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MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Meeting 03-04
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
February 26, 2003
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
I. ROLL CALL
Treasurer Larry Hassett called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Larry Hassett, Ken Nitz, Pete Siemens, and Nonette
Hanko (arrived at 6:15 p.m.)
Members Absent: Mary Davey, Deane Little
Staff Present: Craig Britton, Sue Schectman, Sally Thielfoldt, Fran Buchanon,
John Escobar, John Maciel
H. CLOSED SESSION
L. Hassett stated that the Board would adjourn to Closed Session to discuss Closed
Session Agenda Item 1.
The Board recessed to Closed Session at 6:10 p.m. and the Closed Session commenced at
6:10 p.m. The Board concluded the Closed Session at 7:30 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING
III. N. Hanko called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. She announced that the
Board had discussed Closed Session Agenda Item 1 in Closed Session and that no
reportable actions had taken place. Board member Deane Little arrived at 7:45 p.m.
Additional Staff Present: Gordon Baillie, Dave Sanguinetti, Mike Newburn, Thomas
Fischer, John Dickey, Mike Williams
IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mary Zvirblis, 275 Martina Road, Woodside, representing the Old La Honda Road
Association, asked for District help in getting the property around the Thornewood
330 Distel Circle • Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 - Phone:650-691-1200
Fax:650-691-0485 • E-mail: mrosdrropenspace.org • Web site:www.op(,nsP,)c,e.org
Bimrd of Oirer tors.Pete Siemens,Mary C. Davey,)ed Cyr, Deane Little, Nonette Hanko, tarry Hassett, Kenneth C. Nitz • 6crieral Manager:L,Craig;Britton
Meeting 03-04 Page 2
Preserve cleaned up and made safe and secure. She said fire remains their biggest
concern. She described what needed to happen including quitclaims and described
conditions including no bridge and dogs off leash. She urged the District to make the
issue a high priority.
S. Schectman responded to legal issues, stating that this has been a priority issue for staff
and is in the Action Plan. She said the legal issues are complex. Ownership of the road
was difficult to determine. She talked about the quitclaim process and said the process is
moving as quickly as it can.
C. Britton added that there were nine owners and staff is asking the owners to give
quitclaims for no monetary compensation, so this program requires explanation and
education with each owner.
I Maciel said staff has placed signs on the District's property lines regarding District
regulations. The issue is District staff enforcing other agencies regulations off of District
lands
L. Hassett said he had been in touch with the La Honda Road group who are residents
and who are willing to work closely with the District to resolve the problems. He said the
group is very organized and supportive of the District.
N. Hanko stated that the District has recognized the problems in trying to enforce
regulations off of District lands. The District is working on legislation to give rangers the
ability to cite offenders off public land, but the process is taking longer than desired.
N. Hanko asked if the District could contact property owners who have not yet granted
quitclaim deeds and let them know there were problems and get permission from them.
I Maciel said the District cannot enforce its ordinances off District land; it would have to
enforce a county or city ordinance.
C. Britton said he thought the problem is that the District is requiring quitclaim deeds
which means that the owners would release all their rights, title, and interest in a piece of
property. He said he did not know if getting permission from property owners would
solve all problems. He agreed that staff needs to go back to the town and the county.
Staff will report back on this matter.
M. Zvirblis said her group thought they had a lot of momentum after the May meeting.
They feel that the District has not been responsive because they have only completed one
quitclaim.
C. Britton said staff is working very hard on the quitclaim deeds, but he did not think
people understood how long a process like this takes to complete.
Meeting 03-04 Page 3
V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board adopt the agenda. P. Siemens seconded and
the motion passed 6 to 0.
VI. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR
N. Hanko removed Agenda Item 6,Lease Approval with Kaidar& Inc., for the
Additional Office Space at 330 Distel Circle, Los Altos. Authorize the General Manager
to Execute the Office Building Lease with Kaidara. Inc., for the Additional Office Space
at 330 Distel Circle, Los Altos, California.
Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calendar, including
Agenda Item 7,Authorize the General Manager to Execute a Purchase
Contract with the State Department of General Services, Folsom Lake
Ford and Maita Chevrolet for Four Vehicles at a Total Cost Not to Exceed
$108,000; and Revised Claims 03-04. K. Nitz; seconded the motion. The
motion passed 6 to 0.
VH. SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY
D. Sanguinetti introduced intern Nicholas Kovack who is working at the Skyline Field
Office.
VIIL BOARD BUSINESS
A. Agenda Item No. 1 —Accept the Annual Progress Report on the Use of Radar on
District Lands for Calendar Year 2002—(Report R-03-17).
G. Baillie reviewed the report.
J. Cyr noted that seven percent(7%)of those cited were traveling over 20 mph.
D. Sanguinetti said it depends on the preserve whether or not the measurement
zones were on flat ground. He described how radar checks are set up and how
sites are chosen. He said that when speeders get up in the 20 mph range, they are
cited. There are some repeat violators.
N. Hanko commented that it seemed that penalties should rise for repeaters. Staff
informed her that it is up to the court.
L. Hassett expressed concerns about"extreme mountain biking." He had heard
that some riders ride without brakes.
J. Escobar informed the Board that legislation amending the Public Resources
Code regarding a graduated bail schedule has been introduced.
Meeting 03-04 Page 4
Paul Nam, 19863 Portal Plaza, Cupertino, President of ROMP, said the vast
majority of the mountain biking community does not condone speeding. ROMP's
goal is to educate them. He offered to work with the District and was open to
suggestions. He said most trails in California were not designed for mountain
biking and encourage high rates of speed. He hoped ROMP could continue with
more education stations stressing compliance. He did not know how accurate the
statistics are to measure average speed. He said they need to consider where
samples are taken. He asked about the criteria for setting up radar sites. He said it
is the feeling of the mountain biking community that these are speed traps. He
hoped rangers use discretion when to cite and do not discriminate.
In regard to how to deal with extreme bikers, P. Nam said that mountain bike
technology has evolved, and trails do not have features that slow riders down. He
described features that would slow cyclists down. He thought all cyclists
deserved a place to ride up to the technology.
C. Britton expressed appreciation for some of the things ROMP has done,
including information stations, and said they need ROW's help.
Motion: K. Nitz moved that the Board accept the informational report on
the Radar Program. D. Little seconded the motion. The motion
passed 6 to 0.
B. Agenda Item No. 2- Accept the 2002 Miscellaneous Enforcement Activity
Summary and the Twelve-Year Field Activity SummM—(Report R-03-18).
G. Baillie gave an overview of the report.
D. Sanguinetti noted that the burned up vehicle found on December 3, 2002 had
burned during the night, and there had been no report.
Motion: K. Nitz moved that the Board accept the Miscellaneous
Enforcement Activity Summary and the Twelve-Year Field
Activity Summary. J. Cyr seconded the motion. The motion
passed 6 to 0.
C. Agenda Item No. 3—Accept Informational Report on Range Bicycle Patrol
Program for Calendar Year 2002—(Report R-03-19).
G. Baillie outlined the report and said staff hoped to see an increase in the
program this year.
J. Cyr re-enforced his personally supportive response to the program and had
noticed a positive response by others. In terms of numbers, he noted that about
ten percent(10%) of the time is spent in preparation, and maybe that could be
trimmed so more time could be spent on the trails.
Meeting 03-04 Page 5
K. Nitz said safety is important, and hopefully they are not sending people out on
bikes that are unsafe. M. Newburn said the condition of bikes is monitored. Staff
is looking at replacing some of the bikes that have been used for a number of
years.
Motion: J. C moved that the Board accept the informational report on the
Cyr P P
ranger bicycle patrol program. L. Hassett seconded the motion.
The motion passed 6 to 0.
D. Agenda Item No. 4,Proposed Addition of Santa Clara County Tax-Defaulted
Maridon(6.25% Interest)Property to Monte Bello Open Space Preserve;
Determine that the Recommended Actions are Categorically Exempt from the
California Environmental Quality Act as Set Out in this Report; Adopt the
Attached Resolution Authorizing,Purchase of the Santa Clara County Tax-
Defaulted Maridon Property_; Tentatively Adopt the Preliminary Use and
Management Plan Recommendations Contained in this Report. Includin Ng aming
the Property as an Addition to Monte Bello Open Space Preserve; Indicate Your
Intention to Withhold the Property from Dedication as Public Open Space at this
Time—(Report R-03-231.
T. Fischer outlined staff's recommendations.
C. Britton explained the tax situation and answered questions regarding taxes.
Motion: P. Siemens 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. 03-06, Resolution of the Board of Directors of the
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Approving and
Authorizing Execution of Agreement to Purchase Tax-Defaulted
Property, Authorizing Officer to Execute Certificate of Acceptance
of Grant to District (Monte Bello Open Space Preserve—Maridon
6.25%Interest Tax-Defaulted Property, Santa Clara County);
tentatively adopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan
recommendations contained in the staff report, including naming
the property as an addition to Monte Bello Open Space Preserve;
and indicate their intention to withhold the property from
dedication as public open space at this time. J. Cyr seconded the
motion. The motion passed 6 to 0.
E. Agenda Item No. 5,Proposed Addition of Santa Clara County Tax-Defaulted
Kadluboski Property to El Sereno Open Space Preserve;Determine that the
Recommended Actions are Categorically Exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act as Set Out in this Report; Adopt the Attached
Resolution Authorizing Purchase of the Santa Clara County Tax-Defaulted
Kadluboski Property; Tentatively Adopt the Preliminary Use and Management
Meeting 03-04 Page 6
Plan Recommendations Contained in this Report, Including Naming the PropgW
as an Addition to El Sereno Open Space Preserve, Indicate Your Intention to
Withhold the Property from Dedication as Public Open Space at this Time—
(Report R-03-24).
T. Fischer presented the report.
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. 03-07, Resolution of the Board of Directors of the
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Approving and
Authorizing Execution of Agreement to Purchase Tax-Defaulted
Property, Authorizing Officer to Execute Certificate of Acceptance
of Grant to District(El Sereno Open Space Preserve—Kadluboski
Tax-Defaulted Property, Santa Clara County); tentatively adopt the
Preliminary Use and Management Plan recommendations
contained in the staff report, including naming the property as an
addition to El Sereno Open Space Preserve; and indicate heir
intention to withhold the property from dedication as public open
space at this time. P. Siemens seconded the motion.
Discussion: D. Little asked how much the property would be worth on the open
market. T. Fischer guessed at more than $0.5 million.
Vote: The motion passed 6 to 0.
F. Agenda Item No. 6-Lease Approval with Kaidara, Inc., for the Additional
Office Space at 330 Distel Circle, Los Altos, Authorize the General Manager to
Execute the Office Building Lease with Kaidara, Inc., for the Additional Office
Space at 330 Distel Circle, Los Altos, California—(Report R-03-25).
J. Dickey answered questions about the report.
Motion: K. Nitz moved that the Board authorize the General Manager to
execute the Office Building Lease with Kaidara, Inc., for the
additional office space at 300 Distel Circle, Los Altos, California.
D. Little seconded the motion.
Vote: The motion passed 6 to 0.
IX. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
L. Hassett: 1. He had met with the mayor of Woodside and did a coastal annexation
presentation. 2. He will be doing the presentation at the Peninsula Kiwanis Club.
D. Little reported that he had moved.
Meeting 03-04 Page 7
N. Hanko: 1. She met with Palo Alto council members for the District presentation
including the coastal annexation. 2. She worked with C. Woodbury on the letter which
was sent to tonight's county planning commission meeting regarding Stanford zoning.
She reviewed the recommendations contained in the letter and noted that it was contained
in the FYls.
C. Britton: 1. The FYls included notification by the State that the District will receive a
grant on the Purisima acquisition of$217,500. 2. There was also formal notification that
Bay Area Ridge Trail gave the District the $50,000 grant for the La Honda Creek Master
Plan. 3. He had been notified that the District's proposed bills are in legislative form.
The bills are AB 1188 and AB 1195 and they propose changes to streamline the
regulatory process for acquisition, and minor changes to the District's enabling
legislation. 4. The FYls contained information that Wilson and Sue Cooper are getting
an award at the September 19 meeting of the Bay Area Open Space Council. 5. He
participated in a panel on February 13 on stewardship issues on open space land. N.
Hanko and M. Davey also attended the meeting. He said it was interesting and he enjoyed
it. 6. He had a notice of a roast for Jerry Merrill who is retiring from PCL March 16. 7.
He pointed out in the newspaper packet an article regarding the state budget. 8. He said
the agricultural summit is this coming Friday.
S. Schectman reported that the bills mentioned by C. Britton were submitted on Friday.
J. Escobar said the District had put volunteer Arthur Kikes up for a CPRS award which
he will receive at their conference.
S. Thielfoldt distributed forms for completion by Board Members.
G. Baillie reported that two new rangers graduated from the law enforcement academy
today.
X. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:10 p.m., the meeting was adjourned.
Roberta Wolfe
Recording Secretary