HomeMy Public PortalAbout19740911 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) , ,:ing 74-19
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MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Regular Meeting
Board of Directors
M I N U T E S
September 11, 1974 745 Distel Drive
Los Altos, CA
I. ROLL CALL
President Peters called the meeting to order at 7 :41 P .M.
Members Present: Katherine Duffy, Barbara Green, William
Peters, Nonette Hanko and Daniel Wendin.
Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Edward Jaynes, Stanley
Norton, John Melton, Anne Crosley, Carroll Harrington, Jennie
George and Dennis Kuzak.
Audience of approximately sixty persons.
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.
III. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
W. Peters suggested the Board consider the written communica-
tions regarding the Fremont Older Open Space Preserve when
that item was discussed under Public Hearings. The Board
agreed to this.
N. Hanko asked that distribution of meeting materials to candi-
dates for Director be considered under New Business Requiring
Action. W. Peters stated the consensus that this was acceptable.
IV, SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
W. Peters introduced Dr. Edward G. Shelley, candidate for Direc-
tor from Ward 4 , and Mr. Jack Whitaker, candidate for Director
from Ward 3 .
II . APPROVAL OF MINUTES
K. Duffy asked that corrections be made on page three of the
f September 11 1974:
'minutes o e ,
min p
"Mr. Ed Greeley" should be changed to "Mr.
Zett Greely" . Mr. John Weir' s address
should be changed from "Arbuelo" to "Arroyo
de Arguello" , and the name of the associa-
tion he represents should be "The Greater
Arguel
lo Homeow
ners Association"
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the minutes of September 11 ,
1974 , as amended, be accepted by the Board. D.
Wendin seconded the motion. The motion passed
unanimous 1_v.
i
Meeting 74-19 Page two
V. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Proposed Fremont Older Open Space Preserve
H. Grench introduced his report (R-74-18) dated September 2 ,
1974 regarding the Proposed Fremont Older Open Space Preserve.
He noted that the District had been urged to purchase this
property ever since its formation in November, 1972 . However,
the District was not in a position to take action until it
received tax revenues, which did not occur until December,
1973. The property consists of approximately 266 acres, and
is located within the Spheres of Influence of Cupertino and
Saratoga, although not in the Urban Service Areas. The property
is visible to a sizeable portion of the citizens of the Dis-
trict, and there are many species of plants and animals which
can be found on the property. There are several buildings on
the property, also, including structures of historical signifi-
cance. Low-intensity uses are planned for the property; these
might include nature study, hiking, bird-watching, demonstration
farm (orchards) , and horse trails. The property is currently
zoned for agricultural use. The District will work closely with
citizen groups, neighbors, and other -agencies to develop a
plan for the use and patrol of the property consistent with its
environmental characteristics. He emphasized that, if the
Board of Directors decided to purchase the option, the property
will still remain private property until such time as the
Board may decide to exercise the option to buy. The cost of
the option is $25,000, which amount would be applicable to the
total purchase price of $689 ,000. The option will be in effect
until June, 1975, which will give the Board time to study plans
of the Cities of Cupertino and Saratoga for the area.
H. Grench gave a slide presentation to the Board and audience,
pointing out the variety of vegetation and the beauty of the
land on the Proposed Fremont Older Open Space Preserve. He
recommended to the Board that it decide to purchase the option.
W. Peters said he thought it important to see what Cupertino
and Saratoga were planning for the area. He introduced five
letters to the Board in favor of the purchase of the option.
They were from the League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunny-
vale, signed by Wilma H. Wool as President; the American Asso-
ciation of University Women, Sunnyvale-Cupertino Branch, signed
by Sandra Blackford as President; the Sierra Club, Los Gatos,
Saratoga, Cupertino Monte Sereno Group, signed by John Brigham
as Chairman; the Committee for Green Foothills, signed by Mrs.
Betsy Bechtel as President; and the Friends of the "Painless
Parker" Ranch, signed by Charles Hunter as Chairman.
Meeting 74-19 Page three
N. Hanko said she would vote for the purchase of the option
and, at a later date, for the purchase of the property because
the District was concerned with purchasing land of regional
significance, and the Fremont Older property was such a reg-
ionally significant parcel, even if Palo Alto residents might
not be as directly benefited by the property as residents of
other cities in the District.
In answer to a question, H. Grench estimated that if the option
were exercised in a very short while, the cost per acre -to- the-
Dit,trict would be about $2 ,500 . If the District delayed exer-
cise of the option until the end of the option period, the cost,
per acre would be about $2 ,300 in today's dollars.
W. Peters opened the Public Hearing.
Ms. Marge Sutton, 609 Rosita Avenue, Los Altos , said she was
speaking on behalf of the Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra
Club in support of the purchase of the Fremont Older Open Space
Preserve. The property is particularly important, she said,
because of its proximity to the urbanized area. She hoped the
Board would consider ways to preserve the old homestead, and
she noted that the contours of the land and its beautiful view
would be a wonderful asset to the citizens of the District.
Mr. Ed Greeley, 21450 Prospect, Saratoga, representing the
Prospect Hills Homeowners Association, said the Assistant
General Manager should be commended for obtaining a $25,000
option on property. He said the Association was virtually
unanimous in its support of the purchase of the Fremont Older
property, but had two questions : is the option irrevocable,
and where will the points of access to the property be? H. Grench
advised that Prospect is a probable access point, but other
means of access are possibilities. W. Peters advised that the
option is an irrevocable contract.
Mrs. Phyllis Butler, 353 Lowell Avenue, Palo Alto, introduced
herself as a member of the Santa Clara County Historical
Heritage Commission. She said she thought the Commission would
endorse the purchase of the property, which has been designated
as a point of interest by the State Landmark Committee.
Mr. John Weir, 12343 Arbuelo, Saratoga, representing the Arbuelo
Homeowners Association, expressed that group's support for the
purchase of the option, and asked if the option could be re-
newed. H. Grench answered that renewal of an option is a
negotiable possibility.
Ms. Barbara Sampson, Director of Community Services for the
City of Saratoga, introduced a letter from Mayor Jerome Smith
of the City of Saratoga to the Board, urging them to take
favorable action to purchase the option. The letter advised
Meeting 74-19 rage four
that at its September 10, 1974 meeting, the Saratoga City
Council took action endorsing the proposed purchase of the
option by the District. The letter further stated that the
action would be consistent with the 1974 Saratoga General
Plan for the City' s Sphere of Influence.
Mr. Bruce Stephan, 12321 Saraglen, Saratoga, urged the District
to purchase the option on the Fremont Older Open Space Preserve
in order to help prevent deterioration of the quality of life
which has already occurred in the valley. He added that he
felt it would be desirable to purchase contiguous parcels of
land to protect District property from urban encroachment.
Mr. Steve McKerrow, 21584 La Playa Court, Cupertino, said that
he had studied wildlife on the Ranch for five years, and con-
sidered it a valuable area for preservation. There are 76
species of birds on the property, and much wildlife still in
an undisturbed state. He offered the District a report which
he had prepared on the wildlife of the property.
Ms. Mary Anna Ecklund, 971 Ticonderoga Drive, Sunnyvale, said
it was a pleasure to speak in favor of the proposed purchase
of the Older Ranch option.
Ms. Phyllis Marangoni, 19305 Falmouth Court, Saratoga, said
she spoke on behalf of the Los Gatos-Saratoga chapter of the
American Association of University Women. The AAUW wrote to
the District in February 1973 in support of the purchase of
the Fremont Older property, and their support continues more
emphatically than ever.
Mr. Gary Stevenson, 22505 Rolling Hills Road, Saratoga, said
he is a neighbor to the Fremont Older property. His family
would very much like to see the property become part of the
District.
Ms.Margaret Berry, 21540 Edward Way, Cupertino, said she
represented about 100 horseback riding enthusiasts in the area
who would like to see the property become a part of the District.
Mr. Steve Stuckey, 22600 Prospect Road, Saratoga, introduced
a letter to the Board of Directors from him and his wife, Linda,
urging the District to purchase the option. The letter also
supports plans to develop management and usage policies for the
property.
Ms. Donna Harris introduced herself as the "exception in the
middle of the Ranch" , and said she thought the late Mrs. Older
would be very pleased to see the property become park land.
Mrs. Joan Brown, 2374 Deodara Drive, Los Altos, said she was
very happy that the District was planning to acquire the Older
and Upper Seven Springs property.
Meeting 74-19 Page five
Mr. Bob Denny, 11801 South Stelling Road, Cupertino, said he
had managed the Seven Springs and Older property since their
purchase by the Lyddons. He expressed concern regarding some
of the management problems the District may encounter with the
property, e.g. , limited access and a lengthy stretch of road
to be maintained. He reminded the Board that the $25, 000 for
the purchase of the option was non-refundable. W. Peters re-
plied that the District intended to formulate management plans
for the property during the period prior to exercise of the
option. The District, he said, was in the process of hiring a
Land Manager, and many of the Land Manager candidates had ideas
for dealing with some of the problems that might occur. The
District planned to enlist the advice and help of other agencies,
citizen groups and neighbors of the property. He emphasized
that the Board had a commitment to the citizens of the District
to care for the lands it acquired, and that that commitment
would be honored. Funds have already been allocated for land
management in the budget for the current fiscal year.
Mr. George Edwards said he had lived at the end of Rolling Hills
Road in Saratoga for nearly 24 years, and his property was adja-
cent to both Seven Springs and Older Ranch. He advised the
Board that during the past ten years people have used the area
increasingly, and some of these people have littered and driven
noisy motorcycles through the area. A fence was erected to try
to prevent these problems, he added, and he was concerned that
the fence would be removed and that the District would be faced
with policing problems. E. Jaynes assured Mr. Edwards that the
District was aware of the potential problems and that a number
of solutions were being considered.
Mr. Gordon Jennings, 441 East Meadow, Palo Alto, urged the Dis-
trict to purchase the option for the Older Open Space Preserve.
He said he thought the property was beautiful and ideal for
horseback riding, and that perhaps access through the property
could be kept away from borders where there are neighboring
property owners.
Mrs. Dorothy A. Lyddon, 11801 South Stelling Road, Cupertino,
asked how the District would limit access, and, if so, how could
people enjoy the property. H. Grench replied there were a num-
ber of ways in which access could be limited, e.g. , determin-
ation of the size of parking areas, patrolling the land, fenc-
ing at some points to protect neighboring properties . He added
that the Board' s policy with regard to use of any District land
is that usage be consistent with the capacity of the land to
be used without damaging its ecological features. W. Peters
advised that the Board was generally interested in low-intensity
use consistent with the land acquired by the District, and that
its determination was probably different than that of other
governmental agencies.
Meeting 74-19 Page six
Mrs. Lyddon said she had received the impression that the
Board had already accepted the option offer at the Executive
Session of its last meeting, and that her attorney advised her
to sign the option because the District would probably condemn
the property if she did not. W. Peters replied that the Board
had discussed the property in Executive Session as much as 25
times in the past year while negotiations were proceeding, and,
on the basis of those discussions, staff was aware of what terms
would be accepted by the Board for serious consideration. He
emphasized that no decisions regarding expenditure of funds of
the District are ever made without public hearing. K. Duffy
suggested that if the Board had received substantial negative
reaction to plans for the purchase of the option, the Board
might not vote for its acceptance.
Mr. Jack Whitaker, 1015 Hiawatha Court, Sunnyvale, asked if
the press was represented at the meeting. He was advised that
members of the press were present.
W. Peters closed the public hearing.
Motion: K. Duffy moved that the President of the Midpeninsula
Regional Park District be authorized to acknowledge
receipt of the option to purchase real property dated
August 28, 1914, wherein Jack R. Lyddon and Dorothy
Anne Lyddon grant to the District an option to purchase
approximately 266 acres of land, and that the General
Manager be authorized to pay the option price provided
therein of $25,000.00 to the grantors. B. Green seconded
the motion.
Discussion: D. Wendin said the District is a public
agency, and therefore has obligations to provide proper
maintenance for any property it may acquire. The Dis-
trict, he said, will have a Land Manager, will work
with cities and other agencies and neighbors, and will
do its best to provide recreation to the citizens of
the District consistent with the nature of the open
space acquired. B. Green agreed with Mr. Wendin, citing
the proximity of the property to Sunnyvale as one of
the reasons she favors the motion. K. Duffy expressed
her delight with the proposed purchase of the option to
purchase the property, not only because of the beauty
of the land, but also because of its historical signi-
ficance to the District. She noted the District has
long been urged by conservationists to purchase this
land, and quoted passages from letters of support. The
letters were from Mr. William W. Monahan, Superintendent
of the Fremont Union High School District; Mr. Steve
MacKerrow, a student living near the Ranch; and Mr. Louis
Stocklmeir, Cupertino City Historian. K. Duffy empha-
sized that the District's primary purpose was to acquire
open space preserves; that the District is committed to
the proper care and management of public lands; and that
meeting74-19 Pa s Page seven en
the advice and assistance of Mr. and Mrs. Lyddon, who
have taken such good care of their land, would be
sincerely welcomed. The motion passed unanimously.
VI. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board recessed to Executive Session to discuss personnel
matters at 9: 05 P.M.
VII. OLD BUSINESS REQUIRING ACTION
The Board reconvened at 9:40 P.M.
A. Open Space Action Program for Santa Clara County
N. Hanko introduced her report (R-74-19) dated September 7 ,
1974, regarding her recommendations for the District's role in
the Santa Clara County Open Space Action Program. She said
her interpretation of the County' s intention in its listing of
various agencies was to pinpoint each agency' s role in the Open
Space Action Program. Therefore, the District should make
clear its intentions. Lengthy discussion of the proposed rec-
ommendations followed.
Motion: W. Peters moved acceptance of the recommendations con-
tained in N. Hanko' s report (R-74-19) , with changes
agreed to by the Board in its discussion. B. Green
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Changes:
Page 2 of R-74-19. Under Action Program Recommendations
Linear Open Space Resources, recommendation #5 should
be deleted.
Page 3 of R-74-19. Under Agricultural Resources, the
following should be added:
Under Action Program Recommendations: Interim Agri-
cultural Lands: #2. Participant (P) .
Under Action Program Recommendations: Long Term
Agricultural Lands; #4 . Participant (P) ; V.
Authority (A) .
Under Vegetation and Wildlife Habitat Resources, strike
the recommendation listed and insert the following:
"P.P.C. recommendations acceptable" .
Under Archeological, Paleontological and Historic Re-
sources, strike the recommendation listed and insert the
following: "P.P.C. recommendations acceptable. "
Meeting 74-19 Page eight
Under Areas Hazardous to Development, delete the fol-
lowing: "2. List M.R.P.D. as Authority (A) .' Insert
"2. " in front of the sentence reading "Amend Appendix
'E' to include M.R.P.D. as a participant in the Task
Force.
Page 4 of R-74-19. Under Action Program Recommenda-
tions: Wildlife Habitat Areas, make the following
changes:
Add a new #5 to read "Acquire Charleston Slough. "
Old #5 should now be #6.
Old #6 should now be V , to read "Explore feasibil-
ity of restoring former marshlands such as the New
Chicago marsh near Alviso, Casey Slough and por-
tions of Charleston Slough which can provide sig-
nificant viable wildlife habitat. "
Under the heading Wildlife Habitat Areas, the para-
graph entitled "Restoration of Former Marshes" should
be changed to read as follows: " . . .but also to restore
as much as possible of the marshlands which have pre-
viously been damaged. Areas such as Casey Slough, por-
tions of Charleston Slough and the New Chicago area
near Alviso may be potentially restorable marshes. "
Under the Action Matrix for The Baylands, the follow-
ing changes should be made for the Action Program Rec-
commendations: Wildlife Habitat Areas:
New #5 should list M.R.P.D. as Authority (A) .
New #6 (Old #5) should list M.R.P.D. as Participant
(P) .
New #7 (Old #6) should list M.R.P.D. as Participant
and Initiator (P*) .
Under Action Program Recommendations: Parks and Marinas,
the following should be added:
1. List M.R.P.D. as Participant and Initiator (P*) .
Add a paragraph #5 to read as follows: Reconsider
proposed salt pond dredging for use as a sailing
basin so that salt production is not impaired. "
Under Action Program Recommendations: Salt Ponds, #3 .
List M.R.P.D. as Participant (P) .
Under Action Program Recommendations: Santa Teresa Hills,
#2. , change Authority (A) to Participant (P) .
Under Action Program Recommendations: the Area in Gen-
eral, amend Appendix "E" to include M.R.P.D. as a par-
ticipant on the Task Force.
Meeting 74-19 Page nine
N. Hanko noted that, with respect to the North Valley recommen-
dations being adopted by the Board, the question of whether or
not the District will operate within Urban Service Areas remains
open.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS REQUIRING ACTION
A. Resolution Amending Policy for the Duplication and Dissem-
nation of Agendas, Supporting Materials, and Other Records
of the District
S. Norton introduced Resolution No. 74-21, which amends the
policy for the duplication and dissemination of agendas, sup-
porting materials, and other records of the District. The
policy was being amended, he noted, so that informational items
and written communications would be made available to the press.
A memorandum from H. Grench (M-74-127) dated September 5, 1974 ,
stated that an amendment of Section 2 of the policy would allow
this change.
Motion: N. Hanko moved adoption of Resolution No. 74-21. D.
Wendin seconded the motion. The motion passed unani-
mously.
B. Distribution of Meeting Materials to Candidates for the Board
of Directors
N. Hanko advised that other public agencies have adopted policies
for the distribution of meeting packet materials to candidates
who have filed for elective agency offices. She said she felt
it would be a good policy for the District to distribute "Press
Packets" , which contain all agenda-related items, to candidates
for the Board of Directors.
Motion: N. Hanko moved that S . Norton be directed to prepare a
resolution whereby the District would adopt a policy of
distributing "Press Packets" to candidates who have
filed for a seat on the Board of Directors. W. Peters
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
IX. CLAIMS
Motion: W. Peters moved acceptance of the revised claims (C-74-
19) dated September 11, 1974 , as presented (copy attached) .
N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed unani-
mously.
X. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board recessed to Executive Session at 11:40 P.M.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
The Board reconvened to adjourn at 12: 20 A.M.
Anne Cathcart Crosley
Administrative Secretary