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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19940126 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) I . ., .,. Open Space MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 94-03 REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS January 26, 1994 MINUTES I. ROLL CALL President Ginny Babbitt called the meeting to order at 7:33 P.M. Members Present: Betsy Crowder, Wim de Wit, Ginny Babbitt, Teena Henshaw, Robert McKibbin, and Pete Siemens. Member Absent: Nonette Hanko. Personnel, Present: Craig Britton, Je Fiddes, Randy Anderson, John Escobar, Smith, Stanley Norton, Tiffany Mazzone, and Emma Johnson. II. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were no oral communications. III. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY Resolution Honoring Mr. and Mrs. Walter Girdlestone G. Babbitt read the resolution honoring g and thanking Mr. and Mrs. Girdlestone for their financial and moral support and commitment to open space. Motion: R. McKibbin moved that the Board adopt Resolution 94-05 Honoring Mr. and Mrs. Girdlestone. B. Crowder -seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. Resolution Honoring Stanley R. Norton Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board adopt Resolution 94-06 Honoring Stanley R. Norton. B. Crowder seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. President Babbitt expressed the Board's great appreciation to Mr. Norton for his on-going contributions to the District during his twenty years as legal counsel. She presented the resolution and a photograph to him. S. Norton announced his intention to retire as the District's 330 Distel Circ le e Los Altos, Cahn>rni<i 94022-1404 a._w Phon e:_ E �. ..4r1 > (�391-1Zt)0 � FAX..: 41 5-. „ ._i91-048.5 Board of Otto tot,:Pete Siemens,Robert NU Kibbin,Teeny Henshaw,Ginny Babbitt, Nonette Hanko, Betsv Crowder,Win?de Wit Meeting 94-03 Page 2 legal counsel at the end of March, adding that he would remain a short time after that date if the Board requires his assistance. Introduction of New Staff Member h District's new receptionist, Tiffany Mazzone to the Board. J. Fiddes introduced the st s J p Y , IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA E. Johnson reported that the Board had received a written communication on January 21, 1994 from North Coast County Water District related to the agenda item on special district representation on the Local Agency Formation Commission. G. Babbitt said that the letter would be considered during the agenda item on this matter. Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board adopt the agenda. R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. V. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board adopt the consent calendar, including the written communication response to the California Native Plant Society; Notice of Completion of Contract and Acceptance of Work for the replacement water system at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve; Resolution 94-07 Establishing Signatories for Entering Safe Deposit Boxes (First Interstate Bank of California - Los Altos); and Revised Claims 94-02. R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. VI. BOARD BUSINESS A. Adoption of Relative Site Emphasis Plan and Schedule for Use and Management Plan Reviews (R-94-12) C. Britton reported that planning for a connecting trail from Ravenswood Open Space Preserve to University Avenue has been added to the list of capital improvement projects for the preserve. B. Crowder suggested that trail names at Monte Bello Open Space Preserve be reviewed to avoid confusion. Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board adopt the Relative Site Emphasis Plan and Schedule for Use and Management Plan Reviews as contained in report R-94- 08 and amended in report R-94-12. R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. B. Representation of Independent Special Districts on Local Agency Formation Commission (Report R-94-13) C. Britton noted that a new law (AB 1335),provides a process for representation of special districts on the Local Agency Formation Commission and that a majority of independent special districts within a county must pass and forward a resolution requesting representation to set the process in motion. He clarified that the District's "home" county for purposes of representation is Santa Clara County. He said the District has received numerous requests by other districts to pass a resolution to get the process underway, but has also received the written communication from the North Coast County Water District stating its concerns regarding surrendering latent powers and requesting that the District not rush to adopt the resolution. j Meeting 94-03 Page 3 C. Britton stated that this District does not have latent powers. S. Norton added that, while the District has no latent powers, he is unsure about the benefits of representation on LAFCO and there may be details that the District is not fully aware of at this time. After discussion of potential benefits and problems, G. Babbitt stated the Board's consensus to continue the agenda item to the Board's meeting of February 9. R. McKibbin proposed that C. Britton S. Norton and G. Babbitt look at the impacts of representation on the P Commission. II C. Exchange of Land to Effect Lot Line Adjustment to Kennedy Road Entrance to Sierra. Azul O_t en Space Preserve and Accommodate Neighboring, Property Owner R-94-11) C. Britton said the neighboring property is located adjacent to and immediately easterly of the Kennedy Road entrance to the Preserve and that the exchange of land would include approximately 0.5 acres for 0.25 acres of District land. He said the District would also receive: a conservation easement covering all of the Ireland land westerly of his driveway, restricting its use to private recreation; design review for any and all improvements made by Mr. Ireland on the conservation land; a lot line adjustment clearing District title to a portion of Mr. Ireland's land near or under the fence around the District's visitor parking area; Mr. Ireland's agreement not to protest if or when the District elects to construct the visitor parking area; and no out-of-pocket cost to District other than staff time. C. Britton continued that, since the land to be exchanged has been dedicated as public open space, passage of the resolution requires seven affirmative votes. The Board agreed to postpone the agenda item to its meeting of February 9 when all Board members are expected to be in attendance. D. Revision to Rules of Procedure Regarding Board Committees and Appointment of 1994 Board Committees (R-94-14) Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board adopt Resolution 94-08 amending the District's Rules of Procedure regarding committees of the Board. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The i n motion passed 6 to 0. G. Babbitt made the following appointments to the new standing committees: R. McKibbin, T. Henshaw, and P. Siemens to the Administration and Budget Committee; W. de Wit, T. Henshaw and N. Hanko to the Legislative, Finance, and Public Affairs Committee; W. de Wit, B. Crowder, and N. Hanko to the Use and Management Committee; and P. Siemens, R. McKibbin, and B. Crowder to the Acquisition and Enterprise Committee. G. Babbitt proposed 1) disbanding the General Manager Search Committee and assigning the task of recruiting a legal counsel to the Administration and Budget Committee; 2) continue the present Dog Committee (G. Babbitt, B. Crowder, and W. de Wit) in order to complete its charge; and 3) assigning the staff recognition event to the Legislative, Finance, and Public Affairs Committee. She said the docent and volunteer recognition events would be organized by staff, with assistance from individual Board members. T. Henshaw asked for and received confirmation that each committee should elect a chair at its first meeting and that the chair would report to the Board. G. Babbitt confirmed that the Nature Center is included in the Use and Management Committee. T. Henshaw said she has been working on the Nature Center and would volunteer to continue as an alternate as it pertains to environmental education. I Meeting 94-03 Page 4 Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board approve the appointments to the committees. B. Crowder seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. Motion: T. Henshaw moved that the Board disband all other committees. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. C. Britton asked for volunteers to assist with the recognition event for docents and volunteers. B. Crowder and W. de Wit said they would help. G. Babbitt said N. Hanko would probably be interested in helping as well. C. Britton said the event is planned for May 22, 1994. E. Proposed Preliminary Action Plan for the Implementation of the Basic Policy of the MidWninsula Regional Open Space District for Fiscal Year 1994-1995 (R-94-10) C. Britton said the purpose of the Action Plan is to guide the District's activities during the fiscal year. He said the final Action Plan is adopted in conjunction with the budget, and that the Administration and Budget Committee would be reviewing the Preliminary Action Plan in the Board's behalf during the budget formulation process. He noted that several additional staff positions are being proposed for discussion during budget review: full time real property representative which was put on hold during the budget crisis and filled by a part-time contractor at this time; a second full-time planning technician position (filled now on a temporary basis); a full-time secretary for the planning program (filled half-time now on a temporary basis); a second equipment mechanic- operator; and another ranger. C. Britton high-lighted the key projects of the Acquisition Program. R. McKibbin suggested that the Board re-examine the policy for the communication leases since they are income generating. The Board agreed to combine number 7 of Other Projects and Activities in the Negotiations and Special Projects Subprogram's with the subprogram's second key project regarding acquiring options. R. Anderson reviewed the Planning-Program, noting that the program had been split into the Advance Planning Subprogram and Site Planning and Implementation Subprogram. He said emphasis will shift from capital improvements to overall policy, regional, and site planning to address long-standing use issues and access opportunities. He noted that staff is hoping to initiate a process to define cultural resources interpretation to provide better identification and information for cultural resources on District preserves. R. McKibbin said the Administration and Budget Committee would need to review the second regular planning technician position and make its recommendation to the Board. C. Britton noted that all proposed staffing changes needed to be reviewed by the Administration and Budget Committee that would make a recommendation to the full Board. R. McKibbin recommended adding the phrase, "...from a planning standpoint" to the Key Project number 1, Regional Acquisition Studies; adding a fourth Key Project in Site Planning to add Mt. Umunhum military buildings analysis. R. McKibbin also recommended adding "...with grant and tenant funds" to number 5 of Other Projects and Activities under the Si te Planning and Implementation Subprogram. B. Crowder suggested adding to number one of Other Projects and Activities under Advance Planning Subprogram is Meeting 94-03 Page 5 the work on the San Mateo County alternative funding committee. The second other project and activity in the Advance Planning Subprogram should refer to historical and cultural resources G. Babbitt suggested that the Planning and Operations Preliminary Action Plans include the impact on the programs if CALPAW is approved. J. Escobar said the Operations Program is moving toward education and volunteer participation and that the program had been divided into the Field Operations Subprogram and the Volunteer and Docent Subprogram. He said that the fourth key project in the Field Operations Subprogram concerned Deer Hollow Farm and funding for that program has not been guaranteed by the City of Mountain View. R. McKibbin proposed that the Key Project and Activity relating to Deer Hollow Farm include the reference to other agencies as well as the City of Mountain View. J. Escobar said the Volunteer and Docent Subprogram will explore the expansion of environmental education and plan to use the Daniels Nature Center more. M. Smith reported that the Public Affair Program will focus on expansion into much wider geographic areas and differentiation of the District from other entities. B. Crowder suggested that another name be used rather than Town Hall for the informational meetings to be held. P. Siemens suggested that a mailing be made either by the District or Peninsula Open Space Trust to inform voters about CALPAW's benefits. C. Britton said that the Greenbelt Open Space Council is developing a map of local projects that will beet from C P g benefit fr ALPAW and hopes that that will be something that can be mailed out. G. Babbitt suggested the Legislative, Finance and Public Affairs Committee be gg g > involved in this project. J. Fiddes noted that the emphasis statement for the Administration Program needs revision regarding the Strategic Plan based on the Goals and Objectives Workshop. She said that the staff will work with the Administration and Budget Committee on the staffing reorganization plan if funding is available before presenting it to the Board. Motion: T. Henshaw moved that the Board adopt the Preliminary Action Plan for the 1994-1995 fiscal year as amended. R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board charge the 1994 Administration and 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 6 to 0. VII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS G. Babbitt said that, due to the resignation of the Districts's legal counsel, the Administration and Budget Committee should be charged with researching a replacement for the legal counsel. The Board supported the charge. T. Henshaw reported on the activities related to the search for a new general manager, noting the Board will interview the six final candidates on February 5. T. Henshaw continued that the Administration and Budget Committee will be prepared to make a report at the next Board meeting on the proposed process for replacing S. Norton. P. Siemens said the committee wants to develop a list of requirements and characteristics for the Board's consideration at its next Meeting 94-03 Page 6 meeting. B. Crowder reported she had attended a Harvard Club dinner at which Byron Sher gave a speech. She said he has been very supportive of the District. C. Britton reported that San Mateo County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) i Ridge n Preserve annexation and that he voted unanimously to approve the Russian edge Open Space e t matter will now go back to Santa Clara County LAFCO which will meet on February 9 before it comes back to the Board for final approval. He reported on a meeting with San Mateo County's Park and Recreation Director, Patrick Sanchez, Sierra Club and Ridge Trail representatives, Audrey Rust, and Herb Grench. He noted that the Hosking agreement will need some non- substantive modifications, and said that the District's legal counsel had found that, since the changes are non-substantive, the acting general manager may complete the transaction without further Board approval. The Board did not object to the acting general manager making these non-substantive modifications. R. Anderson said the Dog Citizen Task Force is tentatively scheduled to meet on February 3 and I said drawings of proposed office signs were available for the Board to review. He added that the El Corte de Madera Open Space Preserve study session on resource protection, trail guidelines, and use and management recommendations is scheduled for February 26 at 10 A.M.. R. Anderson reviewed the project costs for the Rancho San Antonio field office, noting that the total projected cost is $349,744 which is about 12% over the original budget. He said this figure did not include architectural costs, which he would report to the Board at the next meeting. J. Escobar reported on two bicycle accidents on District preserves. He said that the pigs at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve have not been caught even though traps have been set each night. He said staff will be mailing notices regarding the use of radar on District preserves agenda item to be presented at the next Board meeting. He added that East Bay Regional Park District now requires mountain bikers to have bells on their bicycles to alert others to their presence and will be doing more trailhead signing and building of stiles in an attempt to keep bicycles off prohibited trails. He continued that he had made a presentation at the recent Risk Management School of the National Park and Recreation Society during the past week. M. Smith called attention to the Newsweek article on pigs at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve and said the media seems to be reluctant to mention the District's entire name. VIII. CLOSED SESSION C. Britton announced that negotiation matters to be discussed in closed session were Santa Clara County assessor's parcel no. 351-12-049 and San Mateo County assessor's parcel number 080- 410-015, owner/negotiator Mr. and Mrs. William Fowkes; and San Mateo County Assessors parcel no. 078-130-140, owner/negotiator; Steven Pankowski. The Board recessed to Closed Session at 9:55 P.M. I IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 P.M. Emma Johnson Recording Secretary