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MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Meeting 00-28
REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
October 25, 2000
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
I. ROLL CALL
President Ken Nitz called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Mary Davey,Nonette Hanko, Deane Little (arrived at
7:33 p.m.), Peter Siemens, and Ken Nitz.
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Craig Britton, Thomas Fischer, Cathy Woodbury, Deirdre Dolan, Lisa
Zadek, Duncan Simmons, Stephanie Jensen, Michael Williams, Susan Schectman, Matt
Freeman, Michael Newbum, Sandy Sommer, Dennis Dart, Janet Beaugh, John Maciel.
II. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Judy Baker, 27544 Canyon Road, Los Altos, thanked the District for maintaining the
land. She said Eucalyptus trees have been here since the 1800's. She asked why not
preserve them as a Eucalyptus grove. The oak trees are getting old. She said it was
n a petition signed b indefinitely and she would reset et t s
difficult to keep things the same de y p p g y
those opposed to the cutting of Eucalyptus trees at Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve.
Carolyn Chaney, 313 Lakeview Way, Redwood City, said the response to her letter did
not address her concerns. She said she had measured 1,000 square feet under two parts of
the Preserve, one under oak trees and one under Eucalyptus trees. She said the
Eucalyptus trees seem to foster growth of native species. She said there is a profusion of
Eucalyptus trees growing out of stumps where trees have been cut. She had gotten in
touch with Professor Barbara Holtzman from San Francisco State who is probably
California's leading expert on Blue Oaks. She walked with her there, and she was
excited to see the growth of baby oaks and other native species under Eucalyptus trees.
She said there are other non-natives such as acacia, cactus, and broom which could be
removed. She expressed concerns about the selection of trees to be cut. She asked for a
postponement so she and Ms. Holtzman could look at the management plan at Pulgas
Ridge for the cutting to see how the trees were chosen.
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K. Nitz informed Ms. Chaney that they did a seeding with acorns.
I
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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 reel O Es'
Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C. Davey,led Cyr, Deane Little, Nonette Hanko, Larry Hassett, Kenneth C. Nitz •General Manager:L.Craig Britton
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Meeting 00-28 Page 2
III. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board adopt the agenda. P. Siemens seconded and
the motion passed 6 to 0.
IV. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR
N. Hanko removed the draft response to the written communication from Carolyn
Chaney. K. Nitz removed agenda item 5, Cancellation of November 8 and 22 Regular
Board Meetings and Scheduling of Special Meetings of the Board of Directors for
November 15 and November 29, 2000 Beginning at 7:30 P.M.; and agenda item 6,
Annual Seasonal Trail Closures Information Report, Review and Comment on Proposed
Trail Closures.
N. Hanko clarified that she was absent at the meeting where the vote to cut the
Eucalyptus took place. She said she would have voted against the cutting because she
feels Eucalyptus trees have been here long enough to be called natives.
Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calendar, including
approval of the minutes of the September 27, 2000 and October 11, 2000
Special and Regular Meetings; draft responses to written communications
from Hans H. Mueller, 3295 La Mesa Drive #11, San Carlos; Ms. Carolyn
Chaney, 313 Lakeview Way, Redwood City; Ms. Caroline Moore, 1909
Newman Place, Mountain View; Ms. Mikala Caune, 504 Clifton Avenue,
San Jose; and Mr. Richard Moyer, 872 Fielding Drive, Palo Alto; agenda
item 4,Authorization to Purchase One Tractor Mower• Direct the General
Manager to Execute a Purchase Contract with the State Department of
General Services and Powerland Equipment for One Tractor Mower at a
Total Cost Not to exceed $70,000; and Revised Claims 00-17. J. Cyr
seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
V. SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY
D. Dolan introduced Janet Beaugh who was recently hired as Human Resources
Management Analyst. C. Britton introduced John Maciel, newly hired Operations
Manager.
Matt Freeman introduced and demonstrated some new technology acquired by the
District, including a laptop computer and an LCD projector.
VI. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Agenda Item No. 1 — Status Report on Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space
Preserve, Accept the Oral and Slide Presentation on the Status of Staff Activities
at Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve—(Report R-00-133).
Meeting 00-28 Page 3
Staff members reported on the status of various areas at the preserve as follows:
• M. Newbum—Site Safety and Improvements
• S. Sommer- Demolition
• T. Fischer—Bear Creek Stables
• D. Dart—Logging
• M. Newburn—Permits
T. Fischer said they have started monitoring and testing the creek, and the results
are inconclusive. Samples were taken from up and down stream. They are trying
to get information from the County regarding limits of toxics. Board members
commended staff for the presentation.
B. Agenda Item No. 2—Consideration of Adoption of a Resolution Urging Stanford
University to Define Future Land Use and Provide Long-Tenn or Permanent
Protection of Critical Oven Space Areas in its Community Plan, Review, Discuss,
Amend and Adopt the Resolution Urging Stanford University to Provide Clear
and Significant Long-Term or Permanent Protection for Open Space Areas in its
Community Plan Proposed for Consideration to Santa Clara County Board of
Supervisors—(Report R-00-13 7.
C. Britton referred to the text of Supervisor Joe Simitian's comments from the
night before and to a letter written by Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger on behalf of
the Committee for Green Foothills. He said he would go to the County hearings
on October 30 (and 3 1) and present the Board's resolution.
M. Davey said the Palo Alto city council passed unanimously a resolution urging
permanent protection of open space. They also requested that the academic
growth boundary be coterminous with the county's and agreed to keep the golf
course along the urban growth boundary. She said Simitian's proposal last
evening was new to everyone and was a shock to Stanford. They were unaware
that he was going to recommend 99-year protection of open space west of
Junipero Serra Blvd. and 25 years for an additional 1,200 acres which were un-
designated and undefined. She agreed that the Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger letter
should be quoted in the resolution but thought some other things should be added,
including the following:
0 The County should urge that Stanford voluntarily allow public access to the
open space in addition to access to the paths on San Francisquito and
Matadero Creeks (page 15 of Simitian's comments to the public).
0 Stick to the academic growth boundary, and state that it should be permanent
for 25 years and should exclude the Lathrop 36 acres and the golf course.
0 Early protection of tiger salamander and red-legged frog habitat should be
included in the County's work program.
0 Additional language to make it clear that the academic growth boundary for
the County and Stanford and the urban growth boundary of the City of Palo
Alto are coterminous and are protected for a firm 25 years.
Meeting 00-28 Page 4
N. Hanko commented on Supervisor Simitian's proposal for 99 year protection of
1,000 acres, noting that it stated for a period of 99 years or the life of the
development, whichever was shorter.
M. Davey said there were three unanswered questions: 1. Definition of where the
first thousand acres is. 2. If you can do 1,000 acres in 99 years, why can't you do
all of it. 3. Which comes first and what is meant by the end of the development—
destroyed or redevelopment?
N. Hanko suggested that there be a clearer definition of what is permitted and
where in reference to open space and field research zone districts.
C. Woodbury emphasized the density bonus overlay, stating that it furthers and
clarifies the concept of the compact urban development. In addition, it provides a
mechanism for implementing it by tying any density bonus to the actual deed
restriction or conservation easement to preserve forever that open space land.
C. Britton said staff would work with M. Davey and N. Hanko on the final
language of the resolution.
M. Davey recognized Denise Dade, Peter Dreckmeier, and Tom Jordan as the
spearheads of innovation and organization in the whole matter.
Zoe Kersteen-Tucker, President of the Committee for Green Foothills, asked for
the Board's continued support. She said the Committee believes that J. Simitian
took a bold step, but they believe that the County has the legal authority to require
permanent protection of all 2,200 acres. She suggested that the Board spell out
the academic growth boundary in more detail, and said the Committee would like
to see the ratio be 1,000 square feet per acre rather than leave it unspecified. They
asked that the open space priority begin at Junipero Serra Blvd. and work west.
Discussion followed about whether to use the term "permanent" protection, and
proposals for priority areas. C. Britton suggested they might want to say begin at
Junipero Serra Blvd. and work west.
C. Britton added that this is the first time that Stanford has come up with a plan
and he thought this was the District's chance to do something. He said everybody
needs to stand up and be counted. The District should take a strong stand for
preservation of open space. He suggested that they include in the resolution
reference to two open space preservation priorities: First priority - the area
between Junipero Serra Blvd. and Highway 280. Second priority—the area west
of Highway 280. He requested permission to streamline the resolution and said
they would bullet and/or highlight points.
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board adopt Resolution No. 65,
Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional
Open Space District Urging Stanford University to Offer, and
Meeting 00-28 Page 5
Santa Clara County to Require, Permanent Protection of
Significant Open Space Areas in the Stanford University
Community Plan. D. Little seconded the motion. The motion
P
assed 6 to 0.
C. Agenda Item No. 3—Appointment of Unopposed Candidates in Wards 4 and 7;
Adopt the Resolutions Appointing Unopposed Ward 4 Candidate Deane Little,
and Unopposed Ward 7 Candidate Kenneth C. Nitz to Four-year Terms, Which
Will Begin on January 1, 2001; Have the District Clerk Administer the Oath of
Office to the Appointed Directors—(Report R-00-1 3 1).
D. Dolan presented the staff report.
Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board adopt Resolution No. 77, Resolution
of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open
Space District Appointing Director—Ward 4 of the Board of
Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District; adopt
Resolution No. 78, Resolution of the Board of Directors of the
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Appointing Director—
Ward 7 of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional
Open Space District; and direct the District Clerk to administer the
Oath of Office to the appointed Directors. P. Siemens seconded
the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
D. Dolan administered the Oath of Office to Directors Nitz and Little.
D. Agenda Item No. 5 - Cancellation of November 8 and 22 Regular Board
Meetings and Scheduling of Special Meetings of the Board of Directors for
November 15 and November 29, 2000 Beginning at 7:30 P.M. —(Report R-00-
136
C. Britton reviewed the Board meeting schedule for November. M. Davey
requested that they schedule the meeting for November 28 instead of November
29.
Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board cancel the November 8 and
November 22, 2000 Regular Meetings and schedule Special Board
Meetings for November 15 and November 28, 2000 beginning at
7:30 P.M. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 6
to 0.
E. Agenda Item No. 6 - Annual Seasonal Trail Closures Information Report;
Review and Comment on Proposed Trail Closures—(Report R-00-134).
Meeting 00-28 Page 6
K. Nitz said he thought Sausal Trail (Item 12 of the table) should be designated
Seasonal Interim for equestrians. Other Board members agreed and staff will
correct the table.
VII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
J. Cyr: 1. He said he was involved in election activities. He asked about the condition of
the person who was injured on District land. 2. He received a note from B. Crowder's
family thanking him for the comments he made at the memorial service. 3. He went to
the legislative breakfast with D. Little, S. Jensen, and C. Britton.
M. Davey. 1. She had attended the National Land Trust Rally in Portland and said this
District is known nationally. She talked about the seminars she attended.
K. Nitz said he was leaving on vacation Sunday.
C. Britton: 1. He reported on M. Foster's heart problem. 2. He had executed two
emergency permits. The information was in the FYIs. 3. He had a printout of where the
money (about$450 million for one year) is going for the fifteen year program for the
Land and Water Conservation Fund Program if it is approved. Out of the $89 million
appropriated to states, California would get $7.7 million; half would go to state projects
leaving $4 million divided between north and south California, leaving about $1.5 million
for northern California. 4. He had a newsletter from Cargill Salt Co. including a map of
proposed 19,000 acres they might want to sell. 5. Regarding the Land Trust Rally, he
added that the convention center is owned by Metro which is a special district. Peggy
Coats is now one of their budget analysts. He talked about the seminars, including power
listening, and subordination of mortgages for easement acquisition.
D. Dolan said that Mary Ann King, District receptionist, had submitted her resignation
and will be moving out of the area.
S. Jensen: I. The Creatures of the Night event will be October 13. 2. She is working on
stories on the coastal meetings and dog access.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
At 10:04 P.M.,the meeting was adjourned.
Roberta Wolfe
Recording Secretary