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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19970924 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Regional Open Space MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 97-27 SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS September 24, 1997 MINUTES I. ROLL CALL President Mary Davey called the Special Meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. Members Present: Mary Davey, Betsy Crowder, Ken Nitz, Jed Cyr, Pete Siemens, and David Smernoff. Members Absent: Nonette Hanko, Personnel Present: Craig Britton, Sue Schectman, J. Escobar, and M. Williams H. CLOSED SESSIO, M. Davey stated that the Board would adjourn to Closed Session for the purpose of discussing Closed Session Agenda Item 1. The Board recessed to Closed Session at 6:31 P.M. and Closed Session commenced at 6:32 P.M. The Board concluded the Closed Session at 7:10 P.M. and M. Davey called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. Additional Personnel Present: Malcolm Smith, Randy Anderson, and, Jodi Isaacs M. Davey announced that no reportable actions were taken at the Closed Session. III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Len Vasquez, 21290 Blue Hills Lane, Saratoga, talked about the District's response to his report of alledged drug trafficking at Fremont Older. He felt the District should assert its leadership but seemed instead to be in a wait and see mode. He suggested illuminating the park or limiting after-hours accessibility. J. Escobar said staff has talked with Mr. Vasquez about several suggestions that he has made. They are looking at those but don't have answers at this time. Gating the preserve has not been an option because residents on the Road have been very firm in objecting to such acti(,.,.,a. T� UUU os.14 UW�! Celebrate 25 Years of Open Space Preservation 330 Distel Circle * Los Altos,CA 94022-1404 * Phone:650-691-1200 * 1972.1"7- FAX:650-691-0485 - E-mail:mrosd@openspace.org * Web site:WWW.openspace.org Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,Jed Cyr,David T.Smernoff,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C.Nitz - General Manager:L,Crzilg 11ritton Meeting 97-27 Page 2 B. Crowder said it seems that if the Sheriffs office is aware of this problem and is responsible for law enforcement, it would be their responsibility. J. Escobar responded that staff is looking at physical site changes, not law enforcement. C. Britton said that P. Siemens had suggested that when the reworking of the parking lot is examined, one of the issues considered should be public safety. He said Prospect Road is a public road, on which the District has very limited jurisdiction. Sally Boyd, 3352 LaMesa Drive, San Carlos, asked the District to retain the eucalyptus am at Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve. Her home overlooks the Preserve. She said eucalyptus do not spread and require less water than oak trees. In addition, the noise of cutting is not very pleasant. She said the whole neighborhood bought that open space and spent years fighting for it, and they don't want it to look like a wasteland. If the eucalyptus trees are cut it will look barren. Oak trees take 100-200 years to look beautiful. Ms. Boyd invited K. Nitz, who represents her area, to visit her home and look at the trees. J. Isaacs said there is a lengthy history of exotic plant removal at Pulgas. Eucalyptus have been identified because they are non-native and they spread quite rapidly. It is part of the District's Resource Management policy to control non-native species on District lands. She said the project of fully restoring the area is long-term, perhaps as long as 20 years. She informed Board members that the revegetation plan included removal of exotics and planting of native plants. She will provide Ms. Boyd with a map showing resource project phasing. Richard Bourke, P. O. Box 7207, San Jose, commented that eucalyptus trees have been around over 100 years and some have been grown from seed. They do provide shade. He talked about trees that had been removed from other parts of the District and said it would be interesting to see what has replaced them. He said he thought the District had been insensitive in regards to this issue. IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion: D. Smernoff moved that the Board adopt the agenda. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. V. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calendar, including replies to written communications from Mr. Robert Zatldn, 406 Maple Way, Woodside; Mr. David Oare, oar e0gene.COM; Mr. Robert R. Wilkinson, 870 Parrott Drive, San Mateo; Luigi Luzzatti, 855 Berkeley Avenue, Menlo Park; Suzanne Campodonico, 120 Pine View Lane, Menlo Park; and Mr. Harry H. Haeussler, Jr., 1094 Highlands Circle, Los Altos; agenda item 6, Notice of Contract Completion and A=tance of Work for the Road Resurfacing EWject at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve; agenda item 8, Denial of Richard Bourke Claim Against the District; agenda item 9, Denial of Francois Richard Claim Against the District, and Revised Claims 97-17. K. Nitz seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. Meeting 7-eetr g 9 27 Page 3 VI. BOARD BUSINESS A. Agenda Item No. 1 - Final Adoption of an Amendment to the Use and Management Plan for the Kennedy-Limekiln Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve to Confirm the Closure and Restoration of Priest Rock Bypass Trail (also known as Moody Trail) - Okport R-97-135) J. Escobar said he was available to answer questions. Kathleen Meyer, 200 S. First St., Campbell, said she was representing ROMP and asked the District to consider restoration and realignment of Moody trail. She talked about the possible impact of an increase in trail users coupled with the closing of trails. She said this has prompted ROMP to offer assistance to mitigate some of the impact due to an increase in use by working with the District. She said techniques have been developed lately to design and build sustainable trail systems while maintaining a balance with resource protection, and a well-developed trial system will also help expand user experiences. Ms. Meyer said ROMP could schedule and organize both working groups and fund raising events and help to create a monitoring program that will help educate the users to help them get along in a better fashion. In addition to the local club, IN BA (International Mountain Biking Association) has offered their support. She said ROMP would like to use this opportunity to enhance park facilities and the user experience by preserving a resource and balancing it with recreational use. They also feel that involvement by the user community will help with management of the entire trail network by creating a direct link between users and the District. She stated that with shrinking budgets and personpower the future of public lands depends on these partnerships and the growth of recreational use can be effectively managed if we begin now. She said they look forward to working with the District and would like to discuss it in further detail at their earliest convenience. D. Smernoff commented that he had voted no on this project before for two main reasons: 1. He would like to see technical trails developed in the southern areas of District properties and to see that kind of trail re-established there eventually. 2. There had been problems with the process of how the closure was done. He said he appreciated that staff has taken steps to improve the process. He asked Ms. Meyer to pass along the following ideas to cyclists: To become involved in the upcoming trail review process, to be patient while we develop Use and Management Plans for that area, and to respect closures. B. Crowder asked for a written copy of Ms. Meyers' presentation. M. Davey said there has been a productive partnership for El Corte de Madera Open Space Preserve and she hoped it would continue. P. Siemens said he personally did not think the District should spend its scarce money to promote and build technical trails. However, they might want to investigate the policy of allowing a group to come in and propose, build, and maintain a technical trail if it can be shown not to be environmentally damaging. His understanding was that Meeting 97-27 Page 4 there is a parallel trail available in the area so the experience in the area is available now. M. Davey suggested that ROMP might investigate Dir. Siemens suggestion of a "turnkey" project. H. Haeussler asked that the District provide him with the definition of technical trails for hikers, bikers, and horsemen. J. Cyr said that after seeing the condition of the trail, he concurred with staffs recommendation. Motion* B. Crowder moved that the Board adopt the amendment to the Use and Management Plan for the Kennedy-Limekiln Area of Sierra Awl Open Space Preserve to confirm the closure and restoration of Priest Rock Bypass Trail (also known as Moody Trail). K. Nitz seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-1 (D. Smernoff voted no). B. Agenda Item No. 2 - Proposed Addition of Augustine MacDonald Trust Pmnerty to the Mt. Umunhum Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve; Determination that th_e Recommended Actions are Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act; Tentative Adoption of the Preliminary Use and Management Plan. Including Naming the Pr=a as an Addition to the Mt. Umunhum Area of Sierra Azul QMn Space Preserve; and Indicate Intentions to Withhold the Prouty from Dedication as Public Oren Space - sport R-97-139) M. Williams showed the property on a map and explained slides of the property. There is an old trail that is an overgrown fire road that used to go down to Twin Creeks and someday may provide a connection from Loma Prieta to Almaden Quicksilver County Park. He outlined the terms and conditions of the agreement and gave credit to Mr. Bucky Mace, who had conducted the initial negotiations on the property. C. Britton said staff is confident the District can accept the property "as-is" because no one has been on the property in many, many years. He explained the difference between a quitclaim deed and a grant deed. 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; adopt Resolution 97-33 a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Authorizing Acceptance of Purchase Agreement and Addendum Thereto, Authorizing Officer to Execute Certificate of Acceptance of Quitclaim to District, and Authorizing General Manager to Execute Any and All Other Documents Necessary or Appropriate to Closing of the Transaction (Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve - Lands of Augustine MacDonald Trust, et al.); tentatively adopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan recommendations contained in this report, Meeting 97-27 Page 5 including naming the property as an addition to the Mt. Umunhum Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve; and indicate their intention to withhold the property from dedication as public open space at this time. D. Smernoff seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. C. Agenda Item No. 3 - Tentative Adoption of the Amendment to the Skyline Ridge_ Onen Space Preserve Use and Management Plan for Installation of a Permanent Restroom near the Nature Centers Determination that the Restroom #SSV110 is a Unique and Novel Product Application Req aired to be Used in the Public Interest and Authorize Restroom Facilities, Inc. of Reno. Nevada as the Sole Source Provider; Authorization for Staff to Purchase Three Pit Toilet Restrooms for Restroom Facilities of Reno. Nevada for Monte Bello.SkylineRidge- and indy Hill Q= Space Preserves at a Cost Not to Exceed $50.QM and Determination that the Recommended Actions are Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act;-(R=rt R-97- 14�.1 R. Anderson presented the staff report. J. Escobar said they are recommending the same contractor because the problems that had occurred were technical, not with the construction. The recommended toilets will require less maintenance because there are no moving parts. The Forest Service has done research and fine tuning on this design. R. Anderson said this design will probably be considered for use at Fremont Older. He added that he assumed that use of this type of toilet at Windy Hill would be a part of the parking lot project. He believes the design allowed handicap access. H. Haeussler informed the board about the possible availability of a sewer line in the area. lotion: B. Crowder moved that the Board determine that the following actions are categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act; tentatively adopt the amendment to the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve Use and Management Plan for the installation of a permanent restroom near the Nature Center; determine that the restroom #SSV 110 is a unique and novel product application required to be used in the public interest, and authorize Restroom Facilities, Inc. of Reno, Nevada as the sole source provider; authorize staff to purchase three (3) pit toilet rstrooms from Restroom Facilities of Reno, Nevada for Skyline Ridge, Monte Bello, and Windy Hill Open Space Preserves at a cost not to exceed $50,000. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. Meeting 97-27 Page 6 D. Agenda Item No. 4 - Progress Report on the Resource Management Program=(Report R-97- 1421 J. Isaacs presented the staff report including slides and overheads which represented the progress in the Resource Management Program. She said they had watered the oaks planted at Rancho San Antonio, and could only speculate on why some had died. B. Crowder said there is a die off when you plan new trees. She thanked Ranger P. Hearin for being the instigator of the nursery. J. Isaacs said Ranger Hearin had done very valuable work with the intern who worked on the report. Board Members and staff commended J. Isaacs and thanked Tamara Kan who did the exotic plant inventory on Distric lands as a consultant. C. Britton said J. Isaacs had initiallybeen hired on a one-year basis for the first year of Y Y Resource Management Program. She has now accepted the offer of the permanent position. Staff will provide the reports and maps to Board Members. J. Escobar commented that a report on the project would be provided periodically and that this project probably represented less than half of the projects J. Isaac's was working on. Resource Management projects start and seem to never end. H. Haeussler commended J. Isaacs and described his experience with star thistle. Motion* J. Cyr moved that the Board comment on and accept the informational report on the various resource management projects. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. E. Agenda Item No. 5 - Authorization for Staff to Hire Central Coast Wilds to Undertake the Revegetation Proj on Highway 84. With a Budget of$26.000 and Authorization for the General Manager to x e a Contract with Central Coast Wilds to Impl -m n the Highway 84 Re`egetation Project - Report R-97-140) J. Isaacs presented staff's recommendations and described which native grasses would be used in the project. Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board authorize staff to hire Central Coast Wilds to undertake the revegetation project on Highway 84, with a budget of$26,000; and authorize the General Manager to execute a contract with Central Coast Wilds to implement the Highway 84 revegetation project. D. Smernoff seconded the motion. Discussion: M. Williams said Caltrans is reviewing an agreement regarding payment for revegetation of the area in question and the easement for the drainage facilities installed by Caltrans. Meeting 97-27 Page 7 S. Schectman described the dispute between the District and Caltrans and said the right of way easement deed would come to the Board for final approval. The deed would provide for permanent drainage improvements under the site which would be to the District's advantage. The motion passed 6 to 0. F. Agenda Item No. 7 - Acceptance of the Proposal from George Rice & Sons for an Estimated $21,763 for the Printing of Approximately 300,000 Special 25 h AnniversaxX newsletters and Acceptance of the Proposal From Navarone Industries for an Estimated $34.875 for the Mailing of Approximately 300,000 Snecia125th Anniversary Newsletters - (Report R-97-138) M. Smith presented the staff report. S. Schectman explained that since this was consultant contract rather than a public works construction project a bidding process was not necessary in this case. Regarding legal ramifications of not using the lowest bidder, S. Schectman stated this is not a Public Works contract. M. Smith said the paper would be similar to the recycled paper used in the regular newsletters. Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board accept the proposal from George Rice & Sons for an estimated $21,763 for the printing of approximately 300,000 special 25* Anniversary newsletters; and accept the proposal from Navarone Industries for an estimated $34,875 for the mailing of approximately 300,000 special 25'h Anniversary newsletters. J. Cyr seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. VI. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS B. Crowder commended M. Davey for organization of the Hidden Villa event on Saturday night. P. Siemens said he had hiked part of the new El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve trail that was controversial and it was well built and very scenic. He said he and C. Britton had met with the Town of Los Gatos relative to the Guadalupe College/Ho Property. D. Smernoff echoed P. Siemens in regard to the new trail. He reported on the open house at NASA/Ames on Saturday. He had sent a letter to the Ca1PERS Board concerning the Board's vote regarding divestiture of Maxxam; however, the Board voted to retain the stock. He said he would like to send another letter to them and will work with C. Britton on the wording. J. Cyr also expressed appreciation for the new trail. K. Nitz said he had enjoyed the trail at El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve. He had attended the meeting of Coastal Alliance the previous evening. I Meeting 97-27 Page 8 M. Davey described events at the Coastal Alliance meeting. S. Schectman added that the ad hoc committee stated it would present a full report to the Board at the October 8 meeting. C. Britton reported as follows: 1. The letter in the FYIs to Bob Adams - the District sent 30 similar letters to council candidates within the District. 2. Invitation to salt harvest October 17. 3. Invitation for 25* anniversary of Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge October 18. 4. Invitation to Deer Hollow Farm annual celebration on October 5. 5. Announcement of ROSS meetings. 6. Julie McCullough is resigning. 7. Docent meeting on September 16; three Board Members were present and heard an overview on the Regional Open Space Study. The presentation will be made to volunteers tomorrow night. 8. On behalf of all the staff, he thanked the Board for the staff appreciation event. M. Davey announced the opening on October 25 of a segment of the Ridge Trail on Grant Ranch. M. Smith announced the 25' Anniversary banquet will be held on November 7 at the University Club, mailed invitations to follow. J. Escobar said he had represented the District at the September 12 retirement dinner for Garnetta Annable and the Cloverdale Ranch barbecue hosted by POST. He described two major raids of marijuana plantations on District property in the Sierra Azul area. C. Britton said there had been an article in the newspaper regarding acquisition of the 7,500- acre Coast Dairy property. He said he and B. Crowder will be attending the land trust national rally in Savannah, GA. J. Escobar showed slides of the El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve B8 and B10 trails and said staff is very happy with the new trail building machine. VHL ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:42 P.M. Roberta Wolfe Recording Secretary