Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout19870610 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) oee Meeting 87-14 0 Owmk 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 June 10 , 1987 MINUTES I. ROLL CALL President Richard Bishop called the meeting to order at 7 : 32 P.M. Members Present: Katherine Duffy, Daniel Wendin, Teena Henshaw, Edward Shelley, Gerry Andeen, and Richard Bishop. Member Absent: Nonette Hanko. Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Craig Britton, David Hansen, Jean Fiddes, Mary Hale, Del Woods, James Boland, Mary Gundert, Alice Cummings, Walter Goggin, Michael Foster, Dennis Danielson, John Escobar, and Cecilia Cyrier. II. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS There were no written communications. III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Randy Perretta, P.O. Box 98 , New Almaden, referring to a recent Supreme Court decision pertaining to the rights of a landowner, said that he would use the decision to prevent the District from opening Mt. Umunhum Road to the public. R. Bishop stated that the Board would be conferring with Legal Counsel to review any potential impact of the Supreme Court decision on the District. IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA R. Bishop stated that the agenda as presented was adopted by Board consensus. V. BOARD BUSINESS A. National Weather Service Proposal to Locate a NEXRAD (Next Generation Radar) Station on Mt. Umunhum (Report R-87-94 of June 5, 1987) H. Grench reviewed District' s involvement on Mt. Umunhum and provided background information on planning for the site, including the San Jose State University School of Business interest in potential use of some of the buildings on the site for a conference and retreat 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 87-14 Page two facility. He noted that in August 1986 , the National Weather Service made a preliminary proposal to the District to locate a weather radar facility on Mt. Umunhum. He noted that this use was endorsed by San Jose State University. He said that in March 1987 another meeting was held with the District as a follow-up; the proposed tower loca- tion was changed. Richard Anderson, Chief, Engineering Division, National Weather Service (NWS) , Salt Lake City, Utah, made a presentation to the Board, including the use of slides , on the National Weather Service, its NEXRAD (Next Generation Radar) station project and the importance of the project to the Service and its weather forecasting abilities. David Leone of SRI , consultants to the National Weather Service for the NEXRAD project, enumerated the basic criteria used in potential NEXRAD site studies, including approaching weather directions , popu- lation centers, NWS requirements, quality of radar coverage, how a site will fit within the existing network, need to minimize ground clutter, cloud inversion layer, construction on a site, and environ- mental impact of the radar on the area. He noted that Mt. Umunhum met their criteria and had been recommended to the Weather Service as the Bay Area NEXRAD site. He reviewed the main concerns presented in the staff report and stated that only the issue of aesthetics presented a real problem. He said the potential impact to other communication facilities on the site is relatively nonexistent since frequency ranges are dif- ferent, and that the potential radiation effects on users of the site for recreational purposes would be 1000 times below the National safety standards. Mr. Anderson indicated other interested users of the NEXRAD site included the Santa Clara Valley Water District for installing equip- ment for gathering rain data; the Federal Aviation Administration for back-up radio equipment and a microwave dish; and San Jose State University. He noted the University was interested because, if the NEXRAD facility was built on Mt. Umunhum, the NWS would move its regional offices from Redwood City to the University. He also said that no personnel would be living on the site, so water and sewage facilities would not be needed as stated in the staff report. John O' Halloran, General Manager, Santa Clara Valley Water District, stated that the Water District favored locating the NEXRAD facility on Mt. Umunhum. In response to R. Bishop' s question as to what benefits the District could expect if NEXRAD facility was placed on Mt. Umunhum, Mr. Ander- son said that NWS has always proven to be a good neighbor, that they would share in road maintenance, that the site would be attractively maintained, and that better weather service would be provided to the public. In response to D. Wendin' s question regarding any financial compensation to the District for use of the site, Mr. Anderson said that compensation would need to be negotiated. Meeting 87-14 Page three George Pericht, 660 Price Avenue, Redwood City, a NWS employee, spoke against locating the facility on Mt. Umunhum because he felt it was too far south. David Leeson, 15300 Soda Springs Road, Los Gatos , spoke against the facility on Mt. Umunhum due to noise factor from equipment, the radiation level, and interference with other communication facilities in the area. Eric Thompson, Star Route 2 , Box 415 , La Honda said he favored either the complete demolition of all the structures on Mt. Umunhum, or saving them for historical purposes. Rick Estrada, P.O. Box 153 , New Almaden, expressed his concerns about the potential health hazards of the radiation from the facility and the need for fire protection on the site. He questioned whether radiation studies on humans and wildlife had been conducted. Ronald Wagner, 234 Oxford Avenue, Palo Alto, and a NWS employee, said that the area needs a NEXRAD facility, and asked the District to cooperate by providing the site on Mt. Umunhum. He stated that radiation would pose no health problems . Randy Perretta, P.O. Box 98 , New Almaden, spoke against the Weather Service proposal and requested the Board consider various technical elements of NEXRAD facilities when making their decision. E. Shelley stated that he felt the matter should be studied further, as did D. Wendin who added, however, that the proposal should not be a high staff priority. H. Grench noted that staff, with the help of con- sultants , would probably need six months to study the proposal . R. Bishop stated that the Board should reject the proposal at this time because of the adverse visual impact of the antenna tower and other equipment. Motion: D. Wendin moved that the Board direct staff to return at the next meeting with a specific schedule and funding pro- posal for necessary study of the NWS request to install a NEXRAD facility on Mt. Umunhum. E. Shelley seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 to 1 . R. Bishop voted against the motion since he stated that the Board should reject the request this evening and not have it drag on. G. Andeen, an SRI employee, abstained from the vote. President Bishop called a recess at 9 : 55 P.M. , and the meeting recon- vened at 10: 03 P.M. B. Proposed Amendments to the Skyline Ridge and Russian Ridge Open Space Preserves Use and Management Plans (Report R-87-92 of June 3 , 1987) D. Hansen said that staff was requesting the Board' s approval of the plans for parking on Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve including access, drainage, vegetation, and a potential underpass to the pond area on Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve. Meeting 87-14 Page four D. Woods showed slides of the items in the second stage of the grant project that needed to be incorporated into the Use and Management Plan before proceeding into the planning and design phase, including an equestrian parking area near Horseshoe Lake, a whole access parking area near Skyline Boulevard, a hiking trail around and enhancement of Horseshoe Lake, environmental education facilities at Alpine, and additional signs, fences and gates associated with the preceding projects. He also noted the Board needed to adopt formally two first stage grant projects, enhancement of Alpine Lake, and engineering studies for total site water and septic system development. Reed Dillingham of Dillingham and Associates, using both slides and drawings, explained in detail the construction of the parking lot on Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve, the proposed access underpass , and the Alpine Road bypass which would need to be constructed prior to construction of the underpass . Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board tentatively adopt the amend- ments to the Skyline Ridge and Russian Ridge Open Space Preserves Use and Management Plans as contained in the report. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. C. Proposed Blest Property Addition to La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve (Report R-87-87 of June 2, 1987) W. Goggin pointed out the location of the one-quarter-acre proposed acquisition on the wall map, noting the property was located approxi- mately one and one-quarter miles south of Sky Londa and was contiguous to the District' s La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve to the west and north. He stated the terms of the agreement indicate a purchase price of $2000 payable in cash. D. Hansen reviewed the Use and Management recommendations for the property. Eric Thompson asked why the property was not being dedicated at this time. C. Britton responded that adjacent lands are currently not dedicated because final preserve boundaries have not be determined. Motion: E. Shelley moved that the Board adopt Resolution 87-17 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 (La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve - Lands of Blest) . T. Ren- shaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. Motion: E. Shelley moved that the Board tentatively adopt the Interim Use and Management Plan recommendations contained in the report, including the naming of the property as an addition to La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve, and indicate its intention to withhold the property from dedication as public open space at this time. D. Wendin seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. Meeting 87-14 Page five D. Proposed Berry Property Addition to the Limekiln Canyon Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve (Report R-87-91 of June 4 , 1987) C. Britton pointed out the location of the 65 acre proposed acquisi- tion on the wall map, noting the property was located approximately three miles east of Lexington Reservoir and had a common northern boundary with District lands . He stated that under the terms of the purchase agreement the cost averaged $1850 per acre, payable in cash at close of escrow. D. Hansen reviewed the Use and Management Plan recommendations for the property. Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board adopt Resolution 87-18 , a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Authorizing Acceptance of Pur- chase 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 Berry et al. ) . D. Wendin seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 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, Limekiln Canyon Area, and indicate its intention to dedicate the property as public open space. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. E. Acceptance of Insurance Bid Coverage for 1987-1988 (Report R-87-93 of June 5, 1987) J. Fiddes reported that Flinn, Gray & Herterich did not yet have a final bid amount for the umbrella liability insurance, but they had indicated that the bid would not exceed $27 , 500. She requested that the Board accept the maximum bid of $83 , 239 . 25 from Flinn, Gray & Herterich for the District' s 1987-1988 insurance coverage with the understanding that negotiations will continue with C.V. Starr to try to reduce their umbrella liability bid quotation. Motion: E. Shelley moved that the Board accept the maximum bid of $83, 239 . 25, as amended at the meeting, from Flinn, Gray & Herterich, based on the quotations from INA, General Acci- dent Insurance, Federal Accident Insurance, Great American Surplus, and C.V. Starr insurance companies for the District insurance coverage for 1987-1988 . R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. F. Implementation of Immediate Open Space Management Five-Year Staffing Plan Needs (Report R-87-95 of June 5, 1987) H. Grench said that the 1986 Budget Committee had reviewed the recom- mendations contained in the report and supported them. Meeting 87-14 Page six In response to E. Shelley ' s question if whether there were any differences between these recommendations and those presented earlier, H. Grench replied that current recommendations included the acceleration of the new associate planner position. Motion: E. Shelley moved that the Board approve the recommendations on the immediate implementation of the Five-Year Open Space Management Staffing Plan as contained in report R-87-95 of June 5, 1987 . T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. G. Adoption of the Action Plan for the Implementation of the Basic Policy of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District for the 1987-1988 Fiscal Year (Report R-87-86 of June 2, 1987) H. Grench indicated one new key project and activity in the General Management and Program Support category related to the Ward 2 vacancy. Motion: E. Shelley moved that the Board adopt the Action Plan for Implementation of the Basic Policy of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District for the 1987-1988 Fiscal Year. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. H. Adoption of Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 1987-1988 (Report R-87-88 of June 4 , 1987) H. Grench said the preliminary budget was complete except for possible benefit plan changes and Board and General Manager appointees , com- pensation changes . He said that he anticipated that these items would be presented to the Board for consideration in July. Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board adopt Resolution 87-19 , a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Adopting Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 1987-1988 . D. Wendin seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . I. Annual Claims List for Fiscal Year 1987-1988 (Report R-87-89 of June 4, 1987) Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board adopt the Annual Claims List as presented in the report. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. Discussion: In response to a question from Director Andeen, J. Fiddes noted that the section of the Rules of Procedure referred to in the staff report should be Section 1 . 52 rather than 1. 53. The motion passed 6 to 0 . J. Resignation from Board (Report R-87-90 of June 4 , 1987) D. Wendin resigned his position as Director of Ward 2 effective immediately and said that he was now recommending that the vacancy be filled by appointment. He recommended that the subject of director' s compensation for attendance at committee meetings be reviewed because Meeting 87-14 Page seven attendance at Board meetings has lagged somewhat since the institu- tion of committee meeting compensation. He noted that there had been agonizing times for him as a Board member, but the many happy memories were far greater in number. K. Filling of Ward 2 Board Vacancy (Report R-87-85 of June 1, 1987) R. Bishop asked for public comment prior to Board discussion of this item. Eric Thompson said that he normally would recommend that an election be held to fill a vacancy, but appointment seemed appropriate in this circumstance so that there would not be an extended time when the seat was vacant. Robert McKibben, 1331 Los Arboles, Sunnyvale, noting he was a poten- tial Ward 2 candidate, said that he favored filling the vacancy by appointment. Directors Bishop, Shelley, and Henshaw stated that they were in favor of filling the vacancy by appointment. Directors Duffy and Andeen stated that they favored an election process to fill the vacancy. A lengthy discussion then centered on the length of time the seat would be vacant under the two options , and the time con- straints set by the law for the two processes . It was noted that this was the last scheduled meeting in June at which the Board could call an election, and that, if no action was taken at this meeting, regarding filling the vacancy by appointment, nothing would happen until the July 8 meeting. K. Duffy subsequently stated that although she felt an election was the proper way to fill the vacancy, she would vote for filling the vacancy by appointment so that the Board and staff could proceed in June to work on the appointment process. Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board fill the vacancy in Ward 2 by means of appointment. E. Shelley seconded the motion. The motion passed on the following roll call vote: Ayes: K. Duffy, T. Henshaw, E. Shelley, and R. Bishop. No: G. Andeen. Discussion centered on scheduling appointment procedures including posting of notices, application forms , deadline for applications , date of interviews, and completion of the appointment process . Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board approve the appointment of E. Shelley and T. Henshaw to a compensated committee to recommend procedures to follow for the interview and selec- tion process to fill the Ward 2 vacancy and direct them to report to the Board at the July 8 Regular Meeting. E. Shelley seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. Meeting 87-14 Page eight Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board approve the posting as soon as possible of a notice indicating the Board' s intent to fill the vacancy in Ward 2 by appointment and indicating that applications are to be filed by 5 P.M. July 10 at the District office, with an expected appointment date of July 23 subject to change at the next Regular Board Meeting. E. Shelley seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. E. Shelley requested that staff obtain information regarding the pro- cedures followed by the City of Mountain View and the City of Los Altos in filling a vacancy by appointment. Motion: T. Henshaw moved that the Board approve the use of the application form previously used and attached to report R-87-85 . E. Shelley seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. Motion: E. Shelley moved that the Board approve newspaper adver- tisement in the San Jose Mercury, the Peninsula Times Tribune, and the Meredith Sun papers pertaining to the filling of the Ward 2 vacancy by appointment. G. Andeen seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. L. Cancellation of Second Regular Meeting in June (R-87-84 of June 1 , 1987) Motion: E. Shelley moved that the Board cancel the second Regular Meeting on June 24. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. VI. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS H. Grench announced that Director Bishop and he testified before the Senate Natural Resources Committee on AB 2425 , which affected the District' s borrowing power, that it had been passed by the Committee, and that it would go next to Senate for a vote and then back to the Assembly for concurrence in amendments. He reported on the Special Park Districts Forum held in Minneapolis at the end of May that he, Director Andeen, and other staff members attended. G. Andeen stated that the Forum was extremely beneficial and expressed his appreciation to the Board for being able to attend. VII . CLAIMS Motion: E. Shelley moved that the Board approve the Revised Claims 87-12. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. VIII. CLOSED SESSION H. Grench announced there were no matters to be discussed in Closed Session. IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 12: 05 A.M. , Thursday, June 11 , 1987 . Cecilia A. Cyrier Secretary