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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