HomeMy Public PortalAbout19780927 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting 78-21
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Regular Meeting
Board of Directors
M I N U T E S
September 27, 1978 San Carlos High School
2600 Melendy, San Carlos
I. ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by President Turner at 7: 28 P.M.
Members Present: Richard Bishop, Katherine Duffy, Barbara Green,
Nonette Hanko, Edward Shelley, Harry Turner and Daniel Wendin
(arrived 9: 13 P.M. ) .
Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Jon Olson, Craig Britton,
Anne Crosley, Nancy McComb, Julie Batenburg and Stanley Norton.
R. Bishop introduced Mayor William Steele and Councilmembers
John Buchanan and Pat Bennie of San Carlos.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Minutes of August 23, 1978
Motion: N. Hanko moved approval of the minutes of August 23,
1978 as presented. E. Shelley seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
B. Minutes of September 6, 1978
Motion: E. Shelley moved approval of the minutes of September
6, 1978, with a change on page six substituting the
word "decreasing" for "increasing" in the first amend-
ment. B. Green seconded the motion. The motion
passed unanimously.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
A. Crosley referred to the following Written Communications:
(1) a letter dated September 20 , 1978 from the State Department
of Finance stating the District's request for funding for
critical unmet needs had been turned down; (2) a letter dated
September 27, 1978 from the Santa Cruz Mountains Natural History
Association Docent Council inviting Board and staff to a Big
Basin weekend; and (3) letters from San Carlos residents
Wilma Hoffman, Vivian Salman, Alyce and Jack Krimmer, Ruby
Meeting 78-21 Page two
Seager, Stephanie Smith and the Redwood City/Woodside Sierra
Club urging the Board to acquire the Hassler Health Home
property.
IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
H. Turner stated the consensus that the agenda be adopted as
presented.
V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Bob Naylor, 2308 Olympia, Menlo Park, said he was a candidate
for the State Assembly and supported the acquisition of open
space for three reasons: preservation of the community's
scenic quality, provision of accessible recreation opportunities
and fair treatment to property owners through acquisition. He
said he was impressed with the way the District maximizes its
funds and hoped the legislature would fund the District to its
85% level.
VI. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Hassler Health Home Property
H. Grench introduced report R-78-33, dated September 20 , 1978,
regarding the Status of the Hassler Health Home Property. He
explained the history of the efforts of San Carlos citizens to
preserve the site, and the District's involvement over the
past two years. He announced that the District had just been
informed that another $500,000 in Land and Water Conservation
Fund grant money is available for the purchase of Hassler,
which leaves only $550,000 left to be raised. He emphasized
that Proposition 13 has left the District with only 32% of
its normal tax revenue, supplemented this year only with 16%
from the State. He asked the audience to consider whether or
not the Edgewood State college site or Hassler would be the
better site to acquire, if the District's financial situation
forces a choice between them. He also asked whether or not
there was enough public support in the area that funds could
be raised or an assessment district formed if the City of San
Carlos does not help financially.
J. Olson said the Health Home buildings were a major problem,
since estimates for their removal ranged from $100 ,000 to
$500,000 . Protection of the site would cost about $25, 000
per year.
Joseph Judge, 3335 Brittan Avenue, San Carlos, said Hassler
is not one of San Mateo County's projects, but the acquisition
of the State college site is. He said he felt the County
should help acquire both properties, but did not think the
Parks and Recreation Commission would recommend this to the
Board of Supervisors.
Meeting 78-21 Page three
H. Turner opened the Public Hearing at 8 : 22 P.M.
William Steele, 133 Highland, San Carlos, said the City of
San Carlos and the County of San Mateo have been disappointing
to the citizens because of their refusal to participate in
the acquisition of Hassler. He said the District was also
disappointing because it should acquire the property entirely,
rather than through a joint effort, because acquiring land
is the District's function. He pointed out the District had
received about $1 million from San Mateo County last year and
would be getting almost $200,000 this year. He said the site
was a good value, and the District's $1.1 million funding
should be exclusive of any grants received.
John G. Buchanan, 48 Chilton, San Carlos, said the interest
of San Carlos citizens in acquiring the site has not diminished
in four years. The City of San Carlos' job is to provide
essential human services and it cannot afford to participate
in the acquisition of Hassler. He suggested the District
reassess its philosophy on what it wants from open space.
Joseph Judge said he wished to dedicate this Public Hearing to
the memory of George Seager. He said time was short because
the City of San Francisco wants the property rezoned so it can
be sold for more money. He said he felt the City of San Carlos
should hold a public hearing and come up with the rest of the
money needed to acquire the property.
Robert Dominge, 1060 Crestview Drive, San Carlos, said he felt
since the District is still willing to come up with its share,
the City of San Carlos should also be willing to make a commit-
ment of some kind.
Marguerite Pullen, 3370 Brittan, San Carlos , representing the
Brittan Heights Condominium Association, said she commended
the District's success in getting grant funds, and said she
was sorry the City of San Carlos would not help with the acqui-
sition. She urged the District to purchase the site and find
the money wherever it could.
Cy Jobson, 3343 Brittan, San Carlos, said he felt the City of
San Carlos should reconsider its position, and ought to at
least be able to pick up the cost of police, fire or mainten-
ance.
Ellie Hess, 2411 Graceland, San Carlos, said she had already
hiked on many of the District' s beautiful sites and thought
the acquisition of Hassler would be a good start in acquiring
land in this part of the District.
William Steele said the City of San Carlos could not be expected
to do after Proposition 13 what they wouldn' t do before it.
He said the District was the only entity left that could acquire
it.
Meeting 78-21 Page four
Jim Goeser, 222 Francis Lane, San Carlos, said many citizens
in San Carlos voted for the District' s annexation with the
expectation that Hassler would be acquired by the District.
There being no one else who wished to speak, H. Turner closed
the Public Hearing at 9 : 09 P.M.
D. Wendin arrived at 9 :13 P.M.
Lou Howard, 3299 La Mesa, San Carlos , suggested that perhaps
the City of San Carlos felt the terms and conditions of the
District for participating in the acquisition were too strict.
H. Grench advised that following an appraisal by the State of
the Edgewood State college site, the District or another
public agency would have one year in which to acquire the
property. He acknowledged that it was possible to transfer
grant funds from one project to another if both State and
federal officials approved.
H. Turner stated the consensus that staff be prepared to give
its recommendations regarding a response to the State's letter
regarding Hassler at the first meeting in November.
Motion: H. Turner moved that a Special Meeting be scheduled
in November, 1978, to be held at 7 : 30 P.M. at the
District's offices to consider a decision on the
Hassler Health Home property. K. Duffy seconded the
motion.
Amendment: H. Turner amended the motion to state
that the meeting date would be Wednesday, November 1,
1978. K. Duffy seconded the motion to amend. The
amendment passed unanimously. The motion passed
unanimously.
The Board recessed at 9 : 35 P.M. and reconvened at 9 : 51 P.M.
VII. OLD BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED
H. Turner left at 9 : 52 P.M.
A. Acceptance of Covenant and Reservation in Grant Deed/Stan-
ford Property
C. Britton introduced memorandum M-78-194 , dated September 22,
1978 , recommending Acceptance of Covenant and Reservation in
Grant Deed/Stanford Property. This will satisfy Stanford
officials that the property being acquired by the District will
remain in a natural condition.
S. Norton referred the Board to correspondence dated August 29
and September 27 , 1978 between himself and Mike Hudnall, Stanford
staff counsel, setting forth an understanding as to the accept-
able kinds of uses for this site.
Meeting 78-21 Page five
Motion: B. Green moved adoption of Resolution No. 78-25, a
Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpen-
insula Regional Open Space District Approving Grant
Deed and Authorizing Officer to Execute Covenant
and Reservation and Certificate of Acceptance of
Grant to District and Reaffirming Authorization of
General Manager to Execute Any and All Other Docu-
ments Necessary or Appropriate to Closing of the
Transaction (Monte Bello Open Space Preserve/Stan-
ford Property) . N. Hanko seconded the motion. The
motion passed on the following vote: AYES - N.
Hanko, B. Green, R. Bishop, D. Wendin, K. Duffy and
E. Shelley; ABSTAIN - H. Turner.
H. Turner returned.
B. Amendments to Rules of Procedure and Clarification
A. Crosley introduced memorandum M-78-129 , dated September 21,
1978 , regarding Amendments to Rules of Procedure and Clarifi-
cation. The amendments would conform the Rules to Board action
decreasing Board members' compensation for the remainder of
the fiscal year; include the District Clerk as one who can
adjourn meetings for lack of a quorum; include the President
as an authorized signatory for checks under $50 ,000.
Motion: K. Duffy moved adoption of Resolution No. 78-26, a
Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpen-
insula Regional Open Space District Amending Rules
of Procedure. R. Bishop seconded the motion. The
motion passed unanimously.
H. Turner stated the consensus that staff be directed to return
to the Board with proposed changes in the Rules of Procedure
clarifying the setting of Board meeting agendas.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED
A. Exchange of Easements with PT&T on Monte Bello Open Space
Preserve/Picchetti Ranch Area
C. Britton introduced memorandum M-78-195, dated September 21J.'
1978, recommending an Exchange of Easements with PT&T on Monte
Bello Open Space Preserve/Picchetti Ranch Area, so that a
trail will result from the planned installation of underground
telephone equipment.
Motion: E. Shelley moved adoption of Resolution No. 78-27, a
Resolution of the Board of Directors of the midpenin-
sula Regional Open Space District Approving an Easement
Deed Granting Rights for Underground Telephone Utilities
to Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company, Authorizing
Officer to Execute Said Deed and Authorizing General
Meeting 78-21 Page six
Manager to Execute Any and All Other Documents Neces-
sary or Appropriate to Closing of the Transaction
(Portions of Picchetti Ranch Area) . H. Turner
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
B. Approval of Budget Contingency Funds
H. Grench introduced memorandum M-78-191 dated September 18,
1978 , requesting Approval of Budget Contingency Funds for
Computer Service, which will assist program leaders in budget-
ing and cost control; and memorandum M-78-193 dated September
21, 1978 requesting Approval of Budget Contingency Funds for
CETA Positions, the cost of which will be reimbursed through
a grant to the District.
Motion: H. Turner moved approval of the expenditure of the
requested budget contingency funds. E. Shelley
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
The Board expressed its concurrence with the General Manager's
intention to fill the Public Communications Coordinator posi-
tion with a regular part-time employee.
IX. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
H. Grench advised the Board of his vacation plans.
X. CLAIMS
Motion: B. Green moved approval of the revised claims (C-78-
18) dated September 27, 1978 as presented. K. Duffy
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
XI. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board recessed to Executive Session at 10 :27 P.M. to dis-
cuss land negotiations and personnel matters.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
The Board reconvened to adjourn at 11:00 P.M.
Anne Cathcart Crosley
District Clerk