HomeMy Public PortalAbout19770914 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting 77-22
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MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
I
Regular Meeting
Board of Directors
M I N U T E S
September 14 , 1977 745 Distel Drive
Los Altos, CA
I. ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by President Wendin at 7 :36 P.M.
Members Present: Nonette Hanko, Harry Turner, Barbara Green,
Daniel Wendin, Katherine Duffy, Edward Shelley and Richard
Bishop.
Personnel Present: Jon Olson, Rose Hartmen, Carroll Harrington,
Anne Crosley, John Melton, Del Woods, Stanley Norton and
Jennie George.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Minutes of August 10, 1977
N. Hanko said a portion of the last sentence on page four under
the motion is missing and requested it be inserted. Upon re-
viwing tapes of the August 10 meeting it was determined the
sentence should read "K. Duffy reminded the Board that one of
the reasons the site was acquired was the historic aspect of
" the buildings and gargens. "
N. Hanko advised that the date in section D. , page 8, third
paragraph should be August 17 , 1977 .
K. Duffy requested that her statement in the discussion por-
tion of the motion on page 6 be clarified to read "Mr. Levine
had met the good faith deposit required by the District. "
Geri Albers, 925 Arbor Road, Menlo Park asked that the refer-
ence to "historic restoration of a house" be deleted on page
five as she is not opposed to historic restoration. She
suggested insertion "of a residence" . She also asked that
the minutes specify that she cautioned the Board that build-
ings get expensive and hoped that access to District properties
would not be limited in the next 25 years due to building
maintenance costs.
A. Minutes of September 14 , 1977.
B. Green suggested the correction of a typographical error in
paragraph H, sentence (f) on page sixteen of the minutes, where
the word "piaching" should be "poaching. "
K. Duffy said she felt the first sentence in the first paragraph
on page ten of the minutes was unclear, and asked that the word
"not" be inserted after the word "did. "
D. Wendin stated the consensus that the minutes of September 14 ,
1977 be approved as amended.
Meeting 77-22 Page two
D. Wendin stated the consensus that the minutes of August 10,
1977 be approved as amended, with B. Green abstaining because
she had not been present at that meeting.
B. Minutes of August 17 and 18, 1977
D. Wendin stated the consensus that the minutes of August 17
and 18 , 1977 be approved as presented.
III. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
J. George advised the Board of two Written Communications:
(a) a letter from Economic & Social Opportunities Inc. in-
viting the Board to recommend individuals to fill a vacancy
on their Board of Directors. D. Wendin suggested that any
Board members who are interested could follow up on this
invitation. (b) a letter from James V. Fitzgerald, Congress
of Elected Officials of San Mateo County, asking that the
Board adopt a resolution directing staff to work with the
Congress Task Force providing the information necessary to
complete the Executive Committee's projects and adopting
the CEO resolution urging all local governing boards to
consider appropriating $. 50 per employee to the Communications
portion of the Congress of Elected Officials budget for two
years. R. Bishop suggested this item be placed on a future
agenda with a staff recommendation.
IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
J. Olson recommended removal of item 3, Monte Bello Open
Space Preserve Addition (Eldridge) since some details had
not been resolved in time for the meeting.
D. Wendin requested that discussion of the possible cancel-
lation of the September 28, 1977 meeting be placed as item
9 on the agenda.
D. Wendin stated the consensus that the agenda be adopted with
the aforementioned changes .
V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Robert Mark, 725 Cowper, Palo Alto, expressed disappointment
in the fence that had been erected around the Fremont Older
ranchhouse. He felt it was an unfortunate requirement in
the middle of an open space preserve.
VI . SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
J. Olson introduced Merle Butler, Director of Parks and Recre-
ation for the City of Cupertino and Brita Oklevik, Recreation
Supervisor.
Meeting 77-22 Page three
M. Butler gave a slide presentation of the summer day camp
program Cupertino held at the Picchetti Ranch. He expressed
his appreciation to the District for providing the use of
these facilities, adding that he was overwhelmed with the
Picchetti site. Ms. Oklevik presented a placque of appreci-
ation made from materials from the Picchetti site.
N. Hanko thanked Mr. Butler for bringing to fruition some of
the programs the Board has envisioned for their sites.
H. Turner said he hoped Cupertino would continue with this
type of program.
VII . OLD BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED
1. Fremont Older Open Space Preserve Ranchhouse Lease
Agreement
D. Wendin advised that this item was being continued from
the August 10, 1977 meeting and said he was bringing the
motion back on to the table.
J. Olson presented the memorandum (M-77-169) dated September
8, 1977 attached to the revised lease agreement. He gave a
summary of staff' s position. He said he felt the idea of
a private party preserving an historical building was a worth-
while ,concept; however, the major question was the location
and future impact of the building at a regional access point
of an open space preserve. Another question he said was whether
this building' s location would unfavorably limit a future
Board and staff' s flexibility. He recommended that the Board
not accept the lease agreement for the 25 years and that the
building be removed.
Ms. Albers referred to an August 9, 1977 article in the
Palo Alto Times in which Ms. Hamm of the Historical Ameri-
can Building Survey had attributed the design of the Fremont
Older ranchhouse to two bay area architects, Frederick Wolfe
and Charles W. McCall. Ms. Albers asked why the District would
buy this section of land if it is needed as stated in the
lease agreement referring to Public Resources Code Section
5563.
D. Wendin said a decision had to be made whether or not there
is some immediate need. He said if you look at the parcel
as a whole, the questions raised would be if those two acres
would be necessary to the remaining 598 acres and would they
interfere with the public' s use. He said the Board is not
limited by this code section.
Meeting 77-22 Page four
Ms. Albers, referring to the Merkelo property addition to the
Fremont Older Open Space Preserve, said she thought it was
a contradiction to buy someone' s property on one hand and
prevent them from building a residence, and then consider put-
ting a residence at the point of access on the District' s
own property. She said she felt it was unfortunate the deceased
receive more consideration than the living with regard to
their property rights.
E. Shelley responded the Fremont older ranchhouse is in an
enclave of existing structures; whereas , the potential Mer-
kelo residence was not and would have impacted the character
of most of the site.
Alice Johnson, 730 Cambridge Avenue, Menlo Park asked what
the purpose was for preserving the structure. She said she
had read previous minutes referring to exotic plants in
the garden and the exciting history of the Olders, but she did
not feel these were reasons enough for preserving it. She
said putting a private residence at the access of the property
would limit the public, and any restoration should be done
by the District for public use.
Ms. Margaret Steppe, 816 Fremont Street, Menlo Park said she
was not in favor of the house being renovated and used b a private
party for 25 years. She felt the house is too close to by
access point of the site. She expressed dislike for the fence
surrounding the house and the possibility of increased traffic
with the house being used as a residence. She inquired that
if the house is renovated, what did the District have planned
for its use after the 25 years and would the gardens be included
in those 25 years.
Art Ogilvie, Executive Director of El Camino Trust for Historic
Preservation, said the house does qualify for consideration for
the National Registry. He presented preliminary plans which
had been drawn up by members of the Historic American Building
Survey. He stated the members had also done an historical and
architectural report and drafted the application for National
Registry of the property. He said they would be receiving the
finalized papers from Washington within 60 to 90 days . He read
a statement from the Historic American Building Survey staff
on the history of the house.
Ms. Carole Block, 509 Rhodes Drive, Palo Alto, said she was not
in favor of preserving the house and was also concerned about
costs. She stated that if the Board decided to accept the lease,
it should be revised to reflect that the public would have access
to the house more than once or twice a year for an activity
really functional for the public. She suggested having the
house open to the public once or twice a mopth. She raised the
question as to who is liable for the publics safety when they
enter the house on public occasions and, if it is the District,
what costs would be involved. Ms. Block asked if the Board had
given consideration to the maintenance costs involved after the
Meeting 77-22 Page five
lease has expired. She said she felt that there had not been
any specific cost figures presented to answer these questions.
Mort Levine said the item in the lease that describes the public's
access was at the District's request. He said he would prefer to
have the house open to the public more often; however, the way
the lease is written, the District would bear the liability when it
is open to the public. He added that the fence was an unfortunate
expense, but due to the indefinite amount of time required to
resolve certain matters in the lease, it was necessary to protect
the building. He said the fence would be removed as soon as
construction is well under way.
Margaret Steppe asked if security might be a future problem.
Mr. Levine said he had recommended a gate prohibiting vehicular
access to the inner part of the site.
Mrs. Lucien Hertert, 22830 San Juan Road, Cupertino, said she
had written in May in behalf of the Cupertino Historical Society
supporting the preservation and restoration of the Fremont Older
house. Speaking personally, she said the District would be
purchasing two kinds of property; the usual open property that
civilization had not reached yet, and other properties that long
ago were felt exceptional and bought and built on by people who
had the means to do so. She said she thought it was due to those
persons liking that same kind of exceptional property that it is
still there and it is only right and just that we give as much
tribute to them as we can. Mrs. Hertert said it isn't always
possible to do everything with public money, and the generosity
of private support should be accepted whenever feasible.
B. Mark agreed that Mr. Levine's offer is generous and attractive
and if the house were situated in another section of the property
he could probably support it. However, he felt that residence
inholdings in the middle of open space public lands and the impacts
they have on adjacent lands is overriding. He said he supported
staff' s position of removing the house.
Kathy Nellis, 22322 Regnart Road, Cupertino, said she felt the house
did have historic value and the Levine 's offer was a good use of
private funds to benefit tne public. She said she did not feel
that lease holding would interfer with the public use of the preserve.
Dorothy Regnary, Historian of Town of PortQla Valley, 488 Portola
Valley, Portola Valley, said she was concerned about the
historical value of the Fremont Older ranchhouse. She said the
1962 Santa Clara County inventory did not include it. She added
that she knew Mrs. older in the 50 's and her writings were light
and journalistic - not historical. Ms. Regnary questioned that
the Board was putting too much history into this matter. She said the
Board had agreed that the house is not artistic and she believed
they should call it like it is. Ms. Regnary introduced other sources
Meeting, 77-22 Page six
of documentation to emphasize her belief that this particular
house was not significantly historical.
Sharon Blane, 22284 De Anza Circle, Cupertino, commented that
there is not much remaining Cupertino history because of
development and said she would like to preserve what is left.
She urged the Board to accept Mr. Levine 's offer.
G. Albers commented that the Board is setting a precedent and
expressed concern that there had been no discussion concerning
the building after 25 years, the cost to the District and the
staff time involved.
B. Green said the property's proximity to the urban area made it
desirable when it was purchased. Many houses can be seen from
the site, there are presently two inholdings on the site and one
more did not seem to be significant. She added that the trail
has been designed to circumvent the house visually so it isn't
visible from the trail. Addressing the potential costs and
risks and implications of renting to a private individual for
25 years, she said she felt those negative arguments did not
outweigh the important experiment and opportunity to show
leadership on the part of the District in a unique endeavor.
B. Green said it's virtually impossible to predict what society
will need in 25 years, but the District would have a fairly sound
building and she felt certain a good use could be found.
H. Turner said he felt the house and historical interest were
of minor significance and not sufficient to justify creating a
private inholding for 25 years that would deny public access
to a charming area a short distance from the parking lot. He
said it appears Fremont Older's productive professional life
was not in the house and it was a place from which he commuted
to work. Two attempts to place it on the National Register
have failed and although Mr. Ogilvie mentioned that it now
qualifies for consideration, the matter seems very tenuous. He
added that over the period of discussions, the architectural
merits of the house still seem inconclusive. He said he believed
Mrs. Older was a journalist/reporter whose books about California
history were of insufficient quality to be used as authentic
source material by contemporary historians. He added that he
felt this house (while there may be others as equally deserving)
was the wrong place to commit the District's limited historical
preservation resources, he commented he would prefer to save
buildings of greater significance.
N. Hanko asked why a corporation was chosen to receive the lease
instead of an individual. D. Wendin responded it was in order
to give the District more protection. She asked if the terms
that are binding on Mr. Levine would also be binding should
someone else assume the responsibility for example through
subletting. D. Wendin said yes.
Meeting 77-22 Page seven
N. Hanko asked staff to address the cost to the District involving
public access as described in item 6 of the lease. J. Olson
said that the building might be used in two different ways, (1)
generally a private building only open to the public once a year,
in which case the operations, staff time costs would be minimal,
(2) if the house were open once or twice per month to the public,
people would be required to help with parking cars and docents
to lead people on tours, and this could result in $10,000 to
$12 ,000 direct costs related to use. He advised that another
cost potential would be if at some point within 5 years the District
were to buy out the interest in the building, which could mean
a substantial amount of money diverted from land acquisition
depending upon what point in time during the lease this occured.
J. Olson said another cost factor is the insurance premium. The
District is presently rated as an open space agency and the overall
premium is about 20% of what Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation
Department pays. He advised the more the District encourages park-
like uses and more intensive use of this type of building the
higher the rates would be. The District's current insurance rates
are $5,000 compared to normal park rates of $25,000. He added that
if the building ever became a generally public building, the quality
of the access road for fire equipment would have to be improved
to two lanes with shoulders, a sprinkler system installed in the
building, and the septic system upgraded. He reiterated that these
items depended on the types of future use and the findings and
requirements of the building inspector.
G. Albers introduced additional specific data related to the
requirements of the planning, fire and health departments if the
building were ever used for other than a residence.
N. Hanko said there seemed to be disagreements among historians
as to the historical merit of the building. She said she felt
if a public agency has jurisdiction on a public site, it should
use every means possible to preserve historical sites. She added
that she thought the Fremont Older Open Space Preserve was
incomplete because of lack of access.
D. Bishop said he did not feel this inholding, which is situated
between two other present inholdings, was a problem and that it
added interest to the site. He said he thought the District
should save places of historical interest whenever possible and
that the costs related to this particular endeavor were within
reason.
D. Wendin said he had no problem with a 25 year lease and if it is
the right building in the right place, it is an excellent
mechanism to preserve historic or architecturally important
structures. The District would not be getting something for free
as it might appear. Although future cost estimates are not
specifically available, he said there would be some and they
might be significant. He said he was primarily opposed as he felt
this was the wrong house for a project of this importance.
Meeting 77-22 Page ten
K. Duffy agreed that perhaps the Adobe did have more historical
value because of the adobe used in the sturcture, but felt it
is more detrimental to the access on the site than the Fremont
Older ranchhouse. She said that four or five years ago, before
vandals had done so much destruction, the ranchhouse added to
the feeling of history on the site. She said there are many people
who feel the house has color and romanticism and are interested
in seeing it preserved with Mr. Le vine's offer to bear the costs
of restoration. She said this is a holding action for the future
and a public agency should be preserving not destroying. She
agreed that perhaps there are other buildings of greater historical
value, but emphasized that the proposal for Board consideration
was directed to the Fremont Older ranchhouse.
E. Shelley stated that the matter really comes down to a question
of judgement on the complex set of arguments. He said he approved
of the lease and felt in the future there would be a net benefit
to the public.
Motion: N. Hanko moved to amend Section 6, Annual Open House,
page three of the lease to delete "once" and add "three
times" . D. Wendin seconded the motion. Discussion:
M. Levine agreed to this change in the number of times
per calendar year the house and premises would be open
to the public. N. Hanko stated that this change would
not require the District to have the house open that
many times each yearl but would make it possible to
do so within the next 25 years. D. Wendin said that
after hearing the various comments, he felt the Board
should use descretion in this area because of the
liability involved. J. George submitted the names of
Peggy Core, Saratoga Councilwoman, 19224 DeHaviland,
Saratoga and Mardi Gualtieri, Vice Mayor of Los Gatos,
38 Alpine Avenue, Los Gatos, as being in favor of the
Board' s acceptance of the Fremont Older ranchhouse
lease. The motion passed unanimously.
Motion: D. Wendin moved that paragraph 2, page 2 the dates
"September l, " 1977 and "August 3111 , 2002 be inserted
in the appropriate places. Paragraph 5, page 3, second
sentence, the amount "$3,500" the District has retained.
B. Green seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Action: The Board voted on the following motion which had been
tabled at the meeting of August 10, 1977. Motion:
K. Duffy moved that the Board accept the draft lease
agreement as amended, with non-substantive changes,
and that the President be authorized to execute it.
E. Shelley seconded the motion. The motion passed on
the following vote: AYES - N. Hanko, K. Duffy, B. Green,
R. Bishop and E. Shelley. NOES - D. Wendin and H. Turner.
Meeting 77-22 Page eleven
B. Hassler Health Home Property
J. Olson introduced the report of the General Manager (R-77-42 ,
dated September 7 , 1977) regarding the status of the Hassler
Health Home Property. He said the District had promised its
support for acquisition of the site following Special Meetings
on the subject at which San Carlos residents and Councilmembers
asked for District assistance. The District agreed to partici-
pate in a joint project with the City of San Carlos whereby both
jurisdictions would share in the purchase price and would also
share in any grant funds allocated for the site. He said the
San Carlos City Council had recently voted to rescind its com-
mitment to a joint project with the District, and they have offered
to make materials available if the District wants to submit an application for
Land and Water Conservation Funds. He pointed out that the deadline for
submitting materials is Thursday, September 15.
R. Bishop said he was very disappointed in San Carlos ' action,
but he felt the District should apply for the funds. He said
the citizens of San Carlos were still supportive of the acqui-
sition since they voted to acquire it.
D. Wendin said he agreed the application should be submitted, but
he was not committing the District to responsibility for the
entire project, since that is not the Board' s policy on this
matter. He said the State may not wish to consider funding a
project which the District has not committed itself to fully.
E. Shelley said he was opposed to sending in the application,
because if funding was approved, the District would have no
choice , politically, but to go ahead with the entire project.
He said his recollection was that the Board decided that this
property wasn't the type the District would become involved in
except as a joint project.
N. Hanko said the Hassler site was referred to in the annexation
campaign as a property the District might consider.
Motion: D. Wendin moved that the District 's policy regarding
the Hassler Health Home property that it be acquired
as a joint project with the City of San Carlos be
continued as set forth in the General Manager' s report
(R-77-10) presented to the Board on February 24 , 1977 ,
including the policy that any proceeds received from
Land and Water Conservation Funds applied for would
be matched on a 50-50 basis (half from the District
and half from the City of San Carlos) . K. Duffy
seconded the motion.
Discussion: R. Mark said he was appalled at San Car-
los ' bad faith, since they had asked for the District' s
help. He said the potential operational costs involved
with the Hassler site would not be appropriate for the
District and San Carlos should be the lead agency. D.
Wendin said he felt the District should continue to
Meeting 77-22 Page twelve
show its good faith so the citizens of San Carlos will
have support for their efforts to preserve the Hassler
site. He said lie doubted the Board would proceed
further without the participation of San Carlos. D.
Jennings said the Hassler site will only benefit the
residents of San Carlos , and it is clear the San Carlos
City Council will not stand behind their word. G.
Jennings said that even though the San Carlos residents
voted in favor of taxing themselves to preserve the
Hassler site several years ago, the same measure night
not be successful now, considering economic changes.
He said it could be assumed that the San Carlos City
Council knows the tide of sentiment in their area. Ile
added that Hassler was reminiscent of the Fremont Older
site since each is an attempt to draw a line between
open space and development "at the front" , and he said
he did not think this was the right priority and the
District should spend its money elsewhere. B. Green
said she intended to vote no because of the recalci-
trance of the San Carlos City Council. E. Shelley
said the Hassler site is a far greater financial risk
than Fremont Older. H. Turner said he felt the District
should apply for the funds. R. Bishop said the District
represents all its residents , and Hassler is the most
beneficial to San Carlos. He said the membership of
the City Council may change following the next election.
B. Green said she wanted any communication to the San
Carlos City Council to show that the Board is split on
this issue. The motion passed unanimously.
Motion: R. Bishop moved adoption of Resolution No. 77-38, a
Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpenin-
sula Regional Open Space District Approving the Appli-
cation for Land and Water Conservation Funds - Hassler
Acquisition Project. K. Duffy seconded the motion.
Discussion: J. Melton suggested paragraph No. 3 in
the resolution be amended to replace the words "property
tax revenue" with "proceeds from the sale of negotiable
promissory notes , Series A. " D. Wendin stated the con-
sensus that the resolution be so amended. H. Turner
and R. Bishop both stated they were voting in favor of
the resolution with the understanding that San Carlos
must participate as it promised in the event the funds
are received. G. Jennings asked what the difference
was between buying flatlands in Sunnyvale or Mountain
View and buying the Hassler property. N. Hanko observed
that the Hassler site was not within the city limits
of San Carlos , and citizens in that area have worked
very hard to preserve the site. D. Wendin said he felt
joint projects was the only answer when close-in lands
are involved. He said he hoped San Carlos would recon-
sider. R. Mark said he did not think the grant applica-
Meeting 77-22 Page thirteen
tion will be looked upon favorably by the State since
the District is not totally committed to the project.
E. Shelley said he felt the District would look worse
if it backed out after grant approval than now. The
motion passed on the following vote: AYES - D. Wendin,
K. Duffy, H. Turner, R. Bishop and N. Hanko; NOES -
B. Green and E. Shelley.
C. Joint Meeting with San Mateo County Parks and Recreation
Commission
J. Olson advised that the San Mateo County Parks and Recreation
Commission was agreeable to holding a joint get-acquainted meeting
on September 24 , but the time and place have not yet been set.
He said he planned to suggest 10 A.M. at Huddart Park. D.
Wendin stated the consensus that a Special Meeting be tentatively
set for 10 A.M. , September 24 , 1977 at Huddart Park, subject
to staff working out the details.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED
A. Adoption of Revised Budget for Fiscal Year 1977-1978
J. Melton introduced his memorandum (M-77-168) dated September
8, 1977 , regarding Adoption of Revised Budget for Fiscal Year
1977-1978 . He referred to revised revenue and expenditure
budgets which were changed since adoption of the preliminary
budget on July 8 , 1977. Projected revenue figures were in-
creased by $73 ,000 , and expenditure figures increased by
$185 ,100 to reflect accelerated payments on installment pur-
chase contracts, legal fees and office rent. He recommended
adoption of a resolution with the revised budget for fiscal
year 1977-1978 attached.
Motion: N. Hanko moved adoption of Resolution 77-39 , a Reso-
lution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District Adopting Budget for Fiscal
Year 1977-1978. D. Wendin seconded the motion. The
motion passed unanimously.
B. Revised Annual Claims List
J. Melton introduced his memorandum (M-77-167) dated September
6 , 1977, regarding the Revised Annual Claims List. He said
the list had been revised to correct the amount of District
Legal Counsel ' s fees , to increase office rent, and to add a
vehicle expense allowance for the Assistant General Manager.
Motion: D. Wendin moved approval of the revised Annual Claims
List as set forth in the Controller's memorandum M-
77-167 dated September 6 , 1977 . B. Green seconded
the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Meeting 77-22 Page fourteen
C. Electronic Data Processing Service
J. Melton introduced his memorandum (M-77-170) dated September
8, 1977 , regarding District use of an Electronic Data Proces-
sing Service. He said the District 's amount and complexity of
expenditures has grown to a point where a manual accounting
system is unable to provide the necessary data on a timely basis
for good management control. He said utilization of a computer
system would be a better alternative for the District than
simply increasing staff time. He referred to a report (R-77-
43, dated September 8, 1977) on this subject prepared by L.
Schwarz , Financial Analyst, which discusses the alternative
data processing services available, advantages and disadvantages
of each, and the costs involved. On the basis of the research
done, he recommended that the District enter into an agreement
with Carter Associates for electronic data processing services,
which would include a start-up cost of $450 and monthly fees
of about $120 . He confirmed that costs on a site-by-site
basis would be calculated by this system.
B. Green said she felt the information would be very helpful
to the Budget Committee.
Motion: D. Wendin moved approval of a service agreement between
the District and Carter Associates and authorize the
General Manager (or Assistant General Manager) to
sign the agreement on behalf of the District. R.
Bishop seconded the motion.
Discussion: In response to a question from D. Jen-
nings, D. Wendin said the District would have the
right to terminate the agreement. E. Shelley said
he would abstain from voting. The motion passed on
the following vote : AYES - D. Wendin, R. Bishop, K.
Duffy, B. Green, N. Hanko and H. Turner; ABSTAIN
E. Shelley.
D. Scheduling of Board/Staff Meeting
J. Olson introduced the General Manager' s memorandum (M-77-164)
dated August 22 , 1977 , regarding Scheduling of a Board/Staff
Workshop to discuss alternatives to the District renting office
space. He recommended that a luncheon meeting be scheduled
for Wednesday, October 19 , 1977 , from 12 :00 Noon to 2:00 P.M.
Following discussion, D. Wendin stated the consensus that a
Board/staff Workshop be scheduled for noon on a date to be
suggested by staff.
E. Cancellation of Second Regular Meeting in September
J. Olson advised that the tentative agenda for the second
regular meeting in September was very light , and the Board
may wish to cancel that meeting since it would be attending
a Special Meeting on September 24.
Meeting 77-22 Page fifteen
Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board cancel the second
Regular Meeting in September which would normally
have been held on Wednesday, September 28 , 1977 , at
7 : 30 P.M. E. Shelley seconded the motion. The mo-
tion passed unanimously.
IX. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
A. Daniel Condron Appointment to Board of Education Vacancy
D. Wendin said he would like the minutes to reflect that former
Board member Daniel Condron has been selected to fill a vacancy
on the Board of Education of the Santa Rosa School District.
B. Announcement of Legislative Committee Meeting
D. Wendin announced that the first meeting of the Legislative
Committee would be held at 7: 30 P.M. on Wednesday, September
21, 1977 at the District offices. Senator Smith or his repre-
sentative is expected to attend.
C. Introduction of Ward Paine , POST Board Member
H. Turner introduced Mr. Ward Paine as a recently named member
of the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) , a non-profit organi-
zation established to seek gifts of land and other assets on
behalf of the District.
D. Intergovernmental Parks Project
N. Hanko advised that she had attended a meeting of the Santa
Clara County Board of Supervisors on Monday, and they approved
the intergovernmental parks project among the County, the City
of Sunnyvale and the District by a unanimous vote.
E. Fremont Older Open Space Preserve Ranchhouse Historic
Restoration Committee
K. Duffy suggested that steps be taken to establish a Historic
Restoration Committee as set forth in the lease agreement for
the Fremont Older Open Space Preserve ranchhouse. D. Wendin
suggested that the Board Committee on this subject meet to
discuss the matter.
F. Land and Water Conservation Funds - Baylands Application
H. Turner advised the Board that outgoing Director of the State
Parks and Recreation Department Herb Rhodes had tried to allo-
cate funds for the District's joint project in the baylands
and to the Ravenswood Park and Recreation District. Although
Mr. Rhodes is no longer serving in that capacity, H. Turner
said his understanding is that the District may still have
a chance to have its project funded.
Meeting 77-22 Page sixteen
G. Status of Tax Relief Legislation
J. Olson reported that staff' s latest information was that a
report would be presented to the State Legislature tomorrow
from committee, and that a cost-of-living ceiling is still in
with no exceptions. He added that the District may have an
opportunity to change the bill ' s provisions in a subsequent
"clean-up" bill.
H. Status of Activities on District Lands
J. Olson advised the Board of some of the problems which the
District staff has had to contend with on District sites , adjacent
public roads and adjacent County parks including (a) arson fires,
(b) out-of-control campfires, (c) assualts on Monte Bello Road,
(d) an attempted suicide at Saratoga, (e) twenty-seven break-ins
or attempted break-ins at Picchetti, (f) piaching on: :Picchetti,
and (g) threats to the safety of District staff.
I. Proposed Abandonment of Portions of Stelling Road
J. Olson advised that Santa Clara County was proposing an
abandonment of a portion of Stelling Road, and that District
staff has suggested that . 7 acres of this be transferred to
the District' s interest as a possible staging area. He said
County staff did not appear enthusiastic about the suggestion,
but District staff would keep in contact on this matter.
X. CLAIMS
Motion: D. Wendin moved approval of the revised claims (C-77-
19) dated September 14 , 1977 , as presented. B. Green
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
XI . EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board recessed to Executive Session at 11 :10 P.M. to dis-
cuss land negotiations .
XII. ADJOURNMENT
The Board reconvened to adjourn at 11 : 35 P.M.
Anne Cathcart Crosley
District Clerk
Jennie George
Deputy District Clerk
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II MINUTES
APPROVAL OF I U
A. Minutes of September 14 , 1977.
B. Green suggested the correction of a typographical error in
paragraph H, sentence (f) on page sixteen of the minutes, where
r the word "poaching" should be "poaching. " �
K. Duffy said she felt the first sentence in the first paragraph
on page ten of the minutes was unclear, and asked that the word
"not" be inserted after the word "did. "
D. Wendin stated the consensus that the minutes of September 14 ,
1977 be approved as amended.
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