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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20030226 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Regional Open Space 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