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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19760714 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) AA. of Meeting 76-20 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT Regular Meeting Board of Directors M I N U T E S July 14 , 1976 745 Distel Drive Los Altos, CA I. ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by President Hanko at 7 : 35 P.M. Members Present: Katherine Duffy, Barbara Green, Nonette Hanko and Daniel Wendin. New Directors Harry Turner and George Seager were seated as voting members of the Board at 8 :45 P.M. Member Absent: Edward Shelley Personnel Present : Herbert Grench, Edward Jaynes , Jon Olson, Anne Crosley, Carroll Harrington, Phyllis Lee and Del Woods. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Minutes of June 9 , 1976 N. Hanko stated she had reviewed a memorandum (M-76-100) dated July 1, 1976 from the District Clerk regarding a review of the tapes of the June 9 , 1976 Board meeting, and suggested the minutes be approved as presented. She added it was her recol- lection that the Board had decided to accept the correction of Mrs. Dorothy Jennings on page three, paragraph five of the minutes. She stated the consensus that the minutes of June 9 , 1976 be approved. B. Minutes of June 23, 1976 K. Duffy suggested the word "relief" in paragraph four, page three of the minutes of June 23, 1976 be changed to "overlay. " N. Hanko said her recollection was that the Ravenswood Post and Peninsula Bulletin had been included in the motion passed by the Board on page six of the minutes. N. Hanko stated the consensus that the motion was meant to include the Ravens- wood Post ant the Peninsula Bulletin. H. Grench said that these papers had indeed also been used. Meeting 76-20 Page two K. Duffy suggested the third paragraph on page five of the minutes be changed to read as follows : "N. Hanko stated that Ward 6 will be contiguous to existing Ward 5 . " N. Hanko stated the consensus that the minutes of June 23 , 1976 be approved as amended. C. Minutes of July 7 and 8, 1976 N. Hanko stated the consensus that the minutes of July 7 which was continued to July 8 , 1976 be approved as presented. III. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS There were no Written Communications . IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA H. Grench advised that the Claims category had inadvertently been omitted from the agenda, and asked that it be included after Informational Reports. K. Duffy asked why land acquisitions were not under the agenda category "Public Hearings. " H. Grench explained that they had not been in the past since the public was welcome to speak on any agenda item anyway and, furthermore, "Public Hearings" was reserved for more formal or required noticed hearings. N. Hanko stated the consensus that the agenda be adopted with the addition of Claims and suggested that K. Duffy put any recommended changes in the Public Hearing category in writ- ing for Board considerations if she felt a change was in order. V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Dwight Martin, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Mountain View, said his City Council would like to be kept informed on the status of District spending plans for Senate Bill 174 , the Urban Open Space and Recreation Program bill, monies which recently became State law. VI. NEW BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED A. Proposed Acquisition of Picchetti Property H. Grench introduced his report (R-76-20) dated July 9 , 1976 , regarding the Proposed Acquisition of Picchetti Property. He advised that the District had acquired an option to purchase approximately 200 acres of land adjacent to Stevens Creek County Park, and according to the terms, the option must be exercised by July 30 , 1976. J. Olson said the 200 acre site is bordered on the north and west by Montebello Road, and on the east by Stevens Creek Reservoir. The site is within the Sphere of Influence of the City of Cupertino. It provides a scenic backdrop for Cupertino Meeting 76-20 Page three and will serve as a recreational extension to the County' s park. There are sixty to eighty acres of prune, pear and apricot orchards on the site, and a portion of the site is leased to Ridge Vineyards for growing grapes. wildlife which can be expected on the site includes jackrabbits, gophers , mule deer, lizards and a variety of birds. Eighteen cattle currently graze on the site, and there is a horse boarding operation covering about ten acres along Montebello Road. There are a number of trails and fire roads throughout the property. A stock pond supplies surface water. Structures include two houses built in the late 18001s , a winery, three barns , a blacksmith shop, twelve horse paddocks , a riding ring and fruit dehydrators . The Picchetti Ranch was established by Vincenco Picchetti , a native of Italy, and succeeding generations of the family have maintained the vineyards. Potential uses of the site could include re-establishing the winery as a historical and educa- tional resource; continuing orchards and vineyards as produc- tive agricultural uses; cattle grazing; low-intensity recrea- tion such as hiking, picnicking and horseback riding; environ- mental education and day camp programs with neighboring cities; and allowing the operation of a small-scale horse boarding business. J. Olson said the site could provide part of a connecting trail be- tween Stevens Creek Park and lack Mountain Open Space Preserve. He proposed the following as interim use and management recommenda- tions for the property: (a) within about six months from acqui- sition, the site should be opened for day use for hikers and equestrians without permit; access would be provided from the Stevens Creek Park parking lot; (b) install a gate, fence and hiking stile; (c) inform schools and other groups of potential for environmental education; (d) arrange for a caretaker on the site; (e) discontinue horse boarding operation until further study; (f) investigate possibility of continuing cattle grazing; (g) discontinue use of buildings until further study; and (h) study feasibility of maintaining or reinstating orchards and vineyards. H. Grench advised that the City Council of Cupertino had deter- mined that acquisition of open space outside the Urban Service Area was in conformity with their General Plan. He said the District staff would continue to send property reports to the City of Cupertino as informational items. He said the Picchetti family was offering to sell the 200 acre site for $500, 000. An initial $145,000 payment would be made into escrow, with the $355, 000 balance payable in five annual installments at 5. 9% interest. The option price includes payment for all buildings on the site. Since the District' s independent appraiser placed a value of $600, 000 on the site, H. Granch said he felt the option price was favorable and he recommended that the option be exercised. He said he wished to gratefully acknowledge the contribution which the Picchettis were making to the midpenin- sula. He said no name for the site was recommended at this time but will be when the use and management plan is presented to the Board. Meeting 76-20 Page four In response to a question from D. Wendin, J. Olson advised that the site would generally attract serious hikers and equestrians, and it was unlikely that additional staff would be added only as the result of this particular acquisition. A caretaker would remain on the site, and t1ie person would have certain knowledge and responsibilities appropriate to that situation. He estimated that a use and management plan would be presented to the Board in about six months. K. Duffy said she hoped the disruption to the horse boarding operation could be minimized. J. Olson responded that the oper- ation could be phased out; however, any new tenant would have to upgrade the buildings if this use is continued. Motion: B. Green moved adoption of Resolution No. 76-17 , a Reso- lution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Park District Authorizing Exercise of option to Purchase Real Property, Authorizing officer to Execute Certificate of Acceptance of Grant to District, and Authorizing General Manager to Execute Any and All Other Documents Necessary or Appropriate to Closing of the Transaction (Picchetti Property) . N. Hanko seconded the motion. Discussion: In response to a question from Mr. Harry Turner, 481 La Mesa Drive, Menlo Park, H. Grench said the installment payment plan was the preference of the owner for tax reasons , and it was also a beneficial arrangement for the District. Mr. Gordon Jennings, 441 East Meadow, Palo Alto, said he supported the acquisi- tion of this site as a key piece of property. He said he appreciated the Board' s concern for the difficulty that exists in relocating horses , and he urged that the horse boarding operation be continued. N. Hanko said she considered the property to be historically signifi- cant and that its visual impact to the community was very important. Several slides of the proposed acqui- sition were shown. The motion passed unanimously. Motion: B. Green moved adoption of the interim use and management recommendations for the proposed acquisition of the 200 acre Picchetti property as set forth in the General Manager's report (R-76-20) dated July 9 , 1976. D. Wendin seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. B. Stevens Creek-Shoreline Nature Study Area Grant H. Grench introduced his report (R-76-19) dated July 7 , 1976 , regarding the status of the Stevens Creek-Shoreline Nature Study Area Grant. He advised that the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation has approved the District's application for a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant for the purchase of a 54-acre parcel of land in the Sunnyvale-Mountain View baylands. Staff had been Meeting 76-20 Page five authorized to apply for the grant by a resolution adopted by the Board on June 11 , 1975 . The District is eligible to receive up to $208,000 in funding toward purchase of the property. The site, which is one of the few remaining natural areas in the Sunnyvale-Mountain View baylands , will complement planned developed park facilities in that part of the District. It will provide opportunities for walking, nature study, environmental education programs and preservation of the wildlife and natural vegetation. He added that the District had been able to use the gift portion of the North Foothills Open Space Preserve Addition as matching funds for the grant. He recommended the Board adopt a resolution approving a project agreement which would formalize the approval of the grant, and which would authorize the General Manager to execute the project agreement. In response to a question from B. Green, H. Grench advised that the name Stevens Creek-Shoreline Nature Study Area had been chosen for grant application purposes only. N. Hanko said she was pleased that the District continued to explore imaginative ways of acquiring land. D. Wendin pointed out that the District would not receive the grant funds if it failed to purchase the property. N. Hanko added that the District had been following the process prescribed in the grant application procedures. Mr. Dwight Martin, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Mountain View, said his city was interested in the District' s acquisition of the baylands site because it was adjacent to Mt. View's mitigation area. He said he felt there was a good potential for joint planning, and he - supported the acquisition. Mr. Robert Mark, 725 Cowper, Palo Alto, said he was glad to see the District moving to acquire some baylands. Motion: D. Wendin moved adoption of Resolution No. 76-18, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Park District Approving and Providing for the Execution of a Project Agreement for Land and Water Conservation Fund Project No. 06-00467 , Stevens Creek Shoreline Acquisition, by and between the Midpeninsula Regional Park District and the State of California, Resources Agency, Department of Parks and Recreation. K. Duffy seconded the motion. The motion passed unan- imously. VII. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY A. Appointment of Interim Directors for Newly Annexed Area N. Hanko said the Board had met in Executive Session on July 7 and July 8 to interview candidates for the positions of interim Meeting 76-20 r Page six Director in Ward 6 and Ward 7 in the annexed area. She said deliberations and selection of interim Directors would be made this evening. K. Duffy determined by lot that the interim Director for Ward 6 would be chosen first. N. Hanko said the candidates who were interviewed for Ward 6 included the following: Warren P. Houck, Elmer L. Jenkins, Donald W. Kallstrom, Bruce C. Stuart, Harry A. Turner, Robert B. Wallace and C. Michael Zimmerman. N. Hanko said she hoped to select two people who are reasonably informed on the District 's goals and objectives , and who will be able to speak in behalf of the District. She felt the Direc- tors chosen should be able to communicate well with members of other public agencies. K. Duffy said she was pleased with the number of qualified people who applied for the interim Director positions , although she had hoped a woman would apply. She said in her opinion there were two outstanding candidates for each ward. B. Green said she listened to the tapes of the Executive Session interviews, in many cases twice, and was impressed by the candidates and their good ideas. She hoped all the candidates would continue their interest in the District, and suggested they be kept on the District 's mailing list for three months to keep them informed. Mr. Ed Schell , P.O. Box 1345, Los Gatos , said he hoped the Board would keep in mind that the interim Directors should be chosen because they can best represent the people in their respective wards. K. Duffy said she agreed with Mr. Schell that this was a very important factor. N. Hanko added that the test will be the results of the November, 1976 election. Ballots were cast for interim Director of Ward 6 , and the results were as follows : Harry Turner, 4 votes . N. Hanko said the candidates who were interviewed for Ward 7 included the following: Wim de Wit , Ted W. Gillis , Alfred Jen- kins , Raoul Bertram Salem and George F. Seager. Ballots were cast for interim Director of Ward 7 , and the results were as follows : George Seager, 3 votes; Ted Gillis , 1 vote. Motion: N. Hanko moved that Harry A. Turner be appointed interim Director for Ward 6 and George F. Seager be appointed interim Director for Ward 7 . B. Green seconded the mo- tion. The motion passed unanimously. Meeting 76-20 Page seven The Board recessed at 8 : 35 P.M. and reconvened at 8 :43 P.M. A. Crosley, District Clerk, administered the oath of office to H. Turner and G. Seager. N. Hanko said she felt this was an auspicious occasion and one which the founders of the original District had envisioned. H. Turner said he felt the annexation was the joining of two parts of a whole. The District was now a geographically logical open space agency. He said those who worked on the annexation felt they were simply completing an unfinished job. G. Seager said he agreed there was a community of interest which was now represented by the District. He said he felt there were many natural features in San Mateo County which should be protected from waste and held in trust for future generations . VI. NEW BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED (continued) C. Possible Rescheduling of July 28 Meeting N. Hanko introduced her r.emorandum (M-76-113) dated July 9 , 1976 regarding the Possible Rescheduling of the July 28 Meeting. She said she wanted the Board to consider vacation schedules and possible agenda requirements to ensure that the necessary number of Board members would be available to conduct business. After discussion, it was the consensus that the second regular meeting in July would be held on July 28 as scheduled. VIII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS A. Conflict of Interest Code N. Hanko said she had been investigating the District's status with respect to adopting a conflict of interest code in compliance with the requirements of Proposition 9 . She said the District' s status had changed because of annexation so that it included land in two counties instead of one. The District is therefore under the jurisdiction of the Fair Political Practices Commission, which had imposed an August 10 deadline for agencies to submit a conflict of interest code, but plans to extend the deadline. She said she felt it was unfortunate that the District would probably not have a code prepared to cover the November, 1976 election, and suggested the Board might want to consider an interim policy. She stated her intention to place the item on the July 28 agenda. A. Crosley advised that a letter had been sent to the Fair Poli- tical Practices Commission advising them of the District' s changed status, asking for an extension of the August 10 deadline and requesting that they send any recommended code guidelines to the District. Meeting 76-20 Page eight B. Presentation of Draft Master Plan H. Grench advised that presentations of the Draft Master Plan of the District had been made to a number of cities in the District so far, the County of Santa Clara and the Santa Clara Valley Water District. A record of comments made by agency officials is being compiled, and some agencies will be sending formal comments. The District 's intention to hold public hearings in August and/or September is being explained at the presentations. He added it was his intention to recommend extension of the plan to include the new area and to undertake the same kind of review process with San Mateo County agencies. IX. CLAIMS Motion: D. Wendin moved approval of the revised claims (C-76-12) dated July 14 , 1976 . B. Green seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Tony Look, 411 Los Ninos Way, Los Altos , said he supported the acquisition of the Picchetti property, since he felt it was a very significant site. X. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Board recessed to Executive Session at 9 :00 P.M. to discuss personnel matters. XI. ADJOURNMENT The Board reconvened to adjourn at 9 :22 P.M. Anne Cathcart Crosley District Clerk