HomeMy Public PortalAbout19851218 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Alt Meeting 85-33
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MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
375 DISTEL CIRCLE,SUITE D-1,LOS ALTOS,CALIFORNIA 94022
(415)965-4717
RESCHEDULED REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DECEMBER 18 , 1985
MINUTES
I. ROLL CALL
President Teena Henshaw called the meeting to order at 7 :35 P.M.
Members Present: Katherine Duffy, Teena Henshaw, Edward Shelley, Nonette
Hanko, and Richard Bishop. Daniel Wendin and Harry Turner arrived at
7 : 38 P.M.
Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Craig Britton, David Hansen, Mary
Hale , Stanley Norton, Del Woods , James Boland, Mary Gundert, Dennis
Danielson, and Emma Johnson.
II. WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
E. Johnson stated the Board received the following written communications :
1) a letter from Warren and PattieAnne Hergerton suggesting that the
Baldwin-Wallace College addition to the Sierra Azul Preserve be
patrolled at least 4-5 times a day because of gun use , alcohol and
drug abuse, and off road vehicles on the property. They added they
looked forward to working with the Board to improve the area,
2) a letter dated December 11 from Guadalupe Land Company' s President
C. M. Dwyre, stating support of the Interim Use and Management
recommendations in staff 's acquisition report for Baldwin-Wallace
College property but noting that the property line between District
and Guadalupe Land Company ' s property does not follow the creek
center and that use of the present trail would be mostly on private
property. He added that the Company supports the concept of
opening the trail to public use in the future but not at this time, and
3) an invitation to the Park and Recreation Commissioners ' and Board
Members ' Council installation and Awards Dinner.
Since Mr. and Mrs . Hergerton and Mr. Dwyre were in the audience, no
reply was required. Staff will respond to the invitation if a Board
member can attend the awards dinner.
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
There were no oral communications.
IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
T. Henshaw said the agenda was adopted by Board consensus.
V. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Final Adoption of the Interim Use and Management Plan for the Baldwin-
Wallace College Property Addition to the Sierra Azul Open Space
Preserve - Mt. Umunhum Area (Memorandum M-85-171 of December 13 , 1985) ,*,
D. Hansen outlined staff ' s recommendations for short-term management
of the area, noting a meeting has been scheduled for February 8 with
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 85-33 Page two
neighbors , California Department of Fish and Game, and the County
Sheriff' s office to outline the District ' s policies and to solicit
help in surveillance of District lands in the area. He said staff
recommends investigating the posting of "No Parking Dusk to Dawn"
signs at some pullouts along Hicks Road, the cost and desirability
of hiring extra patrol service from the County Sheriff, and possi-
bility of a resident caretaker in the area.
D. Hansen said long range plans that are affected by the Land
Management Staffing Study include a Ranger patrol and maintenance
unit in the area, law enforcement needs (either in-house or contrac-
ted) , and siting of a Ranger residence in the vicinity.
Charles Dwyre , President of Guadalupe Land Company of Los Gatos
said the property line between the Company' s land and the Preserve
does not follow the creek center, and persons using the trail would
be trespassing on much of the 3-4 miles of trail. D. Hansen added
that staff had met with Mr. Dwyre regarding the boundary question
and the Company ' s possible interest in dedication of the land along
the creek in connection with development of their property.
Board members expressed support for cooperative management of the
area, including working with the Sheriff ' s Department.
Motion: E. Shelley moved that staff return at the second regular
meeting in January with a preliminary report on potential
use of a Sheriff' s patrol . D. Wendin seconded the motion.
The motion passed 7 to 0 .
Motion : R. Bishop moved that the Board adopt the Interim Use and
Management Plan contained in reports R-85-53 and M-85-171
and that the property be withheld from dedication as public
open space. H. Turner seconded the motion. The motion
passed 7 to 0 .
After a ten minute recess called at 8 :00 P.M. , Vice President
H. Turner presided over the meeting in the absence of T. Henshaw,
who left the meeting.
B. Proposed Atwood Property Addition to the El Sereno Open Space
Preserve (Report R-85-57 dated December 12 , 1985)
C. Britton showed the location of the $100 ,000 29. 95 acre parcel
on the wall map, noting the site is contiguous to the western
boundary of El Sereno Open Space Preserve. D. Woods showed slides
of the property. Discussion centered on access to the property and
dedication status. Harry Haeussler, 1094 Highland Circle , Los Altos,
noted that the only access to the property is via a private road,
and D. Hansen responded that while access over the easement has to
be with permission of the property owners , there is potential for
access via the El Sereno Open Space Preserve. K. Duffy asserted
that all property does not have to be dedicated to active public use,
that some land has conservation and scenic backdrop value.
C. Britton added that the parcel has the highest composite rating
based upon scenic backdrop and habitat value .
Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board adopt Resolution 85-52 , a
Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District Authorizing Acceptance of
Purchase Agreement, Authorizing Officer to Execute Certi-
ficate of Acceptance of Grant to District, and Authorizing
General Manager to Execute Any and All Other Documents
Meeting 85-33 Page three
Necessary to Closing of the Transaction (El Serena Open
Space Preserve - Atwood Property) . E. Shelley seconded the
motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 .
Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board tentatively adopt the Interim
Use and Management Plan recommendations in report R-85-57
including naming the property as an addition to the El
Sereno Open Space Preserve , and indicate its intention to
withhold the property from dedication. E. Shelley seconded
the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 .
C. Annual Review of Relative Site Emphasis Plan and Use and Management
Plan Review Schedule (Report R-85-56 dated December 12 , 1985)
H. Grench explained that the Land Management Staffing Study and
the Land Management Budget Guidelines Study will relate considerably
to the goals presented in the plan.
D. Woods reviewed the changes in standing of preserves on the
relative emphasis chart. He said Long Ridge Open Space Preserve' s
priority position had risen to #11 because of increased public
interest and use , the new El Corte de Madera Open Space Preserve
was placed at the 19th position on the list determined by the
criteria of public need, attractiveness , accessibility, manageability,
geographic location and regional significance. He said the La Honda
Creek Open Space Preserve had been moved upward slightly because of
the addition of the Darling property to the Preserve.
D. Woods said that the planning projects for the year have increased
significantly, that more specific site planning related to access
projects will occur and that as the District ' s land spreads further
to the extremes of the District boundaries , planning, development,
and management programs have been significantly impacted. In view
of those facts , he said it may be necessary to modify the approach
to the Relative Site Emphasis Plan by decreasing site development
or creating a new category for minimal use and management encompas-
sing sites that are relatively low on the list. He added the later
approach would be to discourage public use by means of minimizing
improvements , not directing signing to recreation and not distri-
buting public maps or brochures.
Discussion centered on the proposed minimal use and management
category. N. Hanko said she would not support limiting public
access; she suggested using caretakers , volunteer rangers, and
docents as an alternative. E. Shelley stated his opinion that the
present policy is generally consistent with the proposal , and
H. Turner suggested continuing with present procedures. K. Duffy
expressed her concern with a three-year review schedule for rural
sites where problems occur which the Board needs to be aware of.
H. Grench said that while the Use and Management Plan reviews are
good management tools , they are time consuming. He said the pro-
posal would discourage but not prohibit use by the public of certain
sites and would not encourage use on others.
D. Wendin said if patrol-type problems are removed from considera-
tion, there may be a way to de-emphasize sites without discouraging
use entirely.
Meeting 85-33 Page four
R. Bishop said that not all sites should be treated in the same way.
He suggested staff redefine the criteria of minimal use and manage-
ment.
H. Turner stated the Board ' s consensus that staff should return to
the Board with (1) a restatement of the rationale for creating the
new category, (2) definition of category and criteria for including
sites, (3) PR implications, (4) sites at the bottom of the list
having two identifications; (a) planning attention and (b) management
attention, (5) impact on the planning process of the three year review
cycle.
D. Woods highlighted changes in the Funding/Staffing Priorities
for Fiscal Year 1986-87 which include Skyline Ridge , Purisima Creek
Redwoods, Los Gatos Creek Park, and Saratoga Gap Open Space Pre-
serves.
Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board tentatively adopt the
Revised Plan for Relative Emphasis of District Sites and the
1986 Use and Management Review Plan and that staff be
directed to return with further definition of the reduced
use of sites category. E. Shelley seconded the motion.
The motion passed 6 to 0 .
H. Turner stated the Board' s consensus that the second reading of
the item be scheduled for the second regular Board meeting in
January.
VI. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
H. Grench announced that the President' s Commission on Americans Out-
doors would be conducting a hearing in this area and that he has been
investigating how the District could be involved. He added that the
East Bay Regional Park District is hosting areception, and a District
Director and the General Manager have been invited. R. Bishop expressed
his willingness to attend if his schedule allows .
H. Grench reported that agendas and appropriate materials have been
mailed for the January 15 Special Board Meeting regarding eminent domain
policies - to be held in the Menlo Park Council Chambers.
H. Grench distributed information and an invitation letter :for the Con-
ference of the International Institute of Park Administrators in
Aukland, New Zealand and asked if the Board is willing to have two staff
members attend . N. Hanko asked how long the conference would be , and
H. Grench replied that it would be six days . Directors Turner , Shelley,
Duffy, and Bishop spoke in favor of the professional value to the indi-
viduals and the District of attending such a conference.
Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board approve expenditure in the
appropriate amount indicated by H. Grench from the District ' s
conference budget for two staff members to attend the conference.
R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 1 with
N. Hanko voting no.
D. Hansen encouraged the Board to seek letters of support to the
State for the District' s grant applications for Skyline Ridge and
Picchetti Ranch. He said he would be meeting with a State represen-
tative at Picchetti on December 30 to review the historic renovation
proposal.
C. Britton reported that a lease has been signed for new office space
at the Old Mill Office Center and that the move probably would occur
around mid-March.
Meeting 85-33 Page five
D. Wendin stated he had read that the Board of Supervisors of Santa
Clara County had authorized purchase of radar guns for the California
Highway Patrol which contradicts previous information. Staff noted
it would follow-up on the report.
VII. CLAIMS
Motion : R. Bishop moved approval of Revised Claims 85-25 . N. Hanko
seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
VIII. CLOSED SESSION
S. Norton announced that litigation matters to be discussed in Closed
Session fell under subdivision (b) (1) of Government Code Section
54945. 9 . The Board recessed to Closed Session at 9 :40 P.M.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
The Board reconvened to adjourn at 10 :50 P.M.
Emma Johnson
Secretary