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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19840411 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting 84-8 dA. MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT 375 DISTEL CIRCLE,SUITE D-1,LOS ALTOS,CALIFORNIA 94022 (415)965-4717 REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS APRIL 11, 1984 MINUTES I . ROLL CALL President Daniel Wendin called the meeting to order at 7 :35 P.M. Members Present: Katherine Duffy, Daniel Wendin, Tenna Henshaw, Nonette Hanko, Harry Turner, and Edward Shelley. Member Absent: Richard Bishop. Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Craig Britton, David Hansen, Stanley Norton, Charlotte MacDonald, Jean Fiddes, Alice Watt, Michael Foster, and Joan Combs. II . APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of March 26, 1984 Motion: E. Shelley moved approval of the minutes of March 28 , 1964 . H. Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . III . WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS 7 J . Combs stated the Board had received the following written communications : 1) a letter, dated April 3 , 1984, from Marji Lusk of Los Altos hills, expressing opposition to the purported closing of High Meadow Stables; 2) a letter from Lois Poppema of Mountain View, urging preservation of the buildings at Rancho San Antonio Preserve; 3) a letter, dated April 5, 1984, from Dr. Thomas Bruno and family of Los Altos, urging the Board to allow High Meadow Stables to remain in its current location; 4) a letter from Christy Holloway and Robert Augsburger of Peninsula Open Space Trust, dated April 10, 1984, resoonding to Director Hanko' s April 4 memorandum concerning the Coordinating Committee for the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve master plan; 5) a letter from the Redwood City Heritage Association, dated April 10, 1964, expressing support for the retention of the Hassler buildings . D. Wendin stated the names of the writers of letters concerning High Meadow Stables should be added to the mailing list for the public meetina to be scheduled regarding the stables . N. Hanko requested that the letter from Christy Holloway and Robert Augsburger be considered at the time the first agenda item, Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve Master Plan, was considered. IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA H. Grench requested that the second acrenda item, Status Report on Upper House at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve, be placed first on the agenda as there were members of the public present who wished to address the Board and who had to leave early. D. Wendin stated the agenda, as amended, was adopted by Board consensus . Herbert A.Grench,General Manager Board of Directors:Katherine Duffy,Nonette G.Hanko,Teena Henshaw,Richard S.Bishop,Edward G.Shelley,Harry A.Turner,Daniel G.Wendin Meeting 84-8 Paqe two V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were no oral communications . VI. OLD BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED A. Status Report on Upper House at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve D. Hansen,referring to memorandum M-84-37 of April 5, 1984 , stated staff had met with the Upper House Committee to analyze proposals for use of the house and evaluate current District needs for both residences. He said staff would have no definitive position until the June use and management plan review for the Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve, but had been considering a change to make the upper house (rather than the lower) the Ranger residence. D. Wendin said he felt the first step was for the Board to decide whether it wanted public use for the upper house or to have it removed. He said if the Board decided to retain the house, he recommended the Board work with the Boy Scouts. N. Hanko said the Committee was not charged with looking at possible removal of the house. She said more details from staff were needed concerning problems involved in removal, including the necessity for extensive tree trimming. E. Shelley said he felt it would be more appropriate to make no decision concernina the house until the June use and management review. He said if at that time staff determines the house is not needed for a Ranger residence, the Board should consider the option of removal at no cost to the District. He said he would support delaying any agreement with the Boy Scouts until June. D. Wendin said he concurred and said he did not at this time support removal of the house. Robert Horton, representing the Stanford Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, said the Boy Scouts were flexible, and ready to work with the District at any time. He said he had been directed by his Board not to spend too much time on the project. Motion: D. Wendin moved the District continue to rent the upper house until the use and management plan is presented for review. E. Shelley seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . E. Shelley suggested that the second part of the recommendation in memorandum M-84-37, "that removal of the house off-site for use by Family Homes for the Adult Retarded be considered as an option" would be more appropriately considered at the use and management plan review. H. Grench said the house apparently could be removed via Mora Drive, causing minimal damage to the Preserve or trees along Mora Drive. Motion: D. Wendin moved that staff be directed not to include planning for potential moving of the house in this year 's use and management plan. H. Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 to 2 on the following vote: Ayes : D. Wendin, H. Turner, T. Henshaw, N. Hanko Noes: E. Shelley and K. Duffy B. Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve Master Plan N. Hanko reviewed her memorandum M-64-35 of April 4, 1984, and said that after considering the letter from Christy Holloway and Robert Augsburger, she would remove her suggestions of a Special Meeting Meeting 84-8 Page three with the Peninsula Open Space Trust Board of Trustees from the agenda to a later date. No action was taken on this agenda item. VII . NEW BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED A. Long Term Office Space Needs and Location H. Grench reviewed report R-84-20, dated April 5, 1984, and said the Office Space Committee had considered two main questions: geographic location and financing alternatives . He said the Committee felt the need for more definitive expert advice on financing. He said he felt the El Camino corridor was a preferable location, as it is nearer the District population center, but the Committee gave it the same priority as the Foothill Expressway corridor. Ni. Foster summarized financing alternatives, noting that, from an I economic standpoint, ownership was significantly better than renting, although ownership involved certain risks . Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board authorize staff to retain a real estate consultant to search for an office site along El Camino Real or Foothill Expressway corridor, to hire a financial consultant to complete the financial analysis of the alternatives, and to arrange for rental of interim space, if required. E. Shelley seconded the motion. Motion to Amend: H. Turner moved to delete Foothill Expressway corridor from the recommendation. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The Motion to Amend failed to pass on the following vote: :Ayes : H. Turner, K. Duffy, T. Henshaw Noes : E. Shelley, D. Wendin, N. Hanko Motion to Amend: E. Shelley moved to direct staff to limit its present investigation to scenarios 4 and 5 of the Financinq Alternatives, as listed in report R-84-20 . H. Turner seconded the motion. Discussion: Discussion centered on the desirability of the District buying land and leasing it to a private party who would build a building in which the District rented space. Discussion also covered whether the District should limit its action this early. E. Shelley withdrew his Motion to Amend with the permission of H. Turner. Motion to Amend: E. Shelley moved that the recommendations include the Board 's favoring of non-ownership of a building by the District. H. Turner seconded the motion. The Motion to Amend failed to pass on the following vote: Ayes: E. Shelley, H. Turner, N. Hanko Noes : D. Wendin, K. Duffy, T. Henshaw The original motion passed 6 to 0 . D. Wendin stated the Board' s consensus to retain the Office Space Committee, but that it had no specific assignment at this time. B. Land and Water Conservation Fund Application for Addition to Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve C. Britton reviewed report R-84-18 , dated April 2, 1984, noting the National Park Service had granted the District a "Waiver of Retro- activity" which allows acquisition prior to possible project approval Meeting 84-8 Page four and grant award. He said the High Meadow Stables was not in the grant project area. H. Grench said that would give more flexibility in allowing that use to continue if the Board wished it to. Motion: E. Shelley moved adoption of Resolution 84-16, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Approving the Application for Land and Water Conservation Funds - Addition to Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve. K. Duffy seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . C. Land and Water Conservation Fund Application for Sandstone Caves Park Acquisition Project C. Britton introduced report R-83-19 of April 4, 1984, and showed the location of the sandstone caves on the wall map. He said the appli- cation requests $250, 000 for acquisition of the approximately 100 acre area. H. Turner suggested staff should investigate the possibility of obtaining support for the grant application from San Mateo County. A. Watt showed slides of the project area. Motion: D. Wendin moved adoption of Resolution 84-17, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Approving the Application for Land and Water Conservation Funds - Sandstone Caves Park Acquisition Project. H. Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. D. Request to City of Mountain View Regarding Management of Crittenden Marsh H. Grench reviewed memorandum M-84-38 of April 4, 1984, noting that the installation of the bridge connection to Shoreline Park this year will encourage increased use. Discussion ensued regarding placing more emphasis on the bridge in the letter rather than Deer Hollow Farm. H. Grench said he would do some rewriting, and E. Shelley offered to review the revised wordina. Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board authorize the President to sign a letter generally in the form of the letter attached to the memorandum to the Mayor and City Council of the City of Mountain View requesting that the City consider manage- ment of the District's Stevens Creek Shoreline Nature Study Area. E. Shelley seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . E. Exercise of Option to Acquire Lands of Wilkins H. Grench, referring to memorandum M-84-39 of April 6, 1984, reported on the status of the option to acquire the lands of Wilkins alonq Purisima Creek. lie noted the evaluation analysis for the property had not yet been completed. Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board of Directors continue agenda item number seven, Exercise of Option to Acquire Lands of Wilkins, to an Adjourned Regular Meeting of tonight' s meeting to be held at 7 :30 P.M. on Wednesday, April 18, 1984 . N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . F. Scheduling of Special Meeting with San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Commission H. Grench, reviewing memorandum M-84-34 of April 4 , 1984 , said a brown bag picnic and wildflower walk with the San Mateo County Commissioners Meeting 84-8 Page five at Edgewood County Park had been scheduled for April 19. Caryn Coulter, 104 Mission Drive, East Palo Alto, asked the purpose of the meeting, and H. Grench responded it was a get-acquainted session with the County Parks and Recreation Commission. Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board schedule a Special Meeting with the San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Commission for 11 : 00 A.M. Thursday, April 19 at Edgewood County Park for the purpose of becoming acquainted with the members of the Commission. H. Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . G. Plan for the Special Districts Forum and Scheduling of Special Meeting for June 15, 1984 H. Grench reviewed report R-84-17 of April 4, 1984, and said it was important that as many Board members as possible attend, particularly on the day the District was hosting the conference. H. Grench said the out-of-pocket expenses of being co-host would be a few hundred dollars . Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board schedule a Special Meeting at 11 :00 A.M. Friday, June 15, for the purpose of hosting the Special District Forum's visit to the District, and that the Board go on record as official co-hosts of the conference. H. Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . VIII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS D. Hansen reported the death of District neighbor Max Kramer, and said a letter of condolence from the District would be sent to Mrs. Kramer. D. Hansen requested the Board allow moving the Hassler use and manage- ment plan review to November. D. Wendin stated the Board 's concurrence with D. Hansen's request. In response to a question from T. Henshaw, D. Wendin stated there would be a public meeting scheduled before the June use and management review for Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve to obtain public input, and that no date had yet been set. N. Hanko reported that Millard Blair had died, noting that Mr. Blair was the former owner of the first District acquisition, Foothills Preserve. H. Grench said a letter of condolence to the family on behalf of the Board and staff had been drafted and suggested that N. Hanko could sign. N. Hanko said she would be happy to do so. N. Hanko said she had received a request from a group which wished to tour the Hassler property in June. Discussion centered on public safety and District liability if people were allowed on site and on it being a poor use of staff time to accompany people. D. Hansen said he was not giving such permission because of these factors . D. Wendin suggested that any Director could take people on a tour. H. Grench announced Suzanne Shipley, the District's Accounting Specialist, had accepted a position at Stanford's Computer Sciences Laboratory, and that he hoped to fill the position as soon as possible. No member of the Board expressed any objection to the filling of the position. D. Wendin announced the annual Docent Graduation would be held May 19 . Meeting 84-8 Page six IX. CLAIMS Motion: H. Turner moved approval of Revised Claims 84-7 of April 11 , 1984 . E. Shelley seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . X. CLOSED SESSION The Board adjourned to Closed Session on land negotiation, litigation and personnel matters at 9 :55 P.M. XI . ADJOURNMENT The Board reconvened to public session at 12 :48 A.M. , Thursday, April 12, 1984 . Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board recess the Regular Meeting and the Closed Session of April 11 , 1984 to 7 :30 P .M. on Wednesday, April 8, 1984, at the District offices . N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . Joan Combs Secretary Meeting 84-08 (Adjourned from AA. April 11 , 1984 Regular Meeting) MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT 375 DISTEL CIRCLE,SUITE D-1,LOS ALTOS,CALIFORNIA 94022 (415)965-4717 ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS APRIL 18, 1984 MINUTES I . ROLL CALL President Daniel Wendin called the adjourned Regular Meeting to order at 7:1.5 P.M. , noting that this meeting was adjourned from the April 11 , 1984 Regular Meeting. Members Present: Katherine Duffy, Daniel Wendin, Teena Henshaw, Edward Shelley, Harry Turner and Richard Bishop. Members Absent: Nonette Hanko. Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Craig Britton, David Hansen, Charlotte MacDonald, Stanley Norton, Michael Foster, Cecilia Cyrier, and Emma Johnson. II. NEW BUSINESS WITH ACTION REQUESTED Exercise of Option to Acquire Lands of Wilkins (Continued) H. Grench, introduced report R-84-21 dated April 13, 1984. He stated that the property, if acquired, would be the largest single acquisition ever made by the District and that staff had worked with Save the Redwoods League and Mr. Wilkins to negotiate the purchase. C. Britton illustrated on the map the location of the property and pointed out the area of the life estate. He noted there had been modifications in the purchase agree- ment since the Board last saw it, namely the notes are for 10 years rather than 5, with the interest rate at 11% rather than 10%, District acceptance of a license agreement, and an addition of a legal description of the proposed life estate. He explained how the valuation of the property had been arrived at through appraisals, taking into account timber volume sales, test borings , and a new timber cruise, and concluded that the $6 million price was reasonable if not a bargain price for the property. Referring to conditions of title, C. Britton stated two title exceptions existed: (1 ) a 1974 Timber Purchase Contract with Louisiana-Pacific which legal analysis found "not a valid encumbrance which would constrain District ownership" of the land, and (2) a timber Royalty Agreement between Rancho Canada de Verde, Inc. and Wilkins which "is likely unenforceable. " He added that staff feels the matter can be successfully defended and brought to an amiable conclusion. In addition, owners of 3 illegally developed lots in Redwood Park Subdivision claim a prescriptive easement over a portion of the property and future staff efforts may be directed toward resolution of this potential problem. There were also some survey questions , two of which involved the Redwood Park Subdivision. Since the County has been acquiring lots in the subdivision and now owns approximately 70% of the land area, the boundary line location may become a moot question. A third boundary line discrepancy is due to vagueness of the legal description and could be established by a Record of Survey and possible legal action. C. Britton said that Save the Redwoods League had pledged $2,000,000 toward the purchase of the land in return for an agreement that guarantees that timber never be harvested on the property and that the League could have rights to designate memorial groves. The District wanted to ensure through the agreement that it be able to develop low Herbert A.Grench,General Manager Board of Directors:Katherine Duffy,Nonette G.Hanko,Teena Henshaw,Richard S.Bishop,Edward G.Shelley,Harry A.Turner,Daniel G.Wendin Meeting 84-08 Page two intensity recreational and open space facilities without violating the covenants of the agreement. D. Hansen showed slides of the site, noting the property is in the center of an extensive hiking-recreation area with long-range trail connection potential including a "City to the Sea" trail as well as internal loop trails. He stated there is poten- tial for negotiating a joint management agreement with the State for the lower part of the property. Other use and management discussions concerned a ranger residence on the site and planned signs and gates. He pointed out that staff is recommending the property be named Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, with Whittemore Gulch becoming an area of that preserve. Carolyn Lekberg of the Midpeninsula Trails Council asked if the stiles would be for equestrians as well as hikers. D. Hansen responded that at this time stiles were for hikers only. Motion: H. Turner moved the adoption of Resolution 84-18 a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Authorizing Exercise of Option by Acceptance of Agreement to Purchase Real Property, Authorizing Officer to Execute Certificate of Acceptance of Grant to District, Authorizing Officer to Execute Grant of Restriction with Covenants, and Authorizing General Manager to Execute Any and All Other Documents Necessary or Appropriate to Closing of the Transaction (Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve - Wilkins Property) . R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. Motion: H. Turner moved the adoption of Resolution 84-19, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpefiinsula Regional Open Space District Providing for the Issuance and Delivery of $1 ,700,000 Principal Amount of "Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District 1984 Installment Promissory Notes (Purisima Canyon Acquisition)" . R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. Motion: H. Turner moved that the Board tentatively adopt the use and management recommendations contained in report R-84-21 , name the property Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, and indicate its intention to dedicate the property as public open space. R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Board and staff members discussed alternative plans for the Special Meeting of April 19 if inclement weather interfered. C. Britton stated that staff had discussed the possibility of the Board hosting a thank-you picnic for Save the Redwoods League toward the end of summer at the Purisima Creek property. D. Wendin stated the consensus of the Board that it was a very good idea. C. Lekberg stated her appreciation to the Board for its efforts in acquiring such substantial property. IV. CLOSED SESSION The Board adjourned to Closed Session on land acquisition and litigation matters at 8:45 P.M. V. ADJOURNMENT The Board reconvened to adjourn at 10:35 P.M. Emma Johnson Secretary