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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19900328 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting 90-08 or 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 MARCH 28 , 1990 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, and Robert McKibbin. Members Absent: Edward Shelley and Teena Henshaw. Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Craig Britton, David Hansen, Jean Fiddes, Del Woods , John Escobar, David Topley, Sheryl Cochran, Michael Foster and Joan Combs . II . APPROVAL OF MINUTES February 28,_ 1990 N. Hanko noted that R. Bishop would lead the District ' s Earth Day twilight hike rather than E. Shelley, as stated on page 6. Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board approve the minutes of February 28 , 1990 as corrected. R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0 . March 12, 1990 Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board approve the minutes of March 12, 1990 . R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. March 19, 1990 Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board approve the minutes of March 19, 1990. R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. Herbert Grench,General Manager,Board of Directors:Katherine Duffy,Robert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Edward Shelley,Nonette Hanko,Gerry Andeen,Richard Bishop Meeting 90-08 Page two III. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS There were no written communications . IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Peter Fournier, 16735B Sheldon Road, Los Gatos, representing ROMP (Responsible Organized Mountain Pedlars) , said that a letter from Ken Wells had been sent to the Board describing ROMP' s volunteer bicycle patrol in Santa Clara County parks and offering to patrol for the District as well. Mary Ann Petroni , 66 E. Cavour Street, Daly City, said that she represented a group of landowners in San Gregorio and wished information on selling land to the District. N. Hanko said that the District' s boundaries do not extend to the coast, but that Ms. Petroni should speak with the District's land acquisition manager. IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA N. Hanko stated that the agenda was adopted by Board consensus. VI. BOARD BUSINESS A. Review of Access Elements of Comprehensive Use and Management Plan for Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve (Report R-90-35 dated March 20, 199PI D. Hansen noted that the structures and improvements portion of the use and management plan had already been reviewed by the Board. He said that staff had held a number of meetings and discussions with individuals and organizations concerning the non-structural elements in the plan and noted that the plan pertained to the 972 acres adjacent to Rancho San Antonio County Park and the 900-acre portion adjacent to Hidden Villa. D. Woods reviewed the six key elements that address activities occurring adjacent to the preserve: 1) preparation of a master plan for Rancho San Antonio County Park; 2) the neighboring Archdiocese properties , on which 300 homes could be constructed; 3) development plans for the Forum Life Care property adjacent to Interstate 280; 4) the Quarry Hills annexation and development proposal; 5) negotiation for the reconveyance of a portion of Hidden Villa property to the District to provide public access to Black Mountain; and 6) possible closure of St. Joseph Avenue. He said that the main emphasis of the report concerned the preserve ' s trail system. He stated that ti representatives of the Trail Center' s Trails Advocacy Committee, the City of Mountain View, Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department, Deer Hollow Farm, and District field staff have contributed input concerning existing trail system problems. The major Meeting 90-08 Page three problems are congestion on the main trail; the need for occasional restricted access to Deer Hollow Farm; lack of opportunity for nature observation and solitude; few interconnecting loop trails for bikers and equestrians; trail conflicts among different types of uses; and trail erosion. D. Woods showed diagrams and pictures illustrating some possible resolutions to the problems. Discussion centered on the proposed gating of St. Joseph Avenue by the City of Los Altos. D. Hansen said that a public hearing was held March 27 by the Los Altos City Council to consider the permanent closure of St. Joseph Avenue. He noted that most of the neighbors favored the gating plan, which would allow pedestrian and bicycle access only. He said that the District's concern was with ready access for ranger vehicles, delivery trucks, and users of the permit parking lot for the physically limited, and that these uses account for 25 to 40 trips per day. R. Bishop said that he would like to see the City of Los Altos recognize the District ' s right for patrol vehicles to have a key to the gate and also permit use of the permit parking lot. R. McKibbin noted that a locked gate would prohibit easy access and should be open during the day for District and Deer Hollow Farm staff . K. Duffy said that the Board should instruct staff to pursue the District's rights for easy access. Mary Gilman, naturalist at Deer Hollow Farm, said that the farm staff , residents, and volunteers need easy access via St. Joseph Avenue. Harry Haeussler, 1094 Highland Circle, Los Altos , suggested constructing a road and parking lot on District land. R. McKibbin said that the preserve was already at its maximum carrying capacity. R. McKibbin suggested three items that he would like to see incorporated into the report: 1) realignment of a small section of trail between the High Meadow area and old trail road to mitigate erosion problems; 2) rerouting the steep section of trail between the junction of Mora Drive and the main road; and 3) extending the proposed Nature Trail. D. Woods said that the first item will be completed this fall and that staff will consider the suggestions made by Director McKibbin. K. Duffy asked if the Rogue Valley Trail could be restricted to a nature trail that would not allow runners. D. Woods said that it was difficult to enforce the curtailment of running. M. Gilman said that Deer Hollow Farm staff supports a Meeting 90-08 Page four trail that would bypass the farm and said that the preserve should be evaluated for the carrying capacity needed. She said that bicyclists now create the biggest problem in the farm area. Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board tentatively adopt the access and circulation and other nonstructural-related elements of the Comprehensive Use and Management Plan for Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve as contained in the staff report. R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0 . Motion: K. Duffy moved that staff pursue action to insist that the District continue to have traditional easy access via St. Joseph Avenue. R. Bishop seconded the motion. Discussion: D. Hansen said that Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation staff would comment on the plan before the second reading. The motion passed 5 to 0. B. Report on Issues and Problems Associated with Trail Uses and Draft Policies (Report R-90-46 dated March 22_, 1990) R. McKibbin reviewed the committee' s report, noting that it dealt with issues and problems and did not offer solutions. N. Hanko said that the committee would be willing to work on solutions to the issues presented in the report. R. Bishop said that it would be difficult for the entire Board to work on solutions because of the complexity of the subject and said that he favored directing the committee to present draft solutions to the Board. B. Crowder said that she felt the original charge to the committee was not specific enough, and agreed with R. Bishop that the committee should return to the Board with proposed solutions. Discussion centered on the specific charge to the committee. Motion: R. McKibbin moved that the Board adopt the findings related to trail use issues and problems as contained in the committee 's report and direct the committee to return to the Board with proposed solutions. R. Bishop seconded the motion. Discussion: Mark Winitz, 1638 Corte Via, Los Altos, suggested the appointment of a public advisory committee consisting of a cross- Meeting 90-08 Page five section of users to assist the Board committee. R. Bishop said that public input was invited at the committee ' s meetings and that he felt involving another committee in the drafting process would be too unwieldy. The motion passed 5 to 0. The Board recessed at 9:18 P.M. and reconvened at 9:27 P.M. C. Adoption of New Salary Ranges for Designated General Manager Appointees for 1990-1991 (Report R-90-45 dated March 21, 1990) H. Grench said that three factors were considered in setting salary ranges: comparable public agencies and positions; cost of living index; and the private sector. He reviewed the data in the staff report which pointed to increases in the four to six percent range. He said he felt four percent would cause some slippage II in the District 's position relative to the other agencies and that although he favored strengthening the position with a six percent increase which would be helpful to the District, five points was more consistent with Board policy. He said that most field staff is now represented by Local 715 and that salary negotiations were in progress. He said that he was recommending a five point (5.1%) across-the-board increase for General Manager appointees in unrepresented District classifications . Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board approve a five point across-the-board increase for all General Manager appointees in unrepresented District classifications effective April 1, 1990 and direct staff to modify the District ' s Salary Pay Plan to reflect the increase. B. Crowder seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. D. Acceptance of Insurance Bid Premiums for 1990-1991 (Report R-90-47 dated March 23,_1990 and Report R-90-49 dated March28_, 1990) J. Fiddes reviewed report R-90-49 distributed at the meeting containing the final bid premiums for the District ' s insurance coverage. She said that the total bid package of $129, 468 represents a 19.7% increase over the 1989-1990 premium on an annualized basis. Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board accept the package (liability and property) , auto, umbrella liability, public entity difference- Meeting 90-08 Page six in-conditions, volunteer accident,and fidelity bond insurance coverage bid totalling $129,468 from Flinn, Gray & Herterich based on the quotations shown on Exhibit A from CIGNA, American Surplus, Insurance Company of North America (INA) , and Chubb for the period of April 1, 1990 through March 31, 1991. R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. E. Adoption of Budget for Fiscal Year 1990-1991 (Re Dort R- 90-48 dated March 19, 1990) H. Grench said that the major item to be considered was whether Open Space Management' s "wish list" items could be incorporated within the Open Space Management budget guidelines. He said that based on the motion passed at the March 14 Board meeting, staff had reviewed the budget and the budget guidelines to determine if an additional ranger position and items on the project equipment priority list could be added into the budget. He said that combined guidelines 6 and 7 would be exceeded by the inclusion of additional items. H. Grench said that a distinction should be made between including an additional ranger position in the budget and authorizing the filling of that position. Discussion centered on the desirability of budgeting it for a second ranger position. N. Hanko said that the budget guidelines should reflect actual expenditure and that the Budget Committee might consider recommending amendment of the guidelines . R. Bishop suggested that the Board budget sufficient funds to provide for an additional ranger position and that staff return to the Board in three months when the first budgeted ranger position is filled and request filling the second ranger position if needed. R. McKibbin said that field staff was facing a heavy workload in the 1990-1991 fiscal year and under Policy 6 of the budget guidelines, many "wish list" items could be budgeted for at this time. He said that he recommended funding all items on the list. Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board budget funds for an additional ranger position ($26, 700) and request staff to return to the Board in three months with a recommendation of whether to fill the position. K. Duffy seconded the motion. Motion to Amend: B. Crowder moved that the Board Meeting 90-08 Page seven include funding for the ranger yard improvements over a two-year period. There was no second to the Motion to Amend. Discussion: K. Duffy said that she would support the original motion,but felt that the budgeted field staff additions were sufficient, and that the budget should be left as recommended. The motion passed 5 to 0. Motion: R. Bishop moved that the question of items on the "wish list" be referred to the Budget Committee to make recommendations concerning funding. R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board adopt Resolution 90-16, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Adopting the Budget for Fiscal Year 1990-1991 as amended and direct staff to incorporate into the 1990-1991 Action Plan any staffing resource changes or additional Action Plan items resulting from discussion and approval of the 1990-1991 fiscal year budget. B. Crowder seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. F. Adoption of the Action Plan for the Implementation of the Basic Policy of the MidDeninsula Regionaj_pp@,n Space District for 1990-1991 Fiscal Year (Revort R-90- 42 dated March 19, 1990) Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board adopt the revised Action Plan for the Implementation of the Basic Policy of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District for the 1990-1991 Fiscal year as amended. R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. G. Annual Claims List for Fiscal Year 1990-1991 (Report R- 90-43 dated March 19,_ 1990) Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board approved the annual claims list, including debt service payments, for the 1990-1991 fiscal year. R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. H. Final Adoption of the Preliminary Use and Management Plan for the Schwabacher and RosenbergProgeny_ t �_ Addition to Monte Bello Open Space Preserve JReport R- 90-39 dated March 20,_it 9-�9_0_ Meeting 90-08 Page eight Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board adopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan for the Schwabacher and Rosenberg property addition to Monte Bello Open Space Preserve, including the naming, and indicate its intention to dedicate the property as public open space. The motion passed 5 to 0. I . Final Adoption of the Preliminary Use and Management Planfor the San Mateo County Redwood .?arkI!Kpp Pr operty Addition to Purisima Creek Redwoods_0pen Space Preserve (Report R-90-40 dated March 1.9_,_1990t Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board adopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan for the San Mateo County Redwood Park property addition to Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, including the naming, indicate its intention to dedicate as public open space the parcels listed in Exhibit A of the property transfer agreement, and indicate its intention to withhold from dedication as public open space the 22 parcels listed in Exhibit B of the property transfer agreement. R. McKibbin seconded the motion. the motion passed 5 to 0. J. Land and Water Conservation Fund Application for Trail Development Project at Russian Ridge_p2gn Space Preserve (Report R-90-41 dated March 20. 1990) Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board adopt Resolution 90-17, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Approving the Application for Land and Water Conservation Funds for the Ii Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve Trail Development Project. R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. VI. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS N. Hanko said that she had received a copy of Santa Clara County' s eminent domain policy. N. Hanko said that all Board members should schedule a visit to Ravenswood Open Space Preserve to view the new sign which was now in place. H. Grench said that a mock-up of the logo with revised colors will be put on the sign. N. Hanko said that April 23 had been tentatively set as the date for the continuation of the General Manager ' s performance evaluation. Meeting 90-08 Page nine N. Hanko said that any Board members interested in attending the Legislative Conference on May 9 and 10 should contact H. Grench. N. Hanko requested Board members to inform C. Schmidt of travel plans for June so that a docent recognition party could be scheduled for a Saturday in June. H. Grench reported that he had spoken at an organizing and training session sponsored by the grassroots committee for Santa Clara County Open Space Authority. H. Grench reported on a meeting of the steering committee for the new national open space organization, and said that "Open Space America" had been selected as the organization' s official name. He said the committee had formulated a mission statement and set of objectives and had also offered fund-raising help for the 1990 International Open Space Conference. H. Grench reported on the annual California Park and Recreation Society conference in San Diego, and said that he, D. Woods, and C. Bruins had participated as panel members. J. Escobar and D. Topley reported on sessions they had attended at the conference. B. Crowder reported that she had attended a Trails Conference at Asilomar and asked that information on trail safety distributed at the conference be reproduced for the Board. C. Britton reported that a letter had been received from San Mateo County proposing to open the closed portion of Alpine Road. He said that his response had been distributed to the Board. C. Britton said that he had attended a meeting of the East Palo Alto City Council concerning the proposed agreement on Ravenswood Drill, but that discussion of the matter had been continued. D. Hansen said that the District plans two events for Trail Days on April 21. D. Hansen said that a Ridge Trail event to honor volunteers would be held at Fort Mason on May 11 . J. Escobar reported on an accident resulting in an injury at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve. Meeting 90-08 Page ten VII . CLAIMS Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board approve the Revised Claims 90-06. N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. VIII.CLOSED SESSION C. Britton announced that litigation matters to be discussed in Closed Session fell under Government Code Section 54956.9 (a) - MROSD vs Acronico. The Board recessed to Closed Session at 10:50 P.M. IX. ADJOURNMENT The Board adjourned the meeting at 11:10 P.M. Joan Combs Secretary I I CORRECTION TO THE MINUTES OF MARCH 28, 1990 II . APPROVAL OF MINUTES March 28 , 1990 the R. McKibbin stated that page six, Section��ER. McKibbinhsaidithat field minutes should be corrected - �:- staff was facing a heavy workload in the 1990-1991 fiscal year and idelines , some "wish list" items could under Policy 6 of the budget gu He said be budgeted for at this time-Correctionshat arehunderlinedded funding several items on the list. " Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board diapprove bbin second mined utes mof March 28 , 1990 as corrected. R The motion passed 5 to 0 with E. Shelley and T. Henshaw abstaining since they were not present at the March 28 meeting. I