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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19940209 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Open Space MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 94-05 REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS February 9, 1994 MINUTES I. ROLL CALL President Ginny Babbitt called the meeting to order at 7:32 P.M. Members Present: Betsy Crowder, Wim de Wit, Nonette Hanko, Ginny Babbitt, Teena Henshaw, Robert McKibbin, and Pete Siemens. Personnel Present: Craig Britton, Jean Fiddes, Randy Anderson, John Escobar, Malcolm Smith, Del Woods, Stanley Norton, and Emma Johnson. II. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were no oral communications. III. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board adopt the agenda. R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. IV. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR G. Babbitt requested that the written communication to Nina Farrey be removed from the consent calendar, and N. Hanko requested that the second agenda item, Ranger Bicycle Patrol Pilot Program, be removed from the consent calendar. Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board adopt the consent calendar, including the response to David Abreu's written communication; Minutes of January 12, 1994 and January 26, 1994; and Revised Claims 94-03. R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. V. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS G. Babbitt asked that changes be made in the response to the letter from Nina Farrey, 330 Parnassus Avenue, #205, San Francisco and submitted a draft of proposed changes to staff after reading them to the Board. 3 w Distel Circle Los Altos Iifornia 94022 1404 Phone: 415 691-" y- � t ) � FAX: 41�-69�1-0485 Eta [3wtd of Ihtector,:Pete Swmen, wrt M(Kihhiti, I eena I Ienshaw,Ginny Babbitt, Nonette i Bette Crowder,Wim de Wit Meeting 94-05 Page 2 Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board accept the changes to the letter to Ms. Farrey. N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. V1. BOARD BUSINESS A. Use of Radar on District Lands (Report R-94-17) J. Escobar reported that staff had received 26 letters from the public, and that 24 writers were against the use of radar and 2 were against bicycles on District trails. He said that use of radar to monitor bicyclists' speeds is one of the mitigation measures outlined in the Trail Use Guidelines and mitigation measures adopted by the Board in January, 1993, and that Ordinance 93-1 adopted in July, 1993 mandated a speed limit for bicyclists and equestrians. He said that the use of radar will provide an objective test of speed that can be articulated to the courts, and that other jurisdictions have been using radar with increased compliance with the speed limits. He added that the first three or four months of the program will focus on making informational contacts with trail users to increase awareness of the speed limit and determine areas of greatest concern and that citations will not be issued for several months. Members of the public were invited to address the Board. Berry Stevens of R.O.M.P. (3265 Fair Oaks Avenue, Redwood City); Scott Miller (605 San Conrado Terrace, #3, Sunnyvale); Mike Monegan, a member of the District's Volunteer Trail Patrol (1994 Newcastle Drive, Los Altos); Gregory Frank (PO Box 4123, Stanford); Bob Gardali, 634 Oregon Avenue, San Mateo); Marina Bundschuh (750 Sylvan Avenue, Mountain View); Andy Nourse (40 Forest Road, Woodside); Robert Hull (5 Bay Hill Place, Half Moon Bay); and Patrick Goebel of Western Wheelers Bicycle Club, (202 Junipero Serra Boulevard, Stanford) spoke against the use of radar and urged alternative methods of promoting safety. Tom Williams (400 Davey Glen Road, Belmont); Michael Weston, 1323 Bess Court, San Jose); and Bob and Elly Hess (2411 Graceland Avenue, San Carlos) spoke in favor of using radar, citing the safety issue but adding that radar should be used with discretion. N. Hanko said she was concerned about rangers' images if they begin to use radar and would prefer to have a more educational approach, with better, more, and friendlier signing. B. Crowder said the District needs to enforce the speed limit and favors limited use of radar on a trial basis. W. de Wit agreed that education is the best way to address the problem, but said he is in favor of using radar on a trial basis. T. Henshaw speculated on having certain trails dedicated for bikers who wish to travel at high speeds and said she does not favor the use of radar and wants to see how effective the bicycle patrol will be. P. Siemens cited the number of reports of trail conflicts between bicyclists and other users and said that, since the District has a speed limit, it should be enforced. He said that radar could be used as an educational too] and that he supports the use of radar. R. McKibbin said he favors keeping as many areas open to the maximum number of users in a safe environment for everyone. He said radar can be used as an educational tool, especially to educate the two to three percent of the users who do not abide by rules of etiquette or ordinances, and recommended that radar be used on a trial basis. G. Babbitt stated that the District has a broad constituency to respond to and has a great liability for users' safety. She said she favors the use of radar as a tool, but that it should be an open process without rangers hiding in wait for speeders. Discussion centered on a trial program and when it would take place. J. Escobar said Meeting 94-05 Page 3 informal contacts could be made during the period that field staff is training, and suggested that a trial should continue through the entire visitor season. Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board approve the use of radar to enforce the trail use speed limit on District lands on a trial basis ending November 30, 1994. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed on the following vote: Ayes: P. Siemens, R. McKibbin, G. Babbitt, B. Crowder, and W. de Wit. Noes: T. Henshaw and N. Hanko. G. Babbitt and R. McKibbin thanked the members of the public for attended the meeting and for their past work on the trail use policies and emphasized that they stay involved in the trial period and endeavor to assist in educating other bicyclists who are inclined to ignore the speed limits and trail use guidelines. G. Babbitt called a recess at 9:17 P.M. and reconvened the meeting at 9:27 P.M. B. Ranger Bicycle Patrol Pilot Prop-ram (ReWrt R-94-18) B. Crowder, commenting on the recommendation that participants provide much of their own equipment during the pilot program, said she would like to see the District get as much donated equipment as possible. J. Escobar responded that equipment will be provided by the District if the pilot program is adopted on an on-going basis. Discussion centered on restricting bike patrols to roads and trails open to public bicycle use and to the pursuit of violators. The Board was in agreement that these restrictions should not apply. P. Siemens proposed that the purpose statement include a reference to enhanced ranger visibility and effectiveness. Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board approve the ranger patrol pilot program with amendments to the first parameter of Procedures so it reads: "Routine bicycle patrol shall not be restricted to roads and trails open to public bicycle use," and that the second parameter be amended to read: "Bicycles may be used for the pursuit of violators," at the discretion of the ranger, and to amend the purpose statement to read: "The primary purpose of the ranger bicycle patrol program is to promote the safe use of District trails and enhance ranger visibility and effectiveness." B. Crowder seconded the motion. Discussion: J. Escobar clarified that the plan was not proposed as a Board- adopted program at this time and had been submitted to the Board as an informational report. C. Britton added that staff will amend the program based on the Board's proposals. The motion passed 7 to 0. C. Proposed Addition of Fowkes Property to Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve (Report R- 94-13-19) C. Britton pointed out on the wall map the location of the proposed acquisition with a laser pointer that had been donated by Harry Haeussler of Los Altos. He said the property will provide a connection between Long Ridge and Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserves and a link in a 16-mile stretch of the Bay Area Ridge Trail extending from Sanborn County Park Meeting 94-05 Page 4 to Russian Ridge Open Space. He said the purchase price of $23,000, realignment and upgrading of the gating system and driveway, construction of fencing, and trail building is estimated to cost a total of$72,225. He said the District received a grant of $46,525 through the National Recreational Trails Act which will cover the cost of land plus most out-of-pocket costs of the project. W. de Wit noted that report R-94-19 contained an error in the location of the property and that the report should state that "The property forms a narrow strip of open space paralleling the west side of Skyline Boulevard." Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board adopt Resolution 94-09, 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 Acting General Manager to Execute Any and All Other Documents Necessary or Appropriate to Closing of the Transaction (Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve - Lands of Fowkes). N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board tentatively adopt the 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 dedicate the property as public open space. N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. D. Exchange of Land to Effect Lot Line Adjustment to Kennedy Road Entrance to Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve and Accommodate Neighboring Property Owner (Report R-94-16) C. Britton noted that the exchange of land had been discussed at the Board's meeting of January 26 and had been tabled because a Board member was absent and the action required a unanimous vote by all Directors. N. Hanko noted that the staff report (R-94-11) referred to the conservation easement covering all of Mr. Ireland's land lying westerly of his driveway and said that the record should show that the conservation easement is easterly of his driveway. C. Britton confirmed that the easement is easterly of Mr. Ireland's driveway and pointed out the location of the easement on the wall map. N. Hanko said that future maps should better reflect where easements are located. Motion: R. McKibbin moved that the Board adopt Resolution 94-10, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Approving Authorizing Acceptance of an Agreement to Exchange Interests in Real Property, Authorizing Officer to Execute a Deed for the Real Property Being Released, Authorizing Officer to Execute Certificate of Acceptance of Grant to District, and Authorizing Acting General Manager to Execute Any and All Other Documents Necessary or Appropriate to Closing of the Transaction (Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve - Lands of Ireland.) T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. Motion: T. Henshaw moved that the Board tentatively adopt the use and management Meeting 94-05 Page 5 recommendations contained in report R-94-1 1, including naming the property as an addition to Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, and indicate its intention to dedicate the property as public open space. P. Siemans seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. E. Continued Discussion of IndeWndent Special Districts on Local Agency Formation Commission (R-94-20 C. Britton presented information on the status of resolutions passed by special districts to seek representation on the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO). He said that he had also received information from Autumn Arias, Executive Officer for Santa Clara County's LAFCO, regarding implementation of Assembly Bill 1335 that enables special districts to seek representation on the commission, but that there were still unanswered questions, especially regarding latent powers. With the Board's concurrence, G. Babbitt expressed the Board's decision to wait to make a decision on the resolution until more information is available. C. Britton said staff will report back to the Board before the deadline. F. Proposal for Oak Mitigation and Related Restoration Projects at St. Joseph's Hill Oven Space Preserve (Report R-94-21) Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board approve the concept for an oak mitigation project and related resource management and restoration work and authorize staff to work with Caltrans to draft a formal cooperative agreement for Board consideration. N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. Vil. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS B. Crowder reported that she is co-chair of the San Mateo County Trails Committee that has a large bicycle use project and that bicyclists on the committee would like to change the county's bicycle policy. She read a letter from a constituent from Portola Valley asking if the Board would consider the problem of deer in Portola Valley on a future agenda. R. McKibbin suggested the president of the Board respond to Dr. Hone, relating the District's policies. B. Crowder said that she met with the Ridge Trail Council and San Francisco Water Department concerning the Ridge Trail going through the Crystal Springs Water Shed. C. Britton announced that the Board of Supervisors of Santa Clara County approved a proposal to contribute $50,000 of park funds toward a matching grant for Deer Hollow Farm and that a meeting is scheduled with K. Foss and J. Gibbs to discuss working with the City of Mountain View. He continued that George Norton thanked the Board for the landscaping work at the former Smith house. He asked the Board's approval for continuation of the District's contract with Heim, Noack and Spahnn on the same terms of the last contract. The Board did not object. He reported that the architects' fees at Rancho San Antonio field facility is approximately $45,000 with additional costs for geotechnical work, preparation of site plan, and grading plan. The $45,000 fee would not be duplicated for the Skyline field facility. He announced that the Vidovich property closed escrow on January 5, 1994 and that Palo Alto had ordered an appraisal for the exchange properties relating to their centennial project with the District. He said he attended a LAFCO hearing at which the Norton and Aiken property annexations were approved. T. Henshaw asked the Board's consensus for the Administration and Budget Committee to consider having coffee for everyone at public meetings. Meeting 94-05 Page 6 R. Anderson reported that he and W. de Wit attended the San Mateo County Alternative Funding Committee and that they are progressing toward producing a draft report. He said that San Mateo County administration informed the committee that they cannot support a charter amendment to guarantee funding. He reported that eight people volunteered for the Dog Task Force which met last week and will reconvene in another month. Vill. CLOSED SESSION C. Britton announced that personnel matters were to be discussed in closed session, and negotiation matters to be discussed in closed session were Santa Clara County assessor's parcel no. 763-50-150 and -240 owned by Corte Madera Associates, negotiators Andrew Schilling and Ted Walker. The Board recessed to closed session at 10:15 P.M. IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 P.M. Emma Johnson Recording Secretary