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