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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19800514 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting 80- 9 i III MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Regular Meeting Board of Directors M I N U T E S May 14, 1980 375 Distel Circle, Suite D-1 Los Altos, California I. ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by President Barbara Green at 7:35 P .M. Members Present: Daniel Wendin, Barbara Green, Richard Bishop, Nonette Hanko, Harry Turner, and Katherine Duffy. Member Absent: Edward Shelley Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Craig Britton, Steve Sessions, Charlotte MacDonald, Pat Starrett, Nancy Leis, Stanley Norton, and Joan Combs. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES April 9, 1980 C. Britton noted that Item 908 on the Revised Claims should read Valley Title Company instead of Western Title Insurance Company. He further noted that Item 910 should read $128, 368 .26 instead of $238, 000. 00, as a $98, 000 dead of trust at 5% had been negotiated. The minutes of April 9, 1980 were approved by consensus as amended. III. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS A letter was received from John Olmsted ., 31570 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, expressing opposition to the proposed parking lot location on Monte Bello Open Space Preserve. N. Hanko noted that since Mr. Olmstead had read his letter to the Board at the time the Board took the action it did, no further answer would be expected. IV, ADOPTION OF AGENDA B. Green noted that Item 2 , Use and Management Plan Follow-Up for Williams Property Acquisition, would be moved to the end of the agenda. C. Britton requested the addition of Special Orders of the Day. The Board adopted the amended agenda by consensus. V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Bob Mark, 725 Cowper, Palo Alto, asked about the progress in the removal of No Parking signs along Skyline Boulevard. Meeting 80 9 Page Two S. Sessions replied that the administrative paperwork required to have the signs removed had been basically cleared, the proper authorities had been notified of the District ' s intent, and the signs to be removed had been identified. VI. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY C. Britton introduced Nancy Leis , the new Secretary for Land Acquisition and Public Communications. VII. OLD BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED A. Endorsement of the Parklands and Renewable Resources Investment Program (Proposition 1) C. Britton reported that approval of Proposition I by California voters would allow the issuance and sale of $495,000,000 in state bonds for parklands and renewable resources purposes . Of this amount, $338,000, 000 would be available for parks and recreation, and $95,000, 000 would be available for local agencies. He added that based on the percentage of services, the District should receive approximately $1, 000, 000 from Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties combined. B. Mark presented slides of the proposed addition to Henry Coe State Park, which the State Parks Commission had voted to include in the bond act. This proposed addition of 48,000 acres has been offered to the State at a cost of $13,000,000. Motion: B. Green moved the adoption of Resolution 80-23, Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Endorsing the Parklands and Renewable Resources Investment Program (Proposition 1) . R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. VIII. NEW BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED A. Proposed Addition to Monte Bello Open Space Preserve, Ticchetti Ranch Area (Consigny Property) C. Britton introduced report R-80-23, dated May 8, 1980, regarding the proposed acquisition of 97 acres of a 147 acre parcel of the Consigny property. He noted that the total purchase price of the parcel was $250, 000, and the terms of the agreement required a $50, 000 advance payment on June 14, 1980, with the balance due at close of escrow, some time before November 1, 1980. He added that a survey would be necessary to define the boundaries accurately. The cost of the survey would be between $10,000 and $20,000. Trail routes do not exist, although trail easements are included in the acquisition. B. Green asked if the District has access rights for patrol purposes. C. Britton replied that the District has a right over existing roads for patrol and maintenance. Meeting 80-9 Page Three N. Hanko asked if the trails that connect with Stevens Creek Park -were open to the public. C. Britton responded that they were open to hikers, but not to equestrians. N. Hanko stated that the District might look into working with the County to provide equestrian trails. S. Sessions presented slides of the proposed addition. Motion: R. Bishop moved the adoption of Resolution 80-24, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Authorizing Acceptance of Agreement to Purchase Real Property, Authorizing Officer to Execute Certificate of Acceptance of Grant to District, and Authorizing General Manager to Execute Any and All Other Documents Necessary or Appropriate to Closing of the Transaction (Monte Bello Open Space Preserve, Picchetti Ranch Area - Consigny Property) . B. Green seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board authorize the expenditure of up to $10, 000 to cover survey costs. D. Wendin seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Motion: H. Turner moved that the Board adopt the use and manage- ment recommendations, dedicate the site as open space, and adopt Monte Bello Open Space Preserve, Picchetti Ranch Area, as the official name of the site. D. Wendin seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. B. Review of Use and Management of Planning Area IV (Rancho San Antonio and Foothills Open Space Preserves) S. Sessions introduced report R-80-22 , dated May 6, 1980, which reviewed the use and management of Planning Area IV. He recapped what had occurred during the past year and what the District is proposing for the forthcoming year. He noted that Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve experiences exceptionally heavy use by Environmental Volunteers and other environmental groups, hikers, joggers, and equestrians, and added that because of this increased use, a second loop trail is proposed. Wildcat Canyon Trail, which is utilized as an interpretive trail by environmental groups, has been closed to equestrians. Janet Kingsley, 779 Mora Drive, Los Altos, responded to a letter she had received from S. Sessions which explained the closure of the quarter mile section of Wildcat Canyon loop trail and the equestrian restrictions on St. Joseph and Mora Drive entrances. She suggested a gate at each end of the trail which could be closed to equestrians during the rainy season to prevent trail surface damage or when large numbers of people were using the trail. Required Staff Resources %4 3,91 0 of time (-6- hours per week) of Public Communications Coordinator (part-time) 5% of time of Secretary-Land Acquisition and Public Communications Staff and Board as available for speaking engagements, Meeting 80-9 Page Four Christine Cole, 23219 Ravensbury Avenue, Los Altos Hills, said she used the trails frequently as an equestrian, and offered her services for an annual upkeep of the trails. Beverly Fike, High Meadow Stables, 23170 Ravensbury Avenue, Los Altos Hills, stated that the loop trail ties in nicely with High Meadow Stables property. She noted that many people who use Rancho San Antonio Preserve use and enjoy High Meadow Stables trails. K. Duffy asked if the proposed alternate loop trail would be an acceptable substitute for equestrians. Larry Faber, 3127 David Avenue, Palo Alto, asked the reasoning behind the closing of Wildcat Canyon Trail to equestrians. S. Sessions replied that the trail is heavily used as an inter- pretive trail, as well as by joggers and hikers. In addition, he noted, the trail has several blind corners, creating a potentially hazardous situation. B. Mark stated that as a hiker, he viewed the problem from another perspective. He noted that a number of commercial stables are neighbors of the Open Space District and use District lands. He said that heavy horse use makes the trail very unpleasant for hikers and felt the District was justified in closing Wildcat Canyon Trail to equestrian use. Doni Hubbard, 25228, La Loma Drive, Los Altos Hills, said she understood and appreciated the District's effort to offer alternatives, but felt that the closure of Wildcat Canyon Trail represented the loss to equestrians of a unique area. She added that she had measured the width of the trail, starting with the parking area, and found that the width varied considerably. She noted that one area of the trail was unsafe, and that was the part of the trail to which equestrians will now have access. She said that a value judgment had been made on what is safe and unsafe, and that riders were not consulted. She suggested that in the future, all trail users, including hikers and eques- trians, should have input and recommended that a trail council be established. N. Hanko asked if trails groups were consulted last year when the action plan was reviewed. S. Sessions replied that trails organizations have been contacted, and that this particular trail pattern was not on an identified trail plan. He said that it was recommended last year that the trail be closed because of safety problems, and added that the District will be working with trails groups in both counties in the coming year. N. Hanko noted that at one time the District had a Trails Task Force which was consulted from time to time. Meeting 80-9 Page Five Bob Stutz, 25130 Elena Road, Los Altos Hills, stated that the District was setting a precedent, by closing long-used trails without providing parallel routes, and added that many people who could have given input were not consulted. D. Wendin stated that there was an existing trail at Wildcat Canyon when the District acquired the property. He said this trail was improved and, for several years, was posted as closed to equestrians. The trail was opened two years ago to equestrians on a trial basis and has now been closed. He said he was not ready to support re-opening of Wildcat Canyon Trail, as the trail is very dangerous in spots. He added that he would like to see a group formed that represented the District, hikers, joggers, equestrians, and those who use the trail as an edu- cational facility. L. Faber said that he had never heard of an accident on Wildcat Canyon Trail, and felt that horses and hikers were compatible. B. Green said that a potentially dangerous situation could occur when hiking with children on a trail used by equestrians. Christie Fike, 23170 Ravensbury Avenue, Los Altos Hills, asked about the feasibility of widening the creek trail. K. Duffy stated that she felt the trail was already too wide and crosses the creek too many times, damaging the delicate environment. She added that the District might consider closing the trail completely so that the natural environment could rejuvenate itself. Harry Haeussler, 1094 Highland Circle, Los Altos, said that handicapped children would be endangered on a trail used by equestrians, and recommended that another trail be made around it for equestrians. Nancy Stewart, 14400 Liddicoat Circle, Los Altos Hills, said that the trail should be closed when in use by the physically limited and open the rest of the time. N. Hanko asked if D. Wendin would be willing to put together a proposal on trail use for the Board to consider. D. Wendin replied that he would be willing, and suggested a preliminary meeting of interested persons present after the Board had completed its discussion of the Use and Management Plan. S. Sessions noted that one of the recommendations in the use and management plan is that a trail route study be conducted at Rancho San Antonio Preserve. Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board adopt the use and manage- ment recommendations contained in the report. D. Wendin seconded the motion. The motion Passed unanimously. Meeting 80- 9 Page Six Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board concur with the new schedule for 1980 use and management plan review. D. Wendin seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. D. Hubbard asked if Wildcat Canyon Trail would be evaluated at a future time even though the report had been accepted by the Board. D. Wendin said that a meeting of trail users would be scheduled within the next two weeks. The meeting recessed at 9 :40 P.M. to enable interested persons to discuss the formation of a trails committee. The meeting reconvened at 9:50 P.M. D. Wendin reported that a tentative organizational meeting of representatives of trail users had been scheduled for June 4, 1980, at 8 P.M. at Eastbrook School in Los Altos to address the trails planning process. IX. OLD BUSINESS WITH NO ACTION REQUESTED A. Proposals for Uses of Hassler Health Home Buildings S. Sessions reported on the results of the solicitations for proposals for possible recreational uses for the Hassler Health Home buildings. He said that news releases and requests for proposals were sent to public agencies, the Hassler Assessment District, and the homeowner's association of adjacent residents. As of the May 2, 1980 deadline, one proposal had been received by the District. He noted that at the May 28, 1980 Public Hearing, the District would receive input on both sides of the question for retention or use of the buildings. American Youth Hostel would identify the extent of their proposal at that time. If this proposal should prove acceptable, staff would analyze possible impacts and costs. He added that policy questions would need to be identified before the May 28 Public Hearing. N. Hanko asked if there would be any value in holding the Public Hearing nearer the Hassler Health Home site. R. Bishop noted that the District might wish to do so at a later time when more concrete proposals had been received. B. Green asked what action would be requested at the Public Hearing. S. Sessions said that, depending upon AYH's proposal, there would be a recommendation to enter into a staff evaluation phase. He added that if American Youth Hostel withdraws its proposal and the District receives no others, the buildings will probably be demolished. H. Grench noted that the District must know AYH's proposal in detail so that the impact of a youth hostel can be evaluated. Meeting 80-9 Page Seven D. Wendin stated that the Board could not accept a proposal at the May 28 Public Hearing, and that any proposal would have to be reviewed by staff. H. Grench noted that a preliminary analysis at staff level would be necessary after the proposal was received. D. Wendin said that publicity should make clear that the purpose of the Public Hearing is to hear a proposal, and it is important to have the public in on the planning process. B. Follow-Up on Patrol of Windy Hill S. Sessions reported that two questions arose in reviewing the District's agreement with Peninsula Open Space Trust to patrol Windy Hill - public access and the extent of ordinances and liability. He noted that P.O.S.T. would like to discourage public use of the area south of Hamm' s Gulch. N. Hanko asked how the property would be patrolled. S. Sessions said that the area being patrolled was visible from Skyline, so the District will not have to go in with vehicles. K. Duffy asked if the Board should discuss allowing hang gliders on the site. S. Sessions replied that it would be difficult to enforce a hang glider ordinance. H. Grench said that liability problems could be substantial if hang gliding were allowed on the site. B. Green said the Board will wait for staff's informational report on Windy Hill addressing questions raised by the Board. Motion: N. Hanko moved that Item 2 , Use and Management Plan Follow-up for Williams Property Acquisition, be con- tinued to the meeting of May 28, 1980. D. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. X. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS B. Green reported on the South Skyline Association meeting, which was attended by S. Sessions, H. Grench, and B. Green. H. Grench noted that Eric Mart has been assigned liaison with that group. B. Green reported that the docents will have their graduation celebration on June 21, 1980, and that it would be a good oppor- tunity for the Board to host their annual celebration of the docents on that date. B. Green said that the Fremont older home will be open to the public on June 1 from 1: 00 to 4:00 P.M. B. Green asked if the Board wished to put taking a position on Proposition 9 on the next agenda. M6etinq 80-9 Page Eight R. Bishop said he felt there was no point in officially taking a position. The tone of the Board' s public education program was that Proposition 9 would be harmful to the District's programs if it passed and he felt this was sufficient. H. Grench reviewed the progress and status of several Senate and Assembly bills. He noted that SB 1550, concerning the Edgewood State college site, has been signed, and AB 3299, the District' s own sponsored bill about its enabling legislation, is out of the Assembly and is to be heard June 10 , 1980, in the Senate Natural Resources and Wildlife Committee. S. Sessions reported that the District has been selected for cost-sharing assistance on an urban forestry proposal by the Department of Forestry. After preparation of a work program, staff will return to the Board with a complete outline of the program and how it will be implemented. XI. CLAIMS Motion: N. Hanko moved that the revised claims list of May 14, 1980, be accepted. H. Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Board recessed to Executive Session at 10 :30 P.M. ADJOURNMENT The Board reconvened to adjourn at 12 :30 A.M. Joan Combs Secretary Page Two 3) To ev luate th p sal, he ' str' t also needs a comm' tm YH for rtic' a on in the engineering v and eni onmental"`,asses ent s ies . Becaus of t e"t4ming of is pr ct, the Bo d of irectors has re chedu ed ahr Cher meeting fo Wednesda , July , 1980, at 7 : 3 P.M. , to firize bui in disposit ' n. If YH is desiro s of Froceedingwith hos 1 propo 1, then he above I reques ed information sh8u be f rwarded o my off a as soon as possible, but not er t an July 2, 1980. dditionally, the ho eowne s residing djac t o the assler sit have reques ed in rmation out any opose building use, so they y co nt abo a projec t ur oard. That homeowners ' associ tion ets J e 26, 1980, n would be bereficial, if AYH decide to p oceed with a ropo 1, to contactthe home- owners' assoc ' atio pri to thei mee i to allow hat group to fami iariz th el s with an pr osa If you ha e que i n regarding t is ubject, lease contact me at 965717. incerely, Steven D. Sessions Land Manager SDS:jc I CORRECTIONS TO MINUTES OF B. _ y 14, 1980 j U. Wendin noted that he did not move and second the motion on 1! Page Three authorizing the expenditure of up to $10,000 to cover survey costs. The Board confirmed that the motion had been properly moved and seconded. J. Fiddes noted the comments on the minutes of April 9, 1980 should be corrected to read "deed of trust" . The revised minutes were adopted by consensus. I I I