HomeMy Public PortalAbout20010523 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) J egional Open S ce
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Meeting 01-12
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
May 23, 2001
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
I. ROLL CALL
President Pete Siemens called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Nonette Hanko, Larry Hassett, Deane Little (arrived
at 7:10 p.m.), Ken Nitz, and Pete Siemens
Members Absent: Mary Davey
Staff Present: Craig Britton, Sue Schectman, Tom Fischer, Mike Williams, Del
Woods
II. CLOSED SESSION
P. Siemens stated that the Board would adjourn to Closed Session for a
conference with General Counsel regarding existing litigation—Richmond vs.
Krone Bishop et A, Santa Clara Superior Court Case No CV86195.
The Board recessed to Closed Session at 7:05 p.m. and the Closed Session
commenced at 7:05 p.m. The Board concluded the Closed Session at 7:30 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING
III. P. Siemens called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and noted that no
reportable actions had taken place in Closed Session.
Additional Staff Present: Gordon Baillie, Matt Freeman, Stephanie Jensen, Jodi Isaacs,
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John Escobar, Cathy Woodbury, John Maciel, Lisa Zadek, David Sanguinetti,
John Kowaleski, Dennis Dart, and Eve Dunkel.
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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 z�' H".z:Y
Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C. Davey,Jed Cyr,Deane Little,Nonette Hanko,Larry Hassett,Kenneth C. Nitz *General Manager:L.Craig Britton
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Meeting 0 1-12 Page 2
IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Frank Kellers, 1140 Snowberry Court, Sunnyvale, talked about the District's
volunteer release which S. Schectman had told him was a standard form. He said
he does a lot of volunteering, and none of the other agencies he volunteers for ask
docents to sign a release. Those who go on docent led hikes do not have to sign
negligence releases.
S. Schectman said she had emailed Mr. Kellers and told him she was meeting
with the affected managers before speaking to him. She said she would meet with
him to hear his objections and what he would like to see in the release, and then
she will get back with the managers. She said it is important to the District's
broker that they have good safety and risk management programs. She would
check to see if the release has an impact on the District's insurance rates.
N. Hanko said she would like to look into the policies, and asked to what extent
the Board can be involved in the procedures being used regarding docents.
S. Schectman suggested that N. Hanko check with staff and said there is a
volunteer handbook. She would talk to Board members with respect to legal
issues. She said the handbook was not something the Board develops.
Mr. Kellers said it was only the negligence part of the fan-n that bothered him, and
that it was a matter of principle.
V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
C. Britton asked that Item 5 be considered as the first item of Board Business.
Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board adopt the agenda. L. Hassett
seconded and the motion passed 6 to 0.
VI. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calendar, including
approval of the minutes of the March 14, 2001 Regular Meeting
and the March 28, 2001 Regular and Special Meetings; a draft
response to a letter from Mr. Charlie Edge, Leading Edge
Technolo y, Inc., 1015 Helena Dr., Sunnyvale; agenda item 6,
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Scheduling of a Special Meeting of the Board of Directors on May
30, 2001 and Cancellation of June 13, 2001 Regular Board
Meeting; and Revised Claims 0 1-10. L. Hassett seconded the
motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
Meeting 0 1-12 Page 3
VIL BOARD BUSINESS
A. Agenda Item No. 5—Agreement with Santa Clara County Fire
Department to Conduct a Prescribed Bum on the Rancho de Guadalupe
Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve-, Determine that the
Recommended Actions as Set Out in This Report are Categorically
Exempt Under the California Environmental Quality Act, Authorize the
General Manager to Execute the Attached Pen-nit to Enter For the Purpose
of Allowinp,the Santa Clara County Fire Department to Conduct a
Controlled Bum, For Training Purposes, on the Rancho de Guadalupe
Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve - (Report R-01-62).
G. Baillie presented the staff report, noting that there was some question
as to whether County Fire could do the bum. They are asking for approval
in case they can work out the details. He showed the bum site on a map.
Captain Todd Bruce said the fire department seeks out opportunities to
simulate wildfire conditions. However, it is very time consuming. The
biggest issues are the weather and public perception. He said there would
be no automatic meteorological equipment on site. G. Baillie said the
1997 bum was much more focused on high tech.
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board determine that the
recommended actions as set out in the staff report are
categorically exempt under the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA); and authorize the General Manager to
execute the Permit to Enter for the purpose of allowing the
Santa Clara County Fire Department to conduct a
controlled bum, for training purposes, on the Rancho de
Guadalupe area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. J.
Cyr seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
B. Agenda Item No. I —Progress Report on the Sierra Azul Open Space
Preserve Resource Inventory and Assessment Project-, Receive and
Comment on the Progress Report - (Report R-01-63)_
M. Freeman gave an Arc View GIS presentation of the data gathered
including geology, hydrology, vegetation, wildlife, historical, cultural, and
archeological sensitivity. He said the information could be used in trail
design. He noted that the report and presentation were a group effort and
acknowledged the work of J. Isaacs and D. Vu.
Meeting 01-12 Page 4
M. Freeman said the project at Sierra Azul took two years, and he thought
it would take at least another six years to study the rest of the District,
given the budget. Other things could be added to this study map later.
P. Siemens observed that it would be valuable to have a survey of
structures.
Discussion followed regarding a possible field trip with the consultants.
C. Britton said the Use and Management Committee would be doing trips
as part of the planning process. He added that he thought it would take
closer to 20 years to complete the project of studying the entire District.
M. Freeman said the RFP would go out in late summer for Phase Two,
development of the master plan. C. Woodbury said the master plan would
probably take 2-3 years and they will probably need to break it down into
areas.
N. Hanko said she thought they ought to incorporate some of the work
from this study into District presentations.
By consensus, the Board received the report.
C. Agenda Item No. 2 - Program Evaluation for the 2000-2001 Action Plan
for the Implementation of the Basic Policy of the Midpeninsula Regional
Open Space District, Comment on and Accept Staff's Program Evaluation
Report - (Report R-01-61).
Staff members briefed the Board on the status of key projects and noted
additional projects and activities not specifically included in the Action
Plan that require significant staff effort.
Open Space Acquisition Program—M. Williams
A. Negotiations and Special Projects
Page 3 last sentence - C. Britton said he thought the opportunity
for assessment districts was very limited now.
B. Enterprise
M. Williams noted that the Silva property is now a rental rather
than a life estate. C. Britton said about 1/3 of the enterprise rentals
are rented by District field staff.
C. Land Protection
M. Williams answered questions regarding the proposed 28-acre
easement on the McCarthy subdivision.
Meeting 0 1-12 Page 5
C. Britton recognized that the staff members listed on the first page took
part in preparation of the report.
Operations Program—J. Maciel
A. Field Operations—no questions or comments.
B. Resource Management
L. Hassett said he might forward the information regarding the
rooted area to the South Skyline Association pig chairman.
Regarding how often an area is re-rooted, J. Isaacs said they know
some areas have been rooted four times in a season.
P. Siemens commented that it would be valuable to have the pig
information on GIS. J. Isaacs said they do not have enough staff to
be able to map that activity on a consistent basis. She said she did
not have information on whether trapping is affecting the amount
of rooting.
D. Sanguinetti said the Skyline office is down two rangers and
there are two in training. He said it helped to have increased
supervision. He said he felt they were meeting at least minimum
standards and exceeding them in some areas. He thought morale
and cooperation were good, and that was partly due to the
influencing skills and leadership training they had received.
J. Kowaleski said staff at the Foothills office is starting to feel the
impact of taking over management of Rancho San Antonio.
D. Sanguinetti noted that the Seasonal Open Space Technician
program has been very valuable. In addition to the work that the
seasonal staff does, the program provides the District with a pool
of trained and experienced people, which assists in hiring of
regular staff.
In regard to the parking problems at Rancho San Antonio, J.
Kowaleski said it is very busy. J. Maciel commented that they
have limited ability to work on the parking problems.
J. Maciel said since he came to work for the District, he had
developed a different mindset from parks and had gained a
different appreciation for resources.
Open Space Planning Program—C. Woodbury
A. Current Planning—no questions or comments.
Meeting 0 1-12 Page 6
B. Advance Planning
C. Woodbury talked about the use of GIS and regional
cooperation. N. Hanko commended staff for their efforts in
supporting the Board's position regarding Stanford Lands, an
activity that had not been mentioned in the report.
Public Affairs Program—S. Jensen
A. General Public Information and Outreach
S. Jensen talked about the Department's activities including
responding to the public and other agencies, hiring, media
monitoring, archiving images, revising and producing brochures,
and newsletter production.
B. Legislative, Funding, and Organizational Relations
—no questions or comments.
C. Visitor Services
N. Hanko commented on the beautiful picture in the invitation to
the B. Crowder memorial.
S. Jensen said emails have tripled. They receive 2-3 media phone
calls a day and 8-10 calls from the public and sister agencies.
Administration Program—C. Britton
A. Administration/Human Resources
C. Britton answered questions regarding the hiring of D. Dolan's
replacement.
B. Legal Services—S. Schectman
S. Schectman reviewed the major legal projects and litigation of
the last year. Board members thanked S. Schectman.
C. Britton noted that the District was suffering from growing pains. There
are now 75 positions not including seasonals. He said he thought the
District had a great staff that is responsive and available to the public.
Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board accept the staff s program
evaluation report. J. Cyr seconded the motion. The motion
passed 6 to 0.
D. Agenda Item No. 3 —Authorization to Utilize Design Concepts for
Graphic Design and Harbor Printing Service, Selected Via Competitive
Bids, Until Formal Requests for Proposals Yield New Contract Proposals,•
Authorize the General Manager to Contract with Design Concepts to
Perform Graphic Design Work Not to Exceed $14,000 and Harbor
Printing to Complete Printing Projects Not to Exceed $50,000—(ftort
R-01-65).
Meeting 01-12 Page 7
S. Jensen said the bid included the cost of new brochures and two
newsletters. The new Pulgas brochure includes the Benedetti property.
She said brochures are marked with a revision date. She added that the
packaging for art and wine festivals will be done again.
Discussion followed regarding the notation on District letterhead of the
use of soy based ink.
S. Jensen said staff is spending about $15,000 a quarter on graphic design.
Discussion followed about at what point the District would consider hiring
a graphic designer.
Motion: K. Nitz moved that the Board authorize the General
Manager to contract with Design Concepts to perform
graphic design work not to exceed $14,000 and Harbor
Printing to complete printing projects not to exceed
$50,000, until staff evaluates responses to formal Requests
for Proposals and returns to the Board for contracting
approval. N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion
passed 6 to 0.
E. Agenda Item No. 4—Agreement with California Department of Forestry
and Fire Protection (CDF)to Conduct a Prescribed Burn at Russian Ridge
Open Space Preserve, Authorize the General Manager to Enter Into an
Agreement with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
to Conduct a Prescribed Burn at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve as an
Ongoing Part of the Grassland Management Implementation Plan—
(Report R-01-64).
J. Isaacs presented the staff report, stressing that this fire was totally
separate from the one at Rancho de Guadalupe. CDF is the lead agency
however. The timing may change depending on objectives. The burn is
adjacent to previous burns but is a new burn area. They will be working
with adjacent neighbors.
D. Sanguinetti said CDF deals with the air resources board regarding
issues of when they can burn.
J. Isaacs said consecutive burns are good. Regarding the possibility of the
program growing, she said there has been good public response and staff
is taking it step by step. She said a lot of this is a pilot project to see how
feasible it is. She said they hoped they could use burns in other areas.
In answer to why we have limited burns to this new area and not re-burned
others, J. Isaacs said there are some species that benefit and others that are
Meeting 0 1-12 Page 8
disadvantaged. There needs to be rotation and a resting period. She said
they had done consecutive bums in order to eliminate star thistle.
However, this does not necessarily mean they have eliminated it. The
intent is to have rotation of different management techniques. She
informed the Board that Red-winged Blackbirds would not be nesting at
the end of July. She said they are doing some other forms of removal,
including some continuation of mowing.
Regarding the fire history in the area, C. Britton said in his history with
the District, Russian Ridge had burned once.
Motion: D. Little moved that the Board authorize the General
Manager to enter into an agreement with the California
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) to
conduct a prescribed bum consistent with the staff report at
Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve as an ongoing part of
the Grassland Management Implementation Plan. J. Cyr
seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
VIII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
In regard to "greening"the building, L. Hassett reported that the California State
Energy Commission has increased the rebate and he expects there will be more
benefits.
D. Little: 1. He gave a talk to the San Juan Canyon Preservation Trust in
Belmont. 2. He had hiked on Rancho San Antonio and said dusk is a great time
to see wildlife.
C. Britton: 1. He said staff had taken the packet directly to the post office and
asked if Board members had received it sooner. 2. The Tony Look trail
dedication is scheduled for June 23, 8 A.M. 3. He had a brochure from the
Pescadero Conservation Alliance. 4. He said AB 104, the vehicle fee for the San
Francisco Bay Program, had passed two committees in the Assembly and the
Assembly floor. 5. The Ad Hoc Coastal Committee attended the Half Moon Bay
city council meeting. 6. The auditors had completed their work and they expect
the final audit in a few weeks. 7. He had talked to the Director of Parks and
Recreation from Belmont regarding annexation and purchase of San Juan Canyon.
S. Schectman passed out copies of a new Brown Act guide put out by the League
of California Cities.
L. Zadek reported that the Bike to Work day was very successful and staff is
thinking of doing it once a month.
Meeting 01-12 Page 9
S. Jensen: 1. She reported on the progress regarding the natural resources
database and hiring in public affairs. 2. She had a copy of the San Mateo County
Parks new book and said Skyline is working on one. 3. Staff is interviewing for
the Community Program Specialist position. 4. She called attention to the memo
regarding outreach opportunities for Board members.
J. Maciel reported on the staff golf outing last week.
J. Escobar said he had taken part in the golf outing and bike to work,but was not
in the picture.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
At 11:02 P.M., the meeting was adjourned.
Roberta Wolfe
Recording Secretary