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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19920527 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) • Open Space AA-L MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 92-13 REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS May 27 , 1992 MINUTES I . ROLL CALL President Robert McKibbin called the meeting to order at 7 : 34 P .M. Members Present: Ginny Babbitt , Betsy Crowder, Kay Duffy, Nonette Hanko, and Robert McKibbin . Members Absent : Richard Bishop and Teena Hensbaw. Personnel. Present: Herbert Grench, Craig Britton , Jean Fiddes , Mary Hale , John Escobar, Del Woods , and Deborah Morvay-Zucker . 11 . ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were no oral communications . TIT . ADOPTION OF AGENDA G. Babbitt requested that written communications be removed from the consent calendar. B. Crowder requested that Revised Claims 92-10 be removed from the consent calendar . R . McKibbin stated that the agenda with these revisions was adopted by Board consensus . TV. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR Motion : N. Hanko moved that the Board adopt the consent-- calendar, including approval of the minutes of the May 13 , 1992 Regular Meeting and authorizing the general manager to enter into a license agreement with the Sempervirens Fund and Stuart R(.,)istaczer to construct and monitor a well at the head of the San Lorenzo watershed (Report R-92-60) . G. Babbitt seconded the motion . The motion passed 5 to 0 . V. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS Written communications were received from Marcia E. Keimer, 475 Cervantes Road, Portola Valley, CA 94025, dated May 7 , 1992 and Jo Laster, P.O. Box 488 , El Granada, CA 94018 , dated May 11 , 1992 , regarding the need for guidelines and restrictions for mountain bikes on District trails . At R . McKibbin ' s request , D. Woods provided an update on the development of trail use guidelines . 201 San Antonio Circle,Suite C-1 35 • Mountain View,California 94040 • Phone:(415)949-5500 • FAX:(415)949-5679 General Manager:Herbert Grench Board of Directors:Katherine Duffy,Robert McKibbi n,Teena Henshaw,G inny Babbitt,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Richard Bishop Meeting 92-13 Page 2 B. Crowder stated that she did not agree with the draft response recommending that bikers consider using other preserves . H. Grench suggested that the letter be changed to include the wording "Skyline , Monte Bello, and Los Trancos Open Space Preserves have trails that are closed to bicycles . " R. McKibbin stated that the response- letters were approved by Board consensus with this change. VT . BOARD BUSINESS A. Introduction of Spring 1992 Docent Class (Report R-92-59) D. Gallagher introduced the volunteer members of the spring docent training program. R. McKibbin welcomed the docent trainees and thanked them for their valuable participation in the program. B. Preliminary Study for Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Assessment District No. 1992-1 (Vidovich Acquisition) (R--92-63) Randy Leptien of Leptien, Cronin, and Cooper stated that, a summary of his preliminary study was included in the Board report and that the study would be presented at a public neighborhood information meeting scheduled for June 9 at 7 : 30 p.m. He stated that the study considered the following benefits : a) prevention of adverse effects of development; b) views of undeveloped hillsides; and c) proximity to recreation sources . He stated that definition of the boundaries of the assessment district included the following factors : a) distance of within about one mile from the boundary of the proposed acquisition; b) physical barriers , including Interstate Highway 280, Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve and County Park, Foothill College, and Moody Road; and c) that variations within the boundaries were due to factors of access and size of properties . He stated that the range of benefit to properties was quantified on a scale of 0.65 to 1 .00, with an assessment of $1 , 200 designated to a property receiving a full 1 . 00 unit benefit determination. He said that the total principal, amount to be assessed would be $965, 000 . H. Grench recommended changes in the draft letter of notice of the June 8 informational meeting. The Board approved the changes . K. Duffy stated that page 5, section 2 b. of the Engineer' s Preliminary Study "Hidden Village" should be changed to "Hidden Vill.a . " She also asked for an explanation of the assessment district reserve funds . R. Leptien explained that a reserve fund must be established to assure timely payments to bondholders in case of default by property owners . H. Grench stated that reserve funds were also set aside for recent note issues. R. McKibbin asked if the public present wanted to comment on the report . There was no public comment. --------------- Meeting 92-13 Page 3 C . Proposed Addition to Skyline Ridge pe_p _k _Space Preserve (Report R- C . Britton stated that the property was known as the Big Dipper Ranch and was located east of Alpine Road and Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve, west of Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve, and adjacent to and north of Portola State Park. He stated that the District would acquire a 7/15th interest in the 767 . 9-acre property for a purchase price of $1 , 166 , 667 . He explained the rights of the minor interest holders who would continue to hold an 8/15tb interest in the property. D. Woods showed slides of the property, featuring its prominent ridge location, the richness and variety of vegetation on its well-managed grazing lands , and the wildlife habitat provided by its woodlands . He reviewed the preliminary use and management recommendations for the property. Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board adopt Resolution 92-21 , 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 (Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve - Lands of Marjorie Roth, as Trustee) , and Resolution 92-22, 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 (Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve - Lands of Alice Coehlo) . B. Crowder seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0 . Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board tentatively adopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan recommendations contained in the report, including naming the property as an addition to the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve, and indicate its intention to withhold the property from dedication as public open space at this time. B . Crowder seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. D. Proposed Addition of the Corte Madera Partnership Property to the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve (Report R-92-61) C . Britton described the 194-acre property as the major portion of a 200-acre parcel owned by Corte Madera Partnership. He stated that a 6-acre developed parcel would be retained by the Meeting 92-13 Page 4 sellers and that it would be one of five residentially developed inholdings located within Windy Hill Open Space Preserve. He stated that the total purchase price for the property, including interest , was $8 , 000, 000 and explained the details of the proposed payment schedule . C . Britton stated that the owners of the residences would pay for road maintenance costs provided the District did not use the road for public vehicular traffic other than patrol use and site maintenance, and public trail use if deemed feasible by the District . He stated that the sellers would pay the first $25, 000 of the costs to demolish the remaining structures on the property and would pay 5096 of costs in excess of $25, 000 . He explained provisions contained in the agreement for the sellers ' protection because they would retain interest in the property until the final payment was made by the District . He stated that the property could not be dedicated until the final payment was made by the District . M. Gundert showed slides of the property including the structural remains of the homestead ruin and stated that an engineer had been consulted about the potential preservation of portions of the structures for historical preservation . Discussion followed about the possibility of retaining portions of the structures for historical interpretation. M. E. Pratt , 1136 Waverley Street, Palo Alto, asked for the basis determining the potential development of 23 lots on the parcel . C. Britton stated that the estimate was made on the slope density III requirements of the Town of Portola Valley' s zoning and commented that the appraisal was based on the potential development of five lots . George Goudy, 5070 Alpine Road, Portola Valley, stated that there was no historical value to the structures on the property and that they posed a potential hazard. fie also commented that the driveway was a hazardous road that should not be used because hikers and bicyclists could not be seen around its curves by resident motorists . He stated that he and his wife would be opposed to any use of the driveway other than patrol and maintenance use by the District . He also stated that their spring water rights should be preserved and asked if money would be withheld from the sellers to assure road maintenance. Dave Beare, 5050 Alpine Road, Portola Valley, stated his opposition to the use of the road for walking. He asked about provision for maintenance of the road beyond the driveway. He stated his additional concerns about the road and the value and privacy of his property. C . Britton explained that the sellers would be responsible for II the District ' s share of road maintenance. H. Grench stated that Meeting 92-13 Page 5 neighbors and members of the public would be invited to participate in the use and management plan process for property. C . Britton reviewed the District ' s acquisitions history for the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve and stated that District staff would be investigating the potential for the formulation of a benefit assessment district to assist with the acquisition of this addition to Windy Hill Open Space Preserve . B. Crowder suggested that staff monitor the town council ' s discussion of an extension of Portol-a Valley' s utilities tax as art alternative to formation of art assessment district. Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board adopt Resolution 92-23, 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 (Windy Hill Open Space Preserve - Lands of Corte Madera , A Partnership) . N. Hanko seconded the motion. Discussion: S . Norton requested that the motion should include "and the Board further authorizes the general manager to agree to minor language changes , none of which shall be material to the transaction as a whole. " B. Crowder and N. Hanko agreed to include the wording proposed by legal counsel in their motion. The motion passed 5 to 0 . Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board tentatively adopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan recommendations contained in the report, including naming the property as an addition to Windy Hill Open Space Preserve; indicate its intent-ion to withhold the property from dedication as public open space at this time; and direct staff to investigate the formation of a benefit assessment district to assist with the funding for the acquisition. N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0 . VIT . INFORMATIONAL REPORTS G. Babbitt reported her attendance at the dedication of the restored Grant Ranch foreman ' s cabin at San Antonio Open Space Preserve. B. Crowder presented the budget for the 20th Anniversary events . H. Grench stated that letters would be sent , if the Board concurred, to legislators thanking them for recent visits in Sacramento and indicating that Board members would arrange to take them on individual District. tours during their summer recess. He obtained Board Meeting 92-13 Page 6 consensus to send the letters . H. Grench stated that the District received an invitation to have an exhibit at De Anza College for De Anza Days on May 31 . He proposed that the District have an exhibit at De Anza Days with more preparation time next year instead. fie recognized staff and docents who worked on the Grant house project . C. Britton reported that escrow closed for the Green property. VITI .CLAIMS B. Crowder questioned claim number 2605, and staff stated the explanation should have read "ranger office" instead of "ranger residence. " B. Crowder requested a cumulative statement of payments to The Steinberg Group for the new office building. Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board approve Revised Claims 92-10 . G. Babbitt seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0 . TX. CLOSED SESSION C. Britton announced that Closed Session discussions fell under Santa Clara County assessor ' s parcel numbers 544-07-013 , 544-05-015, -023 , 024 , 026 , and -028 , owner Azzarello, and Santa Clara County assessor ' s parcel numbers 517-16-010 and -007 , owner Antonacci . H. Grench announced that personnel matters would be discussed. The Board recessed to Closed Session on acquisition and personnel matters at 10 : 30 P.M. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11 : 10 P.M. Deborah Morvay--Zucker Secretary CORRECTIONS TO MINUTES OF MAY 27, 1992 V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES May 27 , 1992 N. Hanko stated that the date of June 8 in the second paragraph of Item B on page 2 should be June 9 . Motion: N. Hanko moved the minutes of May 27, 1992 be approved as amended. B. Crowder seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0.