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MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Meeting 97-10
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
April 9, 1997
MINUTES
I. ROLL CALL
President Mary Davey called the Special Meeting to order at 5:00 P.M.
Members Present: Mary Davey, David Smernoff, Betsy Crowder, Ken Nitz, Jed Cyr, Pete
Siemens, and Nonette Hanko.
Personnel Present: Craig Britton, Sue Schectman,
11 SPECIAL MEETING
M. Davey stated that the Board would begin the Special Meeting for the purpose of a
Communication Skills workshop presented by Mr. Art O'Neal.
The Board concluded the Special Meeting at 7:20 P.M. and M. Davey called the Regular
Meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. M. Davey announced that the Board had had a Special
Meeting for the purpose of a Communication Skills Workshop and that no action had been
taken.
Additional Personnel Present: Mike Williams, Malcolm Smith, Del Woods, Randy
Anderson, John Escobar, Mary de Beauvieres, and Mike Williams.
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Harry Haeussler, 1094 Highland Circle, Los Altos, noted that the trail maps in the FYI's had
inconsistent descriptions for the various trails.
C. Britton responded that he would look into the matter and report back to the Board.
In response to H. Haeussler's and N. Hanko's concerns regarding wail use markings on
District 'maps, D. Woods said staff will continue to standardize them.
Al Bell, 12130 Skyline Blvd., Woodside, representing the Save Skyline Open Space
Committee, presented an update of the Committee's activities. He said they are asking for a
complete environmental review up front. He said he would provide a copy of their
presentations to Board members.
Bob Fletcher, San Jose, stated concerns with a land swap arrangement between him and the
District which had taken place in 1988.
330 Distel Circle • Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 • Phone:415-691-1200
FAX:415-691-0485 • E-mail: mrosd@openspace.org • web site:www.openspace.org
Board or Directors! Pete Siemens,,Mary C. Da�ev,)ed Qr, Da\.id T.Smernoft—Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C. Nitz • General,10anager:L.Craig Britton
Meeting 97-10 Page 2
Richard Bourke, P. O. Box 7207, San Jose, said he thought the Board had interfered in the
Russian Orthodox Church matter and asked how much taxpayers are paying for the appraisal
ordered by the Board.
Michael Marshall, Los Altos, spoke about his statements at the last meeting regarding the
caretaker at La Honda Creek, stating that the caretaker does not mind leaving, and he is
withdrawing his objections.
IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
At N. Hanko's suggestion, the Board moved Item 8 to the top of the agenda.
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board adopt the agenda. P. Siemens seconded the
motion. The motion passed 7 to 0.
V. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR
J. Cyr removed agenda item 3, Response to 1996 Santa Clara County Grand Jury Final
Report on the Review of the Implementation of the New Brown Act by Local Government
Agencies and Authorization for the President of the Board to Sign Letter on Behalf of the
District
Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calendar, including
minutes of the March 26, 1997 Special and Regular Meeting; responses to
written communications from Mr. Harry H. Haeussler, Jr., 1094 Highland
Circle, and Mr. Richard J. Bourke, P. O. Box 7207, San Jose; Agenda Item
4, Final Adoption of Use and Management Plan Amendment for Skyline Ridge
Open Space Preserve to Construct Picnic Area for School Groups Participating
in the Environmental Education Pr ram at the David C. Daniels Nature
Center: Agenda Item 5, Final Approval of Use and Management Plan
Amendment for Pulp-as Ridge Q= Space Preserve. to Enter into
Communications Site Lease and Agreement with Sprint Spectrum, a Limited
Partnership for a Telecommunications Facility Placed on an Existing Pacific
Gas and Electric Transmission Towers Agenda Item 6, Authorization to
Change District's Designation of Authorized Signatories for District Accounts
and for Entering District Safe Deposit Boxes. including adoption of Resolution
97-13 a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpgninsula Regional
Ql&n Space District Establishing Financial Instrument Signatories of the
District for Santa Clara County Accounts, Resolution 97-14 a Resolution of the
Board of Directors of the Midpgninsula Regional QWn Space District
Authorizing Signing and Endorsing Checks and Other Instruments for General
Checking Account (Mid-Peninsula Bank). Resolution 97-15 a Resolution
Authorizing Sianing of Payroll Related Checks for Payroll Checking Account
(Mid-Peninsula Bank), and Resolution 97-16 a Resolution of the Board o
Directors of the Midpgninsula Regional Qpgn Space District Authorizing
Telephone Withdrawals. De2gsits. and Wire Transfers (Mid-Peninsula Bank):
Agenda Item 7, Authorization for Director Cyr to Attend Special Park
Meeting 97-10 Page 3
Districts Forum '97 at a Projected Cost of $1.500; and Revised Claims 97-08.
K. Nitz seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0.
VI. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Agenda Item No. 8 - Request from the Coastal Alliance and Half Moon Bay CijY
Council that the District Devote Staff Resources and Explore Methods to Preserve
Coastside Qj&n Space - (Report R-97-631
C. Britton pointed out that Board members had received additional signatures to the
petitions and an e-mail. He showed the location of the area on a map.
M. Davey said that she, N. Hanko, B. Crowder and D. Smernoff had held meetings
with supporters on the coast side and are enthusiastic about the proposal.
Chuck Kozak, P. O. Box 917, Moss Beach, said he lives in Montara and is a member
of the steering committee of Coastal Alliance. He said the climate is right to begin
this exploration and there are a lot of people who want to preserve open space. He
said he had heard no outright opposition. He said the Mid Coast Community Council
is an advisory council to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.
Leonard Woren, P. O. Box 1375, El Granada, said he represented Citizens for the
Preservation of El Granada (CPEG). He stated that the problem they are facing is
because of the Local Coastal Plan (LCP) which preserves the south coast and would
destroy the mid coast which is zoned for intense development, and he feels that
people recognize that it is not appropriate. He said they understand the legal
procedure the District has to go through and urged the District to take measures to
compress the time frame. He repeated,that there is a large group of people who will
support preservation.
B. Crowder expressed concern that the groups may think the District can do
something right away, but there will have to be a lot of research. A parcel tax might
not be the method proposed to finance the preservation. She emphasized that the
District was glad to receive their request for a study but could not make a response in
concrete terms.
N. Hanko added that they had received a fax from the Pescadero City Council
mentioning concerns including feral pigs and retaining existing housing and
agriculture. She did not consider these as being outlandish requests or concerns. Part
of the District's study would be addressing financing.
M. Woren said they were trying to set the stage and let people know they would have
to come up with money if they wanted to save open space.
Kit Dove, 633 Palma Street, El Granada, named the organizations with which hewas
affiliated, and shared some thoughts in terms of how MROSD might play a part,
including where the money would come from. He said he thought there was
Meeting 97-10 Page 4
potentially a good support base in the rest of San Mateo County and encouraged them
not to just look at coast side lands. He said he thought the District would have lots of
opportunities.
H. Haeussler said he was not against preserving open space, but pointed out that
visitors to the coast would not help pay. He said he did not think the District had the
resources to administer more land, and he would rather see them help the coast side
people form a separate district and perhaps join them in the future. He also said he
believed the District ought to put a limit on the money we will spend in helping them.
N. Hanko, spoke regarding Mr. Haeussler's fears regarding the cost to the District,
stating that the informal committee would like to continue as an ad hoc committee of
the Board, without compensation. There would be a limited amount of financing for
the staff report. She said that 27 years ago on this date the first group had met at her
home to discuss establishing the District.
Peter Dreckmeier, representing Bay Area Action, said preservation of open space is
very important and he liked the idea of including the coast side in the District. Bay
Area Action would put their energy into it.
C. Britton said staff could develop a "not to exceed" budget so there would be a limit
on spending, and thought H. Haeussler's idea of a budget was a good one. He
thought a ceding was necessary and stated staff will have to spend time mapping and
analyzing the costs that might be incurred for acquisition.
P. Siemens said he would like to see those figures too and that the single biggest
hurdle will be money. Any tax should be equitable to everyone. He said he was
more concerned with operating costs.
L. Woren stated that historically voters of all of San Mateo County have been
protective of the coast and he thought that would continue.
M. Davey said the four issues to look at would be the District boundary, legal
requirements to set up a District, a survey to make sure that success would be very
possible, and financing.
C. Britton said expansion of the District is only one idea. He urged them to look at
the boundaries and be sure to ask questions carefully to determine which communities
supported the idea.
Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board authorize the General Manager to
utilize District resources to research possible methods or processes for
preserving open space on the San Mateo County coast and to report
findings to the Board; and authorize Directors Crowder, Davey, and
Hanko to be members of an uncompensated ad hoc committee
representing the District on this issue. D. Smernoff seconded the
motion.
Meeting 97-10 Page 5
Amendment: N. Hanko asked that there be a report back to the Board in six months.
This would be part of the first recommendation. P. Siemens added that
the General Manager would return with a budget at the earliest possible
meeting. The maker and seconder of the motion agreed to the two
amendments.
Discussion: Following discussion, Board members agreed not to specifically include
Bay side lands and other open space in San Mateo County. The ad hoc
committee's report could contain that information however.
The motion as amended passed 7 to 0.
There was a recess from 8:37-8:48 P.M.
B. Agenda Item No. 1 - Proposed Acquisition of 157-Acre Paul ProM to Long Ridge
Oren Space Preserve for $580,000, and Authorization for Grant of a Conservation
Easement over the Property to Save-the-Redwoods-League: Determine that the
Recommended Actions are Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental
Quality Act; Tentative Adoption of the Use and Management Plan for Property:
Authorization to Enter into a Five-Year Caretaker/Rental Agreement: and Indication
of Board's Intention to Dedicate the Property as Public Oven Space - (Report R-97-
M. Willliams presented the staff report, including maps and slides. He said the
caretaker house would probably be demolished after the five years of the agreement.
C. Britton stated that demolition policies have not been modified and none will take
place until the policies are adopted by the Board.
M. Williams said the current tenant had agreed to the terms of the agreement and
explained how the acquisition came about.
M. Williams said there will be no obligation on the part of the District to maintain the
house, and Mr. Paul has agreed to fix the roof. He informed Board members that.
there is a trail on the lower portion of the property through the Boy Scout property It
is an old logging road.
Motion: D. Smernoff 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; adopt Resolution No. 97-17,
Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional
Open Space District Authorizing Approval and Acceptance of the
Purchase Agreement and Authorizing the Grant of a Conservation
Easement Over the Paul Property to Save-the-Redwoods-League;
tentatively adopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan
recommendations contained in the staff report, including naming the
property as an addition to the Long Ridge Open Space Preserve;
authorize entering into a Caretaker Rental Agreement with the cur
tenant, Robert Baxter, for a period of up to five years and authoraz tits
General Manger to execute said Agreement; and indicate their ire ti
Meeting 97-10 Page 6
to dedicate the property as public open space. P. Siemens seconded the
motion. The motion passed 7 to 0.
C. Agenda Item No. 2 - Progress Report and Scheduling of a Public Workshop on May
21, 1997 at 7:30 P.M. for the Regional Qpen Space Plan - (Report R-97-58),
R. Anderson presented an update on the plans for the workshop. He said he would
find out about having workshops in other parts of the District.
C. Britton said the plan was to have several workshops in different areas. When they
have a draft of the plan there will be joint meetings with the parks commissions of
both counties.
Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board confirm the tentative agenda and date
of May 21, 1997 at 7:30 p.m., for a public workshop. J. Cyr
seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0.
C. Britton thanked R. Anderson and said he was doing a great job.
D. Agenda Item No. 3 - Response to 1996 Santa Clara County Grand Jury Final RZ=
on the Review of the Implementation of the New Brown Act by Local Government
Agencies and Authorization for the President of the Board to Sian Letter on Behalf o
the District - (Report R-97-61)
J. Cyr said he removed the item to note the statement on page 7, third paragraph,
regarding the response from the District, and commended staff.
N. Hanko said the Chair of the San Mateo County Grand Jury was here and got a
copy of the report.
C. Britton explained that it was S. Schectman who keeps the District on track relative
to the Brown Act.
Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board approve the draft response to the
recommendation contained in the 1996 Santa Clara County Grand Jury
Final Report on Review of the Implementation of the New Brown Act
by Local Government Agencies, and authorize the President of the
Board to sign the letter on behalf of the District. D. Smernoff
seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0.
VII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
B. Crowder reported on the San Mateo County Alternative Funding Committee meeting she
had attended the previous Monday. She said there is a new supervisor in San Mateo County,
and she thought he would be a good friend to District.
N. Hanko commented that the new supervisor is supportive of the study of the San Mateo
County coast.
D. Smernoff reported that the NASA Ames Directorate has given the go ahead to complete
their segment of the Bay Trail. He said he had spoken at the Citizens Advisory Committee
Meeting 97-10 Page 7
on the future of Moffett Field and it might be appropriate to send a letter to Diane McKennp,
on that issue. He announced a public forum on forests of the future tomorrow sponsored by
Bay Area Action and Earth Day Coalition, and the Web of Life on Saturday. He referred tc,
his memo regarding goat grazing and said he would like the matter re-agendized.
K. Nitz asked that the matter be put on the agenda of April 23, as he originally voted against
the matter and Roberts Rules of Order require a member of the majority request the
reconsideration.
J. Cyr thanked staff for the tour of the south part of the District.
M. Davey said she would be testifying tomorrow before a subcommittee of the San Francis(;:?
Board of Supervisors regarding allowing a trail through the watershed, stating this is an
integral part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail.
N. Hanko reminded those present of J. Fiddes retirement dinner tomorrow.
C. Britton reported as follows: 1. A $10,000 grant from the Comptons for Nature Center
exhibits. 2. Palo Alto approved the management exchange agreements. 3. M. Davey and
her husband are hosting a ridge trail reception on May 18 . 4. A controlled bum in June -
All Board members expressed interest in observing. 5. He and M. Smith met with P.
Sanchez on T. Lempert's bill SB1366. 6. Saturday afternoon retirement party for J. Fiddes,
M. Smith said he had attended the Portola Valley council meeting tonight and they supported
Sher's bill SB1048 unanimously. He showed the proposed draft logo for the 25th
anniversary event.
S. Schectman reported on the court decision invalidating California term limits for
legislators. She said settlement discussions are going on regarding the lawsuit challenging
the Santa Clara County trails plan.
J. Escobar announced California Trail Day will take place on April 26 and there will be
events at El Corte de Madera and Picchetti Ranch.
VIR. CLOSED SESSION
M. Davey stated that the Board would adjourn to Closed Session for the purpose of
discussing Closed Session Agenda Items 1 and 2.
The Board recessed to Closed Session at 9:35 P.M. and the Closed Session commenced at
9:40 P.M.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 P.M.
Roberta Wolfe
Recording Secretary