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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 �I i 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