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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19920624 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) i 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 .