HomeMy Public PortalAbout20230308 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD)
March 8, 2023
Board Meeting 23-08
*Approved by the Board of Directors on May 24, 2023
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
The Board of Directors conducted this meeting in accordance with
California Government Code section 54953.
APPROVED MINUTES*
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA
REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT – CLOSED SESSION
President Kishimoto called the special meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District to order at 6:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Craig Gleason, Zoe Kersteen-Tucker, Yoriko Kishimoto,
Margaret McNiven, and Curt Riffle
Members Absent: Karen Holman
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/Assistant to the General Manager Maria
Soria
President Kishimoto announced this meeting is being held in accordance with Government Code
section 54953. 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.
Director Holman arrived at 6:05 p.m.
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL, EXISTING LITIGATION, 2 Cases
(Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1))
1. Ashford v. Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District; Santa Clara County Superior
Court Case Number 22CV407741
Meeting 23-08 Page 2
2. Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District v. Ashford; Santa Clara County Superior
Court Case Number 23CV410606
Public comment opened at 6:06 p.m.
District Clerk Maria Soria reported there were no public speakers for this item.
Public comment closed at 6:06 p.m.
The Board convened into closed session.
ADJOURNMENT
President Kishimoto adjourned the special meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District at 7:00 p.m.
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 7:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Craig Gleason, Karen Holman, Yoriko Kishimoto, Margaret
McNiven, and Curt Riffle
Members Absent: Zoe Kersteen-Tucker
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/Assistant to the General Manager Maria
Soria, Governmental Affairs Program Manager Josh Hugg, Human
Resources Manager Candice Basnight, Public Affairs Manager Kori
Skinner, Senior Resource Management Specialist Coty Sifuentes-Winter
President Kishimoto announced this meeting is being held in accordance with Government Code
section 54953. 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.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
President Kishimoto reported the Board convened in closed session and no reportable action was
taken.
Meeting 23-08 Page 3
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
District Clerk Maria Soria reported there were no public speakers for this item.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: Director Cyr moved, and Director Holman seconded the motion to adopt the agenda.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 6-0-0 (Director Kersteen-Tucker absent)
CONSENT CALENDAR
Public comment opened at 7:07 p.m.
Ms. Soria reported there were no public speakers for this item.
Public comment closed at 7:07 p.m.
Motion: Director MacNiven moved, and Director Cyr seconded the motion to approve the
Consent Calendar.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 6-0-0 (Director Kersteen-Tucker absent)
1. Approve the December 14, 2022 Board meeting minutes
2. Approve Claims Report
3. Extension to an Agreement with the City of Mountain View to provide the
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District with Radio Dispatch Services (R-23-28)
General Manager’s Recommendation: Authorize the General Manager to approve a five-year
contract extension with the City of Mountain View to provide 24-hour radio dispatch services for
a total not-to-exceed contract amount of $1,553,034. Annual not-to-exceed amounts would be as
follows: $281,060 for Fiscal Year 2023-24 (FY24), $295,113 for FY25, $309,869 for FY26,
$325,362 for FY27, and $341,630 for FY28.
BOARD BUSINESS
4. Legislative Position Recommendations (R-23-29)
Governmental Affairs Program Manager Josh Hugg provided the staff presentation stating that
there were 2,700 bills released this legislative session. The bills went through a vetting process
by the District’s lobbyist and department managers to review all key bills of interest and identify
recommended positions and priorities for each. Based on their review, approximately 140 bills
are currently being tracked, and at this time, 6 bills are recommended as priority 1 and 25 bills as
priority 2.
Board members requested and received clarification regarding various legislative bills.
Meeting 23-08 Page 4
President Kishimoto inquired if there could be a consideration to support AB 99 (State highways:
vegetation management: herbicides and pesticide) with conditions.
Senior Resource Management Specialist Coty Sifuentes-Winter expressed his concerns with AB
99 and stated that an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach could be supported as an IPM
approach seeks to minimize the use of herbicides. He also spoke about the issues with mowing
and how it can spread invasive species. In addition, some species react differently to mowing,
such as French Broom, which become much bushier, increasing the fire risk greatly after 3 years.
President Kishimoto inquired if staff could add in the summary that the District would propose
the use of an IPM approach.
Mr. Hugg reported that he reviewed the proposed language by Assemblymember Connolly’s
office and noted that counties seeking to prohibit herbicide use will prioritize alternative methods
when it is possible.
Public comment opened at 7:42 p.m.
District Clerk Maria Soria reported there were no public speakers for this item.
Public comment closed at 7:42 p.m.
Motion: Director Riffle moved, and Director Gleason seconded to approve the recommended list
of legislative positions for the 2023 state legislative session.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 6-0-0 (Director Kersteen-Tucker absent)
5. Oral Presentation – Human Resources Department Overview
Human Resources Manager Candice Basnight provided an overview of the Human Resource
Department. Ms. Basnight reviewed the departmental core functions, organizational chart, and
reporting structure. Ms. Basnight highlighted programs within the Human Resources department
such as recruitment, classification and compensation, benefits, employee relations, training and
development, employee recognition, safety compliance, workforce planning, and diversity,
equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Director Holman complimented Ms. Basnight, saying she admires her can-do attitude and sense
of humor, and thanked her for her work.
Director Riffle requested to receive a future briefing of the DEI program.
General Manager Ana Ruiz stated that a DEI briefing would most likely be presented to the
Board during summer of 2023.
Director Gleason inquired if the DEI staff committee is focused primarily on the organization
itself or also focused externally.
Meeting 23-08 Page 5
Ms. Basnight stated that the DEI staff committee includes two subcommittees, one focused on
internal matters and the other focused on external matters, such as community engagement and
drawing visitors to District preserves.
Director Cyr complimented staff and stated that the staff are the most cohesive, creative, and
friendly staff of any organization. Furthermore, that the Human Resources department is a
significant component of the organization.
General Manager Ruiz commented that Ms. Basnight has been a tremendous asset to the District
and described her as a thought partner. They frequently discuss the organization, and Ms.
Basnight was commended for her leadership and thoughtfulness. Ms. Ruiz, complimented her
and the Human Resources team on their efforts, noting that they routinely manage numerous
tasks and functions at once despite the extra workload that has been added such as furthering the
agency’s DEI efforts and carrying out the Strategic Leadership Training Program.
President Kishimoto on behalf of the Board of Directors thanked Ms. Basnight and her team for
their work.
Public comment opened at 8:16 p.m.
District Clerk Maria Soria reported there were no public speakers for this item.
Public comment closed at 8:16 p.m.
6. Oral Presentation - Public Affairs Department Overview
Public Affairs Manager Kori Skinner provided an overview of the Public Affairs Department,
presenting on the departmental purpose and core functions, including management of editorial
content, social media, website content, legislative relations, media relations, and general
community outreach. Ms. Skinner reviewed the current fiscal year priority one and two projects,
the departmental structure, and the communications path for increasing public engagement of
District activities.
Director Cyr thanked Ms. Skinner and the team for their efforts and expressed gratitude for their
ability to create a vision for the 50th anniversary celebrations and move forward with it.
President Kishimoto expressed her appreciation for Ms. Skinner's efforts to create a solid
strategic framework for public communications and public relations.
General Manager Ruiz commended Ms. Skinner's efforts, particularly those related to the
District's 50th anniversary, for achieving the goal of having the events and activities involve all
facets of the community to be part of the celebration while also inspiring the public to continue
to be part of District activities. In addition, she thanked Ms. Skinner for always pushing the
boundary a little bit further by coming up with new ideas that have been beneficial for the
District and the public.
President Kishimoto extended the Board of Director’s appreciation to her and the department.
Public comment opened at 8:37 p.m.
Meeting 23-08 Page 6
District Clerk Maria Soria reported there were no public speakers for this item.
Public comment closed at 8:37 p.m.
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
A. Committee Reports
No committee reports.
B. Staff Reports
Assistant General Manager Brian Malone provided an update on preserve closures in light of the
approaching high winds and rainstorms, in particular along the ridgeline where significant snow
damage has already occurred.
C. Director Reports
Director Riffle reported that he attended a virtual presentation given by Green Foothills and
hosted by the Los Altos History Museum honoring Wallace Stegner. The presentation provided
background for the public about Green Foothills and, during the presentation, the District was
mentioned several times and praised for the work is has done.
Director MacNiven reported she attend the Farm Bureau meeting on Monday, March 5.
President Kishimoto reported that a brown bag meeting occurred on February 23, in honor of
Black History month, telling the story of “Sam” Emmanuel McDonald. It was well attended, and
the speaker was outstanding. President Kishimoto also reported that she attended a BCDC
meeting on March 2. She acknowledged the staff for an excellent presentation at the March 7
Board Retreat. She also mentioned a meeting she attended with the Friends of Stevens Creek
Trail on March 8.
Director Holman reported that the Palo Alto City Council considered whether to allow e-bikes in
its four nature preserves and ultimately decided to follow the District's lead using the District’s
year-long study and analysis.
Director Gleason reported that he attended and enjoyed the February 23 brown bag meeting, and
that he attended a Bay Area Ridge Trail advocacy meeting and reported that they have updated
some of their plans in the south bay, which partly involves the area around Sierra Azul. He
suggested receiving a presentation from the Bay Area Ridge Trail to learn more about their new
plans.
ADJOURNMENT
President Kishimoto adjourned the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District into a special meeting at 8:49 p.m.
________________________________
Meeting 23-08 Page 7
Maria Soria, MMC
District Clerk