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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19911009 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Open Space MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 91-30 REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS OCTOBER 9 1991 MINUTES I . ROLL CALL President Nonette Hanko called the meeting to order at 7 : 08 P.M. Members Present: Robert McKibbin, Teena Henshaw, Ginny Babbitt , Nonette Hanko, Betsy Crowder, and Richard Bishop. Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Craig Britton, Mary Hale, Jean Fiddes , David Topley, Sheryl Marioni-Cochran, and Kathleen Hart. II . APPROVAL OF MINUTES N. Hanko noted that the vote for the second to last motion on page 3 should be corrected to show that the motion passed 6 to 1 , with N. Hanko voting no. September 25, 1991 Motion: G. Babbitt moved that the Board approve the minutes of September 25, 1991 as amended. R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. K. Duffy was not present for the vote . III. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS K. Hart stated that the Board had received 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 . VI . BOARD BUSINESS A. Proposed Addition of Vidovich Property to Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve (Report R-91-118 dated October 3 1991) C. Britton described the settlement proposal on the eminent domain action for acquiring 280 acres of the Vidovich property adjacent to Los Altos Hills . He showed on the map the 78-acre lower quarry area Meeting 91-06 Page 2 which Vidovich proposes to develop with approximately 24 home sites . He said there will be no home sites on the ridge. C. Britton discussed the seven main conditions of the proposed settlement, including the potential formation of an assessment district to help finance the purchase price of $8 , 500, 000; $2 , 000 , 000 of the purchase price is payable upon approval of the settlement proposal. He said the settlement proposal calls for escrow to close on December 31 , 1992 , after all terms and conditions are met. He noted that the District has an option to extend this deadline to May 1, 1993, if necessary, for purposes of completing the formation of an assessment district. He said that all court actions are suspended, and when escrow closes , they will be dismissed. In response to a question from B. Crowder, C. Britton said that the agreement calls for the District to support the development proposed for the quarry area in a manner acceptable to the District and that the District would monitor the development 1 process. Robert Johnson, council member, Town of Los Altos Hills , congratulated the negotiators on a superb job. He introduced Les Jones II , the new city manager for Los Altos Hills , who will be working with staff on issues connected with this property. Rex Lindsay, Santa Clara Land Title, 50 W. San Fernando, Suite 420 , San Jose , Mr. Vidovich' s negotiator, said he enjoyed working with C. Britton. Ry Smith, 23230 Ravensbury Avenue, Los Altos said he had been exploring the possibility of forming an assessment district in Los Altos Hills. He said that assuming a 51% vote is needed for approval he feels there a possibility for success. R. McKibbin commended Ry Smith, Rex Lindsay, Craig Britton, and others who have worked hard on this agreement. 1 Motion: R. McKibbin moved that the Board adopt Resolution 91-33 , a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Authorizing Acceptance of Contingent Purchase Agreement - Bargain Sale, 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 (Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve Lands of Vidovich) . B. Crowder seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0 . Meeting 91-06 Page 3 Motion: R. McKibbin moved that the Board reaffirm the tentative adoption of the Preliminary Use and Management Plan recommendations , including naming the property as an addition to Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve, and reaffirm its intention to dedicate the property as public open space. N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0 . B. Coordinated Design (Report R-91-115 dated September 30, 1991) M. Hale introduced Deborah Mills , who displayed the new District pin, the final piece in the coordinated design program. D. Topley spoke in favor of using the California state seal on District badges , noting Santa Clara County park rangers , the Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies use the seal . He said field staff feels the seal is recognized by the public as a symbol of authority, which would aid in enforcement of District regulations . Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board adopt the design for the District pin and approve use of the California state seal for the badge worn by District rangers . T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0 . C. Amendment to the Use and Management Plan for Fremont Older Oven Space Preserve to Accommodate a Ne R-91-117 dated October 1 , 1991) G. Babbitt said this trail seemed to be getting top priority and she questioned whether it impacted other trails scheduled for construction. B . Crowder expressed concern about building a trail for private use. S. Marioni-Cochran said it would take one to two days to build the approximately 300 feet of trail on District property, adding that staff would post private property signs at the edge of the preserve and encourage the Regnart Ridge Homeowners ' Association to gate the trail . C. Britton said the District would include a hold harmless clause in the agreement with the association. R. McKibbin commented that working on the trail was in keeping with the District' s Good Neighbor Policy. Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board adopt the amendment to the Use and Management Plan for Fremont Older Open Space Preserve to allow construction of a trail connecting private open space lands owned by Regnart Meeting 91-06 Page 4 Ridge Homeowners ' Association to the preserve ' s public trail system. R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. VII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS N. Hanko reminded the Board to turn in their questionnaires by October 14 for the Public Communications workshop. B. Crowder reported on the meeting she and C. Britton had with the Woodside committee formed to support the Woodside ballot measure to purchase the development rights for approximately 70 acres in the Teague Hill Open Space Preserve. She said that in response to chairperson Barbara Sietle ' s request for a hike on the property, C. Britton, with the help of several staff members , organized a very successful informational hike for October 8 . N. Hanko reported on the meeting she and C. Britton had with the city manager of Palo Alto and three city council members regarding a multiuse trail which would go through the perimeter of Foothills Park and connect Los Trancos Open Space Preserve to the Arastra preserve. H. Grench said that there will be a Woodside candidates ' night Thursday, October 17 , where the Teague Hill development rights purchase will be discussed. He reported R. Bishop will attend as the District ' s representative. H. Grench reported on his recent trip to Washington D.C. to testify before the National Parks and Public Lands House Subcommittee, in support of the Peninsula Open Space Trust. He said the subcommittee was considering a bill for the expansion of Golden Gate National Recreation Area to include the Phleger property and two other associated bills . H. Grench said that the California Office of Historical II Preservation is giving an award to the District at a reception on October 15. He said he, C. Britton, and C. Bruins would attend. It was determined that N. Hanko would also probably attend, and T. Henshaw said she could attend if N. Hanko could not. H. Grench reported that tapes and corresponding map are available from Ken Fisher ' s history tour of Purisima Creek Open Space Preserve with the docents. B. Crowder said she continues to follow the proposal to run a train across the Dumbarton Bridge. She said Tom Nolan was the only committee member present at a recent meeting. She said the train would go right by the proposed Bay Trail alignment. Meeting 91-06 Page 5 D. Tapley reported that over 200 people attended the Thornewood tour. He said there had been a bicycle accident at St. Joseph' s Hill open Space Preserve and an equestrian accident on Purisima Open Space Preserve. VIII . CLAIMS Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board approve Revised Claims 91-18 . G. Babbitt seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0 . Ix. CLOSED SESSION N. Hanko stated that the Board would meet with George Sipel in closed session to discuss personnel matters . The Board recessed to Closed Session at 8:10 P.M. X. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:55 P.M. Kathleen Hart Recording Secretary