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MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Meeting 98-16
REGULAR AND SPEC AT_. MEETINGS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
July 8, 1998
MINUTES
I, ROLL CAT�T.
President Betsy Crowder called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.
Members Present: Betsy Crowder, Nonette Hanko, Mary Davey, David Smernoff, Jed Cyr,
and Ken Nitz. Pete Siemens arrived at 6:35 p.m.
Personnel Present: Craig Britton, Sue Schectman, and Mike Williams
II, C1,0SED 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 6:32 P.M. and the Closed Session commenced at 6:33
P.M. The Board concluded the Closed Session at 7:31 P.M. and B. Crowder called the
Regular Meeting to order at 7:34 P.M. She noted that no reportable actions had taken place in
Closed Session.
Additional Personnel_ Present: Malcolm Smith, John Escobar, Deirdre Dolan, Mary de
Beauvieres, Randy Anderson, David Topley, Mike Foster, and Susan Dale
III. ORAI, COMMUNICATIONS
Harry Hauessler, 1094 Highland Circle, Los Altos expressed concern that the Windy Hill
Parking lot would not be completed in its entirety in time for the dedication which is to be held
Wednesday. B. Crowder explained she wished for the dedication to be held before she was to
go on vacation and the District's Open Space Technicians were working very hard to ensure
the parking lot would be complete in time for the event. S. Schectman commented that M. de
Beauvieres has been in contact with Pacific Bell and PG&E and they have assured her that
their lines will be installed in time.
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 98-16 Page 2
IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
S. Schectman announced there was a need to add an agenda item permitting a Closed Session
for Real Property Negotiations at the conclusion of Public Session this evening. She informed
the Board this action is permitted upon a 2/3 vote, provided the Board finds the immediate
need for action and that action arose after the publishing of this meeting's agenda. S.
Schectman briefly described the need for the District to submit a bid to purchase property
described in a Board Report which she handed out to the Board.
Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board adopt the agenda including the addition of the
agenda item permitting a Closed Session for Real Property Negotiations at the
conlusion of Public Session. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion
passed 7 to 0.
V. ADOPTION OF CONSENT C L. .NDAR
N. Hanko requested the removal of the second response to written communication from Mr.
Oare. B. Crowder requested the removal of the May 20, 1998 Minutes.
Motion: D. Smernoff moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calender, including
replies to written communications from Jean Rusmore, 36 Berenda Way,
Portola Valley, Linda Palmer, 369 La Herran Drive, Santa Clara, Richard V.
Treakle, Los Altos, Karl Kneip, 3401 Hillview Avenue, Palo Alto, and reply to
first written communication from David Oare <rgramOthegrid.net>; agenda
item 3 Auth_oriztion for the General_ Manager to Execute a Purchase Contract
with Mission Valley Ford for One Small Dump Truck at a Cost of$42,887.56;
and Revised Claims 98-16. K. Nitz seconded the motion. The motion passed 7
to 0.
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
B. Crowder stated that on the first page, paragraph 1 under item "III." Board Business the
sentence read "B. Crowder stated that the object of the Board was to..." and asked the sentence
be changed to read "B. Crowder stated the object of the meeting was to...". She also asked
that on page 3, paragraph 5 which begins with Kit Dove, the third line begin... "He thought
the Mid-Coast Park Lands..." rather than "She thought ...."
Mom: N. Hanko moved that the Board approve the May 20, 1998 Minutes as
amended. D. Smernoff seconded the motion. The motion passed.7 to 0.
VII. WRITIT-N COMMUNICATIONS
N. Hanko commented that the seconded letter from David Oare which was included in Written
Communications was actually addressed to herself and Director Siemens. She requested that
the response be prepared and sent by herself and Director Siemens and the response prepared
from staff be removed.
Meeting 98-16 Page 3
Discussion followed concerning the handling of mail addressed to the Board of Directors by
staff. It was decided Board mail would be opened and faxed to Board members when received
at the District office.
Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board approve removing the seconded letter from
David Oare. D. Smernoff seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0.
VIII. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Agenda Item No. 1 - Regional Qnen Sap Study Final Review; Review the Revised
Draft Basic Policy Document Including Changes Made at the May 6 Workshov, and
EmMsed Policy Language for Three Issues; Review the Greenbelt Financial
lm�Lcations Mode; Auth_ori72tion for the General_ Manager to Contract for
Reroduction of the Man and Related Text for Public Distribution; Comment onand/or
Confirm the Potential Next Steps in the District's Advance Planning Program- and
Determination that theproject is Exempt from the California Environmental QuWity
Act (CEOA)
R. Anderson outlined the order in which the review would take place as follows:
(a) Determine that the Regional Open Space Study is statutorily and categorically
exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.
(b) Review the revised draft basic policy document.
(c) Review the greenbelt financial implications model.
(d) Approve the printing of the map.
(e) Next steps.
(a) Determine that the Regional Open Space Study is statutorily and
categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.
R. Anderson reviewed the CEQA findings.
(b) Review the revised draft basic policy document.
R. Anderson reviewed the three issues which were remaining to be resolved: 1)
wording under Objective 1, Policy c, regarding eminent domain; 2) clarifying
the difference between basic/low-intensity use and special/low-intensity use; and
3) clarifying agricultural use policies.
1. R. Anderson reviewed the revised language pertaining to eminent
domain.
2. R. Anderson reviewed the difference between basic and special use
definitions. Discussion followed resulting in better clarification of
"Basic Use" and "Special Use" within the policy under Recreational Use
and Improvements.
Meeting 98-16 Page 4
The following wording was decided upon. In paragraph two beginning
with Basic Use.... "Basic Use is defined as access to pedestrians and
reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities. This use is
"basic" because it allows access to everyone with the lowest possible
level of environmental impact, conflict between uses, and management
cost. The District will typically open its lands to Basic Use as soon as
an appropriate planning document is adopted and access and safety
conditions can be satisfied. In cases of extremely sensitive resources,
access may be seasonally or permanently limited."
In paragraph two beginning with "Special Use...." it was decided to
remove "low-intensity." The first sentence to read "Special use is
defined as use that involves extra equipment or accouterments that
creates potential environmental or management impacts beyond those of
Basic Use."
3. R. Anderson reviewed the new wording in the section "Agriculture and
Revenue-Producing Use." Discussion followed concerning the potential
annexation to the San Mateo Coast and the need to include wording
specific to agricultural use on the San Mateo Coast. C. Britton
suggested the Board approve a tentative adoption of the revised Basic
Policy document at this meeting and return for final adoption after the
November 3 election.
Paragraph (f) under "Agriculture and Revenue-Producing Use was
revised to read, The District supports the continued agricultural use of
land acquired for open space as an economic and cultural resource,
including, but not limited to, grazing, orchards, row crops, and
vineyards. The District does not consider commercial logging as
agriculture. The District requires sound agricultural management
practices on land it manages or monitors, in accordance with its
Resource Management Policies."
Paragraph (g) was revised to read, "Revenue-producing use of District
land, such as rental residences, communications antennas, or special
commercial use such as filming, may be allowed when it does not utilize
significant areas of natural land, does not unduly impact natural or
aesthetic resources, does not unreasonable restrict public access, and
provides benefits or income to the District.
(c) Review the greenbelt financial implications model.
R. Anderson reviewed the greenbelt financial implications model, including an
increase from 250 miles of trails to up to 600 miles of trails to be managed that
could increase the need for additional staff and staging areas. M. Foster
reviewed the overall District tax growth expense projection for the next 25 years
based on the 6 to 8% historical trend.
Meeting 98-16 Page 5
(d) Approve the printing of the map
R. Anderson asked that the Board approve the printing of the finalized map at a
cost of$5,000 for 5,000 copies, many of which would be distributed to the
various agencies that participated in the study.
(e) Next Steps
R. Anderson summarized that overall this study had been a positive process
enabling the District to acquire tools for further use, including a database of
participating agencies and organizations that can be used for future contact and
communication of mutual interests. He stated the next steps would be to
continue work on the financial analysis and continue to track spending trends for
future use. Staff will return to the Board in the Fall, in the context of the
Regional Open Space Priorities project that was included in this year's work
program, to discuss more specific 5 and 10 year targets.
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board determine that the Regional Open Space
Study is statutorily and categorically exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act; tentatively adopt the revised draft Basic
Policy document as amended at the meeting; review the greenbelt
financial implications model; authorize the General Manager to contract
for reproduction of the map and related text for public distribution at a
cost of$5,000; and confirm the potential next steps in the District's
advanced planning program. M. Davey seconded the motion.
Discussion: J. Cyr commended staff for their effort to look ahead and develop the
Regional Open Space Study. B. Crowder thanked M. Foster for his effort on the
financial analysis of the study.
yQ&: The motion passed 7 to 0.
B. Agenda Item No. 2 -Aproval of 6% Salary Adjustment and 3% Meritorious Pay Award for
the General Manager, Inclusive of a Cost of Living Increase. Retroactive to March 9, 1998
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board adopt Resolution 98-30 amending the
General Manager's Employment Agreement to reflect an adjusted salary
of$104,088.60 and a 3% meritorious pay award totaling $2,945.90. D.
Smemoff seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0.
IX. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
M. Davey reported that she, Director Hanko and M. Smith toured agricultural land on the San
Mateo coast with a representative of the Farm Bureau.
Meeting 98-16 Page 6
N. Hanko reported she attended a picnic with East Palo Alto council members and had the
opportunity to discuss trail plans, the District's interest at Cooley landing, and mutual interests
in preserving these marsh lands.
B. Crowder reported 1) she attended the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority's annual
meeting which was held in their new office facilities; also in attendance was Susie Wilson of
the Santa Clara County Open Space Trust; 2) that Director Siemens has been appointed as the
alternate to the Trails and Wilderness Ad Hoc Committee; and 3) Representative Tom Lantos
has introduced a bill which would expand Golden Gate National Recreation Area boundaries in
San Mateo County, specifically the Pacifica area. S. Schectman clarified the area to be
expanded runs from Sweeney Ridge to the coast.
P. Siemens reported the District had been approached by Los Gatos to take over and manage a
large section of open space ground in the Blossom Hill Road area that was being dedicated as
part of a subdivision application. He stated the project has been approved utilizing a District
idea with a condition that the developer put $260,000 in a trust fund that the town may use to
manage the land.
K. Nitz reported on the new chain link fence now in place at the Pulgas Ridge Vista Point.
C. Britton directed the Board to a memo which explained the delay in receiving Meeting
Minutes due to an abundance of meetings and staff workload and that Minutes would be
brought up to date by the July 24 Regular Meeting; a fact sheet which was sent to the 500 or
more who sent letters or a-mails regarding the Convent issue; and an article regarding
rollerblading on dirt trails. He suggested cancellation of the August 26 Regular Meeting due
to vacation schedules and a very light agenda. He reported that 1) on Saturday, July 11 there
would be a barbecue honoring Gary Tate, retiring General Manager of Monterey Peninsula
Regional Park District; 2) the State Budget reported a $4 billion surplus; and 3) on Thursday,
July 16 the Open Space Council will be conducting a program called "Finding Common
Ground - Agriculture Preservation and Outdoor Recreation" and invited any interested Board
members to attend (Directors Davey and Crowder confirmed their attendance).
M. Smith reported the construction of the Leaf Trail will be completed at the Saturday, July
19 volunteer project.
S. Schectman reported that at the next Regular Board Meeting she will be presenting an agenda
item asking for approval to submit an amicus letter of support to the City of Livermore
concerning bicycle immunity.
X. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned to Closed Session for the purpose of discussing Closed Session
agenda item A on the proposed agenda item at 10:37 P.M.
Susan Dale
Recording Secretary