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Home My Public Portal About20031210 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Regional Open Space MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 03-27 SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS December 10, 2003 MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING L ROLL CALL President Nonette Hanko called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Members Present: Jed Cyr, Mary Davey, Larry Hassett,Deane Little(arrived at 6:50 p.m.), Ken Nitz, Pete Siemens, and Nonette Hanko Members Absent: None i Staff Present: - Craig Britton, Sue Schectman, Del Woods, Mike Williams, Cathy Woodbury, and Rudy Jurgensen II. CLOSED SESSION i N. Hanko stated that the Board would adjourn to Closed Session to discuss Closed Session Agenda Items 1 and 2. The Board recessed to Closed Session at 6:35 p.m. and the Closed Session commenced at 6:36 p.m. The Board concluded the Closed Session at 7:31 p.m. REGULAR MEETING M. N. Hanko called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. She announced that the Board had discussed Closed Session Agenda Items 1 and 2 in Closed Session and that the Board would return to Closed Session following the Regular Meeting to complete their discussion. Additional Stat(Present: Sally Thielfoldt, John Maciel, Dave Sanguinetti, and Thomas Fischer 110 Distel Circle - Los Altos,CA 94022-1404 - Phone:650-091-1200 fax:f 50-091 0485 - E-mail: t7tros(l,$col>enspac e.org - Web site:wwwr.ot>enspace.org a�n1 nr f)irca hats Pete slemen,,tviary C Davey,Jett Cyr, Deane Little, Notwtw HanLo, Lang tia ett,Kenneth C:. Nitz e t;Exn oral Mara car:I.Craig Britton Meeting 03-27 Page 2 S. Thielfoldt introduced the two new staff members in the Administration Department: Administrative Management Analyst, Michelle Jesperson and Human Resources Management Analyst, Jim Cimino. C. Britton introduced the new Public Affairs Manager, Rudy Jurgensen. IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS—There were none. V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board adopt the agenda. P. Siemens seconded and the motion passed 7 to 0. VL ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR Staff answered questions regarding Claims 6813 (storage of shop material), 6820, (bio resources/photos), 6824(staff will get back with answer), 6844(painting nature center), 6856(training and conference expenses), 6957 (staff will get back with answer), 6954 (deck and trails at Sausal Pond, permit; staff will go back to Town to ask for rebate). Motion: L. Hassett moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calendar, including minutes of the June 5, 2003 Special Meeting; Agenda Item 5, Authorization to Amend Agreement with Shelterbelt Builders, Inc. for an Additional Amount Not to Exceed $10,000, Authorize the General Manager to Execute an Amendment to the Agreement with Shelterbelt Builders for a Supplemental Amount of$10,000 to Survey Additional Areas for Invasive Plants•, and Revised Claims 03-20. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. N. Hanko abstained on Claim 6926. VIEL BOARD BUSINESS A. Agenda jtem No. 1 —Adoption of Resolution to Support the San Mateo County Mosquito Abatement District's Benefit Assessment District with an Affirmative Vote on the Mailed Ballots: Adopt the Attached Resolution Supporting the San Mateo CoupU Mosquito Abatement District's Benefit Assessment District and Directing the Return of the Mailer Ballots with an Affirmative Vote—(Report R- 03-121). C. Britton introduced Robert Gay, San Mateo County Mosquito Abatement District Manager; and John Bliss, civil engineer with SCI Consultants. R. Gay said the country is not prepared for control of vector borne diseases. They expect West Nile virus in California by next spring. Meeting 03-27 Page 3 I Bliss talked about the annexation and the benefit assessment processes. In order to fund services,they propose setting up a benefit assessment district under the guidelines of Proposition 218. He talked abut the process of arriving at the appropriate assessment for MROSD and explained the mail ballot process. The assessment cannot go up unless voters approve it on the ballot, but it can be adjusted up to three percent (3%)per year based on the CPI. I Bliss said it would require a simple majority of the weighted returned ballots. He explained that parcels are assessed based on benefit. The civil engineer and the district could not do campaigning or advocacy, but outreach is okay. R. Gay said Santa Clara County does have a new district that has just come into effect. He talked about the kind of controls they use, including larva sighting programs, source control (mosquito-eating fish in ponds, bacteria(BTI), anti- hormone chemical, surface film on water). C. Britton asked how they would handle Alpine Pond. R. Gay said the key is determining what type of mosquito and the breeding time frame. He said they provide tick testing, yellow jacket removal, monitoring of hanta virus, plague, and malaria. D. Little said he was supportive of what district is doing but was concerned in particular about the introduction of species like fish or BTI. R. Guy said BTI is very specific to mosquitoes. They are not allowed to put mosquito-eating fish in a body of water when it could travel to other bodies. D. Little said he wanted to be sure they would coordinate with MROSD before using controls. C. Britton summarized that they were pleased with the SMAD proposal and felt that the assessment is a reasonable amount. Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board adopt Resolution No. 03-44, Resolution of the Board of Directors of Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Supporting the Proposed North and West County Mosquito and Disease Control Assessment District and Directing the Return of the Mail Ballots With a"Yes" Vote. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. B. Agenda Item No. 2-Acceptance of a Gift of an Open Space and Conservation Easement over Santa Clara County Assessor's Parcel Number 537-24-028 (Smits Property), Near the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve.Determine that the Recommended Actions are Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEO( A) As Set Out in this Report; Adopt the Attached Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of the Open Space and Conservation Easement Over the Smits Property, as an Addition to the Kennedy- Limekiln Area of the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve—(Report R-03-120). .......................__ Meeting -0327 Page 4 8 T. Fischer presented the staff report including pictures of the property. He introduced Mr. and Mrs. Smits. N. Hanko thanked the Smits for their gift. Josine Smits, 15280 Shannon Road, Los Gatos, said they were happy to propose donation of the easement. The property consists of 21 acres and they want to see all of it preserved. They acquired 11 acres specifically with an easement in mind. She talked about their experience of living on the land and said they had never seen such diverse wildlife. She asked that the District accept the easement. D. Little said he admired the Smits for what they were doing and would like to see word of this get out to the public. Ms. Smits introduced her children. Other Bard Members expressed appreciation and agreed that there should be publicity�about the gift. Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board determine that the recommended actions are categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)as set out in the staff report; and adopt Resolution No. 03-45, Resolution of the Board of Directors of Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Authorizing Acceptance of the Grant of Easement, Authorizing Officer or General Manager to Execute a 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 Smits). D. Little seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. C. Agendst'Item No. 3-Proposed Addition of Santa Clara County Assessors Parcel Number 537-09-003 (Whiteway Property)to the Mt. Umunhum Area of the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve; Determine that the Recommended Actions are Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act as Set Out in this Re o�rt; Adopt the Attached Resolution Authorizing Purchase of the Whiteway Property; Tentatively Adopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan Re mm ndations Contained in this Rgport. Including Naming h Prop as an Addition to the Mt. Umunhum Area of the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve;Indicate Your Intention to Withhold Dedication of the Property as Public Open Space at this Time—(Report R-03-124). D. Woods showed pictures of the property and said the District would be requesting removal of the underground power line on the property. He added that he did not think it would be a good place for a backpacking camp. Meeting 03-27 Page 5 M. Williams briefly outlined the terms and conditions of the purchase. 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; and adopt Resolution No. 03-46, Resolution of the Board of Directors of Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Authorizing Acceptance of the Purchase Agreement, Authorizing Officer or General Manager to Execute 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 Whiteway);tentatively adopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan recommendations contained in the report, including naming the property as an addition to the Mt. Umunhum Area of the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve; and indicate their intention to withhold dedication of the property as public open space at this time. J. Cyr seconded the motion. YQW The motion passed 7 to 0. D. Agenda Item No. 4—Dedication Status of District Lands, Adopt the Attached Resolution Dedicating Interests in Certain District Lands for Public Open Space Purpose_—Weport R-03-122). D. Woods presented the staff report. He said the Big Dipper portion was the entire property with the exception of the in-holding. Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board adopt Resolution No. 03-47, Resolution of the Board of Directors of Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Dedicating Interests in Certain District Lands for Public Open Space Purposes. K. Nitz seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. VIIL INFORMATIONAL REPORTS J. Cyr: 1. FYIs included a staff report on a rollerblading incident. Staff will check. 2. He commented on the letter from Acterra. D. Smernoff complimented staff on the work done to help them. 3. He said the article regarding Bear Creek had some misinformation in it. Staff will follow up on it. 4. He described the views and display of colors he had experienced on extensive hikes. He said the trails were in excellent condition. 5. He had hiked St. Joseph Hill, and noted that there were lots of users. L. Hassett: 1. He talked about the most successful Use and Management meeting at Los Altos High School and complimented staff on the thorough preparation. The meeting was well-attended by the mountain biking community. He said he thought the District Meeting 03-27 Page 6 was on the right track. 2. He attended the South Skyline Board meeting last month. 3. He invited Board and staff members to the South Skyline holiday party at his home. 4. He and his family hiked on Thanksgiving Day and visited the tafoni formation. K. Nitz: 1. He said he had worked with Fred Kamphoefner whose estate had given $3 million to POST. D. Little: 1. He agreed that the Use and Management Committee meeting was one of best public meetings the District had had. He thanked staff, particularly M. Freeman. 2. He had talked to a conservation biologist at Stanford regarding a possible collaboration. Students have to do an internship. He said possible projects would be a native plant nursery or a breeding bird survey. 3. The FYIs mentioned a person on Rancho with a rifle. He requested that there be more detail in the incident report. J. Maciel said they called sheriff. He would find out on which trail the incident occurred. N. Hanko: 1. She said she would be bringing a resolution to a future meeting g g g commending the Palo Alto council for recognition of Enid Pearson for her work on the c o h commented nh ordinance. 2. She was leased to see Rudy. She co a ted o the dedicationo p y excellence of staff presentations at an earlier meeting. P. Siemens met the owner of Alice's Restaurant who is very supportive of the District. He is interested in having an information kiosk at the restaurant. C. Britton: 1. He talked about the Use and Management meeting on ECDM. There will be a meeting of the full board on January 21. 2. The FYIs contained a resolution regarding the"Resolution" plane crash. 3. He referred to the Acterra letter, noting that staff put in a lot of time. 4. He attended the Resource Partnership conference in Los Angeles where there were good presentations. People from IMBA are going to help on trails at ECDM. 5. The District is sending holiday cards to those on their mailing list. 6. Brian Steen, executive director of Sempervirens Fund, and Jack Davis were in the audience. 7. He provided an update on the recruitment for the Assistant General Manager position. 8. He showed a picture of his new granddaughter S. Thielfoldt: 1. She was pleased with the process of the recruiting firm for the Resource Planner and Administration positions. Vacancies in field staff positions are filled. 2. Staff training has included sexual harassment and influencing skills. 3. She went to the JPIA risk management conference in October. J. Maciel said his department is now fully staffed. D. Sanguinetti presented an example of a large-tire motorcycle. He said this was the best solution they had come up with for patrolling ECDM. N. Hanko said she hoped this would not encourage bikers to use the preserve. J. Cyr commented that it seemed like an appropriate tool. Meeting 03-27 Page 7 M. Williams said C. Woodbury, D. Sanguinetti, and he had given a presentation to Kings Mountain realtors regarding the coastal annexation. IX. ADJOURNMENT At 9:51 p.m., the Board adjourned to Closed Session to continue discussion of Closed Session Items I and 2. The Closed Session reconvened at 10:00 p.m. and adjourned at 10:55 p.m. No reportable action was taken. Roberta Wolfe Recording Secretary