HomeMy Public PortalAbout19870422 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting 87-08
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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
APRIL 22, 1987
MINUTES
I . ROLL CALL
President Richard Bishop called the meeting to order at 7 : 35 P .M.
Members Present: Katherine Duffy, Richard Bishop, Gerry Andeen,
and Nonette Hanko. Teena Henshaw arrived at 8 : 25 P.M.
Members Absent: Edward Shelley and Daniel Wendin.
Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Craig Britton, David Hansen,
Mary Hale, Jean Fiddes, James Boland, Alice Cummings, Del Woods ,
Stanley Norton, and Joan Combs .
II . APPROVAL OF MINUTES
April 8, 1987
Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board approve the minutes of April 8 ,
1987 . G. Andeen seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 to 0 .
III . WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
J. Combs stated that the Board had received the following written
communications :
1) a letter, dated April 10 , 1987, from Steve Geraghty, 340 Village
Lane, Los Gatos, requesting that the Jones Trail be open to runners;
2) a letter, dated April 14 , 1987, from R.O.M.P . (Responsible Organized
Mountain Pedalers) Cycling Club, 4839 Pinemont Drive, Campbell,
containing the Club's proposal for future use of Jones Trail and
proposing regulations they would like to see adopted as criteria
for controlling usage of the trail;
3) a letter, dated April 10 , 1987 , from Marc H . Greenberg, 294 Page
Street, San Francisco, an attorney representing property owners
on Allen Road, requesting a moratorium on any proposed public
access use of Allen Road. J. Combs stated that a draft reply to
Mr. Greenberg was attached for Board consideration.
After discussion, R. Bishop said that the letters concerning Jones
Trail would be referred to staff and that the response to Mr . Green-
berg was approved subject to its being reviewed by District Legal
Counsel .
IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Bob Fisse, Rt. 2, Box 402, La Honda, representing the South Skyline
Association, suggested that the District consider smaller, less
obvious signs for Los Trancos and Monte Bello Open Space Preserves
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 87-08 Page two
since the location of the Preserves was now well known. He also
suggested that the District consider shuttle bus service for the Skyline
Boulevard area. R. Bishop stated that he would ask the Transportation
Committee to consider the latter suggestion.
Kathy Kennedy-Miller, 16222 Skyline Boulevard, Woodside, said that
Patricia Scarlett had asked her to relay her opinion that the case
information concerning Allen Road access was quite clear. K. Kennedy-
Miller questioned why a letter she had delivered to the District office on
April 21 had not been included in the new material distributed at the
meeting. R. Bishop said that the letter had been delivered too late
for distribution and would be distributed for the next Board meeting.
Eric Thompson, Star Route 2 , Box 415 , La Honda, noted his agenda had
arrived on time, questioned why Legal Counsel did not attend the first
part of Board meetings , and asked why the trail from Alpine Road to
Coal Creek Open Space Preserve had been closed to equestrians . R.
Bishop stated that the Board had determined when they wished Legal
Counsel to be present at Board meetings and in the interests of economy
decided that he normally should arrive somewhat into the meetings .
D. Hansen responded that there was no intention to restrict horses
from the trail, and that the situation would be rectified .
K. Kennedy-Miller complimented the District Rangers ' responsiveness in
removing a District sign that had been inadvertently placed on private
property.
V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
R. Bishop stated that the agenda was adopted by Board consensus .
VI . BOARD BUSINESS
A. Estimated Grazing Costs for Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve
(Report R-87-65 of April 16 , 1987)
D. Hansen said the total cost for reintroducing grazing to Russian
Ridge Open Space Preserve would be $22, 689 over a five year period.
Discussion centered on the problem of thistle control for the
Preserve, including a possible trial use of a systemic herbicide
which would be overseen by Dr. Samuel McGinnis , a wildlife biologist.
D. Hansen said that the estimated cost for this test program would
be $1600 .
H. Grench said that he wanted to consult with Dr. Ruth Troeschler
concerning systemic herbicides and that the District should
approach the use of herbicides cautiously . R. Bishop asked H.
Grench to present an informational report to the Board after
receiving Dr. Troeschler ' s report.
E. Thompson distributed copies of the Bureau of Land Management' s
charges per animal unit month, stated that the estimated cost of
grazing Unit 5, which includes fencing along Skyline Boulevard,
should be partially mitigated by regular fencing costs, and asked
which spring would be developed to provide water to the pond.
D. Hansen responded that the spring box below the corral would be used .
R. Bishop stated that since the Report was an informational item,
no action by the Board was required.
Meeting 87-08 Page three
B. Proposed Cooperative Project With the County of Santa Clara For
Purchase of Land Adjacent to Stevens Creek Park and Picchetti
Ranch Area (Report R-87-66 of April 14 , 1987)
C. Britton reviewed the staff report, noting that the general
concept for the proposed project had been approved at the
January 28 , 1987 Board meeting. He said that, since that time,
intensive field investigations had been conducted by District
and County planning staff to determine potential trail alignment
and Ranger vehicle access to the area. He said that after the
field investigations , a revised proposal for the project had
been submitted by the County Parks Director to the Parks and
Recreation Commission. He stated that, in light of the revised
proposal, staff was concerned about underlying policies related
to this particular cooperative project.
Referring to the wall map, C. Britton reviewed the history of the
project area and relevant acquisitions in the area. He said
although the original plan had specified a 1400 foot elevation
for the trail, further field investigation had determined that
a 1900 foot elevation would provide the best trail alignment.
C. Britton said that the revised proposal recommends that the
County be responsible for the acquisition of the 160 acre
Schwabacher property and that the District deed a 97 acre portion
of the former Consigny property to the County for development of
a patrol access route and to provide a public staging area for
the trail head. He noted that the previous proposal had included
a general concept of an equitable sharing of responsibility
between the two agencies with respect to the Schwabacher property.
He stated that the District is also interested in equestrian
access from the Picchetti Ranch Area to Fremont Older Open Space
Preserve, but a satisfactory agreement with the County has not
yet been reached.
R. Bishop said he assumed that a condition of any transfer of land
to the County would be done with the understanding that the land
would remain open space and that the trails would be developed
for public use .
N. Hanko stated that she had served on the committee that had
developed the County Trails Plan and said that the County had
endorsed the 1400 foot level for the trail and had understood
that the County would be responsible for the trail. She said
that if the level is moved to 1900 foot, she felt that the same
standards should still apply. She said the District was now
being asked to share the responsibility with the County and that
there may be some value to meeting with the County to determine
the County' s expectations concerning responsibility . She said
that she would not like to see the Schwabacher proposal fall
through, even though responsibilities have not yet been determined.
C. Britton said that he understood that the County was proceeding
with an appraisal of the property .
J
Meeting 87-08 Page four
R. Bishop stated that he would favor the project, with the proviso
that the County complete the trail, acquire land and easements ,
and take patrol responsibilities when the property is acquired.
N. Hanko said she would favor going ahead with the Schwabacher
acquisition, while attempting to resolve other issues by joint
discussion between the County Supervisors and the District's
Board of Directors .
H. Grench said that while the County is in the process of appraising
the Schwabacher property, there is an opportunity for Board
members to meet with the County .
Beez Jones, 16891 Stevens Canyon Road, Cupertino, said she felt
the Board should meet with the County's Park Commission rather
than the Board of Supervisors .
Ralph Brown, 541 Bryson Avenue, Palo Alto, agent for the Schwabachers ,
said that he hoped discussion of other issues would not delay
acquisition of the property.
Alfonso Tatano, P .O. Box 865 , Cupertino, spoke in favor of the
acquisition for open space or park use.
K. Duffy said that the County should be urged to go ahead with the
proposed purchase and land swap and that discussion should con-
tinue on possible cooperation on the rest of the system, its
management, and larger issues .
Motion: R. Bishop moved that discussions with the County continue
at staff, both Board, and Commission level to arrive at an
agreement on the joint project, but with the District
stating that it was not willing to assume sole responsi-
bility for completing and managing the trail . N. Hanko
seconded the motion.
Discussion: R. Bishop said he would be willing to follow
staff ' s recommendation concerning disposition of the
Consigny property .
The motion passed 5 to 0 .
R. Bishop appointed K. Duffy and N . Hanko to participate in the
discussions with the County. T. Henshaw was appointed as an
alternate on the Committee.
C. Consideration of Sponsoring Urgency Legislation Relating to
Possible ward 2 Vacancy (Report R-87-67 of April 16 , 1987)
R. Bishop reviewed his report, noting that possible problems that
could arise by operating as a six-member Board included lack of
a quorum for meetings, tie votes, and lack of Committee personnel .
He stated that he had discussed this agenda item with D. Wendin
who had said that if the legislation could be passed, he would
be willing to accept the appointment and serve.
N. Hanko stated that she liked R. Bishop' s proposal.
T. Henshaw stated that she opposed the proposed urgency legislation,
noting that she saw no problem with the appointment of an interim
director to complete D. Wendin' s term.
Meeting 87-08 Page five
E. Thompson stated that he agreed with T. Henshaw.
Alfonso Tatano, P .O. Box 865, Cupertino, K. Kennedy-Miller, and
Beez Jones spoke against the emergency legislation.
Mark Winitz, 1638 Corte Via, Los Altos , said that D. Wendin had
been opposed by two other candidates in the November election,
and suggested that the Board appoint one of those candidates
rather than having an election next November to fill the position.
Bob Fisse stated that there are other qualified people who could
be appointed by the Board to fill the vacancy .
Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board consider seeking urgency
legislation that would permit a director of an open space
or regional park district who has resigned as director
of his/her ward to be appointed by the board of directors
to serve as an interim director for the time period
between the resignation and the newly-elected director
taking office and that this legislation not be tied in
to the District's legislation extending the time of
repayment of District debt. N . Hanko seconded the motion.
Discussion: H . Grench discussed legislative options and
explained the procedure required for urgency legislation.
He said that a District-sponsored bill regarding publi-
cation of the annual audit could be changed for the present
purpose. There were no objections expressed to this .
R. Bishop called for a roll call vote and the motion
passed 4 to 1 on the following vote:
Yes : K. Duffy, R. Bishop, G. Andeen, and N. Hanko.
No: T. Henshaw.
S . Norton stated that he had reviewed the draft response to Marc
Greenberg and said that it was satisfactory .
D. Revision of Land Purchase Promissory Note (Edward and Leo Zabel
Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve (Report R-87-64 of April 15 , 1987)
C. Britton stated that two modifications to the originally proposed
prepayment of the Zabel Promissory note were being recommended for
approval: 1) a reduction in the interest rate from 8% to 7%; and
2) subordination of the note to the District' s 1987 Promissory
Note Issue and any subsequent District issues .
Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board approve staff ' s recommendation
to approve and execute the replacement Zabel Promissory
Note at a reduced interest rate and subordinated to the
District' s 1987 Promissory Note Issue and any subsequent
District issues . N. Hanko seconded the motion. The
motion passed 5 to 0 .
E. Authorization to Purchase Two Restrooms for Purisima Creek Redwoods
Open Space Preserve (Report R-87-64 of April 16 , 1987)
D. Hansen said that staff was recommending the purchase of two
restrooms for the Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
Skyline Boulevard parking areas . He noted that the particular
patented unit required was available only from one vendor,
Restroom Facilities , and staff had not sought competitive bid
information.
Meeting 87-08 Page six
Motion: T. Henshaw moved that the Board authorize staff to
purchase two restrooms from Restroom Facilities for a
price not to exceed $17 , 867 .93 . N. Hanko seconded the
motion.
Discussion: In response to questions from members of the
audience, D. Hansen stated that the restrooms were
designed to be vandalproof and that they had been approved
by the San Mateo County Health Department.
The motion passed 5 to 0 .
F. Request for Authorization to Purchase Dump Truck (Report R-87-62 of
April 14 , 1987)
D. Hansen said that three bids had been received and that staff
had determined Towne Ford of Redwood City to be the lowest
responsible bidder.
Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board authorize the General
Manager to award a purchase contract to Towne Ford of
Redwood City for a dump truck at a total cost of $22 , 300 . 34 .
T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0 .
VII . INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
H. Grench said that the Board might wish to authorize expenditures for
a Board member to attend the CPRS Annual Legislative Conference to
be held on May 6 in Sacramento.
Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board authorize a Board member ' s
attendance at the conference. T. Henshaw seconded the motion.
The motion passed 5 to 0 .
H . Grench said that G. Andeen had indicated an interest in attending
the Special Park Districts Forum to be held- in Minneapolis in May.
Motion: T. Henshaw moved that expenses be authorized for G. Andeen
to attend the Forum. K. Duffy seconded the motion. The
motion passed 5 to 0 .
M. Hale reported on the upcoming April 24 San Mateo County tour.
D. Hansen said that San Mateo and Santa Clara County Health Departments
had been contacted concerning Lyme ' s Disease, and said that only three
cases had been reported since 1983 . Consequently, Land Management
would keep tabs on the situation but not do special notice in brochures
at present.
N. Hanko said that the buttercups were blooming at the proposed Alpine
Reservoir parking site for the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve. She
stated that the 2020 Task Force had sent its report to the Santa Clara
County Board of Supervisors and that it would be circulated among
various jurisdictions for review and comment.
R. Bishop said that there was going to be a People for Open Space
sponsored meeting to discuss the issue of trail connections in San
Francisco watershed property.
VIII . CLAIMS
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board approve the Revised Claims 87-08 .
K. Duffy seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0 .
Meeting 87-08 Page seven
IX. CLOSED SESSION
S . Norton announced that litigation matters relating to the Hosking
property and Big Creek Lumber to be discussed in Closed session
fell under Subdivision (a) of Government Code Section 54956 . 9 .
The Board recessed to Closed Session at 10 : 10 P .M.
X. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 11: 33 P.M.
Jo Combs
Secretary