HomeMy Public PortalAbout19900314 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) *% Meeting 90-06
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Regular Meeting
Board of Directors
March 14 , —"9 -9
MINUTES
I. ROLL CALL
President Nonette Hanko called the meeting to order at 7 : 33 p.m.
Members Present: Richard Bishop, Betsy Crowder, Katherine
Duffy, Nonette Hanko, Teena Henshaw, Robert McKibbin, and Edward
Shelley.
Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Craig Britton, David Hansen,
Mary Hale, Jean Fiddes , John Escobar , Michael Foster, Stanley
Norton, Kerry Carlson, Annette Coleman, Patrick Congdon, Alice
Cummings , Mary Gundert , Thomas Karnofel , John Kowaleski , Michael
Jurich, Thomas Lausten, Priscilla Meyers , Frank Olson, Loro
Paterson, and Warren Phillips .
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
N. Hanko noted that the minutes did not have page numbers .
February 14 , 1990
Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board approve the minutes of
the February 14 , 1990 Board meeting. K. Duffy
seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0 .
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
P . Meyers stated that the Board received the following written
communications :
1 . a letter from Pamela Shaffer Douglas , 1950 Kings Mountain
Road, Woodside , dated February 22 , 1990 , regarding property
for sale in the northeast corner of Kings Mountain Road and
Skyline Boulevard;
2 . a letter from Jobst Brandt , 351 Middlefield Road, Palo
Alto, dated February 22 , 1990, regarding fines for
accessing preserves after dusk and requesting that
preserves be open to the public after dark; and
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Meeting 90-06 Page two
3 . a letter from Heidi Kromat , 240 Old Ranch Road, Woodside ,
dated February 21 , 1990 , regarding mountain bicycle users
on preserves .
P. Meyers stated that draft responses prepared by staff for
Board consideration were attached to the three written
communications .
Harry Haeussler , 1094 Highlands Circle, Los Altos , noted that
the word "are" in the first sentence of the third paragraph of
the response letter to Mr. Brandt should be deleted.
N. Hanko stated the draft responses to the letters were approved
by Board consensus .
IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
There were no oral communications .
V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
N. Hanko stated that the agenda was adopted by Board consensus .
VI . BOARD BUSINESS
A. Appointment of_. Peace Officer- (Report R-90-229-dated February
28 , _1990}_ _
J. Escobar introduced Annette Coleman, the District ' s new
supervising ranger.
Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board adopt Resolution
90-10 , a Resolution of the Board of Directors of
the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Appointing Peace Officer - Annette Coleman. R .
McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed
7 to 0 .
B . Tentative Adoption of Action Plan for the IMp ementation of
the Basic Policy of the Midpeninsula Regional Open SDaee
District for the_1990-19.91 Fiscal Year (Report R-90-31
dated March 14 , 1990)
R. Bishop said that he hoped public access improvements for
Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve would be considered a
priority in the 1991-1992 budget.
D. Hansen noted that the required staff resources in the
Operations , Maintenance , and Volunteer Subprogram should
show only one Assistant Open Space Planner and one of the
lines stating "100% of time of Senior Patrol Rangers (2) "
should be deleted.
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Meeting 90-06 Page three
N. Hanko expressed her disappointment that cattle grazing
on the Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve had been
eliminated. C . Britton explained that it was removed from
the budget for the fiscal year 1990-1991 because the
expense for required grazing improvements never could be
recovered by payments from a tenant based on the number of
cattle allotted for the area. He noted that the proposed
addition of the McDonald et al . property to La Honda Creek
Open Space Preserve may be a better location for cattle
grazing. H. Haeussler of Los Altos stated that the
District should put more money into development to make the
lands usable by the public .
Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board tentatively adopt
the Action Plan for the Implementation of the
Basic Policy of the Midpeninsula Regional Open
Space District for the 1990-1991 Fiscal Year. E.
Shelley seconded the motion. The motion passed 7
to 0 .
C. Presentation of Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 1990-1991
_(RtRqKt R-90-32 dated March E�
_1--J990)
H. Grench introduced the budget report and explained
funding sources and expenditure allocations for the
proposed budget. C . Britton, M. Hale, and J. Fiddes
reviewed the portions of the budget report relating to the
Open Space Acquisition and Communications Programs and
General Management and Program Support.
D. Hansen reported that several major 1989-1990 budgeted
improvement projects were completed on Skyline, Russian
Ridge , Thornewood, Pulgas Ridge , Long Ridge, Los Trancos ,
and Monte Bello Open Space Preserves . He pointed out that
personnel was the largest expense in the proposed 1990-1991
Open Space Management budget and that projected staffing
and capital improvements had closely adhered to the Board ' s
budget guidelines for his programs . He noted that the
total budget for all categories in the 1990-1991 Open Space
Management budget should be $4 , 530 , 030 , rather than the
$2 , 582 , 115 shown in the table on page five. D. Hansen
reviewed the proposed Open Space Management budget with
respect to the eight budget guidelines , noting the overall
net increase in the budget was 7 . 8%.
Several members of the audience voiced their preference for
increasing the Open Space Management Program' s budget and
adding more ranger positions to the staff . Some field
staff members in the audience also expressed their wishes
for an increase in ranger staffing and expressed the need
for additional equipment.
Meeting 90-06 Page four
M. Foster reviewed his controller ' s report , noting that
1990-1991 will be an excellent grant and tax revenue year .
He also noted it will be the District ' s biggest note
issuance year, adding that the budget assumes the issuance
of $25 million of twenty year notes , $13 . 5 million to pre-
pay or defease existing notes and $11 . 5 million of new
money.
R. McKibbin reviewed the Budget Committee report and
discussed some of the details of the A, B,C
Project/Equipment List developed by staff . He said that
the committee recommended that staff be asked to return to
the Board once actual insurance figures were known to
determine if there was funding available for one or more
projects from the A,B,C Project/Equipment List . He also
pointed out that the committee recommends that the Board
review the Open Space Management Budget Policies before the
1991-1992 budget process in terms of possible
simplification and/or modification.
E. Shelley requested that the Board seriously consider
adding another ranger position to the budget , noting he
wanted to go on record as supporting the addition of
another ranger position since he would not be at the March
28 meeting.
Discussion focused on additional funding for a second
ranger position, review of the Open Space Management wish
list items , and adjustment of the Open Space Management
budget guidelines .
Motion: R. Bishop moved that staff be requested to review
the budget from the point of view of attempting
to fit an additional ranger position within the
budget guidelines or make recommendations as to
how to adjust the budget guidelines to add a
ranger position and to report back to the Board
at its next meeting. E. Shelley seconded the
motion.
R. McKibbin requested that the motion be amended
to consider all of the A, B,C Project/Equipment
Priority List items instead of just the addition
of a ranger position. R. Bishop and E. Shelley
agreed to amend the motion to include R.
McKibbin' s statement.
The motion passed 7 to 0 .
The Board recessed for a break at 9 : 40 p.m. and resumed the
meeting at 9 : 50 p.m.
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Meeting 90-06 Page five
D. Proposed Addition of Young et al . Pro
perty�erty to k9n_q Ri_qge
Open mace Preserve (Resort R-90-3"6_dated- March..--51,----19-90)-
C . Britton reported that the full purchase price for the
property is $600 , 000 payable in cash at the close of
escrow. He noted that the property would be an integral
part of Long Ridge Open Space Preserve . He added that the
34-acre parcel has an excellent well and is developed with
a small house , a barn, and other outbuildings . M. Gundert
gave a slide presentation of the property, pointing out the
existing trails that will need to be expanded and improved
for preserve users . D. Hansen noted that the United States
Geological Survey is using the property ' s well as a
monitoring station for the area.
Motion: B . Crowder moved that the Board adopt Resolution
90-11 , 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 (Long Ridge Open Space Preserve
Lands of Young et al . ) R. McKibbin seconded the
motion. The motion passed 7 to 0 .
Motion. B. Crowder moved that the Board tentatively adopt
the Preliminary Use and Management Plan for the
Young et al . property addition to the Long Ridge
Open Space Preserve , including the naming, as
contained in the staff report and indicate its
intention to dedicate the property as public open
space . R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The
motion passed 7 to 0 .
E. Proposed_Addition of McDonald et al . Property to La Honda
Creek Open Space Preserve (Report R-90-37 dated March 7 ,
1990)
C. Britton reviewed the terms of the purchase agreement for
this 1 , 100 acre ranch in San Mateo County situated between
La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve and La Honda Road. He
said that the full purchase price for the property is
$4 , 200 , 000 with $1 , 800 , 000 to be paid in cash at the close
of escrow and the balance of $2 , 400 , 000 to be financed by
the owners at 5% interest for one year . He reported that
the agreement contains several specially tailored
conditions relative to purchase of the buildings and
fixtures on the property and required the cessation of
redwood timber harvest on the property. He said that the
District is to lease the entire ranch back to Mr. William
McDonald, a seller , for a period of five years from close
of escrow, reviewed the lease terms outlined in the staff
Meeting 90-06 Page six
report , and noted that the Board was being requested to
authorize the General Manager to approve and execute the
final lease agreement. C. Britton noted that Mr. McDonald
will be entitled to graze up to 100 head of cattle on the
property for the next five years .
A. Cummings showed slides of the property, and D. Hansen
reviewed the proposed preliminary use and management
recommendations , noting that staff was recommending that
the entire site not be opened for public use until after
the Board considered the Interim Use and Management Plan
for La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve in 1991 . He stated
that the plan will include a determination of what portions
of the site will be opened to the public and when this will
occur . He said that a number of site improvements or
needs , including signing, hazard mitigation, and additional
patrol , may be required before the site is opened.
K. Duffy noted that this acquisition would add to the list
of preserves and acquisitions in the northern portion of
the District requiring staff and planning time and urged
that projects in the southern part of the District, such as
Mt . Umunhum, not be overlooked.
Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board adopt Resolution
90-12 , 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 (La Honda Creek Open Space
Preserve , Lands of William D. McDonald et al . )
R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion
passed 7 to 0 .
Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board tentatively adopt
the Preliminary Use and Management Plan
recommendations contained in the staff report ,
including naming the property as an addition to
the La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve , indicate
its intention to withhold the property from
dedication as public open space at this time , and
authorize the general manager to approve and
execute the formal lease agreement for Mr.
McDonald' s lease-back of the entire property for
a period of five years from close of escrow. R.
McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed
7 to 0 .
Meeting 90-06 Page seven
F. Changes in Rules of Procedure - Compensation of Directors
(Revort R,-90-28 dated February 26 , 1990)
B. Crowder stated that she was opposed to the increase and
that she intended to return the additional $200 , if there
were five meetings in a month, to the District for
additional open space management funding.
Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board adopt Resolution
90-13 , a Resolution of the Board of Directors of
the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Amending Rules of Procedure . T. Henshaw seconded
the motion. The motion passed on the following
vote:
Ayes : T. Henshaw, E. Shelley, R. McKibbin, N.
Hanko, and R. Bishop
Noes : B . Crowder and K. Duffy
G. Proposed Annexation of Smith Property Addition to Russian
Ridge ripen Space Preserve (Report R-90-30 dated February
27, 1990)
H. Grench reviewed the annexation procedure for the former
Smith property, noting that 40. 5 acres of the 46 . 3 acre
property are contiguous to, but just outside, the
District ' s boundary.
No member of the public commented on the proposed
annexation.
Motion: R. McKibbin moved that the Board adopt Resolution
90-14 , a Resolution of the Board of Directors of
the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Requesting Initiation of Annexation Procedures by
the Santa Clara County Local Agency Formation
Commission (Midpeninsula Preserves 1990 - Russian
Ridge) . T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The
motion passed 7 to 0 .
H. Supprr�t__for Alcohol Tax Initiative—(Report R-90-34 dated
March 5, 1990)
Motion: R. McKibbin moved that the Board adopt Resolution
90-15, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of
the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Supporting the 1990 Alcohol Tax Initiative . R.
Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 7
to 0 .
Meeting 90-06 Page eight
VII . INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
D. Hansen reported that he had sent a letter to the Sheldon Road
neighbors regarding a proposed alignment for an alternate trail
that would cross two private properties . He said that he was
still waiting to hear from the two property owners involved.
H. Grench stated that the District ' s density credit bill (AB
2301) had passed out of the Senate Local Government Committee
and would be going to the Senate floor for consideration. He
said that he had made a presentation about the District ' s
activities to the Board of Directors of Peninsula Open Space
Trust.
D. Hansen reported that the Ravenswood project would soon be
completed and that final inspections would be done on March 21 .
He briefed the Board on the geology information concerning the
Smith acquisition that had been questioned at a previous
meeting.
VIII . CLAIMS
Motion: R. Bishop moved that the revised claims 90-05 dated
March 14 , 1990 be accepted as presented. T. Henshaw
seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0 .
IX. CLOSED SESSION
H. Grench stated that there were no litigation nor land
negotiation matters to discuss in closed session. The Board
recessed to Closed Session to discuss labor negotiation and
personnel matters at 10 : 45 P.M. The Board reconvened to adjourn
at 11 : 45 P.M.
Priscilla Meyers
Recording Secretary
Jean Fiddes
District Clerk
CORRECTION TO MINUTES OF MARCH 14, 1990
II . APPROVAL OF MINUTES
March 14, 1990
J. Fiddes stated that the third sentence in the second
paragraph of Section C regarding the proposed budget on page
three should be corrected to read "He noted that the fixed
a -assets total in the 1990 1991 Open Space Management budget
should be $634 , 200 , " rather than the $2, 582, 115 shown in the
table on page five.
Motion: E. Shelley moved that the Board approve the
minutes of the March 14 , 1990 regular meeting as
corrected. K. Duffy seconded the motion. The
motion passed 4 to 0.
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