HomeMy Public PortalAbout20180523 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD)
May 23, 2018
Board Meeting 18-21
*Approved by the Board of Directors on June 13, 2018
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Administrative Office
330 Distel Circle
Los Altos, CA 94022
May 23, 2018
APPROVED MINUTES*
SPECIAL MEETING – CLOSED SESSION
President Cyr called the special meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District to
order at 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Cecily Harris, Larry Hassett, Yoriko Kishimoto, Pete Siemens,
and Curt Riffle
Members Absent: Nonette Hanko
Staff Present: Acting General Manager Ana Ruiz, Acting General Counsel Hilary
Stevenson, Acting Assistant General Manager Brian Malone, Real
Property Manager Mike Williams
Public comments opened at 5:30 p.m.
No speakers present.
Public comments closed at 5:30 p.m.
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATION OF LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2): (1
case)
Real Property Mike Williams left after item 1, and Chief Financial Officer/Director of
Administrative Services Stefan Jaskulak and Human Resources Manager Candice Basnight
joined the closed session.
2. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Government Code Section
54957.6)
Meeting 18-21 Page 2
Agency designated representatives: Ana Ruiz, Acting General Manager, Brian Malone,
Acting Assistant General Manager, Jack Hughes, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Employee organization: Field Employees Association
3. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT (GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957)
Title: General Manager Recruitment
ADJOURNMENT
President Cyr continued the special meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District to the close of the regular meeting at 7:04 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING
President Cyr called the regular meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District to
order at 7:07 p.m.
President Cyr reported the Board met in closed session, and no reportable action was taken.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Cecily Harris, Larry Hassett, Yoriko Kishimoto, and Pete
Siemens
Members Absent: Nonette Hanko and Curt Riffle
Staff Present: Acting General Manager Ana Ruiz, Acting General Counsel Hilary
Stevenson, Chief Financial Officer/Director of Administrative Services
Stefan Jaskulak, Acting Assistant General Manager Brian Malone, Acting
Assistant General Manager Christine Butterfield, District Clerk/Assistant
to the General Manager Jennifer Woodworth, Natural Resources Manager
Kirk Lenington, Senior Planner Tina Hugg, Acting Land & Facilities
Manager Elaina Cuzick, Engineering & Construction Manager Jay Lin,
Human Resources Manager Candice Basnight, Real Property Manager
Mike Williams, Planner III Leslie Chan, Budget Analyst II Marion Shaw,
and Budget Analyst I Elissa Martinez
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Matthew Self spoke regarding the lack of bicycle access to Skyline stating no off-road bicycle
access exists to bring people from the valley to the ridgeline to access parks and open spaces
between Sweeny Ridge to the north and Windy Hill to the south. Mr. Self encouraged the
District to help identify a lead organization who can coordinate with the various park and open
space agencies and local cities to address this gap.
Director Riffle arrived at 7:08 p.m.
Meeting 18-21 Page 3
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: Director Kishimoto moved, and Director Harris seconded the motion to adopt the
agenda.
VOTE: 6-0-0 (Director Kanko absent)
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
• Introduction of staff
o Brett Snider, Open Space Technician
CONSENT CALENDAR
Director Siemens pulled item 3 from the Consent Calendar.
Public comment opened at 7:16 p.m.
No speakers present.
Public comment closed at 7:16 p.m.
Motion: Director Siemens moved, and Director Riffle seconded the motion to approve the
Consent Calendar.
VOTE: 6-0-0 (Director Hanko absent)
1. Approve May 9, 2018 Minutes
2. Claims Report
3. Contract Amendment with Moore, Iacofano, Goltzman (MIG), Inc., for
Supplemental Environmental Review Services for the Red Barn Public Access Site Plan (R-
18-53)
Acting General Manager’s Recommendation: Authorize the Acting General Manager to execute
a contract amendment for $220,000 with MIG for Supplemental Environmental Review Services
for the Red Barn Public Access Site Plan at La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve, for a total
not-to-exceed contract amount of $680,000.
Director Siemens inquired if the proposed contract amendment includes funding to evaluate and
design both phases under Alternative 3 of the proposed parking lot.
Planner III Leslie Chan confirmed the contract scope of work includes environmental review and
construction design documents for both phases, which includes an expanded parking lot layout.
Director Kishimoto requested staff address the option of providing access to the Red Barn area
using trails connected to the nearby 4150 Sears Ranch Road parking lot.
Meeting 18-21 Page 4
Acting General Manager Ruiz noted that the item would be coming to the full Board for a
decision on the preferred project description to proceed with CEQA review on June 12. The
Board may choose at that time to direct staff to explore other options, including trail-only access
to the Red Barn area.
Motion: Director Siemens moved, and Director Riffle seconded the motion to approve the
Acting General Manager’s recommendation.
VOTE: 6-0-0 (Director Hanko absent)
4. Board Response to Written Communications from Mike Liebhold
Acting General Manager’s Recommendation: Approve the proposed response to Mike Liebhold.
BOARD BUSINESS
5. Proposed Fiscal Year 2018-19 Budget and Action Plan Initial Review and Public
Hearing (R-18-50)
Acting General Manager Ana Ruiz provided opening remarks related to the upcoming fiscal year
capital improvement and action plan, including proposed budget funds to purchase a new
administrative office building at 5050 El Camino Real, additional capital improvements at Bear
Creek Redwoods and La Honda Creek Open Space Preserves (OSP), and four net new full time
equivalent (FTE) positions to continue progress on project delivery, address the increase in
preserve visitation, and support growing needs for internal business systems. Additionally, the
District will explore the formation of a Citizens Advisory Committee to engage a broad array of
open space perspectives in ongoing work.
Chief Financial Officer/Director of Administrative Services Stefan Jaskulak summarized the
budget and capital improvement and action plan priorities and provided an overview of the
FY2018-19 budget by funding source, including Measure AA, grants, and general fund. Mr.
Jaskulak outlined the revenues and expenses forecast for the upcoming budget year as compared
to previous budget years.
Director Hanko arrived at 7:43 p.m.
Mr. Jaskulak described the five new proposed positions and removal of one FTE for a net of four
new FTE.
Director Siemens suggested staff may want to explore creation of a floating ranger position that
could fill vacant positions as they arise and be assigned to either field office depending on needs.
Mr. Jaskulak provided an overview of the debt services and District department budgets and
highlighted projects for each department. The Board reviewed each of the four program budgets
by fund and requested clarification regarding specific projects.
Director Harris requested additional information related to the proposed $5 million in grant
funding for Bear Creek Stables, expressing concern related to the use of staff time to secure
outside funding.
Meeting 18-21 Page 5
Ms. Ruiz reported the Board would be discussing funding of Bear Creek Stables improvements
at an upcoming Board meeting at the end of the summer. The $5 million refers to funding that
may come from community fundraising in addition to grant funding opportunities.
Director Harris requested clarification regarding the Cooley Landing Business Plan.
Ms. Ruiz reported the business plan would support the public programming at the Cooley
Landing Education Center, and the operating plan would assist the City of East Palo Alto in the
long-term maintenance and operation of the larger public park.
Directors Cyr and Riffle thanked staff for their thorough efforts to create the information
included in the budget book.
Director Riffle encouraged the Board members to carefully read the entire budget book.
Director Kishimoto spoke regarding the process used by staff and the Board to set and
understand the priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.
Director Kishimoto commented on the core function projects included in the departmental pages.
Public hearing opened at 8:33 p.m.
No speakers present.
Public hearing closed at 8:33 p.m.
No Board action required.
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
• Grants Program Strategy
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
A. Committee Reports
No Committee reports.
B. Staff Reports
Ms. Ruiz reported she will attending the 2018 Silicon Valley Energy and Sustainability Summit
to network with local government staff and business professionals and discuss regional
sustainability issues. Ms. Ruiz also reported the inaugural class of the District’s internal
leadership academy graduated last week with a cohort of 16 staff members who engaged in a
variety of topics, including the budget process, presentation skills, project management,
supervisory and leadership skills, ethics, and cultural diversity. Also, three new rangers were
badged at a District ceremony in the last week.
Meeting 18-21 Page 6
Real Property Manager Mike Williams reported the Twin Creeks property closed escrow and the
purchase was partially offset by a $750,000 from the Moore Foundation. Santa Clara County
issued a demolition permit for the property, and three structures have been demolished.
C. Director Reports
The Board members submitted their compensatory reports.
Director Hassett suggested sending a letter of thanks to Bobbi Peckham to thank her for her work
on the recent general manager recruitment.
By consensus, the Board directed staff to draft a letter for Board President’s signature to thank
Ms. Peckham.
Director Kishimoto reported her attendance at a recent meeting to organize and select
representation for the new Santa Clara County Oversight Board for the former redevelopment
agencies.
Director Riffle reported he will be attending an event for the Bay Smart Communities, which is
an effort to re-imagine upland planning and development policies to benefit the Bay and Bay
Area. The organization seeks ecologically sound and equitable policies to ensure that the Bay
Area’s growth prioritizes the Bay and builds broad and deep support for it among the region’s
many diverse communities, with special care to engage those who have suffered environmental
injustice.
President Cyr reported his attendance at the recent ranger badging ceremony and the District’s
leadership academy graduation.
ADJOURNMENT
President Cyr adjourned the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District into closed session at 8:51 p.m.
President Cyr adjourned the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District at 9:55 p.m.
________________________________
Jennifer Woodworth, MMC
District Clerk