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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19820811 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting 82-17 AA MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT 375 DISTEL CIRCLE,SUITE D-1,LOS ALTOS,CALIFORNIA 94022 (415) 965-4717 REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES AUGUST 11 , 1982 I . ROLL CALL Vice-President Nonette Hanko called the meeting to order at 7 : 35 P.M. Members Present: Daniel Wendin, Barbara Green, Edward Shelley, Nonette Hanko, Harry Turner, and Richard Bishop. Katherine Duffy arrived at 7 : 45 P.M. Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Craig Britton, David Hansen, Charlotte MacDonald, Del Woods, William Tannenbaum, Michael Foster, Stanley Norton, and Joan Combs. II . APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. July 28, 1982 E. Bishop noted the minutes were incorrectly dated July 14 , 1982 . Motion: E. Shelley moved the approval of the July 28, 1982 minutes as corrected. R. Bishop seconded the motion. B. Green abstained from voting, as she was absent from the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. B. August 5 , 1982 Motion: E. Shelley moved the approval of the August 5, 1982 minutes. H. Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. III . WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS There were no written communications for Board consideration. IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA With the Board' s consensus, N. Hanko indicated the agenda was adopted as presented. V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were no oral communications. VI . OLD BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED A. Adoption of Interim Use and Management Plan for the Addition to Manzanita Ridge Open Space Preserve (Liebelt Property) D. Hansen introduced memorandum M-82-75 , dated July 30 , 1982 , and stated no public comment had been received by staff. Motion: R. Bishop moved approval of the interim use and management plan, including the name for the property, as contained in report R-82-28 for the addition of the Liebelt property to the Manzanita Ridge Open Space Preserve. H. Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 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 82-17 Page Two B. Adoption of Interim Use and Management Plan for Whittemore Gulch Redwoods Open Space Preserve (Wilkins Property) D. Hansen introduced memorandum M-82-76, dated August 3, 1982 , and stated no public comment had been received by staff. He noted that staff recommended the easement not be dedicated to allow releasing the easement if a better access is obtained in the future. Motion: H. Turner moved approval of the interim use and management plan, including the naming of the property, and dedicating the fee title portions, but not the access easement of Whittemore Gulch Redwoods Open Space Preserve for public open space. B. Green seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. C. Adoption of Monte Bello Open Space Preserve Use and Management Plan for the Page Mill Road Area D. Hansen introduced memorandum M-82-78 , dated August 4, 1982 . He reported staff had met with the Mid-peninsula Trails Council con- cerning equestrian parking at the former McNiel property. Lewis Reed, representing the Trails Council, said the Council was reluctant to take over the permit system because of possible liability problems, but would formulate rules for equestrian group use. D. Hansen said the combination and key would generally be controlled through the District office, although Council members running the program would have access to that information. Harry Haeussler, 1094 Highland Circle, Los Altos, said he felt all reservations should be handled through the District office to avoid confusion. D. Hansen said most normal requests would come through the District, with a calendar of Trails Council events maintained by the Council. Motion: R. Bishop moved adoption of the revised use and management recommendations for the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve - Page Mill Road Area, as contained in report R-82-31 . H. Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. VIL NEW BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED A. Review of Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Edgewood County Park Master Plan D. Hansen introduced report R-82-34, dated August 4, 1982 , noting that the review period for the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) ends August 23, and that public hearings on the DEIR and Master Plan would be held by the San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Commission and the Board of Supervisors. D. Hansen said a major concern of the District is the lack of a trail access to the Hassler Health Home site, and the loss of 400 of the serpentine grassland to golf course construction. He said an alternative site suggested for part of the golf course is owned by the San Francisco Water Department, and a land exchange with that agency might be possible. In response to a question from E. Shelley, H. Grench said that under federal Land and Water Conservation Fund procedures, there were ways of exchanging similar lands for lands that have already been purchased under the grant. Meeting 82-17 Page Three David Christy, Director of San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Department, said that to date no study had been done on the suggested alternative site. H. Turner stated it is necessary to find some alternative way to create mitigation for 400 loss of serpentine, an amount which was not anticipated at the time approval of the concept was given. R. Bishop said the District ' s letter to San Mateo County might explore the possibility of exchange of lands, and, as another method of mitigating loss of wildflower land, that the possibility of a smaller golf course might be explored. Jean Rusmore, 36 Berenda Way, Menlo Park, said the land under discussion as a possible exchange is also an important wildflower area. Frances Spangle, 104 N. Balsamina Way, Menlo Park, said she was concerned with the steepness of the trails, and possibly changing the alignment and bringing the trail over the knoll as well as narrowing the trail from 6 feet to 4 feet wide would provide some mitigation. Susan Sommers, 555 Hillcrest Way, Redwood City, said she had been told by San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Department that the alternative golf course site would be located in the southern end of the Water District land, which is still in the open space recreation easement. N. Hanko said she felt the Board' s position should be in opposition to the golf course because of problems brought out in the DEIR. C. Britton said that since the easement the District took back on the property as part of its contribution specifically allowed the County to construct a golf course, it might be more constructive to support alternatives that would preserve more of the serpentine formation, such as elimination of a driving range or designing a shorter golf course. N. Hanko said the District' s letter should state opposition to the golf course for the reasons already stated, but should answer the DEIR with some constructive ideas. E. Shelley said the District should not oppose the golf course, but should oppose impacts and encourage mitigation. R. Bishop suggested the District should address its efforts to reducing the impact of the golf course by 1) constructing a smaller golf course, 2) deleting the driving range, and 3) protecting the wildflower area in the southwest part of the property by rearranging the golf course. Motion: E. Shelley moved that staff be directed to continue to work with San Mateo County Parks staff and consultants to refine the plan to best achieve District envisioned goals for the site and to report to the Board on progress . H. Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Motion: R. Bishop moved the Board direct staff to prepare a letter to San Mateo County outlining the approved staff comments on the DEIR as set forth in writing in report R-82-34 , and in addition, that the letter cover the following three points: Meeting 82-17 Page Four 1) District would like to see the County explore the possibility of a smaller 18 hole golf course in order to minimize the loss of natural wildflower areas , 2) That the practice range be deleted from the plan for the same reasons, 3) That an effort be made to arrange the golf course so that the wildflower slope, visible from Highway 280 in the southwest portion of the property, be preserved. H. Turner seconded the motion. Discussion: S. Sommers noted that an additional benefit of preserving the slope is that the area is a habitat for the checkerspot butterfly. R. Bishop noted the precise area under discussion needs to be defined in the letter to the County. H. Turner suggested that mitigations be made with the intent of getting the serpentine loss back down below 190 . D. Wendin stated the elimination of the driving range would be of value only if the serpentine area were preserved, and said he preferred wording the letter to reflect this viewpoint. Bo Gimbel, Portola Valley, suggested the quarry south of the property, belonging to the San Francisco Water Department, might be a good location for a driving range if a trade of land were to be considered. Frederic Logan, representing Assemblyman Konnyu, said that if the driving range were eliminated, the golf course could possibly be constructed above the point of the serpentine area. The motion passed unanimously. S . Sommers stated that no biological inventory had been prepared for the DEIR, and that safety provisions for the public had also not been considered. She said she had made a study of the site and had additional information. Motion: E. Shelley moved that a written report from S . Sommers be included as an informational attachment to staff ' s letter to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. D. Wendin seconded the motion. Discussion: H. Grench suggested the communication to the San Mateo County Supervisors state that the points brought up by Ms . Sommers ' letter were of concern to the Board. The motion passed unanimously. B. Proposed Addition to Long Ridge Open Space Preserve (Rongey Property) C. Britton introduced report R-82-29 , dated July 22, 1982 , and D. Woods showed slides of the property. D. Hansen noted the property would fill out the western section of Long Ridge Open Space Preserve and complete some vital trail connections. He added the site had a potential for a backpack camp. Meeting 82-17 Page Five Motion: R. Bishop moved adoption of Resolution 82-33, 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 (Long Ridge Open Space Preserve - Rongey Property) , and that the property be dedicated as open space. H. Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Motion: E. Shelley moved that the naming be an addition to Long Ridge Open Space Preserve. R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Motion: E. Shelley moved adoption of the interim use and management recommendations contained in the report. R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The Board recessed for a break at 9: 00 P.M. The Board reconvened at 9 : 10 P.M. C. Proposed Addition to Long Ridge Open Space Preserve (Bodhi Property) C. Britton introduced report R-82-33 , dated August 4, 1982, noting that the restriction agreement had not been completed and would be presented to the Board at a later meeting. D. Woods showed slides of the property. D. Hansen reviewed the interim use and management recommendations and said staff would be working with CalTrans and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff to resolve the parking problems which have occurred for a number of years above the lake. He said staff will also be working with Bodhi in reviewing landscaping plans for the area. C. Britton stated the agreement includes a right of reversion, in which the property reverts to the District should the property be discontinued in its present use. He added that the 512 acre site is being sold to Bodhi for $105 , 000 , which is also the transfer price to the District. He said all of the additional rights, including the approximately 30 acres which the District is purchasing from Bodhi, would cost $75 , 000, making a total cash payment of $180 ,000 . N. Hanko expressed concerns about abandoning the lake, and dis- tributed a draft letter of understanding between the District and Bodhi covering these concerns . Discussion centered around the five items of concern listed in the draft letter. C. Britton said these items would be taken into account when writing the restriction agreement which will come back to the Board. Discussion centered around the hostel facilities to be provided by Bodhi . C. Britton said wording could be added to the agreement to the effect that advice would be sought from American Youth Hostel, Inc. concerning the hostel facilities . Meeting 82-17 Page Six C. Britton said the Board would be asked to approve the purchase agreement at this meeting, including the trade, with Exhibit E approval at a subsequent meeting. S . Norton suggested a language change at the end of Section One of Resolution 82-34, to read as follows: "the agreement to be effective upon approval of Exhibit E thereto by the Board at a subsequent meeting" . Motion: R. Bishop moved adoption of Resolution 82-34, including the additional language read to the Board by S . Norton. B. Green seconded the motion. Discussion: D. Wendin stated the consensus that Exhibit E will be considered at a subsequent meeting at which Director Hanko is in attendance and will only be adopted by unanimous vote of those present. There were no objections. The motion carried unanimously. Motion: E. Shelley moved the Board tentatively adopt the interim use and management recommendations contained in the report, including the naming, and indicating the Board' s intention to dedicate the property. R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. D. Review of the Use and Management Plan for the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve D. Hansen introduced report R-82-32 , noting two new additions to the Preserve were made in the past year - the Catalano and Anderson properties . D. Woods stated that primary use of the site for the past year focused around the parking and picnic area. He said Peninsula Open Space Trust and local citizens will assist in the planning, fundraising, and construction of an 8 . 2 mile public loop trail on Windy Hill, and showed slides of the new trail areas. He said a Trails Task Force is being formed to coordinate the volunteer effort on the project. Motion: H. Turner moved deleting the second sentence of Section Dl under Existing Use and Management Recommendations, and replacing it with "these picnic tables will be repaired or replaced as necessary" . N. Hanko seconded the motion. Discussion: E. Shelley suggested adding "provided the picnic tables do not become a management problem" . Discussion centered around the feasibility of keeping and maintaining the picnic tables. H. Grench pointed out that the Board' s site emphasis policies did not explicitly allow for picnic tables, but that they could be considered consistent as a pre-existing special use. The motion passed on the following vote: Yes : K. Duffy, B. Green, H. Turner, N. Hanko, R. Bishop No: E. Shelley, D. Wendin Motion: H. Turner moved the tentative adoption of the amended and new use and management recommendations for the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve. R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Chandler Flickinger, 5000 Alpine Road, Portola Valley, expressed concern about the water source, and said, as a homeowner who obtains water from this area, he had a "reserved cooperative attitude" towards the proposed development of the preserve. Meeting 82-17 Page Seven H. Turner introduced members of the Windy Hill Trails Committee and Tamra Peters, representing P.O.S.T. E. Urban Open Space and Recreation Program Grants (Roberti-Zlberg - SB 174) for Fiscal Year 1982-1983 C. Britton introduced memorandum M-82-74 , dated August 3 , 1982 , noting staff recommends that the new SB 174 funding be applied to two existing projects, Hassler Park Acquisition Project and Los Gatos Creek Park Acquisition Project. Motion: B. Green moved the Board adopt Resolution 82-35, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Approving the Application for Grant Funds Under the Roberti-Zlberg Urban Open Space and Recreation Program (Los Gatos Creek Park Acquisition Project) . E. Shelley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Motion: E. Shelley moved the adoption of Resolution 82-36 , 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) . B. Green seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. F. Tractor Acquisition D. Hansen introduced memorandum M-82-77 , dated August 4, 1982 , con- cerning the acquisition of a four-wheel drive tractor. Motion: E. Shelley moved the Board authorize the purchase of a Ford 1700, 4 wheel drive multi-purpose tractor, with mowing, loading, and scraping attachments, from Noble Ford Tractor, Inc. in San Jose, for the sum of $10 , 186 . 73 . H. Turner seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. G. Program Evaluation for the 1981-1982 Fiscal Year C. Britton reviewed the Open Space Acquisition Program, noting the only changes were in the Special Projects Subprogram. He said the Bear Creek Redwoods State Park project was dropped by the State and no longer funded. He stated an additional project was to secure a grant from Save the Redwoods League to assist in the purchase of Whittemore Gulch Redwoods Open Space Preserve. Motion: N. Hanko moved acceptance of the Open Space Acquisition program evaluation for the 1981-1982 fiscal year and adoption of the proposed changes to the 1982-1983 key projects and activities. B. Green seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. C. MacDonald reviewed the Public Communications and Governmental Liaison Program. H. Grench noted C. MacDonald will work fulltime for two to three months , and Public Communications Aide Dianne Dryer will work 30 hours a week for two months because of preparations for the Tenth Anniversary. He stated he would return later if this caused budget problems. H. Grench, referring to the Legislative Program, noted that SB 1680 on prescribed burning was on the Senate floor for approval. Meeting 82-17 Page Eight Motion: R. Bishop moved acceptance of the program evaluation for the Public Communications and Governmental Liaison Program and adoption of the proposed changes to the 1982-1983 key projects and activities. N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Motion: N. Hanko moved the continuation of the remainder of the Program Evaluation item to the August 25 meeting. B. Green seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. VIII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS H. Grench reported that the following individuals were running for office of Director in the November 2, 1982 General Election: Ward 1 - Katherine Duffy, John Panighetti Ward 2 - Daniel Wendin, Marian Blukis Ward 5 - Nonette Hanko Ward 6 - Harry Turner, Robert Fisse H. Grench distributed copies of a letter from Artemas Ginzton concerning her contribution of a bench to be placed at the Los Trancos Open Space Preserve in memory of Flora Lamson Hewlett. H. Grench reported he had attended a hearing on August 11 of the Finance Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to consider the recommendation to the full Board of Supervisors to approve the sale of the Hassler property to Yashima Corporation for $3 . 5 million. He said the Committee voted August 11 to approve the sale. N. Hanko requested that the next agenda include an item concerning the possible discontinuance of the Army Corp of Engineers ' interest in wetlands areas. H. Turner reported he and N. Hanko had attended a meeting of the Menlo Park City Council meeting August 10 during which the Council held a public hearing to discuss certifying the EIR for the Dumbarton Distribution Center. He said the Council voted 3-1 to certify the EIR. IX. CLAIMS Motion: E. Shelley moved adoption of the revised claims, C-82-15 , dated August 11 , 1982. D. Wendin seconded the motion, with N. Hanko abstaining from Claim #3457 to IBM. The motion passed unanimously. X . CLOSED SESSION The Board recessed to Closed Session on Land Negotiations at 11 : 15 P.M. X1 ADJOURNMENT The Board reconvened to adjourn the meeting at 12 : 40 A.M. Thursday, August 12 , 1982 . Joan Combs Secretary