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Home My Public Portal About19930113 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Open Space 1 l i MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 93-02 REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS J_anuary 13 1993 i MINUTES I. ROLL CALL President R. McKibbin called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. Members Present: Ginny Babbitt, Betsy Crowder, Wim de Wit, Nonette Hanko Tema Henshaw, .Robert McKibbin, and Pete Siemens. ' Personnel Present: Herbert Grench, Randy Anderson, Craig Britton, John Escobar, Jean Fiddes, Del wood, and Deborah Zucker. I B. SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY R. McKibbin presented Wim de Wit with a District pin, and J. Fiddes readministered Mr. de Wit's oath of office as Director of Ward 7. W. de Wit introduced his family, who were in attendance at the meeting. In his remarks, he emphasized his interest in Promoting environmental education in the District. nI. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were no oral communications. IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA P. Siemens requested that item 10, Approval of License Agreement for the Portola Park Heights Homeowners Association to Install an Underground Power Line on Long Ridge Open Space Preserve, be removed from the consent calendar: B. Crowder requested that the written communication from Harry Hauessler be removed from the consent calendar. Motion: G. Babbitt moved that the Board adopt the agenda as revised. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. V. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS B. Crowder stated that the draft response to the written communication from H Hauessler, 1094 Highland Circle, Los Altos, dated December 21, 1992 did notes accurately describe the location where Eagle Trail was beingundermined ermined by the Open Space . . . for room to breathe 20th Anniversary 1972-1992 330 Distel Circle Los Altos, California 94022-1404 Phone:415-691-1200 FAX: 415-691 0485 Chi General Manager.Herbert Grench Board of Directors;Pete Siemens,Robert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Ginny Babbitt,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit Meeting 93-02 Page 2 creek. Mr. Hauessler was in the audience and specified to the staff the location of the potential problem spot on Eagle le Trail. C. Britton re sponded that staff would follow up initially by inspecting Po the area. Mr. Hauessler stated that written response to his letter was no t necessary. b R. McKibbin directed staff to follow up and tha t no response was necessary. VI. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR Motion: G. Babbitt moved that the Board adopt the consent calendar as amended, including responses to written communications from Ron Wilson, 45 Bear Paw, Portola Valley, dated December 18, 1992; Susan Hine, Five Hawk View, Portola Valley, dated December 7, 1992; Natalie S. Graham, 8 Hawk View, Portola Valley, dated December 11, 1992; and Robert A. Sayles, 14 Hawk View, Portola Valley, dated December 15, 1992; adoption of the initial legislative program for 1993-1994; and adoption of Resolution 93-02, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Authorizing Certain Board Employees to Invest Temporarily Idle Funds in Securities Allowed by Government Code. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. VII. BOARD BUSINESS A. Election of Board Officers for 1993(Report R-93-OD By signed ballot, the Board elected B. Crowder to serve as president, G. Babbitt to serve as vice president, N. Hanko to serve as treasurer, and W. de Wit to serve as secretary. J. Fiddes counted the ballots that are available for public inspection. R. McKibbin passed the duties of presiding over the meeting to B. Crowder. R. McKibbin was presented with tokens of appreciation for his term as president. B. Trail Use Guidelines and Mitigation Measures (Report R-93-02) R. McKibbin introduced the agenda item and acknowledged staff s support of the committee's work during the entire process. D. Woods reviewed the development of the Trail Use Guidelines in accordance with the District's Trail Use Policy. He summarized the proposed qualitative and quantitative guidelines and mitigation measures developed in cooperation with the Trail Use Committee and various interested community groups, public i Meeting 93-02 Page 2 creek. Mr. Hauessler was in the audience and specified to the staff the location of the potential problem spot on Eagle Trail. C. Britton responded that staff would follow up initially by inspecting the area. Mr. Hauessler stated that written response to his letter was not necessary. R. McKibbin directed staff to follow up and that no response was necessary. VI. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR Motion: G. Babbitt moved that the Board adopt the consent calendar as amended, including responses to written communications from Ron Wilson, 45 Bear Paw, Portola Valley, dated December 18, 1992; Susan Hine, Five Hawk View, Portola Valley, dated December 7, 1992• Natalie S. Graham, 8 Hawk View, Portola Valley, dated December 11, 1992; and Robert A. Sayles, 14 Hawk View, Portola Valley, dated December 15, 1992; adoption of the initial legislative program for 1993-1994; and adoption of Resolution 93-02, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Authorizing Certain Board Employees to Invest Temporarily Idle Funds in Securities Allowed by Government Code. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. VH. BOARD BUSINESS A. Election of Board Officers for 1993 (Report R 93 01) By signed ballot, the Board elected B. Crowder to serve as president, G. Babbitt to serve as vice president, N. Hanko to serve as treasurer, and W. de Wit to serve as secretary. J. Fiddes counted the ballots that are available for public inspection. R. McKibbin passed the duties of presiding over the meeting to B. Crowder. R. McKibbin was presented with tokens of appreciation for his term as president. B. Trail Use Guidelines and Miti ation Measures e rt R-9 -02 R. McKibbin introduced the agenda item and acknowledged staff s support of the committee's work during the entire process. D. Woods reviewed the development of the Trail Use Guidelines in accordance with the District's Trail Use Policy. He summarized the proposed qualitative and quantitative guidelines and mitigation measures developed in cooperation with the Trail Use Committee and various interested community groups, public Meeting 93-02 Page 3 agencies, and individuals in a series of workshops. B. Crowder asked that copies of the report be made available to anyone who requests it. P. Siemens suggested that Americans with Disabilities Act compliance measures be included in the Trail Use Guidelines. He recommended wording changes in 4.0 comments on page 4 of the Trail Use Guidelines referring to "trail users being displaced." He recommended referring to trail users haWnug been displaced, or other words indicating that conflicts result in trail users going to other parks. D. Woods stated that a correction should be made to Section 4.7 of the Mitigation Measures. He said that the effectiveness rating assigned by the Trail Use Committee was moderate, rather than low. G. Babbitt asked about enforcement of regulations and fines related to violations. Harry Hauessler, Portola Valley, commented that trails were not being properly maintained. N. Hanko emphasized the need for revision of the ordinance for regulations and enforcement and questioned when the proposed revisions would be presented to the Board. J. Escobar stated that staff could present the revisions to the Board for consideration in March. Additionally, she suggested that the Trail Use Committee continue and that other Board members participate in its continuance. G. Babbitt, T. Henshaw and R. McKibbin spoke in favor of disbanding the committee. Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board tentatively adopt the Trail Use Guidelines and Mitigation Measures and direct staff to incorporate the Trail Use Guidelines and Mitigation Measures into a draft proposal for revision of District Ordinance 83-1 (Regulations for Use of Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Lands) for board consideration in March. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. Following the meeting's break at 9:20 P.M. J. Escobar requested that the Board amend the date when the revisions to Ordinance 83-1 would be considered to May, noting that additional time was needed for the review process at the staff level. Meeting 93-02 Page 4 Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board reconsider the motion relating to Trail Use Guidelines and Mitigation Measures and direct staff to incorporate the Trail Use Guidelines and Mitigation Measures into a proposed revision of District Ordinance 83-1 (Regulations for Use of Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Lands) for Board consideration in May. G. Babbitt seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. C. Plan for Compliance with the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (Report R 9308) R. Anderson stated that staff, together with interested members of the public, conducted an evaluation of the District's facilities and programs in accordance with the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). He stated that standardized trail classifications based on accessibility are difficult to establish and controversial as an issue. He added that, as yet, no agency has adopted trail use accessibility designation standards for designing, constructing, and use of trails. He noted that item five in Section V. Access Objectives and Polices called for amendment of the adopted Site Emphasis Policy to add the following criterion: "Does the site offer opportunities to provide access for persons with disabilities?" N. Hanko requested that a chart similar to the Five Year Capital Improvement Plan Trail Construction and Improvement Projects contained in the report be made available to all users and that the chart be expanded to include information about future anticipated development of trails. R. Anderson stated that the chart was a revised for purposes of the plan for compliance with the ADA and would be updated. N. Hanko suggested revising Section 11. Description of the District's Basic Program to delete the sentence beginning "Provision of facilities . . ." and to amend the statement to state that in providing necessary facilities for public access alteration of the natural landscape is to be minimized. W. de Wit stated that Phyllis Cangemi, Executive Director, Whole Access commented that the plan was incomplete and that she would be available for one hour free consultation. R. Anderson stated that she had been personally invited to participate in the workshops and reviews of the drafts of the plan and had declined. P. Siemens made corrections to the draft. He noted that on page 24, in the first numbered paragraph the date should be January 1993. He also noted that Meeting 93-02 Page 5 on page 15, item 8a should read " . . . the measures outlined in Section . ." and item 7 should read " . . . barriers identified in Section VI77 . . ." P. Siemens said that he would prefer that Section V. be titled Access Goals and Policies and that plan needed a statement regarding the District's limitations and constraints in meeting the stated goals. W. de Wit stated that the use of the phrase "whole access" should not be capitalized in the document. Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board tentatively adopt the Access Plan for Persons with Disabilities as District Policy, and amend the existing Site Emphasis Policy, Addendum number 1, Section E. Accessibility to the Public, to add the criterion: "Does the site offer opportunities to provide access for persons with disabilities?" T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 with W. de Wit abstaining. The Board recessed for a break at 9:20 and reconvened at 9:30 p.m. D. Annual Review of the Relative Site Emphasis Plan and Schedule for Use and Management Plan Reviews (Report R-93-13) D. Woods reviewed the Relative Site Emphasis Plan and highlighted certain details, emphasizing current budget constraints and temporary suspension of open space management budget guidelines. He noted that the Monte Bello disc line trail project could go ahead because a neighbor would be donating the funding for the project. C. Britton said that if the offer were made the item would be on the Board's next agenda. R. McKibbin asked for additional signage at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve to distinguish the open space preserve from the county park and Deer Hollow Farm. D. Woods said he would add the request to the Relative Site Emphasis Plan and Schedule for Use and Management Plan Reviews before the second reading. N. Hanko requested a co of the staff�l copy report be forwarded to the South Skyline Association. Motion: R. McKibbin moved that the Board tentatively adopt the Relative Site Emphasis Plan and Use and Management Plan Meeting 93-02 Page 6 Target Review Schedule. G. Babbitt seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. E. Proposed Preliminary Action Plan for the Implementation of the Basic Polic of the.MidMninsula Regional.Open Space District for Fiscal Year 1993-1994 (Report 93-12) C. Britton, R. Anderson, J. Escobar, M. Smith, and J. Fiddes reviewed the highlights of the District's programs as proposed in the Preliminary Action Plan. Motion: G. Babbitt moved that the Board adopt the proposed Preliminary Action Plan for the 1993-1994 fiscal year and charge the 1993 Budget Committee with conducting a review of the Preliminary Action Plan on the Board's behalf as part of the budget review process. R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. F. Strategic Plan for the Nineties (Report R-93-11) Motion: T. Henshaw moved that the Board continue the Strategic Plan for the Nineties to the Regular Meeting on January 27, 1993. N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. G. 1993 Special District Board Management Institute (Report 93-06) Motion: T. Henshaw moved that the Board approve expenses for the District's two new Directors to attend the 1993 Special District Board Management Institute. N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. (New directors Siemens and de Wit stated they were interested in attending the institute.) H. Approval of License Agreement for the Portola Park Heights Homeowners Association to Install an Underground Power Line on Lon Ridge n Space Preserve (Report R-93-09) Meeting 93-02 Page 7 P. Siemens asked if field staff would have electronic key access to the gate. C. Britton responded that the District would have keypad access to the gate for maintenance and patrol purposes. Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board authorize general manager or assistant general manager to approve the License Agreement for Portola Park Heights Homeowners Association to install an underground power line on Long Ridge Open Space Preserve for the purposes of electrifying the main gate. N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. I. Appointment of Budget Committee (Report R-93-02) B. Crowder recommended the appointment of N. Hanko, T. Henshaw, and R. McKibbin to the Budget Committee. Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board approve the appointment of N. Hanko, T. Henshaw, and R. McKibbin to the Budget Committee. R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. VIII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS P. Siemens said that he and staff had met with the Town of Los Gatos on providing access to the Jones trail. B. Crowder stated that she attended the inauguration of three new San Mateo County supervisors and Senator Anna Eshoo's constituent meeting. H. Grench reported that Audrey Rust, Executive Director, Peninsula Open Space Trust, met with Senator Anna Eshoo in Washington, D.C. and discussed the Phleger property acquisition project. He said that he attended the Planning and Conservation League (PCL) selection meeting for CALPAW 94, noting that the District's $54 million of project requests were still included. He also said that he attended the PCL Environmental Forum while in Sacramento. He reported that he participated in an open space workshop in Sonoma County. H. Grench announced that starting time of the Legislative Committee meeting scheduled for January 22 with a presentation by Ralph Heim of Jackson, Barish & Associates was changed to 11:00 a.m. He stated that the Finance Committee was scheduled to meet on January 26 at 4:30 p.m. CORRECTIONS TO MINUTES OF JANUARY 13, 1993 V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES January 13 , 1993 B. Crowder noted that Harry Haeussler's address was incorrectly listed in Portola Valley rather than Los Altos on page 3 and the informational reports on page 7 listed Anna Eshoo as a senator rather than congresswoman. Motion: R. McKibbin moved the approval of the minutes of January 13 , 1993 as amended. G. Babbitt seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. Meeting 93-02 Page 8 J. Fiddes stated that a Public Hearing was scheduled for the January 27 meeting to consider the proposed amendments to the District's Conflict of Interest Code. C. Britton stated that the Norton property acquisition was extended one year and called for close of escrow prior to December 31, 1993. J. Escobar reported on the destruction of the A-frame building at the family compound at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve on December 27, 1992. He reported on the hit and run accident at Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve and stated that the driver of one of the vehicles was being charged. R. Anderson stated that there would be a public meeting to discuss the Proposed Use and Management Plan for St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserve on January 21 at 10:00 a.m. He said that University of California at Berkeley graduate students in the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) lab would be doing a volunteer project for the District. W. de Wit said that Britton Heights Homeowners Association would celebrate retirement of the Hassler assessment district bond on January 30 at 10:00 a.m. and that the celebration would also honor Richard Bishop upon his retirement as Director of Ward 7. IX. CLOSED SESSION H. Grench announced that labor negotiations and personnel matters would be discussed in closed session. The Board recessed to Closed Session on litigation matters at 11:15 P.M. X. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 P.M. Deborah Zucker Recording Secretary