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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19811014 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) e ting 81-25 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT 375 DISTEL CIRCLE,SUITE D-1,LOS ALTOS,CALIFORNIA 94022 (415) 965-4717 REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS M I N U T E S OctZI-er-l-T,-1981 I. ROLL CALL President Richard Bishop called the meeting to order at 7 :05 P.M. Members Present: Katherine Duffy, Barbara Green, Edward Shelley , Harry Turner, and Richard Bishop. Nonette Hanko arrived at 7 :07 P.M. and Daniel Wendin arrived at 7 : 26 P.M. Personnel Present : Herbert Grench, Stanley Norton, and Jean Fiddes . Staff present after the Closed Session also included Craig Britton, Mary Gundert, Pat Starrett, Jim Boland, Dave Camp, John Escobar, and Eric Mart. II. CLOSED SESSION The Board recessed to Closed Session on a personnel matter at 7 :06 P.M. and reconvened for the public portion of the meeting at 8 :02 P.M. III . APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: N. Hanko moved the approval of the minutes of September 23 , 1981. E. Shelley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. IV. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS J. Fiddes stated the Board had received the following written communications : 1) a letter, dated October 2 , 1981 , from Doni Hubbard, Chairman, Mid-Peninsula Trails Council, asking for information on the District' s plans to provide "interim" equestrian parking at the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve and expressing the Council ' s appreciation to the District for the new Rogue Valley trail at the Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve; and 2) a letter, dated October 8 , 1981, from Megan K. Kahrs written in support of the District and its work after Ms . Kahrs read the recent articles about the District in the Peninsula Times Tribune. Staff was directed to draft a letter from the Board responding to the letter from the Mid-Peninsula Trails Council . V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA H. Grench requested the addition of Special orders of the Day to the agenda to allow for the introduction of the District' s new Lead Rangers . R. Bishop stated the Board would proceed with the agenda as written with the addition of Special Orders of the Day. VI. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Tom Kavanaugh, 1726 Spring Street, mountain View, asked when the Herbert A.Grench,General Manager Board of Directors:Katherine Duffy,Barbara Green,Nonette G.Hanko,Richard S.Bishop.Edward G Shelley,Harry A.Turner,Daniel G.Wendin Meeting 81-25 page two District' s latest financial statement and audit would be available for the public. H. Grench responded the material had been distributed to the Board at the meeting and was available for public inspection. In response to an inquiry from D. Wendin, H. Grench stated he would report back to the Board on any time distribution delays for the August 21 , 1981 letters from Deloitte, Haskins and Sells . VII. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY H. Grench stated E. Mart, the District' s Operations Supervisor, was leaving District employment and commended him for the work he had done while at the District. E. Mart introduced the three members of the Ranger staff who had been promoted to the position of Lead Ranger : Jim Boland, Dave Camp, and John Escobar. VIII . OLD BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED A. Proposed Change in Picchetti Ranch Area Preliminary Use and Management Plan H. Grench reviewed memorandum M-81-102 , dated October 8, 1981, noting the proposed change concerned the initial recommendation that the Picchetti leaseholder should provide drinking water and restrooms that are accessible and open to the public at all times during preserve hours . E. Mart explained the management problems for both the District and the leaseholder associated with the physical location of these facilities and with public accessibility to the facilities at all times during preserve hours . He stated staff was recommending the public drinking water, restroom, and picnic facilities be located in an area isolated from the parking lot, that the leaseholder provide these facilities which would be accessible and open to the general public at all times when the building area was open and on a permit basis at other times when the Preserve was open, and that the lease also allow for future development of a picnic area and associated facilities by the District within the portion of the leased area adjacent to the parking lot, at the option of the District. N. Hanko reviewed her memorandum to the Board attached to the staff 's report, stating she felt the lease agreement for the area should allow future Boards flexibility on the question of degree of access to the site and the provision for public amenities. K. Duffy stated she felt the picnic tables should be left under the trees where they are currently located. She said she did not feel it was necessary to provide restrooms for general use, noting they had been proposed because of the activities related to the winery and wine tasting. D. Wendin supported N. Hanko ' s statement, noting he felt one of the reasonsthe Stortz proposal had been accepted by the Board was because they had agreed to provide drinking water and restrooms accessible and open to the general public when the Preserve was open. He suggested that the Board go along with the staff 's recommendation for an initial period and allow for Meeting 81-25 -.)age three a six month to one year notice by the District to require that the restrooms be open at all times the Preserve was open to the public. Ronald Stortz stated that he and his wife had felt they were committed to providing the restroom facilities and management of the facilities when the winery was open for business , not management of the facilities at all times . Motion: D. Wendin moved that Board refer the matter and the staff 's proposed recommendation to the Picchetti Winery Committee for further analysis and recommendation back to the Board. H. Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed on the following vote: Ayes : Daniel Wendin, Barbara Green, Nonette Hanko, and Harry Turner. Noes : Katherine Duffy, Edward Shelley, and Richard Bishop. B. Agreement to Exchange Interests in Real Property - Thornewood House/Gano Property C. Britton reviewed memorandum M-81-101, dated October 8 , 1981 , regarding the proposed exchange of interests in real property, noting that if the contract contingencies were met, staff would return to the Board with a negotiated lease agreement. He said the two major contingencies included in the agreement were that the Ganos would secure from the Town of Woodside verification that the lake parcel is a legally subdivided lot and that the District would verify that the Thornewood leasehold area is a separate parcel capable of being leased as proposed. Discussion centered on whether the area proposed for lease would include the barbecue area. H. Turner stated it had been his under- standing of the guidelines he and R. Bishop had formulated for the barbecue area that it would be excluded. from the leasehold area, that it would have unrestricted public access via a spur trail , that permits granted by the District would be required for fires and group picnics at the barbecue area, that the adjoining lawn would be within the leasehold area, and that the meadow with a Bay Area view and located on the route of the upper trail would be used as a rest area. R. Bishop agreed with H. Turner' s statement that the barbecue area would be outside the lease area, and E. Shelley stated it was his understanding, as a member of the Thornewood Proposals Review Committee, that the barbecue area would be included in the leasehold area. Motion: N. Hanko moved that H. Turner' s statement be adopted as guidelines to staff as to Board policy on the barbecue area. H. Turner seconded the motion. Discussion: D. Wendin suggested, since there was not Board agreement, based on recollections of previous discussions , on whether the barbecue area was intended to be included or excluded from the leasehold area, that the matter be referred back to the Thornewood Proposals Committee for a recommendation to the Board. Meeting 81-25 page four Amended Motion: E. Shelley moved to amend the motion to state that H. Turner' s statements on the barbecue area be referred to the Thornewood Proposals Review Committee for a recommendation. D. Wendin seconded the motion. The amended motion passed on the following vote: Ayes : Katherine Duffy, Daniel Wendin, Barbara Green, Edward Shelley, and Richard Bishop. Noes : Harry Turner and Nonette Hanko. Motion: B. Green moved the adoption of Resolution 81-44 , Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional open Space District Approving and Authorizing Acceptance of an Agreement to Exchange Interest in Real Property, and Author- izing General Manager to Execute Any and All Other Documents Necessary or Appropriate to Closing the Transaction (Thornewood House - Gano Property) . N. Hanko seconded the motion. Discussion: In response to a question from T. Kavanaugh, C. Britton reviewed the contents of the exhibits noted in the resolution and D. Wendin stated the documents had been thoroughly reviewed by the Thornewood Proposals Review Committee and the other members of the Board indicated they had reviewed the documents. The motion passed unanimously. The Board recessed for a break at 9 : 30 P .M. , and reconvened for the public meeting at 9 :42 P.M. C. Program Evaluation for the 1980-1981 Fiscal Year C. Britton, C. MacDonald, and H. Grench summarized the portions of memorandum M-81-99 , dated October 5, 1981 for their respective programs and noted any proposed changes to 1981-1982 key projects and objectives in the Action Plan. Motion : D. Wendin moved the Board adopt the proposed changes to the 1981-1982 key projects and objectives and accept the report as a statement of progress for the 1980-1981 fiscal year. E. Shelley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. IX. NEW BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED A. Urban Open Space and Recreation Program Grants (Roberti-Zlberg - SB 174)- for Fiscal Year 1981/1982 C. Brittonreviewed report R-81-44 , dated 'October 2 , 1981, regarding the allocation of the District 's SB 174 funds totalling $394 , 138 for the 1981-1982 fiscal year. He said the Hassler Health Home acquisition project in San Mateo County was being recommended for a grant request of $101, 706 and the Los Gatos Creek Park acquisition project was being recommended for a grant request of $292 , 432 . Motion: H. Turner moved the approval of Resolution 81-45 , a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Approving the Application for Grant Funds Under the Roberti-Z 'Berg Urban Open Space and Recreation Program (Los Gatos Creek Park Acquisition Project) . K. Duffy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Meeting 81-25 page five Motion: H. Turner moved the approval of Resolution 81-46 , a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional open Space District Approving the Application for Grant Funds under the Roberti-Z 'Berg Urban Open Space and Recreation Program (Hassler Park Acquisition Project) . K. Duffy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. B. Proposed Acquisition for Roberti-Z 'berg Need Basis Grant (San Mateo Baylands Reserve Addition) C. Britton reviewed memorandum M-81-103 , dated October 9 , 1981, regarding the application for a Roberti-Z 'berg Need Basis Grant in the amount of $100 ,000 to help acquire 188 acres of baylands immedi- ately south of Dumbarton Bridge as an addition to the San Mateo County Baylands Reserve. He said the proposed acquisition consisted of three parcels of bayfront lands and noted the acquisition of the property would provide the final link in the area for the Bayfront Trail. Motion: N. Hanko moved the approval of Resolution 81-47 , a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional open Space District Approving the Application for Grant Funds under the Roberti-Z 'berg Urban open Space and Recreation Program (San Mateo Baylands Reserve Addition) . H. Turner seconded the motion. Discussion: T. Kavanaugh asked if the properties proposed for acquisition had been appraised and where the trail would be located. C. Britton responded the District had not had the properties appraised, although he knew that the Brode parcel was currently listed for sale. He stated the trail would run along the outboard levee adjacent to the bayfront. N. Hanko asked if members of the public had been notified about the agenda item. C. Britton stated he had notified the property owners, but not people who had expressed an interest in the area. N. Hanko requested the staff implement the recently adopted public notification procedures . H. Grench replied that implementation was in process. The motion passed unanimously. X. NEW BUSINESS WITH NO ACTION REQUESTED A. Plan for Public Service Announcements for Television C. MacDonald reviewed memorandum M-81-105 , dated October 9 , 1981 , regarding a trial showing of two 30-second TV public service spots on Channels 54 and 11 . She said staff would monitor all requests for information after the spots were shown to try to determine their impact. No objection was voiced by the Board on the staff ' s plans for the public service spots . B. Information on Panel Advertising in Regional Newspapers C. MacDonald reviewed memorandum M-81-100 , dated October 7 , 1981 , regarding the placement of ads concerning condemnation hearings in local newspapers . She stated staff was recommending against the placement of such ads for the reasons of cost and the negative psychological impact of using display advertising only for the announcement of hearings concerning condemnation. Meeting 81-25 page six H. Turner said he concurred with the staff ' s recommendation in light of the new public notification policies . Motion: R. Bishop moved acceptance of the staff ' s recommendation on running ads on condemnation actions . H. Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. C. One-Time Experiment in Advertising C. MacDonald reviewed memorandum M-81-104 , dated October 9 , 1981 , regarding the one-time experiment formulated by staff on placing advertisements in local newspapers to alert the public to a District informational meeting. H. Turner stated he felt the ad should also be placed in the Country Almanac. E . Shelley and D. Wendin stated the experiment , estimated to cost $180 , was not warranted. D. Wendin noted he would be addressing the Los Altos Town Council in the near future, and since the Council advertised its agenda in local newspapers , he could poll the audience to determine how many individuals had learned of his talk through the Town' s advertisement. Motion: E. Shelley moved the Board not carry out the one-time experiment in advertising. D. Wendin seconded the motion. E. Shelley subsequently withdrew his motion to comply with Robert ' s Rules of Order. Motion: E. Shelley moved the Board approve the one-time experiment in advertising. D. Wendin seconded the motion. The motion failed to pass on the following vote : AYES : K. Duffy NOES : E. Shelley, B. Green, D. Wendin, H. Turner, and R. Bishop ABSTAIN: N. Hanko XI. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS H. Grench discussed three legislative bills sponsored by the East Bay Regional Park District, noting SB 993 had been enacted as an emergency measure and is currently in effect. He said it changes the Public Resources Code so that 5 out of 7 votes are needed to enter into a contract to purchase land or borrow money. H. Grench reported the San Mateo Board of Supervisors had directed its consultant to go ahead with Plan B for Edgewood Park. He said the matter would become public again in February and would, at that time, be presented to the Board. H. Grench noted it would be necessary to change the Regular Meeting dates in November because of Veterans Day and Thanksgiving and discussion centered on alternate dates for the November meetings . In response to a request from N. Hanko, H. Grench stated M. Foster would be reporting to the Board on the management letter from Deloitte, Haskins and Sells . Discussion then centered on the response to the Mid-Peninsula Trails Council regarding interim equestrian parking at the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve. R. Bishop directed staff to write a letter of response for the Board relating information currently available on interim equestrian parking for the Preserve. Meeting 81-25 page seven C. MacDonald said the television show "Sound Off" ,in which District representatives participated, would be aired at 6 :00 A.M. Friday , October 16 and on November 29 . XII . CLAIMS Motion: B . Green moved the approval of the Revised Claims , C-81-20 , dated October 14 , 1981 . E. Shelley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. XIII . CLOSED SESSION The Board recessed to Closed Session on land negotiation matters at 11 : 22 P.M. XIV. ADJOURNMENT The Board reconvened to adjourn at 12 : 20 A.M. , Thursday, October 15, 1981. Jean H. Fiddes District Clerk