HomeMy Public PortalAbout19840411 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting 84-8
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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
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