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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19940525 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Open Space MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 94-16 REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS May 25, 1994 MINUTES NU ES I. RO LL LL CALL r President GinnY Babbitt al g called the meeting to order at 6:35 P.M. Members Present: Ginny Babbitt, Pete Siemens, Robert McKibbin, Betsy Crowder, Teena Henshaw, Nonette Hanko, and Wim de Wit. Personnel Present: L. Craig Britton, Jean Fiddes, Malcolm Smith, John Escobar, Randy Anderson, Sue Schectman, Terry Dunning, and Susan Dale. II. STUDY SESSION - Review of Areas of Agreement Regarding_District Policy, Goals and/or Objectives Not Discussed at January 22 Goals and Objectives Workshop (Report R-94-61) i The Board discussed the nine statements where there was general Board agreement to make certain that all Board members had interpreted the nine survey statements the same way. The Board reconfirmed their agreement on the following statements: I B. The District should continue to acquire suitable open space lands while gradually expanding public access. I H. The focus and direction of the District's community and public affairs is appropriate. I I. The District should continue its active role in re iog nal open space issues. i i Discussion for the other statements included: I A. The lop -tg erm goals and objectives of the District are clear. i Need to review long-term operations and planning plans in relationship to the strategic plan. Need to review objectives as part of the project to create a mission statement. The Board agreed to review the basic policy in conjunction with formation of the mission statement. I 330 Distel Circle * Los Altos, California 94022-1404 0 Phone: 415-691-1200 & FAX: 415-691-0485 19 Bwal of Directors:Pete Siemens,kobert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Ginny Babbitt,Nanette Hanko,Betsy(:rowder,Wim cue:Wit General Manap;er:L.Caig Britian I Meeting 94-16 Page 2 C. The District's maximum level of development should normally be limited to construction of trails parking areas, and restrooms. "Normally" is a key word in the statement. Current wording precludes the Board from considering different types of development, such as buildings. It was recommended that the word "maximum" be deleted and replaced with the word "basic" and that the word "normally" be deleted so that the statement reads: I The District's basic level of development should be limited to construction of trails, parking i areas, and restrooms. The Board agreed that using the word "basic" allows the opportunity for development beyond the elements of trails, parking areas, and restrooms. � I D. The District should expand its environmental education program to reach a majority of school-age children within the District. i i I Discussion centered on the potential financial impact of expanding the District's environmental education program, and the impact on the overall goals and objectives. The statement had a direct relationship with the expansion of the District's interpretive program. It was noted that environmental education is appropriate for all ages and that the program should be expanded incrementally. The Board agreed to amend the statement to read: The District should expand its environmental education program eventually to reach a majority of school-age children within the District and within financial constraints. E. Acquiring land in the Bay Trail and Ridge Trail corridors should be a high priority for the District. T. Henshaw noted that high priorities for the District may be different for individual Board members and that acquiring land, in general, may not be a top priority. It was noted that when money is tight, the Board may need to consider other acquisitions a higher priority than land in the Bay Trail and Ridge Trail corridors. F. The current pace of trail development is adequate. General consensus was that the current pace of trail development is adequate. Discussion centered around individual interpretation of "adequate", trail development for access purposes, and the pace of trail development being contingent upon District finances. N. Hanko stated that trail development is a high priority for her. P. Siemens stated that he felt overall trail development was good but access to particular preserves may be lagging, noting, however, that the current amount of District funds spent on trail development was appropriate. The need to utilize volunteers and funding from outside sources was I I Meeting 94-16 Page 3 discussed, and well as trail development's impact on staffing and operations cost. G. The District should eland its interpretive programs. Discussion centered on the expansion of the docent program over the past few years and the evolution of the program over time. C. Britton noted that expansion of interpretive programs is not a current staff assignment at this time. The Board agreed to amend the statement to read as follows: i The District should continue to expand its interpretive etive programs as the need arises. President Babbitt called a recess at 7:26 P.M. and reconvened the meeting at 7:31 P.M. She announced that the Board had just completed a study session and that the regular meeting will begin with Special Orders of the Day followed by Oral Communications. i Ill. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY A. Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board adopt Resolution 94-20, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District jCommending and Congratulating the Trail Center on its Tenth Anniversary. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. I B. First graders, Benjamin Flamm and Cameron Taylor, and fifth grader Carolyn Faught from Duveneck Elementary School in Palo Alto made a presentation of their visit to Hidden Villa Ranch. G. Babbitt presented the students with District caps in appreciation of their presentation. IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS I Harry Haeussler, 1094 Highland Circle, Los Altos addressed the Board regarding: 1) status of paragliding at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve; 2) the descriptions used to announce the May 18 eneral manager evaluation criteria should not be special workshop meetin • 3 his opinion that Pe P g g discussed in closed session, but rather the public should be able to provide input on this item; and 4) using microphones during meetings. C. Britton responded that paragliding use will be discussed at the next regular Board meeting. G. Babbitt stated the purpose of the workshop was to discuss land preservation methods to preserve land from development. S. Schectman responded that the District is in compliance with the Brown Act and that the general manager's evaluation procedure continues to be proper. C. Britton introduced Terry Dunning, the District's new real property representative on a one- year contract basis. i i i I I I I I I Meeting 94-16 Page 4 V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion: R. McKibbin moved that the Board adopt the agenda. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. VI. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board adopt the consent calendar including approval of the minutes of May 14, 1994 and revised claims 94-10. R. McKibbin seconded the I motion. The motion passed 7-0. I � J. Fiddes clarified that a written communication had been received too late to be included in the meeting packet, but had been distributed to the Board because it related to the Mt. Umunhum item on the agenda. I I I VII. BOARD BUSINESS I I A. Proposed Addition of Faler Partial Propgrty Interest to Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve (Report R-94-62) C. Britton reported the Faler acquisition is the remaining 1/8 interest of the 35-acre Sciarrino property acquired by the District in 1989. He stated that the purchase price was $30,000 and that under the terms of the purchase agreement Mr. Faler will continue to have the use of a cabin and immediate surrounding grounds for one year. I I Motion: R. McKibbin moved that the Board adopt Resolution 94-21 a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District I Authorizing Acceptance of Purchase Agreement, Authorizing Officer to and Authorizing fi t of Acceptance o f Quitclaim to District, I Execute Certi ca e p Qg General Manager to Execute Any and All Other Documents Necessary or f h Transaction Sierra Azul n Space Preserve - Appropriate to Closing o the ( Open p Lands of Faler). T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. I Motion: R. McKibbin moved that the Board reaffirm its adoption of the Preliminary Use and Management for the former Sciarrino property, adopt the revised recommendations in the staff report, including naming the Faler property as an addition to Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, and reaffirm the Board's intention to withhold the property from dedication as public open space. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. B. Mt Umunhum Building and Infrastructure Assessment (Report R-94-64) R. Anderson showed slides of the structures and reported on issues concerning legal access, building use, asbestos removal, and toxic soil contamination. He said that in order to determine future use or demolition of the Mt. Umunhum site, significant issues need to be addressed and a study needs to be performed to determine and find solutions or options for i i Meeting 94-16 Page 5 I buildings and materials. He reviewed the highlights of the facilities inventory and evaluation prepared by Gould Architects. C. Britton explained the background on the written communication, dated May 25, 1994 from Robert J. Logan, in behalf of his client Loren McQueen. B. Crowder voiced concern over the $143,000 study estimate. Consultant Bill Gould of Gould Architects responded that the figures given were only estimates for the Board to review and get an idea of the costs involved and magnitude of this project. P. Siemens expressed concern that the $20,000 for the Phase II study would not provide the costs for asbestos abatement. B. Crowder and T. Henshaw stated that any decision on expenditure of funds should be deferred until after June 7. R. McKibbin spoke in favor or demolishing the buildings at this time and directed staff to recontact San Jose State University about the buildings. C. Britton explained that further study is recommended to provide information for decisions which need to be made and the costs involved, not only by the Board, but for anyone in the public who may be interested in future use of the structures. Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board accept the preliminary findings of the initial i report and authorize staff to enter into an agreement with Gould Architects of j San Jose for $20,000 to provide services to prepare for a public hearing and solicitation of proposals for use of the buildings and facilities at Mt. Umunhum. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 to 3 on the following vote: Ayes: Directors T. Henshaw, N. Hanko, P. Siemens, and W. de Wit Noes: Directors B. Crowder, G. Babbitt, and R. McKibbin I C. Britton noted that a response would be prepared to respond to Robert J. Logan's May 25, 1994 letter written in behalf of his client, Loren McQueen, regarding the agenda item I and staff report on Mt. Umunhum. I ' C. Status Report on P=gsed Sale of Surplus Land at Teague Hill Open Space Preserve and Presentation of Draft Prospectus Offering Sale Approach (Report R-94-63) C. Britton stated that staff has been working with the Town of Woodside on a lot line adjustment based on existing legal parcels . He said that the sale process would conclude with opening of sealed offers at a regular Board meeting in fall 1994. Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board accept the current form and approach for a prospectus offering the surplus properties for sale and that staff present the completed proposal for the surplus sale to the Board for approval after finalizing the research of subdivision process alternatives. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. r Meeting 94-16 Page 6 VIII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS i C. Britton reported Sempervirens Fund is sponsoring a hike on Saturday, June 4 for the new trail connecting Butano, Memorial, and Big Basin Parks. He said he received notification that there will be a farewell dinner Wednesday, June 1, for Pat Kammerer and George Hinoku, outgoing i Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Commission members of Santa Clara County. C. Britton said he had received an agreement from the Corps of Engineers to access Mt. Umunhum at Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. He reported that the Trail Center would like to sell lemonade at some of the District's preserves and that he will notify them that the District policies do not permit such an activity. C. Britton reported that new legislation is proposed to overturn Proposition 117 (mountain lion habitat) and make mountain lions a game animal with a $1 tag. He said he spoke with Jerry Meral of the Planning and Conservation League regarding wording and positioning of Proposition i 180 on the ballot and they are not going to pursue any changes. i D. Woods explained the background behind C. Britton's May 20, 1994 letter to Alex Zuckerman, editor REBAC Reporter, regarding a bicycle route for NASA employees between the Stevens Creek Trail and NASA's northwest gate. I M. Smith asked Board members to confirm if they are available on Saturday, September 24 or Saturday, October 1 for the San Mateo County tour for public officials. I I jR. Anderson said that a Resource Management workshop would be scheduled in July. I S. Schectman distributed Brown Act handbooks to the members of the Board. W. de Wit reported on the staffing of the District display at the San Carlos Hometown Days event. P. Siemens reported he attended a Town of Los Gatos budget meeting, noting the town planned to cut their ranger program. G. Babbitt reported seem off road skate boards at Fremont Older Open Space Preserve and Po g questioned whether this type of activity was allowed on District preserves. IX. CLOSED SESSION G. Babbitt stated that the Board would be meeting in closed session to discuss the general i manager's performance evaluation under Government Code Section 54957. Meeting 94-16 Page 7 The Board adjourned to closed session at 9:37 P.M. to discuss: 1. Public Employee Performance Evaluation (Government Code Section 54957) Title: General Manager The meeting was adjourned at 10:07 P.M. Susan Dale Recording Secretary i CORRECTION TO MINUTES OF MAY 25, 1994: IV. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR P: Siemens requested that the May 25, 1994 minutes be changed so that the last sentence in paragraph 3 on page 5 was amended to read: "P. Siemens expressed for the Phase II stud concern that the $20,000 Y would not provide estimates for the costs of asbestos abatement." Mo ion: N. Hanko moved that the Board adopt the consent calendar including approving the revised minutes of May 25, 1994 and the minutes of June 8, 1994; written communicatio ns ns dated June 4 and June 8 1994 from Los Altos 94024• schedul ing a Harry Haeussler, 1094 Highland Circle, g t Special Meeting for Thursday, July 7, 1994 beginning a 4:00 P.M. at the San Mateo County Administration Building, Room 101, 590 i I I