The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My Public Portal About20000308 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Regional Open ,, a ef MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT I I I I Meeting 00-05 REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETINGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Wednesday, March 8, 2000 I I MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING I. ROLL CALL President K. Nitz called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. i Members Present: K. Nitz, J. Cyr, M. Davey, B. Crowder, N. Hanko, P. Siemens, D. Little Members Absent: None Staff Present: C. Britton, J. Escobar, S. Schectman II. CLOSED SESSION t the Board would adjourn to Closed Session for the purpose of discussing Closed K. Nitz stated that rp g J P � Session Agenda Items 1, 2, and 3. i The Board recessed to Closed Session at 6:33 p.m. and the Closed Session commenced at 6:33 p.m. The Board concluded the Closed Session at 7:30 p.m. i i REGULAR MEETIN G I Meeting to order at 7:34 .m. He noted that no reportable actions had taken K. Nitz called the Regular eet g p P place in Closed Session. Additional Staff Present: D. Dolan, R. Anderson, D. Woods, T. Fischer, G. Baillie, J. Preciado III ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - There were none. IV ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion: J. Cyr moved adoption of the agenda. P. Siemens seconded the motion. Motion passed 7 to 0. V ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR Motion: J. Cyr moved the Board adopt the Consent Calendar including Agenda Item 3, Authorization to Change District's Designatinon of Authorized Signatories for Entering Safe Deposit Boxes: Adopt the Resolution of the Board of Directors of 330 Distel Circle. - Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 Phone:650-691-1 200 FAX: 050�-691-0485 - E-mail: mrosdoopenspa<e.org Web site:www.oFienspace.org Board C. Davey,)ed(yr,Dc ane Uttle, Nonette Hanko, Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C. Nit/ - Gc nerad N 3mager:1.( raig Britton Meeting 00-05 Page 2 Midl2eninsula Regional Qpen Space District Establishing Signatories for Entering Safe Deposit Boxes (R-00-33) and Revised Claims 00-05. P. Siemens seconded the motion. Discussion* C. Britton explained the revised claims were created anew as B. Congdon was absent when the initial claims were presented, and they were incomplete. Motion passed 7 to 0. VI BOARD BUSINESS A. Agenda Item I -- Proposed Preliminary Action Plan for the Implementation of the District's Basic Policy for Fiscal Year 2000-2001: Review the Proposed Preliminary Action Plan for the 2000-2001 Fiscal Year. Modify as Necessary. and Adopt the Preliminary Action Plan (R-00-31) C. Britton stated the Administration and Budget Committee had already review the Proposed Preliminary Action Plan as part of their budget process. Each of the program managers was to highlight any changes. The Planning Work Program was inadvertently not attached and was to be presented to them by the Program Manager that evening. M. Williams reviewed the Open Space Acquisition Program Action Plan. K. Nitz wanted the inclusion of"habitat preservation in open space" in the key project of"New Land Commitment," on page 3. M. Williams stated that some of the acquisitions this year deal with trail connections. C. Britton mentioned that land commitments are driven by willing sellers. D. Woods presented the Land Protection Subprogram within the Open Space Acquisition Program. He explained it was a new program introduced last year and will continue in much the same way this year: it emphasizes acquisition planning and land development monitoring. He noted that one addition to encroachment reduction was the development of a procedural manual. C. Britton noted that the manual was for internal use by staff. N. Hanko spoke about the encroachment/good neighbor policy. R. Anderson presented the Open Space Planning Program Action Plan. He presented and provided commentary to a preliminary draft of Planning Fiscal Year 2000/2001 Work Program. In relation to numbers 19 and 20 of this work program, he explained that "GIS" referred to geographic information systems (computer maps tied to a database) and "GPS" referred to global positioning system (technology that allows one to locate oneself on the lands). In reference to #35 of the work program, N. Hanko, suggested clarification was needed regarding the FEMA funding with the Virginia Mill Trail. R. Anderson said the trail was FEMA-funded, the bridge was not. In reference to the Action Plan, K. Nitz inquired about the seeming emphasis on El Corte de Madera Open Space Preserve. R. Anderson responded that El Corte de Madera Open Space Preserve had received the most damage from El Nino storms. C. Britton stated it was also part of the two-year trail plan. The Board had some questions on the action plan, which the staff answered. J. Escobar presented and provided commentary on the Operations Program Action Plan. He noted the change in current staff resources. He noted that on page 12, key project number 3 was a brand new key project. He stated that staff was working on transitioning from hand-gathered data to a computerized database system. The Board also recommended to write in "subject to Board Meeting 00 OS Page 3 I approval" before the first line in the wild pig control program mentioned on page 15 of the Action Plan. B. Crowder expressed concern and appreciation of J. Isaacs workload; perhaps interns could assist her more. P. Siemens suggested to move "inventory bat species" to number 4 in wildlife surveys on page 15. C. Britton presented the Public Affairs Program Action Plan. He said that he and Malcolm Smith had worked on this Action Plan, but when a new Manager is hired, this Action Plan may be proposed for change. He explained that the proposed seasonal Special Events Aide would help with set-up and tear-down of a booth at local fairs so that a ranger would not have to do it. N. Hanko expressed concern that the Everhart event was not listed in the key projects. C. Britton mentioned that this Action Plan referred to the next fiscal year, not this fiscal year and it was hoped that the dedication would be completed by then. K. Nitz suggested a northern area map of the preserves. C. Britton mentioned there is a map that includes all the preserves entitled "Escape to Your Open Space." K. Nitz requested that the "Coastal Ad Hoc Committee" on key project one be deleted since the committee is now defunct. D. Dolan presented and commented on the Administration Program Action Plan. She noted that the key project of human resources would be recruitment in terms of the current vacant positions. S. Schectman presented the Legal Services Subprogram and provided commentary on pending litigation. She explained that her subprogram also responds to unanticipated legal service needs as , they arise. The Board accepted the proposed Preliminary Action Plan for Fiscal Year 2000-2001. I B. Agenda Item 2 — Initial Presentation of the Budget for Fiscal Year 2000-2001: Review the Proposed Budget for the 2000-2001 Fiscal Year* Approve the Proposed Budget Guidelines for Board Conference Attendance (R-00-32) C. Britton explained the budgetary process; that is, the Administration and Budget Committee reviews the line item budget with each program and at the first public meeting in March the proposed budget is presented to the full Board. The second meeting of March the final budget is presented. He also explained that since the District is currently negotiating with Local Union 715, there is no information on salary and benefits in the proposed budget plan. The Board questioned the percentage increase for staff salaries. D. Little asked why this preliminary budget was Britton mentioned that the fiscal year ends March 31 so it is h this time. C. tto t brought u at g p Y necessary to start with a budget, even if it's just a proposed budget. S. Schectman responded that this process is a normal business practice. M. Williams presented and provided commentary on the Acquisition and Land Protection Program proposed budget. He corrected the increase of the Land Protection Subprogram was 28%, not 22% as noted in the 1999-2000 adopted budget. K. Nitz questioned why the debt service payments were increasing, as he thought they were to be decreasing. C. Britton explained debt service actually rises over time in concert with an increase in tax revenue. R. Anderson presented and provided commentary on the Planning Program proposed budget. Randy explained why it was important to hire staff to address the various planning projects in place of hiring consultants, who often have time constraints imposed by both IRS and the persons i i Meeting 00-05 Page 4 i i i themselves, hence the inclusion of a new Planner I. K. Nitz asked that the Planning Program separate the coastal costs from the services and supplies category in the final budget presentation. K. Nitz questioned the increase of$54,000 in salaries and benefits. C. Britton explained that was due to the step program in use at the District and that every program used the same process. The Board asked for clarifications on the proposed budget and Randy responded. J. Escobar presented the Operations Program proposed budget. He began with some corrections. The salaries and benefits category should be $2,441,550; the services and supplies category should be$830,950 for a revised total of$3,483,000 (which sum includes $8,000 in overtime). This is a 6.6% increase over the 1999-2000 adopted budget. The Board asked for clarifications on the proposed budget and J. Escobar responded accordingly. C. Britton presented and provided commentary on the Public Affairs Program proposed budget. He worked with Malcolm Smith on the proposed budget. He explained the decrease in salaries and benefits was due to vacant positions. He noted increases in the number of brochures the District is printing. I D. Dolan presented and provided commentary the Administration Program proposed budget. She noted that the salaries and benefits decrease was due to the PERS decrease. Also, consideration is i being given to eliminating the Exemplary Service Award Program due to declining participation in the last couple of years and it seems to be devaluing to those who do not get recognized. K. Nitz asked if there was a morale problem, why is the ESA Program being eliminated now? C. Britton explained that it tended to be more divisive than helpful at this time; in essence, it has lost its effectiveness. D. Dolan went on to explain that the Administration Program now has a larger percentage of the building budget. i J. Cyr noted the errors in Attachment Graph B-3 and B-4, specifically within "miscellaneous" and "negotiation consultants" where the dollar amounts were not found. Information will be provided in the next presentation. N. Hanko questioned the increase in Board conference attendance to $5,100. C. Britton responded it was about double from$2,500 to $5,100. The Board suggested some modifications to the proposed policy. B. Crowder asked that the last three lines in two be deleted and the Board consented. M. Dave paragraph � Y stated that Board members can benefit from continuing education that will, in turn, benefit the District. i i VII INFORMATIONAL REPORTS i i D. Little: (1) Announced the Trail Use Policy Committee to be held the next day, March 9, 2000 and invited participation at that meeting; (2) He announced he'll be debating a NASA-Ames Scientist on Saturday, March 11. B. Crowder: (1) Attended PCL Symposium at San Jose State on Saturday, March 4, which wasn't geared to open space, but found good networking there; (2) R. Anderson gave an excellent presentation at the hearing in Portola Valley about the bridge at Windy Hill and the Planning Commission voted to approve it; (3) She attended the Castle Rock State Park Hearing this morning in San Jose and the Commission approved the plan. Meeting 00-05 Page 5 N. Hanko: (1) R. Anderson and she have a meeting to tour Stanford Hills with Larry Horton and Charles Carter and she'll report on it next meeting; (2) She has a meeting with Greg Betts, Mayor Liz Kniss, and C. Britton to discuss joint projects with the City of Palo Alto; (3) Invited the Board members to attend two meetings with the coastal consultants and arranged Board coverage of the meetings. i P. Siemens announced he would not be at the April Board meetings as he is spending a month in Europe. M. Davey: (1) Announced the Bressler property sale was postponed again; (2)Restated that propositions 12 and 13 passed with more than 60% voter approval and cited Paul Romero's leadership in the campaign; (2) Questioned whether the District can do anything regarding the Land and Water Conservation Fund Legislation; (4) She attended a conference on Saturday, March 4 regarding Bay fill for the airport extension and expansion, which was sponsored by Save the Bay, and the meeting's conclusion was that there were technical and transportation alternatives. C. Britton: (1) Attended an AHR conference in Washington, D.C. last week, it was a great program, and he provided information to the Board;he met with Congressman Miller's office and Senator B. Boxer's office; (2) In regards to the Kabcenell memo, there are some items in our Use Permit that need to be changed; (3) He noted that J. Isaacs was a speaker at the 2000 San Francisco Peninsula South Bay Restoration Workshop on April 7, 2000; (3) He noted that Proposition 12 was the largest park bond act ever passed by a state in United States history. J. Escobar attended the Silicon Valley Tax Payers Association meeting. He gave a 30-minute presentation on the District and the Regional Open Space Study. D. Dolan announced that Paul McKowan and Lori Raymaker are planning the annual Volunteer Recognition event to be held on Saturday, July 22, 2000 as a breakfast event. Board members were asked to pencil in that date. R. Anderson stated that due to the volume of Trail Use Committee letters he would use a form letter from staff to respond. The Board approved the idea. VIII ADJOURNMENT At 11:33 P.M., the Regular meeting was adjourned. Board members reconvened in Closed Session at 11:35 P.M. and the Closed Session adjourned at 12:05 A.M. Jenny Preciado Recording Secretary i