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MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
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Meeting 00-08
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
April 12, 2000
MINUTES
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SPECIAL MEETING
I. ROLL CALL
President Ken Nitz called the meeting to order at 6:31 P.M.
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Members Present: Nonette Hanko, Mary Davey, Jed Cyr, Ken Nitz, Betsy Crowder, and
Deane Little.
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Members Absent: Peter Siemens
Staff Present: Craig Britton, Sue Schectman, and Mike Williams
II. CLOSED SESSION
K. Nitz stated that the Board would adjourn to Closed Session for the purpose of discussing
Closed Session Agenda Items 1 and 2.
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The Board recessed to Closed Session at 6:31 P.M. and the Closed Session commenced at
6:31 P.M. The Board concluded the Closed Session at 7:32 P.M.
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REGULAR MEETING
III. K. Nitz noted that no reportable action had taken place in Closed Session, and called the
Regular Meeting to order at 7:35 P.M.
Additional Staff Present: Deirdre Dolan, Randy Anderson, and Del Woods.
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IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Skip McIntyre, 444 Castro, Mountain View, Thoits Insurance, answered questions
regarding the insurance report presented at the previous meeting. He said liability
insurance is the driver for costs. Those costs went up about 8% last year and a much
310 Distel Circle - Los Altos, CA 9402 2-1404 * Phone: 050 091-1200
FAX:6 i0-691 0485 * E-mail: mrosdelopenspa(e.or8 - Web site:www,ol)etist>ace:.org
Hoard nt Oirectorw:Perte Siernens,Mary C.Davey,led Cyr,Deane tittle Nonette HanCo,tetsy Crowder,
Kenneth C. Nitz - General Manager-L ('raig Britton '
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Meeting 00-08 Page 2
amount this year. The claim history continues to be good. He i smaller amou s y y g said ten insurance
companies were contacted to make quotations.
V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board adopt the agenda. B. Crowder seconded the
motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
January 26, 2000
Page 2 - The correction of the January 12 minutes, page 4 —paragraph 2, sentence 11, should
read, " . . . which is different from an urban service area boundary . . . " (instead of urban
service boundary area).
a Febru ry 9 2000
Page 2 - Agenda Item 1, last paragraph—Peter Marchi (not Markey).
2 0
February 23 00
�
Page 2 — Agenda Item 1, second paragraph first sentence, should read, ". . . getting new
tenants at the same rate for half the square footage."
Page 3 — Agenda Item 2, first paragraph, fifth sentence, should read, " . . . might frighten a
few people away, and therefore could be a deterrent to visitors coming to the preserves."
VII. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR
N. Hanko removed the minutes of the January 26, 2000 Special and Regular Meetings; the
February 9, 2000 Special and Regular Meetings; the February 23, 2000 Regular and
Special Meetings. J. Cyr and K. Nitz removed agenda item 4, Authorization to Solicit Bids
for the Demolition of 14 Minor Structures at Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve;
Authorize Staff to Solicit Bids to Remove 14 Minor Structures at Bear Creek R edwoods
Open mace Preserve and Restore the Sites to a Natural Condition.
Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calendar, including the
March 8, 2000 Minutes; and the Minutes as amended above of January 26,
2000, February 9, 2000, and February 23, 2000, and the Revised Claims
00-07. J. Cyr seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
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Meeting 00-08 Page 3
VIII. SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY
C. Britton introduced a resolution in support of Earth Day, 2000, noting that the District
would be participating in Earth Day events in Half Moon Bay, as well as promoting
California Trail Days projects through the volunteer program.
Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board adopt Resolution No. 00-17, Resolution of the
Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Supporting Earth Day 2000, its Affiliated Events and Festivals, and the
Individuals and Organizations Active in Pursuing the Goals of a Cleaner,
Safer, and Sustainable Environment. N. Hanko seconded the motion. The
motion passed 6 to 0.
IX. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Agenda Item No. 1 - Proposed Addition of Benedetti Property to Pulgas Ridge
Open Space Preserve; Determine that the Recommended Actions are Categorically
Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEOA) as Set Out in the
Report• Adopt the Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of the Benedetti Property;
Tentatively Adopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan Recommendations
Contained in the Report, Including Naming the Property as an Addition to Pupas
Ridge Open Space Preserve• Indicate Your Intention to Dedicate the Property as
Public Open Space - (Report R-00-46).
C. Britton provided background information and noted the changes that had taken
place in the preserve over the years.
R. Anderson located the property on a map and showed slides. He talked about
possible trail connections and reviewed the Use and Management recommendations.
M. Williams outlined the terms and conditions of the purchase, noting that the price
was below the fair market appraisal.
J. Cyr commented on the designation as a conservation management unit, stating he
thought that was a wise approach. He asked about potential costs beyond the
purchase price. R. Anderson said the District would encourage the city to require
the developer to correct the sewer line and would not be doing any actual design or
physical work. C. Britton noted that the corrections were the easement holder's and
were not the District's responsibility. S. Schectman cautioned that it was prudent to
assume that if the developer was not responsible and did not step in, it was
conceivable the District might have to make the correction and seek
reimbursement.
J. Cyr said he appreciated acknowledgment of the map technician in the staff report.
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Meeting 00-08 Page 4
Regarding the easement shown near one of the houses, C. Britton said this was a
five-lot subdivision and the easement was offered to the District as a trail easement,
but the District has not yet accepted it. He referred to the open space parcel shown
on the map, stating that as part of the subdivision it was dedicated to open space but
it was sold in the market. He said staff would be getting more information on it,
since staff would like to own it and see it preserved as open space. M. Williams
said the open space parcel only shows up on the record of survey, not on any of the
required documents. Staff will be following up on that, and anything they find will
come back to the Board.
N. Hanko commented she was very glad to see Ms. Hartnett at the meeting, and
acknowledged her contributions to preserving the parcel.
Celia Hartnett, 3443 Brittan Avenue, San Carlos, expressed gratitude and
admiration to the District, and said the work they do is a gift to the people who live
in the area. Since the 1970s, she had felt that the Benedetti property was essential
to the viability of Pulgas Ridge. She said she had documents, including aerial
photographs, which she would give to the District. She said she would continue to
help in any way she could. In regard to the sewer line, she said it already has
affected the District's property, and something more permanent needed to be done.
She said the city is aware of the problem. The subdivision property was annexed to
the City of San Carlos.
C. Britton said staff had sent notification of the purchase to neighbors, as well as
Dick Bishop, former Board member from that area when the District bought Pulgas
Ridge; and Herb Grench, former general manager of the District.
Lennie Roberts, Portola Valley, speaking for Committee For Green Foothills,
talked about the history of the property. She said it had been a high priority for
acquisition for years. She noted that one other benefit of the property that might
not be as obvious is that it is the headwaters for Cordilleras Creek.
Motion:. J. Cyr moved that the Board determine that the recommended actions
are categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) as set out in the staff report; adopt Resolution No. 00-
18 Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional
Open Space District Authorizing Acceptance of the Purchase
Agreement, Authorizing Officer to Execute Certificate of Acceptance
of Grant to District, and Authorizing General Manager to Execute
Any and All Other Documents Necessary or Appropriate to Closing
of the Transaction (Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve - Lands of
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Benedetti, et al.). N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion
passed 6 to 0.
B. Agenda Item No. 2 - Proposed Acquisition and Addition of the Quam Property to
Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve, Determine that the Recommended Actions are
Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act as Set Out in
the Report, Adopt the Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of the Quam Property;
Tentatively Adopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan Recommendations
Contained in the Report, Including Naming the Properly as an Addition to Russian
Ridge Open Space Preserve, Indicate Your Intention to Dedicate the Property as
Public Open Space - (Report R-00-45).
M. Williams showed the property on a map and noted that the house is a little under
1,500 square feet, not 1,750 as indicated in the report. He outlined the Use and
Management recommendations and the terms of the acquisition. He said the
District had been given an opportunity to acquire the property before it was listed
on the open market because Ellie Bullis brought the listing to them. He said staff
will look into the option of only renting the part of the property with the residence,
not the stable area. C. Britton said there are some management positions open, so
staff might hold this property open for interim housing for new employees. M.
Williams described the private inholdings near the property.
D. Woods showed a possible extension of Alder Springs Trail, and said they would
be looking at it in the long term. He also showed the alignment of the Ridge Trail
in the area and slides of the property.
C. Britton said the property had been well cared for and he was impressed with the
siting of the house.
J. Cyr said this property cost $11,000 an acre including house and barn. D. Little
commented that this preserve was the most beautiful he had seen anywhere.
Motion: B. Crowder 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 No. 00-19,
Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional
Open Space District Authorizing Acceptance of the Purchase
Agreement, Authorizing Officer to Execute Certificate of Acceptance
of Grant to District, and Authorizing General Manager to Execute
Any and All Other Documents Necessary or Appropriate to Closing
of the Transaction (Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve - Lands of
Quam). N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
Meeting 00-08 Page 6
C. Agenda Item No. 3 - Proposed Addition of Benson Property to Kennedy Limekiln
Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve; Determine that the Recommended
Actions are Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act as
Set Out in the Report, Adopt the Resolution Authorizing Purchase of the Benson
Properly, Tentatively Adopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan
Recommendations Contained in the Report, Including Naming the Benson Property
as an Addition to the Kennedy Limekiln Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve-,
Indicate Your Intention to Withhold the Property from Dedication as Public Open
Space at This Time - (Report R-00-48).
D. Woods showed slides of the property, noting that the vegetation is mostly scrub
oak. Most of the property's value is in terms of its wildlife habitat and watershed
protection.
M. Williams outlined the terms and conditions. He said there was one marginal
building site with electrical hook-up. The water system is spring-fed. He said the
owner had been offered a lot more for the property but wanted to see it restored to
open space. Regarding inspections, M. Williams said the fuel tank was the biggest
concern and it had passed.
Regarding historical value, C. Britton said that before the District demolishes
anything, they notify the historic society.
Motion:. N. Hanko 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 No. 00-20,
Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional
Open Space District Authorizing Acceptance of the Purchase
Agreement, Authorizing Officer to Execute Certificate of Acceptance
of Grant 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
Benson). D. Little seconded the motion.
Discussion: M. Williams said the comprehensive inspection would entail looking
at the property with field staff and the demolition contractor.
Vote: The motion passed 6 to 0.
D. Agenda item 4, Authorization to Solicit Bids for the Demolition of 14 Minor
Structures at Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve; Authorize Staff to Solicit
Bids to Remove 14 Minor Structures at Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
and Restore the Sites to a Natural Condition - (Report R-00-47).
Meeting 00-08 Page 7
J. Cyr said he thought it would be useful to have gate numbers in the database. He
was informed that they were.
D. Woods said they had taken pictures of all the buildings proposed to be
demolished. Regarding the Radio Hill Tower, he said it was located in the general
area of the Radio Hill Cabin but was not related to the cabin. The county historical
society had done a detailed study of the entire site, and none of the structures
proposed for removal had any historic significance.
Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board authorize staff to solicit bids to remove
14 minor structures at Bear Creek Redwood Open Space Preserve
and restore the sites to a natural condition. K. Nitz seconded the
motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
X. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
D. Little said he had been hiking and had discovered what looked like some illegal clearing
on the Chamise Trail.
J. Cyr said he was planning to go next week to go see what has been done on Bear Creek
Redwoods Open Space Preserve.
B. Crowder: 1. She reported that Portola Valley bought six acres for open space for $6
million and have an option to purchase an additional three. 2. She asked if Board
Members could get copies of other Members' calendars. 3. She had information on the
Bay Area Open Space Council conference called Wilderness in Our Midst. C. Britton
asked Board Members to let him know if they wish to attend.
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N. Hanko: 1. She had contacted the editor of the Half Moon Bay paper regarding the
voter turnout for Propositions 12 and 13. He will check it out. 2. Palo Alto Mayor Liz
Kniss set up a meeting to talk about the Bressler property and its acquisition by the City.
She will report back. 3. She asked those who attended the Half Moon Bay Council
meeting when the consultant spoke to let her know how the meeting turned out. She also
wanted to hear from those who attended the Mid-Coast event. 4. She had a three-hour
meeting with Patti Ciesla at Foothill Park. She said Ms. Ciesla had some interesting ideas.
She had talked to J. Escobar and the committee about them. S. Regarding a question
about LAFCO funding, C. Britton informed her that if you are not represented on LAFCO
you don't pay. 6. The South Skyline Association newsletter had an interesting article
about wild pigs. 7. She asked C. Britton to check regarding the June meeting of the Board
mentioned in that newsletter.
M. Davey: 1. Hidden Villa was one of the highlights on the Sustainable House Tour
Saturday. There were also private homes on the tour. 2. Regarding Stanford land, the
Meeting 00-08 Page 8
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Community Resources Group will meet April 20 to hear the report from County staff as to
the present situation and a preview of the EIR study. She talked about an article regarding
Stanford land in the newspaper. 3. On April 19, the Mountain View Planning Commission
will consider the possibility of building a hotel/motel complex on land next to Shoreline
Park. She and others will appear with the idea that there be some kind of eco-campus. 4.
She said the presentation in Half Moon Bay was well put together. There were questions
from the Council which she thought indicated a positive interest. There was no decision or
discussion one way or the other.
C. Britton: 1. He asked R. Anderson to unveil the new GIS wall map. R. Anderson said
it was significant that it is computer generated. He showed how they will add properties
and gave credit to Matt Freeman for bringing GIS to the District, and to Ana Ruiz and
Dennis Dart for their assistance. 2. C. Britton said that in the future the newspaper
clippings will be placed in two packages: one that has to do with the District and the other
from the Half Moon Bay Review regarding the coast side policies. 3. He had an invitation
to the mid coast party on April 15. 4. He had checked with POST on their policy
regarding benches. They informed him that benches are $5,000. $2,500 is for
construction and maintenance, and the rest goes toward their programs. He will follow up
regarding the possibility of making them of hardwood. 5. He had an invitation from
Sempervirens; Fund for the April 26 open house of their remodeled office. 6. The City of
Sunnyvale State of the City is scheduled for May 6. 7. There was a memo in the material
the Board received about the July 22 recognition event. 8. He handed out maps showing
statewide voting by county on Propositions 12 and 13. The map indicated that five
counties in the state voted against Prop. 22. Proposition 26, local majority vote for schools,
was favored by most Bay Area counties, even though it failed state-wide.
S. Schectman said the Board will receive a memo summarizing activity on current litigation
and states that the MOU was ratified by Local 715 on April 6th.
R. Anderson: 1. He confirmed the date for the trail policy meeting for the full Board on
Tuesday, May 23 at 7 P.M. at the Rengstorff Center, if it is available. The next committee
meeting will be April 25.
C. Britton noted that the first round of interviews for the Public Affairs Manager position
was scheduled for April 27 and 28.
X1. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:38 P.M., the meeting was adjourned.
Roberta Wolfe
Recording Secretary