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MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
April 8 , 1992
MINUTES
I . ROLL CALL
President Robert McKibbin called the meeting to order at 7 : 35 P.M.
Members Present: Ginny Babbitt , Richard Bishop, Betsy Crowder, Kay
Duffy, Nonette Hanko, Teena Henshaw, and Robert McKibbin.
Personnel Present : Herbert Grench, Craig Britton, Jean Fiddes , Mary
Hale, John Escobar, Del Woods , Mary Gundert and Deborah Morvay-
Zucker.
II . ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
H. Grench announced that a new agenda format was being used for the
meeting and that according to the agenda format oral communications
was the public ' s opportunity to request that the Board remove an
item from the consent calendar.
There were no oral communications .
III . ADOPTION OF AGENDA
H. Grench requested that a special order of the day be added to the
agenda .
H. Grench requested that the Board remove the minutes of March 24 ,
1992 from the consent calendar.
N. Hanko requested that the Board remove the minutes of March 25,
1992 from the consent calendar.
R. McKibbin stated that the agenda was adopted by consensus with the
addition of the special order of the day and the removal of minutes
of March 24 and March 25 from the consent calendar.
IV. SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY
H. Grench stated that the Special Order of the Day was to celebrate
the District ' s becoming California ' s first tri-county regional open
space district . R. McKibbin recognized the District ' s twentieth
year and the occasion of the District ' s becoming the first tri-
county regional open space district in California by its annexation
of lands in Santa Cruz County.
V. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion: T. Henshaw moved that the Board adopt the items on the
consent calendar as amended. R. Bishop seconded the motion.
The motion passed 7 to 0 .
201 San Antonio Circle,Suite C-135 . Mountain View,California 94040 - Phone:(415)949-5500 . FAX:(415)949-5679
General Manager:Herbert Grench Board oI Directors:Katherine Duffy,Robert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Ginny Babbitt,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Richard Bishop
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Meeting 92-9
Page 2
The Board made various recommendations for the appearance of consent
items on the distributed agenda for the benefit of the public. R .
McKibbin stated that the Board would first try the new agenda
format .
Recommendations were also made concerning the standardized postcard
response to written communications, including having a statement
that the Board reviewed the written communication, adding a brief
handwritten response, and having the president 's signature on the
printed cards . R. McKibbin stated that he would work with staff on
changes as needed.
VT. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
March 23, 1992
H. Grench stated that minutes dated March 24 , 1992 were incorrectly
dated and should be dated March 23 , 1992 .
Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board approve the minutes of March
23, 1992 as corrected. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The
motion passed 7 to 0 .
March 25, 1992
N. Hanko stated that in the discussion of streamlining District
procedures the Board did not agree to discontinue serving cookies at
Board meetings since T. Henshaw had agreed to provide cookies . She
stated that page 5, item C . 3 . showed consensus for items (E)
through (J) , and that the minutes should be corrected to state for
item (G) that "the Board agreed that serving cookies at Board
meetings should not be eliminated and T. Henshaw stated that she
would provide cookies . "
Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board approve the minutes of March
25, 1992 as corrected. G. Babbitt seconded the motion. The
motion passed 7 to 0.
VTT . BOARD BUSINESS
A. Review of Comprehensive Use and Management Plan for Skyline
Ridge Open Space Preserve (Report R-92-47)
D. Woods stated that the format of the report was streamlined
for ease of reference showing all of the recommendations at the
beginning of the report . He stated that the report also showed
the resources in staff time and money necessary to implement the
recommendations .
M. Gundert showed slides exhibiting projects on Skyline Ridge
Open Space Preserve. She stated that the development project
totalled about $1 million dollars and that $820 , 000 of the
project costs were funded by grant and donations . She stated
that the improvements made in the project included a left-turn
lane on Skyline Boulevard, a tunnel under Alpine Road, whole
access parking and equestrian parking, trail development
including a whole access trail at Alpine Pond, and restrooms .
She explained that a problem with the parking lot surfacing
material that caused the lots to become very slippery after rain
was probably due to a vein of the quarried material used that
decomposed in such a way to cause the slippery condition. She
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Meeting 92-9 Page 3
added that new gravel material spread over one of the lots
seemed to correct the problem and that new material would also
be spread over the other lot .
M. Gundert highlighted features of a $28 , 380 Land and Water
Conservation Fund grant project including completion of a spur
trail at Horseshoe Lake built by District staff , a consultant,
and volunteers from The Trail Center . She stated that there
would be grading and drainage improvements to the road crossing
Horseshoe dam to the southeast border of the preserve and an
additional 3/4 mile section of trail . She indicated other
proposed sections of trail to be completed , including a segment
of the Bay Area Ridge Trail .
In a review of completed projects , M. Gundert showed slides of
corporation yard improvements including installation of an
underground gasoline tank and a hazardous materials storage
shed. She indicated that the construction and dedication of the
David C . Daniels Nature Center building was complete and that a
focus committee of five members representing Peninsula Open
Space Trust, the District ' s Board of Directors , field staff ,
planning staff , and docents , would work with a consultant to
design the interior of the building.
M. Gundert explained that the cost of modifications to existing
structures at the building compound of Skyline Ridge Open Space
Preserve for Skyline field office space expansion would likely
exceed construction costs for a new building that would include
additional office space, adequate employee restrooms, and
meeting space. She stated that the new building would not be
visible from Skyline Boulevard and would include a public
contact area . M. Gundert noted that water well storage tank
improvements were necessary. She added that the A-frame house
located near the field office would be converted from an
enterprise rental to a ranger residence in order to increase
surveillance to the corporation yard and nature center. She
stated that occupancy by a ranger would also decrease the amount
of traffic through the corporation yard.
Reviewing restoration projects M. Gundert showed slides of
volunteers planting native shrubs and native oaks . She
indicated that the maintenance of the plantings was being done
by the volunteers and that records of the project were also
being maintained and would be useful for future projects.
M. Gundert stated that the California State Division of the
Safety of Dams had determined that the Alpine Pond dam was
within its jurisdiction. She said that in order to comply with
state standards all vegetation may have to be removed from the
face of the dam and that the spillway may have to be enlarged.
She stated that a study of the various options to alter the dam
or meet state standards would be prepared by a consultant and
1 presented to the Board.
M. Gundert stated that because of siltation and erosion due to
cultivation of Christmas trees on Skyline Ridge Open Space
Meeting 92-9 Page 4
Preserve near Horseshoe Lake, staff recommended that there be no
extension of the existing 100-acre agricultural lease that would
terminate in 1999 . She added that a biological study of the
impact of fishing at Alpine Pond had been done by Dr. Sam
McGinnis . She said he concluded that in general fishing was not
compatible with the emphasis on the environmental education
program. She stated that Dr. McGinnis discouraged bank fishing
because the shores of the pond would be trampled and that there
would be litter from cans and paper debris as well as discarded
fishing line. M. Gundert noted that a proposal from Richard
Tzmi-rian, Federation of Fly Fishers was contained in a letter to
the Board dated April 7 , 1992 , recommending a "catch and
release" fishing program utilizing float tubes . She stated that
although Dr. McGinnis ' study concluded that the fish population
would benefit from a population reduction due to fishing, staff
would not propose such a program because of the impact on staff
and the use conflicts that would arise.
D. Woods exhibited the new Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve
trailhead sign and map produced utilizing computer-based
mapping. He distributed the new carry-along fact sheet and map
to the Board. He explained that the fact sheet map was
identical to the trailhead sign map and that permitted trail
uses and contours were more clearly marked on the maps . He
pointed out that regulations were placed prominently on the
trailhead sign and that an area wide map of the District , key
features of the various preserves , and District general
information was also provided on the sign. He stated that a
sign for Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve would be completed in
two weeks and that the next signs to be prepared utilizing
computer-based mapping would be for Fremont Older and Monte
Bello Open Space Preserves . He stated that sign development for
a single sign includes about 40 hours of field staff time,
including input , measurements , sign installation, and revisions.
He stated that the process involves about 120 hours of planning
staff time for mapping, consultant direction, revisions, and
production time including contracting with the sign company. D.
Woods noted that computer time cost was about $1 , 000 and
materials cost was about $3 , 000 for each sign. B. Crowder
suggested that a date appear on the map. N. Hanko suggested
that "Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District" be prominently
displayed on the trailhead sign. D. Woods pointed out that the
main preserve signs emphasized the District ' s name.
Staff responded to questions and received comments from the
Board concerning the entire use and management plan. N. Hanko
asked about plans for installation of pay telephones at Skyline
Ridge. M. Gundert responded that telephones previously
installed at Los Trancos Open Space Preserve were vandalized but
that the District would install one if CaITrans did not install
one. K. Duffy commented on the need for hiker symbols where
hiking trails crossed horse trails and also stated that she
received a complaint that there was not enough room to turn
horse vans around in the Horseshoe Lake parking lot. M. Gundert
stated that removal of some of the log barriers was planned.
Meeting 92-9 Page 5
ti
R. McKibbin suggested that the first paragraph of section 4 . 0 of
the Use and Management Plan be revised to state " . . staff may
have to remove the platforms on a temporary or permanent basis"
in order to give staff the option of permanent removal of the
platforms if necessary. R . McKibbin stated his objection to the
killing of anything, including fish, on the District ' s preserves
and commented on the potential -degradation of Alpine Pond if a
fishing program was instituted. He cited as an example the
litter and degradation to the banks of Stevens Creek Reservoir
that was observable in just three weeks of recent use since the
resumption of fishing activity. Board discussion followed
concerning fishing at Alpine Pond.
R. McKibbin asked for public comment on the Comprehensive Use
and Management Plan for Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve and
drop any further study of it . There was no public comment .
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board tentatively adopt the
revised Comprehensive Use and Management Plan for
Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve and express its
intention to dedicate the 54-acre former Bullis
property as public open space. T. Henshaw seconded the
motion.
Motion R. McKibbin moved that the Board amend the motion to
to prohibit fishing on Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve.
Amend: R. Bishop seconded the motion. The motion to amend
passed 7 to 0 .
Motion N. Hanko moved that the Board amend the motion to
to allow staff to remove the floating platforms on
Amend Horseshoe Lake and Alpine Pond on a temporary or
permanent basis if necessary. G. Babbitt seconded the
motion. The motion to amend passed 7 to 0 .
Motion K. Duffy moved that the Board amend the motion to add
to Section 1 . 8 - The possibility of a trail on the old
Amend roadbed from the bend in the road near the ranger yard
returning to the Horseshoe parking lot will be
evaluated. N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion
to amend passed 7 to 0.
tiThe original motion as amended passed 7 to 0 .
B. Adoption of Revised Interim Guidelines to Distribute Brochures
from Other Organizations on the District ' s Preserves (Report R-
92--46)
C. Britton stated that the recommendation to reinstate interim
guidelines for distribution of brochures by other organizations
was made because Peninsula Open Space Trust requested a one-year
trial period extension for distribution of its brochures . He
stated that at each site designated the brochures would be in a
distribution box with a sign apart from the main District sign.
He stated that three potential sites for distribution were Windy
Hill Open Space Preserve, the David C . Daniels Nature Center at
Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve, and the Redwood Trail at
Meeting 92-9 Page 6
Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. Board members
discussed the possibility of other organizations requesting on-
site distribution and emphasized their desire that staff return
to the Board for reconsideration of the guidelines and the
program at the end of the one-year trial period.
Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board approve the revised
interim guidelines for distribution of brochures from
other organizations on the District ' s preserves on a
one-year trial basis, and direct staff to return to the
Board with an evaluation of the guidelines at the end
of the trial period. G. Babbitt seconded the motion.
The motion passed 7 to 0.
C . Scheduling of Special Meeting for Performance Evaluation of
Controller and Legal Counsel (Report R-92-48)
By consensus the Board scheduled a Special Meeting for the
purpose of conducting performance evaluations of controller and
legal counsel in closed session on Thursday, April 23 , 1992
beginning at 7 : 30 P.M. at the District office.
VITT . INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
H. Grench stated that Senator Mello' s Senate Bill 2027 passed in the
Senate Local Government Committee. Concerning the formation of the
Santa Clara County Open Space Authority, he stated that the Board' s
Legislative Committee recommendation was to exclude all lands within
the District ' s sphere of influence from being within the boundaries
of the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority.
N. Hanko stated that the rationale for the Legislative Committee ' s
recommendation was to have jurisdiction over the territory within
the District ' s sphere of influence and that the boundaries of the
Santa Clara County Open Space Authority and District boundaries
should not overlap. The Board concurred with the recommendation.
C . Britton reported that the Long Ridge Open Space Preserve
annexation final filing was made in Santa Clara County on March 25,
1992 and in Santa Cruz County on March 28 , 1992 . He said Santa
Clara County Local Agency Formation Commission was scheduled to
consider the annexation of lands in San Mateo County on April 8 ,
1992 . He stated that the District arrived at a settlement with Alan
Hosking that included Mr. Hosking' s payment of $4 , 500 per month for
four months tenancy and $6 , 000 for legal fees . He stated that the
amount of the settlement will be deducted from money owed to Mr.
Hosking by the District .
M. Hale reported that $1 , 115 in donations and many compliments had
been received by the District since the last issues of Walks and
Hikes and the District newsletter were distributed.
N. Hanko reported on the 20th Anniversary Committee ' s progress . She
stated that Peninsula Times Tribune had chosen the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District as the recipient for its subscription
promotion. The promotion offer would be a 13 week subscription to
the Peninsula Times Tribune for $20 . 35, of which $7 . 35 would be
donated to the District . The offer was being made by the newspaper
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Meeting 92-9 Page 7
to urge support for the District ' s 20th anniversary.
R. McKibbin stated that be made a presentation and conducted a brief
hike at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve for the Los Altos
League of Women Voters.
C. Britton reported that he and D. Woods made a presentation to the
Santa Clara County Parks Commission on the proposed joint project
acquisition of Jacques Ridge. D. Woods showed the slide
presentation to the Board.
TX. CLOSED SESSION
S . Norton announced that existing litigation, MROSD vs. Los Gatos ,
and potential litigati.on to be discussed in closed session fell
under Government Code Section 54956 . 9 (a) and (b) . C. Britton
announced that the acquisition matter to be discussed was being
negotiated with Ryland Kelly, owner, San Mateo County .assessor' s
parcel numbers 076-350; -150; and -240. The Board recessed to
Closed Session on litigation and acquisition matters at 10: 10 P.M.
X. ADJOURNMENT
The Board reconvened to adjourn the meeting at 11 : 15 P.M.
Deborah Morvay-Zucker
Recording Secretary
CORRECTIONS TO MINUTES OF APRIL 8, 1992
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
April 8 , 1992
K. Duffy stated that the second to the last sentence in the last
paragraph of page 4 should be corrected to state "K. Duffy commented
on the need for hiker symbols where hiking trails crossed the
highway .
Motion : R. Bishop moved that the Board approve the minutes of
Al:)HI 8 , 1992 as corrected . B. Crowder seconded the
motion . The motion passed 7 to 0 .