HomeMy Public PortalAbout19970423 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) regional Open S-1re
-----------------
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
ti
Meeting 97-11
ti
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
April 23, 1997
I. ROLL CALL
President Mary Davey called the Special Meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.
Members Present: Mary Davey, David Smernoff, Betsy Crowder, Ken Nitz, Jed Cyr, and
Nonette Hanko.
Members Absent: Pete Siemens.
Personnel Present: Craig Britton, Sue Schectman, and John Escobar.
H. CLOSED SESSION
M. Davey stated that the Board would adjourn to Closed Session for the purpose of
discussing Closed Session Item 1.
The Board recessed to Closed Session at 6:32 P.M. and the Closed Session commenced at
6:35 P.M. The Board concluded the Closed Session at 7:25 P.M. and M. Davey called the
Regular Meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. She announced that the Board had had a Special
Meeting to discuss Closed Session Agenda Item 1 and that no action was taken.
Additional Personnel Present: Jodi Isaacs, Mike Williams, Mary de Beauvieres, Deirdre
Dolan, and Lisa Zadek.
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
H. Haeussler, 1094 Highland Circle, Los Altos, told Board Members he had brought an ear
trumpet to use if they did not speak into the microphones.
Jody Lucas, 4250 Suzanne Drive, Palo Alto, paraglider pilot, referred to a letter requesting
that consideration of paragliding at Bald Mountain be put on the Board's agenda. C. Britton
pointed out the staff's draft response in the packet.
IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board adopt the agenda. X. Nitz -seconded the motion.
The motion passed 6 to 0.
330 Distel Circle * Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 0 Phone:415-691-1200
FAX: 415-691-0485 0 E-mail: mrosd@openspace.org 0*Web site:www.openspace.org
Board of Directors:Pete Siemens, 'oary C.Davey,led Cvr, David T.Smernoff, Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C. Nitz I General Manager:L.Craig Britton
Meeting 97-11
Page 2
V. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR
K. Nitz removed agenda item 7, Approval of Exemplary Service Award Program as a
Replacement for the Former Salary Incentive Award Program; agenda item 12, Amendment
to Real Property Acquisition Agreement and Grant of Easement to the Town of Portola
Valley for Repairs to Alpine Road (Windy Hill Qj&n Spagg Preserve), and agenda item 13,
Denial of Damap-e Claim Filed by Mr Eric Diesel
Motion: D. Smernoff moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calendar, including
responses to written communications from Mr. Jobst Brandt, 351 Middlefield
Road, Palo Alto; and Mr. Jody Lucas and Mr. Ed Stein, Windy Hill
Skyriders, Inc., 4250 Suzanne Drive, Palo Alto; Agenda Item 2,
Authorization to Retain Jakaby Engineering for Annual District Engineering
Services to be Provided on Selected Budgeted Capital Improvement Projects
during the 1997-1998 Fiscal Year, and Recommend Authorization for
Expenditure Limit Notto Exceed $100.000; Agenda Item 4, Authorization to
Amend Contract with HMC to Provide Planning and Architectural Consulting
Services on Improvements to the Foothills Shop Building at Rancho San
Antonio Open Space Preserve in an Amount Not to Exceed $9.560: Agenda
Item 9, Approval of Revisions to the Personnel Policies and Procedures
Manual Including Changes to Salary and Benefits for Office. Suvervisoj:y. and
Management Staff: Employee Disability/Family Care Leave/Reimbursement
for Professional Dues and Members Agenda Item 14, Adoption of Notice
of Contract Completion and Acceptance of Work for the Skyline Field Office;
Agenda Item 15, Adoption of an Amendment to the Preliminary Use and
Management Plan for La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve to Change the
Use of an Existing Mobile Home from a Caretaker Residence to an Employee
Residence and the Associated Out Buildings to District Storage; and Revised
Claims 97-09. J. Cyr seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
VI. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Agenda Item No. 1 - Approval of Proposed Budget of$25,000 for District Research
of Possible Methods of Preserving Qpen Space on the San Mateo Coast, Including
Potentially Establishing a System of District Open Space Preserves. Parks. and
Beaches - (Report R-97-2_41
C. Britton referred to the staff report.
M. Davey noted that she and N. Hanko and B. Crowder have been serving on a
subcommittee pursuing this matter.
Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board approve a budget not to exceed
$25,000 for District out-of-pocket expenses to research possible
methods of preserving open space on the San Mateo coast including
potentially establishing a system of open space preserves, parks, and
beaches on the San Mateo County Coast in coordination with existing
and planned District preserves and trails. K. Nitz seconded the motion.
The motion passed 6 to 0.
Meeting 97-11 Page 3
B. Agenda Item No. 3 - Reconsideration of Inclusion of Goat Grazing in the District's
Grassland Management Plan for the Russian Ridge Qp!gn Space Preserve - (Report R
7-7
C. Britton pointed out D. Smernoff s memo and a follow-up memo from staff and
mentioned that when this was originally brought to the Board, it included the goat
grazing and he did not recommend that goat grazing occur. However, he said it is a
policy matter and up to the Board for a final decision.
N. Hanko asked if there are any other agencies that are doing similar studies.
C. Britton said J. Isaacs had listed those in staff s memo.
B. Crowder referred to an article in the Royal Horticultural Society Journal regarding
goat g
razing experiment
s.
N. Hanko said she had questioned whether there were studies done regarding cattle
grazing razin for fire control.
J. Isaacs said Santa Clara County Parks has started a cattle grazing program at Grant
Ranch. This is a two-year study which just began. The new project includes a much
more strict management practice than previous grazing programs.
In answer to N. Hanko's question, D. Smernoff said the primary difference between
this study and the one East Bay Regional Parks is doing is the amount of rainfall in
the Santa Cruz Mountains versus the East Bay. He said he was not convinced that the
results will be directly comparable to the lands that we manage. He said the valuable
aspect is that District staff gains experience as an agency in looking at all the tools
and seeing how their effectiveness compares. There have been a lot of studies of goat
grazing and it is a very effective tool. He said he strongly believes the District wants
to get the experience of using all these tools so they can evaluate cost effectiveness.
He said they need to evaluate them all together so they can do that in-house cost
benefit analysis.
In regard to cattle grazing, D. Smernoff said some of his constituents have said they
would be opposed to cattle grazing because of the extensive damage they have seen
them do. In addition, it is easier to get goats on and off the sites that you want to
manage.
J. Isaacs said there have been some published results of studies, but some are not
completed. She said all methods proposed in the implementation project, including
goat grazing, have been shown effective. The cost for goat grazing is about $1,000
per acre for a total of$17,000.
H. Haeussler asked who would own the goats. He asked if they wanted to save just
grassland or et rid of poison oak.
g g
i
I �
Meeting 97-11 Page 4
Claire Kremen, research ecologist, Stanford University Center for Conservation
Biology, reiterated that there is a value in doing site specific studies, although studies
done elsewhere add to the collective knowledge about how to manage these invasive
species problems. She pointed out that goat grazing is a tool and all the tools have
their specific purposes. Goat grazing can be used in areas where other methods
cannot be used as effectively, such as steep or rocky areas which cannot be mowed.
She noted that goat grazing would also help get rid of other invasive species.
Nick Moll, Star Route 2, Box 408, La Honda, 94020, spoke in favor of including
goat grazing in the study. He said none of the techniques included in the study have
been examined in the sort of ecosystem that exists at Russian Ridge. He strongly
urged them to find a way of including goat grazing in the study.
D. Smernoff said there are two goals: 1. Scientific assessments to get solid numbers
on the various techniques in an ecological sense. 2. Develop guidelines of how we
want to manage invasives and reestablish grasslands in other areas of the District.
Motion: D. Smernoff moved that the Board include a goat grazing element in
the District's grassland management plan for the Russian Ridge Open
Space Preserve. B. Crowder seconded the motion. The motion passed
6to0.
In answer to a question about budget, C. Britton said staff will move money around
within the project and come back to the Board if they need any additional budget
authorization.
C. Agenda Item No. 5 - Tentative Adoption of an Amendment to the Use and
Management Plan for Monte Bello Qpen Space Preserve to Allow Reconstruction of
the Old Ranch Trail and to Designate the Trail as a Multi-Use Trail and
Determination that the Project is Categorically Exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act - [Report R-97-ffi
M. de Beauvieres reviewed the staff report, stating that the reconstruction would
detour bicycle traffic back to Montebello Road before it gets to the steep part, which
could then be closed to all trail use. She said that area is disked each year as a fire
break, and described how the trail would be located to eliminate the steepest portions.
Michael Marshall, Los Altos, said he would prefer that the trail remain a foot path
because bicycles can use the road.
N. Hanko asked why this is being proposed as a multi-use trail.
M. de Beauvieres replied it is because it is currently multi-use and bicycle traffic can
be directed back to the road.
Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board determine that the proposed project is
categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) based on the finding in the staff report; and tentatively adopt
l
+/► Meeting 97-11 Page _
i
i
an amendment to the Use and Management Plan for Monte Bello Open
Space Preserve to allow reconstruction of the Old Ranch Trail and to
designate the trail as a multi-use trail. K. Nitz seconded the motion.
The motion passed 6 to 0. l
D. Agenda Item No. 6 - Amendment of Public Employees Retirement system (PERS)
Contract for Local Miscellaneous Members to Provide 2 Percent at 55 Retirement
Formula Including an Extension of the Funding Period to the Year 2016 - (Report R-
97-6
C. Britton reviewed staffs recommendations.
Motif N. Hanko moved that the Board adopt Resolution 97-18 a Resolution of
the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District of Intention to Approve an Amendment to Contract Between
the Board of Administration of the Public Employees Retirement
System and the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open
Space District. D. Smernoff seconded the motion. The motion passed
6 to 0.
E. Agenda Item No. 7 - Approval of Exemplaa Service Award Program as a
Replacement for the Former Salary Incentive Award Program - evort R-97-22)
D. Dolan said staff response was very positive. While there were some initial
concerns about the nomination process, following discussion those concerns were
alleviated.
Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board approve the proposed Exemplary
Service Award Program as a replacement for the former Salary
Incentive Award Program. D. Smernoff seconded the motion. The
motion passed 6 to 0.
F. Agenda Item No. 8 - Approval of Staffing Reorganization of Administration.
Planning and Acquisition, and . perations Programs Including Reclassification of
Senior Planner to Senior Management Specialist and Assign Salary Range of Step
Number 264 to 289 with Correspondiny- Monthly Salary of $3.903 to $5 005•
Reclassification of One-half Time Acquisition Secretary to Full-time Real Proper
Assistant and Assign Salary Range of Step 224 to 249 with Corresponding Monthly
Salary of $2,621 to $3,362• Approval of Revised Position Classification and
ompgnsation Plan: Authorization of Second Planning Technician Position: Ap rn oval
to Transfer Resource Management Specialist Position from Planning Program to
QWrations Program: Authorization for Staff to Contract with Executive Search firm
Shannon, Davis & Associates to Assist with the Filling of the Administrative Services
Manager Position at a Cost Not to Exceed $20,000• Authorization to Transfer
$78,050 from the Planning Program Salaries and Benefits Budget to the
Administration Program Budget: Authorization to Transfer $51 950 from the Planning
Program Salaries and Benefits Budget to the Operations Program Budget: and an
Increase of $44 950 to the Planning Program Salaries and Benefits Bud get - Rrt
it
Meeting 97-11 Page 6
R-97-70)
C. Britton presented the staff report, noting there was a net increase of 1.5 positions.
He outlined the reasons staff was recommending the use of an executive search firm
for the administrative services manager position. There will be some budget transfers
as a result of the reorganization, and the overall cost for the first year will be about
$50,000.
C. Britton said he would provide Board Members with a copy of the job description
for the administrative services manager position and Board Members will be able to
meet with the executive search firm. Affected staff members have been contacted
regarding the reorganization.
M. de Beauvieres said the reorganization of the planning program and moving toward
a team approach has been in process for about two years.
H. Haeussler said he would like to see an organizational chart of what the Board is
planning to do.
M. Davey said the Board will come back to this item at the end of the agenda to
allow time for review of the chart.
G. Agenda Item No. 10 - Approval of 1996-1997 Salary Adjustment and Meritorious
Pay-Award and Amendment to General Manager's Employment Agreement - M=rt
R-97-67)
M. Davey summarized the recommendations of the Ad Hoc General Manager
Evaluation Committee. She said the Board had met with the General Manager and
agreed that they are blessed to have a General Manager who has done terrific service
for the District for 20 years.
Motion: D. Smernoff moved that the Board adopt Resolution 97-19 a Resolution
of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District Approving 1996-1997 Salary Adjustment and Meritorious Pay
Award for the General Manager and Approving Amendment to General
Manager's Employment Agreement. J. Cyr seconded the motion. The
motion passed 6 to 0.
H. Agenda Item No. 11 - Approval of 1996-1997 Meritorious Pay Award and
Amendment to District.Legal Counsel's Employment Agreement - (Report R.-97-80).
M. Davey presented the report of the Ad Hoc Legal Counsel Evaluation Committee.
She thanked S. Schectman and expressed the Board's appreciation.
Motion: H. Hanko moved that the Board adopt Resolution 97-20 a Resolution of
the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District Approving Meritorious Pay Award for the District Legal
Counsel and Approving Amendment to District Legal Counsel's
Meeting 97-11 Page 7
Employment Agreement. J. Cyr seconded the motion. The motion
passed 6 to 0.
I. Agenda Item No. 12 - Amendment to Real Proj&M Acquisition Agreement and
Grant of Easement to the Town of Portola Valley for Repairs to Alpine Road (Windy
Hill Qpen Space Preserve) - (Report R-97-73)
M. Williams showed the location of the area in question on a map and reviewed the
staff report.
Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board adopt Resolution 97-21 a Resolution
of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District Approving and Authorizing Acceptance of an Amendment to
Real Property Acquisition Agreement Dated February 12, 1997,
Authorizing the President of the Board or Other Appropriate Officer to
Execute a Revised Easement Deed to Town of Portola Valley and
Authorizing General Manager to Execute Any and All Other
Documents Necessary or Appropriate. K. Nitz seconded the motion.
The motion passed 6 to 0.
J. Agenda Item No. 13 - Denial of Damage Claim Filed by Mr. Eric Diesel - R=rt R-
97-79).
In answer to K. Nitz's questions, S. Schectman said the denial is a procedure under
the California Tort Claims Act and does not foreclose the District from continuing to
discuss any disputes they have with Mr. Diesel. She explained what led to the claim
and how the claims process works.
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board deny the claim against the District
filed by Eric Diesel. D. Smernoff seconded the motion. The motion
passed 6 to 0..
K. Agenda Item No. 16 - Cancellation of May 14 Meeting - (Report R-97-M
C. Britton noted the reasons staff was recommending cancellation of the meeting.
N. Hanko said she usually speaks against cancellation of regular meetings but could
understand why staff was recommending it.
C. Britton commented that the June 11 might also be canceled because there might
not be a quorum of Board Members.
Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board cancel their May 14, 1997 regular
meeting. N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0,
M. Davey returned the agenda to Item 8.
F. (continued)
Meeting 97-11 Page 8 4f
H. Haeussler said he had reviewed the organizational chart and it looks good.
Motion: D. Smernoff moved that the Board approve the reclassification of a
senior planner position to a newly created senior management specialist
job classification and transfer it from the planning program to the
administration program; approve the senior management specialist job
specification and assign it a salary range of Step Number 264 to 269
with a corresponding monthly salary of $3903 to $5005; approve the
reclassification of the one-half time acquisition secretary job -
classification to a newly created full-time real property assistant job
classification; approve the job specification for the real property
assistant position and assign it a salary range of Step Number 224 to
249 with a corresponding monthly salary of$2621 to $3362; approve
the revised Position Classification and Compensation Plan; authorize
the addition of a second planning technician position; approve the
transfer of the resource management specialist position from the
planning program to the operations program; authorize staff to contract
with executive search firm Shannon, Davis & Associates to assist with
the filling of the Administrative Services Manager position at a cost not
to exceed $20,000; and authorize the transfer of$78,050 from the
planning program salaries and benefits budget to the administration
program budget, the transfer of $51, 950 from the planning Program
salary and benefits budget to the operations program; and an increase
of$44,950 to the remaining planning program salaries and benefits
budget. K. Nitz seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
VIL INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
K. Nitz noted an article in Sunset Magazine article on the Skyline Ridge Trail. He said
POST had issued their Bair Island brochure.
D. Smernoff said he had met that day with the ad hoc South Bay Trail Committee and it
appears that NASA is prepared to move ahead on the segment of the trail that would join the
District's property to the Shoreline Study Area. In addition, they may be prepared to
complete the trail around the whole perimeter. They will be meeting again to go over the
work plan.
B. Crowder reported that she had attended the installation of the new San Mateo County
Supervisor, Rich Gordon. She referred to a newspaper article regarding the San Francisco
Board of Supervisors approving a study of including the Ridge Trail through the watershed.
She said the Bair Island item was on yesterday's agenda of San Mateo County Board of
Supervisors. They sent a letter to Congress asking them to approve money for the
acquisition.
M. Davey reported that the hope is that the San Francisco Board of Supervisors will open the
Bay Area Ridge Trail by summer. M. de Beauvieres, had determined that there is 20.3 miles
of the Trail in the District, with the potential of another 1.5 miles to be dedicated later this
year.
Meeting 97-11 Page 9
C. Britton reported on the following: 1. The need to have workshops in other arts of the
Po g P P
District regarding the Regional Open Space Plan. He suggested three others to be held in
Los Gatos, the Skyline area, and the Redwood City/San Carlos area. The proposed dates
were June 4, June 18, and July 16. 2. C. Britton said he and W. de Wit Board had testified
at the Bair Island meeting. He showed the full page ad in Mercury News. He informed the
Board that he had sent a letter to Tom Henning regarding making the Bay Trail a condition
of the Bair Island purchase. 3. H. Haeussler had brought up that there were two maps for
Pulgas and St. Joseph, and he showed that there are no inconsistencies on the maps for trail
designation. 4. There will be dedication of a "thank you" sign for Ralph Brown at Skyline
Sanborn Park on May 3. 5. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 10-0 on the
Ridge Trail. Now there will be discussion between the Board and the PUC regarding water
department land. 6. He and M. Smith had gone to committee hearings in Sacramento on
SB1048 and AB1366 which were both passed. 7. Jean Fiddes' retirement party. 8. He
announced he would be leaving for vacation and will return May 19. J. Escobar will be in
charge duringhis absence.
J. Escobar mentioned the memo from him to C. Britton regarding restoration of the fire
break at Sierra Azul. In addition, there was a copy of correspondence to Mr. Clifford from
J. McCullough regarding the El Corte de Madera Trail, and staff will give it closer
inspection based on what he said.
S. Schectman said there was a report that the Court of Appeals overturned the California
term limits. She will get a copy of the opinion for Board Members.
M. de Beauvieres announced that June 18 from 5:30 - 7:30 had been scheduled for a
neighborhood and agency reception at the Skyline Field Office, and it was agreed that the
neighborhood meeting regarding the Regional Open Space Plan would be held following the
reception.
I
C. Britton added M. Smith asked him to mention the statistics in the FYis regarding the 3200
calls received by the District over the last several months.
I
Discussion followed regarding whether the hang gliding matter brought up under oral
communications would be placed on a future agenda. M. Davey will work with staff to
amend the letter approved earlier in regard to this matter.
I
H. Haeussler said the Board had written to Joyce Lohmiller and he understood that you can
walk anywhere on the preserves including off the trails. Staff explained that off-trail
exploration is not encouraged.
i
At 8:56 P.M. the Board adjourned.
S. Schectman announced that the Board would reconvene in Closed Session to consider Agenda
Items 2 and 3.
Meeting 97-11 Page 10
VIIL CLOSED SESSION - (Continued)
Agenda Item No.:
2. Public Employment - Government Code Section 54957
Public Employee Performance Evaluation - District Controller
3. Conference with Labor Negotiator
Agency Negotiators: Pete Siemens, Nonette Hanko, Mary Davey
Unrepresented Employee: Mike Foster, District Controller
IX ADJOURNMENT.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 P.M.
Roberta Wolfe
Recording Secretary