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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19860312 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting 86-06 AA AM MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT 375 DISTEL CIRCLE,SUITE D-1,LOS ALTOS,CALIFORNIA 94022 (415)965-4717 REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS MARCH 12 , 1986 MINUTES I . ROLL CALL Vice-President Daniel Wendin called the meeting to order at 7 : 35 P.M. Members Present: Katherine Duffy, Daniel Wendin, Teena Henshaw, Nonette Hanko, and Harry Turner. Richard Bishop arrived at 7 : 37 P.M. Member Absent: Edward Shelley. Personnel Present: Craig Britton, David Hansen, Jean Fiddes, Mary Hale, Del Woods, James Boland, David Camp, Stanley Norton, and Joan Combs. II . APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion : H. Turner moved the approval of the minutes of February 26, 1986. D. Wendin seconded the motion. Discussion: N. Hanko noted she had not been present to vote on the first motion on page six, and therefore the vote had been 5 to 0 rather than 6 to 0. The motion approving the corrected minutes passed 5 to 0. R. Bishop was not present for the vote. III . WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS There were no written communications. IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were no oral communications. V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA D. Wendin stated the agenda was adopted by Board consensus. VI. BOARD BUSINESS A. Skyline Ride open Space Preserve Use and Mana ement Plan Review Report R°� , ate arc D. Hansen stated that the Master Plan for the Preserve had been adopted since the last Use and Management Plan Review and is currently in the process of being implemented. He said the District had applied for Proposition 18 and Land and Water Con- servation Fund grants, and reported that the District had been nominated for a $300 ,000 Proposition 18 grant. He noted use of the Preserve has continued steadily, with approximately 35 to 45 visitors per weekend. 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 86-06 Page two D. Woods stated the addition of the Use and Management Plan Summary table to the report was designed to assist staff with budget preparation and to give an overview of the entire site. He discussed the interim signing program and Master Plan brochure, a project being worked on in conjunction with Peninsula Open Space Trust, as a way to introduce the public to the site. D. Woods reviewed projects 3,4 , 5,6 , 8, and 9 under Item A, which are being done in conjunction with the grant program, and are anticipated to be implemented in the 1986-1987 fiscal year. D. Woods said there was a need for a consultant to study restoration of the Alpine Reservoir area, which might include the establishment of a shallow bay to ensure a safer area for children. D. Woods discussed the Whole Access trail, which was incorporated into Phase I of the Master Plan in order to improve the chances for grant funding. He said the Alpine interpretive facility would involve both land and water environments, plus a recon- struction of the boathouse as an interpretive center. He reported that staff was investigating the possibility of securing a grant from the California License Plate Fund. D. Woods noted that $7000 of the $294 ,000 listed for the 1986-1987 fiscal year was not funded by the grant. D. Woods reviewed completed existing use and management projects, including the boathouse removal, some of the roadside clearing, and removal of the gas tank. He noted some preliminary drawings had been completed for the parking areas and entry roads. He reviewed the ongoing maintenance projects for the Preserve that are included in the budget. D. Woods showed slides of the Preserve, reviewing possible parking areas and connecting roads, and upgrading of the sewer system. He noted the ranch area entrance presented a design challenge because of the line of sight problem. He said the whole access facility being developed at Alpine will have access from the parking areas in the ranch area, and the Master Plan proposed permit group use only because of the entrance problems. In an attempt to have unrestricted whole access to the facility, he said staff was trying to integrate some whole access parking into the entry design. D. Hansen stated that he and C. Britton had attended a meeting with the Skyline Historical Society to discuss the possibility of utilizing the environmental education center as a potential museum. He said staff had not completed evaluation of this proposal, and noted that Sempervirens Fund had expressed an interest in working with the District on this project. He said the District would be contracting with 2M to analyze the proposal in relation to the Master Plan, and at that time, staff would make a recommendation to the Board concerning the proposed environmental education facility. N. Hanko noted that the map showed parts of Phases 2 and 3 included in Phase I. D. Woods responded that a more desirable recreation package was necessary in order to obtain a grant from the State, and therefore, certain elements of later phases were put into Phase 1. Meeting 86-06 Page three N. Hanko noted there was no mention of restoring the Horseshoe Lake reservoir for fishing. D. Hansen stated that under the District' s current ordinances, fishing was allowed by permit only. He said the ordinance would be revised at the time of Master Plan implementation within six months. He noted a liability problem in allowing fishing at the present time because of the steep sides of the reservoir. D. Woods stated that the perimeter of the reservoir would be restored to improve water quality, and a boardwalk built to ensure public safety. He said the boardwalk followed trail implementation in the Master Plan. R. Bishop stated he favored the concept of a historical museum, but felt the District might wish to consider a multiple-use building that would also include an environmental education center. He asked if any of the existing buildings would be suitable for use as a multiple-use center. D. Hansen stated there were no adequate buildings on site, and that a new building would be needed. D. Wendin asked if there were a proposed schedule for evaluating the Historical Society' s proposal. D. Hansen said that once a determination was obtained from Sempervirens Fund, the District would contract with 2M to study the proposal. H. Turner asked C. Britton to send a letter of thanks to Senator Becky Morgan for her help in obtaining the $300, 000 grant. D. Wendin stated the Board' s consensus in supporting this request. Larry Hassett, 22286 Skyline Boulevard, La Honda, said he felt the District's first priority should be stabilization of the property by revegetation rather than parking and access projects. N. Hanko said she supported moving the restoration of Horseshoe Lake and a fishing study into this year' s funding. D. Woods noted that this project was not funded by the State grant. D. Wendin asked staff to return at the next Board meeting to report on the effect of moving this project forward to Phase 1. He said he felt it was a consensus of the Board that it wished the analysis to be done and possibly move the project forward. Larry Hassett said he felt the recreational package should not take precedence over sound environmental decisions. He stated that the Board should address the traffic problems on Skyline Boulevard, and said the staging areas should be evaluated, particularly for equestrian access. N. Hanko said she felt the Transportation Committee should review the problem of horse trailer access, and develop a policy dealing with horse trailer staging. Charles Touchatt, Portola Heights, stated that he felt planning for the Horseshoe Lake area should not be deferred because grant funds did not cover the project. Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board tentatively adopt the Use and Management Plan for the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve. R. Bishop seconded the motion. Discussion: C. Britton noted the motion should include moving $2-500 for the Horseshoe Lake restoration study from 1987-88 funding to 1986-87 funding. The motion as amended passed 6 to 0. Meeting 86-06 Page four B. Proposed Addition to the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, Mt. Umunhum. Area Surplus Federal Property on Mts. Umunhum. and Thayer (Report R-86-20, dated March 6, 1986) C. Britton reviewed the history of the acquisition, noting that the District had made an offer to purchase the property from the federal government in December 1983, and that the offer had been accepted in January 1986. He said the basis of the report being considered was to review use and management decisions for the site which had been made in the past, and identify additional use and management recommendations. D. Hansen showed slides of the property, and said staff recommended seven deletions to the use and management recommendations and a new set of recommendations substituted. He noted San Jose State University will be conducting a six month feasibility study of the site as a possible retreat facility. He said that after that period, the District would hire a contractor to do a Master Plan for the site to look at the summit of Mt. Umunhum and Thayer, as well as the surrounding area as a whole. He said the District would probably be contracting with the current caretaker to continue as an interim caretaker as well as possibly hiring a caretaker to live on-site. He noted the area would be closed until determination is made on the buildings. Discussion centered on possible uses for the buildings. C. Britton noted that the Board has the final decision as to dis- position of the building area, and that other proposals in addition to that of San Jose State University would be considered by the District' s consultant. N. Hanko said she would like assurance that a widespread public notification would be carried out so that other groups could make proposals for the building area, and requested that a process for such notification be proposed by staff. C. Britton said such notification would be done at the end of the six months San Jose State University study and that would be the appropriate time for the notification process to be considered. Loren McQueen, 2633 S. Bascom Avenue, Campbell, discussed problems relating to the water system on the site. Dave Billingsley, adjacent property owner, asked about the District' s plans for gating the road. D. Hansen said no additional gates were proposed to be installed. Bill Jennings, representing the Challenger Space Academy, said the Academy felt the site would be ideal for a space education center for adults and youth. C. Britton stated that San Jose State University would address the basic feasibility of the water system, utilities, and con- dition of the buildings, and that this information would be available to other proposers. C. Britton noted that the interest cost of $2200 for the 30 day close of escrow extension, plus up to $15, 000 for caretaking for the first six months was included in the resolution. Meeting 86-06 Page five Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board adopt Resolution 86-19, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Reaffirming the Purchase of Real Estate and Authorizing Officer to Execute Certificate of Acceptance of Grant to District and Authorizing General Manager or Assistant 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) . N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board tentatively adopt the Interim Use and Management Plan contained in the report, including authorization for staff to negotiate and execute interim communication facilities leases, indicate its intention to withhold the property from dedication, and name the property as an addition to the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. C. Mt. Umunhum Area - Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve Use and Management Plan Review (Report R-86-19, dated March 3, 1986) D. Woods stated that staff held a workshop on the site attended by approximately eighty neighbors and absentee property owners. He said that law enforcement problems were addressed, as well as fire protection. D. Woods reviewed the use and management plan summary chart. He said staff would return to the Board with a plan formulated in cooperation with the Sheriff' s Office concerning crime control in the area at the second reading. Beez Jones, Cupertino, noted that the Trails Information and Volunteer Center recommended hiking to the summit of Mt. Umunhum. D. Hansen stated that the summit was closed, but other areas were open. Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board tentatively adopt the revised Use and Management Plan for the Mt. Umunhum Area - Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve as contained in the staff report. K. Duffy seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. D. Status Report on Monte Bello Road Slide (Memorandum M-86-26 , dated March 6 , 1986) D. Wendin stated that additional material had been made available as of the Board meeting date, and was contained in memorandum M-86-28 of March 12, 1986. D. Hansen reviewed the slide damage on Monte Bello Road. He said the County has asked to use a portion of the Picchetti Ranch Area for a temporary road, and that the Stortzes were parties to the District' s agreement with the County. D. Woods reviewed Exhibit B, Conditions for Constructing a Temporary Detour Road. He pointed out the route of the proposed road on a wall map, and discussed the potential impacts on the Preserve and showed slides of the road damage. He noted that M-86-06 Page six the agreement with the County was for a nine month period, and that the area of the detour would be restored by next spring. N. Hanko said she wanted assurance of restoration of the area by the County at the end of the nine month period. D. Hansen said such assurances were written into the agreement with the County. D. Woods said an engineering study would be necessary to determine how Monte Bello Road can be permanently repaired. Ronald Stortz, Sunrise Winery, stated that the road would have an impact on the parking area at Picchetti, but said he was in accordance with the solution, and that he felt consideration had been given the Stortzes by both the District and the County. Wilma Stark, Manager, Ridge Vineyards, said she appreciated being allowed to go through the Preserve, and hoped that there would be access for trucks, when necessary. D. Woods stated that Supervisor Diane McKenna has offered additional surveillance from the Sheriff' s Department upon request. N. Hanko said she would support the detour road construction, but only as a temporary measure. Harry Hauessler, Los Altos, asked if a penalty would be incurred by the County if repairs to the road were not completed within the nine month period. C. Britton replied that it had been decided a penalty was not feasible, but the District would monitor progress closely. Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board approve the Permit to Enter and authorize the Vice-Presidence to sign and accept the letter of agreement with the Stortzes. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. E. Long Ridge "School" Road and Gates Proposed Resolution of Problem with Portola Park Heights Neighbors (Memorandum M-86-27, dated March 7, 1986) D. Hansen reviewed the problem with locks on the gates of the "School" road, noting the District has tried to restrict use of the road for emergencies only. He stated that he, Supervising Ranger John Escobar, and Directors Henshaw and Wendin had met with neighbors to discuss and formulate a new agreement. He said the agreement had been reviewed by District Counsel. T. Henshaw discussed the meeting with the Long Ridge neighbors, and said she felt some of the problems had been resolved. D. Wendin stated he felt that the District and Long Ridge neighbors were close to formulating a final agreement and said he hoped this would be ready to present at the next Board meeting. C. Touchatt thanked Directors Henshaw and Wendin, D. Hansen, and J. Escobar for meeting with the neighbors. Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board approve the formation of an ad hoc committee composed of Directors Henshaw and Wendin to continue discussions with Preserve neighbors and attempt to formulate an agreement. N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. Meeting 86-06 Page seven F. Proposed Addition to Legislative Program to Support SB 1717 (Memorandum M-86-17, dated February 10, 1986) C. Britton stated that he had testified at the bill' s first com- mittee hearing on March 11 in Sacramento, and said the bill did not get out of committee, but the response was good. Motion : N. Hanko moved that the Board add priority A support for SB 1717 to its Legislative Program. R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. G. Request to Authorize State of California Department of General Services Administration to Purchase Certain Items for the District (Memorandum M-86-25, dated March 6 , 1986) D. Hansen stated staff was seeking Board' s approval of a resolution that would be filed with the State. Motion : K. Duffy moved that the Board approve Resolution 86-20 of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Authorizing the Department of General Services Administration of the State of California to Purchase Certain Items for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. VII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS D. Hansen announced that the District had been nominated for a $100, 000 restoration grant for the Picchetti Ranch Area. He said the money would apply to preservation of the buildings . D. Hansen stated the survey work for the Los Gatos Creek Park fence project had been completed and pointed out the location of the trail realignment project on a wall map. He said staff hopes to have the site open to the public by the end of the month. N. Hanko asked if the letter from Michael Irwin concerning an $85 fine incurred for taking his dog to Rancho San Antonio required a response from staff. C. Britton stated he felt a response was not necessary. J. Boland stated that $85 is a standard fine for that particular violation. J. Boland reported on storm damage on the Preserves and reviewed the trails that have been temporarily closed. C. Britton stated that staff is reviewing the Environmental Impact Report on the development of the Guadalupe College property adjacent to the Novitiate property. VIII. CLAIMS Motion: N. Hanko moved the approval of Revised Claims 86-05. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. IX. CLOSED SESSION There was no Closed Session. X. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10 :20 P.M. Joan Combs Secretary CORRECTION TO THE MINUTES OF MARCH 12 , 1986 MEETING APPROVAL OF MINUTES March 12 , 1986 D. Wendin requested that Senate Bill 1717 , the California Agricul- tural, Natural , and Park Lands Conservation Bond Act, referred to on page 7 , iter. F, be identified by name and not solely by number. Motion : K. Duffy moved the approval of the minutes of March 12 , 1986 with D. Wendin 's correction. H. Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 .