HomeMy Public PortalAbout20230208 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD)
February 8, 2023
Board Meeting 23-04
*Approved by the Board of Directors on April 12, 2023
REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
The Board of Directors conducted this meeting in accordance with California Government Code
section 54953(e) and Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Resolution 21-33.
APPROVED MINUTES*
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA
REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
President Kishimoto called the regular meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District to order at 7:01 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Craig Gleason, Karen Holman, Zoe Kersteen-Tucker, Yoriko
Kishimoto, Margaret MacNiven, and Curt Riffle
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: General Manager Ana Ruiz, General Counsel Hilary
Stevenson, Assistant General Manager Susanna Chan, Assistant General
Manager Brian Malone, Chief Financial Officer/Director of
Administrative Services Stefan Jaskulak, District Clerk Maria Soria,
Public Affairs Manager Kori Skinner, Public Affairs Specialist II Ryan
McCauley and Public Affairs Specialist II Natalie Jolly
Vice-President Kishimoto announced this meeting is being held in accordance with Government
Code section 54953(e) and Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Resolution 21-33,
allowing Board members to participate remotely. The District has done its best to conduct a
meeting where everyone has an opportunity to listen to the meeting and to provide comment. The
public has the opportunity to comment on the agenda, and the opportunity to listen to this
meeting through the internet or via telephone. This information can be found on the meeting
agenda, which was physically posted at the District’s Administrative Office, and on the District
website. Vice-President Kishimoto described the process and protocols for the meeting.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Alexander Hapke, President of the Midpeninsula Rangers Peace Officers Association (MRPOA),
expressed his appreciation for the ride-along with the Directors and staff that were held over the
Meeting 23-04 Page 2
last five months to listen to the concerns of the MRPOA and why they should receive public
safety retirement benefits. Mr. Hapke mentioned the negotiation process will start on February
15 and the imposed terms of employment will expire on June 30, he also shared his perspective
on how the last negations process was conducted.
Kristen Perry commented on the turnover of ranger staff and especially those in PEPRA, she
mentioned she, along with all the rangers, would like to have the option to retire from their
career at a reasonable age. Ms. Perry explained that it is difficult for her to be optimistic when
ranger candidates ask why they should work for the District. She explained she loves her job,
but it is difficult to encourage anyone to choose the District over another agency that provides
better retirement benefits. She encouraged the Board entering the next round of negations to
help find a way to provide safety retirement benefit to the rangers.
Ryan Augustine, a member of the MRPOA, commented that in the last months, the Board has
heard from rangers, staff, outside agencies and members of the public on the benefits and
compensation for the rangers. Mr. Augustine provided examples of the work the rangers are
tasked with that make them eligible for safety retirement benefits and hopes this issue is resolved
in the upcoming negotiations.
Brendon Downing commented on the upcoming negotiations with the District rangers specific to
public safety retirement. Mr. Downing expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to work for
the District for thirty plus years as a ranger and a supervising ranger and provided examples of
his work that suggested why rangers would qualify for public safety retirement and how those
activities have had an impact on him emotionally and physically and suggested that at the very
least all rangers should receive the Classic PERS 2.5% at age 55 retirement formula.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: Director Holman moved, and Director Riffle seconded the motion to adopt the agenda.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 7-0-0
CONSENT CALENDAR
Public comment opened at 7:15 p.m.
Ms. Soria reported there were no public speakers for this item.
Public comment closed at 7:15 p.m.
Motion: Director Holman moved, and Director Riffle seconded the motion to approve the
Consent Calendar.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 7-0-0
1. Approve the November 8, 2022 Board meeting minutes
2. Approve Claims Report
Meeting 23-04 Page 3
3. Teleconferenced Board Meetings Pursuant to the Brown Act and Assembly Bill 361
(R-23-16)
General Manager’s Recommendation: Adopt a resolution affirming findings to continue remote
teleconferenced public meetings, including as part of hybrid (remote/in-person) meetings,
pursuant to AB 361.
4. Contract Amendment for Custodial Services at Five Staff Facility Offices (R-23-17)
General Manager’s Recommendation: Authorize the General Manager to execute a contract
amendment with Del Rey Building Maintenance to extend custodial services at the
Administrative Office, Skyline Field Office, Coastal Area Outpost, Foothills Field Office, and
South Area Office an additional six months at a cost of $48,000, bringing the total not-to-exceed
contract amount to $96,000.
5. Contract Amendment for a Botanical Resource Survey - La Honda Phase II Trail
Connections (R-23-18)
General Manager’s Recommendation:
1. Authorize the General Manager to execute a contract amendment with AECOM Technical
Services, Inc., of Oakland, California, to provide botanical resources support for the La
Honda Phase II Trails, in the amount of $34,774, bringing the contract base amount to a not-
to-exceed total of $126,761.
2. Authorize a 15% contingency of $5,216 to cover unforeseen conditions and complexities for
a total contract amount not-to-exceed $131,977.
BOARD BUSINESS
6. 50th Yearlong Anniversary Celebration Recap (R-23-20)
General Manager Ana Ruiz stated that the Board will be presented with a recap of the work and
effort that went into the full year of celebratory events, activities, and gatherings to demonstrate
the appreciation and gratitude for the public’s continuing support of the District and its mission.
It is with the public’s support, along with partners, organizations, and community members that
the District is able to carry out the work of the agency. The celebrations emphasized
opportunities for the District to be part of the community and for the community to be part of the
District and its work. In addition, staff has gained lessons learned, established new networks,
partnerships and relationships throughout the course of its celebratory activities.
Public Affairs Manager Kori Skinner thanked the Public Affairs team for their time and
dedication to carrying out the ambitious 50th Anniversary Comprehensive Plan (Plan) and in
particular thanked Public Affairs Specialist II Ryan McCauley and Public Affairs Specialist II
Natalie Jolly for their work. Ms. Skinner also thanked each individual staff member of the
Public Affairs department and explained their role in the Plan. In addition, she thanked former
District staff members and all current District staff, rangers, consultants, partners, General
Manager Ruiz, and Board members for their input and support of the Plan, and for providing the
resources to implement the Plan.
Meeting 23-04 Page 4
Mr. McCauley and Ms. Jolly provided the presentation of the 50th Anniversary Celebration
recap, including the project elements, goals, results, lessons learned, events, activities, the online
engagement campaign and media metrics.
Director Gleason inquired how staff felt they did on the outreach to key audience groups such as
black, indigenous and people of color.
Ms. Skinner stated that a survey conducted at the Ravenswood event showed 24% of the
respondents were in the demographic mentioned and were also new to the District. In addition,
media outreach was done in non-English to reach new and diverse audiences. Ms. Skinner
commented the Open Stories was kicked-off with a profile on Valentin Lopez, Chairman of the
Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. Staff had intended to conclude the year with the Muwekma Ohlone
Tribal leader, but they were unable to participate due to other commitments. Staff also reached
out to the tribal members in the community to participate in the events.
Director Gleason inquired if there was a way to interpret the benefits of the impression numbers
that were attained throughout the year.
Ms. Skinner stated that District’s constituency exceeds 700,000 and the outreach efforts extended
beyond the District’s constituency into San Francisco and San Jose. Ms. Skinner commented that
in her opinion, the outreach was successful for the purpose of reaching beyond the traditional
users and environmentalists and into new audiences.
Director Holman inquired if there has been any consideration as to whether some of the elements
or aspect of the events held would be done periodically throughout the year.
Ms. Skinner stated there were lessons learned throughout the year that will be included in the
Strategic Communications Plan, such as putting more effort into earned media, to be more
specific with outreach around media releases, and matching the media to the likely targeted
publication rather than just creating a press release. The large events themselves are heavy lifts,
but the elements that made the events successful will be incorporated into District events such as
trail openings or small celebrations.
Director Holman inquired if there were any thought specifically focused on having any youth
events.
Ms. Skinner stated the District does not have the staff capacity to run a full youth program, but is
working to build that capacity and capability within the District’s outreach partners.
Director Riffle congratulated Ms. Skinner, Mr. McCauley, Ms. Jolly, and the Public Affairs
team, along with entire District staff for a job well done. In particularly, to the Public Affairs
team as the Directors looked to them to implement and get the Plan accomplished.
Director Cyr congratulated staff and especially the Public Affairs team for an excellent job.
Director Holman inquired how were the speakers, docents, and partners thanked for speaking or
helping at the events thanked.
Meeting 23-04 Page 5
Ms. Jolly responded that she along with Public Affairs Specialist I Eleanor Raab wrote
handwritten thank you cards to all the partners and presenters. Additionally, surveys were sent
to partners, attendees, staff asking for feedback on the event.
President Kishimoto commented that in many respects, the celebration of the District’s 50 years
was transformative, the District is no longer a small organization, and now is a significant
organization. Furthermore, it was refreshing and wonderful to see the energy spent on reaching
out to the public and partners.
Director Gleason commented that staff, management, and the previous Board members all
deserve a huge congratulations, especially the Public Affairs team as they did the heavy lifting.
He mentioned it was great to hear the staff speak with such enthusiasm about the events and that
it was clear they were proud of the work and should be proud of a job well done.
Director Kersteen-Tucker concurred with all Director comments and thanked Ms. Skinner for her
discipline and helping the Board stay focused and helping narrow the many ideas of the Board,
which made the events very successful and offered a suite of activities to the public. She was
also very impressed with the Public Affairs team resilience and fortitude dealing with last minute
logistics to deliver successful events.
Director MacNiven stated that although she was not a Director last year, staff did an amazing
job, particularly now that people do not mistake the District with POST.
Public comment opened at 8:21 p.m.
Ms. Soria reported there were no public speakers for this item.
Public comment closed at 8:21 p.m.
No board action required.
8. Second Reading and Adoption of Board Compensation Ordinance 23-01 (R-23-21)
General Counsel Hilary Stevenson stated the Board reviewed the proposed Adoption of Board
Compensation Ordinance on January 25, 2023. The ordinance was posted in the newspaper with
the notice of the public hearing, the public hearing was held and there were no public comments.
Ms. Stevenson stated the Board now has the option to adopt the proposed ordinance and, if
approved, the ordinance would go into effect in 60 days. Accompanying the ordinance is also a
minor amendment to Board Policy 6.06 to reflect the increase in the Board compensation
ordinance.
Public comment opened at 8:27 p.m.
Ms. Soria reported there were no public speakers for this item.
Public comment closed at 8:27 p.m.
Motion: Director Cyr moved, and Director Holman second the motion to waive reading and
adopt Ordinance 23-01 increasing Board member compensation from $105.00 to $115.50 per
Meeting 23-04 Page 6
meeting pursuant to Public Resources Code section 5536 and amend Board Policy 6.06 to reflect
the increase in compensation resulting from the Board compensation ordinance.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 7-0-0
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDA
• Update on MAA Portfolio #12 Middle Stevens Creek Trail
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
A. Committee Reports
No committee reports were provided.
B. Staff Reports
Chief Financial Officer/Director of Administrative Services Stefan Jaskulak provided a brief
update of the Financial and Operational Sustainability Model award of contract that will be
presented to the Board at the February 22, 2023 meeting.
C. Director Reports
Director Cyr reported he visited the Rancho San Antonio preserve and Supervising Ranger
Alysha Carabetta offered him a ride-along. They drove up to the Mora tank, a high point in the
preserve and saw a spectacular view.
Director Holman thanked President Kishimoto for hosting brown bag meetings at the District
and noted that she is unavailable to attend the next brown bag meeting and inquired if the
meeting could be recorded. She offered to search for a volunteer to record the meeting if the
District did not have the internally capability.
President Kishimoto reported the next brown bag meeting topic is about Sam McDonald and it is
scheduled for February 23. She will also be attending the Sacramento legislative appreciation
luncheon on February 9 and reminded the Directors that the Board Retreat is scheduled on
February 16.
Director Riffle reported he attended Assemblymember Berman’s open house on January 26 and
thanked him for his support, especially for his support in helping find funding for the Cloverdale
acquisition.
Director Kersteen-Tucker welcomed the new District Clerk, Maria Soria. Additionally, she
mentioned she took a tour of the Purisma-to-the Sea trail along with Director Gleason on
February 7 and appreciated staff for the tour and preparation. Lastly, she had a conversation with
Supervisor Ray Muller after the shootings in Half Moon Bay, and learned the County is working
quickly on a new program to monitor farm worker housing conditions. Moreover, farmers on the
coast are being asked to self-report their housing conditions, and if needed, funding will be
available for upgrades and there will be fines for those that do not report deplorable conditions.
Meeting 23-04 Page 7
Director Gleason also thanked staff for the Purisima-to-the-Sea tour and was impressed by staff’s
ability to deal with the complexity of the project. On January 31, a virtual Highway 17 crossings
meeting was held, and the Mayor of Los Gatos Maria Ristow attended the meeting and provided
a really enthusiastic summary at their Town Council meeting on February 7.
President Kishimoto congratulated Maria Soria for her appointment to District Clerk and noted
the transition has been smooth, particularly with the hybrid meetings.
ADJOURNMENT
President Kishimoto adjourned the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District into a special meeting at 8:44 p.m.
Maria Soria, CMC
District Clerk