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Home My Public Portal About19951108 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Regional 0 en ►ace A. #7 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 95-24 REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS November 8, 1995 MINUTES I. ROLL CALL President Pete Siemens called the meeting to order at 7:35 P.M. Members Present: Pete Siemens, Mary Davey, Nonette Hanko, Teena Henshaw, David Smernoff, Betsy Crowder, and Wim de Wit. Personnel Present: Craig Britton, Jean Fiddes, John Escobar, Malcolm Smith, and Mike Williams. 11. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS William Estrada, P. O. Box 153, New Almaden, stated that he had previously written the Board to request a utility easement through the District's property in Sierra Azul Open-Space Preserve and that he was now requesting that the Board unconditionally grant the easement to him. He stated that the District's requirements were completely unacceptable. C. Britton reviewed the dates of correspondence with Mr. Estrada regarding his easement request that had been previously forwarded to the Board. P. Siemens recommended that each Board member review the correspondence and contact the General Manager if a member of the Board wanted to place Mr. Estrada's request on a future agenda. Ill. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion: D. Smernoff moved that the Board adopt the agenda. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. IV. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR C. Britton requested that the minutes of October 25, 1995 and agenda item 3 District Support o Application for a Santa Clara County Historical Project Grant for the Homestead House at Picchetti Ranch Area of Monte Bello Open Space Preserve be removed from the consent calendar. B. Crowder requested clarification on claim 8389 to Tomlinson, Zisko, Morosoli & Maser. Motion: W. de Wit moved that the Board adopt the consent calendar including agenda item 5, Scheduling of Special Meeting for Purpose of Board Participation at Eighth California Regional Park and Open Space Districts Conference November 16-18, 1995 at 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 • Phone:415-691-1200 • FAX:415-691-0485 • E-mail: mrosd@netcom.com (9 Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,Teena Henshaw,David T.Smernoff,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit General Manager:L.Craig Britton Meeting 95-24 Page 2 Westerbeke Ranch, Sonoma and Revised Claims No. 95-19. B. Crowder seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES October 25. 1995 C. Britton stated that the resolution number for agenda item 5 Acceptance of Redwood Park. Subdivision Parcels from Peninsula Open Space Trust should be changed from 95-39 to 95-38. B. Crowder requested that the minutes for agenda item 1 concerning the construction of a portion of the Bay Area Ridge Trail at Long Ridge Open Space Preserve be amended to include a statement that "M. de Beauvieres reported that she, C. Britton, and J. Escobar had met with Sandy Touchatt, Dick Carter, and Candy Stone (by phone) as representatives of the Portola Park Heights Road Committee and they were unanimously supportive of the Alternative 2 trail crossing, providing that several liability issues can be resolved." Motion: M. Davey moved that the board approve the minutes of October 25, 1995 as corrected. D. Smernoff seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0 with T. Henshaw abstaining from the vote since she was not present at the October 25 meeting. VI. PUBLIC HEARING Annexation to the District of Lands Adjacent to Skyline Ridge and Purisima Creek Redwoods QMn Space Preserves (RWrt R-95-127) C. Britton reviewed the staff report regarding the annexation of approximately 1001 acres of land adjacent to Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve and approximately 481 acres adjacent to Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve and briefed the Board on annexation process to date. He stated that Celia Cummings, who owns a 45.78% interest in Big Dipper Ranch, was the only landowner who did not sign the annexation documents. P. Siemens declared the Public Hearing open at 7:47 P.M. and asked if any member of the public wished to address the Board on the annexation. No member of the public addressed the Board. P. Siemens declared the Public Hearing closed at 7:48 P.M. Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board adopt Resolution 95-39, 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 1995 - Skyline Area). N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. VIE. BOARD BUSINESS A. Agenda Item No. 1 - Final Adoption of Use and Management Plan Amendments to Open All Trails to Dogs on Leash at Fremont Older. Coal Creek, and Thornewood Oren Space Preserves and to Close Long, Ridgepen Space Preserve to Dog Access and Direction to Staff to Implement Access Changes by December 8. 1995 (Report R-95-138) C. Britton reviewed the staff report, noting staff was recommending the changes in dog access formally take effect in one month on December 8, 1995 to allow for time for signs and maps to be amended. . Meeting 95-24 Page 3 John Carnes, 1755 La Honda Road, #95, Woodside, speaking in behalf of Peninsula Access for Dogs (PADS), encouraged the Board to vote in favor of the recommendations. Dan Bernstein questioned what the District's informal policy would be regarding access prior to December 8, noting that he would prefer not to wait a month for the changes to be implemented. J. Escobar stated that there was no informal policy and that current regulations would remain in effect until December 8; he explained how signs would be modified and/or replaced and the reasons for needing until December 8 to implement the changes. N. Hanko stated that she wanted to discuss item B - closing Long Ridge Open Space Preserve to dogs as incompatible with the criteria and would therefore move items A, C, and D separately. Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board adopt the Use and Management Plan amendments for dog access at three preserves, including opening all remaining trails to dogs on leash at Fremont Older, Coal Creek, and Thornewood Open Space Preserves and direct that these access changes formally take effect in one month on December 8, 1995 to allow time for amendment of maps and signs. W. de Wit seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. Motion: T. Henshaw moved that the Board adopt the Use and Management Plan amendment to close Long Ridge Open Space Preserve to dogs as incompatible with criteria. M. Davey seconded the motion. Discussion: N. Hanko reported that dog access at Long ridge Open Space Preserve had long-term importance to the residents near Long Ridge who enjoyed having a place where they could walk their dogs. She stated she was reluctant to close the short trail on the preserve, speaking in favor of keeping the trail open as part of the District's Good Neighbor Policy. B. Crowder said the Use and Management Committee had spent significant time on this recommendation, that it is difficult to enforce not allowing dogs on other parts of the preserve, and that it is easier for all who walk their dogs to be clear that dogs are not allowed on Long Ridge Open Space Preserve. The motion passed on the following vote: Ayes: P. Siemens, M. Davey, T. Henshaw, B. Crowder, and W. de Wit. Noes: N. Hanko and D. Smernoff. C. Britton stated that the second reading of the Use and Management Plan amendments for Sierra Azul and Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserves would be on the December 20 agenda, later than initially announced to individuals on the dog notification mailing list because of adjustments in the November and December meeting schedule. He stated staff had received no comments to date on the proposed amendments and, unless a member of the Board objected, staff would not renotice the mailing list of the date change. N. Hanko requested that members of the initial dog task force be notified of the date change. D. Smernoff questioned whether the timing for opening Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve to dog access could take place immediately after the second reading of the Use and w Meeting 95-24 Page 4 Management Plan amendment for the preserve. C. Britton stated that it would be presumptuous of staff to implement sign and map changes prior the Board's final action and that time was needed after the second reading for staff to implement the change. T. Henshaw noted that it was very helpful to note in the staff report the specific date when dog access on a preserve would be effective. B. Agenda Item No. 2 - Proposed Agreement to Exchange Interests in Real Property Located at 10920 Page Mill Road with John and Cindy O'Reilly (Report R-95-137) C. Britton reviewed portions of the staff report, noting this was an historic encroachment, there was no change in the land's character, and the Board had approved the same agreement twice in the past. He said an unanimous vote of the Board was required for the exchange. Motion: T. Henshaw moved that the Board adopt Resolution 95-40, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the MidPeninsula Regional Open Space District Approving and 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 General Manager to Execute Any and All Other Documents Necessary or Appropriate to Closing the Transaction (Foothill Open Space Preserve - Lands of O'Reilly). T. Henshaw seconded the motion. Discussion: T. Henshaw and N. Hanko spoke in favor of the motion and the route taken by staff on this matter. The motion passed 7 to 0. C. Agenda Item No. 3 - District Support of Application for a Santa Clara County Historical Project Grant for the Homestead House at the Picchetti Ranch Area of Monte Bello Open Space Preserve (Report R-95-134) C. Britton stated that this item had been removed from the consent calendar since the District, rather than the Stortzes, had to apply for the grant. He distributed revised wording for the resolution, noting that the District had to make certain findings in applying for the grant. He said that the Stortzes were responsible for preparing material for the grant application. T. Henshaw requested a future staff update on the Picchetti lease. Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board adopt Resolution 95-41, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Approving the Application for Grant Funds under the Santa Clara County Historical Project Funding Program for the Following Project: Homestead House Historic Restoration Picchetti Ranch Area of Monte Bello Open Space Preserve. T. Henshaw seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. Meeting 95-24 Page 5 D. Agenda Item No. 4 - Proposed Exchange of Interests in Real Property with Ruth C. Reynolds to Quitclaim Certain_Real Property Rights and Cooperate in a Request to Rescind a County Road Agreement Burdening District's and Reynolds' ProMrty (El Corte de Madera Open Space Preserve) (Report R-95-136) M. Williams reviewed the staff report and the proposed exchange agreement that would eliminate additional easements rights burdening the District's and Reynold's property. C. Britton stated an unanimous vote of the Board was required to exchange real property interests. Motion: T. Henshaw moved that the Board adopt Resolution 95-42, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Approving and Authorizing Acceptance of an Agreement to Exchange Interests in Real Property, Authorizing Officer to Execute a Quitclaim Deed for the Real Property Interest Being Released, Authorizing Officer to Execute Certificate of Acceptance of a Quitclaim Deed to District and Authorizing General Manager to Execute Any and All Other Documents Necessary or Appropriate to the Transaction (El Corte de Madera Open Space Preserve - Lands of Reynolds) and determine that the recommended actions are categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act as set out in the staff report. D. Smernoff seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. VII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS C. Britton reported that: 1) Ralph Heim would attend the November 29 Special Meeting and he would try to arrange for the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee to meet with Mr, Heim; 2) a reception honoring Paul Romero, the new Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Director, would be held November 27; P. Siemens will represent the Board at the reception; 3) a dinner honoring Norman Mineta will be held on December 1; C. Britton and P. Siemens will represent the District; 4) the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County had invited District testimony at the California Constitution Revision Commission Public hearing on November 28 and N. Hanko would testify for the District; the Board concurred with N. Hanko's participation; 5) it was anticipated that the undergrounding of utilities on Portola Road would be completed by June 1996; and 6) the curriculum for the environmental education volunteers was complete and members of the Board would receive a copy. B. Crowder complimented staff on their handling of the Devil's Canyon climbing situation and reported on Peninsula Open Space Trust's recent event for its volunteers and Bay Area Action's recent event. M. Davey distributed copies of the Peninsula Conservation Center Foundation's new brochure. D. Smernoff reported on Bay Area Action's recent event. T. Henshaw reportedY P that Santa Clara Count Board of Supervisors candidate Joe Simitian was interested in meeting with District representatives. W. de Wit reported on the November 8 environmental education training and the November 6 Peninsula Access for Dogs (PADS) meeting and requested that a resolution be prepared for the Meeting 95-24 Page 6 Board's next meeting to honor the 25th anniversary of the Peninsula Conservation Center Foundation. J. Escobar stated that the General Manager planned to approve USGS' request to dig a fourth trench at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve and reported on a recent equestrian accident at Fremont Older Open Space Preserve. J. Fiddes reported that the Administration and Budget Committee meeting scheduled for November 13 had been cancelled. VHL ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 P.M. Jean H. Fiddes District Clerk