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Open Space
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Meeting 92-15
REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
June 24, 1992
MINUTES
I. ROLL CALL
President Robert McKibbin called the meeting to order at 7:35
P.M.
Members Present: Katherine Duffy, Nonette Hanko, Richard Bishop,
Robert McKibbin, Teena Henshaw, Ginny Babbitt, and Betsy Crowder.
Personnel Present: Craig Britton, Jean Fiddes, John Escobar, Del
Woods, Sheryl Cochran, Alice Cummings, and Emma Johnson.
II. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
There were no oral communications.
III. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
N. Hanko proposed that an urgency item regarding the state budget
crisis be added to the agenda. She requested this be considered
an urgency item because of the impact on the District and its
activities.
Motion: N. Hanko moved that an eighth item regarding the state
budget and its impact on District funding be added to
the agenda as an urgency item. R. Bishop seconded the
motion. The motion passed 7 to 0.
The agenda, as amended, was adopted by Board consensus,
IV. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR
N. Hanko stated she would like the minutes of May 27 and June 10
removed from the consent calendar.
K. Duff stated she would like to have Written Communications
Y I
removed from the consent calendar.
a v d a e consent Motion: N Hanko n moved that the Boar adopt the on nt
calendar, includingNotice of Contract Completion
and
Acceptance of Work for Skyline Ridge Open Space
Preserve Trail Development Project (Report R-92-74) and
Revised Claims. B. Crowder 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 Boardo(Directors:Katherine Duffy,Robert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Ginny Babbitt,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Richard Bishop
Meeting 92-15 Page 2
C. Britton introduced Randy Anderson, the District's new planning
manager; Carleen Bruins introduced Joan Young, the District's new
volunteer coordinator; and John Escobar introduced the District's
newest open space technician, Mark Casaretto.
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.
June 10, 1992
N. Hanko stated that the record should show that she is opposed
to the formation of the Vidovich assessment district and will not
support assessment districts in the future unless they are
initiated by the residents of the assessment area. She asked
that the third paragraph, page 3 be amended to state that she
"would not support any assessment district. . . " rather than she
"would not support another assessment district. . .
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the minutes of the June 10 meeting
be approved as amended. B. Crowder seconded the
motion. The motion passed 7 to 0.
VI. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
K. Duffy proposed that the response to Mr. Cristal be changed to
state that "the seasonal posting was in process when we received
your letter and the warning signs are in place" and that a copy
of the letter be sent to Santa Clara County Supervisor Diane
McKenna since she had received a copy of Mr. Cristal 's letter.
Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board approve the written
communication as amended. G. Babbitt seconded the
motion. The motion passed 7 to 0.
VII. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Proposed Addition of the County of Santa Clara (Azzarello)
Property to El Sereno Open Space Preserve (Report R-92-70)
C. Britton stated that the 27. 88-acre proposed acquisition
located west of Lexington Reservoir and south of El Sereno
Open Space Preserve, includes a 25.4-acre parcel and five
small non-contiguous parcels totalling 2. 48-acres, and that
the purchase price is $366, 000. He said Santa Clara County
plans to build a portion of the Ridge Trail that will
connect with District's trails on the balance of the
property.
D. Woods showed slides of the properties and illustrated
their locations relative to other public properties. He
showed potential trails and trail connections and
Meeting 92-15 Page 3
recommended the property be a conservation management unit
until trail linkage is possible.
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board adopt Resolution 92-
28, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Authorizing Acceptance of 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 (El Sereno Open Space
Preserve - Lands of the County of Santa Clara) .
K. Duffy seconded the motion. The motion passed 7
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 El Sereno
Open Space Preserve, indicate its intention to
dedicate the main portion of the property as
public open space, and indicate its intention to
withhold the five small non-contiguous parcels
from dedication as public open space at this time.
K. Duffy seconded the motion. The motion passed 7
to 0.
B. Proposed Addition of the McQueen Property to the Mt. Umunhum
Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve (Report R-92-71)
C. Britton reported that the 45-acre property is located
south of Mt. Umunhum and northeast of Lake Elsman and
adjoins District property along a portion of its eastern
boundary and that property of San Jose Water Company
surround the property on the remaining sides. He added that
the $150, 000 purchase price would include a permanent patrol
and non-motorized public trail easement over a portion of
the remaining McQueen property, water from the McQueens for
caretaker residences at Mt. Umunhum, and a no-cost lease for
the District's communications repeater. He said both of the
latter rights are permanent, but on a 10-year renewable
basis.
S. Norton cautioned staff to establish a system for renewing
the water and repeater rights every ten years because the
option must be exercised.
D. Woods showed the location of the site on the wall map and
noted that staff recommends the property be designated a
conservation management unit.
meeting 92-15 Page 4
S. Cochran showed slides of the property, pointing out the
property lines and the potential trail corridor connecting
Sierra Azul Ridge with Los Gatos Creek Canyon. She added
that San Jose Water Company is interested in working with
the District on the trail system.
Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board adopt Resolution
92-29, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of
the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Authorizing Acceptance of Real Property 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 McQueen) . K. Duffy seconded the motion.
The motion passed 7 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 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. K. Duffy seconded the motion. The
motion passed 7 to 0.
C. Proposed Gift of Jones Property as an Addition to the
Kennedy Limekiln Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve
(Report R-92-69)
C. Britton reported that the two-acre property is part of an
old "paper" subdivision, most of which is now owned by Santa
Clara Valley Water District. He said the property lies
between St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserve and the
IIIKennedy Limekiln Area of Sierra Azul and is being offered as
a gift to the District.
A. Cummings showed slides of the property illustrating the
location of the property relative to Sierra Azul and the
proposed trail corridor extending from Lexington Reservoir
to El Sombroso, as well as the "overgrown" trail which would
provide alternative access to the major trail corridor from
Alma Bridge Road.
Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board adopt Resolution 92-
30, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Accepting Gift of Real Property, Authorizing
Officer to Execute Certificate of Acceptance of
Grant to District, and Authorizing General Manager
Meeting 92-15 Page 5
or Assistant General Manager to Execute Any and
All Other Documents Necessary to Closing of the
Transaction (Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve -
Jones Property) . G. Babbitt seconded the motion.
The motion passed 7 to 0.
Motion: K. Duffy moved that the Board tentatively adopt
the Preliminary Use and Management Plan
recommendations, including naming the property as
an addition to the Kennedy Limekiln 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 7 to 0.
D. Amendment to Comprehensive Use and Management Plan for
Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve and Authorization to
Solicit Bids for Eucalyptus Tree Removal (Report R-92-72)
J. Escobar reported that during staff 's annual assessment of
the need for tree trimming at Rancho San Antonio Open Space
Preserve, the eucalyptus trees located between the ranger
facility and Deer Hollow Farm have shown signs of stress in
the form of numerous dead branches and extensive sprouting
on the trunks and major branches. He said this creates a
potential hazard for the estimated 8, 000 visitors who pass
under the trees in an average week. He reviewed staff 's
three alternatives for mitigating the problem and the cost
of each, adding that staff recommends the second option of
removing all but the owl tree this year and allowing one
more year for the owls to return to the nest.
He said that the arborist that staff consulted recommended
removing twenty affected trees with the exception of the owl
tree. A wildlife consultant evaluated the impacts of a tree
removal program on owl nesting success; he recommended
removing all but the owl tree and topping that tree at 25-30
feet after the nesting season to remove hazardous branches.
Discussion centered on the public's reaction to the removal
of the trees, public safety, and how and when the public
would be made aware of a public meeting on the proposal. N.
Hanko reported that people she had talked to at the
preserve, like she, were not in favor of removing the trees.
G. Babbitt, B. Crowder, R. Bishop, R. McKibbin, and K. Duffy
responded that the fire and safety hazards require removal
of the trees. T. Henshaw noted that there are tremendous
possibilities for public relations and public education by
way of a flyer and advertising in the local newspaper, and
that notice of the informational meeting should be given
wide distribution, not just at the preserve.
C. Britton responded that although the Board is being asked
to approve advertising for bids for the project, the project
does not necessarily have to be awarded if the Board
I'
Meeting 92-15 Page 6
reverses its thinking regarding the removal of the trees.
He added that the public informational meeting would be
posted and held on-site. Board members stressed that it is
important that enough notice and advertising be given to the
meeting so that the public is aware of the problems and
proposals.
Motion: R. Bishop moved that the Board adopt the amendment
to the Comprehensive Use and Management Plan for
Rancho San Antonio Preserve to allow for the
removal of eucalyptus trees (second alternative)
and authorize staff to advertise for bids for the
removal of the trees. B. Crowder seconded the
motion. The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: K. Duffy, R. McKibbin, T. Henshaw, G.
Babbitt, B. Crowder, and R. Bishop
Noes: N. Hanko
Motion: K. Duffy moved that funding to build nesting
platforms for the owls be included in the
revegetation project. N. Hanko seconded the
motion. The motion passed 7 to 0.
E. Ranger Bicycle Patrol (Report R-92-75)
K. Duffy said that she believes the idea of a ranger bicycle
patrol is appealing and would like to determine the Board's
consensus on a formal process to have staff evaluate the proposal
and propose time-lines for possible implementation. She listed
numerous reasons that might make the program a positive one. She
said she is also interested in a volunteer bicycle patrol.
Discussion followed on the involvement of the Trails Committee.
K. Duffy suggested that staff evaluate the use of bicycles by
rangers and report to the Board and that the Trails Committee
study the volunteer bike patrol. T. Henshaw and R. Bishop
agreed that the full Board should consider the issue. G.
Babbitt noted that the timeline is a concern. T. Henshaw added
that the information should be available before budget
preparation begins. D. Woods said potential bicycle patrol is a
component of what he hopes the Trails Committee will be
presenting to the Board. There was Board consensus that a report
will be presented by the Trails Committee on either the bicycle
patrol or Trails Committee progress on September 9.
F. Scheduling of Special Meeting on June 29, 1992 (Report R-92-73)
Motion: T. Henshaw moved that the Board schedule a Special
Meeting for Monday, June 29, 1992 beginning at 7 : 30
P.M. at the District office for considering ward
boundary adjustments, calling District elections in
Wards 3 , 4, and 7, as well as other agenda items. R.
McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to
0.
Meeting 92-15 Page 7
G. Update on State Budget Crisis and Impact on District (Report R-
92-78)
N. Hanko reported that the proposed state budget being considered
would eliminate the "bailout" funding made available through AB
8, amounting to, at this time, approximately a $2. 5 million
reduction in funds to the District each year. She noted this
would seriously impact the District's ability to purchase new
properties. She said that several Board members had been calling
legislators to report how the proposed budget would severely
affect the District. She recommended sending the letter drafted
by staff for the Board president's signature to Governor Wilson,
as well as local legislators in Sacramento and the press.
R. McKibbin said that, with the Board's concurrence, the letter
would be sent the following day.
VIII. INFORMATIONAL REPORT
K. Duffy proposed having the Bay Trail slide show shown before a
Board meeting sometime. She added that, with so many new staff
members, she would like to have a gallery of photographs of
District employees, perhaps for the new building.
C. Britton reported that work is progressing on the new office
building. He said that the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park
District sent a notice that they're considering hosting a Not-So-
Annual Conference at the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Saturday,
November 21. He polled the Board on their availability on the
proposed date.
J. Fiddes reported that staff posted signs regarding the public
notice regarding the Vidovich assessment district and that the
Los Altos Hills Town Council had been notified of the posting and
that the signs will be removed on July 9.
C. Britton gave an update on the Vidovich assessment district
formation.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10: 05 P.M.
Emma B. Johnson
Recording Secretary
CORRECTION TO MINUTES OF JUNE 24 1992
VI . APPROVAL OF MINUTES
June 24 , 1992
N. Hanko referred to page 3 , paragraph 2 of the minutes , and
stated that she wanted to ensure that the General Manager be
apprised of the need to develop a system for renewing the
water and repeater rights opinion. S . Norton requested his
name be added to personnel present at the meeting.
Motion : N. Hanko moved that the Board approve the minutes
of June 24 , 1992 as amended. T. Henshaw seconded
the motion . The motion passed 7 to 0 .