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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20010425 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Regional Open S" ee MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 01-10 SPECIAL AND REGULAR.MEETINGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS April 25, 2001 MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING I. ROLL CALL President Pete Siemens called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Members Present: Jed Cyr, Mary Davey, Nonette Hanko, Larry Hassett,Deane Little, Pete Siemens, and Ken Nitz. Members Absent: None. Staff Present: Craig Britton, S. Schectman, Mike Williams, Stephanie Jensen, Cathy Woodbury, John Escobar and John Maciel F THE B II SPECIAL MEETING O BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE O O H. MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT • Workshop o n Board Meeting M etin Procedures. The Board concluded the Special Meeting at 7:27 p.m. REGULAR MEETING III. P. Siemens called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:36 p.m. Additional Staff Present: Douglas Vu, John Cahill, Lisa Zadek, Eve Dunkle, and Shannon Younkin. I IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS I Katherine Greene, 801 Middlefield #9, Palo Alto, said she was a docent for the District. She said she was proud to be associated with the District. One of the other docents had set up a distribution list a couple of years ago so the docents could communicate. It is currently on a Stanford University server. Another docent had set up a database which was set up so docents could access it on the web. Board members indicated that they had no knowledge of the database. She said the District web site has not been updated since I 330 Distel Circle . Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 • Phone:6.50-691-1200 Fax:650-691-0485 • E-mail:mrosd@openspace.org . Web site:www.openspace.org 6 . , OFO"EST ( 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 0 1 A 0 Page 2 last summer. She asked them to consider taking this technology and making it part of the District web site. Board members agreed they would like to place this matter on the agenda. C. Britton said it was not in the budget and updating the web site is very expensive. He added it was not something they could fit into the work program right now. He said they will have a public affairs strategic plan by the end of the year which will include update of the web site. He said staff could bring the Board an informational report. By consensus, the Board asked staff for a report. V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA At the request of Board members, staff exchanged the positions of Minutes and the Consent Calendar on the agenda. Motion: K. Nitz moved that the Board adopt the agenda. L. Hassett seconded and the motion passed 7 to 0. VI. SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY S. Jensen introduced Public Affairs new Administrative Assistant, Eve Dunkle. M. Williams introduced Acquisitions new Administrative Assistant, Shannon Younkin. VH. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calendar, including Minutes of the November 28, 2000 Special Meeting, the January 10, 2001 Regular Meeting, the January 10, 2001 Special Meeting, and the January 31, 2001 Regular Meeting; and Revised Claims 01-08. M. Davey seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. VII. BOARD ARD BUSINESS A. Agenda Item No. I —License Agreement for United States Geological Survey (USGS) for the Purpose of Installing Permanent Seismographic Equipment at Monte Bello and St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserves and Permission to o e o P p Operate Other Existing Seismographic Equipment at Monte Bello Fremont Older p L r i 1 n a Preserves Determine that the Project is and Sierra Azu Open Space P P 1 Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act Based on the Findings Contained in this Report; Authorize the General Manager to Execute a License Agreement Allowing USGS Access to Monte Bello and St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserves for the Purpose of Installing Seismology Equipment Consistent with the Terms and Conditions Set Out in this Report, Allow USGS to Continue Operating Existing Seismographic Equipment at Monte Bello and St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserves for a Two-Year Period; Renew an Existing Meeting 01-10 Page 3 License Agreement with USGS Allowing Them to Operate an Existing Communications Facility at Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve for a Five-Year Period - (Report R-01-53). D. Vu outlined staffs recommendations. N. Hanko stressed how important this is. USGS told the Board at the time it was initially approved that the information provided could save lives. S. Schectman explained the revised recommendations. Since there are three actions recommended, staff felt it was more efficient to draft one master license that will encompass all three of the seismographic projects. In addition, the word "permanent" was removed because the term is indefinite and the license is revocable if deemed necessary by the Board. D. Vu said there will be fencing enclosing the structures. USGS will try to locate the equipment as remotely as possible. Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board determine that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)based on the findings contained in the staff report; and authorize the General Manager to execute a License Agreement allowing United States Geological Survey access to Monte Bello and St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserves for the purpose of installing seismology equipment consistent with the terms and conditions set out in the staff report, allowing United State Geological Survey to continue operating existing seismographic equipment at Monte Bello and St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserves, and renewing an existing License Agreement with United States Geological Survey allowing them to operate an existing communications facility at Sierra Azul Open i Space Preserve. N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. B. Agenda Item No. 2—Proposed Addition of Redwood Park Gift Parcels and San Mateo County Tax-Defaulted Parcels to Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve; Determine that the Recommended Actions are Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act as Set Out in This Report; Adopt Resolution Authorizing Purchase of the San Mateo County Tax-Defaulted Property (35 lots); Adopt Three Resolutions for Gifts of Property from Peninsula Open Space Trust (1 lot), Gorham et al. (4 lots), and Tabel and deMotta(1 lot); Tentatively Adopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan Recommendations Contained in this Report, Including Naming the Properties as Additions to Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve: Indicate Your Intention to Dedicate the Parcels Lying Westerly of the Designated Preserve Boundary as 1 Public Open Space; Indicate Your Intention to Withhold from Dedication the Meeting 01-10 Page 4 Parcels Lying Easterly of the Designated Preserve Boundary as Public O ern Space—(Report R-01-56). M. Williams presented the staff report, noting there are some houses east of the dedication line. C. Britton talked about the history of establishment of the line and the agreement regarding development and non development. M. Williams said he was not aware of any easements or encumbrances. Staff is waiting to do the title work until the District has acquired as much as they will own. C. Britton said these parcels exist on paper only. He added that sometimes people do not know they own them, so the only way to get the parcels is through a tax sale. He said the District's agreement with the County obligates the tax collector to have a sale on lots when taxes are not paid. In regard to encumbrances, the District has gotten title reports on some of the lots and are not aware of any rights of way. He said the paper subdivision also has paper streets and we do not necessarily have title to those streets. At some point in time there will be a cleanup project when they will figure out what to do with streets that were never dedicated or built. He said this is a long-term project. L. Hassett asked if there was any concern by Kings Mountain residents regarding this acquisition. M. Williams said there had been some prior transactions and there had been no comment from the public. M. Williams said if several of the lots were put together, someone might be able to build on them. C. Britton said one problem is access, in that you might not be able to build a street. M. Williams said the streets are owned by the subdivision. S. Schectman said the presumption is that owners own to the centerline and that the public has only the right to pass. She said streets are typically only rights of way, which are equivalent to easements. C. Britton added that there are many paper subdivisions within District. He said it benefits us to acquire this property. M. Williams said there is a road off Skyline Blvd. There are at least two access roads in the subdivision. C. Britton said that roads that are used are established. Motion: J. Cyr 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. 01-09, Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Approving and Authorizing Execution of Agreement to Purchase Tax-Defaulted Meeting 01-10 Page 5 Property, Authorizing Officer to Execute Certificate of Acceptance of Grant to District (Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve—Tax-Defaulted Property, San Mateo County); adopt Resolution No. 01-10, Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Accepting Gift of Real Property and Authorizing Execution of Certificate of Acceptance with Respect Thereto (Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve—Lands of Peninsula Open Space Trust); adopt Resolution No. 01-11, Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Accepting Gift of Real Property (Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve —Lands of Gorham, Et Al.); adopt Resolution No. 01-12, Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Accepting Gift of Real Property (Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve—Lands of Tabel and deMotta); tentatively adopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan recommendations contained in the staff report, including naming the properties as additions to Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve; indicate their intention to dedicate the parcels lying westerly of the designated preserve boundary as public open space as described in the staff report; and indicate their intention to withhold from dedication the parcels lying easterly of the designated preserve boundary as public open space as described in the staff report. L. Hassett seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. C. Agenda Itom No. 3—Authorization rization for theGe neral Manager to ModifYthe A reement for Architectural and En ineerin Services with Panko Architects for g g 1 the Office Improvements at 330 Distel Circle, Los Altos, and Authorization for the General Manager to Implement Change Orders with the General Contractor for the Office Improvements Contract; Determine that the Recommended Actions are Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA) as Set Out in this Report, Authorize the General Manager to Modify the Existing Agreement with Panko Architects to Include Design and Engineering eering Services. Not to Exceed an Additional $9,000 for Modification to Office Space Not Included in the Original Scope of Work for the Office Improvements Protect, Authorize the General Manager to Modify the Existing Contract with Bay Construction Services, Inc.,to Include Change Orders for Additional Work on Modifications to Office Space not Included in the Original Scope of Work for an Amount not to Exceed $31,000—(Report R-01-55). jJ. Cahill presented the staff report. He said that the plan should show that the wall of the conference room was being extended out. In addition, the total should be $31,500, not $32,500 as stated in the report. I I I I Meeting 01-10 Page 6 J. Cyr and P. Siemens commented favorably on the work of the contractor. Motion: J. Cyr 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; authorize the General Manager to modify the existing agreement with Panko Architects to include design and engineering services, not to exceed an additional $9,000, for modifications to office space not included in the original scope of work for the office improvement project; and authorize the General Manager to modify the existing contract with Bay Construction Services, Inc. to include change orders for additional work on modifications to office space not included in the original scope of work, for an amount not to exceed $31,500. D. Little seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. D. Agenda Item No. 4—Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Application for the Pul ag s Ridge Open Space Preserve Public Access Improvement Project; Determine that no Further Environmental Documentation is Required Under the California Environmental Quality Act Based on the Findings as set out in this Report; Adopt the Attached Resolution Approving the Application for a Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant for the Pul ag s Ridge Open Space Preserve Public Access Improvement Project - (Report R-01-54). D. Vu outlined staff's recommendations. He noted that the revised amount requested for the grant was $150,000, not $171,656 as stated in the report. He said that the name "Benedetti" is a temporary name for the trail. In addition, the connection between the Blue Oak Trail and the Cordilleras Trail is approximately 40 feet away from the treatment center. C. Britton noted that because of the grant deadline, they are applying now. The trail would not be built until they went through the Use and Management process, and this is not a final location. Regarding the property to the northeast, D. Vu said we have an easement on the trail. It is private property on either side. n inproperty.C. Britton told who owned the surrounding He said all the easements were provided as part of the settlement to acquire the entire property. C. Woodbury informed the Board that the work program for this year includes a Use and Management Plan for Pulgas Ridge that will come to the Board later this year. C. Britton added that there is a Use and Management Plan. He said this rant is from the Federal Land and Water Fund. He explained the process, noting g P P g that the District has five years after grant approval to execute it so there is no hurry. He said the District would have to make a decision regarding the road. Meeting 01-10 Page 7 Discussion followed regarding incorporation of benches and other memorials on maps and brochures. C. Britton said they would bring this matter back to the Use and Management Committee apart from Pulgas. They would work toward a consistent policy as to what is on maps and what is in the text. C. Woodbury explained the mitigation monitoring program, noting that it included things like building trails that do not exceed certain slopes. It addresses any kinds of trails they would build but does not address the layout of the trail itself. She said it is to ensure that we do not impact the environment in a negative way. It is a CEQA term. Motion: K. Nitz moved that the Board determine that no further environmental documentation is required under the California Environmental Quality Act based on the findings as set out in the staff report; and adopt Resolution No. 01-13, Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Approving the Application for Land and Water Conservation Funds for the Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve Public Access Improvement Project. M. Davey seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. IX. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS K. Nitz visited Russian Ridge and said the wildflowers were nice. He saw a black-footed ferret which is non-native and illegal in California. N. Hanko: 1. L. Hassett, K. Nitz and she attended the first Pescadero meeting. The chair invited them to present a workshop at a future date. She talked about some of the issues that the group discussed at their meeting and said it might be good to get a map of the flood plain from the County. 2. The date for the Crowder trail event has been changed from May 12 to June 30. L. Hassett: 1. He agreed that the meeting at Pescadero was an eye opener and it would be an educational process for him. 2. He will be giving a presentation at the Kings Mountain meeting on May 12. Little r information n h incident mentioned in the FYIs. D. tt e requestedo the q P. Siemens took friends on a tour of some of the District lands. The parking lot at P g Russian Ridge was filled and people were parking on Alpine Road. Skyline was also full. His friends were impressed with what they saw. M. Davey reported that May 8 is the second hearing for Carnegie proposal in the foothills. At the March 20 meeting, County Supervisors voted to send the proposal to the Planning Commission. Meeting 01-10 Page 8 i C. Britton: 1. He asked if Board members would be available for a special board meeting on May 30 to begin his evaluation and perhaps conduct other business. 2. He was notified by the State that their $500,000 habitat conservation grant for Loma Prieta Ranch was successful. 3. He had a note regarding the Sunnyvale State of the City celebration. 4. He went to Sacramento last week and said AB 953 has not been heard. They might have to withdraw a portion of the bill. 5. He attended the POST Earth Day celebration. He said they have a new video out announcing a $200 million fundraising campaign and already have two $50 million commitments. Audrey Rust will be coming to the Board with a presentation. 6. He had copies of the final Workplace Enhancement Plan for Board Members. N. Hanko had a brochure that was distributed by Bill Cook, one of the advisory committee members from Pescadero. They are developing logs made of concrete which she said might be used as benches. j K. Nitz said there were a lot of significant incidents reported happening at Rancho San Antonio. He urged warning the public, articular) about automobile break-ins. J. g g P particularly Maciel said they are working with the Sheriff to try to boost the patrol. There are signs I asking people to secure valuables in their trunks. He said it is not unusual. J. Maciel: 1. He said currently the District allows bicycles to go from Rancho San Antonio parking lot to Deer Hollow and the bulk of those riders are children. He said they have not been enforcing the helmet requirement but it is becoming a problem, and they are working on a plan to enforce it. 2. He reported that last weekend was very busy and there were a number of accidents. He described one which was a serious bicycle accident. S. Jensen: 1. Reporting on Earth Day, she said the District had Earth Day events at Russian Ridge and Picchetti. 2. She said there are about 25 new trail patrol recruits. 3. Following up on K. Nitz's questions about the bar code on District envelopes, she said it could be a problem if they were used for bulk mailings. X. ADJOURNMENT At 9:12 p.m., the meeting was adjourned. Roberta Wolfe Recording Secretary i