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