HomeMy Public PortalAbout19760128 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) .fleeting 76-2
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Regular Meeting
Board of Directors
M I N U T E S
January 28 , 1976 745 Distel Drive
Los Altos, CA
I . ROLL CALL
President Hanko called the meeting to order at 7 : 31 P.M.
Members Present: Barbara Green, Nonette Hanko, Edward Shelley
and Daniel Wendin. Katherine Duffy arrived at 7 : 33 P.M.
Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Edward Jaynes, Jon Olson,
Anne Crosley, Robert Garcia, Jennie George, Carroll Harring-
ton, Stanley Norton and Del Woods .
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Minutes of January 14 , 1976
B. Green referred to page seven, paragraph two of the minutes
of January 14 , 1976 , and asked that the last phrase of the
sentence read "suggesting further study by the County" in place
of "subject to additional study. "
E . Shelley referred to the second to the last paragraph on page
one of the minutes, and asked that the last phrase in the first
sentence read as follows: . . .stating that his intention was to
point out that item No. 1 had been moved to the opening sentence
and that no other significant changes had been made in the order
of the factors listed on page eighteen of the draft Master Plan. "
N. Hanko referred to page ten of the minutes and suggested that
the heading "INFORMATIONAL REPORTS" should be inserted after
the motion appointing the Goals Workshop Subcommittee members .
K. Duffy referred to the Election of officers section on page
two of the minutes, and suggested a sentence be included to show
that N. Hanko took. over the duties of presiding officer at that
time.
Mr. Gordon Jennings, 441 East Meadow, Palo Alto, referred to
page nine, paragraph two of the minutes , and asked that a
sentence be added to reflect his statement that the success
Y
A. Minutes of January 28 , 1976
E. Shelley referred to his amendment in paragraph five , page
five of the minutes of January 28 , 1976 , and asked that the
words "or equivalent access" be inserted after the word "stile. "
N. Hanko stated the consensus that the minutes of January 28 ,
1976 be approved as amended.
Meeting 76-2 Page two
of the District 's land endowment program would depend on the
ability of the District to attract a capable person to be the
Land Endowment Specialist. E. Shelley said the tapes of the
January 14, 1976 meeting could be checked to determine what
was actually said. D. Wendin said he did not feel that was a
proper expenditure of secretarial time and that a citizen who
wanted to have certain statements included in the minutes should
send a written communication to the Board.
N. Hanko stated the consensus that the minutes of January 14 ,
1976 be approved as amended by the Board.
III. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
There were no written communications.
IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
K. Duffy asked that Scheduling of Board/Staff Relations be
considered under New Business With Action Requested.
H. Grench said he would like the Board to consider a Budget
Transfer item under New Business With Action Requested.
N. Hanko stated the consensus that the agenda be adopted with
the above changes.
V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
There were no oral communications at this time .
VI. OLD BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED
A. Scheduling of Hearing in San Mateo County Regarding
Proposed Annexation
H. Grench introduced his memorandum (M-76-12) dated January
23, 1976, on Scheduling of Hearing in San Mateo County Regarding
Proposed Annexation. He advised that Santa Clara County LAFCO
was expected to consider the proposed annexation to the District
of a portion of south San Mateo County on February 4 , 1976.
Since the timetable would be tight for getting the issue on
the June ballot, he suggested the Board hold a Special Meeting
at 7 :30 P.M. on February 4 to consider dates for holding
public hearings on the annexation, in anticipation of favorable
action that day by LAFCO.
S . Norton advised that the Board must give fifteen days ' notice
of a public hearing on the annexation, and that action to set
hearing dates cannot be taken until LAFCO makes its decision.
Meeting 76-2 Page three
Motion: B. Green moved that the Board of Directors hold a
Special Meeting on February 4 , 1976 at 7 : 30 P.M. to
consider action taken by LAFCO regarding the proposed
annexation. E . Shelley seconded the motion.
Discussion: N. Hanko said she would like Legal Counsel
to prepare for February 4 a schedule of actions expected
from the Board regarding the proposed annexation.
S . Norton said he would prepare such a schedule, and
he advised that the Board is required to act within
thirty days after the petition is approved by LAFCO.
The motion passed unanimously.
B. Support of Cupertino 's County Park Study Proposal
H. Grench introduced his memorandum (M-76-13) dated January 23 ,
1976, regarding District Support of Cupertino' s County Park
Study Proposal . He referred the Board to a draft letter to
the City of Cupertino responding favorably to the City Coun-
cills request for support for a County study to determine
the possibility of establishing a County regional park near the
intersection of Interstate 280 and Foothill Boulevard.
D. Wendin suggested the second sentence in the second paragraph
of the draft letter should be changed to read as follows : "As
part of its Basic Policy, the District works with and encourages
other agencies to continue and to expand these programs . " N.
Hanko stated the consensus that this change should be made.
N. Hanko said she would like to have a copy of the final letter
sent to the Board of Supervisors of Santa Clara County.
Motion: K. Duffy moved that the draft letter to the City of
Cupertino be approved as amended and sent to the City
Council , with a copy to the Board of Supervisors of
Santa Clara County. N. Hanko seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
Discussion: H. Grench advised that Cupertino City
Councilwoman Kathy Nellis would like as many Board
members as possible to attend the February 3, 1976
Board of Supervisors meeting , at 1 : 30 P.M. , when this
matter will be considered. He added that staff
would attend the meeting .
VII. NEW BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED
A. Use and Management Plan for North Foothills Open Space
Preserve
J. Olson introduced his report (R-76-5) dated January 21, 1976
regarding the proposed Use and Management Plan for North Foot-
hills Open Space Preserve . The Preserve consists of 160 acres
along Page Mill Road between Palo Alto Foothills Park and the
Hidden Villa Ranch. The Preserve has three plant communities:
grasslands, chaparral and oak-madrone woodlands. A variety
Meeting 76-2 Page four
of wildlife may be found on the site, including coyote, deer,
mountain lion, birds and small mammals. The northern part of
the property was once part of the Rancho La Purissima Concep-
cion land grant, and there is evidence that an old stagecoach
road passed through the southeasterly slope of the Preserve
during the latter 18001s. Page Mill Road is the main access
to the site, and there are several turnouts along the road.
J. Olson described the turnouts and recommended parking and
fencing for each. He suggested woodrail fencing be used to
blend with fencing for the City of Palo Alto's Foothills Park
and to prevent dumping and control parking. He also recom-
mended that debris be removed from trails and roadside turn-
outs, continuation of regular patrol , and the installation of
fire gates if requested by the Palo Alto Fire Department. J .
Olson suggested the Board of Directors also adopt the following
policy recommendations with respect to the Preserve: (a) the
natural amenities of the site should be preserved and protected,
and development or changes should conform to the District 's
goals; (b) the District should work with the City of Palo Alto
and Foothills Park to develop an effective use and management
plan for the area, and the possibility of Foothills Park manage-
ment of the eastern portion of the Preserve should be investi-
gated; (c) the District should cooperate with city and County
efforts to establish regional trails in the area and to main-
tain Page Mill Road as a Scenic Arterial Route; (d) scientific
research of the site should be encouraged and the area should
be allowed to evolve in a natural succession; and (e) the site
should be exempt from entry permit requirements, allowing such
uses as hiking , roadside viewing, picnicking and photography.
E. Shelley expressed his concern that a casual observer might
feel the Preserve was a part of Palo Alto Foothills Park,
especially if similar fencing is used, and therefore not open
to non-Palo Alto residents. He suggested one or more hiking
stiles might be installed to indicate that the property was
open for use.
D. Wendin said he felt site planning details such as fencing
and/or hiking stiles should be decided by staff , but that as
a matter of policy, the Board could state that any barriers
should not prohibit access.
J. Olson said there was money in the land management budget
for fencing of critical areas along the Preserve now; but total
fencing costs would exceed $5,000 and must be considered in
relation to other land management expenses.
J. Olson advised that there was a rare oak tree located on the
Preserve which staff will identify and protect.
J. Olson advised that adjacent property owners to the Preserve
had been sent copies of the use and management plan, and Mr.
Frank Duveneck had replied in support of the plan.
Meeting 76-2 Page five
H. Grench introduced his memorandum (M-76-11) dated January 23,
1976 , recommending that the Board (a) adopt the use and management
plan set forth in the Land Manager ' s report R-76-5; (b) approve
the Negative Declaration for the project; and (c) continue to
use North Foothills Open Space Preserve as the unofficial name
of the site.
E. Shelley said he felt it was important to qualify the District 's
efforts to work with the City of Palo Alto so it is made clear
that all District residents will have use of the Preserve.
Dr. Robert Mark, 725 Cowper, Palo Alto, said he hoped the District
would be as lenient as possible regarding parking along Page Mill
Road. He said he did not think trail use in the area, including
Foothills Park, should be restricted to residents of Palo Alto.
He encouraged signing of the Preserve.
Mr. Gordon Jennings, 441 East Meadow, Palo Alto, said he agreed
with Dr. Mark 's statements. He added that it was his understanding
there were jurisdictional problems regarding fencing and signing
in the area. J. Olson replied that Page Mill Road was established
by a "viewer ' s" method, and there is no precise description of the
road boundaries. Only the pavement is considered to be the County' s
right-of-way, so that the shoulder of the road belongs to the
property owner of the land adjacent to the road. Because of this ,
a property owner (e.g . , City of Palo Alto) may erect signs on
the shoulder of the road.
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board of Directors adopt the use
and management plan for the North Foothills Open Space
Preserve as set forth in the Land Manager ' s report R-76-5
dated January 21, 1976 . K. Duffy seconded the motion.
Amendment: E . Shelley moved to amend the use and manage-
ment plan to include the installation of a hiking stile
at No. 8 on the map on page five of the report, or at another
equivalent access point. K. Duffy seconded the motion.
The amendment to the motion passed unanimously.
Amendment: D. Wendin moved to amend policy recommendation
(b) on page eight of the use and management plan by striking
the second sentence which states "Pursue the possibility
for Foothills Park to manage the lands on the western side
of Page Mill Road. " E. Shelley seconded the motion.
Discussion: D. Wendin said his motion was not intended
to preclude staff from working with Palo Alto and looking
into use and management alternatives for the Preserve .
The amendment to the motion passed unanimously. The
motion passed unanimously.
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board of Directors approve the
Negative Declaration for the project and keep the name
North Foothills Open Space Preserve as the unofficial
name of the site. B. Green seconded the motion. The
motion passed unanimously.
Meeting 76-2 Page six
In response to a question from E . Shelley, H . Grench advised that
it was his interpretation that woodrail fencing on the Preserve
would serve not only as functional protection but also as an
improvement to the site 's appearance. Therefore, money for the
woodrail fencing would come out of the 5% budget for recreational
improvements.
B. Appointments to Budget Subcommittee
N. Hanko introduced her memorandum dated January 21 , 1976 , regarding
Appointments to the Budget Subcommittee. According to the new
Rules of Procedure, appointments to the Budget Subcommittee are
to be made at the meeting following the first meeting in January,
and the Treasurer must be one of the appointees . N. Hanko sug-
gested that E . Shelley (the newly elected Treasur&r) and K. Duffy
be appointed as the Budget Subcommittee members. The Board con-
sented to the appointments .
C. Resolution Authorizing Signing and Endorsing Checks and Other
Instruments (Wells Fargo Bank)
Motion : K. Duffy moved adoption of Resolution No. 76-2 , a Resolu-
tion Authorizing Signing and Endorsing Checks and Other
Instruments (Wells Fargo Bank) . E . Shelley seconded the
motion. The motion passed unanimously.
D. Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula
Regional Park District Establishing Financial Instrument
Signatories of the District for Santa Clara County Accounts
Motion: N. Hanko moved adoption of Resolution No. 76-3 , a Resolu-
tion of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional
Park District Establishing Financial Instrument Signatories
of the District for Santa Clara County Accounts . B . Green
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
The Board recessed at 8 :52 P.M. and reconvened at 9 : 08 P.M.
E . Scheduling of Board/Staff Relations Workshop
K. Duffy said she felt the subject of Board/staff relations was
not adequately addressed at the Workshop Subcommittee meeting of
January 27 . She suggested the matter might be appropriately dis-
cussed at a Special Meeting rather than combined with a Land Use
Workshop on February 28 .
D. Wendin said he supported such a meeting as long as the agenda
and format of the Land Use Workshop remained the responsibility of
the Workshop Subcommittee.
H. Grench said the staff felt the need to express some thoughts to
the Board in an informal atmosphere. He suggested Thursday, February
5, 1976 as a possible date for the meeting.
Meeting 76-2 Page seven
Motion: K. Duffy moved that a Special Meeting on Board/Staff
Functioning and Relations be held at 12 : 00 Noon,
Thursday, February 5 , 1976 . D. Wendin seconded the
motion. The motion passed unanimously.
F. Budget Transfer
H. Grench advised that since the budget for the 1975-1976 fis-
cal year was adopted, the District has made a number of changes
in direction, and has hired several new staff members . In order
to furnish the additional office space that was rented to accom-
modate the staff, it will be necessary to transfer $4 ,000 from
Services and Supplies to Fixed Assets - Office Equipment. He
recommended that the Board authorize this budget transfer.
Motion: B. Green moved that $4, 000 be transferred from Services
and Supplies to Fixed Assets - Office Equipment for
the purpose of providing the necessary furnishings
for the District office . K. Duffy seconded the motion.
The -motion passed unanimously.
VIII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
There were no informational reports at this time.
IX. CLAIMS
Motion: N. Hanko moved appr9val of the revised claims (C-76-2)
dated January 28 , 1976 . B. Green seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
X. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board recessed to Executive Session at 9 :29 P.M. to discuss
land negotiations.
XI . ADJOURNMENT
The Board reconvened to adjourn at 10 :57 P.M.
Anne Cathcart Crosley
District Clerk