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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19910508 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Open Space MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 91-12 REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY 8, 1991 MINUTES I . ROLL CALL President Nonette Hanko called the meeting to order at 6:40 P.M. at the new office building at 330 Distel Circle, Los Altos. i Members Present: Katherine Duffy, Robert McKibbin, Teena Henshaw, Ginny Babbitt, Nonette Hanko, Betsy Crowder, and Richard Bishop. Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Craig Britton, Michael Foster, Ruth Blanchard, Jean Fiddes, and Kathleen Hart. The Board toured the new office building with Rob Steinberg and Ann Allwein from The Steinberg Group. The Board recessed at 7 : 30 P.M. to return to the main office. President Nonette Hanko reconvened the meeting at 7 : 40 P.M. at the District ' s office at the Old Mill Office Center. Additional Personnel Present: Mary Hale, Alice Cummings, John Escobar, Del Woods, and Thomas Randall . II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES April 23, 1991 Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board approve the minutes of April 23, 1991 . B. Crowder seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. April 24, 1991 Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board approve the minutes of April 24 , 1991. B. Crowder seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. III. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS K. Hart stated there were no written communications. IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were no oral communications. V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA N. Hanko stated that the agenda was adopted by Board consensus . Meeting 91-12 Page 2 VI. BOARD BUSINESS A. Exchange of Land to Effect Minor Lot Line Adjustment to Northwestern Boundary of Foothills Open Space Preserve C. Britton described the area of exchange and said there would be no financial burden to the District. R. Bishop noted that the trade was consistent with the District' s Good Neighbor Policy. C. Britton noted that sections five and six of the resolution referenced the exchange of dedicated open space involved in the transaction. He added that a unanimous vote was required for such an exchange and requested a roll call vote. Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board adopt Resolution 91-19, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Approving and Authorizing Acceptance of an Agreement to Exchange Interests in Real Property, Authorizing Officer to Execute a Deed for the Real Property Interest Being Released, Authorizing officer to Execute Certificate of Acceptance of Grant to District and Authorizing General Manager, or Assistant General Manager, to Execute Any and All Other Documents Necessary or Appropriate to Closing of the Transaction (Foothills Open Space Preserve - Lands of O'Reilly) . R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed the following roll call vote: K. Duffy - Aye, R. McKibbin - Aye, T. Henshaw Aye, G. Babbitt - Aye, N. Hanko - Aye, B. Crowder - Aye, and R. Bishop - Aye. Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board tentatively adopt the use and management recommendations contained in the report, including naming the property as an addition to Foothills Open Space Preserve and indicate its intention to dedicate the property as public open space. R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0 . B. Crowder was absent for the remainder of the meeting. B. Budget and Architect's Fee for Remodel of 330 Distel Circle Office Building (Report R-91-59 dated April�29 . 1991) - C. Britton explained that the $500, 000 figure included in the 1991-1992 budget was an arbitrary amount recommended by the Budget Committee, and that staff was to return to the Board with a more refined estimate of how much it would cost to remodel the building when more Meeting 91-12 Page 3 information was available. He reviewed the status of the design process and stated that the total budget recommended for approval by staff and the Office Space Committee was $900,000. He noted that actual costs would not be known until bids were received for the project . Discussion centered on alternatives to decreasing costs, potential cost increases, and the size board room required. Motion: T. Henshaw moved that the Board increase the amount previously authorized for architectural services for the design of the remodel of 330 Distel Circle to a total of $78, 000 . R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion was passed 6 to 0. Motion: T. Henshaw moved that the Board approve increasing the budget for the remodel of the building and occupancy costs associated with the move of the administrative headquarters to 330 Distel Circle from $500,000 to $900, 000 with the funds coming from the New Land Purchase budget category. R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . The level of Board involvement in the planning process was discussed. H. Grench noted that the full Board would have final approval of architectural plans and specifications, and would need to authorize staff to put the project out to bid. R. Steinberg suggested that after receiving conceptual approval of their plans and design direction, the Steinberg Group could come back to the office Space Committee when more detailed plans are prepared. The Committee could help with fine-tuning before the architects prepared plans for the bid package. N. Hanko stated the Board' s consensus that there should be one or two meetings of the Office Space Committee to review the plans as suggested by Mr. Steinberg. C. Appointment of Peace Officer (Report R-91-57 dated May 8, 12111 - J. Escobar introduced Thomas Randall , the newest District ranger. Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board adopt Resolution 91-20, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Appointing Peace Officer - Thomas Randall. R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . D. Review of Comprehensive Use and Management Plan for Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve (Re �®rt _R-91�-60 dated April 29 1�991 .D. Woods reviewed the staff report He highlighted three issues from the Use and Management Plan Meeting 91-12 Page 4 report: (1) Ridge Trail realignment; (2) resource management issues relating to cattle and horse grazing, and fire suppression; and (3) special activities . He stated that staff wanted to expand the width of the Ridge Trail segment to a minimum of a six feet. He stated that tenants could not be found for an approved demonstration cattle grazing program on unit 5 on the northern ridge. He noted that a neighbor of the preserve had requested a short-term grazing arrangement on Mindego Hill . D. Woods stated that a grazing consultant had indicated that grazing in this area would be acceptable, as long as springs were fenced and a low number of cattle were grazed for a short time. D. Woods said that the non-motorized remote control gliders permit limit has been at 10 for Windy Hill Open Space Preserve and there is user demand for more areas where gliders are permitted. He said the Borel Hill area at Russian Ridge looked satisfactory for glider use, but a resource inventory indicates that raptors are found in the same area. He said staff feels it is premature to recommend glider use at Russian Ridge until the impact on raptors is researched. In the interim, he said Windy Hill permits will be increased to 25, and if there is a problem, staff would return to the Board. K. Duffy asked if the new trails would be built within the time-frame of the grants received for the preserve. D. Woods said they would, noting the delay in using the grant money was to allow staff time to do projects in other areas of the District. M. Gundert showed slides of the improved parking area at the intersection of Skyline Boulevard and Alpine Road. She said a restroom would be installed at the parking area next month. She showed slides illustrating the recovery of the tunnel entrance area, the new style signing being used, preserve access points , future sites for equestrian access and trails , and various trails. A. Cummings explained that proposed draft District-wide resource management policies had been applied to Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve as a pilot project. She briefed the Board on the preserve' s resource conditions. D. Woods outlined the plan' s compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act and explained the Department of Fish and Game procedure for fee exemption. A. Cummings explained the star thistle removal experiment. R. McKibbin expressed his concern over allowing any grazing on the preserve because of the high impact of grazing, previous unauthorized grazing on the preserve, and the staff time required to monitor such an arrangement. N. Hanko said that she felt the Board should follow the range management consultant ' s advice and noted Meeting 91-12 Page 5 she had worked with the preserve neighbor to establish a good relationship. Motion: R. McKibbin moved that the Board amend the Use and Management Plan to eliminate approval for negotiation of a short-term grazing lease. G. Babbitt seconded the motion. The motion failed to pass on the following vote: Ayes: R. McKibbin and G. Babbitt. Noes : K. Duffy, T. Henshaw, N. Hanko, and R. Bishop Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board approve the Negative Declaration and Mitigation Measure Monitoring checklist, tentatively adopt the revised Comprehensive Use and Management Plan for Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve as contained in the report, and approve the California Department of Fish and Game Certificate of Fee Exemption. G. Babbitt seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. R. McKibbin was absent for the remainder of the meeting. E. Proposed Addition of Gastronics Incorporated Property to the Mt. Umunhum Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve (Report R-91-54 dated April 24, 1991) Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board adopt Resolution 91-21 , 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 or Assistant General Manager to Execute Any and All Other Documents Necessary or Appropriate to Closing of the Transaction (Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, Lands of Gastronics Incorporated) . T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. Motion: K. Duffy 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 Mt. Umunhum Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, and indicate its intention to withhold the property from dedication as public open space at this time. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. F. Proposed Addition of the Peninsula open Space Trust Property to the Cathedral Oaks Area of Sierra _hgq�10 en Space Preserve (Report R-91-55 dated_April 23�1991) Meeting 91-12 Page 6 Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board adopt Resolution 91-22, 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 or Assistant General Manager to Execute Any and All Other Documents Necessary or Appropriate to Closing of the Transaction (Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, Lands of Peninsula Open Space Trust) . T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. Motion: K. Duffy 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 Cathedral Oaks Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, and to indicate its intention to dedicate the property as public open space T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. G. Final Adoption of the Preliminary Use and Management Plan for the Nicholas Property Addition to the Mt. Umunhum Area of Sierra Azu 58 dated April 25,_1991U Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board adopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan for the Nicholas Property Addition to the Mt. Umunhum Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve and indicate its intention to withhold the property from dedication as public open space at this time. G. Babbitt seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. VIZ. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS N. Hanko suggested that she and K. Duffy prepare the agenda for the June 1 Strategic Plan for the Nineties workshop with the help of a facilitator. She also requested that a moderator or facilitator be hired to chair the meeting so that she could participate. Motion: T. Henshaw moved that K. Duffy and N. Hanko be appointed as a committee of two to plan the agenda and to arrange for a facilitator for the Board workshop on the Strategic Plan for the Nineties. G. Babbitt seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0 . T. Henshaw stated that she would report on her May 8 trip to Sacramento for the California Parks and Recreation Society Legislative Conference at the next Board meeting. She Meeting 91-12 Page 7 said that she would contact N. Hanko regarding whether to place this item on the agenda. J. Escobar reported that Ranger Patrick Congdon was recovering well and should be able to return to light duty within the month. VIII. CLAIMS Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board approve Revised Claims 91-09 . G. Babbitt seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. Ix. CLOSED SESSION There was no closed session. X. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:07 P.M. Kathleen Hart Recording Secretary CORRECTIO N TO THE MINUTES OF MAY 8 1991 II . APPROVAL OF MINUTES May 8 , 1991 Teena Henshaw stated that the minutes should be corrected to indicate she was not present at the beginning of the meeting to tour the new office building, but that she was present when the meeting reconvened at 7 : 40 P.M. at the District office. Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board approve the minutes of May 8 , 1991 as corrected. K. Duffy seconded the .motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 . I