HomeMy Public PortalAbout19960612 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Regional Opcll Space
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRIC4#
Meeting 96-13
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
June 12, 1996
MINUTES
I. ROLL CALL
President Nonette Hanko called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m.
Members Present: Peter Siemens, David Smernoff, Mary Davey, Betsy Crowder, Nonette
Hanko, and Wim de Wit
Members Absent: Teena Henshaw
Personnel Present: Craig Britton and George Sipel
H. CLOSED SESSION
N. Hanko stated that the Board would adjourn to the Special Meeting Closed Session for the
purpose of discussing Closed Session agenda item 1.
The Board recessed to Closed Session at 6:08 p.m. and the Closed Session commenced at
6:09 p.m. The Board adjourned the Special Meeting at 7:32 p.m. and N. Hanko called the
Regular Meeting to order at 7:38 p.m.
Additional Personnel Present: lean Fiddes, Michael Williams, Randy Anderson, Sue
Schectman, Julie McCullough, Malcolm Smith, Annette Coleman, John Escobar, and Lisa
Zadek
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
B. Crowder complimented staff on the June 9 event at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve
and thanked them. The Board gave a standing ovation for M. Smith.
IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
C. Britton requested that a Special Order of the Day be added. The Board adopted the
amended agenda by consensus.
V. SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY
M. Williams introduced Lisa Zadeck who is the new Planning Team Secretary. Board
members welcomed her'.
330 Distel Circle - Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 *, Phone:415-691-1200 o 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
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Meeting 96-13 Page 2
V ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR + ►
Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calendar including the
minutes of the May 22 Special and Regular Meeting; a response to a written
communication from Mr. William R. Estrada, H, P. O. Box 153, New
Almaden; agenda item 7, Authorization to Purchase Two All Terrain Vehicles
at Estimated Cost of$12,000; and revised claims 96-13. D. Smernoff
seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
VI. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Agenda Item No. 1 - Tentative Adoption of Trails Plan Element of Fremont Older
Q= Space Preserve Comprehensive Use and Management Plan and Determination
that Recommended Actions Categorically Exempt from CEOA - (R=rt R-96-01
J. McCullough presented an overview of the plan and consultant Sheryl Cochran
discussed the process of formulating the plan and some of the problems that were
considered.
S. Cochran showed slides depicting trail use conflicts on Prospect Road, the new
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trail, Seven Springs trail conflicts, and erosion on Toyon Trail.
In summary, S. Cochran said the plan provides for the majority of the trail system to
remain multi-use. The major changes are improvements and seasonal closures on the
Toyon Trail, construction of a new trail to take cyclists off Prospect Road and
minimize trail use conflicts, and improvements to the Seven Springs Trail to reduce
trail use conflicts there. She talked about the two cooperative projects with Santa
Clara County Parks which are to make Stevens Canyon Trail a multi-use trail and to
work with them on a trail connection through the former Kaiser property connecting
Fremont Older to the county park.
In answer to N. Hanko's question, J. McCullough said the Use and Management Plan
as a whole is not yet scheduled. The parking issue will be coming back to the Board
as an amendment to the Use and Management Plan. Regarding benches being placed
on the trail, she said that could be added into the work program, perhaps for next
year.
N. Hanko said she would like to be able to see where the potential alignment for the
new trail is proposed to be. Following further discussion regarding Board members
visiting the site, C. Britton said that if the Board tentatively adopted the plan at this
time, staff could set up a tour for those who are interested.
Regarding the reference to the "former Kaiser property", D. Woods said Kaiser has
transferred the property and the new owner will propose a development plan to the
City of Cupertino. He said staff is following the process closely.
B. Crowder said it was not mentioned in the site description that the Picchetti Ranch
Area is just to the west of Stevens Creek Reservoir. She showed on a map possible
alignments using two new trails (Bear Meadow and Zinfandel) and requested that
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Meeting 96-13 Page 3
staff include something about the Picchetti Ranch Area in the site description. In
answer to her question regarding equestrian use of Segment 3, S. Cochran said it
would be open to multi-use; however, equestrian use is very low.
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D. Smernoff asked why Segment 3 (page 7) is listed as a Class A trail. He said it
could be Class B or C since the primary motive is to get bicycles off the road and a
four-foot wide trail would be adequate. Following discussion, J. Escobar said there
are two considerations: (1) The trail could be built narrower but it will become the
main trail to the parking area. It would be advantageous if user groups going in
opposite directions could pass one another which could be done on a six-foot trail.
The new trail will be built to a lot better walking grade than the road is. (2) Part of
making this trail attractive is getting the traffic off the neighborhood driveway that is
now serving as the trail through the preserve.
D. Smernoff said Class A trails are 6-10 feet in width and he would prefer that it be
closer to 6 feet than 10 feet. N. Hanko said she and B. Crowder tend to favor the 6
foot width as well.
P. Siemens suggested including a code for level of maintenance of trails in the data
base staff utilizes. He asked if staff had considered closing Toyon Trail because of
the level of maintenance required. S. Cochran said closing had been considered but
staff does not think now is the right time as it would be best to exhaust all other
possibilities first. It is a historic equestrian trail.
N. Hanko asked about the county draft master plan for the east side of the Stevens
Creek Reservoir (page 19 of the report). She asked if the trail as proposed has a
specific alignment that coincides with the District's or is there room for negotiation.
She said she liked B. Crowder's suggestion.
J. McCullough said there have been discussions with the County but no permanent
alignment has been set. District staff will be working with them to find alignments
that will have the least impact and accommodate multiple use. Regarding B.
Crowder's suggestion, staff will talk to the County about incorporating those ideas
into their master plan.
D. Woods said a number of connections on both sides of the reservoir have been built
into the plan but the plan has not been refined and adopted.
Hank k connecting n l n segment 7 McCullough N. o as ed about co ectin county and o se e t 3 J. said
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people are using it but it is private property; rangers also use it to access the preserve
for patrol purposes.
N. Hanko asked when staff would be able to come to the Board with some solutions
to the parking problem.
J. McCullough said it is a high priority but will depend on what possible solutions
are. They hope to provide the Board with alternatives, possibly by the end of the
fiscal year.
Meeting 96-13 Page 4
Jan Garrod, Garrod Farms, congratulated the District on the plan and encouraged the 4b
Board to accept it. He said the District has been a good neighbor and he hoped he
had been. In the past, he has maintained Toyon Trail. He said his customers and
neighbors use the trail a lot and he hoped the District would see fit to keep it open.
He said he has been working with staff regarding the fence and gates. Regarding
trail conflicts with bikes, some customers won't use the trail because they are afraid
they will be hit by a bike. However, most bikers are aware of the problem and avoid
conflicts.
Steve Stuckey, 22600 Prospect Road, Saratoga, said he had concerns about both out
of control bikes and the parking issue, adding there is a continuing issue of
paramedics and emergency vehicles being blocked out. N. Hanko asked if he could
think of ways to resolve the problem. Mr. Stuckey said there are just too many cars.
Betty Normandin said her property is adjacent to the new trail. She said Board
members could visit her property at any time. She expressed confusion as to exactly
where the trail will be and said it sounds like the District is dumping bicycles on a
trail that goes right by her house. She said she would like to know more about the
trail and how it will be put in. She suggested locating a parking area on Regnart
Road but she had not heard from staff as to the feasibility.
Following discussion of how close the trail will be to Mrs. Normandin's house, C.
Britton suggested that when the matter comes back to the Board for second reading,
staff provide a plot plan showing distances.
Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board determine that the actions are
categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act as
set out in the staff report and tentatively adopt the attached Trails Plan
as an element of the Comprehensive Use and Management Plan for
Fremont Older Open Space Preserve, amended to add a sentence
under site description referring to the Picchetti property (page 4),
staff to work out wording. M. Davey seconded the motion. The
motion passed 6 to 0.
B. Agenda Item No. 2 - Tentative Adoption of Proposed Amendments to District's
Public Notification Policy and Good Neighbor Policy - M=rt R-96::62)
M. Davey reviewed the staff report.
N. Hanko referred to page 3 of the Public Notification Policy and suggested that in
paragraph 5.a), first sentence, the word "final" be deleted. In the Good Neighbor
Policy, page 3, she said she thought the word "selected" was more in keeping with
what the Board had in mind rather than "identified." She asked that the first sentence
of paragraph 6 be amended to read, ". . . reasonable efforts to address the
neighbors' concerns and to resolve the situation.
Meeting 96-13 Page 5
Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board tentatively adopt amendments to the
District's Public Notification Policy with the first sentence of paragraph
5.a) amended to delete the word "final"; and tentatively adopt
amendments to the District's Good Neighbor Policy amended so that
the first sentence of paragraph 6 would read, ". . . reasonable efforts to
address the neighbors' concerns and to resolve the situation. P.
Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
C. Agenda Item No. 3 - Proposed Acquisition of 62.68-Acre Peninsula Qpg-,n Sp
Trust RLQpgM for $255.000 as an Addition to Cathedral Oaks Area of Sierra Azul
QMn SW&e Preserve, Tentative Adoption of Preliminary Use and Management Plan
Recommendations for the REgqWy. Including Dedication as Public Q= SR=. and
Determination that Recommended Actions Categorically Exempt from CEOA
M=rt R-96-66)
M. Williams located the property on a map. M. Williams and R. Anderson reviewed
the staff report, noting the property's purchase price is $255,000. R. Anderson
showed slides of the property. He said staff feels that the property is an important
link, both as a trail and as habitat protection to Soda Springs Creek corridor.
Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board determine that the recommended
actions are categorically exempt from the California Environmental
Quality Act as set out in the staff report. B. Crowder seconded the
motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board adopt Resolution 96-18, a Resolution
of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District Authorizing Acceptance of Agreement to Purchase Real
Property, 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 the Transaction
(Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve - lands of Peninsula Open Space
Trust). B. Crowder seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board tentatively adopt the Preliminary Use
and Management Plan recommendations contained in the staff report,
including naming the property as an addition to the Cathedral Oaks
Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve; and indicate their intention
to dedicate the property as public open space at this time. B. Crowder
seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
D. Agenda Item No. 4 - Calling of November 5. 1996 District Elections in Wards 3. 4
and 7. Requests for Elect-ion Consolidation Services from Santa Clara and San Mateo
Counties. Establishment of 200 Word Maximum for Candidates' Statements. and
Recommendation Not to List Any Unopposed Candidate on the Ballot - &&RgA R-96
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Meeting 96-13 Page 6
J. Fiddes presented staff s recommendations, including not listing any unopposed
candidate on the ballot.
N. Hanko stated that sometimes the only way the public knows who their
representative is comes from seeing the person's name on the ballot, but election costs
needed to be taken into consideration in deciding not to list an unopposed candidate
on the ballot.
Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board adopt Resolution 96-19, a Resolution
of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District Calling Election and Requesting Election Consolidation
Services - Santa Clara County for Wards 3 and 4; adopt Resolution 96-
20, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District Calling Election and Requesting Election
Consolidation Services - San Mateo County for Ward 7; reconfirm
Section 2.12 of Rule of Procedure regarding a maximum of 200 words
per candidate statement and payment of candidates' statements in those
wards where two or more candidates have qualified to appear on the
ballot; adopt Resolution 96-21, a Resolution of the Board of Directors
of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Authorizing Not
Listing Any Unopposed Candidate for Election on the November 5
Ballots of Santa Clara County and San Mateo County. P. Siemens
seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
E. Agenda Item No. 5 - R&Quest for Board Authorization for General Manager to Issue
Permits to Enter District Land to Third Parties for Performance of Minor and/or
Emergency Work - M=rt R-96L6n
C. Britton reviewed the staff report.
Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board adopt Resolution 96-22, a Resolution
of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District Authorizing the General Manager to Approve Certain Permits
to Enter District Property.
Discussion: Discussion followed regarding notification of Board
members. C. Britton explained the proposed process and said he thinks
there are adequate protections.
S. Schectman said she had a concern, about notifying the whole Board,
adding that notifying a representative of the Board would be preferable.
She suggested that this decision was up to the Board if they want the
notification process to be a formal criterion. They can make it clear to
staff that it would be C. Britton's responsibility to call the President
and Board member in whose ward the permit is being issued.
Meeting 96-13 Page 7
P. Siemens amended the motion to add item 4 on page 2 of the report
as follows: Prompt notification of Board President and the Director of
affected ward.
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D. Smernoff seconded the amended motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
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F. Agenda Item No. 6 - Approval of 1995-1996 Salary Adjustment and Meritorious Pay
Award and Amendment to General Manager's Employment Agreement - (Kport R-
96-63)
P. Siemens said he had no addition to the report.
Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board adopt Resolution 96-23, a Resolution
of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District Approving 1995-1996 Salary Adjustment and Meritorious Pay
Award for the General Manager and Approving Amendment to General
Manager Employment Agreement. W. de Wit seconded the motion.
The motion passed 6 to 0.
VII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
B. Crowder said she had walked on the new trail at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve
connecting Hamm's Gulch with Spring Ranch Trail, noting it has been beautifully realigned
by field staff and the volunteer trail builder. She said she had encountered dogs off leash on
the trail. The Use and Management Committee will conduct a hearing in the fall on
expanded use by dogs at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve.
B. Crowder said the Use and Management Committee had a workshop at Long Ridge Open
Space Preserve to review the Devils Canyon climbing area. She complimented staff on the
workshop and said it was a very interesting demonstration.
B. Crowder reported that on June 3 the San Mateo County tax funding group met and
discussed Senator Sher's bill. C. Britton said he and M. Smith will attend a meeting in
Sacramento to support that bill, adding that Assemblyman Cunneen has indicated he will
continue his support.
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B. Crowder said she, C. Britton and M. deBeauvieres had met with a member of the Portola
Valley Trails Committee about completing the Ridge Trail from Russian Ridge to Windy Hill
Open Space Preserves.
M. Dave reported on the Bay Area Ride Trail Council meeting on May 30 which included
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an orientation on objectives of the Ridge Trail. She said each Board member had been asked
to raise $500 for a total of$25,000 and staff has been asked to raise $25,000.
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P. Siemens said he, C. Britton, and J. Fiddes had attended a meeting of the Santa Clara
County Special Districts Association. The discussion topic was the ramifications of the
constitutional revision commission on special districts. The meeting was held at a Saratoga
cemetary that was part of a special district. C. Britton said amendments are starting to come
Meeting 96-13 Page 8
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through and staff will attend a hearing when one occurs. N. Hanko said in reading the
legislation it looked like the key for special districts was to put together a charter citizens
group to look at reorganizing special districts. She said the whole purpose of the charter is to
cut down or eliminate as much government as possible. S. Schectman suggested an
informational agenda item in the near future giving the Board the current status of the
legislation.
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C. Britton reported as follows: 1. He noted a letter in the informational packet from the
Santa Cruz Bioregional Council regarding Sierra Azul. 2. He noted a letter from the Trail
Center which included copies of the new trail map of the Southern Peninsula for the Board.
3. He announced that the mounted bobcat on long-term loan from Wildlife Rescue is on
display in the lobby. 4. In regard to the Jarvis initiative, he had not heard that it has
qualified for the ballot. 5. He referred to a newspaper article regarding Peninsula Open
Space Trust's acquisition of the Crummer property. 6. P. Siemens and T. Henshaw were
part of a team that met with the Portola Park Heights group to talk about the Ridge Trail
crossing.
jJ. Escobar thanked the Board for attending the volunteer recognition event. He said some
staff members had completed leadership training on working with volunteers and interviews
for the volunteer coordinator and resource management specialist will be in late June or early
July.
M. Smith thanked those who volunteered to work on the June 9 event, noting approximately
950 people attended and the event went smoothly for the most part. If Board members have
detailed comments or criticism, he asked that they provide them in writing to staff. Board
members expressed appreciation to District staff for their work on the event. N. Hanko
shared her experience with a mountain bicyclist on the trail to the lake.
D. Smernoff talked about a ride he had taken with J. Escobar and others on a section of the
Leaf Trail at El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve.
J. McCullough announced there would be an on-site meeting Wednesday with the Rhus
Ride neighbors. N. Hanko requested a report from that meeting. C. Britton said Board
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members had a copy of the letter sent to the neighbors.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:32 p.m., N. Hanko adjourned the meeting.
Roberta Wolfe
Recording Secretary
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