HomeMy Public PortalAbout19881026 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting 88-23
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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 26 ,1988
MINUTES
I . ROLL CALL
President Katherine Duffy called the meeting to order at
7 : 35 P .M.
Members Present: Richard Bishop, Katherine Duffy, Robert
McKibbin, Teena Henshaw, Edward Shelley, Nonette Hanko, and
Gerry Andeen.
Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Craig Britton, Mary
Hale , Jean Fiddes , Del Woods , James Boland, Lauren McGuire ,
and Joan Combs .
II . APPROVAL OF MINUTES
October 12, 1988
Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board approve the minutes
of October 12 , 1988 . E . Shelley seconded the
motion. The motion passed to 7 to U .
III . WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
J. Combs stated that the Board had received the following
written communications :
1) a letter, dated October 12 , 1988 , from Robert S .
Ratner, 318 Costello Drive , Los Altos , requesting that
the Board maintain access for all pedestrian traffic on
the Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve trails ;
2) a letter , dated October 12 , 1988 , from. Janet Schwind,
11325 Skyline Boulevard, Los Gatos , congratulating the
Board and staff on the publication of the Land
Acquisition Policies and Procedures brochure and the
accompanying letters to property owners .
K. Duffy stated that the draft response to Mr. Ratner ' s
letter was approved by Board consensus and that no response
was necessary for Mrs . Schwind ' s letter .
Herbert Grench,General Manager;Board of Directors:Katherine Duffy,Robert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Edward Shelley,Nonette Hanko,Gerry Andean,Richard Bishop
Meeting 88-23 0 0 Page two
IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Celia Hartnett, 3443 Brittan Avenue , San Carlos, reported on
the proposed development of the lands of Benedetti adjacent
to Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve and the grading that had
been done on the property. She asked the Board to review
the draft Environmental Impact Report on the project and to
help in any way possible to prevent the development of the
property. R. Bishop said that the District should assess
possible impacts and ask the City for safeguards for the
preserve. He requested a copy of staff ' s response to the
draft EIR and also asked that a copy be sent to Ms .
Hartnett.
Walter Reynolds , 360 Swett Road, Woodside, introduced
himself as a new District neighbor, noting he planned to
occupy the property adjacent to El Corte de Madera Creek
Open Space Preserve that had previously been offered for
sale to the District. He complimented staff member W.
Goggin on the negotiations they had had and mentioned
several items of interest to him as a neighboring property
owner. He added in a written note to the minute taker that
he was considering Mr. Goggin' s suggestion of giving the
District the right of first refusal for future acquisition
of the property.
V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
R. Duffy stated that the agenda was adopted by Board
consensus .
VI . BOARD BUSINESS
A. Proposed Temporary or Seasonal Closure of Certain
District Trails to Bicycle and Equestrian Use (Re Dort
R-88-123 dated October 19, 1988_}
D. Woods noted that the consideration of this item had
been postponed at the October 12 meeting in order to
allow review by the West Bay Trails Council . He noted
that the Open Space Management staff recommendations
had been revised somewhat since the previous meeting.
He reviewed closure actions previously taken by the
Board and outlined staff ' s current proposals for trail
closures for the next six months.
J. Boland said that the West Bay Trails Council had
requested to be informed of seasonal closures if time
permitted and noted that a barricade and signing system
would be used for closed trails . He stated that it was
staff ' s opinion that the Soda Gulch and Black Mountain
Trails were unsuitable for multiple use , and that
closure was recommended until a trail use policy was
adopted. He reported that Responsible Organized
Mountain Pedalers (ROMP) members would assist staff in
identifying potentially soggy areas on trails so that
Meeting 88-23 0 0 Page three
these areas could be filled in before winter rains in
order to avoid possible seasonal closures . He showed
slides of the trails proposed for closure.
D. Woods stated that the District had hired a
consultant to develop trail policies and guidelines ,
and said that the information gathered will be
submitted to a review committee comprised of various
user groups . He said that completion of the draft
document is anticipated early next year, and after a
series of public meetings, the document would be
presented to the Board in April 1989 . ]
John Mackay, 205 Cervantes Road, Portola Valley, said
that the Black Mountain Trail was an important
equestrian access route to other open space land. He
asked that consideration be given to access before
temporary closure of the trail , and suggested that an
alternate route be devised if work is being done on the
trail . D. Woods said that the Black Mountain Trail was
recommended for seasonal closure only.
R. Bishop said that he wished the Board to have some
involvement in the preparation of the document. He
said that he would like to be notified of review
committee meetings , and E. Shelley stated that a
workshop in which the Board participated would be
useful.
N. Hanko thanked the staff for the informative
presentation, and said that the public and Board should
be well informed of trail closures.
R. Bishop said that the revised recommendations were
more liberal than the original report, and that he
preferred the recommendations in the previous report.
He said he thought that trails should be closed on a
temporary rather than seasonal basis if a safety
question existed. He said that he would like to see
the District adopt San Mateo County' s policy for the
seasonal closure of trails and that he favored closing
the Whittemore Gulch, Rhus Ridge, and Seven Springs
Loop Trails on a temporary rather than seasonal basis .
Motion: R. Bishop moved that the staff
recommendations be revised by placing Rhus
Ridge Trail, Seven Springs Loop Trail , and
Whittemore Gulch Trail in the temporary
closure category until the trail use policies
and guidelines were presented to the Board.
N. Hanko seconded the motion.
Discussion: D. Woods said that because those
Meeting 88-23 Page four
three trails had good line of sight, staff
had proposed moving them from the temporary
category to the seasonal category until a
trails policy is adopted. E. Shelley said
that he would not support the motion because
he felt that temporary closure was acceptable
only when a trail had never been opened to
bicycle and equestrian use, noting that
Whittemore Gulch Trail did not meet that
criterion. Upon question, H. Grench said
that he was intending to approve the revised
recommendations, unless the Board decided
otherwise. K. Duffy said that she favored
supporting the revised staff report as
written until public workshops were held.
The motion failed to pass on the following
vote:
Ayes : R. Bishop and N. Hanko.
Noes : E. Shelley, T. Henshaw, R.
McKibbin, K. Duffy, and G. Andeen.
K. Duffy stated that since there was no Board
action to the contrary, the General Manager ' s
report was accepted as given.
B. Proposed Schwabacher and Rosenberg Property
Addition to Monte Bello Open Space Preserve by
Exchange of Land (Reports R-88-111 dated Sg�pjember
14 , 1988 and R-88-125 dated October 19 ,1988)
C. Britton noted that this item had been postponed
from an earlier meeting in order to complete
discussions with the title company and legal
counsel . He said that the District would trade
the former Melton and Collins properties,
totalling 23 . 9 acres , for a 0-acre privately
owned parcel . He said that the District would
retain a 50-foot wide strip of land along the
eastern boundary of the former Melton property for
potential public trail use. He said that the
District will retain an easement limiting use of
the 23 . 9 parcel to agricultural uses , and that he
and legal counsel agreed that the District would
retain the same control against further
development on the Melton property.
D. Woods showed slides of the properties involved
in the exchange.
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board adopt
Resolution 88-48 , a Resolution of the
Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula
------------ I
Meeting 88-23 Page five
Regional Open Space District Authorizing
Acceptance of Agreement to Exchange
Interests in Real Property, 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 (Monte Bello Open Space
Preserve, Lands of Schwabacher and
Rosenberg) . R. McKibbin seconded the
motion. The motion passed 7 to 0 .
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board
tentatively adopt the Preliminary Use
and Management Plan recommendations
contained in the staff report. R.
McKibbin seconded the motion. The
motion passed 7 to C .
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board
tentatively name the property as an
addition to Monte Bello Open Space
Preserve . R. McKibbin seconded the
motion. The motion 7 to 0.
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board indicate
its intention to dedicate the property
as open space. R. McKibbin seconded the
motion. The motion passed 7 to 0 .
C. Good Neighbor Policy (Report R-88-120 dated September
28 ,._ 1988)
N. Hanko said that the report recommended further
enhancement of the District ' s Good Neighbor Policy by
holding regular meetings with neighborhood groups . She
said that she felt it was important that District
rangers be included in these meetings , as they are an
important liaison with neighbors . She said that the
report also recommended sending a quarterly
informational letter from the Board to neighborhood
newspapers for publication.
E. Shelley said that he preferred that the Board hold
workshops in a neighborhood setting, and retain the
policy of decision making at the Board' s regular
meetings held at the regular meeting place . He said
that the entire board would have to concur with the
content of a quarterly newsletter.
Discussion centered on the feasibility of sending a
newsletter to neighborhood publications and the
Meeting 88-23 Page six
possible impact on District staff time.
G. Andeen said that he felt the Director representing a
particular area should communicate with the
neighborhood' s publication regarding items of
particular interest.
Linda Fischman, 148 La Honda Road, Woodside, said that
she supported open communication with neighborhood
groups and urged that the Board publish workshop dates
at least two months in advance .
Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board adopt the
proposed Good Neighbor Policy, but delete the
words "Board meetings or" in the first
paragraph. N. Hanko seconded the motion.
Discussion: Discussion centered on the
format and possible agenda of the suggested
meetings or workshops. R. McKibbin requested
that the wording in the fourth sentence be
changed to include participation by staff
members, including rangers, docents, and
volunteers . R. Bishop said that he was
willing to accept that language in the
motion. N. Hanko concurred in the addition.
The motion passed 7 to 0 .
H. Grench suggested the Board workshops be referred to
as Board workshop special meetings , and the Board
concurred with the wording change.
Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board request staff
to report on how neighborhood newsletter
contacts should be handled. G. Andeen
seconded the motion.
Discussion: R. Bishop said that he thought
that contact with neighborhood groups should
be left to the individual Directors . E.
Shelley suggested asking staff to assess the
impact of sending a quarterly news item to
neighborhood newsletters . K. Duffy agreed to
E. Shelley' s addition to the motion. T.
Henshaw said that she would oppose the motion
because the District-wide open Space
newsletter accomplished the same purpose.
The motion failed to pass on the following
vote:
Ayes: K. Duffy, N. Hanko, and E. Shelley.
Noes : T. Henshaw, R. McKibbin, R. Bishop,
and G. Andeen.
Meeting 88-23 Page seven
D. San Francisco Bay Area Ridge Trail Designations
(Report R-88-122 dated October _201988)
D. Woods said that trails on Windy Hill , Long Ridge,
and Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserves were proposed for
designation as portions of the Bay Area Ridge Trail .
He said that the Ridge Trail logo will be used on signs
for these sections of trail , but that the trail
sections would remain under the District ' s jurisdiction
and control .
Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board adopt
Resolution 88-49, a Resolution of the Board
of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional
Open Space District Designating Trails of
Three Open Space Preserves as Portions of the
San Francisco Bay Area Ridge Trail. N.
Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed
7 to 0 .
E. Approval of Senior Ranger Job Classification, Job
Specification, Salary Range, and Filling of Three
Positions (Report R-88-121 dated October 20 , 1988)
H. Grench introduced the report, stating that this step
would bring the District up to date in conformance with
the Open Space Management staffing plan.
J. Boland reviewed the benefits to field operations of
creating three Senior Ranger positions . H. Grench
noted a correction to the staff report that three
Ranger positions, rather than two, should be deleted at
the present time.
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board approve the
creation of a Senior Ranger job
classification, approve the job specification
for Senior Ranger and assign it a salary
range of Step Number 201. 5 to 231 . 5 with a
corresponding monthly salary of $2096 to
$2824 , authorize staff to fill three Senior
Ranger positions , and delete three Ranger
positions at the present time. R. Bishop
seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to
0 .
F. Substitution of Security for District Debt on the
Former Bullis Property, Skyline Ridge Open Space
Preserve (Report R-88-124 dated October 19, 198-8)
C . Britton said that Mr. Bullis has agreed to reconvey
the deed of trust over his former property securing his
loan in exchange for a first deed of trust over the
former lower Peters property. Since the property is
Meeting 88-23 Page eight
undedicated, the District will be able to pledge it as
loan security.
Motion: T. Henshaw moved that the Board approve
substituting the former lower Peters property
at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve as
security for the outstanding debt on the
former Bullis property and authorize the
President to execute a new deed of trust over
the former lower Peters property in favor of
Mr. Bullis. E. Shelley seconded the motion.
The motion passed 7 to 0 .
VII . INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
H. Grench reported that he had attended the National
Recreation and Park Association' s annual meeting and
reported on the workshops that he had attended.
H. Grench said that he and Mary Hale represented the
District at the Greenbelt Alliance ' s 30th Anniversary
celebration at Tilden Park on October 23 .
H. Grench distributed information from East Bay Regional
Park District concerning their bond measure on the November
8 ballot.
H. Grench suggested rescheduling the November 23 regular
meeting to Tuesday, November 22 because of the Thanksgiving
holiday and said it would be necessary to schedule an extra
meeting in November. He proposed November 30 as the date
for the extra meeting. There was no objection to these
dates from any Director.
C. Britton reported that the Moody Gulch Project agreement
will be formulated soon.
M. Hale thanked the Board for the October 19 recognition
dinner they gave for docents and staff .
H. Grench said a field trip was scheduled on October 27 to
look at the results of the timber harvest at El Corte de
Madera Open Space Preserve.
J. Boland reported that there had been a small fire of
suspicious origin at El Corte de Madera Open Space Preserve
on the previous weekend.
D. Woods reported that about 35 people had attended the
Windy Hill Open Space Preserve use and management plan
workshop held Saturday, October 22 .
Meeting 88-23 Page nine
VIII .CLAIMS
Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board approve Revised
Claims 88-20 of October 26 . T. Henshaw seconded
the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0.
IX. CLOSED SESSION
The Board recessed to closed session on land acquisition
matters at 10 : 38 P .M.
X. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 11 :07 P.M.
Joan Combs
Secretary
The minutes of the ` Z,6- Poo meeting
were approved as presented.
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