HomeMy Public PortalAbout20180314 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD)
March 14, 2018
Board Meeting 18-10
*Approved by the Board of Directors on March 28, 2018
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Administrative Office
330 Distel Circle
Los Altos, CA 94022
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
APPROVED MINUTES*
SPECIAL MEETING – STUDY SESSION
President Cyr called the special meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District to
order at 6:04 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Nonette Hanko, Cecily Harris, Larry Hassett, Yoriko Kishimoto,
Pete Siemens, and Curt Riffle
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Acting General Manager Ana Ruiz, Acting General Counsel Hilary
Stevenson, Acting Assistant General Manager Brian Malone, Acting
Assistant General Manager Christine Butterfield, Chief Financial Officer
Stefan Jaskulak, District Clerk/Assistant to the General Manager Jennifer
Woodworth, Acting Public Affairs Manager Cydney Bieber,
Governmental Affairs Specialist Joshua Hugg
1. Preserve Use Survey – Intercept Survey Update (R-18-04)
Governmental Affairs Specialist Joshua Hugg outlined the goals of the survey, the methodology
used for the intercept surveys, and timeline during which the survey was conducted. Mr. Hugg
introduced Patrick Tierney, Ph.D., who designed and conducted the surveys.
Dr. Tierney reviewed the results of the intercept surveys.
Director Harris inquired how often similar surveys should be repeated.
Dr. Tierney reported similar surveys are conducted every eight to ten years.
Director Riffle inquired whether Dr. Tierney identified any key takeaways.
Meeting 18-10 Page 2
Dr. Tierney pointed to results that reveal underserved communities, demonstrate overall
satisfaction with District preserves, moderate facility suggestions, parking concerns, etc.
Public comments opened at 6:52 p.m.
A member of the audience who was a volunteer survey taker commented that various visitors
both wanted more parking and fewer visitor interactions.
Public comments closed at 6:53 p.m.
Director Hanko suggested posting signage to alert visitors should bring their own water.
Director Kishimoto inquired regarding future actions to reach out to underserved communities.
Acting General Manager Ana Ruiz reported staff will be looking at solutions for reaching these
communities following the completion of various focus groups, which are reaching out to
members of underserved communities.
No Board action required.
ADJOURNMENT
President Cyr adjourned the special meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District at 6:59 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING
President Cyr called the regular meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District to
order at 7:08 p.m.
Director Cyr reported the Board met in closed session on January 24, 2018, and Acting General
Counsel Hilary Stevenson provided the following report:
In closed session on January 24, 2018, the Board gave its approval to enter into a settlement
agreement with the John and Judah Staples Family Trust. The vote was 6-0 in support. The
agreement is on file in the District General Counsel’s office and lodged in San Mateo County
Probate Court.
Director Hassett dedicated the meeting to the memory of Ruth Waldhauer who recently passed
away and was an avid supporter of the District.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Nonette Hanko, Cecily Harris, Larry Hassett, Yoriko Kishimoto,
Pete Siemens, and Curt Riffle
Members Absent: None
Meeting 18-10 Page 3
Staff Present: Acting General Manager Ana Ruiz, Acting General Counsel Hilary
Stevenson, Acting Assistant General Manager Brian Malone, Acting
Assistant General Manager Christine Butterfield, Chief Financial Officer
Stefan Jaskulak, District Clerk/Assistant to the General Manager Jennifer
Woodworth, Acting Public Affairs Manager Cydney Bieber, Engineering
& Construction Manager Jay Lin, Capital Projects Field Manager Bryan
Apple
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
No speakers present.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: Director Riffle moved, and Director Kishimoto seconded the motion to adopt the
agenda.
VOTE: 7-0-0
CONSENT CALENDAR
Public comment opened at 7:18 p.m.
No speakers present.
Public comment closed at 7:18 p.m.
Motion: Director Riffle moved, and Director Harris seconded the motion to approve the Consent
Calendar.
VOTE: 7-0-0
1. Approve February 28, 2018 Minutes
2. Claims Report
3. Award of Contract for Tenant Improvements at 5755 Alpine Road, La Honda, in
the Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve (R-18-20)
Acting General Manager’s Recommendations:
1. Award a contract to Belz Construction, Inc., of Orangevale, CA, for residence
improvements at 5755 Alpine Road, La Honda, in the Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve
for a base contract amount of $73,000.
2. Authorize a 15% contract contingency of $11,000, to be reserved for unanticipated issues,
thus allowing the total contract amount not-to-exceed $84,000.
Director Riffle inquired if District staff could provide photos when contracts come forward
related to property repairs.
Meeting 18-10 Page 4
Real Property Specialist I Jean Chung provided photos of the residence and the proposed repairs
and improvements.
4. Approval of the Updated Classification and Compensation Plan (R-18-23)
Acting General Manager’s Recommendation: Adopt a resolution amending the Classification
and Compensation Plan, to set the compensation for out-of-classification appointments pursuant
to AB 1487.
5. Cost Sharing Agreement with Santa Clara County, Santa Clara Valley Water
District, and Guadalupe Rubbish Disposal, Inc., for the Guadalupe River Watershed
Mercury Total Maximum Daily Load Coordinated Monitoring Program (R-18-22)
Acting General Manager’s Recommendations:
1. Determine that the recommended action is Categorically Exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act.
2. Authorize the Acting General Manager to execute the Cost Sharing Agreement to participate
in the Guadalupe River Watershed Mercury Total Maximum Daily Load Coordinated
Monitoring Program.
Director Riffle inquired regarding the end of this monitoring program.
Natural Resources Manager Kirk Lenington reported the program is currently open-ended based
on the mercury level targets set by the Santa Clara Valley Water District.
BOARD BUSINESS
6. Alpine Road Trail Repair Project (R-18-19)
Capital Projects Field Manager Bryan Apple outlined the project goals, including rehabilitation
of the trail connection, reduction of chronic sediment input to Corte Madera Creek, provide for
patrol and maintenance vehicle access, and potential cost-sharing opportunities with partners.
Acting Assistant General Manager Brian Malone described the history of Alpine Road, including
District purchase of Coal Creek Open Space Preserve, mid-1990s landslide, cessation of
maintenance by San Mateo County, and repeated culvert failures.
Director Hassett inquired whether Alpine Road was on District land or San Mateo County land
and therefore whether the District or County is financially responsible for repairs.
Mr. Malone reported San Mateo County is not currently maintaining Alpine Road Trail.
Mr. Apple described the three options for repairing Alpine Road Trail, including the proposed
road widths, preliminary cost estimates, and the benefits of each option. Finally, Mr. Apple
outlined the preliminary project schedule, including environmental review, approval of a final
design, and an extensive permit process with multiple regulatory agencies.
Director Kishimoto inquired regarding how sediment would be reduced.
Meeting 18-10 Page 5
Mr. Apple explained that following design approval, the drainage system would be repaired,
which would reduce sedimentation.
Director Harris suggested District staff could provide an informational presentation on Alpine
Road Trail to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors to encourage county funding of the
repairs.
Director Hanko spoke in favor of repairing the Alpine Road Trail.
Director Riffle suggested there might be advantages to completing a 12-foot wide road now
while permits are being sought.
Mr. Apple explained creation of a new road would require additional design work,
environmental review, and additional permits, which could delay the project further.
Public comment opened at 8:04 p.m.
Charlie Krenz, president of the Silicon Valley Mountain Bikers, spoke in favor of repairing
Alpine Road Trail and expressed his preference for Option Two, which would provide a more
natural trail.
Mike Bushue spoke in favor of a full access multi-use trail.
Public comment closed at 8:08 p.m.
Director Kishimoto spoke in favor of Options Two or Three.
Director Riffle requested clarification regarding ownership of the Alpine Road Trail.
Mr. Malone explained the District owns most of the land in fee, but San Mateo County owns the
road easement. District staff will return to the Board to provide additional property negotiations
prior to construction.
Director Hassett spoke in favor of Option Two stating a narrower trail would be easier to
maintain over time, including better drainage, and patrol and maintenance concerns would
continue under Option Three. Additionally, San Mateo County should handle all permitting
costs.
President Cyr spoke in favor of maintaining a narrower trail rather than a wide road and spoke in
favor of Option Three.
Motion: Director Kishimoto moved, and Director Hassett seconded the motion to approve
selection of repair Option Two for the Alpine Road Trail Repair Project, as described further in
the staff report, to proceed with design plans and environmental review.
Director Hassett inquired if a narrower trail would require the San Mateo County to abandon
their road easement.
Meeting 18-10 Page 6
Real Property Manager reported the District is interested in a quitclaim of the easement, which
would grant to the District the road easement. Further real property negotiations are necessary.
Friendly Amendment: Director Harris offered a friendly amendment to direct staff to pursue
negotiations with San Mateo County funding for design and permit costs.
Directors Kishimoto and Hassett accepted the friendly amendment.
Board members requested and received clarification regarding the road easement locations on
private and District property.
Director Riffle and President Cyr explained they would be voting against the motion because the
wider road option was recommended by staff, and would improve patrol and maintenance
vehicle access and efficiency. However, they are both in favor of repairing Alpine Road Trail
VOTE: 4-3-0 (Director Cyr, Hanko, and Riffle dissenting.)
7. Project Delivery Process for the Administrative Office Development Project and
Creation of an Ad Hoc Committee of the Board of Directors to Guide the Design Team
Hiring Process and Public Engagement Approach (R-18-21)
Engineering & Construction Manager Jay Lin provided the staff presentation describing project
milestones to date, and explained the differences between design-build and design-bid-build,
including advantages and disadvantages and proposed schedules of each process. Mr. Lin
described the various opportunities for design input that would be provided to the Board
throughout each of the alternate processes, including study sessions, ad hoc committee meetings,
regular Board meetings, and informational memorandums.
Director Hassett requested clarification regarding the purchasing policy and contract regulations
related to design and contractor selection.
Ms. Stevenson explained the District is not required to select design and design-build consultants
based on the lowest responsive and responsible bid.
Directors Siemens, Riffle, Cyr, and Harris spoke in favor of the design-bid-build process.
Director Hassett spoke in favor of the design-build process and the efficiency it can bring to the
project.
Public comment opened at 9:05 p.m.
No speakers present.
Public comment closed at 9:05 p.m.
Motion: Director Siemens moved, and Director Riffle seconded the motion to:
1. Select Option 2: Design-Bid-Build as the preferred project delivery process for the new
Administrative Office:
Meeting 18-10 Page 7
2. Direct the formation of a new Administrative Office Development Ad Hoc Committee, and
authorize the Board President to appoint three Directors to serve on the Committee.
VOTE: 7-0-0
President Cyr appointed Directors Cyr, Kishimoto, and Siemens to serve on the Administrative
Office Development Ad Hoc Committee.
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
• Cooley Landing – Project Update
• Rancho San Antonio Carrying Capacity and Multimodal Access Study
• Deer Hollow Farm White Barn Renovation Project at Rancho San Antonio Open Space
Preserve
• Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve – Opening Timeline
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
A. Committee Reports
No Committee reports.
B. Staff Reports
District Clerk/Assistant to the General Manager Jennifer Woodworth reported on upcoming tours
of San Jose Water Company land and updates to the schedule of upcoming Board and
Committee meetings.
Acting General Manager Ana Ruiz reported her attendance at a meeting of other park and open
space agencies general managers to discuss issues that affect many of the agencies and proposed
responses. Ms. Ruiz also attended the California Council of Land Trusts conference and had
opportunities to meet with numerous partner agencies. Finally, Ms. Ruiz provided an update on
the Four Cities Stevens Creek Corridor Project, and reported Cupertino is interested in a trail
connection between the Stevens Creek Trail and Rancho San Antonio.
C. Director Reports
The Board members submitted their compensatory reports.
Director Siemens reported his attendance at the quarterly meeting of the Santa Clara County
Special Districts Association.
Director Kishimoto reported her attendance at the quarterly meeting of the Santa Clara County
Special Districts Association and the Cooley Landing Open House.
Director Riffle announced he will participating in an upcoming panel discussion in Los Altos
discussing local parks.
Meeting 18-10 Page 8
President Cyr reported his recent conversations with California state legislators to express
support for the District’s purchase of San Jose Water Company land.
ADJOURNMENT
President Cyr adjourned the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District at 9:25 p.m.
________________________________
Jennifer Woodworth, MMC
District Clerk