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Regional Open S, ce
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MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Meeting 02-17
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
August 14, 2002
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
L ROLL CALL
President Deane Little called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m.
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Mary Davey,Nonette Hanko (arrived at 5:43
p.m.), Larry Hassett,Ken Nitz, Pete Siemens, and Deane Little.
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Craig Britton, Sue Schectman, Cindy Roessler, John Escobar, Sally
Thielfoldt, Matt Freeman, and Sandy Sommer
II. BOARD BUSINESS
Agenda Item No. 1 -Board Workshop to Discuss the Resource Management
Five-Year Strategic Plan.
C. Roessler presented information regarding the five-year resource management
program's five-year strategic plan.
III. CLOSED SESSION
At 6:38 p.m., D. Little stated that the Board would adjourn to Closed Session to
discuss Closed Session Agenda Item 1.
The Board recessed to Closed Session at 6:38 p.m. and the Closed Session
commenced at 6:38 p.m. The Board concluded the Closed Session at 7:21 p.m.
Staff Present: Sue Schectman, Craig Britton, Del Woods, Tom Fischer, John
Escobar, Mike Williams, and Sandy Sommer
330 Distel Circle - Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 - Phone: 650-691-1200
Fax: 650-691-0485 - E-mail: mrosd(a)openspace.org - Web site: www.opetispa(:e.org #aog 81=6,
Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C. Davey,Jed Cyr, Deane tittle, Nonette Hanko, Larry Hassett, Kenneth C.Nitz • General Manager:L.Craig Britton
Meeting 02-17 Page 2
REGULAR MEETING
TV. D. Little called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. and noted that no
reportable actions had taken place in Closed Session.
Additional Staff Present: D. Woods, Mike Williams, John Maciel, Sandy
Sommer, Stephanie Jensen, Carl Oosterman.
V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: K. Nitz moved that the Board adopt the agenda. J. Cyr seconded
and the motion passed 7 to 0.
VI. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR
N. Hanko removed Agenda Item 3, Approve Cancellation of the August 28. 2002
Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors: Re-Schedule the First Regular
Meeting in September From September 11, 2002 to September 4, 2002.
Staff answered questions regarding Claims 4248 (ECDM map) and 4213
(Methuselah and Grabtown bridges).
Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calendar,
including minutes of the Special Meeting of July 31, 2002; draft
response to a letter from Ms. Rhesa Rubin, Flicker& Kerin. LLP,
120-B Santa Margarita Avenue, Menlo Park; and Revised Claims
02-13. K. Nitz seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0 (N.
Hanko abstained on Claim#4274).
V11 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS—There were none.
VIII. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Agenda Item No. I —Proposed Addition of Daloia Property to Mt.
Umunhurn Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve.Determine that the
Recommended Actions are Categorically Exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEOA) As Set Out in This Report: Adopt the
Attached Resolution Authorizing Purchase of the Daloia Property,
Authorizing the President to Execute the Acquisition Funding Agreement
with the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council (and the State of California Coastal
Conservancy), Adopt the Attached Resolution Dedicating the Daloia
Property as Public Open Space: Tentatively Adopt the Preliminary Use
and Management Plan Recommendations Contained in This Report and
Naming the Property as an Addition to Mt. Umunhurn Area of Sierra Azul
Open Space Preserve- (Report R-02-100).
Meeting 02-17 Page 3
C. Britton introduced Holly Van Houten, Director of the Bay Area Ridge
Trail Council, and Bob Power, who served as interim director for eight
months. He noted that of the $300,000 purchase price, $150,000 is from
grant funds through the Ridge Trail Council. The District has a 50-mile
stretch of the 400-mile Ridge Trail system within its boundary.
D. Woods showed on a map the I I-mile section of the Ridge Trail
connecting Lexington Reservoir and Almaden Quicksilver Park. He noted
that there were two gaps not owned by the District, and the property under
discussion was one of them. He said they want to wait until the District
buys the last piece before the trail is dedicated.
M. Williams reviewed the terms and conditions and talked about the
dedication requirement that is a condition of the grant.
C. Britton mentioned that typically with State Park grants and Land and
Water Conservation Fund grants there is a separate document that would
never allow the property to be converted to any other purpose. When we
buy with grant funds we end up dedicating it eventually. All of the
Coastal Conservancy grants require immediate dedication. He did not see
this request from the Ridge Trail Council as unreasonable.
Staff answered questions about why the note was secured with a deed of
trust on other properties. The property was not bought outright because
Mr. Daloia wanted it done this way for tax purposes.
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. 02-27, Resolution of the
Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open
Space District Authorizing Acceptance of Purchase
Agreement, Authorizing Officer to Execute the Acquisition
Funding Agreement and the Memorandum of Agreement
and the Certificate of Acceptance of Grant to District, and
Authorizing General Manager to Execute Any and all Other
documents Necessary or Appropriate to Closing of the
Transaction(Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve—Lands of
Daloia); adopt Resolution No. 02-28, Resolution of the
Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open
Space District Dedicating Interests in Certain District
Lands for Public Open Space Purposes(Sierra Azul Open
Space Preserve—Lands of Daloia); and tentatively adopt
the Preliminary. Use and Management Plan
recommendations contained in this report and naming the
Meeting 02-17 Page 4
property as an addition to Mt. Umunhum Area of Sierra
Azul Open Space Preserve. K. Nitz seconded the motion.
Discussion: Holly Van Houten talked about the support of the Ridge
Trail Council for this action. She said this was the first
acquisition grant they were doing. She said they were very
pleased that this little parcel will open up so many miles of
trail. She thanked M. Williams for his professionalism and
patience throughout the process and thanked the District for
being a strong partner. C. Britton agreed with her
regarding M. Williams and said this was a very
complicated deal.
Vote: The motion passed 7 to 0.
B. Agenda Item No. 2-Consideration of Authorizing the General Manager
to Execute a Contract with IEDA to Provide Labor Relations for Fiscal
Year 2002-2003 Services in an Amount Not to Exceed $9,000—(Report
R-02-101 .
S. Schectman explained the expertise and qualifications of IEDA and the
resources they would bring to the District on many labor matters. They
represent numerous public agencies and SEIU has worked often with
them. C. Britton added that the workload for the legal department has
grown so that it is not practical or feasible to have S. Schectman doing
negotiations for a month or more, and IEDA can accomplish these tasks
well. S. Schectman will participate as needed in the process.
J. Cyr said the employees might perceive this as"hiring a gun." The
attitude and style of the negotiator is critical to the success of the process.
This might be perceived as another layer of insulation from the Board. He
recognized that the Board does not negotiate directly, but the employee
group could see this as a distraction and lengthening of the process rather
than making it more effective. He said that how it is presented to the
employee group is critical.
S. Schectman said staff agreed and are sensitive that employees
understand the business reasons for IEDA's involvement. Managers will
begin discussion about it with the employee groups. She talked about her
positive experience in the past with the negotiator, Lee Finney.
N. Hanko said she would like to be assured that S. Schectman was
with h change. i h wo ld still f
comfortable t t e c a ge. S. sa d s e u be part o
the team that will be meeting with the Board. She said she had enjoyed
and learned from being at the negotiating table, but was supportive of this
change.
Meeting 02-17 Page 5
K. Nitz asked if field staff was okay with the change. I Escobar said they
have mentioned it to the union representative. He thought staff would
likely rely on the union professional staffs point of view. C. Britton said
it will be the same kind of negotiating team, but S. Schectman will be
resource person, rather than sitting divestly at the table.
S. Thielfoldt informed the Board that there is an annual fee. S. Schectman
said there is a 90-day termination clause if the Board is not satisfied with
IEDA's services. I Escobar said the fee structure is determined by the
size of the organization.
Regarding concerns about the negotiator perhaps not having worked with
parks agencies, S. Schectman said the core labor issues are common to any
public agency.
P. Siemens said he thought it was important that the employees know that
this person will still be taking direction from the Board as will the entire
negotiating team.
Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board authorize the General
Manager to execute a contract with IEDA to provide labor
relations for fiscal year 2002-2003 services in an amount
not to exceed $9,000. L. Hassett seconded the motion.
Discussion: C. Britton said, in his opinion, L. Finney and IEDA is very
experienced and using IEDA would be effective and save
staff time.
Vote: The motion passed 7 to 0.
C. Agenda Item No. 3, Approve Cancellation of the August 28, 2002
Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors;Re-Schedule the First Regular
Meetingin n September From September 11, 2002 to September 4. 2002—
(Report R-02-99).
C. Britton explained why staff was recommending the changes.
N. Hanko said she always looked askance at changes in the regular
meeting schedule. Many plan vacations around the District regular
meeting schedule.
C. Britton said staff thought there was a compelling reason for changing
the September 11 meeting. However, it was the Board's choice.
Meeting 02-17 Page 6
N. Hanko suggested instead having a moment of silence or some other
type of recognition.
Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board approve cancellation of the
August 28, 2002 Regular Meeting of the Board of
Directors. N. Hanko seconded the motion.
Discussion: L. Hassett commented that in the future they ought to look
at their calendars earlier. He said that Palo Alto gives their
City Council the month of August off. C. Britton said they
try to cancel a meeting in July and one in August, as well as
those near Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Vote: The motion passed 7 to 0.
IX. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
M. Davey: 1. The Stanford draft EIR will probably go into the beginning of
2004. 2. The League of Conservation Voters will have an event on September
26. She said there was an interesting program about Pescadero. There will be a
public meeting in Half Moon Bay tomorrow regarding preserving Pescadero
Marsh.
K. Nitz: 1. He attended the San Gregorio Music Festival. 2. He worked the
District booth at the Palo Alto Art and Wine and Woodside Festivals. 3. He is
going to Pescadero tomorrow. 4. He said California poinsettias(poison oak) are
in bloom. 5. He and M. Davey,N. Hanko, and P. Siemens spoke at the Board of
Supervisors meeting on August 6.
N. Hanko talked about the Board of Supervisors meeting. She said M. Davey, K.
Nitz, and P. Siemens spoke. She told what comments she made and that she said
that the LAFCo process should go forward. She was pleased to see that none of
the farmers spoke in favor the advisory vote.
L. Hassett: 1. Because of where his property is located, he was advised that he
should get clearance on voting on the coastal issues. He had an appraiser come
out and has been cleared. 2. He shared photos taken on the Director's hike. 3.
He said that someone is running against him in his bid for re-election to the
Board. 4. He talked about the Pony Tracks Ranch event. 5. There will be an
October 10 meeting with the South Skyline Association regarding annexation. 6.
He will join K. Nitz at the Palo Alto wine festival.
J. Cyr: 1. He pointed out in the Rails to Trails fall issue a brief article on trails
near houses are seen as an increased value. 2. He had an article about Galen and
Barbara Rowell being killed in a plane crash. 3. He went on a ride-along with K.
Meeting 02-17 Page 7
it was a very interesting trip. He said staff was very professional during two
incidents that occurred during the trip.
P. Siemens: 1. He worked at the Los Gatos Art and Wine Festival Saturday.
Several people were interested in the District. 2. He talked about his meeting
with Mr. Sturgeon following the EIR hearing. J. Cyr and S. Thielfoldt were also
there.
J. Cyr complimented S. Jensen on the public commentary and the letter to the
editor regarding the coast. P. Siemens agreed. D. Little said the letter to the
Board of Supervisors was excellent.
C. Britton: 1. The Ad Hoc Coastal Committee will meet Monday at noon. 2.
The Legislative and Public Affairs Committee will meet August 20. 3. He had
been asked by the Pescadero/La Honda School District to give a presentation. He
said it was the best meeting they had been to there. They want a no-net-loss of
housing policy. 4. He will be attending a reception at the Presidio on August 26
to meet the new Director of the National Parks Service. 5. The Committee for
Green Foothills gave out buttons supporting the District at the Board of
Supervisors meeting. He was very pleased with the outcome of the vote. 6. He
met with field staff and supervisors regarding the EIR and was pleased to get staff
input. 7. He and J. Escobar were at the San Gregorio Music Festival Sunday, and
talked to 50-60 people. 8. He met with Malcolm Smith. 9. He distributed the
accounting of the $300 Board Members' allowance for conferences. 10. K. Nitz
had asked about the 4&anniversary of the Committee for Green Foothills on
September 8. He was informed that the District could not pay for the donation
portion. 11. The FYIs included letters from Honda and Boxer regarding Mt.
Umunhum. 12. Also in the FYIs was the letter to the San Mateo County Board
of Supervisors containing the complete petition that was passed out. 13. He
talked about the Half Moon Bay Review editorial contained in the FYIs. 14. There
was also a memo stating that they are officially naming the two field offices as
field offices, not ranger offices.
S. Schectman: 1. They had signed up for pollution insurance with the California
JPIA pool and are pleased to have this coverage for a very reasonable premium.
2. There had been an Appellate Court decision upholding Marin County's ban on
jet skis. She said it was a recognition that user conflicts are within the province of
government agencies to regulate. She said this was a helpful precedent for the
District. 3. She said she would be on vacation the last two weeks of August.
J. Escobar reminded the Board of the staff recognition events on August 28
(daytime at Rancho de Guadalupe) and September 13 (nighttime at Saratoga
Springs). C. Britton will be honored for 25 years of service.
hi if 1 • 1 She provided an update on training including video training on
S. T e o dt. e
• P P 8 8 g
Outlook.
Meeting 02-17 Page 8
J. Maciel announced that Jenny Ventura was not working with the District any
longer because of schedule conflicts with child care and other issues.
S. Jensen: 1. Eve Dunkel has resigned. 2. The Mt. Umunhum press conference
is scheduled for August 27. 3. She reminded them of the coastal VIP tour on
September 14. 4. L. Patterson and S. Welaratna went to San Gregorio to talk to
people at the Environmental Resource Center about what the District is all about.
Carl Oosterman: 1. Jessica Morgan, Interpretive Aide has promoted family fun
activities at the Nature Center. 2. P. McKowan trained 8 international mountain
bicycle patrollers at El Corte de Madera. The are out making contacts and
educating users. 3. Renee Fitzsimons has completed docent training and is
working on the fall schedule of outdoor activities and to improve outdoor
educational leaders. 4. He confirmed that Board Members had received their
invitations to the September 6 Bear Creek celebration.
C. Britton said he had been asked to serve on the panel for selection of Santa
Clara County Parks Director on September 5.
X. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:23 p.m., the meeting was adjourned.
Roberta Wolfe
Recording Secretary