HomeMy Public PortalAbout19741113 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Mo.-.sing 74-23
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MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Regular Meeting
Board of Directors
M I N U T E S
November 13, 1974 745 Distel Drive
Los Altos, CA
I . ROLL CALL
President Peters called the meeting to order at 7 : 40 P.M.
Members Present: Katherine Duffy, Barbara Green, Nonette
Hanko, William Peters and Daniel Wendin.
Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Edward Jaynes, Jon Olson,
Stanley Norton, Anne Crosley, John Melton and Carroll Har-
rington.
Audience of thirty-one persons.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: N. Hanko moved adoption of the minutes of October 9,
1974 as presented. D. Wendin seconded the motion.
Amendment: N. Hanko moved to amend the motion to
include the memorandum (M-74-160) dated October 29,
1974, prepared by the Administrative Secretary,
with a typographical error on the fourth line of
paragraph 2 changed from "Jefferlin" to "Hefferlin" .
K. Duffy seconded the motion.
Discussion: W. Peters said it appeared the memo-
randum made clear Mr. Hefferlin' s response to his
questions. The amendment to the motion passed un-
animously. The motion passed unanimously.
Motion: D. Wendin moved adoption of the minutes of October
23, 1974 as presented. B. Green seconded the motion.
Amendment: D. Wendin moved to amend the motion to
reflect his request to L. Anderson that the Master
Plan draft include definitions on air quality, fire
risk, and historical and archeological resources
(page five, under Discussion) . N. Hanko seconded
the motion to amend. The amendment to the motion
passed unanimously. The motion passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: D. Wendin moved adoption of the minutes of November
13, 1974 as presented. B. Green seconded the motion.
Discussion: D. Wendin suggested that the minutes
be-amended on page two, paragraph two under New
Business Requiring Action, to include Santa Cruz
County in the sentence " . . .and which would also
connect with trails in SanMateo County and Santa
Clara County. . . " W. Peters stated the consensus
that this change was acceptable to the Board. The
motion, as amended, passed unanimously.
Meeting 74-23 Page two
III. N. Hanko asked that San Francisquito Creek be considered under
New Business Requiring Action.
H. Grench asked that Office Space Requirements be considered
under Old Business Requiring Action.
W. Peters stated the consensus that the agenda changes were
agreeable to the Board.
IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
No one wished to speak at this time.
V. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
H. Grench introduced Jon Olson as the new Land Manager for
the Midpeninsula Regional Park District.
W. Peters introduced Edward Shelley as the new Director-elect
from Ward 4.
VI. NEW BUSINESS REQUIRING ACTION
A. Stevens Creek Trail Coordination, Stevens Creek Trail
Coordinator
At the suggestion of D. Wendin, the Board agreed it would be
appropriate to consider both agenda items relating to Stevens
Creek at the same time.
N. Hanko introduced her memorandum dated November 6, 1974 , to
which several communications were attached to provide back-
ground information on the Trails Task Force' s deliberations
regarding a proposed Stevens Creek trail system. She explained
that the Task Force was a volunteer citizens group appointed
by the Board of Directors last spring to develop plans for
regionally significant trails that would connect the foothills
and bay lands to urban areas within the District, and which
would also connect with trails in San Mateo County and Santa
Clara County which are not within the District' s boundaries.
Thus far the Task Force has determined that there are about
three trails of regional significance which should be considered
by the Board of Directors, and Stevens Creek is the location
of the first proposed trail system. She added that the Trails
Task Force is composed of thirteen members, five of whom repre-
sent the geographical subareas of the District, and eight of
whom are technical advisors. She explained that she was the
liaison between the Board of Directors and the Task Force, and
was responsible for coordination between them. She then in-
troduced Mr. Tony Look, a members of the Trails Task Force,
and asked him to give some background information on the work
of the Task Force.
Meeting 74-23 Page three
Mr. Look said that many citizens in the District have been
interested in developing walking trails within urban areas
to provide the pleasures of open spaces for its residents.
Presently the Task Force is concerned with connecting the
baylands with Stevens Creek Park to provide access to these
areas, as well as an enjoyable trail, to people within the
urban sector. For nearly fourteen years, he said, people
have been interested in exploring trails possibilities along
Stevens Creek. Much of the creekside property is owned by
the City of Mountain View, the City of Los Altos and the
Santa Clara Valley Water District, and several rights of way
are owned by PG&E. He noted that the Stevens Creek area is
currently being used by children and adults and has been for
some time, and that it represents a rare opportunity for
enjoyment of the wilderness experience in an urban setting.
He listed three goals which, in his opinion, should be sought
in a study of a possible Stevens Creek trail: (1) the comple-
tion of a walking trail from Baylands Regional Park to Stevens
Creek Park and Dam, constructed with the cooperation of other
agencies whose jurisdictions cover the area; (2) the negotia-
tion for easements for the trail; and (3) keeping the private
property owners along Stevens Creek informed of plans and
invite their participation in the planning process. He
emphasized that this would be a long-term project which would
need to solve a number of problems in order to be properly
implemented.
H. Grench introduced his memorandum (M-74-164) dated November
7, 1974 which discusses the background of the proposed Stevens
Creek Trail System Coordination and related questions. He
advised that he had been in close contact with Mr. Look, the
Trails Task Force and N. Hanko regarding this proposal . He
said it was his understanding that the Board of Directors did
not want the staff to expend a great portion of its time on
trails at this point; however, the Land Manager Jon Olson would
be attending Trails Task Force meetings and working with Mr.
Look on this project. Until the Board of Directors should
direct otherwise, he said, staff involvement will be kept to
a minimum. In the event negotiations for easements become
necessary, staff should handle this aspect of the trails pro-
gram, he said. He suggested it was important that trail de-
sign include provisions to bar vehicular traffic and to pro-
vide safety for trail users. The most important aspect to
be considered was that adequate patrol and maintenance be pro-
vided for. He added that the question of funding was still
unresolved, and, at this point, no agency including the Dis-
trict has made any commitment to provide funding for such a
trail. He recommended that the Board of Directors direct the
Trails Task Force to proceed with its study regarding a pro-
posed Stevens Creek Trail System, and that Tony Look be ap-
pointed its coordinator.
Meeting 74-23 Page four
Mr. Don La Pierre, 1487 Barton Drive, Sunnyvale, read a letter
from Peter and Lois Daley of 1573 Ashcroft Way, Sunnyvale,
which said the concept of a public trail along Stevens Creek
was contrary to the basic policy of the District. The letter
maintained that such a trail would endanger plant and animal
life, increase litter, noise, erosion and trespassing, and
would be impossible to be properly patrolled. Mr. and Mrs.
Daley further stated that most of the remaining land along
the Creek is not subject to further development and should
therefore be left in its natural state.
Mr. Douglas McArthur, 1166 Ashcroft Way, Sunnyvale, said he
was opposed to the proposed Stevens Creek trail. He advised
the Board that the Creek was part of a master flood control
system and served as an outlet for sewage in emergencies.
He added that this emergency system had been used about six-
teen months ago.
Mr. R. W. Didriksen, 1561 Ashcroft Way, Sunnyvale, said he
was opposed to the proposed trail because of the ecological
damage he thought it would cause. With the construction of
a parkway, he said, motorscooters and hikers would destroy
the vegetation and embankments which protect the natural
quality of the Creek, and the overflow of sewage during an
emergency discharge would be undesirable.
Mr. Fred Sturner, 1529 Ashcroft Way, Sunnyvale, suggested the
Trails Task Force look into studies that have been made by
other agencies over the past fourteen years to find some of
the answers to the many problems that have been raised.
Mr. Peter L. Borden, 1567 Ashcroft Way, Sunnyvale, said he
was opposed to the establishment of a Stevens Creek trails
system because the Creek embankments are extremely erodable
and there is danger from emergency sewage discharges.
Mr. William H. Reed, 1515 Ashcroft Way, Sunnyvale, said he
was very much in favor of parks and recreation areas, provided
they were properly maintained and had adequate parking. How-
ever, he said, a park-trail along Stevens Creek would be im-
practical and would destroy natural wildlife. It would cost
a tremendous amount of money to develop and maintain, and
would always be a nuisance to homeowners. He said he was
vigorously opposed to the trail proposal.
Mrs. Betty La Pierre, 1487 Barton Drive, Sunnyvale, noted that
the District defined open space as "room to breathe" . She
reminded them that this concept is the reason people living
along Stevens Creek bought their homes there - so they could
have room to breathe. She gave a set of pictures to the Board
for their consideration which showed the wildlife that can
Meeting 74-23 Page five
be found in her backyard. She said there were over two dozen
species of birds, raccoons and opossums along the Creek which
would disappear if a trail were to be developed. She cited
many incidents of robbery and drug usage which homeowners have
already had to contend with and which would probably increase
if more people were granted access to Stevens Creek. She
added that there were cliffs up to 20 feet high along the
Creek which were very dangerous, and concluded by stating her
opposition to a Stevens Creek trail.
Ms. Charlotte Daniels, 1983 Fallen Leaf Lane, Los Altos, ex-
pressed her opposition to a trail along Stevens Creek. She
said children hiking along the trail have already given home-
owners a great deal of trouble, and the Creek area itself
was dangerous and might cause a number of injuries .
Mr. L. T. Zilisch, 22300 Penny Way, Los Altos, advised the
Board that he had to put up a six-foot cyclone fence in order
to keep trespassers out of his backyard. People have dumped
litter on his property, cut his fence, and caused fires in the
area, he said. There have been incidents of middle of the
night parties and destruction of plant life along the Creek,
and, with the advent of more people hiking there, the deer
and other wildlife that now exist will be driven from the
area, he said. Therefore, he added, he was opposed to a
trail along Stevens Creek.
Mrs. Eunice Anne Zilisch, 22300 Penny Way, Los Altos , said
she agreed with her husband' s statements.
Mr. Mike Paul, 22301 Penny Way, Los Altos, asked what the
official function of the Trails Task Force was and if any of
its members lived near Stevens Creek. Mr. W. Peters advised
that the Task Force was appointed by the Board, held regular
public meetings and acted in an advisory capacity to the Board.
He added that Mrs. Green and one of the Trails Task Force
members did live near the Creek.
Mr. Robert Mark, 725 Cowper Street, Palo Alto, said he would
like to speak in favor of the development of a trail along
Stevens Creek. He said he had moved to this area from Los
Angeles, where attempts are being made to open up creek areas
to the public, although unfortunately many creeks have been
surrounded by cement. It has been shown that, in some areas ,
people have helped patrolling rather than hindered it. He
urged the Board to take advantage of the opportunity to open
up a beautiful area to the public.
Mr. Robert P. Keller, 1401 Bedford Avenue, Sunnyvale, told
of a saying in the construction business which goes "We don't
do things here like they do in L.A. " . He said a trail along
Stevens Creek would destroy wildlife and would increase the
incidence of fires and burglaries.
Meeting 74-23 Page six
Mr. Jim Weissenborn, 1951 Fallen Leaf Lane, Los Altos, noted
that many of the homeowners along Stevens Creek have already
put up fences and acquired dogs to protect themselves .
Mr. Bill Lavelle, 2065 Cynthia Way, Los Altos, said he hoped
the Board would not fall into the trap of starting a study
and then continuing it just because it has been started. He
added that such a trail could not be properly maintained in
his opinion because Stevens Creek was too long and narrow.
Mr. Roland Vieira, 1939 Fallen Leaf Lane, Los Altos, said
he had been a police officer in Los Altos for six years and
could verify the points made by homeowners at this meeting
regarding vandalism and jurisdictional problems.
Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board of Directors of the
Midpeninsula Regional Park District authorize its
Trails Task Force to establish a Stevens Creek Trail
System Committee to prepare a specific proposal for
a route for a trail from San Francisco Bay to the
Stevens Creek Reservoir. This proposal shall give
specific attention to (1) the impact on and pro-
tection of the adjacent landowners , both in abso-
lute terms and relative to current usage; (2) impact
of proposed use on the land, the flora and fauna,
both in absolute terms and relative to current usage;
(3) protection of users of the proposed system from
natural and human dangers; (4) the prevention of use
by motor vehicles; (5) parking and (6) maintenance
requirements for the trail and Creek sides. The Com-
mittee shall invite participation by owners of pro-
perty adjacent to the Creek. B. Green seconded the
motion.
Discussion: D. Wendin said he supported the concept
of a committee, but he emphasized he would not sup-
port implementation of a trails plan that did not
adequately protect the landowners. He said he rec-
ognized that the landowners present had raised valid
objections to the establishment of a trail along
Stevens Creek, and if solutions cannot be found, it
was unlikely the Board would approve such a trail.
He added that there remained many sections of the
Creek that were appropriate for park and trail de-
velopment, even if some sections might not be.
W. Peters agreed there were many possibilities for
smaller trails and, in fact, some of the policing
problems that now exist might be lessened if there
were more people along the Creek. He said the
question is whether this is possible. The Water
District already has some proposals which the Park
Meeting 74-23 Page seven
District has asked to be kept informed about. He
noted that both districts must have public sessions
before they can act on plans that might affect proper-
ty owners along the Creek. He emphasized that no
financial or other commitment had been made by the
Park District regarding a Stevens Creek trail, and
that all the questions raised would be examined very
carefully. There is poor protection afforded home-
owners now, he noted, and perhaps one of the results
of a study would be to encourage other agencies and
cities to provide better services. He said it was
unlikely that the Park District would approve any
proposal that was not reasonable.
N. Hanko said she hoped T. Look would include special
work on impacts and protection, and asked if he had
such information at his disposal . Mr. Look replied
that there were people at San Jose State who were
willing to do some of that work. He added that if
it were necessary to expend money for those services,
the Task Force would return to the Board for author-
ization.
Action: The motion passed unanimously.
Motion: D. Wendin moved that Tony Look be appointed Stevens
Creek Trail Coordinator. N. Hanko seconded the mo-
tion. The motion passed unanimously.
B. Appointment to Subcommittee on Annexation
N. Hanko introduced her letter of November 7 , 1974 , in which
she urged the appointment of Barbara Green to as Dan Condron's
replacement on the Subcommittee on Annexations, so that the
work begun by the Subcommittee early in the year could be con-
tinued. She said B. Green had expressed a desire to serve
on that Subcommittee. She added that the subject matter of
the Subcommittee needs narrowing, and it would be helpful to
have S . Norton' s advice regarding legal requirements .
D. Wendin said he recalled the original charge of the Sub-
committee was to investigate annexation of the South County
area, and to use S. Norton' s time to answer questions regard-
ing wards and terms.
W. Peters said the Subcommittee had been formed as the result
of questions raised by a group of citizens from that area.
D. Wendin suggested the charge of the Subcommittee be reviewed
and placed on the agenda for the next meeting.
Action: W. Peters stated the consensus that a review of the
charge of the Subcommittee on Annexations be made
and placed on the next meeting' s agenda. He then
appointed Barbara Green as a member of the Subcommit-
tee.
Meeting 74-23 Page eight
C. Scheduling of Second Board Meeting in November
Following discussion, W. Peters stated the consensus of the
Board that the second meeting in November would be held at
the regularly scheduled time (Wednesday, November 27) . It
was also agreed that W. Peters would return to the Board
with a recommendation for the second meeting in December,
and if one were held it would not be on the regular day
(December 25) . I
D. San Francisquito Creek
N. Hanko introduced her letter dated November 11, 1974 , de-
scribing a recent action by the Palo Alto City Countil to
proceed with plans to extend Willow Road between Arboretum
Drive and El Camino Real. She said the proposed road might
have an important impact on San Francisc"Tuito Creek and a
possible trails system along the Creek. She urged the Dis-
trict to send a letter to the City Council requesting that
the District be included in any planning processes regarding
a road along San Francisquito Creek. She also noted that the
Trails Task Force is considering the possibility of a regional
trail along the Creek, and that plans for such a trail have
been discussed by other governmental bodies in the past. Only
the Midpeninsula Regional Park District has the regional com-
mitment to coordinate the implementation of a trails system
along the Creek, she said.
H. wench advised that he had discussed this matter with Mr.
George Sipel, Palo Alto City Manager, and was informed that
there were alternative locations for the extension of Willow
Road, and the planning staff was considering the Creek environ-
ment very carefully.
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the District make its concerns
known to the Palo Alto City Council and staff as
expressed in her letter of November 11, 1974, and
ask that the District be made part of the planning
process. There was no second to the motion.
Discussion: W. Peters suggested the letter state
that the District's purpose is to advise Palo Alto
of a possible trail in the Creek area of a regional
nature.
Motion: W. Peters moved that the General Manager of the Dis-
trict be directed to communicate the ideas expressed
in N. Hanko' s letter of November 11, 1974 , and those
ideas contained in her motion, to the Palo Alto City
Council and staff. D. Wendin seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
Meeting 74-23 Page nine
VII . OLD BUSINESS REQUIRING ACTION
A. Proposed Changes in Regional Park District Enabling Legis-
lation
S . Norton introduced his memorandum (M-74-165) dated November
8 , 1974, containing proposed changes formulated as the result
of conferences among S. Norton, D. Wendin and H. Grench. He
noted two corrections in the memorandum: (1) on page nine,
second sentence, the word "determined" should read "determine" ,
and (2) on page three, third paragraph, third sentence, the
words "regional park" should be stricken.
D. Wendin proposed that the District send the suggested changes
to the other regional park districts and ask for their com-
ments, but that the Board not wait too long before sending them
to Sacramento for appropriate legislative action.
Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Midpeninsula Regional Park
District request that one or more assembly members
or state senators introduce legislation on its behalf
to accomplish the proposed changes, and that other
regional park districts be informed and asked for
their comments and support. N. Hanko seconded the
motion.
Discussion: In response to a question from D. Wendin,
S. Norton advised that a request has been made of
State Senator Nejedly to introduce legislation under
the Public Resources Code that would raise the per-
missible interest rate which would be paid by regional
park districts to 7% . He also agreed to look into
a question raised regarding whether or not regional
park districts must include entire cities in their
initial boundaries. The motion passed unanimously.
B. Office Space Requirements
H. Grench advised the Board that because of the hiring of the
Land Manager and the present shortage of space in the District
office, it has become necessary to negotiate for additional
office space. The additional cost will be about the $145 per
month which has been budgeted. He emphasized that he was
bringing this to the Board' s attention because of the implied
commitment beyond the current fiscal year. Furniture expendi-
ture for the space might exceed budgeted costs somewhat, he
added, due to the need for a drafting table and an additional
desk.
VIII . NEW BUSINESS NOT REQUIRING ACTION
A. 1974 Congress for Recreation and Parks, and Boulder Green-
belt Program
Meeting 74-23 Page ten
H. Grench reported on the conference sponsored by the National
Parks and Recreation Association which he had recently attended
in Denver, Colorado. He said the conference was composed of
a number of educational sessions, on-site institute programs ,
mini-conferences and other meetings and special events, in-
cluding a bus tour of the Boulder Greenbelt system. Ms . Gloria
Steinem, gave the introductory address at the general session,
emphasizing the need for a revolution in humanism to eliminate
racial and sex discrimination, both nationally and on a global
scale. Mr. Fred Anderson, of the Colorado State Senate, spoke
on environmental and policial backlash. H. Grench noted that
at one of the mini-conferences entited Future Perspectives,
the subject of a Gray-Greben paper, there was concern for the
quality of life and educational activities for agencies rather
than the traditional park activity approach. Parks and recrea-
tion agencies were urged to take the initiative in zoning mat-
ters, land use, etc. , and to encourage interpretive programs.
There were also speakers who informed conference participants
of pending legislation in the parks and recreation area, in-
cluding the drive to get more money for Land and Water Conser-
vation Funds. H. Grench said the conference ended on a rather
gloomy note for him because of a session he had attended on
population, resources and the environment. It emphasized the
number of problems the world has and the lack of solutions to
those problems, in part due to the inertia inherent in the
system. There were predictions that the world is headed for
a crisis in the availability of food, resources , and energy,
and he added that the spectre of hungry children makes swing
sets and slides seem rather superfluous.
H. Grench said he took some time to inspect the Boulder Green-
belt program, which was one of the first major local open space
activities in the United States, and he showed slides of lands
owned by the agency. They have about 7,000 acres total, 5, 000
of which is located in the mountains, and have used their powers
of condemnation on occasion. They have purchased development
rights in some cases for about 50% of the land value. There
have been conflicts between the Parks and Recreation Department
and the Boulder Greenbelt program regarding maintenance of
land. H. Grench said he received the impression that the
Boulder Greenbelt program was fairly well established now, and
mentioned that they were trying to work on an innovative open
space program with developers.
VII . OLD BUSINESS REQUIRING ACTION (continued)
S. Norton reported that he had studied the regional park dis-
trict enabling legislation and found that it did require a
minimum of three cities to be involved in the creation of a
regional park district, but it was not clear if a city could
be divided.
Meeting 74-23 Page eleven
Mr. Robert Mark, 725 Cowper Street, Palo Alto, suggested that
the Board request clarification in the enabling legislation.
Action: W. Peters stated the consensus that the Board would
ask its legal counsel, S. Norton, to investigate the
matter a little further and, if necessary, the Board
could submit it to legislators at a later date. He
also stated Board agreement that the Subcommittee on
Annexations should review the matter.
IX. CLAIMS
Motion: W. Peters moved to adopt the revised claims (C-74-21)
dated November 13, 1974 as presented. N. Hanko
seconded the motion.
Discussion: D. Wendin advised the Board that he would
vote against the motion because of claim No. 760, and
B. Green said she would abstain because of claim No.
760. The motion passed on the following vote: AYES
W. Peters, K. Duffy, N. Hanko; NOES - D. Wendin;
ABSTAIN - B. Green.
X. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
There were no written communcations.
XI . EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board recessed to Executive Session at 11 : 01 P.M.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
The Board reconvened to adjourn at 12: 07 P.M.
Anne Cathcart Crosley
Administrative Secretary