HomeMy Public PortalAbout19741127 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) ME ng 74-24
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Regular Meeting
Board of Directors
M I N U T E S
November 27 , 1974 745 Distel Drive
Los Altos, CA
I . ROLL CALL
President Peters called the meeting to order at 7 : 24 P.M.
Members Present: Katherine Duffy, Barbara Green, Nonette
Hanko, William Peters and Daniel Wendin.
Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Edward Jaynes, Jon Olson,
Anne Crosley, Carroll Harrington and Jennie George.
Audience of fourteen persons.
II . 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 San Mateo County and Santa
Clara County. . . " W. Peters stated the consensus
that this change was acceptable to the Board. The
motion, as amended, passed unanimously.
III . ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
No one wished to speak at this time.
IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
K. Duffy asked that Mr. Robert Yeaton be allowed to speak to
the Board under Oral Communications upon his arrival at the
meetinq. She also asked that the Board discuss the Mainten-
ance Endowment Fund under New Business Not Requiring Action.
D. Wendin requested the Board to consider Advertising of
Business Meetings under New Business Requiring Action.
W. Peters stated the consensus that the above changes in
the agenda were acceptable to Board members .
Meeting 74-24 Page two
V. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Proposed Black Mountain Open Space Preserve
H. Grench introduced his memorandum (M-74-171) dated
November 20, 1974 , regarding the Proposed Black Mountain
Open Space Preserve. He acknowledged the work of Dr.
Judith Unsicker and ion Olson in preparing much of the
report. He showed the Board and audience slides of the
property, many of which were taken by Don Weden of the
County Planning Department. He noted that the District' s
land acquisition program had begun prior to the completion
of its Master Plan, especially with respect to lands which
would clearly rank high in eventual plans. This particular
parcel, he said, corresponds to the District' s Basic Policy
and to the developing Master Plan. The property is located
outside Urban Service Area boundaries. The only present
access to the property is via Monte Bello Road. H. Grench
advised that this transaction was a complex one, and that
the District has succeeded in obtaining a 593/600 interest
in the approximately 600 acre parcel, and a 120/160 interest
in the approximately 160 acre parcel. Escrow was scheduled
to close by the end of December, 1974 . The total purchase
price of the property was about $955,000 over a three year
payment period. He recommended that the Board of Directors
take titletothese interests, instruct the staff to continue
negotiations in the remaining interests, and approve the
interim management plan described in the report, subject
to further staff exploration and refinement.
J. Olson said the Black Mountain property was blessed with
rich resources and a variety of wildlife and vegetation.
He said the property had been used somewhat for grazing
and for study by educational and conservation groups and
that such uses, properly controlled, would probably be
compatible with the character of the land. He added that
there was evidence of overgrazing in some areas. In answer
to a question from N. Hanko, he said the rare Dudley' s
shield fern could perhaps be protected by interior fencing.
In answer to a auestion from D. Wendin, H. Grench advised
that the effect of removal of the property from the tax
rolls for the Monte Bello Elementary School District has
been investigated previously.
B. Green advised that she would not participate in the dis-
cussion or voting on the 600 acre parcel because of her
personal friendship with one of the owners of the property
and his endorsement of her campaign.
W. Peters noted that a letter had been received from Ms.
Mary Hallesy of the Sierra Club in support of the acquisi-
tion of the Black Mountain property.
Meeting 74-24 Page three
K. Duffy noted the property was closer to downtown Sara-
toga than to downtown Palo Alto.
Mr. Robert Mark, 725 Cowper Street, Palo Alto, said that
as a geologist he was pleased to see the District acquir-
ing some property on the San Andreas fault. He asked that
casual hiking be permitted in the future.
Ms. Marge Sutton, 609 Rosita Avenue, Los Altos , spoke as
Chairwoman of the Sierra Club' s Loma Prieta Chapter. She
said the Black Mountain proposed preserve was in a beauti-
ful area and hoped the Board would decide to acquire the
property. She added that she also hoped there would be
general access to the property in the future, especially
for schools and environmental volunteers .
Mr. Don Miles, 961 Wood Duck Avenue, Santa Clara, said he
was from Peterson High in the Monte Bello Ridge area, which
was part of the Santa Clara Unified School District.
He advised the Board that the school had been granted use
of the property for 'study,. and people from the school had
helped in clearing brush and fixing the roads on the pro-
perty in the past. He said he had noticed erosion of the
property due to cattle grazing. He expressed a desire
for the continued use of the property by the school, and
said he supported the District' s preservation program.
Mr. Carl Newman, 12641 Quinnhill, Los Altos ,
the botanical and wildlife study of the report on the Black
Mountain property. He said that he had never sighted any
rattlesnakes on the property, although there were a few
wild boars in the area.
Mr. Howard Harrington, 830 Melville Avenue, Palo Alto,
asked the Board if it were necessary to study the finan-
cial impact on the Monte Bello School District of taking
the property off the tax rolls. D. Wendin advised that
since the School District had such a small tax base, there
could be a significant impact.
N. Hanko commented that the Black Mountain Preserve was
representative of the wilderness experience element pro-
posed in the Master Plan and of the spirit behind the
move to organize a park district. She said it seemed
appropriate that the proposed Black Mountain Preserve had
come before the Board on Thanksgiving Eve, and that the
District was fortunate the land was in an unspoiled state.
She noted that the late Mildred Ligda had cared for the
land, sometimes with great personal sacrifice.
Motion: N. Hanko moved adoption of Resolution No. 74-26 ,
a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the
Midpeninsula Regional Park District Authorizing
Acquisition of Property (Black Mountain Open Space
Meeting 74-- Page four
Preserve) (1) . K. Duffy seconded the motion.
The motion passed on the following vote: AYES -
Duffy, Hanko, Peters and Wendin. ABSTAIN - B. Green.
Motion: D. Wendin moved adoption of Resolution No. 74-27 ,
a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Mid-
peninsula Regional Park District Authorizing Acqui-
sition of Property (Black Mountain Open Space Pre-
serve) (2) . N. Hanko seconded the motion.
Discussion: D. Wendin noted that Resolutions No.
74-26 and 74-27 both contained the following section:
"Unless and until a different policy is adopted by
the Board of Directors, said land shall be maintained
in open space, grazing and similar compatible agri-
cultural uses as now exist on the property unless
other or additional uses are approved by all the
owners thereof. " The motion passed unanimously.
W. Peters complimented the staff on the work they had done
in preparing the proposed acquisition of Black Mountain land
for Board consideration. H. Grench commented that E. Jaynes
had done an outstanding job in his negotiations.
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board of Directors direct
staff to continue negotiations toward completion
of the acquisition of the Black Mountain Open Space
Preserve and report back to the Board at a later
time. D. Wendin seconded the motion. The motion
passed unanimously.
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board of Directors approve
the management plan for the Black Mountain Open
Space Preserve as described in the General Manager' s
memorandum (M-74-171) dated November 20, 1974 , as
presented as a basic policy for use of the land
until further staff exploration and policy develop-
ment is presented to the Board. K. Duffy seconded
the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board of Directors instruct
staff to study and report on the impact of the re-
moval of the Black Mountain property from the tax
rolls of the Monte Bello Elementary School District.
D. Wendin seconded the motion. The motion passed
unanimously.
W. Peters said he would like to see a new category in future
reports on land acquisition that would include consideration
of alternative uses (if the property were not acquired) , of
particular parcels of land as affected by zoning, seismology,
etc, to be used as a working document.
Meeting 74-24 Page five
VI. OLD BUSINESS NOT REQUIRING ACTION
A. Review of Annexation Subcommittee Assignment
N. Hanko introduced her letter of November 15, 1974 regard-
ing the original assignment to the Annexation Subcommittee
made by the Board of Directors on December 12, 1974. She
said that she and B. Green, the subcommittee members, were
both satisfied with that assignment. They would also like
to consult with the District' s legal counsel on several
questions that have arisen about annexation, she added.
W. Peters and K. Duffy expressed their desire to see the
subcommittee stress assignment No. 2, which deals with the
possible annexation of the remainder of Santa Clara County.
Action: W. Peters stated the consensus that the Annexation
Subcommittee assignment as set forth in N. Hanko' s
letter of November 15, 1974 is acceptable to the
Board.
VII . NEW BUSINESS REQUIRING ACTION
A. Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula
Regional Park District Adopting Budget for Fiscal Year
1974-1975 as Amended
H. Grench introduced his memorandum (M-74-172) dated November
19, 1974 , regarding the amended budget for the District' s
1974-1975 fiscal year. He advised the Board that total
revenue for the District would be $285, 000 more than antici-
pated, and he recommended that the additional revenue be
placed in the "Opportunities and Emergencies" fund to pro-
vide the District with maximum flexibility. He also pointed
out that on page 1 of Exhibit A to the Resolution, under
"B. Salaries and Benefits" , the annual expenditure for Dir-
ectors is $6, 000 rather than $1, 500, and the annual expend-
ture for the General Manager is $26, 000 rather than $6 , 000.
D. Wendin said the "Opportunities and Emergencies" category
seemed to be the most appropriate place for the additional
revenue.
Motion: K. Duffy moved adoption of Resolution No. 74-28 , a
Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpen-
insula Regional Park District Adopting Budget for
Fiscal Year 1974 - 1975 as Amended, with the corrected
exhibit. D. Wendin seconded the motion.
Discussion: In response to a question by D. Wendin,
H. Grencii—advised that adoption of the budget by
resolution was a formality, a matter of discretion
by the District. The motion passed unanimously.
Meeting 74-,. - Page six
In response to a question from the audience, H. Grench ad-
vised that the $100, 000 received from the Land and Water
Conservation Fund must be applied to the acquisition of the
Perham Ranch.
B. Scheduling of Second Meeting in December
W. Peters asked the Board to consider whether a second regu-
lar Board meeting should be held in the month of December, or
whether a workshop-retreat should be scheduled in its place.
H. Grench advised that the December 11 agenda was already
very full, assuming the Master Plan would be considered.
He said that according to his notes the Board would like to
discuss the following topics at a workshop: (1) updating
of the Action Plan; (2) reflection on the progress of the
District; (3) the economic future of the District; and (4)
land management. He said he had hoped to prepare an annual
report for the Board prior to the next workshop, and that
very little written material on the various items could be
prepared in time for a December workshop.
W. Peters suggested it would not be necessary to have an
annual report prepared for the workshop and perhaps the
report could include Board members' opinions.
D. Wendin and K. Duffy both expressed an interest in allot-
ing a generous amount of time at the workshop to land manage-
ment.
Action: Following discussion, W. Peters stated the consensus
that Sunday, December 15, at 10: 00 A.M. would be
the date of the goals workshop, with the place to
be determined.
C. Advertising of Business Meetings
D. Wendin said he would like staff to investigate the cost
of advertising the District' s regular Board meetings in
various newspapers in the District. He said he was con-
cerned that the District' s meeting dates did not consis-
tently appear in the governmental calendar section of the
Palo Alto Times.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS NOT REQUIRING ACTION
A. Review of Notices of Intent and Draft Environmental
Impact Reports of Other Agencies
H. Grench introduced his memorandum (M-74-170) dated Novem-
ber 20, 1974, regarding Review of the Environmental Impact
Reports and Notices of Intent from other Agencies. He
advised that the Board's policy has been that little staff
time should be spent reviewing these reports and notices.
Meeting 74-24 Page seven
W. Peters suggested this matter would fall under the cate-
gory of intergovernmental relations, which he thought should
be discussed at the next Board workshop.
N. Hanko expressed her agreement with W. Peters' suggestions,
and added that she thought each Board member should be res-
spnsible for the reports pertaining to his or her ward. She
asked the General Manager if the reports could be forwarded
to the Board member or members whose wards would be affected,
and he replied that this could be done.
Action: W. Peters stated the consensus that Environmental
Impact Reports and Notices of Intent should be
discussed at the next Board workshop.
B. Maintenance Endowment Fund
K. Duffy said she would like the staff to investigate the
possibilities for assistance to the District through the
Maintenance Endowment Fund.
H. Grench said the Land Manager, Jon Olson, could look into
the Fund and perhaps compile some information for the Board
for the upcoming workshop.
IX. CLAIMS
Motion: D. Wendin moved acceptance of the revised claims
(C-74-22) dated November 27, 1974. N. Hanko
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (continued)
Mr. Robert (Bob) Yeaton, a developer from the Saratoga area,
addressed the Board concerning the possibilities that exist
for educated developers in the private sector to build single
family dwellings and condominiums while maintaining the
natural beauty of the surrounding land. He said it was his
opinion that it was financially feasible to cluster housing
units, provide open space land for the owners of the housing
units, and donate the remainder of the property for public
open space use.
Mr. Yeaton explained to the Board that he had used this
concept in the Las Cumbras development. He said he was
going to expand on the idea in the proposed Las Simas develop-
ment. People who are looking for quality housing in a
naturally beautiful setting will pay the price, he said, which
Meeting 74-24 Page eight
will make the extra work involved financially sound. it
is necessary for the developer to consider the land involved;
not the monetary gain, he said. This attitude will aid
the developer in obtaining permits from cities, although
the financial gain might not be the largest margin possible.
He invited Board and staff members to tour his developments
at their convenience.
X. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board recessed to Executive Session at 10: 25 to discuss
land negotiations.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
The Board reconvened to adjourn at 11: 40 P.M.
Anne Cathcart Crosley
Administrative Secretary
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: N. Hanko moved adoption of the minutes of November 27,
1974 as presented. K. Duffy seconded the motion.
Discussion: N. Hanko asked that the third paragraph
on page two of the minutes be amended to read as fol-
lows: "In answer to questions from N. Hanko, H. Grench
advised that part of the property was in the Monte Bello
Elementary School District, and staff had studied the
effect of the removal of the property from the tax rolls,
but did not have the figures at hand. " A. Crosley advised
that there was en error on page three, paragraph five of
the minutes, in that the first sentence should read
"Mr. Carl Newman, 12641 Quinnhill, Los Altos, said he
liked the botanical and wildlife study of the report on
the Black Mountain property. " The words "said he liked"
had been inadvertently omitted from the minutes. W.
Peters said the first sentence on page one of the minutes
appeared to contain an error in the starting time of the
meeting. A. Crosley advised that the correct startin-j
time should be 7: 34, rather than 7 : 24 . W. Peters stated
the consensus that the above amendments were acceptal-le
to the Board. The motion, as amended, Passed unanimc)'Usly.