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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19861008 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting 86-23 AA 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 OCTOBER 8 , 1986 MINUTES I. ROLL CALL President Edward Shelley called the meeting to order at 7 : 35 P.M. Members Present: Katherine Duffy, Teena Henshaw, Edward Shelley, Nonette Hanko, and Harry Turner. Member Absent: Daniel Wendin Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Craig Britton, David Hansen, Jean Fiddes, James Boland, Mary Gundert, Walter Goggin, Stanley Norton, and Cecilia Cyrier. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. September 24 , 1986 Motion: K. Duffy moved the approval of the minutes of September 24 , 1986. E. Shelley seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. R. Bishop arrived at 7 : 37 P.M. III. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS C. Cyrier stated that the Board had received the following written communications : 1) a letter from Dr. Harold F. Martin, 11666 Dawson Drive, Los Altos Hills, for a concerned group of Los Altos Hills residents , dated September 20, 1986, expressing their concerns about converting the Neary Quarry into a lake and its affect on Hale Creek; 2) a letter from Tony Rollis, President, Air Force Sergeants Association Chapter 1379, dated September 18 , 1986, requesting they be allowed to install a star on Mt. Umunhum in early November as a reminder to the people of Santa Clara County of American servicemen still un- accounted for in Southeast Asia; 3) a letter from Brian Galbreath, 69 Paul Avenue, Mountain View, received September 23, 1986, in which he reported the vandalism to his truck on two occasions while parked at the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve parking lot; 4) a letter from Christine Wren, 10698 Mora Drive, Los Altos , dated September 29, 1986, in which she presented her views regarding the future of the upper house at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve; 5) a letter from Harry H. Haeussler, 1094 Highland Circle, Los Altos , dated September 24 , 1986, forwarding a copy of Assembly Bill 2674 pertaining to changes in the Government Code as they relate to the Brown Act; and 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 86-23 Page two 6) a note from Sue Van Stee, 775 Portswood Drive, San Jose, dated October 6 , 1986, expressing her thanks for the docent recognition event on September 14 . The Board concurred that the draft letter to Dr. Martin expressed their views and should be sent. After discussing the request from the Air Force Sergeants Association, E. Shelley stated the Board' s consensus that permission be granted to erect the star on Mt. Umunhum this year, provided that the District was adequately covered by the Association for possible liability. The Board accepted the draft response to Mr. Galbreath relating to van- dalism to his truck while parked at Monte Bello Open Space Preserve as appropriate. E. Shelley stated that the letter from Christine Wren pertaining to disposition of the upper house at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve would be considered when the related agenda item was discussed, and said that the material from Harry Haeussler should be referred to District Legal Counsel. IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS On behalf of Kathy Kennedy-Miller, President, King' s mountain Association, J. Fiddes said that the Candidates ' Night sponsored by the League of Women Voters, the South Skyline Association, and the King' s Mountain Association would be held on Thursday, October 16 at 7 :30 P.M. at the King' s Mountain Community Center, and the public is invited. Larry Hassett, 22286 Skyline Boulevard, La Honda, referring to the recent vehicle-bicycle accident on Hecker Pass Road, asked the Board to give serious consideration to such type of accidents occurring when planning access to District lands from highways, especially those in the Skyline area, and uses of District lands. T. Henshaw suggested that she and Director Hanko, the members of the Transportation Committee, meet with Mr. Hassett to discuss his concerns and bring ideas and suggestions back to the Board. There was no objection to her suggestion. Mark Winitz, 1638 Corte Via, Los Altos, expressed his concerns about access to Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve via St. Joseph Avenue and Hidden Villa. E. Shelley responded that the parking problem on St. Joseph' s Avenue is an on-going one and that District staff continues to work on it with CalTrans, the City of Los Altos, and Santa Clara County. Mr. Winitz was asked by E. Shelley to talk with staff regarding additional signing for access from Hidden Villa. E. Shelley, responding to a question from Alfonso Tatano, P.O. Box 865, Cupertino, confirmed that the dedication event at Los Gatos Creek Park was scheduled for Saturday, October 18 . V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA E. Shelley stated that the agenda was adopted by Board consensus. VI. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY A. Resolution of Appreciation for Senator Bergeson (Report R-86-87 of September 24, 1986 Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board adopt Resolution 86-57 , a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Expressing the Board' s Grati- tude to Senator Marian Bergeson for Including District Meeting 86-23 Page three sponsored Sections in Senate Bill 1685. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. VII. BOARD BUSINESS A. Introduction of Douglas Gaynor, New Director of Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation (Report R-86-89 of September 29, 1986) H. Grench reported that Mr. Gaynor had been called out of town and that the item would be rescheduled. B. Master Plan Presentation by Trust for Hidden Villa (Report R-86-92 of October 1, 1986) D. Hansen introduced Ann Smith, Executive Director of the Trust for Hidden Villa, Elizabeth Dana, and Jean Rusmore. Ms. Smith, in a comprehensive presentation, stated that Hidden Villa' s Master Plan was developed over a nine-month period, from November 1985 to July 1986, with 2M Associates as the consultant. She re- viewed the areas for study and development: namely mission goals and management strategy, programs, land use and facilities, natural resour- ces, and finance implementation. She expressed the thanks of those at Hidden Villa for the support received from the District over the past years. C. Final Adoption of Amendments to the Skyline Ridge and Russian Ridge Open Space Preserves Use and Management Plans (Report R-86-94 of October 2, 1986) D. Hansen reviewed concerns from the September 24 Board meeting rela- ting to Skyline Boulevard traffic and the whole-access parking and road. He indicated that the original cost estimates for a possible underpass had been high and that new estimates ranged from $150,000 to $175, 000 for a multi-purpose trail user underpass. He said that a letter, dated October 5, 1986 from Dr. Samuel McGinnis had been distributed to the Board for review and he stated that staff continued to recommend access to Alpine Reservoir as proposed in the previous staff report. N. Hanko urged the Board to delay action on the whole access parking lot and road and noted that she and Director Wendin felt a special meeting on site should be held to evaluate further the merits of an underpass. She requested that Dr. McGinnis attend the on-site meeting and that staff revise earlier cost estimates. She noted the Board was being presented with a new plan and not the plan the Board had ini- tially approved for Skyline Ranch. H. Grench stated that November 1 seemed to be the key date to which a delay could occur without jeopardizing grant funding. He stated that three issues to be considered with respect to an underpass versus the access road were: relative costs, safety in the underpass, and environmental impacts . He said that he recommended proceeding with the access road and small parking area, and that the other aspects of the Use and Management Plan should be adopted at this meeting. T. Henshaw said she opposed construction of an underpass. E. Shelley questioned how the Board could approve the other use and management items without acting upon the underpass since some of the other items might have to be dropped to finance an underpass. R. Bishop suggested that action be deferred until the next regular meeting and that the Board have an on-site visit prior to that meeting. He said that unless the road intrusion is truly substantial, he would vote for the road. Meeting 86-23 Page four D. Hansen reported that the whole access segment of the approved grant was crucial and funds could be in jeopardy if this segment was removed. Phyllis Cangemi, 517 Lincoln Avenue, Redwood City, distributed a letter to the Board and presented a summary of it. She stated that the proposed road would tend to polarize individuals into the categories of disabled and non-disabled and that a concern of the Whole Access organization is to provide for social interaction of all individuals . She said that the proposed underpass could provide for this interaction because everyone would be using the same parking area and entrance to the preserve. She also requested some access nearer to the reservoir for those with severe needs. Motion: E. Shelley moved that the Board schedule a Special Meeting on-site at Skyline Ranch Open Space Preserve, on Tuesday, October 14 at 5 :00 P.M. R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board adopt all of the amend- ments to the Use and Management Plans for the Skyline Ranch and Russian Ridge Open Space Preserves except for the provisions regarding the whole-access parking lot and the road leading to it. N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . Motion: E. Shelley moved that the Board consider the item of the whole-access parking and the underpass at the meet- ing of October 22 . R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . D. Final Adoption of the Interim Use and Management Plan for the Noravian Property Addition to the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve (Report R-86-90 of September 29 , 1986) D. Hansen said that escrow had closed on the subject property and that staff had received no public comment. Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board adopt the Interim Use and Management Plan, name the property as an addition to Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, and withhold the property from dedication as public open space. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . E. Disposition of Upper House at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve (Report R-86-91 of September 30 , 1986 and Report R-86-86 of September 19 , T9'86) . E. Shelley reported that there was a written communication on this item, and T. Henshaw stated that she was prepared to work0with Meeting 86-23 Page five D. Wendin, N. Hanko and R. Bishop to retain the entire structure. Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board remove the motion from the table. K. Duffy seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . Motion: T. Henshaw moved a substitute motion that the Board re- model the existing upper structure into a duplex to serve as both a Ranger residence and enterprise structure (option A) . R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . F. Proposed Addition to Los Gatos Creek Park (Lands of San Jose Water Company) (Report R-86-88 of September 29 , 1986) D. Hansen reviewed the proposed Interim Use and Management Plan for the property, showed slides of the new Jones Road Trail, and said that the portion of land next to Los Gatos' park would be trans- ferred to the Town at a later date. W. Goggin reported that the San Jose Water Company was donating the property to the District with the stipulation that the District pay the administrative costs to transfer title, estimated at $2 ,000 . N. Hanko asked if signing would be installed to alert users of the steepness of the trail. S. Norton said that signing would be done at the bottom of the trail describing the difficulty, as opposed to any hazard of the trail. D. Hansen said that the new segment of the Jones Road Trail from Los Gatos Town Park is currently closed to bicyclists and equestrians due to its steepness and that staff will continue to work with the Town of Los Gatos, the Mid- peninsula Trails Council, and concerned users to resolve trail use requests . Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board adopt Resolution 86-58 , a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula 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 (Los Gatos Creek Park - Lands of San Jose Water Company) . K. Duffy seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . Motion: R. Bishop 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 Los Gatos Creek Park, and indicate its intention to dedicate the property as public open space. K. Duffy seconded the motion. The motion. passed 6 to 0 . Meeting 86-23 Page six G. District Position on November Ballot Measures (Report R-86-95 of October 2 , 1986) H. Grench briefly reviewed the two measures, which had been reviewed by the Legislative Committee. Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board adopt Resolution 86-59 , a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Supporting Santa Clara County Measure A on the November 1986 Ballot. R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board adopt Resolution 86-60 , a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District in Opposition to State Proposition 61 on the November 1986 Ballot. N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . VIII . INFORMATIONAL REPORTS H. Grench said that a Budget Committee meeting is scheduled for October 15, rather than October 14 as shown on the agenda, and he reported that the District had been well represented at the excellent People for Open Space conference on September 27 . J. Fiddes presented an update on the Los Gatos Creek Park event scheduled for Saturday, October 18 . D. Hansen reported that the San Mateo County Planning Commission had approved the two parking lots at Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve and that work should begin in the spring on the lots . H. Grench shared with the Board a new book on Windy Hill with photo- graphy by Susan Thomas and poetry by Anne Whitson. E. Shelley indicated that he would not be able to attend the Deer Hollow Farm annual recognition dinner on October 19 . T. Henshaw said that she would be pleased to represent the Board. IX. CLAIMS Motion: R. Bishop moved the approval of Revised Claims 86-19 . T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . X. CLOSED SESSION There was no Closed Session. XI . ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10 : 03 P.M. Cecilia A. Cyrier Secretary CORRECTION TO THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 8, 1986 APPROVAL OF MINUTES October 8 , 1986 Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board approve the minutes of October 8 , 1986 . T. Henshaw seconded the motion. Discussion: D. Wendin noted that the word "work" in the second sentence in item E on page 4 should read "vote" . K. Duffy and T. Henshaw accepted the change as part of the motion. The motion to approve the minutes as corrected passed 5 to 0 with D. Wendin abstaining .