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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19760211 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) I4i_ ting 76- 5 Nb or MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT Regular Meeting Board of Directors M I N U T E S February 11, 1976 745 Distel Drive Los Altos , CA I . ROLL CALL President Hanko called the meeting to order at 7 : 30 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, Carroll Harrington, Robert Garcia, Phyllis Lee, Stanley Norton and Judy Frosch. II . APPROVAL OF MINUTES 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. B. Minutes of February 4 , 1976 H. Grench pointed out that the meeting of February 4 , 1976 was incorrectly headed "Regular Meeting" and should instead read "Special Meeting. " N. Hanko stated the consensus that the minutes of February 4 1976 be approved as amended. III . WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS There were no written communications. IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA H. Grench said there was an introduction to be made under Special Orders of the Day. N . Hanko stated the consensus that the agenda be adopted with that addition. Meeting 76-5 Page two V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were no oral communications at this time . VI . SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY N. Hanko introduced Phyllis Lee, new Assistant Secretary for the Midpeninsula Regional Park District, to the Board of Direc- tors and audience. VII. PUBLIC HEARING A. Public Access to Proposed Stevens Creek-Shoreline Nature Study Area H. Grench introduced his memorandum (M-76-17) dated February 6 , 1976, regarding Public Access to Proposed Stevens Creek-Shoreline Nature Study Area. He explained that the District had applied for a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant in June, 1975, to assist in obtaining a 54-acre baylands parcel adjacent to Stevens Creek in the vicinity of Crittenden Lane. Although there has been no formal notification regarding funding of the project, the District staff is pursuing an agreement with the Santa Clara Valley Water District to assure that the MRPD will have public access to the site. J. Olson advised that the Water District owns the levee from Crittenden Lane to the proposed acquisition in fee title. In order to secure public access along the levee, the MRPD is fol- lowing the procedures required by the joint use policy of the Water District. One condition of a joint use agreement is that a public hearing on the matter be held by the agency requesting such use, namely, the MRPD. The MRPD is taking public hearing testimony tonight on both the section from Crittenden Lane to the eastern end of the site and also on the segment from there to the bay. He added that all adjacent property owners had been advised of the public hearing . No oral or written protests had been received. He advised that the primary concern of the Water District was security. In response to a question from B. Green, H . Grench said that the objectives of the Water District in sponsoring a multi-objective study for the use of Stevens Creek were flood control and park and recreation considerations. J. Olson added that the MRPD, the Water District and the City of Mt. View were the three agencies who might be involved in the study. N. Hanko opened the Public Hearing at 7 :45 P.M. Dr. Robert Mark, 725 Cowper, Palo Alto, expressed his concern that controlled group use of the site would interfere with access by other members of the public. J. Olson replied that the Dis- trict' s concern at this time was acquiring the right of public access, and that specific types of use would be considered at a later date. Meeting 76-5 Page three N. Hanko closed the Public Hearing at 7 :47 P.M. Motion: E. Shelley moved adoption of Resolution No. 76-5, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpenin- sula Regional Park District Requesting a Resolution of Intent from the Santa Clara Valley Water District. N. Hanko seconded the motion . The motion passed unan- imously. VIII. NEW BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED A. Land Use Workshop Format and Agenda H. Grench introduced Mr. Robert Gaertner of San Jose as the facilitator for the February 28 Land Use Workshop. He said that Mr. Gaertner works for Saga, a food service company, and has been active in management and organization development. He has also written articles in this field. D. Wendin introduced the memorandum (M-76-19) dated February 5, 1976 , from the Workshop Subcommittee regarding a proposed Land Use Workshop Format and Agenda. He explained that he, Director Green and the General Manager met to formulate the premises set forth in the proposed agenda. The premises are purposely conservative in an attempt to stimulate discussion. The Subcommittee suggested that the individual responses of Board and staff members be tabulated, and that the audience be invited to comment as appropriate. The intention of the Subcommittee, he said, is that areas of consensus and/or dis- agreement on District policies be identified, and agendized for future meetings. N. Hanko suggested scores could be tabulated following Board/ staff discussion. E . Shelley replied that areas of disagreement could be identified immediately if scores were tabulated ahead of time. D. Wendin suggested the facilitator could tabulate the scores. Dr. Robert Mark said he did not think the issues set forth in the proposed agenda should be treated with the suggested responses ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. He added that he was disturbed by the negative tone of the premises . H. Grench recommended insertion of phrases similar to "during the next eight years" to the following premises : IIA, IIB, IIF, IIG, IVA and IVB. Following discussion, the Board agreed that those changes should be made to the Land Use Workshop agenda. E . Shelley said he disagreed with combining patrol and mainten- ance of sites with capital improvements in premise IIA. He Meeting 76-5 Page four suggested the following words be inserted after the word "Program" : " . . .maintenance and patrol associated with land use policies. " D. Wendin said that kind of proposal would be likely to result from discussion at the Workshop, and should be considered at that time. N. Hanko said the Trails Task Force had made two suggestions for Workshop premises: (1) that the Trails Task Force would like to perform as a volunteer group in making recommendations to the Board; and (2) the Trails Task Force, in addition to com- pletion of its original charge, should review and make recom- mendations regarding plans for on-site trails . D. Wendin commented that the premises were based on Board policy as reflected in the current adopted budget, and there is no present assumption that the Trails Task Force will continue . He recommended that the purpose of the premises be explained as follows: "The following premises do not represent a proposal for Board policy, but are purposely conservative to stimulate the expression of opinions. " Motion: N. Hanko moved that the following sentence be inserted into the Land Use Workshop agenda in explanation of the premises: "The following premises do not represent a proposal for Board policy, but are purposely con- servative to stimulate the expression of opinion. " B. Green seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Dr. Robert Mark suggested that the words "as much as possible" be replaced by the words "to the extent necessary to protect the site ' s resources with a limited financial commitment" in premise IA. Mr. Gordon Jennings, 441 East Meadow, Palo Alto, said he felt the agenda presented by the Subcommittee was provocative and would stimulate discussion. D. Wendin suggested the following wording be included in the Land Use Workshop agenda as expected output of the meeting: "There is no attempt to reach a consensus between Board and staff, but where one exists it will be identified. Future action will be agendized. " N. Hanko stated the consensus that this language was acceptable. Dr. Robert Mark said he was concerned that the premises would promote argument rather than creative solutions. B . Green replied that solutions would be sought at future times, but now it was important to identify the issues . Mr. Robert Gaertner suggested the Board might want to have small groups at the Workshop work on proposed policies . Meeting 76-5 Page five D. Wendin said he wanted to hear everyone 's opinion at the Work- shop, and then have time to reflect on what was said rather than attempt to formulate policies. Motion: B. Green moved that the following language be inserted into the Land Use Workshop agenda: "A statement of the issues facing the District . There is no intent to reach a consensus between Board and staff, but where one exists it will be identified. Future action on each issue will be agendized. " N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. C. Harrington suggested the Board agree on an ending time for the Workshop. She advised that it would be held in a conference room at Syntex in Palo Alto. She suggested the table arrange- ment could be worked out with the facilitator and the Workshop Subcommittee. N. Hanko suggested an ending time of 4 : 00 P.M. would be appro- priate. Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board adopt the recommendations contained in the Workshop Subcommittee ' s memorandum (M-76-19) dated February 5 , 1976, as amended, for the agenda and format of the February 28 Land Use Workshop, and that the Workshop be held from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. in the conference room at Syntex. B. Green seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. A. Crosley advised that the agenda for the Workshop would be mailed during the following week, and Board and staff members should submit lists of persons or organizations which should receive an agenda no later than Tuesday, February 17 . D. Wendin stated it was the Subcommittee 's intention that the agenda forms should be filled out and returned by Board and staff members only, and that members of the public may fill out the forms at the Workshop if they wish. Mr. Ed Schell , P.O. Box 1345, Los Gatos, said he hoped the District would publicize the Workshop widely to get the best input. The Board recessed at 9: 20 P.M. and reconvened at 9 : 32 P.M. B. Co-Sponsorship of Open Space Conference H. Grench introduced his memorandum (M-76-16) dated February 4 , 1976, regarding the Proposed Co-Sponsorship of an Open Space Conference to be held on Saturday, May 22, 1976 . The goal of the conference is to inform the public about the need for the preservation of open space . He recommended that the Meeting 76-5 Page six C. Harrington introduced Ellie Huggins, Coordinator of Volunteers for the District, who has been working with staff on the implemen- tation of a docent program on one or more District sites. E. Huggins introduced her memorandum (M-76-15) dated February 3 , 1976, regarding the Proposed Co-sponsorship of the Open Space Conference. She said part of the conference would include tours to about five different open space sites. The conference is patterned after the Adobe Creek conference sponsored by the Committee for Green Foothills . She urged the Board to co-sponsor the Open Space Conference, which has the theme "in celebration of open space. " N. Hanko said she felt the Conference was an excellent idea and expressed her desire to have the District support it. Motion: B. Green moved that the Midpeninsula Regional Park District agree to co-sponsor the Open Space Conference scheduled for May 22, 1976 , referred to in the Feb- ruary 4 , 1976 memorandum (M-76-16) of the General Manager. E. Shelley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. C. Cancellation of Second Regular Meeting in February H. Grench introduced his memorandum (M-76-13) dated February 6 , 1976, suggesting the Cancellation of the Second Regular Meeting in February. He felt this action would be desirable in view of the number of Special Meetings being held this month. He further noted that the report on the Fremont Older Open Space Preserve use and management plan, originally scheduled for presentation this month, would then be presented instead after the Land Use Workshop of February 28 . Motion: N . Hanko moved that the second Regular Meeting in February, which is scheduled for February 25 , be cancelled. K. Duffy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. IX. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS J. Olson advised that a meeting of equestrians in the neigh- borhood of the Fremont Older Open Space Preserve, held on February 10, had gone smoothly. X. CLAIMS Motion: B. Green moved adoption of the revised claims (C-76-3) dated February 11, 1976 . D. Wendin seconded the motion. The motion passed on the following vote: AYES - K. Duffy, B. Green, E . Shelley and D. Wendin; ABSTAIN - N. Hanko, because of claim No. 1631. Meeting 76-5 Page seven XI. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Board recessed to Executive Session at 9 :45 P.M. to discuss land negotiations . XII . ADJOURNMENT The Board reconvened to adjourn at 11:15 P.M. Anne Cathcart Crosley District Clerk 11 i r II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Minutes of February 11, 1976 E. Shelley called attention to part of a sentence omitted on page five, B. , Co-Sponsorship of Open Space Conference. J. George said the last sentence should read: "He recom- mended that the .MRPD be a co-sponsor of the conference. " By consensus the Board approved the minutes as amended. i i