Employment Physical 18127 R $2000 Simms Plumbing&Water Rental Residence-Water hl rin tion Servi ces 18128 R $164.72 ## United Site Services Sanitation Services For Crew Doing Work At The Hawthorn Property 18129 R $121.03 State Board Of Equalization Diesel Fuel Taxes 18130 R $110.00 Sunnyvale Ford Reprogram Lights On Patrol Truck 18131 R $80.00 Lisa Giarretto Reimbursement-Slender False Brome Treatment 18132 R 60.00 Janet Jurian Reimbursement-Slender False Brome Treatment t 18133 R $56.72 Service Wear Apparel Uniform Expenses 18134 R $35.48 ## California Water Service Company Water Service-Hawthorn Property 18135 R $0.79 O'Reilly Auto Parts Vehicle Supplies Total $220,154.35 *1 Urgent check issued 7/19/12 *2 Urgent check issued 7/20/12 3 Urgent check issued 7/19/12 *4 Urgent check issued 7/16/12 *5 Urgent check issued 7/19/12 ## Hawthorn expenses Page 3 of 3 r } I Midpeninsula Regional ' Open Space District i To: Board of Directors From: Stephen E. Abbors Date: July 20, 2012 Re: Written Communications Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2012 3:32 PM To: BOARD; Clerk; Vick Gou; General Information Subject: 06/27/2012 -Contact Board First Name: Barry Last Name: Chan Phone Number: s:mEmail Address Ward/Location: Cupertino Comments: Dear Midpen Board, Thank you very much for your work on Lehigh Permanente Quarry issue. It is very unfortunate that Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors went all the way for Lehigh and helped Lehigh legalize its illegal act. As the chair for Bay Area for Clean Environment Board, I will call the meeting and discuss our future possible legal actions. If I can help in any way, please feel free to contact me by email or by phone. Thank you very much. Barry Chang Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Wednesday,June 27, 2012 11:48 PIVI To: BOARD; Cler "Information Subject: 06/27/2012- -Contact Board First Name: Barbara Last Name: Benni son Email Address: Ward /Location: Palo Alto, CA Comments: Thank you, members of MROSD, for your effort to persuade the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to abandon its support of the Lehigh plant in Cupertino. Though unsuccessful this time, you surely will continue to plead your case on behalf of the county's residents, whose health and welfare are at stake. Most appreciatively, Barbara Bennigson Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2012 1:37 PM To: BOARD; Clerk; Vicky Gou; General Information Subject: 06/27/2012- Contact Board First Name: Karen Last Name: Del Com are Email Address- Ward /Location: Comments: Dear Board of Directors, Thank you so much for all of your comments and appeal regarding the Lehigh Permanente Quarry Reclamation Plan Amendment. I am also very concerned about the pollution and visual effects of their proposal. I hope you will remain engaged with this ongoing problem and thank you again for all your efforts. Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2012 8:46 PM To: BOARD; Clerk;Vicky Gou; General Information Subject: 06/27/2012- Contact Board First Name: Catherine Last Name: Dilts Email Address: Ward /Location: Los Altos Comments: Dear Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, As a frequent hiker at Rancho San Antonio Park, I would like to thank you for your efforts to try to hold Lehigh Cement accountable for violating laws that are meant to protect our health. Unfortunately, Santa Clara County is doing everything it can to support Lehigh. I am proud that you are standing up to both Lehigh and the County. Please continue to fight hard on behalf of the people who live nearby, the hikers, your employees who work there, the animals who drink the polluted water, and all the future generations. With great appreciation, Catherine Dilts I i 1 I July 25, 2012 Dear Thank you for your support of the District regarding our participation in the Lehigh Permanente Quarry Reclamation Plan Amendment process. As you know, Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve or"Rancho" as it is known, is adjacent to the quarry and is our most heavily used preserve with more than 500,000 visitors each year. In addition,we have 30 staff members who work there and their safety and that of the visiting public is a high priority for us. Our goal is to be sure the environmental impacts from the ongoing Quarry operation are addressed to the greatest extent possible. We continue to be concerned with air quality,water quality, and visual impacts associated with the reclamation plan amendment. We continue to explore all of our options for addressing those concerns, and with your support will continue our work to protect our visitors and employees,today and for future generations. Thank you again for your support and interest in the District. Sincerely, Curt Riffle, President Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Board of Directors III Midpeninsula Regional ' Open Space District I To: Board of Directors From: Stephen E. Abbors �p Date: July 25, 2012 Re: Additional Written Communications Michelle Radcliffe From: —Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 10:29 PM To: BOARD; Clerk;Vicky Gou; General Information Subject: 07/23/2012- -Contact Board First Name: Alan Last Name: Penn Email Address: Ward/Location: Cupertino/Santa Clara Comments: Dear Sir, Since Lehigh is very close to my house, there are lots of dust in my area. However, we should not let Santa Clara county approve Lehigh's expansion plan. The county's approval will legalize Lehigh's illegal acts, water pollution, air pollution and damage our hill. Thanks for your support. Alan Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Saturday, July 21, 2012 9:31 PM To: BOARD; Clerk;Vicky Gou; General Information Subject: 07/21/2012- Contact Board First Name: Amy Last Name: Butte Email Address: Ward /Location: Stanford, CA Comments: Dear MROSD Board members, As you have already known that the Lehigh's Reclamation Plan Amendment has many serious flaws. The county's approval will legalize Lehigh's illegal acts, water pollution, air pollution and damage our hill. You have wrote a very strong and nice appeal. However, The County had just ignored your appeal. its time to take action to protect more than 500,000 Rancho San Antonio Park users annually and your employees who work at the the Park. My daughter attends an outdoor preschool, where they spend full days outside at Rancho San Antonio learning about nature, and I hate to think they are breathing unsafe air and that the ecosystem they are observing is in peril. I understand this may not be an easy task. However, this is the right thing to do to protect public health and safety for now and posterity. Please take a stand and file a lawsuit against County's approval to protect the park users and your employees and many many helpless species in your jurisdiction. Thank you very much. Sincerely, Amy Butte Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Friday, July 20, 2012 6:04 PM To: BOARD; Clerk Vick Gou* General Information Subject: 07/20/2612 - c -Contact Board First Name: Barry Last Name: Chang Phone Number: Email Address: ma� Ward /Location: Cupertino Comments: Dear MROSD Board members, Thank you very much for allowing me to speak on item not on the agenda in Quinlan Center, Cupertino last Wednesday. As you have already known that the Lehigh's Reclamation Plan Amendment has many serious flaws. The county's approval will legalize Lehigh's illegal acts, water pollution, air pollution and damage our hill. You have wrote a very strong and nice appeal. However, The County had just ignored your appeal. it's time to take action to protect more than 500,000 Rancho San Antonio Park users annually and your employees who work at the the Park. i I understand this may not be an easy task. However, this is the right thing to do to protect public health and safety for man, many years to come. Please take a stand and file a lawsuit against County's approval to protect the park users and your employees and many many helpless species in your jurisdiction. Thank you very much. Sincerely, Barry Chang i Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Friday, July 20, 2012 7:56 PM To: BOARD; Clerk; Vicky Gou; General Information Subject: 07/20/2012 - Contact Board First Name: Cindy Last Name: Lee Email Address: Ward /Location::::::: Cupertino 95014 Comments: Dear Board of Directors of IVIROSD, Please make Lehigh accountable. It seems to me the very people who are supposed to protect local citizens are not doing their job and so we need you to do the job. Please file a suit that would make Lehigh accountable and make improvements to the air and water quality in our region. Or if improvements are not in discussion, at least make sure Lehigh doesn't make the air and water quality any worse than they already are. We need you to protect the environment for us and for the next generation. Lehigh has done enough damage. Thank you. Sincerely, Cindy Lee Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2012 5:28 AM To: BOARD- Clerk- u Vick Go , General Information Subject: 07/24/2612- Contact Board First Name: Christina Last Name: Penn Email Address: Ward/Location: Cupertino, CA Comments: Dear MROSD Board members, Your appeal letter to Santa Clara County regarding the inequities of the Lehigh Quarry Reclamation Plan Amendment also reflect concerns that are true for many resident living 24/7 in the vicinity of Lehigh. But unlike you they don't have the funds or resources to pursue legal remedies. Your claims of selenium, dust, and the EMSA eyesore will not go away without legal recourse. The MROSD and nearby residents will be stuck with these issues for decades to come and the health of residents, users of our open spaces, and wildlife and vegetation you are entrusted to protect will continue to be adversely affected and the monstrous EMSA will continue to grow and become an even worst eyesore for generations. I am aware that you need to work with Santa Clara County on an ongoing basis but you can't allow the County to abuse its responsibilities by ignoring your grave and real concerns. By doing so you set a precedence that allows the County to more easily ignore your request into the future. The long term consequences of doing nothing will plight the open spaces way beyond your terms on the Board. Your appeals are reasonable by any standard. You have a right and duty to protect your properties and the users and inhabitants (wildlife and fish)that visit and occupy the wonderful lands you are entrusted. You have a responsibility to preserve this natural state that exceeds any relationship you may want to maintain with the County. Dust and selenium from Leigh violates everything that MROSD was meant to protect. Creating a natural appearance is your charter. The EMSA plights the view of visitors exploring parts of the open spaces and its porous soil will continuously leach out toxic minerals into runoff water feeding Permanente Creek. These things are simply not right. I urge you to take legal actions to further amend the Reclamation Plan to encompass all the inequities that you sought in your original appeal to the County. Thank you. Yours Truly, Christina Penn Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Sunday, July 22, 2012 10:42 PM To: BOARD; Clerk; Vick Gou; General Information Subject: 07/22/2012- -Contact Board First Name: Cynthia Last Name: Smyth Phone Number: j Email Address: Ward /Location: Cupertino Comments: To the Board Members of MROSD: I am a very close neighbor of the Rancho San Antonio Open Space (just the other side of my back fence), and live very close to the Lehigh facility. I have attended countless meetings over the years with the grass roots organizations providing public comments, voicing our concerns about the cement plant and quarry. This experience has been extremely frustrating to say the least. Even though Government organizations such as the EPA, SMGB and BAAQMD and non-profit organizations such as you, the Sierra Club, BACE and 'Quarry No' have repeatedly documented serious infractions, non- compliance of regulations, and asked for more stringent controls, much has fallen on deaf ears. The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors repeatedly ignore all the advise and recommendations of all these organizations, including those of their own experts, and side with the Lehigh Company's wishes. Clearly it is more important to the County officials to appease the handful of Lehigh employees that work here,than to enforce what is their true charter--to look out for the health and welfare of Santa Clara County's millions of residents and the environment in which we live and work. Please do all you can to put a stop to these misguided government officials with their outrageous infractions, who clearly don't know who they are here to protect and serve. Thank you in advance for your support, Cynthia N. Smyth i i Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Friday, July 20, 2012 7:31 PM To: BOARD; Clerk; Vicky Gou; General Information Subject: 07/20/2012-■ Contact Board First Name: Eva Last Name: Kashkooli Email Address: Comments: Please take action to stop Lehigh Cement from continuing to pollute the air and water of the San Francisco Bay Area and, particularly,the South Bay communities. Make Santa Clara County supervisors do their job: protect their constituents from this dangerous situation. Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Friday, July 20, 2012 8:18 PM To: BOARD; Clerk; Vicky Gou; General Information Subject: 07/20/2012- Contact Board First Name: Frank Last Name: Geefay Email Address: Ward/Location: Cupertino, Comments: Dear MROSD Board members, Your appeal letter to Santa Clara County regarding the inequities of the Lehigh Quarry Reclamation Plan Amendment also reflect concerns that are true for many resident living 24/7 in the vicinity of Lehigh. But unlike you they don't have the funds or resources to pursue legal remedies. Your claims of selenium, dust, and the EMSA eyesore will not go away without legal recourse. The MROSD and nearby residents will be stuck with these issues for decades to come and the health of residents, users of our open spaces, and wildlife and vegetation you are entrusted to protect will continue to be adversely affected and the monstrous EMSA will continue to grow and become an even worst eyesore for generations. I am aware that you need to work with Santa Clara County on an ongoing basis but you can't allow the County to abuse its responsibilities by ignoring your grave and real concerns. By doing so you set a precedence that allows the County to more easily ignore your request into the future. The long term consequences of doing nothing will plight the open spaces way beyond your terms on the Board. Your appeals are reasonable by any standard. You have a right and duty to protect your properties and the users and inhabitants(wildlife and fish)that visit and occupy the wonderful lands you are entrusted. You have a responsibility to preserve this natural state that exceeds any relationship you may want to maintain with the County. Dust and selenium from Leigh violates everything that MROSD was meant to protect. Creating a natural appearance is your charter. The EMSA plights the view of visitors exploring parts of the open spaces and its porous soil will continuously leach out toxic minerals into runoff water feeding Permanente Creek. These things are simply not right. I urge you to take legal actions to further amend the Reclamation Plan to encompass all the inequities that you sought in your original appeal to the County. Thank you. Yours Truly, Frank Geefay i Michelle Radcliffe i From: Sent: Tuesday, July 24,2012 7:19 AM To: BOARD; Clerk; Vicky Gou; General Information Subject: 07/24/2012 - -Contact Board First Name: Gary Last Name: Ettinger Email Address: Ward/Location: upertino Comments: Dear MROSD Board members, Barry Chang's letter to you expresses my feelings well. Please file a law suit to oppose Lehighs Reclamation Plan. As you have already known that the Lehigh's Reclamation Plan Amendment has many serious flaws. The county's approval will legalize Lehigh's illegal acts, water pollution, air pollution and damage our hill. You have wrote a very strong and nice appeal. However, The County had just ignored your appeal. it's time to take action to protect more than 500,000 Rancho San Antonio Park users annually and your employees who work at the the Park. I understand this may not be an easy task. However, this is the right thing to do to protect public health and safety for man, many years to come. Please take a stand and file a lawsuit against County's approval to protect the park users and your employees and many many helpless species in your jurisdiction. Thank you very much. Sincerely, Gary Ettinger i Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2012 9:56 AM To: BOARD; Clerk; Vick Gou; General Information Subject: 07/24/2012 - -Contact Board First Name: Harold Last Name: Berry Email Address: Ward /Location: Comments: Dear MROSD Board members, Your appeal letter to Santa Clara County regarding the inequities of the Lehigh Quarry Reclamation Plan Amendment also reflect concerns that are true for many us living 24/7 in the vicinity of Lehigh. Your claims of selenium, dust, and the EMSA eyesore will not go away without legal recourse. MROSD and nearby residents will be stuck with these issues for decades to come and the health of residents, users of our open spaces, and wildlife and vegetation you are entrusted to protect will continue to be adversely affected and the monstrous EMSA will continue to grow and become an even worst eyesore for generations. I am aware that you need to work with Santa Clara County on an ongoing basis but you can't allow the County to abuse its responsibilities by ignoring your grave and real concerns. The long term consequences of doing nothing will plight the open spaces far into the future. Your appeals are reasonable by any standard. You have a right and duty to protect your properties and the users and inhabitants (wildlife and fish)that visit and occupy the wonderful lands you are entrusted. Dust and selenium from Leigh violates everything that MROSD was meant to protect. Creating a natural appearance is your charter. The EMSA plights the view of visitors exploring parts of the open spaces and its porous soil will continuously leach out toxic minerals into runoff water feeding Permanente Creek. These things are simply not right. I urge you to take legal actions to further amend the Reclamation Plan to encompass all the inequities that you sought in your original appeal to the County. Thank you. Yours Truly, Harold Berry Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2012 9:38 PM To: BOARD; Clerk;Vicky Gou; General Information Subject: 07/24/2012-__-Contact Board First Name: Mary Last Name: Lemons Email Address: Ward /Location: Cupertino, CA Comments: Dear MROSD Board members, In adding to this letter which already has my personal beliefs, I want to urge you to really look at this sad situation which is devastating to our healthy quality of life let alone what it is doing to our foothills. It is time to stop this degrading of our foothills. They have been at this for years and it it way beyond time for them to go elsewhere before we are left with miles i and miles of rubble. Please do the right thing. Your appeal letter to Santa Clara County regarding the inequities of the Lehigh Quarry Reclamation Plan Amendment also reflect concerns that are true for many resident living 24/7 in the vicinity of Lehigh. But unlike you they don't have the funds or resources to pursue legal remedies. Your claims of selenium, dust, and the EMSA eyesore will not go away without legal recourse. The MROSD and nearby residents will be stuck with these issues for decades to come and the health of residents, users of our open spaces, and wildlife and vegetation you are entrusted to protect will continue to be adversely affected and the monstrous EMSA will continue to grow and become an even worst eyesore for generations. 1 am aware that you need to work with Santa Clara County on an ongoing basis but you can't allow the County to abuse its j responsibilities by ignoring your grave and real concerns. By doing so you set a precedence that allows the County to more easily ignore your request into the future. The long term consequences of doing nothing will plight the open spaces way beyond your terms on the Board. Your appeals are reasonable by any standard. You have a right and duty to protect your properties and the users and inhabitants (wildlife and fish)that visit and occupy the wonderful lands you are entrusted. You have a responsibility to preserve this natural state that exceeds any relationship you may want to maintain with the County. Dust and selenium Th hin h MR D was meant t protect. Creating a natural appearance is our charter. e from Leigh violates everything that OS o p g pp y EMSA plights the view of visitors exploring parts of the open spaces and its porous soil will continuously leach out toxic minerals into runoff water feeding Permanente Creek. These things are simply not right. I I urge you to take legal actions to further amend the Reclamation Plan to encompass all the inequities that you sought in your original appeal to the County. Thank you. Very sincerely, I —Mary Ann Lemons i t Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 8:50 PM To: BOARD; Clerk; Vick Gou; General Information Subject: 07/23/2012--� .-Contact Board First Name: Ellie &John Last Name: Clelland Email Address: Ward /Location Comments: Dear MROSD Board members, <P> Thank you very much for allowing me to speak on item not on the agenda in Quinlan Center, Cupertino last Wednesday. <P> As you have already known that the Lehigh's Reclamation Plan Amendment has many serious flaws. The county's approval will legalize Lehigh's illegal acts, water pollution, air pollution and damage our hill. You have wrote a very strong and nice appeal. However, The County had just ignored your appeal. it's time to take action to protect more than 500,000 Rancho San Antonio Park users annually and your employees who work at the the Park. <P> I understand this may not be an easy task. However, this is the right thing to do to protect public health and safety for man, many years to come. Please take a stand and file a lawsuit against County s approval to protect the park users and your employees and many many helpless species in your jurisdiction. Thank you very much. <P> Sincerely, <BR> Ellie and John Clelland <BR> De Anza Oaks i Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 9:19 PM To: BOARD; Clerk; Vick Gou; General Information Subject: 07/23/2012 - -Contact Board First Name: Ashwin Last Name: Krishnan Email Address: Comments: Dear MROSD Board members, Thank you very much for allowing me to speak on item not on the agenda in Quinlan Center, Cupertino last Wednesday. As you have already known that the Lehigh's Reclamation Plan Amendment has many serious flaws. The county's approval will legalize Lehigh's illegal acts, water pollution, air pollution and damage our hill. You have wrote a very strong and nice appeal. However, The County had just ignored your appeal. it's time to take action to protect more than 500,000 Rancho San Antonio Park users annually and your employees who work at the the Park. I understand this may not be an easy task. However, this is the right thing to do to protect public health and safety for man, many years to come. Please take a stand and file a lawsuit against County's approval to protect the park users and your employees and many many helpless species in your jurisdiction. Thank you very much. Sincerely, Ashwin Krishnan Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 1:19 PM To: BOARD; Clerk; Vicky Gou; General Information Subject: 07/23/2012- -Contact Board First Name: Lea Last Name: Hallert Email Address: Ward/Location: Comments: Please please consider bringing suit against the County Board of Supervisors to prohibit expansion of Lehigh. My family is a frequent user of Rancho San Antonio and the potential pollution to the creek as well as the visual (dust,the visible quarry to the community)pollution are hazardous to us and our community. Thank you for listening. ,III it I i � Michelle Radcliffe From: General Information Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 20121115AM To: Michelle Radcliffe Subject: Fvv Lehigh From: Undagy Hague Sent: Tuesday,July 24, 2O12 8:58AM � To: infoftpenspace.org � Subject: Lehigh DearMROSO Board members, � � Your appeal letter to Santa Clara County regarding the inequities of the Lehigh Quarry Reclamation Plan Amendment also reflect concerns that are true for many resident living 24/7 in the vicinity of Lehigh. But unlike you they don't have the funds or resources bz pursue legal remedies. � Your claims of selenium, dust, and the EK8SA eyesore will not go away without legal recourse. The MRO8D and nearby residents will be stuck with these issues for decades to come and the health of residents, users of our open spaces, and wildlife and vegetation you are entrusted to protect will continue to be adversely affected and the monstrous EMSA will � continue to grow and become an even worst eyesore for generations. � I am aware that you need to work with Santa Clara County on an ongoing basis but you can't allow the County to abuse its responsibilities by ignoring your grave and real concerns. By doing oo you set m precedence that allows the County uo more easily ignore your request into the future. The long term consequences of doing nothing will plight the open spaces way beyond your terms nn the Board. � Your appeals are reasonable by any standard. You have a right and duty to protect your properties and the users and inhabitants(wildlife and fish)that visit and occupy the wonderful lands you are entrusted. You have a responsibility to � preserve this natural state that exceeds any relationship you may want to maintain with the County. Dust and selenium from Leigh violates everything that yWROSO was meant toprotect. Creating m natural appearance ia your charter. The EMSA plights the view of visitors exploring parts of the open spaces and its porous soil will continuously leach out toxic minerals into runoff water feeding Pennanen0eCreek. These things are simply not right. I urge you to take legal actions to further amend the Reclamation Plan to encompass all the inequities that you sought in your original appeal to the County. Thank you. � Yours Truly, Lindsay Hague z Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2012 9:51 PM To: BOARD; Clerk;Vicky Gou; General Information Subject: 07/24/2012- -Contact Board First Name: Lin Last Name: Niu Email Address: Ward/Location: Cupertino Comments: Dear MROSD board members, Please take legal action against Lehigh's Reclamation Plan Amendment. If the county approves its amendment, Lehigh will be able to continue its illegal actions and increase its already potent water and air pollution levels. While taking action will not be easy, you cannot just let the county ignore your appeal. Over 500,000 people use Rancho San Antonio annually and you have numerous employees at the park. We must all work together to protect public health and safety, especially for those who are not yet old enough to take a stand in an arena where our voices will be heard--in the legal setting. I I urge you to file a lawsuit against the county's approval to help protect all those under your jurisdiction and all others who I will be affected by Lehigh's continued actions. Know that many other citizens and I all stand behind you and are depending on you to take action. Sincerely, Lin Niu i i i i Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Sunday, July 22, 2012 3:15 PM To: BOARD; Clerk;Vicky Gou; General Information Subject: 07/22/2012 - -Contact Board First Name: Merritt Last Name: Maduke Email Address:�_- Ward /Location: Los Altos, CA Comments: j I am extremely concerned about the potential legalization of Lehigh's terrible pollution of out beautiful region. I urge to to take action to protect the people, animals, and wonderful open space. Please take a stand and file a lawsuit against County's approval of Lehigh's practices. Thank you very much. Sincerely, Merritt i i Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2012 9:45 PM To: BOARD; Clerk; Vicky Gou; General Information Subject: 07/24/2012 Contact Board First Name: Molly Last Name: Cox Email Address: Ward/Location: Sunnyvale Comments: I agree with Barry Chang, the Lehigh Reclamation Plan Amendment has many serious flaws. The county's approval will legalize Lehigh's illegal acts, water pollution, air pollution and damage our hill. I run at Rancho San Antonio almost every week, and the environmental destruction should not be tolerated Since the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors ignored your appeal, it's time to take action to protect more than 500,000 Rancho San Antonio Park users annually and your employees who work at the the Park. This is the right thing to do to protect public health and safety for many years to come. Please take a stand and file a lawsuit against County's approval to protect the park users and your employees and many many helpless species in your jurisdiction. Thank you very much. Sincerely, Molly Cox i Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Saturday, Y Jul 21, 2012 9:30 AM To: BOARD; Clerk; Vicky Gou; General Information Subject: 07/21/2012 - -Contact Board First Name: Sanjeev Last Name: Mahalawat Email Address:"'- Ward /Location: Cupertino, Ca Comments: Dear MROSD Board members, As you have already known that the Lehigh's Reclamation Plan Amendment is seriously flawed. The county's approval will legalize Lehigh's illegal acts, water pollution, air pollution and damage our hills. I, as a Cupertino resident and a frequent San Antonio Rancho Park user, greatly appreciate that you have written a very strong and nice appeal. However, The County had just ignored your appeal. It seems that the The County is oblivious and adamantly ignorant to the concerns of the local reseidents, and greater bay area environment. It is time to take action to protect more than 500,000 Rancho San Antonio Park users annually and your employees who work at the the Park. I understand this may not be an easy task to take on a highly powerful lobby. However, this is the right thin to do to protect Y Y 9 Yp Y � 9 9 public health and safety for bay area population, many years to come. I'd earnestly urge to take a stand and file a lawsuit against County's approval to protect the park users and your employees and many many helpless species in your jurisdiction. Thank you very much. Sincerely, Sanjeev Mahalawat i Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2012 11:24 AM To: BOARD; Clerk;Vick Gou; General Information Subject: 07/24/2012 - -Contact Board First Name: Kumar Reddy Last Name: Nagarur Kiran Email Address: Ward/Location: aPoEse W= Comments: Dear MROSD Board members, Your appeal letter to Santa Clara County regarding the inequities of the Lehigh Quarry Reclamation Plan Amendment also reflect concerns that are true for many resident living 24/7 in the vicinity of Lehigh. But unlike you they don't have the funds or resources to pursue legal remedies. Your claims of selenium,dust, and the EMSA eyesore will not go away without legal recourse. The MROSD and nearby residents will be stuck with these issues for decades to come and the health of residents, users of our open spaces, and wildlife and vegetation you are entrusted to protect will continue to be adversely affected and the monstrous EMSA will continue to grow and become an even worst eyesore for generations. I am aware that you need to work with Santa Clara County on an ongoing basis but you can't allow the County to abuse its responsibilities by ignoring your grave and real concerns. By doing so you set a precedence that allows the County to more easily ignore your request into the future. The long term consequences of doing nothing will plight the open spaces way beyond your terms on the Board. Your appeals are reasonable by any standard. You have a right and duty to protect your properties and the users and inhabitants (wildlife and fish)that visit and occupy the wonderful lands you are entrusted. You have a responsibility to preserve this natural state that exceeds any relationship you may want to maintain with the County. Dust and selenium from Leigh violates everything that MROSD was meant to protect. Creating a natural appearance is your charter. The EMSA plights the view of visitors exploring parts of the open spaces and its porous soil will continuously leach out toxic minerals into runoff water feeding Permanente Creek. These things are simply not right. I urge you to take legal actions to further amend the Reclamation Plan to encompass all the inequities that you sought in your original appeal to the County. Thank you. Yours Truly, Kiran Nagarur Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Friday, July 20,2012 9:15 PM To: BOARD; Clerk;Vick Gou; General Information Subject: 07/20/2012 - -Contact Board First Name: Devi Last Name: Ramanan Email Address:__�„� Ward/Location: Palo Alto Comments: Dear MROSD Board members, As you have already known that the Lehigh's Reclamation Plan Amendment has many serious flaws. The county's approval will legalize Lehigh's illegal acts, water pollution, air pollution and damage our hill. You have wrote a very strong and nice appeal. However, The County had just ignored your appeal. it's time to take action to protect more than 500,000 Rancho San Antonio Park users annually and your employees who work at the the Park. I understand this may not be an easy task. However, this is the right thing to do to protect public health and safety for man, many years to come. Please take a stand and file a lawsuit against County's approval to protect the park users and your employees and many many helpless species in your jurisdiction. Thank you very much. Sincerely, Devi i Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Tuesday, July 24,2012 6:48 PM To: BOARD; Clerk; Vicky Gou; General Information Subject: 07/24/2012 - -Contact Board First Name: Ram Last Name: Srinivasan Phone Number: Email Address: -�� Ward /Location: Los Altos, CA Comments: Dear MROSD Board members, Your appeal letter to Santa Clara County regarding the inequities of the Lehigh Quarry Reclamation Plan Amendment also reflect concerns that are true for many resident living 24/7 in the vicinity of Lehigh. But unlike you they don't have the funds or resources to pursue legal remedies. Your claims of selenium, dust, and the EMSA eyesore will not go away without legal recourse. The MROSD and nearby residents will be stuck with these issues for decades to come and the health of residents, users of our open spaces, and wildlife and vegetation you are entrusted to protect will continue to be adversely affected and the monstrous EMSA will 1 continue t0 grow and become an even worst eyesore for generations. I am aware that you need to work with Santa Clara County on an ongoing basis but you can't allow the County to abuse its responsibilities by ignoring your grave and real concerns. By doing so you set a precedence that allows the County to more easily ignore your request into the future. The long term consequences of doing nothing will plight the open spaces way beyond your terms on the Board. Your appeals are reasonable by any standard. You have a right and duty to protect your properties and the users and inhabitants (wildlife and fish)that visit and occupy the wonderful lands you are entrusted. You have a responsibility to preserve this natural state that exceeds any relationship you may want to maintain with the County. Dust and selenium from Leigh violates everything that MROSD was meant to protect. Creating a natural appearance is your charter. The EMSA plights the view of visitors exploring parts of the open spaces and its porous soil will continuously leach out toxic minerals into runoff water feeding Permanente Creek. These things are simply not right. j I I urge you to take legal actions to further amend the Reclamation Plan to encompass all the inequities that you sought in your original appeal to the County. Thank you. Yours Truly, Ram Srinivasan &family I I Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2012 10:45 AM To: BOARD; Clerk; Vicky Gou; General Information Subject: 07/24/2012- Contact Board First Name: Randy Last Name: Zha Phone Number: &� Email Address: Ward/Location: Los Altos Comments: Dear MROSD Board members, Thank you very much for allowing me to speak on item not on the agenda in Quinlan Center, Cupertino last Wednesday. As you have already known that the Lehigh's Reclamation Plan Amendment has many serious flaws. The county's approval will legalize Lehigh's illegal acts, water pollution, air pollution and damage our hill. You have wrote a very strong and nice appeal. However, The County had just ignored your appeal. it's time to take action to protect more than 500,000 Rancho San Antonio Park users annually and your employees who work at the the Park. I understand this may not be an easy task. However, this is the right thing to do to protect public health and safety for man, many years to come. Please take a stand and file a lawsuit against County's approval to protect the park users and your employees and many many helpless species in your jurisdiction. Thank you very much. Sincerely, Randy i Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2012 10:29 AM To: BOARD; Clerk; Vicky Gou; General Information Subject: 07/24/2012 - -Contact Board First Name: anisa Last Name: rangwala Email Address: Ward/Location: cupertino, CA Comments: Dear MROSD Board members, Your appeal letter to Santa Clara County regarding the inequities of the Lehigh Quarry Reclamation Plan Amendment also reflectconcerns that are true for man resident living 24/7 in the vicinity of Lehigh. But unlike you the don't have the funds c Y 9 Y 9 Y Y or resources to pursue legal remedies. Your claims of selenium, dust, and the EMSA eyesore will not go away without legal recourse. The MROSD and nearby residents will be stuck with these issues for decades to come and the health of residents, users of our open spaces, and wildlife and vegetation you are entrusted to protect will continue to be adversely affected and the monstrous EMSA will continue to grow and become an even worst eyesore for generations. I am aware that you need to work with Santa Clara County on an ongoing basis but you can't allow the County to abuse its responsibilities by ignoring your grave and real concerns. By doing so you set a precedence that allows the County to more easily ignore your request into the future. The long term consequences of doing nothing will plight the open spaces way beyond your terms on the Board. Your appeals are reasonable by any standard. You have a right and duty to protect your properties and the users and inhabitants (wildlife and fish)that visit and occupy the wonderful lands you are entrusted. You have a responsibility to preserve this natural state that exceeds any relationship you may want to maintain with the County. Dust and selenium from Leigh violates everything that MROSD was meant to protect. Creating a natural appearance is your charter. The EMSA plights the view of visitors exploring parts of the open spaces and its porous soil will continuously leach out toxic minerals into runoff water feeding Permanente Creek. These things are simply not right. I urge you to take legal actions to further amend the Reclamation Plan to encompass all the inequities that you sought in your original appeal to the County, Thank you. Yours Truly, Anisa I i Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 12:50 PM To: BOARD; Clerk; Vicky Gou; General Information Subject: 07/23/2012 - -Contact Board First Name: Ruth Last Name: Zabor Email Address: Comments: Please be advised that preservation of San Antonio Park is of utmost concern, not only now, but for future generations. Thank you for your continued action in this regard. i Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 9:14 PM To: BOARD; Clerk; Vicky Gou; General Information Subject: 07/23/2012- Contact Board First Name: Seth Last Name: Cohen Email Address: Ward /Location: Cupertino Comments: Dear MROSD Board of Directors: As a longtime resident of Cupertino, we have always cherished the ability to have the wonderful open spaces you administer right on our doorstep. We are avid weekend hikers and thank you for all your hard work and dedication to this amazing public treasure. Lehigh is more than an eyesore on this natural beauty. It is consistently poisoning our air and water shared by wildlife and humans the same shared b residents and commuters who work in the area or come to visit our beautiful open spaces. Y P p I urge you to join with us, or rather, can we join with*you*in appropriate legal action to compel this persistent polluter to come into compliance with the law? Thank .you for reading. 9 Sincerely, Seth Cohen i Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Friday, July 20, 2012 10:52 PM To: BOARD; Clerk; Vick Gou; General Information Subject: 07/20/2012- -Contact Board First Name: Sherrie Last Name: Schmit Email Address: ®_ Ward/Location: sunnyvale ca Comments: "Dear MROSD Board members, I would like to thank you for standing up to Lehigh's acts of pollution and disregard for our environment. I am hoping that you will continue on your path to stop Lehigh's illegal actions and file a lawsuit against the County's approval. I was horrified i when I became aware of the pollution and chemicals that Lehigh is putting into our air and water. It's so sad to think that they are destroying such a beautiful area that I am hoping that some day my grandchildren can enjoy just as me and my kids have enjoyed it so many time. Thank you very much. Sincerely, Sherrie Schmit i Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Sunday, July 22, 2012 5:18 PM To: BOARD; Clerk; Vick Gou; General Information Subject: 07/22/2012- -Contact Board First Name: Guey Last Name: Ing Email Address: Ward /Location": upDeMfino Comments: To All Respectful Directors of the Open Space District, Please act on our concerns and bring suit to block approval of Lehigh's deficient Reclamation Plan Amendment. Our living enviroment has been impacted seriously under current operations of Lehigh. We will be suffering even more if their operation expand any further. Please help us. Very Truely yours, Guey Ing Fu p Pei n o RPM i Michelle Radcliffe From: Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 10:10 PM To: BOARD; Cler -. i r I ormation Subject: 07/23/2012- -Contact Board First Name: Vicky Last Name: No Email Address: Ward /Location: Cupertino, IN= Comments: Dear MROSD Board members, Your appeal letter to Santa Clara County regarding the inequities of the Lehigh Quarry Reclamation Plan Amendment also reflect concerns that are true for many resident living 24/7 in the vicinity of Lehigh. But unlike you they don't have the funds or resources to pursue legal remedies. Your claims of selenium,dust, and the EMSA eyesore will not go away without legal recourse. The MROSD and nearby residents will be stuck with these issues for decades to come and the health of residents, users of our open spaces, and wildlife and vegetation you are entrusted to protect will continue to be adversely affected and the monstrous EMSA will continue to grow and become an even worst eyesore for generations. 1 am aware that you need to work with Santa Clara County on an ongoing basis but you can't allow the County to abuse its responsibilities by ignoring your grave and real concerns. By doing so you set a precedence that allows the County to more easily ignore your request into the future. The long term consequences of doing nothing will plight the open spaces way beyond your terms on the Board. Your appeals are reasonable by any standard. You have a right and duty to protect your properties and the users and inhabitants(wildlife and fish)that visit and occupy the wonderful lands you are entrusted. You have a responsibility to preserve this natural state that exceeds any relationship you may want to maintain with the County. Dust and selenium from Leigh violates everything that MROSD was meant to protect. Creating a natural appearance is your charter. The EMSA plights the view of visitors exploring parts of the open spaces and its porous soil will continuously leach out toxic minerals into runoff water feeding Permanente Creek. These things are simply not right. I urge you to take legal actions to further amend the Reclamation Plan to encompass all the inequities that you sought in your original appeal to the County. Thank you. Yours Truly, Dear MROSD Board members, Your appeal letter to Santa Clara County regarding the inequities of the Lehigh Quarry Reclamation Plan Amendment also reflect concerns that are true for many resident living 24/7 in the vicinity of Lehigh. But unlike you they don't have the funds or resources to pursue legal remedies. i Your claims of selenium, dust, and the EMSA eyesore will not go away without legal recourse. The MROSD and nearby residents will be stuck with these issues for decades to come and the health of residents, users of our open spaces, and wildlife and vegetation you are entrusted to protect will continue to be adversely affected and the monstrous EMSA will continue to grow and become an even worst eyesore for generations. i r I am aware that you need to work with Santa Clara County on an ongoing basis but you can't allow the County to abuse its responsibilities by ignoring your grave and real concerns. By doing so you set a precedence that allows the County to more easily ignore your request into the future. The long term consequences of doing nothing will plight the open spaces way beyond your terms on the Board. Your appeals are reasonable by any standard. You have a right and duty to protect your properties and the users and inhabitants (wildlife and fish)that visit and occupy the wonderful lands you are entrusted. You have a responsibility to preserve this natural state that exceeds any relationship you may want to maintain with the County. Dust and selenium from Leigh violates everything that MROSD was meant to protect. Creating a natural appearance is your charter. The EMSA plights the view of visitors exploring parts of the open spaces and its porous soil will continuously leach out toxic minerals into runoff water feeding Permanente Creek. These things are simply not right. I you urge to take legal actions to further amend the Reclamation Plan to encompass all the inequities that you sought in Y 9 your original appeal to the County. Thank you. Yours Truly, Vicky Ho i 2 Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District R-12-76 Meeting 12-26 July 25, 2012 AGENDA ITEM 4 AGENDA ITEM Authorization to Reject All Bids Received July 6, 2012 for the Ponds DR07 and DR08 Repair Project at La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION W Authorize the General Manager to reject all bids received to implement the Ponds DR07 and DR08 Repair Project(Project)at La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve. SUMMARY The bidding process commenced on May 30, 2012. Bid packages were sent to eight(8) local contractors and five(5) builders' exchanges. A legal notice was posted in the Half Moon Bay Review and San Mateo County Times, and an Invitation to Bid was posted on the District website. A mandatory pre-bid meeting was held on June 8, 2012, and was attended by nine(9) contractors. Five (5) sealed bids were received on July 6, 2012, with TKO General Engineering and Construction, Inc., (TKO)announced as the apparent low bidder. A bid protest was received by Gecko,Golf on Wednesday, July 11, 2012. Upon further review and clarification, it was determined that the low bidder did not receive an e-mail dated June 26, 2012 that clarified direction for the item that is the subject of the bid protest. Staff recommends rejecting all bids and soliciting new bids to complete the Project. DISCUSSION Project Background The Ponds DR07 and DR08 Repair Project is located in the former Wool Ranch area of the La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve(Preserve), northwest of the Town of La Honda, adjacent to an unpaved ranch road. The purpose of the Project is to re-contour pond basins, rebuild failed or failing earthen berms, and install vegetation-lined earthern spillways to effectively convey stormwater while improving ponding duration for both the California red-legged frog(CRLF) and livestock. Additional project components include removing invasive and non-native vegetation, installing cattle exclusion fencing, installing an alternate watering source(trough), and preventing erosion and downstream sedimentation. Repair of Ponds DR07 and DR08 was first identified in the Pond Management Plan prepared by Vollmar Consulting in 2009 for the former Wool Ranch portion of La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve. Restoration of these two ponds was identified as a high priority implementation item i R-12-76 Page 2 based on water actively flowing across and through the earthen berms. The two ponds are compromised by either early drying(Pond DR08) or sedimentation and choking by invasive wetland vegetation(Pond DR07), which impact CRLF breeding opportunities. Bidding Process The bidding process commenced on May 30, 2012. Bid packages were sent to eight(8) local contractors and five(5)builders' exchanges. A legal notice was posted in the Half Moon Bay Review and San Mateo County Times, and an Invitation to Bid was posted on the District website. A mandatory pre-bid meeting was held on June 8, 2012, and was attended by nine(9) contractors. Five(5) sealed bids were received on July 6, 2012 as shown below: Percent Difference from Bidder Location Total Bid Cost Estimate of $100,000 1. TKO Construction Woodside, CA $68,200 -32% 2. Gecko Golf Dublin, CA $72,000 -28% 3. Redwood Engineering Redwood City, CA $97,220 -3% 4. Applied Water Resources Santa Clara,CA $100,730 +1% 5. Niles Freeman Clements, CA $141,000 +41% TKO was announced as the apparent low bidder. A bid protest was received by Gecko Golf on Wednesday July 11, 2012. At issue was the fact that TKO's bid contained a unit cost on base bid items#4 and#11, while all other submitted bids contained a total lump sum cost for these items, as directed in a clarification e-mail sent by the District on Tuesday, June 26, 2012. Upon further review and clarification, it was determined that TKO, the apparent low bidder, did not receive the clarification e-mail dated June 26, 2012. TKO was the only bidder who was unintentionally left off the contact list for the e-mail, and subsequently the only bidder who did not provide a total lump sum cost for line items#4 and#11. Rejection of all bids is the only option available in order for the District to fairly evaluate and compare bids from all prospective bidders. The District may, in its discretion reject all bids in accordance with California Public Contracts Y� � J Code section 20166 and Section 6 on Page 8 of the Project Instructions to Bidders. Rejection of the bids results in the need for the District to re-bid the project. Staff is currently working to re- release the bid in order to complete the Project this fiscal year. FISCAL IMPACT Rejection of bids results in no fiscal impact to the District's capital budget. However, re-release of the bid will result in incurring additional costs to re-publish a notice in the local newspapers. This cost is estimated to be$337.50. However, this cost is less than those anticipated to extend permits if the Project were to be deferred. i R-12-76 Page 3 PUBLIC NOTICE All legal notice requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)have been met, in addition to public noticing requirements of the Brown Act. CEQA COMPLIANCE Staff concludes that rejecting all bids for the project does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA)because this action does not have the potential to result in either a direct physical change, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change, in the environment. The District adopted a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Program for implementation of the Project on March 14, 2012, which determined that the Project would have no significant or cumulative effects because of implementation and adherence to mitigation measures that will prevent substantial impacts to environmental resources. It was also determined that implementation of the Project would not result in direct and indirect substantial adverse impacts or significant risk to human beings. Rejection of all bids does not change the CEQA findings for the Project. NEXT STEPS Upon Board authorization to reject all bids, staff will solicit new bids to perform construction services for the Ponds DR07 and DR08 Repair Project and anticipates returning to the Board for award of contract at the August 22, 2012 Board meeting. Once paperwork and contract signatures are in place, the Project is scheduled to begin in early September and be completed by October 2012. Responsible Department Manager: Kirk Lenington,Natural Resources Manager Prepared by: Julie Andersen, Planner II Contact person: Same as above Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District R-12-69 Meeting 12-26 July 25, 2012 AGENDA ITEM 5 AGENDA ITEM Authorization to Award a Contract to TKO General Engineering and Construction(TKO) for Construction Services for the Staging Area and Connector Trail Project at El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve W GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION Authorize the General Manager to enter into contract with TKO, of Woodside, CA for a not-to- exceed amount of$468,000, which includes the bid amount of$389,688 plus a 20% contingency amount of$78,312, to construct the Staging Area and Connector Trail Project at El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve. SUMMARY A Request for Bids for construction services was issued on June 19, 2012. Four(4) Bid Proposals were received and opened on Thursday, July 12, 2012. Evaluation of the bids revealed that the low bidder, TKO, presented a complete and responsive bid package. Therefore, staff recommends awarding the contract for construction services for the Staging Area and Connector Trail Project(Project) to TKO for a total not-to-exceed amount of$468,000, which includes the bid amount of$389,688 plus a 20% contingency amount of$78,312. The FY2012-13 Planning Department Budget includes sufficient implementation funds for this Project. DISCUSSION Background Over the last ten years, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District(District)has worked to establish a formal parking area for El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve (Preserve). The multi-year Project includes a staging area and four(4)phases of trail construction and site restoration. Construction of the staging area and connector trail are part of the first phase of work and the subject of this agenda item. The staging area includes: (1) A new,paved parking area for 65 vehicles, including Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA) spaces, and four horse trailers (2) A large preserve entrance sign (3) A two-stall, unisex, ADA-accessible, self-contained vault restroom facility (4) Two trailhead signboards with brochure holders R-12-69 Page 2 (5) A bicycle tire and hiking boot cleaning station (6) Split-rail wood fencing (7) A new 20-foot wide driveway entry off Skyline Boulevard (8) Designating the Gate CM04 access road as a service road only(no public use) (9) A series of bioretention basins in which storm water runoff is collected and allowed to percolate into the soil The Connector Trail,which will connect the new staging area to the Preserve trail system, is approximately 1,200 feet long, and 5 feet wide and will be made of compacted aggregate base. Separate sets of construction documents, one for the staging area and one for the connector trail, were prepared by ARCADIS, Inc., and Timothy Best, Certified Engineering Geologist, respectively. Each project engineer is separately under contract for construction administration services. The staging area was under San Mateo County permit review since June 2010 and Caltrans encroachment permit review since August 2010. The Connector Trail was under San Mateo County permit review since January 2012. County and Caltrans permits were obtained in May 2012. Contractor Selection The Request for Bids was issued on June 19, 2012, and was sent to fourteen(14) contractors and five(5) builders' exchanges. A legal notice was posted in the San Mateo County Times, San Jose Mercury, and San Francisco Chronicle. The Invitation to Bid was also posted on the District website. A mandatory pre-bid meeting was held at the Project site on June 26, 2012, and was attended by thirteen(13)contractors. Sealed bids were due on July 12, 2012, and four(4) bids were received and opened with the results as follows: Percent Difference from Bidder Location Total Bid Engineer's Estimate of $430,000 1. TKO General Woodside, CA $389,688 -9.3% Engineering and Construction 2. SCQ Construction Cupertino, CA $634,506 +62.8% 3. Trinet Construction, Inc. San Francisco, CA $765,803.60 +96.5% 4. Niles Freeman Clements, CA $908,392 +133.1% Excavating A 20%contingency amount is requested for this Project due to the unique conditions that may be encountered when work commences for the staging area and trail. The previous owner used the proposed staging area as a junkyard, equipment storage area, and labor yard for logging operations in the late 1980s. Unanticipated subsurface debris could be discovered and would need to be off-hauled safely and disposed of properly. R-12-69 Page 3 Upon review of the Bid Proposals, the contractors'qualifications, and discussions with the consulting engineers, staff recommends awarding the contract to TKO who is the lowest responsible and responsive bidder. FISCAL IMPACT The FY2012-13 budget contains funds to cover the costs associated with this work. BOARD COMMITTEE REVIEW No Board Committee review is required for this portion of the Project. PUBLIC NOTICE Public notice of this Agenda Item was provided per the Brown Act. No additional notice is required. CEQA COMPLIANCE Staff completed a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Project, which the District Board of Directors adopted on February 10, 2010. A Notice of Determination was filed with the San Mateo County Clerk Recorder on February 16, 2010. The District Board of Directors adopted an Addendum to the Mitigated Negative Declaration on March 14, 2012. NEXT STEPS Upon approval by the Board of Directors, the General Manager will be authorized to enter into a contract with TKO to perform construction services for the Staging Area and Connector Trail Project. Activation of the contract is subject to the contractor meeting all District requirements, including required insurance and bonding. Once paperwork and contract signatures are in place, the Project is scheduled to begin in August and be completed by October 2012. Responsible Department Head: Ana Ruiz, Planning Manager Prepared by: Tina Hugg, Open Space Planner III Contact person: Tina Hugg, Open Space Planner III Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District A R-12-71 Meeting 12-26 July 25, 2012 AGENDA ITEM 6 AGENDA ITEM Review of the District's Draft Strategic Plan Document STRATEGIC PLAN AD HOC COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Approve the District's draft Strategic Plan document for publication. 2. Sunset the Strategic Plan Ad Hoc Committee. SUMMARY After a year-long strategic planning process, which included several public workshops, the District Board of Directors (Board)adopted the District Strategic Plan on September 14, 2011. Attached to this report is the final draft Strategic Plan document for Board review. DISCUSSION The Board and staff officially kicked off the District's strategic planning process at a workshop in October 2010, after which, staff and the Strategic Plan Ad Hoc Committee refined the work completed at the workshop during winter 2011. During April, May, and June 2011, a series of public Board Workshops were held to determine the District's vision and long-term goals and to develop strategies to accomplish those goals. At its regular meeting on August 24, 2011, the Board discussed the District's draft Strategic Plan and on September 14, 2011, the Board unanimously adopted the District Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan was developed over the course of a year, with components of the Plan receiving Board review and approval throughout that time period. The attached draft Strategic Plan document consolidates all of those various documents into a single, comprehensive Strategic Plan document, which is now presented for Board review and approval. The Committee would like to recognize and thank staff and the Board for the time, energy, and critical thinking that they put into the strategic planning process and outcomes. The Strategic Plan goals have been incorporated into the Fiscal Year(FY) 2012-13 District Action Plan and, as such, are reviewed as a part of the annual Action Plan and Budget development process. The Committee feels that its charge is completed and recommends sunsetting the Strategic Plan Ad Hoc Committee. R-12-71 Page 2 BOARD COMMITTEE REVIEW This report and the draft Strategic Plan document were reviewed by the Strategic Plan Ad Hoc Committee on June 15 and July 6, 2012. FISCAL IMPACT Approval of the Committee's recommendation will not impact the District's FY 2012-13 Budget. PUBLIC NOTICE Public notice was provided as required by the Brown Act. No additional notice is required. CEQA COMPLIANCE The proposed actions are not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act CE A and no p p p J Q y � Q ) environmental review is required. NEXT STEPS Upon approval by the Board, staff will work with the District's graphic design consultant to format and publish the Strategic Plan document. Attachment: 1. Draft Strategic Plan Document Responsible Department Manager: Kate Drayson, Administrative Services Manager Prepared by: Kate Drayson, Administrative Services Manager Strategic Plan Working Group: Craig Beckman, Maint. and Resource Supervisor Casey Cleve, GIS Coordinator Kate Drayson, Administrative Services Manager Anna Duong, former IAFS Project Manager Leigh Ann Gessner, former Communic Specialist Tom Lausten, Supervising Ranger Kirk Lenington, Sr. Resource Planner Rick Parry, Lead Open Space Technician Sandy Sommer, Sr. Real Property Planner Managers and Board Appointees: Kate Drayson, Administrative Services Manager Rudy Jurgensen, Public Affairs Manager Ana Ruiz, Planning Manager David Sanguinetti, Operations Manager Annetta Spiegel, Acting HR Supervisor Lynn Tottori, Senior Management Analyst Mike Williams, Real Property Manager Steve Abbors, General Manager Sue Schectman, former General Counsel I R-12-71 Page 3 Contacts: Strategic Plan Ad Hoc Committee: Nonette Hanko, Director Cecily Harris, Director Curt Riffle, Director ATTACHMENT 1 AA AM �}'� f " E Midpeninsu:� Regional Open Space District Ai _r S P1trategican a ±k 4 a •. ( jq .� Wt 3 p N, Prelimin4 Draft, 9blojed April 2012 J-. m_s _i MISSION To acquire and preserve a regional greenbelt of open space land in perpetuity;protect and restore the natural environment: and provide opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education. INTRODUCTION The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District(District)was created in 1972 when voters passed an initiative to preserve open space funded through property tax assessments. The District's purpose is to purchase,permanently protect, and restore lands forming a regional open space greenbelt, preserve unspoiled wilderness, wildlife habitat, watershed, viewshed, and fragile ecosystems, and provide opportunities for low-intensity recreation and environmental education. The District works to form a continuous greenbelt of permanently preserved open space by linking its lands with other public parklands. The District also participates in cooperative efforts such as the Bay Trail, Bay Area Ridge Trail, and Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail, which are regional trail systems in the Bay Area that include District lands. The District has permanently preserved over 60,000 acres of mountainous, foothill, and bayland open space, creating 26 open space preserves(24 of which are open to the public). The District covers an area of 550 square miles and includes 17 cities (Atherton, Cupertino, East Palo Alto, Half Moon Bay, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Menlo Park, Monte Sereno, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Portola Valley, Redwood City, San Carlos, Saratoga, Sunnyvale, Woodside, and various unincorporated areas) over San Mateo, Santa Clara, and a portion of Santa Cruz Counties. Funding is provided by a small share of the annual total property tax revenues collected within District boundaries. This amounts to about 1.70 per$100 of assessed property value, which currently provides approximately$28.7 million in tax revenue(2011-12 fiscal year). Other revenue sources may include federal and state grants, interest and rental income, donations, and note issues. THE FIRST 39 YEARS: A LEGACY Land Preservation Legacy The District strives to preserve open space in perpetuity. Together with partners, the District preserves the rural heritage and scenic beauty of the Santa Cruz Mountains, San Francisco Bayfront and San Mateo Coast. When the District was established almost 40 years ago, its emphasis was on land purchases because there were few other organizations focusing exclusively on land preservation on the peninsula. Additionally, this strategy leveraged the opportunity to front-load conservation land purchase costs before property became too expensive. The District has been successful in Page 2 l implementing this vision for the last 40 years, having protected over 60,000 acres of open space in three counties. The District's Basic Policy was developed in 1999 to guide the District's activities and states that the highest priority is to acquire land to complete the greenbelt and protect natural resources. According to this Policy, public access will be provided gradually to ensure that the higher priorities of acquisition and resource protection are maintained. Further, to maintain a long range perspective with emphasis on the preservation,protection and careful recreational development of open space, the District produced a Master Plan in 1992 and Regional Open Space Study in 1998. As such, the focus has been on securing large undeveloped or sparsely developed parcels of land and gradually linking existing preserved lands as additional land becomes available. To more effectively accomplish its mission, the District coordinates and collaborates with regional preservation partners including other public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and even private parties. The use of public-private conservation partnerships has been critical to leverage public funds for land purchase and preservation. Conservation highlights include: • Protection of 34% of the San Gregorio Creek watershed, an important watershed for coho POST Partnership salmon and steelhead trout, including the 3,681 acre Driscoll Ranch property at La Honda Creek The District helped found the Peninsula Open Space trust(POST) 1 Open Space Preserve. in 1977,and since then POST has • Protection of the corridor west of Purisima Creek been responsible for saving more Redwoods Open Space Preserve consisting of than 70,000 acres as permanent over 1,300 acres of working lands, wildlife open space and parkland in San habitat and watershed, including the preservation Mateo,Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties. The two of over 50% of the Lobitos Creek watershed. organizations have • Preservation of the Peninsula's and South Bay's complementary strengths:As a iconic ridgelines and mountaintops, including private nonprofit organization, POST can negotiate quickly and Mt. Umunhum and Black Mountain. privately with sellers, as • Connecting public lands for people and wildlife opportunities arise, to purchase with protected corridors between District, county critical open space lands. The and state parks, including the Madonna Creek District purchases new lands, and Ranch addition to Miramontes Ridge Open Space also has the capacity to manage properties. Preserve connecting to Burleigh Murray State Park, and the Loma Prieta Ranch addition to Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve connecting to p p g Soquel Demonstration Forest and Forest of Nisene Marks State Parks. • Preservation of the stunning 1,047-acre Mindego Ranch at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve as habitat for the fully-protected San Francisco Garter Snake and as a working cattle ranch. To date, the District has expended approximately$243 million of public property tax dollars to preserve over 60,000 acres of open space valued at over$394 million. District taxpayer funds I Page 3 have been leveraged by land purchase grants totaling over$43 million, and gifts of land valued at over$62.5 million. In order to ensure adequate funds are available for land preservation efforts, the District's Board of Directors (Board) established guidelines to govern budgetary spending and preserve a significant portion of the budget to fund land purchases. The guidelines limit the amount of tax revenue that can be spent on operating and capital expenses. For Fiscal Year(FY) 2011-12 these limits are 51% and 10.5%of annual property tax revenue, respectively. The District has also utilized debt financing extensively to supplement tax revenue for land purchases to take advantage of opportunities to acquire large and significant properties. Over time, as the District has issued more debt, its debt service obligations have required an increasing proportion of the District's annual property tax revenue. For FY2011-12, debt service payments total approximately$9.7 million, or 35% of projected property tax revenue. In addition to the District preserving over 60,000 acres of land during this time, many other land conservation organizations have been established or become more active in the area including Peninsula Open Space Trust(POST), Sempervirens Fund, and Save the Redwoods League, as well as public agencies and others. As a result of the combined efforts of these various organizations, over 200,000 acres of land have been preserved or saved from development within the Santa Cruz Mountains. When the District acquires new land, it also acquires the responsibility of managing that land. Land management responsibilities include a wide range of actions, from building and maintaining trails for public recreation to stewarding the natural resources found within the preserves. These topics are discussed in more detail below. Natural Resource Stewardship Legacy Stewardship of natural resources on District lands is guided by the District's mission statement that identifies both the need to protect the resources and to sustain them in perpetuity. The Resource Management Mission Statement states that"The District will protect and restore the g diversity and integrity of its resources and ecological processes for the value to the environment and to people, and will provide for the use of the preserves consistent with resource protection." Management of the complex and constantly changing ecosystems of District preserves includes: forest management and fire management; grassland management and conservation grazing; vegetation management; rare species management and recovery; water quality protection; and cultural resource management. A collection of Resource Management Policies have been developed and adopted by the District's Board of Directors to address the types of management actions the District uses and to guide staff in allocating resources to competing land management needs. Through land preservation efforts, the District now manages six ranch properties encompassing over 5,000 acres that are grazed with cattle to manage the grassland resources, over 25 miles of streams identified as critical habitat for threatened steelhead trout, and over 60 lakes and ponds, Page 4 — _ many of which provide habitat for the threatened California red-legged frog. Additionally, District lands encompass more than 40,000 acres of forested lands, including approximately 12,000 acres of redwood and mixed conifer forest and over 20,000 acres of oak woodlands. Public Access and Education Legacy The District provides public access to open space land for the community to enjoy, limited to what is appropriate to the nature of the land, consistent with ecological values and public safety. The open space preserves are generally kept in a natural condition in order to best protect the environment and wildlife habitat, and are developed with only the amenities needed to provide public access for low-intensity recreation. Improvements may include gravel parking areas, restrooms, and signed trails for hiking, bicycling, and equestrian use. The District offers 220 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy to challenging terrain. Many trails are open to bicycles and horses. Leashed dogs are allowed on some preserves, including one off-leash area at Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve. The District also has a number of trails that are suitable for people with varying degrees of physical ability. These"easy access"trails are appropriate for visitors with wheelchairs, strollers, children, or for anyone desiring a less- strenuous open space experience. The District's volunteer programs provide an opportunity for individuals to contribute their time and energy to preserving and protecting open space lands by participating in a variety of ways such as educating and inspiring visitors, helping staff to construct and maintain trails, and removing invasive, non-native vegetation. The District currently has almost 500 volunteers who provided over 17,000 hours of volunteer service to the District in 2011, at an estimated value of $405,000. The David C. Daniels Nature Center features imaginative displays that both children and adults can enjoy and the District's Spaces and Species program for children is an award-winning, innovative environmental science education program offered at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve. Additional) the District operates Deer Hollow Farm which is an educational center Y� p where visitors, school classes, and community groups can observe and participate in a working farm. Currently, 58% of the District's land is open to public recreational use. Patrol staff monitors both the open and closed areas of the preserves, responds to emergencies, educates preserve visitors and performs basic maintenance activities. CHANGING LANDSCAPE As the District approaches its 40''anniversary, the environment in which it operates has changed dramatically from its founding in 1972. While the District already can be proud of its wonderful legacy, the challenge for the future is to keep moving forward over the next 40 years with a shared vision of preservation, stewardship, access, and engagement that: • Preserves and interconnects the Peninsula and South Bay's valuable natural resources. -- — Page 5 _ _ • Helps communities protect places that are special, highlights their history, and retains or rebuilds their environmental sustainability. • Adapts to the changing needs of visitors, communities, and partners. • Extends the benefits of conservation across physical, social,political, and jurisdictional boundaries. Land Preservation Challenges The Peninsula and South Bay have changed substantially since 1972. Most significantly, while the threat of large-scale urban development in the Santa Cruz Mountains has greatly decreased with more stringent zoning regulations from cities and county jurisdictions, the division of land into"mini-ranches" is still occurring,putting a strain on water resources,jeopardizing agriculture, diminishing scenic character, and fragmenting natural habitats. The central question facing land conservationists today is how to scale up efforts to protect entire landscapes and whole natural systems. Places like El Corte de Madera and Mt. Umunhum stand out, but like any part of a network, open space is healthier when interconnected. The challenge is to close gaps in the system of protected natural areas, interconnect regional trail g gp systems so that it is easy for people to reach natural areas, and preserve essential wildlife habitat. Farmers and ranchers talk of the need to sustain a continuous network of working lands a critical mass of agricultural activity—or risk losing the supporting businesses and community cooperation they require to survive. Fire fighters recommend keeping remote lands undeveloped to reduce the hazards and costs of firefighting for local communities. Biodiversity suffers when scattered rural development fragments habitat and conservation biologists have long suggested that protecting larger areas will sustain more species, and conversely, that fragmentation of habitat into smaller islands is the leading cause of species decline and loss. Finally, a rapidly changing climate reinforces the need to protect large, connected ecosystems to be resilient over the long term. Stewardship Challenges The District has always maintained a focus on stewardship of the lands that have been purchased for public open space even though land preservation has been the principle focus. Thus, during the purchase process, new lands are assessed to determine immediate management priorities to protect the environment and human health and safety. The District uses a combination of District staff, consultants and contractors, and partnerships with other conservation agencies to address these priorities. However, despite these partnerships and outsourcing of activities, the District's ability to implement all of the essential land management projects that are identified is limited by available staffing and financial resources, resulting in a land stewardship capacity that has not kept pace with its average annual acquisition of approximately 1,600 acres. The strain on the District's land management capacity is compounded by the condition of purchased lands that often require significant remediation. Consequently, the District's backlog of deferred maintenance projects has grown substantially over the past decade. Increasingly stringent environmental regulations have also contributed to the growing backlog as regulatory compliance projects take priority and regulatory review of design and permit issuance has Page 6 i increased. Staff recently conducted a rough inventory of deferred maintenance and identified an estimated cost in excess of$50 million. A recent land purchase provides an illustration of the stewardship opportunities and challenges facing the District when carrying out its mission. This roughly 3,700 acre ranching property was purchased in 2006 and provides exceptional creek, pond, and riparian habitats. However, much of the ranching infrastructure—which includes roads and ponds originally constructed to provide water for the cattle ranching operation—was in need of significant repair due to years of deferred and substandard maintenance. Since the purchase, District stewardship staff has been working on a management plan for the roads and 20 ponds on the property, nearly half of which require substantial maintenance and repair work such as berm and spillway reconstruction. These projects are critical to cattle ranching and to continue to enhance the populations of threatened species that utilize the stream and pond habitats. However, these projects are also heavily regulated and are expensive and time-consuming to design and implement. Public Access and Education Challenges One of the main challenges for public access and education is the ability for the District to not only implement new projects on the ground,but also to staff the ongoing maintenance and management of these new facilities. Of the over 60,000 acres of open space land that has been acquired or is under District management, only 58% is currently open to the public. Constraints q g Y Y p that have made it difficult to increase public access include: limited operational funding to allow for increased staff resources and capacity to implement and maintain new facilities; rigorous permitting requirements, costs, and associated delays; limited funding for new capital projects; and an ever increasing backlog of not only new public access projects,but also more time-critical infrastructure replacement projects. Other factors that affect the ability to provide public access, regardless of staffing levels and financial resources, include physical site constraints. Many of the District's open space preserves are located in remote, steep terrain where topography and/or lack of public roads create physical limitations to developing new staging/parking areas and new trailheads. Also, the presence of sensitive natural resources, including rare and protected species, requires special protection areas within Preserves where use is limited or restricted. Another challenge for public access too ens ace is equity: distributing open space fairly to all members of the public. Because people work and live primarily in urban areas transportation to P p p p Y p preserved lands becomes a limiting factor for some. Further, people are finding it difficult to reconnect with nature in a virtual age, and open space suffers from lack of relevancy. However, when asked, people express a strong desire for places to participate in healthy recreation in open space, and build a sense of community engagement with open space. Financial Challenges The District has benefitted from a stable and plentiful revenue stream from a dedicated share of property tax assessments. These revenues have historically increased over time; in fact, the District has enjoyed above average growth in property tax revenues due to its location within one —__ Page 7 ___ of the highest growing housing markets in the county. However, after almost a decade of annual increases averaging 7%, FY 2009-10 tax revenues were flat from the prior year as a result of the economic downturn and have remained flat until a slight projected increase for FY2012-13. This reduction in tax revenue increases and a projected limited of growth in these revenues presents a significant issue to the District's financial model. Traditionally, growth in the District's staffing and funds to cover land stewardship and public access projects was supported by the increases in tax revenues. Without tax revenue increases,the District's ability to add staff and funds for new land management, and to address deferred management projects cannot meet the demand. At the same time, operating(largely staffing) and capital costs continue to rise as a result of increasing benefit costs, project costs, and regulatory requirements. In addition,the District's ability to continue to purchase land through bond financing will be severely constrained starting in the next 4-6 years, and will continue for 20 years, as the District approaches its debt capacity. These two factors have significant implications for the District. First, as discussed above, in FY2011-12 current debt service totals 35%of District property tax revenue,operating expenses are 51%, and capital expenses are 8% for a combined total of 94%. As identified above, additional revenues traditionally were available through annual increases in property tax revenue. However, without these increases, only 6%, or approximately$1.7 million, is available for increases in discretionary expenses such as staffing, stewardship, or capital projects. This i amount of money is inadequate to address the District's projected land management needs. Second, once the District reaches its debt capacity it will no longer be able to borrow additional funds to finance property acquisition. Without the ability to use debt financing,the District's land purchases would be limited to no more than 200 acres annually which, over 20 years, would total only 4,000 acres of new property. If the District is to continue to carry out its mission to purchase land for open space preservation, I increase its land stewardship activities, and open more land for public access, it will need to increase and/or diversify its revenues. I i I Page 8 _ __ STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS Given the significant changes in the regional land conservation participants and their efforts, combined with the projected reduced ability to purchase land and adequately address its resource management needs, in 2010 the District embarked on developing a Strategic Plan to address these challenges. As the District explored development of a strategic plan, it was looking for a process that would not be overly cumbersome and time-consuming and would allow for flexibility and customization to the District's culture and goals. After researching several options, the District decided to utilize the methodology outlined by David La Piana in the book The Nonprofit Strategy Revolution: Real-Time Strategic Planning far a Rapid Response World. This method was a good fit for the District,providing tools to understand who the District is and what it does, yet provided the flexibility to adapt the process to best fit the organizational culture and needs. What follows is a description of those tools,processes, and outcomes. As a first step, the District established the Strategic Plan Ad Hoc Committee, made up of three Board Directors, and the Strategic Plan Working Group, which was comprised of 10 employees from all departments and different levels in the organization, as well as five department managers. The strategic planning process was employee-driven, through the Working Group, and information and recommendations were presented first to the Ad Hoc Committee and then to the full Board. In July 2010, the District kicked off the strategic planning process at a public Board workshop where staff presented an overview of the proposed process, the suggested format of the Strategic Plan, and the deliverables from the process. In October, the Board held another public meeting to develop the District's Strategic Planning Tools— Identity Statement, Strategy Screen, and Big Questions)—which are described below. After the Board's initial input at the October Workshop, staff and the Strategic Plan Ad Hoc Committee were tasked with compiling and finalizing the Tools, which were completed in April 2011. These documents are included as Attachments to this document. Strategic Planning Tools Identity Statement The Identity Statement(Attachment 1) captures the essence of who the District is and enables the District to act with self-knowledge when undertaking strategic work, such as answering the District's"Big Questions". The Identity Statement is comprised of the following seven components: 1. Mission—succinct statement of the District's mission, its reason for existence. 2. Impact—what the District is aiming to accomplish in fulfillment of the mission. 3. By Serving—who the District considers to be its"customers." 4. In—the geographic area in which District services are provided. 5. Through—what"services" are provided by the District. Page 9 6. Differentiating Strengths—what attributes the District possesses that set it apart from other similar organizations. 7. Revenue Sources—the financial revenue and in-kind contributions that sustain the District and enable it to fulfill its mission. Big Questions -A Big Question is an opportunity or threat to which the organization must respond. Usually, it is beyond the scope of the or anization s strategies, thus requiring a new strategY (La Piana , 2008). Four Big Questions were developed by the District(Attachment 2) that generally fall into one of three categories: 1. An opportunity to do something new or expand an existing program or service. 2. A threat or barrier negatively impacting the organization's current activities. 3. A business model challenge that affects the entire industry. Strategy Screen The Strategy Screen(Attachment 3) is essentially a discussion guide comprised of a list of criteria that will assist with consistent decision-making and priority-setting based on what is most important to the District. The proposed District Strategy Screen frames the evaluation of strategic options around the following contexts: g p g 1. Best way to achieve Mission 2. Are we the best-suited organization? 3. Opportunity cost and consequences of no action 4. Capacity and sustainability 5. Benefits, impacts, and tradeoffs 6. Differentiating Strengths Partner Outreach A critical part of the District's strategic planning process was sharing its draft Identity Statement with District staff and selected partner agencies: Peninsula Open Space Trust(POST), San Mateo County Parks, Santa Clara County Parks, California State Parks, and the City of Mountain View. The Identity Statement presents how the District sees itself and, through the partner outreach, the District received feedback on how others see it. With partner and staff input, the District's Identity Statement was refined to provide more clarity, accuracy, and conciseness. Visioning and Strategy Development Workshops During April, May, and June 2011, a series of public Board Workshops was held to determine what the District's vision and long-term goals are and then, with these goals in mind, respond to the Big Questions in order to develop strategies to accomplish those goals. The culmination of those efforts was a full-day Board, staff, and public Workshop on June 10, 2011 with two objectives: first, to reach agreement that the outcomes and quality standards discussed in the workshop will best fulfill the District's mission; and, second, to develop roadmaps to move forward on the strategies, that address the Big Questions, recommended by staff at the May 25 Page 10 Board meeting. The June 10 session ended with a unanimous Board decision that was based on staff s recommendation: "We will continue to purchase land but we will elevate the other two key parts of our mission— protecting and restoring our lands and providing public access and education—to provide a better balance in our implementation of the District's overall mission. " The rest of this document presents the goals and strategies the District will pursue in order to recommit to the outstanding stewardship and public enjoyment of a network of interconnected preserved lands, in a more balanced approach. Page 11 STRATEGIC PLANNING OUTCOMES Re-Affirm Mission As a first step identifying the District's long-term vision and goals, the Board revisited the District's mission and discussed whether it still accurately captures the reason the District exists. The result was unanimous re-affirmation of the District's mission. To acquire and reserve a regional greenbelt of open space land in perpetuity;protect and restore the natural environment; and provide opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education. Long-Term Vision and Desired Outcomes The current effects of rural land development in the Santa Cruz Mountains and the tension between the need for further land conservation, stewardship, and engagement work compared to the funding shortfall clearly demonstrate that the District needs a new approach to conservation that benefits both nature and people. That is, a region-wide approach that promotes systematic thinking about the planning and protection of an integrated green space network and includes natural resources,public recreation, working landscapes, and other private open spaces. These new strategies need to meet the challenges and effectively take advantage of the opportunities to close the gaps in the preserved conservation network within District boundaries, and address the threats to natural open space resources, agriculture, and rural character at the landscape-scale. Consequently, the District developed an overall desired outcome for accomplishing the Mission as follows: Implement the entire mission well, ensuring balance between its three components: regional open space greenbelt preservation,protect and restore the natural environment, and public access and education. The mission-related outcomes and quality standards below are what it looks like when the District implements its mission well. Regional Open Space Greenbelt Preservation 1. The protected lands network is expanded, enhancing biodiversity, climate change resilience and scenic, rural character. 2. Priority watersheds are protected and carefully stewarded, whether in public or private ownership. 3. Preserved lands are linked for habitat and people: more land is conserved and linked together across ownerships and political boundaries. 4. Conservation efforts support working farms and ranches, whether in public or private ownership, and protection complements pre-existing land-based livelihoods. Protect and Restore the Natural Environment l. Focused water quality management efforts are underway for all priority watersheds. 2. Sensitive species and their habitats benefit from District management efforts. 3. Wildfire is managed to become a more natural component of the ecosystem, and minimizes negative effects on the community and environment. 4. The preserved lands network connects habitats and supports a diverse array of native plants and animals. 5. Cultural resources are protected. Public Access and Education 1. Public access to preserved land is increased, and is balanced region-wide. 2. Preserve trails are linked to other regional trails, and ultimately to the places where people live and work. 3. Preserve visitors are educated about natural and cultural resources, and the benefits of open space. 4. Preserves are safe, clean, and inviting for healthy exercise and enjoyment. 5. Communities are involved and engaged in conservation outcomes. Goals / Strategies These strategies are not intended to cover the full breadth and scope of the work the District and its partners accomplish. Rather, it must continue the great work happening every day across the organization while transforming the organization to meet the changing needs of stakeholders. The heart of this strategic plan includes three broad themes supported by specific goals to move the District towards these outcomes and quality standards. It is important to note that these goals are interrelated and must be implemented concurrently in order to be successful. The goals are summarized below and represented graphically in Attachment 4. 1. Increase collaboration with other land conservation organizations and work toward a common conservation vision. Coordinate District activities with other regional conservation organizations to leverage g g resources; provide a unified, consistent approach; and maximize effectiveness on the peninsula. 2. Evaluate public input to build support for a regional conservation vision. Increase outreach to constituents to ensure they support creation of a regional vision of land conservation and develop a more comprehensive program to communicate with the public. 3. Increase District financial and staffing resources to fund the whole mission and increase natural resource management and public access. Increase revenues, diversify funding sources, and optimize organizational capacity in order to be successful in creating greater balance between the three parts of the mission. Page 13 GOAL #1: Enhance Regional Collaboration—Coordinate activities with other regional conservation organizations to leverage resources; provide a unified, consistent approach; and maximize effectiveness on the peninsula. Goals Implementation EOutputs #1A: Lead partners Hire a consultant A Enhanced in regional collaboration conservation between partners .--I Research existing - Goal#1: #113: Determine studies Integrated Partners' Enhance 0 District's regional role approach to activities are Regional Collaboration conservation on the peninsula haeari nn ' #1 ���C: Define goals: Research other � — I ....v land,resource successes { Regional management,and Conservation public access Vision The District's mission centers on the vision of a network of preserved natural open space lands for the San Francisco Peninsula and South Bay. Together, the District and its public and private partners have preserved an extensive network of regional trails,wildlife connectivity, and have established an edge to outward urban expansion along the Santa Cruz Mountains and San Francisco Bay front. Nonetheless, further conservation and stewardship work is still needed to improve the network of conserved lands, trails, and habitat to meet biodiversity goals, create better habitat connectivity, build climate change resiliency, and better connect open space to the places where people live. Regional conservation and stewardship efforts are inherently collaborative. Numerous organizations are working with the same broad goals and focusing on the same geographic area; as such, they should work together to interconnect regional trails and create a network of connected lands. These broad conservation goals need to be looked at as a whole rather that as isolated pieces that individual agencies independently accomplish. The regional"ecology"of conservation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area is extremely robust,with numerous governmental agencies and non-profit organizations covering a wide spectrum of regulatory, advocacy, and stewardship roles. Private non-profit land trusts and foundations have recognized the value of combining forces on region-wide conservation initiatives that leverage the strengths of each and accomplish more than any one organization could accomplish alone. Goal#1 is comprised of two important and distinct components which would need to occur concurrently: enhancing collaboration and synergy with other land conservation organizations, and developing a regional open space vision. Page 14 i Enhancing Collaboration Although the District has historically partnered with other park/conservation agencies and organizations, there is an increased need, and benefit, to focus and expand these regional collaboration efforts. Every organization has unique strengths and core competencies that make them successful. By working together, with each organization focusing on its core competencies, duplication of efforts can be avoided and conservation can be achieved most efficiently and effectively through leveraging the strengths of each organization. Developing a Regional Vision Cooley Landing Partnership Creating a regional open space vision in collaboration To better position the City of East with partners would help define priority conservation, Palo Alto(City)for grant funding stewardship, education, and recreation goals for the opportunities,including region. Clearly defining these goals and collaborating Proposition 84 monies(Statewide regionally to achieve them will increase the beneficial Park Development and Community Revitalization impact that conservation organizations, including the Program of 2008 through the District, have on the Peninsula and South Bay. This California Department of Parks strategy entails preparing an Open Space Vision Plan and Recreation), District and City (Plan)that would address the need for integrated staffs crafted a Partnership Agreement that describes the conservation programs, policies and projects, and the various roles and responsibilities need to move beyond jurisdictional boundaries to better and the anticipated timeframes coordinate regulatory,policy, and protection efforts. for Project development. The Development of this Plan would need to be Agreement accommodates the accomplished within the timeframe of one year and long-term development of the Cooley Landing Area of would likely entail significant consultant support to Ravenswood Open Space Preserve collect existing studies, facilitate the various partner (Preserve)by use of a methodical, organizations in identifying regional priorities and phased approach. goals, and produce a document reflecting these goals. The Open Space Vision Plan would: p • Be a science- and community-informed document that recommends strategies and priorities for land conservation, resource stewardship, and recreational access on the San Francisco Peninsula and South Bay. • Serve as a strategic tool and resource for the District and its conservation partners to make informed conservation choices and investments; enhance cooperation and coordination; accelerate the pace and effectiveness of conservation and stewardship; and better position the region for federal, state, local, and private funding for land protection, resource stewardship, and recreational access. • Be an adaptive document that would be updated over time as conditions and needs change. • Address District obligations under the LAFCO Conditions of Approval for the Coastside Service Plan by informing the update to the District's Regional Open Space Study and Master Plan. • Form the backbone of a potential funding measure by identifying the shared priorities of regional significance that the public wishes to see implemented. Page 15 1 Making the open space vision and goals a reality can better be accomplished by a collaboration of organizations rather than a single organization working alone. Collaboration—among conservation partners, local government, non-profit organizations, landowners, community members, and other District-wide stakeholders—is integral to the success and sustainability of long-term land conservation on the Peninsula. Funding for the regional vision effort would likely be drawn from multiple sources, so that one organization is not overburdened. Direct costs to the District and staffing needs have not yet been estimated. No single approach or activity will fully accomplish this goal, rather, multiple strategies need to be employed that, at a minimum, will include: A. Engaging and leading partner organizations in a regionally coordinated approach; B. Determining the District's role in the regional context, and integrating these efforts with partner organizations; C. Working with partners to define regional land conservation, resource management and public access needs, vision and goals. The District would perform specific activities to implement these strategies, including: 1. Hire a consultant to assist with the development of an Open Space Vision Plan and help coordinate its associated activities. 2. Research examples of similar regional conservation efforts that have been successful and identify what has already been completed in order to utilize lessons learned from similar efforts and estimate potential District costs and staffing needs. 3. Identify partners, including traditional partners (Park agencies, non-profit conservation organizations), but also including non-traditional partners(sustainable communities, transportation, health care) and consider partnerships with entities that operate outside District boundaries to support long-term sustainability of conservation efforts within our boundary to avoid being an"island". Organize initial meetings with partners to determine current activities and establish an understanding of existing conservation visions/plans. This may include hosting a Partner Symposium and encouraging other conservation organizations to share their plans and vision to clarify shared goals. 4. Prepare a collaborative, community-informed Open Space Vision Plan which defines the scale and desired outcome of the effort; defines the region that the public access and conservation vision covers; uses a science-based GIS approach as a decision support tool; and includes input from the public and partners to identify regional goals. Using this Page 16 information, conservation, stewardship and recreational access needs will be evaluated and prioritized. i i i i I Page 17 Goal#2: Build Public Support—Increase outreach to constituents to build their support for a regional vision of land conservation and develop a more comprehensive program to communicate with the public. Goals Implementation Outputs #2A: Public Consider an Community Public more involvement in Advisory Committee leaders& involved with settinq vision&goals advocates for • trict activities o-, >.�....,.. ,..«.....,........_,.......,�.-.: Goal#2: #26 Increased — Build Public ! Public supports No District interaction Increase public Public supports . ding measure with constituents engagement —i Regional servation #2C: Promote Voters approve Community-based oft of Funding g,g Ip Measure Starting with the District's establishment in 1972, the District has historically emphasized purchasing priority open space lands identified by the organization, with a secondary focus on land stewardship and operating the core system of open space preserves and trails. This focus on real estate transactions has been extremely successful; to date, the District has preserved over 60,000 acres of critical open space land since the early 1970s, about 35,000 of which are now open to the public for low-intensity recreation. Overall, these and other preserved lands have established an edge to outward urban expansion along the Santa Cruz Mountains and San Francisco Bay front, contributing greatly to the region's quality of life. This greenbelt comprises a critical habitat corridor as well as a recreational trail system. As discussed under Goal #1,private land trusts, organizations, and foundations have recognized the need to combine forces on region-wide conservation initiatives. Stimulating community participation and identifying public conservation, stewardship, and recreational access priorities could benefit the District, as well as its conservation partners, by building support for land conservation in the community. Goal#2 is comprised of two important and distinct components: developing a regional vision, and developing public support for this vision. Developing a Regional Vision Developing a regional conservation vision will provide a focus to engage District constituents and partners alike through the shared identification of conservation priorities both regionally(the greater San Francisco Peninsula and South Bay)and within the more narrowly defined District boundaries. This Open Space Vision Plan will be supported by scientific data on biodiversity, landscape connectivity, and other regional analyses and will be developed with public input. Additional discussion of the Open Space Vision Plan can be found under Goal#1. Page 18 Public Outreach The District has a specific focused mandate to protect and restore the natural environment and provide low-intensity public recreation opportunities across a multi-county jurisdiction that includes a large portion of the San Francisco Peninsula and South Bay. As a public agency formed by the voters, the District has a responsibility to engage and develop support for conservation within the region, and particularly within its boundaries. Therefore, the District is uniquely qualified to lead public engagement etTorts within the San Francisco Peninsula and South Bay areas. The basic concept for public outreach is to obtain broad-based public input and begin a dialogue that will highlight the specific need for protecting local natural resources, which will require additional financial and staffing resources. Additional discussion of the District's strategies to respond to financial challenges can be found in Goal #3. The intent is to develop the conservation vision with public input and achieve a broad consensus among those who live in, work in, or visit the area, that the vision and its goals represent the path to a more prosperous and healthy future, and that implementing the vision is a worthy joint effort which the whole community can support, i.e. a common vision for a common future. Increasing public participation in the conservation efforts of the District and partners will require an approach that has a broad appeal across all socio-economic sectors of the surrounding communities. No single approach or activity will fully accomplish this goal; rather, multiple strategies need to be employed that, at a minimum, will include: A. Active public involvement in visioning and goal setting, including polls and public workshops to assess public sentiment and support, and enhanced communication with the public; I B. Increasing Board and staff interaction with constituents and the public to enhance District visibility; C. Promoting community-based leadership and support(District volunteers, docents, grassroots supporters, etc.). In order to achieve this goal, the District will need t defer 1 g ee ononessential projects and significantly reduce the number of major competing projects. Involvement by all Departments in public outreach and communication will be essential to its success. The District would perform specific activities to implement these strategies, including: 1. Consider forming a diverse advisory committee from the community to advise the team during the open s ace vision preparation. � Page 19 2. Increase public engagement through District interactions with the public to initiate dialogue regarding the future of open space conservation and stewardship; reinforce and increase public awareness of importance of local open space to quality of life. 3. Work with opinion leaders such as elected and appointed public officials, academics, and the business community to build their support for local open space preservation. 4. Conduct stakeholder and community workshops which might include community- focused forums so that local opinions are heard and engaging the Peninsula and South Bay communities, to hear what they value the most about open space. Periodic polls would also be conducted to determine public sentiment around land conservation issues, core parts of the conservation vision and to measure the public's awareness and support of the District and its programs. i i i i i i i Page g 20 i r— Goal#3: Enhance Financial and Staffine Resources—Increase District revenues, diversify funding sources, and increase staffing in order to be successful in creating greater balance between the three parts of the mission. Goals Implementation Outputs Voters approve Funding Measure #3A: Evaluate Identify resources p Funding campaign pursuing a funding and timeline for --- measure funding campaign Increased Sustainable plan grants and Goal#3: #313: Evaluate — ► for diversifying other revenues i Enhance alternative financial revenues Financial and models Explore other Alternative Financial 8 Staffing potential revenues Staffing Plans business model ..,,.. .� #3C: Increase j optimized to philanthropy,grants, achieve and other revenues Alternative Re-evaluate financial models balanced Historically,the District has placed a primary emphasis on land acquisition,both through debt financing and direct cash outlays from reserves. Over time, as the District has issued more debt, the debt service obligations have required an increasing proportion of the District's annual property tax revenue. For FY2011-12, debt service payments total approximately$9.7 million, or 35% of projected property tax revenue. As debt service has increased, combined with the operating and capital expenditure guidelines adopted by the Board, the proportion of usable funds available for operating expenses and resource management projects has declined. At the same time, resource management needs have increased substantially as has the public's demand for increased access to District preserves. Responding to these challenges requires significant increases in staffing resources as well as increased funding for capital projects. To date, the District's funding model has relied on steadily increasing property tax revenue to support District growth. The recent economic downturn, which has slowed the growth of this revenue source, combined with the District's increased debt service obligations, has limited the funds available to address the rapidly increasing resource management needs and public desire for more access to preserves. In addition, the District's ability to buy land will be severely reduced starting in the next four to six years. Based on current assumptions contained in the District's financial model, the District will have just under$1 million annually in un-committed tax revenue available for discretionary expenses, whether it is land purchases, resource management projects, or operating expenses. Overall, District expenses continue to rise at a faster rate than tax revenues and, as such, the District is at risk of being unable to fulfill its mission due to financial constraints. In order to continue to fund its mission and create balance between the three parts of the mission, the District has determined it needs to increase its revenues, diversify its funding sources, and i I increase staffing. No single approach or activity will fully accomplish this goal, rather, multiple i strategies need to be employed that, at a minimum, will include: A. Evaluating pursuing a tax or funding measure; B. Re-evaluating the District's current funding model and carefully considering whether or not to issue new debt; C. Evaluating increasing revenues from philanthropy and partnerships with philanthropy organizations(e.g., donations, estate planning, etc.), grants, and other potential revenue sources. The District would perform specific activities to implement these strategies, including: l. Identify the financial and staff resources required to conduct a funding measure and clearly identify District projects that would be funded should a funding measure pass and the communities that would benefit. 2. Staff will explore other potential revenue sources such as additional grants, engaging non-profits in partnering on philanthropic initiatives, fees, corporate sponsors,higher yield investment accounts, etc. Additionally, when receiving gifts or purchasing land, determine whether ongoing maintenance costs can be covered by others. 3. Based on the District's resource management and public access goals, evaluate the District's current business model to develop a staffing plan to achieve the goals and identify the infrastructure(e.g., staff facilities) needed to implement staffing plan. 4. Staff will work with the District Controller to evaluate alternative financing models and evaluate adjusting the Operating and Capital Budget Guidelines. NEXT STEPS: HOW WILL THE DISTRICT USE THE STRATEGIC PLAN? The District Strategic Plan is intended to be a dynamic document and will be re-evaluated by the Board and staff annually prior to development of the Annual Action Plan and Budget. As implementation of the Strategic Plan goals proceeds, new projects will need to be added to the Action Plan to reflect additional phases of implementation. Page 22 __I ATTACHMENT 2: IDENTITY STATEMENT We advance our mission of: To acquire and preserve a regional greenbelt of open space land in perpetuity; protect and restore the natural environment; and provide opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education. And seek to: 0 .nitiar of 14 p,ire • Form continuous systems of permanently preserved open (Adapted from the District's space by linking with other public parklands and other Basic Policy) natural lands; • Protect places for sensitive, rare, threatened, and •Land area that is allowed to endangered species, enhance habitats, and preserve and remain in or return to its natural, connect key land and water corridors for wildlife wild state.Open space lands may movement and survival; include compatible agricultural • Increase public accessibility to and knowledge of the uses. interconnected regional preserve systems and their value, and appropriately balance public use with resource •Protects areas of scenic beauty protection. and rural character. By serving: •Preserves natural habitats necessary to sustain plant and Everyone who lives or workswithin the District's boundaries, or animal life,especially native and visits the District's lands. endangered species. Within: •Offers opportunities to the public The District's legal boundaries on the San Francisco Peninsula for education,recreation,and from south of Pacifica to Los Gatos, and from the Pacific Ocean renewal of spirit to the San Francisco Bay. *Enhances public safety by Through: preventing development of areas prone to landslides,earthquake • Regional open space preservation; damage,flooding,and wildland • Biodiversity preservation, stewardship, and connectivity; fires. • Low-intensity public access; • Community environmental education and involvement; •Establishes boundaries for urban • Open space conservation advocacy; growth,and provides a respite • Compatible agricultural uses of open space. from urban living. And emphasizing our differentiating strengths by: *improves the environmental health of the region and the health 1. A special purpose district created by the voters to actively of its people through the conserve additional open space using the following essential protection of air quality,water tools: quality,and physical exercise, • Dedicated funding from the voters that allows the District to exercise consistent, patient leadership to DRAFT District Strategic Plan August 2011 pursue an interconnected regional open space system, accomplished with public and private partners. • Essential, efficient and economical land stewardship including intensive and focused restoration to critical locations. • Stable property tax funding coupled with skillful, sustainable leveraging of District financial resources. 2. Owning and managing a unique asset—the Preserves and the benefits provided by them for species and people. • Low-intensity public access where appropriate and cost effective for an enjoyable wildland experience. We are sustained by: Primarily Property Tax Revenue ($17 per $100,000 of assessed real property value). Also by: • Grants • Gifts • Interest income • Investment income • Rental income • Partnerships • Volunteer services • Excellent credit rating ATTACHMENT 3: BIG QUESTIONS These proposed Big Questions are interrelated and cannot be considered independently from each other. However, Big Question #1 needs to be considered first as it directly impacts how the District can best continue to fulfill its mission and thus influences the responses to Big Questions #2, 3, and 4. 1. The District has preserved approximately 61,000 acres of open space in the Santa Cruz Mountains, however our financial ability to carry out the mission with the primary emphasis on land acquisition is projected to substantially change within the next 3-6 years with current funding. How will we respond? 2. How do we allocate resources among programs to achieve the goal and desired outcomes? 3. Together with our partners, how can we most effectively take advantage of the opportunities to close the gaps in the preserved conservation network within District boundaries, and address the threats to natural open space resources, agriculture, and rural character? 4. How can the District diversify and increase its revenue stream, in the short and long term, to ensure funds are available to continue to sustainably fulfill our mission? ATTACHMENT 4: STRATEGY SCREEN / DISCUSSION GUIDE Best way to achieve Mission • Are the actions and the expected outcomes consistent with our mission and our identity? • Is it consistent with long-term success? Are we the best-suited organization? • Can others do this better? • Is there a role for partner agencies? • Are we the only one who can or will do this? Consequences of action / no action • Are we required to act by law, policy or other imperative or is action discretionary? • What is the time sensitivity? • If we wait to decide or act, what will be the consequences? i.e. will an opportunity be lost or a resource damaged if we fail to act? • Will our action preserve future options to the extent possible? • Do the long-term impacts outweigh the effort/action required? Capacity and sustainability • Is staff and management capacity adequate to absorb those impacts? • Can we sustain the effort required? • Can it be accommodated within the constraints of our long-term financial model? • What is the most effective way to leverage our resources? Benefits, impacts and tradeoffs • Do the benefits outweigh the impacts (to public, organization)? • What are the strengths/weaknesses? • Do we need to consider tradeoffs; are we willing to make tradeoffs? • Will this provide the District with the opportunity to develop new skills and capacities? Differentiating strengths • Does it build on and reinforce our differentiating strengths? • Does it make best use of and conserve our tools? (Independence, vision, economical land stewardship, stable tax funding, creative leveraging of funds) • Does the action increase public knowledge and awareness of the District (branding)? i ATTACHMENT 5: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Strategic Plan 2011 Goals Implementation Outputs Strategies Activities #1A: Lead partners Hire a consultant Enhanced in regional y collaboration conservation Research existing between partners approach studies Goal#1: #iB: Determine Research other Integrated \14 Partners' District and/or Enhance District's regional role successes approach to activities are Regional ---� ,, .__.�, - � partners Collaboration conservation on based on Vision acquire land for Organize meetings the peninsula Plan conservation #1C: Define land, with partners resource management, and Develop Regional _�, Regional public access goals Open Space Vision Conservation Vision Plan X Enhanced `D #2A: Public Consider an Community Public more ResourceCD " involvement in setting Advisory Committee leaders& involved with management `- J► vision&goals advocates for District activities I activities ° Goal#2: Increase public ► District emergeLn #2B: Increased engagement - Build Public a ---� District interaction Public su" v Support with constituents Get support of Public supports funding I/ m opinion leaders ` Regional „measure M, Conservation KL #2C: Promote Conduct community vision ..._I Community-based workshops&polls Enhanced ] leadership public access Voters approve and trail Funding connections --'�#3A: Evaluate Identify resources Funding campaign Measure pursuing a funding and timeline for measure funding campaign Sustainable plan Increased Staff hired _ � to diversify � grants and � ; Goal#3: #3B: Evaluate Explore other revenues other revenues organizational Enhance potential revenues capacity alternative financial Financial and enhanced Staffing models Re-evaluate Alternative Financial& # �. ► Resources business model Staffing Plans business model % , #3C: Increase optimized to achieve philanthropy, grants, Develop alternative _ Alternative and other revenues financial models balanced financial models mission 9/8/2011 8:57 AM Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District R-12-66 Meeting 12-26 July 25, 2012 AGENDA ITEM 7 AGENDA ITEM Authorization to Amend an Agreement with Phytosphere Research for an Additional $10,000 to Continue Monitoring of Treatment Methods to Suppress the Spread of Sudden Oak Death GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION Authorize an agreement amendment with Phytosphere esearch for an additional $10,000 to II continue in Calendar Years 2012 and 2013 monitoring of treatment methods to suppress the spread of Sudden Oak Death, for a total contract amount not to exceed $37,500. SUMMARY The Board of Directors of Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District(District) approved original agreements with Phytosphere Research on October 22, 2008, and October 28, 2009, to design treatment of oak trees for the suppression of the Sudden Oak Death(SOD) disease and monitor the results (R-08-123 and R-09-97). This amendment would extend the monitoring phase of this research and provide matching funds for a research grant from the U.S. Forest Service. DISCUSSION SOD is a plant disease caused by the fungus-like pathogen Pk-vtophthora ramorum that has killed millions of oaks and tanoaks in many forests of coastal California. On December 14, 2005, the Board of Directors adopted a ten-year plan for addressing SOD, including mapping of potentially resistant trees, treating a select number of specimen-sized trees with a fungicide, and establishing a collaborative fund for SOD research to guide land management decisions(R-05-122). Consistent with this ten-year plan, the proposed amendment would continue SOD research to guide District staff in detecting outbreaks at new locations and in new tree species, and to determine the effectiveness of fungicide and other treatment methods. In 2007, Dr. Ted Swiecki and Elizabeth Bernhardt with Phytosphere Research were hired to test treatment methods to suppress the spread of SOD on stands of coast live oak, Shreve oaks and tanoaks in Rancho San Antonio, Monte Bello and El Corte de Madera Open Space Preserves (OSPs). The two treatment methods consist of removing bay trees within 15 feet of oak trees and annual spraying of a fungicide on oak trees. As of the fall 2011 monitoring, no symptoms of SOD were seen in either the control or treated research plots at Rancho San Antonio or El Corte R-12-66 Page 2 de Madera OSPs where both bay removal and fungicide treatment were implemented. At Monte Bello OSP, the rate of SOD incidence in the control plot increased from 16 to 23% of monitored trees over two years, while it remained at a steady rate of 14% in the area treated with bay removal. Under this amendment, Phytosphere Research would continue to provide advice and monitor the effectiveness of treatment methods at these three OSPs. Also in 2007, District staff noticed symptoms on and subsequent death of several large canyon live oaks in Los Trancos OSP adjacent to the San Andreas Fault Trail. Before that time, most experts believed canyon live oak was not susceptible to SOD. District staff hired Phytosphere Research to determine the cause of decline, recommend actions to protect the unusually large and spectacular canyon live oaks adjacent to popular trails in Los Trancos OSP, and monitor the results. By June 2009, Dr. Swiecki concluded that the SOD pathogen was associated with the death of canyon live oaks at Los Trancos OSP. The District subsequently removed bay trees around the large oaks and sprayed the oaks near the Fault Trail with a fungicide under the direction of and with monitoring by Phytosphere Research. As of December 2011, no new SOD infections have been seen in the research plots at Los Trancos OSP. Phytosphere Research continues to find opportunities for additional funding and collaboration with university experts to expand SOD research on District preserves. Dr. Swiecki is monitoring an area along Ancient Oaks Trail in Russian Ridge where the District has removed bay trees around large oaks. As of December 2011, SOD symptoms and poor health conditions have been detected on one canyon live oak tree within the bay removal area at Russian Ridge OSP. In 2010, Dr. Swiecki initiated another research project to track the subtle development of symptoms on canyon live oaks in Skyline Ridge OSP. Continued SOD research and monitoring at these two additional preserves is included in this amendment. The observation and guidance provided by Phytosphere Research during treatments have resulted in adjustments of equipment and techniques, which will assist the District and other land management agencies to refine the application of fungicide and removal of bay trees. FISCAL IMPACT With this $10,000 amendment added to the current contract of$27,500, the total contract amount will be $37,500. Funds for this amendment are included in the Natural Resources Department budget for FY2012-13. Over the past seven years (2007 through 2013), Phytosphere Research has received$97,250 in grant funding from the U.S. Forest Service to assist in SOD research on District preserves. The District's total matching contributions have been an important incentive for continued funding by the U.S. Forest Service of SOD research on District preserves. BOARD COMMITTEE REVIEW Board Committee review for this item was not needed. PUBLIC NOTICE Notice was provided pursuant to the Brown Act, and notices were also sent to persons expressing interest in resource management items. R-12-66 Page 3 CEQA COMPLIANCE The SOD treatment activities conducted as a part of this research were included in the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Program for the Site-Specific Weed and Pest Management Project approved by the Board on May 9, 2012 (R-1247). NEXT STEPS Upon Board authorization, staff will approve the amendment to the Phytosphere Research agreement to allow continued SOD research on District preserves. Responsible Department Head: Kirk Lenington,Natural Resources Manager Prepared by: Cindy Roessler, Senior Resource Management Specialist Contact person: Same as above Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District R-12-72 Meeting 12-27 July 25, 2012 AGENDA ITEM 8 AGENDA ITEM Authorization to Amend a Contract with Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction Company, in the Amount of$9,700, to complete additional structure scaling at the Hawthorns Historic Complex at the Hawthorns Area at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION W Amend a contract with Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction Company for an additional $9,700, which includes a contingency of$1,271, for a total contract amount not-to-exceed$34,052, to provide additional structure sealing at the Hawthorn Historic Complex at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve. SUMMARY Additional structure sealing is needed at the Hawthorns Historic Complex at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve to prevent vandalism damage of the Homestead House and Barn. To date, only the Mansion and Carriage House have been sealed. A contract amendment with Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction Company for an additional contract amount of$9,700, for a total not-to- exceed amount of$34,052, is recommended to complete the additional historic structures scaling work. DISCUSSION On November 10, 2011, the Hawthorns property was transferred to the District with an approximately$2 million gift to be used towards its stewardship. As delineated in the Board FYI dated March 12, 2012, shortly after the property was transferred to the District, staff immediately began to address vandalism issues and proceeded with hiring a contractor with experience in sealing historic structures to deter further vandalism damage of the Mansion and Carriage House. On January 11, 2012, a Request for Qualifications and Proposals (RFQP) was issued for the historic structures sealing work. Three companies with experience in completing similar work on historic structures were contacted to determine their interest in receiving the RFQP. Two firms responded and submitted proposals. The proposals were evaluated for relevant previous experience, availability to complete the work immediately, and cost. Hathaway Dinwiddie proposed the lowest cost, and was able to begin work immediately. R-12-72 Page 2 I a Hathaway Dinwiddie $24,352 $8,429 Coulter Construction $78,812 $52,521 Gonsalves & Stronck Did not respond Did not respond Since the cost for original work for the Mansion and Carriage House was under$25,000, the District entered into a contract for sealing these structures under the General Manager's authority. Hathaway Dinwiddie's methods protected wood trim and other potentially historic features, consistent with historic preservation standards. This approach has successfully stemmed the vandalism that had been occurring on site. With the proven success of this approach, staff proposes to extend this same protection to the Homestead House and the Barn. Based on the proposals received for the additional sealing work, and the known quality of work completed to date, staff recommends amending the contract with Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction Company for an additional amount of$9,700, which includes a contingency amount of$1,271 and a base fee of$8,429. BOARD COMMITTEE REVIEW Committee review of this agenda item is not needed. FISCAL IMPACT The scope of work for additional structure sealing was included in the Interim Capital Improvement Plan presented to the Board on May 23, 2012 (see R-12-46), and the cost will be covered by the Hawthorns Fund. District staff cost associated with managing this work will also be covered by the Hawthorns Fund, as directed by the Board. PUBLIC NOTICE Public notice was provided as required by the Brown Act. No additional notice is required. CEQA COMPLIANCE The work proposed is included within and consistent with the Preliminary Use and Management Plan Amendment and the Interim Capital Improvement Plan approved by the Board on May 23, 2012 (R-12-46), which was determined to be categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act. No further CEQA compliance is needed. R-12-72 Page 3 NEXT STEPS If approved by the Board, staff will amend the original contract with Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction Company for an additional $9,700 to complete the sealing of the Homestead House and Barn. Responsible Department Head: Ana Ruiz, Planning Manager Prepared by: Gina Coony, Project Manager Contact person: Same as Above I I ICI I� Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District R-12-78 Meetinor"7' 12-26 1 July 25, 2012 AGENDA ITEM 9 AGENDA ITEM Authorization to Extend an Existing Contract with BluePoint for Public Outreach regarding Mount Umunhum GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION W Authorize to amend an existing contract with BluePoint in the amount of$60,000 for a total contract amount of$77,500 to help the District inform and involve the public regarding the three different options for establishing a fiscally-sustainable visitor destination on top Mount Umunhum. SUMMARY Authorizing the amendment of an existing contract with BluePoint would allow the District to increase outreach to the community to ensure that the public is fully engaged in the process of deciding the future of Mount Umunhum and specifically the Radar Tower. ill DISCUSSION In 2009, Congress appropriated $3.2 million in funding for the cleanup of Mount Umunhum and thanks to this federal appropriation, the site is now remediated and the buildings are free of friable asbestos and lead-containing materials. With its scenic views, Mount Umunhum offers tremendous potential for balancing public access, recreation, enjoyment, and environmental education with environmental restoration. The next step in the process to convert the site to an environmentally restored piece of land and offer recreational amenities for public access is to work with the public to determine what recreational features—for example, trails and interpretive exhibits—should be included in the final site plan and whether the radar tower should remain, be partially taken down, or removed completely. This contract with BluePoint will allow the District to implement a public information effort to communicate with and seek the input of District constituents on the three different options for establishing a fiscally-sustainable visitor destination on top Mount Umunhum. R-12-78 Page 2 BOARD COMMITTEE REVIEW Committee review of this agenda item is not needed. FISCAL IMPACT The$60,000 for the contract will come out of the Planning Department's Mount Umunhum Site Planning Project budget. At this time, staff anticipates asking the Board for a Midyear Budget adjustment to account for this additional project expense. PUBLIC NOTICE Public notice was provided as required by the Brown Act.No additional notice is required. CEQA COMPLIANCE The proposed actions are not a considered project under the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA) and no environmental review is required. NEXT STEPS If approved by the Board, staff will amend the original contract with BluePoint for an additional $60,000 to implement the outreach plan. Responsible Department Head: Rudy Jurgensen, Public Affairs Manager Prepared by: Rudy Jurgensen, Public Affairs Manager Contact person: Same as above Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District R-12-79 Meeting 12-26 July 25, 2012 AGENDA ITEM 10 AGENDA ITEM Board Debrief of the July 180' Mount Umunhurn Open House and Workshop GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION W Debrief and comment on the July 18thMount Umunhurn Open House and Workshop. SUMMARY This agenda item is to provide an opportunity for the Board and District staff to debrief on the July 18`" Mount Umunhurn Open House and Workshop. DISCUSSION A well-attended public open house and Board workshop was held on Wednesday, July 18, 2012 for the radar tower options under consideration for the Mount Umunhurn Public Access and Environmental Restoration Project. The number of participants wishing to speak to the Board exceeded the time capacity available, even though speakers were limited to two minutes each. The facility required the meeting to adjourn before the Board had an opportunity to deliberate and ask further questions of staff. The next Mt. Urn public open house and Board workshop is scheduled for September 19, 2012, in Menlo Park. The September 19 meeting will include Board discussion and deliberation of the"Factors to Consider"proposed for use in facilitating the decision-making process, which staff presented for Board consideration at the July 18 meeting. Public attendance at the July 18 meeting exceeded 250 participants. A final estimate will be provided to the Board as part of the report for the September 19, 2012 meeting, along with a summary of public comments gathered at each of the display stations,public sentiment on the "Factors to Consider,"and other public comment received. BOARD COMMITTEE REVIEW Committee review is not required for this agenda item. PUBLIC NOTICE Public notice was provided as required by the Brown Act. R-12-79 Page 2 CEQA COMPLIANCE This item is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). NEXT STEPS As presented at the July 18 Workshop,the next Board meeting on the Mount Umunhurn Site Planning Project is scheduled for September 19, 2012, to be held in Menlo Park. At this meeting, the Board will formally consider for acceptance the"Factors to Consider"to facilitate the decision-making process for selecting a radar tower option. The Board will also consider approval of select Project elements, not involving the radar tower. A decision on the radar tower is expected at a Board meeting later in the fall. Responsible Department Manager: Ana Ruiz, Planning Manager Prepared by: Meredith Manning, Senior Planner Contact person: Same as above Midpeninsula Regional ' Open Space District To: Board of Directors �I From: Stephen E. Abbors Date: July 20, 2012 w Re: FYIs i I,I ou awe coWWX4 1�v-itea' to de Cooleg Zaffa'l r — 7occavu-ice, off tl &a , �' affY Olimwl�j Satu,waa(a*, (lag 21 2072 ue,,-emo7g &glg e at 10,f00 ax #stoical car z4-1-ml�-olowewtal Tins "til 12 Tool( �to irc�de ds��a�s 6� Las Banos 0k1',re and wore P�ease,io4 the cowhruffitg 4 t/aeLv t/re fil/oau4i cof(,-iduto-s to Cooley zavllKg Phase Cal,eecyck Caf�ot,va Coaetd 6,,ree.-uavg n �Iff City o�fast Palo�{�to ` Le y/r 7icdeK 44-4ardt Tast of tiie Yo Fra�reisco F"alatiow Ilewlett Fardatior Ware Leech /�emoridHurdAduiso- y Committee lffl,�e r a 'a leeioaa��fieK �Sfiace Distric t /�atiora�Fsii and �d��e Furdatior Packard FuKdatior � Pacr�le Frest and Alaters/red LaKds Yeeurards/cp Coa ed", Pad Alto Sala rile' Peainsala Dp,/eaSpace T ast P1ieart/�rogoic Veatares Fardatior Ya r fraacisco Bag T aid P��ec t Yar fwa�rcisco Bay WIWI�c Society State of I9e1oa,e crt o� T,eic <S'ade(arc" Cortrol �/�S E�riroKmerta�Pratectio7 Aaeacy Gl.S /Va tio�ra�Par,�s ��i�tst�u�reata�i�t die�i�� t�aas�o�tir Coo?eg Za4dlorg - to T easu-e or tie gad l r f `t ` Michelle Radcliffe From: mereiglaubiger@usa.ne# Sent: Sunday, July 01, 2012 1:50 PM To: BOARD; Clerk; Vicky Gou; General Information Subject: 07/01/2012 -mereiglaubiger@usa.net-Contact Board First Name: Merel Last Name: Glaubiger Phone Number: 415-563-3341 Email Address: merelglaubigert7a.usa.net Ward/Location: Los Altos Hills Comments: 3466 Jackson Street San Francisco, California 94118 July 1, 2012 Mr. Stephen E. Abbors General Manager Midpeninsula Open Space District 330 Distel Circle Los Altos, California 94022 Dear Mr. Abbors Thank you for your letter dated March 20, 2012 which I received this June. At the meeting I attended on September 14, 2011 on The Good Neighbor Policy. I understood that I would be working with a Board Committee to try to try to resolve the noise and visual problems at our home at 23180 Ravensbury Avenue which located on the border of the Mora Trail. I appreciate the efforts of Mr. San uinetti in the attempt to post signs to resolve the Pp 9 P P 9 problem. The signs that you have posted have again been torn down or defaced. Unfortunately this is not a solution that has worked. I have suggested to Mr. Sanguinetti a visual and noise barrier, planting, diverting the path, and turning the area into a meditation zone. You have noted economic constraints that restrict you as General Manager. I would like to present our problems directly to the Board for their evaluation since I believe it is a Board function to make this determination. I believe that to interpret the Good Neighbor Policy to apply to new development in preference to existing Neighbor's does not fulfill the goal of the policy to be a good neighbor. I would again like to address the Committee on this subject and ask that you inform me of the next meeting of the Committee. Thank you for your efforts. Sincerely, Merel P. Glaubiger Open SpaceMidpeninsula DistrictRegional Memoran d u m DATE: July 12, 2012 TO: Legislative, Funding, and Public Affairs Committee THROUGH: Steve Abhors, General Manager FROM: Gina Coony, Project Manager SUBJECT: Mindego Gateway Signage and Trail Naming—July 17, 2012 At its February 22, 2012 meeting, LFPAC approved the proposed sign types and locations at the Mindego Gateway Staging Area and Commemorative Site. Also, LFPAC approved the location and naming of Audrey's Way. The project team proposed to return to LFPAC with detailed drawings and conceptual text content for the interpretive signs, and proposed trail names. The Mindego Gateway project is being completed in partnership with Peninsula Open Space Trust(POST). POST is developing the interpretive signage which is proposed for the Commemorative Site. PROPOSED SIGNAGE DESIGN, CONTENT & TRAIL NAMING: At the February 22, 2012 LFPAC meeting, the Committee approved Five Sign Types and locations. At the July 17 meeting, we are requesting LFPAC review of the design and materials proposed for the Commemorative Site signs and the proposed conceptual content and text. Please reference Exhibit A, Sheet L-1. SIGN I - Interpretive & Educational signage at the Commemorative Site upper platform • This is proposed to be low profile signage so as not to block any views and will communicate information regarding the surrounding environment. • The upper platform is ADA accessible. This signage will be of great benefit to visitors to the Preserve who are not able to hike into the Mindego area. From this vantage point they can see the views, and learn about the natural &cultural environment from the signage provided' SIGN DESIGN- REFER TO EXHIBIT IA& IB SIGN 2 -Audrey Rust Commemorative Honor Site Sign * This sign is located at the entrance to the upper platform at the Commemorative site/ * It will communicate information about Audrey Rust, and her achievements. SIGN DESIGN - REFER TO EXHIBIT 1C SIGN TEXT -- REFER TO EXHIBIT 2 SIGN 3 Sign 3 Standard District Sign Boards • Was approved by LFPAC at February 22 2012 meeting. LFPAC approved additional brochure slots for POST brochures, as well as other Conservation-type/agency brochures. SIGN 4 Welcome to Commemorative Site * Proposed to be located at juncture of Staging Area & Entrance to Commemorative Site Pathway SIGN DESIGN- REFER TO EXHIBIT ID SIGN TEXT--REFER TO EXHIBIT 2 SIGN 5 District Trail Signs (Refer to Exhibit B, Sheet LIOI and Exhibit C, Trail Map) The following are the proposed new trail names or changes: 1. Ancient Oaks Connector Trail a. New Trail from Staging Area north to Ancient Oaks trail 2. Mindego Hill Trail a. Rename the eastern portion of the existing Mindego Ridge Trail (AKA Mindego Lake Road) to Mindego Hill Trail 3. Charquin Trail a. Rename the north south section of the existing Mindego Ridge Trail-to Charquin Trail. • Charquin was a leader of native American resistance against the Spanish mission system from the Quiroste tribe which likely extended tip to Skyline from the Pescadero area. 2 III T - ..�— owoc-raa[ —• \ �OAu rb�,n,.x,�ilhkoe Asearn ROWS TO CaEFI( 1\. - CONSIM PON Fd114•. Exhibit A COMMEMORATIVE SITE ` r__ �._' -� •� y-„ F X f f ! t1vE14FLow ' 5 r •3. 1 ` ` /PARKING Proposed I 'Y �.s / /' Signage MAIN LOT f' ! TIM 1 --�� - --4' - J "es f,,, Staging Area at /r MINDEGO GATEWAY RUSSIAN RIDGE _ 1' F&MI sLE `\ c' / OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Midpeninsula Regional \� Open Space District, r, � ! San Mateo County, California i 19 OCT11 CONCEPTUAL Approved Signage Types DESIGN p OInterpretive Et Educational Information - Low Sign to Preserve Views OZ Audrey C. Rust Commemorative Sign / 4 w � 0 Describes Her Work r h , CONNECTION TO MINDEGO HILL TRAIL :J O3 Sign Boards ''' ` CONCEPTUAL - Request for Extra Large Brochure Holders and f ! 1 , SITE PLAN TOTAL PARKING SPACES: 62 to Place POST Brochures in Map Slot J MAIN LOT: 20 (18 + 2 HC) OVERFLOW AREA: 42 - Coastal Conservancy Grant Recognition Sign on Signboard i,�- � 1 ; j I O Welcome Sign to Commemorative Site 5O Standard District Trail Directional Signs (Refer to Exhibit B for Signs and Proposed Trail Names) 1 OF 7 EXHIBIT#IA: SIGN DESIGN AUDREY RUST COMMEMORATIVE SITE AT RUSSIAN RIDGE 17 JULY 2012- OFFICE OF CHERYL BARTON 3N t � SIGN#I:"OVERLOOK/EDUCATIONAL" SIGN#2:"HONOR SITE/AUDREY RUST' SIGN#4:"WELCOME" SIGN MATERIALS • reference image for sign scale reference image for sign scale RAL 7006 Beigegrau Beige grey Gris beige panel:anodized&etched frame:powdercoat finish EXHIBIT #1a aluminum (color is aproximate) ANCIENT OAKS TRAIL CONNECTOR �- r Brldge °' '=16e�'"-" ` DEVEI(OPMTIJT UNDER SEPARATE PERMIT (OVERFLOW �0 / TO CREEK a.y 4 - �r —G7Eat-6Til IR"' TO ANCIENT OAKS TRP1L /_ t.•- BIDS'ANF DxP) / / �VWLi PXFrrB) - A NNLTRlllO MEA • _ �� ' SMWIOEP � T • �, 7 Exhibit B O.R. AUDREY RUST COMMEMORATIVE SITE - (BY P.O.S.T.J �7� P - DEVELOPMENT UNDER SEPARATE PERMIT 1 _ Proposed Trail 1 1 I } ,x \ rl Directional Sign o P t+ 04 � I I © o Language&Extent ir,+ i o 1 rt i I I o e o P of Audrey's Way- ucR L ESPECIAL-EVEN 1PARKI 6' 6 Extent of , o .I.m.•r Staging Area at Audrey's Way -�-- ____ oT ma's' /?"�, MINDEGO e / GATEWAY BdADOt III'P.) IA.ta' Includes: —_�� \,„ S�FF®' �_ RUSSIAN RIDGE \Aa OPEN SPACE PRESERVE l vur-R K RN E Path from Parking Lot to Drainage Crossing on _ % `�\� •. �>a�aE.a wre, Midpeninsula Regional the way to Ancient Oaks Connector Trail=150 feet open space District, San Mateo County, MI dRBrer 9GN'or. California Path from Parkin Lot to Commemorative Site �R 5, wE g PARKING SPACES: \soIAN>EA(caloiN:tEo wL)[irv) E-LrArTn sreEi (Concrete Path)=300 feet 20 (18 + 2 HC) C°„NECTION TO — �' n +42 (ADD'L: SPECIAL EVENTS)\ MINDEGO HILL TRAIL x.3e 12 DEC 11 PLANNING 62 TOTAL SUBMITTAL Path from Parking Lot to Mindego Ridge Trail \ 3 °'FEB 12 RESUBMIT RSU6IAITTAL (Decomposed Granite or Baserock)=350 feet Proposed Trail Signs&Trail Names <- 0 ©O . _ I .MINDEGO I ! - SCHEMATIC ------ --_-_ , ----� � -�-����-�-- SITE LAYOUT PLAN r � *TO MINDEGO HILL TRAIL 0.1 W ANCIENT OAKS CONNECTOR TRAIL I OTOAUDREYCRUST ^(R{Y ELEVAigN A 1 , ," 20' COMMEMORATIVE SITE TO ANCIENT OAKS TRAIL 0.6 MI, OON91pNLSaMS 5LOPE f ucrrcn JNR/ OKS 325 O SO _.. > L-10y G.y pn'.6ny� .. _� �s Ares Hill 35}xkyl!"e g 2572' ° �Trail Russian Ridge �'\61ent Oaks i Trai/ Charquin Trail (Formerly Mindego Ridge Trail) w �. o Ancient OaksTrail Mindego Hill Trail i 'o � � rim,..... tx • : rr v ndego c ° .. Hill `•,�,. ° � A 2143' ,`� ° a a 3 Mindego Hill Trail - (Formerly Mindego Ridge Trail) _r ;.; a _ r Former s - ro pe rxE 5 =. ".. Skylin r Ridge v Exhibit C: Trail Map Midpeninsula Regional Future New Trail Hiking/Equestrian Proposed Commemorative Location Open Space District Existing Trail Multi-use Trait Loop Proposed Staging Area Location July 2012 Multi-use (hiking, biking, equestrian) 0 Gate EXHIBIT #1C - SIGN DESIGN ETCHED ALAWNU►1 PANES W; IA! BLIND DOLTS ON RACr: Sitl / NEOPRENE GASKET ®TWN, SIEEL AHO Q.W; BOLT THREADED TO SACK FACE OF AUJMO Y PANEL STL, PAM! FRAM AND WEL OW STL. STRAPS ADJ. COMC. 3'-10, PAYING 16Ali -- - III—III—III 3-,I I I,�,I I I_I I �WK L� °d 4.. _ Y ' i L L s t SIGN #2 �rrTlMl t2- SCALE: 1 /2„=� ,_O„ EXHIBIT #1 D - SIGN DESIGN " ALUMINUM PANEL WITH DARK GREY ANOOfZiNG AND ETCHED TEXT. CENTER TEXT WITHIN PANEL. PROVIDE 2' YIN SPACE BETWEEN TEXT AND EDGE OF PANEL, REIFER NOTE: ENTIRE ASSEMBLED STEEL SIGN 1._11 1/2' TO NOTES FRAME AND POSTS TO RECEIVE GALVANIZED AND PowDERCOAT FINISH. + TAPPED BUHO HOLES ON BACK SIDE OF PANEL BOLT TO STL FRAME WITH 1/4-20 TAMPER RESISTANT FASTENERS FROM BELOW W/ GASKET. TER WELD POSTS TO 2•-2' BEY PLA FRAME. 1/2" 1,-5, METAL. EDGINa, STL PLATE STRAP. _. SEE DETAIL 5/1.5.1 CRUSHED SIONe PAViHO _ ____�. ■u� m �I �I, ��., ADJ. GONG. V` • '�T# STABILIZEDT 1• ,. W PAYING CRUSHED ROCt. — INSET PLANSIM. 5/L5.1 n ' �.. c•" SIGN RASE Af)J. GOtlC, PAT., 1/2 2'x%' STL PLATE POSTS +• DIA. 1TNN'ADED HOLE. 'I'YP. METAL EDgNG, SEE S' X 20 X�' STL PLATE INSET PLAN OF SIGN VRAP WELDED ON STL- /, .a BASE FOR LAYOUT FRAME. TYP. WELDS GROUND SMOOTH. •� �. .I .I, f• f3 REBAR 012' (2) 2-4- STL PLATE POST G.C. E.W. E.F. WELDED ONTO STL STRAP. w I I AGGREGATE BASE dL1' SIGN #4 SLR I IUN �.i SCALE. 1/2"-1 '-O" EXHIBIT 2 Sign # 2- HONOR SITE/AUDREY C. RUST This site commemorates Audrey C. Rust POST President,1987-2011 Look around you. On a clear day in every direction you can see evidence of Audrey Rust's tireless efforts to preserve the natural splendor of the San Francisco Peninsula and San Mateo Coast. As president of Peninsula Open Space Trust(POST), Audrey enacted a bold vision for local land conservation. The spot where you are standing now is one result of that vision. In 2007, POST partnered with donors, landowners and the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District to save Mindego Hill and surrounding ranch land from development. This breathtaking landmark now joins a resilient network of Protected open space and parkland stretching from the bay to the sea. "If It Isn't Paved,It Can Still Be Saved" During her 24-year tenure at POST, Audrey championed the protection of 53,000 acres that are now part of the National Park System, National Wildlife Refuge System, California State Parks, county and city parks, District and other regional preserves, and private farmland. They are places of natural beauty and abundance that have come to define our region. Audrey is a true environmental hero for the land. Her determination and focus have shaped an extraordinary legacy that will endure for all people and wildlife, for generations to come. With deepest thanks to POST donors of$25,000 or more who made the creation of Audrey's Way possible. Anonymous Donna L. Dubinsky and Leonard J. Shustek EXHIBIT 2 Diane Greene and Mendel Rosenblum Derry and Charlene Kabcenell Joan Lane George and Judy Marcus Gordon and Betty Moore Paul and Antje Newhagen The David and Lucile Packard Foundation Bill Reller Sandra and John Thompson Karie and David Thomson Mark and Lisa Wan John and Rosemary Young Sign # 4 - "WELCOME" SIGN li Welcome to Audrey's Way named in honor of i Audrey C. Rust POST President, 1987-2011 I II i I GENERALMANAGER Stephen E.Abbors Regional OpenSpace Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District i BOARD OF DIRF.CTORS Pete Siemens Yorika Kishimoto led Cyr Curt Riffle Nanette Han ka July 19,2012 Larry Hassett Cecily Harris Don McCahon, President San Mateo County Farm Bureau 765 Main Street Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 RE: Memorandum of Understanding between San Mateo County Farm Bureau and Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District(District) Dear Mr. McCahon: On behalf of the District's General Manager who is out of the office for several weeks, I wanted to thank you for your letter of July 5,2012,regarding the Farm Bureau's concerns relating to the Mindego Ranch property and the 2004 Memorandum of Understanding(MOU)between the Farm Bureau and the District. The District appreciates its working relationship with the Farm Bureau which has grown between our two agencies over the last nine years. Since the Coastside Protection Plan and annexation was approved in 2004,the District has consulted with the Farm Bureau on thirteen(13)property purchases totaling approximately 8,5 00 acres in the Coastside Protection Area. Nine(9) of these properties included grazing or agricultural uses which are summarized in the table below. The District also consulted with the Farm Bureau on the development of it,;resource grazing policy and in re-establishing grazing operations on two properties(Big Dipper and the Silva/Kenyon Ranches)not located in the Coastside Protection Area or subject to MOU, Property Acreage Agriculture/Grazing POST(Driscoll) - 3,680.7 Grazing POST(Madonna Creek Ranch) 564.0 Irrigated&Dry Farmed Row Crops Sare 160.0 1.7 Acres of Christmas Trees POST(Bluebrush Canyon) 259.92 Grazing POST(Lobitos Ridge) 340.0 Grazing&Irrigated Row Crops POST(October Farm) 270.0 Grazing UC Regents/Elkus 4-H Ranch 471.16 Grazing POST(Mindego Ranch) 1,047.0 Grazing POST(Tunitas Creek) 707.48 Grazing 330 Diste I Circle Las Altos,CA 940?2 1 ,6 5a.6g1.1200 i 6 So-691 048 5 i www.openspace.org i I Of these nine properties,the Mindego Ranch is the one property, on which agricultural use (cattle grazing) has not yet been re-established. The property has not had a grazing tenant since the former tenant and owner, Chris True,removed his cattle operation in October 2008. Since that time, the District has treated thistle infestations totaling approximately 150 acres,nearly half of the total grassland on the property,over the past four years. A schedule for completing the additional grazing infrastructure was outlined in my May 24, 2012 letter to the Farm Bureau (copy attached). The infrastructure improvements needed to help make this property suitable for a viable agricultural operation include the installation of fencing and cross fencing in 2012,and installation of corrals and water infrastructure improvements in 2013. These improvements need to also protect and better manage sensitive habitat for the San Francisco garter snake and California red-legged frog. Even with these constraints, I want to assure you that the District remains committed to grazing on the Mindego Ranch property, consistent with both the Williamson Act and the District's Management Plan for the property. One possible solution we could explore to address your concerns about the delay we have experienced in these grazing land maintenance issues,would be to agree that public trail use will not commence until the active grazing returns. Also,I want to acknowledge that the District's consultation with the Farm Bureau regarding the Mindego Hill Trail,which took place in March 2012,occurred later in the planning process than is the intent of the MOU. As indicated in your letter of July 5,the Farm Bureau represents a wealth of land stewardship experience. This experience would be valuable to the District early in its trail planning process. In the future,District planning staff will consult with the Farm Bureau on proposed public recreational improvements of any agricultural land in the Coastside Protection Area in a similar process as the land purchase and long term grazing and agricultural lease consultation process. This process will include the following steps; 1. Conduct an on-site visit for properties being considered for public recreational improvements. 2. Staff presentation and consultation with the full Farm Bureau for proposed public recreational improvements. 3. A District Use and Management Committee(consisting of three District Board members)meeting to consider public recreational improvements of any agricultural land. 4. A public meeting of the District's Board of Directors to consider approval of public recreational improvements of any agricultural land. 5. Staff presentation of public recreational improvements to San Mateo County for planning,permitting or regulatory approval. Considering this process, I suggest that Farm Bureau members or as you suggested a Farm Bureau Consulting Committee works with District staff to identify agricultural infrastructure needs and priorities on properties at the time of the District's initial site visit with the Farm Bureau. These agricultural infrastructure needs will also be discussed during the District staff presentation to the full Farm Bureau Board. I will contact you next week to set up a meeting with you and your Director,Bill Gass,to discuss these matters in greater detail. I have asked Ana Ruiz,the District's Planning Manager, and Kirk Lennington,the District's Natural Resources Manager,to accompany me at this meeting. Thank you for your continued support with the District. Sincerely, c, Michael C. Williams Real Property Manager cc: Members,Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Board of Directors Honorable Members, San Mateo County Board of Supervisors Honorable Members, San Mateo Local Agency Formation Commission Stephen E. Abbors, General Manager GENERALMANAGER Stephen E.Abbors Regional 0 penSpace 1 Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District BOARD OF DIRECTORS Pete Siemens Yoriko Kishimoto led Cyr Curt Riffle. May 24, 2012 Nanette Hanka Larry Hassett Cechy Harris Bill Gaas San Mateo County Farm Bureau 765 Main Street Half Moon Bay,Ca 94019 Re: Timeline for Grazing Infrastructure Improvements and Reintroducing Cattle Grazing at Mindego Ranch Dear Bill: As requested at the Farm Bureau meeting of May 7, 2012,the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District has put together a schedule for infrastructure improvements needed to reintroduce cattle grazing at the Minclego,Ranch at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve. The District's plan originally was to reintroduce grazing at Mindego Ranch by 2012. Cattle left the property with the former owner towards the end of 2008. Each year from 2009-11, we have treated between 100 and 150 acres of thistle on the property, and we now plan to have the infrastructure problems fully addressed and ready for grazing again by 2013 or 2014. Significant infrastructure improvements need to be completed to ensure a transition into grazing and to better manage sensitive habitat areas for San Francisco garter snake and California red- legged frog. The infrastructure needs on the property include fencing, corrals,and a livestock water system to reduce impacts to aquatic habitats,including Mindego Lake, and increase pasture utilization by livestock. Below is a schedule for the work to be completed. I would like to stress that this schedule is dependent upon the District being able to obtain regulatory agency permits for the construction of this infrastructure without delay. I. Fencing—Fence material has already been purchased and is expected to be installed by a contractor specializing in ranch fencing along the driveway, small areas around Mindego Lake and the western property line with the San Francisco Log Cabin Facility. This work is scheduled to be complete in October 2012. 2. Corrals - Corrals on the property are in extremely poor condition and non-functional. Corral replacement or relocation for a more efficient grazing operation work is scheduled to be completed by October 2013. f. 1 330 Dist,'f Circle Los Altos,CA 94022 j P 6SO-691.1200 j F 65o.691 0485 1 www.openspace.org 3. Stock Watering System -The water system is the most significant infrastructure that needs to be installed and potentially the most difficult. The main water source for livestock on the property was historically Mindego Lake which provides habitat for red- legged frog and garter snake. To improve livestock distribution and protect the red- legged frog and garter snake, the new system includes distributing water to the west and south side of the ranch where there is currently no available water, and the installation of two water tanks that will be filled by a solar pump in a large developed spring above Mindego Lake. The two tanks will then supply water to four new water troughs via gravity flow with installation of---9,200 feet of new pipe in addition to the two tanks and four troughs. If everything goes smoothly,the regulatory permits could be obtained as soon as late 2012 and work could be completed in summer of 2013. If the permitting falls behind or there is a hang up,work maybe pushed to summer of 2014. I have also attached a copy of the original 1966 Mindego Ranch Land Conservation Contract and ` the draft Amended Land Conservation Contract submitted to San Mateo County for consideration. The Amended Contract includes the compatible uses of open space and recreational use as provided for in the 1969 Amendment to the Land Conservation Act of 1965. i Please share this letter and the Amendment with your Board members. Clayton and I look forward to discussing these matters with the Farm Bureau at your June 4 meeting. x F Sincerely, Y I Michael C. Williams f Real Property Manager Enc. I E 1 cc: Stephen E. Abbors, General Manager I b Jim Eggemeyer,Director of Community Development, Planning& Building Division, San Mateo County Steve Monowitz, Long Range Planning Services Manager, San Mateo County Clayton Koopmann, Rangeland Ecologist Kirk Lenington,Natural Resources Manager i 1 i f i i E I Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District To: Board of Directors SAP From: Stephen E. Abhors Date: July 25, 2012 Re: Late FYIs I I I Openpace D Regional Memorandum Open Space District III DATE: July 25, 2012 MEMO TO: MROSD Board of Directors THROUGH: Ana Ruiz, Actin General Manager g g FROM: Gina Coony(GC) & Sandy Sommer(SS) SUBJECT: Agenda Item R-12-46, Item#3 Hawthorns Property, Interim CIP Expenditure Plan BACKGROUND On May 23, 2012, the Board approved the Preliminary Use and Management Plan Amendment and the Interim Capital Expenditure Plan(CIP) for the Hawthorns property, located in Portola Valley and part of the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve. In summary, the General Manager's recommendations were: 1. Determine that the recommended actions were exempt from CEQA; 2. Adopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan Amendment; 3. Adopt an Interim Capital Improvement and Expenditure Plan for the Hawthorns Fund The 79-acre Hawthorns Property contains a Historic Residential Complex that requires immediate staff attention to ensure that this valuable cultural resource is secured and stabilized until a partner can be identified to assist with further preservation or restoration. The Hawthorns Fund(Fund)was specifically established using the monetary portion of the Woods Family gift to cover the costs the District would incur to address needs associated with the management of the property. At the May 23, 2012 meeting, the Board expressed concern that, given the District's limited resources and the immediate requirements for staff time to implement the approved CIP, the Fund should cover the staff time expended on the Historic Residential Complex. The Board requested that staff complete an evaluation of, and recommendation for, including the cost of staff time as part of the proposed Interim Capital Improvement and Expenditure Plan(Item 93). The Board further requested the addition of Item#4: 4. Evaluate and recommend a means by which the cost of future staff time can be captured and billed against the Hawthorn Fund. i I EVALUATION OF OPTIONS: In response to the Board's request, staff evaluated the following options for including staff time as part of the Interim Capital Improvement and Expenditure Plan as well as future work at the Hawthorns Historic Residential Complex. 1. Charge a"Management Fee" This option proposes a one-time charge based upon anticipated staff time for overall property and project management effort. Staff determined that this option would not adequately isolate the cost of the work for the Historic Residential Complex. 2. Charge for Project Manager This option would designate a Project Manager for the implementation of the work required at the Historic Complex. The Project Manager would either be contracted outside the District and their fee charged to the Fund; or, if internal staff were available, their time would be charged to the Fund. Staff believes that this option aligns with the intent of the Hawthorns Fund to cover the Historic Complex costs. 3. Charge all Staff time The option, to charge all staff time against the Fund, was rejected as it would drain funds that are needed to offset the cost associated with the Historic Residential Complex. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff recommends that the Historic Project Manager, if a District staff person, be charged against the Hawthorns Endowment Fund. Due to delays on the Mount Umunhum and Mindego Gateway projects, District project manager Gina Coony has been available to work on the Hawthorns Historic Complex. Ms. Coony is an architect and has historic structure experience working at Stanford, and therefore was an ideal candidate to serve as the Project Manager for the Hawthorns Historic Complex. Staff recommends that Ms. Coony's time be billed to the project, retroactively, starting April 1, 2012. The work on the Historic Complex includes securing and stabilizing of the historic structures to protect them from vandalism and decay, development of mothballing plans to implement additional structure protection where required, and a historic nt f the structures that we can pursue partnerships and outside assistance to take the assessment o e st to es so sue p p p i lead in restoring the historical structures. At this time, due to the inability to track staff time in the accounting system, staff recommends that an allowance of ten hours per week of Ms Coony's time be billed against the Hawthorns Fund. This approach has been developed based on upon an average of the actual efforts Ms. Coony has expended over the past six months. The Interim Capital Improvement and Expenditure Plan has been updated to reflect the additional of the Project Manager's time. The District Budget will be updated at mid-year to reflect this change. The cost for the Project Manager, for FY 2012-2013 is $23,700 bringing the total cost of the Interim CIP to $700,600. GENERALMANAGER Stephen E.Abbors Regional OpenSpace I Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District I BOARD OF DIRECTORS Pete Siemens Yorike Kishirnow Jed Cyr Curt Riffle July 18, 2012 NoneLte Hanka Larry Hassett Cechy Harris Fiscal Officer for San Mateo County Fire c/o Peggy Jensen, Deputy County Manager 555 County Center Redwood City, CA 94063-1662 Re: Agreement Between San Mateo County and Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District(District)— Report of Purchases and Semi-Annual Installment of Fire Services Fee Dear Ms. Jensen: On behalf of the District, I am forwarding the Fire Services Fee Payment Schedule(Schedule) and payment resulting from the District's property purchases within San Mateo County(County) in the District's Coastside Protection Area, as outlined in the March 2004 Agreement(copy attached). The District and County entered into the contractual Agreement for the provision of fire-related services to District lands in the Coastside Protection Area that are not currently provided within the State Responsibility Area by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection(Cal Fire). According to the Agreement, the District will,in exchange for the County's fire services,compensate the County by means of a Fire Services Fee. The District has purchased one property within the District Coastside Protection Area since its last report to you on January 2012. This property is the 270.00-acre POST(October Farm)property(APN 066-290- 010, 066-290-030,and 066-290-050), purchased on March 30,2012.This property currently has tenants which will pay possessory interest tax; therefore,no service fee will be due from the District to County so long as the alternative tax is assessed in accordance with Section 5d of that Agreement. In accordance with the Agreement,please find enclosed the Fire Service Fee of$2,944.20 for the July 2012 installment covering the properties identified on the attached Schedule. If you have any questions regarding this letter or the attached schedule,please contact me directly at(650) 691-1200 Ext. 542 or by email at mwillianis@openspace.org. Sincerely, Michael C. Williams, Real Property Manager MCWjc gib I Ca Enclosure: Fire Service Fee Payment Schedule Check 33o Distel Circle Los Altos,CA 94022 r 650-691 IM 6SO.691-048S www.openspar-e.org Fire Service Fee Agreement f July 18,2012 Page 2 cc: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Board of Directors Stephen E. Abbors, General Manager David Sanguinetti,Operations Manager Gordon Bailey, Operations Management Analyst John Maltbie,Acting County Manager Carol Mondino, Senior Appraiser f II f I k 1 {f{ (1 t I E { f 4 i I JS 1 3 i( 1 k f I f i t A k t i GENERAL MANAGER Stephen E Abbars Regional OpenSpace I Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District BOARD OF DIRECTORS Pete Siemens Yoriko Kishinnoto Jed Cyr Curt Riffle Nonette Hanko July 18, 2012 Larry Hassett Cecily Harris La Honda Pescadero Unified School District P.O. Box 189 Pescadero, CA 94060 Attn: Amy Wooliever, Superintendent Re: Agreement Between La Honda Pescadero Unified School District(LHPUSD)and Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District(District)—Report of Purchase and Semi-Annual Installment of Tax Compensatory Fee Dear Superintendent Wooliever: On behalf of the District, I am forwarding the Tax Compensatory Fee Payment Schedule (Schedule)and payment resulting from District property purchases within the LHPUSD boundary and the District's Coastside Protection Area,as outlined in the March 2004 Agreement. The Agreement requires the District to make Tax Compensatory Fee payments to LHPUSD in two semi- annual installments on January I"and July I't of each calendar year for any lands purchases completed by the District within the LHPUSD boundary. The District has not purchased any additional properties within the LHPUSD boundary since its last report to you on January 2012. In accordance with the Agreement,please find enclosed the LHPUSD Tax Compensatory of$8,032.71 less the Possessory Tax Credit of$1,475.60 for a total payment in the amount of$6,557.11. This payment is for the July 2012 installment covering the properties identified on the attached Schedule. If you have any questions regarding this letter or the attached payment schedule,please contact me directly at(650) 691-1200 Ext. 542 or by email at mwilliams@openspace.org. Sincerely, '�� Lj Michael C. Williams, Real Property Manager MCWjC Enclosure: LHPUSD Tax Compensatory Fee payment Schedule Check 3j0 Di Ste I circle Los Altos,CA 94022 65o.691.12.00 65o 691 04SS www openspace.ora. LHPUSD Agreement July 19, 2012 Page 2 cc: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Board of Directors Stephen E. Abbors,General Manager David Sanguinetti, Operations Manager Gordon Bailey, Operations Management Analyst Carol Mondino, Senior Appraiser