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Home My Public Portal About19960228 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Regional Open .r ice ------------- MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 96-05 REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS February 28, 1996 MINUTES I. ROLL CALL President Nonette Hanko called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Members Present: Peter Siemens, Mary Davey, Teena Henshaw, David Smernoff, Nonette Hanko, Betsy Crowder, and Wim de Wit. Members Absent: None. Personnel Present: Craig Britton, Malcolm Smith, Sue Schectman, John Escobar, Cheryl Solomon, Carleen Bruins, and Jean Fiddes. 111. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were no oral communications. III. SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY C. Britton introduced Dolores Razavi, Parks and Recreation Commissioner, and Jack Smith, Recreation Supervisor, both from City of Mountain View. Ms. Razavi spoke of the partnership between Mountain View and the District in the operation of Deer Hollow Farm and presented memorabilia from the Farm to Board members. C. Britton expressed the Board's thanks to the city and said it has been a partnership that has lasted for fifteen years. P. Siemens described his visit to the Farm earlier in the week. IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA At the request of B. Crowder, the Board observed a moment of silence for Stan Norton, one of the District's founders and former legal counsel. N. Hanko said there will be a memorial service for Mr. Norton on April 11. Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board adopt the agenda. D. Smernoff seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. V. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR W. de Wit received clarification from staff of claims 8841, Zumwalt Engineering Group (worked on grants for FEMA projects); 8857, Callander Associates (alteration of plan for Windy Hill); 8861, Carter Industries (bodies for new trucks); and 8889, Page & Turnbull (historical preservation grant project). 330 Distel Circle e Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 * Phone:415-691-1200 0 FAX:415-691-0485 - E-mail: mrosd@netcom.com @ 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 96-05 Page 2 Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calendar, including the minutes of January 27, 1996 Special Meeting and February 14, 1996 Regular and Special Meeting; response to a written communication from Mr. Ric Neil, Electronic Arts, via E-mail: <meil(&ea.com>; and Revised Claims 96- 04. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 7toO. VI. BOARD BUSINESS A. Agenda Item No. 1. - Introduction of Outdoor Education Leaders - (Report R-96-24) C. Solomon introduced the following outdoor education leaders who will conduct the new Spaces and Species: Exploring Natural Communities program at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve and the David Daniels Nature Center: Judy Daniels, Alice Frost, Carol Handermeyer, Joyce Kiefer, Joyce Nicholas, Frances Reneau, Jules Resnick, Joanne Smith, and Wim de Wit. She also mentioned those who were not present: Mary Flannigan, Dave Maier, Susan Nicholls, Barclay Slade, and Joan Van Zandt. Board members thanked the outdoor education leaders and staff. C. Britton recalled that when the 20 year plan for the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve was being considered, no one had any idea of what the Nature Center might develop into. He said the program of environmental education at the Center makes it a magnet and thanked staff and the volunteers. B. Agenda Item No. 2. - Authorization to Purchase Three Patrol Trucks at Total Cost o $59,975 Through State of California's Department of General Services - (K=rt R 96-23) Motion: T. Henshaw moved that the Board adopt Resolution No. 96-10, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Authorizing the Department of General Services of the State of California to Purchase Certain Items for the Midpeninsula. Regional Open Space District, and authorize the General Manager to execute a purchase contract with the State Department of General Services for three full-sized patrol trucks for a total cost of$59,975. D. Smernoff seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. C. Agenda Item No. 3 - .Amendment of Land Use Regulations (Ordinance 93-01) wiring. Helmets at Rancho San Antonio Ql&n Space Preserve, Amending Leash Rcquirements. Regulating Off-Leash Areas, and Prohibiting After Hours Bicycle Qp=tion - (Report R-96-15) J. Escobar suggested changing the ordinance, section 502.3, Helmets, to read, "No person shall operate a bicycle or similar device on District Lands without wearing an A.N.S.I. or Snell-approved bicycle helmet for head protection", noting that the word "bicycle" would be added between the words approved and helmet. Meeting 96-05 Page 3 B. Crowder asked if the proposed increase in the fine is high enough. J. Escobar said it is the maximum allowed for an infraction under the Public Resources Code. D. Smernoff asked about the after hours regulations and whether they were duplicative. J. Escobar said reports of accidents after hours are rare. After hours sightings are frequent and there have been complaints from neighbors about the lights. D. Smernoff suggested taking out the word "possess or" in the first paragraph of Section 805.3, Bicycle Operation After Hours. J. Escobar said the wording is consistent with other regulations in terms of closed areas. These incidents occur at 11:00 p.m. or later. P. Siemens asked about penalties for being in a closed area. J. Escobar said staff is discussing the need for having an infraction for being in a closed area. C. Britton said staff would be looking at ordinances on how to deal with various kinds of trespass in August. Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board adopt Ordinance 96-1 amending Ordinance 93-1, an Ordinance of the Board of Directors of the Nfidpeninsula Regional Open Space District Adopting Regulations for Use of Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Lands, as amended; and approve the bail recommendations for Section 805.3, Bicycle Operation After Hours, as contained in the staff report. W. de Wit seconded the motion. Discussion: T. Henshaw said she would be voting against the ordinance because of concerns regarding more restrictions on the public for use of public property. The motion passed 6 to 2 with T. Henshaw and D. Smernoff voting no. VII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS P. Siemens reported that the District had reviewed the Environmental Impact Report on the proposed golf course near Los Gatos and found a number of deficiencies. He said the Santa Clara County Planning Commission turned down the project and the EIR by a unanimous vote as did the Board of Supervisors on appeal. D. Smernoff said he had attended the Special District Board Management Institute Training Seminar in San Diego. He thanked the Board for sending him and said it was very worthwhile, noting that he had observed that this District is far in advance of others and that the staff does a wonderful job. B. Crowder complimented the Operations staff for the job of clearing the trails after the storms. C. Britton said he had met with Paul Romero, Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Director. They discussed continuation of management/ staff retreats and the possibility of Meeting 96-05 Page 4 the Board meeting with the Parks and Recreation Commission. He said Mr. Romero feels that there are votes on the Board to start charging fees at Rancho San Antonio County Park, and this needs discussion since the park is the gateway to the District's preserve. C. Britton said the District had proposed an historical grant for the Homestead House at Picchetti Ranch in the amount of approximately $60,000 and noted it is being recommended for about half that amount for consideration by the Board of Supervisors. C. Britton distributed the new Open Space News and noted that this is the first time Hikes and Walks has been included. M. Smith said the distribution is the same as it has been in the past. C. Britton reported that the Board of Supervisors of San Mateo County is considering an amendment to the coastal plan including deletion of a policy regarding transfer of development density rights. He referred to a letter that has been sent requesting that the Board does delete that policy. C. Britton referred to his memo to the Board regarding the Pulgas Ridge off-leash dog area. He said that if there is no objection from the Board, the program will be downscaled in terms of fencing and gating. J. Escobar said temporary signs will be up within the next few days, and the starting date will be met without fencing. J. Escobar said the field activity report for last month had been distributed and the Legislative, Finance, and Public Affairs Committee will meet in March and one of the agenda items will be the volunteer recognition event. Following discussion, the Board agreed on Saturday, June 1 for that event. J. Escobar stated that staff is looking for a place large enough so volunteers can bring a guest, probably somewhere outdoors. J. Escobar announced that April 14 is the tentative date for opening the Daniels Nature Center for public drop-in visits. He said Judy Daniels has asked that the District co-host an event for people who contributed money toward the Center, probably on May 4. N. Hanko confirmed that Stan Norton's memorial will be held Thursday, April 11, 2:00 p.m., in the old city council chambers, now the Cultural Center, in Palo Alto on Newell Road. VIH. ADJOURNMENT At 8:19 p.m. the meeting was adjourned. Roberta Wolfe Recording Secretary