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MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Meeting 94-07
REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
February 23, 1994
MINUTES
I. ROLL CALL
President Ginny Babbitt called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.
Members Present: Pete Siemens, Robert McKibbin, Ginny Babbitt, Nonette Hanko, Betsy
Crowder, and Wim de Wit. Teena Henshaw arrived at 8:05 P.M.
Personnel Present: Craig Britton, Jean Fiddes, Randy Anderson, John Escobar, Malcolm Smith,
and Emma Johnson.
i
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 6 to 0.
IV. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion: R. McKibbin moved that the Board adopt the consent calendar including minutes of
January 22, February 5, February 9, and February 15, 1994; the response to the
February 8, 1994 written communication from Keith Wohlberg of Santa Clara; and
revised claims 94-04. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
V. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Presentation of Videotape "Friends of the Farm: Lessons from the Land" (Report R-94-25)
Mimi Mourkas of Friends of Deer Hollow Farm said that a non-profit corporation is being
formed to support the Farm's educational program. She showed a videotape focusing on
the environmental education aspects of Deer Hollow Farm. G. Babbitt said the docents of
the Farm have made a highly commendable effort to sustain what is happening at the Farm
and the Board praised its activities.
B. Completion of Annexation to the District of Lands Ad Adjacent to Russian Ridge 0 pen Space
Preserve (Report R-94-22)
C. Britton reported that the 70 acres adjacent to Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve was
approved for annexation by San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties Local Agency Formation
Commissions. There was no public comment on the Board's final approval of the
annexation.
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Meeting 94-07 Page 2
Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board adopt Resolution 94-11, a Resolution of the
Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Annexing Certain Property to the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
(Midpeninsula Preserves 1993 - Russian Ridge). P. Siemens seconded the
motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
C. Amendment to Agreement to Exchange Interests in Real Property - Foothills Open Space
Preserve (Report R-94-24)
C. Britton said that the Board had approved an agreement with John and Cindy O'Reilly for
a lot line adjustment of Foothills Open Space Preserve on May 8, 1991 and that the
completion of the transaction was deferred until the timing was more convenient for Dr.
O'Reilly. He said that the initial agreement had expired, and that the new agreement calls
for the work to be completed by August 31, 1994. He noted that the resolution requires
approval by all members of the Board and that, since T. Henshaw was not yet present, the
vote should be deferred to later in the meeting.
G. Babbitt said the item would be considered later in the meeting.
D. Proposed Follow-up from January 22 Goals and Objectives Workshop (Report R-91:23Z
C. Britton said that staff has proposed follow-up actions to the January 22, 1994 Goals and
Objectives Workshop based on the Board's discussion and consensus statements at that
workshop.
The Board considered Section 2 - Topics Recommended for Discussion at the January 22
Workshop. Number 3a (Create a generic chart showing opportunities for input at each
stage of the process) did not generate any Board discussion and was deemed acceptable.
Discussing number 3b (Revisit public notification policies), N. Hanko suggested that
primary responsibility be assigned to Board, staff, and public and with the action section
showing an assignment to the Legislative, Finance, and Public Affairs Committee to review
methods for inclusion, outreach, and notification of affected people, particularly for use and
management plans. G. Babbitt expressed the Board's concurrence with the change.
In reviewing the use of public workshops to solicit input, B. Crowder suggested that Board
members particularly affected by the topic of the workshop should make a concerted effort
to be involved and this should be included in the action statement. R. McKibbin said it
should be flexible depending on type of workshop. G. Babbitt paraphrased the subsequent
discussion, saying the Board should be more involved in workshops and not rely on staff
for the entire process, but noted that wording need not be changed.
During discussion of number 10 (future staging areas and improvements), it was noted that
the initial statements in the survey did not accurately reflect the Board's current position on
the item. C. Britton stated that summary headers would be used in the future and the
statements could be eliminated.
N. Hariko Suggested that 10b (Review with the Board desired and planned improvements to
study potential long-term or ultimate bUildout of improvements) be amended to add that
possible assignments would be made to committees. C. Britton said staff could develop an
overlay system to show build-outs of improvements to present to the Board at a study
session. P. Siemens Suggested the Use and Management Committee consider it before it is
presented to the Board, and C. Britton suggested the completion date be the date that it is
Meeting 94-07 Page 3
brought before the committee. Further discussion centered on which committee would be
assigned the responsibility to study potential long-term or ultimate buildout of
improvements. G. Babbitt expressed the Board's agreement that the Use and Management
Committee will be assigned the charge followed by a Board workshop.
Referring to number 12a, N. Hanko asked when the list of criteria used to evaluate
(potential acquisition) property would be available. C. Britton responded that it would be
ready for the next potential acquisition.
In reviewing statements number 20 and 21 (enforcement of regulations and District's patrol
and maintenance activities), N. Hanko urged that field staff be invited to the study session
in September to get their individual opinions on enforcement and trail conflicts. As a
follow-up to her suggestion, J. Escobar suggested a survey of field staff be done and results
presented to the Board. Harry Haeussler, 1094 Highland Circle, Los Altos said that, given
the poor condition of the trails, the maintenance of trails should be addressed in this
section. J. Fiddes said that trail maintenance addressed in statement number 17 (The
current level of patrol and maintenance is adequate) was recommended for consideration
with statements 20 and 21. The Board suggested questions relating to trail maintenance
should be included in the survey. G. Babbitt said the current level of patrol and
maintenance will be addressed in the fall. T. Henshaw suggested that trail patrol
volunteers be interviewed and invited to the workshop. C. Britton said volunteers, docents,
and trail patrol volunteers will be invited to a two-hour study session.
In discussing the drafting of a mission statement and defining the greenbelt, it was decided
that the Use and Management Committee will draft wording in preparation for a full Board
workshop or study session. C. Britton suggested the workshop or study session be held
after completion of the committee's work. T. Henshaw said that the completion date for
the review of the Basic Policy should be changed since it depends upon the completion of
the drafting of the mission statement. The Board agreed that the initial review of the Basic
Policy should be scheduled after completion of the mission statement and definition of the
greenbelt. R. McKibbin and N. Hanko suggested that Board members who wished to
review the Basic Policy should review the policy to determine what specific changes, if
any, should be addressed.
N. Hanko suggested that statements 14 (The District needs to provide a wider variety of
recreational opportunities than is currently provided, i.e., pack-in camps, picnic areas,
etc.), 15 (The District should develop facilities for use by the general public like equestrian
centers, additional interpretive/nature study centers, hikers' huts, youth hostels, etc.), and
16 (The District should continue to be responsible for improvement and management of
historic sites and buildings) be considered in a public survey before the Acquisition and
Enterprise Committee considers them. M. Smith said staff is planning two telephone
polling Surveys, the first being the later part of June, and that some of the questions
planned relate to the public's ideas on projects. T. Henshaw suggested that the Board
consider the propositions if there is sufficient public support for them.
The Board discussed improvements to and management of historic sites and buildings.
Several Board members expressed their opinion that it would be better to have another
agency managing those properties. G. Babbitt said there are two issues: being responsible
for the historic properties/sites the District already owns and acquiring others.
Meeting 94-07 Page 4
Staff was directed to revise the workshop follow-up report to reflect the Board's discussion
and present it at the next meeting as a consent item for Board adoption.
E. Amendment to Agreement to Exchange Interests in Real Property - Foothills Open Space
Preserve (Report R-94-24) - (Continued)
Motion: T. Henshaw moved that the Board adopt Resolution 94-12, a Resolution of the
Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Authorizing Acceptance of Conservation Easement Dedication, Authorizing
Officer to Execute Certificate of Acceptance of Grant to District, and
Authorizing an Amendment to an Agreement to Exchange Interests in Real
Property, as Approved by Board Resolution Number 91-19 Adopted on May
8, 1991 (Foothills Open Space Preserve - Lands of O'Reilly). R. McKibbin
seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0.
VI. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
G. Babbitt reported that the Board has offered the position of General Manager to Craig Britton.
C. Britton reported that the Habitat Conservation Fund Program was suspended by the State and
no further action will be taken until the state budget is known. He said that he and M. Smith
will attend a seminar on the legislative process in Sacramento on April 21 and asked if any Board
members would like to attend. R. McKibbin and P. Siemens responded that they would attend.
Other Board members said they may be interested in attending a seminar on a later date.
J. Escobar reported that the helmet regulations will not be heavily enforced until signs are in
place on District preserves. He said that radar equipment has been ordered and training is
scheduled to start April 1. He said there was one accident on District preserves involving a hiker
during the last two weeks.
R. Anderson said there will be a Study session on February 26 at El Corte de Madera Open
Space Preserve as part of the planning process for the preserve.
Vii. CLOSED SESSION
C. Britton announced personnel matters Would be discussed in Closed Session. The Board
recessed to Closed Session at 9:35 P.M.
At the conclusion of Closed Session, G. Babbitt announced that the Board had voted to award C.
Britton a four-point salary incentive award effective September 26, 1993 based on the top step of
the assistant general manager/land acquisition manager salary range (Step Number 319.5
$81,395).
Vill. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 P.M.
Emma Johnson
Recording Secretary