Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout19741211 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting 74-25 Alm Ow MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT Regular Meeting Board of Directors M I N U T E S December 11, 1974 745 Distel Drive Los Altos, CA I. ROLL CALL President Peters called the meeting to order at 7:43 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, Stanley Norton and Carroll Harrington. Audience of five persons. II. 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 starting time should be 7: 34, rather than 7 :24 . W. Peters stated the consensus that the above amendments were acceptable to the Board. The motion, as amended, passed unanimously. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (continued) K. Duffy asked that the sixth paragraph on page five of the minutes of December 11, 1974 be amended to read as follows: I "K. Duffy noted there was much land in that area in the Urban Service Area boundaries which would probably not be developed within five years. " K. Duffy stated the consensus that the minutes be accepted as amended. r S r� Meeting 74-25 Page two III . ADOPTION OF AGENDA W. Peters asked that the memorandum written by J. George re- garding Display Advertising for Board Meetings (M-74-175) dated December 3, 1974 be considered under New Business Requiring Action. He stated the consensus of the Board that this was acceptable, and that the Board proceed with the agenda as it is constituted until further discussion under agenda item No. 2 . IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Robert J. Debs, 3145 Flowers Lane, Palo Alto, introduced a letter that he had written to the Board of Directors dated December 11, 1974 , and said he would appreciate it being read at an appropriate time when the Board considered agenda item No. 10, Conflicts of Interest Legislation. He complimented the Board and staff on the accomplishments of the District to date. V. OLD BUSINESS REQUIRING ACTION A. Black Mountain Open Space Preserve H. Grench advised that staff had nothing to report on negotia- tions for the remaining interests in the Black Mountain Open Space Preserve property at this time. B. Second Regular Meeting in December and Requested Change of Date for Goals Workshop N. Hanko introduced her letter dated December 4 , 1974 regarding a possible second meeting in December and requesting that the date of the Goals Workshop be changed from December 15, 1974 to a convenient date in February, 1975. She suggested February 1. She emphasized that her request to postpone the Goals Workshop came prior to the Palo Alto Times editorial that asked for a postponement. She said she was concerned that staff had inade- quate time to prepare for the workshop and that the public was ti given little notice in a month which is traditionally busy for most people. Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board of Directors schedule a Goals Workshop for Saturday, February 1, 1975. K. Duffy seconded the motion. Discussion: W. Peters said he thought the Palo Alto Times editorial was capricious and that his conception of the Goals Workshop was that it would be conducted on an informal, unstructured basis without the benefit of lengthy staff reports. He said that the workshop should be held at the Board' s convenience, not the staff's, and that any objections the staff might have had should have been raised at the November 27 meeting. D. Wendin said he concurred with W. Peter' s statements . H. Grench said his concern was not that the December Meeting 74-25 Page three 15 meeting would be personally inconvenient for staff members, but that this season was a particularly busy time for the average citizen, and the staff would have insufficient time to make the preparations that he con- sidered appropriate for the workshop. K. Duffy and N. Hanko agreed it was important to obtain input from the public and from groups such as the Sierra Club. D. Wen- din advised that he would be unable to attend a Febru- ary 1 workshop. Amendment: N. Hanko amended her motion to schedule the Goals Workshop for Sunday, February 2. Discussion: N. Hanko said she regretted holding the workshop on a Sunday, but felt it was important that all Board members be able to attend. The motion passed on the following vote: AYES - K. Duffy, B. Green, N. Hanko and D. Wendin; ABSTAIN - W. Peters. J. Olson advised that he had preparedan initial draft of land management concepts for Board members to consider as the basis for discussion at the workshop. H. Grench advised that his annual report would trace the history of the park district, its accomplishments, its present status and possible future directions. D. Wendin said he preferred to see the annual report presented at a regular Board meeting rather than at the workshop. E. Shelley said he would prefer to attend an unstructured work- shop. Motion: N. Hanko moved that the February 2 , 1975 Goals Workshop be held in the District offices at 745 Distel Drive, Los Altos, from 9: 45 A.M. to approximately 5: 00 P.M. K. Duffy seconded the motion. The motion passed unani- mously. Action: W. Peters stated the consensus of the Board that the meeting be publicized appropriately in newspapers and other publications within the District. K. Duffy asked that it be emphasized that the meeting will be a Board workshop. Action: W. Peters stated the consensus that the specific agenda items for the Goals Workshop be considered at the second meeting in January. VI . OLD BUSINESS NOT REQUIRING ACTION A. Master Plan Policy Statements K. Duffy distributed copies of the Master Plan Policy Statement revision, and the revision to it, which she had just completed. She said she tried to limit the major statements to policies Meeting 74-25 Page four regarding land acquisition, and to treat non-land acquisition policies of lesser importance to the District in brief sentences. She said she tried to rewrite the background material for each category so it seemed smoother and less stiff. She said she thought the Master Plan Policy Statement draft needed some defin- itions, and perhaps additional baylands materials such as those she had added. N. Hanko said she was satisfied with D. Wendin' s treatment of the Wilderness Experience category. Action: W. Peters stated the consensus that a further revision would be sent to Board members following the next sub- committee meeting. VII. NEW BUSINESS REQUIRING ACTION A. Receipt of Election Canvass (1) A. Crosley referred the Board to her memorandum (M-74-180) dated December 6, 1974 , regarding the receipt by the District of the Certificate of Election Results signed by Registrar of Voters George Mann. She recommended that the Board now accept and approve the report of the Secretary and declare the results of the November 5, 1974 general election as set forth in the memorandum. Term of Candidate and Ward Total Votes Elected Office (years) Katherine M. Duffy, Ward 1 21, 506 X 4 Daniel G. Wendin, Ward 2 16,686 X 4 Barbara Green, Ward 3 11, 858 X 2 Jack Whitaker, Ward 3 4 ,916 - Edward G. Shelley, Ward 4 15, 554 X 2 Nonette G. Hanko, Ward 5 19, 605 X 4 Motion: W. Peters moved that the Board of Directors of the Mid- peninsula Regional Park District accept and approve the report of the Secretary of the District and declare the results of the November 5, 1974 general election as set forth therein. D. Wendin seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Meeting 74-25 Page five (2) A. Crosley advised the Board that the swearing in of all five elected candidates could not be accomplished this evening because the Registrar of Voters office had not yet received two of the candidates' final financial statements for filing. She noted that the Board had the following alternatives, keeping in mind that the oaths of office must be administered prior to December 20: (i) to give the oaths of office to the three elected candidates whose financial statements have been filed at this meeting and administer the other two oaths individually or at a possible December 18 meeting; (ii) to give the oaths of office to all elected candidates at a December 18 meeting; or (iii) to give all oaths individually. Action: W. Peters stated the consensus that the three candidates whose statements had been filed be given their oaths of office now, and that the other two candiates may take oaths of office separately. A. Crosley then administered the oath of office to elected candiates Katherine M. Duffy, Edward G. Shelley and Barbara Green, representing wards 1, 4 and 3, respectively. She added that, in the future, Board members and other candidates should read election-related memorandums very carefully so that filing deadlines are met. B. Urban Service Area Boundaries H. Grench advised the Board members that three cities in the District have requested Urban Service Area boundary changes from LAFCo: Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos and Cupertino. The cities not requesting a change are Sunnyvale, Palo Altos, Los Altos, Mountain View, Saratoga and Monte Sereno. With respect to Cupertino, there is an approximately 50 acre parcel land owned by Kaiser Permanente, designated as permanent open space in the Monte Bello Ridge plan, which is being sub- mitted for inclusion into Cupertino' s Urban Service Area. K. Duffy noted there was much land in that area in the Urban Service Area boundaries which would probably never be developed. H. Grench advised that Los Gatos was requesting that about 5, 000 additional acres of land be included in its Urban Service Area, primarily so it would have control over development. Los Gatos has complained that the County Board of Supervisors has approved construction that Los Gatos would not have. H. Grench added that he feels Los Gatos is asking for too much and there are other ways in which the city and County could control de- velopment. He said there is some Williamson Act land located within the 5, 000 acre area. Meeting 74-25 Page six Action: W. Peters stated the consensus that H. Grench be given discretion with respect to Urban Service Area boundary discussions to determine and take action by the District that would be appropriate. H. Grench further advised that Los Altos Hills wants to add about 450 acres into its Urban Service Area. It was his opinion that the addition would have little or no impact on the District, and may even add fewer units to the area than would presently be allowed, if the County adds the CS zone. N. Hanko suggested that Urban Service Area boundaries was a sub- ject area which belonged in the category of intergovernmental relations. K. Duffy raised three questions regarding Urban Service Area boundaries: (1) some of the Urban Service Area boundaries are larger than they need to be, because much of the land will not be developed within five years and, furthermore, may never be developed; (2) some land under the Williamson Act is located within Urban Service Area boundaries; and (3) is the County or the cities doing the better job in the area of zoning. Action: W. Peters stated the consensus that discussions with cities and the County regarding Urban Service Area boundaries be done on an informal basis through H. Grench and/or Board members. C. Resolution Congratulating the East Bay Regional Park District on its Fourtieth Anniversary Motion: B. Green moved adoption by the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Park District of Resolution No. 74-29, a Resolution Congratulating the East Bay Regional Park District on its Fourtieth Anniversary. K. Duffy seconded the motion. The motion passed unani- mously. VIII. NEW BUSINESS NOT REQUIRING ACTION A. Changes in Rules of Procedure W. Peters suggested the Board consider eliminating the section in the Rules of Procedure dealing with agenda categories or make changes in the section to reflect current categories. The most recent change, he pointed out, was the placing of the Written Communications category after Oral Communications at the beginning of the meeting. Meeting 74-25 Page seven D. Wendin said he wanted to see the proposed changes in written form, and other Board members agreed with him. Action: W. Peters stated the consensus that he would prepare proposed changes in the Rules of Procedure in written form and submit them to the Board for consideration at a future meeting. B. Further Changes in Enabling Legislation W. Peters introduced his memorandum (M-74-179) dated December 5, 1974, proposing changes in the regional park district enabling legislation with respect to limiting directors ' terms and limit- ing the term of office of a Board member serving in a Board- elected office. Motion: W. Peters moved that the Board of Directors direct legal counsel to draft legislation limiting Board members ' terms of office to not more than two consecutive four-year terms. K. Duffy seconded the motion. Discussion: D. Wendin said he thought such a change should be in the form of a resolution by the MRPD, not a change in the enabling legislation. N. Hanko said she did not think other park district Board members would be enthusiastic about the proposal. B. Green said the limit might prevent a director that everyone wants to keep as a director from serv- ing. S. Norton advised that the Board cannot legally limit the number of terms which a director can serve; however, in his opinion, the Board can limit the number of terms of officers elected by the Board, although any such resolution to that effect could be repealed at any time. Motion: W. Peters said he would withdraw his previous motion and move that legal counsel be directed to draft a resolution regarding proposed Board policy that no director should serve more than two consecutive four- year terms. K. Duffy seconded the motion. The mo- tion passed on the following vote: AYES - W. Peters, K. Duffy, D. Wendin and B. Green; NOES - N. Hanko. Motion: W. Peters moved that the By-Laws of the Midpeninsula Regional Park District be amended to establish a two- term limit during which a Board member may serve in the same Board-elected office. B. Green seconded the motion. Discussion: W. Peters and N. Hanko said they favored annual rotation of officers. D. Wendin said that since the policy could be changed by a majority of the Board at any time, the policy of annual rotation Meeting 71-25 Page eight should be decided by Board members at the time of the election of Board officers. The motion failed on the following vote: AYES - W. Peters and B. Green; NOES K. Duffy, N. Hanko and D. Wendin. C. Election Costs for Printing Candidates' Statements and Ad- vertising of the Election K. Duffy referred to her memorandum (M-74-181) dated December 6, 1974 , stating that she thought there should be better ad- vertising of vacant offices, and that the District should pay for the printing of candidates' statements. She said it would be discriminatory to people with limited financial re- sources for the District to fail to pay the cost of their candidate statements. D. Wendin said he would oppose the policy inasmuch as it might invite large numbers of candidates who were not serious about running. H. Grench advised that the District paid about $1,750 for the printing of candidates' statements and translation. He added that the District paid about $9,000 for its share of the cost of the vote counting. S. Norton advised that the District incurs the bill for the printing of candidates' statements. The County is obligated to print a candidate' s statement whether or not the candidate is going to pay for it. The bill is sent to the District from the County, and the District must pay it. The question, he said, is whether or not the District will choose to bill the candidates for their shares in the cost of printing the state- ments. E. Shelley said he thought the District should consider its policy in this regard as soon as possible. N. Hanko asked for additional information from staff as to possible costs to the District regarding candidates ' statements. Action: W. Peters stated the consensus that legal counsel be directed to draft resolutions stating that the Dis- trict would advertise election vacancies, and would bear the costs of printing candidates ' statements, including translations into Spanish. D. Display Advertising for Board Meetings Action: W. Peters stated the consensus that this item be agendized for the next Board meeting. Meeting 74-25 Page nine E. Conflicts of Interest Legislation Action: W. Peters stated the consensus that this item be agendized for the next Board meeting. V. OLD BUSINESS REQUIRING ACTION (continued) B. Second Regular Meeting in December Action: W. Peters stated the consensus that there be no meet- ing on the 18th of December, but that Board members be on call for such a meeting if the need arises. IX. CLAIMS Motion: W. Peters moved acceptance of the revised claims (C- 74-23) dated December 11, 1974 as presented. D. Wen- din seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. X. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Board recessed to Executive Session at 10: 47. XI . ADJOURNMENT The Board reconvened to adjourn at 11:16 P.M. Anne Cathcart Crosley Administrative Secretary