HomeMy Public PortalAbout19900328 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting 90-08
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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
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