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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19860416 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting 86-09 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT OLD MILL OFFICE CENTER,BUILDING C,SUITE 135 201 SAN ANTONIO CIRCLE,MOUNTAIN VIEW,CALIFORNIA 94040 (415)949-5500 SPECIAL MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS April 16 , 1986 I . ROLL CALL President Edward Shelley called the meeting to order at 7 :34 P.M. Members Present: Katherine Duffy, Daniel Wendin , Edward Shelley, and Richard Bishop. Members Absent : Teena Henshaw, Nonette Hanko, and Harry Turner. Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Craig Britton, David Hansen, Jean Fiddes , James Boland, Tom Lausten, Michael Newburn, Del Woods , Patrick Congdon, Kerry Carlson, David Camp, and Stanley Norton. II . WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS There were no written communications . III . ADOPTION OF AGENDA E. Shelley stated the agenda was adopted by Board consensus . IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Bob McKibbin , 1331 Los Arboles , Sunnyvale, presented information to the Board on the Coastal Protection Initiative that citizens are trying to place on the November ballot. George R. McNamara, P.O. Box 18756 , San Jose , representing the Sierra Azul Land Owners Association, thanked the District for the guard rails and gates that had been recently installed at Bald Mountain. V. BOARD BUSINESS A. Appointment of Peace Officers (Memorandum M-86-39 of April 8 , 1986) J. Boland introduced the District' s two newest Rangers , Michael Newburn and Thomas Lausten. Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board adopt Resolution 86-25 of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Appointing Michael Newburn and Thomas Lausten as Peace Officers Pursuant to Section 803 . 31 (b) of the Penal Code of the State of California. D. Wendin seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 to 0 . 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 86-09 Page two B. Final Adoption of the Revised Use and Management Plan for the Mt. Umunhum Area of the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve (Memorandum M-86-40 of April 8, 1986) D. Hansen presented information on Sheriff' s patrol assistance in the area and stated that staff recommended contracting with the Sheriff's Department for patrol assistance, as well as placing a Sheriff's deputy in a caretaker's residence. J. Boland reviewed the basic elements of the contract listed in the staff report, noting that staff would report back to the Board in six months on the effectiveness of the program should the Board authorize the patrol agreement. He stated the estimated cost of the patrol assistance would be approxi- mately $8,000 for the 1986-1987 fiscal year. Bob McKibbin of Sunnyvale; Patti Ann Herqerton, 23631 Hicks Road; Loren McQueen, 2633 South Bascom Lvenue, Campbell; Brool�eFike, 231 Ravensbury, Los Altos; and Rick Estrada, speaking in behalf of the Sierra Azul Homeowners ' Association, spoke in favor of using the Sheriff' s motorcycle patrol as part of the contracted patrol program on District lands . Discussion focused on whether the patrol program to be con- tracted for with the Sheriff's Department for District lands should include the use of the Sheriff's motorcycle patrol units . K. Duffy said she would like to be assured that the District did nothing to discourage the Sheriff's motorcycle patrol on District lands and spoke in favor of using the motorcycle patrol until problems in the area had slacked off, noting the District should use the most effective patrol method possible. D. Wendin urged staff to return to the Board as quickly as possible if additional resources were needed to help curb the short-term problem in the area. Motion: R. Bishop moved the adoption of the patrol agreement presented by staff, with the understanding that this would be a supplement to existing law enforcement by the Sheriff's Department, that the District en- courage the Sheriff to continue patrols in the area, using motorcycles and other vehicles, and that staff report back to the Board in 90 days with a progress report. D. Wendin seconded the motion. Discussion: R. Bishop stated that he intended the District' s program to supplement the current Sheriff' s patrol program in the area. D. Wendin said that he felt R. Bishop's motion would not solve the problem since it did not address the use of motorcycles on on the District' s program. He said that he would like the motion to authorize District staff to contract for motorcycle patrol as part of the District' s patrol program. R. Bishop agreed to include in his motion that staff determine the types of vehicles it feels are needed for effective patrol. Motion to Amend: E. Shelley moved that staff make clear, during negotiations with the Sheriff's Department, that the District' s long-term goal is to eliminate the need for motorcycle patrol on District land. D. Wendin seconded the motion. The motion to amend passed 4 to 0 . Meeting 86-09 Page three The main motion as amended passed 4 to 0 . Motion: R. Bishop moved the adoption of the use and management plan for the Mt. Umunhum Area of the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve as contained in report R-86-19. K. Duffy seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 to 0 . C. Final Adoption of Interim Use and Management Plan for Surplus Federal Property Addition to the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve Mt. Umunhum Area (Memorandum M-86-41of April 10, 1986) D. Hansen stated that escrow was scheduled to close on the property at the end of April. He said the Federal government would be dealing with the removal of the on-site underground storage tanks. D. Hansen said discussions have been held concerning caretaker possibilities for the site, including contracting with a live-in night caretaker. Bob Logan, an attorney representing Loren McQueen, questioned whether the District could acquire the property without an environmental clearance. E. Shelley noted that the acqui- sition of open space is categorically exempt. Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board adopt the Interim Use and Management recommendations as contained in the staff report, name the property as an addition to the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve - Mt. Umunhum Area, and withhold the property from dedication as public open space at this time, and that this reading represent the second reading, with no further reading needed at the close of escrow. R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 to 0. D. Final Adoption of Interim Use and Management Plan for the Jamison and Mazor Property Addition to the Mt. Umunhum Area of the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve (Memorandum M-86-38 of April 7, 1986) D. Hansen said no additional public comment had been received regarding the Use and Management Plan for the properties . He noted that the cost for the guard rail should be revised from $2000 to $4000 . Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board adopt the Interim Use and Management Plan for the Jamison and Mazor property additions to Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, including the naming as included in report R-86-17 , and withhold the property from dedication as public open space at this time. K. Duffy seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 to 0. Rick Estrada requested a copy of the Sierra Azul notification list, noting that it was a public record. S . Norton responded that staff policy was that this kind of list not be made available to members of the public and said that he agreed with the current staff policy. E. Shelley noted it was the District' s intent to put everyone on the list who wished to be included. Meeting 86-09 Page four E. Proposed Addition to the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, Mt. Umunhum Area7 (Lands of North) Report R-86-24 of April 10 , 1986) C. Britton pointed out the 174 acre property on the wall map, noting the District was acquiring 31 acres in full fee at a cost of $211, 700 , and one-half interest in 143 acres at a cost of $50 ,050 . D. Woods showed slides of the proposed acquisition. D. Hansen reviewed the interim use and management recommendations contained in the staff report, including withholding the property from dedication at this time. Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board adopt Resolution 86-26 , a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Mid- peninsula Regional Open Space District Authorizing Acceptance of Purchase Agreement, Authorizing Officer to Execute Certificate of Acceptance of Grant to District, and Authorizing General Manager to Execute Any and All Other Documents Necessary or Appropriate to Closing of the Transaction (Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve - Lands of North) . R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 to 0 . Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board adopt Resolution 86-27, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Mid- peninsula Regional Open Space District Authorizing Acceptance of Purchase Agreement, Authorizing Officer to Execute Certificate of Acceptance of Grant to District, and Authorizing General Manager to Execute Any and All Other Documents Necessary or Appropriate to Closing of the Transaction (Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve - Lands of North et al. ) . R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 to 0 . Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board tentatively adopt the Interim Use and Management Plan recommendations con- tained in the staff report, including naming the properties as additions to the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, Mt. Umunhum Area, and indicate its intention to withhold the properties from dedication at this time. R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 to 0 . E . Shelley declared a recess at 8 : 58 P.M. The Board reconvened at 9 : 10 P .M. F. Review of the Use and Management Plan for the Rancho San .Antonio Open Space Preserve (Report R-86-26 of April 11, 1986) D. Hansen stated several major issues had been studied since the last use and management review for the Preserve. He said the focus of discussion would be on trail use conflicts and the stable lease. D. Woods reviewed site use and activities , and said that the biggest problem was the lack of parking. He noted that four volunteer recruiting events had been held in the past year to recruit volunteers for trail work and acquaint the public with trail conflicts . R-86-09 Page five D. Woods reviewed planning considerations for the Preserve, noting that discussions had been held with the County and the City of Los Altos concerning parking problems and other impacts . D. Woods showed slides to illustrate various aspects of the staff report. E. Shelley said he felt that the homestead house was a shared resource and responsibility with the City of Mountain View and that the District should do its share in trying to restore the structure. D. Woods said that until recently, the restrooms provided by the City for its program use had been open to the general public. He said the usage of these facilities had become so great that the City had difficulty maintaining them and noted that the restrooms were now secured during Mountain View' s non-program hours of the day. E . Shelley said he felt it was reasonable for the District to work with the City, in light of the number of people using the Preserve, to keep the restrooms open at all times. Discussion centered on the need for restrooms . E. Shelley stated the District may have to consider providing restrooms for Preserve visitors in addition to those provided by the City for its Deer Hollow Farm programs. D. Woods noted that items 7 and 8 in the first section of Exhibit A should be continued to the next meeting, when the upper and lower residences would be discussed. D. Hansen briefly reviewed the background on the residence structures on the site, and said staff has been unable to prepare a more specific management plan. He said staff would return at the second reading with recommendations . D. Wendin said he felt the District had a stewardship obligation at the Preserve, and particularly in the Farm area, that should not be passed on to Mountain View. In response to D. Wendin' s question concerning the District' s response to Mountain view's request for more patrol, D. Hansen said the District could probably assist when the new Open Space Technician positions were filled. Discussion centered on specific location of use problems, and the District' s responsibilities to mitigate those problems , including increased patrol. K. Duffy suggested constructing a trail around the Farm area for bikers and runners , and said she felt that the District needed to provide some restroom facilities . E. Shelley asked the Board for specific modifications to the use and management plan. D. Wendin stated that he felt the areas of concern were conflicts in the Farm area, a solution for the restroom problem, and a trails plan. Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board tentatively adopt the amended Use and Management Plan recommendations con- tained in the staff report, with the addition that staff return at a date selected by them with a proposal to provide public restroom facilities generally in the barn area. R. Bishop seconded the motion. Meeting 86-09 Page six Discussion: R. Bishop suggested that Mountain View could keep the current restroom facilities open, but the District could cover the maintenance cost. E. Shelley requested staff input on the homestead house. D. Hansen said the house was falling down, but Mountain View did not have the necessary staff to do a restoration. Motion to Amend: E. Shelley moved to amend the motion to in- clude requesting staff to pursue, within the next six months, available means of stabilizing and pro- tecting the Grant House while seeking restoration funds . K. Duffy seconded the motion. The motion to amend passed 4 to 0 . Discussion: D. Wendin noted the Board had not addressed a timeline for the restrooms and said he wished to include a reasonable timeline to address both the immediate problem, with an immediate timeline, and a long-term solution, with a six month timeline suggested. H . Grench said portable restrooms could be brought in as a short-term solution. D. Wendin said Mountain View could be requested to open the restrooms on weekends if the District would maintain them. R. McKibbin asked where grant funding would be sought. D. Hansen said grant funding could be sought from the County Historical Society or from Proposition 18 funding. R. McKibbin suggested that staff rearrange some of the fence lines to form an observation area at the farm, perhaps closing off the barnyard area on weekends . Discussion centered on the High Meadow Stables lease. R. Bishop said he supported staff' s recommendation on the stable . Beverly Fike, the lessee at High Meadow Stables, spoke on the accomplishments she had completed at the stable to date, discussed the misunderstanding concerning insurance requirements,and requested that the three- year evaluation period start from this point of time and that the preceding year not be included in the three-year period. C. Britton noted a major issue of contention regarding the stable was whether the preceding year should be counted as one of the years in the three-year period designated for evaluation of the stable . He said that he felt the original time schedule should be observed, as the three-year period was intended to allow time for completion of a number of projects, some of which have been accomplished. He said he felt the criteria from the District standpoint was whether staff could return to the Board in one year with information necessary to making a decision on the stable. D. Wendin said he supported staff' s recommendation if staff were committed to return in a year. K. Duffy stated she supported the staff recommendations . Meeting 86-09 Page seven E. Shelley stated he felt the year should start after some configuration of the stable was available, so staff could monitor its operations . The motion as amended passed 4 to 0 . G. Proposed Amendment to Deer Hollow Farm Lease with the City of Mountain View to Provide for a Ten Year Lease (Report R-86-25 of April 10 , 1986) D. Hansen noted that the main items in the amendment to the agree- ment were the extended ten-year lease period and a commitment by the City of Mountain View to spend City funds on Farm improve- ments , which the District would reimburse to the City on a pro- rated basis should the lease be terminated. Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board authorize the President to sign the ten year amendment to the lease agreement with the City of Mountain View for the management of the Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve Deer Hollow Farm Area. E. Shelley seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 to 0 . H. Calling of Special Meeting and Authorization for Board Members' Expenses (Memorandum M-86-42 of April 11, 1986) H. Grench stated the Not-So-Annual Regional Park and Open Space District Conference would be held in Monterey on May 17 and 18 and said it would be appropriate for the Board to schedule the Conference as a Special Meeting. He reviewed anticipated costs related to the Conference. Motion: D. Wendin moved that Board attendees be authorized to incur up to $150 in expenses for the Not-So-Annual Regional Park and Open Space District Conference. R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 to 0 . Motion: E. Shelley moved that the Board call a Special Meeting for Saturday, Play 17 and continuing to Sunday, May 18 , for the purpose of participating in the Not-So-Annual Regional Park and Open Space District Conference. R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 to 0 . VI . , INFORMATIONAL REPORTS H. Grench announced that the Budget Committee had rescheduled its April 29 meeting to April 28 and its May 13 meeting to May 12. H. Grench stated that the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors had passed the fireworks ban except for the Broadmoor area. D. Hansen announced that Ron and Rolayne Stortz had invited District Board and staff to a barbecue at Picchetti and that the suggested dates were Saturday, May 10 or Saturday, May 18 . The Board decided that May 10 was the preferable date. VII . CLAIMS There were no claims for Board approval. VIII . CLOSED SESSION H. Grench announced that no Closed Session would be necessary. IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10 : 47 P .M. Jean Fiddes District Clerk Joan Combs Secretary