HomeMy Public PortalAbout19760929 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting 76-26
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Special Meeting
Board of Directors
M I N U T E S
San Carlos City
Council Chambers
September 29, 1976 666 Elm Street
San Carlos, CA
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board met in Executive Session at 7 :30 P.M. to discuss
land negotiations.
I. ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by President Hanko at 8: 03 P.M.
Members Present: George Seager, Katherine Duffy, Edward Shelley,
Nonette Hanko, Harry Turner, Barbara Green and Daniel Wendin.
Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Edward Jaynes , Jon Olson,
Brad Clifford, Carroll Harrington, Phyllis Lee, Stanley Norton,
Jennie George and Del Woods .
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Minutes of September 8 , 1976
Motion: G. Seager moved approval of the minutes of September
8, 1976 as presented. B. Green seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
H. Grench advised that there were three Written Communications
to the Board: (1) a letter dated August 20, 1976 from the
Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club asking the District to
consider the Hassler Canyon as a potential open space site.
N. Hanko requested this subject be placed on the agenda under
New Business With Action Requested; (2) a letter dated Septem-
ber 8, 1976 from the City of Saratoga supporting the MRPD
draft Master Plan and recommending that the District consider
requesting the Saratoga City Council to appoint a member of
the Saratoga' s Parks and Recreation Commission to any committee
formed by the District to determine the use policy of lands in
Saratoga' s Sphere of Influence; (3) a letter dated September
17, 1976 from State Assemblyman Richard D. Hayden expressing
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his appreciation in receiving the regular minutes of the Dis-
trict; (4) a letter dated September 7 , 1976 from Stanford
University suggesting changes in the District' s draft Master
Plan. The Board agreed to notify Stanford of the District's
intention to extend the Master Plan to include the annexed
area, after which time public hearings will be held and their
suggestions will be considered.
IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
N. Hanko stated the consensus that the agenda be adopted with
the addition referred to under Written Communications.
V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
The Board members introduced themselves and the areas they
represent; N. Hanko introduced the staff and their positions.
G. Seager informed the audience that the Board normally meets
at the District offices in Los Altos and said it was a privi-
lege to have the opportunity to bring their activities to the
citizens of southern San Mateo County by having this meeting in
San Carlos. He expressed the hope that there can be additional
Board meetings held in the annexed area in the future.
Mr. Gordon Jennings, 441 E. Meadow Drive, Palo Alto expressed
his thanks to the staff on behalf of the Castle Rock Horseman' s
Association for their cooperation on the Association' s re-
cent 55 mile trail ride. He said that use of trails through
District lands helped make the ride successful. N. Hanko re-
quested copies of the map showing the trail ride.
VI. NEW BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED
A. Master Plan of the Midpeninsula Regional Park District
H. Grench introduced his report (R-76-25) dated September 22,
1976, regarding the Extension of the MRPD Master Plan into
the annexed area. He said that on May 8, 1974, the Board ap-
proved the hiring of William Spangle and Associates as consul-
tants to work with the District and the Santa Clara County
Planning Department in preparing a Master Plan for the District.
This plan, consisting of a map and text, was adopted as a
draft by the Board on December 18 , 1975, and was printed for
public distribution in July. He advised that the draft Master
Plan, which included only the boundaries of the original Dis-
trict, has been presented to cities and other agencies within
Santa Clara County. He said that the Board, through the 1976
Action Plan, has expressed its intention to extend the Master
Plan into the annexed area. H. Grench said the District is pro-
ceeding towards the acquisition of lands in the annexed area
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in several different ways: (1) by extending the Master Plan
in order to have an objective basis from which to work, (2)
by investigating and learning about specific parcels and (3)
by establishing Board policies to acquire land in the new area.
After considering various alternatives, H. Grench recommended
that the Board approve the contract continuing William Spangle
and Associates as consultants to include the new area in the
Master Plan. They would employ the same analysis techniques
for land province classification and scoring used in the orig-
inal Master Plan. He said he felt this procedure would ensure
that the present Master Plan and its extension would be con-
sistent with each other and that the cost of preparing the
extended version would be minimized. He added that the Master
Plan extension project is included in the 1976 Action Plan, and
monies for its implementation are included in the adopted budget.
H. Grench referred to the proposal and work flow chart attached
to his report provided by Spangle and Associates outlining
the details of the project. He summarized that the Master Plan
work would include the following:
(a) Preparation of a draft revised text;
(b) Reviewing and assembling data concerning lands
in the annexed area;
(c) Delineation and mapping of landscape provinces
for the annexed area;
(d) Interpretation and recording of data in tabular
form;
(e) Preparation of a base map of the District for
printing and preparation of land unit maps for
entire District;
(f) Preparation of composite map and text for printing
in camera-ready form;
(g) Delivery of 2 , 000 copies of the revised draft
Master Plan.
H. Grench said Board and staff cooperation would still be re-
quired; however, one important difference is that the data
analysis would be done by the consultant.
H. Grench introduced Mr. William Spangle and Mr. Larz Anderson
of William Spangle and Associates.
H. Turner confirmed that the timetable for completion would be
March, 1977 . H. Grench responded that some of the timing would
be determined by how quickly the Board and staff respond on
their portions of the procedure.
H. Turner recalled that the newly annexed area has not had the
benefit of an open space district as Santa Clara County has
had for the past three years; therefore, there is some catching
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up to be done, and he expressed his willingness to cooperate
fully to facilitate the completion of the Master Plan. He
confirmed staff ' s intention to procede with land acquisitions
prior to the Master Plan' s completion. H. Grench said that had
been the procedure in Santa Clara County, and would contine in
the annexed area.
E. Shelley observed that the new Board members might have some
difference of opinions and asked if any consideration had been
given to the reevaluation of the weighting factors.
H. Grench said consideration had been given to this question;
however, changes could mean considerable time and cost; and he
recommended proceeding in the most direct and efficient manner.
He recalled from past experience that 5% or 10% changes in
weighting factors did not appear on the final map.
G. Seager pointed out that the District would not receive any
funds from the newly annexed area until December, 1977 and yet
it is significant that they intend to proceed with acquisitions
in the new area.
Mr. James Kilburg, San Carlos Councilman, 907 Sunset Drive, San
Carlos said there has been controversy in the city of San Carlos
concerning the Hassler property. Some people feel the District
should consider helping to acquire this property. He explored
the proposed cost of the property versus the amount of monies
received by the District from the city of San Carlos. Mr. Kilberg
directed the following questions to Board and staff:
(1) How do other cities feel when their monies are
spent near other areas; for example, if the
District should decide to acquire the Hassler
property, how would areas other than San Carlos
feel?
(2) Other than the 10� per $100 assessed valuation,
where does the District' s money come from?
(3) What is land management?
(4) How many acres does the District own?
N. Hanko replied it is not the District' s policy to allocate
funds back to the individual cities based upon what is received
from them. She added that the District's borrowing power
extends its financial abilities.
H. Grench advised that the District has title to approximately
3, 000 acres of land; including those lands under contract, the
total is approximately 3 ,500 acres.
H. Grench said the Board has adopted the policy that the lands
will be properly planned and maintained, and the District will
be a good steward of its lands. The District will continue to
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B. Sierra Club Letter
Mr. Dick Bishop, 1797 Elizabeth Street, San Carlos speaking on
behalf of the Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club, welcomed
the MRPD to San Carlos and said he was pleased they were holding
their meeting there. He said they had campaigned in favor of
the District' s annexation into southern San Mateo County and
felt there are many citizens concerned about the San Carlos
Council' s vote to deannex. He said he was not sure the Council 's
decision truly reflected the people' s feelings, and many people
would be appearing before Santa Clara County LAFCO to continue
efforts to stay in the District. Mr. Bishop said that the
Hassler property is very important to the people of San Carlos
due to its close proximity to the city. Two years ago the
citizens passed a 10� tax in an effort to purchase this property.
At that time it was thought that San Mateo County would join
in the effort to preserve the Hassler property; however, pres-
ently it appears the County has other priorities and their 10�
tax levy is committed for the next 10 years. He urged the Board
to give the matter consideration and said it would be helpful
to have any encouragement or indication of interest from the
MRPD to further his committee' s efforts to stay in the District.
N. Hanko said she had seen the Hassler property but expressed a
desire to have a tour.
The Board agreed by consensus to call a Special Meeting on Sunday,
October 31, at 10: 00 A.M. for the purpose of touring the Hassler
property. The group will meet in the parking lot of the San
Carlos City Hall at 666 Elm Stree, San Carlos.
N. Hanko said staff could provide maps and any other informational
materials that might be necessary.
Mr. Bishop said he would obtain permission from the city of
San Francisco to go on the site.
H. Turner suggested and Mr. Bishop agreed to invite the San Carlos
City Council and staff members to join in the tour.
N. Hanko mentioned the Land and Water Conservation Grant that San
Carlos has applied for help to purchase the Hassler property
and said she would not want premature action by the District to
jeopardize San Carlos' chances of receiving the grant.
Mr. Bishop said if the pending grant is approved, perhaps the
MRPD could take the place of the City of San Carlos; however,
this concept would need some investigation.
Mr. Gordon Jennings cautioned the Board about involvement which
might affect land values . He stated the District' s most effect-
ive tool is its flexibility, and he recommended the Hassler pro-
perty be evaluated in the same manner other properties have
been evaluated.
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provide adequate maintenance and patrol for its lands; this is
presently being handled by a staff consisting of a Land Manager
and the rangers. He said it is part of the Board' s plan to
employ additional rangers when needed as more land is purchased
and land use increases.
J. Olson said that land management encompasses planning prior
to and after acquisition of a site. It also includes opera-
tion and maintenance. In addition to the rangers, the District
has some resident caretakers and agricultural tenants who pro-
vide an extra presence on the sites. The District also has co-
operative working agreements with the City of Palo Alto, Santa
Clara County rangers, State Park rangers and the State Divi-
sion of Forestry so that their ranger patrols and the District's
ranger patrols all complement and supplement one another. J.
Olson gave examples where various city Parks and Recreation
Departments had used District sites for city recreation pro-
grams, and had cooperated on joint management.
H. Turner stated that all land acquisitions to date have been
made by unanimous decision of the Board, whose members have
acted with a regional perspective.
Ms. Anja K. Miller, Chairwoman, Parks and Recreation Citizens
Advisory Committee, San Mateo County, 44 Visitacion Avenue,
Brisbane, said her commitee had been appointed by the San Mateo
County Board of Supervisors to review and evaluate the Parks
and Recreation Element of the San Mateo County General Plan and
to advise the staffs of the County' s Planning Department, Parks
and Recreation Department, Planning Commission, Parks and Rec-
reation Commission and the Regional Planning Committee,
Ms. Millers said her Committee welcomed the MRPD into the County
and encouraged closer cooperation between the District and the
citizens of San Mateo County to avoid duplication of services
and expenses.
N. Hanko asked to have Ms. Miller and her Committee placed on
the District's mailing list to receive agendas and minutes.
H. Turner inquired if the Citizen' s Advisory Committee would be
interested in having an MRPD Director attend one of their meet-
ings to provide further information.
Ms. Miller indicated this would be agreeable and also mentioned
appointing a permanent liaison from her Committee to attend the
District' s meetings held in San Mateo County.
N. Hanko expressed the desire to have a presentation from the
Citizen' s Advisory Committee to the MRPD Board in the near future.
She recalled that when Santa Clara County was developing the
Open Space Element of the General Plan, the District had been
involved and incorporated into that plan.
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Mr. Steve Worden, 530 Chestnut, San Carlos asked if overnight
camping would be a possibility on the District' s lands that
are situated farther away from the urban areas.
N. Hanko responded that presently overnight camping use had not
been included in any approved uses; however, she indicated
that the Board is interested in citizen' s concerns and desires
with regard to local uses when it is time for them to evaluate
and adopt the use and management plans presented to them by
staff.
Mr. Warden asked if the District is able to purchase land out-
side its boundaries and what the limitations are.
S . Norton advised that the District can legally own land outside
its boundaries anywhere; however, this is not encouraged. He
gave as an example buying a contiguous piece of property out-
side the District and then deciding whether or not to annex that
piece. The District would have to pay real property tax on
land outside its boundaries.
Mr. Worden said that Hassler is not only a property that can be
used by the citizens of San Carlos, but with a reciprocal agree-
ment, San Carlos citizens can use the District' s properties.
K. Duffy advised that when the Board refers to the District
they are talking about all of the people, and they represent all
of the people in the District. District lands are bought for
all the people to use. K. Duffy confirmed with J. Olson that
this past summer there had been organized overnight uses by
specific youth programs and added that the District has been
studying possible youth hostels on some of its properties.
Motion: G. Seager moved that the Board approve the contract
continuing William Spangle and Associates as con-
sultants for the District to work on the extension
of the MRPD Master Plan into the annexed area at the
cost of $17,034 and that the President be authorized
to execute the contract on the District' s behalf.
H. Turner seconded the motion.
Discussion: D. Wendin asked if the $17 , 034 is the
total cost or would there be additionalcosts for
publication and computer costs. H. Grench said there
might be minor additional costs for things such as
card punching. The motion passed unanimously.
Motion: N. Hanko moved to appoint G. Seager, H. Turner and
D. Wendin as a subcommittee for the purpose of re-
evaluating the policy statements for extension of the
Master Plan. B. Green seconded the motion. The
motion passed unanimously.
The Board recessed at 9:30 P.M. and reconvened at 9 :45 P .M.
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Mr. William Steele, San Carlos Councilman, 133 Highland Avenue,
San Carlos said the City of San Francisco would like to dispose
of the Hassler property as surplus land, and the District' s
interest would not escalate the price.
C. Action Plan Implementation for Ranger and Planning Positions
H. Grench introduced his memorandum (M-76-147) dated September
22, 1976, regarding Action Plan Implementation for Ranger and
Planning Positions. He recommended that the Board establish
two new positions and Job Descriptions for a Planner and Super-
vising Ranger, and that the Board create a second Ranger posi-
tion. He recommended that the salary ranges for the new posi-
tion be as follows:
Supervising Ranger: $13,716 - $19, 200
Planner: $12, 190 - $15,847
J. Olson informed the Board that in the General Manager' s
report (R-76-10, dated April 8, 1976) which outlined the Action
Plan program, it was pointed out that personnel changes and
additions would be required to effectively implement the Open
Space Management Program. He asked that the Board approve
implementation of the positions being requested. J. Olson
said that the Planning Aide position, which was filled on a
temporary basis a year and a half ago, is clearly a permanently
needed position. He said that the level of land use and re-
lated activities has continued to expand, requiring that a
Supervising Ranger assume some of the duties of the Land Manager
and to generally oversee the ranger staff and other operation
and maintenance functions. He said that the salary ranges
being recommended were based upon research into comparable jobs
and salary ranges for these types of positions. He referred
the Board to the attached Job Descriptions for each position.
J. Olson confirmed to B. Green that the Planner position does
phase out the Planning Aide position.
N. Hanko clarified that the positions being requested were al-
ready approved in the 1976-1977 Budget.
E. Shelley asked if these would be new staff positions. J. Olson
replied that the Supervising Ranger would be the only new posi-
tion.
Motion: B. Green moved that the Board adopt the recommendations
in the report (R-76-26) , dated September 22, 1976
establishing two positions and Job Descriptions for the
Planner and Supervising Ranger, creating a second Ranger
position, and adopting the recommended salary ranges.
D. Wendin seconded the motion.
Discussion: H. Turner asked what sources had been used
to establish the salary ranges. J. Olson said the other
agencies contacted had included the Cities of Palo Alto,
Cupertino, and Sunnyvale, the Counties of Santa Clara
and San Mateo,
East Bay Regional Park District and East
Bay Municipal Utilities District. The motion passed
unanimously.
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VIII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
A. Status of the Site Development Plans
J. Olson gave a backgound on the process involving the planning
on individual sites, which includes the pre-acquisition and
post-acquisition planning. He reported that four of the District's
eight sites now have adopted use and management plans. The re-
maining four plans are expected to be completed for Board adopt-
ion between November, 1976 and March, 1977 . It is the Board' s
policy to review each site plan annually, and two site plans
should be reviewed in November, 1976 .
N. Hanko inquired when the signing for the various sites would
go into affect.
J. Olson said that with respect to the Fremont Older Open Space
Preserve, staff is waiting for sign materials. All the signs
for that site should be in place in six to eight weeks. The
adopted plan for North Foothills open Space Preserve did not
recommend signing; however, signing is being recommended when
the plan is reviewed in January, 1977 . The Costanoan Way Open
Space Preserve plan does not recommend signs due to the site ' s
limitations. Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve plan does not
recommend signing due to it fragility and limited parking; how-
ever, the District is pursuing access and parking for the area
in cooperation with Santa Clara County' s plan for Upper Stevens
Creek Park.
N. Hanko inquired about the status of the individual site broch-
ures.
J. Olson said the format for site brochures will be a fold-up
type that fits into a person' s pocket, and the trails map will
be incorporated. The text writer has been chosen, and someone
else will do the graphics. J. Olson projected that a brochure
will be finalized in two to four months.
B. Subcommittee Report Regarding Joint Planning with Santa
'Clara County
N. Hanko advised that the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors
had appointed two members and one alternate to work with District
staff and Sunnyvale Council members on the joint planning pro-
ject under study.
B. Green reported that she and K. Duffy met September 17 , 1976
with representatives from Sunnyvale, Santa Clara County Board
of Supervisors and Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation De-
partment. The representatives from the Board of Supervisors
requested a tour of Sunnyvale Mountain Park and the Catholic
Church properties, and this tour is scheduled for next week.
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K. Duffy advised that Santa Clara County has referred the matter
to their Parks and Recreation Commission for evaluation and
comment. In addition, since the District' s Pemanente Creek Park
site and the Catholic Church property are contiguous and should
be planned simultaneously, the Santa Clara County Parks and Rec-
reation Department have agreed to joint planning.
H. Grench said that he and J. Olson had already had a meeting
related to joint planning with Mr. Bob Amyx, Director of Santa
Clara County Parks and Recreation and Mr. Felix Errico, a planner
with that department.
N. Hanko gave a background report on this joint proposal being
discussed among the District, Santa Clara County and the City
of Sunnyvale.
C. California Conference on Urban Parks and Recreation
H. Grench said he attended the California Conference on Urban Parks
and Recreation in Sacramento on September 23 and 24. The Confer-
ence had been originated by Herbert Rhodes, Director of the De-
partment of Parks and Recreation for the State of California,
and co-sponsored by his Department for the purpose of talking
about urban recreation and park needs. The group consisted of
about 100 people, mostly park professionals. Recommendations
from the participants will be forwarded to Director Rhodes and
incorporated in a report to Governor Brown. H. Grench said he
has materials from the Conference available to anyone who is
interested.
D. Midpeninsula Cities Study Group
H. Turner reported that he, G. Seager and H. Grench responded to
an invitation along with Doc Mattison, Assistant Director of
San Mateo County Parks and Recreation, to join the monthly meet-
ing of City Council members from Redwood City, Atherton, East
Palo Alto, Portola Valley and Woodside on September 18, 1976.
The subject of the meeting was intergovernmental cooperation
and H. Grench outlined the various possibilities. H. Turner
said several people commented that they were encouraged by
cooperative possibilities between the District and cities in the
annexed area.
VIII. CLAIMS
H. Grench requested the addition of No. 2288 in the amount of
$500 for an Option Fee Fund Addition to augment the fund.
Motion: D. Wendin moved adoption of amended revised claims
(C-76-17) dated September 29, 1976 with the above
addition. K. Duffy seconded the motion. The motion
passed unanimously.
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IX. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:28 P.M.
Jennie George
Deputy District Clerk