HomeMy Public PortalAbout19770112 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Met- _ng 77-1
AW
AV
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Regular Meeting
Board of Directors
M I N U T E S
January 12 , 1977 7 : 30 P.M.
Midpeninsula Regional Park District
745 Distel Drive
Los Altos, CA
I. ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by President Hanko at 7 : 38 P.M.
Members Present: Katherine Duffy, Barbara Green, Nonette Hanko,
George Seager, Harry Turner and Daniel Wendin.
Member Absent: Edward Shelley.
Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Edward Jaynes, Jon Olson,
Anne Crosley, Carroll Harrington, Jennie George , Brad Clifford,
Del Woods and Stanley Norton.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Minutes of December 22 , 1976
N. Hanko said she would like to correct the information in para-
graph four on page six of the minutes of December 22 , 1976 , re-
garding the denial of a permit request for overnight camping
by the City of Palo Alto. She said a member of the Palo Alto
Planning Department advised that a permit was approved, with
conditions, and that it was the opinion of Palo Alto legal
counsel that a veto of overnight camping by the City of Palo
Alto could have an impact on activities on District lands.
Robert Mark, 725 Cowper, Palo Alto, asked that the words "lack
of" be inserted before the word "use" in the sixth line of the
fifth paragraph on page six of the minutes.
N. Hanko stated the consensus that the minutes of December 22 ,
1976 be approved with the above corrections.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
A. Crosley referred the Board to a letter from the California
Association of Park and Recreation Commissioners and Board
A. Minutes of January 12 , 1977
K. Duffy suggested that a sentence be added following the election
of officers on page five of the minutes of January 12 to reflect
that D. Wendin took the chair as President of the Board.
D. Wendin asked that paragraph five on page four of the minutes
be clarified to reflect that Mr. Wilshire stated he had photo-
graphs of damage done to District property by the motorcycle race
near Permanente Creek Park and would make them available to the
District, but that the photographs distributed at that meeting
had been taken by J. Olson.
Robert Mark, 725 Cowper, Palo Alto, clarified the number of trees
actually cut down for the race. '
D. Wendin stated the consensus that the minutes of January 12,
1977 be approved as amended.
Meeting 77-1 Page two
Members with an invitation to the District Board to join the
Association and attend the forthcoming conference.
N. Hanko said she would like to consider Access to Black Moun-
tain Area as agenda item No. 10 under New Business With
Action Requested. She referred the Board to a letter written
by Robert Mark to Santa Clara County Supervisor Steinberg
on this subject.
IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
N. Hanko stated the consensus that the agenda be adopted with
the above additions.
V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
A. Discussion of Use Permitted on El Sereno, Open Space Preserve
Ed Schell, P.O. Box 1345 , Los Gatos , said he was speaking on
behalf of the Wakonta Longhorn Breeders Association, a philo-
sophical organization, and the San Jose Amateur Astronomers.
He introduced Mr. Jack Zeiders of San Jose who also represented
the San Jose Amateur Astronomers. He stated that his groups
have held star parties on the El Sereno Open Space Preserve
in past months , and there have been some problems which he
felt have since been straightened out. He said he has talked
to staff regarding the continued use of El Sereno for star
parties , and he hoped to make a presentation when the use and
management plan for the site is considered by the Board. He
said he had received a permit to use the site, but the permit
had limits on the number of vehicles and people allowed at
one time, which he felt was not reasonable. He said he did
not feel his group had an adverse impact on the environment,
and the only continuing problem has been that his groups leave
the gate open because of the steepness of the road. He added
that he wanted to work with the Board because he did not feel
staff had been cooperative. He asked for an indication of
future use of the El Sereno site, and a definition of any en-
vironmental problems associated with his group 's use of the
site. He expressed his opinion that staff had a poor attitude
and had given him incorrect information.
Jack Zeiders, 725 Minnesota Avenue, San Jose , said he would
answer any questions the Board might have regarding the San
Jose Amateur Astronomers.
Meeting 77-1 Page three
N. Hanko explained that El Sereno Open Space Preserve did not
have a use and management plan yet, and that under the interim
plan for the site, staff was to use its discretion in issuing
use permits.
H. Grench said that although a member of staff might have
given out incorrect information on use policies for this site,
this would not have been done deliberately.
D. Wendin said he was not willing to listen to further comments
about the staff, since he felt they had handled the matter
satisfactorily. He said he would prefer that staff prepare a
response if they wished, rather than continue this discussion
at this meeting.
J. Olson said environmental impact was not the major issue in
this matter. He said the access road to the site, Montevino
Road, narrows to a one-lane , steep dirt surface that is a
safety hazard in the dark and especially if the ground is wet.
Traffic on the road is unmonitored, and limitation of the
number of cars for the present time is felt to be appropriate
by staff. In the case of the groups that Mr. Schell repre-
sents, the limitation is for 15 people and 8 cars.
In response to a question from D. Wendin, S . Norton said it
was his opinion that the District may be exposed to some
liability regarding the hazardous condition of the road.
E. Schell said he believed that 25 people and 15 cars was a
reasonable number, and he did not know of any accidents on
the road.
J. Olson said the staff could study the road situation and
return with a report to the Board; however, he would prefer
to plan for the road in conjunction with preparation of the
use and management plan for the site.
D. Wendin noted that the use and management plan for El Sereno
is due in March, and since the planning process would begin soon,
a special report was probably not necessary.
J. Zeiders invited Board and staff members to attend one of
the San Jose Amateur Astronomers ' star parties so they would
be familiar with SJAA activities. He said some of the equip-
ment needed for star gazing was extremely heavy and necessitated
vehicles transporting it all the way into the site.
B. Discussion of Damage to Permanente Creek Park Resulting
From Motorcycle Race on Adjacent Property
Meeting 77-1 Page four
R. Mark advised the Board that he had observed destruction
to the Permanente Creek Park site where a large number of
motorcyclists had conducted a race. He said that numerous
trees had been cut to widen the existing equestrian trail
to accommodate motorcycles. The trees averaged 6" to 8"
in diameter and were up to 251 in height. He added that
the County Sheriff did not stop the race even though it was
held without a permit.
J. Olson added that staff is working with the County on this
matter, since the motorcyclists were apparently in violation
of the entertainment ordinance and caused damage to property.
K. Ray Smith, 23230 Ravensbury Avenue, Los Altos Hills , said
he and other residents near the site of the race had done
,everything they could to try and stop it. He said the attorney
for the motorcyclists claimed the gathering was a political
rally. He added that the County Sheriff told residents that
the motorcyclists would be cited, but this did not occur. He
urged the Board to take legal action against the motorcycle
group.
N. Hanko suggested that staff could prepare a report discus-
sing the District' s alternatives in this matter.
Mr. Howard Wilshire, 1752 Begen, Mountain View, said he would
confirm R. Mark' s description of the damage done to District
property. He distributed photographs of the area to the Board.
H. Grench said staff would report back to the Board.
VI . SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
A. Swearing-in of Directors
Incumbent Directors Barbara Green, George Seager and Harry
Turner were given the oath of office by A. Crosley in accord-
ance with their election to the Board on November 2 , 1976 .
B. Election of Officers
N. Hanko said she wished to thank the Board for electing her
to serve as President during the past year. Although she
enjoyed the term, she said she was happy to retire in order
that another Board member could serve in that capacity. She
noted that during 1976 , the District had a successful annexa-
tion election, a productive workshop on land use, and had
begun to extend the Master Plan into the annexed area. She
expressed her appreciation for the support she had been given
by the Board and staff.
Meeting 77-1 Page five
N. Hanko advised that E. Shelley stated he would not be
available to serve as President of the Board.
Following election by secret ballot, the following Board
members were selected to serve as officers for 1977 :
President. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Daniel G. Wendin
Vice-President. . . . . . . . .Harry A. Turner
Treasurer. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nonette G. Hanko
Secretary. . . . . . . . . . . . . .George F. Seager
VII. NEW BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED
Motion: N. Hanko moved that agenda items No. 6 and 9 regard-
ing the Master Plan be considered prior to the
remaining agenda items. B. Green seconded the mo-
tion. The motion passed unanimously.
A. Amendment to Contract with William Spangle and Associates,
Inc.
H. Grench introduced his memorandum (M-76-198 , dated December
23 , 1976) regarding an Amendment to the Contract with William
Spangle and Associates, Inc. He pointed out that the con-
tract that had been approved by the Board provided for a
series of payments to coincide with work progress. All work
performed thus far has been on schedule , and only one final
payment of $7 ,434 remains. The consultants have requested
that the final payment be split in order to improve their
cash flow situation, especially to cover costs incurred. He
recommended that the Board approve the payment split as fol-
lows : $3,200 upon completion of Tasks 3 , 27-32 and 34 ; and
$4 ,234 upon completion of Tasks 33 and 35 and completion of
printing.
Motion: H. Turner moved that the Board approve the recommen-
dation in the General Manager 's memorandum M-76-198 ,
dated December 23 , 1976 , to amend the District' s con-
tract with William Spangle and Associates , Inc. , in
order to split the final payment due them. G. Seager
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
B. Master Plan Extension Data Review
H. Grench introduced his memorandum (M-77-2 , dated January 5 ,
1977) regarding the Master Plan Extension Data Review. He
advised that the District ' s Master Plan consultants have pre-
pared display maps showing the results of calculations of
scores for various open space functions. Staff has reviewed
the maps in detail, and the maps are available for Board
review prior to preparation of the final graphics and the
new draft Master Plan document. He recommended that the
Meeting 77-1 Page six
Board review the maps and adopt the new composite map of open
space values as the basis for the new draft Master Plan map,
subject to minor revisions that may be necessary after a,
second computer run is made. He noted that the draft text
had previously been adopted by the Board. He estimated the
complete draft would be available in mid-March.
Larz Anderson, of William Spangle and Associates , Inc. , ex-
plained the method by which the composite map was created.
He said the non-urbanized lands within the District had been
divided into land units, and each land unit was given a score
based on a number of factors. He said the scoring on the
annexed area appeared to be consistent with scoring for the
original District boundaries.
The Board recessed at 9 :18 P.M. and reconvened at 9 :44 P.M.
H. Grench said the final computer run would score both the
original, and annexed areas of the District.
H. Grench recommended that the Kite Hill area in Woodside not
be included in the planning area, since the site is surrounded
by development, cannot be scored consistently with other areas ,
appears to fall outside the Board's acquisition policies (ex-
cept perhaps for Urban Open Space of Regional Significance) ,
and its inclusion may cause false expectations on the part of
the public.
D. Wendin said he would rather the Kite Hill area did not
appear as an isolated open space area on the map. He said
it was a situation similar to that for the Valparaiso Hill
area in Menlo Park, which was not included.
Motion: G. Seager moved that the Kite Hill land unit not be
shown in the planning area on the composite map for
the reasons cited by D. Wendin and H. Grench. N.
Hanko seconded the motion.
Discussion: In response to a question from Dorothy
Jennings, 441 East Meadow, Palo Alto, L. Anderson
advised that the total area involved approximately
150 acres. The motion passed unanimously.
Motion: D. Wendin moved adoption of the new composite map
subject to rescoring along the Skyline area, and
subject to minor revisions , leaving to staff the
decision as to whether or not the Board should
again review the map after the final computer run.
B. Green seconded the motion. The motion passed
unanimously.
H. Grench said the revised composite map would be available
for individual Board member's review. He said there would be
no further Board review unless something came up as the result
of the final computer run.
Meeting 77-1 Page seven
C. Distribution of Ftnds from State, Urban and Coastal Park Bond
Act of 1976
H. Grench introduced his report (R-77-2) dated December 31, 1977
regarding the Distribution of Santa Clara County Funds from the
State , Urban and Coastal Park Bond Act of 1976 , which was approved
by the voters at the November 2 , 1976 election. He recommended
that the Board adopt a resolution approving the formula for dis-
tribution in Santa Clara County which was , suggested by Robert Amyx,
Directors of the Santa Clara County Parksiand Recreation Depart-
ment. Preliminary estimates indicate the District would receive
about $792,694 under this formula, which allots 50% of the funds
to regional agencies and 50% to cities. The District and Santa
Clara County would divide the regional share on the basis of
population.
N. Hanko suggested the formula be sent to San Mateo County. H.
Grench replied that he would be meeting with Jack Brook of the
San Mateo County Department of Parks and Recreation shortly.
Motion : N. Hanko moved adoption of Resolution No. 77-1 , a Reso-
lution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula
Regional Park District Approving the Priority Plan for
Expenditure of Allocation of Funds to the County of
Santa Clara for Park, Beach, Recreational and Historical
Preservation Purposes (State, Urban, and Coastal Park
Bond Act of 1976) . B. Green seconded the motion. The
motion passed unanimously.
D. Naming of North Foothills Open Space Preserve
H. Grench introduced his report (R-77-3) dated January 7 , 1977 ,
regarding the Naming of North Foothills Open Space Preserve. He
noted that the existing Preserve consisted of two separate land
units , the 274-acre former Dahl site and the 160-acre Blair and
Crocker parcels, all of which had been unofficially designated
the North Foothills Open Space Preserve. He said a brochure
describing the properties was being prepared by staff, and it
would be preferable if the official names for the site were in-
cluded.
J. Olson pointed out that one of the projects in the Action Plan
is that staff determine appropriate planning areas for the Dis-
trict. It appears that there are about twelve planning areas
based on geographical and watershed areas. He suggested the
watershed area to the west of Page Mill Road be designated as
being within the Los Trancos Open Space Preserve, and that the
area to the east of Page Mill Road be designated as either the
Rancho San Antonio or the Adobe Creek Open Space Preserve. He
gave a brief historical background on each of the proposed names.
N. Hanko said she liked the name Adobe Creek Open Space Preserve.
Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board designate the former Dahl
property as being within the Los Trancos Open Space
Preserve and the former Blair and Crocker parcels as
Meeting 77-1 Page eight
being within the Adobe Creek Open Space Preserve, and that
both preserves be within the Page Mill Road Area. H.
Turner seconded the motion.
Discussion: D. Wendin said he did not feel the name Adobe
Creek was appropriate to the larger open space area. D.
Jennings suggested there might be some confusion with the
Adobe Creek Lodge. B. Green said the Board might want
to choose a name which would also apply to the Permanente
Creek Park area. D. Wendin said he felt there should be
further study on a name for the area east of Page Mill
Road. K. Duffy agreed to withdraw the part of the motion
naming the Adobe Creek Open Space Preserve. The Board
voted unanimously to designate the former Dahl property
as within the Los Trancos Open Space Preserve and both
parcels as within the Page Mill Road Area. The Board con-
curred with H. Grench that the Blair and Crocker parcels
were still unofficially named North Foothills Open Space
Preserve.
E. Annual Goals Workshop
H. Grench introduced his memorandum (M-76-197) dated December
23, 1976 , regarding planning for the Annual Goals Workshop.
He advised that the draft of the 1976 Progress Report would
be circulated to the Board shortly, and that a workshop would
be the first step toward preparation of an action plan and
budget for the 1977-78 fiscal year. He recommended that the
Board appoint a Subcommittee to suggest the date, location and
proposed agenda for the workshop. He further recommended that
the workshop be held in February to allow sufficient lead time
for action plan and budget preparation.
D. Wendin appointed K. Duffy, N. Hanko and G. Seager as members
of the Goals Workshop Subcommittee, to prepare a proposed date,
location and agenda for the 1977 workshop.
A. Crosley suggested Board members advise the Subcommittee or
the office of the dates they would be unable to attend a work-
shop.
F. Resolutions Establishing Signatories for Santa Clara County
Account and for Wells Fargo Bank Checking Account
H. Grench introduced his memorandum (M-76-200) dated December
28 , 1976 , regarding Board adoption of new Resolutions Establish-
ing Signatories for Santa Clara County Account and for Wells
Fargo Bank Checking Account. He pointed out that the District ' s
Rules of Procedure provide that two of the financial instrument
signatories for the District shall be the President and Treasurer.
Since the incumbents of these two offices were changed by elec-
tion earlier in the meeting, it is now appropriate to notify
Santa Clara County and Wells Fargo Bank, where the District
maintains savings and checking accounts , respectively, of those
persons who will be financial instrument signatories for 1977.
He recommended adoption of resolutions acknowledging the change.
Meeting 77-1 Page nine
Motion: G. Seager moved adoption of the following resolutions :
Resolution No. 77-2 , a Resolution of the Board of
Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Park District
Establishing Financial Instrument Signatories of the
District for Santa Clara County Accounts; and Resolu-
tion No. 77-3 , a Resolution Authorizing Signing and
Endorsing Checks and Other Instruments (Wells Fargo
Bank) . H. Turner seconded the motion. The motion
passed unanimously.
G. Peninsula Open Space Trust Board Appointments
H. Grench introduced his report (R-77-1) dated January 5 , 1977
regarding Peninsula Open Space Trust Board Appointments. He
explained that staff had been working on the establishment of
a non-profit foundation to raise funds on behalf of the District,
to seek out gifts of land and other assets , and to act as a
holding agent for property which the District might not be in
a position to acquire at a particular time. This project is
included in this year's Action Plan.
B. Clifford explained that POST is being incorporated, and an
application for tax exempt, charitable status has been made.
He said the bylaws of POST provide for a total of nine members
of the Board of Trustees , one of which is appointed by the MRPD
President and one of which is appointed by the MRPD General
Manager. The organizing Board presently has three members
Herbert Grench, Bradley Clifford and R. Gene Brown. He recom-
mended that the President officially designate Herbert Grench
as their appointee for a period of one year or earlier if a
successor is appointed.
In response to a question from D. Wendin, S. Norton said former
Board members could serve on the Board of Trustees of POST.
D. Wendin formally appointed Herbert Grench as the President's
choice to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Peninsula Open
Space Trust. He noted that the other MRPD Board members agreed
with his selection.
H. Access to Black Mountain Area
R. Mark advised the Board that he had written a letter to Santa
Clara County Supervisor Steinberg to object to the notice of
violation he had received for parking at the top of Charcoal
Road near signs prohibiting motor vehicles . He said his assump-
tion was that the signs were meant to keep vehicles from driv-
ing on park land, especially motorcycles, and that he objected
to the "mechanical" enforcement activities of the County park
rangers. He said he felt there was a problem if park rangers
are acting as police officers rather than as public educators
Meeting 77-1 Page ten
and resource protectors . He added that it was his understand-
iHg that he would receive a reply shortly. He asked the Board
to consider contacting the County regarding this problem.
D. Wendin suggested it might be more appropriate to handle
the matter at a staff level.
J. Olson advised that the County is working toward providing
additional parking, and is coordinating their plans with the
District's staff. He did not feel a formal letter from the
Board was necessary.
VIII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
A. Orienteering Day
C. Harrington advised the Board that on March 5 , 1977 the Dis-
trict would sponsor an Orienteering Day on one of its properties ,
which would involve interested people in navigating on land
with the aid of map and compass . The event would be mentioned in
the February issue of Sunset Magazine, and registration will
be limited. She said this was a good way to communicate the
concept of low intensity recreation to the public.
B. Joint Regional Park District Conference
H. Grench advised the Board that the general managers of the
four regional park districts in California will be meeting
on January 21 to discuss proposed legislation of -mutual inter-
est and a proposed location, date and agenda for the forth-
coming second joint regional park district conference. He
asked Board members to let him know if they had any specific
items they would like to have discussed at the meeting.
C. BOR Urban Recreation Study
H. Grench advised the Board that he was one of a small group
of administrators who had been asked by the Bureau of Outdoor
Recreation to submit ideas for proposed opportunities in
urban recreation that might be included for Land and Water
Conservation Funds. The ideas will be taken into consideration
by the Bureau when it prepares a report on the subject.
IX. CLAIMS
Motion: N. Hanko moved approval of the revised claims (C-77-1)
dated January 12 , 1977. D. Wendin seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
Meeting. 77-1 Page eleven
X. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board recessed to Executive Session at 11:15 P.M. to discuss
land negotiations.
XI . ADJOURNMENT
The Board reconvened to adjourn at 12 :05 A.M.
Anne Cathcart Crosley
District Clerk
A. Minutes of January 12 , 1977
K. Duffy suggested that a sentence be added following the election
of officers on page five of the minutes of January 12 to reflect
that D. Wendin took the chair as President of the Board.
D. Wendin asked that paragraph five on page four of the minutes
be clarified to reflect that Mr. Wilshire stated he had photo-
graphs of damage done to District property by the motorcycle race
near Permanente Creek Park and would make them available to the
District, but that the photographs distributed at that meeting
had been taken by J. Olson.
Robert Mark, 725 Cowper, Palo Alto, clarified the number of trees
actually cut down for the race.
D. Wendin stated the consensus that the minutes of January 12 ,
1977 be approved as amended.