HomeMy Public PortalAbout19761013 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting 76-27
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Regular Meeting
Board of Directors
M I N U T E S
October 13 , 1976 745 Distel Drive
Los Altos , CA
I. ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 7 : 32 P.M. by President Hanko.
Members Present: Katherine Duffy, Barbara Green, Nonette Hanko,
Edward Shelley, George Seager, Harry Turner and Daniel Wendin.
Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Edward Jaynes , Jon Olson, Anne
Crosley, Carroll Harrington, Phyllis Lee and Stanley Norton.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Minutes of September 13 , 1976
N. Hanko stated the consensus that the minutes of September 13 ,
1976 be approved as presented.
B. Minutes of September 29 , 1976
N. Hanko stated the consensus that the minutes of September 29 ,
1976 be approved as presented.
III. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
H. Grench referred the Board to a letter dated September 30 , 1976
from the Palo Alto City Clerk enclosing a resolution recently
adopted by the Palo Alto City Council endorsing the District 's
draft Master Plan and commending its open space preservation
efforts . He suggested the President of the Board write a thank
you letter to the Council. N. Hanko stated the consensus that
this would be done.
IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
N. Hanko stated the consensus that the agenda be adopted without
change.
V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. Ed Schell , P.O. Box 1345 , Los Gatos , invited Board and staff
members to a San Jose Amateur Astronomers ' Star Party being held
on October 23 at dusk, approximately 1/8 mile south of Saratoga
Gap Open Space Preserve.
i
A. Minutes of October 13, 1976
B. Green referred to
page
3' fourth paragraph and
that "intergovernmental .r asked
portation needs of the local area. "
changed to "trans-
N. Hanko stated the consensus that the 13, 1976 be minutes o
approved with the above change . f October
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Meeting 76-27 Page two
VI * SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
A. City Programs at Permanente Creek Park and Fremont Older
Open Space Preserve
H. Grench referred to his memorandum (M-76-154) dated October
6 , 1976 , regarding City Programs at Permanente Creek Park and
Fremont Older Open Space Preserve. He said he was very pleased
with the District 's success in its initial joint efforts with
the Parks and Recreation Departments of Mountain View and
Cupertino to provide day camp and overnight camping for elementary
school children in those communities.
J. Olson said he had approached all the cities in the District
in early summer about the possibility of conducting recreational
programs on District lands , but most parks and recreation depart-
ments had already set their summer schedules. Cupertino and
Mountain View, however, were interested in using Fremont Older
Open Space Preserve and Permanente Creek Park, respectively,
during the months of July and August.
Mr. Glenn Lyles , Mountain View Parks and Recreation Department,
said he was very enthusiastic about the program which had been
held at Permanente Creek Park this summer. Many different organ-
izations contributed to its success: the District supplied the
location and facilities , Mountain View supplied staff supervision
and planning, the Whisman School District supplied transportation,
the 4-H lent animals , and other groups donated lunches and other
services. Nearly 600 children enjoyed a weekly nature-science
experience , which included such activities as swimming, arts
and crafts , group games , nature walks , and archery. He said
the opportunity of having a site such as Permanente Creek Park
was exactly what Mountain View needed to provide a daytime
nature science program for children in their community. He
said he was looking forward to planning a better, more expanded
program for next year. He said he was impressed with the wil-
lingness of the District to cooperate with other agencies to
provide recreational opportunities for the public.
N. Hanko said she was pleased to see that some of the programs
envisioned by proponents of the District in 1972 were coming
to fruition.
B. Green said she thought the Sunnyvale School District would
be interested in this kind of program.
Ms. Brita Oklevik, Cupertino Parks and Recreation Department,
said the City of Cupertino had held overnight camping outings
once a week on the Fremont older Open Space Preserve. She
was enthusiastic about the possibilities for more activities
next year. She noted that the Preserve was within walking
distance of one of Cupertino 's city parks . The program this
past summer had been open to children from 8 to 12 .
Meeting 76-27 Page three
J. Olson advised that a committee comprised of staff people
from the Parks and Recreation Departments in Sunnyvale, Los
Altos , Mountain View, Palo Alto, Cupertino and Menlo Park,
State of California, County of Santa Clara, and representa-
tives from the Sempervirens Fund, Environmental Volunteers ,
Santa Cruz Mountain Trail Association and Whisman School
District, had been meeting to explore cooperative efforts
in the following areas : (a) day camp and nature science
programs on District lands; (b) nature science programs in
the baylands; and (c) backpacking and overnight camping in
lands publicly owned from the urban area to the Pacific Ocean.
He mentioned that a trial backpacking trip would be held
in November to determine the feasibility of having group
trips next summer.
H. Turner said he thought this was something the Ravenswood
Park and Recreation District would be interested in. He
suggested they be informed of the District's presentation
at the forthcoming California Park and Recreation Society
meeting.
G. Seager added that perhaps invitations should be sent to
Parks and Recreation Department Directors in San Mateo County.
He said it might be a good idea to give San Mateo County
groups a day' s outing at Permanente Creek Park.
B. Green mentioned that there would be a meeting at 2 :30 P.M.
next Wednesday, October 20 , in the Sunnyvale City Council
Chambers to discuss the intergovernmental park plan.
Mr. Gordon Jennings , 441 East Meadow, Palo Alto , said he
thought the District staff had been doing an excellent job
in planning joint agency programs .
VII. NEW BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED
A. Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula
Regional Park District Endorsing the State , Urban, and
Coastal Bond Act of 1976 (Proposition 2)
H. Grench introduced his memorandum (M-76-151) dated September
29 , 1976 , regarding a proposed Resolution of the Board of
Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Park District Endorsing
the State, Urban, and Coastal Bond Act of 1976 (Proposition 2) .
He noted that the District had received about $835,000 from
the 1974 Bond Act toward the purchase of Permanente Creek Park.
That amount had been determined through a 50-50 city/regional
agency split in Santa Clara County, wherein the County and the
District shared their 50% on the basis of population. In San
Mateo County, the 1974 Bond Act revenues were split differently,
giving 90% to the cities and 10% to the county and small park
districts. He said the District would work with both counties
for an equitable distribution of the 1976 Bond Act funds , if
Proposition 2 is successful. He pointed out that the Bond Act
Meeting 76-27 Page four
would provide $280 million in State bonds to acquire and
develop State and local park, recreational and coastal
facilities , with $85 million of the funds allocated to local
jurisdictions for the acquisition and development of park
and recreation areas , beaches or historic units . He recom-
mended that the Board of Directors adopt Resolution No. 76-26
in support of Proposition 2 .
N. Hanko asked if the Purissima Ranch Property would be in-
cluded in the State's list of coastlands to purchase.
Mr. R. Mark, 725 Cowper, Palo Alto, said the Purissima Ranch
Property was very controversial , since some people would like
to see it developed, and others would prefer it remain in an
agricultural state. He said the State might not acquire the
Ranch property because of the political controversy over its
future.
Ms. N. J. Cross, 1902 Palo Alto Way, Menlo Park, asked if the
1974 bonds have been sold. H. Grench replied that it was his
understanding that most of the money from those bonds has
been spent. He added that money can be advanced from the
State 's general fund when necessary.
H. Turner noted that the interest rate is coming down now,
and California' s credit rating is Triple A. R. Mark added
that the 1974 bonds sold at interest rates between 5% and 6% .
Motion: E. Shelley moved adoption of Resolution No. 76-26 , a
Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpenin-
sula Regional Park District Endorsing the State, Urban,
and Coastal Bond Act of 1976 (Proposition 2) . G.
Seager seconded the motion. The motion passed unani-
mously.
B. Office Location and Meeting Room Space
H. Grench introduced his report (R-76-28) dated October 6 ,
1976 , regarding the District's Office Location and Meeting
Room Space. He said a review of the existing office location
and office space requirements had been included in the 1976-77
Action Plan. Since the staff was presently negotiating with
the landlord for the consolidation and rearrangement of
existing office space and to provide for approved staff addi-
tions, it appeared appropriate for the Board to decide upon
the advisability of retaining the present location and the
adequacy of meeting room facilities . According to a recent
staff study, the District office location is quite near both
the geographic and population centers of the District. Prior
to annexation, the office had been somewhat north of these
two centers.
Meeting 76-27 Page five
H. Grench further pointed out that some Board members had
questioned the adequacy of the District's meeting room space
at the time overflow crowds had appeared when controversial
matters were being considered by the Board. He discussed
the advantages and disadvantages of trying alternate meeting
locations, increasing the size of the meeting room, and
rearranging existing furnishings to allow for more audience
members in the meeting room area. He recommended that the
Board (a) approve maintaining the District office in its
present location if appropriate space and terms can be arranged;
and (b) make a decision on whether to expand meeting room space
at this time.
G. Seager said he didn't feel it was necessary to expand the
meeting room area for an occasional overflow crowd. He ex-
pressed concern about the tendency of bureaucracies to have
the maximum, rather than get along with the minimum.
E. Shelley said he felt the meetings at which overflow crowds
occur are the most important ones , and that a $1 ,000 investment
per year to accommodate these people is justified.
D. Wendin said he felt there would be more people attending
District meetings , particularly with its increasing visibility,
and he suggested the meeting room should have a greater capa-
city.
Motion: D. Wendin moved that staff be directed to provide
additional meeting room space that would accommodate
about twenty more people. E. Shelley seconded the
motion.
Discussion: N. J. Cross suggested the staff consider
moveable partitions in its planning for office space.
She further suggested that better restroom facilities
be investigated, especially since there may be health
code requirements . G. Jennings pointed out that the
District has to follow fire code regulations , also.
N. J. Cross added that the Board should consider hold-
ing some meetings closer to site locations. N. Hanko
said she felt overflow meetings could be anticipated
better in the future, and since the District did not
have too many such meetings , she was reluctant to
spend additional rent for more meeting room space.
E. Shelley pointed out that the extra effort required
of staff to take meeting materials elsewhere costs
money. H. Grench said that according to District
records , there were 2 overflow meetings in 1974 , 3
in 1975 and 1 so far in 1976 . Any meeting at which
there were in excess of 30 audience members was con-
sidered overflow. K. Duffy asked D. Wendin if his
Meeting 76-27 Page six
motion meant that staff should provide 20 additional
seats to accommodate a total of 50 audience members.
D. Wendin confirmed that was the sense of his motion.
The motion passed on the following vote : AYES - K.
Duffy, D. Wendin, H. Turner and E. Shelley; NOES -
B. Green, N. Hanko and G. Seager.
C. Possible Cancellation of Second Regular Meeting in October
H. Grench introduced his memorandum (M-76-155) dated October 7 ,
1976 , regarding the Possible Cancellation of the Second Regular
Meeting in October. He said there were very few items for
the Board to consider during the latter part of October, and
a Special Meeting has been scheduled for Sunday, October 31 to
tour the Hassler Health Home property. Therefore, he felt the
Board might want to consider cancellation of the second regular
meeting in October, which is now scheduled for the 27th.
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the second regular meeting of the
Board of Directors , now scheduled for Wednesday, October
27 , 1976 , be cancelled. D. Wendin seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
VIII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
A. Resolution of Los Altos Endorsing Draft Master Plan of MRPD
H. Grench referred the Board to a letter from the Mayor of Los
Altos to the District 's General Manager, enclosing a resolution
of the Los AltosCity Council endorsing the District's draft
Master Plan. He suggested a thank you letter from the President
of the Board be sent to Los Altos. The Board agreed with this.
B. Status of Detachment Efforts
H. Grench advised that the matter of Los Altos Hills ' proposed
detachment from the District would be considered by LAFCO at
its December 1 meeting. He added that the three south San
Mateo County cities requesting detachment will not be considered
in November by LAFCO. He said the hearing on Los Altos Hills '
request will include an Environmental Impact Report and presen-
tations by both Los Altos Hills and the District.
G. Jennings asked if LAFCO was interested in hearing from
citizens residing in areas of the District other than Los
Altos Hills . R. Mark said he felt LAFCO wanted the views of
all citizens who might be affected by the decision.
C. Intergovernmental Parks Project
B. Green mentioned that K. Duffy and she had met with Parks
and Recreation people and County Board of Supervisors members
recently regarding the proposed three-way parks project. She
felt there was a positive response to the proposal .
Meeting 76-27 Page seven
IX. CLAIMS
Motion: N. Hanko moved approval of the revised claims (C-76-
18) dated October 13 , 1976. G. Seager seconded the
motion. The motion passed unanimously.
X. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board recessed to Executive Session at 9 :07 P.M. to dis-
cuss land negotiations.
XI . ADJOURNMENT
The Board reconvened to adjourn at 10 :45 P.M.
Anne Cathcart Crosley
District Clerk