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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19970709 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) (2) Regional Open . . ,.ice MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 97-17 SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS July 9, 1997 MINUTES I. ROLL CALL Vice President Betsy Crowder called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. Members Present: Betsy Crowder, Nonette Hanko, Ken Nitz, Jed Cyr, and David Smernoff. Members Absent: Pete Siemens and Mary Davey. Personnel Present: Craig Britton, Sue Schectman-, Mike Williams, and John Escobar II. CLOSED SESSION B. Crowder 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 6:57 P.M. and the Closed Session commenced at 7:05 P.M. The Board concluded the Closed Session at 7:40 P.M. and B. Crowder called the Regular Meeting to Ord'er at 7:41 P.M. B. Crowder stated that the Board had had a Special Meeting to discuss Closed Session Agenda Items 1 and 2, and that no reportable actions had been taken. Additional Personnel Present: Del Woods, Malcolm Smith, Julie McCullough, Jodi Isaacs, Mary de Beauvieres, Carleen Bruins III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Harry Haeussler, 1094 Highland Circle, Los Altos, had several concerns including the delay in trail construction at'Windy Hill, numbering of agenda items, overgrowth of the Hamms Gulch Trail, a change in time of the public meeting, citing of violators by rangers, and the fact that there were communications to constituents in the FYIs but the letters they were responding to were not included. S. Schectman "informed Mr. Haeussler that the noticing of the meeting complied with all Brown Act requirements. T44 a WAUft-to i ku$�C! Celebrate 25 Years of Open Space Preservation 330 Distel Circle e Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 * Phone:415-691-1200 - 1972-1997 - FAX:415-691-0485 - E-mail: mrosd@openspace.org - Web site:www.openspace.org e Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,Jed Cyr, David T.Smernoff,Nonette Hanko, Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C.Nitz - General Manager:L.Craig Britton Meeting 97-17 Page 2 Al Bell, 12130 Skyline Blvd., Woodside, representing Committee to Save Skyline Open Space (SSOS), provided an update on the Russian Orthodox Convent proposal. Following the loss of their appeal to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, they have prepared a lawsuit addressing CEQA and Williamson Act issues which has not yet been filed. It will be filed in the name of the Save Skyline Open Space Committee, the Committee for Green Foothills, and the Sierra Club. He said trees have been removed from the property. San Mateo County Planning stopped them until they submit a plan. He referred to newspaper articles and cited some inaccuracies in them. He said they talk about overriding issues, such as the Williamson Act, which are the basis of the proposed lawsuit. He informed those present that his offer of having people come to his property to view the convent property was still open. Jessica Agramonte, 12150 Skyline Blvd., Woodside, SSOS, talked about the precedent- setting transfer of density credits onto the Russian Orthodox Church's Williamson Act land. She urged the District to take the necessary steps to preserve this property and prevent the transfer of density credits which would expose thousands of acres in San Mateo County to dense development that are currently under the Williamson Act. Todd McGee, 1445 Ebener St., Redwood City, thanked staff and the District for allowing ROMP to hold an event on District preserves and talked about equestrians and cyclists sharing trails. W. SPECIAL ORDER OF DAY B. Crowder led the Pledge of Allegiance. V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA D. Smernoff moved that the Board adopt the agenda. J. Cyr seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. VI. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR D. Smernoff moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calendar, including minutes of the May 28, 1997, Regular Meeting; Agenda item 5, Authorization for Director DMY to Attend the Annual National Recreation and Parks Association Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah at a Projected Cost of $1.500: and Revised Claims 97-13. K. Nitz seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. VIL BOARD BUSINESS A. Agenda Item No. 1 - Final Adoption of an Amendment to the Use and Management Plan for El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve to Allow Realignment and Construction of Two Sections of Trail Identified as Trails B8 and B10 in the Trail Use Plan for the Preserve and Designate Use of the New Trail for Hildne Only. Untill Such Time as Study Area 2. as Identified in the Trail Use Plan. is Revisited and Final Determination Made on all Trails in the Study Area -(Report R-97-103) M. de Beauvieres presented the staff report. She said she anticipated having a public workshop regarding Study Area 2 in September or October and coming back to the Meeting 97-17 Page 3 Board over the course of the winter. Study Area 2 had been set aside during the original process to allow them to come back and work with trail users. M. de Beauvieres clarified that the existing trail will remain open to bicycle use; the newly constructed segments of the trail will be closed to bikes and horses to season and will be included in the Area 2 re-evaluation study. Ross Finlayson, Mountain View, ROMP, said that while he appreciated the workshop he thought recommendation 2 should be amended to make it clear that the trail will be for hiking for only the first year. He did not think it was appropriate to wait until the entire area 2 was studied. He said he thought it was strange to mention this if it is standard procedure. Fred Stanke, 22873 Longdown Road, Cupertino, said he had nothing to add. Patty Ciesla, Box 3189, Stanford, said she was concerned that the map did not represent the alignment of the trail as flagged and walked. M. de Beauvieres said the map was schematic. N. Hanko noted that the flags are still there if anyone wants to look at the alignment. P. Ciesla said she was concerned that the alignment is cutting across two single-track trails and said it would be difficult to talk about maintaining access. She suggested that the recommendation be amended to say that the trail will be multiple use once the trail bed has settled, and said she thought the action was politically motivated and not standard procedure. David Oare, 1622 Ralston Ave., Belmont, said members of the bicycling community feel they have been continuously misled. He said he did not see how the District could have an honest re-evaluation of area if they go ahead and construct the trails as proposed. John Gardiner, 304 Pine St., Millbrae, stated that even if parts of the trail are closed they are forcing cyclists off the trail and onto Skyline and increasing the chance of accidents. Rebecca Gray, 1622 Ralston Ave., Belmont, said she was disillusioned. She said she would not have been satisfied with the map even if she had been at the workshop, and stated she did not think there was a concern for the environment. C. Britton said staff would include in the FYIs at the next meeting a revised map based on the meeting in the field, and what is important is what is flagged. The trails will be built as flagged, not as diagrammed. B. Crowder summarized the process for K. Nitz and J. Cyr and said it seemed that the public has had ample opportunity to look at the potential alignment. She said she Meeting 97-17 Page 4 thought we had taken as much care as we could to inform the public about what they would like to do about the trail alignments. M. de Beauvieres repeated that we are proposing to construct new sections of the trails using those sections of the existing trail as are appropriate, but there will be no closures resulting from that construction at this time. Study Area 2 will be looked at at a later date. People would have the same access they have now and would not be forced onto Skyline. D. Smernoff said that when he had asked to have Study Area 2 removed from the Trails Plan and re-evaluated later, one of his goals was to provide single-track access from that area into the center of the preserve. T. McGee asked that the Board make a commitment that there will be a trail, whether the existing one or the new one, that will provide a way to get from one gate to another. He was concerned with safety. He said there have been some failures in communication which leads to confusion and mistrust. Art Fisher, 575 Rengstorff, Mountain View, said it was difficult for them to want to continue to work on the process if they feel a lack of trust. H. Hauessler said it is not clear if the present trail will be open to bicycles and other users during construction and for the first winter. He suggested that after the word "only" they add "for the first winter only then to be open to all users until such time." M. de Beauvieres said it was staff s intention that the newly constructed segments of the trail be closed to bikes and horses until such time as that trail and the other trails in Area 2 are re-evaluated, at least through the first winter. There will be a public workshop in October regarding Study Area 2. Ernest Breakfield, P. O. Box 390001, Mountain View, said there was no mention of how the trail was going to be used. He urged more communication about what the District plans to do and asked that there be no more surprises. In answer to the question regarding the work done on "Gary's Trail", M. de Beauvieres said that basically it is a road that has over time sloughed and the use area has narrowed. She said staff had access to maintenance equipment and put in water bars and trimmed vegetation. This is standard practice on any maintained trail. J. Escobar confirmed that they followed normal maintenance practices on trails that had been identified and people would not necessarily be notified that standard maintenance activities would take place. He said the trail is part of one of the other study areas that has been approved. Meeting 97-17 Page 5 N. Hanko agreed that there is some value to having more communication with users of trails when there is something going on at the property and suggested a newsletter telling what is happening on various sites. Staff members said information about ongoing trail construction is posted on bulletin boards at the three major trail heads, and information is also posted on the Internet. D. Oare, P. Ciesla and E. Breakfield repeated that there needed to be more communication and advance warning of activities. H. Haeussler said the bicyclists need to consider other people including those in the District who have to maintain trails. R. Gray said the reason there is more sensitivity to the realignment is that the trail is unique. B. Crowder said staff does its best to work with the bicyclists and asked that they be given credit for that. E. Breakfield said they are asking to help, not telling the District what to do. J. Escobar said there is a report to the Board each fall about trail closures which makes it clear that seasonal closures for these trails is standard practice. C. Britton said staff would promise that they will get to Study Area 2 this fall and bring a recommendation to the Board by the end of the year so the Study Area 2 plan will be in place at the end of winter. There will be field workshops and additional public meetings. Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board adopt an amendment to the Use and Management Plan for El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve to allow realignment and construction of two sections of trail identified as trails B8 and B 10 in the Trail Use Plan for the preserve (see report R-96-60); and designate use of the new trail for hiking only, until such time as Study Area 2, as identified in the Trail Use Plan, is revisited and a final determination made on all trails in the study area. K. Nitz seconded the motion. Discussion: D. Smernoff proposed a "friendly" amendment to add at the end of recommendation 2 the words, "or designated as multi use by June 1998." Following discussion, C. Britton suggested adding recommendation 3 that staff will deliver to the Board a recommendation on Study Area 2 based upon field workshops by April 1, 1998. D. Smernoff agreed. The maker and seconder of the original motion accepted the added recommendation. The motion passed 5 to 0. Meeting 97-17 Page 6 K. Nitz asked for a map with trails mentioned by ROMP. T. McGee said it is available on the Internet. There was a recess from 8:55 to 9:05 p.m. B. Crowder moved the agenda to Item No. 3, because of interested individuals in the audience. B. Agenda Item No. 3 - Authorization for Staff to Solicit Bids to Resurface the Entry Road at Rancho San Antonio Q ern Space Preserve and Determination that the Actions are Categorically Exempt Under the California Environmental Quality Act- (LZ=rt R- 7-1 1 J. McCullough reviewed staffs recommendations. She said the bids on the other roads mentioned in the staff report would be alternates. Notices were posted along the road. Following discussion it was suggested that the words, "the entry road" in recommendation 2 be changed to "specified roads." J. Escobar estimated annual maintenance on the entry road at two weeks or a crew of three, plus $3,000 for materials. He said the new surface would require minimal maintenance for at least five years. Frank Kellers III, 1140 Snowberry Ct., Sunnyvale, spoke in favor of the project. As a docent at Deer Hollow, he expressed concerns regarding safety of people walking in from the county parking lot and suggested additional speed limit signs on the road. He said the resurfacing would reduce the problem with dust. C. Britton introduced Mary Gilman, Director of Deer Hollow Farm to the new Board members. Motion: K. Nitz moved that the Board determine that the actions described are categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act; and authorized staff to solicit bids to resurface the specified roads at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve. N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. C. Agenda Item No. 2 - Program Evaluation for the 1996-1997 Action Plan for the I_plementation of the Basic Policy of the Midpgninsula Regional Oren Space District - (Report R-97-85) C. Britton presented a program overview for the entire fiscal year 1996-97. Open Space Acquisition Program - M. Williams highlighted the program. He said the interim rental agreement for Thornewood is being extended on a month-to-month basis. Meeting 97-17 Page 7 In reference to progress with the Stortzes regarding Picchetti Ranch, M. Williams said they need to get a proper use permit from the County in order to conduct the large events. He noted that the District has not received a formal request for extension of the lease at Fremont Older. He responded to other questions. Open Space Planning Program - M. de Beauvieres emphasized the Regional Open Space Plan under Regional and Long-Term Planning and completion of construction of the new field office at Skyline under Site Planning and Implementation. M. de Beauvieres noted that the progress referred to on page 7 under Trail Use Policies and Guidelines referred to the Wilderness Policy and meetings have occurred with field and office staffs. D. Woods said it would be packaged in a work plan to be reviewed beginning in the fall. J. McCullough confirmed that the dates mentioned on page 9 regarding Fremont Older Trail Use Element consideration were June and July of 1996. In addition, Seven Springs trail was completed last fiscal year and the trail to the hayfield was split between the two fiscal years. C. Britton referred to a memo in last meeting's FYIs which outlined progress on the Rhus Ridge matter. J. McCullough said signing has gone in and people are parking on Moody Road or in the vacant lot which the District can't enforce. In addition the neighbors have withdrawn their request for Sheriff's assistance so the District will not be opening the overflow parking area. C. Britton mentioned the listing of unanticipated projects which was included with the report. Regarding the illegal grading on the POST Thysen property, D. Woods said fencing and patrol has been increased. C. Britton said the application for the Habitat Conservation project is recommended for approval and is part of the State budget program. No grant was received for the Enhancement Mitigation Program. J. Isaacs said staff would be coming to the Board on August 27 with an update on the Resource Management program which will include the invasive exotic plant survey. Operations Program - Field Operations Subprogram - J. Escobar said there had been a minor reorganization of Operations, moving the Volunteer and Docents Sub-programs to the Public Affairs Program. In addition, the position of Operations Analyst had been created so movement in administrative projects was being seen. He highlighted other aspects of the Program. C. Britton noted the three-year agreement with Deer Hollow Farm and the hiring of a Farm Maintenance Worker. Volunteer and Docent Subprogram - C. Bruins gave a brief outline of the program. Discussion following about the size of groups visiting the Daniels Nature Center. C. Britton said staff will look into J. Cyr's suggestion of bringing in larger groups Meeting 97-17 Page 8 Public Affairs Program - M. Smith described special events which had occurred during the year and said work on co-hosting the Special Districts Conference next year was well underway. In regard to the Land and Water Conservation fund, M. Smith said there was an update in the FYIs, but there is no unified effort in the Bay Area. Administration - C. Britton noted that the financing authority with Santa Clara County was the largest and most imaginative public funding the District has ever done. He mentioned the Regional Open Space Plan and the District-wide Influencing Skills workshops. H. Hauessler asked about the delayin buildingthe trails at Wind y Hill an d about the Y District hiring welfare workers. J. Escobar said the District is hiring a dozen seasonal workers. C. Britton noted that trails at Windy Hill will not be built wit hout the parking lot. Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board acceptprogram the staffs ro ram Evaluation Report for Fiscal Year 1996-97. D. Smernoff seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. D. Agenda Item No. 4 - Authorization for Staff to Solicit Bids for the Demolition and Replacement of Two Bridges on La Honda Creek Oren Space Preserve and Authorization for Staff to Specify Skip Gibbs Railcars as a Unique Product Provide[ as Part of the Bid Snecifications - (Report R-97-102) J. McCullough presented the staff report and answered questions about costs. C. Britton explained the arrangement with the adjoining property owner regarding use of the District's bridge, including the possibility of them contributing up to $25,000 toward the cost. Discussion followed regarding which bridge was a higher priority. H. Hauessler said he was in favor of the rail car bridges. Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board authorize staff to solicit bids for the demolition and replacement of two bridges in La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve; and authorize staff to specify Skip Gibbs Railcars as a unique product provider as part of the bid specifications. The motion passed 5 to 0. VIII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS B. Crowder talked about a reception sponsored by the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority. In connection with the coast-side question she had toured the Cascade Ranch State Park. She showed a map of Pacifica she had received. Meeting 97-17 Page 9 J. Cyr asked about the letters to Mr. Rogers and Mr. Walton and what they were in response to. C. Britton said the letter to Mr. Rogers was in response to an oral request and the letter to Mr. Walton was sent because they knew he was retiring. He commented on the e-mail on the Moody Trail contained in the FYIs. C. Britton noted the inclusion of an updated report in the FYIs from the search firm on Administrative Services Manager. He announced that the Hidden Villa Humanitarian Awards will be held September 20. D. Smernoff said NASA will be hosting an open house on September 20 from 10-4:30 p.m. He also noted that the Teachers Retirement System had voted to restructure their portfolio in regard to MAXXAM. He said he would be in contact with Calpers on this issue. C. Britton said there have been three public workshops on the Regional Open Space Plan, and one more is planned. He proposed September 16 for a joint meeting with the San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Commission and October 15 for one with the Open Space Authority. In regard to Claim 2488, he explained why it should be listed at $3,777.84, the actual amount of the check, and not for $9,583.78. M. Smith reported that R. Anderson was the father of a baby girl. He said they are trying out the lapel microphones and considering the possibility of upgrading the sound system. IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:34 p.m. Roberta Wolfe Recording eco ding Secretary