HomeMy Public PortalAbout20210414 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD)
April 14, 2021
Board Meeting 21-11
*Approved by the Board of Directors on April 28, 2021
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
The Board of Directors conducted this meeting in accordance with California Governor
Newsom’s Executive Order N-29-20. All Board members and staff participated via
teleconference.
APPROVED MINUTES*
SPECIAL MEETING
President Riffle called the special meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District to
order at 5:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Larry Hassett, Karen Holman, Zoe Kersteen-Tucker, and Curt
Riffle
Members Absent: Yoriko Kishimoto and Pete Siemens
Staff Present: General Manager Ana Ruiz, General Counsel Hilary Stevenson, Controller
Mike Foster
President Riffle announced this meeting is being held in accordance with Governor Newsom’s
Executive Order 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.
1. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION. Government Code
Section 54957(b)(1)
Title of Employee: Controller
General Counsel
General Manager
Public comment opened at 5:00 p.m.
Meeting 21-11 Page 2
District Clerk Jennifer Woodworth reported no comments were submitted for the special
meeting.
Public comment closed at 5:01 p.m.
The Board convened into closed session at 5:01 p.m.
Director Kishimoto joined the meeting at 5:04 p.m.
Director Siemens joined the meeting at 5:09 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
President Riffle continued the special meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District to the close of the regular meeting at 7:01 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 7:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Zoe Kersteen-Tucker, Yoriko Kishimoto, Curt Riffle, and Pete Siemens
Members Absent: Jed Cyr, Larry Hassett, and Karen Holman
Staff Present: General Manager Ana Ruiz, General Counsel Hilary Stevenson, Assistant
General Manager Brian Malone, Assistant General Manager Susanna
Chan, Chief Executive 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 Cydney Bieber, Human Resources Manager Candice
Basnight, Senior Planner Tina Hugg
President Riffle announced this meeting is being held in accordance with Governor Newsom’s
Executive Order 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 Hassett joined the meeting at 7:07 p.m.
Directors Cyr and Holman joined the meeting at 7:09 p.m.
Meeting 21-11 Page 3
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
District Clerk Jennifer Woodworth read the submitted comments into the record.
Brian Harley provided comments supporting class 1 electric bikes on multi-use recreational trails
where other types of bicycles are allowed.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: Director Kishimoto moved, and Director Siemens seconded the motion to adopt the
agenda.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 7-0-0
SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY
• Introduction of Staff
o Rafaela Duran, Budget & Analysis Manager
o Sasha Hnatkovich, Public Affairs Specialist II
o Christine Llobregat, Public Affairs Specialist II
CONSENT CALENDAR
Public comment opened at 7:17 p.m.
Ms. Woodworth reported no public comments were submitted for this item.
Public comment closed at 7:17 p.m.
Motion: Director Cyr moved, and Director Kersteen-Tucker seconded the motion to approve the
Consent Calendar.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 7-0-0
1. Approve the March 24, 2021 Board meeting minutes
2. Claims Report
3. Report from the Bond Oversight Committee to the Board of Directors for the
review period from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 (R-21-48)
Committee Recommendation: The Bond Oversight Committee recommends that the Board of
Directors accept this report.
BOARD BUSINESS
4. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan Implementation Update (R-
21-49)
Meeting 21-11 Page 4
Assistant General Manager Susanna Chan provided the staff report describing the project
prioritization criteria, target schedule for preserves and facilities, 5-year work plan, and
implementation progress for the ADA Transition Plan. Implemented projects are in several
preserves and include stile improvements at Monte Bello and the Rhus Ridge parking area,
resurfaced Permanente Trail in Rancho San Antonio, upgraded restrooms and accessible parking
at Russian Ridge, and Levee Trail enhancements at Ravenswood. Other areas of the ADA
program were also updated, such as enhanced website accessibility, coordination of public
inquiries, and public meeting accommodations.
The Board thanked staff for their work to implement the ADA Transition Plan quickly and the
benefits it offers to preserve visitors.
Public comment opened at 7:45 p.m.
Ms. Woodworth reported no comments were submitted for this item.
Public comment closed at 7:45 p.m.
No Board action required.
5. Oral Update on Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District 50th Anniversary
Public Affairs Manager Kori Skinner provided the staff presentation reviewing the Board’s
direction to date and provided an update on consultant selection and initial project scope. Ms.
Skinner reviewed the previously approved project priorities and requested Board feedback on the
priorities to align the project scope to the budget.
The Board asked clarifying questions regarding the proposed changes to the project scope.
Director Holman spoke in favor of postponing the science symposium, which will allow for
additional scientific data from the Science Advisory Panel to be included. Director Holman
spoke in favor of keeping the documentary as proposed.
Ms. Skinner explained the documentary topic would remain the same, but in scaling it back, the
production value and distribution may not be as high as with the larger budget.
Director Siemens spoke in favor of the oral history project but suggested scaling back the video
recordings of it.
Director Kersteen-Tucker spoke in favor of postponing the science symposium in order to ensure
it is not lost in the other events. Director Kersteen-Tucker spoke in favor of postponing the
documentary and suggested District partners, such as Doug McConnell, could support this
project. Director Kersteen-Tucker spoke in favor of using the 50th anniversary events to help
inform the public about the District.
Director Kishimoto spoke in favor of scaling back the project scope where necessary to stay
within the project budget.
Meeting 21-11 Page 5
President Riffle spoke in favor of the oral history project to capture the stories those who
participated in the founding and history of the District.
Ms. Skinner spoke regarding the Board’s direction to postpone the science symposium and
commitment to the project budget range.
Public comment opened at 8:30 p.m.
Ms. Woodworth reported no public comments were submitted for this item.
Public comment closed at 8:30 p.m.
No Board action required.
6. Resolution Upholding Long-Standing Values of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and
Condemning Discrimination, Hate, and Bigotry in All Forms (R-21-50)
General Manager Ana Ruiz described the proposed resolution to demonstrate the District’s
commitment to demonstrating its values of diversity, equity, and inclusion through actions,
communications, and outreach and partnerships. The proposed resolution was developed with
review and input by the District’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion staff teams and is in response
to a rise in racially targeted hate and racial discrimination that our country and the Bay Area
region has experienced in the last year, including as experienced by our Black, Asian and Pacific
Islander communities.
Director Kishimoto spoke regarding the diversity of the District’s staff, community, and visitors
and in support of the proposed resolution.
Public comment opened at 8:39 p.m.
District Clerk Jennifer Woodworth read the submitted comments into the record.
Andrew Verbrugge, on behalf of the District’s Field Employees Association, provided comments
in support of the proposed resolution and stated open space preserves should continue to be
places that support diversity, equity, and be inclusive for all members of our community.
Public comment closed at 8:40 p.m.
Motion: Director Kishimoto moved, and Director Holman seconded the motion to adopt a
Resolution upholding long-standing values of diversity, equity, and inclusion and condemning
discrimination, hate, and bigotry in all forms.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 7-0-0
Human Resources Manager Candice Basnight and Senior Planner Tina Hugg, representatives
from the District’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion teams provided comments and thanked the
Board for their commitment to supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and taking a stand
against all forms of discrimination, hate, and bigotry.
Meeting 21-11 Page 6
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
A. Committee Reports
Director Kishimoto reported the Lehigh Quarry ad hoc committee met on March 25, 2021 to
discuss the next steps for the Santa Clara County project.
B. Staff Reports
Ms. Ruiz reported on recent meetings with state legislators to discuss District projects and
legislation of District interest.
C. Director Reports
Director Hassett reported he and Director Kersteen-Tucker presented to the Half Moon Bay City
Council on April 6, 2021.
Director Cyr reported he attended a meeting of the Santa Clara Valley Water District Water
Commission on April 14, 2021
Director Kishimoto reported she attended a Santa Clara County Local Area Formation
Committee.
President Riffle reported he recently met with the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority
Board President. President Riffle reported on recent meetings with state legislators and their staff
members.
ADJOURNMENT
President Riffle adjourned the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District into closed session at 8:58 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
President Riffle adjourned the special meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District into closed session at 9:44 p.m.
________________________________
Jennifer Woodworth, MMC
District Clerk