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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19880810 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) 0 AA� Meeting 88-18 Vill. ,%I,r *a=0 Mm 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 Aug Ls t _j 0_, 1�_8 8 MINUTES ROLL CALL President Katherine Duffy called the meeting to order at 7 : 32 P .M. Members Present : Katherine Duffy, Robert McKibbin, Edward Shelley, and Gerry Andeen. Member Absent: Teena Henshaw, Nonette Hanko, and Richard Bishop. Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Craig Britton, David Hansen, Jim Boland, Jean Fiddes , Mary Hale, Stanley Norton, Donald Gambelin, and Cecilia Cyrier. Ii . APPROVAL OF MINUTES July 27 , __L9�_8 E. Shelley stated that the first sentence in the third paragraph of item F on page six should read " . . . the parking lot at Huddart Park— , " rather than referring to Wunderlich County Park . Motion: E. Shelley moved that the Board approve the minutes of the meeting of July 27 , 1988 as corrected. G. Andeen seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 to 0 . III . WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS C. Cyrier stated that the Board had received the following written communications : 1 . a letter, dated July 26, 1988 , from Kenneth L. Fisher, 301 Henrik Road, Woodside, concerning the use of Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve by both hikers and bikers. She noted that a draft reply to Mr. Fisher was attached. 2 . a letter , dated July 28, 1988 , from John K. Landre of the Portola Heights Property Owners Association, 22400 Skyline Boulevard, Box 10 , La Honda, requesting that their letter of April 22 , 1988 be considered an "Official Petition" for recognition of Portola Heights as a developed community. She noted that a draft reply to Mr. Landre was attached. 3 . a letter, dated July 26 , 1988 , from Dave Mack, Ranger Unit Chief , Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, P.O. Drawer F-2 , Felton, commending the District ranger staff and especially John Escobar, Dennis Danielson, Frank Olson, and Matt Ken for their assistance on Saturday, July 10 when a light airplane crash landed on Highway 35 about two miles south of Alpine Road. Herbert Grench,General Manager,Board of Directors:Katherine Duffy,Robert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Edward Shelley,Nonette Hanko,Gerry Andean,Richard Bishop Meeting 88-18 Page two K. Duffy stated that the draft responses to Mr. Fisher and Mr. Landre were approved by Board consensus and that no response was necessary for the third letter. IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were no oral communications . V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA J. Boland introduced Donald Gambelin who had joined the District ' s ranger staff . Motion: G. Andeen moved that the Board adopt the agenda as presented. R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 to 0 . Vi. BOARD BUSINESS A. Action Plan Program Evaluation for 1987-1988 Fiscal Year ,(Report R-88-94 of Aug1l gtl, 1988 and_Aeport R-88-77 _p�f JRly 15 , 1988) H. Grench stated that the written Action Plan program evalua- tion was for the entire 1987-1988 fiscal year and that program leaders would summarize some of the highlights of the year. C . Britton reported that approximately 2400 acres of land were acauired, including the Hosking property and the Teague Hill Open Space Preserve acquisition that was made possible by the passage of Proposition 70 . He said that joint projects with the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) were the acquisition of the Dyer parcel that had been gifted to POST and the acquisi- tion by POST of the Menuhin Cathedral Oaks property. He noted that work on the text of the land acquisition policies brochure had been completed. D. Hansen stated that the implementation of the staffing plan was on schedule , progress on the grant funded projects at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve and at the Picchetti Ranch Area, and the completion of projects at Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve were the major accomplishments of the fiscal year. M. Hale noted that text of the land acquisition policies brochure had been approved and that the brochure would be ready for distribution in early September. She said that Phase I of the coordinated design concept for all District printed materials had been approved, and added that the passage of Proposition 70 and the appropriations to fund the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve whole access underpass were the highlights of the fiscal year for the legislative program. Meeting 88-18 Page three J. Fiddes reported that the highlights for the General Management and Program Support Program were the the $12. 5 million note issue for land acquisition, the introduction of computers , and filling of the Ward 2 vacancy. Motion: E. Shelley moved that the Board accept the program evaluation as contained in report R-88-77 for the 1987-1988 fiscal year. R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 to 0 . B. Final Adoption of the Preliminary Use and Management Plan for the McNamara Property Addition to the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, Mt. Umunhum Area (Report R-88-96 of Aqgqst 1_, 19�A) D. Hansen stated that escrow had closed on July 29 and that no additional comments had been received from members of the public on the Preliminary Use and Management Plan for the 114 acre property. He said staff would monitor the removal by the former owner of all structures and debris on the property, as stipulated in the agreement. Motion: G. Andeen moved that the Board adopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan for the McNamara property addition to Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, Mt. Umunhum Area, including the naming, as contained in report R-88-78 , and indicate its intention to withhold the property from dedication as public open space at this time. R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 to 0. C. Final Adoption of the Amended Preliminary Use and Management Plan for the Stanford Propg e_r�tyAddition to the Russjaq__Tjdge QpeiI_qpAce Preserve (Report R-88-97 _ApTgst 2, 1988) H. Grench said that a letter, addressed to D. Hansen, had been received from J. B. Barinka, 310 Alpine Road, La Honda that concerned this agenda item. He noted that copies of the letter had been distributed to the members of the Board. D. Hansen said that staff had determined the structure did not have any significant historical features to warrant its reten- tion as a possible caretaker or ranger residence and that staff did not foresee any long-term uses for the structure . He said that staff was recommending that the structure be demolished. Discussion centered on the possible long-term need of a staging or parking area at the southern portion of the preserve and on the cost estimate of up to $50 , 000 to bring the structure up to code necessitating its being used as a rental residence to recapture this expense. D. Hansen stated it was unlikely a camping area or visitor ' s center would be developed in this area since similar facilities are being planned at adjacent Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve . Meeting 88-18 Page four Mr. Barinka said he would like to refurbish and bring the house and garage up to code as well as the water, electrical , plumb- ing, and heating systems. He said that he would erect perime- ter fencing, as exists on District preserves , in exchange for use of the premises over a period of time. G. Andeen said that he had visited the structure and that he did not believe that it was worth saving, even though it had a commanding view of the area. In response to E. Shelley' s questions about staff ' s initial statement regarding long or short-term use of the structure, H. Grench said that staff had stated that they needed to study the possible uses of the structure, but had never stated the structure should be retained. He noted that the house is in a key location for a trail route and that inholdings have always been a problem to the District. He added that for a person to expend both time and a considerable amount of money necessary to bring the house up to code a long-term lease arrangement would probably be desired. C. Britton discussed the amount of staff time required to negotiate such a lease , noting that other individuals might in interested in such a lease arrangement. Following further discussion, the Board members present indicated that all Board members should visit the house and that the vote on whether the structure should be demolished or retained should be delayed. The Board also stated that Mr. Barinka should submit a more detailed proposal for Board consideration if , after hearing the Board' s discussion, he wished to pursue his idea to refurbish the house. Motion: E. Shelley moved that the final adoption of the amended Preliminary Use and Management Plan for the Stanford property addition to Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve be continued to the regular meeting of September 14. G. Andeen seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 to 0. D. Proposed Brennan Property Addition to Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve - Mt. Umunhum Area (Report R-88-98 of August_3_,, 1988) C. Britton pointed out the location of the proposed acquisition and noted that the terms of the agreement called for a purchase price of $168 , 000 ($1500 per acre) at close of escrow. He said that the parcel was 112 acres in size , that it is located along Sierra Azul ridge, and that Loma Prieta Road passes through the property. S . Marioni showed slides of the property and D. Hansen reviewed the use and management recommendations for the property, including the consideration of the realignment of the gate on the property and the proposed designation of the property as a Conservation Management Unit (CMU) . Meeting 88-18 Page five Motion: E. Shelley moved that the Board adopt Resolution 88- 36 , 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 (Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve - Lands of Brennan et al . ) . R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 to 0. Motion: E. Shelley moved that the Board tentatively adopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan recommendations , tentatively name the property as an addition to Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, Mt. Umunhum Area, and indicate its intention to withhold the property from dedication at this time. R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 to 0 . E. California Wildlife, Coastal, and Park Land Conservation Act of 1988 Grant Application (Re ort R-88-95 of Ap_qust_2 , 1988) H. Grench said that the resolution would authorize staff to file for reimbursement of funds as qualifying parcels become available for purchase. C. Britton noted that reimbursement for all seven projects would be applied for at this time. He said that the competitive grant programs become operative on November 9 and that the District is eligible for block grant funds based upon District population within the two counties . Motion: G. Andeen moved that the Board adopt Resolution 88- 37 , a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Approving the Application for Grant Funds Under the California Wildlife, Coastal , and Park Land Conservation Act of 1988 for the Following Projects : Acquisition of Land Between Property Managed by the District and Castle Rock State Park and Portola State Park; Expansion of Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve; Expansion of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve; Expansion of El Sereno Open Space Preserve; Expansion of El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve; Expansion of Windy Hill Open Space Preserve; and Acquisition of Teague Hill Open Space Preserve . R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 to 0. F. Open Space Management Budget Policies (Report R-88-99 of August 3, 1988 and Report R-88-76 of June 17 , 1988) H. Grench stated that the proposed policies had been presented to the Board at the June 22 meeting. In response to E. Shelley' s question on the controlling limit on growth of funds , H. Grench said that the rate of the District ' s property tax Meeting 88-18 Page six income would be used, rather than the Consumer Price Index. He said that for the next four to five years open space management would continue to receive basically the same fraction of the budget. G. Andeen discussed the problems he had with the priority statements as listed, noting he did not think they do what he wants to do. He said that the definition of stewardship should build in the aspect of the people the District is serving, noting that he felt that people are the District ' s highest priority. He distributed a document he had prepared giving an example of possible rewording and stating that the goal must be to provide and promote responsible stewardship of District lands for the people. He said that if budget cuts had to occur, he did not want the cuts to be based on the priorities proposed by staff . H. Grench stated that he did not intend for the first priority to eliminate totally the second and third priorities if budget cuts needed to be made , rather cuts would be made in each priority area. Discussion centered on why there is a need to set priorities, which priorities were of highest value, and what would happen to the priorities if a budget cut back occurred. Motion: E. Shelley moved that the Board delay action on this item until more Board members were present. G. Andeen seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 to 0 . VII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS D. Hansen reported on the successful Ride for the Ridge event held on Saturday, August 6. He said approximately 60 riders participated. K. Duffy said that she, Director McKibbin and D. Woods had attended a meeting of Santa Clara County staff and Supervisor Dianne McKenna at which it was decided that, due to deterioration of Montebello Road, a temporary bypass road would need to be constructed through the Picchetti Ranch area of the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve. She said that this item would be placed on the August 24 agenda for Board consideration. VIII. CLAIMS Motion: E. Shelley moved that the Board approve Revised Claims 88- 15. G. Andeen seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 to 0. IX. CLOSED SESSION S . Norton announced that the existing McQueen litigation matter to be discussed in Closed Session fell under Government Code Section 54956. 9 (a) . The Board recessed to Closed Session on litigation and land acquisition matters at 9: 50 P.M. Meeting 88-18 Page seven X. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:46 P.M. Cecilia A. Cyrier Secretary CORRECTION TO THE MINUTES OF JULY 27, 1988 II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES July 27 , 1988 E. Shelley stated that the first sentence in the third paragraph of _ item F on page six should read " . . . the parking lot at Huddart Park. . . , " rather than referring to Wunderlich County Park. Motion: E. Shelley moved that the Board approve the minutes of the meeting of July 27 , 1988 as corrected. G. Andeen seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 to 0.