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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19980617 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Regional Oper, ,.)ace --------------------- MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 98-14 REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETINGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS June 17, 1998 MIN[JTES I. ROLL CALL President Betsy Crowder called the meeting to order at 5:35 P.M. Members Present: David Smernoff, Peter Siemens, Mary Davey, Betsy Crowder, Nonette Hanko Ken Nitzd Jed , an Cyr Members Absent: None Personnel Present: Craig Britton, Sue Schectman, 1I. CLOSED SESSION B. Crowder stated that the Board would adjourn to Closed Session for the purpose of discussing Closed Session Agenda Items 1, 2, and 3. The Board recessed to Closed Session at 5:35 P.M. and the Closed Session commenced at 5:36 P.M. The Board concluded the Closed Session at 7:28 P.M. and B. Crowder called the Regular Meeting to Order at 7:32 P.M. She noted that no reportable actions had taken place in Closed Session and that the Closed Session would be continued at the conclusion of the Regular Meeting. Additional Personnel Present: Deirdre Dolan, John Escobar, Jodi Isaacs, and Mary de Beauvieres. III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Patty Ciesla, P. O. Box 3189, Stanford, referred to her survey regarding accidents and risk taking by mountain bikers at El Corte de Madera. She will give a copy of her report to the District. She said the data she gathered indicated more serious injuries had occurred on fire roads at high speeds. Only one or two serious injuries occurred on single track.trails. She said that out of 42 respondents, 41 said they always wore their helmet;this is the highest reported use in any mountain bike study she could find. She said she hoped the Board would take the information about mountain bikers seriously because she believed their policies were creating trails which encouraged higher speeds and were therefore more dangerous. Richard Bourke, P. O. Box 7207, San Jose, asked if there had ever been an EIR filed 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 • Phone:650-691-1200 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.Craig Britton Meeting 98-14 Page 2 because of activity by the District. He asked for a written reply to his memo to M. Smith. In reference to the claims list, he said he would like to see travel expenses broken out separately in the credit card payments. IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion: D. Smernoff moved that the Board adopt the agenda. J. Cyr seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. V. BOARD BUSINESS A. Agenda Item No. 1 - Tentative Adoption of a Use and Management Plan Amendment for the Study Area 2 Trail Use Plan_for El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve;Deterni_n_e that the H=mm__ended Actions are Categon+ab Exempt from the California Environmental_Quai_4 Act;Amend th_e Comprehensive Use and Management Plan for El_ Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve to Include the Study Area 2 Trail Use Plan• and Tentatively Adopt the Study Area 2 Trail Use Plan_for El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve. A. Ad Hoc Committees Recommended Actions—(Report R-98-79 M. De Beauvieres outlined the staff report which included history of the area, and stated that this is the 19'public meeting, in addition to task force workshops and meetings. She said the study area is the most trail dense of all the study areas and has three primary access points: 1. Skeggs Point (gate 1). 2. Methuselah Trail Head (gate 2). 3. Gordon Mill Trail head (gate 3). She said there is an unnamed trail head at gate 4 and some people use what is informally known as gate 4-1/2. She described the three revisions to the Task Force plan resulting from the April 2 meeting (recommendations 2.10, 2.16, and 2.21). N. Hanko asked about alignment of the Ridge Trail. M. de Beauvieres said she had met with San Mateo County Committee of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. They had looked at the one she pointed out as the preferred one. M. de Beauvieres showed where trail Segment 79 was proposed to be closed. She said the other trail for hiking only was not built yet so currently the only hiking only trail was the newly constructed portion of the Sierra Morena Trail, which she showed on a map. B. General_Manager's Alternative Recommended Actions- [Report R-98-80) J. Escobar assured the public that an alternative recommendation has been made in the past. He said the alternative recommendation came out of the ad hoc committee meeting that modified the task force recommendation. He assured them this was another perspective and recognized the Board's authority to make the decision. He said staff would carry out their decision Meeting 98-14 Page 3 '■► to best of their abilities. He reviewed the staff report and questioned whether the erosion caused by a trail of 371/o was in keeping with other things the District did to protect the environment. He said the study had focused more on the experience, not on access. He was not sure there had been enough discussion of long term restoration and resource management goals. He asked the Board to keep those goals in mind when making their decision. Task force members Ian Wright, Todd McGee, and Berry Stevens were present. Todd McGee, 287 Laurie Meadows#131, San Mateo, said he was a frequent volunteer and current president of ROMP. He supported the current proposal with the amendment in place. He pointed out that mountain bikers were 50% of the District user base and they have been happy to support the District when asked. Fred Stanke, 22873 Longdown Road, Cupertino, said he was a mountain biker and would like Devil's Staircase to stay open. He would like to have a variety of trail experiences open to him. He wondered if it was necessarily bad that this 37%trail is a leap away from what the District has done in the past. He questioned if they all need to fit one standard and hoped there was room for some exceptional trails. He said they want it left now because they have seen all others they wanted to keep lost. Berry Stevens, Redwood City, said he strongly supported the ad hoc committee's three amendments to the plan. He felt they would balance the plan and restore the credibility of the plan and the District. He questioned statements in the reports regarding damage to the trails, percentage of hiker and biker users, and bikers being given alternate experiences on other parts of preserve. He asked that they approve the ad hoc committee's recommendations. N. Hanko asked about notice of the meeting. M. de Beauvieres described the notification from the District. C. Britton said there had been no advance notice other than regular notification. He said this meeting was scheduled on July 10. J. Escobar said this is a tentative adoption and there is a 30-day period before the final adoption. C. Britton responded regarding the ratio of hikers and biking, stating that they feel that when a parking area is put in and the Ridge Trail is designated the percentage of other user groups will increase. Peter Donohue, 792 Arguello Street, Redwood City, described another hiking only trail at the preserve. He said the 37%grade is at the bottom where Devil's Staircase meets Gordon Mill and may not be there after the realignment. He said he had been to almost all 19 meetings and the final result basically matches what staff had been recommending. He said he didn't see public input being taken and hoped they would end up with what Meeting 98-14 Page 4 was brought up in the last meeting. He said if they give people what they want they will get more support. M. de Beauvieres responded that there is another very steep trail section just above the rocky outcropping. She explained how they designate the steepness when the trails are inventoried. She said the maximum grades are fairly accurate while the average grades are simply average. She pointed out that on that trail, the lower section could be realigned but not the top portion. Bob Hess, 2411 Graceland Avenue, San Carlos, said he had hiked in Study Area 2. Some trails were the worst he had ever seen and some were the best. He said prior to the District buying the land it was used by dirt motorcycle riders. He said it is obvious that the trails are still being used for thrills and are not safe for any users. This preserve is getting a reputation and major hiking groups avoid it because of past experiences with bikers that don't follow the rules. He said he agreed with the committee's recommendations except for 2.10, 2.16, and 2.21. He agreed with B. Crowder's position on those items. Elly Hess, 2411 Graceland Avenue, San Carlos, said she was delighted when MROSD purchased ECDM because of abuse by motorcycles. She was looking for healing but there are still destructive trails, new and old. She said they walked on Sierra Morena Trail, and the trails that cut across it coming in from Skyline and go straight down the hill will eventually wash out in these crossovers. She said they also walked down Devil's Staircase and bicyclists must think it is dangerous because they cut through the woods on both sides to go around the rocky steep place. She asked if they could call ECDM a preserve when they are abusing the land this way. She said Devil's Staircase should be closed to everyone and Sierra Morena should be for hikers only. She said their hiking group is full of hikers who have stopped using trails that are heavily used by bikers. She would like recommendations 2.10, 2.16, and 2.21 to be deleted. Charles Jalgunas, 11990 Page NO Road, Los Altos Hills, manager of a bike shop, said he had used the open space for ten years and had watched some favorite trails closed or sanitized. He referred to the November hearing to purchase land on the coast and said if the Board continued to honor their constituents the way they had, the District would not only not have his support but would probably have his opposition. N. Hanko clarified that the advisory measure is for those who live on the coast to see if they want to be included in the District and informed Mr. Jalgunas that there would probably be a funding measure. She said they need the support of everyone who pays taxes and votes. i Meeting 98-14 Page 5 AN Brett Monello, 339 Manzanita Avenue, Palo Alto, said he had taken time to study the issues. He was in favor of the ad hoc committee recommendation and said life is about recognizing diversity. Louis Mendelowitz, Palo Alto, said it was disconcerting opposition to hear o sition from staff. He said they could change the whole profile of the area by creating special things for a group that has not traditionally used the area. He thought the less that is done the better it would be. He sometimes thought the Board was being led around by staff. He said he thought it was nice to see multiple use on all trails. M. de Beauvieres showed the section of Sierra Morena that is 35%grade. What is continuing to be shown on the map is that Skyline County Water District has a main water line parallel to Skyline and have an access easement to get in to maintain that line. I Escobar said it is also necessary to keep that route open to bicycles if you make the trail around Witch's Knoll hiking only. Ross Finlayson, Mountain View, said he was sorry if they appeared confrontational. He said he didn't look at what came out of the last committee meeting as a concession to bikers but as an improvement of circulation patterns. He said he thought they could create an environment where there would not be conflicts between hikers and bicyclists. M. de Beauvieres pointed out other access to the preserve farther down if they remove Devil's Staircase. Jean Rusmore, 36 Berenda Way, Portola Valley, said she appreciated the District's willingness to work with members of the task force and ad hoc committee. She remembered the conflict San Mateo County had with illegal motorcycle uses in the 70s and commended them for the time and care they have taken to preserve the land. She thought they should keep the Sierra Morena Trail around Witch's Knoll for hiking only. She had walked on segments 70, 71, and 79 and they should be closed. Segment 79 is too steep and is eroded down to bare rock. She concurred with staff and said it would be ecologically insensitive if it were kept open. David Oare, 1622 Ralston Avenue, Belmont, commented about the process. He would have liked to see staff present a more thorough and two-sided argument. Patty Ciesla said what they were planning to do if they accepted the staff amendment to the ad hoc committee recommendation was create a single set of trails which would be used by a high volume of both hikers and cyclists. There would be no alternate trail for cyclists. She said they were creating safety and conflict problems that did not answer hikers' and bikers' concerns and interests. She said they should retain segments 79, 87, and 90. g, Meeting 98-14 Page 6 Discussion followed as to why 90 and 87 were removed and whether they had been considered by the task force at its summary meeting. Dawn Rintala, 1505 Revelstoke Way, Sunnyvale, said she was an avid cyclist. The best thing was to listen to users and implement what they want. She said she understood that the task force was developed but was not allowed to finish its objective. B. Crowder said the task force expressed its opinion. The met a number of times and their conclusion P p Y was discussed on April 28. N. Hanko said they anticipate that when there is a parking lot there will be many more users. Conrado Vellve, 1217 Mariposa Street, San Francisco, said he thought weather had been the culprit for some trail damage. He said they had not discussed the impact or preservation of the meadow proposed for the parking lot. He supported the plan with amendments. He asked why there were not more"walk your bike" signs in the muddy areas and why the gate 4-112 entrance would be closed. I Escobar said compliance in walk only zones was about 10%. He pointed out Gate 4-1/2 which is on a bend on Skyline where there is no parking. It would not be responsible of the District to put people there. Regarding the task force process, he said he felt like they had consensus when they left the room at their last meeting. Now some task force members have changed their mind. In his mind the process was complete at the final meeting. Ian Wright, 15600 Skyline Boulevard, Woodside, task force member, said he understood that it was his role to express opinions. He said hikers and bikers are looking for different experiences. He thought hikers avoiding conflict were responsible for the 80-20 split. Bill Davis, 2035 W. Middlefield#5, Mountain View, spoke in favor of the ad hoc committee's amended proposal. He specifically addressed the issue of not feeling safe walking down Devil's Staircase. He questioned whether every trail needs to be applicable to every single person. K. Mitz said it is not a use problem but an ecological problem. The use is causing a lot of erosion. Patty Ciesla addressed ecological concerns stating that only staffs point of view was presented. She said if they wanted to minimize erosion they could close some fire roads and let them revert to single track. She asked that they take basic safety measures including getting rid of water bars. Meeting 98-14 Page 7 fir► Jean Rusmore said she understood there is a 15 mph speed limit. If users observed that she didn't think they would go off the edge. Berry Stevens said Devil's Staircase has not changed substantially in years, and is a very stable trail. Steven , Mountain View(no card), said the Board was in a unique position to provide alternate terrains. He said he was very concerned with safety and didn't think putting people on trails where there are more users was a safe solution. B. Crowder read her memo into the record, stating that she still supported staff's recommendation for elimination of Devil's Staircase and realignment of Segment 92 by staff as well as Sierra Morena being hiking only. Discussion followed regarding keeping Sierra Morena hiking only and having segments 70 and 79 continue as a way to get to the new proposed trail for bikers. C. Britton said if Board members were thinking of radically changing the proposal he would prefer that it be returned to staff. Motion: N. Hanko moved that 2.16 be reworded to say that staff will work with the citizens task force to work out an agreement to realign or restore portions of trail segment 92 while maintaining the character of the trail. D. Srnernoff seconded the motion. Discussion: C. Britton said staff feels they have the expertise and the experience and know the terrain and would still have had the same recommendation. J. Escobar said he thought that given the amount of trail and this amount of detail, the staff would be hampered in terms of doing projects and doing them efficiently. Berry Stevens said he could appreciate why staff was offended and that not using the Sweko could be the only restriction on them. J. Escobar said the trail machine is very effective and cost effective. Vote: The motion was defeated. Directors Hanko, Srnernoff and Ni z voted aye;Directors Cyr, Siemens, Crowder and Davey voted no. M. Dave moved that the Board accept staff ���= Y P recommendation to delete Section 2.16. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-2 (Directors Smernoff and Nitz voted no). Meeting 98-14 Page 8 Discussion followed regarding Section 2.10, retaining Devil's Staircase. C. Britton said he would like an opportunity for staff to study the area and come back with recommendations to the full Board. In addition, at the next meeting they will be proposing to hire a geologist to look at ECDM and Purisima. Motio P. Siemens moved that the Board delete recommendations 2.10, 2.13 and 2.14 and offer a substitute that would refer the matter of a route generally following segments 87 and 90 back to staff for further study and a recommendation. N. Hanko seconded the motion. Discussion: J. Escobar said he thought they had looked at that quite extensively and both the committee and the task force recommended that these segments not remain open. Patty Ciesla suggested making the whole Sierra Morena trail hiking only except for the section going from gate 3 to gate 2, and keeping the water district section along Skyline for cyclists. Berry Stevens said the whole purpose of Siena Morena trail was to create a perimeter and get people off Skyline Boulevard. He liked the idea of leaving 70 and 79 open. Vote: The motion passed 4-3 (Directors Smernoff, Dave and P ,� y Crowder voted no). C. Britton clarified that whatever action taken at this meeting was tentative. In the meantime they will not be doing anything physical on the property. Board and staff members discussed the ramifications of Sierra Morena being retained as a hiking only trail or as a multiple use trail. Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board modify recommendation 2.21 to say"designate all of the retained, realigned or new trails outlined in the trail use plan as multi-use trails with the exception of the Sierra Morena trail." and then say, "Staff will return to the Board with recommendations regarding retention of that trail as hiking only." N. Hanko seconded the motion. y=: The motion passed 6 to 1 (K. Nitz voted no). Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board approve recommendations 1, 2 and 3 as previously amended. B. Crowder seconded the motion. Meeting 98-14 Page 9 Discussion: C. Britton clarified the amendments. The ad hoc committee will be composed of B. Crowder, P. Siemens, and K. Nitz with D. Smernoff as alternate. Vote: The motion passed 7 to 0. VI. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS C. Britton reported as follows: 1. He asked Board members to make sure their calendars were accurate. Discussion followed regarding scheduling of July meetings. 2. He announced a birthday party for Ted Lempert. VII. ADJOURNMENT At 10:40 P.M., the meeting was continued to a Closed Session to discuss Items 1 and 3. Roberta Wolfe Recording Secretary