HomeMy Public PortalAbout19880810 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) 0 AA� Meeting 88-18
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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
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.