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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19740828 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting 74-18 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT Regular Meeting Board of Directors M I N U T E S August 28 , 1974 745 Distel Drive Los Altos, CA I. ROLL CALL President Peters called the meeting to order at 7 :37 P.M. Members Present: Katherine Duffy, Barbara Green, William Peters and Daniel Wendin. Member Absent: Nonette Hanko. Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Edward Jaynes, Stanley Norton, Anne Crosley, Carroll Harrington and Dennis Kuzak. Audience of nine persons. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: D. Wendin moved acceptance of the minutes of August 14, 1974 as presented. K. Duffy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. III. ADOPTION OF AGENDA D. Wendin asked that the letter of August 20, 1974 from the Leslie Salt Company be placed on the agenda under Written Communications. W. Peters stated the consensus that this was agreeable. IV. OLD BUSINESS NOT REQUIRING ACTION A. Stevens Creek Park Chain Status Report H. Grench presented his memorandum dated August 22 , 1974 (M- 74-121) which suggested the Board might wish to refer this matter to the Trails Task Force for its recommendations. He noted there had been many studies over the years regarding a possible Stevens Creek Park Chain. Although such a park is in the County' s Master Plan, and many agency staffs have been and are studying the feasibility of a park chain, no agency has made a commitment. He said the outcome of the II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: K. Duffy moved acceptance of the minutes of August 28 , 1974 as presented. B. Green seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Meeting 74-18 Page two latest meeting of the Stevens Creek Trails and Linear Park Study Committee raises a number of questions: (a) what kind of park or trail is being considered; (b) how much staff time and/or money does the District want to contrib- ute; and (c) to what extent will the County participate? He added that the Board would undoubtedly want to hear from citizens tonight who were interested in this matter. E. Jaynes introduced his memorandum dated August 22, 1974 (M-74-120) which discusses the results of the August 20 meeting of the Stevens Creek Trails and Linear Park Study Committee. He explained the consensus of the Study Commit- tee was that each city and the County should contribute $500 toward a feasibility study on the possibility of trails or parks along Stevens Creek. The MRPD would be the "lead" agency and would use its discretion regarding expenditure of the money. The entire study was estimated to cost about $8,400, which would mean the MRPD would be responsible for approximately $6, 000 toward the study. He said he personally did not think a feasibility study would be advisable without the cooperation of the County. He predicted that the re- sults of the study would include a possible trails link for Stevens Creek as well as other possible compatible uses, and it might indicate some private lands which it would be de- sirable to acquire. Mrs. Robert Middleton, 22044 Creekside Court, Cupertino, asked that the Board not approve a feasibility study. She cited the following reasons: (a) there were a number of Los Altos residents who would never sell their property; (b) hikers who want to cross highway 280 can only do so through a culvert which receives periodic torrents of water when it rains or when water is released from the dam that are very dangerous; (c) the area near the culvert is dark and secluded and would invite undesirable people who might harm small children; (d) people living along the Creek do not want the liter and vandalism or crowds of people that would result from the establishment of a trail; and (e) the homeowners along the Creek would lose their privacy and safety. D. Wendin suggested that some areas of the Creek could be bypassed by using alternate trail routes. W. Peters advised that the Santa Clara Valley Water District has brought up many of these questions as the results of its studies con- cerning Stevens Creek. He said he would like to see some creative solutions to the problems of clearing and grading the Creek in order to make it safer and provide better recreational opportunities. He suggested planting trees, erecting fences, adding some picnic tables and possible building a berm to lower the noise from highway 85 as some ideas. He indicated that much of this should probably be the cities' responsibility. Meeting 74-18 Page three K. Duffy and D. Wendin expressed hesitation regarding spend- ing $6, 000 of District funds for another Stevens Creek study. W. Peters stated the consensus that the matter be referred to the Trails Task Force for its consideration, and that the Task Force and staff return to the Board at a future meeting with their suggestions and recommendations. V. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS D. Wendin referred the Board to the letter of August 20, 1974 from the Leslie Salt Company, inviting Board members to par- ticipate in a tour of the proposed National Wildlife Refuge in the bay region and of Leslie Salt' s salt harvesting pro- cess. W. Peters stated the consensus that Tuesday, September 24 would be a convenient time for Board members to attend the Company' s tour, and that staff should notify Leslie Salt Company that the Board, Mr. Art Ogilvie and two staff members would participate. VI . CLAIMS Motion: D. Wendin moved acceptance of the revised claims (C-74-18) dated August 28, 1974 as presented. K. Duffy seconded the motion. The motion passed unan- imously. VII. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Board recessed to Executive Session at 8: 46 P.M. to dis- cuss land negotiations. VIII. ADJOURNMENT The Board reconvened to adjourn at 11: 20 P.M. Anne Cathcart Crosley Administrative Secretary