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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19750709 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting 75-16 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT Regular Meeting Board of Directors M I N U T E S July 9 , 1975 745 Distel Drive Los Altos, CA I, ROLL CALL President Duffy called the meeting to order at 7 : 35 P.M. Members Present : Katherine Duffy, Barbara Green, Nonette Hanko, Edward Shelley and Daniel Wendin Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Edward Jaynes, Jon Olson, Anne Crosley, Jennie George, Stanley Norton, Carroll Harring- ton and Robert Garcia. II . APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Minutes of May 28 and 30 , 1975 The Board considered a memorandum (M-75-89) dated June 24 , 1975 from A. Crosley regarding the Minutes of May 28 and 30 , 1975. The memorandum reflected comments made by the Directors taken from the tape of that meeting during consideration of a two-term limit for Directors. Motion: N. Hanko moved that the minutes of May 28 and 30 , 1975 be amended on page four, paragraph four, line six, after " (2) " to read as follows : 11 (2) since the subject of term limita- tion has been a public issue solely in Mountain View there is no basis to con- clude it is an issue elsewhere in the District. . . " and that the following sentence attributable to B. Green be included on page five of the minutes after paragraph two: "By 1982 it may well be that each of the cities in our District may have initiated two term limits themselves, anyway. There ' s a trend in that direction. " I II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Minutes of July 9 , 1975 D. Wendin said his name was incorrectly listed in the second to the last line on page five of the minutes of July 9 , 1975 as the person who made a substitute motion. N. Hanko' s name c should replace his, he added. K. Duffy stated the consensus that the minutes of July 9 , 1975 be approved with the above change. Meeting 75-16 Page two B. Green seconded the motion. Discussion: D. Wendin said he did not see there was a need to change the statement made by N. Hanko in the minutes. E. Shelley suggested the word "directors" could be substituted for the word "voters" , but he felt that small points of discussion should be not included. N. Hanko withdrew her motion. Motion: N. Hanko moved that the minutes of May 28 and 30 , 1975 be amended on page four, paragraph four, line six, after " (2) " to read as follows : " (2) a Board of Directors should not impose their restriction on Board mem- bers ' terms in another community. " E. Shelley seconded the motion. The motion passed un- animously. B. Minutes of June 25 , 1975 K. Duffy stated the consensus that the minutes of June 25 , 1975 be approved as presented. C. Minutes of June 30 , 1975 K. Duffy stated the consensus that the minutes of June 30 , 1975 be approved as presented. ADOPTION OF AGENDA E. Shelley asked that the proposed development plans of the Newhall Land and Farming Company in the Mountain View Baylands be considered under New Business Requiring Action. K. Duffy said she had a Special Order of the Day to add to the agenda. H. Grench asked that support by the District for the proposed Matadero Ridge Park in Los Altos Hills be considered under New Business Requiring Action. E. Shelley suggested that the Review of Salary Ranges , under New Business Requiring Action, be considered prior to the Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Reg- ional Park District Adopting Budget for Fiscal Year 1975-1976 As Amended, which is on the agenda as old Business Requiring Action. K. Duffy stated the consensus that all of the above changes in the agenda were acceptable to the Board. Meeting 75-16 Page three IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were no oral communications at this time. V. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS A. Crosley advised the Board there were two communications from the Sierra Club, one regarding the District's tax rate and the other concerning its policy on urban open space. There was also a communication from Ms. Pat Maguire on her position with respect to a Public Trail System Along the Stevens Creek Park Chain. A. Crosley referred the Board to a communication from Ms . Nancy Jewell Cross , spokesperson for the Committee for Safe and Sensible San Francisquito Creek Area Routing. Ms. Cross planned to attend the District's meeting later and hoped to explain her letter at that time. VI . SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY K. Duffy presented S. Norton, newly-elected Mayor of the City of Palo Alto, with a card and gift from the Board and staff of the District in recognition of his new position. VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Policy on Urban Open Space H. Grench introduced three items sent to the Board for their reference in considering the District's policy on urban open space : A memorandum from K. Duffy and D. Wendin (M-75-73) dated May 7 , 1975 regarding the Basic Policy Statements Sub- committee Report; a memorandum from the General Manager (M- 75-77) dated May 16, 1975 regarding the Master Plan Policy Statements Subcommittee Report Draft; and a communication from the Town of Los Gatos expressing support for the District' s policy of considering land for acquisition located in the foothills and baylands and not in urbanized areas. H. Grench noted that at the Board meeting of May 28 , 1975 , the Board adopted the following amendment to the District 's Basic Policy: "The District will use its available re- sources primarily to acquire open space outside the Urban Service Area boundaries of the cities. This policy would allow some acquisition of key open space out- side the urbanized area but within the Urban Service Area. " Meeting 75-16 Page four H. Grench recalled that the Board' s consensus at that meet- ing was to hold a public hearing at a future Board meeting on the question of whether to include a reference to urban open space of regional significance in the Basic Policy of the District. D. Wendin said he favored a statement of the Board's policy on urban open space of regional significance and that it should be included in the Master Plan. E. Shelley said he would support changing the second sentence in the Basic Policy to exclude the words "outside the urban- ized area but" , rather than adding a third sentence. He noted that Urban Service Areas could change. H. Grench suggested the change would alter the meaning of the statement to indicate the District would consider acquisi- tion in urbanized areas rather than on the "fringe. " K. Duffy opened the public hearing at 8 :13 P.M. Dr. Robert Mark, 725 Cowper, Palo Alto, said he was represent- ing the Committee for Green Foothills , which supported the position of the General Manager as expressed in his memorandum of May 16 , 1975. The Committee opposed inclusion of alteration No. 3 set forth in the Subcommittee report of May 7 , 1975 , and also opposed deletion of the words "outside the urbanized area but" from the existing second sentence. Mr. Colin Miller, 1013 Paradise Way, Palo Alto, said he repre- sented the Sierra Club, which had directed a letter to the Board regarding its policy on urban open space. He urged the Board to maintain the District's existing policy of acquir- ing land outside the urban area. According to the Sierra Club letter "this policy frees the cities from buying property in surrounding areas and enables cities to use funds to purchase land within their own boundaries for parks and open space. This policy further enables the cities ' people to use foothill and mountain regional parks close to their city's boundary. " D. Wendin pointed out that the Sierra Club was supporting a policy of the District to acquire land outside the urban areas, but the Sierra Club also earlier supported acquisition of El Retiro and establishment of a trail along Stevens Creek, which are both in urban areas. R. Marks replied that the word "pri- marily" in the first Basic Policy sentence covers such instances. To leave the Basic Policy as it is , he said, does not preclude consideration of urban open space by the District, but to change the statement as proposed might invite a flood of re- quests for the District to purchase urban open space. Meeting 75-16 Page five B. Green said she did not feel the District' s tax base was great enough for the Board to be in a position to consider land in urban areas going for prices in the neighborhood of $60,000 per acre. N. Hanko reminded the Board that the ballot argument for the creation of the District assured the voters that its purpose would be to acquire land in the foothills and baylands out- side the urban area. She said she did not feel references to urban open space belonged in the District' s Basic Policy. Ms. Pat Maguire, 1013 East Cardinal, Sunnyvale, suggested the District would face many problems in urbanized areas , such as jurisdictional disputes, established residential areas , etc. She said the District should concentrate its efforts in the foothills. Ms. Lois Daley, 1573 Ashcroft Way, Sunnyvale, asked how the District 's open space plans coincided with the County' s plans. N. Hanko replied that the District is listed in the County's Open Space Action Plan as a coordinator or as an initiator for certain activities in accordance with the District' s Basic Policy. Generally speaking, the District will encourage trails in urban areas, she said. Ms . Daley said that as a citizen she did not want to see duplication of County, city and District efforts regarding park and open space plans. If the District was performing a special function, e.g. , acqui- sition of open space outside the urban area, it should con- tinue that function rather than duplicate efforts another juris- diction should be concerned with. H. Grench noted that although the County has an open space plan, its means of implementing the plan are limited to zoning and some funds for acquisition. It is not the program of the County to acquire large open space parcels in the foothills. K. Duffy closed the public hearing at 8 :32 - P.M. Motion: D. Wendin moved that appropriate language be included in the pending Master Plan to state that the policy of the Midpeninsula Regional Park District is that urban open space judged to be of regional significance may also be considered for acquisition. K. Duffy seconded the motion. Amendment: N. Hanko moved to amend the motion to read asfollows : The policy of the Midpeninsula Re- gional Park District will be that urban open space Judged to be of regional significance will be consid- ered for acquisition. K. Duffy seconded the motion to amend. Substitute Motion: D. Wendin moved to substitute the following motion for his original motion: The Meeting 75-16 Page six policy of the Midpeninsula Regional Park District will be that urban open space judged to be of regional significance maybe considexed .for acquisition., K. Duffy seconded the motion. N. Hanko withdrew her motion to amend. Discussion: D. Wendin pointed out that he wanted the Board to consider its policy on urban open space in three areas - as a general policy of the Board to ap- pear in the minutes of this meeting, as a portion of the Basic Policy, and as part of the Master Plan docu- ment. Amendment: N. Hanko moved to amend the substitute motion to read as follows : That appropriate language be included in the Basic Policy to state that the policy of the Midpeninsula Regional Park District is that urban open space judged to be of regional significance may also be considered for acquisition. K. Duffy seconded the motion. Discussion: E. Shelley suggested the term "urban open space of regional significance" should be defined prior to voting on the District's policy. Action: The amendment to the substitute motion was defeated unanimously. The substitute motion passed on the following vote: AYES - D. Wendin, K. Duffy, B. Green and E. Shelley; NO - N. Hanko. Motion: D. Wendin moved that the policy just adopted by the Board that urban open space judged to be of regional significance will be considered for acquisition be included in the Master Plan document. K. Duffy seconded the motion. Discussion: D. Wendin said he felt the policy should be in a District document other than in the minutes. He suggested it can be made clear that urban open space is of low priority. The motion passed on the following vote: AYES - D. Wendin, K. Duffy, B. Green and E. Shelley; NO - N. Hanko. Motion: K. Duffy moved that the following sentence be included in the Basic Policy of the District: "Urban open space judged to be of regional significance may also be considered. " The motion failed for lack of a second. Motion: E. Shelley moved that the second statement in the Basic Policy of the District under the heading of Strategic Emphasis be changed to read as follows : "This policy would allow some acquisition of key open space within the Urban Service Area. " K. Duffy seconded the motion. Discussion: D. Wendin said there were three areas which the Board was considering regarding possible acquisition of urban open space: open space in the Meeting 75-16 Page seven foothills, open space on the fringe of the urban area, and open space in the urban area. He said he felt the inclusion of a statement regarding urban open space of regional significance in the Master Plan was sufficient exposure to the public. The motion passed on the following vote: AYES - K. Duffy, B. Green and E. Shelley; NOS - D. Wendin and N. Hanko. The Board recessed at 9 :06 P.M. and reconvened at 9 :20 P.M. IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (continued) A. Sand Hill Parkway Plan Ms . Nancy Jewell Cross, 1902 Palo Alto Way, Menlo Park, said she was representing the Committee for Safe and Sensible San Francisquito Creek Area Routing. She introduced a letter dated June 30 , 1975 , from the Committee urging the District' s consideration of the Sand Hill Parkway Plan explained in the letter. She said the Committee was concerned for all kinds of transportation in the area and was aware that many juris- dictions would be affected by it. The plan would provide for bicycle-pedestrian trails along the Creek that would join San Mateo County's Alpine Trail and Palo Alto's San Francisquito Creek Trail. Changes that would occur under the Sand Hill Parkway Plan would include : (1) an extension of Olive Street to connect with Willow; (2) bridges at Olive Street, Alma Street and San Mateo Drive; (3) parks coordinated with bus routes; and (4) a variety of paths and trails for off-road traffic. Implementation of the plan might result in employment opportunities for trail development and park sites. Ms. Cross asked that the Board consider approval of the Sand Hill Parkway Plan. N. Hanko suggested it might be premature to endorse a trails plan prior to receipt of a proposed District trails plan by the Trails Task Force . K. Duffy stated the consensus that the Sand Hill Parkway Plan of the Committee for Safe and Sensible San Francisquito Creek Area Routing be submitted to the District' s Trails Task Force for its study and recommendation. VIII . NEW BUSINESS REQUIRING ACTION A. Review of Salary Ranges H. Grench introduced his report (R-75-15) dated July 3 , 1975 regarding the Review of Salary Ranges for the District' s full- time employees. He explained that an annual review of salary Meeting 75-16 Page eight ranges is to be considered normally at the time of the adop- tion of the annual budget. Because there was not enough time to complete the review process prior to tentative adoption of this year 's budget, a contingency fund of $3000 was allo- cated by the Board for the use of the General Manager to correct inequities which may be found as the result of the review. At that time, it was noted that the $3000 was a "ballpark" figure that might have to be adjusted after the review was completed. H. Grench explained that the Ranger position was not included in the review process since it had been established just recently. However, the job descriptions and salary ranges for the positions of Assistant General Manager, Land Manager and Administrative Secretary had not been reviewed for some time and were therefore included. He noted that all three positions, especially those of the Assistant General Manager and Administrative Secretary, had changed a great deal since they were originally established. As an example, he said, the Administrative Secretary position consisted of mainly secretarial duties a year ago. Now most of those duties are performed by the Clerk-Typist, freeing the Administrative Secretary to assist the General Manager in the administrative functions listed in the revised job description for that position. The Land Manager is responsible for several items not included in the original job description for the position, and it is evident that the current salary range is inadequate in light of the wide range of responsibilities involved in that job. The Assistant General Manager is now working on a number of activities which have been initiated in the past year which were not foreseen for the position when originally established. In reviewing salary ranges for comparable posi- tions, it is apparent that the salary range for the position of Assistant General Manager is not current. H. Grench said it was difficult to find comparable positions , but various responsibilities were considered on a proportionate basis. He emphasized that the review process was conducted as objectively as possible. He pointed out that the formula used in calculating the new low and high ends of the revised salary ranges was also used by the Hay Associates firm in its management study for the City of Palo Alto. The formula allows a 50% spread from the middle of the range to give flexibility for the General Manager in determining salaries , and to give employees sufficient mobility within a given job position. He stated that the additional allocation requested in the amended budget for salary ranges , $4 ,300 , was arrived at by calculating the amount needed to bring the full-time employees up to the midpoint of their revised ranges. He emphasized that he was not making a commitment to distribute the entire amount or any particular portion of it, but that that sum for the flexibility necessary to effectively manage personnel matters. Meeting 75-16 Page nine In answer to a question from E. Shelley regarding the separa- tion of the functions of granting salary increases for cost of living and merit and making adjustments on the basis of the salary range review, H. Grench replied that although the total amount for all increases was lumped together in one sum under General Manager Appointees, funds allocated for the different categories would be used for the functions they were designated for. He added that he might adjust some salaries as the result of the range review only partially now, and make further adjustments at individual salary review times. It was the consensus of the Board that the Budget Subcommittee should examine the background material and formula calculations used for determining revised salary ranges and the proposed budget allocation for this purpose. It was determined that D. Wendin would take the place of B. Green on the Subcommittee as she would be on vacation shortly. K. Duffy stated that D. Wendin and E. Shelley would serve as the Budget Subcommittee members for this purpose. IX. OLD BUSINESS REQUIRING ACTION A. Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Park District Adopting Budget for Fiscal Year 1975-1976 As Amended H. Grench introduced his report (R-75-16) on the Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Park Dis- trict Adopting Budget for Fiscal Year 1975-1976 As Amended. He noted that when the tentative budget was adopted by the Board on May 28 , 1975, it was based on a 15% increase in assessed valuations. The actual figure , according to infor- mation received from the County of Santa Clara, is 16% . The increase, however, is balanced by a decrease in expected revenues from Home owners and Business Inventory Tax Relief subventions. Regarding the Salaries and Benefits - General Manager Appointees category, he recommended that the contin- gency fund for salary range reviews be increased by $4 , 300 . Since the Board had previously voted to reduce the entire category by $1800 , an additional $2500 is therefore requested for this fund. H. Grench noted that the Board had tentatively adopted a 10C per $100 assessed valuation tax rate for the 1975-1976 fiscal year at the May 28 , 1975 meeting. He urged that this rate be maintained due to increased costs for operation due to inflation and the increased value of open space lands. Since the District was also increasing its programs and land manage- ment program, less money would be available for actual acqui- sition. The District ' s cash position would be weak during the coming fiscal year due to old commitments , and all pos- sible sources of income were necessary. Meeting 75-16 Page ten H. Grench therefore recommended that the Board adopt the budget for the 1975-1976 fiscal year as amended, and that it maintain the 101� per $100 tax rate. E. Jaynes advised the Board that the land values had been rising during the past year at increases ranging from 22% to 36% , based on available data. Using the Fremont-Older Ranch as an example, in 1973 the property sold for $1700 per acre. In 1974 it was appraised at $2250 per acre and placed under an option which had been predicated on a purchase price in 1975 of $2600 per acre. This would show a 32% increase from 1973 to 1974, and a 15% increase from 1974 to 1975 . How- ever, in 1975 a property similar to Fremont-Older and adjacent to it sold for $3000 per acre. The percent increase in the sale of this property in 1975 over the appraised value of Fremont-Older in 1974 is 33% , which is similar to the 1973-74 rise in value of Fremont Older. It indicates that the 15% rise in value of Fremont-Older from 1974 to 1975 was because the price of the property had been frozen under an option. D. Wendin said he did not think the Board had enough data available to it to make a decision regarding the increase in property values. He referred to his memorandum (M-75-94) dated July 2 , 1975, regarding the creation of a Special Tax Reserve for the District. He suggested the Board create a Special Tax Reserve for the 1975-1976 budget and that all income (and related borrowing power) in excess of the 1974- 1975 tax income plus 5% be placed in the Reserve. Disposi- tion of the income would be determined as part of the 1976- 1977 budget. Attached to his memorandum was a revised Pro- Forma Funds Statement which showed how the budget might be changed under his formula. Cash and borrowing power would be reduced for the purpose of placing funds in the Special Tax Reserve. D. Wendin said there were two purposes for the creation of the reserve. First, it would give the District a year in which to determine the increase in property values for open space lands. Secondly, it would demonstrate the District' s concern for the present economic situation, especially for those who are living on fixed incomes. Based on many factors at budget time next year, the Board could decide to reduce its tax rate or maintain it. N. Hanko expressed her opposition to the special tax reserve, citing results of a survey in south San Mateo County showing that those residents are willing to support a 10� per $100 tax rate if annexed by the Midpeninsula Regional Park District in order to acquire open space. She circulated two news articles showing average increases in assessments in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties of about 16% . In the face of these assessments, she noted, people still consider the preservation of open space worth paying for. Meeting 75-16 Page eleven E. Shelley said he supported the concept but thought it would be difficult to implement. For example, how does one determine the "historical" rate of increase . Mr. Colin Miller, representing the Sierra Club, referred to the June 8, 1975 letter of the Loma Prieta Chapter in support of maintaining the District ' s tax rate. He reminded the Board that once open space is gone, it is gone forever, and he emphasized the importance of purchasing the remaining open space as soon as possible. Dr. Robert Mark, representing the Committee for Green Foothills, strongly urged that the District maintain its tax rate of 10G per $100 assessed valuation. He reminded the Board that when open space is preserved, the tax rate will be less than if the land is developed and the citizens must pay for services to new residents. He suggested that the Midpeninsula Regional Park District is indeed a "special" special district because it was created through an initiative petition of the citizens. Motion: D. Wendin moved that a Special Tax Reserve be estab- lished in the 1975-1976 budget and that all income (and related borrowing power) in excess of the 1974- 1975 tax income plus 5% be placed in this Reserve. Disposition of this Reserve will be determined as past of the 1976-1977 budget. B. Green seconded the motion. Amendment: E. Shelley moved to amend D. Wendin 's motion by changing '15%" to "10%" . D. Wendin seconded the motion to amend. The amendment passed on the following vote : AYES - K. Duffy, D. Wendin and E. Shelley; NOS - N. Hanko and B. Green. The motion failed on the following vote : AYES - D. Wendin and E. Shelley; NOS - N. Hanko, B. Green and K. Duffy. Motion: N. Hanko moved adoption of Resolution No. 75-15 , a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Park District Adopting Budget for Fiscal Year 1975-1976 As Amended. B. Green seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. X. NEW BUSINESS NOT REQUIRING ACTION A. Volunteer and Intern Program A memorandum (M-75-98) from the General Manager dated July 2 , 1975 , regarding the Volunteer and Intern Program of the Dis- trict, introduced a memorandum (M-75-95) from J. Olson and Carroll Harrington dated July 3 , 1975 describing the implemen- tation of the Volunteer and Intern Program. -Meeting 75-16 Page twelve J. Olson advised the Board that the District was contracting with the Environmental Volunteers for a Volunteer Coordinator to help develop a volunteer and intern program for the District. He introduced Ms. Ellie Huggins, an active conservationist, who had accepted the position of Volunteer Coordinator. The Volunteer Coordinator will work with the Land Manager and Public Communications Assistant to develop activities and guidelines for the implementation of a volunteer and intern program for the District. J. Olson added that the Coordinator would have regular office hours at the District, approximately eight hours per week. NEW BUSINESS REQUIRING ACTION A. Newhall Land and Farming Company Development Plans E. Shelley advised the Board that the Newhall Land and Farm- ing Company planned a development near the baylands parcel in Mountain View that the District was interested in acquiring. The zoning for part of the Newhall property is industrial; the rest is zoned open space-commercial. The allowable building density for the open space-commercial zone is 10% or less, and only certain uses are permitted, such as golf driving ranges. He said the Newhall company intends to proposed a trade-off of land so that it can extend its development into the open space-commercial zone but designate the remainder as open space. He said the Chairman of the Mountain View Environmental Planning Commission would accept a letter from the District ' s Board of Directors regarding the District ' s concerns for the baylands area. K. Duffy stated the consensus that the General Manager be directed to send a letter to the Mountain View Environmental Planning Commission expressing the District' s interest in the preservation of the baylands in that area. B. Matadero Ridge Park H. Grench advised the Board that the Town of Los Altos Hills had made application for Land and Water Conservation Funds for the purpose of acquiring the approximately 60 acre Palo Alto School District property located on Page Mill Road about one mile south of Highway 280 near Alexis Drive. He suggested it would be appropriate to send a letter to the State Depart- ment of Parks and Recreation in support of the project. K. Duffy stated the consensus that the President send a let- ter to the State Department of Parks and Recreation in support of the Matadero Ridge Park project of Los Altos Hills. Meeting 75-16 Page thirteen XII . CLAIMS Motion: D. Wendin moved acceptance of the revised claims (C-75-14) dated July 9, 1975 . B. Green seconded the motion. The motion passed on the following vote : AYES - D. Wendin, B. Green, K. Duffy and E. Shelley; ABSTAIN - N. Hanko, because of Claim No. 1178. XIII . EXECUTIVE SESSION The Board recessed at 10 :50 P.M. to discuss land negotiations and personnel matters. XIV. ADJOURNMENT The Board reconvened to adjourn at 12 :20 A.M. Anne Cathcart Crosley Administrative Secretary