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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19761110 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting 76-30 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT Regular Meeting Board of Directors M I N U T E S November 10, 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, George Seager, Edward Shelley, Harry Turner and Daniel Wendin. Personnel Present: Edward Jaynes, Herbert Grench, Anne Crosley, Jon Olson, Carroll Harrington, Stanley Norton, Brad Clifford and Phyllis Lee. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Minutes of October 13 , 1976 B. Green referred to page 3, fourth paragraph and asked that "intergovernmental park plan" be changed to "trans- portation needs of the local area. " N. Hanko stated the consensus that the minutes of October 13, 1976 be approved with the above change . B. Minutes of October 28 , 1976 N. Hanko stated the consensus that the minutes of October 28, 1976 be approved as presented. C. Minutes of October 31, 1976 N. Hanko stated the consensus that the minutes of October 31, 1976 be approved as presented. III. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS P. Lee referred to a letter, dated October 7 , 1976 from Olive Mayer of Woodside, (which had previously been sent to the Board) , expressing support of the District and urging consid- eration of the Hassler property as a possible acquisition. N. Hanko commented on a letter dated October 20 , 1976 Meeting 76-30 Page two from Pierre Joski, Director, Marin County Regional Open Space District regarding a possible joint re- gional park district meeting to discuss areas of mutual concern. She asked that Board members give some thought to what they might be interested in discussing at such a meeting and reminded them that the first meeting of this kind had been extremely successful and informative. G. Seager added that he felt that such a meeting would be an excellent idea. N. Hanko suggested that this item might be held next spring. IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA H. Grench asked that an item concerning the Historic Arti- facts of the Picchetti property be added to the agenda for consideration by the Board under New Business With Action Requested. N. Hanko stated the consensus that the agenda be adopted with the above addition. V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Ed Schell, P. 0. Box 1345, Los Gatos, expressed his congratulations to the newly elected Board members on be- half of the Wakanta Longhorn Breeders Association. VI. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY A. MRPD Election Results A. Crosley referred to her memorandum (M-76-164) dated November 3, 1976 regarding MRPD Board Election Results. She stated that the three incumbent Directors, Barbara Green, Ward 3 , Edward Shelley, Ward 4 , and George Seager, Ward 7, were elected to serve four-year terms. Harry Turner, the incumbent Director from Ward 6, retained his seat for a two-year term, by defeating challenger Nancy Jewell Cross by about a 2 to 1 margin. She added that the newly elected Directors would be given the oath of office at the first Board meeting in January 1977 . N. Hanko congratulated the elected Board members. VII. OLD BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED A. Proposed Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve Addition (Exercise ot Option on 355-acre Gunetti/Larrus Property) Meeting 76-30 Page three H. Grench introduced his report (R076-30) dated November 4, 1976 regarding the Proposed Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve Addition, (Exercise of option of 355 acre Gu- netti/Larrus Property) . He said that on May 26 , 1976 the Board decided to purchase an option on a 355 acre addition to Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve, owned by Harry C. Gunetti and Louis C. Larrus. He explained that at this time the Board must decide whether or not they want to exercise the option, since the agreement requires a decision by November 26, 1976. He explained that the terms of the agreement called for approximately another $20,000 to be paid in five consecutive equal annual princi- pal payments plus interest. He said that use and management plan recommendations for the site were approved by the Board at the may 26 meeting. He reminded the Board that at the July 28, 1976 meeting the staff advised that approximately 70 of the 355 acres might be more suitable as an addition to the Santa Clara County Upper Stevens Creek Park. At that time it was decided that the Board of Supervisors should be approached regarding possible joint purchase. Further action on this matter has not been taken yet due to the higher priority associated with the joint project in process with the Arch- diocese property adjacent to Permanente Creek Park. There- fore, the recording of the deed to the District and possi- bly the County. He added that at this time there appeared to be little interest in the joint acquisition of this pro- perty on the part of the County staff. The District will have possessory ownership rights on the entire parcel im- mediately. H. Grench recommended that the Board exercise the option to purchase the property and added that the acquisition would provide about 3100 acres of contiguous public park and open space, including the County park and the Stanford land adjacent to the District' s Preserve. H. Grench pointed out that the resolution as originally drafted had been revised in Section Three to provide that all or any portion of the property could be placed in a holding agreement with the title company, thus enabling the Board to exercise the option and, at a later time, if a portion is to be purchased by the County, the MRPD Board could authorize such an arrangement. In response to a question from D. Wendin, E. Jaynes said it would be possible for the District to take title to the property within approximately thirty days after the conclusion of discussions with the County. N. Hanko asked if any one in the audience wished to speak on this agenda item, and no one did. Meeting 76-30 Page four Motion: B. Green moved adoption of Resolution No. 76-27, a Resolution 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 Officer to Execute Any and All other Documents Necessary or Appropriate to Closing of the Trans- action (Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve Addition Gunetti/Larrus Property) H. Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. VIII. NEW BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED A. Detachment Requests H. Grench introduced his memorandum (M-76-167) dated November 3, 1976 regarding Detachment Requests to LAFCO from Los Altos Hills, San Carlos, Redwood City and Atherton. He advised the Board that the Santa Clara County LAFCO would hold its public hearing on December 1, 1976 , to consider the Los Altos Hills detachment request and the request by Atherton, Redwood City and San Carlos to transfer jurisdiction to the San Mateo County LAFCO. He recommended that the Board instruct Legal Counsel to draft a letter to Santa Clara County LAFCO expressing Board opposition to the proposed detachments and to the transfer of jurisdiction. He added that due to the shortness of time it would be advisable for the draft letter to be sent to Board members for their comments and authorize the President to sign the letter rather than have it considered at the November 24 , 1976 Board meeting. He said this letter would be the first official District posi- tion in this matter. Motion: G. Seager moved that the President of the Board be authorized to send a letter to Santa Clara County LAFCO expressing the Board' s opposition to the detachment request and the transfer of jurisdiction, after circulation among Board members for their comments. H. Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. B. Appointment of Alternate to Mountain View Shoreline Park Study Subcommittee The Board considered a memorandum dated November 5, 1976 , from N. Hanko regarding Appointment of an Alternate to Mountain View Shoreline Park Study Subcommittee. E. Shelley advised the Board that since he expects to be out of town during some of the upcoming Subcommittee meetings, he has confirmed with the Subcommittee that an alternate be appoin- ted to serve in his absence as the Board' s representative. Meeting 76-30 Page five He recommended that Bob Naegele, a member of the Trails Task Force, be appointed as his alternate to assure conti- nuity in District representation. N. Hanko said that it would probably be helpful to Mr. Naegele if he could meet with staff and E. Shelley to be- come familiar with District policies and the Subcommittee work. Motion: E. Shelley moved that Bob Naegele be appointed as the alternate representative of the District to the Mountain View Shoreline Park Study Sub- committee. N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. C. Minor Amendment to Contract with William Spangle and Associates H. Grench referred to his memorandum (M-76-166) dated November 3, 1976 regarding a Minor Amendment to the Contract with William Spangle and Associates. He explained that the contract with William Spangle and Associates to work on the extension of the MRPD Master Plan had been approved by the Board at its meeting of September 29, 1976. On October 28 , 1976 a letter was received from William E. Spangle advising the District that the name of the firm had been changed to William E. Spangle and Associates, Inc. Mr. Spangle has been in contact with the District's Legal Counsel and they have agreed that it would be appropriate for the Board of Directors to assign the contract to the firm under its new name. Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board of Directors consent to the assignment of the contract between the Mid- peninsula Regional Park District and William Span- gle and Associates dated September 29 , 1976 to William Spangle and Associates, Inc. provided that nothing herein shall relieve William Spangle and Associates from any of the obligations contained therein. G. Seager seconded the motion. The mo- tion passed unanimously. D. Historic Artifacts on the Picchetti Property E. Jaynes explained that this item was added to the agenda so that the Board could consider authorizing the General Manager to purchase certain items of personalty located on the Picchetti property. He added that although this is not a usual pursuit of the District, the items observed on the Picchetti property were of particular historical and cultural significance. He referred to a list of the items the Dis- trict might want to purchase. The total appraised value of the personalty on the property was approximately $7500 . Since other groups in the area such as El Camino Trust and Meeting 76-30 Page six Friends' of the Winemakers were interested in preserving the artifacts, he suggested the District could contribute up to $4 ,000 and thereby get a good cross-section of his- torical items. He said a museum or display could be set up so the items could be preserved and viewed by the pub- lic. B. Green expressed concern that a limit of $4 ,000 would prevent the District from acquiring additional artifacts in the event the other groups were unable to raise the remaining $3,500. E. Jaynes replied that the Board could authorize purchase of all the items if the other groups could not contribute the $3 ,500. G. Seager asked how the personalty would be protected if it were purchased by the District. J. Olson answered that a resident caretaker would live on the site. He added that the items at present were stored in buildings on the property and would remain there until a display or museum could be arranged. He said the wine- making and agricultural equipment were representative of the type of equipment used throughout the District. He said that since the items on the Picchetti property had been in the family for over 100 years, it was doubtful whether the District would ever come across such a group of his- torically significant items again. In response to a question from G. Seager, E. Jaynes said that in a land acquisition such as the Picchetti property, if the District is interested in purchasing anything other than land and the structures affixed to it, provision would have to be made in the purchase agreement. K. Duffy asked how the $4,000 figure was arrived at and if it would purchase a representative sample of the items avail- able. E. Jaynes said the $4 ,000 figure'would give the District a good cross-section of the agricultural, winemaking and ranching operation. G. Seager expressed concern about the selection process that would be used with respect to the other groups inter- ested in purchasing some of the historical items. J. Olson pointed out that there were three overall areas of personalty to be purchased: 1) agricultural equipment, 2) winemaking equipment and 3) winekegs. He said the other groups involved were not interested in the agricul- tural equipment, but would like to see it retained. The winemaking equipment, consisting of a grapecrusher and Meeting 76-30 Page seven transfer pumps, would probably not be as valuable to the El Camino Trust and Friends of the Winemakers as the wine- kegs. Therefore, the District would be purchasing about 40% of the agricultural equipment, one each of the various winemaking pieces of equipment and some of the wine kegs. With the upper value set at $7 ,500, it is reasonable to assume that the District would not have to expend more than the $4 ,000 amount. Motion: N. Hanko moved the expenditure of up to $4 ,000 to purchase personalty representative of the list prepared by staff, on the Picchetti Property. E. Shelley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. IX. NEW BUSINESS WITH NO ACTION REQUESTED A. Update on Volunteer and Docent Program E. Huggins introduced her memorandum (M-76-161) dated November 1, 1976 regarding the Volunteer and Docent Program of the District. She said that in September various envi- ronmental organizations printed news releases concerning the MRPD docent program. The response has been so great that further publicity will be put off until the end of the year. She advised the Board that the District continues to attract a good number of volunteers to do various jobs such as news- paper clipping, assisting with parcel mapwork and site clean- up. She added that these groups were doing a commendable job and expressed a desire to preserve a good relationship with organizations such as RSVP and Environmental Volunteers. The docents over the last several months have expended about 450 hours in training time preparing to lead hikes on Black Mountain. She explained that more docents with the ability to handle children were needed, since many scout groups and other groups with children under twelve have expressed a desire to hike Black Mountain. She said a group like the Environmental Volunteers could more readily handle this type of group because their nature study programs are or- iented to children. The Environmental Volunteers have said they would like to continue to use District sites for their training sessions, and they are willing to cooperate with Mountain View, Los Altos, Cupertino and other agencies in using the Permanente Creek site. She suggested that the Board begin to formulate a decision concerning the docent program in the areas of publicity, the effect of docent tours on District sites, and the num- ber of docents needed. N. Hanko asked that E. Huggins be available for the Board meetings that would deal with use and management plans for the sites on which there are docent tours. Meeting 76-30 Page eight In answer to a question by Mr. Schell, H. Grench pointed out that this was a pilot program in its first year, and that the docent program would try to accomodate as many interested people as possible. G. Seager commended E. Huggins and the volunteer and do- cent program for the fine job they have done in improving the image of the District in relation to public access. X. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS A. National Recreation and Parks Association Conference H. Grench said he recently attended the annual National Recreation and Parks Association Conference. A portion of the conference of particular interest to the District was a mini-conference dealing with the subject of pri- vate resources for public recreation. He added that some of the areas discussed were BOR' s program and the grants- manship program. He said that because the District is establishing a gifts program, he was able to contribute some information. B. Intergovernmental Park Plan H. Grench advised the Board that J. Olson, D. Wendin and he and attended the Santa Clara County Parks and Recrea- tion Commission meeting at which the possible three-way land acquisition proposal with Santa Clara County, the City of Sunnyvale and the MRPD was considered. He pointed out that no specific site plan or boundary recommendation was made by the Commission; however, the concept was re- viewed and endorsed by them. On Monday, November 15, the proposed concept will be presented to the Board of Super- visors of Santa Clara County for their approval. J. Olson stated that at the present time the County staff and the District staff seem to be in general agreement as to the kinds of use the Catholic Church site and District site would support. He reviewed two alternate site plans that County and MRPD staffs had developed. He added that there seemed to be agreement between the agencies involved as to a controlled access plan or quota system to regulate the amount of use the combined sites would have. Mr. Robert Mark, 725 Cowper Avenue, Palo Alto asked whe- ther the plan provided for trail users. J. Olson replied that a short road branching off of Cristo Rey Drive into the property would possibly be a good route for trail users. N. Hanko asked what would the anticipated result of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors ' November 15 meeting be. Meeting 76-30 Page nine H. Grench said he hoped for an endorsement of the three-way project and a direction to the County Park and Recreation Department staff to proceed with negotiations on purchase of the Catholic Church property. The joint planning would continue after that meeting. D. Wendin said he felt the Board should go on record as supporting the three-way project. He referred to the rules of procedure regarding Board action on a non-agenda item, wherein a matter of an urgent nature could be acted upon if a majority of the Board agrees to the urgency of the matter and an explanation is contained in an appropriate motion. Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board consider as an emergency item the action taken by the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Commission supporting the intergovernmental park plan which will be considered by the County Board of Supervisors at their meeting on November 15 , 1976 , since the next MRPD Board meeting will not be held until after that date. K. Duffy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board support the con- cept of joint acquisition of the Catholic Church property by the MRPD and Santa Clara County and the acquisition of Sunnyvale Mountain Park by Santa Clara County, and that the Board urge the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to approve the continuation of negotiation of these purchases and joint planning for the Cath- olic Church site. B. Green seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously XI. CLAIMS Motion: D. Wendin moved approval of the revised claims (C- 76-20) dated November 10 , 1976 . B. Green seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. XII. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Board recessed at 9 :15 P.M. to Executive Session to discuss land negotiations. XIII. ADJOURMENT The Board reconvened to adjourn at 9 :58 P.M. Phyllis Lee Recording Secretary