HomeMy Public PortalAbout19860827 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting 86-20
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
OLD MILL OFFICE CENTER,BUILDING C,SUITE 135
201 SAN ANTONIO CIRCLE,MOUNTAIN VIEW,CALIFORNIA 94040
(415)949-5500
REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AUGUST 27, 1986
MINUTES
I. ROLL CALL
President Edward Shelley called the meeting to order at 7 : 32 P.M.
Members Present: Katherine Duffy, Daniel Wendin, Teena Henshaw,
Edward Shelley, and Harry Turner.
Members Absent: Nonette Hanko and Richard Bishop.
Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Craig Britton, David Hansen, Mary
Hale, Jean Fiddes, Stanley Norton, James Boland, Mary Gundert, and
Cecilia Cyrier.
II. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
C. Cyrier reported that the Board had received a letter, dated August 17 ,
from Craig Johnson, 26 Sneckner Court, Menlo Park, applauding the pending
acquisition of the Peter' s property on Russian Ridge and inquiring if the
District has considered the acquisition of the Aries property in Portola
Valley below the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve. E. Shelley stated the
Board' s consensus that it would be appropriate for staff to respond.
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Kathy Kennedy-Miller, 16222 Skyline Blvd. , Woodside, speaking as a resi-
dent of Allen Road, presented written material for Board review regarding
access to the Dyer property. She indicated that the residents of Allen
Road had met with staff. She said that the following items were an
update to the written material : the Board of Supervisors of San Mateo
County voted not to accept Allen Road into the County system, that Bear
Gulch Road is a County maintained road and that the Board of Supervisors
is not considering improving the road, that the Dyers have 50 foot ease-
ments on one section and 20 foot easements on another section of Allen
Road, and that the Dyers have prescriptive rights on Bear Gulch Road.
As President of the King' s Mountain Association, she invited the Board
to the Art Fair.
IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
E. Shelley stated that the agenda was adopted by Board consensus.
V. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Progress Report on Contract Sheriff' s Pateol Program for the Mt.
Umunhum Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve (Report R-86-69
of August 20, 1986)
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 86-20 Page two
J. Boland reviewed the staff report and noted that staff had received
some information from the County Counsel ' s office since preparation
of the Board report regarding the contract, that discussions are still
in progress regarding liability and indemnification, and that this
matter would be referred to District Counsel.
Rick Estrada, P.O. Box 153, New Almaden, representing the Mt. Umunhum
Landowners Association, asked for clarification on the patrolling by
the Sheriff' s Department on that section of Mt. Umunhum Road that
is not gated and is private property. J. Boland reported that the
road below the gate is being treated by the contracted Sheriff' s
deputies and District staff as a public road during daylight hours
and that after sunset the road is treated as a closed road since
District lands which include sections of the road, are then closed.
In response to Rick Estrada' s question as to whether the deputies
are acting as agents of the Santa Clara County Sheriff' s office or
as District agents, J. Boland said that according to the agreement
they are acting as Santa Clara County Deputies and not as District
employees. In response to Mr. Estrada' s question pertaining to
District policy for parking on through roads within District property,
J. Boland said that areas for parking on District lands are so
indicated and that for this particular area of the Sierra Azul Open
Space Preserve the shoulder area of the road is recommended.
E. Shelley asked that staff address these questions with the Sheriff' s
Department.
Randy Perretta, P.O. Box 98 , New Almaden, said that Mt. Umunhum Road
is a private road according to a study prepared by the Santa Clara
County Sheriff' s office and that the District should amend its road
use policy.
Robert McKibben, 1331 Los Arboles, Sunnyvale, asked how the deputies
are selected for this patrol program. J. Boland said that currently
the shifts are put out to bid and that after the initial training
period a core group will be established for this patrol program.
In response to D. Wendin' s question directed to the residents in
attendance at the meeting if they were satisfied with the program
aside from the road issue, Randy Perretta responded yes , particularly
working with Land Management staff, greater Ranger presence, the
resident caretaker, and the installation of the guard rail, but
they dislike the use of the road through and to their property for
recreational purposes by the public.
B. Proposed Acquisition of Remaining Interests (Allen) in Lands of
North et al. for Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, Mt. Umunhum Area
(Report R-86-68 of August 19 , 1986)
C. Britton reviewed the staff report which proposes the purchase
of the last one-quarter interest in this 143 acre parcel located
near Mt. El Sombroso. D. Hansen noted that here were no additional
Interim Use and Management Plan recommendations. H. Grench stated
that unless the Board felt differently, he was not planning to have
a second reading on the Use and Management Plan since the same plan
had had readings on two occasions when the other partial interests
had been acquired. There was no objection from any Director to
this procedure.
Meeting 86-20 Page three
Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board adopt Resolution 86-45, a
Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District Authorizing Acceptance of
Purchase Agreement, Authorizing Officer to Execute Certifi-
cate 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. -
Allen) . T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed
5 to 0.
Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board confirm the previously adopted
Interim Use and Management Plan reiterated in the report,
including naming the property as an addition to the Sierra
Azul Open Space Preserve, Mt. Umunhum Area, and indicate
its intention to withhold the property from dedication at
this time. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion
passed 5 to 0.
C. Use and Management Plan Review for the Page Mill Road Area of Monte
Bello Open Space Preserve (Report R-86-71 of August 21, 1986)
D. Hansen reviewed the staff report stating that Monte Bello open
Space Preserve is the second most popular District Preserve. D. Woods
stated that there are two types of conflicts on the trails : 1) bicy-
clists and hikers on the narrow portion of the Stevens Creek Nature
Trail, and 2) the mountain bicyclists on the unfamiliar narrow steep
trails where they lose control and have accidents. He said staff is
recommending that the narrow portion of the Nature Trail be closed
to bicyclists. D. Woods showed slides of the areas designated in
the recommendation sections of the report.
K. Duffy inquired about the condition of the County and District
trail approaches from Saratoga Gap, the trail from Grizzly Flat,
and the trail to Stevens Canyon Road. D. Hansen answered that they
were in good condition or recently improved by District staff.
D. Wendin said he was pleased about the anticipated new trail con-
nection near Page Mill Road,'*' and T. Henshaw spoke in favor of the
recommendations for the backpack camp as presented in the attachment
to the report. Discussion centered on advisability of allowing
vehicles in the area rather than retaining the backpack camp as a
walk-in facility.
Mark Winitz, 1638 Corte Via, Los Altos, asked if adoption of the
Revised Use and Management Plan included the recommendations in
the attachment on the backpack camp, because he was in favor of
the use of the Monte Bello parking lot for vehicles, and he also
asked if a general trail use plan for bicyclists was currently in
effect. D. Hansen responded that recommendations for the backpack
camp would be studied and refined and incorporated if appropriate
into the Revised Use and Management Plan at the time of the second
reading before the Board, and that staff is working on policies
for trail use by bicyclists. It was clarified that the attachment
to the report was an internal staff memorandum that was not in the
current recommendations.
Meeting 86-20 Page four
Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board tentatively adopt the
Revised Use and Management Plan as given in the report.
T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0 .
D. Proposed Noravian Property Addition to Sierra Azul Open Space Pre-
serve (Report R-86-70 of August 20 , 1986)
C. Britton, using the wall map, delineated the proposed 30 acre
addition in the Soda Springs Road area and stated that the agreement
provides for a purchase price of $100 ,000 .
D. Woods showed slides of the subject property, and D. Hansen
reported that the property could provide a link in the regional trail
system proposed for the area. He also stated that a gate would be
installed at the northerly boundary to prevent illegal entry, and
that this property and the former Carter property could be the begin-
ning of a new preserve in the area.
Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board adopt Resolution 86-46 , a
Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District Authorizing Acceptance of
Purchase Agreement, Authorizing Officer to Execute Certifi-
cate 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 Noravian et al. ) .
T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0.
Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board tentatively adopt the Interim
Use and Management Plan recommendations contained in the
report, including naming the property as an addition to
the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, and indicate its
intention to withhold the property from dedication at this
time. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed
5 to 0.
E. Authorization Request to Enter Into Long-Term Telephone Equipment
Lease (Report R-86-72 of August 21 , 1986)
J. Fiddes reviewed the report and recommended that the General
Manager be authorized to enter into a five-year lease for the Merlin
system.
Motion: H. Turner moved that the Board authorize the General Manager
to enter into a five-year lease in the amount of $17 ,354 . 40
with Citicorp Industrial Credit, Inc. for a Merlin Commu-
nications System, Model 1030 . K. Duffy seconded the motion.
The motion passed 5 to 0.
VI . UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Review of the Use and Management Plans for the Duveneck Windmill
Pasture Area of the Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve and for
the Foothills Open Space Preserve (Report R-86-64 of August 5 , 1986
and Report R-86-67 of August 14 , 1986)
Meeting 86-20 Page five
D. Hansen reviewed the report, indicating the acquisition of an
additional open space easement from the Trust for Hidden Villa
was the only addition to the Preserve since the last review in
1983. He indicated that staff will be working closely with De Anza
Properties, holders of the controlling interest in the Neary property.
D. Woods reported that after unsuccessfully attempting to solicit
volunteer reconstruction, a recent bid for rebuilding the windmill
and making it function as a working water pump for equestrian and
wildlife use was $9 ,840 and for only reinstating the tower and
rotor was $8 ,670. The tower would have to be four-legged rather
than the three of the original tower. He stated this item needed
to be explored further and that additional information would be
presented at the second reading. He showed slides of both the Wind-
mill Pasture Area of Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve and of
the Foothills Open Space Preserve. He stated that of particular
note in the Foothills Open Space Preserve portion of the report is
the contemplated trail to be built by the City of Palo Alto from
their Arastra Preserve to the District' s Los Trancos Open Space
Preserve, crossing Foothills open Space Preserve and Foothills Park.
Discussion followed on whether the windmill should be retained for
its sentimental and historical value, whether it should be refur-
bished for functional purposes, or whether it should be removed and
a historic plaque installed.
Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board tentatively adopt the
Revised Use and Management Plan as given in the report
for the Duveneck Windmill Pasture Area of Rancho San Antonio
Open Space Preserve and for the Foothills open Space Pre-
serve. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed
5 to 0 .
B. Program Evaluation for 1985-1986 Fiscal Year (Report R-86-61 of
August 1, 1986 and Report R-86-66 of August 14 , 1986)
H. Grench stated that the written program evaluation report was
for the entire 1985-1986 fiscal year and that he was asking the
program leaders to concentrate on the accomplishments of the second
half of 1985-1986 fiscal year in their oral reports.
C. Britton reported that the two most significant projects for
the second half of the fiscal year were the Eilertsen property
cooperative acquisition with the Town of Los Gatos funding one-half
of the costs and the acquisition of the former Almaden Air Force
Station at Mt. Umunhum after seven years of negotiation.
D. Hansen stated that the Five Year Staffing Study and budget
deliberations as well as being awarded close to one million dollars
in grant monies were the highlights of the second half of the
1985-1986 fiscal year.
M. Hale noted that concentration during the second half of 1985-1986
fiscal year focused on the presentation of a new Action Plan program
and that the new All-Site Brochure would be available soon.
14
Meeting 86-20 Page six
J. Fiddes reported the highlights for the General Management and
Program Support Program were the move to the District ' s new head-
quarters and the presentation to the Budget Committee on the
employee fringe benefit study.
Motion: E. Shelley moved that the Board accept the program evalua-
tion for the 1985-1986 fiscal year and adopt the proposed
wording changes in the 1986-1987 Action Plan objectives
for the Open Space Management Program. H. Turner seconded
the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0.
VIII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
H. Grench reminded the Board of the People for Open Space Conference
on Saturday, September 27 at U.C. Berkeley. He indicated he would
probably be moderator of one of the sessions and that Director Hanko
had voiced an interest in attending.
Motion: D. Wendin moved that the expenses of Directors would be
reimbursed. E. Shelley seconded the motion. The motion
passed 5 to 0.
M. Hale confirmed that the Town of Los Gatos and District event at
Los Gatos Creek Park is scheduled for October 18 from 11 : 00 A.M. to
2: 00 P.M.
D. Hansen said that the north ridge parking area at Purisima Creek
Redwoods Open Space Preserve would be available for parking for patrons
of the King' s Mountain Art Fair this weekend.
E. Shelley reported that the meeting that H. Grench, D. Hansen, and
he attended at the invitation of the San Mateo County Planning Com-
mission, with the Parks Commission in attendance, was positive and
beneficial.
IX. CLAIMS
Motion: H. Turner moved the approval of Revised Claims 86-16 .
T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0.
X. CLOSED SESSION
S. Norton announced that litigation matters to be discussed in Closed
Session fell under Subdivision (a) (1) of Government Code Section 54956 . 9
and related to the lawsuit filed by McQueen against the District. The
Board recessed to Closed Session at 9 :30 P.M.
XI . ADJOURNMENT
The Board reconvened to adjourn the meeting at 11: 33 P.M.
Cecilia A. Cyrier
Secretary
CORRECTION TO MINUTES OF AUGUST 27 , 1986
B. August 27 , 1986
D. Wendin requested the addition of the statement "and the trail
down Goldmine Creek" after the word "Road" in his statement in the
third sentence of paragraph two of item C on page three.
Motion: D. Wendin moved the approval of the minutes as amended.
T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0 .