The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My Public Portal About20040728 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Regional "'pen Space ----------------------------- MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT (AA h:BRAI INt. j0 YFi.ARS 01F UPFN SPA(.F, PIUSF RVA I I0N Meeting 04-16 SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS July 28, 2004 MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING I. ROLL CALL President Mary Davey called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Members Present: Jed Cyr, Larry Hassett, Deane Little (arrived at 7:25 p.m.), Ken Nitz, Pete Siemens, and Mary Davey Members Absent: Nonette Hanko Staff Present: Craig Britton, Sue Schectman, Sally Thielfoldt, Mike Williams, Del Woods, Tom Fischer II. CLOSED SESSION M. Davey stated that the Board would adjourn to Closed Session. The Board recessed to Closed Session at 6:35 p.m. and the Closed Session commenced at 6:35 p.m. The Board concluded the Closed Session at 7:35 p.m. REGULAR MEETING III. M. Davey called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:36 p.m. She announced that the Board had met in Closed Session and that no reportable actions had taken place. Additional Staff Present: Kirk Lenington, Paul McKowan, Cathy Woodbury, Rudy Jurgensen, John Maciel, Matt Freeman IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS—There were none. V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA 33o Distei Cirde 650-6g1-1200 :nfo@openspace.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS:Pete Siemens,Mary Davey,led Cyr, GENERAL MANAGER: Cos altos CA 94022.1404 6So-691-0485 fax www.openspace,org Deane 1,rttte,Nonette Hanko,tarry Hassett,Kenneth C.Nitz L.Craig Britton Meeting 04-16 Page 2 Board members agreed to move Agenda Item 3 to the beginning of Board Business. 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 Staff answered questions regarding Claims as follows: #1262, Environmental Science Associates — staff will return with the answer; #1264, Fenton Communications — preparation of article and information for brochure, stories for media; #1255, EAP stands for Employee Assistance Program; #1274, services of District auditor. Motion: K. Nitz moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calendar, including Revised Claims 04-11. J. Cyr seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. VII. BOARD BUSINESS A. Agenda Item No. 3 - Authorization to Contract with Balance Hydrologics, Inc. to Provide In-Stream Sediment Monitoring Services at El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve-, Authorize General Manager to Contract with Balance Hydrologics, Inc. in the Amount of $56,464.00 Plus a Contingency of $5,646.00, for a Total Authorization Amount Not to Exceed $62,110.00—(Report R-04-03). C. Britton and Board Members commented on their conversations with Robert Zatkin concerning this item. K. Lenington introduced Jonathan Owens, consultant, who talked about the methods they would use to document ECDM Creek sedimentation. Following an inventory of existing creek conditions and sediment sources, they will choose locations for the V Star technique. He described that technique. He said once they get the data, they can compare pool to pool, creek to creek, and year to year. He explained why they do not measure the size of particles, noting that they do not think it is an important factor in this location. He talked about situations where they might measure size. K. Lenington said that during the second year they will be measuring sediment transport during storms. They will be training staff to perform monitoring tasks. J. Owens showed charts of data collected from San Jose, Potrero and San Clemente Creeks. He told Board Members that they could share the information gathered with other agencies if they wanted to. K. Lenington Meeting 04-16 Page 3 commented that the District information will be very valuable to the watershed as a whole. J. Owens said ideally trails should be less than 10 percent in grade and as narrow as possible to lessen erosion. He explained why they recommend out sloping of trails. L. Hassett said the goal of the study is to measure sediment content and evaluate how well the District is doing at reducing sediment through restoration. J. Owens said they will probably put three flow measurement devices in the streams. P. Siemens asked if the devices would be permanent and added that if the District is going to train staff, they need to have their own instruments. J. Owens said they had considered La Honda Preserve as a control. C. Britton said he would like to see if there is an opportunity for volunteers to take over some of the monitoring tasks. K. Lenington said the first year, they would focus on establishing V Star. The second year, they would begin measuring flow and sediment transport. Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board authorize the General Manager to contract with Balance Hydrologics, Inc. in the amount of $56,142.00 plus a contingency of $5,614.00, for a total authorization amount not to exceed $61,756.00. K. Nitz seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. C. Britton requested that Board Members go through staff rather than contacting the consultant directly. K. Lenington said the grassland work study session would probably be held within the next month or two. B. Agenda Item No. 1 — Approve Recommendations From the Legislative, Finance and Public Affairs Standing Committee for Appointing an Ombudsperson in Conformity with San Mateo County Local Agency Commission Condition No. 6 Proposed San Mateo County Coastal Protection Program: Description of Roles and Duties; Desired Qualification Criteria; Volunteer Status with Reimbursement for Approved Expenditures; Term of Appointment (One Year); Proposed Application—(Report R-04-74). Meeting 04-16 Page 4 C. Britton reviewed the report. He said this person would step in when an issue cannot be resolved by Board or staff members. He talked about reporting. J. Cyr suggested a review of the process at the end of the year to see if it is working. S. Thielfoldt talked about her experience as an ombudsperson. S. Schectman said this is an additional resource and in no way changes or interferes with the Board's interaction with constituents. LAFCo wants to see a supplementary process where there would be a neutral person who could assist staff in working things out with a citizen. r P. Siemens suggested changing the final paragraph under Duties of Ombudsperson to read, "Provides a written summary of citizen concerns as requested by the Board of Directors." He also suggested they might want to appoint more than one person. J. Cyr stressed that they need to keep in mind that the Board has an obligation to appoint a person within 60 days of approval. Following discussion of compensation, S. Schectman assured the Board that that would be addressed in any employment contract. Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board adopt the Roles and Duties of the Ombudsperson with the last paragraph under Duties of Ombudsperson amended to read, "Provides a written summary of citizen concerns as requested by the Board of Directors"; the Desired Qualification Criteria of the Ombudsperson; and the Ombudsperson Application form; approve that the Ombudsperson be an unpaid position, under contract with the Board of Directors, with reimbursement for authorized expenses, that the term of appointment be one year, and that the appointee be a registered voter within the boundaries of the District; direct that the process be assessed at the end of a year. D. Little seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. C. Agenda Item No. 2 - Proposed Addition of Neville Property to Kennedy- Limekiln Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve (Santa Clara County Assessor's Parcel Number 558-33-003); Determine Recommended Actions are Categorically Exempt from CEQA; Adopt Resolution Authorizing Purchase of Neville Property; Tentatively Adopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan Recommendations and Naming the Property as an Addition to the Kennedy-Limekiln Area of Sierra Azul Meeting 04-16 Page 5 Open Space Preserve; Indicate Your Intention to Dedicate the Property as Public Open Space at This Time—(Report R-04-73). D. Woods showed pictures of the property and located it on a map. p P p C. Britton provided background information on the grant application and the reason the money had to be used for this acquisition. Motion: K. Nitz 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. 0427, Resolution of the Board P � p of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Authorizing Acceptance of Bid for Purchase of Real Property and Purchase Agreement, Authorizing General Manager to Execute Acquisition Funding Agreement, Authorizing Officer to Execute 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 Neville); tentatively adopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan recommendations contained in the staff report and naming the property as an addition to Kennedy-Limekiln Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve; and indicate their intention to dedicate the property as public open space at this time. L. Hassett seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. D. Agenda Item No. 4 - Recap of California Park and Recreation Society Presentation on Volunteers and the Internet — P. McKowan — (Report R- 04-71). P. McKowan summarized the 2-1/2 hour presentation he made at the CPRS conference, including information about the use of e-mail, the Web site, on-line forms, and voice mail and cell phones. VIII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS P. Siemens: 1. C. Britton informed him that staff had responded to the letter from Scott McQueen. P. Siemens requested that copies of the letter be sent to the Board. 2. The Los Gatos elementary school board had contacted him regarding the possibility of tapping into the water system on District land in order to install sprinklers as part of the remodel of Lexington School. They will be sending a letter to the District. i Meeting 04-16 Page 6 i J. Cyr: 1. He referred to an article from the Sierra Club newsletter. 2. He and his nephew did a ride-along with J. Lloyd on July 19. L. Hassett: 1. He talked about the South Skyline picnic. 2. There was discussion of controlled burns at the South Skyline Board meeting. 3. He asked ICI about the trucks parked on District land. J. Maciel responded that they have a permit and there will be an exchange of services. They are trimming the trees along the power lines on Skyline. M. Davey: 1. She attended the court hearings in the Coastal Program litigation. The ruling is expected August 6. 2. She appreciated staff sending the clippings by way of e-mail instead of using a lot of paper. 3. She attended the Hidden Villa event honoring Judith Steiner. They have appointed a new executive director. 4. The Land Trust Rally will be in October and she will not be able to attend. She asked about the possibility of trading with another Board Member in the coming year. C. Britton said that would be up to the new president. D. Little: 1. Regarding the previously mentioned policy, he thought it would be a good idea if the unused $300 could be rolled over from year to year. The Board concurred that the Budget Committee will examine the policy. 2. He had noticed several mountain lion sightings and thought it might be a good idea to change the signs to more clearly indicate the important of parents keeping small children close to them. C. Woodbury reported that those changes are in the works. 3. He had an invitation to an event featuring families who lost members in Iraq. K. Nitz: 1. He hiked four preserves in five hours last Saturday. He noticed that the acacia is coming back. J. Maciel said it will be taken out. 2. He described a large animal that he saw going into the bushes. 3. He thanked staff for putting up the sign regarding work to be done at ECDM. C. Woodbury said staff is developing a sign program regarding upcoming work. 4. He liked the new colored maps at the trailheads. 5. He asked that staff check into what will be done to prevent a recurrence of the mudslide at Pulgas. 6. S. Thielfoldt answered his questions regarding the class specification for the Maintenance, Construction and Resource Supervisor position. D. Little said he had noticed an area at Russian Ridge where there are a lot of dead oak trees. He asked that they look into whether it is Sudden Oak Death. He added that the star thistle is present. J. Cyr referred to the Monthly Field Activity Report and asked where the swimming incidents took place. Staff will provide that information. C. Britton: 1. He talked about the Judith Steiner event. 2. The toilet paper problem at Black Mountain was caused by animals getting into a pit toilet. Hidden Villa staff cleaned it up. 3. He passed around ajar of yellow star thistle Meeting 04-16 Page 7 honey. 4. The Hidden Villa 2004 Humanitarian Awards are scheduled for September 18. 5. The Monterey Regional Park District is doing a mail ballot assessment district. 6. There was information in the clippings about a donation received by POST. 7. His home in Los Altos was one of 1,800 to receive an auto phone call about a mountain lion sighting in the area. S. Schectman said she had given Board Members a packet containing the pleadings in the Coastal Program court case. She said she would keep the Board posted, and things are happening very quickly. C. Woodbury provided an update on the ECDM Watershed Protection Program. The project has gone out to bid. ROMP volunteers are re-aligning the Bluebonnet Trail, and several workers will be re-aligning the Crossover Trail. S. Thielfoldt: 1. Staff will look at streamlining the process for Board Members to report meeting attendance. 2. She provided an update on training. There had been a safe driver class and a substance abuse seminar for supervisors. 3. The three incumbents are the only ones who have taken out papers for the upcoming election. J. Maciel reported that the Russian Ridge burn had been postponed, probably until September. IX. ADJOURNMENT At 10:00 p.m., the meeting was adjourned. Roberta Wolfe Recording Secretary