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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19890412 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) -116. AA, Meeting 89-09 Ak _%N=1- 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 12, 1989_ MINUTES I . ROLL CALL President Gerry Andeen called the meeting to order at 7 : 32 P .M. Members Present: Gerry Andeen, Richard Bishop, Katherine Duffy, Robert McKibbin, and Teena Henshaw. Edward Shelley arrived at 7 : 34 P.M. Member Absent: Nonette Hanko. Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, David Hansen, Mary Hale, Del Woods , James Boland, Mary Gundert, and Joan Combs . II . APPROVAL OF MINUTES March 28, 1989 Motion: T. Henshaw moved that the Board approve the minutes of March 28 , 1989 . K. Duffy seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0 . III . WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS J. Combs stated that the Board had received a letter, dated March 23 , 1989 from Eunice Butera, 8 Robert Place , Millbrae , expressing concern over trail conflicts on the preserves . G. Andeen stated the Board' s consensus to mail the proposed response to Ms . Butera. IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were no oral communications . V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA G. Andeen stated that the agenda was adopted by Board consensus . Herbert Grench,General Manager;Board of Directors:Katherine Duffy,Robert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Edward Shelley,Nonette Hanko,Gerry Andean,Richard Bishop Meeting 89-09 Pave two VI . BOARD BUSINESS A. Final Adoption of the Preliminarye and Management, s MAp a�g e Tle n t Plan for the Alsberge Propiity-Addition to Mt. Umunhum Area of Sierra Azul _qpe�S ace Prjese_Kye__jR,o qrt_ R-89-65 dated April 5, 1989) D. Hansen said that escrow had closed on March 31 , and no further public comment had been received. He said that site cleanup, cabin demolition, and barn rental will now be undertaken. Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board adopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan for the property, including the naming, as contained in the staff report. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board indicate its intention to withhold the property from dedication as public open space at this time. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . B. Authorization to Enter Into Agreement with County of San Mateo for Underpass Encroachment on Alpine Road (Report R-89-66 dated April 5, 1989) D. Hansen said that the grading permit was contingent upon the fulfillment of a list of conditions , including requiring the District to execute an agreement with the County to address the District ' s maintenance responsibility and liability for the undercrossing. He said that the District ' s Legal Counsel had reviewed the agreement. Motion: T. Henshaw moved that the Board authorize the President to enter into the agreement with the County of San Mateo for the underpass encroachment on Alpine Road. R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . C. Endorsement of the Bay Trail Plan for the San Francisco Bay Area (Report R-89-64 dated April 5, 1989}� D. Hansen said that staff had met with Susan Phillips , the Bay Trail Plan Project Manager for the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) , and had expressed three concerns with the draft Bay Trail Plan and draft Environmental Impact Report. He said that staff had requested that some consideration be given to emphasizing the alignment of the new flood control levee; that Stevens Creek Shoreline Nature Study Area and Ravenswoods Open Space Preserve be designated as recreational areas , with wildlife habitat listed as a secondary use; and that the alignment of the new trails to be constructed at Ravenswood Open Space Preserve be Meeting 89-09 Page three clarified. He said that these concerns were being taken into consideration and would be responded to in the final Environmental Impact Report. K. Duffy said that she felt concern about designating the District ' s lands as recreational rather than wildlife habitat . D. Woods said that such designation appears to offer more options regarding trail alignments and would not really affect wildlife habitat. He added that the Bay Trail Plan has basic policies protecting wildlife habitat that override these designations . Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board adopt Resolution 89-25 , a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Supporting the Bay Trail Plan for the San Francisco Bay Area. R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . D. Progress Report on Formulation of Trail Use Policies and Guidelines in Preparation for the May 18 Public Workshop (Report R-89-67 dated April 5, 1989)_ D. Hansen reported that staff had been working with consultant Jane Saltman for the past six months to draft trail use policies and guidelines . D. Woods discussed trail use profiles , categories of trail users , public safety issues , and existing trail conditions on the open space preserves . He said that a public workshop will be held May 18 . In response to a question from R Bishop, D. Woods said that draft policies and guidelines will probably not be available for public review before the May 18 meeting, but will go to the Board for a full public hearing following the workshop. R. Bishop requested a copy of the draft policies and guidelines if they became available before the workshop. D. Hansen said that the May 18 workshop was intended to be a continuing part of the information gathering process . D. Woods gave a slide presentation of trail uses , conditions, and conflicts . He said that a safe experience for all trail users was the primary consideration in the formulation of trail use guidelines . J. Boland showed a videotape of a Channel 11 newscast aired earlier this month showing trail use at Fremont Older Open Space Preserve. Jane Saltman reviewed the information she has gathered from other public agencies, which are also experiencing Meeting 89-09 Page four problems with trail conflicts . She said that the District is looking at trail use by all user groups rather than focusing on a single group, as many agencies are doing. She listed three objectives of trail use policies : 1) to provide an opportunity for open space appreciation and exercise with maximum user safety and minimal environmental impact; 2) to provide optimum conditions for the observation and interpretation of open space resources; and 3) to provide maximum protection of environmentally significant and sensitive areas while allowing access . G. Andeen suggested a fourth objective should be to develop responsible trail users . D. Woods said that a group of broad trail use policies would be formulated, then narrower guidelines added to aid in planning. He said that education, site improvements , and regulation enforcement were the key elements in making the program work. E. Shelley said that he was concerned that liability and safety factors might outweigh the basic purpose of providing trails for all users . R. Bishop said that he concurred with E. Shelley that decisions concerning trail use should not be based solely on safety and liability factors , but that the experience of visitors to wilderness areas must also be considered as one of the criteria when deciding on trail use. T. Henshaw complimented staff efforts and the process being used to develop trail use policies . D. Woods said that a Review Committee meeting would be held May 3, and a West Bay Trails Council meeting on May 15. He said that recommendations on trail use would be addressed when use and management plans were presented, as many issues were unique to a particular site. He said that staff was leaning in the direction of providing a variety of trail uses on each preserve . E. Shelley said that the density of use on a particular trail or preserve was a critical consideration. D. Woods said that staff is developing a checklist to be used before removing a certain use from a particular trail . K. Duffy said that allowing dogs was one trail use, and also suggested that educational programs for people who receive citations might be investigated. D. Woods introduced Jean Rusmore , Frances Spangle, Gibson Anderson, and Hildegarde MacKay, who represent various trail user groups and are assisting in the Meeting 89-09 Page five formulation of District trail use guidelines . R. McKibbin said that he agreed with E. Shelley not to make liability concerns an overriding issue, and agreed with T. Henshaw concerning the process staff is following to formulate trail use guidelines . He expressed the Board' s appreciation to all the volunteers who have contributed to that process . VII . INFORMATIONAL REPORTS H. Grench reported that the CPRS Annual Legislative Conference would be held in Sacramento May 9 and 10 , and suggested that the Board authorize expenses for any members who wished to attend. Motion: E. Shelley moved that the Board authorize expenses for any member who wished to attend the conference . K. Duffy seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. H. Grench said that the Friday evening informal gathering would be held at the Not So Annual Regional Park and Open Space District Conference in Marin, and said it offered an opportunity for participants to talk to people from other districts . He suggested authorizing Friday night lodging and Saturday breakfast for those attending the gathering. Motion: R. Bishop moved that members who wished to attend the conference be reimbursed for Friday night lodging and Saturday breakfast. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . H. Grench said that the Budget Committee report, which was approved at the last meeting, had been in error concerning the Legal Counsel ' s compensation. He said the figure should have been $64 , 000, not $60, 000 . R. Bishop said that the current minutes should state that the intent of the motion at the previous meeting was that Legal Counsel ' s salary remain at $64 , 000 . R. McKibbin and T. Henshaw, members of the Budget Committee, agreed that was the intent . G. Andeen stated the Board' s consensus that this was the intent. H. Grench reported that the Russian Ridge annexation of the former Stanford property had been unanimously approved by Santa Clara County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) on April 12. D. Hansen said that design approval for the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve Land and Water Conservation Fund grant trail project had been received from the State. He said that the District has not yet heard if the Proposition 70 trails grant for Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve has been approved. Meeting 89-09 Page six E. Shelley said that he and C . Britton had attended the meeting of the Mountain View City Council , because the sale of the surplus property in which the District is interest was on the agenda for Council consideration. He said that the item had been postponed until April 18 . R. Bishop said that he was leading a Sierra Club hike on April 22 , and invited interested Board members, staff, and public to attend. VIII CLAIMS Motion: T. Henshaw moved that the Board approve the Revised Claims 89-07 . R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . IX. CLOSED SESSION There was no Closed Session. X. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9 : 35 P.M. Joan Combs Secretary