HomeMy Public PortalAbout19861008 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting 86-23
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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 .