HomeMy Public PortalAbout20010411 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Regional Open S ice
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MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OP$4Meet ng O !ffT
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SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING j
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
April 11, 2001
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MINUTES
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SPECIAL MEETING
I. ROLL CALL
President Pete Siemens called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
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Members Present: Jed Cyr, Mary Davey, Nonette Hanko, Larry Hassett, Ken Nitz, and
Pete Siemens. Deane Little(arrived at 7:05 p.m.). I
Members Absent: None.
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Staff Present: Craig Britton, Stephanie Jensen, Tom Fischer, and Sue Schectman.
H. CLOSED SESSION
P. Siemens stated that the Board would adjourn to Closed Session for the purpose of
discussing Closed Session Agenda Items I and 2.
1 Session c
The Board recessed to Closed Session at 6:33 p.m. and the Closed Sess o co
mmenced at
r concluded h Closed Session at 7:25 .m,
6:33 .m. The Board co c uded the C
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REGULAR MEETING
III. P. Siemens noted that no reportable action had taken place in Closed Session, and called
the Regular Meeting to order at 7:37 p.m.
Members Present: Jed CYr, MaryDavey,Ma Nonette Hanko, Larry Hassett, Deane Little,
Ken Nitz, and Pete Siemens.
Additional Staff Present: John Maciel, Stephanie Jensen, John Escobar, Gordon Baillie,
Thomas Fischer, Lisa Zadek, Bunny Congdon, Sandy Lachini, and Bob Armstrong.
IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS—There were none.
V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
BY g
consensus the Board agreed to hear Item No. 3 as the first item of Board Business.
330 Distel Circle « Los Altos,CA 94022-1404 • Phone:650-691-1200
Fax:650-691-0485 - E-mail: nmrosd@openspace.org • Web site:www.openspace.org
Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C. Davey,Jed Cyr, Deane Little, Nonette Hanko, Larry Hassett,Kenneth C. Nitz •General Manager:L.Craig Britton
Meeting 01-09 Page 2
Motion: K. Nitz moved that the Board adopt the agenda. J. Cyr seconded the
motion. The motion passed 7 to 0.
VI. SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY
J. Maciel introduced Bob Armstrong, the new Equipment Mechanic at the Skyline field
office. Bunny Congdon introduced Sandy Lachini, the new Account Specialist.
VH. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR
N. Hanko removed the draft response to a letter from E. P. Hayes and Barbara J. Hayes,
2000 N. Rodeo Gulch Road, Soquel.
Staff answered questions regarding Claims 1579, 1584, 1599, 1588, 1606, 1614, 1638,
1643, 1577, and 1633.
C. Britton noted that the time frame for the study had not been included in the Hayes
letter because it is low priority.
P. Siemens suggested adding the words"for now" at the end of the third sentence in the
second paragraph of the letter.
Staff will follow up on the matter.
Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calendar, including the
revised draft response to a letter from E. P. Hayes and Barbara J. Hayes,
2000 N. Rodeo Gulch Road, Soquel (add the words"for now" at the end
of the third sentence in the second paragraph); and draft response to a
letter from Ms. Svetlana Teplitsky, 10362 Leola Court#2, Cupertino; and
n h motion. The motion
Revised Clams 01-07. L. Hassett seconded the i
passed 7 to 0.
VIII. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Agenda Item No. 3—Redesignate the Sausal Trail as the Betsy Crowder Trail at
Windy Hill Open Space Preserve, Approve
ve the Legislative, Finance an Public
Affairs Committee's Recommendation to Rename the Sausal Trail as the Betsy
Crowder Trail at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve in Commemoration of the
District's Late Former Ward 6 Board Director-, Direct Staff to Schedule a Trail
Dedication Event for Late Spring or Early Summer 2001 — (Report R-01-50).
S. Jensen reported that May 12 had been proposed as the date for the trail
dedication event. N. Hanko said she would like to work with staff on the
program. Discussion followed regarding the uses permitted on the day of the
event. Wendy Crowder, Betsy's daughter, was present at the meeting.
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Meeting 01-09 Page 3
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board approve the Legislative, Finance,
and Public Affairs Committee's recommendation to rename the
Sausal Trail as the Betsy Crowder Trail at Windy Hill Open Space
h District's 1 former 6
Preserve in commemoration of the st ct s ateWard
Board Director; and direct staff to schedule a trail dedication event
for late spring or early summer 2001. M. Davey seconded the
motion. The motion passed 7 to 0.
B. Agenda Item No. 2—Authorize Amendment to the District's Proposed
Legislation, AB 953 Simitian), Approve the Legislative, Finance, and Public
Affairs Committee's Recommendation to Authorize the General Mana eg r to
Introduce an Amendment to AB 953, Revising Public Resources Code Section
5560, as requested by Marin County Open Space District, Authorize the General
Manager r to Approve Minor Changes to AB 953 as Warranted for its Successful
Endorsement by other Affected Agencies, or Upon the Recommendation of the
Bill's Author, Assemblyman Joe Simitian - (Report R-01-51).
S. Jensen outlined staffs recommendations. C. Britton stressed that if the bill is
amended and they encounter any difficulties obtaining passage as a result, the
amendment would be dropped or further amended at staff s option.
Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board approve the Legislative, Finance,
and Public Affairs Committee's recommendation to authorize the
General Manager to introduce an amendment to AB 953, Revising
Public Resources Code Section 5560, as requested by Marin
County Open Space District; and authorize the General Manager to
approve minor changes to AB 953 as warranted for its successful
endorsement by other affected agencies, or upon the
recommendation of the bill's author, Assemblyman Joe Simitian.
K. Nitz seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0.
C. Agenda Item No. 1 — Approve the Operations Program Review Action Plan and
Summary of Project Accomplishments, and Direct Staff to Continue to Work on
the Projects Outlined in the Action Plan, Reporting Back to the Board on the
Status of Projects in January 2002, Formally Dissolve the Operations Program
Review Ad Hoc Committee - (Report R-01-40).
J. Escobar highlighted the major topic areas in the report including a summary of
project accomplishments. He said they would like to bring one more update to
the Board before they present the new action plan. He said relations between
field staff, Planning, and Operations are very solid.
Regarding customer service N. Hanko said she had kept the letters from those
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attending the Trail Use Committee meeting, and many good ideas came out of
them. A public opinion poll including all District constituents, not just users of
i would
i h i he LAFPAC Committee ou d be
the sites, would be a good idea. She said t
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Meeting 01-09 Page 4
coming back with more suggestions covering the customer service area of the
report.
J. Cyr urged consideration of integration of staff into more projects and getting
feedback from staff.
K. Nitz said he thought there needed to be more communication between Skyline
and Foothill field stations. He thought they felt isolated. J. Maciel said there are
situations now where there are opportunities for staff to participate.
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J. Escobar talked about development of the multi-year Operations Program
staffing plan (#2 on page 2 of the Report). Staff had earlier used more informal
staffing plans to guide the growth of the Operations Program. The Operations
Staffing Plan adopted by the Board last year is the first formal staffing plan for
the Operations Program.
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K. Nitz referred to Item 3a on page 3, asking that they make sure they get the
information. He expressed concern with the wording regarding e-mail on page 4.
C. Britton said staff would add a clarifying sentence stating that where there is
shared e-mail, information will be posted. He said staff relies on the bulletin
board.
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Under Item D.1, page 6, the words"early 2001" were changed to"late summer"
at the end of the second ara ra h.
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In regard to Item d on page 7, J. Escobar said it would not be a structured
evaluation, but would be done on a case-by-case basis based on experience.
There are guidelines to evaluate staff involvement.
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Referring to Item 2 on page 10, G. Baillie said they are ready to publish the first
six sections. Getting the project up and running has been slow. He said he hoped
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that it would go faster from now on. Some sections are very small. They are
currently working on the ranger operation manual. Each ranger will get a copy of
each draft section, and a copy will be posted in each field office. It takes extra
time for everyone to have a chance to provide feedback. J. Maciel explained why
there are so many sections.
C. Britton added that this would be a collaborative process. He said S. Schectman
would have the final review.
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G. Baillie said the new manual would be much easier to update. In addition, it
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will be standardized with the format used by most other agencies in the area.
K. Nitz asked if the fleet management database referred to on page 14 included
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the operator of vehicles. J. Escobar explained that patrol trucks are assigned to
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ndvd e' iiva s 1 for the life of a vehicle.
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D. Little expressed concern regarding the"micro review," stating that, as Board
members, they risk intervening too much. He said he felt management was doing
a fantastic job. He said he believed in support for senior management and not
getting into micro management.
M. Davey thanked the committee for their work. She said she has noticed an
increase in communication and shared information and that there is a feeling of
good morale.
Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board approve the Operations Program
Review Action Plan and Summary of Project Accomplishments,
and direct staff to continue to work on the projects outlined in the
Action Plan, reporting back to the Board in January 2002 on the
status of the projects; and formally dissolve the Operations
Program Review Ad Hoc Committee. D. Little seconded the
motion.
Discussion: J. Cyr said he appreciated the time, thoroughness, and
inclusiveness being a committee member. He said this is a clear
response to the issues raised in the Warner Report and he was
looking forward to progress reports. He encouraged continued
attempts to initiate communication with law enforcement and fire
personnel. He thought there had been tremendous growth.
P. Siemens thanked G. Baillie in particular.
N. Hanko agreed with P. Siemens and J. Cyr, and said she was
honored to have served on the committee.
G. Baillie said it had been a pleasure working with the committee
members and J. Escobar. He thanked the Board for its support.
C. Britton added that G. Baillie did excellent job. He pointed out
the number of things staff is doing and hoped the Board
appreciated that.
Vote: The motion passed 7 to 0.
D. Agenda Item No. 4— Approve the Award of Contract for Firebreak Maintenance
Services;Determine that the Recommended Action is Categorically Exempt from
the California Environmental Quality Act CEQA) as Set Out in this Report;
Authorize Staff to Enter into a Contract for the Performance of Disking Work as
Specified in the Request for Bids—(Report R-01-52).
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Meeting 01-09 Page 6
Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board determine that the recommended
action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) as set out in the staff report; and authorize staff to enter
into a contract for the performance if disking work as specified in
the Request for Bids. J. Cyr seconded the motion.
Discussion: J. Maciel said the disking would cost about the same as last year.
He said staff does not do studies of plants in the disking area. He
said staff is trying to re-evaluate with the fire departments to see
about reducing disking. He talked about what the various fire
departments require, noting that it varied from department to
department.
Vote: The motion passed 7 to 0.
IX. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
N. Hanko said the Coastal Ad Hoc Committee would go to the Pescadero PMAC meeting
tomorrow to introduce themselves and let PMAC know the District is interested in what it
is doing.
L. Hassett: 1. He went to lunch with PMAC members and said it was encouraging that
they want the District to participate. 2. He had been invited to Kings Mountain to speak
to them on May S.
J. Cyr: 1. He said the fact that the meeting room was ready for this meeting says great
things about the choice of contractors. 2. He thanked G. Baillie for helping coordinate
the Los Gatos training for the disaster area response team.
D. Little reported on the Use and Management Committee meeting held last Thursday.
He said 25 people showed up and it went well.
C. Britton: 1. He said there are a number of letters regarding ideas for the State of
California for feral pigs. Staff has sent out about 40 letters. 2. He noted that in President
Bush's budget, there is $450 million for Land and Water. 3. The State of the City for
Palo Alto is Monday. 4. The consultant has put out the brochure for the M
Administrative Manager position. 5. He had given three presentations on the 3-5 year
program. The final one was today at the Skyline field office. 6. He attended a meeting
in San Mateo County with J. Escobar as they work toward getting the Bay Area Open
Space Council to sponsor a forum focusing on land use and stewardship. 7. He met with
Lloyd Wagstaff. The Open Space Authority has preserved 7,000 acres in the south of the
county. 8. He gave an update on the building construction.
N. Hanko reported on the Los Altos Historic Museum dedication, noting that she was
impressed by the speech the mayor, King Lear, gave. He said Los Altos is happy to have
the District office in town.
Meeting 01-09 Page 7
i 1 i there was a South Bayrestoration workshop in which J. Isaacs and the
J. Mace said t e e a
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District participated.
S. Jensen: 1. She said they have hired a new Administrative Assistant in Public Affairs,
Eve Dunkle. They will recruit again for Community Program Specialist. 2. She reported
on the Fremont Older tour. 3. She said Channel 4 would cover the Amphibian Ramble at
Montebello. There was a feature article in the Chronicle on the Spaces and Species
Program. 4. She outlined the schedule for Earth Day activities. S. She thanked Rod
Brown for urging people to sign up as volunteers for trail patrol. 6. As a follow-up to a
letter in the packet regarding a person not being able to go on a hike, she reported that the
person was able to participate after all. 7. She had been notified of bills providing
monies for government agencies to upgrade their buildings, particularly for solar energy
and other renewable sources.
L. Zadek reported that Shannon Younkin had been hired as Administrative Assistant in
the Acquisitions Department.
X. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:02 P.M.
Roberta Wolfe
Recording Secretary