HomeMy Public PortalAbout20211027 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD)
October 27, 2021
Board Meeting 21-30
*Approved by the Board of Directors on November 10, 2021
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
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. All Board
members and staff participated via teleconference.
APPROVED MINUTES*
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA
REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
President Riffle called the special meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District to
order at 5:00 p.m.
President Riffle 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.
President Riffle described the process and protocols for the meeting.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Karen Holman, Zoe Kersteen-Tucker, Yoriko Kishimoto, Curt
Riffle and Pete Siemens
Members Absent: Larry Hassett
Staff Present: General Manager Ana Ruiz, General Counsel Hilary Stevenson, Assistant
General Manager Brian Malone, Chief Financial Officer/Director of
Administrative Services Stefan Jaskulak, District Clerk/Assistant to the
General Manager Jennifer Woodworth, Public Affairs Manager Kori
Skinner, Public Affairs Specialist II Sasha Hnatkovich
1. 50th Anniversary Celebration Plan and Matter Unlimited Contract Amendment (R-
21-131)
Meeting 21-30 Page 2
Public Affairs Manager Kori Skinner reviewed the 50th anniversary celebration goals and the
proposed contract amendment for Matter Unlimited.
MJ Deery, Creative Director of Story with Matter Unlimited, introduced the overarching
narrative around which the 50th anniversary celebration is planned.
Isis Dallis, with Matter Unlimited, provided an overview of the 50th anniversary plan and
described the key messages, key audiences to be reached, and events, partnerships, and
community engagement planned for the 50th anniversary celebration.
Ms. Deery displayed and described the 50th anniversary logo planned to be used when
promoting the various 50th anniversary events
Ashlee Wilson, Events Producer with Matter Unlimited, detailed each of the four planned
celebration events, including a documentary, a family-focused event at Ravenswood Open Space
Preserve (OSP), Coastside Connectivity event at Johnston Ranch, and open house at 5050 El
Camino Real.
Ms. Deery outlined planned opportunities to highlight diverse perspectives of the District by
seeking individuals to tell their stories of what the District means to them. Additionally,
members of the public will be invited to participate in other opportunities to share their
interactions with District lands through their comments and photos.
Finally, Ms. Dallis reviewed the plan for rolling out the 50th anniversary celebration materials
and events.
Director Holman suggested incorporating the baylands area of the District into the 50th
anniversary narrative. Additionally, Director Holman suggested partnering with the
Environmental Volunteers organization, which will also be celebrating its 50th anniversary and
provided suggestions for other partnership and outreach opportunities. Finally, Director Holman
requested shuttles and composting be included in the budget information.
Director Kersteen-Tucker suggested providing an educational toolkit for teachers to be able to
use with their students. Director Kersteen-Tucker recommended creating performance measures
related to the public relations and media outreach to determine the level of success for the
various types of outreach.
President Riffle requested additional information regarding the amount of staff time necessary to
support the 50th anniversary celebrations stating as much of the work as possible should be
outsourced to Matter Unlimited to free up staff time of other projects. President Riffle spoke in
support of highlighting the District’s role in combatting climate change and climate crisis and
more explicitly highlighting its role in educating the public. President Riffle suggested elevating
the role of indigenous people and their connection to the land and suggested incorporating the
District’s former staff members and volunteers.
Public comment opened at 6:33 p.m.
District Clerk Jennifer Woodworth reported no public comments were submitted for this item.
Meeting 21-30 Page 3
Public comment closed at 6:33 p.m.
Motion: Director Kersteen-Tucker moved, and Director Kishimoto seconded the motion to:
1. Approve the year-long plan of public events and activities to celebrate the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District’s 50th Anniversary at a total cost of $550,000.
2. Authorize the General Manager to execute a contract amendment with Matter Unlimited in
an amount not-to-exceed $380,000 to lead the implementation of numerous key components
of the 50th Anniversary Celebration Plan, bringing the contract to a not-to-exceed total
amount of $455,100. This amount is included in and comprises the majority of the total
project amount of $550,000.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 6-0-0 (Director Hassett absent)
ADJOURNMENT
President Riffle adjourned the special meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District at 6:38 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA
REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
President Riffle called the regular meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District to
order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Karen Holman, Zoe Kersteen-Tucker, Yoriko Kishimoto, and
Curt Riffle
Members Absent: Larry Hassett and Pete Siemens
Staff Present: General Manager Ana Ruiz, General Counsel Hilary Stevenson, Assistant
General Manager Brian Malone, Chief Financial Officer/Director of
Administrative Services Stefan Jaskulak, District Clerk/Assistant to the
General Manager Jennifer Woodworth, Information Systems &
Technology Manager Casey Hiatt, GIS Program Manager Jamie Hawk
President Riffle 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.
President Riffle described the process and protocols for the meeting.
Director Siemens joined the meeting at 7:02 p.m.
Meeting 21-30 Page 4
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Craig Gleason spoke regarding the upper portion of the Priest Rock Trail in Sierra Azul many
open space visitors bypass this trail in order to seek trails that are built specifically for visitors
rather than reuse of fire roads or other existing roads. Mr. Gleason spoke in support of creating a
vision for a Sierra Azul trail system rather than a set of disconnected projects.
District Clerk Jennifer Woodworth read the submitted comments into the record.
Mike Castro requested the District allow class 1 e-bikes in District preserves where bikes are
allowed because e-bikes allow seniors to enjoy more open space preserves and do not create
additional speed hazards or damage to trails.
Kris Rapazzini provided comments in support of allowing e-bikes on District preserves because
they allow her to better access and appreciate the preserves.
Dennis Watts requested the District allow e-bikes on its preserves where other bikes are allowed.
E-bikes allow additional access for visitors who might not be able to visit otherwise.
Ed Noskowski provided comments in support of allowing e-bikes on District preserves stating
they should be allowed wherever traditional bikes are allowed.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: Director Cyr moved, and Director Holman seconded the motion to adopt the agenda.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 6-0-0 (Director Hassett absent)
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
• Introduction of staff
O Administrative Assistant Caitlin Amarillas
CONSENT CALENDAR
Public comment opened at 7:12 p.m.
Ms. Woodworth read the submitted comments into the record.
Mike Vandeman opposed the dedication of the Stevens Creek and Bay Area Ridge Trail
segments because these trails are destroying wildlife habitat.
Ross Heitkamp provided comments in support the dedication of the Stevens Creek and Bay Area
Ridge Trail segments and stated the Stevens Creek Trail dedication is a significant step towards
the completion of the regional trail.
Alex Sabo supported the Bay Area Ridge Trail dedication at El Sereno Open Space Preserve and
thanked the District for bring the Bay Area Ridge Trail closer to 400 miles of continuous trail.
Meeting 21-30 Page 5
Alex Sabo supported the Stevens Creek Trail dedication because it is a key step in connecting the
Ridge and Bay Trails and providing regional trail connections in the Bay Area.
Public comment closed at 7:17 p.m.
Motion: Director Siemens moved, and Director Cyr seconded the motion to approve the Consent
Calendar.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 6-0-0 (Director Hassett absent)
1. Approve the October 13, 2021 Board meeting minutes
2. Claims Report
3. Bay Area Ridge Trail Designation at El Sereno Open Space Preserve (R-21-132)
General Manager’s Recommendation:
1. Designate 2.2 miles of the Aquinas Trail and the 1.3-miles of the Serenity Trail in El Sereno
Open Space Preserve as a new segment of the Bay Area Ridge Trail.
2. Designate the 0.2-mile section of the Montevina Ridge Trail from the Aquinas Trail
intersection to the roadside parking area on Montevina Road as an “access route” to the Bay
Area Ridge Trail.
4. Designation of the Stevens Creek Nature Trail, Skid Road Trail, and White Oak
Trail in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve as part of the regional Stevens Creek Trail (R-
21-145)
General Manager’s Recommendation: Designate the Stevens Creek Nature Trail, White Oak
Trail, and Skid Road Trail in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve as part of the regional Stevens
Creek Trail.
5. Contract Amendment for Legislative Consulting and Lobbying Services (R-21-141)
General Manager’s Recommendation: Authorize the General Manager to amend a contract with
Energy and Environmental Consulting (EEC) for an amount not-to-exceed $79,070 annually for
three additional years to provide legislative consulting and lobbying services. The amount
includes a 2% contingency ($1,550) per year to cover travel expenses to Board meetings and
project locations should it be necessary. This results in a not-to-exceed total contract amount of
$316,280 over a span of four years.
6. Award of Contract for Cultural Resources Support to Implement the Bear Creek
Redwoods Vegetation Treatment Project (R-21-144)
General Manager’s Recommendation:
1. Authorize the General Manager to enter into a contract with Rincon Consultants, Inc., of
Santa Cruz, CA to complete the Bear Creek Redwoods Cultural Resources Surveys to
support implementation of the Vegetation Treatment Project for a base amount of $63,845.
2. Authorize a 15% contingency of $9,577 to cover unforeseen tasks beyond the current scope
for a total not-to-exceed contract amount of $73,422.
Meeting 21-30 Page 6
7. Award of Contract for Grant-Funded Forest Health and Ecosystem Resiliency
Work (R-21-142)
General Manager’s Recommendation:
1. Award a contract with Ecological Concerns, Inc., of Santa Cruz, California to provide
vegetation management services for a total base contract amount of $150,000 allocated as
follows:
2. For a base contract amount of $60,000 for Fiscal Year 2021-22 in Santa Clara County (CAL
FIRE associated grant).
3. For a base contract amount of $90,000 for Fiscal Year 2021-22 in San Mateo County (State
Coastal Conservancy associated grant).
4. Authorize the General Manager to extend the contract for three additional consecutive years,
if additional grant funds are secured to expand the forest health and ecosystem resiliency
work, for a total not-to-exceed contract amount of $600,000 over the four-year term.
8. Award of Contract and Contract Amendment for Historic Debris Data Recovery
and Health and Safety Oversight at Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space (R-21-143)
General Manager’s Recommendation:
1. Authorize the General Manager to enter into a contract with Albion Environmental, Inc., of
Santa Cruz, CA to complete Historic Debris Data Recovery for a base amount of $108,902.
2. Authorize a 15% contingency of $16,335 to cover unforeseen tasks beyond the current scope
for a total not-to-exceed contract amount of $125,237.
3. Authorize an allowance of $15,000 to cover health and safety measures and changes to the
data recovery workplan beyond those scoped, if required based on the results of personal air
monitoring data, for a total not-to-exceed contract amount of $140,237.
4. Authorize the General Manager to amend a contract with Geocon Consultants, Inc., of
Rancho Cordova, California in the amount of $49,999 to provide health and safety oversight
services and hazardous materials testing, bringing the total contract to a not-to-exceed
amount of $104,882.
BOARD BUSINESS
9. Draft Redistricting Scenario Maps (R-21-146)
GIS Program Administrator Jamie Hawk provided the staff presentation reviewing the
redistricting timeline, legal requirements, Board-approved redistricting criteria, and the Census
2020 data, including population size, growth, and distribution and racial and ethnic
demographics in the District. Ms. Hawk presented three draft redistricting scenarios and
explained how each scenario conforms to the Board-approved criteria and legal requirements.
Ms. Hawk reviewed the various public outreach methods used to solicit feedback on the
redistricting process and comments received so far from members of the public.
Public hearing opened at 8:27 p.m.
Ms. Woodworth reported no public comments were submitted for this item.
Public hearing closed at 8:28 p.m.
Meeting 21-30 Page 7
The Board members provided feedback on the draft redistricting scenarios and by consensus
directed staff to forward all three scenarios to the public for comment using the MyDistrcting
application.
Director Kishimoto suggested the directors for Wards 6 and 7 meet to discuss the boundaries of
the Kings Mountain community further to determine how the area can be assigned for the draft
scenarios.
Director Kersteen-Tucker expressed concern regarding comments from the public to consolidate
the coastside area into one ward due to its geographic and demographic diversity and stated it
should continue to be represented by two directors.
No Board action required.
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDA
• State and Federal Legislative Update
• Dissolution of the Lehigh Quarry Review Ad Hoc Committee
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
A. Committee Reports
Director Siemens reported the AO public-facing furniture ad hoc committee met on October 19,
2021 to discuss fabrics for the furniture.
B. Staff Reports
General Manager Ana Ruiz reported on recent meetings with San Mateo County Supervisor
Warren Slocum and a planned tour with Assemblymember Kevin Mullin of District coastal
properties.
C. Director Reports
Director Cyr reported he attended a meeting of the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s Water
Commission where responses to the drought were discussed.
Director Kishimoto reported she attended a meeting of San Francisco Bay Conservation and
Development Commission where the Bay Adapt was approved to address the rising bay.
President Riffle reported Bay Nature selected former District Board member Nonette Hanko to
receive their 2022 Local Hero award. President Riffle reported he and staff recently met with San
Mateo County Supervisors Warren Slocum and David Pine and met also with Santa Clara
County Supervisor Wasserman.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting 21-30 Page 8
President Riffle adjourned the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District at 9:02 p.m.
________________________________
Jennifer Woodworth, MMC
District Clerk