HomeMy Public PortalAbout20221210 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD)
December 10, 2022
Board Meeting 22-29
*Approved by the Board of Directors on February 22, 2023
SPECIAL MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Saturday, December 10, 2022
APPROVED MINUTES*
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA
REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
President Kersteen-Tucker called the special meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District to order at 11:04 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Larry Hassett, Karen Holman, Yoriko Kishimoto, Curt Riffle,
and Zoe Kersteen-Tucker
Members Absent: Pete Siemens
Staff Present: General Manager Ana Ruiz, General Counsel Hilary Stevenson, Chief
Financial Officer/Director of Administrative Services Stefan Jaskulak,
Assistant General Manager Susanna Chan, Assistant General Manager
Brian Malone, Acting District Clerk Maria Soria, Natural Resources
Manager Kirk Lenington, Real Property Manager Mike Williams, Senior
Real Property Agent Allen Ishibashi, Planning Manager Jane Mark, Public
Affairs Kori Skinner, and Chief Ranger Matt Anderson
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: Director Cyr moved, and Director Hassett seconded the motion to adopt the agenda.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 6-0-0
BOARD BUSINESS
1. Proposed phased purchase of the Peninsula Open Space Trust - Cloverdale Ranch
Uplands properties, located along Cloverdale, Gazos Creek, Bean Hollow and Pescadero
Roads and the Cabrillo Highway, in unincorporated San Mateo County, to create
Cloverdale Ranch Open Space Preserve (involves San Mateo County Assessor’s Parcel
Numbers: 086-280-320,086-300-200, 086-300-210, 086-310-010, 086-320-020, 086-320-040,
Meeting 22-29 Page 2
086-320-050, 086-330-060, 086-330-080, 086-050-030, 086-290-010, 087-190-080 and 087-
220-050, 086-041-030, 086-041-040, 086-080-020, 086-080-030, 086-080-040, 086-080-050,
086-270-010, 086-270-020, 086-290-060, 086-290-090, 086-201-070, 086-340-010, 020, 030,
040, 050, 070, 080, 090, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 230, 240, 280, 300
and 320) (R-22-140)
President Kersteen-Tucker stated today’s events are historic as the Directors will consider
approving the proposed purchase of the Cloverdale Ranch, which is rich in natural resources and
immersed in the rural and agrarian history of the coastside. President Kersteen-Tucker thanked
staff for their hard work and noted the President of the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST)
Walter Moore was in attendance and along with many members of the community.
Real Property Manager Mike Williams provided a presentation of the proposed purchase of
6,300-acres of Cloverdale Ranch from POST, with POST retaining 400 acres of farmland. The
property is located at the southern end of the Town of Pescadero. Purchase of the property
would result in the creation of a new preserve, the Cloverdale Ranch Open Space Preserve. The
property is surrounded by over 31,000-acres of open space and park land. The property is
bounded by Pescadero Road to the north, Cloverdale Road to the east, Gazos Creek Road to the
south, Highway 1 and Bean Hollow Road to the west. The proposed purchase supports new trail
connections, conservation grazing, and the protection of large contiguous grasslands. Mr.
Williams outlined the geographical features of the area, habitat and resource values of the
property, community engagement/outreach efforts, outlined the timeline, terms and conditions of
the proposed purchase, including a two-phased purchase approach, and an option agreement to
enter into an option agreement with a $500,000 option fee with POST to purchase the western
1,200-acre uplands area in 2025/2026. The option would provide time for the District and POST
to work with the farmer shareholders of the Lake Lucerne Mutual Water Company to address
needed water infrastructure improvements, and better define the ongoing maintenance
responsibilities and liabilities between the water users and the fee property owner.
Natural Resources Manager Kirk Lenington provided information on the water, natural resource
values, and on the flora and fauna on the Cloverdale Ranch that support the diverse ecology and
provides habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including several special status species such as the
San Francisco garter snake, California red-legged frog, western pond turtle, American badger,
and the California coast steelhead.
Director Riffle inquired about the future plans and how long staff envision to start the public
planning process.
Planning Manager Jane Mark stated that recent community engagement processes on the
coastside through local projects, such as the Purisima-to-the-Sea Trail and Parking Area project,
have allowed staff to established solid relationships with coastside communities. Ms. Mark stated
the public planning process for Cloverdale will start in about three-to-five-years once staff
understand what the site conditions and constraints of the area are before identifying potential
public access points.
President Kersteen-Tucker inquired if the proposed purchase of this property is approved, what is
the phased approach to have ranger and staff presence on the property.
Meeting 22-29 Page 3
Mr. Williams commented a ranger has been living in the Cloverdale residence and if the
proposed purchase is approved, the ranger will commence to patrol the area. Additionally,
Assistant General Manager Brian Malone explained the Cloverdale Ranch property would be
incorporated into the District’s Coastal Patrol Area and will be actively patrolled; also the field
staff and maintenance crew would have a presence at the property and become acquainted with
the property.
Director Kishimoto requested that the PowerPoint presentation be forwarded to the Board
members because some of the financial details were not provided previously.
President Kersteen-Tucker inquired what portion of the project would be funded from Measure
AA (MAA) funds versus general fund dollars.
General Manager Ana Ruiz explained that the staffing and operational costs would be funded by
general funds and capital cost such as repairs, new infrastructure, and public access in the future
would be funded by MAA funds.
Director Riffle mentioned there are several POST staff attending the meeting and stated that the
proposed purchase would not have been possible without the partnership of POST and
suggested providing an opportunity for POST to speak and provide background information on
the project.
Mr. Moore expressed gratitude for the proposed purchase and stated the project is not only
possible because of the District’s financial resources, but also because of the District’s
remarkable staff. Mr. Moore also expressed gratitude towards POST supporters who made this
purchase possible and highlighted that this was originally the foresight of Audrey Rust and John
Wade, whose vision has enabled this proposal to be in front of the Directors for consideration.
Public comment opened at 12:09 p.m.
Max Cohen provided comments on the importance of public access and stated there are very few
access trails in central Pescadero where the public can walk, run, or ride their bikes safely citing
concerns with having to share the roads with vehicles. Mr. Cohen mentioned public access will
be limited in 2024 with a permit; he inquired if the general public access could be expedited.
Mr. Malone provided a brief explanation that the planning process is complicated and has to be
balanced with preserving endangered species, neighbor concerns, and grazing. An interim plan
has been developed for guided permit access. Wilbur’s Watch Trail, a hiking trail, will also
remain open. Staff will consider the possibilities for guided access to include bikes.
Nic Erridge expressed support for the project but expressed concerns about Wilbur Watch Trail
being the first public access point and how visitation will be increased, and inquired if additional
infrastructure, such as bathrooms, trash bins and parking security, would be added to this area.
Mr. Williams responded that Mr. Erridge’s concerns will be carefully considered during the
community engagement and planning phase of the project.
BJ Burns commented about the concerns from the Farm Bureau regarding the water diversion
and water supply for farms, brush control for grazing, and suggested a pilot program for brush
Meeting 22-29 Page 4
control. On a personal level, there are concerns about the leak in the pond that POST and the
Resources Conservation District (RCD) built, which loses about sixty to seventy thousand
gallons a day. The pond should be fixed to stop the loss of water and before the property is
transferred to the District. It is a big expense for the farmers to continue to pump water into a
pond that leaks.
Mr. Williams explained that POST and RCD have addressed the issue of the leak by removing
vegetation and re-compacting the base of the reservoir.
Mr. Lenington provided comments on brush control treatment efforts, acknowledged concerns,
and stated ongoing efforts to actively manage brush.
Ashley D. Colin Bernal, an environmental high school teacher, inquired if staff foresees
integration opportunities with local high school and middle school students to participate in the
surveys and research to protect the biology and ecology of the Cloverdale property.
Mr. Lenington suggested Mr. Bernal speak to him after the meeting to discuss potential
opportunities or ideas for the students to participate.
Cole Mazariegos-Anastassiou, a local farmer who leases land at Cascade Ranch, inquired if there
will be leasing opportunities for younger farmers and leasing opportunities beyond what
currently exists.
Ms. Ruiz stated staff is in the process of finalizing an agricultural policy, which addresses leases
and opportunities for new farmers to lease. Ms. Ruiz encouraged Mr. Mazareques to join the
District’s notification list to receive updates of the policy and to reach out to Mr. Lenington to
discuss the agricultural policy and Mr. Malone for leasing opportunity information.
Doniga Markegard commented she has been leasing at Cloverdale Ranch since 2008 and stated
the reason there is such great infrastructure on this property is because of the great partnerships
with organizations such as POST, RCD, and NRCS. Ms. Markegard expressed her concerns
going forward that work will be stifled once the land is transferred from POST to the District.
She shared her experience working with POST versus the District, with more accomplished
leasing through POST. Additionally, Ms. Markegard expressed her desire to continue utilizing
agricultural management techniques that the Markegards have been using through the years that
have shown a positive impact on the resources and hopes that the District will allow the
Markegards to continue to operate as they have been.
Ms. Ruiz responded the agricultural policy that is currently being finalized will address many of
Ms. Markegard’s concerns, such as facilitation, partnerships, funding, flexibility, sustainable
practices, and conservation grazing.
Randy Vail inquired if the $55,000 in tax revenue to the school district is correct as he believes
the number is low.
Mr. Williams stated the agreement with the school district is not based on the price POST paid
for the property but based on the price that the District purchases the property. There is no net
loss, also the District is a tax-exempt government agency.
Meeting 22-29 Page 5
Public comment closed at 12:33 p.m.
Director Hassett thanked everyone involved in the monumental purchase of the property, which
is the largest single acquisition in the District’s history and a great way to celebrate the 50th
anniversary and an honor for him to be part of the process as this is his last term serving on the
Board. Director Hassett gave special recognition to Walter Moore, his staff, POST’s Board of
Directors, and District staff.
Director Holman stated the presentation was very informative on the incredibly complex
arrangement and would only improve with public input. She thanked the public for attending and
providing comments. Furthermore, she thanked POST for having the foresight twenty-five years
ago to purchase the property and for the many improvements that have been made to the
property. In addition, there has been a mutual focus on the importance of partnerships during the
meeting, partnerships are critically important to the District. As a public agency, she asked for
patience as the District moves forward with the project and the acquisition.
Director Riffle recognized POST for all their work, as this project would not be taking place if it
were not for their efforts. Also, there has been comments about the proposed property size and
location and how far it is located from the District’s headquarters in Los Altos, but this may be
the most well researched project that the District will be embarking on and thanked staff for their
work. Lastly, partnerships, community engagement and public access is a priority for the District
and agreed with Director Holman to be patient but also urged staff to look for opportunities to
expedite the process so that the District can be an effective partner and steward.
Director Kishimoto thanked POST and RCD for their work on the project and stated she is open
to creative thinking and suggested opening ranch roads to provide public access to the public so
they have a place to walk and bike.
Director Cyr commented on how complex the project is and how much thought, work and
foresight has gone into making this project possible, expressing gratitude to all of those involved,
and supports the General Manager’s recommendations.
President Kersteen-Tucker concurred with all of the Director’s comments and stated she can not
think of no greater gift in this season of giving than to have the District extend its extraordinary
care and management and protection to these lands in perpetuity.
Motion: Director Hassett moved and Director Holman seconded the motion to adopt the phased
purchase of the Peninsula Open Space Trust - Cloverdale Ranch Uplands properties, located along
Cloverdale, Gazos Creek, Bean Hollow and Pescadero Roads and the Cabrillo Highway, in
unincorporated San Mateo County, to create Cloverdale Ranch Open Space Preserve; and to adopt
the General Manager’s recommendation to enter into an option to purchase agreement with POST
for the western property.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 6-0-0
ADJOURNMENT
President Zoe Kersteen-Tucker adjourned the special meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District at 12:44 p.m.
Meeting 22-29 Page 6
Maria Soria, CMC
Acting District Clerk