Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout19980527 - Agendas Packet - Board of Directors (BOD) - 98-12 r1fnal Open ice MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 98-12 REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETINGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS AGENDA* 5:30 P.M. 330 Distel Circle Wednesday Los Altos, California May 27, 1998 *** PLEASE NOTE*** 5:30 P.M. Closed Session Start Time 7:30 P.M. Regular Meeting Start Time (5:30) ROLL CALL SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CLOSED SESSION The Closed Session will begin at 5:30 P.M. At 7:30 P.M., the Board will adjourn the Special Meeting Closed Session to the conclusion of the Regular Meeting, and at the conclusion of the Regular Meeting, the Board may reconvene the Special Meeting Closed Session. 1. Conference With Real Property Nego is or - Government Code Section 54956.8 Real Propta: Santa Clara County Assessor's Parcel Number: 562-09-008 &go is ing Parties: Fred and Constance Faucher Under Negotiations: Instructions to negotiator will concern price and terms of payment. 2. Labor Negotiations - Government Code Section 54957.E Conference with Labor Negotiator - Represented Employees Agency Negotiator: Susan Schectman, John Escobar, and Deirdre Dolan Employee Organization: S.E.LU. Local 715 330 Distel Circle Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 Phone: 650-691-1200 FAX: 650-691-0485 - E-mail: mrosd«openspace.org Web site:www_openspace.org Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C. Davey,led Cyr, David T.Smernoff,Nanette Hanko, Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C. Nitz « General Manager:1.Craig Britton Meeting 98-12 Page 2 (7:30) REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ORAL COMMUNICATIONS -- Public ADOPTION OF AGENDA ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR -- B. Crowder APPROVAL OF MINUTES April 8, 1998 Consent Item) WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS BOARD BUSINESS 1. Approval of Amendment to the Settlement and General Release Agreement Between Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and the Russian Convent of Our Lady of Vladimir, Inc. Extending the Time Period for Approval and Execution of Required Subsequent Documents and Authorization for the Board President to Execute the Amendment -- S. Schectman (7:45) 2. Comment on and Acceptance of Staff s Program Evaluation for the 1997-1998 Action Plan for the Implementation of the Basic Policy of the Midpeninsula. Regional Open Space District 3. Tentative Adoption of an Amendment to the Comprehensive Use and Management Plan for Windy Hill Open Space Preserve to Upgrade the Spring Ridge Picnic Area and Install a Commemorative Bench on the Anniversary Trail and Determination that the Action is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act -- M. de Beauvieres 4. Tentative Adoption of an Amendment to the Use and Management Plan for Monte Bello Open Space Preserve; Determination that the Action is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act; Authorization for Staff to Proceed with Conditional Use Permit Revisions with the City of Palo Alto; and Authorization for Staff to Proceed with Revisions to the Black Mountain Backpack Camp -- M. de Beauvieres (8:15) 5. Award of Contract for Bridge Replacement Project at La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve and Authorization for the General Manager to Enter into a Contract with TKO Construction in the Amount of$137,950 -- R. Anderson (8:25) 6. Award of Contract for Shilling Lake Spillway Repair Project, Thornewood Open Space Preserve and Authorization for the General Manager to Enter into a Contract with Brazil's Excavation in the Amount of$79,910 -- R. Anderson 7. Authorization for Staff to Advertise for Bids to Purchase a Small Dump Truck -- J. Escobar Meeting 98-12 Page 3 (8:35) 8. Authorization to Hire Godbe Research & Analysis, at a Cost of$8,783.00, to Conduct a Follow-Up Public Opinion Survey in the Coastal Area of San Mateo County to Assist the District in Evaluating Public Interest in Potentially Establishing a System of District Open Space Preserves, Parks, and Beaches on the San Mateo County Coast in Coordination with Existing and Planned District Preserves and Trails, Including Potential Expansion of the District to the Coast and Authorization for the General Manager to Execute the Contract with Godbe Research & Analysis -- M. Smith (8:40) 9. Tentative Approval of the Amendments to the District's Site Naming and Gift Recognition Policy -- M. Smith *** 10. Tentative Adoption of an Amendment to the Comprehensive Use and Management Plan for the Hickory Oak Ridge Area of Long Ridge Open Space Preserve to Realign an Approximately .01 Mile Segment of the Bay Area Ridge Trail and Determination that the Action is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act -- M. de Beauvieres (8:45) INFORMATIONAL REPORTS -- Directors and Staff *** REVISED CLAIMS (Consent Item) ADJOURNMENT *NOTE. Times are estimated and items may appear earlier or later than listed. Agenda is subject to change of order. ** TO ADDRESS THE BOARD: The Chair will invite public comment on agenda items at the 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. Alternately, you may comment to the Board by a written communication, which the Board appreciates. ***All items on the consent calendar shall be approved without discussion by one motion. Board members, the General Manager, and members of the public may request that an item be removed from the Consent Calendar during consideration of the Consent Calendar. i i Regional Open !-, c .. MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 98-08 REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETINGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS April 8, 1998 MINUTES S I. ROLL CALL President Betsy Crowder called the meeting to order at 6:32 P.M. Members Present: Betsy Crowder, Mary Davey, David Smernoff, Pete Siemens, Jed Cyr, Nonette Hanko, and Ken Nitz. Staff Present* Craig Britton, Sue Schectman, II, CLOSED SESSION B. Crowder stated that the Board would adjourn to Closed Session for the purpose of discussing Closed Session Agenda Item 1. The Board adjourned to Closed Session at 6:32 P.M. and the Closed Session commenced at 6:33 P.M. The Board concluded the Closed Session at 7:30 P.M. and B. Crowder called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:35 P.M. She announced that the Board met in closed session to discuss pending litigation, particularly the pending eminent domain proceedings between the District and the Russian Convent of Our Lady of Vladimir. The Board voted to approve a settlement agreement which will resolve the disputes between the District and the Convent and enable the District to dismiss the eminent domain proceedings. The Convent has also approved the settlement agreement. She announced there would be a brief recess and the regular meeting would be convened. Additional Personnel Present: Deirdre Dolan, John Escobar, Mary de Beauvieres, Mike Williams, and Jodi Isaacs. B. Crowder repeated the report, stating the Board had voted as follows on the settlement with the Russian Convent of Our Lady of Vladimir: Directors P. Siemens, J. Cyr, K. Nitz, N. Hanko, and B. Crowder, aye; and Directors D. Smernoff and M. Davey, nay. She said copies of the settlement agreement were available. 330 Distel Circle * Los Altos,CA 94022-1404 Phone:650-691-1200 FAX: 650-691-0485 . E-mail: mrosd@openspace.org Web site:www.or)erispace.org Board o/Direcrors:Pete Siemens,Mary C. Davey,Jed Cyr, David T.Smernoff,Nonette f lanko, Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C. Nitz General Manager.L.Craig Britton it Meeting 98-08 Page 2 N. Hanko said that on March 18 she had supported a continuation motion to give the District an opportunity to explore alternative sites. She was convinced that the order would be good neighbors but was willing to do a site search including existing open space to find a location that would not only meet their needs but be acceptable to the District's environmental and public access concerns. She said they have learned from the order's attorney that they were unwilling at this point to consider an alternative site. Therefore, she felt the settlement on the proposed site was not only just, but in keeping with their intentions of being good neighbors. She felt strongly that the order is concerned with the protection of the natural environment and she wished to make an open offer to support a future site search by the District if for any reason in the future the nuns find the present site to contain too many obstacles or time problems. She said she believed it was never the Board's intention to leave them out in the cold. Her reservations about the lack of public access on the portion of the property to be acquired by the District had now been resolved. She said the order will work with the District to help provide a public trail in what otherwise might be too steep a terrain and too environmentally sensitive for public use. She said in case this trail option turns out to be unfeasible, the order will permit up to four public tours conducted by District docents so that the public may appreciate the outstanding vista to Half Moon Bay and the ocean and enjoy the last sunsets on our continent. M. Davey said when the District was formed 25 years ago the purpose then and now had always been to preserve and protect open space. She said this 280 acres is open space now, is an important part of the view shed along Skyline, and is an important part of the greenbelt around the Bay Area. She said that even though the Convent has been an honorable adversary in this case, the proposal to build on 10% of the land was still substantial development and that was why she was voting no. She said she believed that keeping the quality of openness and the habitat and beauty of that ridge was extremely important and that this was a missed opportunity. She said even though she believed that the compromise agreement was honorable and well worked out between the two parties, she still wished to vote no. D. Smemoff said he had also voted no consistently on the development on the ridge top. His reasons were some of those M. Davey had talked about, but also one of his primary purposes in being on the Board is to protect the ecological value of the land. He said putting a development in the middle of a wildlife corridor will forever disrupt the ecological value of the piece of property. He agreed that this agreement and the professionalism of the staff and board members throughout the process had been exemplary. He said he thought it was a good agreement and a good compromise but could not in good conscience support putting development on the ridge top and taking away the home of the wild animals that live there. He said he also believed that development would open the gates to future development along the Skyline corridor because it sets a dangerous precedent by taking lands out of the Williamson Act and opening it up to development. If that happened he thought the wild life values and the ecological values of that whole area would be compromised. Meeting 98-08 Page 3 Ill. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Julia Bott, 3921 E. Bayshore, Palo Alto, representing the Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club, said she found it sad that the Convent would not consider looking at alternate sites. She said she understood but asked what was to be lost by looking at an alternative site now that an agreement had been struck. She urged the Board to publicly state that they are willing to continue looking for a site and continue working with the convent. She also urged the nuns to make a good faith offer to commit to consider any site and look at alternatives so that everyone can work to resolve the issue so that all needs can be met including the community's need for open space and wildlife habitat and the nuns' needs for spiritual nourishment. C. Britton said the Board had approved a site search on March 18, including the $25,000 contract with Right of Way Associates. He said the current agreement requires that staff come back to the Board in public session within 60 days with several follow up agreements. At that time, they could bring back consideration of the site search on whatever basis the Board would like to proceed. Al Bell, 12130 Skyline Boulevard, asked if they were now up to 26,000 sq. ft. of buildings. S. Schectman said that the settlement agreement provides a maximum of 3,000 sq. ft. for any auxiliary residence, including accessory structures such as garages. The agreement provides for a maximum aggregate of 2,500 sq. ft. of small accessory structures such as chicken coops and agricultural equipment sheds. Therefore, this area in addition to the 18,000 sq. ft. already proposed brought the total to 23,500 sq. ft. IV ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion* J. Cyr moved that the Board adopt the agenda. K. Nitz seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. V. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR J. Cyr requested the removal of the March 11, 1998 minutes, and agenda item 6, Resolution Approving the Issuance of Credit Cards to Specified Managers and Superyisors for District Purchasing Activity. C. Britton removed agenda item 3, Authorization to AWly for Storm Damage RR fir Grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Determination that the Action is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. I B. Crowder asked about Claim No. 3913, Schilling Lake spillway repair. C. Britton said this was for engineering costs. M. de Beauvieres said staff will be coming back to the Board for authorization to go out to bid for construction of the repairs. Motion* J. Cyr moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calendar, including agenda item 4, Approval of 1998-1999 Position Classification and Compensation Meeting 98-08 Page 4 Plan that Includes a One Point (1 %) Cost of Living Salary AdJustment for all General Manager Appointee Classifications Effective April 1' 1998; agenda item 5, Approval of the Proposed Revisions to the Progrmm Evaluation and Action Plan Process for the Implementation of the District's Basic Policy: and Revised Claims 98-07. K. Nitz seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. VI. APPROVAL. OF MINUTES B. Crowder asked that under informational reports, the minutes be corrected to read that Nancy Lund, Town Historian, knows Governor Rolph's granddaughter who lives in the area. Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board approve the minutes of the March 11, 1998, Regular Meeting as amended. D. Smernoff seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. VII. BOARD BUSINESS A. Agenda Item No. 1 - Approval of Midpeninsula Regional Qpcn Space District Substance Abuse Policy - (,RR=rt R-98-48). D. Dolan presented the staff report. Discussion followed regarding din the definition of controlled substances. S. Schectman said the policy follows federal regulations. The policy mandates testing for five specific toxics, which are opiates, amphetamines, marijuana, PCP, and cocaine. P. Siemens felt the definition should be included in the policy. S. Schectman said it is included by virtue of reference to the federal regulations. In addition, this was something they specifically negotiated with Local 715. Regarding section 10d on page 3, S. Schectman said the policy regarding not consuming alcohol during the 8 hours after an accident arose out of federal law which mandates that the District have this policy. Federal regulations set certain minimum requirements which the District must meet and about which they have no discretion. She said the union has approved the document. After reviewing the policy, S. Schectman said she would confirm that the regulations set forth in 49 C.F.R. Part 40 include the itemization of controlled substances and if it does not she will append a list. She said the focus of this policy is to deter being under the influence of substances that would impair you at work and create safety problems. She will append a page that lists the controlled substances that will be tested for. Motions N. Hanko moved that the Board approve the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Substance Abuse Policy, as Meeting 98-08 Page 5 amended. K. Nitz seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. B. Agenda Item No. 2 - Authorization to Hire Rana Creek Habitat Restoration to Implement the Second Phase of the Russian Ridge GrasSland Management Determination that the Proposed Project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act; and Au ho 'zation for the General Manager to Execute a Contract with Rana Creek Habitat Restoration to Implement the Second Phase of the Russian Ridge Grassland Management Plan with a Cost Not to Exceed $48,000- (E=rt R-98-461. J. Isaacs reviewed the report. The statement that the herbicide treatment of star thistle was 100% successful meant for that year's growth, not the seeds. She said there were estimates that the seeds may last 5-10 years. In regard to the use of weevils at Fremont Older, J. Isaacs said they should be emerging from the soil soon and will become active in the spring. Staff and the county agriculture department will do a population count. The studies that have been done on use of weevils have shown they are host specific and do not affect other plants. J. Isaacs talked about the choice of herbicide stating the Roundup has better results on mature plants and the best time to use Transline is after a burn. Treatment areas will be established within the burn area. She said it is likely they will burn this year, if possible. She said Transline has just been certified in California and has been found to be very effective on star thistle. J. Isaacs said she hopes to do another overall resource management update in December or January. Motion: D. Smemoff moved that the Board determine that the proposed project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) based n the findings contained in the staff report; and authorize the General Manager to execute a contract with Rana Creek Habitat Restoration to implement the second phase of the Russian Ridge Grassland Management Plan, as presented at the Board meeting on March 26, 1997, with a cost not to exceed $48,000, as included in the fiscal year 1998-1999 budget. J. Cyr seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. C. Agenda Item No. 3 - Authorization to Apply for Storm Damage R=air Grants from the Federal Emergency Iry anag m n Agc n y and Determination that the Action is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. C. Britton said the item had been removed from the Consent Calendar because the resolution had not been included in the packets. Meeting 98-08 Page 6 H. Haeussler, 1094 Highlands Circle, Los Altos, apologized for the last letter he had written to the Board. Referring to the chart on page I of the FEMA Preliminary Damage Assessment Report, he asked if they were going to repair Spring Ridge Road or realign the road in conformance with the trail plan. C. Britton responded that they will do whatever FEMA will allow them to do. J. Escobar noted that this is a preliminary list and they don't know what repairs will be required until a civil engineer has looked at the project. Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board determine that the action is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) based on the findings contained in the staff report, and adopt Resolution 98-16 a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Designating the General Manager and Senior Planner as Authorized Agents to Apply to the Office of Emergency Services for Emergency Funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. D. Agenda Item No. 6 - Resolution Approving the issuance of Credit Cards to Specified Managers and Supervisors for District Purchasing Activity - (B= K-98-44)- J. Cyr asked that the word persons in the last full line of the first paragraph under Discussion in the staff report be changed to person. Motiom J. Cyr moved that the Board approve amended Resolution 98-17 a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula, Regional Open Space District Authorizing the Issuance of District Credit Cards and Related Borrowing of Funds From Cupertino National Bank and Trust. K. Nitz seconded the motion. C. Britton clarified that the $2,000 was the amount for a single transaction. Y= The motion passed 7 to 0. VIIEL INFORMATIONAL REPORTS M. Davey said she, Directors Nitz and Crowder, and C. Britton and M. Smith of District Staff had attended the Farm Bureau board meeting regarding annexation of the coast to the District. They were aware of the April 16 and 30 public meetings. She said they had arranged for the committee members to tour the agricultural land. B. Crowder said M. Smith would produce notes on the meeting for the other Board Members. P. Siemens said he had met with C. Britton and M. Smith to talk about their plans to convince other special districts within the county to join LAFCO. They will take Meeting 98-08 Page 7 sample resolutions and other documents to the boards of those districts. D. Smernoff mentioned that tomorrow from 10:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. there would be a meeting of the Santa Cruz Bioregional Council at the District office concerning habitat conservation plans and natural conservation planning in general. C. Britton reported as follows: 1. K. Nitz, D. Smernoff, M. Davey, and B. Crowder had attended the Open Space Council meeting. M. Davey talked about C. Britton's presentation on development of the Regional Plan, Audrey Rust's talk about raising money, and Gametta Annabel's talk about the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority. 2. M. de Beauvieres and he had met with relatives of the Morell family and they would like recognition for their original gift of Black Mountain to Stanford. 3. Jean Fiddes had visited. 4. He met with Ken Fisher who had agreed to give a talk on the logging industry on Skyline when the Special Districts Forum is here in May. 5. He noted a letter in the FYIs from B. Crowder to Tom Huening regarding the Regional Open Space Study presentation by R. Anderson on April 14. 6. The Board meeting schedule for May will be as follows: Special meeting on May 6 which will include a workshop on the Regional Open Space Plan, including looking at the basic policy and mission statement, followed by a regular meeting; cancellation of regular meeting of May 13; meeting of May 20 which would be devoted to a workshop on the coastal information from the committee; and regular meeting on May 27. A meeting with Sempervirens Fund Board would be on Wednesday, June 3. B. Crowder asked when the Wilderness and Trail Study will start. C. Britton said a meeting of the Acquisition and Enterprise Committee was scheduled for April 10 for a field trip to visit structures scheduled for possible demolition this year. A recommendation will come to the Board for a policy on how to deal with the question of whether a structure has historical value. Since D. Woods is the staff person for both, the Wilderness Study would start after that. VUL ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 P.M. Roberta Wolfe Recording Secretary Claims No. 98-07 Meeting 98-08 Date:April 8, 1998 Revised MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT # Amount Name Description 3894 375.00 Aaron's Septic Tank Service Sanitation Services 3895 100.00 Acme & Sons Sanitation Sanitation Services 3896 290.79 ADT Security Services Alarm Service 3897 101.40 Randy Anderson Vehicle Expense 3898 251.10 Artech Laminating Laminating Supplies 3899 5.80 AT & T Telephone Service 3900 301.04 Beck's Shoes, Inc. Uniform Boots 3901 2,947.00 Bruce Barton Pump Service, Inc. Enterprise Rental Pump Repairs 3902 17.71 Dick Bruhn Inc. Uniform Supplies 3903 990.50 Jane Buxten FEMA Project Assistance 3904 200.90 Cabela's Uniform Supplies 3905 54.50 California Water Service Company Water Service 3906 118.10 Carolina Biological Supply Company Nature Center Supplies 3907 278.58 Mark Casaretto Reimbursement-PRAC Expenses and Uniform Expense 3908 170.54 Cascade Fire Equipment Company Pumper Parts 3909 75.00 *1 Computer Service Experts, Inc. Computer Maintenance 3910 331.75 Continuing Education of the Bar, Resource Documents 3911 45.00 Toni Corelli Docent Training 3912 469.68 Costco Wholesale Membership Membership and Field Supplies 3913 14,812.62 Cotton, Shires & Associates Shilling Lake Spillway Repair 3914 229.00 Cougar Couriers Express Mail 3915 200.00 County of Santa Clara Vector Control Wildlife Incident Seminar-J. Isaacs 3916 50.00 Mabel Crittenden Docent Training 3917 64.91 Lauren Crook Reimbursement-Software Supplies 3918 290.06 Dennis Danielson Reimbursement-Spotting Scope 3919 4,160.70 Deborah G. Mills-Design Concepts Graphic Design-Miscellaneous Projects 3920 2,007.50 Dillingham Associates Landscape Architectural Services 3921 159.35 FixturePronto Brochure Holders 3922 175,480.00 Flinn, Gray & Herterich Insurance Brokers Annual Insurance Premiums 3923 1,994.10 First Trust National Association Note Paying Agent Fees 3924 105.30 Matt Freeman Vehicle Expense 3925 688.96 Goodco Press, Inc. Printing Services 3926 101.90 Goodyear Auto Service Center Tires 3927 925.54 Grainger Storage Cabinet 3928 174.66 GTE Wireless Cellular Phone Service 3929 85.50 *2 Half Moon Bay Review Advertisement 3930 100.00 Phillip Hearin Reimbursement-EMT Tuition 3931 35.00 Ken Himes Docent Training 3932 118.18 Hyster Sales Company Equipment Battery 3933 850.00 *3 In Perfect Taste Catering Special Parks Forum-Catering Deposit 3934 671.15 Joda Publications, Inc. Brochure Printing 3935 171.36 Jobs Available Recruitment Advertisement 3936 2,840.08 Tamara Kan Resource Management Consultant 3937 161.29 Matt Ken Reimbursement-Uniform Boots 3938 16.03 Kinko's Printing Services 3939 208.53 Lab Safety Supply, Inc. Field Equipment Page 1 Claims No. 98-07 Meeting 98-03 Date: April 8, 1998 Revised MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT # Amount Name Description 3940 55.00 *4 Ladybug Couriers Express Mail Service 3941 29.45 L.C. Action Evidence Tags 3942 56.25 La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District Community Center Rental Fee 3943 187.97 Los Altos Garbage Company Dumpster Services 3944 703.47 Lucent Technologies Phone Maintenance Service 3945 296.81 Brian Malone Reimbursement-Uniform Supplies, Tuition & Training Expenses 3946 2,153.72 Julie McCullough Bridge, Restroom & Map Consultant 3947 86.15 MCI Long Distance Phone Service 3948 60.83 MetroMobileCommunications Radio Repair and Service 3949 442.74 Meyer Appliance Commercial Washer-Ranger Station 3950 24.28 Minton's Lumber & Supply Field Supplies 3951 50,000.00 *5 City of Mountain View Deer Hollow Farm Agreement 3952 80.92 Mountain View Garden Center Cement 3953 70.00 Roger Meyers Docent Training 3954 2,596.38 Navarone Mailing Services Spring Newsletter and Coastal Mailing 3955 41.39 News Duplicating Service News Footage Tapes 3956 63.90 Noble Ford Tractor, Inc. Tractor Part and Oil 3957 61.78 Northern Energy Fuel and Tank Rental 3958 115.09 Office Helper Office Supplies 3959 3,596.00 Overhead Door Company of Santa Clara Valley Garage Doors for Skyline Shop 3960 45.00 Sandra Overton Docent Training 3961 220.92 Pacific Bell Telephone Service 3962 106.68 Loro Paterson Reimbursement--Uniform Boots 3963 793.86 Peninsula Blueprint, Inc. Bluelines and Printing Services 3964 133.31 J.C. Pennys Uniform Supplies 3965 1,884.79 Pine Cons Lumber Co., Inc. Lumber 3966 189.98 PIP Printing Printing Services 3967 273.64 Pitney Bowes Credit Corp. Postage Meter and Machine Lease 3968 65.49 Porter Rents Inc. Equipment Rental-Board Meeting 3969 600.00 Portola Park Heights Property Owners Assoc. Road Dues 3970 12.87 Precision Engravers, Inc. Name Tag 3971 160.75 Recreational Equipment, Inc. Uniform Supplies 3972 235.00 Regents of the University of California Seminar-M. de Beauvieres 3973 173.09 *6 Repo Depo Tables-Annex 3974 420.00 ROMIC Environmental Technologies Corp. Haz Mat Disposal Service 3975 1,15!8.9 - Roy's Repair Service Vehicle Repair and Maintenance 2,795.74 3976 297.119 David Sanguinetti Reimbursement--Uniform & Film Expens 345.78 3977 609.18 San Jose Mercury News Recruitment Advertisement 3978 426.96 San Francisco Newspaper Agency Recruitment Advertisement 3979 37.00 Santa Clara Co. Dept. of Environmental Health Environmental Health Permit Fee 3980 1,953.89 Scribner Graphic Press Newsletter Printing 3981 165.53 Sears Small Tools 3982 2,630.14 S.G. Barber Construction, Inc. Electrical Contractor--Skyline Gate 3983 183.55 Shell Oil Fuel 3984 200.35 Silverado Avionics Inc. Radio Battery 3985 98.10 Skyline County Water District Water Service Page 2 Claims No. 98-07 Meeting 98-08 Date:April 8, 1998 Revised MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Amount Name Description 3986 155.85 Staples Office Supplies 3987 69.54 Stevens Creek Quarry, Inc. Drain Rock 3988 513.86 Summit Uniforms Uniforms 3989 906.59 Teater & Etc. Vision Map Graphics 3990 60.00 Terminix Pest Control Service 3991 683.00 '7 Tire Service by Wheel Works Tires 3992 755.04 Touchatt Trucking Concrete Delivery 3993 82.50 Turner & Mulcare Legal Services 3994 986.16 United Green Mark, Inc. Shovels 3995 393.00 Rich Voss Trucking, Inc. Trucking Expense--Road Repairs 3996 16,201.56 The Warner Group Operations Program Review Consultants 3997 168.61 Michael Williams Reimbursement--Vehicle & Meeting Cost. 3998 600.00 Roberta Wolfe Recording Services 3999 68.87 The Workingman's Emporium Uniform Expense 4000 222.66 West Group Payment Center Legal Research--On-Line 4001 R 137.50 Debra Thornley Caltrans Agreement Report Consultant 4002R 153.75 California Trails & Greenways Foundation Recognition Patches & T-Shirts 4003R 425.66 Petty Cash Local Meeting Expense, Office Supplies, Film & Developing and Field Supplies, •1 Urgent Check Issued March 31, 1998 •2 Urgent Check Issued April 2, 1998 `3 Urgent Check Issued April 1, 1998 •4 Urgent Check Issued March 30, 1998 '5 Urgent Check Issued March 25, 1998 •6 Urgent Check Issued March 30, 1998 •7 Urgent Check Issued March 27, 1998 Total 311,314.58 Page 3 RESPONSE ACTION PROPOSED BY STAFF April 13, 1998 Board President Acknowledge/Respond Director Acknowledge/Respond Cheryl Solomon, Docent Coordinator Staff Acknowledge/Respond Betsy Crowder, President Draft Response Attached Craig Britton, General Manager Staff to Direct.d to Prepare Draft ReapOA96 for Board Consider ec ion per Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Board Directive(a) 330 Distel Circle No Response Necessary Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 - Dear People, I've decided to write to all of you because I'm not exactly sure who it would be best to talk to. Except for Cheryl, you don't know who I am, so by way of identification, my name is Anne Koletzke, I'm new to the area--we just moved here in September--and I'mi in the process of'learning to become one of your docents. I first learned of the MROSD from the "Escape To Your Open Space" brochure the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce included in its relocation package, and I can't tell you how thrilled I was to learn of its existence. I couldn't believe there could be so much wild land almost immediately accessible to such an urban area. My excitment over moving to California, which was already high, quadrupled. And I haven't been disappointed. Indeed the MROSD has exceeded any expectations I had. Except for one unfortunate situation encountered on a hike led by Sandra Overton and Baohsun Yang on March 27 that ended at Rhus Ridge. It was a great hike until we got to Rhus Ridge. I'm sure you must be aware that just inside the MROSD entrance at Rhus Ridge there is a.dwelling (it's not exactly a house), in front of which is a sign which reads "Caretaker Residence, MROSD." What you may not know is that whoever lives there keeps 2 horses in appalling conditions: there is a rectangular area divided into thirds--2 areas of mud and muck separated by a slab of cement that has a roof over it. There is no bedding on the cement, no protection from.the elements except for the roof, and the mud/muck that the horses have no choice but to stand in is practically up to their fetlocks. They did have blankets on, so that's something, but they were really filthy blankets. I am a big animal person who could, admittedly, perceive animal misery where others might not--but other people on the hike, including the 2 docents who apparently lead hikes by there often, also commented on the pathetic condition of the horses. These creatures have no place to walk outside their pen, the ground they stand in is a bog, their blankets are stiff with filth; what their condition was under the blankets I couldn't tell. Ironically, the MROSD historical sign at the entrance to the trail talks glowingly about the windmill that used to draw up water to a trough for the Duveneck's horses in the meadow. 2 So, what do we do? The last thing I want to do is cause the District any trouble--you've had more than your share lately--and in every way I'm really in your corner. But surely something has to be done about these horses. I gather from Sandra and a couple of people I've spoken to in the office, that ("caretaker" sign to the contrary) this man is not actually employed by MROSD, that he came along with the land purchase. If this is so, perhaps it would be prudent for you to take the "caretaker" sign down, so that when someone calls the Humane Society you're not held responsible. Although I suppose the argument could be made that as the man is living on MROSD property, with MROSD approval, that, by extension, how he treats his animals also 1 has MROSD approval. I am willing to help with this in any way I can--although I can't imagine what that is at the moment. And the truth is, I am worried that if anything is done to anger this man, he could turn and take it out on the horses, in which case far more harm than good has been done. Then there is the issue of rights, everybody's rights: where do this man's end and MROSD's begin, and vice versa? What right do I have to be butting in at all? And the horses--what about their rights, and are they actually being abused or just not being honored too well? I don't know the answers to these questions; perhaps the Humane Society could help. All I know is, I agree with Albert Schweitzer when he says "Whenever an animal is somehow forced into the service of men, every one of us must be concerned for any suffering it bears on that account. No one of us may permit any preventable pain to be inflicted, even though the responsibility for that pain is not ours. No one may appease his conscience by thinking that he would be interfering in something that does not concern him. No one may shut his eyes and think the pain, which is therefore not visible to him, is non-existent." Please feel free to contact me at any time. Sincerely, Anne Koletzke 260 Linfield Dr. #3 Menlo Park, CA 94025 650-328-7524 - �QQ Regional Open ace DRAFT RESPONSE PREPARED BY STAFF MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION Ms. Anne Koletzke 260 Linfield Drive, #3 Menlo Park, CA 94025 Dear Ms. Koletzke: Thank you for your letter of April 13. 1 apologize for the delay in responding, but we wanted to be sure to thoroughly investigate your concerns prior to writing back. The Board of Directors reviewed your letter at its meeting last night. You wrote regarding the horses near the caretaker residence at the end of Rhus Ridge Road, adjacent to the Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve. Specifically, you were concerned that the horses at that site are not being properly cared-for and have sub-standard living conditions. As a result of your letter, we had two of our rangers visit the site and closely examine the living conditions of the horses. One of these rangers is a long-time horse owner and is extremely well-versed in equestrian care. The rangers assure me that the conditions at the stable are suitable, do not pose a health risk to the animals, and in fact are improved due to drainage work done by the District over the last two years. You may not be aware that one of the horses is 38 years old, which may be one reason you felt that the horse didn't look very healthy. The horses are well-shod, amply fed, and in overall good condition. They do receive regular veterinary care. We have asked the caretaker to remove the pile of manure, but the general conditions of the stable were deemed suitable. Again, thank you for writing, and for your support of open space through your work as a District docent. I can assure you that we will continue to monitor the condition of the stable and the horses to ensure that proper care is given. Like you, we are concerned with the welfare of such animals, and we'll be sure to take appropriate action if the level of care declines. Please feel free to contact District staff if you would like further detail on this issue, or have any other questions. Sincerely, Betsy Crowder President, Board of Directors BC/mcs cc: MROSD Board of Directors Foothills Field Office 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 • Phone:650-691-1200 FAX:650-691-0485 • E-mail:mrosd@openspace.org Web site:www.openspace.org Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,Jed Cyr,David T.Smernoff,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C.Nitz •General Manager:L.Craig Britton RESPONSE ACTION PROPOSED BY STAFF Board President Acknowledge/Respond Director Acknowledge/Respond May 15 , 1998 Staff Acknowledge/Respond Draft Response Attached Staff to be Directed to Prepare Draft Response for Board Cons3deracion per Board DErectlB.(s) Board of Directors MROSDNo Response Necessary 330 Distel Circle Los Altos , CA 94022 Enclosed is a copy of an article from the spring 1998 issue of The San Mateo County Horseman (copied with permission) regarding horse manure and its risk to human health. Following the recent discussions about dogs on the trails of Windy Hill Open Space Preserve, the possible health hazards , and the "scat" counts , I feel this article might be useful to you and your staff in the future if discussions of horses and horse manure on the trails arise . From my observations , the problem with any animal on the trails is with the city bred and raised individuals who have lived on "sanitized" city sidewalks and streets and have recently moved to the suburbs with the suburbs entirely different life style . These individuals can not understand the suburb (country ) life style and want to change it to city lifestyle . In any event , from perusing the enclosed article , I find no reason to prohibit horses from trails due to health hazards . Information about the national horse industry that might be of interest : Economic Impact $112 . 1 Billion # of Americans Involved 7. 1 Million # of Full Time Jobs 1 .4 Million # of Horses 6 .9 Million Total Taxes Paid $1 .9 Billion In California, the figures are : Economic Impact $ 11 .4 Billion # People participating 720, 000 (does not include spectators ) # Jobs 124,400 # Horses 642 ,000 Horses have a daily impact on the lives of Americans , one can not ignore the fact that one in every 35 Americans is involved with horses . -----___ Harry H.Haeussler, Jr. 1,1Y 1 8 1998 1094 Highlands g nds Cirle Los A1tos ,CA 94024 IUP ;y , ;;��,_q REGiaNAL U�-EN c::;�;C: CiSTR�CT ck <$an Mateo ke • <.Rrinw DOES HORSE MANURE POSE A SIGNIFICANT RISK TO HUMAN HEALTH? by Adda Quinn Abstract Questions periodically arise during park and open space Master Planning processes, trail planning/development, and other public meetings whether horse manure poses significant health risks to humans. The following paper was devel- oped to help provide information for non-scientists about laws and regulations defining toxic and hazardous wastes, the chemical and pathologic contents of horse manure, and some thoughts about the potential risks to humans exposed to horse manure. may What Type Waste is Horse Manure. Toxicitybe acute, chronic or bioaccumulative. Toxins Y b being ingested, inhaled or dermall come into the body Y Y Y 9 9 Horse manure is a solid waste excluded from federal rY physician, The sixteenth century Swiss h absorbed. regulation because it neither contains significant - Paracelsus, first pointed out the fact that ALL substances amounts of listed hazardous components, nor exhibits are toxic and that the difference between a remedy and a hazardous properties. See definitions t ons below: w: poison is simply the amount that is taken into the body. "The dose makes the poison." Many chemicals that are essential to good Issue Definition health, like sodium chloride, are toxic at high levels, but dysfunctions Waste Loss through breaking down of bodily tissue; damaged, can result when they are present at defective or superfluous material produced by a manufacturing levels which are too low. 2 process—Webster's Dictionary Solid Waste Any discarded material that is not excluded in Section 261.4 of The human body has the remarkable the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Domestic sewage ability to function unaffected by (261.4aii) and animal manure (261.4b2ii) are specifically exposures to toxics. UC Berkeley EXCLUDED from Federal regulations biologist Dr. Bruce Ames has said, Hazardous Solid wastes which are either: "Every day we are ingesting in our Waste A. Listed: literally a list of organic compounds and inorganics diet at least 10,000 times more by (metals & metal compounds) which may pose a substantial weight of natural pesticides than of hazard to human health. This list is maintained by the federal man-made"—from bacon, peanut government. butter, mustard, basil, tea, and wine, B. Characteristic: ' among others. 3 The number of l. Fails one or more test for: organic chemical compounds that a. lgnitability. flash point 1400 F or spontaneously have been synthesized since the turn combustible of the century now exceeds half a b. Corrosivity pH <2 or >12.5 million, and some 10,000 new c. Reactivity generally sulfide & cyanide compounds compounds are added each year.4 d. Toxicity. fails Toxicity Characteristic Leachate Many of these new products are Procedures (TCLP) tests (See Table 1) toxic to humans. Thus, the body is 2. Is fatal to humans in low doses or lab animals at constantly being exposed to a specified threshold levels variety of toxic chemicals. 3. Contains toxic constituents (See Table 1) As you can see in Table 2, the primary chemical constituents of What Chemicals Comprise Horse Manure, horse manure are about the same as harmless household and Are They Toxic? and agricultural fertilizer. In fact, animal manure is a Toxicity Definition: Relating to or caused by a poison valuable agricultural amendment and has been used for (Webster's Dictionary) millennia to help grow our food supplies. Current mush- room culture relies heavily on horse manure, while other Everything is toxic to something at some level (although crops have been developed with human sewage sludges in not necessarily every substance to every species). order to recycle our own prolific wastes. Thus, based on its chemical constituents, horse manure should not be these organisms has only become possible recently with considered toxic. the advent of genetic testing (genotyping). "The genotype Pathogens of Concern and experimental infection data suggest the possibility of two distinct populations of C. parvum in humans. One Commercial livestock has been studied in depth, but not population appears to involve zoonotic transmission from horses. Very few statistics are available on horses and calf-to-human with subsequent human-to-human and horse keeping. According to Dr. Deanne Meyers, Livestock human-to calf transmission. The other population ap- Management Specialist at UC Davis, it is difficult to find pears to involve an anthroponotic transmission cycle, data on horses because it is seldom that more than 50 exclusively in humans." In laboratory experimental horses are kept in a single facility. You must have a infection studies, the exclusively human genotype could sufficient mass of animals for study, before data can be not successfully infect laboratory animals. Retrospective considered representative. While the US Department of analysis of outbreaks at the Georgia water park (1995; Agriculture keeps extensive data on commercial livestock 2900 cases), Florida day camp (1995; 70 cases), and in operations, it keeps no data on horses. The Council for Wisconsin (1993; 403,000 cases) indicates these infec- Agricultural and Science Technology (CAST) estimates tions were caused by the genotype found exclusively in livestock volume in units as follows: humans.6 Cows 104 million In the "Cryptosporidium White Paper" published by the San Swine 60 million Francisco Public Utilities Commission in 1996, a number Sheep 8 million of interesting facts were cited: Poultry 7790 billiontO ✓ While not identified until relatively recently historically, C. parvum is ubiquitous to 6 continents, infecting a The mere 6.9 million horses'' thought to populate the substantial number of people (up to 16%of people in the United States have been of little concern until recently third world and between 1-4%of the total population in when increased attention began to be given to the Clean North America are prevalent for Cryptosporidium;), Water Act. potentially 10,000,000 people in the US and 1,000,000 in As a result of intensive studies on commercial livestock, a California. number of microorganisms, such as protozoa and bacteria, ✓ Detection of the presence of the organism in water have been identified that can inhabit their guts. (See Table does not indicate that it is viable (i.e., capable of inducing 3)s Those of primary concern are waterborne microorgan- infection), and, there is no method for assessing the isms which usually follow ingestion pathways into the mechanisms by which it becomes virulent. Oocysts of C. body. Transmission can also occur through direct oral- parvum are present in many North American waters fecal exposure. These include Cryptosporidium parvum , (0.0002.5,800 per liter) more so in lakes and rivers, less Giardia duodenalis, Campylocbocter spp, Salmonella spp., in groundwater. pathogenic strains of E. coli, and Yersinia spp. By far. C. ✓ Analytical methods for understanding/ controlling the parvum* and Giardia are the two of most concern because organism are so poor that the government cannot recom- they have very low thresholds of infectious dose. People infected by these organisms may exhibit a range of mend control regulations. symptoms from mild abdominal discomfort to death, ✓ County environmental health officers of Alameda, San especially among the very young, elderly, and people with Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara believe that immunologically suppressed systems. Neither of these Cryptosporidiodosis from drinking water is not a major organisms can be destroyed easily with traditional water concern.7 treatment processes. With recent large-scale waterborne Equine Transmission of Disease outbreaks of Cryptosporidiodosis around the U.S., and the rising numbers of immunodeficient people, public atten- Recently, several credible research papers have been • tion has increasingly focused on the integrity of drinking published which demonstrate conclusively that adult water supplies. horse guts do not significantly contain either C. parvum or Giardia., the two organisms of greatest human health Human Transmission of Disease concern when present in water supplies. C. parvum, long considered a veterinary disease, has While some evidence exists that foals and their pregnant emerged as an important infectious disease of human, as or lactating mothers can carry C. parvum or Giardia, well as of animal origin. Our ability to distinguish between Continued on page 14 TAe ♦ / Mateo a Rorsemon, 14 Horse Manure, continued neither foals nor their mares are likely to be found on trails. on the low prevalence of Cryptosporidium in the trail No studies had been done on adult horses until 1993, at horse population surveyed, it can be concluded that the which time watershed managers proposed to ban livestock adult recreational trail horse population is not likely to be from their property due to uncertainties about the role of a significant source of Cryptosporidium environmental livestock in shedding pathogens. In response to this, the contamination in water shed areas."9 Backcountry Horsemen of California (BHC) funded an inde- Interestingly, Atwill has found that wild animals have pendent study by Dr. Rob Atwill, et al., from UC Davis substantial rates of C. parvum in their guts, significantly Tulare. Fecal samples were obtained from 91 horses used in higher than those found in either humans or horses. For backcountry riding to determine the potential risk of adult example 30%of mice tested were found to have C. horses contaminating surface waters. Samples were col- parvum in their guts; similarly 63%of rats, and 1 1% of lected at horse barns throughout California during 1993 and feral pigs carried this organism. 1994. Horses were between the ages,of 4 and 24 years of While horse manure found on trails may contain some of age. NONE of the study animals shed either organism of the pathogens discussed here, they are unlikely to exist concern in their fecal matter. in significant numbers to impact human health. Life The typical backcountry horse trip in California lasts 4 to 7 expectancy of most of the pathogens discussed, when days. The incubation period before these organisms start to deposited in manure on a trail, is very short. Atwill cites shed is usually 1 to 2 weeks after infection. Thus, an adult Robertson et al. 1992 "Oocysts appear to die after horse acquiring an infection from contaminated surface several hours of being dry" (see reference 5). Normal water during a backcountry trip would likely not start hygiene practices should be sufficient to mitigate against shedding these organisms during the typical backcountry exposure to these pathogens. ride of 4.7 days. Is the Risk of Human Exposure to Untreated The conclusions from Atwill, et al., "indicate that Horse Manure Acceptable? backcountry use of horses for recreational riding is unlikely There are three types of risks: true risk, calculated risk, to pose a significant risk of environmental contamination and perceived risk. from Cryptosporidium . . . or Giardia . . . of equine origin nor is it likely to create a significant threat to human health There are 250 million people in the US and 6.9 million from either of these protozoans."8 horses. There are 28 million citizens of the State of California and 642,000 horses there. Over 70% of When the Atwill, et al, paper was submitted to a scientific California horses are involved in showing and recreation journal for publication, it was subjected to a rigorous peer- (about 449,400).12 Probably only half of these potentially review. The major criticism voiced about the study by peers use trails (about 250,000). The rest are confined to show concerned the fact that the 91 horses, while representing a arenas, or are at pasture as retired family pets. The broad geographical spectrum, were not sampled at trail remaining 30%will virtually never be found on trails since heads prior to entering backcountry. A second study was they are involved in the expensive pursuits of racing and undertaken between July and November of 1996 by Ford, et breeding, and are too valuable to expose to the dangers al, of Colorado State University Fort Collins to test fecal on trails. Thus, horses that are likely to be on trails are matter of 300 horses entering at 23 different trail heads in relatively few in number compared to the subset of the Colorado. Horses sampled ranged from 3 to 30 years old. number of citizens who are likely to use trails. And, Of these 300 horses, only one was positive for C. parvum obviously, not all of these horses are likely to be on trails and 2 for Giardia. Prevalence results were completely simultaneously. consistent with previous finding by Atwill et al in Califor �. In following up to get information on the infected Veterinarians and vet students probably have the great individuals, the sole horse with C. parvum was determined est exposure to true risk from horse manure. The horse to be 24 years old, had bad teeth, poor digestion and was has a very inefficient gut: its a one way through-put immuno-compromised. He was ridden daily as part of a system. Horses are physiologically incapable of vomiting commercial string, and suffered from weight loss. He or regurgitating. If something gets stuck on the way probably drank contaminated water downstream from a through, the only way to get it out is by surgery or known beaver habitat. He was immediately put to pasture physical intervention. As a result, you will often find vets to recover. The conclusion from Ford, et al, is that "Based armpit deep under a horse's tail. Nevertheless, there has never been a documented case of veterinarians contract- number of variables (temperature, wind, moisture, direct in9 illness as a result of this rather extreme true expo- sun, disturbances, etc.) would be difficult to control in b ed sure to horse manure. Peopleemployed Y scientific experiments. em to or who provide services at horse keeping facilities, could possi- According to,Jeffrey Schaffer, wilderness writer, "700 bly have the next most frequent opportunity for expo- backpackers in Desolation Wilderness (West of Lake Tahoe) sure to horse manure, but they don't have reported contribute about a ton of human waste per week. Whereas problems either. Because horses are big, imposing horse and cattle excrement lying on the ground decom- animals, infrequently encountered by people, the per- poses rapidly, buried human excrement takes longer, for in ceived risk of human exposure to horse manure is mountain soils, subsurface decomposers such as bacteria probably greater than the true risk. and fungi are not abundant".16 We have found that many younger people in parks and - Dr. Aaron Wildaysky, Professor at UC Berkeley has written, open spaces near urban areas have rarely seen or even "The richest, longest-lived, best protected, most resourceful petted a horse on a trail. The average trail horse in civilization is on its way to becoming the most frightened. California, ridden by an employed owner from an urban Government has contributed to this process by taking area, would likely not be present on public trails more responsibility for risk management away from individuals." than 12 to 16 hours per week—a maximum of about 10% People are exposed to a variety of risks every day of their of a week. Winters are difficult to ride on trails, so most lives and must make decisions about which risks to ignore riding occurs between April and November. Many more and which ones to manage actively. We believe that expo- people use trails than horses. For example, in San Mateo sure to horse manure is one fear people can cross off of County, a supposed "horsey"jurisdiction, the human their list of things to worry about. population is nearly 700,000 compared to 4,000 horses. While all citizens and all horses may not be trail users, People vastly outnumber horses likely to be found on trails in bath the United States and California. Because the subset that do use trails is probably relatively small. We believe that such small numbers of horses on urban horses are encountered infrequently by most people, it is trails and the brief time spent on them constitutes very likely that their perceived risk of exposure to horse little true risk in terms of volume or contents for people manure is actually much higher than their true risk. As encountering horse manure. we have seen, manure is physically handled by only a few people with no notable health effects reported. It desic- In the California backcountry average pack trip of 4-7 cates and decomposes rapidly in the environment. There days", trail time might be 7 hours per day—maximum of are no known toxic effects on humans due to the expo- about 30%of a week. Access to much of the high sure to horse manure. It is unlikely that the average hiker country is limited to horses from June through October. practicing conventional hygiene will experience adverse Most individual horse riders would be lucky to spend two effects from exposure to horse manure on a trail. We separate weeks a year in the mountains with their believe that based on the information currently available, animals. Thus, out of 20 weeks of available trail time, the exposure of people to untreated horse manure on backcountry horses probably use only a maximum of 10% trails is an acceptable health risk. of time available. We believe that such limited numbers of horses on backcountry trails and brief time spent on Conclusion them constitutes very little true risk in terms of volume Horse manure is a solid waste excluded from federal EPA or contents for people encountering horse manure. solid waste regulation because it neither contains signifi- Horses spend most of their time in pastures or paddocks cant amounts of hazardous chemicals, nor exhibits hazard- where the majority of their excrement is deposited, ous characteristics. The chemical constituents of horse collected and managed. Horse manure is about 70-80% manure are not toxic to humans. Horse guts do not contain significant levels of the two waterborne pathogens of liquid and 20-30% solid". This liquid portion is retained greatest concern to human health risk, Cryptosporidium or quickly by soil or vaporizes rapidly into the atmosphere. Ciardia. Finally, the reality is that there are very few horses, x In composted scenarios, total mineralization (breakdown and even fewer numbers of them that frequent trails. into carbon and oxygen) occurs within 21 days with more people seldom encounter or handle horse manure. Humans than 50%of the total CO, produced during the first 6 and other sources within the environment (e.g. wild animals days.'s There are no documented studies of decomposi- and birds)with their overwhelming population numbers are tion rates under ambient conditions because the large continued F_ i Crop ' ♦ I Matee / /J / <$RrinS • • Horse Manure, continued horses to contribute to human health risks. t zB.;and"Risk,Science and Democracy"by William Ruckieshaus Pp. 105.119. far more likely than4. Metcalf&Eddy, Inc Wastewater En4ineerina Treatment-Disposal and Reuse. Third Ed. P.4. While horse manure may not be aesthetically pleasing, It 5. E. R.Atwiil."Pathogens excreted by livestock and transmitted to should not harmful to human health nor pose a significant humans through water". Information paper 1997. encounter it on public trails. health risk to people when they enc 6. M.M.Peng,'xiao,L.,'Freeman,A.R.,=Arrowood,M.J.,' Escalente,A. A.,' Weitman,A.C.,'Ong,C.S.L.,4 MacKenzie,W. R.,' Lai,A.A.2,and Acknowledgements Beard,C. B.' "Genetic Polymorphism Among Cryptosporidium parvum Isolates: Evidence of 2 Distinct Human Transmission Cycles." Emerging Infectious iSea= Vol. 3. No.4. Oct.-Dec. 1997,Pp. 567.573. Thanks are in order to the following people: University of Michigan',CDC Atlanta', PA Dept.of Health',University of Dr.Rob Atwill, UC Davis Tulare School of Veterinary Medicine British Columbia'. 7. "San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Cryptosporidium White Or. Deanne Meyers, UC Davis Livestock Management Specialist Paper". City and County of San Francisco. 1996. Dr. Ishwar Murarka,Certified Professional Soil Scientist and Solid Waste 8. E.Johnson,Atwiil,E. R.,Filkins,M. E.,and Kalush,J. "The prevalence of shedding of Cryptosporidium and Giardia spp.based on a single fecal Expert sample collection from each of 91 horses used for backcountry recreation." or,Lawrence Goldstein,Toxicologist journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation. Vol.9. Pp. 56.60. 1997. - 9. K. N.Ford,Swinker,A.M.,Traub-Dargatz,J. L.,and Cheney,J. M. "The Or. Barbara Baum Taylor,Engineer&President,META Environmental,Inc. Prevalence of Cryptosporidium/Giardia in the Trail Horse Population Dr.Janice Yager,Toxicologist Utilizing Public Lands." Proceedings of 1 Sth Eouine Nutritional _y Phvsioloa $ytnoosium. Pp. 223.237. 1997. Mr.Mark Graham,Research Librarian 10. Intsgrated Animal Waite Management,Task Force Report No. 128 Numerous reviewers who helped tighten up concepts and Language November 1996 by Council for Agricultural Science and Technology. i i Data from the American Horse Council, Press Release December 1996 References 12. The Economic impact of the Horoe Indu�try in the inited States Vol.2: 1.40 CFR(Identification and Listing of Hazardous Wastes)Chapter 1 7.1- Estimates for Eleven Focus Barents Prepared for the American Council Foundation by the Barents Group LLC,January 1996,, Horse P. 3. 91 Sections 261.4, 261.2 and 251.3 and Table 1. 13. Ibid. Johnson,Atwill et.al. 2.W. E. Harris. "Analysis of Risks and Authoritative Information". AILiyrfral C_�hgmistrv. Vol.64. No 13-July 1, 1992. Pp.666.667. 14. Interview with Dr.Deanne Meyers,UC Davis,February 1997. 3.T-S.Glickman and Gough, M. gading in Risk. 1990. "Ranking Possible 1 S. H.A.Ajwa and Tabatabai,M.A."Decomposition of different organic materials Carcinogenic Hazards"by Bruce Ames, Renae Magaw and Lois Swirsky Gold in soils". Bioi.Fertil.Solis.1994,Vol.I B. Pp.175.182. Pp. 76.92. "No Risk is the Highest Risk of All'by Aaron Wildaysky Pp. 120 16.J.Schaffer. 7}�e Tahoe Brerra. 1987. P. 20. Table 3 Pathogens excreted by livestock and transmitted to humans through water Edward R. AtwiN, DVM, MPVM, PhD, Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, 18830 Road 172, Tulare, CA 93274 List of pathogens of primary concern that can be shed in the feces of livestock and transmitted to humans through water with comments: Waterborne protozoa pathogens of primary concern(known livestock component) Cryptosporidium parvum Low infectious dose;environmentally resistant oocysts;oocyst 5 x 5 microns Giardia duodenalis Low infectious dose;environmentally resistant cysts; zoonotic potential under debate; cysts approximately 12 x 15 microns Waterborne bacterial pathogens of primary concern(Size ranges from 0.2 x 1.5 to 1.5 x 6.0 microns) Campylobacter spp. Common in livestock and wild birds Salmonella spp. Common in livestock feces Pathogenic strains of E. coli Can be highly virulent for humans Yersinia spp. Swine are considered a primary reservoir;apparent low annual incidence in humans List of pathogens of secondary concern whereby livestock have either no role or an unclear role in human waterborne infection have also been listed. Waterborne PROTOZOA pathogens of secondary concern Toxoplasma gondii Felines are the definitive host, not livestock Balantidium call Swine suspected, but no clear role i Entamoeba histolytica Human reservoir Cyclospora cayetanensis and microsporidia(Enterocytocytozoon bieneusi,Septata intestinalis) Unknown reservoir and livestock not known to shed these protozoa at this time Waterborne BACTERIAL pathogens of secondary concern Clostridium perfringens types A&C Waterborne transmission unclear Listeria monocytogenes Waterborne transmission unclear; human infection typically foodborne Brucella spp. Waterborne transmission unclear Leptospirosis interrogans Waterborne transmission unclear; human infection typically by direct contact Waterborne VIRAL pathogens from livestock Little scientific evidence that viruses shed in the feces of livestock pose a health threat to humans in the U.S.A. i Table 1 Table 2 MAXIMUM CONCENTRATION OF Fresh Manure Production & CONTAMINANTS FOR THE TOXICITY Characteristics Per 1,000 kg/lb CHARACTERISTIC Live Animal Mass per Day EPA Regulatory Parameter` 1000 lb in pounds HW No.' Contaminant CAS No.2 Level (mg/L) D004 Arsenic 7440.38.2 5.0 Mean Standard deviation D005 Barium 7440.39.3 100.0 D018 Benzene 71.43-2 0.5 Total Manure 51 7.2 D006 Cadmium 7440.43.9 1.0 Urine 10 0.74 D019 Carbon tetrachloride 56-23.5 0.5 Density 63 5.8 D020 Chlordane 57.74.9 0.03 D021 Chiorobenzene 108.90-7 100.0 Total Solids 15 4.4 D022 Chloroform 67.66.3 6.0 Volatile Solids 10 3.7 D007 Chromium 7440.47.3 5.0 5 day biochem 0,demand D023 o-Cresol 95.48.7 '200.0 1.7 0.23 D024 m-Cresol 108.39.4 4200.0 Chemical 0,demand D025 p-Cresol 106.44.5 '200.0 pH 7.2 D026 Cresol 4200.0 Total Kjeidahl Nitrogen D016 2,4-D 94.75.7 10.0 0.30 0.063 D027 1,4-Dichlorobenzene 106.46-7 7.5 (No Ammonia Nitrogen) D028 1,2-Dichloroethane 107.06.2 0.5 Total Phosphorus 0.071 0,026 D029 1,1-Dichloroethylene 75.35.4 0.7 Orthophosphorus 0.019 0.0071 D030 2,4-Dinitrotoluene 121.14.2 30.13 Potassium 0.25 0.091 D012 Endrin 72.20.8 0.02 Calcium 0.29 0.11 D031 Heptachlor(and its expoxide) Magnesium 0.057 0.016 76.44-8 0.008 Sulfur 0.044 0.022 D032 Hexachlorobenzene 118.74.1 30.13 Sodium 0.036 D033 Hexachlorobutadiene 87.68.3 0.5 Chloride and Lead - D034 Hexachioroethane 67.72.1 3.0 Iron 0.016 0.0081 D008 Lead 7439.92-1 5.0 Manganese 0.0028 0.0021 0013 Lindane 58.89-9 0.4 Boron 0.0012 0.00048 D009 Mercury 7439.97.6 0.2 Molybdenum 0.00083 0.00033 D014 Methoxychlor 72.43.5 10.0 Zinc 0.0022 0.0021 D035 Methyl ethyl ketone 78.93.3 200.0 Copper 0.00053 0.00039 D036 Nitrobenzene 98.95.3 2.0 Cadmium 0.0000051 D037 Pentachiorophenol 87.86.5 100.0 Nickel 0.00062 D038 Pyridine 110-86.1 15.0 D010 Selenium 7782.49.2 1.0 0011 Silver 7440-22-4 5.0 American Society of Agricultural D039 Tetrachloroethylene 127-18.4 0.7 DO1S Toxaphene 8001-35.2 0.5 Engineering D040 Trichloroethylene 79.01.6 0.5 ASAE Data:D384.1 D041 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol 95-95.6 400.0 (Data Excerpted from Tables 1 &2 for D042 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol 88.06.2 2.0 Horses Only) D017 2,4,5-TP(Silvex) 93.72-1 1.0 Adopted by the ASAE December 1976, D043 Vinyl chloride 75.01-4 0.2 revised June 1988, published 1992 Hazardous Waste number. Feces& urine as voided.All values wet Chemical abstracts service number. basis from a typical live animal Quantitation limit is greater than the calculated regulatory level. The quantitation limit therefore becomes the regulatory level. (Per Dr. Meyers UC Davis, may be ' if o-,m-,and p-Cresol concentrations cannot be differentiated,the total overstated by 25%) cresol(0026)concentration is used. The regulatory level of total cresol is 200 mg/I. Regional Open ace 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT DRAFT RESPONSE PREPARED BY STAFF FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION Harry H. Haeussler, Jr. 1094 Highlands circle Los Altos, CA 94024 Dear Harry: Thank you for your May 15th, 1998 letter and article related to horse manure and its risk to human health. The District's Board of Directors reviewed your letter at its May 27, 1998 regular meeting.The District does not perceive horse manure to be a health risk on District trails, nor has the District directly received complaints about the human health risk from horse manure. At public meetings regarding dog access at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve, the District has heard dog owners voice their opinions about the negative aesthetics of horse manure on the trails and their perception that it is an unfair responsibility for dog owners to clean up after their dogs when the same does not apply to horse owners. Again, the District has only heard this at public meetings, and has not received any formal complaints. The District is in communication with veterinary and health professionals from California Department of Fish and Game and San Mateo County Environmental Health Department, and will keep informed of any new data on health risks related to wildlife, dog, or horse feces. At this time, the District does not consider there to be a threat to human health from the wildlife or domestic animals using District lands. - Thank you for your concern regarding Districts lands. Sincerely, Betsy Crowder President, Board of Directors Celebrate 25 Years of Open Space Preservation 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos,CA 94022-1404 • Phone:650-691-1200 • 1972-1197 • FAX:650-691-0485 • E-mail:mrosd@openspace.org • Web site:www.openspace.org Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,Jed Cyr,David T.Smernoff,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C.Nitz • General Manager:L.Craig Britton From:Robert Zatidn To:Fax#691-0485 Date:5117/98 Time:8M150 PM Page 1 of 2 Robert Zatkin 140 Springdale Way -Redwood City, CA 94062 telephone: (415) 369-6462 -rzatkin@.att.net May 17, 1998 RESPONSE ACTION PROPOSED By STAFF Board President Acknowledge/Respond Board of Directors Director...............�Acknowledge/Respond Staff Acknowledge/Respond MidPeninsula Open Space District Draft Response Attached 330 Distel Circle Staff to b:,Dir:ct.d . Prepare Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 R:.,,* iBo(,d Co n.ide per Board Response ve a) sent via fax: 650-691-0485 No Response Necessary Members of the Board: Today I hiked in the Long Ridge Open Space Preserve. Upon ascending the hill to Turtle Rock, I discovered three adult adolescent males on mountain bikes preparing to 'jump' their bikes to the top of Turtle Rock. For those of you vague in District land history, Turtle Rock is considered by some to be a Ohlone native American peoples celestial indicator of the winter solstice; by others the highest topographic point in San Mateo County. The discussion between the mountain biking men-boys immediately caught my attention, as one of the three was explaining the'technical' complexities of gaining adequate speed, and muscle powered 'lift'to move the bike from the ground surface to the top of the rock— a distance of about three feet. Realizing they were giving away their intent and that I was watching them closely, they chose to ride off to another'challenge' rather than use their mountain bikes to go where no District rules (if the word applies) allows them to go. Upon inspection of Turtle Rock I discovered the surface of the rock has been abundantly scarified by the front chain sprocket of mountain bike riders jumping on to the rock. Skid marks from bike tires are also present. What a nice thing to do to District resources. As such I recommend the following: • Placement of bike impermeable log barriers on the two`trails'to Turtle Rock. • Placement of signs at the beginning of these two trails stating NO BIKES ALLOWED —GO HOME. • A sign next to Turtle Rock stating the likely archeological importance of the rock and its status as the highest point in San Mateo County. Incidentally, many signs on District lands are significantly deteriorated, paint faded,wood warped and occasionally peeling, and etc.. Why are you not spending some of our money From:Robert Zatidn To:Fax#691-0485 Date:5117/98 Time:8:02:50 PM Page 2 of 2 to improve the quality and quantity of signage in District lands as an attempt to control illicit activity and better inform the public about the nature of the lands they paid for? The use of mountain bikes continues to degrade District lands, and like the proverbial monkeys, you members of the Board see, hear and speak no evil. So be it. As but one voice I do not approve of you pathetic inaction on mountain bike issues such as that described above. Nor do I believe that you collectively understand or appreciate the pervasive degradation of District lands that are occurring due to the unregulated use of mountain bikes. In closing remember, mountain bikes don't degrade public open space land, people degrade public land. Sincerely, signed Robert Zatkin Geologist Regional Open - ace MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT DRAFT RESPONSE PREPARED By STAFF FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION Mr. Robert Zatkin 140 Springdale Way Redwood City, CA 94062 Subject: Long Ridge Open Space Preserve Dear Mr. Zatkin: Thank you for your letter dated May 17, 1998 regarding bicycle use at Long Ridge Open Space Preserve. Approximately five years ago, District staff constructed a trail around the area you call "Turtle Rock." At the time, "Turtle Rock" was identified as a desirable location for the trail due to the scenic qualities of the rock outcroppings and the spectacular view available from the area. It remains a positive attraction for most preserve visitors to enjoy their lunch or the scenery. As you mention, bicyclists have recently begun using the rock area adjacent to the designated trail as a technical course. Jumps have been constructed using some of the rocks, and bicycle sprocket marks have scarred some of the rocks. While the District tries to clearly indicate the regulations of the preserve to all preserve visitors at the trailhead and trail junctions, this is sometimes not enough. There are instances, like this, where additional measures are needed. Staff is currently researching fencing and signing alternatives to clearly indicate to bicyclists that they must remain on the designated trail. At a minimum, signing will be clearly posted to indicate the rock area and unauthorized trails are closed to bicycle use. A low fence or logs may be added to help delineate the trail. Regarding our signing program, the planning staff is currently conducting a sign program review, identified in their work plan for fiscal year 1998. Signing issues, including those you identified, will be addressed. Thank you for you input. Sincerely, Betsy Crowder, President Board of Directors BC:mdeb cc: MROSD Board of Directors 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos,CA 94022-1404 Phone:650-691-1200 FAX:650-691-0485 • E-mail:mrosd@openspace.org • Web site:www.openspace.org Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,led Cyr,David T.Smernoff, Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C.Nitz • General Manager:L.Craig Britton �-" "-- — — RESPONSE ACTION PROPOSED BY STAFF Chris Church, 0 4 :2 1 rr1 5/1/9 8 -, MROSD expar. Board President Acknowledge/Respond Director Acknowledge/Respond X-Sender: chris@mail .backdoor. com (Unverified) staff Acknowledge/Respond To: Ad Hoc Committee Board of Directors <mrosc Draft Response Attached From: Chris Church <chris@backinsf. com> Staff to be Directed to Prepare Draft Subject : MROSD expansion, San Mateo Count Sk Re,yon,e for Board Consideration Per Y/ Doard Directives) Ocean No Response Necessary Cc: Dan Bernstein PADS <OBasil@aol . com> Date : Fri, 1 May 1998 16:21 : 05 -0700 X-Rcpt-To: mrosd@openspace .org President Crowder, Ms . Davey and Mr. Nitz : In your May 20 Coastside expansion workshop, I hope you look at the following issues regarding dogs : 1 . Consider changing the name of your entity to Mid-Peninsula Reserved Open Space District. I had no idea you are an agency to create reserves not parks . 2 . Recognize that if your sense of ownership permits hiking, but severely limits dogs, oddly, most of the rangers ' citations will be dog related. I quote from a recent PADS email I am also forwarding regarding Windy Hill : "Mid Pen staff was proposing to the board that ' it would be preferable to close the entire preserve to dogs . '" Staff based this insane idea on their statistics that showed that ' dog [s] comprised only 11% of the users at Windy Hill, but were responsible for the 75% of the rule violations . '" 3 . Recognize that County Parks are unacceptable (no dogs) , State Parks hardly better (leash only) and so far only the GGNRA is realistic about meeting a need for substantial (not token) , publicly accessible low-intensity recreational open space that permits dogs off leash. 4 . Recognize that large privately owned lands, though my family' s only local choice, are rarely permanently available even within an individual dog' s short lifetime because the pressure of development is so intense . i I hope these comments, other Coastside public comment and your workshop result in a decision to pursue expansion, and that among other things you adopt more liberal dog policies in the process, simply because I see so many dog walkers every time I go out who surely would be natural supporters . I believe your chances for acceptance of minimal Coastside presence are greater if you can find ways to treat dogs and their caretakers better on your existing lands, perhaps even Hatch Woods . Likewise, your chances for passing 2/3 Coastside voter approved tax-supported measures for land acquisition are greater if you propose off-leash dog use . Regardless of outcome, I am grateful for the MROSD Board' s and the Ad Printed for Open Space District <mrosd@openspace.org> ___ 1� j Chris Church, 04 :21 .xa 5/1/98 -, MROSD expansion, San Mateo Cou Hoc Committee ' s interest . You truly deserve great respect for your distinguished public service . Sincerely, Chris Church Printed for Open Space District <mrosd@openspace.org> _ 2 Chris Church, 04 :22 ra4 5/1/98 -,v [Forward] Thank you! ___ _ _p_� X-Sender: chris@mail .backdoor.com (Unverified) To: mrosd@openspace.org From: Chris Church <chris backinsf @ . com> Subject : [Forward] Thank you ! Date : Fri, 1 May 1998 16 :22 : 42 -0700 X-Rcpt-To: mrosd@openspace .org >Return-Path: <john@bowline.prusik.com> >From: OBasil <OBasil@aol . com> >Date: Fri, 24 Apr 1998 02 : 41 : 05 EDT >To: padslist@prusik.com >Cc : joybob@ix.netcom. com, stiv@stiv. com >Subject : Thank you ! >Dear PADS members and supporters, >This is just a quick note of thanks to all of the people who attended, spoke >out, emailed, wrote letters, or signed petitions voicing their support for >continuing dog access at Windy Hill . Going into the Tuesday evening meeting at >Mid Pen, it looked pretty bleak because Mid Pen staff was proposing to the >board that "it would be preferable to close the entire preserve to dogs" . >Staff based this insane idea on their statistics that showed that "dog >comprised only 11% of the users at Windy Hill, but were responsible for the >75% of the rule violations" . One big problem with their "logic" is that they >counted every pile of dog poop that they found anywhere in the Windy Hill >preserve during the year as a rules violation, which accounted for about a >third of all the violations . The reality of the situation was that in the >worst cases, about once every two weeks (or longer) , someone failed to cleanup >after their dog. . . hardly a big deal, especially compared to the copious piles >of horse manure found everywhere at Windy Hill . In terms of off leash >violations, the real compliance rate varies by trail, ranging from 62% to 85% . >The outcome of Tuesday' s meeting (which is a recommendation that the full >board must still vote on) was fortunately quite different from what staff had >proposed (or hoped for?) - instead of closing Windy Hill to dogs, the >recommendation is now to continue to allow dogs on all currently open trails >for at least another year ! Two notes of caution; (1) the full board must vote >on this, probably sometime in May or June, so your support will be needed for >that, and (2) Mid Pen observers are still cruising Windy Hill, so please >continue to clean up after your dog and encourage everyone to follow their Printed for Open Space District mrosd@openspace.org> i l Chris Church, 04 :22 .— 5/1/98 -, [Forward] Thank you! >leash rules, especially on Spring Ridge Trail . If you haven' t already done so, >call Mid Pen (650 . 691 . 1200) and ask them to notify you of any upcoming board >actions related to dog access . >It was only with everyone ' s help that we were able to hold on to Windy Hill ! >My sincerest thanks to Bob and Marge, Anne, Cheryl, Linda, Gail, Diane, >Theresa, Barb and Roger, Nancy and Chris, Richard and Constance, Bari, >Shripad, Julia, Joyce and Bob - it wouldn' t have happened without you. . . >Questions? Please email back ! >Thanks, >- Dan >P. S . Please accept my sincerest apologies if I left you of the thank you list ! lPrinted for Open Space District <mrosd@openspace.org> 2 Regional Open - ace DRAFT RESPONSE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT PREPARED BY STAFF FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION Chris Church chris@mail.backdoor.com Re: Dog Access to Open Space Preserves and Policies for the San Mateo Coast Dear Chris: Thank you for your May I e-mail to the Board's ad hoc committee on coastal annexation. The full Board reviewed your communication at its regular meeting last night. The District has always tried to communicate clearly with the public about its policies for protection of open space. Recently, the Board conducted an extensive public participation process to review its overall policies and future plans, and to draft a mission statement. Through this process the public clearly reaffirmed the District's long-standing policy to put open space preservation and resource protection ahead of access, and to put "basic" access for hikers ahead of other forms of access that involve more complex management considerations. The District Board and staff have made a great effort to listen to and work with the sender of the e-mail you forwarded regarding dog access at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve, and with other persons in favor of or opposed to access for dogs. This has been a complex and emotional issue, but over a period of several years of study and debate we have formulated a basic approach and criteria for making decisions about dog access and have significantly expanded the amount of access for dogs. We hope this trend can continue, and, with the understanding and assistance of dog owners, we believe that it can. More information about the process, criteria, and current access is available upon request from the administrative offices. We can assure you that if the District does proceed with annexation of the San Mateo coast and begins to take responsibility for managing lands there, we would carefully consider our current policies and approach regarding dog access and other factors, and make sure we understand the specific local conditions, and the interests and ideas of all constituents, in making decisions about dog access and other policy issues. Sincerely, Betsy Crowder, President Board of Directors BC/ra cc: MROSD Board of Directors 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 • PhQne:650-691-1200 FAX: 650-691-0485 • E-mail:mrosd@openspace.org • web site:www.openspace.org Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,Jed Cyr, David T.Smernoff,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C.Nitz • General Manager:L.Craig Britton i RESPONSE ACTION PROPOSED BY STAFF (_ St- —eve_-�nlol—f - -(ac�a2^�8T� ���-4-j2.9��;-among � _ _ Board President Acknowledge/Respond_. eve . Director Acknowledge/Respond Date : Wed, 29 Apr 1998 09 : 03 : 01 -0700 Sta raft Response Attached Acknowledge/Respond D To: mrosd@openspace.org Staff to be Directed to Prepare Draft From: "Steve Wolf x5298) " <swolf@octopus.wr.u: Response fur Board Consideration par Subject : Long ridge Open Space Preserve- Dogs '°"d °i`•"i"°c•' X-Rcpt-To: mrosd@openspace .org No Response Necessary Please Forward this email to the Board of Directors for consideration: Dear Board, Many years ago I made a considerable effort to have Long Ridge Open Space Preserve open to dogs. After many meetings and considerable discussion the Preserve was opened to dogs on a experimental basis . Years later and after evaluation it was decided dogs did not have an impact on the Preserve and thus leave it open to dog owners . Unfortunately the Preserve was again closed a few years ago much to the frustration of local residents . We often use d the Preserve for both human and dog exercise and to avoid walkingalong Skyline Blvd. I believe this closure g Ye was partially based on a report which suggested that dogs were getting into Peters Creek and disturbingthe Red Legged frog, and some people from outside the area, at the last of a series of public meetings, expressed the opinion that the trails to be used by dog owners were too short and did not offer a pleasurable experience. W e ence. hale employed b the Distri District in 199 6 I tried,P P Y unsuccessfully, to secure the report to review it ' s findings. I was told the report could not be found. Needless to say, having residents ' s local to Long Ridge, put their dogs into vehicles and driving to other Preserves to the north to walk their dogs is more than an inconvience and results in the dogs either not being exercised or we take our chances walking along Skyline with all it ' s potential dangers to us and the dogs . High speed traffic has dramatically increased over the years and it is only a matter of time before dog and/or human is mamed or killed by a vehicle or motorcycle . I have been hiking in Long Ridge lately, across from my residence, and have noticed periods of time where few if any visitors are on the trails . This increasingly aggrevates me, and other nearby residents, regarding the closure to dogs . To hike when few if any visitors are there while the dogs are locked up at home because of the closure is upsetting. If the report mentioned above can be located, I would like to have the opportunity to review it . As for pleasurable experiences, I was not aware they have time limits, long or short . For me personally, 30-40 minutes is just fine and the dog is well wore down after her "hike" . Trail lengths to walk dogs in Long Ridge are not unlike those found in the Windy Hill Preserve . The dog program in Windy Hill has been so successful, as it was in Long Ridge, that trails were expanded, while Long Ridge was closed to dogs for as yet unclear reasons . I request the Board revisit the issue, provide clarification of the closure, and offer some compromise as to a solution rather than complete closure . I request the Board to consider the following options : (1) Reopening the Preserve for a few "core" hours each day, for example 8 : 00-11 : 00 am, when multi-use visitors are at a minimum and thus keep potential conflict of use to a minimum. (2) Open those hours to public use or issue permits to local residents only for use during "core" hours . Enforcement could be enhanced by doubling the current fine for illegal use by residents during non "core" hours. (3) Establish "core" half days for dog use, for example, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday or Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Again either for r n e or OpenSpace District—<mrossM6penapace.org> -7 -S f-ev-e--Vol-f Op L pace reserve public use or residents only and (4) As with the initial experimental dog program, which I believe we can all agree, proved itself well, select one or a combination of the above for implementation on an experimental basis . There are probably other preserves where this appraoch might work as well . It is my understanding that Foothills Park in Palo Alto has a "core" day program in place and it has worked well . I realize permits to local residents may have it ' s disadvantages but I believe rangers would spend potentially fewer hours looking for violators of dog use . In the Long Ridge area, the MROSD rangers are familiar with who the local residents are and it has been a workable relationship. If permits are an unworkable process, perhaps the Board could propose an alternative . More residents would spend more time on local trails which indirectly could serve as local observers of trail use and condition. Such observational feedback could be useful to rangers and Open Space staff at a time when, in my opinion, there is insufficient staff to monitor all the preserves. Keep in mind Preserves are backyards to local residents and it is in all our interests to ensure their proper use and condition. I would appreciate comment from the Board. Respectfully submitted, Steve Wolf rinted for Open Spade District <mrosd@openspace.org> i Regional Open , _ ace DRAFT RESPONSE MIDPENIN U RA EGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT PREPARED BY STAFF FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION Steve Wolf swolfoa octopus.wr.usgs.gov Re: Dog Access at Long Ridge Open Space Preserve Dear Mr. Wolf: Thank you for your e-mail of April 29, 1998 requesting the re-opening of dog access at Long Ridge Open Space Preserve. The Board reviewed your letter at its regular meeting last night. We should first respond to some statements-in your e-mail regarding the basis of the decision to close dog access at the preserve. The study of the impact of dogs on the preserve conducted by Dr. Sam Mc Guiness was considered inconclusive and was not a factor in either keeping the preserve open initially, or in its subsequent closure. In September, 1995, after a two-year research and debate process, overall policies were adopted regarding dog access on District lands (see attached report). A key policy was that for ease of enforcement and public use, a preserve should be either entirely open or closed to dogs. Additionally, criteria were adopted for environmental conditions that are conducive to dog access, and the preserves were ranked based on these criteria. Long Ridge came out lower on the list because of the proximity of trails to riparian habitat, and other factors. The overall objective was to have a more systematic approach to dog access decisions rather than base decisions primarily on site-by-site pressures for or against dog access. This is consistent with the District's overall approach to managing all uses of the trails. Your suggestions for "core hours" or alternating days in which dog access would be permitted, and/or for special permits for residents with dogs, have been discussed extensively during the past few years of debate about dog access. We have also researched the experience of many other public agencies with these and other approaches to managing access. Our conclusion is that we do not have the staff resources or the controlled-access conditions to manage such programs. Palo Alto Foothills Park, for example, is open only to Palo Alto Residents, has more assigned staff, and has an entry kiosk for control of public access. We sympathize with your position and the position of your neighbors who have contacted us about dog access at Long Ridge. Unfortunately, there are neighbors at virtually every preserve who have equally valid needs and arguments. Our overall policies, fiscal constraints, and feedback from constituents during formal review of dog access policies dictate that dog access must be accommodated cautiously, and that there must be areas which do not have dog access. 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 • Phone:650-691-1200 FAX:650-691-0485 • E-mail:mrosd@openspace.org • Web site:www.openspace.org T" Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,Jed Cyr,David T.Smernoff,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C. Nitz • General Manager:L.Craig Britton Steve Wolf May 28, 1998 page 2 In conclusion, while we cannot honor your request to open Long Ridge to dogs, we should not rule out that this or other areas will be considered for expanded access in the future. We do have a companion dog element of our volunteer trail patrol, which we hope will help us to manage dog use in preserves that are currently open to dogs and make it more feasible to expand access. You may obtain more information about the volunteer patrol from the administrative offices. You were already on our mailing list for dog access issues, so you should continue to receive notice of meetings on this subject. Your neighbors may be added to the list by contacting the administrative offices. Sincerely, Betsy Crowder, President Board of Directors BC/ra cc: MROSD Board of Directors (via e-mail) John DeLong, Harve and Pam Loucks, Sharon Peters, Don Chislow Regional Oe .:ice R-98-70 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 98-12 May 27, 1998 AGENDA ITEM I AGENDA ITEM Approval of Amendment to the Settlement and General Release Agreement Between Midpeninsula and the Russian Convent of Our Lad of Vladimir Inc. Extending the i n en Space District Re o al O p >� Y 8 8 P Time Period for Approval and Execution of Required Subsequent Documents LEGAL COUNSELS RECOMMENDATION Authorize the Board President to execute the attached Amendment to the Settlement and General Release Agreement Between Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and the Russian Convent of Our Lady of Vladimir, Inc. DISCUSSION On April 8, 1998, the District Board of Directors and the Russian Convent of Our Lady of Vladimir, Inc. reached a settlement agreement concerning the pending eminent domain proceedings to acquire the 280- acre Convent property adjacent to Skyline Boulevard in San Mateo County. The Settlement Agreement provided for the preparation and execution by both parties of certain subsequent documents to implement the Agreement. These were: an open space easement over approximately 87 acres of the Convent property; a purchase agreement for acquisition in fee of approximately 165 acres of the Convent property; a deed restriction limiting future development on the property retained by the Convent; a right of first refusal in favor of the District in the event the Convent property were ever sold; and a patrol access agreement. Legal counsel for both parties and stag have prepared drafts of these documents. However, both the Convent and District staff agree that additional time is needed to properly complete these documents for approval by the Convent and the Board. Accordingly, the Convent has agreed to a 20-day extension of the time period to complete the documents. Legal Counsel recommends the Board approve the attached amendment to the Settlement Agreement extending this time period. This amendment has been approved by the Convent. Legal Counsel will then return with the subsequent documents at your meeting of either June 10 or June 24, 1998 for your review and approval. Prepared by: Susan M. Schectman, District Legal Counsel Contact person: Same as above 330 Distel Circle - Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 * Phone:650-691-1200 FAX:650-691-0485 - E-mail:mrosd@openspace.org - web site:www.openspace.org Boar(Y of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C. Davey,Jed Cyr,David T.Sinernoff,Nonette 11anko,Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C. Nitz - Generral Manager.I.Craig Britton AMENDMENT TO SETTLEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE AGREEMENT This Amendment to the Settlement and General Release Agreement(hereinafter referred to as "Amendment") is dated May 27, 1998 and is entered into by and between the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, a California public agency(hereafter "District") and the Russian Convent of Our Lady of Vladimir, Inc., a California corporation(hereafter"Convent"). RECITALS WIEREAS, on April 8, 1998, District and Convent entered into a Settlement and General Release Agreement(hereafter"Agreement") of pending litigation entitled Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District vs Russian Convent of Our Lady of Vladimir. Inc„ Case No 404182 (hereafter"the Action"). WHEREAS, Section 1 of the Agreement provided that the District dismiss the Action with prejudice immediately after execution by both parties of the Subsequent Documents referred to in Section 21 of the Agreement, which Subsequent Documents shall be approved and executed by both parties and the Action dismissed no later than 60 days following the execution of the Agreement. WHEREAS, the parties both agree that additional time is necessary to properly complete the preparation, execution, and approval of said Subsequent Documents. ' NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree that Section 1 of the Agreement shall be amended to read as follows: 1. In consideration of the following conditions and agreements District shall dismiss with prejudice the pending eminent domain proceedings which constitute the Action immediately after execution by both parties of this Agreement and the Subsequent Documents referred to in Section 21, which Subsequent Documents shall be approved and executed by both parties and the Action dismissed no later than 80 days following execution of this Agreement. In all other respects, the Agreement shall continue in full force and effect, except as specifically amended herein. Page 1 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned do hereby and fully execute this Agreement on the date first written above. DISTRICT CONVENT Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Russian Convent of Our Lady of Vladimir, a public district Inc., a California corporation P rP Approved as to Form: Approved as to Form: By: By: Susan M. Schectman, District Colleen Doherty Counsel Attorney for Russian Convent of Our Lady of Vladimir, Inc. Recommended for Approval: Date: By: Approved and Accepted: L. Craig Britton, General Manager Approved and Accepted: By: Its: By: Date: President,Board of Directors Attest: By: Deirdre C. Dolan,District Clerk Date: Page 2 Regional Open %._ ace ............... MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT R-98-69 Meeting 98-12 May 27, 1998 AGENDA ITEM 2 AGENDA ITEM Program Evaluation for the 1997-1998 Action Plan for the Implementation of the Basic Policy of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION Comment on and Accept Staff's Program Evaluation Report. DISCUSSION The attached program evaluation material covers the 1997-1998 fiscal year. You conducted the mid-year review of the 1997-1998 Action Plan's key projects and activities in November, 1997 (see report R-97-156). As was done at that review in November, staff will brief you at your May 27 meeting on additional projects and activities not specifically included in the Action Plan that required significant effort. You adopted the new Action Plan for the 1998-1999 fiscal year at your March 25, 1998 meeting. Copies of both Action Plans are available at the District office for public inspection. Prepared by: L. Craig Britton, General Manager J. Escobar, Operations Manager M. de Beauvieres, Planning Team Leader M. Smith, Public Affairs Manager D. Dolan, Administrative Services Manager Contact person: L. Craig Britton, General Manager 330 Distel Circle - Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 - Phone:650-691-1200 FAX: 650-691-0485 a E-mail: mroscl@opensl)ace.org Web site:www.openspace.org Board of Directors:Pete Siernens,Mary C. Davey,Jed Cyr, David r.Smernoff,Nonette Hanko, Betsy Crowder, Kenneth C. Nita_ - General Manager:L.Craig Britton wr ACTION PLAN FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BASIC POLICY OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT FOR THE 1997-1998 FISCAL YEAR I. OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION PROGRAM A. Negotiations and Special Projects Subprogram B. Enterprise Subprogram H. PLANNING PROGRAM A. Regional and Long-Term Planning B. Site Planning and Implementation C. Resource Management Subprogram (responsibility shared with Operations Program) III. OPERATIONS PROGRAM IV. PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM A. General Public Information and Outreach Subprogram B. Legislative, Funding, and Organizational Relations Subprogram C. Visitor Services Subprogram V. ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM A. Administration/Human Resources Subprogram B. Lie-gal Services Subprogram OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION PROGRAM Subprograms A. Negotiations and Special Projects B. Enterprise To Implement the BASIC POLICY OBJECTIVE: The District seeks to purchase or otherwise acquire interest in the maximum feasible area of strategic open space within the District planning areas, including baylands and foothills. The District seeks to link its open space lands with federal, state, county, and city parklands and watershed lands. General Program Emphasis for 1997-1998 The program's emphasis will be to acquire the most critical, highest priority projects funded under the District's Financing Authority. Lower priority properties will be pursued through long-term options, available grant funding, bargain sales and gifts. The District will continue to work with the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) to acquire land and further the District's overall open space acquisition goals. The Enterprise Subprogram will focus on maximizing rental income consistent with Open Space Management policies and maintaining and improving District rental structures, as well as studying the removal of uneconomical and/or marginal structures. Staff Resources (Regular, full-time positions, unless otherwise indicated) Land Acquisition Manager (vacant position) Real Property Representative Secretary - Open Space Acquisition (shared half-time with Planning Program) PROGRFSS• 0 The District acquired 1,302 acres of open space lands during the 1997- 1998 fiscal year, including the 157-acre Paul property as an addition to Long Ridge Open Space Preserve, the 481 acre POST(Thysen) property as an addition to Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, the 45.33-acre Zelhart property, the 157.94-acre McKannay property, the 40-acre Urrere property, the 169.3-acre Augustine MacDonald Trust property, the 123.23-acre Vanderpan property, and the 20.57-acre Glasspool and 19.25-acre Trifilo/Catafi properties as additions to Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. 2 • The Secretary - Open SpaceAcquisition Position shared half-time a wit h the Planning Program) was converted to a full-time Real Property Assistant position. 1997-1998 Negotiations and Special Projects Subprogram OWectiy� To provide for the acquisition of all real property rights necessary to secure a recreational and open space greenbelt in the foothills and baylands, including rounding out and improving public access to existing preserves and connecting District preserves with other public lands. Key Proi ects 1. New Land Commitments - Convert the budgeted funds in the New Land Commitments budget category into open space lands, at desirable prices, focusing on the highest priority, most critical properties, which specifically protect the greenbelt including rounding out and improving public access to existing preserves, connecting to other preserves or public lands, and furthering the completion of the Bay Area Ridge Trail and Bay Trail Systems. Balance the desirability of the potential acquisition with the availability of severely limited funds, including, if possible, private financing with favorable terms and obtaining trail easements. PROGRESS: • The District acquired the 157.94-acre McKannay property for $190,000 as an addition to the Mt. Umunhum area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. This property includes valuable riparian and wildlife habitat along Herbert Creek. • The District acquired the 169.3-acre Augustine MacDonald property for $67,720 as an addition to the Mt. Umunhum area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. This property includes valuable riparian and wildlife habitat along Barret Canyon. • The District acquired the 20.57-acre Glasspool and 19.25-acre Trifilo/Catafi properties as additions to the Cathedral Oaks area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. The Glasspool property includes watershed and wildlife habitat above Hooker Gulch. The Trifilo/Catafi property includes riparian and wildlife habitat along Hendrys Creek. 2. Grants, Gifts and Bargain Sales - Because of severely limited acquisition funds, explore new grant opportunities, and focus on acquiring open space lands through bargain sales, and/or gifts where possible. Work closely with Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) in their current "Campaign to Save Essential Open Space". PROGRESS: • The 481-acre POST (Thysen) property was acquired as an addition to Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve for $420,500 on a bargain sale gift from 3 POST. 1..- District utilized grant funds from the L."oitat Conservation Fund for the cash portion of the purchase price. This property includes a portion of Bald Knob, a prominent ridge between Tunitas and Lobitos Creeks, and an existing trail system which was already managed by the District. • The 157-acre Paul property was acquired for $580,000 as an addition to Long Ridge Open Space Preserve providing a ridge trail connection to Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve. Save-the-Redwoods League generously contributed $260,000 toward the purchase price, and the District also received a $10,850 grant from the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund for this acquisition. • The District acquired the 45.33-acre Zelhart property for$100,000 as an addition to the Cathedral Oaks Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. The District received Environmental Enhancement Mitigation grant funds totaling $62,500 toward this acquisition. • The District acquired the 123,23 acre Vanderpan property as an addition to the Kennedy-Limekiln area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve for $308,075. The District received Environmental Enhancement Mitigation grant funds for half of the purchase from Habitat Conservation Fund. • The District received a 2.1-acre gift from Richard and Janet Lee as an addition to Long Ridge Open Space Preserve. The gift property includes a publicly-used trail along Peters Creek. • The District received a gift of approximately 1.46-acres from POST in the Redwood Park subdivision as an addition to Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. 3. Alternative Acquisition Methods - Obtain Board approval on appropriate long-term options, at market prices or less, to acquire desirable properties that might be affordable in future years should the District be successful in obtaining additional funding for land acquisition. Explore various alternative terms of purchase (installment purchases, defensible fee, etc.) to offer advantages and incentives to landowners, as well as cost savings to the District. PROGRESS: • The District acquired the 40-acre Urrere property for$100,000 on an interest- free installment sale basis as an addition to the Mt. Umunhum area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. This property includes a section of trail connecting Loma Prieta Road to Jacques Ridge. 4. Sell Surplus Property - Pursue lot line adjustment of the "Teague Hill" surplus property through the Town of Woodside. When the lot line adjustment is approved, market and complete the successful auction sale of surplus property which will help fill a critical funding gap for additional land purchases. PROGRESS: • Staff continues to respond to additional requests from Town of Woodside to complete the lot line adjustment application. 4 • The District entered into a 3-way agreement with Peninsula Open Space Trust and Pelican Timber Company to exchange the second Teague Hill surplus property, containing approximately 35-acres, for a 180t acre property adjacent to Windy Hill Open Space Preserve. 1997-1998 Enterprise Subprogram Objective To manage all of the District's revenue producing activities in such a way as to maximize income from enterprise accounts consistent with Open Space Management policies, incorporating compatible new programs when possible. Key Pr_oiects 1. Administer Enterprise Accounts - Administer rental accounts, communication and agricultural leases, consistent with open space management policies, to maintain and enhance revenue stream through competitive and current rate structure, effective maintenance programs and communication with tenants. PRO RFSS: • The District entered into a communications lease with Sprint Spectrum L.P. for communications facilities located at the existing PG&E tower at Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve. The initial annual rent started at $22,000, increasing 5% annually thereafter. • The Barlow and Sink residences have remained vacant since November 1, 1997 and January 1, 1998, respectively, to assess the economic viability of maintaining these structures as rental properties. All other District residential properties continue to be popular and fully occupied. • The former MacDonald ranch mobile home trailer was converted to the La Honda Creek ranger residence. 2. Sell Term Ownerships - Assess and aggressively market long-term interest arrangements (estate for years, lifetime tenancy) for former Bach, Bean, and Smith residences. If successful, this program will provide additional funding for land acquisitions. PROGRFSS: • The District accepted an offer to purchase a Fee Determinable Estate for fifty (50) years for the former Bach/Bullis property from Jake and Tamara Guenther at a purchase price of$361,000. As part of this agreement, the District repaired the entrance driveway slipout which serves as a patrol access to Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve. Due to the unique nature of this sale and the rights retained by the District, the Guenthers were unable to obtain financing. Therefore, in December 1997, the District provided financing to the Guenthers 5 I over 25 yL s to complete this transaction. • The District entered into a Rental Agreement with Jay and Perry Thorwaldson for the former Landre residence at Long Ridge Open Space Preserve. During the initial term of this agreement, the tenants have undertaken repairs of the residence and premises in lieu of rent. Completed maintenance and repair items include installation of a new roof on the main residence, restoring the water and electrical systems and making repairs to the access road. 3. Maintain Rental Structures - Carry out maintenance and improvements to rental houses to keep buildings and grounds in a safe, sanitary, and attractive condition and to increase net rental income. Administer long term and recurring maintenance priorities on rental properties. PROGRESS: • Repairs and maintenance of enterprise and employee residences is ongoing with most of the deferred maintenance items resolved. Recent repair and maintenance projects include the exterior painting of the Smith residence, and deck repairs to the Bean residence. 4. Administer Historic Leases - Oversee lease compliance and renovation requirements on District historic leases. Request proposals for and obtain Board selection of a long- term historic leasehold tenant for the Thornewood residence. • Staff has met with Leslie Pantling and Thomas Kreidler who are negotiating with the Stortzes to acquire their remaining term and interest in the Historic Picchetti Winery Lease. • Tenant Jim Steinmetz continues to improve the historic Thornewood residence. Completed projects include removal of overgrown trees and shrubs for fire break clearance, starting structural repairs and replacement of the rear balcony and stairway, and rodent control abatement of the main residence and apartments. 6 OPEN SPACE PLANNING PROGRAM Subprograms A. Regional and Long-Term Planning B. Site Planning and Implementation C. Resource Management Subprogram (responsibility shared with Operations Program) To Implement the BASIC POLICY OBJECTIVES: The District follows management policies that ensure proper care of the land that provide public access appropriate to the nature of the land, and that are consistent with ecological values and public safety. The District works with and encourages private and other public agencies to preserve, maintain, and enhance open space. The District protects and restores the natural diversity and integrity of its resources for their value to the environment, and the public, and provides for the use of the preserves consistent with resource protection. Program Emphasis for 1997-1998 Provide balanced attention to long-term planning and short-term implementation of projects to support overall District objectives, in priority order: 1. Creation of the greenbelt; 2. Protection of the greenbelt; and 3. Accommodation of public use and access. Maintain progress on key work program projects to follow through with commitments. Staff Resources (Regular, full-time positions unless otherwise indicated) Senior Planner (2) Open Space Planner 11 (1) Open Space Planner 1 (2) Resource Management Specialist (1) Planning Technician (1) Planning Secretary (shared half-time with Acquisition Program) 7 PROGRESS: • A Senior Planner transferred to the Administration department assuming the position of Senior Management Specialist. The Senior Management Specialist continues to retain responsibility for certain key projects identified in Planning's work program. • The Resource Management Specialist position moved to the Operations Program. A resource management workgroup, which includes planning representatives, provides input and guidance. • A Planning Technician position was filled. 0 Both Planner I positions are vacant. 0 The Planning Secretary, shared half-time with the Acquisition Program, was promoted to Real Property Assistant, a full-time position in Acquisition. • A half-time Planning Secretary position was filled. • Discussions focusing on Planning Team development and reorganization have occurred. • Significant progress has been made on planning projects including the Regional Open Space Study, Phase H trail construction and preparation of a trail use plan for study area 2 at El Corte de Madera Creek, construction of the Monte Bello south ridge parking lot, improvements to the entry road at Rancho San Antonio, dump cleanup at Skyline Ridge, Fremont Older trail improvements, development of the lower Windy Hill parking lot, plan preparation for the Schilling lake spillway repair, conceptual design for a parking lot at El Corte de Madera Creek, fabrication and installation of Daniels Nature Center exhibits, various FEMA landslide repairs affecting six preserves, design of several bridge replacements, resolution of Rhus Ridge parking issues, dissemination and use of standard contract forms, and advances in the computerized mapping program. 1997-1998 Regional and Long-Term Planning Subprogram OWective Assist with the formulation, review, and refinement of policies, District-wide plans, and cost estimates for the management and development of District preserves on a regional or District- wide basis. Work with local agencies on joint planning and implementation projects, to share information, and to encourage planning decisions that support the preservation of open space and natural resources and development of regional trail systems. Key Projects 1. Staffing Plan - Implement staffing addition(s) in response to vacant Planner I position. Include consideration of individual roles and responsibilities and working relationship with the Acquisition Program. PROGRESS: • Continued discussions regarding the departmental needs due to the vacancy of a second Planner I position. • Further identified the departmental needs under the self-directed team format to include a sharing of the management responsibilities between the Senior Planner and the Open Space Planner H. 8 • Identified the need for a specialized Open Space Planner H position with a construction management emphasis, and received authorization to begin the recruitment process. • Implemented a regular meeting schedule to discuss issues of mutual concern between Planning and Acquisition. 2. Regional Open Space Plan - Prepare a plan to guide District programs towards a long- term vision of the greenbelt. Includes formulation, public review, and adoption of plan for future greenbelt, including financial model. PROGRESS: • Conducted numerous staff, stakeholder, and public workshops to collect input and review study draft. • Completed draft study map and cost estimate of potential property additions, as well as a financial impact analysis. • Completed numerous presentations of the draft plan to local city councils, commissions, and the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. 3. Trail Use Review - Review and revise policies based on growing experience with trail use planning and Board concerns about preserving the wilderness experience. PROGRESS• • Field staff provided input for updating existing policies and guidelines. • Obtained input regarding trail use concerns from a series of public meetings on the Regional Open Space Study. • Series of staff meetings started to identify scope of issues to be considered in the Board level review. • Board Committee public workshops scheduled to get underway in June, 1998. 4. El Corte de Madera Use and Management Plan - Present for Board adoption the Comprehensive Use and Management Plan that will include completion of the remaining trails plan element and resource management. PROGRF__SS: • Completed a Use and Management Plan Amendment authorizing construction of the Sierra Morena Trail (segments B8 and B10). • Conducted a public workshop for reconsideration of the alignment of the Sierra Morena Trail. • Reaffirmed the original alignment for the Sierra Morena Trail; trail construction is complete. • Created a Board ad hoc committee and citizen task force to assist staff in the formulation of a trail use plan for study area 2. • Completed the field investigation necessary to formulate the trail use plan for study area 2. 1997-1998 Site Planning_and Implementation Subprogram Mjective Apply policies, prepare and implement plans on a site-specific basis, including capital 9 improvement, repair ano .,storation projects, and respond to site-specific use and management issues. Key Projects 1. Windy Hill Lower Parking Lot and Restroom - Construct 50-vehicle parking lot and restroom adjacent to Portola Road. Obtain permits, solicit bids, contract for, and implement construction. PROGRESS! • Consultant prepared construction drawings to incorporate conditions obtained during Town of Portola Valley's review process. • Obtained site development permit from Town of Portola Valley. • Prepared public bid documents, solicited bids, and hired contractor. • Extended consultant contract to provide technical assistance during construction. • Parking lot construction, which includes restroom installation, landscaping, fencing and signing, is 90% complete. • Project completion estimated 6/l/98. 2. Teague Hill Disposition of Surplus Parcels (Pinto Way) - Obtain lot line adjustment, record new lots and trail easements, and assist, as necessary, in marketing lots. PROGRESS! • General Plan consistency issues resolved with Town of Woodside. • Lot line adjustment application submission requirements reviewed with Town staff, additional documentation being prepared per Town's request. 3. Bridge Repair Projects - Lawrence Creek Bridge at El Corte de Madera Open Space Preserve; La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve bridges; Grabtown Gulch Bridge at Purisima Creek Open Space Preserves. Replacement of old bridge to maintain/ establish trail and patrol access. Complete engineering studies and solicit bids. PROGRESS: Lawrence Creek Bridge • Contracted with engineer for design. i_a Honda Creek Bridges • Obtained emergency access into preserve via neighboring property. • Solicited input from field staff, contractors to determine best engineering approach, selected upper bridge as first priority. • Completed structural engineering drawings and plans. • Obtained permits from San Mateo County Planning, California Department of Fish and Game, and Regional Water Quality Control Board. • Prepared public bid documents. Grabtown Gulch Bridge • Bridge closed to all use due to damage incurred during early 1997 storms. • Bridge footings are further damaged due to early 1998 storms; field staff 10 removed bridge from its mooring. e • Obtained California Department of Fish and Game permit. 4. Fremont Older Additional Parking Studies - Continue long-term study of parking alternatives. Make determination concerning new parking area and obtain Board approval to proceed with acquisition and/or construction. PROGRUIRS: • Identified and assessed alternative sites. • Conducted design studies on preferred alternative. • Surveys and preliminary engineering studies completed to confirm feasibility of surplus golf course site alternative. • Public workshop scheduled. 5. Rancho Field Office Shop Building Seismic Upgrade - Retrofit existing shop building to improve structural integrity. Replace exterior siding, roof, and windows. PROGRESS• • Modifications to plans and cost estimates complete. • Project submitted to County for permits. • Plans revised at request of County and discussions underway to waive request for geotechnical study. • Complications with County's requirement to relocate welding shop may require entire project to be re-evaluated in mid-1998. 6. Sierra Azul Kennedy Road Parking - hire consultant, complete conceptual plans for a 10- to 15-vehicle parking area at trailhead entrance, with consultation from field staff and Town of Los Gatos staff; hold first neighborhood workshop to discuss the project and solicit input. PROGRESS: • Staffing changes made it necessary to reconsider this project in a future work program. 7. FEMA Landslide Repair Projects - Conduct engineering studies, prepare plans, obtain permits and complete repairs of landslides at Long Ridge, Monte Bello, Purisima Creek, Russian Ridge, Skyline Ridge, and St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserves. PROGRESS: • Conducted engineering studies and prepared plans. • Submitted plans to Town of Los Gatos and counties of Santa Clara and San Mateo for grading permits. • Obtained permits, solicited bids, and hired contractors through public bid procedures. • Completed landslide repairs and associated drainage, retaining wall, and erosion/revegetation improvements. • Submitted applications for full reimbursement from FEMA and continued to track. 11 0 Prepared iiatial assessment and application for fuming for landslide repairs for extensive winter 1997/98 storm damage. 1997-1998 Resource Management Subprogram Miective Inventory and analyze the state of resources District-wide and on specific preserves to identify needs and priorities for significant management issues. Use the availability of volunteers and consultants to expand District staff capabilities. Develop general procedures and strategic implementation plans for the resource management subprogram. Establish network with other agencies, local authorities and specialists in the field. Key Projects 1. Invasive Exotic Plant Inventory - Inventory exotic plant species on all District preserves. Develop strategic plan for exotic plant removal. PROGRESS: • Consultant completed a trail corridor inventory of exotic plant species on all District preserves. • Completed strategic plans for exotic plant removal for several preserves. • Working with volunteer coordinator and special interest groups to implement strategic plans. • Implemented periodic exotic plant removal projects by field staff focusing on pampas grass, broom species, and acacia. 2. Wildlife Response Plan - Develop a wildlife response plan for all wildlife-human interactions. PROGRESS: • Completed first draft and received comments on a wildlife response plan for all wildlife-human interactions. • Currently reviewing comments on first draft of the plan. • Worked with other staff preparing public notices of wildlife related incidents. 3. Herbicide Use Plan - Establish the criteria for herbicide use on District land. PROGRESS. • Consulted with field staff regarding the use of herbicide to maintain District lands and control exotic species. 0 Met with Santa Clara and San Mateo County Agriculture Departments to determine statutory requirements to use herbicide on District lands. 0 Working to establish the criteria for herbicide use on District land. 4. Russian Ridge Thistle Control/Grassland Management Plan - Prepare specific plan to control thistles, manage grasslands. Implement, and monitor management actions (i.e. controlled burning, grazing, mowing, mechanical removal, and herbicides). PROGRESS: 0 Treated 24 acres of yellow starthistle infested grassland by use of goat grazing, mechanical removal, hand pulling, and herbicide. 0 Monitored species diversity in treatment areas for the first year of the management plan. 0 Preparing bum plan and schedule for treatments for next year. 12 OPERATIONS PROGRAM To Implement the BASIC POLICY OBJECTIVE: The District follows management policies that ensure proper care of the land, that provide public access appropriate to nature of the land, and that are consistent with ecological values and public safety. General Program Emphasis for 1997-1998 Continue to provide responsible stewardship of all District lands by furnishing those public safety, maintenance, construction and resource management work necessary and appropriate for effective management of District lands. Implementation of Board adopted Trail-Use Policies and Guidelines and the mitigation of trail-use conflicts will continue to be a primary focus of the Operations Program. Staff Resources Operations Manager Area Superintendents (2) Support Services Supervisor Operations Analyst Supervising Rangers (4) Secretary Rangers (12) Equipment Mechanic-Operators (2) Lead Open Space Technicians (2) Open Space Technicians (5 current; 2 proposed) Farm Maintenance Worker 8,500 Seasonal Open Space Technician hours (6,000 regular; 2,000 special project, 500 Deer Hollow Farm weekend staff) PROGRESS• • The Resource Management specialist position was transferred from the Planning Program to the Operations Program. • Work with trail contractor Gene Sheehan at El Corte de Madera and Fremont Older Open Space Preserves resulted in the construction or realignment of four miles of trail. • Implementation of the El Corte de Madera trail plan continued with the closure and restoration of several old routes as new trails opened. The recently acquired Sweco trail machine proved to be well-suited for new trail construction and restoration work. This work addressed concerns about water quality and stream bank erosion. • Skyline staff worked with the resource management specialist to address the large population of ground squirrels that had taken over three of the camp sites at the Black 13 Mountain Camp. L ne three camp sites were relocated. J 0 Foothills maintenance staff completed the construction and installation of several new bulletin boards at Pulgas Ridge, Fremont Older, Sierra Azul and Saint Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserves. 0 Under a cooperative agreement with the Santa Clara County Fire District, a ten-acre control bum was conducted at Rancho de Guadalupe, providing staff with an opportunity to study the effects of fire on the ecology of a grassland area, as well as a valuable live wildland fire training exercise. 0 Restoration work on former trail alignments was done at the Moody Trail and the Blackberry Hill access at Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve and the Brooks Trail at Fremont Older Open Space Preserve. Barriers constructed to prevent visitors from accessing restored areas at Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve have been repeatedly vandalized. 9 Foothills field staff assisted state-wide drug enforcement authorities in the removal of several large marijuana gardens discovered on Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. • Staff have been mitigating road and trail damage from the El Nino winter storms on an ongoing basis. This work includes extensive emergency repairs to reopen tails and working with planning to start the process for obtaining funding from FEMA. 0 The District was well represented at the Park Rangers' Association of California conference where staff put on presentations about trail construction techniques and the bicycle patrol prograp. Staff also attended training about human wildlife interaction and training on managing computer databases. Key Prqjects 1. Operations Program Review - Working with the General Manager, develop the request for proposals to conduct a program-wide effectiveness audit of the Operations Program. The review shall include an assessment of the District's current staff structure, methods and practices of providing services and a comparison of alternatives methods used by other similar agencies. Assist the General Manager in making a recommendation to the Board on the selection of a qualified consultant and the subsequent compiling and gathering of information and data requested by the consultant to conduct the audit. PROGROSS: 0 A Request for Proposals was developed and circulated. An experienced management consulting company, teamed with a sub-consultant who has extensive open space management and enforcement experience, was chosen. The project is on schedule with phase 1 of 3 completed. Items completed to date include: interviews with all Operations staff, focus groups with selected staff, study of comparable agencies and updates with the Board's ad hoc committee. The review is on schedule to be completed in late July. 2. Interpersonal Communication Skills Development - Building on the influencing skins training received by the entire staff in December and January, assist each work group within the Operations Program in the development of team agreements and mission statements, participate in the District-wide staff development and implementation of interpersonal communication performance standards, and provide supervisors and managers the leadership and supervision training necessary to facilitate the completion of these tasks and enhance the overall quality of supervisory skills,and communication 14 f 1 � within the program. PROGRESS: • Leadership training has been provided for the supervisors' group. Work groups worked with Art O'Neal to review and finalize their team agreements. • District-wide team agreements are in the final stages. Performance standards for the supervisors will be the next project. Progress on this project has taken longer than expected, but the longer process is beneficial for achieving greater understanding and support from all staff members. 3. Operations Manual Update - Revise operations manual to include Open Space Technicians, Lead Open Space Technician, and Equipment-Mechanic Operator positions. Update Ranger sections to include new procedures not yet formally placed in document. Develop standing orders system to draft, review, and implement directives not included in the operations manual. PROGRESS: • The bicycle patrol guidelines have been added to the manual and the domestic animal control policy is being reviewed for conformance with legal standards. Comments from the first draft of the wildlife response plan have been solicited from staff and will be incorporated in a revised draft. Copies of manuals have been obtained from other agencies and staff is working on a cooperative project of revising formats in conjunction with the City of Palo Alto ranger program. • A system of special bulletins, standing orders and general orders has been proposed and is currently under review by staff. 4. Special Use Policies - Develop Special Use Policies for Board adoption. Work with the Use and Management Committee in developing the draft of the policies that will concentrate on public agency and private non-profit special uses. PROGRESS: • More specific and comprehensive permit conditions have been created. These are being prepared for Board review. Permit conditions are being developed for collection and resource management permits. • Administrative and field staff are working on updating the standards for permits. Areas of particular concern, such as the amount of use and availability of parking for permittees are being addressed. 15 PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM Subprograms A. General Public Information and Outreach B. Legislative, Funding, and Organizational Relations C. Visitor Services To Implement the BASIC POLICY OBJECTIVE: The District educates and makes clearly visible to the public the purposes and actions of the District, and actively encourages public input and involvement in the District's decision-making process and other activities. General_ Program Emphasis for 1997-1998 Publicize and engage the District's constituents in recognizing the District's 25th anniversary through a variety of means; implement the top priorities of the District's legislative plan; fully integrate the visitor services subprogram into the public affairs program; increase environmental education and volunteer participation; maximize the general public's awareness and understanding of the District, its goals, and its activities by providing District information to all communities served and all target audiences, through established methods. Staff Resources (Regular, full-time positions unless otherwise indicated) Public Affairs Manager Visitor Services Supervisor Volunteer Coordinator Docent Coordinator Public Affairs Assistant Interpretive Aide (Nature Center)* *The interpretive aide position is seasonal and approximately quarter-time 16 PROGRESS: • A total of 26 slide presentations have been made and nine displays set up and staffed throughout the community, reaching thousands of District constituents. • The District's primary mailing list continues to grow, and now consists of over 18,000 addresses. Each of the three newsletters and one annual report produced were also mailed to 5,000 random addresses within targeted zip codes, as a means of soliciting new subscriptions. • A total of 12 press releases were distributed, and a significant level of media coverage resulted. • The public affairs staff has regularly updated the District web site, and has received some training in that area. • The visitor services sub-program was successfully integrated into the public affairs program. • Public affairs staff has been very involved in the research efforts looking into preservation of coastal lands in San Mateo County. 0 The District's component of the 1998 Special District Forum, co-hosted by the East Bay Regional Parks District, was fully planned and coordinated by public affairs staff (implemented in fiscal year 1998-1999). 1997-1998 General Public Information and Outreach Subprogram Ob,Jective To generate additional support among the general public for completing the greenbelt by increasing the positive perception and awareness of the District's mission, objectives, accomplishments, programs, and effective management of public lands and financial resources. Key Projects 1. 25th Anniversary - Implement a series of activities and events to commemorate the District's 25th Anniversary, including an on-site event, 25th Anniversary items for sale, a banquet, a special mailing of the visitors map, and other references to the anniversary within District written materials. PROGRESS: • A special 25th Anniversary logo was developed and printed on letterhead, envelopes, brochures, and maps. 0 The "Take a Walk on the Wildside" event at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve was successfully implemented, drawing approximately 800-900 visitors. • Special 25th Anniversary T-shirts, tote bags, hats, and fanny packs were produced and put on sale. 17 • Instead of .. mass-mailing of the visitors map, a special 25th Anniversary newsletter, including a fact sheet, was mailed to approximately 324,000 District households. • A 25th Anniversary banquet was held on November 7, attended by approximately 200 people. 2. Kids' Art of Open Space - Schedule and coordinate the fourth event to take place no later than March 31, 1998. PROGRESS: • The event was implemented through the month of February, and culminated on March 5 with a special recognition reception. Nearly 600 students from throughout the District submitted artwork, and an estimated 500 people attended the reception. Artwork was then distributed for display at various libraries. 3. Annual Report - Publish a District 1996-1997 Annual Report by May 28, 1997, followed by three regular issues of Open Space News. PROGRESS: • The Annual Report and all three newsletters were published and distributed on- time. 4. Public Opinion Poll - Implement a public opinion poll to help gauge the public's awareness and perception of the District. PROGRESS: • This objective was modified and incorporated into the District's research efforts on coastal land preservation. Based on that modification, a public opinion survey was completed in December in three geographic areas: the coastal area under consideration for possible annexation; the existing District jurisdiction; and the balance of San Mateo County outside of the District and the coastal area. Public affairs staff and the general manager coordinated work with the consultant implementing the poll. Results were reviewed by the Ad Hoc Committee on Coastal Preservation, and the full Board. 1997-1998 Legislative, Funding' and Organizational Relations Sub=grarn Objective To carry out the high priority elements of the District's legislative plan and to inform other public agencies and private organizations about the District's activities and goals. Key Projects 1. Lobbying Efforts - Work with the general manager and the District's Sacramento lobbyist to preserve current and future state funding for the District, and to carry out elements of the District's legislative plan. 18 PROGRESS: j • The District sponsored Assembly Bill 1366, authored by Assemblyman Ted Lempert, and was successful in gaining its passage through various committees, both houses of the legislature, and the Governor's office. • The District co-sponsored Senate Bill 1048, which was signed by the Governor (see more detail in section 3). * The District was successful in amending Assembly Bill 1425, authored by Assemblyman Bill Campbell, to include language providing for an extension of a state grant previously awarded to the District. • The District worked with its legislative advocate to review and take positions on a variety of legislation, and also supported the establishment of the Natural Resources Infrastructure Fund as a part of the State budget. 2. Protection Of District Funding - Work with East Bay Regional Park District to provide for long-term protection of District funding, including possible modification of appropriate Public Resources Code sections. PROGRESS: 0 District action on this issue is dependent on that of the lead agency, East Bay Regional Park District. That agency took no action during the last fiscal year. 3. Regional Funding - Work with the Bay Area Open Space Council, San Mateo County, the Planning and Conservation League, and others to develop and support potential regional or other alternative funding mechanisms. PROGRESS: • The District was instrumental in conceiving, developing, gathering support, and gaining the passage of SB 1048 through various committees, both houses of the legislature, and the Governor's office. This bill, which creates a Bay Area Program element within the State Coastal Conservancy, was sponsored by the Bay Area Open Space Council, and authored by Senator Byron Sher. While it does not immediately provide funding, it creates a receptacle for future funds that will then be specified for use only within the nine-county Bay Area, a feature never before available to this region. 0 The District supported SB 375, the San Mateo County sales tax authority legislation, which was vetoed by the Governor. The Planning and Conservation League has decided not to proceed with a parks and recreation bond measure for 1998. • The District continues to support other legislation related to possible parks bond act funding, including Senate Bill (Thompson) and Assembly Bill 1000 (Keeley). 19 1997-1998 Visitor Services Subprogram Objective To encourage active public participation in the maintenance, restoration, and protection of the District's natural resources, and provide cultural, historical, and environmental education opportunities to the public. Key Projects 1. Environmental Education - Continue to implement and improve the District's environmental education program for school children. Recruit and train additional outdoor education leaders to accommodate more school groups. Investigate methods of providing disadvantaged school classes with transportation to the field trips at Skyline Ridge. 'ROGRESS • Thirty-three school classes participated in the Spaces and Species program last fiscal year. • The District received the Peninsula Conservation Foundation's 1997 Business Environmental Award in the Educational Outreach category for the Spaces and Species program. • Recruitment for additional volunteer outdoor education leaders resulted in four new volunteers last fall. It has been difficult to find volunteers who are available weekdays and have the interest and necessary skills to work with children. Staff will continue efforts to recruit and train more volunteers this fall. 0 Staff is developing the Kids' Nature Express, a program that will provide buses for school classes that lack or cannot afford transportation. Implementation of the Kids' Nature Express will depend on the success of the District's fund raising efforts. The District has received about $400 to date, which is enough for one class. Staff is seeking grants from local businesses and foundations. 2. Daniels Nature Center - Work with planning staff to finalize design and installation of exhibits. Develop and set up seasonal displays. Recruit and train volunteers to staff the nature center at least one weekend day per week, and explore hiring a seasonal employee to assist in meeting staffing needs. FMGRF--;4,; 0 With the exception of the exterior displays, Phase Il exhibits have been installed at the nature center. Visitors have been very enthusiastic about the new exhibits. Engineering requirements have made the deck expansion cost- prohibitive. Therefore, field staff plans to build a retaining wall and extend the 20 existing trail to the side of the building. Staff anticipates that the exterior exhibits will be completed this fall. • The District hired a seasonal interpretive aide to perform maintenance duties and help staff the nature center on Saturdays. The nature center is now open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays, mid-March through mid-November. Volunteer teams staff the nature center on Sundays. Visitation ranges from 40 to 100 people per weekend day. 3. Crew Leader Training - Work with operations staff to develop a crew leader training program for Preserve Partners volunteers. PROGRESS • Twelve volunteers, composed of Preserve Partners, ROMP members, and West Valley College students, completed the crew leader training this spring and have helped with 10 projects so far. 21 I ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM Subprograms A. Administration/Human Resources Subprogram B. Legal Services Subprogram To Implement the BASIC POLICY OBJECTIVE: The staff administers the affairs of the District on behalf of the public so as to maximize accomplishment of the goals of the District within existing financial and other constraints. General Program Emphasis for 1997-1998 Instill vision and provide leadership to foster staff participation and activities to carry out the District's short and long-term goals and objectives. Guide and support the District-wide effort to develop and improve leadership, supervisory, and interpersonal communication skills among all staff in order to enhance the District's work environment and build toward becoming a cohesive, high performance organization. Maintain the District's viability as an open space acquisition and management agency in light of limited funding. Focus efforts on working with the Planning Team, all staff, and the Board in development of the Regional Open Space Plan. Staff Resources (Regular, full-time positions unless otherwise indicated) General Manager Legal Counsel (part-time) Controller (one-quarter time) Administrative Services Manager/District Clerk (vacant) Research Attorney Administrative Analyst Office Manager/Secretary to the General Manager Accounting Specialist Secretary (one-half time) Receptionist 22 f PROGRESS: • Administrative services manager/district clerk position was filled in November and the subsequent administrative analyst vacancy was filled in February. • Organizational improvement efforts are continuing and have included leadership skills training, and developing team agreements and District-wide agreements. The next phase will focus on developing universal performance standards for supervisory and management positions in the organization. 0 Regional Open Space Study is steadily progressing. 1997-1998 Administration/Human Resources Subprogram OWective: To provide overall coordination, direction, and administrative base for all District activities so as to maximize the accomplishment of the Board's policies and directives, to implement the Strategic Plan, and to maintain the District's viability as an open space acquisition and management agency. Key Projects 1. District Funding - Work to preserve current and future state funding for the District. Continue to provide multi-year information/scenarios on District's long-term finances, including bonded indebtedness and cash flow, and to address the need to rely on the availability of grant funds for major development projects. Pursue alternate sources to secure additional funding the District to meet acquisition and open space management needs, including, if needed, a 1997 note issue for critical open space acquisitions. PROGRESS: 0 District Controller M. Foster has provided the Administration and Budget Committee with a monthly investment and security transaction report. • The Administration and Budget Committee has reviewed long-term financial projections, including bonded indebtedness capacity, and determined there is no need for a 1997 note issue. At budget time the Committee reviewed the potential for a 1998 note issue and the updated information was included in the Budget Report for the 1998/1999 Budget. • The District kept a strong presence in Sacramento and there was no threat to the District's property tax revenue as a part of the state budget deliberations for the 1 7-1 99 998 State fiscal year. For 1998/1999 it appears that there will be a State surplus which the District will carefully follow. • The District worked with Bay Area Open Space Council on successful passage of SB 1048 which will funnel a portion of any future state park bond act funds into a new BayArea program under the Coastal Conservancy. Staff is currently P g Y Y 23 working %*.ai the Council to fund this program as part of an upcoming State Park Board Act. • The District received a grant of$420 500 from Habitat Conservation Fund toward the purchase of the POST Thysen property as an addition to the Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. • The District's Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program (EEMP) grant in Sierra Azul was extended for two years as part of an existing urgency bill facilitated by the District's legislative advocate. The former Zelhart property was acquired as part of the Grant program. Staff is also pursuing the San Jose Water Company property and discussing a joint acquisition with Santa Clara County Parks. 2. Human Resources - Work with all programs to develop and improve leadership, supervisory, and interpersonal communication skills to enhance the overall quality and effectiveness of the District's work environment, and build toward becoming a cohesive, high performance organization. Carry out District's personnel and labor relations functions. Enhance organizational effectiveness through increased communications, staff meetings, retreats, workshops, training seminars, and team building activities. PROGRESS: • As a continuation of the District's efforts to improve leadership, supervisory, and interpersonal communication skills for all employees, Consultant Art O'Neal presented a leadership skills training program for managers, supervisors, and other employees in leadership positions. Following the training, all work groups in the District developed team agreements that will guide the interpersonal communication within each group. Representatives from each work group then rDistrict-wide g p came togethe to formulate team agreements that will guide our interactions throughout the District. • The hiring process was completed for planning secretary (one-half time), planning technician, equipment mechanic-operator, open space technician, administrative services manager, administrative analyst, and planner I positions. The hiring process to fill a planner II, planning technician, and ranger position is underway. • Non-discrimination training, including a review of the District's non- discrimination policy, was presented to all staff. Other staff training has included a stress management seminar through CONCERN Employee Assistance Program, a safety fair which included fire extinguisher and disaster preparedness training, and alcohol and drug awareness training in conjunction with the implementation of the substance abuse policy. • Administration staff provided leadership in planning and implementing various staff events, including the annual staff picnic and the Board's annual staff recognition event. 24 % • Implemented PERS 2% at 55 retirement formula and the pre-tax dependent care and medical expense reimbursement plans. • Various staff committees (safety committee and fun committee), remain active, and the staff newsletter is issued approximately every six weeks. 3. Joint Meetings - Coordinate joint meetings with the Board of Directors, the Park and i Recreation Commissioners of Santa Clara County tyand San Ma teo Count y to discuss topics of mutual int erest and the Regional al n Space Pla n. Meet wit h the Santo Clar a County Open Space Authority Board of Directors to discuss the Regional Open Space Plan. Hold joint meetings with key parks and recreation department staff at San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties to facilitate interagency cooperation and communication. PROGRESS: • Joint meetings were held with San Mateo County Parks Commission on September 17, Santa Clara County Open Space Authority on October 15, and Santa Clara County Parks Commission on November 5. The District's Regional Open Space Study was an important part of these meetings. • The General Manager has met with Patrick Sanchez, San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Director, Paul Romero, Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Director, and Larry Coons, General Manager, Santa Clara County Open Space Authority on many occasions during the fiscal year. 4. Regional Open Space Plan - Work with the Board of Directors, Planning Program, and all District staff to prepare a plan providing a clearer vision for the future of the District. PROGRESS: • Approximately 15 workshop meetings were held since May 1997 with groups such as staff, public, volunteers, docents, and over 20 stakeholder agencies and organizations. • A draft plan was prepared along with final review of the Basic Policy for presentation to the Board at a workshop. • An initial financial analysis was also prepared in conjunction with the study. 1997-1998 Legal Services Subprogram Miective To provide timely legal services to the Board and to all District programs to assist in formulating and implementing District policies and projects in accordance with law. 25 &Y Projects 1. Real Property - Provide legal advice concerning District real property issues, including acquisition, disposition, trail easements, title and encroachment issues and permits to enter District land. PROGRESS• Provided research and legal advice regarding the following principal projects to date: • A"uisitiong: Paul, Zelhart, McKannay, MacDonald Trust and Trifilo; research regarding historic parcels for potential acquisition of POST property at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve. • Russian Convent of Our Lady of Vladimir: In connection with acquisition of fee and easement interests in this property, preparation of settlement agreement, purchase agreement, open space easement, development restrictions, right of first refusal and patrol easement. • Dispositions: Assisted in pending sale of fee determinable estate of former Bach property; continued to work with Town of Woodside on process for disposition of Teague Hill surplus parcels; advice concerning exchange of Summit Springs parcel in conjunction with Pelican Timber exchange. • Permits to Enter: Roadway reconstruction permits including Alpine Road (Portola Valley) and Caltrans retaining wall reconstruction on Highway 84 (Thornewood and La Honda Creek Open Space Preserves). • Easements/Trails: Fogarty property trail/Portola Valley; historic road claims adjudicated in Driscoll v. San Mateo County; claim of access rights by Guadalupe Land Company (Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve), road maintenance and water rights agreements with POST and private property owners over Lauriston and Old Ranch Roads (Windy Hill Open Space Preserve); research regarding status of access easements, Sierra AM Open Space Preserve, Loma Prieta Ranch. • Richard vs LEM: Negotiation and preparation of potential settlement agreement regarding claim for roadway and water system maintenance costs (Thornewood Open Space Preserve); research regarding claims concerning Portola Park Heights Road. • MROSD vs. Ireland: Trespass action filed seeking removal of encroaching structure (Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve) • Thornewood Q= Space Preserve Tree-cutting: Working with outside counsel to prepare legal action to recover damages for trespass and am-cutting in connection with private construction project on La Honda Road, Woodside; continuing to work with Town of Woodside to enforce permit conditions to rectify damage on- and off-site. • Miscellaneous: Research and negotiation regarding various other real property issues included Fletscher real property exchange; McKim litigation; legal advice 26 regarding -_-gional Open Space Study; legal advi.-_ o Board Ad Hoc Committee and Board regarding potential coastal expansion and related election issues; and assistance regarding other potential or pending acquisitions. 2. Risk Management - Process and monitor current claims and litigation against the District for personal injury or property damage; refine risk management procedures; P , represent District's interests in insurance coverage matters; provide oversight of matters handled by outside counsel. PROGRESS: 0 Selection and oversight of insurance ee defens e counsel in A1exuld and Warg bicycle litigation; positive result in both; processing and monitoring of other pending claims; legal research regarding various volunteer liability issues, such as liability of District for negligent acts of volunteers. • Representing District in coverage issues in connection with Richard and Moshe]] litigation to insure that District is provided with legal defense and indemnity where ever-coverage is available. 3. Human Resources - Assist in carrying out labor relations functions; serve as chief negotiator on District's bargaining team; provide legal advice on personnel matters; prepare a District substance abuse policy. PROGRESS: • Substance abuse policy negotiated with Local 715 and completed; negotiation of 3-year Memorandum Of Understanding with Local 715; assistance in implementing related employee benefit programs (Cafeteria Plan, 2% at 55 PERS Plan); assistance in development of RFP for Operations Program review; assistance in responding to EEOC complaint which was successful (complaint dismissed). • Assisted Operations Program in drafting an internal affairs policy for investigation of citizen complaint concerning District rangers; negotiations with Local 715 regarding this to commence in June, 1998. 4. Public Contracting - Assist programs in bidding process and contract administration for public works and professional services contracts; develop model contract forms. PROGRESS: • Developed standard contract forms for public works projects and for use in hiring professional services (such as engineers, planners and architects); principle advice regarding public works projects concerned with Windy Hill Open Space Preserve parking lot, Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve restrooms, Skyline Ranger office, and La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve bridge reconstruction. i 27 Re gional Openl MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT R-98-62 Meeting 98-12 May 27, 1998 AGENDA ITEM_ AGENDA ITEM Tentative Adoption of an Amendment to the Use and Management Plan for Windy Hill Open Space Preserve GENERAL MANAGER'S ECOMMENDATIONS 1. Determine that the following action is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). 2. Tentatively adopt an amendment to the Comprehensive Use and Management Plan for Windy Hill Open Space Preserve to upgrade the Spring Ridge picnic area and install a commemorative bench on the Anniversary Trail. BACKGROUND Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) has a long history of involvement with the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve. Following the receipt of a 537-acre gift of land in Portola Valley, POST sold the property to the District for one-half its market value, creating the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve. In 1982, POST raised funds to plan and develop the loop trail system which continues to form the backbone of the preserve's trail system. POST also funded the development of the Anniversary Trail, built in 1987 to commemorate POST's tenth anniversary, the District's fifteenth year, and ten years of public hiking on the preserve. Several memorial and commemorative benches and signs have also been funded by POST on the preserve. DISCUSSION POST recently offered to continue their history of contributing to low-intensity recreational development of this preserve, in order to fund needed improvements for the Spring Ridge picnic area. The improvements include regrading the parking area, replacement of fencing, new trail signing, installation of a new restroom building, and construction and installation of a commemorative bench on the Anniversary Trail (see attachments 1 & 2). The parking area is situated such that it collects the water runoff from Skyline Boulevard. Over time, the water begins to pond and erode the parking area even after the storms have subsided. By regrading the parking area and topping it with baserock, the parking area will again be suitable for all-weather use. 330 Distel Circle * Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 * Phone:650-691-1200 FAX:6.50-691-0485 * E-mail: mrosd@openspace.org * Web site:www.openspace.org Board of Oire(tors.P_.Sie Y Dave led y David T,Smernoff,Nonette� w t _tt Pete Siemens,Mar C. Hankq Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C.Nitz � Genera!Manager:t.Craig Britton y, Cyr, R-98-62 Page 2 The existing wheel stops are made of creosote-treated telephone poles. Time has taken its toll on the wheel stops. In light of the directive to utilize recycled products, staff proposes using recycled plastic wheel stops. They are durable, environmentally friendly, and better delineate handicapped parking spaces. Staff will have a sample of the material available at your meeting. The fencing surrounding the picnic area was installed in the early 1980's. Some of the fencing is in need of repair, particularly the section of low split rail fencing closest to the parking area. The split rail fencing will be replaced as needed, but the section bounding the picnic area to the west will be replaced in its entirety. POST would also like to construct and install a commemorative bench with a bronze plaque on the Anniversary Trail. The bench will follow the same design used in nearby benches (see attachment 2). To cover the cost of the improvements, POST will donate $25,000. The funding also includes the cost of constructing a new restroom in the northwestern comer of the picnic area. The restroom is not included in this use and management plan amendment as it already has your approval (see report R-97-143). The Legislative, Finance, and Public Affairs Committee considered this item at their May 7, 1998 meeting. They approved the concept, forwarding it to the full board for your consideration with their recommendation. CEQA COMPLIANCE FrQject Descr4dio The project consists of the construction and installation of a bench on the Anniversary Trail at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve. The project also includes improvements to the picnic area along Skyline Boulevard. The improvements include installation of additional fencing and a pit toilet restroom, replacement of existing fencing, and regrading and resurfacing (with baserock) the existing parking area. The log wheel stops will be replaced with recycled plastic wheel stops. eject Determination under CMA The project is categorically exempt under sections 15302, 15303, 15304 and 15061 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines. R-98-62 Page 3 Categorical Exemption 15302 - Replacement or Reconstruction The improvements to the parking area and replacement fencing will replace or reconstruct the area to its former condition. Categorical Exemption 15303 - New Construction or Conversion of a Small Structure The bench and restroom are small structures requiring a small footprint on the land. Categorical Exemption 15304 - Minor Alterations to Land The grading and resurfacing to occur in the parking area are minor alterations to the land. In addition, the actions proposed herein and exempt under section 15061, as there is no possibility the actions may have a significant effect on the environment. Prepared by: Mary de Beauvieres, Acting Senior Planner Contact person: Same as above WINDY HILL OPEN SPACE PRESERVE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT ATTACHMENT 1 : POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS ........... ........................................ .......................... ...... ............................................----........I.............................. .................. ............................................................. ................................................. ............... ............................ ... .................. ........ ......... . ........................... I. ....... ....................... ........ .... .. . ...... ............... .... .............. ............................. ...................................... .... . ........ .... ...................................... ............... ... ........ ............................- .............. VORTOtANALLEY ........... ....... ............. .................. .... ............ ................. ..................... ............ ............. .............. ........... ......................... ........... ........... .......... ..... ........ ........... ....... ....... ........... ...... . .. .................... .............. .......... ......................... ... ...............:............... . ....Ei ........... .......... .. ............. ........... ............. ........ ............. ------------- ........ x. ........ tusal Pond ........ Si- 0�— R.6 10, IN. .. .......... -K ....... 0.5 .............. 'pa"SWIg" rail 1.6 WH01) 0.2 U.4 0.2 04 .................... .... ...... . ................... .......... . ................ .......... .......... ................. POTENTIAL 13ENCH .......... ............ aim .............. .......... .............. LOCATION ............ `. f , Ae. ...... ........... ..........— . ..... ............. .......................... 26 amms Gulch Tra, MEN T 2SEE ATTACH.......... . .. ......... .. ........ .. ........ ... .......*..*: 0.2 ......... X ......... 04, 0.4 X. .... ...... jj............ L X: X: ....... 0............ 0.4k" . ................ . . ........ ... ... ..... ....... I . ..... .. ........... ..................... ......... .................. ..................... NO ................................ 2(us .................. ......I -H02) L. .......... ... .......... X %.ol- Lost Trai ........... J7 ...... ....... ... .....13 a. . ............. ............... 2 .................... ......................... ..... ......... ........................, ................ ............ ........ .... ........... ....... ....... ..... .. ... .............. ........ ............................ ........... 0.4............. ....... ........ ............. X .............. ............ . ... ................ WHU31 .... .............. ................. .................. .......... :X., ............... .............. ................ .................. .................. .......... ........... ------- ..... .............. ....... ............................... ... ........... x ............ ... .. .. ............... %: .......... .... ... ......... ....... ....... .......... 5/18/98 0.0 .1 .2 .3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8 .9 1.0 One Mile Windy Hill Open Space Preserve Parking Area ANNIVERSARY le �#0 TO HAMMS GULCH TRAIL ` TRAIL DISCED AREA �.0 . ` � ♦ ♦ r r r r r ' � ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ _ r r _ r r i ♦ �. r r r ♦ _ r r ' I O /SIGNBOARDS WINDY HILL SIGN PICNIC TABLES LOCATION FOR NEW RES_TR WHEEL STOPS (To be Replaced) PARKING AREA (To be Regraded and Baserocked) k � O � C f� SKYLINE BLVD. Z centerline not to scale Attachment 2: Schematic Site Plan 5'01/98 Regional Open ace R-98-68 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 98-12 May 27, 1998 AGENDA ITEM_ AGENDA ITEM Tentative Adoption of an Amendment to the Use and Manag ent an for Monte Bello Open Space Preserve GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATIO S 1. Determine that the following action is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). 2. Authorize staff to proceed with Conditional Use Permit revisions with the City of Palo Alto. 3. Authorize staff to proceed with revisions to the Black Mountain Backpack Camp as outlined in this report. DISCUSSION In 1984, the District obtained a Conditional Use Permit from the City of Palo Alto to operate a backpack camp near the summit of Black Mountain (see Attachment 1). The camp is operated as a special use facility. A permit fee of$2.00 per person is charged for use of the facility. The backpack camp currently has three campsites, one of which is informally designated for group use (see Attachment 2). A fourth site was removed last year due to ground squirrel encroachment problems. The problem appears to be isolated to the grassland areas. Each campsite has a tent site, food box and log ring with a stump in the center which serves as a small table. Visitors are allowed to use contained backpack stoves; open fires are not permitted. A chemical recirculating restroom unit is located at the west end of the camp. Water is available for cleaning purposes only. A fire hose and water are centrally located. A pay phone is located near the fire hose box. Under the Palo Alto conditional use permit, use of the site is limited to 12 campers per night. This restriction on visitor numbers is not an issue most of the time, as use of the existing campsites is moderate. It is rare that requests for a permit cannot be accommodated. However, during the last several years, the summer environmental education programs at Hidden Villa and Deer Hollow Farm have used the backpack camp for overnight campouts. A larger campsite located in the center of the camp has been informally designated as a group site. Groups have been limited to 24 individuals. This use violates the conditional use permit and the conditional use permit should be revised to accommodate the group use. 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos,CA 94022-1404 • Phone:650-691-1200 FAX:650-691-0485 • E-mail:mrosd®openspace.org • Web site:www.openspace.org Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,led Cyr,David T.Smernoff,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C. Nitz • Genera!Manager:L.Craig Britton R-98-68 Page 2 When the camp was constructed in 1986, the Lindh family lived in the former ranch house and served as District caretakers. In the event a camper needed assistance, the Lindhs could call for assistance. They also helped to watch over the camp, alerting field staff of problems. The family moved in 1994 and the house was demolished shortly afterwards. A pay phone was installed, allowing campers the ability to call for assistance if needed. There have been no problems with this arrangement. With the demolition of the old ranch house a large, clear area was created which lends itself to the physical needs of a group campsite. It is also located at the east end of the backpack camp where a group can gather without disturbing the other visitors using the camp. This area would be developed with a large log ring, food box, and stumps to serve as tables or seats. Other revisions to the backpack camp include replacement of the chemical recirculating restroom with a it toilet. The toilet replacement was approved b you at our September 24 P P PP Y Y Y P 1997 meeting (see report R-97-143). The restroom has been ordered and installation is scheduled for late summer. A new connector trail from the group site to the proposed restroom location will also need to be constructed. This could be accomplished at the same time as the group site is delineated. Several months ago, staff met with Bill Smith and his wife Patsy Smith, one of the daughters of George Morell. George Morell was the owner of the property, then known as Black Mountain Ranch. He was also the founder of the Palo Alto Times newspaper. He gave the ranch to Stanford University for use as an education preserve. Stanford later sold the property to the District at a reasonable price. Wanting to acknowledge the cultural history of the site and the significance of George Moreli's gift to Stanford University, the family would like to fund the construction of the group site and construction of a sign commemorating Mr. Morell's activities. The sign text has been reviewed and accepted by the family and was reviewed and accepted by the Legislative, Finance and Public Affairs Committee at their May 7, 1998 meeting. Additional information provided by the family members may be used in the preserve brochure to describe the cultural history of the area. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Compliance Project Description The project consists of the construction of a group campsite with a log ring, food box, and stumps for seats and a table, construction of a trail linking the group campsite with a restroom, and installation of two new individual campsites at the Black Mountain backpack camp at Monte Bello Open Space Preserve. R-98-68 Page 3 CEQA Determination The District concludes that this project will not have a significant effect on the environment. It is categorically exempt from CEQA under Sections 15303 and 15304. Categorical Exemption Section 15303 - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures The relocated group campsite and two individual campsites are considered new construction of small structures on District land. Categorical Exemption Section 15304 - Minor Alterations of Land The trail construction will consist of minor alterations to the condition of the land. Prepared by: Mary de Beauvieres, Acting Senior Planner Contact person: Same as above L OSTRArC()� Legend ' r orE �] rRF+E"A" �-+ Gate(As) Ranger FacilityVlt A- ' J -. G �,� �0 •Trail Distance in Miles tw �� "} 'sy �`�` QResidence ( � ...._t li 1. MAX"', Vehicle Driveway „r`'?"6 3 L S♦.-. .;'. Y a �- Ij, r - ¢ Whole Access Trail Credo ° " {'s 6 .,, ..''/ -gcs L ""•.i'. 3.v^'�° s,s '`��s'y; ---- Bay Area Ridge Trail O Point of Interest - rs r • - 41 O Parking Lot O Backpack Campground - J i \ Trad �`-' r -�TO%10 1' Rr pe.na°nry 1A1 �� _ � s,.,�;=U i �:) _OPF\SPACE _ ew i PRESERS'f- (Y.)" '� i � \ •:3 \.�_ / `.sow .. rw/: Roadside Parking O Public Telephone ��� Os �M I !�e7yY-.✓,,/.I \_`_.� t ` ..1` _ �., _O.Ruh -� Equestrian Parking Nature Center � � os '� 4a�a CRek Trail r s, p Atten U°nsectio 11 I 1 A Eq 46—:: 'f \`,,a \ v i •_/`s ' Th„ �t d ally. .._� .� I r{as^,i o� ,%:z o Handicapped Parking Only Other Public Lands CY,eh t I t fora,by r `� •.._s5! \� .� � L „�,'� calLng the D,stnct Office ✓..��r t ♦�'( � c,�_�a�•�� �� Reslrooms �; No Public Entry I Q a ^fi t \ orios zbaa Y t �I =" vriwte or Eeasee cans. -.. r•� l `-�,'� , A. \2 . ELtI•. ��. \ \ © " AONTE BE Clfi 0. �' �FEN'SRAC` ESERVE Trail Use ............ Hiking Only ---- Hiking,Bicycling •s ns °- as ,, f 'y ��ir . ; 'i;• t. s i_/�� .. �._ 1 Hiking.Equestrian Hiking,Bicycling,Equestrian ,SKYLINE RIDGE (--- '� \• ..- 1 j ^l'-�-,�,/ s � Note: _ ° Dos are not allowed on these reserves s .OPEN Sf ACE a , - - .S: 11 Cre •+r� y 8 P Ww �` =RRES_ERVE ,w L `� r-�\• / % `, i , 0.0 .1 .2 .J .4 i .6 J .8 .9 1.0 l l m \.. `�_„ -✓`- One Mile -.; '.` �. l'r ,, 1 r�'7 ,��✓ _�\ '/ _� , MONTE BEL L O � - :.ls�sd.,.c�, bs y,„,s, o,,,. __ _._ i '•,.�Yl,i _ �'I A���s� V ,f P Open Space Preserve , w; �;,££' sz ss s'•r.;p�N � _ �� ��5 an Cra`rk i Cuuntt I 1 k �.•�/ Rs ns•- s ts ^('Hs; sus, " Purtola Heights Road '�e k. - _`, '�'1 - S'k Is •• I is closed to hiking, ? (11 E\ti1':1(I. t - "e k4 k ssas,'u;lsr :•ls•, bicycling,and I'RI 1l R%f.w i I. - - a � r♦ _, _ ♦j,`, %-:;.s�;,•,;„, 5:„ PI•ase use Ira Is ,: MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT sy -• r=•••% •r e 4 'far an;av Monte Bello Backpack Camp VN / . .:... � i To Bo Roa dVt ell it 8r proposed '�__ troom .. .::. ::.:.::. `•>4; Y .. :. future �onnectin :. f .4 trail .4: i� µ�ii ii'i$:Ni'�n'•i w� restr000m " < r H .. .... p f fire hose ❑pay phone utilities shed To Indian CreekTrail not to scale Regional Open .ice R-98-66 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 98-12 May 27, 1998 AGENDA ITEM AGENDA ITEM Award of Contract for Bridge Replacement Project at La onda Cr k Open Space Preserve GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION Authorize the General Manager to enter into a contract with TKO onstruction in the amount of$137,950 for the La Honda Creek Bridge Replacement Project at La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve. DISCUSSION At your July 9, 1997 meeting, you authorized staff to solicit bids for the demolition and replacement of two bridges in La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve (see attached map). At the time, the project was determined to be categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act by San Mateo County, the lead agency. The upper bridge is located approximately one-half mile from La Honda Road and links the farm complex to the vast grasslands and ranch roads on the property. This bridge is closest to the ranger residence and provides the quickest access to the grassland area for fire and emergency-response vehicles. The bridge also provides access to the water supply for neighbors and both residences on the preserve. The lower bridge is located less than one-quarter mile from La Honda Road and is shared by the adjoining property owner to provide secondary access to his property. The bridge provides access to the lower half of the preserve and the patrol road along the creek, and allows access to the upper site when the upper road is closed due to wet conditions. In the 1998-1999 Planning Work Program and Budget, the replacement of only one bridge was included due to the high construction costs anticipated. Staff felt that the second bridge should be replaced in subsequent years. During this winter's storms, both the upper bridge and the patrol road along the creek, which connects the lower bridge with the upper portion of the site, were washed out. In order to provide access to the upper portions of the preserve from the lower bridge, extensive road work and ongoing maintenance will be needed. As a result, staff determined that the upper bridge was a higher priority to replace. A notice to bidders for construction of the upper bridge was advertised in the San Jose Mercury News on April 24, 1998; copies of the plans and specifications were given to five local builders' exchanges, and notice to bidders was sent to over 79 potentially interested contractors. 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 • Phone:650-691-1200 FAX:650-691-0485 • E-mail:mrosd®openspace.org • Web site:www.openspace.org Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,Jed Cyr,David T.Smernoff,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C.Nitz • General Manager:L.Craig Britton R-98-66 Page 2 A pre-bid meeting was held on-site on May 5, 1998. Four contractors attended. Sealed bids were due on May 18th. The following three bids were received: Bianchi Construction $188,211 Redwood General $149,470 TKO Construction $137,950 Staff recommends award of the contract to TKO Construction of Woodside for a total amount of$137,950. The engineer's estimate for the project was $138,000. This does not include permitting fees and consultant services during construction, which are estimated at approximately $20,000. The 1998-1999 fiscal year budget for this project included $130,000. The additional $28,000 budget to complete the project is anticipated to be available from other budgeted capital improvement projects which cannot be completed due to external factors. Prepared by: Randy Anderson, Senior Planner Contact person: same as above LA HONDA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT 0 �oaa U V� `s/ry THORNEWOOD OPEN-SPACE OHoa) C 1 OP dad PRESERVE Ji 1JJ i f, _ �� Private Notice: � Ld� No parking along .`F __._d Road ry F Allen Road or outside �.,. No Public odd preserve gate. Access. ft ''+gate) � N EL CORTE DE )W MADERA CREEK �. OPEN SPACE' (LH02 PRESERVE nHu(i Prese Entry•�• 0.2` Ent 0.5 � 1800 uH(n z000 F 0. ey 3 � >-. W. permit only. `. T"• C 3 No cars p " O A ') be and _y Q �\ pullout. 0.21. B e e�4/eya �.6 �a 1 00 .•• `� 44 ` 2000 1600 141, (�( Q O .1r ' 1200 33 „lI r� 0.5 /r Vista n ' ��iy'• Point VVV ' n BRIDGE LOCATION ((' iT � 0 (LH06) ns :(LH09) \ p BRIDGE LOCATION Honda urloa) •(LHon 5/20/98 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 One Mile Regional Open S, .ice R-98-67 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 98-12 May 27, 1998 AGENDA ITEM_ AGENDA ITEM Award of Contract for Schilling Lake Spillway Repair Pro' t, ornewood Open Space Preserve r i GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION \ Authorize the General Manager to enter into a contract with Brazil's Excavation in the amount of$79,910 for the Schilling Lake Spillway Repair Project at Thornewood Open Space Preserve. DISCUSSION At your regular meeting on April 22, 1998, you authorized staff to solicit bids for the construction of the Schilling Lake Spillway Repair Project at Thornewood Open Space Preserve. At that time, you also determined that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (see report R-98-53). The base bid project consists of removing the existing landslide that is damaging the spillway and replacing the soil with an engineered fill including surface and subsurface drains. The additional work items shown below were included as add alternates in order to allow the District to choose the construction methods that were most cost effective. Alternate A - Off-haul and disposal of excess materials Alternate B - On-site disposal of excess material at specified location Alternate C - Removal of trees to ensure that other trees are not damaged Alternate D - Construction access from south side of spillway A notice to bidders was advertised in the San Jose Mercury News on April 24, 1998; copies of the plans and specifications were given to five local builder's exchanges, and a notice to bidders was sent to over 27 potentially interested contractors. A pre-bid meeting was held on-site on May 6, 1998. Five contractors attended. Sealed bids were due on Monday, May 18, 1998. Three bids were received, which are summarized in the attached breakdown. Because there were add alternate items with the bid, the selection of the alternates and apparent low bidder was done "blind"; in other words, the staff person doing the selection did not know which bidder went with each set of figures, which were read off by another staff person who opened the bids. Where bids show $0 for an add alternate, this indicates that the contractor will not charge any additional money for this work item beyond the base bid. 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos,CA 94022-1404 • Phone:650-691-1200 FAX:650-691-0485 • E-mail:mrosd®openspace.org • Web site:www.openspace.org Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,Jed Cyr,David T.Smernoff,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C.Nitz • General Manager:L.Craig Britton R-98-67 Page 2 Staff recommends award of the contract to Brazil's Excavation of San Gregorio for a total amount of$79,910. The recommended contract award includes Alternates B, C, and D. The engineer's estimate for the base bid is $80,000. This does not include permit fees and consultant services during construction, which are estimated at approximately $15,000. The 1998-1999 fiscal year budget for this project is $63,000. The additional $32,000 budget to complete the project is anticipated to be available from other budgeted capital improvement projects which cannot be completed due to external factors. Prepared by: Randy Anderson, Senior Planner Contact person: same as above Thornewood Landslide & Spillway Repair Project Bid Proposal - Totals Totals Contractors Brazil Excavating Redwood General TKO Construction Total Base Bid $78 070 $98 630 $74 985 Alternate A $9 975 $6 000 $9 000 Alternate B $0 $7 500 $4 500 Alternate C $0 $2 800 $1 600 Alternate D $1 840 $0 $0 Total Base Bid + B C & D $79 910 $108 930 $81 085 h:\planninglhomewoodlspil_tat.xls Regional Open . .ice MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT R-98-61 Meeting 98-12 May 27, 1998 AGENDA ITEM 7 AGENDA ITEM Authorization to Solicit Bids for a Dump Truck GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION i Authorize staff to advertise for bids to purchase a small dump truck. DISCUSSION At your March 25, 1998 meeting you approved the fiscal year 1998-1999 budget which included $45,000 for a small dump truck (see report R-98-41). Open Space Management's five year capital equipment schedule includes the purchase of a small dump truck. The dump truck will be a replacement for an eleven year old vehicle with increasingly high repair cost. This small dump truck will be used to haul base rock and other construction materials into areas with narrow fire roads that cannot safely accommodate a full size dump truck. The specifications for the new dump truck will include the required towing capacity to transport the Sweco trail dozer purchased last fiscal year. The vehicle being replaced falls just short of required towing capacity for the 10,000 lb. Sweco trail dozer. The new dump truck will also be used to transport small tractors and the wood chipper. The dump truck being replaced will be sold at auction. Prepared by: David Topley, Support Services Supervisor Contact person: Same as above Take week,m 44 Used 544! Celebrate 25 Years of Open Space Preservation 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 • Phone:650-691-1200 - 1972-1997- FAX:650-691-0485 • E-mail:mrosd®openspace.org • Web site:www.openspace.org Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,Jed Cyr,David T.Smernoff,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C.Nitz - General Manager:L.Craig Britton Regional Open .' .ice 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT R-98-64 Meeting 98-11 May 27, 1998 AGENDA ITEM S AGENDA ITEM Authorization to Hire Godbe Research & Analysis, at a Cost of$8,783.00, to Conduct a Follow-Up Public Opinion Survey in the Coastal Area of San Mateo County to Assist the District in Evaluating Public Interest in Potentially Establishing a System of District Open Space Preserves, Parks, and Beaches on the San Mateo County Coast in Coordination with Existing and Planned District Preserves and Trails, Inclu ' Potential Expansion of the District to the Coast. GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMEND TION Authorize the general manager to execute the attached contract with Godbe Research & Analysis to conduct a public opinion survey in the San Mateo County coastal area, at a cost of $8,783.00. DISCUSSION At your meeting of October 8, 1997 you authorized the general manager to execute a contract with Godbe Research & Analysis to conduct a public opinion survey to determine the perception and attitudes of the various public constituencies involved in the issue of the District's potential annexation of a portion of the San Mateo County coastline (see report R-97-144). That survey was completed in December, 1997, and was reviewed by the Board's Ad Hoc Committee on San Mateo County Coastal Preservation and the full Board. That survey showed a significant level of support for a potential annexation, and was one of the factors which weighed heavily in the Board's decision to proceed with further steps toward a possible expansion of District boundaries to include the coast. In general, it is important to periodically revisit various aspects of a public opinion survey in order to track the public's changing perceptions and attitudes about an issue. Particularly in light of the District's involvement in the Convent issue, which took place after the survey, a tracking survey on coastal expansion would provide important up-to-date information and would help to determine if the public's perception on the coast has shifted, and if so, to what degree. This information will be invaluable to the Board in making decisions on this issue. After discussions with staff and the Ad Hoc Committee, Bryan Godbe of Godbe Research & Analysis advised that such information could be obtained through a reduced-scope survey targeted only to coastal communities. T• UdUt S:-4! Celebrate 25 Years of Open Space Preservation 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos,CA 94022-1404 • Phone:650-691-1200 • 1972-1997 • FAX:650-691-0485 • E-mail: mrosd@openspace.org • Web site:www.openspace.org Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,led Cyr, David T.Smernoff,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C.Nitz • General Manager:L.Craig Britton R-98-64 Page 2 An approximately ten-minute survey of up to 250 individuals on the coast is proposed, with a focus on revisiting key questions from the first survey. Godbe Research & Analysis can begin the survey work immediately upon Board approval. Results of the survey will be available by June 15. This schedule allows adequate time for Board and staff to review the data prior to the June 24 Board meeting, at which final decisions must be made regarding any potential November, 1998 advisory ballot measure on coastal expansion. Attached is a standard letter of agreement provided by Godbe Research & Analysis outlining the scope of their proposed work. With the Board's approval, this letter will serve as the contract between the District and the consultant. Prepared by: M. Smith, Public Affairs Manager Contact person: L. Craig Britton, General Manager May 14 98 11 : 04a p, 2 May 13,1998 Mr.Craig Britton General Manager Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District 330 Distel Circle Los Altos,CA 94022-1404 Dear Craig, Godbe Research&Analysis(GRAj is pleased to be working with the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District on a public opinion survey of voters on the San Mateo coast. This letter, the attached price schedule and standard business terms,will serve as an agreement for the services specified below. Tn -- — - L5 Soutlr tahrillo Hiyh>ray 1. Meetings as necessary with the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District to discuss SUhe 200 Bu1lbit B Half Moan Bay CA S4191110 the Issues to be tested. pions 4157173117 2. Drafting and pretesting a survey questionnaire. !U 115 M-3111 3. Reproducing the final questionnaire for telephone interviewing. 445 Sash fibeeroa SIMI 4. Conducting telephone interviews of 250 voters on the San Mateo coast. San 2fi00 5. Coding and keypunchhig survey responses. tos Aapeles cA 999n 1831 6. Producing complete cross-tabulations of the survey data. ohoae 2131241851 7. Analyzing the survey data fax 213 M B94 8. Preparing a written report of the findings. 9. Presentation of the findings. The total cost for performing the services mentioned above will be$8,783.00. One half of the balance will be due upon approval of the questionnaire. The second half of the balance will be due upon delivery of the final report. Sincerely, Agreed and Accepted By: UL) li Mr.W. tey odbe Mr.Craig Britton Godbe Resea &Analysis Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District 0na. e� Date � Date 38®dueBesearCh$r16a�'aS1S May 14 98 11 : 04a p. 3 STANDARD BUSINESS TERMS AND CONDITIONS GODBL RESEARCN &ANALYSIS Contracts and agreements between GRA and its clients include the following general terms and conditions unless otherwise specified in a contract or agreement. FlatFees.Unless otherwise specified,GRA charges a flat fee for all or a portion of its services to a client in lieu of hourly charge. Hourly Rates.The firm may opt to bill its staff time at specified hourly rates for each staff member. When estimated hours are noted these are our best estimates of how long a job will take. Actual hours incurred are logged on employee time sheets and final billings to clients are based on these actual figures. Hourly charges apply to all firm staff working for the client with the exception of general clerical support. Work on specifically clerical projects is billed at normal hourly rates. yance PWent. In order to finance the client's work,the firm's policy is to require advance payment for telephone interviewing. Advance payment of fees or hourly charges is normally required, particularly in the case of new clients or political campaigns. Scontractors Fees. Should the firm retain a special employee solely for the purpose of providing services to a client,a fee equal to 15 percent of the costs of such person will be charged to cover the firm's payroll costs. L& har¢es. Invoice terms are 30 days net unless otherwise specified in the agreement. A late charge of 1.5 percent per month will apply on any amounts not paid within thirty(30)days of the date of an invoice. Incl�mn y- All copy will be approved by the client in advance of production Each party shall indemnify,defend and hold harmless the other party from and against.any loss,claim,action,course of action(including without limitation any defamation action),judgment,damage,Avg or expense (including attorneys'fees and costs)arising out of any actions of,or materials written by,or information supplied by the other party. Acting as Agent. In compliance with California sales tax regulation,GRA is designated as an Agent for the acquisition of tangible personal property and services as they apply to its clients'advertising and sales promotion activities. Ownership off. In producing finished products,it is expressly understood that ownership of all materials purchased by GRA to complete the property to be produced passes to its clients at the time of purchase and prior to any use by GRA. ridml Contratot. The agency shall perform the services as an independent contractor and shall not be treated as an employee of the client for federal,state or local tax purposes or for any other t n pub. AodMAssRettR$A�17Sis f May 14 98 11 : 04a p. 4 Ftic�hltlnsurance. The agency maintains in force a general liability policy of $1 million,auto insurance of$1,25o,o00 for bodily injury,$1,500,000 for accidents and$1,100,000 for property damages. The agency maintains required state workmens compensation insurance. Fn ire Agggment. This agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter and supersedes any prior negotiations,understanding or agreement. 5uccessor5Any agreement between the agency and a client shall be binding upon,the heirs,successors and assignors of the parties. l&tlgMWjM. Should any action be brought by one party against the other party to enforce any agreement,the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover from the other party its reasonable attorneys' fees,costs and expenses. liven ig.aw,Venue. Any agreement between the agency and a client shall be governed by California law and any action arising out of it shall be instituted and prosecuted only in the Municipal or Superior Court of the County of San Mateo. Rev.1/27/97 cis an�r sis A searthR 6adbe¢ � Matj 14 98 11 : 05a p. 5 PRICE SCHEDULE The following costs are associated with conducting a 10 Minute survey of voters on the San Mateo coast. Tekpbone Suntey 10-Minute 12-Minute* N=250 N=250 Random Sample 150.� $175-0 175� Questionnaire Copying $ Telephone Interviewing $2,353•00 $ 00 Data Processing $630.00 $715.00 Research Fee $500.00 $5,000.00 Miscellaneous Expenses $300.00 $300.00 Total $8,783.00 $9,155.00 *Godbe Research&Analysis has provided the costs associated with a 12-Minute survey document if the District decides to extend the length of the survey. Godbofletear[h�Gra��xis Regional Open 1, ice MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT R-98-63 Meeting 98-11 May 27, 1998 AGENDA ITEM 9 AGENDA ITEM Amendments to the Site Naming and Gift Recognition P icy GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDA I Tentatively approve the attached amendments to the District's Site Naming and Gift Recognition Policy DISCUSSION You originally approved the District's Site Naming and Gift Recognition Policy on August 25, 1993, and approved amendments on September 14, 1994 (see reports R-93-90 and R-94-89, respectively). This policy was developed to define the mechanism for naming new preserves, sites, and areas, and to formalize the methods of District recognition and commendation of individuals or groups who make contributions of time, money, effort, or significant support to the District. After several years of experience with administering this policy, staff recommended to the Legislative, Finance, and Public Affairs (LFPA) Committee that a number of non-substantive amendments be made. The proposed changes consolidate and clarify elements of the policy, making it easier for staff to implement and more understandable to the public. The proposed amendments consolidate sections II-A and II-B, thus creating one recognition schedule for both unsolicited cash gifts (formerly section A), and gifts for specific projects or memorials, including cash, equipment, materials, goods, or professional services (formerly section B). The recognition levels have also been combined and updated. In addition, the recognition levels which include placement of the donor's name on a District honor roll and an article in a District publication have been deleted, since no named donor, to date, has contributed this level and/or accepted those types of recognition. All other language within the policy remains unchanged. At their meeting on May 7, 1998 the LFPA Committee reviewed and accepted the attached proposed amendments to this policy, and recommends tentative approval by the Board. If approved, a second reading will be heard in one month to provide a further opportunity for public comment. Prepared by: Malcolm Smith, Public Affairs Manager i Contact person: Same as above 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 • Phone:650-691-1200 FAX:650-691-0485 • E-mail:mrosd®openspace.org Web site:www.openspace.org Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,Jed Cyr,David T.Smernoff,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C.Nitz • General Manager:L.Craig Britton 1 POLICY FOR SITE NAMING AND GIFT RECOGNITION Adopted by the Board of Directors, August 25, 1993 Amended September 14, 1994 I. SITE NAMING All District site names and signs should be kept as simple and functional as possible. When a property is acquired, either as an addition to an existing preserve or for the establishment of a new preserve, a name will be recommended in the Preliminary Use and Management Plan. In most cases, "open space preserve" is appropriate as part of the name; however,there may be circumstances when another designation may be used. In some cases, a temporary name may be retained until the next Comprehensive Use and Management Plan review. Memorial plaques that are not part of the District's standard informational signs shall be discouraged. Any Board approved memorial names may be included in site brochures, maps, or other informational materials. A. Open Space Preserves The name given to each open space preserve should be general enough to remain suitable if the site is enlarged, but specific enough to give its location some significance. Properties added to an open space preserve may not always be contiguous with that preserve. 1. Preserves shall be named after: a) geographical features of broad, general significance to the preserve; b) historical persons, uses, or events broadly associated with the locale. 2. Preserves shall not be named after any individuals other than historical persons as noted above. B. Preserve Areas, Trails, Site Improvements, Historic Sites and Unnamed Natural Features This designation refers to specific locations, land formations, trails, natural and physical features, staging areas and other site improvements, and areas of significance within open space preserves. Recognition of significant land gifts, including "bargain" purchases, will be negotiated at the time of the gift or bargain purchase. II I Preserve areas, trails, site improvements, historic sites and unnamed natural features shall ordinarily be named after: a) geographical, botanical or zoological identification; b) historical persons, uses, or events associated with the site, or significant supporters of open space 2. Preserve areas, trails, site improvements, historic sites and unnamed natural features shall not be named after any living individual. 11. GIFT RECOGNITION The purpose of the gift recognition policy is to provide an opportunity for the District to recognize and commend individuals or groups that have made significant contributions of cash, equipment, materials, goods or professional services toward the enhancement of the District, its programs, and its facilities. A. I 1w;A1it;i*Ad C-440; Gfif4r,. Q_-0 Let4eF signed by general Managef 100 4QQ 1-60#40F signed by Pr-esijei# Afthe Reor-d 98affl 0 r-d 64 r-A f PRY4 i,QGQ 9,999 4photo of faver-40 pr-ese1=4'e with r-or"q]44464A $10,000 or-more *Rose 1-446014, phete, Mad M44-i-ele in wi,440# publieatie* 2 Ceifu for. speeifie pr-9jeet0i and memer-ials (inelodes Gash, eqk*ipfoent, M efials, goo or-pr-efessia-in-R-1 This policy includes those memorial gifts referred to POST by the District or initiated by POST in accordance with the Memorial and Commemorative Sitting Areas program approved by the Board on February 10, 1993. New bench locations will be considered by staff during the Use and Management Plan process for each preserve. Bench sites that are approved by the Board may be designated for inclusion in POST's Memorial and Commemorative Sitting Areas program. The District will not maintain a separate memorial and/or commemorative bench program, except under the Special Recognition section of this policy. No type of on-site plaques will be considered under the Gift Recognition section of this policy. $ ;A,;AJH40ff $ 1,-r Wo $ 4,999 *P eta —Ra:d- rv6Al�tf9�2 m ,000 $ 9,999 *Phate aid F-eSAltttiA0 iff P'aEt„n 4,.ri, -4e,808 Ar A3AFA PhAco uixcc ivSvxacxairiix , Unsolicited cash gifts,gifts for spedLic projects*and memorials (includes cash, equipment, materials,goods or professional services) Value: $ 0- $ 499 Letter signed by General Manager $ 500- $ 999 Letter signed by President of the Board $1,000- $4,999 **Resolution of the Board(Special Order of Day) $5,000 or more **Resolution of the Board and photo of preserve (Special Order of Day) * These items will be provided only if desired by the donor ** MROSD Approved Projects only - Unapproved projects are discouraged and require formal U&M amendment which will not necessarily be recommended by staff or approved by Board. III. SPECIAL RECOGNITION A. Founders Special recognition for the founders of the District, either as individuals or as a group, may be recommended by an appropriate Board committee and approved by the Board. "Founders" shall be defined as an individual or group of individuals who participated in the formation of the District, or were significant supporters of the formation of the District. A committee appointed by the Board will make any final determinations as to the inclusion of specific individuals or groups in the category "Founders." B. Significant Supporters Special recognition for individuals or groups which have provided significant or extraordinary support to the District may be recommended for approval by the Board. "Significant Supporters" is defined as individuals or a group of individuals who have shown conspicuous or noteworthy support for the District through significant, extraordinary contributions of funds, land, time, or effort to the advancement of the goals, philosophy and mission of the District. IV. RECOGNITION OF HISTORIC SITES A. A recognition monument, normally in plaque form, may be considered by the Board if it is in relation to a specific existing building or other remaining structure of significant historic value. In such cases, the plaque will be affixed or in close proximity to the structure itself. If there is no structure,then recognition may be considered for inclusion on District informational materials or trail signage. Such a site, in the absence of a building or structure, will ordinarily not be physically marked except as determined by the Board on a case-by-case basis as part of the Use and Management planning process for the corresponding open space preserve . POLICY FOR SITE NAMING AND GIFT RECOGNITION Adopted by the Board of Directors, August 25, 1993 Amended September 14, 1994 Amendments Tentatively Adopted May 27, 1998 I. SITE NAMING All District site names and signs should be kept as simple and functional as possible. When a property is acquired, either as an addition to an existing preserve or for the establishment of a new preserve, a name will be recommended in the Preliminary Use and Management Plan. In most cases, "open space preserve" is appropriate as part of the name; however, there may be circumstances when another designation may be used. In some cases, a temporary name may be retained until the next Comprehensive Use and Management Plan review. Memorial plaques that are not part of the District's standard informational signs shall be discouraged. Any Board approved memorial names may be included in site brochures, maps, or other informational materials. A. Open Space Preserves The name given to each open space preserve should be general enough to remain suitable if the site is enlarged, but specific enough to give its location some significance. Properties added to an open space preserve may not always be contiguous with that preserve. 1. Preserves shall be named after: a) geographical features of broad, general significance to the preserve; b) historical persons, uses, or events broadly associated with the locale. 2. Preserves shall not be named after any individuals other than historical persons as noted above. B. Preserve Areas, Trails, Site Improvements, Historic Sites and Unnamed Natural Features This designation refers to specific locations, land formations, trails, natural and physical features, staging areas and other site improvements, and areas of significance within open space preserves. Recognition of significant land gifts, including "bargain" purchases, will be negotiated at the time of the gift or bargain purchase. 1. Preserve areas, trails, site improvements, historic sites and unnamed natural features shall ordinarily be named after: a) geographical, botanical or zoological identification; b) historical persons, uses, or events associated with the site, or significant supporters of open space 2. Preserve area s, tr ails,it s site improvements, historic sites and unnamed na tural atural features shall not be named after any living individual. II. GIFT RECOGNITION The purpose of the gift recognition policy is to provide an opportunity for the District to recognize and commend individuals or groups that have made significant contributions of cash, equipment, materials, goods or professional services toward the enhancement of the District its programs, and its facilities. g P , p g , es This policy includes those memorial gifts referred to POST by the District or initiated by POST in accordance with the Memorial and Commemorative Sitting Areas program approved by the Board on February 10, 1993. New bench locations will be considered by staff during the Use and Management Plan process for each preserve. Bench sites that are approved by the Board may be designated for inclusion in POST's Memorial and Commemorative Sitting Areas program. The District will not maintain a separate memorial and/or commemorative bench program, except under the Special Recognition section of this policy. No type of on-site plaques will be considered under the Gift Recognition section of this policy. Unsolicited cash gifts, gifts for specific projects* and memorials (includes cash, equipment, materials, goods or professional services) Value: $ 0 - $ 499 Letter signed by General Manager $ 500 - $ 999 Letter signed by President of the Board $ 1,000 - $4,999 **Resolution of the Board (Special Order of Day) $ 5,000 or more **Resolution of the Board and photo of preserve (Special Order of Day) * MROSD-approved projects only - unapproved projects are discouraged and require formal U&M amendment which will not necessarily be recommended by staff or approved by Board. ** These items will be provided only if desired by the donor. III. SPECIAL RECOGNITION A. Founders Special recognition for the founders of the District, either as individuals or as a group, may be recommended by an appropriate Board committee and approved by the Board. "Founders" shall be defined as an individual or group of individuals who participated in the formation of the District, or were significant supporters of the formation of the District. A committee appointed by the Board will make any final determinations as to the inclusion of specific individuals or groups in the category "Founders." B. Significant Supporters Special recognition for individuals or groups which have provided significant or extraordinary support to the District may be recommended for approval by the Board. "Significant Supporters" is defined as individuals or a group of individuals who have shown conspicuous or noteworthy support for the District through significant, extraordinary contributions of funds, land, time, or effort to the advancement of the goals, philosophy and mission of the District. IV. RECOGNITION OF HISTORIC SITES A. A recognition monument, normally in plaque form, may be considered by the Board if it is in relation to a specific existing building or other remaining structure of significant historic value. In such cases, the plaque will be affixed or in close proximity to the structure itself. If there is no structure, then recognition may be considered for inclusion on District informational materials or trail signage. Such a site, in the absence of a building or structure, will ordinarily not be physically marked except as determined by the Board on a case-by-case basis as part of the Use and Management planning process for the corresponding open space preserve . Regional Open �,_ ace 1 R-98-65 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 98-12 May 27, 1998 AGENDA ITEM 10 AGENDA ITEM Amendment to the Use and Management Plan to Realign a Section of the Bay Area Ridge Trail in the Hickory Oak Ridge Area of Long Ridge Open Spa Preserve GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Determine that the following action is categorically exempt from the Califo Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). 2. Tentatively adopt an amendment to the Comprehensive Use and Management Plan for Long Ridge Open Space Preserve to realign an approximately 0.1 mile segment of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. DISCUSSION The Long Ridge Open Space Preserve, like the remainder of the District's holdings, had an established road system in place when the District purchased the property. Most of the old roads were used as ranch roads or logging roads. In many cases the roads were built to follow the shortest route between two points, rather than contouring with the topography. In steep terrain, long-term maintenance problems often result when winter rains combine with use to cause erosion of the soil surface. If water has no way to escape off of the road surface, erosion will slowly lower the elevation of the road until a road-width trench is created. Staff recently met with a local contractor to review one such problem area on the Bay Area Ridge Trail in the Hickory Oaks Area of the preserve (see map). This particular patrol road and trail is situated such that water cannot escape off the edge of the road. Instead it travels down the road, eroding the road surface as it travels downhill. Each spring, as the road is graded to remove the winter's ruts, it cuts deeper into the earth. With a minor reroute of approximately 500 feet of the patrol road and trail, a new route with proper drainage can be created which will not require the on-going maintenance of the existing route. The proposed route is aligned into the side slope of a gently rolling hill, creating a place for water to escape over the lower outside edge of the road. The existing alignment will be restored by ripping the roadway and restoring the route to a natural grade, taking erosion control measures and replanting the old route. 330 Distel Circle Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 Phone:650-691-1200 FAX:650 691 0485 a E-mail: mrosd@openspace.org 9 Web site:www.openspace.org Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,Jed Cyr,David T.Smernoff,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C.Nitz • General Manager:L.Craig Britton R-98-65 Page 2 CEQA COMPLIANCE Prqject Description The project consists of the construction of an approximately 0.1 mile section of patrol road and trail, and the restoration of an approximately 0.1 mile section of patrol road and trail. Project Determination under CEQA The project is categorically exempt under sections 15302 and 15304 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines. Categorical Exemption 15302 - Replacement or Reconstruction The proposed patrol road and trail construction will replace a similar section of patrol road and trail in the same vicinity. Categorical Exemption 15304 - Minor Alterations to Land Patrol road and trail construction will consist of minor grading and clearing of vegetation. Grades will generally be about 10% and drainage features will be designed to minimize soil erosion. Techniques for eliminating and restoring the existing trail route will include soil decompaction, seeding and drainage controls. Prepared by: Mary de Beauvieres, Acting Senior Planner Contact person: Same as above LONG RIDGE OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District d Ll 0, i �yd, •• 4. (LR12Ai ••• 4fd� tif,Po ;' 1 • 0.4 fPr ` r (LR10)� ••••. 0.8 0.3 0.1 • 1.8 LONG RIDGE ;1 OPEN SPACE (LR09) 1.8 ; PRESERVE :• % 0.4 LongR <'�`o aR04) �d e,p ; �` `'� 1400 0.5 1600 0.1 l o •.• m 1800 a Y • .�. 3' 0.2 ,pod 0.7 SEGMENT TO BE (LROS) v 0.4 2 oaks CLOSED & RESTORED o SARATOGA GAP dory ^dr 0.5 OPEN SPACE 0.3 PRESERVE 0.3 I; � 0.3 w� o anchSQt` 2600 0.1 0.2 �`�1 L01 0 0.3 2400 a9 PROPOSED 200 �� -41 2000 ® ALIGNMENT (LR08) 2200 0.2 1800 • 1600 1.7 2400 � 1400 �drd fQ EXHIBIT A: LONG RIDGE TRAIL REALIGNMENT Long Ridge5/18/98 Claims No. 98-10 Meeting 98-12 Date: May 27, 1998 Revised MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT # Amount Name Description 4125 450.00 Aaron's Septic Tank Service Sanitation Services 4126 30.00 Ace Fire Equipment & Service Co. Fire Extinguisher Servicing 4127 299.86 Acme & Sons Sanitation Sanitation Services 4128 126.69 ADT Security Services Alarm Service 4129 152.06 Ajax Portable Services Sanitation Services 4130 113.27 Airgas Welding Services 4131 279.25 Kristi Altieri Reimbursement--CAPIO Conference 4132 97.83 Randy Anderson Vehicle Expense 4133 431.60 ANG Newspapers Meeting Advertisement 4134 2,000.00 Appraisal Research Corporation Appraisal Service 4135 129.00 ASLA Resource Documents 4136 107.50 Atlantic Ultraviolet Corporation Water Filtering Parts 4137 20.17 A T & T Telephone Services 4138 306.35 Craig Beckman Reimbursement--Uniform & Mileage 4139 149.41 •1 Blueprint Service Company Printing Services 4140 737.50 Jane Buxton Consultant--ROSS & FEMA Study 4141 6,581.06 Bofors Printing of South Skyline Maps 4142 311.75 Building Abatement Analytics Asbestos Survey Services 4143 662.00 *2 California Department of Fish & Game Permit--Thornewood Spillway Project 4144 131.10 California Water Service Company Water Services 4145 270.66 Cole Supply Company, Inc. Janitorial Supplies 4146 275.03 Communication & Control Inc. Mt. Umunhum Water Pump 4146 1,123.78 Compurun Computer Memory Upgrades 4147 61.50 Cougar Couriers Express Courier Service 4148 45.00 Anne Curran Docent Training 4149 60.00 CPRS Recruitment Advertisement 4150 41.11 Dennis Danielson Reimbursement--Field Supplies 4151 39.86 Dell Marketing L.P. Computer Electrical Surge Protector 4152 100.00 Emergency Medic Internet--EMI Registration--J. Kowaleski--EMTI Class 4153 102.85 Emergency Vehicle Services Vehicle Repairs 4154 106.50 Federal Express Corporation Express Mail 4155 987.79 FixturePronto Brochure Boxes 4156 644.00 Flinn, Gray & Herterich Additional Vehicle Insurance 4157 64.07 Foster Brothers Security Systems, Inc. Locks and Keys 4158 135.90 *3 Fresh Choice Business Meeting Expense 4159 25.45 G & K Services Shop Towel Service 4160 2,427.81 Gardenland Power Equipment Field Supplies 4161 116.18 GTE Wireless Cellular Phone Service 4162 4,077.50 Greenbelt Alliance/GreenInfo Patrol Map Book Services 4163 105.15 Guy Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Restroorn Repairs 4164 2,212.30 Home Depot Field Supplies 4165 511.88 Jodi Isaacs Vehicle Expense 4166 1,880.16 Jakaby Engineering Consulting Services--La Honda Creek 4167 116.64 Jobs Available Recruitment Advertisement 4168 4,302.90 Jens Hansen Company Windy Hill Access Project Contractor 4169 135.00 Jobs In Government Recruitment Advertisement Page 1 Claims No. 98-10 Meeting 98-12 Date: May 27, 1998 Revised MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT # Amount Name Description 4170 17.86 Kinko's Printing Services 4171 53.00 Kwik Key Lock & Safe Co., Inc. Service Call-Main Office Doors 4172 67.10 Langley Hill Quarry Rock 4173 1,314.82 Lanier Worldwide, Inc. Copier Lease 4174 100.00 Tom Lausten Uniform Reimbursement 4175 350.00 *4 City of Los Altos Community Center Deposit--Special Mtg. 4176 306.10 Los Altos Garbage Company Dumpster Service 4177 1,897.23 Merwin Mace Acquisition Consultant 4178 21.60 Madco Welding Gloves 4179 126.65 Marin Supply Company Office Supplies 4180 327.34 *5 Julie McCullough Reimbursement--Building Permit 4181 2,851.38 Julie McCullough Restroorn & Bridge Consulting Projects 4182 360.00 Marie McGough Accounting Consulting 4183 200.00 *6 Ted Mello Entertainment--Forum Event 4184 427.52 MetroMobileCommunications Radio Repair and Servicing 4185 255.25 Moffett Supply Company Office Supplies 4186 529.07 Monogram Sanitation Restroorn Chemicals 4187 4,000.00 *7 Navarone Industries, Inc. Postage Deposit 4188 42.35 Noble Ford Tractor, Inc. Tractor Accessories 4189 1,000.00 *8 North American Title Company Acquisition Deposit 4190 1,000.00 *9 North American Title Company Acquisition Deposit 4191 141.39 Northern Energy Propane Service 4192 678.66 Office Depot Office Supplies 4193 730.74 Office Helper Office Supplies 4194 362.89 Orchard Supply Hardware Field Supplies 4195 1,172.21 Pacific Bell Telephone Services 4196 3,120.86 PIP Printing Newsletter, Envelope & Map Printing 4197 274.46 Pitney Bowes Credit Corporation Postage Meter Lease 4198 464.12 *10 Porter Rents Rental Equipment--Forum Event 4199 74.45 Precision Engravers, Inc. Name Tag Engraving 4200 23.34 Rancho Ace Hardware Field Supplies 4201 34.13 Rayne Water Conditioning Water Service 4202 34.85 Rich's Tire Service Tire Repair 4203 4,126.75 Roys Repair Service Vehicle Repair and Service 4204 39.50 Russ Enterprises, Inc. Signs 4205 498.12 San Francisco Newspaper Agency Recruitment Advertisement 4206 452.10 San Jose Mercury News Contract Bid Advertisement 4207 708.00 Santa Clara Co. Dept. of Environmental Health Fuel Permits 4208 27.50 Sequoia Analytical Water System Testing 4209 300.00 *11 Sue Schectman Conference Advance 4210 54.45 Second Cup Business Meeting Expense 4211 112.10 Skyline County Water District Water Services 4212 20.00 *12 Sonoma County Public Health Lab Tick Testing 4213 460.67 Sportif Wholesale, Inc. Uniform Supplies 4214 260.27 Staples Office Supplies 4215 96.34 Summit Uniforms Uniform Expense 4216 350.00 Terrasearch, Inc. Geotechnical Consultants--Bridges Page 2 Claims No. 98-10 Meeting 98-12 Date: May 27, 1998 Revised MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT # Amount Name Description 4217 4,233.36 Terratech, Inc. Engineering Consulting Services 4218 390.93 Therma Corp. Air Conditioning & Heating Services 4219 2,706.97 Turner & Mulcare Legal Services 4220 58.27 University Art Center Graphic Art Supplies 4221 68.57 Unocal Fuel 4222 3,000.00 U.S. Postal Service Postage 4223 2,250.09 VISA Conference Expense, Business Meeting Expense, Registration and Field Supplies 4224 600.00 Roberta Wolfe Recording Services 4225 1,753.25 Del Woods Reimbursement--Computer Accessories 4226R 635.77 Petty Cash Field Supplies, Office Supplies, Forum Expenses, Conference Registration, and Film Processing *1 Urgent Check Issued May 14, 1998 •2 Urgent Check Issued May 11, 1998 •3 Urgent Check Issued May 13, 1998 *4 Urgent Check Issued May 11, 1998 *5 Urgent Check Issued May 08, 1998 •6 Urgent Check Issued May 11, 1998 •7 Urgent Check Issued May 19, 1998 •8 Urgent Check Issued May 07, 1998 •9 Urgent Check Issued May 11, 1998 *10 Urgent Check Issued May 11, 1998 •11 Urgent Check Issued May 08, 1998 •12 Urgent Check Issued May 14, 1998 TOTAL 78,647.80 Page 3 Claims No. 98-10 Meeting 98-12 Date: May 27, 1998 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT # Amount Name Description 4125 450.00 Aaron's Septic Tank Service Sanitation Services 4126 30.00 Ace Fire Equipment & Service Co. Fire Extinguisher Servicing 4127 299.86 Acme & Sons Sanitation Sanitation Services 4128 126.69 ADT Security Services Alarm Service 4129 152.06 Ajax Portable Services Sanitation Services 4130 113.27 Airgas Welding Services 4131 279.25 Kristi Altieri Reimbursement--CAPIO Conference 4132 97.83 Randy Anderson Vehicle Expense 4133 431.60 ANG Newspapers Meeting Advertisement 4134 2,000.00 Appraisal Research Corporation Appraisal Service 4135 129.00 ASLA Resource Documents 4136 107.50 Atlantic Ultraviolet Corporation Water Filtering Parts 4137 20.17 A T & T Telephone Services 4138 306.35 Craig Beckman Reimbursement--Uniform & Mileage 4139 149.41 •1 Blueprint Service Company Printing Services 4140 737.50 Jane Buxton Consultant--ROSS & FEMA Study 4141 6,581.06 Bofors Printing of South Skyline Maps 4142 311.75 Building Abatement Analytics Asbestos Survey Services 4143 662.00 •2 California Department of Fish & Game Permit--Thornewood Spillway Project 4144 131.10 California Water Service Company Water Services 4145 270.66 Cole Supply Company, Inc. Janitorial Supplies 4146 275.03 Communication & Control Inc. Mt. Umunhum Water Pump 4146 1,123.78 Compurun Computer Memory Upgrades 4147 61.50 Cougar Couriers Express Courier Service 4148 45.00 Anne Curran Docent Training 4149 60.00 CPRS Recruitment Advertisement 4150 41.11 Dennis Danielson Reimbursement--Field Supplies 4151 39.86 Dell Marketing L.P. Computer Electrical Surge Protector 4152 100.00 Emergency Medic Internet--EMI Registration--J. Kowaleski--EMTI Class 4153 102.85 Emergency Vehicle Services Vehicle Repairs 4154 106.50 Federal Express Corporation Express Mail 4155 987.79 FixturePronto Brochure Boxes 4156 644.00 Flinn, Gray & Herterich Additional Vehicle Insurance 4157 64.07 Foster Brothers Security Systems, Inc. Locks and Keys 4158 135.90 *3 Fresh Choice Business Meeting Expense 4159 25.45 G & K Services Shop Towel Service 4160 2,427.81 Gardenland Power Equipment Field Supplies 4161 116.18 GTE Wireless Cellular Phone Service 4162 4,077.50 Greenbelt Alliance/G reen Info Patrol Map Book Services 4163 105.15 Guy Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Restroom Repairs 4164 2,212.30 Home Depot Field Supplies 4165 511.88 Jodi Isaacs Vehicle Expense 4166 1,880.16 Jakaby Engineering Consulting Services--La Honda Creek 4167 116.64 Jobs Available Recruitment Advertisement 4168 4,302.90 Jens Hansen Company Windy Hill Access Project Contractor 4169 135.00 Jobs In Government Recruitment Advertisement Page 1 Claims No. 98-10 Meeting 98-12 Date: May 27, 1998 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT # Amount Name Description 4170 17.86 Kinko's Printing Services 4171 53.00 Kwik Key Lock & Safe Co., Inc. Service Call-Main Office Doors 4172 67.10 Langley Hill Quarry Rock 4173 1,314.82 Lanier Worldwide, Inc. Copier Lease 4174 100-00 Tom Lausten Uniform Reimbursement 4175 350.00 *4 City of Los Altos Community Center Deposit--Special Mtg. 4176 306.10 Los Altos Garbage Company Dumpster Service 4177 1,897.23 Merwin Mace Acquisition Consultant 4178 21.60 Madco Welding Gloves 4179 126.65 Marin Supply Company Office Supplies 4180 327.34 *5 Julie McCullough Reimbursement--Building Permit 4181 2,851.38 Julie McCullough Restroom & Bridge Consulting Projects 4182 360.00 Marie McGough Accounting Consulting 4183 200.00 *6 Ted Mello Entertainment--Forum Event 4184 427.52 MetroMobileCommunications Radio Repair and Servicing 4185 255.25 Moffett Supply Company Office Supplies 4186 529.07 Monogram Sanitation Restroom Chemicals 4187 4,000.00 *7 Navarone Industries, Inc. Postage Deposit 4188 42.35 Noble Ford Tractor, Inc. Tractor Accessories 4189 1,000.00 *8 North American Title Company Acquisition Deposit 4190 1,000.00 *9 North American Title Company Acquisition Deposit 4191 141.39 Northern Energy Propane Service 4192 678.66 Office Depot Office Supplies 4193 730.74 Office Helper Office Supplies 4194 362.89 Orchard Supply Hardware Field Supplies 4195 1,172.21 Pacific Bell Telephone Services 4196 3,120.86 PIP Printing Newsletter, Envelope & Map Printing 4197 274.46 Pitney Bowes Credit Corporation Postage Meter Lease 4198 464.12 *10 Porter Rents Rental Equipment--Forum Event 4199 74.45 Precision Engravers, Inc. Name Tag Engraving 4200 23.34 Rancho Ace Hardware Field Supplies 4201 34.13 Rayne Water Conditioning Water Service 4202 34.85 Rich's Tire Service Tire Repair 4203 4,126.75 Roys Repair Service Vehicle Repair and Service 4204 39.50 Russ Enterprises, Inc. Signs 4205 498.12 San Francisco Newspaper Agency Recruitment Advertisement 4206 452.10 San Jose Mercury News Contract Bid Advertisement 4207 708.00 Santa Clara Co. Dept. of Environmental Health Fuel Permits 4208 27.50 Sequoia Analytical Water System Testing 4209 300.00 *11 Sue Schectman Conference Advance 4210 54.45 Second Cup Business Meeting Expense 4211 112.10 Skyline County Water District Water Services 4212 20.00 •12 Sonoma County Public Health Lab Tick Testing 4213 460.67 Sportif Wholesale, Inc. Uniform Supplies 4214 260.27 Staples Office Supplies 4215 96.34 Summit Uniforms Uniform Expense 4216 350.00 Terrasearch, Inc. Geotechnical Consultants--Bridges Page 2 Claims No. 98-10 Meeting 98-12 Date: May 27, 1998 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT # Amount Name Description 4217 4,233.36 Terratech, Inc. Engineering Consulting Services 4218 390.93 Therma Corp. Air Conditioning & Heating Services 4219 2,706.97 Turner & Mulcare Legal Services 4220 58.27 University Art Center Graphic Art Supplies 4221 68.57 Unocal Fuel 4222 3,000.00 U.S. Postal Service Postage 4223 2,250.09 VISA Conference Expense, Business Meeting Expense, Registration and Field Supplies 4224 600.00 Roberta Wolfe Recording Services 4225 1,753.25 Del Woods Reimbursement--Computer Accessories •1 Urgent Check Issued May 14, 1998 *2 Urgent Check Issued May 11, 1998 *3 Urgent Check Issued May 13, 1998 *4 Urgent Check Issued May 11, 1998 *5 Urgent Check Issued May 08, 1998 *6 Urgent Check Issued May 11, 1998 *7 Urgent Check Issued May 19, 1998 *8 Urgent Check Issued May 07, 1998 *9 Urgent Check Issued May 11, 1998 *10 Urgent Check Issued May 11, 1998 *11 Urgent Check Issued May 08, 1998 - *12 Urgent Check Issued May 14, 1998 TOTAL 78,012.03 Page 3 I g -° MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT TO: Board of Directors FROM: C. Britton, General Manager `� 4 DATE: May 27, 1998 SUBJECT: FYI 330 Distel Circle Los Altos,CA 94022-1404 Phone: 650-691-1200 FAX: 650-691-0485 - E-mail: mros(Mopenspace.org Web site:www.openspace.org � Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,Jed Cyr, David T.Smernoff,Nonette Hanko, Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C.Nitz - General Manager:L.Craig Britton Regional ,'.� ice MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT MEMORANDUM May 27, 1998 To: L. Craig Britton, General Manager From: Mary de Beauvieres, Acting Senior Pla Subject: Status of Windy Mll Parking Lot Construction Project I wanted to update you on the parking lot construction project. I know there is a lot of interest in when the construction project will be completed so that the lot may be opened to the public. As you know, the project got off to a late and slow start due to the Town of Portola Valley's permitting process. Once the project was underway, there were still a number of slowdowns encountered due to the neighbor's involvement. As a result, the project trailed into the winter season at which time it came to a halt with the onset of wet weather. Fortunately, the contractor was able to get the baserock for the parking area down before the winter break. It has held up very well through the winter. The landscaping, including an irrigation system, and fencing and gates were also installed. The restroom was installed earlier this year. The landscaping has been completed. Some of the plants didn't make it through the winter; they have been replaced. Also, fencing at the entry was recently completed. Our neighbor, Kirk Neely, recently installed a solar powered gate across the main driveway. At this point, the Road Oyl is scheduled to be applied to the lot surface the week of June 8. Unfortunately, the contractor has had to push that date back several times already, as there is only one local applicator of this relatively new material. That contractor is currently working on a large job at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield and will not be able to attend to our project until the work at Travis is complete. The wet spring conditions have postponed his estimated completion date at Travis for at least two weeks beyond the first date he gave our contractor (this week). With the long range weather forecast for more wet weather, we may be in for another delay in applying the Road Oyl the week of June 8. (I heard this morning that we haven't had a seven day stretch of dry weather since Christmas last year). The contractor has already expressed to me that a three week dry spell is preferred prior to applying Road Oyl. I don't believe he is dragging his feet in any way. He has expressed to me on several occasions that he is as anxious as we are to complete this project! Even with this potential delay, I believe the Road Oyl treatment is worth the wait. I am hopeful it may serve us in other areas and I am anxious to test it out in a parking lot setting. On a more positive note, I am moving ahead with preliminary site visits with the Town Engineer so we can have all of the project's components complete once the Road Oyl is applied. The Town Engineer must accept the project as complete and finalize the Site Development Permit prior to our opening the parking lot to the public. 330 C)istel Circle Los Altos, CA 94022 1404 Phone: 6 6r a0 691 1200 _ e i www.openspace.org : FAX: 650 6)1-0485 E-mail: mrosdC�openspace.or�, Web site:w w.o�enspare.« g 7 Board of Direoors:Fete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,led Cyr, David T.Srnernoff, Nonette Hlanko, Betsy Crowder, Kenneth C.Nitz - General Manager:H.Craig Britton Ak HAMILTON COUNTY PARK DISTRICT 10245 WINTON ROAD•CINCINNATI, OHIO 45231 PHONE (513) 521-PARK(7275)•FAX 15131 521-2606 May 19, 1998 Mr. Craig Britton, General Manager Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District 330 Distel Circle Los A.ltns California _QA099 Dear Craig: My sincerest appreciation and congratulations to you and the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District on the outstanding 1998 Special Park Districts Forum which you co-hosted with the East Bay Regional Park District. The Forum was a great learning experience for our staff in preparation for 1999, but most importantly, the Forum and on-site visits were a tremendous professional education experience. The Midpeninsula Board, staff and you have done remarkable work in a relatively short time to preserve and conserve open space in the Bay area. Your accomplishments are quite remarkable and your recognition is well-deserved. We commend you for a great Forum and a great organization. Sincerely, JON BRADY, Director HAMILTON COUNTY PARK DISTRICT J B/ts R EM F; 1998 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN S��! ;�:- - Y"-�C T Board of Park Commissioners Hamilton County Park District NANCY R. HAMANT ROBERT A. GOERING JAMES A.D. GEIER Director JON BRADY I I i 1 GEOMATRIX �41=,J 4,1( 1( t rA X I I i,l 1 22 May, 1998 Project 1220F Mr. L. Craig Britton General Manager Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District 330 Distel Circle Los Altos, California 94022-1404 Subject: Cooley Landing Salt Pond Restoration Ravenswood Open Space Preserve Menlo Park, California Dear Mr. Britton: On behalf of Rh6ne-Poulenc (RP), Geomatrix Consultants, Inc. (Geomatrix) is providing a response to your question brought forth during the 22 April 1998 Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space District Board meeting discussion Agenda Item 4,Permit to Enter and Agreement for Wetland Restoration, Ravenswood Open Space Preserve. As you recall, you expressed an interest or concern of a possible hydrologic phenomenon involving tidal build-up within the planned restored Cooley Landing Salt Pond. You described a possible condition within a tidally constrained area whereby greater tidal inflow than outflow results in super-elevation of tidal waters. Geomatrix has discussed your concern with Philip Williams and Associates (PWA), hydrology consultants to RP for the restoration project. The tidal effect such as you described can exist in tidally influenced areas where restricted levee breach geometry and significant freshwater discharge can lead to tide super-elevation. This condition can be pronounced in a long and narrow constrained tidal area. As you know, there is no significant volume of freshwater discharge into the fully-levee-ringed, oval-shaped Cooley Landing Salt Pond. PWA, who is finalizing designs for the two levee breaches, has engineered the breach geometries to allow free movement of tidal inflow and outflow at the pond. They expect the tidal range will be the same in the pond as the Bay. Super- elevation of tides and a rise in mean high water elevation inside the breached pond relative to the Bay is very unlikely. Geornatrix Consultants, Inc. SEOMATRIX Mr. L. Craig Britton Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District 22 May, 1998 Page 2 If you require any further explanation or information regarding this matter or other questions related to the restoration,please call me at (415) 434-9400. Thank you for the District's support and cooperation on this project. Sincerely, GEOMATRIX CONSULTANTS, INC. Mark W. de Wit Senior Engineer MWW:adg 1:\Doc-Safe\1 220\LETTERS\bdtton1t.doc To: Technical Advisoiy Committee From: Larry Coons April 30, 1998 Subiect : Litigation The Santa Clara County Taxpayers Association filed a petition for Writ of Certiorari with the Supreme Court of the U. S, on the test of our assessment district . The writ was filed Propria Persona, without benefit of legal counsel, which means that the firm from Sacramento - - Zumbrun, Best & Findley • • has dropped the case, When the original case 'was filed, it included 11 causes of action which were considered and rejected by the Superior Court . When the case was appealed, the causes of action dropped to ten (which the Court of Appeals rejected) . Their petition to the California State Supreme Cou-t raised four issues (which the Supreme Court denied) , Now there is only one cause of action - - the question is whether ornot the State law is valid and whether our Authority properly followed the law. The California Law in question is the one which allows the notice of the assessment to be accomplished by public advertisement rather than by malling an envelope to each owner, We do not think the question is one which will interest the U. S . Supreme Court . However, we have to wait and find that out . Best case would be that the Court would decide not to consider the case . Worst Case would be that one of the judges wishes to ask for additional briefing, If the Court declines review, this could happen before The Court goes on summer recess in July. If not, the next logical time to announce whether to accept review would occur after the Court reconvenes in October . There are no time constraints on the Court, however, they do try to process such requests quickly because there is a steady stream of similar requests which must be considered. We understand that only about 6 % are chosen and they are selected for full argument on the basis of at least four of the judges wishing to consider the issue . (See new letter received 5/4 as to the process and timeline . ) Call if you wish a copy of the brief . Call Kathy Berry at 408-299 . 2111 x273 if your attorney wishes to talk with our Deputy County Counsel who has done the work on the case. Fprinted for Open Space District <mrosd@openspace.org>-- 2 Regional ! MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT TO: Board of Directors FROM: C. Britton, General Manage fff DATE: May 21, 1998 `' SUBJECT: FYI 330 Distel Circle - Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 * Phone: 650-691-1200 FAX: 650-691-0485 - E-mail: mrosd@openspace.org a Web site:www.openspace.org � Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C. Davey,Jed Cyr,David T. Generaoff,Smern Nonette Nanko, Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C.Nitz - � �� General Manager:L.Craig Britton Regional Open �, ace t 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT MEMORANDUM May 19, 1998 TO: Board of Directors FROM: C. Britton, General Manager SUBJECT: Addition of the Gen Graves 1/42 Interest in the 30-Acre Kirschbaum Property - Cathedral Oaks Area of the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve In accordance with your Rules of Procedure, Section 260 (2), as amended on June 18, 1991 (see Report R-91-62), to wit: The General Manager is hereby authorized to approve the acquisition of a minor interest in or easement upon real property and accept on behalf of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District deeds or grants conveying any such minor interest in or easement upon real property to the District for public purposes and to execute a Certificate of Acceptance as evidence thereof as required by law, subject to the following: a) The General Manager finds that the acquisition of such minor interest in or easement upon real property is consistent with District policy; and b) The cost does not exceed the General Manager's authority as provided in Section 5549(b) of the Public Resources Code and as approved by the Board of Directors from time to time; and c) The General Manager informs the Board of Directors of the action or proposed action within a reasonable period of time; or I signed a Certificate of Acceptance on May 13, 1998 and a Gift Deed was recorded on May 14, 1998 for a 1/42 interest in the subject property (see attached map), based upon my determination that acceptance of this gift is in accordance with the above stated policy. 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos,CA 94022-1404 • Phone:650-691-1200 FAX:650-691-0485 • E-mail:mrosd®openspace.org • Web site:www.openspace.org Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,Jed Cyr, David T.Smernoff,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C.Nitz • General Manager:L.Craig Britton SIERRA AZUL OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District 0.5 (SA22) - N hT Saz„ LEXINGTON ®' ii�! �COUNTX (SAZJ �10 �o ) t 0 PARK 1W1 ral t GIFT OF 1.0 k 2 1/42 INTEREST r� 2 00 z (KIRSCHBAUM) d� � S.).W M.R D. cc . :O.S. . 2800 A20 J s ,e) R \ soa aS 1 0 SA191 2 1 - II 11 II V 0.0 .1 .2 .3 .4 .S .6 .7 .8 .9 1.0 ,I�i;., _'~; t. r One Mile \, 03 „o 1 EXHIBIT A: PROPERTY LOCATION MAP Kinchbaum 5/18/98 STATE OF CALIFORNIA—RESOURCES AGENC. PETE WILSON,Governor DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION P.O.BOX 9428% SACRAMENTO 9429"00 1 (916) 653-8380 May 14, 1998 RECREATION PROVIDERS AND PLANNERS Public Opinions and Attitudes On Outdoor Recreation In California 1997 Published March 1998 A focused public opinion survey was undertaken in 1997 to obtain information about the attitudes, opinions, current activities and desires of the general public regarding outdoor recreation in the State of California. Enclosed is a report on that survey documenting the views and responses of those randomly selected to participate. The sample size provided data that exceeds 95 percent confidence, plus or minus 5 percent, when the State is considered as a whole. This document is intended to provide recreation suppliers and planners with data for strategic planning, and to assist organizations in determining the activities that are important to them. We are pleased to provide the report and hope you will find it useful. Questions regarding the report can be directed to Odel King, Manager of our Planning and Local Services Section, at (916) 653-8758. Sincerely, drYT Patricia J. M on Interim Director Enclosure PubRe • andAttitudes on Outdoor I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Broad-level planning for outdoor recreation requires current information about the attitudes and opinions, the current activities and the desires of the general public. To obtain such information, current as of 19 97, a focused public opinion survey was undertaken that asked respondents their views on many aspects of those recreation areas and facilities provided by all levels of government— federal, state, and local. This survey was undertaken by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, with the participation and strong support of the Federal Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and United States Forest Service. This survey is a partial replication of previ- ous surveys taken by the Department in 1987 and 1992. The 1997 survey of the California population was based on a sample of 2,010 California house- holds selected at random. This sample size provides data that exceeds 95 percent confidence±5 percent when the state is•considered as a whale. Each respondent was interviewed for an average of five minutes, and a portion of them also responded to a lengthy mail questionnaire. The mail questionnaire contained topics and questions that were too detailed or complex to be dealt with on the telephone. Looking at the 1997 data, a few very broad FINDINGS FROM THE 1997 SURVEY generalizations can be made, which are similar to those from the 1992 study: N Roughly 70 percent of Californians indicate that outdoor recreation areas and facilities ■ Outdoor recreational areas and facilities are are the same or better than five years ago. very important to the quality of life of most 0 Over 80 percent of Californians indicated Californians; that federal and state government should ■ Californians are fairly well satisfied with the continue to assist in financing outdoor areas and facilities currently available; recreation. ■ Californians spent approximately 2.2 billion ■ Based on latent (unmet) demand and public days participating in outdoor recreation support, Californians believe that nine activities during 1997; outdoor recreational activities should have ■ Simple and inexpensive activities are top priority for the expenditure of public engaged in far more than those which funds: walking, trail hiking, camping in require considerable skill and expense; developed sites, camping in primitive sites, general nature study, use of open grass ■ Californians do not show a strong willing- areas, picnicking in developed sites, visiting ness to pay for the recreational areas and museums/historic sites, and visiting zoos facilities they or desire; and and arboretums. ■ Californians strongly believe that protection ■ Californians prefer methods of funding of the natural environment is an important public recreation areas and facilities that do, aspect of outdoor recreation. not directly impact the user or the general Below are a few of the more detailed high- population, i.e., "sin"taxes. lights of the 1997 survey. The full range of ■ In terms of public spending priorities, Cali- detailed information will be found in the body of fornians appear to focus more on existing the report and in the Appendices, which follow. facilities rather than expanded opportunities for outdoor recreation areas and facilities. G Publk Opinions and Attitudes on Outdoor Recreation alffornia 1997 0N Californians tend k} want more local COm- COMPARISON WITH HISPANIC AND munib' parks; more horseback riding, hiking NON-HISPANIC RESPONDENTS and/or mountain biking areas where nO motorized vehicles are allowed; more NN This year's survey examined differences in campgrounds and femerCOmme*Cia| responses between Hispanics and m8m- buSinesSeS within public parks; and fewer bers of all other ethnic groups. For these areas for off-road vehicles. groups, differences Of1O percentage points mr more within 8n aggregated category ��N����U��� &�U�� ��� n��� ��� ���� (e.g.' approve and strongly approve, Dr °«�.°". "°""u.w~v." °°vu,u """� u~��*" °�u�= "~°~°= disapprove and strongly diS8pprVv8\ xvera ����U�� ' ",n��°u�^v found for the types of outdoor recreational N0 Generally, there were few major ohong8Sin areas visited; the types of outdoor recre- attitudes or behavior over the last decade. @dOna| areas preferred; selected attitudes Some changes are noticeable for prefer- concerning recreation lands and facilities, SnCes for funding mechanisms, and funding park and recreational areas, spend- changes are apparent in the average _ ing changes, changes tO park and reCre- numberof days among participants for @tiOn facilities and services; and factors walking, general nature study, basketball, influencing enjoyment of the respondents' surfing, S8i|bOobng and windsurfing, most important recreational activity. � kayaking and other non-motorized water- N0 Generally, data from the 1897 survey reveal craft use, andfr9ShvvG��rfiehin� ' . that Hispanic respondents, aS compared to 00 Direct comparability for some activities iS all other respondents, have more positive not possible due to changes inactivity attitudes towards their recreational exp8ri- dgfinition since 1987. For example, in 1987 enc9G in California and are more likely to trail hiking was combined with mountain use and prefer highly developed 8[8a8. climbing. When examining the average excluding historic and cultural sites. days of participation data for all three 00 Hispanics also demonstrated more positive surveys, several activities (vv@|hinQ. oannp- ` attitudes towards special programs and are ing--both types, kayaking and related gchviheS\ �xhibit@ninvGd�d ''U''�urv�. more |ik�|y �obe ��nc�rnedvvi�hregu|�don ' nf behavior 8t recreational sit8S compared implying that p8�iCip8hOnincreased in1B92 ' to non-Hispanics. � then decreased to about 1S87levels. 00 Between 1B87 and 1892''high''latent demand NN Hispanics tended to participate less inmany Ofth� �u�do�r �CUvid8o0x8min�din �hiS vv8sbasically unchanged for those 8CtivibeS identified in 1992. but willingness to pay Sun/gy and have a different Set of latent changed for all of those activities. demand priorities than members ofother � ethnic groups. � NN Finally, there isgn]vvingSuppO�for increased (8Ci|itv maintenance, increased construction 00 The results from this study are generally Of new facilities, and increased acquisition of consistent with those mf other California lands for park and recreational purposes. studies of non-Hispanic and Hispanic recreation patterns, which suggest that different service delivery approaches are needed toserve specific ethnic groups. INTER-OFFICE MEMORANDUM May 14, 1998 TO: C. Britton, General Manger FROM: G. Baillie, Operations Analyst SUBJECT: MONTHLY FIELD ACTIVITY SUMMARY Month April Year 1998 VIOLATIONS TOTALS CITES CRIMES Bicycles Auto burglaries 4 0 Closed area 10 5 False information 1 1 Speed 7 4 Resisting officer 1 0 Helmet 13 6 Plant collecting 1 0 Night-riding 2 2 Sign stolen 1 0 Unsafe operation 0 0 poss. of marijuana 1 0 Dogs Prohibited area 2 1 ACCEDENTSANCIDENTS Off-leash 3 3 Bicycle I Off-road vehicles 0 0 Equestrian 0 Closed area 2 0 Hiking/running 0 After hours 6 3 Other first-aid 0 Fishing 0 0 Search/rescue 0 Vandalism 5 0 Air evacuation 0 Parking 34 21 Use of OC on fox 1 Parking after hours 17 8 Dumping/littering 0 0 ENFORCEMENT Campfires 0 0 Citations 54 Camping 0 0 Written warnings 41 Weapons Arrests 1 Actual contact 0 0 Police assistance I Report only 1 0 Evidence of 0 0 MUTUAL AID Accidents 4 Law Enforcement 2 Landing Zone 0 SUMMARIES OF SIGNIFICANT INCIDENTS Apr. 2: T. Karnofel and M. Newburn found a fence vandalized and off-road vehicle tracks in Sierra Azul OSP. Apr. 4: T. Karnofel was requested to assist a Stevens Creek County Park ranger with a possible suicide victim. T. Karnofel determined the individual was intoxicated and the Sheriff's Dept. arrested the man. Apr. 4: At El Corte de Madera OSP three signs were vandalized. A trail direction sign was sawed off and removed, a trail condition advisory sign was thrown into a drainage and a "closed - not a trail" sign was removed. B. Malone. f Apr. 5: T. Karnofel and T. Lausten responded to Rancho on a report of nine visitors with a dog off leash. The owner of the dog was cited. The large group later threatened the caretaker before leaving. Apr. 5: T. Randall found a non-designated trail that had been re-opened in Sierra Azul OSP. A fence was vandalized and at four points earth berms had been constructed to serve as ramps for jumping bicycles. The area was restored by rangers and crew. Apr. 9: A fox approached W. Phillips in the parking area behind the Skyline field office. W. Phillips yelled and hit the ground with his baton to deter the animal. The fox kept coming P. W. Phillips then applied pepper spray lied three 1-second bursts of r s ra to the fox s face at a distance of less than 10 feet. The fox continued to approach. W. Phillips got in his truck and left the area. The fox remained at the site. The county trapper came out and observed the fox. He determined that the aggressive behavior was normal during the denning season. Apr. 10 K. Carlson issued a citation to a cyclist at Fremont Older OSP who had been traveling at 36 mph. The cyclist said 36 mph wasn't that fast and that the court would reduce the fine. Apr. 22 Four auto burglaries occurred in the Skyline Area. Broken glass from a fifth possible thru 28: auto burglary was found on Page Mill near Canyon Trail. D. Danielson, B. Downing. Apr. 24: At Monte Bello OSP two people fled from a ranger when he tried to stop them for helmet violations. P. Congdon. Apr. 26: Three bicyclists were stopped for "bicycles prohibited" in Rancho by K. Carlson. Two were cited. T. Lausten was requested to respond to help identify one of the cyclists. One hour later the third cyclist was identified. He was cited for "false information to a peace officer" in addition to "bicycles prohibited." The bicyclist stated that the ticket was the equivalent of an entrance fee to an amusement ride. Regional Open ace MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT May 7, 1998 Leroy Hawkins, General Manager East Palo Alto Sanitary District 901 Weeks Street East Palo Alto, CA 94303 Re: Ravenswood Open Space Preserve Wetland Restoration Dear Mr. Hawkins: Attached for your information is a report to the District's Board on a project to restore the wetland habitat in the 148 acre salt pond area north of Bay Road at Cooley Landing, in the District's Ravenswood Open Space Preserve. The salt pond area is within the limits of the City of Menlo Park. On April 22, the Board authorized an agreement with Rhone-Poulenc, Inc. For the pond to be restored to a natural salt marsh habitat by breaching the existing levee. The work will be done from Bay side by barge-mounted equipment. Some work is expected to take place in Summer 1998, with the bulk to be completed in Summer 1999. Natural salt marsh vegetation is expected to re-establish in the pond over a period of 5 to 10 years after the levee breaching. This will be a considerable improvement to the aesthetics of the preserve as well as to wildlife habitat. Please let me know if there are any questions or comments. Sincerely, Randy Anderson Senior Planner cc: L. Craig Britton General Manager 330 Distel Circle - Los Altos,CA 94022-1404 - Phone: 650-691-1200 FAX:650-691-0485 • E-mail: mrosd®openspace.org • Web site:www.openspace.org Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,led Cyr,David T.Smemoff,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C.Nitz - General Manager:L.Craig Britton 4/19/98 RECEIVED Mr. Lou Papan Assemblyman, 19'h District MAY n A 199 660 El Camino Real Em Millbrae, CA 94030 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Dear Assemblyman Papan, I am writing as a member of the Committee to Save Skyline Open Space, with regard to the recent eminent domain proceedings by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District to preserve the land purchased by the Russian Orthodox Church. I have watched with amazement as some of the media, and government officials have continued to ignore the facts, and make judgments and decisions apparently based solely on who the applicant is, and not on the merit or impact of the development. I can assure you the opponents to this project are not rich, greedy property owning zealots as we have been portrayed. The members of the committee, and the many opponents living on Kings Mountain, are religious, hard working, community minded voters,just as the proponents of this project. I am enclosing a press release issued April 7h, in an attempt to get some accurate information to the general public. I am also enclosing a copy of an opinion piece which appeared in the April issue of Coast Views Magazine written by Supervisor Mike Nevin, which you have probably already seen. Not only is it inflammatory, but it contains blatantly untrue statements. MROSD does not condemn developed property, yet he states "your home could be next". The district has no zoning powers, yet he states they could "effectively seize through zoning" property they could not take by eminent domain. He also states that MROSD"wants to impose taxes on all property owners"which is false. Only land within the district are taxed. Our Committee filed an appeal to the Board of Supervisors, on the Planning Commissions approval of the Preliminary Concept Plan based on five very valid points. Mr. Nevin was President of the Board at the time of the hearing. When one of our committee members complained that despite the fact we filed the appeal, the convent was given much more time to speak, his reply was a very rude, "you got your $160.00 worth". Supervisor Nevin has also written a letter to the editor, published in the San Mateo County Times. In it he stated, "none of this is even in the scenic corridor". The retreat, parking lot, and initial Priest/ caretaker house were always in the scenic corridor since the original plan was conceived. The Priest/caretaker house has now been incorporated into the retreat facility, but the newly added 5500 square feet of house, and out buildings are also in the scenic corridor. We would be glad to provide you with copies of relevant plans if you would like to confirm any of our statements. The perceived public support for the convent is very misleading. The majority of the people at the eminent domain hearing at MROSD, were members of the various Russian Orthodox congregations, and were not local residents. It can safely be said that 99% of • them had no idea of the location, had never been there, had no idea of the impact, had never heard of the Williamson Act, and did not care. In reality, of 114 letters from people within the district, 2/3 supported MROSD's action. The entire media coverage on this issue has been biased. Only now that some real facts have been presented, are the newspapers beginning to acknowledge there are two sides to this story. They have constantly referred to the Convents problems more than 50 years ago in Russia, and China. Our country is made up of millions of people who have escaped oppression in foreign countries. We certainly have sympathy for that, but the fact remains they have lived in the United States peacefully for 50 years, and have prospered owning two churches, one residential property, and a convalescent hospital. They are simply undergoing the scrutiny any individual or other entity would undergo who wanted to build this large a development on prime open space land. In reality the convent has conceded very little. The elimination of the Priest/caretaker house actually benefited the convent. By moving them into the retreat facility, it still allows the same number of people to live there on a year round basis, but the entire project now requires one less density credit. The moving of the convent and chapel 5 and 10 feet does nothing to move them off the ridge line. The footprint of the convent has been reduced somewhat, but it is still plainly visible from Highway 35 and a portion of 92. As mentioned above they have now added a 3000 square foot house, and 2500 square feet of out buildings. This is not a simple home for 9 elderly Nuns. It is a major religious complex that will cost probably in excess of 3 million dollars. Unfortunately after all the political grandstanding, the open space board voted to reverse itself under the stress of political threats. You may have opened the door to developers to have a political field day at the district's expense, from here on out whenever they want to acquire land in the future. It broadcasts to all developers, that if political reprisal is threatened, the district backs off. Open space is not preserved by building a 23,500 square foot, fenced off, visitor serving center, with 8000 square feet plus, of road and parking lot. This is a major wildlife corridor. Once the land is under asphalt, all wildlife value is lost. The Preliminary Concept Plan was approved by San Mateo County Planning with many unenforceable restrictions. Even if Planning were able to monitor usage, would they deny the increased usage of the facility which is inevitable? The Skylonda Fitness Center, a 13000square foot complex recently built on Kings Mountain to accommodate 32 guests, has already applied to expand to twice its size to accept 64 guests. We all agree the convent needs a new home. We believe that the most helpful action for all parties would be for the convent to continue to work with the Open Space District, local land trusts, and the community to find an appropriate alternate site that meets everybody's needs. Preservation of this entire property, given its proximity and attachment to other open space land, would create a tremendous open space complex for present and future generations to enjoy. We also hope you have reconsidered introducing any legislation, that would limit , or eliminate eminent domain powers by the board. We feel MROSD did exactly what they are chartered to do, attempt to preserve threatened open space. Yours truly, 411-ye� Al Bell 12130 Skyline Blvd. Woodside, CA 94062 Copies to: Senator Quenton Kopp, Senator Byron Sher, Assemblyman Ted Lempert, San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, Mother Eugenia, Russian Convent of our Lady of Vadimir, Craig Britton, general Manager Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. i Set /y, . 7,1 AI rd'C:'•i !.e. 7 '!1 . ``'74 ,+• 111 rr a_. r' '• , :1`,t . .., SIERRA CLUB • LOMA PRIETA CHAPTER San Mateo • Santa Clara • San Benito Counties April 7th, 1998 For Immediate Release For Information Contact: Julia Bott 650-390-8414 Lennie Roberts 650-854-0449 Dave Perrone 650-508-8700 Ex. 122 ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS CALL FOR COOLING OFF PERIOD ON CONVENT COMPLEX VS. OPEN SPACE No Reason to make a decision now. Environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, Loma Prieta Chapter, The Committee for Green Foothills and the Save Skyline Open Space Committee, urged the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and the Our Lady Vladimir Convent to delay finalizing any agreement. Time should be give to finding an alternative site. "Any compromise which allows development on this site will be a loss for open space, wildlife and the church," said Julia Bott, Chapter Director of the Sierra Club. "The real solution is finding an alternative site." Concerned that decisions which will forever alter the scenic character of the upper Skyline area are being made under the stress of political threats, the groups urged the players to step back and re-focus the discussion to finding an alternative location for the complex. "This is a major religious complex," said Dave Perrone of Save Skyline Open Space Committee. "This is not simply a home for nine elderly nuns. We are concerned with the precedent and pattern this development sets for the future." Lennie Roberts, Committee for Green Foothills, said, "We recognize that both the district and the church have higher purposes than many other organizations. Surely if both these groups work together they could accomplish a win-win situation." -30- �`. y aati 392l East Bayshore Road Suite 204 (.._ Pali Alto, CA 94301 4 ` 415-3)0-`34l FAX 4 t 5-390-849 i Printed un l 0"„ tree free keno f paper Background Information Skyline Oven Space Preserve versus Convent Complex Development • The proposed development is on a 284 acre parcel on Skyline Boulevard with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay Area. The Property hosts several natural wildlife corridors used regularly by mountain lion, bobcat, deer and other wildlife. Most of the property is steep terrain with only about 6% (17 acres) of it readily accessible and developable. The wildlife corridors run right through the accessible portion of the property. For these reasons Midpeninsula Open Space District (MROSD) had expressed interest in preserving this property since 1978. The previous owner was the Archdiocese of San Francisco who received the property as a donation in 1957. The MROSD staff contacted the previous owner in the early 1980's to express interest in preserving the property and was informed that there were no plans to sell or develop it. The previous owner was asked to contact MROSD if the property were to come available in the future. In May 1996, before the purchase of the property by the Russian Convent of Our Lady of Vladimir, MROSD staff was asked to comment on their proposal to construct a convent, chapel and retreat center. The MROSD expressed concerns that the project was in a highly scenic area that was not suitable for the proposed development and stated the MROSD interest in preserving the property. However, shortly thereafter, the property was purchased by the Convent. • The property is under Williamson Act contract. The Williamson Act is designed to preserve agricultural and open space property. In return the owner receives a substantial tax break. Approval of this project would require the unprecedented transfer of density credit onto Williamson Act land. In a letter dated March 26, 1997 the State Office of Land Conservation stated, " we have serious concerns with this project as a compatible use" Allowing a development of this scale through the transfer of density credits, as proposed would contravene the intent the Williamson Act. This would compromise the protection of open space and farm lands through out the State of California. Despite this the San Mateo Board of Supervisors voted to approve the large scale concept plan prior to an environmental review as is required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). • The developers have characterized this as a home for 8-20 nuns. In fact it is a religious center, including housing for a Priest, support staff and a separate residence for a "benefactor" in the Scenic Corridor, consuming all developable land on the property (Skyline Boulevard is a designated State Scenic Highway). Activities, as described by the applicant, on this seventeen acre, fenced compound will include hosting thirty visitors each Sunday service, forty visitors for each of the twelve feast days and eighty visitors at the two annual pilgrimages. In addition the facility will have commercial activities and serve as a conference center, a retreat, and host visiting clergy and funeral services. These numbers were issued by the San Mateo County Planning Department based on the Applicants projections. There is nothing to limit how popular this sight will become. While use permits can limit the number of people, it is unlikely that the county would enforce the frequency of events. Conditions of permits are no guarantee because on any given Tuesday, three votes can result in a change in the use permit to allow more and larger events. Once the investments are made in the facilities and infrastructure, it would be impossible for the County to deny the Church full use of it's facilities. The Web page for the Russian Orthodox Church advertises a facility similar to the proposed development, "Founded in 1928 on 300 acres of farmland, Holy Trinity Monastery may be considered one of the important monasteries in North America. Started with a down payment of $25 by two Russian monks, it has grown into an extensive complex which includes a cathedral, seminary, extensive publishing/printing facilities, vegetable garden, apiary (honey bees) and large cemetery. A large beautiful Bell tower was added in 1988. The monastery has produced countless publications important to Orthodoxy and the "Jordanville Prayerbook" continues to inspire the prayer-life of Orthodox Christians..." Given the Freedom of Religion granted in the U.S. it would be difficult to deny the Church the right to practice their religious beliefs through any of these i� activities. It has been stated by the applicants that the Convent is expected to be self supporting. • Others have recognized the proposed development as more than a simple home for the nuns. In an internal memo dated 4/30/96, Terry Burnes, administrator for San Mateo Planning Department stated, " We want to be careful to call a spade a spade. Lets not call a sprawling convent a dwelling unless we think that the average person exercising informed common sense will agree." As noted in the Country Almanac editorial dated March 1998, "The development proposed by the Russian Orthodox Church is much more than a home for a few nuns. It rather suggests a major church center which could attract a large number of people and cars to a cherished rural area." • While seventeen acres represents a small portion of the overall property (6%), the complex covers all of the accessible and easily developable portions of the property including the wildlife corridors. Leaving essentially only the very steep portions undeveloped. The current building proposal includes 18,000 square feet of buildings (the equivalent of 6, 3000 square foot homes) plus garages, a 24 car parking lot, roads, landscaping, extensive fencing and entry gates and a "benefactor" residence. • Projected water use is the basis for allowable building density in this area. The San Mateo Planning Commission based their decision to approve this large scale development on inaccurate and underestimated water use calculations. This resulted in 2-3 times the development density that would ordinarily be allowed. A comparison was made to a camp when numbers for a religious center were available. • The County of San Mateo recently approved amendments to close loop holes in the Local Coastal Plan. The California Coastal Commission voted that this development be considered under the new rules, specifically, the rules that protect against building on ridgelines. The Board of Supervisors voted to grandfather this project and allow this large scale development to be built on a highly visible ridgeline. • It seems approval is preordained without the benefit of full environmental review. Many already believe that this project is already approved. In reality no firm approvals or vested rights have been given by the County. Further, results of the environmental review are not yet available. The outcry on behalf of this development by some members of the San Mateo Board of Supervisors, the officials responsible for approving this development, calls into question their objectivity. The majority of the San Mateo Board of Supervisors are very favorable towards development. Now it appears that they are not only favorable but have made extraordinary exceptions to accommodate this development. • The Board of Supervisors routinely approve the use of Eminent Domain for a variety of purposes. It is the ultimate irony that at the same meeting that the Board of Supervisors decried the use of Eminent Domain to preserve open space, they passed a resolution of necessity to use Eminent Domain to expand a road. • The best solution is for the Midpeninsula Open Space District to continue to work with the Church to find another site for this development. q i I I lI�I 1r I 1 I f 1 I'Il li,' I' ''•� —1 �I I f ` • is I' _ Ii ' ❑ T I ' i y- I CT#1 011 - I � i FA P-fl 13