HomeMy Public PortalAbout19840111 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting 84-01
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MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
375 DISTEL CIRCLE,SUITE D-1,LOS ALTOS,CALIFORNIA 94022
(415) 965-4717
REGULAR MEETING
Board of Directors
January 11 , 1984
MINUTES
I . ROLL CALL
President Daniel Wendin called the meeting to order at 7:40 P.M.
Members Present: Daniel Wendin, Harr'v Turner, Katherine Duffy, Richard Bishop, Teena
Henshaw, Nonette Hanko, and Edward Shelley.
Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Craig Britton, David Hansen, Charlotte MacDonald,
Jean Fiddes, Stanley Norton, Cecilia Cyrier, and Emma Johnson.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. December 7, 1983
Motion: R. Bishop moved the approval of the minutes of December 7, 1983. E. Shelley
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
B. December 14, 1983
Motion: R. Bishop moved the approval of the minutes of December 14, 1983. E. Shelley
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously with D. Wendin
abstaining from the vote because of his absence from the meeting of
December 14, 1983.
III. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
E. Johnson stated the following communications had been received:
1 ) a letter dated January 4, 1984 from the City and County of San Francisco reiterating
its position that the proposed center for artists would constitute a breach of the
Settlement Agreement under which the District took title to the property.
v. The letter
states the office of the City Attorney has reviewed the Settlement Agreement which
deeded an easement to be used exclusively for ingress and egress only for the use of
the District and its constituents for the public purposes for which Hassler was
acquired. "Any use of Hassler as an artists community would not be within the scope
of the public purposes for which Hassler is being acquired which are public park,
open space, and/or public recreation. . . .A use of Hassler as an artists community would
constitute an overburdening of this easement, as well as a patent violation of the
Settlement Agreement, and would compel the City to take appropriate legal action to
block such use." ;
2) a letter dated December 18 from Robert Durkee of San Mateo enclosing a copy of his
letter to the editor of the Peninsula Times Tribune regarding the "financial
burden" of renovating the Hassler buildings;
3) a letter dated January 3 from Pearson, Del Prete & Company, offering its CPA services
to the District;
4) a letter dated December 29 from Hanna Kleinke of Los Altos expressing appreciation
for the District's efforts to preserve the natural environment and enclosing a
contribution;
5) a letter dated December 17 from the Brittan Heights Condo Association expressing
its appreciation for the Board decision regarding Hassler on December 7 and stating
its reaffirmation of its resolution of August 18, 1983;
Herbert A.Grench,General Manager Board of Directors:Katherine Duffy,Barbara Green,Nanette G.Hanko,Richard S.Bishop,Edward G.Shelley,Harry A.Turner,Daniel G.Wendin
Meeting 84-01 Page two
6) a letter received on December 21 from Morton and Kathleen Podolsky of Belmont
supporting the Arts Council 's proposal ;
7) a letter dated December 16 from Alan and Adriana Davis of Menlo Park urging the
Board to preserve the Hassler Health Home as a nature and cultural center;
8) a letter dated January 4 from Carolyn Lekberg, Midpeninsula Trails Council , thanking
the Board and staff for their support and help during 1983; and
9) a letter from Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors dated January 4 stating the
Board went on record December 13, 1983 supporting the preservation of the Hassler
site as recommended by the Arts Council , with the recommendation that the facility
be declared an historic site.
The Board discussed the impact of the letter from the City and County of San Francisco,
and D. Wendin stated the consensus that the point of the letter was academic due to
the Board's decision to restore the Hassler site to a natural area.
H. Grench informed the Board that staff was seeking confirmation as to whether the
Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors had supported the Arts Council 's proposal
on December 13. He noted that the item was not on the Supervisors
pervisors published agenda,
and the District did not have an opportunity to present information to the Supervisors
at the meeting. He added that the Board of Supervisors is apparently planning to
consider a resolution on Hassler, but staff has received conflicting information and
is seeking clarification. D. Wendin volunteered to be the Board's spokesman to the
Board of Supervisors of Santa Clara County.
IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
D. Wendin stated the agenda was adopted by Board consensus.
V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Beez Jones , 16891 Stevens Canyon Road, Cupertino asked if the District had presented
any input to the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Commission on the Five Year
Plan. H. Grench stated that the District had not formally done so but that the item
will be on a future Board agenda so that the Board could make recommendations.
Thomas Kavanaugh, 1726 Spring Street, Mountain View presented an American Flag to
the Board from his brother, Clarence, himself and their families. President D. Wendin
thanked him in behalf of the Board.
T. Kavanaugh questioned claim 5850 of December 7, 1983 regarding Directors' expenses
and suggested that Board expenses be identified as such and that District polic'v be
reviewed regarding Director expenses. D. Wendin stated the consensus of the Board
that the present policy is adequate.
H. Haeussler, 1094 Highland Circle, Los Altos suggested the Board meetings begin with
the Pledge of Allegiance. E. Shelley noted that the matter would have to be put on
an agenda for Board discussion.
VI. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
A. Election of Board Officers
D. Wendin reviewed memorandum M-83-142 dated December 19, 1983. He stated that
because he had become Board President in mid-year and had received support from
some members of the Board to continue in the capacity,
v, he would be willing to
continue as President so there would be continuity on the Hassler issue. He
explained, however, that should his business schedule become too busy, he would
resign the Presidency. For that reason he suggested H. Turner be re-elected
Vice President so that he could assume the Presidency if the Board so chose.
The following officers were elected to serve in 1984:
Meetinq 84-01 Paoe three
President - Daniel Wendin
Vice President - Harry Turner
Secretary - Katherine Duffy
Treasurer - Teena Henshaw
VII. OLD BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED
A. Adoption of Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve Use and Management Plan
D. Hansen reviewed memorandum M-84-02 dated December 28, 1983 noting the revisions
regarding use for the house and the removal of the boathouse. He also noted that
5 acres of the tree farm had been charred rather than 10 acres previously reported.
He reported that 16 proposals for the proposed master plan had been received,
that these would be screened by staff with input from the Peninsula Open Space
Trust and six would be presented to the Evaluation Committee for consideration.
D. Wendin stated the consensus that this was the procedure the Board expected to
be followed.
Motion: E. Shelley moved the Board adopt the use and management plan as contained
in report R-83-48 as revised in memorandum M-84-02. N. Hanko seconded
the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
G. Adoption of Interim Use and Management Plan for the Sierra Azul Open Space Pre-
serve (Mariscal Property)
D. Hansen reviewed memorandum M-84-01 dated December 27, 1983, noting that escrow
had closed on the property and that no public comment had been received.
Motion: H. Turner moved that the Board adopt the interim use and management plan
as contained in report R-83-51 and that the property be withheld from
dedication. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
C. Adoption of Annual Review of Relative Site Emphasis Plan and Use and Management Plan
Review Schedule
D. Hansen summarized memorandum M-84-05 dated January 5, 1984. He noted that
modifications had been made in the legend in the Plan for Relative Emphasis of Dis-
trict Sites and that the Hassler site will be reviewed in April , allowing Whittemore
Gulch and Fremont Older Preserves to be reviewed a month earlier.
N. Hanko noted that the asterisk added to the Hassler item on the Plan for Relative
Emphasis should also be added to the same item on the Use and Management Plan
Review Schedule. D. Hansen said the oversight would be corrected. H. Grench
clarified that the public participation workshop for the Hassler site planninq
will be for the January, 1985 review and not the April , 1984 review.
K. Duffy asked about the priority of Los Gatos Creek Park when it is acquired.
D. Hansen said determination would probably be made at the time of acquisition
when the Use and Management Plan is reviewed.
Motion: H. Turner moved the adoption of the revised Annual Review of Relative Site
Emphasis and the 1984 Use and Management Plan Review Schedule as amended.
K. Duffy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
D. Proposed Purchase of the Former Almaden Air Force Station (Mt. Umunhum and Mt.
Thayer)
C. Britton summarized report R-84-1 dated December 30, 1983. He stated the current
offer to purchase was similar to the one the Board had previously approved for which
time had expired, the major changes being that a restrictive easement for
Tract A104E-1 (not a part of the federal property) has been eliminated with a
corresponding reduction of 16.78 acres in the lesser land interests category. He
said the federal government will retain the easement over Tract A104E-1 . C. Britton
noted that the Use and Management Plan will be before the Board for a second reading
after acquisition.
Meeting 84-01 Page four
T. Kavanaugh and H. Haeussler asked if the public will be able to use the road
to the site. C. Britton responded that it would be a decision of the Board after
it has been studied. He added that the neighbors of the site do not seem averse
to public use of the road and that the road is an access to many parcels in the
area.
Jack Barinka, 16602 Marchmont Drive, Los Gatos, -a member of the Midpeninsula
Trails Council asked about public access between Mt.Umunhum and Mt. Thayer.
C. Britton said that the only link is an easement under lease that runs to 1985
and will be transferred to the District.
Motion: R. Bishop moved the Board adopt Resolution 84-01 , a Resolution of the
Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Authorizing Officer to Execute the Offer to Purchase Real Estate and
Acceptance Agreement Authorizing Officer to Execute Certificate of Accep-
tance of Grant to District and Authorizing General Manager to Cause to
Give Appropriate Notice to Offeree and Authorizing General Manager to
Execute Any and All Other Documents Necessary or Appropriate to the
Closing of the Transaction (Almaden Air Force Station - Mt. Umunhum and
Mt. Thayer) .
H. Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board reaffirm its tentative adoption of the
interim use and management plan as previously presented, indicate its
intention to withhold the property from dedication, and name the property
as an addition to the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. H. Turner seconded
the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED
A. Dedication Status of District Lands
D. Hansen, referring to report R-84-03 dated January 4, 1984, noted that most
lands are dedicated and that undedicated lands are generally in that status for
planning, boundary adjustments, and provisions for permanent access. He added
that five formerly undedicated parcels were dedicated at the time of the use
and management reviews in 1983 and that the former properties of Catalano, Rose,
Fernandez, Gano, McCully and the open space easement on the Edgewood property
should be considered for dedication in 1984.
Motion: E. Shelley moved the Board accept the staff report on the dedication
status of open space lands. K. Duffy seconded the motion. The motion
passed unanimously.
B. Planning for Publications Workshop
C. MacDonald reviewed memorandum M-84-03 dated January 4, 1984, noting that
the Board-adopted Action Plan had included arranging for a Board agenda item
or workshop on the subject of District publications. She listed several ques-
tions to be discussed and possible meeting dates. Several other topics to be
added to the agenda were suggested, but the Board concurred that plans for the
bus tour for public officials would be most appropriate in conjunction with
the publications workshop if time permitted. H. Grench added that the Board
would not be expected to make policy decisions or take action during the work-
shop. N. Hanko requested materials and information be provided on what other
agencies are doing on publications, whether there is a charge, circulation
comparisons and expenditures, county park trail maps and what publications do
for the District.
Motion: E. Shelley moved that the Board schedule a Special Meeting for 7:30 P.M.
Wednesday, February 29 at the District offices for the purpose of
having a Board-staff workshop regarding the District' s publications
with plans for the bus tour to be discussed if time allowed. H. Turner
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Meeting 84-01 Page five
IX. NEW BUSINESS WITH NO ACTION REgUESTED
Appointment of Board Committeees
H. Grench reviewed report R-84-02 dated January 3, 1984. He noted that last
year the Board had requested information on committees at a meeting prior to
taking action; therefore, the item would be back on the agenda on January 25.
Discussion centered on committee schedules and Directors ' availability for the
meetings. D. Wendin suggested continuing the San Mateo County/Hassler Liaison
Committee until Hassler is completed. T. Henshaw volunteered to serve on the
Public Transportation Committee. R. Bishop and T. Henshaw said they had volun-
teered at an earlier meeting for the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve Proposal
Evaluation Committee. E. Shelley noted he would like to continue on the Budget
Committee.
T. Kavanaugh suggested the Board consider having all committee meetings noticed
so the public could attend. D. Wendin responded that the Board should determine
which ones are noticed, that noticing sometimes presents complications in
scheduling the meetings with peoples ' busy schedules, but suggested the topic
be discussed at the next Board meeting.
X. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
D. Wendin said he had attended a meeting with William Penn Mott who had been approached
by the Save Hassler Committee. Mr. Mott gave his support for saving the buildings
but not to raising money. If the buildings would be saved, there would be a need to
find and purchase a substitute site in order to salvage the grant. He said Mr. Mott
made a commitment to help in that process if it ever happens.
H. Turner announced a training program will be held January 12 for administrators
and policy makers by the Whole Access Project to develop ideas and support for the
disabled. He announced he would attend along with several staff members.
The Board discussed the positive value of the Special District Board Management
Institute that will be held in Santa Barbara in February. T. Henshaw expressed
an interest in attending the Institute as well as the CPRS Conference in San Diego
in March. R. Bishop stated the Board's willingness to have T. Henshaw attend the
Institute.
Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board authorize T. Henshaw to expend travel and
associated costs to attend the Santa Barbara conference. E. Shellev seconded
the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
D. Hansen informed the Board that the memorandum that have been distributed when
property closes will no longer be necessary because the information is now included
as part of the use and management plan report at the second reading.
C. MacDonald announced the opening of an exhibit based on the District 's "Celebrate
Open Space" exhibit. It will be displayed at the California History Center at DeAnza
College following a reception on February 24 from 7 to 9 P.M. . She said the Board
has been invited and she will forward any new information.
T. Henshaw proposed the Board discuss the problem of conflicts with joggers and
hikers on trails at Rancho and other Preserves. E. Shelley suggested the District
may have to consider restricting use of trails , and that it could be a topic for a
workshop. D. Hansen stated the next use and management for Rancho San Antonio is
scheduled for June and could include the conflicting use problem. He added it could
also be considered in June or July when dogs on preserves will be discussed.
H. Haeussler suggested the District use a Public address system during the meetings.
Meeting 84-01 Page six
XI. CLAIMS
Motion: H. Turner moved the approval of the revised claims 84-1 dated January 11 ,
1984. E. Shelley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously with
N. Hanko abstaining from the vote on Claim 5943.
XII. CLOSED SESSION
The Board recessed to Closed Session at 9:40 P.M.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
The Board reconvened to adjourn the meeting at 11 :15 P.M.
Emma Johnson
Secretary