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Home My Public Portal About19940824 - Agendas Packet - Board of Directors (BOD) - 94-23 Open Space MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 94-23 REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS AGENDA* 7:30 P.M. 330 Distei Circle Wednesday Los Altos, California August 24, 1994 (7:30) ROLL CALL ** ORAL COMMUNICATIONS -- Public ADOPTION OF AGENDA *** ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR -- G. Babbitt *** APPROVAL OF MINUTES July 27, 1994 (Consent Item) August 16, 1994 (Consent Item) *** WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS (Consent Item) i BOARD BUSINESS i (7:45) 1. Consideration and Approval of Fiscal Year 1994-1995 Operating Budget Reductions and Augmentations Including Authorization to Fill Certain Staff Positions -- C. Britton Resolution Amending Budget for Fiscal Year 1994-1995 i i (8:15) 2. Informational Report on Ongoing and Pending Resource Management Projects on District Preserves and Status of Resource Management Planning Process R. Anderson (8:35) INFORMATIONAL REPORTS -- Directors and Staff *** REVISED CLAIMS (Consent Item) ADJOURNMENT l k *NOTE: Times are estimated and items may appear earlier or later than listed. Agenda is subject to change of order. E, i ** TO ADDRESS THE BOARD: The Chair will invite public comment on agenda items at then time each item is considered by the Board of Directors. You may address the Board concerning other matters during oral communications. Each speaker will ordinarily be limited to 3 minutes. 330 Distel Circle * Los Altos, California 94022-1404 * Phone: 415-691-1200 * FAX: 415-691-0485 Board ofOirectors:Pete Siemens,Robert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Ginny Babbitt,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit General Manager:L.Craig Britton I, a I I A � 1 q I I Meeting 94-23 Page 2 Alternately, you may comment to the Board by a written communication, which the Board appreciates. i ***All items on the consent calendar shall be approved without discussion by one motion unless a Board member removes an item from the consent calendar, or separate discussion. A member of the public ma�recjuest under oral communications that an item be removed from the consent calendar. NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETINGS I The Administrative and Budget Committee will meet on Tuesday, August 30, 1994 at 5:00 P.M. at the District office. I The Legislative, Finance, and Public Affairs Committee will meet on Thursday, September 15, 1994 at 11:00 A.M. at the District office. I I I I I I I I i I ►pen Space MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 94-20 REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS July 27, .1994 MINUTES I. ROLL CALL Vice President Pete Siemens called the meeting to order at 6:35 P.M. Members Present: Pete Siemens, Nonette Hanko, Betsy Crowder, Robert McKibbin and Wim de Wit. Members Absent: Ginny Babbitt and Teena Henshaw. Personnel Present: Craig Britton, Jean Fiddes, Malcolm Smith, John Escobar, Randy Anderson, and Sue Schectman. II. CLOSED SESSION P. Siemens stated that the Board would be meeting in closed session for the purpose of discussing agenda item number one. The Board recessed to Closed Session at 6:36 P.M. and reconvened for the public meeting at 7:35 P.M.. P. Siemens announced that the Board had been meeting in Closed Session with their real property negotiator on the setting of price and terms. Additional Personnel Present: Del Woods and Susan Dale. III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were no oral communications. IV. SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY i The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. i V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion: R. McKibbin moved that the Board adopt the agenda. B. Crowder seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. i 330 Distel Circle Los Altos, California 94022-1404 Phone:415-691-1200 FAX: 415-691-0485 0 Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Robert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Ginny Babbitt,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit General Manager:L.Craig Britton I'i Meeting 94-20 Page 2 VI. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR N. Hanko asked that agenda item number three, Authorization of the General Manager to File Legal Actions for Unlawful Detainer of District Property, be removed from the consent calendar. B. Crowder requested that Revised Claims 94-14 be removed from the consent calendar. Motion: R. McKibbin moved that the Board adopt the consent calendar as revised, including approving the minutes of June 22 and July 7, 1994; the response to written communication dated July 12, 1994 from Harry Haeussler 1094 Highland Circle, Los Altos; Resolution 94-26, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Supporting Public Trails within the San Francisco Watershed; and Resolution 94-27, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Approving and Authorizing Grant of a Private Water Line Easement, Authorizing Officer to Execute an Easement Document, and Authorizing General Manager to Execute any and all Other Documents Necessary or Appropriate to Closing the Transaction (La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve). N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. VII. BOARD BUSINESS I� A. Purchase of 0.784-acre Property Adjacent to St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserve from the California Province of the Society of Jesus: Approval of Related Use and Mannement Recommendations: and Indication of Board's Intent to Dedicate the PropgM as Public Opn Space (R rt R-94-81 C. Britton stated that the purchase agreement called for a payment of $5,000 at close of escrow. R. Anderson gave an overview describing the agreement with the Town of Los Gatos and the California Province of the Society of Jesus to repair and replace property fencing, define trail alignment and planting of oak trees within the 0.784-acre parcel. R. Anderson noted that the estimated cost of reopening the Jones Trail was $20,000 and the estimated cost for the fence project was $30,000. Motion: R. McKibbin moved that the Board adopt Resolution 94-28, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Authorizing Acceptance of Purchase Agreement, Authorizing Officer 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 (St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserve - Lands of California Province of the Society of Jesus, a California corporation); tentatively adopt the Meeting 94-20 Page 3 i Preliminary Use and Management Plan recommendations, including naming the California Province of the Society of Jesus property an addition to the St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserve; and indicate the Board's intention to dedicate the property as public open space. N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. B. Special Use Permit for Para lg,iding at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve for a Six-Month Trial Period Re rt R-94- 2 R. Anderson presented highlights of the staff report which included a June 4 letter from Harry Haeussler requesting signs be posted to alert equestrians when hanggliding and/or paragliding is occurring at the preserve. Discussion centered around posting of signs at the preserve and the landing zone location advising other trail users, particularly equestrians, of paragliding activity. Ed Stein, who had requested the special use permit for paragliding, suggested that windsocks could also be used to alert preserve users when paragliders were using the preserve. Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board approve the Special Use Permit for Paragliding at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve for a six-month trial period. R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0. C. Authorization of the General Manager to File Legal Actions for Unlawful Detainer of District Property (Report R-94-79) N. Hanko stated that she felt Board members should be notified in advance before an eviction occurred. Discussion centered around how the procedure worked in the past both in theory and practice, and timing for various steps in the process. S. Schectman noted that the proposed resolution authorized the general manager to begin the procedure for unlawful detainer in order to expedite proceedings. To address N. Hanko's concern, the Board will be notified when a three-day notice goes out and paragraph nine of Resolution 94- 28 was amended to read "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that approval of any such legal actions by the General Manager shall be promptly reported to the District's Board of Directors and reported at its next regular meeting." Motion: R. McKibbin moved the Board adopt Resolution 94-28, as amended, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Authorizing the General Manager to File Actions for Unlawful Detainer Pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure Section 1161 et seq. N. Hanko seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. _ _.. _-_______._______ _ _ .. . . I Meeting 94-20 Page 4 i D. Review and Establishment of Real Property Acquisition Priorities ftport R- 94-83) C. Britton reviewed and pointed out locations of the ten properties for which the District has obtained options. He introduced the charts developed by staff on acquisition priorities based on functions of open space and other factors. D. Woods explained the factors and weightings used to rate each property as it relates to overall goals of the District, including parking, regional trails, interior trails, visibility, wildlife habitat, development impact, unique features, general appeal, manageability, public support, inholding status, threat of development, opportunity and leverage. Discussion centered around individual property rating system variables and ranking order. Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board approve the proposed acquisition priorities criteria. B. Crowder seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0. E. Scheduling of August 3, 1994 Special Meeting for the Purpose of Holding a Study Session to Review and Discuss Proposed 1994-1995 Budget Adjustments and Future Funding Sources and Alternatives (Report R-94-80) After a discussion centering around the issues regarding the necessity of holding a special study session on August 3, 1994, no special meeting was scheduled. R. McKibbin noted that the Administration and Budget Committee should meet to review budget adjusting and funding related items prior to their presentation to the full Board. VIII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS C. Britton and P. Siemens reported to the Board their acceptance of a resolution from the City of Mountain View thanking the District for its support for Deer Hollow Farm. C. Britton reported that he would be writing Patrick Sanchez, San Mateo County's Parks and Recreation Director to thank him for hosting the July 7 joint meeting. C. Britton reported that the District has received a grant for $325,000 for Devil's Canyon and the county received $230,000 for Jacques Ridge from the Proposition 117 grant program for wildlife habitat. R. Anderson reported that he anticipates the resource management policies will be presented to the Board in September. He said the Dog Committee would be reviewing the dog research program and related report in August. Meeting 94-20 Page 5 J. Escobar reported there had been 6 accidents at Rancho San Antonio, Fremont Older and Monte Bello Open Space Preserves. He reported on the use of radar on preserves. He said that recruiting will begin in the fall for the Volunteer Trail Patrol to increase the patrol to 50 and noted that the District is receiving positive feedback on the ranger bike patrol. IX. REVISED CLAIMS B. Crowder questioned item 6187 for the amount of$1,500 to Greenbelt Alliance for membership to the Bay Area Open Space Council. M. Smith explained council's purpose and the benefit of the District's membership. Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board approve Revised Claims 94-14. R. McKibbin seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0. P. Siemens announced the necessity to appoint a Secretary Pro Tempore. Director Hanko volunteered to act as Secretary Pro Tempore for the July 27, 1994 meeting. X. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 P.M. Susan Dale Recording Secretary ------- - - - - Claims No. 94-14 Meeting 94-20 Date: July 27, 1994 REVISED MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT # Amount Name Description 6162 275.00 Aaron's Septic Tank Service Sanitation Services 6163 13.53 Ace Fire Equipment&Service Company Equipment Supplies 8164 670.84 Acme&Sons Sanitation, Inc. Sanitation Services 6165 93.20 Randy Anderson Reimbursement--Local Meeting Expense and Private Vehicle Expense 6166 43.58 Artech Laminating Laminating 6167 207.04 AT&T Service Agreement 6168 355.73 Bruce Barton Pump Service, Inc. Water Tank Hookup 6169 151.55 Best Sanitation Sanitation Services 6170 31.25 Black Mountain Spring Water Water Service 6171 9,800.00 Louis Bordi Road Grading and Driving Instructions 6172 700.00 Building Abatement Analytics Consulting Services 6173 287.38 California Water Service Company Water Service 6174 157.07 Clarl(s Auto Parts/Machine Shop Vehicle Parts 6175 92.03 Sheryl Cochran Private Vehicle Expense 6176 210.84 Communication&Control, Inc.. Utilities 6177 55.00 Patrick Congdon Reimbursement--Permits 6178 28.11 Crest Copies, Inc. Bluelines 6179 530.87 Davidson Chevrolet Vehicle Repairs 6180 105.00 Evergreen Environmental Services Waste Oil Removal 6181 54.83 Jean Fiddes Private Vehicle Expense 6182 12.10 Foster Bros.Security Systems, Inc. Keys 6183 516.91 Gardenland Power Equipment Equipment and Repairs 6184 118.29 GI Trucking Company Chemical Transport Fees 6185 58.57 G & K Services Shop Towel Service 6186 273.39 Goodco Press, Inc. Printing 6187 1,500.00 Greenbelt Alliance Membership--Bay Area Open Space Council 6188 419.03 Mary Gundert Reimbursement--Permits and Private Vehicle Expense 6189 213.58 Hawkins Traffic Safety Supply Sign Posts IIII 6190 404.22 Home Depot Field Supplies 6191 225.94 Honda Peninsula Equipment Repair 6192 37.83 Hotsy Bay Area Field Supplies 6193 55.20 Hyster Sales Equipment Repair 6194 140.11 Travis Jensen Reimbursement--Field Supplies 6195 2,332.79 Jeda Publications Brochure Printing 6196 64.05 Kaiser Cement Corporation Base Rock 6197 56.98 Keeble&Shuchat Photography Film and Developing 6198 30.29 John Kowaleski Reimbursement--Uniform Expense 6199 100.00 La Honda Vista Water Company Water Service 6200 1,000.00 Levinson Associates Training 6201 75.00 Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce Mailing Labels 6202 882.86 Los Altos Garbage Company Dumpster Rental 6203 478.09 Brian Malone Reimbursement--Fire Training 6204 239.23 McGrath RentCorp Skyline Office Rental 6205 251.95 Minton's Lumber& Supply Field Supplies 6206 1,004.41 Monogram Sanitation Sanitation Supplies Page 1 Claims No. 94-14 Maoting CIA-20 Date: July 27, 1994 REVISED MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT # Amount Name Description 6207 10,000.00 J. Moore Methods Public Opinion Survey 6208 1,320.15 National Mailing Services Postage and Handling 6209 19.50 NetCom On-Line Service 6210 778.79 Noble Ford Vehicle Parts and Repairs 6211 24.28 Norney's of Mountain View Office Supplies 6212 61.18 Northern Energy Propane Fuel 6213 436.30 Office Depot Office Supplies 6214 360.00 Rachel Oppedahl Consulting Services 6215 268.83 Orchard Supply Hardware Field Supplies 6216 1,588.32 Pacific Bell Telephone Service 6217 114.07 Peninsula Blueprint, Inc. Bluelines and Photocopying 6218 1,000.00 Postage by Phone Postage 6219 16.07 Precision Engravers, Inc Name Badges 6220 2,580.00 Precision Works, Inc. Asbestos Abatement 6221 224.14 Rabbit Copiers, Inc. Equipment Repair 6222 32.50 Rayne Water Conditioning Water Service 6223 100.00 Redwood City Chamber of Commerce Mailing Labels 6224 184.54 REI Uniform Expense 6225 108.92 Roto Rooter Sewer Service Restroom Repairs 6226 954.59 Rich's Tire Service Vehicle Tires and Repairs 6227 58.44 Royal Brass Inc. Equipment Parts 6228 3,494.59 Roy's Repair Service Vehicle Maintenance and Repairs 6229 120.31 S&W Equipment Company Equipment Repairs 6230 159.18 Safety Kleen Solvent Tank Service 6231 1,323.84 Santa Clara County Sheriffs Department Patrol Service 6232 200.00 E. R. Sheehan Equipment Rental 6233 1,108.91 John Shelton, Inc. Culverts 6234 1,432.93 Signs of the Times Signs 6235 134.00 SJCVB/Joey Awards Awards Program Entry Fee 6236 179.20 Skyline County Water District Water Service 6237 360.28 Smith Equipment Equipment Repair 6238 1,063.48 Jana Sokale Consulting Services 6239 233.82 Specialty Truck Parts, Inc. Field Equipment 6240 140.51 Summit Uniforms Uniform Expense 6241 41.00 Sunnyvale Medical Clinic Medical Services 6242 164.19 3E Engineering Consulting Services 6243 448.81 TransCom Radio Repairs 6244 63.50 University Art Drafting Supplies 6245 16.59 Unocal Fuel 6246 589.70 Whitmore, Johnson & Bolanos Legal Services 6247 38.35 The Workingman's Emporium Uniform Expense 6248 117.54 Yardbird Equipment Field Equipment 6249 300.00 Joan Young Reimbursement--Conference Registration 6250 1,650.00 • Navarone Industries Postage for Spanish Newsletter 6251 4,634.70 Gould Architects Consulting Services-Mt. Umunhum 6252 241.35 Petty Cash Office and Field Supplies, Docent and Volunteer Expenses, Local and Out- of-Town Meeting Expenses, Postage, and Private Vehicle Expense *Urgent check issued on July 21, 1994. Page 2 ---------- - - - - Claims No. 94-14 Moatino did-20 Date: July 27, 1994 REVISED MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT # Amount Name Description 6207 10,000.00 J. Moore Methods Public Opinion Survey 6208 1,320.15 National Mailing Services Postage and Handling 6209 19.50 NetCom On-Line Service 6210 778.79 Noble Ford Vehicle Parts and Repairs 6211 24.28 Norney's of Mountain View Office Supplies 6212 61.18 Northern Energy Propane Fuel 6213 436.30 Office Depot Office Supplies 6214 360.00 Rachel Oppedahl Consulting Services 6215 268.83 Orchard Supply Hardware Field Supplies 6216 1,588.32 Pacific Bell Telephone Service 6217 114.07 Peninsula Blueprint, Inc. Bluelines and Photocopying 6218 1,000.00 Postage by Phone Postage 6219 16.07 Precision Engravers, Inc Name Badges 6220 2,580.00 Precision Works, Inc. Asbestos Abatement 6221 224.14 Rabbit Copiers, Inc. Equipment Repair 6222 32.50 Rayne Water Conditioning Water Service 6223 100.00 Redwood City Chamber of Commerce Mailing Labels 6224 184.54 RE[ Uniform Expense 6225 108.92 Roto Rooter Sewer Service Restroom Repairs 6226 954.59 Rich's Tire Service Vehicle Tires and Repairs 6227 58.44 Royal Brass Inc. Equipment Parts 6228 3,494.59 Roy's Repair Service Vehicle Maintenance and Repairs 6229 120.31 S&W Equipment Company Equipment Repairs 6230 159.18 Safety Kleen Solvent Tank Service 6231 1,323.84 Santa Clara County Sheriffs Department Patrol Service 6232 200.00 E. R. Sheehan Equipment Rental 6233 1,108.91 John Shelton, Inc. Culverts 6234 1,432.93 Signs of the Times Signs 6235 134.00 SJCVB/Joey Awards Awards Program Entry Fee 6236 179.20 Skyline County Water District Water Service 6237 360.28 Smith Equipment Equipment Repair 6238 1,063.48 Jana Sokale Consulting Services 6239 233.82 Specialty Truck Parts, Inc. Field Equipment 6240 140.51 Summit Uniforms Uniform Expense 6241 41.00 Sunnyvale Medical Clinic Medical Services 6242 164.19 3E Engineering Consulting Services 6243 448.81 TransCom Radio Repairs 6244 63.50 University Art Drafting Supplies 6245 16.59 Unocal Fuel 6246 589.70 Whitmore, Johnson& Bolanos Legal Services 6247 38.35 The Workingman's Emporium Uniform Expense 6248 117.54 Yardbird Equipment Field Equipment 6249 300.00 Joan Young Reimbursement--Conference Registration 6250 1,650.00 Navarone Industries Postage for Spanish Newsletter 6251 4,634.70 Gould Architects Consulting Services-Mt. Umunhum 6252 241.35 Petty Cash Office and Field Supplies, Docent and Volunteer Expenses, Local and Out- of-Town Meeting Expenses, Postage, and Private Vehicle Expense *Urgent check issued on July 21, 1994. Page 2 --- --------- ,;Iaims No. 94-14 Meeting 94-20 Date: July 27, 1994 REVISED MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT # Amount Name Description 6162 275.00 Aaron's Septic Tank Service Sanitation Services 6163 13.53 Ace Fire Equipment&Service Company Equipment Supplies 6164 670.84 Acme&Sons Sanitation, Inc. Sanitation Services 6165 93.20 Randy Anderson Reimbursement--Local Meeting Expense and Private Vehicle Expense 6166 43.58 Artech Laminating Laminating 6167 207.04 AT&T Service Agreement 6168 355.73 Bruce Barton Pump Service, Inc. Water Tank Hookup 6169 151.55 Best Sanitation Sanitation Services 6170 31.25 Black Mountain Spring Water Water Service 6171 9,800.00 Louis Bordi Road Grading and Driving Instructions 6172 700.00 Building Abatement Analytics Consulting Services 6173 287.38 California Water Service Company Water Service 6174 157.07 ClarWs Auto Parts/Machine Shop Vehicle Parts 6175 92.03 Sheryl Cochran Private Vehicle Expense 6176 210.84 Communication &Control, Inc.. Utilities 6177 55.00 Patrick Congdon Reimbursement--Permits 6178 28.11 Crest Copies, Inc. Bluelines 6179 530.87 Davidson Chevrolet Vehicle Repairs 6180 105.00 Evergreen Environmental Services Waste Oil Removal 6181 54.83 Jean Fiddes Private Vehicle Expense 6182 12.10 Foster Bros.Security Systems, Inc. Keys 6183 516.91 Gardenland Power Equipment Equipment and Repairs 6184 118.29 GI Trucking Company Chemical Transport Fees 6185 58.57 G & K Services Shop Towel Service 6186 273.39 Goodco Press, Inc. Printing 6187 1,500.00 Greenbelt Alliance Membership--Bay Area Open Space Council 6188 419.03 Mary Gundert Reimbursement--Permits and Private Vehicle Expense 6189 213.58 Hawkins Traffic Safety Supply Sign Posts 6190 404.22 Home Depot Field Supplies 6191 225.94 Honda Peninsula Equipment Repair 6192 37.83 Hotsy Bay Area Field Supplies 6193 55.20 Hyster Sales Equipment Repair 6194 140.11 Travis Jensen Reimbursement--Field Supplies 6195 2,332.79 Jeda Publications Brochure Printing 6196 64.05 Kaiser Cement Corporation Base Rock 6197 56.98 Keeble& Shuchat Photography Film and Developing 6198 30.29 John Kowaleski Reimbursement--Uniform Expense 6199 100.00 La Honda Vista Water Company Water Service 6200 1,000.00 Levinson Associates Training 6201 75.00 Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce Mailing Labels 6202 882.86 Los Altos Garbage Company Dumpster Rental 6203 478.09 Brian Malone Reimbursement--Fire Training 6204 239.23 McGrath RentCorp Skyline Office Rental 6205 251.95 Minton's Lumber&Supply Field Supplies 6206 1,004.41 Monogram Sanitation Sanitation Supplies i Meeting 94-22 Page two I Motion: R. McKibbin moved that the Board adopt Resolution 94-30, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Authorizing g Y Unopposed Not Listing An Uno sed Candidates for Election on the November 8, 1994 Ballots of San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, and/or j Santa Cruz County. B. Crowder seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. Director Siemens was not present for the vote. V. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:37 P.M. Jean H. Fiddes District Clerk I i I I i I i I I •, I I i i I II i I I I I Open Space Z 4 REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT l '6 1 41161--Gl) i Meeting 94-22 SPECIAL MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS August 16, 1994 MINUTES I. ROLL CALL President Ginny Babbitt called the meeting to order at 6:31'P.M. Members Present: Pete Siemens, Teena Henshaw, Wim de Wit, Robert McKibbin, Ginny Babbitt and Betsy Crowder. Member Absent: Nonette Hanko. Staff Present: Craig Britton, Jean Fiddes, and John Escobar. II. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were no oral communications. III. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C. Britton noted there were no changes to the agenda. G. Babbitt said the agenda was i adopted by Board consensus. IV. BOARD BUSINESS Determination of Whether to List Any Unonyosed Candidates on the November 8, 1994 Ballot =rt R-94-M J. Fiddes reviewed the staff report noting that the Board had the option not to list any unopposed candidates on the Novembex 8 ballot. She said Director Hanko in Ward 5 was the only unopposed candidate at this time and noted that election costs for Ward 5 were estimated to be $10,000. Harry Haeussler, 1094 Highland Circle, Los Altos, said unopposed candidates should be listed on the ballot so that members of the public could be aware of who the candidate was. He expressed his opposition to opting not to list any unopposed candidates on the ballot. i Directors McKibbin and de Wit spoke in favor of the resolution, citing the financial impact of listing unopposed candidates on the ballot. i `330 Distel Circle • Los Altos, California 94022-1404 • Phone:415-691-1200 FAX: 415-691-0485 t Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Robert,'AcKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Ginny Babbitt,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit II RESPONSE ACTION PROPOSED BY STAFF j Board President Acknowledge/Respond Director Acknowledge/despond i Staff Acknowledge/Respond Draft Response Attached Staff to be Directed to P:epare Draft Response for Board Consideration per Board Directives) August 11 , 1994 No Response Necessary Board of Directors MROSD 330 Distel Circle I Los Altos,CA 94022 ' I I It has come to my attention that some people are entering in j or remaining in the district open space preserves after the i closing time of the open spaces . i I I question whether this after hours use is to be sanctioned i by you, or whether you intend to curtail this illegal use of i the open space preserves? I If you intend to curtail this illegal use, you must provide your rangers with adequate tools to perform their duties . i To this end I propose that you furnish your rangers with at least two ( 2 ) pair of night vision binoculars. I have seen these items available in sporting catalogs, and most reasonably priced are Russian in origin. Russian surplus, so to say. I Harry H. Haeussler, Jr. 1094 Highland Circle Los Altos , CA 94024 I I I I I I i I f �� '� i ', 1 t Open Space MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT DRAFT RESPONSE PREPARED BY STAFF FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION Harry H. Haeussle'r, Jr. 1094 Highland Circle Los Altos, CA 94024 Dear Harry: Thank you for your August 11, 1994 letter regarding after-hours use on District open space preserves. The District's Board of Directors reviewed your comments at our Regular Meeting last night. Generally, after-hours use is prohibited. However, the District issues permits for docent-led night hikes sponsored by the District. Our rangers patrol the preserves at night on a daily basis, and issue many citations for after- hours violations. Because of the increase in unauthorized nighttime use, staff is researching night vision binoculars.- Funding for such binoculars may be included in the 1995-1996 fiscal year budget. We would appreciate it if you would report any illegal use of open space preserves as soon as you are aware of it. Our 24-hour dispatch number is (415) 968- 4411. Sincerely, Ginny Babbitt President, Board of Directors GB/CRB/cb cc: Board of Directors 330 Distel Circle Los Altos, California 94022-1404 Phone: 415-691-1200 • FAX: 415-691-0485 Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Robert M(Kibbin,I cena Renshaw,(;itif w Babbitt,Nonette HAW,Betsy Crowder,Wini de Wit AUG,-- P-94 111; 1-3 09 L/S RESPONSE ACTION PROPOSED BY STAFF Board President Acknowledge/Respond Director Acknowledge/Respond Staff Acknowledge/Respond August 1, 1994 Draft Response Attached p, be Dir:ctedtoPrpre Draft IS::ff.to Board Consideration per Midpeninsuia Regional Open SpAce DiStriDt Hoard ;:r:ctil� 3) 2-01 San Antonio Circle No Response Necessary Mountain View, CA 94040 t VIA rAX 415 691-0485 RF-, Fremont Older Open Space Preserve Road Agreement Dear Directors. in 1973,your agency acquired the above teferencod property. After many years(9), division Ol Ts. I was signed in 1982, That fecoqnIzed a III a road agroomen `rI)js letter is requesting Midpeninsula Regional )pen Space District to approve a hs. I'his, is based upon the increase of now formula based upon 10!s instead of 7 t the years. item #8 of the agreement public use of the preserve over t states 'Any party at any time may request in wrWng a wmf rencP Of Oil Parties to feview road usage figures and individual cost shares.li We therefore requ9st Item#4 be amended to this f0f MUla: MHOSP MO Stuckey 1/10 Levine - I110 Harris 11110 Currently 1 140SP share is 411 ths. Since acquisition in 1973 the Park District tjas ex pent W: 1982 $3,654 $3,450 for culvert is considered capital improvement 6 year wait 1988 $3,484 eryear average) t7,138($33 P re()Wirr,are needed Thank you for your consideration of this amendrflOn't Sincerely, Zda&Steve Stuckey P.0, Box I 115 Cupertino,CA 95015 I I Open Spare t MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT DRAFT RESPONSE PREPARED BY STAFF FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION Mr. and Mrs. Steve Stuckey P.O. Box 1115 Cupertino, CA 95015 Dear Mr. and Mrs. Stuckey: Thank you for your August 1, 1994 letter regarding the current road maintenance agreement for Fremont Older Open Space Preserve. At our Regular Meeting last night, the District's Board of Directors reviewed your request to change the cost sharing for road maintenance. We understand that you and the other participants in the road agreement have met with John Escobar, Operations Manager, and Annette Coleman, Area Superintendent, to discuss alternatives to the current agreement. Maintaining a good relationship with neighboring property owners is important to us.. We encourage you to work with our staff to develop an amended agreement that addresses your concerns and meets the approval of the other neighbors. Sincerely, t Ginny Babbitt President, Board of Directors GB/JE/cb cc: Board of Directors I I I I I I I "I I 330 Distel Circle Los Altos, California 94022-1404 Phone: 415-691-1200 FAX:415-691-0485 I Board ofO rectors:Pete Siemens,Robert M(Kibbin,Teena Iicwh w,('pinny Babbitt,Nonette Ilanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit i RESPONSE ACTION PROPOSED BY STAFF Board President Acknov ledge/Respond Director Acknowledge/Respond Staff Acknowledge/Respond I 1 August 1994 Draft Response Attached Staff to be Directed to Prepare Draft Response for Board Consideration per Board Directiv a(a) Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District No Response Necessary 330 Distel Circle Los Altos, CA 94022 Gentlepeople: My husband and I use the MROSD parks very heavily. Last Saturday we were at Skyline Ridge which is one of our favorites. It is quite noticeable that most of the area must have been forested in oaks and fir at one time. I run 5-6 days a week at Rancho San Antonio and have noticed that trees have been planted,but most have not survived,probably due to being overtaken by weeds and lack of water. Would it be possible to start an"adopt a tree"campaign? Ask people to donate for the purchase of a tree and the wire to protect above and below. The person would plant the tree and water, say once a month during the dry months. Perhaps corporations could donate towards purchase of supplies. Especially at Rancho,many of the quercus' are very old and will die soon. If there is not successful planting in the fields soon,there will be no trees. Anyway,this is just a suggestion and a great way to get the community involved. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Ma a Johnson 1215 Arthur Court Los Altos, CA 94024 415-961-3810(hm)/415-855-5433 (wk) i i i i AG 0 3199 i i i i I I I Open Space MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT DRAFT RESPONSE PREPARED BY STAFF FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION Marcia Johnson 1215 Arthur Court Los Altos, CA 94024 Dear Ms. Johnson: Thank you for your August 1, 1994 letter suggesting that the District start an "adapt-a- tree" program. At our Regular Meeting last night, the District's Board of Directors reviewed your comments. We appreciate your interest in planting trees. The District has an active group of volunteers called Preserve Partners, who participate in a variety of resource management projects on open space preserves. During the past year, Preserve Partners have planted over 100 native trees at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve. Staff and volunteers are maintaining a nursery at the preserve and have built-protective cages around the oak seedlings. Although a volunteer is watering the trees, we need more help with watering. Typically, survival rates in reforestation projects in our area are low. The volunteers have over-planted to compensate for this. Some of,the newly planted trees are buckeyes, which lose their leaves and look dead during the summer. Enclosed is a brochure about Our volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in joining the Preserve Partners, please call the District's Volunteer Coordinator, Joan Young, at (415) 691-1200. We need people like you to get involved in helping to preserve open space. Sincerely, Ginny Babbitt President, Board of Directors GB/CRB/cb Enclosure cc: Board of Directors 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos, California 94022-1404 Phone: 415-691-1200 FAX: 415-691-0485 0) Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,RohefI M<Kibbin,Ieena Renshaw,(nny Babbitt,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit Ir RESPONSE ACTION PROPOSED BY STAFF Board President Acknowledge/Respond Director Acknowledge/Respond Staff Acknowledge/Respond Draft Response Attached Staff to be Direcd to Prepare Draft Respan sc for te Soard Consideration per l/�.17 Ll!/�7/ Board Directives) i go Response Necessary a,oC urad �e� dry yo o rri�CoC �i Yid a i l C,l ok-Ot *a S ha tc-2- bU,4 Sou. , ' ' laU.er r;c,d�- If2occc�l Ito( �1ci13u 0 ac.e Gin r41 ryv, t-/G(vs call J 4u `' ?2r l l T� !. �iS IS p,n.o�l.er in.rfance. 0� G.✓t aCGc.�c.�,�' �noC in C.lai u'-u Sam. 4u Y rrt,)W f;j br lct r � � In (J n eSpru ce sire Ou � G�L.l rn , •2<< I rD&d 9✓a.rt&, �c '1�'a h a "I lrc,.t f 4YZA� -d. _PAt/t a/-t- many avwi av; bikers who, 1(-k.- wv, e CAA)�J,,AV, C IC C)W IV apt ��; 600-tl-0 I. We- WO vu clp�ore c,ra�--k. CSC C j f 4u- 0)"S' h-i�f-'�s 12t�--k ! c,�t at.� trI'f1.cr' nM -.��,a-cot WteS Wf_ 6L UOVwrol c�c.c�e S. lac. I -t- t�Rm � �Iso wi l( J►�� wf mat- ��!s c�wC rea.l�e n e rLm p6?C"-'4jUA r-idt.c into 4 ne motel excQ,cvu PLc.aK r-" an auf t r►-1� La•..d, 1KC4u� �i ( 7 �Glncx lea - at El C�r-�e i1'Z�(.Gra` a d lie ,y 'F JUL 2 7199 I I I i I j i I I j i Open Space MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT DRAFT RESPONSE PREPARED BY STAFF FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION Cathy Vance 20911 Locust Drive Los Gatos, CA 95030 Dear Ms. Vance: Thank you for your July 26, 1994 letter regarding bicycle trails at Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. At our Regular Meeting last night, the District's Board of Directors reviewed Your comments. The District has not closed to bicyclists any designated trails in the Priest Rock Road area. The Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department manages the lands immediately above Alma Bridge Road, including the last mile of the Priest Rock Trail. The barriers you described in your letter may have been constructed by the county. However, when our staff discovers unauthorized routes that have been developed through off-trail use, the routes will be blocked. These unauthorized trails are not maintained or sanctioned by the District for any public use. The District offers mountain bicyclists more access to trails than any other agency in the area. Although we understand your desire for challenging trails for experienced riders, the primary purpose of the District is to protect natural resources and wildlife habitat. We are responsible for providing safe trails for all preserve visitors, as well as preventing erosion and damage to open space resources. The District is working to resolve trail conflicts; we want multiple-use trails to be successful. We hope you will help us by encouraging others to be considerate when using the trails. Staff will add your name to the District's trail use mailing list, and notify you of future meetings regarding trail use issues. We welcome your participation. Sincerely, Ginny Babbitt President, Board of Directors GB/CRB/cb cc: Board of Directors 330 Distel Circle - Los Altos, California 94022-1404 Phone: 415-691-1200 FAX: 415-691-0485 q) Board of Oire(tors:Pete Siemens,Robert M(Kihbin,Teena I fenslww.(Ontiv B.ibbitt,Nonelte Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wien de Wit ■ o RESPONSE ACTION PROPOSED BY STAFF (� \ Board President Acknowledge/Respond a vv� Director Acknowledge/Respond Staff Acknowledge/Respond v Draft Response Attached C:S�,� JQS� Staff to be Directed to Prepare Draft Response for Boazd Cons SLe rat Son per Board Direccive(a) No Response Necessary 40C240-' d111,14 / U 1 s�)0��,)vOle A-n 447' J /067f 6vAzI i �� Open Space --------------- MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT DRAFT RESPONSE PREPARED BY STAFF FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION B. Mai 1729 Topeka Avenue San Jose, CA 95126 Dear B. Mai: Thank you for your July 24, 1994 letter regarding bicyclists at Sierra AM Open Space Preserve. At our Regular Meeting last night, the District's Board of Directors reviewed your letter. Your comments are important; they help us identify potential trail use problem areas. We are sorry you had an unfortunate experience, and are glad you were not injured. It is important for our ranger staff to document such incidents. We would appreciate it if you would call the Foothills Ranger Office at (415) 691-2165 and file a report on your near-miss accident. The District wants to accommodate a variety of trail users, including hikers, runners, bicyclists, and equestrians. Unfortunately, some people are less courteous than others. We are concerned about the safety of all preserve visitors, and are trying to reduce conflicts on District trails. Volunteers and staff are distributing a trail etiquette brochure, we have established a 15 MPH speed limit for bicycles, rangers are patrolling on bicycles, and we have an active volunteer trail patrol program. Our rangers have spent hundreds of hours using radar to educate trail users throughout the District. We are using radar on a trial basis and will evaluate its effectiveness at the end of this year. We believe that multiple-use trails can work. As trail users become better informed, we expect to see a reduction in trail conflicts in the future. In the meantime, we have asked the ranger staff to increase the frequency of radar use in the Kennedy Road area. Staff will add your name to the District's trail use mailing list, and notify you of future meetings regarding trail use issues. We welcome and encourage your participation. Sincerely, Ginny Babbitt President, Board of Directors GB/CRB/cb cc: Board of Directors 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos, California 94022-1404 Phone: 415-691-1200 FAX: 415-691-0485 Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Robert Mc Kibbin,Teena HenOmw,("it my Babbitt,Nanette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit I i Open Space 1 1 R-94-87 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 94-23 August 24, 1994 AGENDA ITEM Consideration and Approval of Fiscal Year 1994-1995 g Budget Reductions and Augmentations I GENERAL MANAGER'S 1. Approve the filling of the currently vacant full-time position of real property representative, one of the two vacant secretarial positions, and the filling of a new full-time ranger position. 2. Approve the budget adjustments presented in this report, totalling an overall reduction in operating expenses of$265,950. 2. Adopt the attached resolution approving the budget adjustments for the 1994-1995 fiscal year. • BACKGROUND At your meeting of March 23 1994, you adopted the proposed budget of$19,228,400 for the 1994-1995 fiscal year see its R-94-34 R- 4-2 and 9 8 . As noted when the proposed Y � � ) P Po budget was initially presented for review at your March 9 meeting, the initial 1994-1995 budget was prepared without knowing the outcome of the state's budget deliberations and the June election results for �roposition 180. Because of Proposition 180's failure and thd uncertainty that still remains regarding what the legislature may do in January with the state budget, allocation of funds for the 1994-1995 fiscal year continues to be approached very I � conservatively. I i The proposed amended 1994-1995 budget represents a net reduction of$265,950 in the District's current operating expense budget of$5,530,400. This represents a 4.8% reduction in operating expenses. For the purposes of this report, operating expenses includes facilities costs and capital improvement projects. DISCUSSION - The Administration and Budget Committee (Directors McKibbin, Henshaw, and Siemens) met on Tuesday, August 16 to review with staff the 1994-1995 budget reductions and augmentations discussed in this report. By consensus, the committee stated that the reduction and augmentation items should be forwarded to the full Board for approval. The proposed reductions and augmentations are as follows for each of the five District programs. Program managers will verbally review the proposed adjustments at your August i 24 meeting. For the purposes of this report, operating expenses include salaries and I 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos, California 94022-1404 • Phone: 415-691-1200 • FAX:415-691-0485 Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Robert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Ginny Babbitt,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit I I -------- - - - - - R-94-87 Page 2 benefits, services and supplies, and fixed asset expenditures. Facilities costs and capital improvement projects are included in these major categories. 1Qp n paceAcaw'siti n Program/Enterprise Subprogram Budget Adjustments Proposed adjustments total a net reduction of$95,950, reducing the program's current $606,350 operating budget to $510,400. This represents a 15.8% reduction in the program's operating budget. The adjustments break down as follows: Utilities - 330 Distel $ 20700 Salaries and Benefits (37,250) Legal Fees (40,000) Leased Area Tenant Improvements (19,000) Planning Contracting (500) Contract Services (500) Maps (100) Meeting Expenses (300) Private Vehicle Expenses (1,000) TOTAL ($95,950) The real property representative position in this program is vacant and the Board is asked to approve the filling of this full-time position. In light of the District's funding situation, staff is recommending that the full-time position of land acquisition manager remain vacant. In addition, it is proposed that the acquisition and planning departments share one secretary. Board approval for this shared secretarial position is also requested. 2) Operations Program Budget Adjustments Proposed adjustments total a net reduction of$75,400, reducing the program's current $2,356,000 operating budget to $2,280,600. This represents a 3.2% reduction in the program's operating budget. The adjustments break down as follows: Sal and Benefit Adjustments (including funding $ 7,500 �'Y J ( g g for staffing at Deer Hollow Farm) Rancho Phone and Alarm System 10,000 Insurance Premium Adjustments (24,700) Sheriffs Patrol (1,000) Equipment Rental (11000) Professional Conferences (1,000) Fire Tools (600) Structure Repairs ( 11000) Heater at Rancho Annex ( 5,500) Road Repair (Loma Almaden) (40,000) Volunteer Uniforms (300) Skyline Phone System ( 5,800) Second Equipment Mechanic-Operator (12,000) i TOTAL ($75,400) R-94-87 Page 3 Staff is recommending that the second full-time equipment mechanic-operator position not be filled in the 1994-1995 fiscal year; the position was funded to begin in January 1995. It would be prudent to delay the filling of this position in order to measure it against other budget priorities when preparing the 1995-1996 budget. However, it is recommended that the Board approve the filling of the additional ranger position that is included in the 1994- 1995 budget. This additional ranger will be assigned to the Skyline area to address needs created by increased public use, the implementation of trail use guidelines, and the increased demands on the staff to represent the District at off-site community events. i The $40,000 in the 1994-1995 budget for Loma Almaden Road repairs is included as a reduction since it is unlikely that a neighborhood road maintenance agreement will be finalized in time for road work to be completed this fiscal year. I The proposed $10,000 adjustment for the phone and alarm systems at the Rancho San Antonio field office results from the vendors involved not billing the District in time to incur the costs against the 1993-1994 budget. These items were funded, purchased, and installed during the 1993-1994 fiscal year. 3) Planning Program Budget Adjustments Proposed adjustments total a net reduction of$143,650, reducing the program's current $1,420,850 operating budget (including capital improvement projects) to $1,277,200. This represents a 10.1% reduction and the adjustments break down as follows: El Corte de Madera Dump Cleanup Plan $ 5,000 Jones Trail Reopening (reimbursable) 20,000 Salary and Benefit Adjustments (13,350) j El Corte de Madera Parking Plan - Consulting (10,000) Fremont Older Parking Plan - Consulting (5,000) Monte Bello South Parking Lot Plan - Consulting (51000) Master Plan - Mt. Umunhum - Consulting (5,000) Nature Center Interior - Consulting (8,000) Nature Center Interior - Structure (reimbursable) (24,000) Pulgas Ridge Parking Area (Edmonds Road) (25,000) Foothills Park Connector Trail (10,000) Russian Ridge Loop Trail (LWCF) - reimbursable (2,000) Russian Ridge Nature Trail (Prop 70) - reimbursable (6,000) Skyline Ridge Dump Cleanup (5,000) Pulgas Ridge Sewer Plant Demolition (50,000) TOTAL ($143,650) An additional $5,000 is proposed for services to complete an investigation of the dump at El Corte de Madera Open Space Preserve to prepare for removal of the material. Staff may be able to apply for a grant to pay for 50% of the engineering and removal costs. Including the additional funds, this portion of the project is expected to cost $15,000. An additional j $20,000 is proposed to complete grading and fencing requirements for reopening the old Jones Trail at St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserve. These additional costs result from the i R-94-87 Page 4 inability of the Town of Los Gatos to participate financially. The additional costs, which bring the project's total to $40,000, are anticipated to be reimbursed through payments to be received from the Caltrans oak mitigation project. Reductions in capital improvement items include projects that cannot be completed this year due to delays in permits and agreements from other parties, projects that will be under budget, and projects that will be delayed due to shifts in priorities or workload. The primary reason for the reduction in the salary and benefits category is the sharing of a secretary with the acquisition department, rather than having a full-time planning department secretary. 4) Public Affairs Program Proposed adjustments total a net increase of$75,700, increasing the program's current $321,000 operating budget to $396,700. This represents a 23.6% increase in the program's operating budget. The adjustments break down as follows: Printing of New District Visitors Map $49,000 Distribution of New District Visitors Map 36,000 Benefit Adjustments (1,300) Annual Report (2,500) Professional Services (5,000) Professional Conferences (500) TOTAL $75,700 The mailing of a new District visitors map to each household in the District was discussed during the 1994-1995 budget preparation process. Due to the cost of such a printing and mailing, the Administration and Budget Committee and the Board decided to accept it as a contingency item, subject to final approval of the expenditure by the committee and the Board. Mailing a new visitors map is the most efficient means of informing constituents of the District's stewardship of their open space lands and the use of their property tax dollars. It is also an important component in reaching the objective of providing the District message to geographical areas that may not have been reached by other means. At an estimated cost of about 31-cents per household (printing and mailing), it is an extremely cost-effective method of distributing information. It will reach individuals who already know and use District lands, but more importantly, those who have heard of, but really don't know about the District, and those who do not know about the District. Virtually all of our constituents will be reached. At a minimum, the result of such a mailing will be an increased level of District name recognition and differentiation, both of which are on-going objectives. Depending on the timing of the mailing, it may have an impact on visitor usage and a resulting impact on management of the land. A draft of the proposed District visitors map will be shown to the Board at the August 24 meeting. R-94-87 Page 5 5) Administration Program Budget Adjustments Proposed adjustments total a net reduction of$26,650, reducing the program's current $826,200 operating budget to $799,550. This represents a 26.7% reduction in the program's operating budget. The adjustments breakdown as follows: Utilities - 330 Distel $ 2,000 Salary and Benefit Adjustments 4,250 Photocopier (lease rather than purchase) (23,800) General Manager's Office Furniture (2,000) Insurance (1,800) Computer Software (500) Training and Seminars (2,000) Professional Conferences (2,000) TOTAL ($26,650) The program's adjustments include additional reception coverage two afternoons per week. A copy of the 1994-1995 budget is attached showing the adjustments, followed by the resolution being presented to you for adoption. Prepared by: L. Craig Britton, General Manager Jean Fiddes, Administrative Services Manager John Escobar, Operations Manager Randy Anderson, Planning Manager Malcolm Smith, Public Affairs Manager Contact person: L. Craig Britton, General Manager Jean Fiddes, Administrative Services Manager MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Amended Budget for Fiscal Year 1994-1995 I. REVENUES A. Tax Revenues $ 10,140,000 B. Grant Income 81,000 C. Interest Income 390,000 D. Rental Income 423,000 E. Sale of Surplus Property 2,500,000 F. Other Income 50,000 TOTAL INCOME $ 13,584,000 NET PROCEEDS FROM NOTE ISSUE 4,875, TOTAL INCOME PLUS FINANCING $ 18,459,000 DECREASE IN RESERVES :769,4 503,450) EXPENDITURES A. Debt Services 1. Interest $ 3,384,760 2. Principal 2,463.24 DEBT SERVICE SUBTOTAL $ 5,848,000 B. Salaries 1. General Manager Appointees $ 2�158,9 2)135,700 2. Salary Incentive Awards 21,300 3. General Manager 86,000 4. Legal Counsel 47,000 5. Controller 7,900 Benefits 1. General Manager Appointees $ 634,500 605,250 2. General Manager 22,500 C. Directors' Fees $ 27,000 SALARIES AND BENEFITS SUBTOTAL $ 3,005,1 2,952,650 R-94-87 E. Services & Supplies 1. Legal Services $ 23,000 2. Regular Outside Services 56,300 3. Contract Services 363,4 333,400 4. Election/Annexation 101,000 5. Library and Subscriptions 2,850 6. Rents and Leases 11,488 10,400 7. Utilities 471298 61,100 8. Postage 39,158 75,150 9. Printing and Duplicating 13,500 10. Insurance 119's8 1129200 11. Advertising 9;888 4,800 12. Maps and Aerials +-,N)0 1,100 13. Private Vehicle Expense 44,9 13,900 14. District Vehicle Expense i5h 131,800 15. Business Meeting Expense 10,1 9,800 16. Personnel Development 47,858 42,350 17. Maintenance/Repair Equipment 17,950 18. Operating Expenses - Distel 44,688 26,600 19. Computer Expenses 22,0-59 21,550 20. Office Supplies/Small Equipment 9,750 21. Field Supplies/Small Equipment 29,988 29,300 22. Outside Maintenance Services 47-5,19 128,600 23. Property Taxes & Permits 5,900 24. Communications - Publications 66,958 113,450 25. Communications - Special Projects 18,500 26. Volunteer Program 8-P'A8 8,400 27. Miscellaneous 450 SERVICES AND SUPPLIES SUBTOTAL $ 4;412, $ 1,372,100 F. Fixed Assets 1. Previous Land Commitment $ 300,000 2. New Land Purchases 4,500,000 3. Option Fees 150,000 4. Land Bank Payments 200,000 5. Site Acquisition Expense 113,588 73,500 6. Site Preparation Expense 50,000 7. Structures and Improvements 808; 706,000 8. Field Equipment 279700 9. Office Equipment 59,10 27,500 10. Vehicles 55,( FIXED ASSETS SUBTOTAL $-8,963-,M $ 8,789,700 I TOTAL OF ALL EXPENDITURES $19 22 "00 $18 962 450 I I I I I I RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT AMENDING BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 1994-1995 The Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District does resolve as follows: Section One. The budget for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District for the fiscal year 1994-1995 is adopted as set forth in Exhibit A. Section Two. The District's allocation of property taxes collected shall correspond to the maximum tax rate of one percent of assessed valuation for all agencies within each county. Section Three. A total tax rate of ten cents ($0.10) per $100 assessed valuation is adopted or such lesser amount as may be allowable by law. Section Four. An adjustment to the New Land Purchases budget category shall be made to reflect any difference between actual revenue and budgeted revenue. Section Five. Monies are hereby appropriated in accordance with said budget. i I I i i i EXHIBIT A MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Amended Budget for Fiscal Year 1994-1995 I. REVENUES A. Tax Revenues $ 10,140,000 B. Grant Income 81,000 C. Interest Income 390,000 D. Rental Income 423,000 E. Sale of Surplus Property 2,500,000 F. Other Income 50,000 TOTAL INCOME $ 13,584,000 NET PROCEEDS FROM NOTE ISSUE 4,875,000 TOTAL INCOME PLUS FINANCING $ 18,459,000 DECREASE IN RESERVES 503,450) EXPENDITURES A. Debt Services 1. Interest $ 3,384,760 2. Principal 2,463.24 DEBT SERVICE SUBTOTAL $ 5,848,000 B. Salaries 1. General Manager Appointees $ 2,135,700 2. Salary Incentive Awards 21,300 3. General Manager 86,000 4. Legal Counsel 47,000 5. Controller 7,900 Benefits 1. General Manager Appointees $ 605,250 2. General Manager 22,500 C. Directors' Fees $ 27,000 SALARIES AND BENEFITS SUBTOTAL $ 2,952,650 EXHIBIT A PAGE 2 E. ,Services & Supplies 1. Legal Services $ 23,000 2. Regular Outside Services 56,300 3. Contract Services 333,400 4. Election/Annexation 101,000 5. Library and Subscriptions 2,850 6. Rents and Leases 10,400 7. Utilities 619100 8. Postage 75,150 9. Printing and Duplicating 13,500 10. Insurance 1129200 11. Advertising 4,800 12. Maps and Aerials 1,100 13. Private Vehicle Expense 13,900 14. District Vehicle Expense 131,800 15. Business Meeting Expense 9,800 16. Personnel Development 42,350 17. Maintenance/Repair Equipment 17,950 18. Operating Expenses - Distel 26,600 19. Computer Expenses 21,550 20. Office Supplies/Small Equipment 9,750 21. Field Supplies/Small Equipment 29,300 22. Outside Maintenance Services 128,600 23. Property Taxes & Permits 5,900 24. Communications - Publications 113,450 25. Communications - Special Projects 18,500 26. Volunteer Program 8,400 27. Miscellaneous 450 SERVICES AND SUPPLIES SUBTOTAL $ 1 372 100 I F. Fixed Assets 1. Previous Land Commitment $ 3,000,000 2. New Land Purchases 4,500,000 3. Option Fees 150,000 4. Land Bank Payments 200,000 5. Site Acquisition Expense 73,500 6. Site Preparation Expense 50,000 7. Structures and Improvements 706,000 8. Field Equipment 27,700 9. Office Equipment 27,500 10. Vehicles 55.000 FIXED ASSETS SUBTOTAL $ 8,789,700 TOTAL OF ALL EXPENDITURES $18,962,450 I I Open Space R-94-86 Meeting 94-23 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT a I August 24, 1994 I AGENDA ITEM i Resource Management Project Overview GENERAL MANAGERS RECOMMENDATION, I Review and comment on the information provided on ongoing and pending resource management projects. DISCUSSION This report has been prepared to provide an overview of recent and planned resource management activities. This includes both active management projects, and efforts to prepare policies and guidelines for implementing projects. A. Resource M na ement Pro'ects a E � 1. Restoration Plan, Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve The area formerly occupied by the sanitorium buildings has been slow to recover, and has been invaded by acacia, broom, thistle, and some eucalyptus. Acacia and broom are also invading the edges of the undisturbed oak woodland, displacing native vegetation and virtually covering the access roads. This area will not recover to a natural state without active management. I In March, 1994, the District's consultants, the Habitat Restoration Group, prepared a phased restoration plan for Pulgas Ridge. In April, a crew from the Natural Resources Employment Program (a non-profit group working out of Santa Cruz) worked on the Acacia control portion of the plan. In 9 days at a cost of$5,350, they cut Acacia from approximately one- third of the central oval area of the preserve. They treated the cut stumps with Roundup to prevent regrowth and piled the cut stumps and branches. Field staff chipped the trees and I piled the chips at the northern end of the oval area to compost. I Carol Hankermeyer, a 1992 resource management intern, developed a management plan for the site upon which the consultants based their plan. Following her internship, Carol has continued to work on the site as a volunteer, conducting experiments rearing oaks and native grass on site. I The next phase of the project, on-site seed collection and plant propagation has begun in collaboration with a San Francisco State University sponsored program called "Seeds of Success". This program, funded by the Department of Justice, involves SF State and Log ' Cabin Ranch, a juvenile justice facility near La Honda. Seeds collected at Pulgas Ridge and I I 330 Distel Circle . Los Altos, California 94022-1404 11 Phone: 415-691-1200 * FAX: 415-691-0485 19 Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Robert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Ginny Babbitt,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit General Manager:L.Craig Britton I i I I i R-94-86 Page 2 j propagated by Sunset Coast Nursery are then raised at Log Cabin Ranch by juvenile offenders supervised by a trained horticulturist. The District will pay market price for the plants when we are ready to plant them. This program has the advantage of giving us the best possible plants for the site at no extra cost, plus helping provide job opportunities and environmental awareness for a culturally diverse group of at-risk young adults. Status: Approximately two thirds of the former building area remains to be cleared of Acacia. Broom and thistle are still expanding and need major control efforts following removal of acacia and the start of winter rains. Seeds of native plants have been collected from the preserve and are being propagated by Sunset Coast Nurseries. The oaks planted by Carol Hankermeyer had good survival in spite of drought conditions and the poor soil of the former building area. An experimental planting of native purple needle grass was not successful. Next steps: Acacia removal will be continued this fall by the same group, supplemented by volunteer projects to remove other invasive exotics such as broom and thistle. Seeds propagated by Sunset Coast Nurseries will be transferred to the Honor Camp when ready. Dr. Mike Vasey, a botanist at San Francisco State, is helping coordinate the project. 2. Cattail Burn at Alpine Pond, Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve Cattails (Typha latifolia), have encroached along most of the shoreline of this small reservoir, completely occupying all the shallow water areas and obstructing views of the water. On March 14, 1994, with permission from the Dept. of Fish and Game and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, District staff burned a 1/2 acre area of cattail on the north side of Alpine Pond. The goals were to improve the views of the pond from the trail, increase plant diversity, and increase forage for waterfowl. Burning conditions were excellent, and 90% of the cattails burned following the written prescription. Native sedges and tules were then planted in the burn area. Status: As expected, burning did not eliminate the cattails. It did improve the viewshed, open areas for travel and forage, and return nutrients to the soil, benefitting all plants in the area. The cattails have resprouted and now appear lush and green. They will need periodic burns, and/or repeated cutting to control regrowth. 3. Willow Reintroduction at Horseshoe Reservoir parking lot, Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve A small corridor of willows was destroyed during construction of the parking area.. In 1992, a volunteer group from the District and the Morgan Center took willow cuttings from trees I I I I I I I i I R-94-86 Page 3 on site and planted them in the damaged area. Deer browsing destroyed the first plantings. In fall 1993, a second planting was made and a 15' x 20' area fenced. i Status: The willows inside the fence are doing fine, but those outside have not survived. The area should resemble its original condition in 5 to 6 years. i 4. Oak Mitigation, St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserve I Part of St. Joseph's Hill was planted with vineyards, which died when they ceased to be tended by the Brothers at the seminary. Much of this area is reverting back to the original oak woodland, but some areas are recovering slowly and are being damaged by multiple unauthorized trails. l In February 1994, the Board approved a conceptual agreement with Caltrans to allow them to use the south side of St. Joseph's Hill for an oak restoration project. The project will allow Caltrans to mitigate for the loss of oak woodland due to the construction of the Highway 17 Interchange at Bear Creek Road west of Lexington Reservoir. Caltrans plans to: ■ plant 1100 California live oaks in a five-acre area on the south side of the top of St. Joseph's Hill; ■ install a temporary above-ground water system fed by an 8,000 gallon water tank; ■ install a deer fence around the perimeter of the oak mitigation site. Caltrans will pay the District $45,000 for the use of the site. These funds will be applied to resource management and trail projects on the preserve including: ■ restoration of the former pistol range to a natural state; ■ restoration of the eroded gully west of the summit; ■ realignment of the patrol road south of the summit; ■ construction of new trails to discourage use of unauthorized steep, eroding trails. I Status: Staff recently reviewed a preliminary planting plan by Caltrans. A draft cooperative agreement for the project is expected shortly. I i 5. Ravenswood Wetland Restoration i Rhone-Poulenc is an international chemical company that has assumed responsibility for chemical contamination of the soil and ground water at a site off Bay Road in East Palo Alto. Romic Chemical Corporation is a solvent recycling facility located on Bay Road opposite the District's 148-acre Ravenswood preserve, a former salt pond. Romic has been held responsible for past groundwater contamination in the area. The Regional Water Quality Control Board, in cooperation with the federal government; Environmental Protection Agency and Fish and Wildlife Agency, is requiring Rhone-Poulenc and Romic to repair and mitigate the impacts of their chemical contamination. I I R-94-86 Page 4 Rhone-Poulenc has proposed a project to restore wetland habitat in the District's former salt pond to satisfy part of its mitigation requirement. The proposal would include the right to sell some of the excess mitigation credits to other parties who might need it. Status: Rhone-Poulenc's environmental consultants are currently studying the Ravenswood j site to determine if the project is feasible. j Romic has requested access to the site to install wells, to begin the process of monitoring and cleaning up its contamination. This project is currently on hold. i 6. Meadow Mowing to Control Thistle, Rancho San Antonio I I I In March 1993, field staff mowed dense concentrations of star thistle and milk thistle in the front meadow and in the area around the Mora water tank, a total area of 5 to 6 acres. The mowing occurred before the thistle flowers had gone to seed. Status: The mowing reduced the amount of thistle, so the project was continued. In April 1994, staff mowed the same areas again. The thistle concentrations are now greatly reduced. Thistle control requires repeated mowing. 7. Revegetation of former Eucalyptus area, Rancho San Antonio Since the October 1992 removal of 20 Eucalyptus trees, District staff, Preserve Partners, and interested groups have participated in six major projects to restore areas identified by Horticultural consultant Barrie Coate. They have planted, protected, watered, and monitored 108 native plants, spending over 160 hours. Resources included a District budget of$1,600 to purchase improved soil, caging material, plants, and a watering system. An additional $1,400 of donated materials include a large greenhouse and many wire plant cages. Status: All three restoration areas are showing remarkable rebound from the past 80 years of Eucalyptus influence. Native plants are moving in on their own, increasing the number of plants being protected and monitored to 205. The overall success rate of the original plantings is 65%, an excellent result considering the drought conditions. The areas will be protected and monitored for another 5 years or until the seedlings reach a diameter of 4" or a height of 6', to insure tree survival. 8. Volunteer Resource Management Projects, completed July 1993- July 1994 Rancho n An Antonio San to 0 ■ November 13. Los Altos High students removed eucalyptus debris and caged and weeded around seedlings of native trees. ■ November 20, 1993. Preserve Partners restored a meadow at the former stable area. I I I I R-94-86 Page 5 ■ December 4 and January 8. Sierra Singles Volunteers prepared the Wildcat Loop Trail for winter and planted and caged oak seedlings. Windy Hill ■ October 7, 1993. Castilleja students planted 10 Blue Oak seedlings and built 23 tree cages. ■ October 16, 1993. Volunteers constructed barrier fencing, and scarified and reseeded an area of unofficial trails near the bottom of Windy Hill. Fremont Older ■ July 17, 1993. Volunteers cleared thistles and brush along the entire Seven Springs Loop Trail. Pulgas Ridge ■ February 12, and March 12, 1994. Sierra Singles removed acacia and broom from the central oval area. ■ March 19, 1994. Preserve Partners removed acacia and broom along Polly Geraci and Hassler trails. B. Resource Management Planning 1. Resource Management Policies Staff held public workshops in September and November of 1993 to get comments on the general organization, subjects to be covered, and format for the resource management document. After preparing a draft of the policies, several staff workshops were held during spring, 1994, leading to a Use and Management Committee workshop to review the draft on July 20, 1994. Status: The policies are now being revised in response to comments from the public and the Use and Management Committee. They are scheduled for presentation to the Board on September 14. 2. Checklist Identifying Threats to Preserve Resources This checklist will provide a simplified form to identify existing and potential resource management needs. It will identify threats to preserve resources and estimate their seriousness. This information will help staff prioritze potential projects and respond appropriately. Status: Draft completed, pending staff review. I I 3. Format for Preserve Management Plans I i i i i R-94-86 Page 6 This provides a standard format to be used for all future preserve management plans. A detailed table of contents specifies topics to be covered. The plans will include information contained in current use and management plans, as well as greatly expanded resource studies. Status: Completed by resource management intern Kevin McKay, being used to prepare Resource Management Element of Use and Management Plan for El Corte de Madera Open Space Preserve. 4. Categories/Zones for Resource Protection The proposed new management plans will define and designate environmental zones or special management areas for resource protection. These zones need to be formulated and described. Status: In progress, to be completed by Nov., 1994. 5. Management Plan for El Corte de Madera Open Space Preserve The next management plan for El Corte de Madera will be prepared according to the recommendations n in the Resource ManagementY Policy document and use the format described above 3 . Consultants have been retained to contribute information on plant species, O P P wildlife, and geology. Resource Management intern Kevin McKay will research and prepare some of the additional information needed for the plan. Status: In progress, to be completed by Nov., 1994. 6. List of Resource Management Projects Suitable for Volunteers Staff will use the resource management checklist described above (#2), to identify projects suitable for volunteers to implement. Status: In progress. Will follow development and use of checklist. 7. Evaluate Sites for Dog Access One outcome of the Dog Studies is a recommendation to develop access criteria for dogs, and evaluate District sites on the basis of the criteria. i Status: Planned following recommendations of Board after consideration of Dog Committee Report, tentatively winter 1994/95. i Po 8. System for Identifying, Prioritizing, and Scheduling Resource Management Projects R-94-86 Page 7 There are many potential resource management projects. The resource management checklist will help in identifying them. We need to develop an objective system to help staff prioritize these projects, estimate costs and personnel required, and schedule them. i Status: Planned to follow development of resource management checklist. 9. "Catalogue" of Sites Needing Restoration This "catalogue" is proposed to help staff gain funding for restoration projects and to inform j potential project sponsors. Will have photographs and descriptions of the sites available, restoration needs, and estimated cost to restore. Status: Future. 10. Resource Management Project Coordinator With the increased emphasis on resource management, there is a need for a resource project coordinator. This person would coordinate information colection and filing, resource management research, and field projects. This position could potentially be funded through an outside placement organization such as the new National Conservation Corps. Status: Future. Prepared by: Alice Cummings, Resource Planner Contact persons: Randy Anderson, Planning Manager John Escobar, Operations Manager ( I I I I Distributed at 8/24/94 Board Meeting FOOSP TRAIL USE ELEMENT Project Schedule August tembar October November December Taskpshel' 21 28 4 11 18 25 3 10 17 24 31 T 14 21 28 5 12 19 26 2 Review&summarize trail use Inventory Order aerial photo of reserve she Obtain trail use counts Nicole,Sh ,Assemble trail info 2.A-H of U&M Pre re Presentation Ma for worlcshoMeet re:wrksha format&strat re field visit/meeting sil WorkshopNotices Holdpublic field workshop Draft board report&trail use ma (she/Judy) Staff review of report Board meeting-tentative adoption She County review of plan Draft 2nd reading She Board meeting-Final Adoption She ----- --- - - - - - - - - Open Space F MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT TO: Board of Directors FROM: C. Britton, General Manager DATE: August 24, 1994 SUBJECT: FYI F li i i 330 Distel Circle Los Altos, California 94022-1404 Phone: 415-691-1200 FAX: 415-691-0485 Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Robert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Ginny Babbitt,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit General Manager:L.Craig Britton Open Space MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT August 24, 1994 Mr. Tom Osipowich Department of Forestry and Fire Protection 135 Ridgeway Avenue P.O. BOX 670 Santa Rosa, CA 95402-0670 Subject: Response to the Proposed Timber Harvest Plan - Lands of the Coyote Ridge Properties and Brown The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (District) appreciates the opportunity to respond to the proposed Timber Harvest Plan for lands owned by Coyote Ridge Properties and Brown. We are interested in the Timber Harvest Plan because the District owns and manages the adjacent 2,043 acre La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve. Our comments are directed towards the potential impacts that the Timber Harvest Plan and subsequent residential development may have on the public preserve. Over the past year, District staff has followed the planning process for the proposed Timber Harvest Plan and application for grading permit. Yesterday, we attended the public hearing for the Timber Harvest Plan. It is increasingly evident that there is insufficient and conflicting information that makes it difficult to fully understand the impacts this project may have on adjacent District land. We are specifically concerned with potential increase in erosion, sedimentation and fire hazard. It is also our understanding that detailed biological studies have not been conducted to identify the presence of threatened or endangered species. The impacts associated with the Timber Harvest Plan will be followed by impacts from the proposed subdivision and residential development. Since the two projects are so closely linked, we recommend additional information be provided and request that the California Division of Forestry work closely with the County of San Mateo in addressing the cumulative impacts of the entire project. The Timber Harvest Plan should not be approved before the cumulative impacts have been addressed. The variety of land uses permitted in and around the Skyline scenic corridor deserve special attention when assessing projects like the Timber Harvest Plan. Land use conflicts are increasingly common where residential communities interface with undeveloped open space. The District supports the County of San Mateo in their effort to address one such conflict by requesting a 1000 foot setback to buffer the timber harvesting from other incompatible land uses. I I I 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos, California 94022-1404 * Phone: 415-691-1200 ° FAX: 415-691-0485 Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Robert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Ginny Babbitt,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim cue Wit General Manager:L.Craig Britton I Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the proposed Timber Harvest Plan. We hope additional information will be made available to enable the District to evaluate the cumulative impacts of both the Timber Harvest Plan and residential development and ensure La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve is protected and preserved. Sinc 1 L. Cra g Britton General Manager LCB:DW cc: Board of Directors, MROSD Sam Herzberg, San Mateo County Planner I I I I i I I I I I I I i I i i i I I I I Article for ROMP Newsletter, August 1994 We who live in the San Francisco Bay Area are among the luckiest people in the country. Just think about 'some of the advantages of living here : ideal climate , beautiful scenery, diverse , intelligent � population, and lots of open space around the Bay. � � One of the reasons we have so much open space is that years ago some of our intelli.gent neighbors thought of ways to preserve lands from development. First came East Bey Regional Park District, in 1934 . Then Marin and Monterey voted in park districts, and in 1972 � our own Midpaninsula Regional Park District was established. Of course each district has its own policies, but I am concerned here with MidpeninauIa (which I will ooIl "the District" ) , and have been asked to write a few words about its policies and my position on them. The District has acquired, in its 22 years of operation (now ' in San Mateo and Santo Cruz counties as well as the original Santa Clara County) over 36,000 acres of land. Within its jurisdictional boundaries, it is envisioned that eventually a total of GO"OOO acres may be acquired. The purpose of formation of the District was to preserve open space lands from development by purchase or other methods � in order to protect the land, its plants, and its wildlife, and to � restore these lands as far as possible to their natural condition. These lands are managed by the District to allow public access con- sistent with protection of natural resources. When newly-acquired lands have been degraded previously by improper use, it is the District' s responsibility to abate this problem and restrict public access until restoration is complete. My position on use of District lands is that public access should be secondary to protection of the resource, as has been the policy since formation of the District. Intensive recreation is � provided by the counties in some of their parks; District lands are to remain essentially undeveloped, and the enjoyment of the natural resource by humans should not be compromised by intensive recreational activities. Just as motorized vehicles (except necessary Ranger patrol vehicles) are prohibited from all District lands, so ahoulci mechanical devices, and I include bicycles, skateboards, roller- blades, etc. in this category, be restricted to wide trails and ` patrol roads, where the resourcAs will not be damaged and quiet enjoyment of natural features will not be compromised. Betsy Crowder Director, Ward 8 Midpaninnula Regional Open Space District � ---------- ----- --- - - - - - Environmental Services Agency BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Parks and Recreation Division RUBEN BARRALES MARY GRIFFIN TOM HUENING TEDLEMPERT MIGHAEL D.NEVIN •z COUNTY OF SAN 11llATEO PRICK K H.SANGHEZ 590 HAMILTON STREET,4TH FLOOR • REDWOOD CITY • CALIFORNIA 94063 (415)363-4020 FAX(415)599-1721 ITEM #IV-A STAFF REPORT DATE: COMMISSION MEETING DATE - AUGUST 11, 1994 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Patrick H. Sanchez, Director SUBJECT: BICYCLE ACCESS TO TRAILS i Recommendation The recommendation from The Trails Advisory Committee to add the following trails to those already designated in San Mateo County parks for Mountain Bicycle use: San Bruno Mountain Park - East Ridge Trail; Huddart Park - Richards Road Trail; Pescadero Park - Towne Fire Road, be denied. i Background Mountain bicycling has been and will continue to be a rapidly growing activity in San Mateo County. In 1996, it will be a demonstration event in the Summer Olympics. This could result in an increased interest in the activity. San Mateo County Ordinance 3388.3 prohibits bicycle riding in County parks except on designated trails and public roads. The following trails and roads in San Mateo County Parks are currently designated for bicycle use: • Sawyer Camp Trail — 5.8 miles • San Bruno Mountain State and County Park Old Guadalupe Trail — .8 miles Saddle Loop Trail — 2.1 miles Radio Road — 1.2 miles Day Camp Access Trail — .2 miles ------ - - - - - - - ------- - - - • Pescadero Creek County Park Old Haul Road — 5.7 miles Bridge Trail — .9 miles Camp Pomponio Road — 5.3 miles • San Pedro Valley CouM Park Weiler Ranch Road Trail — 1.0 miles While these trails do provide mountain bicyclists places to ride they are not perceived as long enough or challenging enough for the average mountain bicycle rider. The Trails Advisory Committee evaluated (7) seven County trails for potential bicycle use. After 14 months of study, and considerable discussion, the Committee voted to recommend that (3) three of the seven trails be designated by the Parks and Recreation Commission as suitable for multi modal use including bicycles. All trails recommended by the Trails Advisory Committee are on existing unpaved roads used as service roads by park staff. Width, grade, sight lines, and side slope on the proposed trails were deemed appropriate for multiple use including bicycle as evaluated by a bicycle access subcommittee of the Trails Advisory Committee. (Many members of the Trails Advisory Committee questioned the standards used by the subcommittee.)' The three trails proposed for designation as bicycle trails are: • East Ridge Trail — San Bruno Mountain This 2.4 mile service road for the P.G.& E. transmission towers was once heavily used by motorcycles and four-wheel drive vehicles. Its generous width and good sight distance make it suitable for multiple uses. It has beautiful views of San Francisco Bay and the Peninsula, but does not provide a loop experience. This park is heavily used by nature study groups and individuals, who stop on the trail to sightsee, study the plants and take photographs, and are not always aware of other users. Careful monitoring of this trail will be necessary to make sure users do not stray from the tread into the sensitive areas of the Habitat Conservation Plan. • Richards Road — Huddart Park This historic logging road is approximately 3.5 miles long and serves as the northern boundary between Huddart Park and the Phelager property. It extends from Skyline Boulevard down to the flatland of Woodside at Greer Road. In addition to its use as a riding and hiking trail, it is used by P.G.& E. to service transmission lines and towers through the park. It is very difficult to maintain due to its steepness (1,400 elevation change in 21/2 miles). It intersects with and/or provides access to most of the other trails in Huddart Park. Reports from Park Rangers and other trail users and the Volunteer Horse Patrol indicate frequent and increasing use of this area of the park by bicyclists. • Towne Fire Road — Pescadero Park The Towne Fire Road extends form the parking lot in Sam McDonald Park on Alpine Road to the Old Haul Road, a designated bicycle trail in Pescadero Park. It is approximately 2.3 See attachment A for of committee member composition 2 miles long considered very steep and difficult to maintain in some sections. There is an 800 foot change in elevation from the ridge near the Hiker's Hut to the Jones Gulch Trail near Pescadero Creek, approximately 1.5 miles. There is currently evidence of intermittent but increasing use of this area of the park by bicycles. Parks and Recreation Division staff has: • Reviewed the Trail Advisory Committee Report. • Read approximately 236 letters from concerned citizens. (203 opposed, 33 in support) • Conducted preliminary environmental impact assessments. • Analyzed available information on risks and costs associated with implementing the recommendation. Discussion The primary concerns of both the Trails Advisory Committee and the Parks staff are: • the safely of all users • liabilityy of the County • containment of the activity to designated trails • environmental impact • cost to manage and administer the activity • Safety/Liability The safety of all park visitors and the County's liability is a concern shared by everyone including bicycle access proponents. Some members of the Trail Advisory Committee feel that mountain cyclists represent an excessive risk to other trail users, as well as themselves. Mountain cyclists contend that they are no greater a safety risk or liability than any other trail user group. Data collected by ROMP (Responsible Off-Road Mountain Peddlers) on the number of users of various open space areas where mountain cyclists are permitted has shown that cyclists account for roughly 60% of all trail users. Hikers and joggers make up 30%, equestrians and others make up the remaining 10%, and that the numbers of accidents mirror these proportions. Equestrians and hikers, on the other hand, believe when mountain cyclists are permitted on trails; other trail users find the experience intimidating or less enjoyable and cease to use the shared trail. They believe the ROMP data reflects the above experience. According to statistics developed by the National Safety Council, bicycling is second only to I 3 I basketball in total numbers of accidental injuries. The following data are from "Accidental Facts" National Safety Council, based on hospital emergency room reports. Year 1991 1992 1993 Participants 56,900,000 55,300,000 54,000,000 Injuries 514,738 580,119 600,649 This data demonstrates that while the number of participants (participants were judged to be those who rode six or more times per year) declined by 2.9 million, injury accidents increased by 85,911. This is an accident rate of 1,112.3 per 100,000 participants for 1993. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission in its report, "Selected Consumer Products- 1989" (also based on emergency room reports); bicycles produced 574,738 injuries; playground equipment produced 210,236 injuries; and ATV's mopeds and minibikes produced 106,792 injuries. • Containment of the Activity/Environmental Impact Many members of the Trails Advisory Committee and the Park staff are concerned about damage to the park resources as they are about safety and liability. They fear cyclists will leave trails and damage fragile natural resources. The mountain bicyclists believe signs, user education and volunteer trail patrols will keep all users on trails designated. Those who object, contend many bicyclists are notorious for disregarding existing park/trail rules and point out the damage currently being done by illegal bicycle use of county park facilities. • Cost to Manage and Administer The operational impact of designating the three trails would include: staff to patrol and enforce rules and ordinance violations, investigate accidents and complaints, as well as, make new signs and printed materials. The Park and Recreation Division estimates it would cost $75,000 or approximately 3,120 ranger hours per year to manage this increased service level. - The division has not budgeted these funds and is unable to absorb them. � I Conclusions While staff agrees that off-road bicycling can be a wholesome, safe and healthy activity — Based on our experiences with bicycle use in the various San Mateo County Parks and an initial environmcmtal impact evaluation on the recommended trail designations, we can tot even recommend a trial period permitting bicycles on additional trails at this time for the following reasons: 1. Liability to the County would be too great — In the absence of "standards" for "Mountain bicycle trails" the act of designating a trail a "bicycle trail" implies that it is safe for all skill levels. While no activity in parks can guarantee "zero" risk, this activity is judged to be above the acceptable risk level to contain costs in possible claims for liability. 4 The following information was extracted from the Park and Recreation Division Injury/Accident Reports for 1993-94.1 CODE DATE PARK LOCATION # Bicycle 7/8/93 Sawyer Camp Trail Mile 5.36 930024 " 7/17/93 Mile 1.58 930042 i " 7/25/93 Mile 5.38 930056 7/27/93 Coyote Point Eucalyptus Parking Lot 930062 8/4/93 Sawyer Camp Trail Hill above East San Andreas Dam 930079 Coyote Point Drive at entrance to 8/15/93 Coyote Point 930099 Environmental lot Sawyer Camp Trail Hill South of San Andreas Dam 930103 8/16/93 San Pedro Valley Weiler Ranch Road 930117 8/19/93 Sawyer Camp Trail Mile 5.38 930109 " 8/22/93 Mile 3.5 from South Gate 930114 8/23/93 Junipero Serra Mile 5.5 930125 9/12/93 Sawyer Camp Trail Unknown 930146 9/27/93 Mile 2.58 930154 10/10/93 Coyote Point Bike Path Crosswalk, Eucalyptus& 930167 Marina Area 10/24/93 Sawyer Camp Trail Mile 4.33 930182 11/7/93 Huddart Campground Road 930192 j 1/2/94 Sawyer Camp Trail Below San Andreas Dam 940005 Bicycle & Car 3/19/94 Huddart Kings Mtn Rd, 1 mi west of park 940067 Bicycle & Skater 9/26/93 Sawyer Camp Trail Mile 1.0 930153 Bicycle 6/12/94 Coyote Point Path Between Env lot& Range 940161 i " 4/6/94 Sawyer Camp Trail Mile 5.03 940076 i 4/17/94 Mile 5.38 940077 Bike & Bike 4/11/94 Mile 1.5 940085 Bike & Pedestrian 5/15/94 Mile 1.0 940108 2. Containment of the activity would be impossible — There is ample evidence that a significant portion of off-road bicyclists in San Mateo County Parks disregard posted trail closures and ride on closed trails and areas. Park Rangers, Volunteer Horse Patrol members, and visitors at Edgewood Park and Preserve, Huddart Park and Pescadero Park regularly report that they have seen bicyclists or bicycle tracks on closed trails. They further report that the bicyclists are generally rude ; See attachment B for complete report 5 and/or confrontational when advised that a particular trail is not open to bicyclists. Experience on the Haul Road in Pescadero Park illustrates this containment problem. The Park and Recreation Division is being asked to build a new fence and gate at the southern end of Old Haul Road Trail by the neighboring Red Tree Properties. Bicycles continue to trespass on their property, even though it is fenced and clearly posted as private property and closed to public use. One such trespasser was injured when he.crashed his bicycle and has since sued Red Tree for damages. The financial threat to Red Tree is sufficient enough to cause them to post a security guard at the property line on weekends. A certain number of bicyclists enter the park after dark (the park is closed at dusk), and ride by headlight to avoid a citation. Because speeding is so prevalent on the Old Haul Road Trail, we may have to post the speed limit every mile along the trail and obtain a radar gun to enforce the speed limit if we are to continue providing bicycle access on this trail. 3. Off-Trail riding is extremely detrimental to the resources — Bicycle wheels are narrow, heavily laden over their footprint and cut a demarcation line through ground cover and soils. The grooves left by a bicycle tire when the ground is damp creates an erosion channel. A pair of bicycles illegally rode along the Jones Gulch Trail in March and the grooves were still visible even after horses and hikers had passed over them for three months. On Sawyer Camp Trail, small hills and berms next to the pavement have been completely denuded of vegetation by bicyclists "looking for a jump". As an example each 1.5 inches wide with two inches of diameter a bicycle with two tires, pound individual and assume the bicycle weighs 15 t now add a 150 Y g in ground contact, p pounds. The total square inches in contact with the ground is 6, and the total weight is 165 pounds, so that 165 pounds divided by 6 square inches equals 27.5 pounds per square inch. Now take a 12,500 pound bulldozer, like our TD-8. The tracks [2] are 14 inches wide and 8 feet long at the ground contact point or 14x96x2 = 2688 square inches. If you divide the 12,500 pounds by 2688 square inches, you find that the bulldozer places 4.65 pounds of weight per square inch on the soil. The bicycle then produces soil loading roughly 7 times.greater than a 6.25 tom bulldozer, thus the concern for soil damage and erosion. Fiscal Impact 4. Management costs would be excessive — Given San Mateo County's current fiscal condition, the Parks Division has no personnel to manage the increased service level new bicycle trails would create. Patrolling new trails to achieve safety and containment would stretch personnel resources even thinner and reduce time Park Rangers are able to spend on current maintenance and patrol activities. Staff estimates that it would cost between $75,000 and $100,000 to provide Park Rangers, supplies, equipment, transportation and liability expenses (insurance and settlements), if the three trails are designated bicycle trails as proposed by the Trails Advisory Committee. PRS:RE:jm cc: Paul Koenig, Director, Environmental Services Bob Emert, Park Superintendent, Parks and Recreation Kendall Simmons, Park Superintendent, Parks and Recreation Trails Committee Q:\USERS\COMMON\WPDATA\SANCHEZ\BKI2DRAF.BOB:jm 6 ATTACHMENT A SAN MATEO COUNTY TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP LIST * Patricia Barrett ia-Buckhout Betsy Crowder Cheryl Davi * Tracy Dekelboum-Smith Linda Dyson Willham Freedman i i * Elly Hess i Donald MacIntosh Rick Payne i Bobbi Petrov i Jean Rusmore i * Hassan Schroeder * Berry Stevens Marian Vanden Bosch i i * Marilyn Walter * Maryclaire Wellman * Members of Bicycle Access Subcommittee I Parks and Recreation Division * • • • * INJURY ACCIDENT REPORTS - AL YEAR 1993/94 CODE OR CLASSIFICATION DATE FRM UNIT PARK OCCURRED IN LOCATION REPORT# ------------- -------- --- --- Animal Bite 04-16-94 6527 San Pedro Valley West End Weiler Ranch Road 940090 05-14-94 6532 Huddart Werder Lawn 940110 Ankle 04-02-94 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail 3.2 Mi From South Gate 940071 Ankle Injury 08-01-93 6521 Coyote Point Old Beach Parking Lot 930073 Bicycle 07-08-93 6524 Junipero Serra 5-36 Mile Sawyer Camp Trail 930024 07-17-93 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail Mile 1.58 930042 M 07-25-93 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail Mile 5.38 930056 07-27-93 6521 Coyote Point Eucalyptus Parking Lot 930062 �/ 08-04-93 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail On Hill Above East San Andreas Dam 930079 08-15-93 6521 Coyote Point Coyote Point Drive And Entrance Of Env. 930099 Lot 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail On Hill South Of San Andreas Dam 930103 08-16-93 6527 San Pedro Valley Weker Ranch Raod 930117 08-19-93 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail 5.38 Mile Mark 930109 08-22-93 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail 3.5 Miles From Southgate 930114 08-23-93 6524 Junipero Serra 5.5 Mile Sawyer Camp Trail 930125 09-12-93 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail Unknown 930146 09-27-93 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail Sawyer Camp Mile 2.58 930154 10-10-93 6521 Coyote Point Bike Path Crosswalk. Euc Area And 930167 Marina 10-24-93 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail Mile 4.33 930182 11-07-93 6532 Huddart Campground Road 930192 I 01-02-94 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail Below San Andreas Dam 940005 Bicycle & Car Accident 03-19-94 6532 Huddart Kings Mountain Road, 1 Mile West Of Park 940067 I Entrance Bicycle / Skater 09-26-93 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail Sawyer Camp Trail Mile 1.0 930153 I Bicycle Injury 06-12-94 6521 Coyote Point Bike Path Between Env. Lot And Range 940161 Bike Accident 04-06-94 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail Mile 5.03 940076 04-17-94 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail Mile 5.38 940077 I Bike Vs. Bike 04-11-94 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail 1.5 Mile From South Gate 940085 I Bike-pedestrian Collision 05-15-94 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail 1 Mile In From South Gate 940108 I Broken Ankle 01-26-94 6521 Coyote Point Captain's House Walkway - Side Entrance 940012 � Bruised Quadzacept 04-02-94,. 6524 Edgewood Parking Area - Service Road Bullard 940053 Climbing 11-03-93 6524 Junipero Serra James Gulch Ymca During The Ropes Course 930220 I Collision 06-08-94 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail Mile 0.503, Southgate 940171 Facial Injury 04-02-94 6521 Coyote Point Knoll Playground 940050 I Fall 07-04-93 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail Sawyer Camp Trail Northbound At 930013 Approximately Mile 0.9 07-10-93 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail Approximately Mile 0.5 (from County 930028 Radio) 07-14-93 6531 Memorial swimming Area 930036 07-17-93 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail West San Andreas Dam - Mil 5.06 930041 01-03-94 6521 Coyote Point Below Wooden Overlook Near Boat Launch 940006 Parking Lot 04-08-94 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail Mail 5.52 From South Gate Of Trail 940083 04-09-94 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail Mile 2.74 From Southgate 940084 04-16-94 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail Mile 4.96 From South Gate 940078 05-07-94 6532 Flood Park Driveway Near Gatehouse 940112 05-29-94 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail Mile 4.39 Area From Southgate 940140 05-30-94 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail Specific Location Unknown 940142 Fall - Trail Obstruction 03-23-94 6527 San Pedro Valley Summit Trail & Dairy Ravine Trail 940061 Fall From Horse 03-06-94 6524 Edgewood Serpentine Loop Trail-service Road 940040 Sector-0.3 Mile From Hillcrest Fall Off Play Equipment 04-14-94 6532 Flood Playground 940105 Fall On Reef 03-21-94 6527 Fitzgerald Marine Reef Below Cypress Point 940060 Fall Victim 04-17-94 6527 San Pedro Valley Weiler Ranch Road Trail 940089 Fall/knee 04-02-94 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail Skyline Road North Of S C T South Gate 940073 Fell On Running Trail 01-16-94 6532 Huddart Crystal Springs Trail 940009 I Parks and Recreation Division • • • • • INJURY ACCIDENT REPORTS - k .AL YEAR 1993/94 • + • + CODE OR CLASSIFICATION DATE FRM UNIT PARK OCCURRED IN LOCATION REPORT# ------------------------- -------- ---- ------------------ ---------------------------------------- ------- Injury/accident 04-16-94 6527 San Pedro Valley Montara Mountain Trail 940091 Jogging 12-30-93 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail Approximately Mile 1.21 Area 930219 Leg Injury 03-13-94 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail North Gate Pay Phone 940044 Minor Injury 07-12-93 6531 Memorial Azalea #18 And #19 930032 Motorcycle 07-20-93 6524 Junipero Serra Main Park Road, Between Willow Area And 930054 Park Office Possible Broken Leg 07-02-93 6521 Coyote Point Magic Mountain 930044 Running 07-18-93 6521 Coyote Point Magic Mountain Playground 930050 Skater 10-10-93 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail 4.5 Miles From South Gate 930166 Skater / Pedestrian 10-02-93 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail Approximately Mile 0.6 From The South 930159 Gate Skating 07-26-93 6524 Junipero Serra 4.96 Mile Sawyer Camp Trail 930060 09-23-93 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail On Hill Below The San Andreas Dam 930149 Skating Accident 03-27-94 6524 Sawyer Camp Trail Mile 0.55 940059 Sliver In Right Foot 08-07-93 6532 Huddart Sequoia Area 930090 Softball 08-14-93 6531 Memorial Huckleberry Flat #2 930096 Solo Motorcycle Crash 03-06-94 6531 Memorial Pescadero Creek Road - 1/2 Miles West Of 940041 Main Entrance Struck By Ball 07-17-93 6521 Coyote Point Main Lawn West Of R/room D, East Of 930047 Beach Center Swimming 07-25-93 6521 Coyote Point Old Beach Swimming Area Approximately 15 930057 Yards From Tower #1 i Tripped Over Tire Stop - 09-03-93 6521 Coyote Point Harbormaster Parking Lot 930135 Fell Vehicle 08-23-93 6532 Huddart Entrance Road 930119 Camp Trail Sawyer Camp Trail Mile 2.5 930040 walking 07-17-93 6524 Sawyer 07-27-93 6521 Coyote Point Old Beach Promenade / Lot 930067 i 08-03-93 6521 Coyote Point Eucalyptus Group Area 930076 I Workman's Comp Injury 08-18-93 6532 Flood Front Gate At Flood Park 930107 I I I i i i Open Space MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT TO: Board of Directors FROM: C. Britton, General Manager DATE: August 19, 1994 SUBJECT: FYI i i i i i i i i i i i 330 Distel Circle Los Altos, California 94022-1404 Phone: 415-691-1200 FAX: 415-691-0485 Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Robert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Ginny Babbitt,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit Gegeral Manager:L.Craig Britton Open Space I MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I l I I I I I I I I I I I I I l I l I I I I I I I I I I 201 San Antonio Circle,Suite C Mountain View,California 94040 Phone 949-5500 FAX:(415)949-5679 General Manager:Herbert Grench Board o ors:Katherine Duffy,RobertMcKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Ginny. Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Richard Bishop AW11.9F 001 Mo. i 760 6',51-0612 � J July 27, 1994 hidpeninsula Regional Open Space District 330 Distel Los Altos, Ca. 94022 Dear Secretary: Our property borders Schilling Lake on the south side. We have a small bench there and a treehouse a little higher up with a trail leading to it just beyond the gate, With Schilling Lake becoming more popular since you made the nice trail leading to it from Hwy 84 you have put signs up for the public, the most recent one " No swimming, No fishing". We applaud your concern. We do not mind people using our bench or even the treehouse for picknicks etc, as long as they dont leave trash and mainly, as long as they dont start fires. Recently we have found cigaret buds at both places and that really scares us. We have tried to put signs up to remind people that this is private property and that they must not smoke, but they were very soon torn out. It might be more effective if two such "private property" signs would be placed under your authority at the border i.e. the upper border of Dennis hArtin Rd.)below the bench and at the be- ginning of the trail to the tree house, as indicated im below. T anks for ,your cooperation. ko$4 Sincerely f �.4� eni ru i Open Space P MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT I August 18, 1994 Rudolf H. Bock, M.D. 750 Espinosa Drive Woodside, CA 94062 Subject: Private Property Signs at Schilling Lake, Thornewood Open Space Pr6serve Dear Dr. Bock: - Thank you for your July 27 letter regarding trespass onto your property. Field staff will soon be placing posts with small but noticeable "private property" signs with the District logo in the locations you suggested. It is helpful to receive information from neighbors on where signs are needed, or have been vandalized. Please let us know if you have further,problems or needs. Sincerely, Randy Anderson Planning Manager RAlca i 330 Distel Circle Los Altos, California 94022-1404 Phone:415-691-1200 FAX:415-691-0485 Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Robert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Ginny Babbitt,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit General Manager:L.Craig Britton Open Space MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT For Immediate Release Contact: Malcolm Smith August 15, 1994 Public Affairs Manager (415) 691-1200 Open Space District Awarded rant For Dt-y-ills Canyon Los Altos, CA --The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District has been awarded a State grant to help purchase the well-known Devil's Canyon property, west of Route 35 in San Mateo County. The $325,000 Wildlife Conservation Fund grant will assist in the purchase of the land if the.District exercises its option to purchase the 179-acre property and add it to the Long Ridge Open Space Preserve. This spectacular property includes dramatic portions of rugged canyon, located at the convergence of two tributaries of Peters Creek. The grant was based primarily on the site's importance as a watershed for steelhead fisheries. Devil's Canyon is known for its impressive rock outcroppings, boulders, sandstone formations, waterfalls, and lush riparian plant communities. In addition,the northeast ridge provides impressive views of both the canyon and the coastal area. The area also provides significant wildlife habitat, making this property a high priority for protection. Last year,the District acquired an option on the property, allowing until the end of 1994 to complete the purchase at a price of$690,000. The District had hoped to use proceeds from Proposition 180 to fund the purchase; however,that proposition failed and the District is now attempting to leverage the grant funds with other local funds and District property tax revenue in order to complete the purchase. The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District,extending from the City of San Carlos to the Town of Los Gatos, is a public agency which has preserved over 36,000 acres of diverse open space and manages 23 open space preserves. (more) 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos, California 94022-1404 • Phone: 415-691-1200 FAX: 415-691-0485 Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Robert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Ginny Babbitt,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit Funding is provided by a small share of the annual total property tax revenues collected within District boundaries. The District permanently protects wildlife habitat,watershed,and a variety of ecosystems,restores damaged natural resources, and provides trail improvements for passive recreational use by the public. The District's goals are to acquire a continuous greenbelt of protected open space lands for public use and enjoyment,and to preserve open space for future generations to enjoy. There are approximately 20,000 -30,000 acres of land still at risk of being lost to development within the District's planning area. The District is divided into seven geographic wards,each represented for a four year term by an elected Board member. The Board holds public meetings on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 7:30 p.m.,at the District offices. Open Space MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT August 15, 1994 Cidd Wordell City Planner Y � h' � City of Cupertino Community Development Department 10300 Torre Avenue Cupertino, CA 95014 r Subject: Response to the Draft Environmental Impact Report for Request to Amend the City of Cupertino General Plan - Lands of the Diocese of San Jose The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (District) appreciates the opportunity to respond to the Draft Environmental Impact Report (D.E.I.R.) for Request to Amend the City of Cupertino General Plan. Planning for lands of the Diocese of San Jose are a major concern to the District because of our interest in preserving the open space character and experience at the Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve. Since the Open Space Preserve and Rancho San Antonio County Park are contiguous and have a complimentary relationship, our comments will be directed towards the development project and its potential impacts on both the Park and Open Space Preserve. SECTION 1 - LAND USE General Comments Each development alternative will impact adjacent land uses, particularly those in the Park and Open Space Preserve. Although the Land Use chapter addresses concerns for protecting open space in general, it does not emphasize the need to protect continuous (or contiguous) open space. Continuous open space enhances scenic vistas, recreational opportunities and wildlife habitat and migration. Specific Comments The City of Cupertino General Plan Policy 5-41 encourages interagency cooperation in acquiring an open space greenbelt along the lower foothills. The policy indicates that protection of the greenbelt should be a high priority throughout the planning process for lands of the Diocese. Many of the development alternatives presented in the D.E.I.R. do not preserve continuous open space but rather break it apart and provide a patchwork landscape. The northwest portion of the project area has dramatically changed in recent years with the development of the Forum. The area immediately adjacent to the Forum should be considered the most appropriate area for further development, assuming the riparian corridor can be protected. This would maximize the amount of remaining continuous open space. Mitigation Measure 1-3 maintains adequate distances between 330 Distel Circle Los Altos, California 94022-1404 Phone: 415-691-1200 FAX: 415-691-0485 OD Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Robert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Ginny Babbitt,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit Genera/Manager:L.Craig Britton i I I Page 2 incompatible land uses but does not discourage pockets of development throughout the project area. An additional mitigation measure should direct development away from existing continuous open space areas. SECTION 2 - TRAFFIC AND CIRCULATION General Comments This section of the D.E.I.R is insufficient because it fails to adequately address traffic impacts that will result from the project at the entrance to the Park and along Cristo Rey Drive. Traffic congestion and streetside parking will increase and it will be more difficult to access the Park and Open Space Preserve. S=ific Comments 1) Traffic on Cristo Rey Drive Many of the development alternatives will increase traffic on Cristo Rey Drive at the entrance to the Park and Open Space Preserve. Traffic at this intersection has not been analyzed and it is evident that vehicles will stack up and block traffic while trying to enter and leave the Park. On Page 2-5 it would appear there is an`error in comparing weekend traffic at the Park. Instead of 13%, there is a 90% increase in trip generation between December and May. The data provided in Table 2-1 appears to be incorrect in respect to weekend morning traffic. The total morning traffic should be 153 trips. According to Table 2-12 the cumulative traffic for the Forum and Park is 5,047 daily trips. Extrapolating data from Alternative 5 suggests an additional 1650 daily trips based on the 155 dwelling units proposed for the Seminary Parcel. Undoubtedly, there is going to be an increase in cross traffic and conflicts between residents and visitors to the Park and Open Space Preserve. A traffic analysis at the intersection may indicate the need for widening the street and providing a left turn lane. 2) Parking on Cristo Rey Drive The existing parking problem on Cristo Rey Drive has been documented but additional information is required to understand how much more the problem will be exacerbated by the development alternatives. Our experience has shown that I neighbors will drive even short distances to park at trailheads instead of using I neighborhood pathways. The impact will be greater if the development is spread out over a larger area. Impact 2-2 identifies this problem, but the mitigation measure does not sufficiently address it. In the case of Alternative 5, there will be a significant increase in demand for parking in the Park and on the street. A mitigation measure should accommodate the increased parking demand by widening Cristo Rey Drive or providing a neighborhood parking area near a Park or Open Space Preserve entrance. i i i i i i Page 3 i 3) Bicycle Use on Cristo Rey Drive Visitors are encouraged to use bicycles to reach the Park and Open Space Preserve. The street narrows as it approaches the project area and does not provide safe bicycle access. Parking will become increasingly difficult as a result of the adjacent development, and it is anticipated that conflicts between vehicles and bicycles will also increase. The area of most concern lies between the entrances to Gates of Heaven and the Park where bicyclists will be attempting to cross the street to enter the Park. These concerns could be addressed by widening Cristo Rey Drive, providing a defined bicycle lane and left turn lane and installing appropriate traffic signs near the Park entrance. SECTION 3 - VISUAL ANALYSIS General Comments The visual analysis is very helpful in understanding the potential impacts of the development alternatives. It should be noted, though, that when examining the computer generated photographs to the actual project area, the elevations appear to be somewhat flattened. Our conclusion is Alternative 1 has the least visual impact and protects the most continuous open space. This is largely due to the existing density and mass of the Forum. Alternative 1 significant) impacts open s ace between the Forum and Park but the landscapeopens u and Y P Pe P Pe P I offers a transition to existing open space. Specific Comments 1) View from Trails The visual analysis fails to recognize the importance of distant views. The scenic views from trails in the Park and Open Space Preserve are very important to thousands of visitors. The District has encouraged the Planning Consultants to the project representatives planning consultants to evaluate distant views from a vantage point on the Open Space Preserve, but apparently because of the distance, it was not selected as a key point for the analysis. The impact of development alternatives that break apart the attractive expanse of open space as viewed from distant trails in the Open Space Preserve should be considered significant. We disagree with findings for development alternatives that specifically impact the Cristo Rey Parcel. Here, the visual impacts have been determined to be not significant because the homes are some distance from the viewpoint, and the view represents a partial intrusion into what was previously natural land forms and open space. Public concern over this type of development has been expressed in the past when construction of the Forum significantly intruded upon distant views from the g Y Po Park and Open Space Preserve. i i i i i 1 I I I _ I Page 4 2) Continuity of Visual Open Space The D.E.I.R. has not adequately evaluated the alternatives as they relate to the need to protect the continuity of visual open space. In the Summary Setting,section of the report, there is reference given to the importance of the open and rolling foreground, riparian corridor middleground and dramatic wooded hillside backdrop in forming a unique continuity of visual open space. The next section adds specific criteria for evaluating the alternatives that focus on such things as impacts of substantial intrusion on scenic vistas. Given the stated importance of protecting the continuity of visual open space, the report fails to consider intrusion into open space that is significant when viewed from a distance. When Alternative 2 is analyzed from viewpoint 2B, the impacts of 30 units on the Cristo Rey Parcel are considered not significant even though it indicates the houses disrupt the continuous view of open space in the middleground. Most Park and Open Space Preserve visitors would disagree with the conclusion that low density combined with the viewing distance makes the impact not - 2 which proposes landscaping, will not be Measure 3 1 c i nificant. Mitigation s gP Po very effective as pointed out on page 3-43 where it documents the problems associated Po P g � with screening structures from elevated viewpoints. SECTION 4 - OPEN SPACE AND PARKS General Comments This chapter recognizes man of the impacts on the Park and Open Space Preserve, but in P g y some cases does not adequately address the impacts or offer appropriate mitigation. Our major concern is the impact the development will have on parking and recreational trails in the Park and Open Space Preserve. I SMific Comments 1) Regional Open Space The Existing Development and Conditions section of the report makes reference to the District functioning as an open space agency. It should be stated that the District is a regional open space agency. We acquire and manage open space lands that are regionally significant, but decline to become involved in acquiring and managing small, urbanized open space parcels that tend to directly benefit a specific area or neighborhood. The District does support projects of local interest, but usually limits the support to advisory and technical services only. 2) M.R.O.S.D. Master Plan In the section that addresses consistency with other plans, it should be noted that the District's Master Plan identifies the highest ratings for open space values on the Cristo Rey Parcel (see attached Master Plan). It is incorrect to state that the plan indicates the highest ratings for open space land acquisition. These ratings reflect values for open space functions of obvious interest, such as providing opportunities for recreation, scenic beauty and wildlife habitat, and preventing urban sprawl. II� I I I Page 5 3) Cupertino General Plan The District agrees with the conclusions in Section B that state "to build at a residential density in excess of the General Plan's density, and in areas reserved for open space, by definition, makes the Diocese's plans inconsistent with the City's General Plan." 4) Recreational Use In the discussion of overall impacts, Impact 4-1 understates the impact that the development residents will have on park and open space recreational facilities. It suggests that, at a minimum, this impact will take the form of walk-in users, but goes on to state there is a possibility that some residents furthest from the Park and Open Space Preserve will drive to the parking lots and increase the need for additional parking. District staff has urged the project representatives and consultants to recognize the probability of increased parking demand from neighborhood residents . The D.E.I.R. should indicate that, at a minimum, the impact will take the form of walk-in users and increase parking demands by residents of the development. Mitigation measures should then be proposed to reduce the impacts by widening i Cristo Rey Drive to provide streetside parking and/or providing a neighborhood parking area near an appropriate entrance to the park. Impacts on the trails in the Park and Open Space Preserve should be addressed in all alternatives having higher densities. During peak hours, many of the trails are near capacity including many neighbors who easily access the trails on a daily basis. The new residents will most likely visit the Park and Open Space Preserve more often than visitors who drive longer distances, thereby significantly increasing congestion on the trail system. The impact may result in a significant impact that can not be mitigated, but should be addressed none the less. i i Mitigation measures that address trails and parking, including Mitigation Measure 4- 1, which provides internal pedestrian trails with a walk-in point of entry to the Park and Open Space Preserve, should be planned and implemented jointly between the developer and respective agencies. 5) Buffer Zones and Wildlife Corridors Mitigation Measure 4-3 is important in reducing conflicts between park visitors and residents adjacent to the County Park. These corridors will function as physical and visual barriers. Residents will likely be impacted by park activities and vice versa unless the buffers are sufficiently wide enough to reduce these impacts. Mitigation Measure 4-5 will also help reduce the impacts, as will other mitigation measures in the Vegetation and Wildlife section, which recommend fencing away from property lines and closer to structures. Page 6 i The proposed widths for wildlife corridors and buffer zones are too conservative. Domestic pets will impact both Park visitors as well as wildlife movement, if .backyard fences are immediately adjacent to these areas. Dumping of landscape materials over backyard fences is often a problem where development is up against open space. In some cases, these materials, such as grass clippings, can become toxic and endanger wildlife. Residents need to be educated about their responsibilities to protect the integrity of the adjacent wildlife habitat. 6) Visual Impacts The Comparative Site Plan Analysis for Alternative 1 suggests that most of the existing stand of approximately 435 trees will be removed as a result of development and, therefore, be highly visible from the Park and Open Space Preserve. We agree that the visual impact could be greater than that proposed in Alternative 2, but it is unclear why so much tree removal is necessary in these alternatives. In the Vegetation and Wildlife section of the report, the analysis is confusing and it is difficult to understand how the trees were inventoried, and the basis for recommendations for removal due to poor condition. The remaining number of trees needed to be removed for Alternative 1 is not easily understood and needs to be clarified. In that section it refeis to the inventory of 435 trees which apparently includes many trees in the riparian corridor. In addition, there is a provision for removing 180 trees in poor condition. It is our conclusion that the number of trees needing removal because they are directly associated with the development may be far less than 435. A field inspection revealed that, generally, the majority of healthy trees are in the protected areas of the wildlife corridor and buffer zone and the unhealthy trees are found in the area proposed for development. The confusion is compounded by the fact that the same number of trees are shown to be removed on the Seminary Parcel under Alternative 1 with 36 lots, on Alternative 3 with 125 lots and on Alternative 5 with 155 lots. The Comparative Site Plan Alternatives Analysis includes a number of references to the significant visual impact that development on the Cristo Rey Parcel will have on the County Park and Open Space Preserve. We concur, but find these references to be in conflict with findings in the previous chapter of the report devoted to visual analysis. One example is on page 4-19 where development of the Cristo Rey Parcel, under Alternative 5, is recognized as being "quite visible when viewed from the County Park's parking lot and from the Open Space Preserve's viewing and hiking trails." In the Visual Analysis chapter, the impact is described as insignificant and there is no proposed mitigation. Again, at the top of page 4-16 the text states "once development takes place on the Cristo Rey Parcel, it will have a significant impact on the open space and wilderness experience that many visitors to the County Park and Open Space Preserves are seeking." These statements are not substantiated in the ---------- ---- ---- - Page 7 Visual Analysis chapter where the views of the Cristo Rey Parcel, described in each alternative where development is proposed, are considered distant and the impacts not significant. SECTION 5 - VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE General Comments This chapter insufficiently addresses the impacts that development alternatives will have on the woodland area of the Seminary Parcel and open grassland of the Cristo Rey Parcel. In addition, since many of the alternatives are proposed within the watershed of the wetland area near Cristo Rey Drive, it seems imperative that a detailed hydrology report be completed in order to assess potential impacts to the red-legged frog (a California designated species of special concern). Spg!Lific Comments: 1) Tree Removal In the Existing Conditions section of the report, there is reference to a tree report prepared by Barrie Coate and Associates. It states that the report assesses the health and form of each of the 435 trees found on the Seminary Parcel. A field inspection indicates that many of the trees are within the riparian corridor and the area of additional setbacks proposed in the mitigation measures. The report recommends removal of 180 trees that are hazardous or unhealthy. The D.E.I.R. appears to be incorrect when, in subsequent sections, it concludes that all or most of the 435 trees will need to be removed to implement Alternatives 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Considering that 180 trees are recommended to be removed regardless of the development alternatives and many other trees are protected within the riparian corridor and proposed mitigation setbacks, the number of trees needed to be removed under the various alternatives is much less than 435. It would also seem incorrect that the same number of trees are recommended to be removed under Alternative 1 and 3 when Alternate 3 has more than twice the density. The D.E.I.R. must be more clear as to how many trees will be removed under each alternative. 2) Red-legged Frog The red-legged frog is threatened by alternatives with development in the described habitat watershed boundaries of the Cristo Rey Parcel shown on page 5-3. Development should not be considered for this area without a hydrology study that indicates potential impacts. In addition to understanding the hydrology, attention should be given to other impacts on the frog's habitat such as erosion and fertilizers that may harm water quality, and pets that may invade the habitat within close proximity. The hydrology study may reveal that the entire watershed boundary for the seep should be delineated as a sensitive habitat, in which case, we would disagree with a statement found in the Consistency With General Plan Policies section of the i i Page 8 report. The statement refers to General Plan Policy 5-14 and indicates Alternate 5 follows the sensitive habitat constraints analysis most closely. How can this statement be made when, in fact, it is possible that this alternative may seriously impact the red- legged frog habitat. 3) Wildlife Corridors and Hillside Property Fencing The District supports General Plan Policy 5-17 which confines fencing on hillside property to the area around a building rather than around an entire site. Mitigation measure 5-6 restricts uses within 100 feet of the edge of riparian vegetation. An additional mitigation measure that more directly reflects the policy would direct fencing away from riparian and wildlife corridors to areas around a building. This mitigation would maximize wildlife habitat and movement. In Alternate 5, the value of wildlife habitat in the remaining open space to the north of the developed portion of the Cristo Rey Drive Parcel is strongly influenced by the width of the connecting wildlife corridor. Wildlife will be impacted by domestic pets j if they are permitted to reach the property lines next to 200 foot wildlife corridor. Mitigation Measure 5-12 should be included under Alternative 5 and broadened to direct fencing to areas around buildings in an effort to maximize wildlife habitat and movement 4) Loss of Habitat Each development alternative results in the loss of habitat which is described as a significant unavoidable biological impact. Alternate 1 is shown to have the least impact based on the amount of remaining open space. The impact of this alternative li on the habitat value is difficult to assess since it is not clear how many trees peed to be removed in addition to 180 trees that are apparently unhealthy. The greatest impact to wildlife habitat on the Seminary Parcel is the initial introduction of human activity relating to residential use. Protecting the riparian corridor by implementing mitigation measures that keep fencelines near buildings and away from the corridor, are critically important. The Park and Open Space Preserve can more likely absorb wildlife that is displaced in the interior of the Seminary Parcel than in the expansive grassland area of the Cristo Rey Parcel since there is similar adjacent woodland habitat, but a shortage of grasslands. Alternatives that disrupt continuity of the grasslands on the Cristo Rey Parcel significantly reduce a diminishing resource in this region. Grasslands in good condition are vitally important in providing food and nesting grounds. Although the habitat value of the grassland is relatively low at the current time because of heavy grazing activity, an enhancement program could improve the habitat to a much larger degree. Maximizing continuous open space and protecting the grassland area should be addressed in the Alternatives Analysis for each alternative. Page 9 As an overall observation, the District believes that the policy statements of the Cupertino General Plan are well thought out, and should be applied vigorously. It is our hope that additional compromises that degrade this valuable habit area will be few. It is important to remember that the original land holding has already been permitted over 319 units of housing, with little or no requirement for habitat and open space mitigation. This property has regionally significant environmental values which are deserving of protection, as evidenced by the fact that the District and the County both chose this area for establishment of a public open space preserve and regional park. Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the D.E.I.R. We look forward to participating in the continuing planning process to achieve an environmentally balanced development plan for the lands of Diocese of San Jose. We hope that our comments and concerns assist in the formulation of a final Environmental Impact Report that adequately addresses the many critical environmental issues this proposed development raises. c ely, i L. g Britton General Manager LCB:DW:ca i i cc: Board of Directors, MROSD John Gibbs, Aide to Supervisor McKenna i Karen Foss, Director of Parks and Recreation i I I I i i i i Open Space ----------------- MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT For Immediate Release Contact: Bonnie Hasson August 15, 1994 Docent Coordinator (415) 691-1200 Thornewood House and Estate Tours Los Altos, CA - Free tours of the house at Thornewood Open Space preserve, plus a short hike to Schilling Lake, will be conducted by Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District docents on Sunday, September 25. ............... Thornewood house, located in Woodside, was designed by Gardner Dailey in the 1920s as a summer home for Julian and Edna Thorne of San Francisco. This tour provides visitors with a glimpse of the relaxed ' I "summer home" lifestyle enjoyed in the early part of the century. The preserve also contains portions of the former estate of coffee and spice merchant August Schilling. Visitors to the preserve will enjoy seeing picturesque Schilling Lake hidden among the redwood trees. Tour reservations will be accepted only on September 12, 13, and 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. To reserve places on the combination house tour and guided hike, please call the District office at (415) 691-1200. The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, extending from the Town of Los Gatos to the City of San Carlos, is a public agency that owns and manages over 36,000 acres of diverse open space in 23 open space preserves. Funding is provided by a small share of the annual total property tax revenues collected within District boundaries. The District permanently protects wildlife habitat, watersheds, and a variety of ecosystems, restores damaged natural resources, and provides trail improvements for passive recreational use i by the public. The District's goal is to acquire a continuous greenbelt of protected open space lands for i public use and enjoyment, and to preserve open space for future generations to enjoy. There are approximately 20,000 - 30,000 acres of land still at risk of being lost to development within the District's planning area. The District is divided into seven geographic wards, each represented by an elected Board member for a four-year term. The Board holds public meetings on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 7:30 p.m., at the District office. u # # 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos, California 94022-1464 • Phone:415-691-1200 • FAX:415-691-0485 Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Robert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Ginny Babbitt,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit -.__ _ Open Space MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT i i Letter sent to Executive Directors and August 12, 1994 Presidents of: Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Gatos, Menlo Park, Pedwood City, Los Altos, Sally McLeod, President and Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce Mountain View Chamber of Commerce 580 Castro Street Mountain View, CA 94041 i Dear Ms . McLeod: i As a fellow member of the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce, I 'd like to invite you to a briefing to acquaint you with the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. You and officials from other local chambers of commerce are invited to attend a special 8 :00 a.m. breakfast meeting on Wednesday, September 7 , 1994 here at the District office in Los Altos. ' The purpose of this meeting is to in troduce i ourselves to you, and to let tax-based know how the District,istrict, a property tax based public , agency, is handling th e steward ship of over 36, 000 acres of public i land in the midpeninsula area from San Carlos to Los Gatos . The District, like your chamber, is a crucial element in making this • area one of the most desirable in the state, if not the entire i country. I i At this special breakfast meeting, we 'd like to show you how the District fits into the fabric of our local community, providing a respite from everyday life, a scenic backdrop to the businesses and residences of -the area, and a home for countless plants and animals that otherwise would have no place to thrive as an integral part of our environment. It is also important for us to hear your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions, as to how we are doing and what . the District can do to better serve the business and residential I community. Please confirm your attendance by returning the enclosed reply card no later than Tuesday, August 1. This is an opportunity to discover what the District provides for you , your family, your business, and the community as a whole, and for you to provide feedback on District activities . Don' t hesitate to contact me or Craig Britton, the District' s General Manager, at (415) 691-1200 if you have any questions about this meeting or about, the District. I look forward to seeing you on September 7 . Sincerely, Ginny Babbitt, President GBlmcs cc: Board of Directors, MROSD 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos, California 94022-1404 • Phone: 415-691-1200 • FAX:415-691-0485 �® Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Robert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Ginny Babbitt,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit /pecia Di.rtn'*Ct.r Afrocl"ation of Tanta Clara County August 5, 1994 i Dear Board President: i The Local Agency Formation Commission(LAFCO) has been given authority under new legislation(AB 1335 - effective July 1, 1994)to initiate organizational changes Board of Directors of special districts. The special district lobbyist in Sacramento, the California Curtis B. Harrison LAFCO Executive Officer, and the Staff Director to the Senate Committee on Local President Government, all suggest that the legislature expects immediate action to happen this Vince Garrod year. This movement can take the form of consolidation, detachment, dissolution, Vice President merging, or annexation of special districts. Susan A. Pino Secretary Treasurer AB 1335 legislation mandates special district representation on LAFCO if a majority of independent special districts request that representation. Representation on LAFCO means that some authority to use special district latent powers is transferred to LAFCO. This new legislation requires participation of board members from special districts and limits the involvement of staff. Do you want LAFCO to decide our organizational future without representation? g Y Y p Do you want special district representation on LAFCO? Do you want to give up your latent powers? Do you want to reserve your latent powers and not be represented? ACTION REQUESTED: 1. Reserve time on your August Board Agenda for this topic. Request our district legal counsel to identify our latent towers. Members 2. Re q Y g �'Y t" Aldercron Heights County Water District 3. Personally attend, or send another board member as a representative, central Fire Protection District County Sanitation District No.4 along with your district manager, a special district workshop on this issue Cupertino Sanitary District Evergreen Resource Conservation District of Representation on LAFCO. Loma Prieto Resource Conservation District p Purissims Hills County Water District Santa Clara County Transit District Santa Clara Valley Water District Saratoga Fire District West Valley Sanitation i District Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District i I i Page 2 August 5, 1994 i i i The workshop, sponsored by Sfiecial Districts Association of Santa Clara County, will be held on � Thursday, September 22, 1994 7:30 P.M. in the Board Room of the Santa Clara Valley Water District. Please 11-S.V.P. to Lynn Webb at Cupertino Sanitary District, (408) 253-7071, by September 16, 994. An agenda and a map for the Workshop are attached. Sincerely, Wendell H. Kerr Virginia Babbitt Board President - Cupertino Board President-Midpeninsula Sanitary District Regional Open Space District Robert Egan Board Chairman- Saratoga Fire Protection District I I I I i i i i i i SPECIAL DISTRICT . -)RKSHOP • SPECIAL DISTRICT REPRESENTATION ON LAFCO /Pecial Date: Thursday, September 22, 1994 • • Time: 7:30 P.M. to 10:30 P.M. Where: Santa Clara Valley Water District Board Room Administration Building • • Almaden Expressway San f f 0�,� 10n San Jose, CA. 95118 Phone: 265-2600 of fanta Clara County Tentative Agenda: 1. Summary of AB 1335 2. Summary of LAFCO procedures 3. Summary of procedures for LAFCO representation 4. Study session on latent Powers Procedures 5. Consensus building discussion session Board of Directors Curtis B. Harrison President Vince Garrod Vice President 10I Susan A. Pino Secretary-Treasurer �o zaa 280 Alp' jo Members ` AldercroR Heights County Water District 0 t Central Fire Protection District o l 1� County Sanitation District No.4 ei. 1 Cupertino Sanitary District HILL en. Evergreen Resource Conservation District °LO�OY 5 Loma Prieta Resource Conservation District $ // 5 Purissima Hills County Water District I / Santa Clara County Transit District 1191 ,` Santa Clara Valley Water District stnasor raLL im. c \ WATER DISTRICT Saratoga Fire District I \` Administration Bldg.5750 Almaden Expr. West Valley Sanitation 265-2600 District NEdpeninsula Regional Open Space District PROCESS Step 1 The Commission, or a majority of the independent special districts, adopts a resolution initiating proceedings for district representation on LAFCO. The resolution must- also request that regulations be adopted for the functions and services of special districts within the county. Step 2 The Executive Officer must immediately call a meeting of the Independent Special District Selection Committee (ISDSC) to be held not less than 15 nor more than 35 days after the adoption of the resolution in Step 1. The ISDSC is composed of the presiding officer, or other member of the legislative body as appointed by the presiding officer, of each independent special district within the county. At this meeting, the ISDSC either approves or disapproves the resolution adopted in Step 1. Step 3 Afterthe ISDSC has approved the initiating resolution, LAFCO,at its next meeting, must adopt a resolution of intention and order the proposal referred to a special district advisory committee (SDAC). The SDACwould be comprised of up to three members from each independent special district and would meet in order to develop proposed regulations for administering district latent powers. Step 4 LAFCO then would consider the regulations proposed by the SDAC and would adopt a resolution approving the regulations, with or without amendment. The resolution would also call a meeting of the ISDSC within 15 days of the adoption of the resolution, in order to select special district representatives. Step 5 The ISDSC would meet and elect three representatives: one to serve a four year term; one to serve a two year term; and one to serve as alternate for a four year term i SPECIAL DISTRICT NiORKSHOP • SPECIAL DISTRICT REPRESENTATION ON LAFCO /pecial Date: Thursday, September 22, 1994 • Time: 7:30 P.M. to 10:30 P.M. =or Where: Santa Clara Valley Water District Board Room Administration Building • 5750 Almaden Expressway A'rr0C1C1t1*0rt San Jose, CA. 95118 Phone: 265-2600 of lanta Clara County Tentative Agenda: 1. Summary of AB 1335 2. Summary of LAFCO procedures 3. Summary of procedures for LAFCO representation 4. Study session on latent Powers Procedures 5. Consensus building discussion session Board of Directors Curtis B. Harrison President Vince Garrod Vice President l01 Susan A. Pino Secretary-Treasurer �o ��, 100 i 280 I I I I I II N I 1 � I ^ . I � o Members Aldercrott Heights County Water District 0 1 Central Fire Protection District l 1p County Sanitation District No.4 , Cupertino Sanitary District NtL w. Evergreen Resource Conservation District �i0 a1OSSoy gs Loma Prleta Resource Conservation District //// v Purisslma Hills County Water District Santa Clara County Transit District Santa Clara Valley Water District 31LOSSOM HILL tm. / WATER DISTRICT Saratoga Fire District Administration Bldg. West Valley Sanitation 5750 Almaden Expr. 265-2600 District Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District - - - - ------ PROCESS Step 1 The Commission, or a majority of the independent special districts, adopts a resolution initiating proceedings for district representation on LAFCO. The resolution must also request that regulations be adopted for the functions and services of special districts within the county. Step 2 The Executive Officer must immediately call a meeting of the Independent Special District Selection Committee (ISDSC) to be held not less than 15 nor more than 35 days after the adoption of the resolution in Step 1. The ISDSC is composed of the presiding officer, or other member of the legislative body as appointed by the presiding officer,of each independent special district within the county. At this meeting, the ISDSC either approves or disapproves the resolution adopted in Step 1. Step 3 Afterthe ISDSC has approved the initiating resolution, LAFCO,at its next meeting, must adopt a resolution of intention and order the proposal referred to a special district advisory committee (SDAQ. The SDACwould be comprised of up to three members from each independent special district and would meet in order to develop proposed regulations for administering district latent powers. Step 4 LAFCO then would consider the regulations proposed by the SDAC and would adopt a resolution approving the regulations, with or without amendment. The resolution w"o'uld also call a meeting of the ISDSC within 15 days of the adoption of the resolution, in order to select special district representatives. Step 5 The ISDSC would meet and elect three representatives: one to serve a four year term; one to serve a two year term; and one to serve as alternate for a four year term. _ ------- Open Space 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT MEMORANDUM DATE: 8l4194 TO: All Staff FROM: L. Craig Britton, General Manager RE: Results of public opinion survey • In May, 1993,the District completed a public opinion poll in order to gauge the public's awareness and perception. We had planned on doing a"tracking"poll within one year to measure any changes and to evaluate the effectiveness of our public outreach efforts. The latest poll was completed in late July, and has a margin of error of± 4.5%. In the past,the District has been considering various altemative funding possibilities. With the loss of Proposition 180, and the ongoing state budget difficulties,the need to look at possible alternative ' funding sources has become even more critical and timely. In order to measure the public's propensity to support one of these alternatives,a possible funding measure for the District on the November, 1994 ballot,we made some adjustments to the content of the tracking poll to be of more timely and immediate use. It was decided not to proceed with any kind of funding measure this November,but the results of the poll are still of great interest. Following is a summary from the results of that public opinion poll. The complete survey,raw ' r review. Please don't hesitate to data, and cross tabulated report areavailable m Malcolm s office fo � P contact Malcolm if you'd like to go through other aspects of the survey. 1: Are things in ... going in the right direction: Old s� New survey United States 42% 41% i California 14% 23% Your county 50% 60% Your local community 73% 74% Despite the lagging economy,there was an increase in the number of people who think both California and their county are"going in the right direction." 330 Distel Circle Los Altos, California 94022-1404 Phone:415-691-1200 FAX:415-691-0485 Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Robert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Ginny Babbitt,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit Genera/Manager:L.Craig Britton it . 2: Would you respond favorably to increasing property tax assessments for: Yes% Schools 65 Fire 64 Police 61 Libraries 55 Parks 51 Wildlife habitat preservation 48 Open space 37 Apparently, if people are going to approve of new taxes,then they feel that open space is not as critical as issues such as schools, fire, and police; however,we don't know how they distinguish between parks, wildlife habitat and open space. On last June's state ballot there were bond measures for schools, earthquake rebuilding, and higher education,as well as parks and wildlife; although all bond measures on the ballot lost,the parks and wildlife bond measure ranked the lowest,which is consistent with the above statistic. 3: Overall awareness of District: Old survey New survey ' Heard of District 54% 60% Not heard of District 46% 40% Of those that have heard of the District: Favorable opinion 65% 62% Unfavorable opinion 9% 10% No Opinion 26% 28% The good news is that our overall name recognition is higher, and that is one of our primary goals in the public affairs program; however, of those that have heard of us,a slightly lower percentage have a favorable opinion. 4: Would you pay a$12 per year assessment for acquisition and improvements: Yes 52% No 42% No Opinion 7% This simply shows that,without any additional information,people would support additional funding for the District,but only by a very slim majority. e� 1 I l I I I l I I Sb: If asked to choose,would you give a higher priority to acquisition or' I Old survey New survey Acquisition 32% 31% Improvements 40% 51% Both 19% 3% j Neither 4% 10% No opinion 5% 5% The significant change here is that more of the survey respondents want to see improvements to existing open space land, and a much lower number of people want both acquisition and improvements. 5c: How much would you be willing to pay per year for acquisition and improvements(open-ended): $0 29% $1-4 3% $5-9 5% $1-14 28% $10-14 20% $15-19 1% $20-24 5% $15-25 23% $25 17% no opinion 20% This question just gives us an idea of where people stand on the level of funding they might be willing to provide for the District. 5d: Would you a per year for acquisition and improvements(specified amounts I Y pay •••P Y q � P ( P ): jOld survey Newer $25 49% 35% $20 / 41% $15 / 47% $10 / 57% This is a further refinement of the dollar amounts people might be willing to pay. The pollster analyzed this as meaning that around$10-12 is about the level that would get a positive vote. 6a: Top five"very important"types of acquisition projects: 1. Wildlife habitat(50%) 2. Land threatened by development(41%) 3. Along the bay(40%) 4. Stream/riparian(39%) 5. Scenic open space hillsides(37%) I This question provides information on the relative importance of various types of acquisitions (only the top 5 are shown). Like the previous survey,this confirms that people place greater importance on "preservation of wildlife habitat"than on"open space preservation,"when in fact they are virtually the same thing. This means that we need to educate the public that the District does all of these things-it's a matter of the public's perception. 6b: After hearing about types of acquisitions,would you pay$15/12 per year for acquisition: Old survey ($15) New survey($12) Yes 52% 59% No 42% 36% This shows that as the public becomes more educated and informed about the District,it has a higher propensity to support additional funding. 7a: Top five"very important"improvement projects: 1. Restore damaged areas (53%) 2. Provide more environmental education programs (43%) 3. Increase patrol of public lands 40% P P ( ) ` 4. Provide more educational study centers(38%) 5. Provide more trails (33%) This looks at the relative importance of various kinds of improvements(only the top 5 are shown). As with the acquisition projects,these are the things people want to see us doing,and we have to educate I them as to the level of programs the District is currently providing in these areas. I i 7b: After hearing about types of improvements,would you pay$10/12 annually for improvements: Old survey($10) New survey($12) I Yes 60% 60% _ No 35% 35% i The more informed people are (i.e., a strong campaign, if we were on the ballot),the higher the support. 8a: Top five arguments against an additional assessment: I j 1. There are more important things to spend any additional taxes on(55%) 2. Property owners shouldn't pay- let the users pay(52%) 3. Taxpayer debt is already high enough(50%) 4. If this tax increase is approved, it will encourage politicians to impose other tax increases (50%) 5. It is not within the means of Proposition 13 (49%) I Looking at possible arguments against additional funding tells us what we might encounter if we went 9n the ballot. i Ii { 8b: After hearing the arguments against,would you support an increased assessment: Old survey New survey Yes 62% 58% No 32% 38% The comparison with last year is a little problematic: last year's survey asked about arguments in favor, then asked about arguments against; this year,those two questions were asked in reverse order. This year,there was a two-point decrease after hearing arguments against, and a two-point increase after i hearing arguments in favor. Last year, there was a four-point increase after hearing arguments in favor, and a two-point decrease after the arguments against. See question#9b. 9a: Top five arguments in favor of an additional assessment: 1. Would save open space for future generations (72%) 2. Would reserve streams and protect water quality 69% P P q tY( ) � 3. Provides residents with better opportunities to use and enjoy existing open space(69%) 4. Would protect wildlife habitat(67%) 5. Much of the money would go to developing existing parks making them more accessible to the public (66%) I This question is asked to determine the type of language that might be used in a ballot argument, although it is also very useful for production of our promotional materials. i i 9b: After hearing the arguments in favor,would you support an increased assessment: ................ Old survey New survey Yes 64% 60% No 28% 35% See note after question#8b. 10: Top five most effective endorsements: 1. City councils (53%) 2. MROSD(52%) 3. Boards of Supervisors(51%) 4. PCL (50%) 5. Chambers of Commerce(50%) Again, with a ballot measure in mind,this question may tell us what organizations' or individuals' opinions are perceived as having a high level of influence to the average voter. The demographics of the 500 registered voters surveyed are very similar to those of the last survey: mostly in the 40-65+age range, 75%homeowners, 84% Caucasian,>$40,000 income. rr I I One of the most crucial aspects of the cross-tabulated report(where answers to each question are broken down by the demographics) is the identification of the so-called"swing"voters. In a poll like this the voting public is broken down into three groups: the support base,which are those that support us already and would likely vote in favor of additional funding; the opposition base,those that do not like the District and would likely not vote for additional funding; and the swing voters,which are those people who haven't decided on the issue. It is the swing voter that can change the outcome of an election, and which are the ones where the most educational effort should be expended. Old Survey New Survey Support 32% 47% Oppose 26% 29% Swung 42% 24% As you can see,the general support base has grown significantly and the swing vote has dropped. Unfortunately, the opposition base got some of those swing voters,but it is not a significant increase. Y PP g gm The next step is to identify the demographic make-up of the swing voters in order to try and"segment" them into an identifiable group so that information can easily be provided to them. For example, if it was shown that the swing voters were mostly senior citizens,then providing outreach to seniors would be a key component of our public outreach. Unfortunately, like the last survey,this group of swing voters is made up of the same demographics as the entire 500-person sample,meaning that there is no single attribute that can be identified solely with the swing voters. This makes it difficult to"target"the swing voters,but it does tell us that perhaps the best way is to try and reach all constituents within the District. This is a huge undertaking,but ultimately Will be well worth the effort,even in the absence of any funding measure. i i I i I (Received August 3, 1994) (Original note card was too dark to photocopy) Dear Board and Staff. Thank you for your recent words of congratulations and offer of support. As many of you know, I have had a continuing interest in your policy development and have enjoyed the use of many of the wonderful special places you have worked so hard to preserve for us. I anticipate calling on you frequently for models which will contribute to thoughtful development of our policies. i i Your fact sheet and annual report were inadvertently omitted from your 7/14/94 letter. I would appreciate receiving a copy of both at your earliest. Thank you again for the offer of support and for all that each of i you have given over the years for our community i Sincerely, i (s)Garnetta J. Annable ................. r ---- - - - ------------- -- ----- - - Open Space MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT August 3, 1994 Mr. and Mrs. Steve Stuckey Y` P. O. Box 1115 Cupertino, CA 95015 Dear Linda and Steve: Thank you for your August 1 letter regarding the Fremont t Older Open Space Preserve road maintenance meet. Your letter ette will be forwarded as a written communication age to the Board of Directors at their August 24 Regular Meeting. The August 10 Regular Meeting has been canceled. As you are aware, I have asked John Escobar, the District's Operations Manager, to contact you and arrange a conference with you, the Levines, and the Harrises to discuss the road maintenance agreement, including the road usage figures and individual cost shares. Sin y, i i L. Craig Britton General Manager cc: MROSD Board of Directors John Escobar, Operations Manager 330 Distel Circle Los Altos, California 94022-1404 • Phone:415-691-1200 • FAX:415-691-0485 Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Robert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Ginny Babbitt,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit Open Space r MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT August 2, 1994 Mr. Patrick Sanchez Director, Parks and Recreation Division County of San Mateo Environmental Services Agency 590 Hamilton Street, 4th Floor Redwood City, California 94063 Dear Patrick: In behalf of the Districts Board of Directors and management team, I thank you and your staff very much for hosting the July joint meeting of the County's Parks and Recreation Commission and the District's Board of Directors. The meeting laid the foundation for some future discussions and information exchange. In particular, the need for having the same trail use regulations for trails that pass through both San Mateo County Parks and District preserves and the exploration of future funding alternatives benefilting both our programs are two topics I'd like to discuss in greater detail with you. I'll be contacting you shortly to set up a meeting. Another idea I'd also like to explore during our meeting is a joint meeting of the County's and District's management and administrative staff to discuss in greater detail various projects and day-today activities in which we're all involved. Thank you again, Patrick, for hosting the July joint meeting, including providing the absolutely incredible assortment of refreshments. Sincerely, L. C 'g Britton• General Manager cc: Board of Directors - 330 DisteI Circle Los Altos California 94022-1404 . Phone:415 691- 1200 FAX: 415_691_ 0485 Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Robert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Ginny Babbitt,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit I OP P Open Space 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT August 2, 1994 Dick Siegfried City of Saratoga Planning Commission 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, CA 95070 Subject: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Role in Planning Dear Commissioner Siegfried: Congratulations on your appointment to the Planning Commission! One issue of major concern to Saratoga residents is the future of the open space in and around their community. Many peninsula residents credit the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District with helping to reserve the scenic and environmental values that make their communities great places to live. We hope you are already familiar with the agency and its accomplishments and mission, but in case you aren't, and to provide more detailed information, we have prepared the attached information packet. The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, extending from the Town of Los Gatos to the City of San Carlos, is a public agency which has preserved over 36,000 acres of diverse open space in 23 open n space preserves. P P Funding is provided by a small share of the annual total property tax revenues collected within District boundaries. The District permanently protects wildlife Pe Y habitat, watershed, and a variety of ecosystems, restores damaged natural resources, 'and provides trail improvements for passive recreational use by the public. The District's goal is to acquire a continuous greenbelt of protected open space lands for public use and enjoyment, and to preserve open space for future generations to enjoy. There are approximately 20,000 - 30,000 acres of land still at risk of being lost to I development within the District's planning area. The District is divided into sevengeographic wards each represented for a four year � P Y term by an elected Board member. The Board holds public meetings on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 7:30 p.m., at the District offices. i 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos, California 94022-1404 • Phone: 415-691-1200 • FAX: 415-691-0485, Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Robert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Ginny Babbitt,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit General Manager:L.Craig Britton Page 2 Although the District does not typically acquire lands within the urban service limits of cities, the District does comment and coordinate on local policies, plans, and projects that effect open space values. The District has played an active role in acquiring open space lands in the hillsides above Saratoga, and in providing a connecting trail system in conjunction with the Santa Clara County Parks Department and the trail and open space plans of the various cities. As financial resources for acquiring open space are becoming more constrained, we find it more essential to work closely with other agencies and organizations to align our efforts toward common goals. We hope to have the opportunity to work with you in this regard during your service on the Planning Commission. Sincerely, Randy Anderson Planning Manager RA:snd cc: MROSD Board of Directors i Open Space j s MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT August 2, 1994 Margaret Patrick City of Saratoga Planning Commission , 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, CA 95070 Subject: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Role in Planning Dear Commissioner Patrick: Congratulations on your'appointment to the Planning Commission! One issue of major concern to Saratoga residents is the future of the open space in and around their community. Many peninsula residents credit the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District with helping to preserve the scenic and environmental values that make their communities great places to live. We hope you are already familiar with the agency and its accomplishments and mission, but in case you aren't, and to provide more detailed information, we have prepared the attached information packet. The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, extending from the Town of Los Gatos to the City of San Carlos, is a public agency which has preserved over 36,000 acres of diverse open space in 23 open space preserves, Funding is provided by a small share of the annual total property tax revenues collected within District boundaries. The District permanently protects wildlife habitat, watershed, and a variety of ecosystems, restores damaged natural resources, and provides trail improvements for passive recreational use by the public. The District's goal is to acquire a continuous greenbelt of protected open space lands for public use and enjoyment, and to preserve open space for future generations to enjoy. There are approximately 20,000 - 30,000 acres of land still at risk of being lost to development within the District's planning area. The District is divided into seven geographic wards, each represented for a four year term by an elected Board member. The Board holds public meetings on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 7:30 p.m., at the District offices. I i I I I I 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos, California 94022-1404 • Phone: 415-691-1200 • FAX: 415-691-0485 Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Robert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Ginny Babbitt,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit Genera(Manager:L.Craig Britton I I i Page 2 i i Although the District does not typically acquire lands within the urban service limits of cities, the District does comment and coordinate on local policies, plans, and projects that effect open space values. The District has played an active role in acquiring open space lands in the hillsides above Saratoga, and in providing a connecting trail system in conjunction with the Santa Clara County Parks Department- and the trail and open space plans of the various cities. As financial resources for acquiring open space are becoming more constrained, we find it more essential to work closely with other agencies and organizations to align our efforts toward common goals. We hope to have the opportunity to work with you in this regard during your service on the Planning Commission. i Sincerely, I i i i Randy Anderson PlanningManager RA:snd cc: MROSD Board of Directors i i Open Space 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT August 2, 1994 Alfred Abshire City of Saratoga Planning Commission 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, CA 95070 Subject: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Role in Planning Dear Commissioner Abshire: Congratulations on your appointment to the Planning Commission! One issue of major concern to Saratoga residents is the future of the open space in and around their .community. Many peninsula residents credit the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District with helping to preserve the scenic and environmental values that make their f communities great places to live. We hope you are already familiar with the agency and its accomplishments and mission, but in case you aren't, and to provide more detailed information, we have prepared the attached information packet. The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, extending from the Town of Los Gatos to the City of San Carlos, is a public agency which has preserved over 36,000 acres of diverse open space in 23 open space preserves. Funding is provided by a small share of the annual total property tax revenues collected within District boundaries. The District permanently protects wildlife habitat, watershed, and a variety of ecosystems, restores damaged natural resources, and provides trail improvements for passive recreational use by the public. The District's goal is to acquire a continuous greenbelt of protected open space lands for public use and enjoyment, and to preserve open space for future generations to enjoy. j There are approximately 20,000 - 30,000 acres of land still at risk of being lost to I development within the District's planning area. i The District is divided into seven geographic wards, each represented for a four year term by an elected Board member. The Board holds public meetings on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 7:30 p.m., at the District offices. I I 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos, California 94022-1404 • Phone:415-691-1200 • FAX: 415-691-0485 Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Robert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Ginny Babbitt,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit General Manager:L.Craig Britton I Page 2 Although the District does not typically acquire lands within the urban service limits of cities, the District does comment and coordinate on local policies, plans, and projects that effect open space values. The District has played an active role in acquiring open space lands in the hillsides above Saratoga, and in providing a connecting trail system in conjunction with the Santa Clara County Parks Department and the trail and open space plans of the various cities. As financial resources for acquiring open space are becoming more constrained, we find it more essential to work closely with other agencies and organizations to align our efforts toward common goals. We hope to have the opportunity to work with you in this regard during your service on the'Planning Commission. Sincerely, Randy Anderson Planning Manager RA:snd cc: MROSD Board of Directors Open Space 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT July 28, 1994 Honorable Frank Jordan Mayor, City of San Francisco Room 200, City Hall San Francisco, CA 94102 Subject: Bay Trail Access through Peninsula Watershed Lands Dear Mayor Jordan: Attached is a copy of a resolution recently adopted by the District's Board of Directors encouraging the City of San Francisco, through its Public Utilities Commission and Water Department, to seriously consider providing access for the Bay Area Ridge Trail through the Peninsula Watershed lands, in,accordance with regionally-adopted trail plans. We hope this resolution will encourage more direct communication and coordination between the team preparing the watershed master plan on behalf of the City of San Francisco, and the several agencies and organizations who have been working on local and regional trail planning in the peninsula area for many years. Si ely, L. C ritton General Manager - LCB/ra/ca cc: MROSD Board of Directors San Francisco Public Utilities Commission General I Manager, San Francisco Water Dept. Enclosure 330 Diste) Circle Los Altos, California 94022-1404 • Phone. 415-691-1200 FAX:415-691-0485 Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Robert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Ginny Babbitt,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit General Manager:L.Craig Britton Zo E 0 P L E F 0 R 0 P E N S P A C F NM ADVISORY CONTACT: Jim Sayer FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 415/543-4291 MONDAY,JULY 25, 1994 Greenbelt Alliance and ABAG to host working seminars on urban .growth boundaries High-content,low-cost sessions this fall for Northern California planners and general public on how to use longoterm urban growth boundaries to rein in suburban sprawl,protect greenbelt lands, and revitalize cities When Friday September 30 (*00 a.m.-5.00 p.m.)for planners Saturday, October 1 (9.30 am.-5.00p.m.)for the general public Where: MetroCenter in doumtoum Oakland(on September 30) Laney College in dountoun Oakland (on October 1) This fall, you can learn about the latest technique which planners, environmentalists, public officials and even developers are exploring to curb sprawl, revitalize cities and protect greenbelt lands: long-term urban growth boundaries (UGBs). Greenbelt Alliance and the Association of Bay Area Governments are sponsoring two(2)day-long seminars on this potentially powerful planning tool on Friday, September 30(for public agency planners) and Satur- day, October I(for public officials and the general public). The seminars come at a time when there is a burgeoning movement in Bay Area communities to establish long-term UGBs—from "greenline' efforts in San Jose and a lJGB planning strategy for Morgan Hill (both in the South Bay)to the adoption of a 20 year UGB in Sebastopol and planning for a long-term lJGB in Santa Rosa(in the North Bay). Nuts and bolts seminars for citizens and planners Both sessions will feature local and statewide experts, local case studies, and in-depth working groups on key issues related to establishing long-term UGBs, including: • technical and legal criteria for creating UGBs around Northern California communities; • multi jurisdictional agreements among counties and cities to maintain UGBs over the long haul; • techniques for encouraging development inside UGBs; and • communication and public participation strategies for creating and maintaining UGBs. MORE • MORE • MORE MAIN OFFICE • 116 New Montgomery Suite 640, San Francisco CA 94105 • (415)543-4291 SOUTH BAY OFFICE • 1922 The Alameda Suite 213, San Jose CA 95126 • (408)983-0539 Urban Growth Boundary Seminars July 25,1994 2.2-2-2 While the seminars will focus on the advantages of UGBs such as more efficient,contiguous develop- ment—they will also focus on the tough issues raised by putting a boundary In place, such as the availability of developable land, housing affordability, and the protection of greenbelt lands outside the boundary and urban greenspaces inside the UGB. Planning experts from Northern California and Oregon (which has two decades of experience with UGBs)will be on hand to address these issues. The planners' seminar on Friday will be especially strong in dealing with the nuts and bolts issues plan- ners and planning agencies must confront when contemplating and implementing UGBs. High-content, low-cost seminars Both seminars are designed for maximum learning and participation. Registrants will have the benefit of interactive,workshops, numerous case studies, opPo;-tunitlas for networking with colleagues and experts, 0 extensive background materials(including helpful new reports on legal and technical aspects of UGBs), and more. They'll also benefit from the low registration fees for these all-day, professionally-designed seminars. The planners' seminar—which will be kept small in numbers—costs $50 and Includes lunch, as well as all seminar materials and proceedings. The Saturday seminar costs only$29, and includes all proceedings and materials. Lunch at this gathering is available for a small, additional fee. Registration To register for either seminar or obtain additional information, please contact Greenbelt Alliance today at 415/543-4291 or 408/983-0539. Greenbelt Alliance is the Bay Area's region-wide citizen land conservation organization. Founded in 1958, the organization is dedicated to protecting the region's Greenbelt and enhancing the livability of its cities. 30 30 30 30 30 i i I l I I I I I I I I I f I I I I A I i I i I i i I i i i i i i i i I I I I I I Open Space =..__a..__.r -�....-....-._.. MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT 201 San Antonio Circle,Suite C Mountain View,California 94040 Phonf S}949-5500 FAX:(415)949-5679 General Manager:Herbert Grench Board L :tors:Katherine Duffy,Robert McKibbin,Teena Henshaw,Ginn, tt,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Richard Bishop z _ —_ - Claims No. 94-15 Meeting 94-23 Date: August 24, 1994 REVISED MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT # Amount Name Description 6162 575.00 Aaron's Septic TankService Sanitation Services 6163 470.84 Acme&Sons Sanitation, Inc. Sanitation Services 6164 29.06 Acom Naturalists Resouce Documents 6165 192.63 American Welding Supply Field Supplies 6166 100.00 Randy Anderson Reimbursement-Professional Dues 6167 19.05 Bay Area Air Quality Management Fuel Pump Permit 6168 151.55 Best Sanitation Sanitation Services 6169 394.00 Bill's Towing &Recovery Towing Services 6170 53.00 Black Mountain Spring Water Water Service 6171 224.82 Business Interiors Office Equipment 6172 1,551.90 Building Abatement Analytics Consulting Services 6173 158.45 B. W. S. Distributors, Inc. Uniform Expense 6174 168.50 Cabelas, Inc. Uniform Expense 6175 25.45 California Chamber of Commerce Resource Documents 6176 50.00 California Department of Parks and Resouce Documents Recreation 6177 132.00 *1 Califomia Department of Fish and Game Permit 6178 217.67 California Water Service Company Water Service 6179 3,318.87 Catalyst Real Estate Group Real Estate Commission 6180 119.00 Council on Education in Management Subscription 6181 440.61 Alice Cummings Private Vehicle Expense 6182 30.00 Country Almanac Subscription 6183 63.33 *2 Country Gourmet Local Meeting Expense 6184 1,598.41 Design Concepts Miscellaneous Design Services 6185 44.65 John Escobar Reimbursement--Office Supplies 6186 60.00 Evergreen Environmental Services Waste Oil Removal 8187 383.55 Jean Fiddes Reimbursement-Conference Expense and Advertisement 6188 50.00 First American Title Guaranty Deed Research Company 6189 117.00 David Fisher Legal Services 6190 183.50 Garcia Well& Pump Company Pumping System Repairs 6191 1,101.78 Gardenland Power Equipment Field Equipment and Repairs 6192 112.34 Goode Press Incorporated Printing 6193 246.40 Haas Center for Public Service Student Intem 6194 60.73 Bonnie Hasson Reimbursement-Printing 6195 62.19 The Home Depot Field Supplies 6196 314.91 Honda Peninsula Propane Conversion Kit 6197 1,690.87 Jeda Publications Spanish Fact Sheets 6198 79.20 Jobs Available Advertisement 6199 48.00 Emma Johnson Reimbursement-Office Supplies 6200 517.04 Keeble&Shuchat Equipment and Film Processing 6201 78.03 Langley Hill Quarry Base Rock 6202 688.53 Lanier Worldwide, Inc. Photocopier Lease Agreement 6203 75.00 The Last Detail Proofreading Visitor's Guide 6204 52.44 Judy Law Private Vehicle Urgent check issued on August 11, 1994. Urgent check issued on August 9, 1994. Page 1 Claims No. 94-15 Meeting 94-23 Date: August 24, 1994 REVISED MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Amount Nam Description 6205 415.42 Los Altos Garbage Company Dumpster Rental 6206 3,300.61 *3 Merwin (Bucky) Mace Consulting Services 6207 200.00 Kevin MacKay Resource Intern 6208 239.23 McGrath Mobile Modular Skyline Ranger Office Rental 6209 200.26 PauIMcKowan Reimbursement--Uniform Expense 6210 187.54 Minton's Lumber&Supply Field Supplies 6211 364.85 Moffett Supply Company Janitorial Supplies 6212 155.88 Moore Medical Supplies First Aid Supplies 6213 1,277.99 Murray& Murray Legal Services 6214 185.31 National Glass Vehicle Repair 6215 912.49 *4 Navarone Industries Inc. Mailing Services 6216 502.29 Navarone Industries Inc. Mailing Services 6217 39.00 Netcorn On-Line Service 6218 169.58 Noble Ford Tractor, Inc. Vehicle Repairs and Parts 6219 29.56 Northern Energy Propane Fuel 6220 567.74 Office Depot Office Supplies 6221 280.00 Rachel Oppedahl Consulting Services 30.00 Optimist Club of Redwood City Registration-Display 6222 454.50 Orchard Supply Hardware Field Supplies 6223 1,446.26 Pacific Bell Telephone Service =4 735.76 *5 Pacific Gas&Electric Company Nature Center Project 8225 27.65 City of Palo Alto Utilities Utilities 6226 142.39 Peninsula Blueprint Inc Bluelines 6227 412.83 Pine Cone Lumber Company, Inc. Field Supplies 6228 1,000.00 *6 Postage by Phone Postage 6229 2,000.00 *7 Postage by Phone Postage 6230 2,000.00 Postage by Phone Postage 6231 112.50 Rabbit Copiers, Inc. Copier Repair 6232 768.32 Rich's Tire Service Tires 6233 337.50 Romic Hazardous Material Disposal 6234 4,810.42 Roys Repair Service Vehicle Maintenance and Repairs 6235 233.31 S&W Equipment Company Equipment Repairs and Supplies 6236 159.18 Safety-Kleen Solvent Tank Service 6237 1,319.21 San Jose Mercury News Advertisements and Subscription 6238 214.64 San Mateo Times Advertisements 6239 100.00 Santa Clara County Health Department Permit 6240 4,640.00 E. R. Sheehan Trail Construction 6241 136.67 Shell Oil Company Fuel 6242 53.28 John Shelton, Inc. Field Supplies 6243 5,585.17 Smith Equipment Equipment Rental 6244 135.00 Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce Registration-Sunnyvale Business Expo 6245 28.21 Taylor Rental Equipment Rental 6246 595.37 Teater&Etc. Map and Brochure Changes 6247 523.07 Therma Maintenance Inspection *5 Urgent check issued on August 3, 1994- *4 Urgent check issued on July 28, 1994. *5 Urgent check issued on August 17, 1994. *6 Urgent check issued on August 5, 1994. *7 Urgent check issued on August 11, 1994. Page 2 Claims No. 94-15 Meeting 94-23 Date: August 24, 1994 REVISED MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Amount Nam Description 6248 56.25 TransCom Radio Repair 6249 138.93 3E Engineering Consulting Services 6250 200.00 Tupper Ansel Blake Photo Usage Fee 6251 245.00 USRentals Equipment Rental 6252 47.56 Vallen Safety Supply Company Field Equipment 6253 1,080.00 Valley Title Company Preliminary Title Reports 6254 110.43 Value Business Products Office Supplies 6255 53.52 West Coast Rebar Company Rebar 6256 15.33. Yardbird Equipment Sales Equipment Repair 6257 163.93 Joan Young Reimbursement—Volunteer Supplies 6258 5,500.00 Kurt L. Reitman&Associates Appraisal Services 6259 1,020.45 Petty Cash Field and Office Expense, Local and Out-of-Town Meeting Expenses, Seminar Registration, Film and Developing, Docent and Volunteer Expenses, Resource Documents and Private Vehicle Expense Page 3 i I / I i Claims No. 94-15 MRPting lJ4�� Date: August 24, 1994 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT # Amount Name Description 6162 575.00 Aaron's Septic Tank Service Sanitation Services 6163 470.84 Acme&Sons Sanitation, Inc. Sanitation Services 6164 29.06 Acom Naturalists Resouce Documents 6165 192.63 American Welding Supply Field Supplies 6166 100.00 Randy Anderson Reimbursement--Professional Dues 6167 19.05 Bay Area Air Quality Management Fuel Pump Permit 6168 151.55 Best Sanitation Sanitation Services 6169 394.00 Bill's Towing & Recovery Towing Services 6170 53.00 Black Mountain Spring Water Water Service p 9 6171 224.62 Business Interiors Office Equipment 6172 1,551.90 Building Abatement Analytics Consulting Services 6173 158.45 B. W. S. Distributors, Inc. Uniform Expense 6174 168.50 Cabelas, Inc. Uniform Expense j 6175 25.45 California Chamber of Commerce Resource Documents 6176 50.00 California Department of Parks and Resouce Documents Recreation 6177 132.00 *1 California Department of Fish and Game Permit 6178 217.67 California Water Service Company Water Service 6179 3,318.87 Catalyst Real Estate Group Real Estate Commission 6180 119.00 Council on Education in Management Subscription 6181 440.61 Alice Cummings Private Vehicle Expense 6182 30.00 Country Almanac Subscription 6183 63.33 *2 Country Gourmet Local Meeting Expense 6184 1,598.41 Design Concepts Miscellaneous Design Services 6185 44.65 John Escobar Reimbursement--Office Supplies 6186 60.00 Evergreen Environmental Services Waste Oil Removal 6187 383.55 Jean Fiddles Reimbursement--Conference Expense and Advertisement 6188 50.00 First American Title Guaranty Deed Research Company 6189 117.00 David Fisher Legal Services 6190 183.50 Garcia Well & Pump Company Pumping System Repairs 6191 1,101.78 Gatdenland Power Equipment Field Equipment and Repairs 6192 112.34 Goodco Press Incorporated Printing 6193 246.40 Haas Center for Public Service Student Intern 6194 60.73 Bonnie Hasson Reimbursement--Printing 6195 62.19 The Home Depot Field Supplies 6196 314.91 Honda Peninsula Propane Conversion Kit 6197 1,690.87 Jeda Publications Spanish Fact Sheets 6198 79.20 Jobs Available Advertisement 6199 48.00 Emma Johnson Reimbursement--Office Supplies 6200 517.04 Keeble& Shuchat Equipment and Film Processing 6201 78.03 Langley Hill Quarry Base Rock 6202 688.53 Lanier Worldwide, Inc. Photocopier Lease Agreement 6203 75.00 The Last Detail Proofreading Visitor's Guide 6204 52.44 Judy Law Private Vehicle * Urgent check issued on August 11, 1994. '# ** Urgent check issued on August 9, 1994. I I i Pagel I Claims No. 94-15 Meeting 94-23 Date: August 24, 1994 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Amount Nam Description 6205 415.42 Los Altos Garbage Company Dumpster Rental 6206 3,300.61 *3 Merwin (Bucky) Mace Consulting Services 6207 200.00 Kevin MacKay Resource Intern 6208 239.23 McGrath Mobile Modular Skyline Ranger Office Rental 6209 200.26 Paul McKowan Reimbursement--Uniform Expense 6210 187,54 Minton's Lumber& Supply Field Supplies 6211 364.85 Moffett Supply Company Janitorial Supplies 6212 155.88 Moore Medical Supplies First Aid Supplies 6213 1,277.99 Murray& Murray Legal Services 6214 185.31 National Glass Vehicle Repair 6215 912.49 *4 Navarone Industries Inc. Mailing Services 6216 502.29 Navarone Industries Inc. Mailing Services 6217 39.00 Netcorn On-Line Service 6218 169.58 Noble Ford Tractor, Inc. Vehicle Repairs and Parts 6219 29.56 Northern Energy Propane Fuel 6220 567.74 Office Depot Office Supplies 6221 280.00 Rachel Oppedahl Consulting Services 30.00 Optimist Club of Redwood City Registration--Display 6222 454.50 Orchard Supply Hardware Field Supplies 6223 1,446.26 Pacific Bell Telephone Service 6224 735.76 *5 Pacific Gas&Electric Company Nature Center Project 6225 27.65 City of Palo Alto Utilities Utilities 6226 142.39 Peninsula Blueprint, Inc Bluelines 6227 412.83 Pine Cone Lumber Company, Inc. Field Supplies 6228 1,000.00 *6 Postage by Phone Postage 6229 2,000.00 *7 Postage by Phone Postage 8230 2,000.00 Postage by Phone Postage 6231 112.50 Rabbit Copiers, Inc. Copier Repair 6232 768.32 Rich's Tire Service Tires 6233 337.50 Romic Hazardous Material Disposal 6234 4,610.42 Ro)(s Repair Service Vehicle Maintenance and Repairs 6235 233.31 S&W Equipment Company Equipment Repairs and Supplies 6236 159.18 Safety-Kleen Solvent Tank Service e237 1,319.21 San Jose Mercury News Advertisements and Subscription 6238 214.64 San Mateo Times Advertisements 6239 100.00 Santa Clara County Health Department Permit 6240 4,640�00 E. R. Sheehan Trail Construction 6241 136.67 Shell Oil Company Fuel 6242 53.28 John Shelton, Inc. Field Supplies 6243 5,585.17 Smith Equipment Equipment Rental 6244 135.00 Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce Registration--Sunnyvale Business Expo 6245 28.21 Taylor Rental Equipment Rental 6246 595.37 Teater& Etc. Map and Brochure Changes 6247 523.07 Therma Maintenance Inspection *5 Urgent check issued on August 3, 1994. *4 Urgent check issued on July 28, 1994. *5 Urgent check issued on August 17, 1994. *6 Urgent check issued on August 5, 1994. *7 Urgent check issued on August 11, 1904. Page 2 Claims No. 94-15 Meeting 94-23 Date: August 24, 1994 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Amount Nam Description 6248 56.25 TransCom Radio Repair 6249 138.93 3E Engineering Consulting Services 6250 200.00 Tupper Ansel Blake Photo Usage Fee 6251 245.00 USRentals Equipment Rental 6252 47.56 Valley Safety Supply Company Field Equipment 6253 1,080.00 Valley Title Company Preliminary Title Reports 6254 110.43 Value Business Products Office Supplies 6255 53.52 West Coast Rebar Company Rebar 6256 15.33 Yardbird Equipment Sales Equipment Repair 6257 163.93 Joan Young Reimbursement--Volunteer Supplies Page 3