HomeMy Public PortalAbout19940914 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Open Space
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
I
Meeting 94-24
REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
September 14. 1994
MINUTES
I. ROLL CALL
Vice President Pete Siemens called the Special Meeting to order at 6:35 P.M. i
Members Present: Pete Siemens, Teena Henshaw, Nonette Hanko, Betsy Crowder,
Robert McKibbin and Wim de Wit.
Members Absent: Ginny Babbitt.
Personnel Present: Craig Britton, Jean Fiddes, Malcolm Smith, and Sue Schectman.
II. CLOSED SESSION
P. Siemens stated that the Board would be meeting in Closed Session for the purpose
of discussing agenda item number one.
The Board recessed to Closed Session at 6:36 P.M. The Board adjourned the Special
Meeting at 7:31 P.M. to the conclusion of the Regular Meeting. P. Siemens
announced that the Board had been meeting in Closed Session with their real property
negotiator to discuss agenda item one, and the Board had instructed their real property
negotiator on price and terms for possible purchase of properties. The Regular
Meeting was called to order at 7:31 P.M. Ginny Babbitt arrived at 7:36 P.M.
Additional Personnel Present: Randy Anderson, Annette Coleman, Alice Cummings,
Sheryl Cochran, Julie McCullough and Susan Dale.
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
There were no oral communications.
IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
C. Britton proposed moving agenda item two, Final Adoption of Revised
Comprehensive Use and Management Plan for Public Use and District Management
of St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserve and agenda item three, Approval of
Modifications to the Prospect Road Maintenance Agreement (Fremont Older Open
Space Preserve) and Authorization for General Manager to Amend Fremont Older
House Lease Agreement to Make It Consistent with the Road Agreement, to the
330 Distel Circle - Los Altos, C ilifornia 94022-1404 Phone:4li-691-1200 .. FAX: 415-691-04€35-0485. 4�
Bo,ird of Oireoors Pete Siemens,Rc ckibbin, Iewna Henshaw,Ginny Bahbitt,Nonette Hank, y Crowder,Wim de Wit
i
Meeting 94-24 Page 2
consent calendar.
Motion: T. Henshaw moved that the Board adopt the agenda adding agenda
items two and three to the consent calendar as proposed. R. McKibbin
seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. G. Babbitt was not
present for the vote.
V. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion: T. Henshaw moved that the Board adopt the consent calendar as
revised, including approving the minutes of August 24, 1994; the
response to written communications dated August 22 and August 25,
1994 from Harry Haeussler, 1094 Highland Circle, Los Altos; the
response to written communication dated August 24, 1994 from Mel
Beck, 170 Hillside Avenue, San Rafael; the response to written
communication dated August 16, 1994 from Bruce Campbell, 777 San
Antonio Road, Palo Alto; agenda item number two, adopting the
revised Comprehensive Use and Management Plan for St. Joseph's Hill
Open Space Preserve; agenda item number three, authorizing the
general manager to execute the road maintenance agreement and
authorizing the general manager to amend the Fremont Older House
Lease Agreement by a letter of understanding to make the lease
consistent with the new road agreement; agenda item number six,
scheduling of Special Meeting on Saturday, October I beginning at
8:00 A.M. for the purpose of conducting a tour of District lands for
local public officials in San Mateo County; and approving Revised
Claims 94-16;. R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed
6 to 0. G. Babbitt was not present for the vote.
VI. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Tentative Adoption of Resource Management Policies to Protect or Restore
Natural Resources and Historic Buildings and Sites on District Lands MrtlOrt
R-94-9 1)
R. Anderson explained the proposed resource management policies formalize
the steps that the District will take to protect or restore the resources on its
lands. These resources include the plants, animals, ground, water, and
historic buildings, and sites. He said that adoption of these policies will
formalize the District's commitment to careful management and provide
clearer guidelines for the field and office staff.
R. Anderson explained the history of the development of the Resource
Management Policies document. He noted that the Board is being asked to
Meeting 94-24 Page 3
adopt the goals and policies included in the report on pages iv - viii.
A. Cummings stated the District mission statement calls for protecting and
restoring the diversity and integrity of the District's resources for their value
to the environment and to people, and will provide for the use of the preserves
consistent with resource protection.
R. Anderson explained how the Planning and Implementation section is for
informed, consistent, and effective resource management.
A. Cummings described how the Natural Systems Management is for
functioning, self-supporting ecosystems which maintain the natural abundance,
diversity, and ecological integrity of plants and animals. She then described
the Vegetation Management section which protects viable native plant
communities characteristic of the region. She went on to explain how the
Wildlife Management section provides a healthy, diverse native wildlife
population. A. Cummings then defined how the Non-Native Species
Management section controls non-native species which have a substantial
impact on preserve resources, whenever control is reasonably possible. P.
Siemens suggested moving "whenever control is reasonably possible", stated in
the goal, to the end of 6.1 so that the statement reads, "Discourage spread of
invasive non-native species, whenever control is reasonably possible".
R. Anderson explained how the Water Resources section protects natural water
courses, wetlands and hydrologic processes.
A. Cummings described how the Geology and Soils section prevents limited
soil loss and protects geologic features. It was recommended that the word
"limited" in the goal statement be changed to "minimal".
R. Anderson described how the Scenic and Aesthetic Resources section
maintains lands with natural appearance, diversity, and minimal evidence of
human impacts and how the Agricultural Use section allows agricultural uses
that do not significantly impact natural resources, but do support heritage or
scenic resources. R. McKibbin expressed his concerns with the word "begin"
as it relates to District's agricultural use policy. He felt this word misleading
to the District's overall mission and suggested better wording might be needed
to define our policy. The reintroduction of agricultural uses was discussed, as
well as potential income to the District.
R. Anderson defined the Heritage Resources section as creates preservation of
significant heritage resources for the education and enjoyment of present and
future generations.
Meeting 94-24 Page 4
A. Cummings explained how the Research and Information Collection section
allows documented scientific knowledge of preservation resources and resource
management techniques as a basis for management decisions.
A. Cummings described the Education section's goal, noting this section
compliments the entire document.
T. Henshaw said she would like to see a strong emphasis placed on education
noting that it relates to the overall Resource Management Policies. Discussion
centered on strengthening the Education section.
Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board tentatively adopt the resource
management policies presented by staff and as amended during
the discussion. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion
passed 7 to 0.
B. Amendments to the Site Naming and Gift Recognition Policy (Report R-94-89)
N. Hanko reported the Board adopted the Site Naming and Gifts Recognition
Policy at its meeting of August 25, 1993 and that a number of modifications
have been suggested to make the policy more clear and definitive in its intent.
N. Hanko further explained new language in section H-B clarifies that
locations of additional memorial benches will be part of the District's Use and
Management Plan process. New locations may be designated for inclusion in
POST's Memorial and Commemorative Sitting Areas Program. N. Hanko
continued that on-site plaques will not be considered as part of the gift
recognition section. Discussion over the term "may not" in the last sentence
of section H-B, resulted in amending the last sentence to read, "Unapproved
projects are discouraged and require formal U&M amendment which will not
necessarily be recommended by staff or approved by Board." N. Hanko noted
new section IV was added clarifying that such monuments would only be
considered in relation to a specific existing building or other structure of
historic value.
Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board approve the amendments to
the Site Naming and Gift Recognition Policy, including the
revision made during the discussion. T. Henshaw seconded the
motion. The motion passed 7-0.
C. Approval of District's Initial 1995-1996 Legislative Program (Report R-94-88)
C. Britton reported the District's proposed legislative program was formulated
by staff and reviewed at the July 5 and August 9, 1994 meetings of the
Legislative, Finance, and Public Affairs (LFPA) Committee. The program
Meeting 94-24 Page 5
covers the District's proposed legislative activities and priorities for the 1995-
1996 two-year session of the California State Legislature. C. Britton said that
Ralph Heim, the District's legislative consultant, will speak at the LFPA
Committee meeting of September 15, to discuss the upcoming session of the
legislature, any potential legislation of importance to the District, and how the
District might proceed with its legislative plan.
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board adopt the initial program for
the 1995-1996 Legislative Session. R. McKibbin seconded the
motion. The motion passed 6-0. T. Henshaw was absent for
the vote.
VII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
G. Babbitt invited candidates for the position of director to introduce themselves.
Steve Washwell and Mary Davey, Ward 2 candidates, and Dale Stansbury, a
candidate in Ward 1, introduced themselves.
C. Britton reported the County of Santa Clara has agreed to lend the Santa Clara
County Open Space Authority $300,000 in 1994 and $300,000 in 1995 and Larry
Coons will be Acting General Manager on loan from Santa Clara County Parks.
S. Schectman reported the Santa Clara Taxpayers Association had filed a lawsuit
challenging the formation of the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority.
C. Britton reported that the District's response to minority report to the San Mateo
County Alternative Funding Committee report had been distributed to the Board.
W. de Wit distributed a copy of "At the Crossroads", the final report of San Mateo
County's Alternative Funding Committee for the Parks and Recreation Division. He
announced that he and C. Britton attended a reception at Hidden Villa for the new
Executive Director, Judith Steiner.
C. Britton asked if a Board member would like to accompany M. Smith on Saturday,
September 24 at a reception at Presidio where Vice President Al Gore will officially
pass the Presidio to the park service. C. Britton distributed Pathways Trail Guide
Maps from Los Altos Hills.
C. Britton announced that M. Smith, Director Crowder and he gave a presentation to
the Town of Woodside's Town Council on September 13. C. Britton reported he met
with John Christian, Parks and Recreation Director for Sunnyvale.
W. de Wit reported he attended the Palo Alto Centennial event at which Director
Meeting 94-24 Page 6
Hanko was one of four honorees present to be recognized.
B. Crowder said there would be a tour of Djerassi property and reported that the San
Mateo County Trails Committee had recommended to the San mateo, County Park and
Recreation Commission that two trail regulations (helmets required and 15 mph speed
limit) be adopted to jibe with District regulations. B. Crowder announced a Ridge
Trail Tour for Ridge Trail staff members will be conducted to show its location
through District preserves, starting at Purisima and going down along Skyline to the
South.
P. Siemens reported the Los Gatos Creek Trail will open in mid-November and the
District will have a display set-up during the one-day celebration. He said there are
Santa Clara County Heritage Preservation monies available and suggested a possible
restoration or protection project grant for the old flume along Jones Trail.
S. Schectman reported on the Marin County bicycle lawsuit and its significance to
other agencies.
A. Coleman reported on three accidents at Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space
Preserve, Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve, and Fremont Older Open Space
Preserve.
VIU. SPECIAL MEETING CLOSED SESSION (Continued)
G. Babbitt announced the Board would reconvene the Special Meeting Closed Session
with the Board's real property negotiator to continue discussion of agenda item one.
The Regular Meeting was adjourned at 9:37 P.M. when the Board reconvened the
Special Meeting Closed Session.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
The Special Meeting Closed Session was adjourned at 10:40 P.M.
Susan Dale
Recording Secretary