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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20040623 - Agendas Packet - Board of Directors (BOD) - 04-14 Regional Open SISce MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 04-14 REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT 6:30 p.m. Wednesday,June 23, 2004 330 Distel Circle Los Altos,California AGENDA* Please Note: 6:30 p.m. Closed Session Special Meeting Start Time 7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting Start Time 6:30 ROLL CALL SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT—CLOSED SESSION The Closed Session will begin at 6:30 p.m. At the conclusion of the Closed Session,the Board will adjourn the Special Meeting Closed Session to the Regular Meeting, and, at the conclusion of the Regular Meeting, the Board may reconvene the Special Meeting Closed Session. • Conference with Legal Counsel—Existing Litigation, Government Code § 54956.9(a) Name of Case- Half Moon Bay Coastside Foundation v. San Mateo County LAFCo, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, San Mateo County Superior Court Case No. CIV 439808. 7:30* REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT ** ORAL COMMUNICATIONS—Public ADOPTION OF AGENDA—M. Davey ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR—M. Davey *** ADOPTION OF MINUTES • March 10, 2004 • March 24, 2004 *** WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS BOARD BUSINESS 7:40* 1 Approval of Grant Agreement- California State Coastal Conservancy's San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Grant Program for Assistance with the Potential Addition of the Peninsula Open Space Trust's Miramontes Ridge Property to Mills Creek Open Space Preserve(San Mateo County Assessor's Parcel Numbers 056-440-010, 060, 070; 056-450-020; and 067-310-061); Determine Recommended Action is Not Considered a Project as Set Forth in the California Environmental Quality Act; Adopt Resolution Approving the Agreement for Grant Funds From San Francisco Bay Conservancy Program for the Peninsula Open Space Trust's Miramontes Ridge Property Potential Addition to Mills Creek Open Space Preserve—M. Williams 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos,CA 94022-1404 • Phone: 650-691-1200 Fax: 650-691-0485 • E-mail: niros(]@openspace.org openspace.org • Web site:www.openspace.org '.px L FAEEsr 13oanl of Dire(tars:Pete Siernens,,Mary C. Davey,Jed Cyr, Deane Little, Nonette Hanko,Larry Hassett, Kenneth C. Nitz • Generd Manager:L.Craig Britton Meeting 04-14 Page 2 7:50* 2 Proposed Addition of an Undivided Ninety-five Percent(95%)Interest in Santa Clara County Assessor's Parcel Number 562-21-006(Costich Property)to Mt. Umunhum Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve; Determine Recommended Actions are Categorically Exempt from California j Environmental Quality Act; Adopt Resolution Authorizing Purchase of a Ninety-Five Percent(95%) Interest in the Costich Property; Tentatively Adopt Preliminary Use and Management Plan Recommendations, Including Naming the Property as an Addition to the Mt. Umunhum Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve; Indicate Your Intention to Withhold Dedication of the Property as Public Open Space at This Time—T. Fischer 8:00* 3 Proposed Acquisition of City and County of San Francisco Property(Portion of San Mateo County Assessor's Parcel Number 093-150-020); Acceptance of Revocable Permit for Public Trail to Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve; Authorization to Solicit Bids for Demolition of the Former Hassler Health Home Waste Treatment Facility and Construction of a Parking and Staging Area at Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve; Determine Recommended Actions are Categorically Exempt from j California Environment Quality Act,or Have Previously Been the Subject of CEQA Review and Determination; Adopt Resolution Authorizing Acquisition of City and County of San Francisco Property, and Authorizing General Manager to Execute the Revocable Permit for a Public Trail Across the City and County of San Francisco Property; Indicate Your Intention to Dedicate the Property as Public Open Space; Authorize Staff to Solicit Bids for the Demolition of the Former Hassler Health Home Waste Treatment Facility and for Construction of a Parking and Staging Area —M. Williams 8:05* 4 Authorization to Award a Contract With Watershed Science for Construction of the Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA)Funded Grabtown Gulch and Virginia Mill Trail Repair and Bridge Projects at Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve and El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve; Authorize General Manager to Execute a Contract with Watershed Science for the Bid Amount of$188,888.00 Plus a Contingency Amount of up to$37,777.00 for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $226,665.00 for Construction of the FEMA funded Grabtown Gulch and Virginia Mill Trail Repair and Bridge Projects at Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve and El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve—A. Ruiz 8:25* 5 Program Evaluation for the 2003-2004 Action Plan of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District; Comment and Accept Staff s Program Evaluation Report—C. Britton *** 6 Approval of Communications Site Lease and Agreement with MetroPCS for the Land Lease at Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve; Adopt Resolution Authorizing Approval of Communications Site Lease and Agreement at Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve with MetroPCS California/Florida Inc., a Delaware corporation doing business as MetroPCS—J. Dickey *** 7 Calling of District Elections in Wards 3, 4 and 7,and Requests for Election Consolidation Services from Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties;Adopt Resolution Calling an Election and Requesting Election Consolidation Services—Santa Clara County, Wards 3 and 4; Adopt Resolution Calling an Election and Requesting Election Consolidation Services—San Mateo County, Ward 7; Reconfirm Section 2.12 of Your Rules of Procedure Regarding a Maximum of 200 Words per Candidate Statement and Payment of Candidates' Statements in Those Wards Where Two or More Candidates Have Qualified to Appear on the Ballot; Adopt Resolution Authorizing Not Listing Any Unopposed Candidate for Election on the November 2, 2004 Ballots of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties— S. Thielfoldt Meeting 04-14 Page 3 *** REVISED CLAIMS * INFORMATIONAL REPORTS—Brief reports or announcements concerning pertinent activities of District 8:40 INFORM O g p Directors and Staff. CLOSED SESSION CONTINUED(IF NECESSARY) 9:00* ADJOURNMENT * 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 three minutes. Alternately,you may comment to the Board by a written communication, which the Board appreciates. *** All items on the consent calendar may 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. IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING,PLEASE CONTACT THE DISTRICT CLERK AT(650)691-1200. NOTIFICATION 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THE MEETING WILL ENABLE THE DISTRICT TO MAKE REASONABLE ARRANGEMENTS TO ENSURE ACCESSIBILITY TO THIS MEETING. Regional Open . . ice MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 04-07 SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS March 10, 2004 MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING I. ROLL CALL Mary Davey called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Members,Present: Jed Cyr,Nonette Hanko, Deane Little (arrived 6:50 p.m.), Ken Nitz, Pete Siemens, and Mary Davey Members Absent: Larry Hassett Staff Present: Craig Britton, Susan Schectman, Sally Thielfoldt, Cathy Woodbury 11. CLOSED SESSION M. Davey stated that the Board would adjourn to Closed Session to discuss Closed Session Agenda Items I and 2. The Board recessed to Closed Session at 6:30 p.m. and the Closed Session commenced at 6:30 p.m. The Board concluded the Closed Session at 7:30 p.m. REGULAR MEETING III. M. Davey called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. She announced that the Board had discussed Closed Session Agenda Items 1 and 2 and that no reportable actions had taken place. Additional Staff Present: John Maciel, Mike Williams, Michelle Jesperson, Rudy Jurgensen, Mike Foster IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS—There were none. 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, Deane Little, Nonette Hanko,Larry Hassett,Kenneth C.N itz • General Manager:L.Craig Britton Meeting 04-07 Page 2 V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board adopt the agenda. P. Siemens seconded and the motion passed 6 to 0. VI. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR revised items on claims. Staff will report K.Nitz questioned the large number of back to Dir.Nitz. N. Hanko announced she would abstain on Claim#7390. Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calendar, including Agenda Item 3,Appoint Macias, Gini and Company as the District's Auditors for Fiscal Year 2003-2004 and Authorize the General Manner to Execute the Engagement Letter Agreement in the Amount of$23,127-._Agenda Item 4,Authorization to Amend Agreement with the California C ervation Corps for an Additional $16,000 for a Total Contract Amount of$40.000• Authorize the General Manager to Amend Agre ment with the California Conservation Corp for a Supplemental Arno $16,000 to Control Invasive Plants in Additional..Preserves; and Revised Claims 04-04. K. Nitz seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. N. Hanko abstained on Claim#7390. VII. BOARD BUSINESS A. Agenda Item No. la—Initial Presentation of the District's Budget for Fiscal Year 2004-2005-,Review the Proposed District Budget for the 2004-2005 Fiscal Year. The Proposed District Budget for the 2004-2005 Fiscal Year and the Report and Recommendations of the Administration and Budget Committee will be Presented at the Board's March.24, 20 04 Regular Meeting for Final Consideration and Adoption—.(Report R-04- 33). C. Britton provided a brief introduction. S. Thielfoldt presented the initial budget. The budget is below the 7 percent growth guideline. Shen that the Budget Committee had not seen some of the last minute proposed changes and that the committee will meet on March 15. M. Williams reviewed the Real Property Department portion of the report. Meeting 04-07 Page 3 C. Woodbury presented the Planning Department report. She said the amounts for the Coastside Protection Program included all costs associated with that program. J. Mace g p P Maciel outlined the budget for the Operations Department and described the two proposed new positions. Regarding the two new positions, C. Britton stated they have not been added just for span of control or for expansion, but also to focus efforts on resource management. w them K. Nitz asked if there was a training program for employees to allow to move up. J. Maciel said there was and talked about how it works. J. Maciel described what a typical day of a maintenance supervisor would be like. He said they would encourage current employees to apply for the job, but they must also go outside. D. Little asked that staff make sure the job description stresses having a biological or resource management background. J. Maciel talked about the purchases of ATVs. R. Jurgensen presented the Public Affairs Department portion of the report. He said this budget did not reflect the two employees who have left or are leaving. A consultant is looking at the organization to see if there need to be changes. If the organization changes, staff will adjust accordingly. 1 S. Thielfoldt reviewed the Administration Department portion of the budget. Union negotiations will begin in January of next year. She explained that IEDA, the vendor listed in claims, is a labor relation consultant. She estimated that about 55 percent of the budget was for salaries. P. Siemens commented on the planning guidelines. He applauded staff for their ability to get grants. The staff facilities guideline needs to be looked at. He said he thought they had done well overall, but they need to be realistic with the numbers. K. Nitz commended staff for the ease of the process. B. Agenda Item No. lb—Controller's Report on the Proposed Fiscal Year 2004-2005 Budget—(Report R-04-30). M. Foster reviewed the report and talked about cash flow and tax revenue projections. Meeting 04-07 Page 4 D. Little asked if this was a large amount of cash to have in the bank for this size agency. C. Britton said the reasons for the large amount is that the District had just done refinancing, and since 2000 the District has not acquired any land adjacent to existing boundaries on the western edge because of the Coastside Protection Program. S. Schectman said Staff is awaiting LAFCo approval. M. Foster said this was virtually the same as the report received by the Budget Committee. C. Agenda Item No. 2 -Authorization to Amend the Contract with Fenton Communications to Provide Communications and Public Affairs Services• Authorize the General Manager to Amend the Contract with Fenton Communications to Provide Additional Communications and Public Affairs Services in an Amount Not to Exceed $137,165, Which Includes $126,600 for Professional Services and $11,165 for Expenses—(Report R- 04-34). C. Woodbury presented the report and talked about some of the things Fenton has accomplished. C. Britton thought the District's profile on the coast has increased because of Fenton. C. Woodbury described what Fenton would accomplish in the next phase of their contract. C. Britton said it was generally correct that they would not need the same amount of their services after the annexation. However, in general, the District needs to be more media savvy. The Coastside Protection Program will not end with LAFCo approval. They need Fenton's services for this and other projects. He said Fenton is not working on the District book. K.Nitz commented on the newsletter that went out. He said he would like them not to send out a newsletter when there is an election going on like the March 2004 election because it might be overlooked as part of political mailings. P. Siemens commented that Los Gatos no longer has a trails committee, but he is still receiving the newsletter. Motion: K. Nitz moved that the Board authorize the General Manager to amend the contract with Fenton Communications to provide additional communications and public affairs services in an amount not to exceed $137,165, which includes $126,600 for professional Meeting 04-07 Page 5 services and $11,165 for expenses. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 6 to 0. At 8:38 p.m.,the Board adjourned to a special meeting. SPECIAL MEETING A. Agenda Item No. 1 - Approval of an Application for a Bay Area Ridge Trail Council—Coastal Conservancy Proposition 40 Grant of$3 1,000 in Matching Funds for the Planning and Design of Public Access Improvements at El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve; Adopt the Attached Resolution Approving the Application for Bay Area Ridge Trail Council—Coastal Conservancy Proposition 40 Grant of$3 1,000 in Matching Funds for the Planning and Design of Public Access Improvements at El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve— (Report R-04-37). C. Woodbury presented the report. C. Britton added two critical things about the grant: 1. People on Skyline feel the District should provide parking for District property; 2. Staff had an opportunity for a grant once before to build a parking lot, but without plans, specs and a project ready to go, you really cannot apply for those grants. Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board adopt Resolution No. 04- 08, Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Approving the Application for a Grant from the Bay Area Ridge Trail— Coastal Conservancy Proposition 40 Grants Program for Planning and Design of Public Access Improvements at El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space Preserve. J. Cyr seconded the motion. Discussion: K. Nitz said he remembered that there were plans for a parking lot. C. Woodbury said those were not construction plans, they were preliminary plans for Study Area 2. N. Hanko said she was happy to see this moving forward. K.Nitz said the problem he saw is that it is already overused and this would bring in more people. D. Little said he thought it created a safer situation. As an agency they have a responsibility to provide safe, reasonable access to the preserve. i Meeting 04-07 Page 6 P. Siemens agreed with N. Hanko J. Cyr said he was glad staff is able to go forward with this. C. Britton mentioned the generosity of the Ridge Trail Council. He added that planning grants are difficult to get. Vote: The motion passed 6 to 0. At 8:47 p.m., the Board returned to the regular meeting. REGULAR MEETING (continued) it VIII. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS P. Siemens: 1. He and S. Thielfoldt went to a meeting of the Special Districts Association of Santa Clara County. They talked about possible ballot measures. 2. He talked to Jim Foran about the Open Space Authority. They are looking for a controller. J. Cyr: 1. He thanked R. Jurgensen for structuring talking points for last night's talk. 2. He will attend his first meeting of the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council tomorrow. 3. He had received requests about the potential costs of dealing with an invasive like star thistle. 4. A member of PMAC expressed concern about people being included in the process of how they are going to include people in District works. 5. He had a letter from people who were not able to attend last night's meeting. C. Britton said they would be responding to it comprehensively. D. Little said if they responded they might be able to reassure many of the people. S. Schectman said they would talk more about it at tomorrow's staff meeting. She attended the LAFCo meeting last night. The meeting was M. Davey: 1. S g g g continued to March 17, and there will be a meeting in Redwood City on March 30. 2. She complemented staff on their presentations at the State of the District event. 3. She and C. Woodbury went to see the Menlo Park mayor and vice mayor in hopes of getting their support for the Coastal Protection Program. She hopes they will put it on the agenda for an affirmative vote. D. Little: 1. He had a question about a Menlo Park council member. C. Woodbury said their decision was to take no position on the annexation. M. Davey said she had talked to the council member and his major concern was the fiscal impact on special districts. 2. He said the preserves are beautiful. 3. He was concerned about out-sloping of trails and the erosion that is happening at Russian Ridge. J. Maciel said staff is not considering taking corrective action at this time. They are still managing the water from the winter storms. They will make a note of the trails that are eroding. They have also talked about Meeting 04-07 Page 7 realignment. 4. He said he thought the purchase of the motorcycle was supposed to return to the Board. On something like that, he would prefer to have it brought back to the Board as it is a policy decision as well as financial. C. Britton said they had told the Board it could be agendized if they wished. Staff was looking for something that would fit in with what they are doing at ECDM. K. Nitz said it is fabulous on the preserves. N. Hanko: 1. Ira Ruskin won the primary election. 2. She is working on a resolution to support Palo Alto's recognition of Enid Pearson. She will bring it to the next Board meeting. C. Britton: 1. He met with Woodside Town council members and city manager regarding Dennis Martin Road. They are still trying to get their support for the Coastal Protection Program. 2. He talked to Brian Schmidt, Committee for Green Foothills, regarding questions about the Hansen Quarry. 3. He met with Paul Rogers on the Coast. He promised a feature article. 4. He has talked to the Mercury News about an editorial. 5. He and R. Jurgensen are going to give a land tour Friday to Duane Bay and the new person with the San Francisquito, Creek JPA. 6. He got a call from David Laws who sent a mockup of a booklet called "Coastside." He will send a number of copies to the District. 7. Regarding AB 1195, they are waiting for the Senate to go into session and take action. S. Schectman talked about the trial in the Russell matter. She and other staff members testified. IX. ADJOURNMENT At 9:18 p.m., the meeting was adjourned. Roberta Wolfe Recording Secretary Regional Open Sp. -e ---------------------- MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION Meeting 04-08 SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS March 24, 2004 MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING I. ROLL CALL Mary Davey called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. I Members Present: Jed Cyr, Nonette Hanko, Larry Hassett, Pete Siemens, and Mary Davey, Deane Little (arrived at 6:35 p.m.), Ken Nitz(arrived at 6:01 p.m.) Members Absent: None Staff Present: Craig Britton, Sue Schectman, Cathy Woodbury, Tom Fischer and Mike Williams II. CLOSED SESSION M. Davey J stated that the Board would adjourn to Closed Session to discuss Closed Session Agenda Item 1, 2 and 3. The Board recessed to Closed Session at 6:00 p.m. and the Closed Session commenced at 6:00 p.m. The Board concluded the Closed Session at 7:25 p.m. REGULAR MEETING the Re Regular Mee ting to order at 7 3 1 .m. She announced that III. M. Dave called yg g p the Board had discussed Closed Session Agenda Items 1, 2 and 3 and that no reportable actions had taken place. Additional Staff Present: Sally Thielfoldt, Rudy Jurgensen, Michelle Jesperson, Gordon Baillie, Mike Newburn IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS—There were none. 33o Distel Circle 650-691-7200 info@openspace.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS:Pete Siemens,Mary Davey,Jed Cyr, GENERAL MANAGER: Los Altos CA 94022-1404 650-691-0485 fax www.openspace.org Deane tittle,Nanette Honko,Larry Hossett,Kenneth C.Nitz L.Craig Britton rb a?e'=�..».. Meeting 04-08 Page 2 V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion: K. Nitz moved that the Board adopt the agenda. J. Cyr seconded and the motion passed 7 to 0. VI. INTRODUCTION Jim Cimino introduced Human Resources Assistant Sonya Babcock. VII. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR L. Hassett removed Agenda Item 3, Authorization to Extend Contracts with Design Concepts for Graphic Design Services, Shoreline Printing for Printing Services, and Western Press and Mail for Mailing Services for Fiscal Year 2004- 2005; Authorize the General Manager to Extend the Contract for Graphic Design Services with Design Concepts for an Amount Not to Exceed $42,000; to Extend the Contract for Printing Services with Shoreline Printing for an Amount Not to Exceed $109,125; and to Extend the Contract for Mailing Services with Western Press and Mail for an Amount Not to Exceed $34,230 for Fiscal Year 2004-2005. Staff answered questions regarding Claim #7467, Driver Alliant Insurance, for crime insurance (employee theft); and Claim #7460, Palo Alto Legal Service, stating that it was for review of the ranger operations manual. Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calendar, including Agenda Item 4, Approve Annual Claims List, Including Debt Service Payments for the 2004-2005 Fiscal Year, and Revised Claims 04-06. K. Nitz seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. VIII. SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY N. Hanko referred to the letter regarding Palo Alto honoring Enid Pearson for her work and asked for the Board's passage of the resolution before them. Motion: N. Hanko moved that the Board adopt Resolution No. 04-09, Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Supporting the Honoring of Enid Pearson. L. Hassett seconded the motion. Discussion: K. Nitz asked where Arastradero's name came from. C. Britton said perhaps it was a land grant. N. Hanko said Acterra is now supporting Palo Alto's proposal. M. Davey said this would be a justifiable honor. Vote: The motion passed 7 to 0. Meeting 04-08 Page 3 IX. BOARD BUSINESS A. Agenda Item No. 1 —Adopt the Action Plan For the Implementation of Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's Basic Policy for Fiscal Year 2004- 2005 —(Report R-04-39). C. Britton reported that the action plan that was presented at the last meeting went back to the Budget Committee who reviewed the changes made by the Board. He asked each manager to review those changes. Real Property Department - C. Britton reported that the only change under Property Management was the addition of Item 7 on Page 7 of the report regarding the chestnut orchard. L. Hassett said he thought it was important for the parking issue along Skyline, that if we are unable to find a tenant to do this, we need to have the gate open and need a ranger present. He added that there had been no attention given to the orchard in 25 years. It might be that it is at or near the end of its productive cycle. o He would like to know if there is any maintenance that can or should be done to those trees. C. Britton said they will work with Operations. i Planning Department — C. Woodbury noted the changes. L. Hassett said Thornewood is not in the gpro lannin ram and his concern was that it P g gets put off another year. The residents along this preserve have been extremely progressive in trying to work with the District. He wants Staff to be seen as working hand-in-hand with the residents to resolve all the issues. C. Britton said he met with town officials to bring them up to date on the project. He is writing them a letter. He met with C. Woodbury. They have the possibility of a consultant that will help them. After the Board gives them the go-ahead on what they need to do legally, the plan is g to have meeti ngs to gather information and then get started. It will probably come under the unanticipated projects. Operations Department — G. Baillie presented the report. D. Little suggested changing Key Project 5 to read, "Remove at least 99% of existing plants . . . ." Public Affairs Department— R. Jurgensen reviewed the report. C. Britton said the volunteer handbook should be changed back to VIP. Administration Department stated that there were no changes requested. Legal Program— S. Schectman said changes had been made to conform to the list of programs and remove names of property owners associated with potential actions or projects. Meeting 04-08 Page 4 Motion: J. Cyr moved that the Board adopt the 2004-2005 Action Plan for the Implementation of the Basic Policy of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. K. Nitz seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. Item No. 2a - Approval of Fiscal Year 2004-2005 Bud B. Agenda I �p et� Recommendations-, Approve the Proposed Fiscal Year 2004-2005 Budget as Presented in Agenda Item lb, and Adopt the Administration and Budget Committee Recommendations Contained in This Report— Report R-04- 4 J. Cyr emphasized that the process is getting more and more clear. He highlighted that the growth of resource management over the last several g years will be highlighted later. He thought it was significant that it was chose to fund bu t man other thins are not just the one position they y g being done for Resource Management. He talked about how the committee reached the staff facility growth guideline. 2 - Adoption of Budget for Fiscal Year 2004-2005• C. Agenda Item No. b g p � Approve a Three-Point Salary Adjustment for the Represented, Office, Supervisory and Management Staff,• Approve the Addition of the Maintenance and Resource Supervisor to the Classification and Compensation Plan and the Hiring of Two New Positions in this Job Classification; Adopt the Attached Resolution Approving the Budget for Fiscal Year 2004-2005 and the Amendment to the Classification and Compensation Plan Reflecting the Three-Point Salaa Adjustments— (Report R-04-41). C. Britton reviewed the recommendations. S. Thielfoldt provided a recap of the budget noting the key points. C. Britton talked about the changes in resource management. J. Cyr said he had observed continual improvement in planning ahead. D. Little said it seems like what we are doingis spending more money P g y than we thought we were spending. He discussed the District' program for invasives and the difficulties in dealing with invasives. He wanted Staff to focus on the program making a difference. P. Siemens said he thought Staff had a new outlook on resource management since he came on the Board. He would like Staff to get involved with universities. L. Hassett said they had been talking about the good neighbor policy. He said if they asked the neighbors what a good neighbor policy is, the roots of what it really is are in the resource management plan. Meeting 04-08 Page 5 Motion: P. Siemens moved that the Board approve the proposed pp fiscal year 2004-2005 budget as presented in the staff report. Adopt the Administration and Budget Committee recommendations as follows: Approve the proposed fiscal year 2004-2005 budget including salary and benefit increases; approve the hiring of two additional Maintenance and Resource Supervisors; adopt the revised Staff Facilities guidelines; adopt the revised "Duties and Responsibilities — Administration and Budget Com mittee"; , direct the ad hoc Board Appointee Evaluation Committee to evaluate and review salary for the General Manager, Controller, and Legal Counsel after the state budget is adopted; direct the Committee to review the fiscal year 2003-2004 actual versus projected expenditures after completion of the audit. Midway through the fiscal year, review the fiscal year 2004-2005 Budget and expenditure status, and meet with the Controller for a review of the District's financial status; direct the Committee to review the consultant report on health and retiree benefits that will be undertaken during this fiscal year. Approve a three-point salary adjustment for the represented, office, supervisory, and management staff. Approve the addition of the Maintenance and Resource Supervisor to the Classification ion and Compensation Plan and the hiring of two new positions in this job classification. Adopt Resolution No. 04-10, Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Adopting Budget for Fiscal Year 2004-2005. L. Hassett seconded the motion. 1 what the needs to tell people'd that the District ' n: K. Nitz said y p P are doing. Vote: The motion passed 7 to 0. D. Agenda Item No.3 - Authorization to Extend Contracts with Design Concepts for Graphic Design Services Shoreline Printing for Printing Services and Western Press and Mail for Mailing Services for Fiscal Year 2004-2005• Authorize the General Manager to Extend the Contract for Graphic Design Services with Design Concepts for an Amount Not to Exceed $42 000• to Extend the Contract for Printing Services with Shoreline Printing for an Amount Not to Exceed $109,125; and to Extend the Contract for Mailing Services with Western Press and Mail for an Amount Not to Exceed$34 230 for Fiscal Year 2004-2005 —(Report R- 04-3 8). Meeting 04-08 Page 6 L. Hassett asked if this would come back to the Board if the numbers go up dramatically. C. Britton said it would have to come back if it exceeded the amount stated. It will come back next year in any event. Motion: K. Nitz moved that the Board authorize the General Manager to extend the contract for graphic design services with Design Concepts for an amount not to exceed $42,000; to extend the contract for printing services with Shoreline Printing for an amount not to exceed $109,125; and to extend the contract for mailing services with Western Press and Mail for an amount not to exceed $34,230 for fiscal year 2004-2005. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. IX. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS L. Hassett talked about the national park and trails systems in Costa Rica. M. Davey: 1. Last night, the Menlo Park city council requested that the resolution of support for the Coastside Protection Program be agendized for their April meeting. 2. She had the invitation to the bay tree celebration on April 27. 3. She talked about the LAFCo hearing in San Mateo County. N. Hanko, K. Nitz, and staff members were there. March 30 is the next hearing. D. Little informed the Board that the Use and Management Committee will be meeting on April 2 with researchers from Stanford and Jasper Ridge and other groups. They hope to come up with a pilot program aiming at improved resource management practices. K. Nitz: 1. He talked about the paper wasted in printing the press clippings. 2. He commented on items in the February ranger report. M. Newburn answered questions regarding the February 1, February 5, and February 11 incidents. K. Nitz had questions about encroachments. C. Britton said they are working with Hicks stables on a land exchange. 3. The four eucalyptus trees in front of Sausal Pond are gone. He asked them to remove the sawdust because it would leach the oils into the pond. 4. R. Zatkin told him some regulatory agencies did not receive the information packet regarding El Corte de Madera. C. Britton said Mr. Zatkin had been attempting to act on behalf of the District in setting up meetings. He thought Staff would get it back on track. C. Britton: 1. The FYIs contained a memo about the closing of the Puette transaction. 2. The District's book is scheduled for release in September. There will be close to a $41,000 cost. 3. Last year the District got a $30,000 gift from the Quinton Hancock Fund. The Fund has now given them $10,000 for securing clean up at Mt. Umunhum. 4. He talked about the article, "The Second Million Acres", in the Coast and Oceans magazine. 5. Navy and NASA met with staff. Meeting 04-08 Page 7 6. He took Duane Bay on a District tour. 7. On March 16, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors met and approved the fire agreement. 8. R. Jurgensen and he attended the Assembly Local Government Committee meeting in Sacramento at which they approved AB 1195. It is on the roster for the Assembly Floor. 9. The FYIs contained the Deer Hollow Farm newsletter that featured the new farm worker. S. Schectman: 1. She is exploring whether they can get pro bono legal assistance. Wilson Sonsini agreed to take on two projects. 2. She distributed some themes staff had developed for Board Members to consider for their testimony in the LAFCo hearings. 3. There was a signature gathering campaign in Pacifica. She had a photo of the sign they used to successfully defeat a petition drive. S. Thielfoldt: 1. The Enid Pearson resolution needed all Board Members' signatures. 2. She announced that L. Zadek is leaving to take a position with the San Francisco Symphony. Ruth Harari-Kremer is leaving as well. There will be a going away party on March 31. 3. Board Members needed to file campaign report forms. 4. Staff members made a presentation at the King's Mountain meeting that she attended. X. ADJOURNMENT At 8:50 p.m., the meeting was adjourned. Roberta Wolfe Recording Secretary Sp Re Regional Open S Re g p MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT June 24, 2004 CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION DRAFT RESPONSE PREPARED BY STAFF FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION RE: Realignment of Spring Ridge Trail at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve Dear Mr. Brawner, Thank you for your letter of May 12, 2004 inquiring about the District's plan to realign a segment of lower Spring Ridge Trail and close the existing route that bypasses an existing sag pond at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve. Unfortunately, the District did not receive your correspondence in time for the May 26th meeting. The Board of Directors reviewed your inquiries at its next regular meeting,which was June 23rd. The District would like to clarify the reasons for the proposed closure and restoration, including the extent of review that preceded this decision. Protection of the Sensitive Sag Pond Environment One of the primary and most important reasons for closing this road segment is the need to protect and enhance the unique sag pond environment. The road passes immediately adjacent to a small sag pond, which is defined as a small body of water occupying an enclosed depression formed where active or recent fault movement has impounded drainage. Sag ponds are unique geologic features; the one under discussion in Windy Hill in fact lies along the San Andreas Fault. Sag ponds provide important habitat to a number of species, including the federally threatened California red-legged frog that is known to inhabit riparian areas where water is present. The area surrounding the road that the District seeks to close and restore is considered suitable habitat for the frogs due to the moist soils,lush vegetation, and presence of a sag pond. It is highly probable that this area of Windy Hill also serves as dispersal habitat for frogs moving from Corte Madera Creek to Sausal Creek and Sausal Pond. According to Sycamore Associates, who prepared a biological assessment for the project,the California red-legged frog is considered to have a moderate to high likelihood of occurrence within the project area. Previous surveys reported the presence of California red-legged frogs in Sausal Pond in 1998 and in Corte Madera Creek in 2000 near the bridge crossing. The District seeks to prevent further disturbance to the unique sag pond environment by re-vegetating the road and closing the"sag pond road"to trail traffic. Unfortunately, adding a split-rail fence between the sag pond and the road is not sufficient to prevent disturbance to this fragile vernal pond environment,particularly in terms of intrusion from dogs,potential sedimentation from the adjacent road, and impacts from trail traffic noise. Maintenance Concerns The District is also concerned about maintenance issues if this trail is left open to public use. Regardless of the trail width, trails must be routinely brushed of vegetation. This area of the preserve is also plagued with invasive thistle problems. Since trails are known to be vectors (opportunities)for the dispersal of invasive weeds,controllingthe spread of thistle along the"sa p g g pond road"is also considered a significant ongoing maintenance issue. Moreover, this particular area of Windy Hill has very poor drainage,in part due to the type of soils,the preserve's natural springs and seeps,the numerous swales that cross the road, and the fact that the area features a 33o Distel Circle 650-69i-12oo info@openspace.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS:Pete Siemens,Mary Davey,Jed Cyr, GENERAL MANAGER: Los Altos CA 94022-1404 650-6gi-0485 fax www.openspace.org Deane Little,Nonette Hanko,Larry Hossett,Kenneth C.Nitz L.Craig Britton �m natural depression created by the horizontal strike-slip movement of the San Andreas Fault. Any drainage improvements along this segment of road would require ongoing maintenance and corrections given the presence of an active fault and water seepage that together are ever changing the nature of the terrain. Restoration of the Sag Pond Road as Mitigation Also important to note, as part of the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA)review for the project, closing and restoring the"sag pond road"is identified as mitigation for a number of potential impacts: (1)the closure and re-vegetation of this road serves to minimize the impact to the existing visual quality of the site and its surroundings by resulting in a minimal net loss of naturally vegetated land; (2)restoration of the"sag pond road"also minimizes potential impacts to riparian habitat by resulting in no net loss of the natural riparian habitat community; and(3) restoration of the road would also mitigate potential impacts to soils since re-seeding the exposed road surface would create a vegetated cover to minimize erosion. Trail Grades and Use by Sequoia Residents In your letter,you mention the level grade of the existing alignment,which you enjoy. The new alignment, although steeper, is only 500 feet in length. Grades would vary between 1.2 percent and 14.5 percent, with the majority of the trail segment containing grades of 12%and less(the section that is at 14.5%is only approximately 50 feet long.) Moreover,visitors from The Sequoias who seek to reach the more level "sag pond road"would need to travel along some sections of trail that are relatively similar in grade as the proposed route,requiring them to be physically able just to reach this area of the preserve. The District understands the preference by many Sequoia residents for retaining the road,but at the same time we must weigh this preference with the District's mission"to protect and restore the natural environment." In laying out the new alignment,the District strove to maintain grades at or below the District's trail standards and existing trail connections while also protecting and enhancing sensitive habitat for wildlife. Thank you again for expressing the desires of the Sequoia Residents. Sincerely, Mary C. Davey,President Board of Directors cc: MROSD Board of Directors Town of Portola Valley,Planning Commission RECEIVED MAY 18 26241, MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN MROSD SPACE DISTRICT Board of Directors 360 Distel Circle Los Altos, CA 94022 Dear Board of Directors: I have been asked to send this letter on behalf of the many Sequoia residents who enjoy the level trail/road along the back of the Sequoias. Our residents have easy access to this trail from the Town's Sequoia Trail, and this path takes them to the top of the Kabcenell driveway above Alpine road, a pleasant easy walk for older people. It is our understanding that the District plans to remove and reroute this trail. We urge yot save it as a small footpath. Thank you, A Brawner,, President Sequoia Resident's Council cc: Town of Portola Valley Planning Commission Regional Open Sp...e R-04-61 Meeting 04-14 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT June 23,2004 CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION AGENDA ITEM I Approval of Grant Agreement with California State Coastal Conservancy's San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Grant Program for Assistance with the Potential iIIl tion of the Peninsula Open Space Trust's Miramontes Ridge Property to Mills Creek Open Space Pre rve (SaiR Mateo County Assessor's Parcel Numbers 056440-010, -060, -070;056450-020; and 067- 10-061); pproval of Grant Agreement GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATIO S 1. Determine that the recommended action in this report is not considered a project set forth in the California Environmental Quality Act. 2. Adopt the attached Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District approving the agreement for grant funds from the San Francisco Bay Conservancy Program for the Peninsula Open Space Trust's Miramontes Ridge Property potential addition to Mills Creek Open Space Preserve. DISCUSSION(see attached map) The San Francisco Bay Conservancy Program is administered by the California Coastal Conservancy and provides a regional framework for grant support of the Bay Area's interconnected open space system of watersheds,natural habitats, scenic areas, agricultural lands,and regional trails. Funding for this potential acquisition is expected to come from Proposition 12, the Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air and Coastal Protection Bond Fund. Proposition 12 was approved b the voters in 2000 and funds were appropriated in the fiscal year 2001-2002 P pP YY state budget. Under Government Code 16304,these funds are required to be encumbered within a period of three years. Once encumbered by the applicant agency approving the associated agreements, funds must be dispersed within two years. If funds are not dispersed by this date,the balance of the grant funds will be returned to the fund from which the appropriation was made. In October 2000, District staff submitted an application to the Coastal Conservancy requesting a matching grant in the amount of$2,000,000 to assist the District in acquiring the Peninsula Open Space Trust's Miramontes Ridge property, consisting of approximately 676 acres of open space land adjacent to Mills Creek Open Space Preserve. The property consists of a 120-acre parcel within the District's boundary, 320 acres within the District's current Sphere of Influence,and 235.73 acres lying outside both the District's boundary and Sphere of Influence. This property is partially located within the San Mateo County Annexation Area. The Coastal Conservancy reviewed and approved the District's application at its October 2002 meeting and awarded the District a grant for$2,050,000, which is now being presented to you for your approval of a Resolution approving the grant agreement. It is staff s assessment that adding the Miramontes Ridge property to the Mills Creek Open Space Preserve would be an important and integral part of the open space system and resource protection in this region. Given the importance of not losing a unique opportunity to secure a large portion of the funding needed for the project, District staff submitted a grant application to the Bay Area Conservancy Program. Lying both inside and outside the District's existing boundary,the property provides a natural extension of the Preserve in that it encompasses a continuation of Mills Creek and prominent ridgelines that frame the view from the 33o Distel Circle 650-6gi-1200 info@openspace.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS:Pete Siemens,Mary Davey,led Cyr, GENERAL MANAGER: Los Altos CA 94022-1404 650-6gi-0485 fax www.openspace.org Deane Little,Nonette Hanko,Larry Hassett,Kenneth C.Nitz L.Craig Britton 6 0 Ma=, R-04-61 Page 2 Preserve as well as from the City of Half Moon Bay. Mills Creek is also of particular importance because it is home to the endangered steelhead trout found upstream within the Preserve. In addition, existing roads and trails may someday provide the opportunity to establish a regional trail connection between the Bay Area Ridge Trail and the Coastal Trail. The recreational, natural resource,and open space values of this property made this potential acquisition an ideal candidate for the Proposition 12 grant funds and as a result it scored very well. In October 2002,the State Coastal Conservancy evaluated the project and approved a matching grant in the amount of$2,050,000. In order to encumber this funding and make it available for a period of two years while the anticipated Coastal Protection Program is completed,the District Board must approve the application by June 30, 2004. If the Board of Directors does not approve the Grant Agreement by this date,the District will lose the opportunity for this substantial funding. It is important that the District Board act now to secure these funds so that they will be available in the future as needed. Approval of the grant agreement will make the funds available to the District when and if the District completes pre-acquisition review and planning, and the District Board decides to acquire the property and enters into a purchase agreement with POST. Grant agreement approval does not constitute an agreement to acquire nor obligate the District to complete such an acquisition. It is staff s desire to have the funding q g P q g available upon the anticipated completion of the Coastside Protection Program in order not to lose the opportunity to permanently protect this valuable open space. This Grant Agreement secures funding until January 2006. Staffs assessment is that this timeline will give the Board the opportunity to evaluate this potential acquisition in light of the Service Plan for the San Mateo Coastal Annexation Area within the estimated time for the annexation process to conclude. San Mateo Coastal Annexation Final Environmental Impact Report The May 2003 San Mateo Coastal Annexation Final Environmental Impact Report identified the POST Miramontes Ridge property as a parcel that may be considered for acquisition and one that the owner has indicated an interest in selling. Discussions at the staff level indicate that POST has an interest in selling. The Final EIR states that even though there may be a willing seller,no decision to acquire this property can be made until the District obtains funding for the acquisition and management,completes a Preliminary Use and Management Plan, conducts an acquisition-specific CEQA analysis,and holds a public hearing before the District Board. Of the required steps necessary to acquire the property, the only step being taken as a result of the action recommended in this report is to enter into a funding agreement with the Coastal Conservancy. In p g tn' Y doing so,the District will be taking an appropriate step to secure and preserve substantial grant funds so they will be available in the event the District determines to acquire this property in the future. CAA COMPLIANCE The District has concluded that the action being adopted in this report is not considered a project under the California Environmental Quality Act. The proposed action secures a funding mechanism. Entering into this agreement to secure grant funds for a potential acquisition does not require the District to purchase the property nor expend the funds. Approval of this funding mechanism has no possible significant physical impact on the environment. CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (b)(3)and Section 15378 (a) and(b). Future acquisition would be contingent on several factors including required CEQA review. Prepared by: Del Woods, Senior Acquisition Planner Contact person: Same as above RESOLUTION NO. 04- RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT APPROVING THE GRANT AGREEMENT FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE CALIFORNIA STATE COASTAL CONSERVANCY FOR THE PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST MIRAMONTES RIDGE PROPERTY ACQUISITION WHEREAS,the Legislature has established the California State Coastal Conservancy under Division 21 of the California Public Resources Code, and has authorized the Conservancy to award grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations to implement these provisions; and WHEREAS, grants are awarded under eligibility guidelines adopted by the Conservancy; and WHEREAS, procedures established by the Conservancy require the applicant to certify through a resolution execution of the Grant Agreement and approval of its terms and conditions prior to submission of a request to the Conservancy for disbursement of grant funds; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District hereby: 1. Agrees to the terms and conditions of the Grant Agreement; and 2. Has or will have sufficient funds to operate and maintain the funded project; and 3. To the extent permitted by law,agrees to provide any funds needed beyond the grant requested to complete the project funded under this program through the allocation of uncommitted funds; and 4. Authorizes the General Manager as agent and representative of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District to execute the Grant Agreement and all documents necessary to comply with the Conservancy's grant requirements: L. Craig Britton,General Manager. POST (Miramontes) Property (approximately 676 Acres) 92 Miles \ N 35 Frahtisco Watershed.- Lands `\ ! , S ✓ _' f_X\..�� <•�_�\ ' 1./�i l � .,f 1 V, `: ``1 .. ! 1� %t �, ' 1 i.r/ r\ L 9 (M ifa'm n t 'F�I�g ) I �q n S la e-the1 � ji �� / ,. (Madonna Creek)— �>> ' �.. ti.. j / ; k"0.�TV� --------------- 1 J ///ryyyy{{ ��•' i Ve / `\ '\ \ti � Ef �'7 35 /% l 1. tei hMurra if f-/�Stafe" park �'�" '�• � �- � Pl ° rf...�j o�••...:•jam..r•• 4 V o `J- \�/ i, ..�;. � 1__y I• � /' � I 0. e�r..•�.<�� (z' �f i4 / �•••r.-:'V• p�'/ i '.._....-�'. `1K�_,� �,�I �� t_ -- �l J ��`\• 1 \✓Gt -+f~ �� \ I.m�`-� i }. .v .-..`•'`:.. j` `�� �. �^ 11 7/,;' --•"`• I �\`l f_._ ����. � t U�r"� --nn•\\\`?�r �• �I m• -..r � 1�fi�` \_:-- /•'j �r��•—� f /l-^ E i` � �\ ,r '•I\ i_., i_..i ���.. It ,'%' t� �urtsi OIC-f4e :Re>�w yeods.: , J :'••� � en f$ a��pr�serve S:IARCVIEWPRWECT&MILLS CREEWWRAMORiE3lMIRAMONTEB POST PRO ERT WD DN01 MS' Regional Open 5 !ce R-04-49 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 04-14 June 23, 2004 AGENDA ITEM 2 AGENDA ITEM Proposed Addition of an Undivided Ninety-Five Percent(951 Interest in Santa Clara County Assessor's Parcel Number 562-21-006(Costich Property)to the Mt. U unhum Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve 4 I GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATIONS V ' 1. Determine that the recommended act' ategorica y exempt from the ali is Environmental Quality Act as set out in this report. 2. Adopt the attached Resolution authorizing purchase of a ninety-five percent(95%)interest in the Costich property. 3. Tentatively adopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan recommendations contained in this report, including naming the property as an addition to the Mt. Umunhum Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. 4. Indicate your intention to withhold dedication of the property as public open space at this time. DESCRIPTION The 163.1-acre Costich property is located south of Almaden Reservoir, between Herbert Creek and Mt. Chaul (see attached map). The property lies on the east side of a prominent ridge that descends from Loma Prieta Road to the Twin Creeks area. This is an important purchase because it protects valuable wildlife habitat and scenic lands within the Bay Area Ridge Trail corridor,and may potentially provide a segment of connecting trail between the Mount Loma Prieta ridgetop and Santa Clara County Almaden Quicksilver Park. Situated on the slopes above Barret Canyon, the property is bounded by District open space land on all but one side,and is highly visible from District lands adjacent to Alamitos Road and Loma Prieta Road. Santa Clara County Open Space Authority owns the land on the property's eastern boundary, making this the first connection between District and Open Space Authority lands. An unsurfaced, overgrown road provides limited access to the upper southwestern corner of the site. At one time the road extended from Twin Creeks to Loma Prieta Road,but the unsurfaced road is currently impassable between the subject property and Twin Creeks. The property is characterized by two prominent ridgelines, rugged side slopes, and a seasonal drainage,all of which drop off steeply into Barret Canyon. The main north-south ridgeline is located along the western boundary of the parcel, and a secondary ridge descends from the main ridge northeastward through the center of the property. Vegetation types are largely chaparral and scrub oak on the upper slopes, and patches of dense forest along the seasonal drainage and into Barret Canyon. A flat area near the top of the ridge in the southwest corner of the property provides dramatic views of Mount Umunhum and Bald Mountain, and sweeping vistas southeastward to Mount Hamilton and the Hollister area. There are no improvements on the property; however, an underground telephone line exists along the unsurfaced road adjacent to the property. i USE AND MANAGEMENT i Planning Considerations The property is located within an unincorporated area of Santa Clara County and is zoned Hillside(HS), requiring a 20-to 160-acre minimum lot size based upon a slope density formula. The property is comprised 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos,CA 94022-1404 • Phone: 650-691-1200 Fax: 650-691-0485 o E-mail: niros(]@openspace.org * Web site:www.openspace.org ht>al of Oire<tors:Pete Siemens,Mary C. Davey,led Cyr, Deane Little, Nonette Hanko, Larry Hassett,Kenneth C. Nitz - Gem wd Manager:L.Craig Britton R-04-49 Page 2 of one legal parcel and has a potential density of one residential site. It has deeded access from Loma Prieta Road. The flat area in the southwestern corner of the property would be the only location for a house site, although development would be difficult as the property is so remote and lacks utilities. Remaining_Privately Owned Five Percent Interest At this time,the District is acquiring a ninety-five percent(95%)interest in the entire property with a private party owning the remaining five percent(5%) interest. The property is zoned for one residential lot,but there are significant building constraints that would make development difficult. It is the District's intent to protect the property's valuable natural resources. The District will continue to work with the remaining owner in an attempt to acquire the final five percent(5%) interest. The remaining owner lives out of state, and the realtor representing the Costich estate has been unable to obtain approval to sell the remaining five percent(5%) interest at this time. Upon acquiring the ninety-five(95%)interest,the District will segregate and cancel property taxes with the County of Santa Clara as has been done with other District partial property interest purchases. The remaining five percent(5%)interest holder will be responsible for paying the County for their 5%ownership interest. Preliminary Use and Management Recommendations The Preliminary Use and Management Plan will take effect at the close of escrow and remain effective until the Plan is amended or a comprehensive Use and Management Plan and/or Master Plan is prepared. The property will be maintained in a natural condition and no changes to land use are anticipated. If changes to land use are proposed in the future,the Plan would be subject to further environmental review and public input. Public Access: Closed to public use at this time. Patrol: Routinely patrol the property. Signs: Install Preserve boundary signs where appropriate. Monitoring: Regularly inspect the property. Name: Name the property as an addition to the Mt. Umunhum area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. Dedication: Indicate your intention to withhold dedication of the property as public open space at this time. Site Safety Inspection: Preliminary site safety inspection has been conducted. There are no apparent hazardous conditions. CAA COMPLIANCE Project Description The project consists of the acquisition of a ninety-five percent(95%) interest in a 163.1-acre property as an addition to the Mt. Umunhum Area of the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve and the concurrent adoption of a Preliminary Use and Management Plan for the addition. Ultimately,the property will be included in the comprehensive Use and Management Plan and/or Master Plan for Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. The land will be permanently preserved as open space and maintained in a natural condition. CEQA Determination The District concludes that this project will not have a significant effect on the environment. It is categorically exempt from CEQA(California Environmental Quality Act)under Sections 15316, 15317, 15325, and 15061 of the CEQA Guidelines as follows: R-0449 Page 3 Section 15316 exempts the acquisition of land in order to create parks if the site is in a natural condition and the management plan proposes to keep the area in a natural condition. The use and management plan specifies that the land will not be developed and will remain in a natural condition. Section 15317 exempts the acceptance of fee interests in order to maintain the open space character of an area. The District will acquire fee interest and maintain the open space character of the area. No new development is proposed as part of this project. Section 15325 exempts transfers of ownership of interests in land in order to preserve open space. This acquisition will transfer ninety-five percent fee ownership of the property to the District and ensure it will be preserved as public open space by incorporating it into the Mt. Umunhum Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. This acquisition qualifies under three categorical exemption sections. The actions proposed in the Preliminary Use and Management Plan are also exempt under Article 5 Section 15061(b)(3), as there is no possibility that the actions may have a significant effect on the environment. j TERMS&CONDITIONS The purchase price of this undivided ninety-five percent(95%)interest in this 163.1-acre property is $139,451 on an all-cash basis at the close of escrow,or$900 per acre based upon 100%ownership. The property consists of one residential building site in Santa Clara County with views overlooking the southern and eastern San Jose foothills. The purchase price is considered to represent fair market value for the ninety-five percent (95%) interest and is well supported within this remote real estate market area. Since a ninety percent(90%) ownership interest is held in probate,this transaction is contingent upon court confirmation of the sale. BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS 2004-2005 Budget for Land Acquisition New Land $15,000,000 New Land Purchased this year ( 0) Costich Acquisition proposed in this Agenda item ( 139,451) City and County of San Francisco Acquisition proposed later on this Agenda ( 2,500) Acquisition Budget Remaining 14.85$.049 Controller M. Foster has been consulted on this proposed acquisition and has indicated that,considering cash flow and availability, funds are available for the purchase of this property. This parcel has been identified as an important addition to the Mt. Umunhum area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve for the protection of wildlife habitat,watershed,and scenic backdrop. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION Property owners of land located adjacent to or surrounding the subject property have been mailed written notices of this proposed acquisition. b Prepared : P Y Thomas W. Fischer,Land Protection Specialist Exhibit Prepared by: Sumudu Welaratna,Open Space Planning Technician Contact Person: Thomas W. Fischer, Land Protection Specialist I PROPOSED COSTICH ADDITION Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve and Surrounding Area ----Ip a Town of, Los Gatos \ x r ec • a El Sereno OSP Lexington Reservoir t;• Almaden-�.._.'I— County Park Quicksilver County Park Creek 1 Redwoods y Sierra Azul OSP Open en Sprvee LR . g Proposed Costich Addition •. SCCOSA ` San Jose sccosA Water Company r a Soquel 0 0.5 1 2 3 4Miles Demonstration Forest GAP rojectMSierra_AzuACostich_AdddOMPr0p0sed_Costu,h AreaMap.mxd sum 5104 PROPOSED COSTICH ADDITION Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve ... Bald Mountain . V r� � 2387R s Rd. ti v Q o T J.l -- Sierra Azul i J � Open Space Preserve �� � � '' �" �' I o.. .1. ..: i.. � „- � \ ,Proposed Costich Acquisition -- (163.1 Acre � Jam.. � 14. SCC Open Space .. Authority., r i CC Open , r` Space AuthorityIt.Chaul k i l 1 G:\P ro,ects\5 ier ra_AzuhCosbch_Addition\P roposed_Costich_Add ita Miles 0 0.2 0.4 0.8 RESOLUTION NO. 04- RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF PURCHASE AGREEMENT, AUTHORIZING OFFICER OR THE GENERAL MANAGER TO EXECUTE CERTIFICATE OF ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT TO DISTRICT,AND AUTHORIZING GENERAL MANAGER TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE TO CLOSING OF THE TRANSACTION (SIERRA AZUL OPEN SPACE PRESERVE -LANDS OF COSTICH, ET.AL.) The Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District does resolve as follows: Section One. The Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District does hereby accept the offer contained in that certain Purchase Agreement between the heirs and devisees of Verne R. Costich et al and the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District,a copy of which is attached hereto and by reference made a part hereof, and authorizes the President,or appropriate officers,to execute the Agreement on behalf of the District. Section Two. The General Manager, President of the Board of Directors, or other appropriate officer is authorized to execute a Certificate of Acceptance for the Grant Deed on behalf of the District. Section Three. The General Manager of the District shall cause to be given appropriate notice of acceptance to the seller. The General Manager is further authorized to execute any and all other documents in escrow necessary or appropriate to the closing of the transaction. Section Four. The General Manager of the District is authorized to expend up to$5,000 to cover the cost of title insurance, escrow fees and other miscellaneous costs related to this transaction. Section Five. The General Manager and General Counsel are further authorized to approve any technical revisions to the attached Agreement and related documents that do not involve any material change to any term of the Agreement or documents as are necessary or appropriate to the closing or implementation of this transaction. Section Six. It is intended, reasonably expected,and hereby authorized that the District's general fund will be reimbursed in the amount of$139,451.00 from the proceeds of the next long-term District note issue. This Section of this Resolution is adopted by the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District solely for purposes of establishing compliance with the requirements of Section 1.103-18 of the Treasury Regulations. The reimbursement of this payment expenditure is consistent with the District's budgetary and financial circumstances. There are no funds or sources of monies of the District that have been, or are reasonably expected to be,reserved or allocated on a long-term basis, or otherwise set aside to pay the costs of this open space land-acquisition project which are to be paid or reimbursed out of proceeds of indebtedness to be issued by the District. The Board of Directors hereby declares the District's official intent to use proceeds of indebtedness to reimburse itself for this open space land acquisition project expenditure. Regional Open Sp.,-�e R-04-60 Meeting 04-14 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT June 23, 2004 CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION Agenda Item 3 AGENDA ITEM Proposed Acquisition of City and County of San Francisco Property(Portion of San Mateo County Assessor's Parcel Number 093-150-020);Acceptance of Revocable Permit for Public Trail to Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve;Authorization to Solicit Bids for De itioii�f the Former Hassler Health Home Waste Treatment Facility and Construction of a Parking d Staging' ea at Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDA 1. Determine that the recommended actions are categorically exempt from the California Environment Quality Act as set out in this report, or have previously been the subject of CEQA review and determination. 2. Adopt the attached Resolution authorizing the acquisition of City and County of San Francisco property, and authorizing the General Manager to execute the Revocable Permit for a public trail across the City and County of San Francisco property. 3. Indicate your intention to dedicate the property as public open space. 4. Authorize staff to solicit bids for the demolition of the former Hassler Health Home waste treatment facility and for construction of a parking and staging area. DESCRIPTION(see attached maps) In 1983, the District acquired the 298-acre former Hassler property from the City and County of San Francisco,thus creating Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve(see Reports R-82-07 and R-83-16). Situated at the southeast corner of the preserve and lying partially on land still owned by the City and County of San Francisco is the former Hassler Health Home waste treatment facility that is proposed for demolition to facilitate the development of a parking and staging area in that location. Three trails,totaling approximately 3.5 miles,will also be constructed as part of this project. This project is funded by a 50% matching grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund(see Report R-95-113). A survey of the proposed staging area site determined that a small portion of the former waste treatment facility (approximately 5,162 square feet)is still owned by the City and County of San Francisco. Over the past two years, staff has worked with both the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission(PUC)and with the City and County on an agreement to transfer this small parcel to the District as well as to permit a short whole-access trail that will connect the proposed staging area to Cordilleras Trail. Sale of Sun2lus Parcel by the Cily and Coun1y of San Francisco The 5,162 sq. ft. surplus parcel is located on the eastern side of the chain-link fenced area enclosing the entirety of the former Hassler Health Home waste treatment facility. The smallest of three waste treatment structures,referred to as the sewage lift station, is located on this parcel. Demolition and removal of all three buildings is necessary in order to construct the proposed 20-vehicle parking and staging area within this location. 33o Distel Circle 650-691-i2oo info@openspace.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS:Pete Siemens,Mary Davey,led Cyr, GENERAL MANAGER: Los Altos CA 94022-1404 650-69i-0485 fax www.openspace.org Deane Little,Nanette Hanko,Larry Hossett Kenneth C.Nitz L.Craig Britton i R-04-60 Page 2 The District has agreed to assume the responsibility for removal of the building and any necessa ry hazardous waste remediation on this surplus parcel as part of this transaction. In return for this commitment, San Francisco will convey the surplus parcel to the District. In July 2003,the San Francisco PUC recommended the sale of the small parcel. The County of San Mateo has determined that the surplus parcel does not constitute a separate building site and they are only requiring that San Francisco and the District submit a lot line adjustment application to reconfigure the property boundaries to include the surplus parcel as part of the Preserve. The parcel is being conveyed to the District at a cost of$2,500 as a processing fee to cover the City and County's staff time in connection with this transaction. The deed conveying the surplus parcel to the District will include a provision requiring that the property be dedicated for public open space purposes. The dedication requirement will require an amendment to the Preliminary Use and Management Plan. Upon Board approval of this acquisition, the transaction will be submitted to the City and County of San Francisco's Board of Supervisors for approval at its meeting in July 2004. Lot Line Adjustment Approval of a lot line adjustment is required before the County of San Mateo will issue a demolition and building permit for the proposed parking and staging area. The lot line adjustment will combine the District's existing 298-acre property with the 5,162 sq. ft. City and County of San Francisco surplus parcel (see Exhibit A). The District will assume the responsibility for costs associated with the lot line adjustment process, including an estimated$6,230 for required survey work(including preparation of the new legal description and map)and$1,280 for County application fees, for a total cost of$7,510. I Revocable Trail Permit In addition, staff has negotiated with the San Francisco PUC a trail alignment that will connect the proposed parking and staging area to Cordilleras Trail. Beginning at the northeast corner of the new parking area,the proposed whole-access trail will partially use the alignment of a former service road along the backside and adjacent to the Redwood Center,a facility operated by the City and County of San Francisco(see Exhibit B). Staff worked in cooperation with the Redwood Center to define a trail alignment that would minimally impact the operations and use of the facility. Split rail fencing and signage will be installed along the length of the trail to ensure that users remain on the trail. The trail is revocable upon thirty-(30)day written notice from San Francisco. However, PUC staff has assured District staff that it is extremely unlikely the permit would be revoked in the future. The Cordilleras Trail has been under a similar revocable permit from San Francisco since September of 1988. Parkin and Sta in Area �g At your March 26, 2003 meeting, you authorized the General Manager to enter into a contract with LFR Inc. to provide engineering and design services for demolition of the existing buildings and construction of the new parking and staging area(see Report R-03-31). This project, funded by a matching Land and Water Conservation Fund grant, also incorporates the construction of three new trails, including the whole- access trail discussed above, totaling approximately 3.5-miles. At your September 24, 2003 meeting,you adopted an amendment to the Use and Management Plan for Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve and approved the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Program in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA)to include this project(see report R-03-86). Building Permit requests have been submitted to San Mateo County. Pending receipt of permits from San Mateo County, staff expects to solicit bids and come back to the Board for approval to award a contract for construction of the staging area in late summer of this year. It is anticipated that the new staging area will be completed by the end of 2004. At your March 24, 2004 meeting,you approved the fiscal year 2004-2005 budget(see Report R-0442) that included$395,482 to complete the entire Pulgas Ridge Public Access Improvements Project. The II preliminary cost for demolition and construction of the parking area is estimated to be$250,000. Staff R-04-60 Page 3 estimates that the allocated budget will be sufficient to fund the remaining consultant work,demolition and construction of the staging area and trails. USE AND MANAGEMENT PLAN You previously adopted the Preliminary Use and Management Plan at your August 13,2003 meeting, and, with your approval,the Plan would be amended to include the acquisition of the 5,162 square-foot surplus parcel from San Francisco. Your approval would also indicate your intention to dedicate the property as public open space. The property will be dedicated as part of the annual dedication report in December in accordance with the Board's Dedicated Lands Policy. CEQA COMPLIANCE Project Description The project consists of the acquisition of a 5,162 square foot parcel from the City and County of San Francisco as an addition to the Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve. In addition, the District will be granted a revocable permit for a connector trail. This acquisition and trail permit will enable the District to proceed with a previously approved project that includes the demolition of a waste treatment facility and construction of a parking area and three trails. The components of this project have received prior CEQA review and determination. The only remaining component of the project for Board approval and CEQA review is the acquisition of the 5,162 square foot parcel from the City and County of San Francisco. Prior CEQA Review and Determination At your meeting of September 27, 1995, a Mitigated Negative Declaration was adopted for removal of the waste treatment facility(including the sewage lift station located on the San Francisco surplus parcel)and construction of a parking area. Staff has reviewed the Mitigated Negative Declaration and determined that there has been no material change to this project or to the circumstances under which the project is to be undertaken. Staff concludes that this portion of the project's environmental analysis remains valid and adequate. At your meeting of August 13, 2003, a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Program was adopted for the construction of three new trails at Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve. i Current CEOA Determination The District concludes that the acquisition of a 5,162 square foot parcel from the City and County of San Francisco will not have a significant effect on the environment. It is categorically exempt from CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act)under Article 19, Sections 15304 and 15061 of the CEQA Guidelines: Section 15304 exempts minor alterations to land. The parking area to be constructed after acquisition qualifies as minor land alteration under this Section. This acquisition is also exempt under section 15061, as there is no possibility that the action may have a significant effect on the environment. BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS 2004-2005 Budget for Land Acquisition New Land $15,000,000 ha 0 New Land Purchased this Y ( ) City and County of San Francisco Acquisition proposed in this Agenda Item ( 2,500) Costich Acquisition proposed(earlier on this meeting's Agenda) ( 139,451) Acquisition Budget Remaining $14,858,049 iI R-04-60 Page 4 Controller M. Foster has been consulted on this proposed acquisition and has indicated that,considering cash flow and availability, funds are available for this property purchase. This parcel has been identified as an important addition to the Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve providing for the construction of staging and parking area to the preserve. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION Property owners of lands located adjacent to and surrounding the subject property have been mailed written notices of this proposed acquisition. Prepared by: Michael C. Williams,Real Property Manager Douglas Vu, Open Space Planner Contact person: Michael C. Williams,Real Property Manager PULGAS RIDGE % OPEN SPACE PRESERVE CITY&CO OF Nk.F.WATER DEPT 3 150-010 ♦ ........... ............................... ............. MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT %01 050470-080 ........... HETCH HETCHY AQUEDUCT ............... to REDWOOD CENTER Hassler Lob Trail V ve- CITY&CQ OF 'Z 1 S.F.WATER DEPT % 0937150-020 PROPOSED CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO ADDITION .......... %% Ty& V GetiP FRANCIS 093-1 JI h o cover _Manh COUNTY OF SAN M "0 050-470-050 0 0 o Hatch—Hetchy Perenial Stream COUNTY OF SAN MATEO Intermittent Stream Trail Payed Road 10 150 300 GTROJECTW LGAS-RIDGEISTAGING-AREA-AND TRA LSISFWD.MSFPUCVCONNECTtNG_TRAIL-PARCEL MAP 4SFWDMXD RHK 6)04 EXHIBIT A PULGAS RIDGE OPEN SPACE PRESERVE - f s/er400 CITY&CO OF \� S.F.WATER DEPT `�✓ 093-150-010 i o MIDPENJNSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Four stor;R o / 1 050-470-080 containers ��� f t i vp HETCH HETCHY AQUEDUCT PROPOSED TRAIL CORRIDOR m USING EXISTING SERVICE ROAD ALIGNMENT r 1 �m REDWOOD CENTER Hassler Loo Trail cl OF S.F. EP F093- 20 r �/( M TY •' p5pfpP.• AN FRANCIS O R0 093-1 0 Manhole c er /I r i o Feet / f 0 100 200 400 S:IARCVIEWPROJECTSNULOIS RIDDE/STMRNO MEA MO-1 LSISENWnESFPtK:KCHW"W i Jt PARCEL M-D RHK 0.d EXHIBIT B RESOLUTION NO. 04- RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF THE AGREEMENT FOR SALE OF REAL ESTATE,AUTHORIZING OFFICER OR GENERAL MANAGER TO EXECUTE CERTIFICATE OF ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT TO DISTRICT,AUTHORIZE GENERAL MANAGER TO ENTER INTO REVOCABLE PERMIT,AND AUTHORIZING GENERAL MANAGER TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE TO CLOSING OF THE TRANSACTION(PULGAS RIDGE OPEN SPACE PRESERVE— LANDS OF CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO) The Board of Directors of Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District does resolve as follows: Section One. The Board of Directors of Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District does hereby accept the offer contained in that certain Agreement for Sale of Real Property between the City and County of San Francisco and the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District,and authorize execution thereof,a copy of which is attached hereto and b this reference made a art hereof. Y P Section Two. The General Manager or President of the Board of Directors or other appropriate officer is authorized to execute Certificate of Acceptance for the Deed on behalf of District. Section Three. The General Manager is authorized to execute the Revocable Permit for Public Trail. Section Four. The General Manager of the District shall cause to be given appropriate notice of acceptance to seller. The General Manager is further authorized to execute any and all other documents in escrow necessary or appropriate to the closing of the transaction. Section Five. The General Manager of the District is authorized to expend up to$12,000 to cover the cost of title insurance, escrow fees, survey costs, lot line adjustment applications, and other miscellaneous costs related to this transaction. Section Six. The General Manager and General Counsel are further authorized to approve any technical revisions to the attached Agreement for Sale of Real Property, Revocable Permit and documents which do not involve any material change to any term of the Agreement or documents,which are necessary or appropriate to the closing or implementation of this transaction. Section Seven. It is intended, reasonably expected, and hereby authorized that the District's general fund will be reimbursed in the amount of$2,500.00 from the proceeds of the next long-term District note issue. This Section of this Resolution is adopted by the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District solely for purposes of establishing compliance with the requirements of Section 1.103-18 of the Treasury Regulations. The reimbursement of this payment expenditure is consistent with the District's budgetary and financial circumstances. There are no funds or sources of monies of the District that have been,or are reasonably expected to be,reserved or allocated on a long-term basis,or otherwise set aside to pay the costs of this open space land-acquisition project which are to be paid or reimbursed out of proceeds of indebtedness to be issued by the District. The Board of Directors hereby declares the District's official intent to use proceeds of indebtedness to reimburse itself for this open space land acquisition project expenditure. Regional Open ice R-04-62 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 04-14 June 23,2004 AGENDA ITEM 4 AGENDA ITEM Award of Contract with Watershed Science for Construction of the Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA) Funded Grabtown Gulch and Vi g-hia Mill Trail Repair and Bridge Projects at Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve a d El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION Authorize the General Manager to execute a contract with Watershed Science for the bid amount of $188,888.00 plus a contingency amount of up to $37,777.00 for a total amount not to exceed $226,665.00 for construction of the FEMA funded Grabtown Gulch and Virginia Mill Trail Repair and Bridge Projects at Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve and El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve. DISCUSSION At your May 24, 2000 meeting and your June 25,2003 meeting,the Board authorized staff to solicit bids for construction of the FEMA funded Grabtown Gulch Trail and Virginia Mill Trail Repair and Bridge Projects(see Reports R-00-71 and R-03-14). The contracted portion of the Grabtown Gulch Trail Repair and Bridge Project includes the assemblage and installation of a six- foot wide fiber reinforced plastic(FRP)recreational bridge spanning 46 feet across Grabtown Gulch drainage and the removal and disposal of an unused flatcar rail bridge located along Purisima Creek Trail (refer to Exhibit 1). The contracted portion of the Virginia Mill Trail Repair and Bridge Project also includes the assemblage and installation of a 6-foot wide FRP bridge that spans 80 feet across El Corte de Madera Creek, as well as the construction of a small rock wall and a modification to an existing logjam located upstream of the new bridge site(refer to Exhibit 2). The trail repair and bridge installation at Virginia Mill Trail are both listed as high priority erosion control projects in the El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve Watershed Protection Program. The bidding process commenced on May 28, 2004. Staff contacted ten(10)potential bidders to solicit interest in the project; plans were sent to nine(9)contractors and eight(8)builders exchanges. Legal ads were printed in the San Jose Mercury News and San Mateo County Times and a notice for Invitation to Bid was posted on the District's website. A pre-bid meeting was held on June 10, 2004 that was attended by four interested contractors. Sealed bids were due on June 15, 2004 and four bids were received, as summarized below: Bidder Location Total Base Bid Percent Difference ftom Cost Estimate 1. Watershed Science Aromas, CA $188,888.00 3%below 2. George Bianchi Construction, San Jose, CA $190,013.00 2.5%below Inc. 330 Distel Circle - Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 * Phone: 650-691-1200 Fax: 650-69 1-0485 * E-mail: r-nrosd@openspace.org * Web site:www.openspace,org Ho,ird of Oire(tor5:1'ete,Siemens,Mary C. Davey, led Cyr, Deane Little, Nonette Hanko,Larry Hassett, Kenneth C. Nitz - General Manager:L.Craig Britton R-04-62 Page 2 I i 3. Casey Construction Emerald Hills, CA $202,866.00 4%above 4. Power Engineering Contractors Alameda,CA $307,500.00 36.5%above Documents in the Bid Package state"it is the intention of the District to award the contract to the responsible bidder with the lowest responsive bid." Having reviewed the bidders' qualifications and the Bid Proposals, staff recommends awarding the contract to Watershed Science,the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. i The Bid Proposal includes all equipment and labor to assemble and install two recreational bridges, construct a rock wall, modify an existing logjam, and remove the remnant flatcar bridge, as described in detail above. The costs for any additional work will be controlled by unit prices established by the bidding process. The requested not-to-exceed amount of$226,665.00 includes approximately $74,000.00 for work related to Grabtown Gulch Trail and $114,888.00 for work related to Virginia Mill Trail. The contingency allowance of$37,777.00 is approximately twenty (20)percent of the base bid, and is expected to cover the cost of any additional services as determined necessary by the District during construction. Both projects have received approvals from San Mateo County for coastal development,minor development, and grading permits. In accordance with scheduling requirements set by FEMA to avoid potential impacts to special-status species,the Virginia Mill Trail Repair and Bridge Project cannot begin until after August I and the Grabtown Gulch Trail Repair and Bridge Project cannot begin until after August 15. Moreover, given the sensitive natural setting, both projects need to be completed by mid-October to avoid the potential for erosion damage if seasonal rains commence before construction is completed. To remain on this tight schedule, staff initiated the bidding process in late May, two months before construction can begin onsite,to allow the contractor enough lead time to order and receive the two pre-manufactured bridges. FUNDING The Grabtown Gulch and Virginia Mill Trail Repair and Bridge Projects are listed as key public access improvement projects in the Board-approved Planning Department Action Plan for fiscal year 2004-2005. At the March 24, 2004 meeting,the Board adopted the fiscal year 2004-2005 budget that included $136,074 and $199,161 to construct the Grabtown Gulch Trail and Virginia Mill Trail Repair and Bridge Projects(see Report R-04-41). These budgets were based upon cost estimates prepared by a qualified engineering contractor. Both projects are partially funded by FEMA, with a grant of$26,120 and $104,000 for the Grabtown Gulch and Virginia Mill Trail Repair and Bridge Projects respectively, resulting in a total reimbursement of$133,685. FEMA's deadline for project completion is December 31, 2004. NOTIFICATION If the Board authorizes the contract award, notification of this project will be posted on the District's website and signs will be installed on site at Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve and El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve to inform the public of the impending construction activities. Planning staff also intends to notify owners and occupants of adjoining properties regarding the construction schedule. 1 R-04-62 Page 3 CEQ A COMPLIANCE Grabtown Gulch Trail Repair Project At the March 10, 1999 meeting,the Board found the Grabtown Gulch Trail Repair Project to be j categorically exempt from CEQA (see Report R-99-37). Virginia Mill Trail Repair Project At the January 29, 2003 meeting,the Board approved a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Plan for the Virginia Mill Trail Repair Project and determined that the project avoids or minimizes all potential impacts to a less-than-significant level (see Report R-03- 11). Staff has been monitoring the compliance with the Mitigation Monitoring Plan and will continue to do so during construction. Prepared by: Ana Ruiz, Open Space Planner I l Contact Person: Same as above. i i i PURISIMA CREEK REDWOODS OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Grabtown Gulch Trail Repair and Bridge Project Bay ._ Remnant Flatcar Bridge to Haul & Disposed Bord61> /tea New Bridge-Crossing ra. New trail,alignment (to be constructed by District field crew) i ti0,,140-Gulch --- C� 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 mile Figure 1 Exhibit 1 R-04-62 EL CORTE DE MAD RA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Virginia Mill Trail Repair and Bridge Project �— 1400 *� N 0.3 �'` .���"^�.. •fir f 2 i— j Rock Wales_ /� •. 2.5 i •'� Log Jam i � � �` a Mill T ,--New Bridge Crossing-- /% New Trail Align ent �� (to be construct d by' District crew) I 1200 800 1000 / 0.0 .1 .2 .3 .4 .5 Mile i Exhibit 2 - 1 Regional Open S, -ice 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT R-04-63 Meeting 04-14 June 4-5, 2004 AGENDA ITEM 5 AGENDA ITEM Program Evaluation for the 2003-2004 Action Plan for the ple entation of the Basic Policy of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDA Comment on and accept staff s program evaluation report. DISCUSSION The attached program evaluation material covers the 2003-2004 fiscal year from April 1, 2003 to March 31, 2004. Staff will brief you at your June 23, 2004 Regular Meeting on the status of key projects, plus additional projects and activities not specifically included in the Action Plan that required significant staff effort. You adopted the new Action Plan for the 2004-2005 fiscal year at your March 10, 2004 meeting (see Report R-04-33). Copies of both Action Plans are available at the District office for public inspection. Prepared by: M. Williams, Real Property Representative Mar ago- C. Woodbury, Planning Manager J. Maciel, Operations Manager R. Jurgensen, Public Affairs Manager C. Britton, General Manager S. Thielfoldt, Assistant General Manager S. Schectman, General Counsel Contact person: C. 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 + o° i OOFaEEs. Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,led Cyr,Deane Little,Nonette Hanko,Larry Hassett,Kenneth C.Nitz • General Manager:L.Craig Britton ACTION PLAN FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BASIC POLICY OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT FOR THE 2003-2004 FISCAL YEAR I. REAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT A. Acquisition, Funding, and Negotiation B. Property Management C. Land Protection II. OPEN SPACE PLANNING DEPARTMENT A. Planning and Geographic Information B. Public Access Improvements and Staff Facilities III. OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT A. Field Operations B. Resource Management IV. PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT A. General Public Information and Outreach B. Legislative, Funding, and Organizational Relations C. Community Programs V. ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT A. Administration B. Human Resources C. Legal Services Page 1 OPEN SPACE REAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT Programs A. Acquisition, Funding, and Negotiation B. Property Management C. Land Protection To Implement the BASIC POLICY OBJECTIVE: The District seeks to purchase or otherwise acquire interest in the maximum feasible area of strategic open space land within the District planning areas, including bay lands and foothills. The District seeks to link its open space lands with federal, state, county, city parklands, and watershed lands. General Department Emphasis for 2003-2004 The department's emphasis will be to acquire the higher 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 diligently with Peninsula Open Space Trust(POST) to acquire land and to further the District's overall open space acquisition goals. The Property Management Program will focus on maximizing rental income consistent with Open Space Management policies, upgrading communication leases and on maintaining and improving District rental structures, as needed. The Land Protection Program will focus on conducting comprehensive land acquisition studies, monitoring land use planning activities where interests in land may be enhanced, and protect District interests in land by resolving conflicts arising from easement and encroachment issues. Continue to improve communications with other Departments to enhance the District's work environment. As a result of the approval of the Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2002 (Proposition 40), the District will continue to apply for per-capita and competitive grants to maximize available grant funding. Staff Resources (Regular, full-time positions, unless otherwise indicated) Land Acquisition Manager(vacant position) Real Property Representative Senior Acquisition Planner Land Protection Specialist Real Property Specialist Administrative Assistant Page 2 2003-2004 Real Property Funding and Negotiation Objective To provide for the acquisition of all real property rights necessary to secure an open space greenbelt in the foothills and bay lands, including rounding out and improving public access to existing preserves and connecting District preserves with other public lands. Key Projects 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 higher priority properties which specifically protect the greenbelt, including rounding out and improving public access to existing preserves, connecting to other preserves and other public lands, protecting the natural habitat and resources, and furthering the completion of the Bay Area Ridge Trail and San Francisco Bay Trail with potential ultimate trail connections to the Pacific Coast. Acquisitions rounding out Bear Creek Redwood Open Space Preserve are a priority. Balance the desirability of potential acquisitions with the availability of budgeted funds, including, if possible, private financing with favorable terms. PROGRESS: Acquired approximately 638 acres of open space land which included the 197.95-acre Presentation Center and the 74.3-acre Hunt property additions to Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve-, the 41 53-acre Whiteway property, the 36.62-acre James property, the 39 93-acre Boehm property, and the 33.85-acre POST (McKannay)property additions to Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve; the 200 79-acre Thompson property addition to Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve-, and the 11.88-Mitchell property addition to Monte Bello Open Space Preserve. 2. Acquisition Grant Projects—To augment acquisition funds, explore new grant opportunities focusing on high priority acquisition projects. Seek new grant funds through existing grant programs such as Land and Water Conservation Fund, Habitat Conservation Fund (HCF), Coastal Conservancy's Coastal and San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Programs, Recreational Trails Program, Wildlife Conservation Board, and Bay Area Ridge Trail grants. Complete Bay Area Conservancy grant projects in Sierra Azul, including the acquisition of the POST/Guadalupe Land property. Complete HCF projects for acquisition of additions to Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. Implement Proposition 40 Bond Act Per Capita Grant projects and apply for related block grants and competitive grants as they become available. Page 3 PROGRESS: • Completed the acquisition of the 197.95-acre Presentation Center property addition to Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve with a commitment of a fifty percent (50%) matching grant totaling$1 682 500 from the California Coastal Conservancy. • Received $1 253 789 from the Roberti-Z'Berg Block Grant Program under voter- gproved Proposition 12 These grant funds were a partial reimbursement for the 162 06-acre McKannay addition to Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve in January2 002. 3. Gifts, Bargain Sales, and Joint Acquisitions -To augment acquisition funds, explore bargain sales, and/or gifts where possible. Complete joint acquisition projects with Santa Clara County Parks for the former Lobner property in Stevens Creek Canyon and Moody Gulch property near Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. Work closely with Peninsula Open Space Trust(POST) to pursue acquisition of open space that provides potential regional and coastal trail connections, including additions to La Honda Creek, and Sierra Azul Open Space Preserves. PROGRESS: • Received a gift of the 33.85-acre POST McKanna ro ert located within the � ( YZp p Y� Hacienda Park"paper" subdivision as an addition to the Mt. Umunhum area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. • Received three (3) gifts of parcels within the Redwood Park"paper" subdivision totaling 28 acre as an addition to Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. • Received a 23-acre gift from the Procter family as an addition to Thornewood Open Space Preserve. 4. Alternative Acquisition Methods - Obtain Board approval of appropriate options, at market prices or less, to acquire desirable properties that might be affordable through grant applications in future years. Explore various alternative terms of purchase (installment purchases, defeasable fee, exchange of agricultural easements to preserve and incentives to landowners as well as cost ands etc. to offer advantages a , open space 1 ) g savings to the District. Complete easement exchange on lands adjacent to Monte Bello Open Space Preserve. PROGRESS: • Acquired the 74 3-acre Hunt property addition to the Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve with District unsecured financing$1 500 000 over twenty (20) years. • Entered into a management agreement with POST to manage and monitor the 34.11-acre POST (Pezzoli) property as addition to the Kennedy-Limekiln area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve Real Property staff will inspect and monitor POST's conservation easement and remainder interest on this property. Page 4 2003-2004 Property Management Program Ob'ec� tive To manage all of the District's revenue-producing activities in such a way as to maximize income from property management accounts consistent with Open Space Management policies, incorporating compatible new programs when possible. Key Projects 1. Property Management 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. PROGRESS: All property management accounts remain fully occupied with rental accounts current and in good standing. 2. 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. Work with Operations Department to maintain and monitor the uniform water system for District rental structures in the Skyline Area. Administer long term and recurring maintenance priorities on rental properties. PROGRESS: • Installed new roofs on the A-Frame and the Silva residences in Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve. The A-Frame residence was tented for termite infestation prior to installing the roof. Roosting bats were safely removed under the wood shake shingles prior to the tenting and roof installation. • Completed major maintenance and repair of the access road to the former Smith residence at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve. • Began an assessment of the economic viability and feasibility of maintaining the former North residence in Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve after a fallen tree damaged the structure during a winter storm. 3. Historic Leases - Oversee lease compliance and renovation requirements at the historic Picchetti Winery, Thornewood estate, and Fremont Older house. Pursue lease extension and potential agricultural lease with new tenant as part of the historic Picchetti Winery. PROGRESS: • Completed the Fair Market Rental Appraisal of the Picchetti Winery in Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve and commenced preliminarynegotiations for extending the lease, which expires in 2007. Page 5 • Removed a fallen eucalyptus tree from Thornewood Open Space Preserve as well as a large poplar tree that was undermining the patio of the Thornewood residence. Also installed a wood-burning stove in the residence. 4. Communication Rental Income—Maximize lease income at existing PG&E tower at Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve. Complete lease extension with Association of Continuing Education at Black Mountain and with the County of San Mateo at the Rolph Repeater site at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve. PROGRESS: • Negotiated a new lease with Nextel Inc. at the Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve Communications Complex consisting of an underground vault adjacent to the PG&E Tower. • Identified an AT&T trespass at the Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve Communications Complex. The AT&T lease was cancelled and staff negotiated a holdover rent of $31,200 per year; damages were left open pending relocation of the equipment in trespass and AT&T obtaining all required permits from the County of San Mateo. • Negotiated a lease extension with ACE Communications at Black Mountain in Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve. • Negotiated rent and a lease extension for Stanford University at Black Mountain in Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve. • Completed a second lease amendment to the County of San Mateo lease at the Rolph Repeater site in Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve. Page 6 2003-2004 Land Protection Program Objective To preserve and protect District open space lands by conducting land acquisition planning activities to identify acquisition priorities and, once acquired, to further protect these public lands from incompatible and encroaching land use activities. KeProjects 1. Land Acquisition Planning - Provide comprehensive land acquisition studies to guide the acquisition program, including reviewing and updating acquisition priorities. Conduct subregional planning studies in the areas surrounding Purisima Creek Redwoods and Mills Creek Open Space Preserves, Rancho San Antonio and Monte Bello Open Space Preserves, including the Stevens Creek Trail, and Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. PROGRESS: • Conducted acquisition studies in the vicinity of Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve to consolidate District holdius within Redwood Park. • Performed acquisition studies to assist the acquisition program in the areas of Monte Bello and Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserves and the Mt. Umunhum area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. • Participated in periodic meetings with field staff facilitating collaboration of land acquisitions. 2. Encroachment Reduction - Protect open space lands from encroachments and preserve District real property rights. Use a variety of techniques to resolve encroachment issues including restoration, mitigation and boundary line adjustments to maximize open space protection. In coordination with Operations, Public Affairs, and Legal Departments, complete a procedural manual for handling encroachments, identifying and resolving property rights issues on District land. PROGRESS: • Reached a Settlement Agreement for llama pasturing and use encroachment onto Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. • Restored grading-encroachment damage to Foothills Open Space Preserve. • Negotiated cooperation from staff of the Town of Los Altos Hills to obtain compliance from an adjacent neighbor who had caused grading damage to Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve. • Negotiating license agreement with adjoining neighbor to resolve a livestock-pasturing encroachment at Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. • Made significant progress, workingin n cooperation with the District's Operations and Legal Program resolving encroachments at Rancho San Antonio and Sierra Azul Open Space Preserves. Page 7 i 3. Monitoring and Reporting Program for Grazing Lease—In partnership with POST and with the assistance of the Planning and Operations Departments, develop a Monitoring and Reporting Program to implement the existing Resource Management and Grazing Plan at Driscoll Ranch. Direct the work of a consultant in preparing the program and begin establishing baseline information necessary to effectively monitor grazing activity on the ranch over the life of the lease. PROGRESS: Consulted with POST on its plans to continue grazing at the POST (Driscoll) property, which is adjacent to La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve, in preparation for development of the La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve Master Plan. Some of POST's manageme and monitoring techniques are being considered by the District for the development of a grazing lease at the former Big Dipper Ranch at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve. I I Page 8 OPEN SPACE PLANNING DEPARTMENT Programs A. Planning and Geographic Information B. Public Access Improvements and Staff Facilities To Implement the BASIC POLICY OBJECTIVES: The District follows management policies that ensure proper care of the land, 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,public and private 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. General Department Emphasis for 2003-2004 The Open Space Planning Department will take a broad-based approach to planning and project implementation that emphasizes resource management. Planning efforts will focus on providing public access while preserving and protecting the diversity and integrity of the District's environmental and cultural resources. All projects and activities will include early analysis to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. The work program will center on completing new public access improvements and repair projects designed in the last year. The San Mateo County Coastal Annexation project will continue with an application to the Local Agency Formation Commission(LAFCo)to expand the District's boundary and sphere of influence. With completion of the data collection for Sierra Azul, Bear Creek Redwoods and La Honda Creek Open Space Preserves, staff will proceed with the master planning projects and work with consultant teams to implement a robust public participation program. Planning work will emphasize projects outlined in the first year of the Resource Management Strategic Plan. Staff Resources Planning Manager Senior Planner(1) Open Space Planner II (2) Open Space Planner I (2) Planning Technician (2) Administrative Assistant (1) GIS Intern (1/2) New Position: Resource Planner(1) Page 9 2003-2004 Planning and Geographic Information Objective To formulate plans, policies and procedures for the management and development of open space preserves. Facilitate resource inventories and other scientific study of the District's lands. In conjunction with the Resource Management Specialist, prepare environmental restoration, habitat enhancement and resource management plans. Develop and maintain Geographic Information System (GIS) data sets necessary to support projects throughout the District. Key Projects I. Coastal Annexation Project—Complete the coastal annexation. Administer and coordinate the consultants' contract to submit an application for the Coastal Annexation to LAFCo. Work with the Public Affairs Department to prepare updated information for the District's website and implement a public relations and media campaign in support of the annexation. Continue to actively participate in agricultural issues in San Mateo County. PROGRESS: • Prepared application, service review and supplemental reports for LAFCo consideration of the Coastside Protection Program at 4 public hearings. • San Mateo LAFCO approved the Coastside Protection Program on April 7, 2004. • Obtained an endorsement for the Coastside Protection Program from Santa Cruz LAFCo, and a recommendation for approval from Santa Clara LAFCo. • Worked with the Board and Public Affairs Department to get resolutions of support from 29 local cities, counties and agencies; letters of support from 12 federal and state officials and agencies; and letters of support from 35 organizations. • Worked with the communications consultant and Public Affairs Department to update the Coastal page on the District's website. • Developed agreements with San Mateo Countregarding fire services, La Honda- Pescadero Unified School District to further support environmental education, and a Memorandum of Understanding with the San Mateo County Farm Bureau to provide support and preserve agriculture. • Developed a public participation process for redistricting to include the Coastside P p p P p g Protection Area (approved by the Board). 2. Master Plans —Initiate work with the consultant team to identify stakeholders and develop public participation programs. Complete data mapping and project orientation. Seek grant funding for the planning effort. Work with the Public Affairs Department on community outreach and media relations. Address management and operational issues with the Operations Department. Page 10 • La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve* - Staff anticipates that this project will continue through fiscal year 2004-2005. PROGRESS: Completed vegetation map. Secured $50,000 grant from Bay Area Ridge Trail Council. Solicited qualifications and proposals from master plan consultants. Identified preliminary list of stakeholders and interested parties. • Sierra Azul/Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserves— Staff anticipates that this project will continue through fiscal year 2005-2006. PROGRESS: Solicited qualifications and proposals from master plan consultants. Identified preliminary list of stakeholders and interested parties. 3. Resource Management Strategic Plan—Work with the Operations Department to implement the first year of the Strategic Plan: • Amend the Open Space Use and Management Planning Process to emphasize resource planning and management. Incorporate review and approval policies for structure demolition. PROGRESS: Outlined approach to planning District lands. Amendment pending • Prepare a comprehensive Site Assessment Checklist to identify planning, management, maintenance, safety, and resource issues on District lands. PROGRESS: Drafted Site Assessment Checklist. Pending field test and final approval. • Develop criteria to identify and prioritize the need for resource management planning activities on District lands. PROGRESS: Drafted preliminary criteria. • Prepare a list of resource policies to be formulated and adopted by the Board. PROGRESS: Drafted preliminary list. Page I I i grazing Prepare in policies with development of the La Honda Creek Master Plan. p g gP p � PROGRESS: Discussed framework for grazing policies with representatives from San Mateo County Farm Bureau Resource Conservation District and National Resource Conservation Service. • Develop information for resource management projects including g p J mapping non-native invasive plant populations, Sudden Oak Death occurrences, and feral pig rooting areas. PROGRESS: Incorporated Shelterbelt's field data on non-native invasives into GIS. Downloaded Sudden Oak Death distribution information from Oak Mortality Task Force. No field data on feral pips collected this .year. • Work with consultants and the Resource Management Specialist on a recurring basis to identify emerging resource problems and prioritize opportunities to resolve resource issues District-wide. PROGRESS: Ongoing 4. Regional Resource Inventory—Continue on-going studies and data collection to complete a District-wide resource inventory that supports Resource Management and Planning activities. Staff anticipates that this project will continue annually. • District-wide Vegetation Classification. Using the methodology developed for Sierra Azul and the La Honda regions, complete a detailed vegetation classification of the South Skyline area, which includes Russian Ridge, Coal Creek, Monte Bello, Skyline Ridge, Long Ridge, and Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserves. PROGRESS: Completed a detailed vegetation classification of the South Skyline area. • Compile and synthesize all known Rare/Threatened/Endangered species and habitat locations into GIS. PROGRESS: Updated GIS with known Rare/Threatened/Endangered species and habitat locations. PROGRESS ON OTHER NOTABLE PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES: • Multi-departmental team worked with grazing expert to develop interim grazing plan for Big,Dipper Ranch. • Worked with San Mateo County Resource Conservation District and San Mateo County to establish process for grading permit exemptions for District erosion control and Page 12 restoration projects, such as the El Corte de Madera Creek Watershed Protection Program. • Prepared Permit to Enter for USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to complete soil surveys in western Santa Clara County. Monitored Kabcenell project at Wind I Page 13 2003-2004 Public Access Improvements and Staff Facilities Objectives To emphasize preservation and enhancement of resources in Use and Management Plans and in the design of public access improvements. To give the highest priority to resource protection projects and construct projects funded by grants. Public Access Improvements Key Projects 1. FEMA-funded Projects* i • Virginia Mill Trail and Creek Crossing (El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve)—Complete construction of bridge and trail realignment and restore abandoned trail in conjunction with the El Corte de Madera Creek Erosion Control and Sediment Reduction Plan. l PROGRESS: Fish& Game permit received. Coastal Development permit and San Mateo County building and grading permits pending • Grabtown Gulch Bridge and Trail (Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve) —Remove Grabtown Bridge from preserve. Complete construction of bridge and trail realignment and restore abandoned trail segment. PROGRESS: Coastal Development permit and San Mateo County building and grading permits pending • Old Page Mill Road(Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve)—Complete repairs to storm-related damage including a slide and disturbed roadbed. PROGRESS: Completed. 2. El Corte de Madera Creek Erosion Control and Sedimentation Reduction Plan— Implement the plan upon approval of the resource agencies and Board. Year One tasks include, integrating the plan into the adopted Preserve Trails Plan, preparing construction plans and bid documents to implement the first phase projects, securing the necessary permits, pursuing grant funding, and implementing FEMA-funded repairs at Virginia Mill. Staff anticipates this project will continue through fiscal year 2008-2009 or beyond. Page 14 i PROGRESS: Board approved Watershed Protection Program. Resource Conservation District approved r adin . San Mateo Count grading permit exemption, Fish& Game and Regional Water grading, v��P P � Quality Control Board permits pending for Year 1 projects. Q v p P g p J 3. Jacques Ridge Staging Area* - Construct staging area concurrently with construction of Santa Clara County's parking lot and staging area on Hicks Road. PROGRESS: Completed 4. Bay Area Ridge Trail Alternate at Saratoga Summit Gateway* —Work with the Acquisition Department to obtain an encroachment permit from Caltrans. Construct trail to provide access to the southeastern area of the Preserve and to serve as an alternative to the Bay Area Ridge Trail between Saratoga Gap and Long Ridge with connections to the Bay Area Ridge and the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trails. PROGRESS: Completed 5. Pulgas Ridge Staging Area and Trails* - Continue collecting resource data. Review the Use and Management Plan with Committee and Board to reaffirm or amend the staging area location, additional trails and overall use of the preserve, including expansion of on- and off-leash dog areas. Begin trails construction. Hire a consultant to prepare staging area plans and specifications. I PROGRESS: Completed plans and specifications. San Mateo County building permits and Regional Water Quality Control Board permits pending_ 6. Windy Hill Improvements* —Secure all necessary permits and construct trail realignments. Depending on availability of field staff, complete observation deck with interpretive signage at Sausal Pond and install fencing around pond. Complete feasibility and engineering studies for Bay Area Ridge Trail segment, pending approval of an amendment to the Use and Management Plan. PROGRESS: Town of Portola Valley building permit pending for trail/road realignment. Completed construction plans and specifications for observation deck. Completed initial feasibility study for Ridge Trail segment. 7. Trailhead Signs - Year 2 of a 5-year program. Replace approximately 10 trailhead signs per year with the new and improved prototype. Work with the Public Affairs Department to incorporate GIS data in the District maps and brochures in conjunction with the new trailhead signs. Page 15 PROGRESS: Replaced 10 trailhead signs (3 pair at Purisima Creek Redwoods, 1 pair at Skyline Ridge equestrian lot, and 1 pair at Monte Bello). Completed incorporating GIS data in District maps—printing pending. Staff Facilities Key Projects: 1. Foothills Field Office Shop Building—Complete construction of the shop building. PROGRESS: Construction 40% complete. 2. Skyline Field Office Shop & Stable Building Repairs and Re-Painting—Repair rafters in stable building. Remove lead-based paint on shop and stable and re-paint. Completed repairs to shop and stable building. Buildings scraped and primed for painting. PROGRESS: Painting deferred until Spring 2004 due to weather conditions. (As of June, 2004 project complete.) 3. La Honda Creek Ranch House—Rehabilitate structure with new foundation, roof, interior walls, and sheathing over lead-based paint. PROGRESS: Reviewed project with engineer, construction management consultants and San Mateo Building Department. Re-evaluated approach due to significant cost of rehabilitation. Real Property Committee recommended demolition of building and replacement with new (possibly sustainable) residence. *Denotes grant funded project. Page 16 OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT Programs i A. Field Operations B. Resource Management To Implement the BASIC POLICY OBJECTIVE: 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. General Department Emphasis for 2003-2004 Continue to provide responsible stewardship of all District lands by furnishing those public safety, maintenance, construction, and resource management activities necessary to protect and enhance the natural resources and ensure safe and appropriate use of District lands. Implementation of Board-adopted Resource Management Policies, Trail-Use Policies and Guidelines, and Development of the Field Operations Manual will continue to be the primary focus of the Operations Department. Staff Resources Operations Manager Area Superintendents (2) Support Services Supervisor Management Analyst Resource Management Specialist Supervising Rangers (4) Maintenance & Construction Supervisors (2) Administrative Assistant Rangers (14) Equipment Mechanic-Operators (2) Lead Open Space Technicians (4) Open Space Technicians (10) Farm Maintenance Worker 10,000 Seasonal Open Space Technician hours* Student Intern 700 hours for Resource Management** * Includes additional 1,000 seasonal hours for Resource Management ** Includes additional 200 hours for Student Intern work Page 17 2003-2004 Field Operations Program 1. Completion of Field Operations Manual—Edit and complete legal review of the draft Field Operations Manual. Draft Manual is structured to clearly outline the purpose of each procedure and to permit regular procedural updates to be incorporated into the field operation manual and conduct staff training. PROGRESS: Outside legal review completed. The Operations Manager is reviewing the feedback from the leizal review, and document has been presented to District Legal Counsel for review. 2. Operations Training Program and Database Project - Implement a field staff p g g J p training database project and Ranger field training program to ensure that field staff members are properly trained to perform the duties and responsibilities of their individual positions consistent with District expectations. PROGRESS: • Data about training is being entered into the database. Further work needs to be done on this project especially on the report aspects which will require additional expertise. 3. El Corte de Madera Creek Erosion Control and Sedimentation Reduction Plan - Assist the Planning Department in implementation of Board-approved modifications to the El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve Trail Plan. Implement best management practices and trails system repairs and modifications to reduce erosion. Ensure visitor compliance with trail system changes by providing adequate ranger patrol. Work with trail use group to implement the new Trail Plan. PROGRESS: • Seasonal trail closures were implemented by installing stiles and gates. • Increased monitoring and enforcement efforts on illegal trails and seasonal closures were done in sensitive areas. • Geological trail standards were implemented in critical areas of El Corte de Madera. Issues were also addressed in response to regulatory concerns for fisheries downstream. 4. Update Mutual-Aid and Service Agreements -Negotiate and update current mutual- aid agreements with neighboring agencies for patrol services and emergency response to effectively provide for the patrol needs of District lands and to assist neighboring agencies. Page 18 PROGRESS: The mutual aid agreement with Santa Clara County Parks has been written. Negotiations are currently underway with County Park's legal staff to move the document forward. PROGRESS ON OTHER NOTABLE PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES: • Field staff participated in the creation of the new District sign and map boards New sign and map boards were installed at Russian Ridge Lot, Skyline Ridge equestrian lot, Purisima North Ridge lot, Windy Hill Spring Ridge Access, and all of the Skyline Boulevard accesses to El Corte de Madera. New metal trail directional signs were installed at Long Ridge. • In response to illegal activity in the closed areas staff provided increased boundary security and Ranger presence at La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve. • Increased enforcement for dogs off leash and speeding was done at Lower Windy Hill. • Illegal trails in Sierra Azul were discovered and removed. Field staff is working with the Land Protection Specialist to eliminate a number of"extreme," bicycle trails. • A considerable amount of staff time has been needed to patrol, sign and enforce District regulations at the new purchases at Bear Creek Redwoods (Presentation Center) and Sierra Azul (Chy Property) Preserves. • The Achistaca Trail was surveyed and constructed. • Phase I of the Skyline Ridge Tree Farm was restored. • Geological trail standards were implemented on the White Oaks Trail, Bella Vista Trail, andthe Russian Ridge sections of the Ridge Trail. • Field staff increased participation in the District's Resource Management Program in the areas of Broom removal, Harding Grass reduction, and herbicide application on targeted invasive plants. • The Ranch driveway of the Big Dipper Ranch was strengthened and drainage improvements were made. 0 The Bay Tree protection project was completed. This involved supervising the contractors, re-routing a trail, and installing new fences and signage. • Field staff worked with Planning staff on the construction of a new parking lot at Jacques Ridge. • New trails were surveyed at Pulgas Ridge Preserve. • The District's Safety Manual was revised and updated. • Area Superintendents continued active involvement with Santa Clara and San Mateo Fire Safe Councils, resulting in improved relationships with fire agencies which have jurisdiction over District lands. Resource Management Program Objective Inventory and analyze the state of District natural resources, including the natural resources of specific preserves to identify needs and priorities. Address immediate and critical resource management issues utilizing District staff, volunteers and consultants to maximize the District's responsiveness. Develop procedures and implement the Resource Management Strategic Plan to address the resource management needs of District land. Maintain regular contact and work Page 19 with other agencies, local authorities, and specialists in the field to restore or manage the District's natural resources. i Key Projects 1. Resource Management Strategic Plan—Implement First Year of the Resource Management Strategic Plan: • Prepare list of current restoration areas; develop criteria and prioritization for restoration; develop an annual schedule, methods and priorities for control of I invasive plants, resurvey rare plant populations, to guide District projects design; • Continue next phase of acacia and broom removal at Mills Creek; and Continue implementation of the Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve Habitat Restoration Plan by removing an additional area of eucalyptus trees behind the ridgeline,planting native shrubs and oaks, and controlling broom. • Develop an integrated pest management program for the District. • Develop and implement a restoration plan for the 13-acre portion of the Christmas tree farm at Skyline Ridge Preserve that is no longer part of the farm lease area. • Work with Planning Department staff in selecting a consultant to expand the survey of District lands for emerging problems or opportunities including locating potentially emerging non-native invasive plants and incorporate the additional survey data into existing GIS-based inventories. Develop and implement strategies j to respond quickly to small and/or emerging outbreaks of the most highly invasive plant species. PROGRESS: • Completed GIS-based surveys for invasive plants in high priority areas of nine preserves; recommended a revised definition, list, annual schedule and priorities for control of invasive plants on District preserves; made recommendations on how to more effectively maintain a long-term program to map and manage invasive plants, and reported on potential effects on wildlife from invasive plants and their control. An intern updated recommendations on how to control 68 species of invasive plants. These actions will assist the District in more effectively determining the location of invasive plants and setting_priorities for their control over the next few years and are important steps in developing an integrated pest management program. • Volunteers and field staff continued invasive plant control at Mills Creek Pui as Ridge and 20 other preserves for a total of approximately 4,800 hours. Rare plant locations were resurveY ed and will be entered into the District GIS database. • On four acres of the inactive Christmas tree farm at Skyline Ridge Preserve, Christmas trees were removed slopes were graded and protected with erosion control materials, and oak acorns and native grasses were planted. • A list of current restoration areas and criteria and prioritization for additional restoration will be prepared in the next year with the newly hired Resource Planner. 2. Wild Pig Population Control Program—Continue trapping program in the South Skyline Area and Coordinate with local agencies to assess regional damage cause by i Page 20 wild pigs. Monitor established plots, map rooted areas on GIS and evaluate program for population changes. PROGRESS: • Nine feral pigs were trapped in this fiscal year bringing the total trapped since September, 2000 to 281 pigs. To control costs this fiscal year, rangers assisted the trapping contractor by monitoringthe he traps. Overall, pi activity ctivity in the Skyline area, especially rooting has greatly diminished over the past 3 years. 3. Grassland Management • Monitor response of vegetation in 2002 burn area on north end of Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve; control resprouts of burnt Harding grass and conduct a mowing program on Harding grass for comparison. Conduct a prescribed burn in an area adjacent to that burned last year to assist in restoring native grassland. • Continue different methods of yellow star thistle control and planting of native grasses in front meadow at Rancho San Antonio. PROGRESS • No burn was conducted at Russian Ridge in 2003 due to unavailability of the California Department of Forestry. Harding grass resprouts in the previously burned area were sprayed with herbicide. The density of Harding grass in this area is reduced but will need to be treated for several more years. • Mowing and hand weeding were conducted in the front meadow at Rancho San Antonia to control yellow starthistle. A volunteer discovered a biocontrol insect, false peacock fly, in the meadow. We have not released biocontrol insects at this location, thus this sighting confirms that they are spreading on their own. Volunteers continued to plant native grass plugs on one end of the meadow. PROGRESS ON OTHER NOTABLE PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES: • Wildlife surveys—This year, deer surveys conducted since 1993 were analyzed to track general trends in the deer population. When data from all preserves are averaged, the overall trend has been a slight increase in number of deer observed from 1993 through 2003. • Operations and Planning staff reviewed grazing operations at Driscoll Ranch with POST. Staff attended several grazing workshops. • Staff continued to monitor Sudden Oak Death and a written procedure for limiting its spread has been drafted. • Operations staff assisted the San Mateo Weed Management Area in conducting a Weed Awareness Workshop. Page 21 PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT Programs A. General Public Information and Outreach B. Legislative, Funding, and Organizational Relations C. Community Programs 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 Department Emphasis for 2003-2004 Maximize the general public's awareness and understanding of the District, its goals, and its activities, employing a variety of means and methods to reach all communities served and other target audiences. Implement the top priorities of the District's legislative plan and protect the District's current funding structure. Recruit and train new volunteers; maintain existing volunteers and docents by offering enrichment opportunities to provide further education and training that enhances and retains volunteer involvement. Provide District materials and information regarding the proposed coastal annexation to community members and public officials, both in the San Mateo County coastside communities, and within the existing District, to ensure full knowledge and understanding of the District, its programs and activities. Staff Resources (Regular, full-time positions, unless otherwise indicated) Public Affairs Manager Community Programs Supervisor Public Affairs Specialist Volunteer Programs Coordinator Docent Programs Coordinator Administrative Assistant Interpretive Aide(2/3-time) Public Affairs Intern(2 part-time, 1,400 total hours) PLEASE NOTE: Progress on the 2003/2004 Action Plan was impeded by the department manager's absence and ultimate separation from the District in the summer of 2003. The new manager began working for the District in December of 2003 and focused primarily on the Coastside Protection Program. Page 22 2003-2004 General Public Information and Outreach Objective To generate additional support among opinion leaders, key policymakers, and the general public for District acquisition, preservation, restoration, and interpretive education projects, including coastal annexation, by increasing the positive perception and awareness of the District's mission, objectives, accomplishments, programs, and effective management of public lands and financial resources. Kew jects 1. Coastal Annexation—Implement next phase of comprehensive outreach plan to support the LAFCo application and processes. Schedule briefings and presentations to local, elected officials; schedule and present at editorial board visits; seek and obtain key endorsements; assist with public hearings as needed. Develop new public information materials, and update coastal annexation section of the web site as needed. Distribute District materials and information to the San Mateo County coastside communities to increase their knowledge and understanding of the District, its programs, and activities. PROGRESS: • Prepared for several LAFCo hearings; provided public information to encourage constituents and stakeholders to attend the public LAFCo meetings in Half Moon Bay and Redwood City (at the March 9 hearing in Half Moon Bay, 23 speakers supported and 26 opposed the Program and at the March 17 hearing there were 28 supporters and 14 opponents); drafting District LAFCo presentations; writing letters to stakeholders and decision-makers; (overall LAFCo received 199 letters in support of the project and 37 in opposition); scheduling and organizing tours for interested parties and developing and updating_backgrounders and fact sheets for the media and decision-makers. • Media management activities led to positive articles and editorials in the Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News San Mateo Daily Journal, San Mateo County Times, Palo Alto Daily News Palo Alto Weekly Almanac Los Altos Town Crier, Hal Moon Bay Review and The Independent. • Promoted and secured resolutions of support from 29 cities, 3 counties and local agencies 12 federal and state officials and agencies, and 35 organizations. th v rsa Book—Complete production of and promote the Districts first trail 2. 30 Anniversary p p guide. Develop and assemble graphics and photographs to complement the book's text; work with designer/typesetter, cover artist, and coordinate with publisher/distributor for book production. Provide media, graphics, and event planning support to distributor to implement promotional plan for the book. PROGRESS: Page 23 The Trail guidebook is due to be published in fall 2004. Book manuscript, Foreword, Epilogue, photographs, maps, etc. have been provided to the publisher for review and layout. District staff continues to work with the publisher on the layout and page-proofing process. Cover artwork has been completed. The Preface and Dedication are in the final proofing stay District staff. The trail guide book has been included in the publisher's spring 2004 catalog, which is distributed to all representatives, accounts, and at national and regional tradeshows. Preliminary planning has begun for other promotional activities. The current target for distribution of the book is September, 2004. 3. Web Site Improvements—Develop and implement the District's first online system for public use to access information and reservations for scheduled Outdoor Activity programs. Create comprehensive new site section for District docents. Develop and support web site sections for Sierra Azul/Bear Creek and La Honda Creek Master Planning projects. Develop enhanced maintenance plan and posting protocol. PROGRESS: See Administration Department Progress Report- Public Affairs Staff Assisted in the research and RFP process. 4. 301h Anniversary Celebration - Develop commemorative materials, and incorporate 30th Anniversary theme into Community Programs Activities, Outreach Programs, and District Publications. Work with Board and staff to fully utilize regularly planned events and activities to celebrate the District's 30-year anniversary. Use District publications to highlight 30 years of success in open space preservation. Coordinate staff and other key participants for planned activities. PROGRESS: 9 The department hosted three 30th Anniversary Spring Volunteer Events at Picchetti, Skyline Ridge, and at Pulgas Ridge. 0 30th anniversary labels for outreach materials such as the dog, bike, and equestrian packets were created, and commemorative pins and patches that were advertised in the District's 02-03 annual report were distributed at various District events. In addition the department created 30th anniversary District stationery for use in District correspondence. * There were two docent-led hikes commemorating the 30th anniversary - one at Piechetti Ranch"Anniversary Attitude" on April 5, 2003, and another at SR, CC, RR MB on June 28, 2003 "MROSD 301h Anniversary Hike." 5. Media and Outreach Tool Design, Development - Redesign District media database; evaluate, research, and identify best database and delivery systems to ensure effective media and organizational outreach/communications. Create a graphics/image library, and work with a corps of photo volunteers to obtain digital images of District lands and activities. Develop a plan, with librarians, for obtaining priority images and for maintaining these archives for optimal staff access and use. Update all records in media, organizations, and government databases. Train staff on proper use of new media and outreach tools. Page 24 PROGRESS: • The District media database has been completely revamped and updated. Whereas the District had previously sent press releases out via fax since January 2004, releases have been distributed via e-mail directly to reporters and editors, which greatly improves the District's chances of having its events and issues covered by the media. • Digital images continue to be collected by the District and added to our nascent library. Page 25 I 2003-2004 Legislative, Funding, and Oreanizational Relations III 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. I Key Projects 1. Property Tax Funding—Work with the District's legislative delegation and Sacramento-based lobbyist to maintain and protect the District's current percentage share of property tax from a detrimental reallocation. Work closely with other governmental agencies to immediately address funding reduction proposals. PROGRESS: For fiscal year 2003/2004, the multi-county exemption continues to protect the District from any property tax shift. However, for fiscal year 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 cities, counties and special districts have entered into a"deal"with the Governor which could result in a loss of as much as $5 million per year for two years. This matter is still being deliberated at the state level. 2. State Legislation—Work with the District's legislative advocate and with legislators and their staff to sponsor and support the Board-approved Legislative Program. Seek coordination and support from other agencies and entities. PROGRESS: Our legislative program provided new legislation. AB 1195 which removed the District's power of eminent domain in the Coastside Protection Program area and was key to LAFCo's approval of the project. 3. Seek Regional Funding—Work with the Bay Area Open Space Council and others to develop and/or support potential regional, state, or other alternative funding mechanisms, such as legislation creating a new transportation fund for clean water. PROGRESS: n waters, sponsored b the Bay Area Open n Space Council AB204, the vehicle fee for clean ate s, po � v p p continues its progress through the legislature. It was a roved b the Assembly and is p g g g Pp Y v currently in the Senate Transportation Committee. 4. Clean-up of Mt. Umunhum - Work with members of Congress and State and local agency leaders to develop and implement a strategy to ensure the Army Corps of Engineers begin work applying newly allocated"Formerly Used Defense Sites" Federal funding toward clean up of the former Almaden Air Force Station at Mt. Umunhum in the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, which was named by Congress as a top priority i Page 26 i r utilizing h 'v o'ect ut liz the positive momentum built b recent outreach events at Mt. project, g p Y Umunhum. PROGRESS; District staff continues to answer questions and provide information to interested constituents and continues to maintain the"Friends of Mt. Umunhum" outreach database. The District has also continued to support and provide project information and updates to the San Jose City yManager s Office for their annual trip to Washington, D.C. There has I been no progress on this at the federal level. i i i i Page 27 2003-2004 Community Programs Objective To serve and involve a diverse range of community members and District staff in meeting the community needs of enjoying and understanding open space, and supporting District staff in achieving the District's objectives by providing high quality, ecologically sensitive public programs that involve community members as volunteers, inspire stewardship of open space, and support the acquisition, preservation, and restoration objectives of the District. KeProjects 1. Community Programs Vision—Complete an internal 5-year Community Programs review, which will help guide the current and future community programs in support of the overall objectives of the District. With input from staff, Board, and community members, the study will develop a vision that appropriately supports, expands, and l strengthens Community Programs. PROGRESS: This program is currently on hold because of department staff vacancies. 2. Docent/Volunteer Program Development—Recruit and train new Trail Patrol, Outdoor Education Leaders,Nature Center Hosts, and Crew Leaders, increasing the interpretive, resource management, and community outreach efforts of Community Programs. Continue enrichment opportunities that expand the depth and breadth of interpretive knowledge of docents, allowing for higher quality visitor experiences, a richer and more rewarding docent program, and an increase in the activities offered to the District's unique and varied user groups. PROGRESS: • Recruitment and Training: o 29 new Volunteer Trail Patrol members were recruited and trained in April 2003. o 8 new Volunteer Crew Leaders were recruited and trained in November 2003. o 6 new CommunityOutreach Volunteers were recruited and trained in May 2003. � o 4 Enrichment/Meeting s for Trail Patrol members were held. o 3 Enrichment Training for Crew Leaders were held. o 3 new Outdoor Education Leaders were trained. o 3 Docents were trained as Nature Center hosts. • Enrichment sessions for docents between April 2003 and March 2004 included pond ecology, fund sudden oak death District restoration efforts and salt pond restoration in the San Francisco Bay. 3. Support Resource Management Projects—Increase the volunteer support of the District Resource Management program by working with staff to schedule, conduct, and evaluate a sustainable number of resource management projects. Identify and recruit Page 28 individuals and/or groups that can become involved with the District as new Preserve Partners volunteers. PROGRESS: • 30-40 new individuals and five new special groups were recruited and participated in District Volunteer Projects. • Staff have worked with Operations to increase the ratio of Resource Management-type projects in regards to total annual_projects. From l/l/04 to 5/30/04, the District hosted 32 outdoor volunteer projects. Twenty of these have been Resource Management projects. 4. Interpretive Program Development—Develop appropriate family and youth interpretive activities that educate, enhance understanding of the District, and increase involvement of the community. Research and develop alternatives for providing Outdoor Education Leaders for the Spaces and Species program, and methods of removing barriers to participation of underserved communities in current and future District Outdoor Education programs. PROGRESS: The Department conducted bi-monthly programs mostly staged from the Nature Center, and, in the winter, at other preserves. PROGRESS ON OTHER NOTABLE PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES: • The Volunteer Coordinator attended and gave apresentation at the 2003 California Parks and Recreation Conference on the District's use of'High Tech' in managing the Volunteer Program. The presentation focused on the use of online Reporting Forms, the Website e-mail etc. Over 75 representatives from California agencies attended the presentation. • The department planned and coordinated the Ridge Trail dedication event at Sierra Azul OSP in October 2003 with Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation, the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council and local officials. Staff continued to work with Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation on revisions and updates to the joint Rancho San Antonio County Park and OSP trail brochure; participated in relevant surveys by similar organizations and agencies such as the Bay Area Infrastructure Report Card and the Special Park District Forum Best Practices Benehmarking Program. • Conducted a one-week "train the trainers" workshop organized by NAI in Oct 2003. Also in attendance were Department of Fish& Game staff, U.S. Forest Service staff, and a few nonprofit organization staff. Page 29 ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT Programs A. Administration B. Human Resources C. Legal Services To Implement the BASIC POLICY OBJECTIVE: Administers the affairs of the District on behalf of the public so as to maximize accomplishment of the goals and objectives of the District within existing financial, legal and other constraints. General Program Emphasis for 2003-2004 Continue to support the District-wide efforts for improving supervisory, leadership, and communication skills among all staff, including opportunities for employee input, in order to enhance employee morale and the District's work environment. Foster staff participation in carrying out the District's short and long-term goals and objectives. Maintain the District's viability as an open space acquisition and management agency. Work toward potential expansion of the District's boundaries to include coastal lands in San Mateo County. Staff Resources (Regular, full-time positions unless otherwise indicated) General Manager Assistant General Manager General Counsel (66.67%time) Controller(25%time) Administration/Human Resources Manager Attorney Management Analyst—Human Resources Management Analyst—Administration(vacant- 6 months) Senior Administrative Assistant Senior Accounting Specialist v Administrate e Assistant Receptionist Network Specialist (70%time) Accounting Clerk(80%time) Page 30 I 2003-2004 Administration Program Objective j To provide overall coordination, direction, and administrative foundation for all District activities so as to maximize the accomplishment of the Board's policies and directives, to implement the Action Plan, and to maintain the District's viability as an open space acquisition and management agency. Key Projects 1. Coastal Annexation—Coordinate the efforts of the Board, consultants and staff to work toward completion of the annexation of the coastal lands in San Mateo County. Work with all departments to examine the timing of the coastal annexation, and assess the related impacts on staffing and resources. PROGRESS: I The administration portion of this project included obtaining resolutions of support from 15 of the 16 cities within the District as well as numerous other endorsements and resolutions along with the Pubic Affairs and Planning Departments. Administration was also successful in obtaining a Memorandum of Understanding with the San Mateo County Farm Bureau. The MOU led to the successful passage of AB 1195,the new law eliminating the District's power of eminent domain in the Coastside Protection area. This legislation was important to the approval of this program by San Mateo County LAFCo. The Department also successfully delivered an agreement with the LaHonda Pescadero Unified School District and San Mateo County Fire Protection District. Department staff also attended and participated in numerous project meetings and hearings including the public meetings of the District Board of Directors and LAFCo as well as many meetings of state and local agencies, non-profit groups and conservation-oriented organizations. Staff gave presentations, power point programs, testimony, and took all other actions necessary to successfullymana manage this program through to LAFCo ap rp oval. 2. State Budget Process—Closely monitor the state budget process for any impact on the District and work with other appropriate agencies and our legislative advocate to minimize, to the extent possible, the budget impact. Make recommendations to the Board in response to an anticipated revenue impacts as a result of the state budget p Y deficit, including possible District budget reductions. PROGRESS: As in past years since 1979 working with the District's legislative advocate District staff has worked on a continued exemption from a potential property tax shift by the state The multi-county_exemption continued to protect the District for fiscal year 2003/2004; however, for fiscal year 2004/2005 the District may potentially lose as much as $5 million each year for the next two years as part of a package deal between i Page 31 the Governor and local agencies. The upcoming budget process has not been completed as ri will � et so the actual outcome is unknown at this time. It is expected that the District y P lose some tax revenue over the next two years, and the Management Team is analyzing the budget to make recommendations to the Board of Directors in this regard. j i i 3. District Funding—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 of secure additional funding to meet acquisition and open space management needs, including possible bond issuance. PROGRESS: Refinanced all of the District's 1993 Certificates of Participation COPs) and a portion of the District's 1995 notes which resulted in a debt service cost savings of$620,000 in fiscal year 2003/2004 Borrowed an additional $10 million for future land purchases. j 4. Records Management Program —Prepare a plan and continue implementation for permanent storage, or record destruction, of all District records as permitted by law. This will include a database showing which records are held by each department and include a time-line for retention and/or destruction of such records. PROGRESS: The records management plan has been written and the new Sr. Administrative Assistant will continue with the annual records management processes and update the records database. PROGRESS ON OTHER NOTABLE PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES: • After determining that the District web site is in need of restructuring and aesthetic user friends improvements staff prepared an extensive request for proposal for rebuilding the web site. The Board of Directors approved the project at its May 26, 2004 meeting, and the consultant has begun the work. The consultant is workingclosely losely with staff from each department on the web project. • Evaluated and began implementation of California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CAJIA) best practices for improvements in risk management and safety. • Met with 3 consultants to assess the viability of the integrated database project. In 2004/2005 may hire a new consultant on a small scale to determine if the database is salvageable. Page 32 2002-2003 Human Resources Program Obiective To provide coordination and direction for human resources activities so as to enhance the overall quality and effectiveness of the District's work environment for all employees of the District. Key Projects 1. Workplace Enhancement Plan—Continue to coordinate, monitor, and support the Workplace Enhancement Plan activities. The Plan consists of methods for improving communication among all employees and management staff, increasing employee input; enhancing management, supervisory, leadership and communication skills; and establishing a greater emphasis on people management versus task management. PROGRESS: The Management Team discusses and monitors Workplace Enhancement Plan activities weekly. During this fiscal year Managers attended field staff meetings regularly, updating field staff on the Coastside Protection Program,the state budget and other pertinent issues. Managers and supervisors were trained in meeting management, discipline, performance evaluations and dealing with absenteeism. New staff were trained in communication (Influencing Skills) and existing staff were given refresher communication training. All staff received training in harassment and substance abuse in the workplace. Employees were invited to give input on the new health insurance/retiree medical study and were surveyed on their opinion on the staff recognition event and a future safety fair. 2. Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual—Complete the re-write of the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual for Board approval, including hiring procedures and exempt status policies. Facilitate an employee input process with employees from each department. PROGRESS: The Salaried Employee Policy went through an extensive employee input process and was approved by the Board. New Administrative policies on membership/dues and cell phones have been written, involved an employee input process and adopted. The Personnel Policies and Procedure Manual has been updated with Board approved changes to date. 3. Performance Standards—Review and assess the newly implemented supervisory and performance standards. Assist all departments with timely and equitable evaluations. PROGRESS: Each evaluation was reviewed by Human Resources to assure eq itability. Feedback to supervisors was given regularly. No review or assessment of the supervisory and performance standards has been conducted. Page 33 4. Labor Negotiations—Complete negotiations and implement new contract with SEIU Local 715. PROGRESS: The 2003 to 2005 contract with SEIU was negotiated and signed on May 14, 2003. PROGRESS ON OTHER NOTABLE PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES: • The Human Resources staff had turnover this year with the HR Analyst and the HR Administrative Assistant leaving in the spring. After a period of temporary help, the new staff was hired and has been trained. An outside agency was hired to complete five recruitments. • Services in the area of labor relations and compensation and benefit programs continued. The Department took the lead in the Staff Recognition Events and the Fun Committee activities. Page 34 2003-2004 Legal Services Program Objective To provide timely legal services to the Board and to all District Departments; to advise and assist the Board and staff in developing and implementing District policies, regulations, and ordinances, and in accomplishing District projects in accordance with law. Key Projects 1. Real Property - Provide legal advice concerning District real property matters, including acquisition, disposition, title and encroachment issues, easement issues and permits to enter District land. Anticipated major projects include: Acquisition PROGRESS: Provided legal advice and drafted transactional documents, especially relating to complex acquisitions (Hunt addition to Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve by means of unsecured District financing; Presentation Center addition to Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve and associated exchange of easements); drafted and provided legal advice concerning, communications leases; significant work on resolving encroachments at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve and Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. Claims and Liti aT, tion- MROSD v. Wozniak(litigation concerning an encroachment at Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve); resolving title issues concerning Dennis Martin Road (Thornewood Open Space Preserve). Completion of Guadalupe River Watershed NRDA process; advice concerning resolution of sedimentation issues at El Corte de Madera Open Space Preserve. PROGRESS: • Negotiated a resolution of the Wozniak encroachment resulting in a Settlement Agreement and dismissal of the litigation and cross complaint for prescriptive rights. • Made significant progress on completion of a Consent Decree resolving the Guadalupe Watershed NRDA matter. • Assisted Planning Department in developing and obtaining regulatory approval of a sedimentation control plan at El Corte de Madera Open Space Preserve. • Worked with Real Property Department to obtain quitclaims on Dennis Martin Road,• quiet title action to be pursued. Other Projects - Assist Real Property an d Planning Departments in pursuing global solutions to streamline the acquisition and planning process, including a Memorandum of Agreement with Santa Clara County to identify acquisitions which are exempt from the requirements of the Subdivision Map Act, and a Memorandum of Agreement with San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties identifying acquisitions which are consistent with the Counties' planning Page 35 requirements; continue work on development of a permit fee policy to recoup costs for issuance of permits to enter or use District land and for other District services; continue work on development of a procedural manual for use in resolving encroachments. PROGRESS: Worked with Real Property Department to develop draft MOU to streamline the process for exempting acquisitions from the Subdivision Map Act; final MOU pending_ 2. Risk Management—Provide advice and monitor current claims and litigation against the District; represent the District's interests in insurance and JPIA coverage matters; provide oversight of matters handled by outside counsel. 3. Human Resources—Assist in carrying out labor relations functions; provide legal advice on personnel matters. Anticipated major projects: Continue to advise on update of District's Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual; assist in negotiation and implementation of successor agreement to current Memorandum of Agreement between the District and SEIU Local 715; continue to assist in implementing the legal aspects of the Workplace Enhancement Plan. PROGRESS: • Drafted the Salaried Employee Policy; worked with Administration Department to develop a final policy for approval by the Board. Advised Administration Department on Administrative Policies. • Assisted Administration Department in negotiation of a successor labor agreement between the District and SEIU Local 715. 4. Coastal Annexation Project - Anticipated major projects: Continue to provide advice concerning legal requirements applicable to coastal annexation, primarily in the LAFCo and CEQA process; review the Final Environmental Impact Report, LAFCo application, and other related project documents. PROGRESS: Provided legal review of the Final Environmental Impact Report rt certified in June 2003. • Worked closely with outside counsel to represent District in all aspects of the litigation ' certification challenging the adequacy of the District's cert cation of the Final EIR. District was successful and obtained a court ruling upholding the validity of the EIR in April 2004. • Provided legal review and advice concerning the District's application for LAFCo approval of the Coastside Protection Program including a Sphere of Influence Amendment and Municipal Services Review. Assisted in proceedings to obtain a recommendation for approval from Santa Clara LAFCo. • Drafted and assisted in negotiating agreements between the District and San Mateo County, the La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District, and the San Mateo County Farm Bureau to resolve agencies' issues regarding the Coastside Protection Program. o Provided advice to Planning Department in developing a public participation process for Coastside redistricting for Board approval. i Page 36 5. Operations - Advise on the update of the Field Operations Manual; assist in development of Cooperation Agreements for provision of law enforcement and emergency services with sister agencies. j PROGRESS: • Cooperative Agreement with Santa Clara County in process; Field Operations Manual has been forwarded for legal review. i I II i Page 37 Regional pen p.,..:e R-04-59 Meeting 04-14 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT June 23, 2004 r,E.cRBRA rrrry ;O Y FIARS 011 OPEN SPACE: PIUSERVA-rION AGENDA ITEM 6 AGENDA ITEM Approval of Communications Site Lease and Agreement with MetroPCS for the Land Lease at Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDAT Adopt the attached Resolution authorizing approval of the Communications Site Lease and Agreement at Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve with MetroPCS California/Florida Inc., a Delaware corporation doing business as MetroPCS. DISCUSSION At your April 9, 1997 meeting, you adopted an amendment to the Use and Management Plan for Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve, which provides for the installation of communications facilities at an existing Pacific Gas and Electric Company(PG&E) transmission tower, and approved a lease agreement with Sprint Spectrum (see Report R-97-55). The PG&E tower and lease area are situated at the southwest corner of the Preserve adjacent to the CalTrans Park and Ride lot at Edgewood Road and Interstate 280 in unincorporated San Mateo County(see Exhibit A). The PG&E tower is not visible from the main part of the Preserve where the public trail system is located. The tower is accessible from the CalTrans commuter parking lot via an existing dirt and gravel access road. At your meeting of January 8, 2003, you approved a new lease with Sprint Spectrum that eliminated 118 square feet under the PG&E tower that Sprint was not using (see Report R-03- 01). AT&T Wireless currently occupies approximately 90 square feet. The District has negotiated with MetroPCS for a small telecommunications site on a portion of the remaining space. San Mateo County has approved the Building Permit for the proposed MetroPCS lease area, a copy of which is in the District file. Key provisions of the proposed lease with MetroPCS are as follows: 1) Installation of one transformer, one power protection cabinet, one Telco Positron Box, and one base band/rf unit on 15.76 square feet. Two additional antennas will be placed on the PG&E tower. 2) An initial rent of$17,000 per annum that will increase 4%per annum in each of the remaining four years of the lease term. There are options for four additional five-year terms at the then prevailing market rate consistent with California Public Resources Code 5563. 33o Distel Circle 650-691-1200 info@openspace.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS:Pete Siemens,Mary Davey,Jed Cyr, GENERAL MANAGER: Los Altos CA 94022-1404 650-691-0485 fax www.openspace.org Deane Little,Nonette Hanko,Larry Hassett,Kenneth C.Nitz L.Craig Britton gee ell► R-04-59 Page2 3) Alterations or additions to the proposed telecommunications facilities in the future must first have written approval from the District. 4) The Lessee will provide appropriate liability insurance for its operations on the property. Staff is recommending approval of this lease because the lease assures the efficient and economically favorable use of essentially all of the space below the PG&E tower to maximize the District's rental income from this non-intrusive site. CEOA COMPLIANCE I The County of San Mateo has adopted a Negative Declaration for the construction of this project and has issued a Building Permit for the construction. RECOMMENDATION Staff supports the approval of the MetroPCS Lease. The existing PG&E tower already compromises the minimal scenic aspects of this area. Although the antennas to be installed on the PG&E tower will be visible from Interstate 280, they will not be visible from most of the public-use areas of Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve. This proposal provides the District with an opportunity to significantly increase its rental revenue with a negligible visual impact to District land. Prepared by: John P. Dickey, Real Property Specialist I Contact person: Same as above I i I f - - RESOLUTION NO. 04- RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT APPROVING THE COMMUNICATIONS SITE LEASE AND AGREEMENT WITH METROPCS CALIFORNIA/FLORIDA INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION, D/B/A METROPCS (PULGAS RIDGE OPEN SPACE PRESERVE) The Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District does resolve as follows: Section One. The District may,under the provisions of Section 5540 and 5563 of the Public Resources Code, lease property owned by the District for a period of up to twenty-five (25) years, and the Board of Directors finds that the premises to be leased for Communication Facilities is temporarily unnecessary for park and open space purposes and considers that a lease of such premises for Communication Facilities is in the public interest, on the terms hereinafter set forth. Section Two. The Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District does hereby approve the Lease between Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and MetroPCS California/Florida Inc., d/b/a. MetroPCS, a copy of which Lease is attached hereto and b reference made a art hereof, and does hereby authorize the President or other appropriate Y p Y officers to execute said Lease on behalf of the District. Section Three. The General Manager of the District shall cause to be given appropriate notice of acceptance to Lessee. The General Manager further is authorized to execute any and all other documents necessary or appropriate to the closing of the transaction. i Regional open Ice R-04-58 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 04-14 June 23, 2004 AGENDA ITEM 7 AGENDA ITEM Calling of District Elections in Wards 3, 4 and 7, and Requests for ection Consolidation Services from Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION4- 1. Adopt the attached Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District calling an election and requesting election consolidation services— Santa Clara County, Wards 3 and 4. 2. Adopt the attached Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District calling an election and requesting election consolidation services— San Mateo County, Ward 7. 3. Reconfirm Section 2.12 of your Rules of Procedure regarding a maximum of 200 words per candidate statement and payment of candidates' statements in those wards where two or more candidates have qualified to appear on the ballot. 4. Adopt the attached Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District authorizing not listing any unopposed candidate for election on the November 2, 2004 ballots of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. DISCUSSION Voters in three of the District's seven wards are scheduled to elect Directors this November. These wards and their current Directors are: WARD GENERAL DESCRIPTION INCUMBENT 3 A portion of Sunnyvale Jed Cyr 4 Mountain View and Los Altos C. Deane Little 7 A portion of Redwood City, a portion of Woodside, a portion of San Carlos and a portion of unincorporated San Ken Nitz Mateo County The attached Exhibit A map shows the current ward boundaries. Calling the Election—Requesting Consolidation Services. In preparation for the November 2, 2004 general election, it is necessary for you to call an election in the District and request election consolidation services from Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. The nomination period for the election will open on Monday, July 12 and close on Friday, August 6. If an 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 OFREEsT Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C. Davey,Jed Cyr, Deane Little, Nonette Hanko, Larry Hassett, Kenneth C.Nitz • General Manager:L.Craig Britton R-04-58 Page 2 incumbent who is eligible fails to file for reelection, the voters have until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August I 1 to nominate candidates other than the incumbent. Payment of Candidate Statement—200 Word Maximum. The District Clerk must also relay to the Registrar of Voters in each County the Board's policy regarding payment of candidates' statements and number of words to be included in each statement. Section 2.12 of your Rules of Procedure states that in those wards where two or more candidates have qualified to appear on the ballot, candidates' statements of qualifications up to a maximum of 200 words, shall, if requested, be provided by the District at its expense pursuant to the Elections Code of the State of California, and no such candidate shall be billed for availing himself or herself of these services. Opting Not to Permit Candidates Running Unopposed to Have Their Names Appear on the Ballot. Section 5532(e) of the>District enabling legislation(Public Resources Code) states in part that: "The Board of Directors may permit the candidates running unopposed to have their names appear on the ballot, at the Board's option." Section 2.12 of your Rules of Procedures (Unopposed Candidates and Candidates' Statements) does not incorporate the "at the board's option" language and reads, "In the case where there is a single candidate qualified to appear on the ballot, such candidate shall be permitted to have his or her name on the ballot at no cost to the candidate." State statutes prevail over the District's internal Rules of Procedure. In past election years, the Board has opted not to list unopposed candidates, due to the expense involved (see Reports R-02-70, R-00-82 and R-98-74). Throughout the election process, staff utilizes an effective public communication and outreach program that mitigates any potential loss of public awareness that may be caused by not listing unopposed candidates on the ballot. In the interest of financial conservancy, it is recommended that the Board exercise its option not to list any unopposed candidates on the ballot for the 2004 election, as it has in the past. District election costs for Wards 3 and.4 are estimated to be approximately $146,300 for Santa Clara County and for Ward 7 in San Mafeo County approximately $47,000. The District's 2004- 2005 budgeted amount for elections is $50,000, based upon a history of either no contested seats or only one contested seat. In the event more than one seat is contested, the Board will have to appropriate additional funds, as applicable to cover the election costs. Prepared by: Sally Thielfoldt, District Clerk Contact Person: Same Exhibit A MROSD WARD BOUNDARIES BASED ON 2000 CENSUS `•,=, San CarlosV f L Retlwood °K. CHy 7 dam' �� ••*�' Mr'•e ''i as fni0 Stanton Palo Atlo �•.' Mountain --- View 4 3 Pcrloia LcS Y r valley Altos + Los Altos r ... 5 rl Hills IS 4.. •4 tie sip • Cupertino t •!ti r. III Saratoga 6 r• e o Y h Sd� °6 : •Mon e n �..,. �2 a ':� Los Gatos 1:6 t] as City Boundary C-1' County Boundary Ward Boundaries ^t L Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 Ward 5 Ward 6 Miles 0 1 2 4 6 8 Ward 7 1:280,000 RESOLUTION No. 04- RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT CALLING AN ELECTION AND REQUESTING ELECTIONS CONSOLIDATED SERVICES-SANTA CLARA COUNTY STATE OF CALIFORNIA ss. County of Santa Clara WHEREAS, in accordance with Sections 5530 and 5533 of the Public Resources Code, a Biennial Governing Board Member Election has been ordered to be held on Tuesday,November 2, 2004 in the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District of Santa Clara County for the purpose of electing two (2) Directors of the Governing Board of the District; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Part 3 (commencing with Section 10400) of Division 10 of the Elections Code, such election may be either completely or partially consolidated. NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District does resolve as follows: 1. Pursuant to Public Resources Code Sections 5530 and 5533, the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District does call an election in the District for the election of two (2) members of the Board of Directors of the District in Wards 3 and 4 on Tuesday,November 2, 2004. 2. That said election be consolidated with the statewide general election to be held in Santa Clara County on said date. 3. That the election precincts, polling places, voting booths and election officials in each of the precincts shall, to the extent practicable, be the same as provided for the statewide election on said date, as prescribed by the ordinance, order, resolution, or notice of the Board of Supervisors of said County calling, providing for, or giving notice of such other election and which sets forth such precincts, voting booths, polling places and election officials. 4. That the Board of Supervisors of Santa Clara County is hereby authorized and instructed to canvass the returns of said election for the office of members of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and is requested to certify the results of said election to the Board of Directors of the District. 5. The Board of Directors further requests, pursuant to Election Code Section 10002, that County election official(s) be authorized to render services to the District relating to the conduct of said election. The services shall be of the type normally performed by such County election official(s) in conducting elections including, but not limited to, checking registrations, printing and mailing ballots, ballot arguments, candidates' statements, hiring election officers and arranging for polling places, and providing and distributing election supplies. 6. The General Manager of the District is hereby authorized to reimburse the County in full for the services performed upon presentation of a bill to the District. 7. The District Clerk is hereby directed to submit a certified copy of this Resolution to the Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Clara, and to appropriate County election officials of said County. RESOLUTION No. 04- RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT CALLING AN ELECTION AND REQUESTING ELECTIONS CONSOLIDATED SERVICES-SAN MATEO COUNTY STATE OF CALIFORNIA ss. County of San Mateo WHEREAS, in accordance with Sections 5530 and 5533 of the Public Resources Code, a Biennial Governing Board Member Election has been ordered to be held on Tuesday,November 2, 2004 in the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District of San Mateo County for the purpose of electing one (1) Director of the Governing Board of the District; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Part 3 (commencing with Section 10400) of Division 10 of the Elections Code, such election may be either completely or partially consolidated. NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District does resolve as follows: 1. Pursuant to Public Resources Code Sections 5530 and 5533, the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District does call an election in the District for the election of one (1) member of the Board of Directors of the District in Ward 7 on Tuesday,November 2, 2004. 2. That said election be consolidated with the statewide general election to be held in San Mateo County on said date. 3. That the election precincts, polling places, voting booths and election officials in each of the precincts shall, to the extent practicable, be the same as provided for the statewide election on said date, as prescribed by the ordinance, order, resolution, or notice of the Board of Supervisors of said County calling, providing for, or giving notice of such other election and which sets forth such precincts, voting booths,polling places and election officials. 4. That the Board of Supervisors of San Mateo County is hereby authorized and instructed to canvass the returns of said election for the office of members of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and is requested to certify the results of said election to the Board of Directors of the District. 5. The Board of Directors further requests, pursuant to Election Code Section 10002, that County election official(s) be authorized to render services to the District relating to the conduct of said election. The services shall be of the type normally performed by such County election official(s) in conducting elections including, but not limited to, checking registrations, printing and mailing ballots, ballot arguments, candidates' statements, hiring election officers and arranging for polling places, and providing and distributing election supplies. 6. The General Manager of the District is hereby authorized to reimburse the County in full for the services performed upon presentation of a bill to the District. 7. The District Clerk is hereby directed to submit a certified copy of this Resolution to the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo, and to appropriate County election officials of said County. RESOLUTION NO. 04- RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT AUTHORIZING NOT LISTING ANY UNOPPOSED CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION ON THE NOVEMBER 2,2004 BALLOTS OF SAN MATEO COUNTY AND SANTA CLARA COUNTY WHEREAS, the District's enabling legislation states that the Board of Directors may opt not to permit candidates running unopposed to have their names appear on the ballot. NOW THEREFORE the Board of Directors of the p Midp eninsula Reg p Tonal Open Space District does hereby determine not to list the unopposed candidates for election on the November 2, 2004 ballots of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. Regional Open Spu.v e MIDPENINWLA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT CEFEBRATFNG 30 YEARS OF OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION TO: Board of Directors FROM: L. Craig Britton, General Manager DATE: June 23, 2004 RE: FYI's 33o Distel Circle 650-6gi-i2oo info@openspace.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS:Pete Siemens,Mary Davey,led Cyr, GENERAL MANAGER: Los Altos CA gtyoaz-rgoq 650-691-0485 fax www.openspacaorg Deane Little,Nonette Hanko,Larry Hassett Kenneth C.Nitz L.Craig Britton Regional Open Sp, .e g �' ------------------ 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION May 26, 2004 Larry Levine, President Environmental Restoration Adventures, LLC 550 Hamilton Ave #240 Palo Alto, CA 94301 i Dear Mr. Levine: On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, I would like to thank Environmental Restoration Adventures for the generous donation to the District. The incredible learning experience this opportunity provided, as well as your continued commitment to open space preservation as a District volunteer, is very much appreciated. As you may know, donations such as yours demonstrate the cooperative effort that is necessary if we are to accomplish our goal of securing a continuous greenbelt. Your$1,800 donation provided valuable training for our staff and will assist the District in responsibly managing grazing on preserve lands and protecting natural resources. i Again, thank you for your thoughtfulness and support of open space preservation efforts in the San Francisco midpeninsula area. Sincerely, i Larry assett Vice President Board of Directors LH/pm cc: MROSD Board of Directors I 33o Distel Circle 650-691-1200 info@openspace.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS:Pete Siemens,Mary Davey,led Cyr, GENERAL MANAGER: Los Altos CA 94022-1404 650-691-0485 fax www.openspace.org Deane Little,Nonette Hanko,Larry Hossett,Kenneth C.Nitz L.Craig Britton Regional Open Sp, e June MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Paul Morabito, Chair CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION California Coastal Conservancy 1334 Broadway, I I th Floor Oakland, CA 94612 Dear Mr. Morabito: On behalf of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District(MROSD), I would like to express my support for the Peninsula Open Space Trust's(POST's)Pillar Point Bluff proposal to protect one of the San Mateo Coast's most valuable assets. The I I 9-acre Pillar Point Bluff property, located on the west side of Highway One between the communities of Moss Beach and El Granada, is already a popular destination for hikers and sightseers on the coast,many of whom were unaware that the privately-owned Pillar Point Bluff remains unprotected. Along with its recreational values, Pillar Point Bluff features vital natural resources: it is located directly adjacent to the beaches and tidepools of San Mateo County's Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, designated as a"Marine Life Refuge" and"Area of Special Biological Significance"by the State of California. Current well-worn trails on Pillar Point Bluff are exacerbating severe erosion on the property's cliffsides, posing a potential public safety hazard, and negatively affecting the property's critical natural habitat. Along with helping POST place permanent protection on the property's outstanding coastal bluff tops, a grant from the Coastal Conservancy will enable POST to plan a carefully designed .7-mile portion of the California Coastal Trail. This project will accomplish the following important goals: • Protect invaluable coastal and wetland habitat • Create the opportunity to add a critical segment to the California Coastal Trail • Preserve one of the San Mateo Coast's outstanding scenic resources • Address public safety and natural resource issues created by current trails • Ensure public access to a popular recreational resource As you know, the San Mateo coast is one of the few,precious,remaining rural coastal areas in close proximity to a major urban area, and the bluff at Pillar Point is an intrinsic part of the coastline. I encourage your support for POST's Pillar Point Bluff project to help preserve the natural, cultural, and scenic resources of the San Mateo Coast. Since ly, L L C L. rai on General Manager LCB/ec 33o Distel Circle 650-691-1200 info@openspace.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS:PeteSiemens,MaryDaveyJed Cyr, GENERAL MANAGER: Los Altos CA 94022-1404 650-69i-0485 fax www.openspace.org Deane Little,Nanette Honko,Larry Hassett,Kenneth C.Nitz L Craig Britton Craig Britton From: Jo Barrett[calypsol@ix.netcom.com] Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2004 9:36 PM To: Craig Britton; Craig Beckman; Elaina Cuzick; volunteer Subject: Achistaca Trail-Official Opening Hi guys: I 'm just trying to catch up with last week, and everything else that's going on, and I had meant to write to you earlier but things got in the way. First of all, thank you so much for finally getting this project done It's interesting that the word seems to have got out because I have seen several horse rigs up in the parking lot since last Thursday. Let's hope they are impressed, too. Secondly, thank you for including me in your celebration. I was pretty taken aback when Tina showed me the program, not to mention cutting the ribbon. This has been a wonderful end to my time up here in the mountains - and the timing was perfect. I don't know where I will be after the end of June, but I will keep in touch. Thanks again. J0 Regional Open S *e � p p -------------- MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT May 26, 2004 CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION Mr. Gavin McCann 1660 Lachine Drive Sunnyvale, CA 94087 Re: 15 mile per hour speed limit on District trails Dear Mr. McCann, Thank you for your letter of April 26, 2004 regarding the 15 miles per hour speed limit on District trails. I apologize for the delay in responding because the May 12 regular meeting of the District's Board of Directors was cancelled and your letter was only recently forwarded to me. The District has a maximum speed limit of 15 miles per hour on all trails, and 5 miles per hour when passing others. This is an accepted standard in the Bay Area's system of parks and open space preserves. Our District staff enforces the speed limit to ensure visitor safety, protect natural resources, and avoid conflicts among trail users. In terms of safety,not all cyclists are as technically experienced as you seem to be. Our trails are maintained in a rustic condition and have a number of natural obstacles such as roots,rocks, or occasional ruts. For beginning cyclists,these obstacles can prove to be hazardous. The 15 miles per hour speed limit ensures that they have time to react and to slow their speeds accordingly. Slower speeds also help to avoid sudden braking and skidding,which results in excessive erosion of the trail surface. Many of the District's trails are located in watersheds that provide habitat for steelhead trout, a species that is very sensitive to erosion and sedimentation. Slower speeds also help to reduce conflicts among trail users. The District's open space preserves are managed to provide opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education. The multiple-use trails are intended to meet the needs of all visitors. Where line of site is poor along a winding trail, for example, a speeding cyclist can easily startle a group of hikers or equestrians. The 15 miles per hour speed limit provides opportunities for all visitors to utilize the trail system in a serene manner. Thank you for your interest in the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's trail system. Sincerely, )Jed C Board of Director, Ward 3 JC: mf ay cc: MROSD Board of Directors L. Craig g Britton General Manager 6 o-6 1-12o0 info@openspace.org GENERAL MANAGER: info@o BOAR DIRECTORS:P Siemens,M Davey,JedC r 33o Distel Circle 5 9 P P g D OF D EG oRs.Pete See a s,Mary Da y, Cyr, Los Altos CA 94022-1404 650-691-0485 fax www.openspace.org Deane Little,Nonette Hanko,Larry Hassett Kenneth C.Nitz L.Craig Britton A=_— NJ acaxfuttawun 1660 Lachine Drive Sunnyvale, CA 94087 RE .. 330 Distel Circle Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 MAY 04 2004 April 26, 2004 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL GPEN SPACE DISTRICT The Honorable J. Edmond Cyr Jr., I am writing to you to express my discontent over a certain law of the Mid- Peninsula Open Space District trails. I, along with thousands of other bay area mountain bikers, ride the Open Space trails on a weekly basis. I love riding the trails because of how well preserved they, and the surrounding forest, are. They can provide both a relaxing ride through the forest as well as an adrenaline rush when ridden by most mountain bikers. The problem that I have found however is that the fifteen miles per hour speed along with the harsh fine for breaking it causes many biker to either be turned away from the Open Space district or simply break the law and dangerously try to avoid any park rangers. For experienced riders, which I have found to make up the vast majority of the Open Space trail riders, the 15 mph limit can prove to be more dangerous than a faster more comfortable speed of biking like what they are used to. When riding around corners and turns, sometimes even the slightest braking can cause the bike tires to lose traction and slip out from under the rider. I know this from experience and have had this problem occur regularly when I attempt to stay under the 15 mph speed limit. Some might think that by riding at a faster speed could create problems when two riders meet going opposite directions, but the riders that are comfortable at higher speeds are always more aware of their surroundings because they are more experienced and have a greater respect for the safety of their fellow bikers. I believe that because of these reasons, along with many more, the speed limit policy should either be changed to a"ride at a safe and comfortable speed" or raised to a limit of 25 mph. This would allow novice riders to still have a safe and fun time while giving more experienced riders the adrenalin rush and fun time that they desire. I feel that this minimal change to the Open Space Preserve would make the overall experience in the preserves a lot better causing them to gain greater use and persuade many more people to experience the beauty of the Bay Area Forests. Please respond back with any thoughts or your opinion on the subject if you have time. Thanks Sincerely, Gavin McCann Regional Open Sp. ,e .Tune 2, 2004 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION Mary E. Burns, Director San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Division Environmental Services Agency 455 County Center, 4th Floor Redwood City, CA 94063 Re: Partnership Opportunities between the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD) and the San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Division in the San Mateo County Coastside Area Dear Mary: This letter will confirm the discussion we had on May 31, 2004 concerning the potential for increased partnership opportunities between County Parks and MROSD in the San Mateo County g Coastside Area that will benefit both agencies. Upon the effective date of the MROSD's proposal to annex the San Mateo County Coastside Area, we will be looking for opportunities to work with other park and recreation agencies at the federal, state, and local level to most successfully preserve and manage open space in the Area and to insure that MROSD operations are compatible with adjacent lands managed by other agencies. As you know, San Mateo County LAFCo has approved MROSD's annexation application. We are awaiting the completion of the protest process and look forward to working with County Parks in this Area once the annexation has successfully been completed. As part of its process, LAFCo approved MROSD's Service Plan for the Coastside Protection Area. Guideline G.8 of the Service Plan provides: "The District shall work with other public recreation and open space providers, conservation agencies, non-profit land trusts, and community organizations for the preservation and management of open space resources that are regionally significant. District participation, to the extent allowed by law, could include: partial financing for land acquisition; temporary receivership of property; coordination of technical planning and legal services relating to open space issues;joint grant proposals; co-sponsorship and participation in demonstration projects; and joint open space resource management training." [Service Plan at p. 38-39] San Mateo County Parks is one of the potential partners identified in the Service Plan for these types of collaborative efforts. Accordingly, upon the effective date of the annexation, to implement this Guideline, I would recommend that the Board of Directors develop a Memorandum of Understanding("MOU") between MROSD and County Parks to memorialize our intra-agency relationship on the Coast. 33o Distel Circle 650-691-1200 info@openspace.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS:Pete.SiemenS,Mary Davey,Jed Cyr, GENERAL MANAGER: . Los Altos CA 94022-1404 650-691-0485 fax www.openspace.org Deane Little,Nanette Hanko,tarry Hassett KennethC Nit L.Craig 9 Britton it rs" Nua would include the Service Plan Guideline and include the following potential The MOU ou d , g Cooperative efforts: • would recognize that potential future state ark bond measures may The agencies ou Y g 1� P p call for formula or based funding, so that funds are shared between the population g, County and local special districts including MROSD. It is not possible to estimate how future appropriation formulas would impact MROSD or the County, nor what if an changes to the appropriation formula mi ht be enacted. However, , Y, gg � MROSD would coordinate with the County on any future state park bond measure so that the relatively small population addition to MROSD from annexing the Coastside Area would have no negative financial impact upon County Parks. • MROSD would participate in the Devil's Slide Coastal Access Task Force(Task Force) established by Coastal Development Permit issued by the San Mateo County Planning Commission on May 26, 2004 regarding disposition of the Devil's Slide Roadway once it is no longer needed as a state highway. This issue will be resolved by a multi-agency task force that will decide any pertinent issues, including, but not limited to: ownership, trail and parking design, operation and maintenance. In the event the Golden Gate National Recreation Area(GGNRA) is not willing to take on the permanent operation of this land and trail, MROSD will continue to work with the Task Force on a long term basis to help find solutions that might include de a multiple a enc approach. • MROSD will participate in the Task Force deliberations on the issue of the disposition, operation and management of the Caltrans right-of-way property that would have been needed for the bypass highway had the tunnel not been built, especially the area known as Rancho Corral de Tierra and areas to the south. • MROSD would welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with County Parks to assist in the development of a successful long term funding measure to support the needs of County and City Parks, including exploration of formation of an appropriate Coun Special Park District. County • MROSD would look for opportunities to raise public awareness and education about County Parks adjacent to MROSD Preserves and about joint p Count /MROSD projects. Y • MROSD would work with the County on joint open space management training, and sharing of technical expertise on projects of mutual interest. I look forward to working in partnership with County Parks to best preserve and manage park and open space land on the Coast. Ver truly y° rs, L. C n General Manager Cc: MROSD Board of Directors i i I Deer W ,Fqp." A non-profit,corporation supporting environmental education Summer Quarterly Newsletter 2U04 Summer Campers 200 Classes Tought Head for the Farm Hard Working Volunteers - Deer Hollow Honored at Year-End Dinner Farm welcomes 400 students The annual Year- to the 2004 End Potluck was Summer Camp held May 27 at the beginning June Farm, honoring the 21. Volunteer 50 volunteers who donated thousands • teaching of hours of time docents, high school interns, and four camp as teachers, counselor staff will lead children through 7VACH hands-on activities such as animal care, hiking, gardeners, arts and crafts, archery, and wilderness livestock, and Y maintenance games. workers during the school year. Many The Farm is a 10-acre homestead surrounded volunteers have been contributing their by a 3,800-acre wilderness preserve located valuable time and experience to the Deer F in the foothills Hollow Farm environmental educational program for more than a decade. ,. of Los Altos. Week-long, day- a camp programs During the 2003-2004 school year, the s will be held for docents taught 200 classes for 4,300 second through students from 40 Bay Area schools. More fourth graders. Day camp with one overnight will be held forMow fifth through ninth graders. A three day program is offered for first and , second graders. Summer Camp, which runs :. through August 6 this year, has been held at - b Deer Hollow Farm for more than 25 years. than 30% of these students were able to Many campers return to be interns and attend thanks to the $7,050 in scholarships counselors. from contributors like you through Friends of Deer Hollow Farm. In Our Mailbox bear Friends of beer Hollow Farm, My class and another fourth grade class at 44 Slater Elementary were fortunate enough to receive financial aid for our field trip to beer ~ Hollow Form from the "Friends of beer Hollow Farm" program. If it weren't for the "Friends" , support, these two classes would not be able to playing the Hoop and Spear Game attend this excellent learning opportunity. "I liked the Hoop and Spear Game best. I A student can never learn as much from a Social didn't know it would be so hard to get it Studies book as they can from a hands-on and through." interactive learning environment. The fourth graders at Slater Elementary were able to "I learned about animal poop, called scat. further their learning about the Native You can tell what foxes eat by just looking Americans of California, particularly the Ohlone at it. That was gross." tribe, while on their field trip. The studentstc4ef identified important trees and plants in our local "I liked the cow. W + " area, used tools and weapons, and sat in a She was very big. sweathouse. Furthermore, the docents at Deer We get milk and Hollow Farm were extremely knowledgeable and ice cream from provided structure and support to ensure her." rZ students` learning success. "I liked seeing the mole pop his head up Again, thank you for your financial support. out of the ground. And then he went away." Katharine Wilson Slater Elementary School "I didn't know wild turkeys could fly up to the trees and that's where they slept!" "I had fun with you. I learned all about bear Friends of beer Hollow Farm, poison oak. You are smart, and you made us as smart as you!" Just a note to let you know how much we "Thank you for teaching enjoyed our field trip to Deer Hollow Farm. R, me all that I didn't Many of our children have never seen a farm, know. Also thanks for and it was a delight to watch their joy while taking me into the exploring the garden and visiting the animals. I '.r wilderness." have been a teacher for over thirty years now ' "I liked the barn. It and have gone on many field trips. I want you smelled funny." to know I have never been ona better; organized or child-friendly field trip than the one provided by beer Hallow Farm. Pleose, lease continue our great service to our p Y =s children. You are truly an asset to the a education of children. Sheri Doyle and Cureton Elementary School For r New Face at the Farm Lead Teacher Joins Staff , This Spring Jessica Morgan joined the staff of Deer Hollow Farm as lead teacher. At Deer Hollow Farm, Jessica will work closely with school teachers and the teaching Friends of the Farm Docents Prepare for Tours docents, scheduling Friends in Human Race classes and volunteers, Earn Pledges for Farm preparing Friends of Deer Hollow Farm participated in class the Human Race sponsored by the City of materials and Mountain View in May. Pledges made for facilities, and walkers totaled nearly $1,000 to be used for teaching the Farm operations and scholarships for Deer environmental Hollow Farm's environmental education classes. programs. Friends also had a booth at the The 2001 graduate of UC Santa Cruz's event. Environmental Studies program will also plan enrichment training programs for the docentsL and special activities for the Summer Camp. Jessica comes to the Farm from the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District 4 where she was an Interpretive Aide leading family hikes and field trips. She also II• coordinated docent volunteers and staffed --' the Nature Center in Big Basin State Park. " Lost Tour of Season: June 19 ' r� Deer Hollow Farm Tours Friends of Deer Hollow Farm led a record 86 people on farm tours May 15, earning donations for scholarships and farm Friends of the Farm Booth at Human Pace operations. The next tour is scheduled for June 19. These tours give the public a chance Information Please to visit the animals in their pens and learn Deer Hollow Farm is a 10-acre working farm in the more about the farm. Volunteer docents, hills of Los Altos amid the 3,800 acre Rancho San knowledgeable about the animals and the Antonio County Park and Open Space Preserve. For farm, lead the tours, which are held from 10 information about Friends of Deer Hollow Farm: am to noon with the last tour starting at 11:30 650-965-3276. Website: www.svpal.org/—fodhf. am. Donations are appreciated. For Tour For information about the Farm (hours, classes, parking,volunteer opportunities and docent Reservations, call (650) 965-3276. training): 650-903-6430. Deer Hollow Animal Changes Thank You Sophie and Princess Moms Again Goats Sophie and Princess had three kids For Your Support! each this March. Princess,a three year old Oberhasli, had California Quail her second litter,a ($1,000 & Ups doe and two bucks. Vadasz Family Foundation Sophie,a seven year old Acorn Woodpecker Toggenburg, had ($250 & Up) two does and a Mike Hammes buck. All horns Janet Roselle- �:.'� s �� have been removed. Rosemarie Koch Hallie,a two year old Oberhasli, has been Phoebe ($100 & Up) spending time in the pig barn,although he's been ' Robert and Cathleen Gale interested in what's been happening in the goat „ with ALZA Corp match pen where the six kids jump and play. ' Carol Ryall Ann and Bob Giebeler Cal ly and Polly Shorn Dan-wen Tsai Cally and Polly,a cross breed of Targhee and Finnsheep, had their first Mary and Gary Tietz ;�,;; shearing this Spring and Leanne Luna are rapidly growing. The Megan Wilhelm two ewe Iambs, from different mothers and Junco ($50 Up) ` . the same father,were Tim and Gail Sullivan � ' x purchased from Cal Poly Bart and Patricia Raudebaugh University, hence their Gladys Garabedian names. Tiger,shown with Keith and Michelle Hocker the Iambs, is six years old and a Suffolk breed; Hummingbird ($25 � up)Rosemary Damon quite uite sociable. Cheryl Masters Anne Schlagenhoft Geese Adopt the Ducklings Lolly Osborne �'�, A flock of Ellen Menteer �'° „N ducklings, Jack Smith y hatched in Robert Dahl San Betty Dietz Mateo Virginia Berridge April 10, Other were Gary Osaka moved to Laura Crabb Deer Hollow Special Project Support Farm. The Yvonne Wolters geese adopted them and happily share their Yoto Dycian pond with them. When I approached theme . Susan Coggin ducklings too close, Mother Goose charged a " d1 after me! -� r. Please help us make our moiling list current! Clip and return this form to the address on the reverse side. _Please correct my name and/or address Name _I'd like to make a contribution. Address _I'd like to volunteer. Please call me. _Please remove my name from your list. Phone ( ) Note: This Newsletter is distributed via first class mail to our mailing list of Friends of the Farm and donors. Our mailing list is never sold or shared with any other organization. Extra copies of the Newsletter are available at cost (50 cents) by contacting Friends of Deer Hollow Farm 650-965-3276. g h Ask the Farmer , .. Q: Why don't you have trash cans on the farm? A: Besides the cost of trash removal,there is a Jfour -legged reason we don't have trash cans; raccoons. These creatures are determined and usually successful in prying the lids off �' the cans and leaving a mess. Special cans to iII.44�fsl. deter the raccoons are very expensive. Remember to bring a garbage-free lunch when you come to Deer Hollow! Q: What kind of birds make their nests in the eaves of the restroom at the Park ems, entrance? �� � s A: They are Cliff Swallows, the famed swallows of Capistrano. They come to Deer Hollow Farm Float Deer Hollow every April to ro ' build their gourd-shaped nests Rides in Mountain View Parade from mud shaped into bead- like bricks.They carry the"bricks"to the nest in their The Deer Hollow Farm Float rode in the annual bills.These talented builders take about 5 days to build a Spring Mountain View Parade in April. Riding nest. Grass and stray feathers provide a snug lining for along were baby goats, a rooster and hen, their 3-6 eggs which hatch in 12-14 days. Their young ducklings, rabbits and several Deer Hollow Farm leave about 23 days after hatching. docents and staff. The tractor-pulled float is a Q: Is there a Sweat House at Deer Hollow Farm? highlight of the parade every year. A: Yes. The Sweat House, built by Eagle Scouts, is in the a Docent Enrichment Classes replica Ohlone Village,the site for field trips about the Ohlone Native Americans and Insects, Local HistoryTaught g "Ohlone Day,"to be held this The Enrichment Training Program for Deer October 9 for the public. The Sweat House is Hollow Farm volunteer docents continued underground,lined with rocks. through the Spring with insect hunting at Q: Who put the acorns in the holes in McClellan Ranch Park and a tour of historic the dead oaks? buildings at Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch at A: The acorn woodpecker stores his Santa Teresa Park. This year Bridget Brown acorns there.Cooperative birds,they live organized the well-attended enrichment in colonies of 3-10 birds. They drill tiny :- holes and then gather acorns to stuff courses. Bridget welcomes suggestions for into the openings. Every bird shares in next year's enrichment program. the work and later,the bounty. Of Ner 0 W rXX This newsletter is published quarterly by FRIENDS OF DEER HOLLOW FARM A non-profit,tax-exempt 501c3 Corporation. MROSD BOARD OF © 2004. Please recycle or pass to a friend. DIRECTORS Sue Gale, Editor. We welcome your comments. 330 DISTEL CIRCLE P.O. Box 4282, Mountain View, CA 94040 LOS ALTOS CA 94022-1404 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Your Generosity Annual Fall Fund-Raiser Sends Children xt' To Deer Hollow 'Ohlone Day' Planning Begins Your generosity ens new 9 ty opens Friends of Deer Hollow Farm has begun planning for the worlds for children. This annual October"Ohlone Day,"a fund-raiser for school year, 1,344 students scholarships for classes to attend the Farm's attended 67 classes at Deer educational - iQ4ow 1 ham 1<4 to-Ihe mere p�trgrc�s �urlO than $7,000 in scholarships Dorow(on left) -rotc�r+tributors like you will sera as through Friends of Deer the event's 3 Hollow Farm. Without these scholarships,many would be organizer. unable to attend. For some kids, it is their first visit to Betsy Young a park, their first hike in the woods or their first time will handle seeing a farm animal. publicity. The event takes place October - low 9 in the Form's replica Ohlone Village,created by volunteers for the children who come for field trips to learn about the Native Americans. Ohlone activities 5;� y planned include acorn grinding,fire starting,cooking, flint-napping,shell drilling, rope making,story-telling, nt� , music and games. Highlight will be fire-starting techniques demonstrated by Keith Gutierrez,a former long-time lead teacher at the Farm. Entrance fees are: Adult -$5; Child- $3, Family-$10 with special rates for groups. If you know of an organization that would like to attend or if you would like flyers for your school, church,or day care organization,call Carla at (650)967- 8320 or Betsy at (650)494-0748. The mission of Friends of Deer Hollow Farm is: "To preserve leer Hollow Farm,an historical area and working farm; To support its environmental education program for the benefit of all in our community; and To lessen the burden,financial and otherwise,on the city of Mountain View and other participating agencies who support the farm." i Memorandum- To: Craig Britton, General Manager From: Michael Williams, Real Property Manager Date: 6/22/2004 Re: Renewal of the Federal Aviation Administration Communications Lease- Black Mountain, Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve On June 9, 2004, the Federal Aviation Administration exercised their final 5-year lease option term running from October 1, 2004 through September 30, 2009 for their communications facilities at Black Mountain. Staff negotiated an increase from $2,015 per month($24,180 annual rent)to $2,727 per month($32,724 annual rent)reflecting an increase of 35% (7%per year paid at a flat rate for the option period). This rent increase is considered fair market rent and well supported by other single use communication tenants at Black Mountain and the Roiph Repeater site at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve. A copy of the approved Lease Amendment is available at the District office. "Gowln of 'POIRZOLA UALLET Town Hall: 765 Portola Road, Portola Valley,CA 94028 Tel: (650)851-1700 Fax:(650)851- 077 RECEIVED June 22,2004 Board of Directors Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District JUN 2 3 2004 330 Distel Circle Los Altos,California 94022 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN Dear Board Members: SPACE DISTRICT The Portola Valley Planning Commission has before it the District's proposal for certain modifications to the service road/trail that goes up Windy Hill and a new connection to the Kabcenell driveway. In reviewing the site development permit application, the Planning Commission again came face-to-face with the fact that the District proposes to close a trail link that is very important to the town. The commission referred the matter of the trail closure to the Town Council, and the Council voted 5-0 to ask the District to reconsider the proposed closure. A considerable amount has been written about this proposed closure, and I won't go into all of the background in this letter. Simply put, however, this 1,000 foot section of trail was identified in the town's Trails and Paths Element of the General Plan in 1970, almost 35 years ago. It existed at that time and still exists today. It is part of a proposed low-level trail shown on the plan that starts on Portola Road north of the Town Center and follows an almost level route along the base of the western hills all the way to Alpine Road. It was and is envisioned as a beautiful trail for families and individuals as well as older residents of The Sequoias retirement community. Residents of The Sequoias currently access the trail from the back of their property and can take an enjoyable walk with very minimal grades. The proposed replacement of this trail with a new service road/trail is in no way comparable, as it is considerably steeper and will not adequately serve the uses the Town has for many years intended. The proposed portion to be closed has been a service road/trail, and we agree is not suited for a service road function. We strongly believe, however, that a narrow portion of the road can and should be retained for trail purposes only. This designation would be consistent with the long held plans of the Town. The Town desires to work cooperatively with the District on matters of importance to both parties. One of the original justifications for granting the conditional use permit for the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve was that it would serve the Town as well as the Midpeninsula and larger area. We are now asking for consideration of a small section of trail that has and should continue to serve the Town. The Planning Commission will next consider the District's request at its meeting on July 21. We look forward to your consideration of this request and a favorable response. Sincerely, Craig K. Breon,Chair,Planning Commission cc. L. Craig Britton,General Manager�. Town Council Jun 18 04 10: 48a TOWN OF P.V. 650-851-4677 P. 1 JGOW'n of TOS(.70GA VALL-Ely 765 Portola Road,Portola Valley,California 94OZ8 (415)851-1700 Fax:(415)851-4677 18 June 2004 KROSD Board of Directors 330 Distel Circle Las Altos, CA 94022 Re: Portola Valley Site Dev. Permit # X9H-517 Dear Honorable Board Members: decision, contained in your request, to abandon nart of a trial which is tised and loved by manv of our residents. Currently used as a service road, this level section can easily be reduced to a "pedestrian only" trail-, solving your seasonal access issues while maintaining its highly desired use for our residents. Port(. A highly supportive of the district. 1 took the afternoon to testify at the LAFCO hearings in your favor for expansion to the Coast, siting what a good neighbor the District has been. I now question my action. Has your staff forgotten that they have a "customer" in the tax paving users of the District? We do not want to loose access to this beautiful section of trial in favor of an overly steep maintenance road and a section of Kabcenell driveway. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely yours, Richard T. Kerk. Councilmember 650-851-0911, (FAX:650-851--0978) Page 1 of 1 Craig Britton From: MWALT851@aol.com Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2004 11:35 AM To: Craig Britton Subject: Change of trail above The Sequoias Please reconsider the proposed reconfiguration of the trail connecting the top of Kabcinell's driveway which passes by the Sequoia Trail of the Town of Portola Valley. This change will wreak a lot of damage to the lower Windy Hill Preserve, which has already had quite enough! It seems hard to defend such a"mitigation"as a solution to bordering that small often dry puddle. Couldn't the mitigation be a culvert under the present fireroad/trail --thus preserving the integrity of the land? Marilyn Walter I 6/23/2004 � / Claims No 04-09 | Meeting 04-14 Date 00/2304 | Revised � MidpeninsuUa Regional Open Space District # Amount Name Description 1000 $308.52 A Royal Wolf Portable Storage Storage Rental Units'FFO � 1001 $76.08 Accents&Artech Lamination Supplies � 1002 $205.83 Ace Fire Equipment&GVC CO. Fire Extinguisher Servicing 1003 $416J7 Acme&Sons Sanitation Sanitation Services � 1004 $156J0 xDT Security Services Burglar Alarm Service � 1005 $708.51 All Chemical Disposal,Inc. Waste Disposal 1006 *14840 AJlen's Press Clipping Bureau Media Clips 1007 $1.807.91 Allied Auto Works Vehicle Service and Repair � 1008 $60.00 American Red Cmma 8}ooubome Pathogens Training � � 1009 $68.20 Anderson Engraving 14 Name Badge Engraving � 1010 %63.48 AwGwnwspapers Legal Advertisement � 1011 *151.12 Anthony J.Aog|{mCo. U.O.Flag&CA Flag'Admin.Offioo � 1012 $339.24 AT&TWireless Cellular Phone Service 1013 $127.02 Barg Coffin Lewis&Tmnp Legal Sewices-Guauaupevvatershou � 1014 $445.61 Barron Park Supply Co.,Inc. Plumbing Supply 1015 $895J0 BNY Western Trust Company Final Note Paying Agent Fees-Closure of/993Notes 1016 $137J6 BPS RupmgrmphinServices Printing Services 1017 *122.49 Browning-Fomomdustdeo Garbage Service 1018 $180.743.00 Co|dbmiaJP|A 20O4-2OO5 General Liability,Environmental Liability, Workers Compensation Deposit 1019 $294.37 California Water Service Company Water Service 1020 $60.00 Camino Medical Group Medical Services � 1021 *253.80 Carlson,Richard Raimbursememm-UnnonnExpenue � 1022 $760.91 Cascade Fire Equipment Company Field Supplies � 1028 $14*00 City or Los Altos Annual Burglar Alarm Fee 1024 $1.315.60 City o[Palo Alto Legal Consulting'Ranger Manual 1025 $160.00 Clark Pest Control Pest Control Services | 1026 %585.18 Cole Supply Co..Inc. Janitorial Supplies | 1027 *441.69 #1 Comuco Supplies | 1028 $100.00 County of San Mateo 2004 Parcel Data Update � | 1029 $500.00 County of Santa Clara-Roca| Fingerprint Services � | Services � � 1030 *14.98 CSKAum Vehicle Supplies � Supplies 1U31 *38.96 Cupennno�aShop Bicycle � 1032 *1e30V �unu|wo�i|�wwmmn*im�xmm �voa|8umipwa � � � | 1033 $215.60 Danielson,Dennis Reimbursement_Uniform � 1O34 $448�75 David Edwards Gr eat! Printing Se rvices Covers | � 1035 $1J45.00 Del Rey Building Maintenance Painting Services'Main Office&Cleuning'mo NatureCenter � 1036 $5S8r� De|tuScientificCorporation TnomoBaniwm� �o on � 1V37 *1.002.64 Department of General Services Vehicle Procurement Fees | 1038 $3.995.30 Diamond Painting Company%K Painting Services'Skyline Field Office ' 1038 $43.30 Downing,Brendan Reimbvmnmam-B|cydePuxa � 1040 *3.050.00 Economics Research Associates Consulting Services'Coastal Annexation Fiscal Studies 10*1 $144.36 Federal Express Express Mailing / 1042 $150.01 Fischer,Tom Reimbursement-Mileage-3 Months Page`m4 � � f Claims No 04-09 Meeting 04-14 Date 06/23/04 Revised Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District # Amount Name Description 1043 $122.48 Fitzsimons,Renee Reimbursement-Achistaca Event III 1044 $124.41 Forestry Supplies,Inc. Field Supplies 1045 $10.36 Foster Brothers Lock&Key Services 1046 $142.50 Freeman,Matt Reimbursement-Mileage-2 Months 1047 $52.46 G&K Service Shop Towel Service 1048 $48.98 Galls Incorporated First Aid Supplies 1049 $1,250.43 Gardenland Power Equipment Field Supplies&Equipment 1050 $9,200.00 Gary Marciel Excavating Grading Svc-Skyline&Foothills Area 1051 $171.65 Gilman,Mary Farm Supplies 1052 $149.62 Goodco Press,Inc. Printing Services-Business Cards&Field Interrogation Cards 1053 $460.00 Green Waste Recovery,Inc. Garbage Services 1054 $125.00 Health&Safety,American Red Cross First Responder Instructor Training 1055 $179.28 Home Depot,Inc. Field Supplies&Equipment 1056 $89,324.72 HRB Construction,Inc. Engineering Services-Foothills Shop Building 1057 $24.08 Hyster Sales Company Bobcat Equipment Parts 1058 $2,250.00 IEDA,Inc. Consulting Services-Labor Relations 1059 $1,381.27 Indoff incorporated Furniture-Ergo Chair&Desk Unit 1060 $11,890.00 ## King Grading Fire Break Discing-Foothills&Skyline Area Preserves 1061 $63.80 Kinko's Printing Services 1062 $448.69 Lab Safety Supply Field Supplies 1063 $9.69 Lanier Worldwide,Inc. Copier Toner 1064 $70.88 Lenington,Kirk 2 Months Mileage Reimbursement 1065 $1,724.44 LFR Levine Fricke Engineering&Design Services-Pulgas Ridge 1066. $814.35 Liebert Cassidy Whitmore Legal Services&Legal Publication 1067 $522.37 Los Altos Garbage Co. Refuse Services 1068 $102.17 Lund,Pearson,McLaughlin Fire Quarterly Fire Test Inspection Protection System 1069 $17,352.00 ## Macias,Gini&Company Auditor Services 1070 $115.58 Madco Welding Supplies 1071 $18.47 MCI Long Distance Telephone Service 1072 $72.41 MetroMobile Communications Radio Repairs&Maintenance 1073 $32.32 Miller,Ken Reimbursement-Uniform Expense 1074 $39.36 Minton's Lumber&Supply Field Supply 1075 $478.81 Moffett Supply Company Sanitation Services 1076 $23.27 Mountain View Garden Center Drain Rock-Nature Center Drinking Fountain 1077 $33.21 Noble Tractor,Inc. Tractor Supplies 1078 $1,000.00 #2 North American Title Company Acquisition Deposit 1079 $1,201.32 Office Depot Office Supplies 1080 $1,552.83 #3 Orchard Supply Hardware Field Equipment&Supplies 1081 $2,659.02 Page&Turnbull Construction Drawings&Services-Picchetti Ranch Winery Building 1082 $1,436.62 Panko Architects Architectural Service-FRO Shop Facility 1083 $447.60 Peninsula Digital Imaging Printing Services-Maps&Bid Package 1084 $91.83 Peterson Tractor,Co. Field Supply Page 2 of 4 I �, 1 # Claims No 04-09 Meeting 04-14 Date 06/23/04 Revised Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District # Amount Name Description 1085 $599.59 PIP Printing Volunteer Newsletters 1086 $130.40 Precision Engravers,Inc. Name Tag Engraving 1087 $90.00 Priority 1 Field Supply 1088 $249.00 Protection One Monitoring&Log of Alarm System-Admin.Office 1089 $9.14 Pursel Quality Paints Paint Supplies 1090 $93.37 R.H.F.,Inc. Radio Repair 1091 $14.46 Rancho Hardware&Garden Shop Field Supplies 1092 $5,580.00 Ray Budzinski Consulting Services-Big Dipper Ranch 1093 $78.04 Rayne Water Conditioning Water Conditioner Service 1094 $40.87 Robert's Hardware Field Supplies 1095 $70.31 Roessler,Cindy Mileage Reimbursement 1096 $400.09 Romic Environmental Technologies Hazardous Waste Removal Service Corp. 1097 $1,008.34 Roy s Repair Service Vehicle Repairs&Service 1098 $555.96 San Jose Mercury News Subscription&Legal Ad.-Grabtown Gulch&Virginia Mill Bid 1099 $588.48 San Jose Water Company Water Service 1100 $12,971.00 ## San Mateo Co.-LAFCO Coastal Annexation Processing Fees 1101 $10.00 San Mateo Co.Public Health Lab. Tick Testing 1102 $1,596.90 SBC Payment Center Telephone Service 1103 $785.12 Shell Credit Card Center Fuel 1104 $6,695.25 Shoreline Printing&Graphics,Inc. Printing Services-Brochures 1105 $14,942.18 Shute,Mihaly&Weinberger LLP Litigation:Half Moon Bay Coastside Foundation vs MROSD 1106 $162.00 #4 Skyline County Water District Water Service 1107 $35.00 Smith,Jeff Reimbursement-Uniform 1108 $1.34 Specialty Truck Parts,Inc. Vehicle Supply 1109 $800.00 Stanley Reynolds Painting Consulting Services-Lead Paint Removal-SFO 1110 $353.00 #5 State of Califorinia Dept.of Toxic EPA Fees Substance Control 1111 $30.00 State of California-DES Hazardous Material Training-D.Topley 1112 $142.50 Stu Farwell Consulting Services-Fire Requirement-FFO 1113 $279.56 Summit Uniforms Uniform Expense 1114 $571.28 Tadco Supply Janitorial Supplies 1115 $64.00 Terminix Pest Control 1116 $225.00 Thielfoldt,Sally Reimbursement-San Mateo County Parking Fee-Staff Recognition 1117 $1,296.75 Tires on the Go Tires&Tire Repairs 1118 $50.34 Tony&Albas Pizza Staff Training Lunch 1119 $21.64 Tooland,Inc. Field Supplies 1120 $1,200.23 Truck Vault Truck Parts&Repair 1121 $386.73 Turf&Industrial Equipment Co. Vehicle Supplies 1122 $40.93 United Parcel Service Parcel Shipping 1123 $195.78 #6 United Rentals Northwest,Inc. Equipment Rental 1124 $226.50 Unlimited Graphics&Sign Network Vehicle Decals 1125 $225.00 Valterria,Thomas Reimbursement-EMT Training Page 3 of 4 i� I Claims No 04-09 Meeting 04-14 Date 06/23/04 Revised Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District # Amount Name Description 1126 $39.99 #7 Verizon Pager Service 1127 $84.76 Vu,Douglas 2 Months Mileage Reimbursement 1128 $78.75 Welaratna,Sumudu Mileage Reimbursement 167.28 West Group 1129 $ P On-Line Leal Services 9 1130 $5,400.00 #8 Western Press&Mail Postage Summer 2004 Newsletters 1131 $49.56 Wild Fire-Tyco Fire Fighting Equipment 1132 $415.50 Woodbury,Cathy 2 Months Mileage Reimbursement&LATC License 1133 $250.00 Woodside&Portola Private Patrol Patrol Services-Windy Hill 1134 $85.93 Xpedite Fax Broadcast System Servi ces 1135 $300.00 Zadek,Lisa Recording Services 1136 R $1,245.43 Britton,L.Craig Reimbursement-Conference-Special Park District 1137 R $2,500.00 City&County of San Francisco Acquisition Deposit 1138 R $43.30 DFM Associates 2004 California Election Code 1139 R $109.72 Federal Express Express Mailing 1140 R $635.19 G hahrem ni Fariba Tuition Reimbursement a 1141 R $12.26 MCI Lon Distance Telephone Service 9 P 1142 R $139,451.00 # Old Republic Title Co mpany anY Acquisition Deposit-Costich 1143 R $150.00 Santa Clara County Special District 2004 Membership Dues Association 1144 R $162.65 SBC Telephone Service 1145 R $6,720.00 YellowDuckDesign,Inc. Website Redesign Total $561,604.76 ## Expenditure to Date Exceeds 10K But Not 25K #1 Urgent Check Issued 6/09/04 #2 Urgent Check Issued 6/15/04 #3 Urgent Check Issued 6/15/04 #4 Urgent Check Issued 6/09/04 #5 Urgent Check Issued 6/01/04 #6 Urgent Check Issued 6/09/04 #7 Urgent Check Issued 6/01/04 #8 Urgent Check Issued 6/15/04 # In the event Agenda Item 2 is not approved,this claim will not be processed. Page 4 of 4 f W)/U�J f�►LL � RECEIVED MAY 18 2004 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN MROSD SPACE DISTRICT Board of Directors 360 Distel Circle Los Altos, CA 94022 Dear Board of Directors: I have been asked to send this letter on behalf of the many Sequoia residents who enjoy the level trail/road along the back of the Sequoias. Our residents have easy access to this trail from the Town's Sequoia Trail, and this path takes them to the top of the Kabcenell driveway above Alpine road, a pleasant easy walk for older people. It is our understanding that the District plans to remove and reroute this trail. We urge yot save it as a small footpath. Thank you, A Brawner, President Sequoia Resident's Council Alexander Brawner Box 6120 501 Portola Rd Portola Valley, CA 9$028 cc: Town of Portola Valley Planning Commission I ZOWIn of ''OBI ZOLA UALLET Town Hall: 705 Portola Road, Portola Valley,C 0 T (650)851-1700 Fax:(650)851-4677 DECEIVED June 22,2004 Board of Directors Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District 330 Distel Circle Los Altos,California 94022 i1AIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Dear Board Members: The Portola Valley Planning Commission has before it the District's proposal for certain modifications to the service road/trail that goes up Windy Hill and a new connection to the Kabcenell driveway. In reviewing the site development permit application, the Planning Commission again came race-to-face with the fact that the District proposes to close a trail link that is very important to the town. The commission referred the matter of the trail closure to the Town Council, and the Council voted 5-0 to ask the District to reconsider the proposed closure. A considerable amount has been written about this proposed closure, and I won't go into all of the background in this letter. Simply put, however, this 1,000 foot section of trail was identified in the town's Trails and Paths Element of the General Plan in 1970, almost 35 years ago. It existed at that time and still exists today. It is part of a proposed low-level trail shown on the plan that starts on Portola Road north of the Town Center and follows an almost level route along the base of the western hills all the way to Alpine Road. It was and is envisioned as a beautiful trail for families and individuals as well as older residents of The Sequoias retirement community. Residents of The Sequoias currently access the trail from the back of their property and can take an enjoyable walk with very minimal grades. The proposed replacement of this trail with a new service road/trail is in no way comparable, as it is considerably steeper and will not adequately serve the uses the Town has for many years intended. The proposed portion to be closed has been a service road/trail, and we agree is not suited for a service road function. We strongly believe, however, that a narrow portion of the road can and should be retained for trail purposes only. This designation would be consistent with the long held plans of the Town. The Town desires to work cooperatively with the District or. matters of importance to both parties. One of the original justifications for granting the conditional use permit for the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve was that it would serve the Town as well as the Midpeninsula and larger area. We are now asking for consideration of a small section of trail that has and should continue to serve the Town. The Planning Commission will next consider the District's request at its meeting on July 21. We look forward to your consideration of this request and a favorable response. Sincerely, /' ��- Craig K. Breon,Chair,Planning Commission cc. L.Craig Britton,General Manager Town Council �" � i�� ��� �� ,'���, �� - tv o o O idif+ 10VV ja o a_ •• ch■ . \_._ • ,` ` Road/Trail proposed to be closed s "� ♦ Natural swale Tank } a o Approximate alignment o portion Connection from 1868 map of roadttrail leading up Hamms Gulch WT h 1 ' goo o \ ,l J p Enclosure to MROSD letter of 6/29/04 o Excerpt from USGS map, 1" = 2,000' � 0 0 � V Page 1 of 1 Craig Britton From: MWALT851@aol.com Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2004 11:35 AM To: Craig Britton Subject: Change of trail above The Sequoias Please reconsider the proposed reconfiguration of the trail connecting the top of Kabcinell's driveway which passes by the Sequoia Trail of the Town of Portola Valley. This change will wreak a lot of damage to the lower Windy Hill Preserve, which has already had quite enough! It seems hard to defend such a"mitigation"as a solution to bordering that small often dry puddle. Couldn't the mitigation be a culvert under the present fireroad/trail--thus preserving the integrity of the land? Marilyn Walter it i I I 6/23/2004 �OW'n of TORGOLA UA LET Town Hall: 705 Portola Road, Portola Valley,CA 94028 Tel: (050)851-1700 F ix:((,5())851-4o77 To: George Mader, Town Planner From: Nancy Lund, Town Historian Subject: History of Hamms Gulch Trail Date: June 29, 2004 The trail down Hamms Gulch has a long documented history. William C. Jones, who owned the land the present Lauriston buildings occupy, built a trail down the gulch in the 1860s. The late Town Historian Dorothy Regnery believed this route probably followed an old Indian trail. Primary early uses were hauling wood and tanbark. Stanford University hikers used it at the turn of the century and called it "Goat Ranch Road." (The Rengstorff property was called Goat Ranch.) Edward L. Brown, whose farm was at the top of Windy Hill near the picnic benches today, improved this road. Cordelia Brown routinely drove a team of six horses down the route to take butterfat to market. The area was laced with several trails during the Herbert Law/J. F. Neylan era. I am including a copy of an excerpt from an 1868 map for your information. RECEIVED JUN S PA N(a L r, (�. MARTI N EZ }�RR►cx ` 4� P \ 1, Y 3P n\ ND3A� s` h ,t d� I ft oly-, bee ?�461+rA e , 61A�T�M�`z OCR - CMAPde mad.er_Q �amc�t S-nr ly)okeo CO. maF O^f Cou n l v ZOW91 of TOIZOEA UALLET Town Hall: 765 Portola Road,Portola Valley,CA 94028 Tel:(650)851-1700 Fax:(650)851-4677 $ � , ,. . une 29 2004 Board of Directors REC El : J Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District 330 Distel Circle Los Altos,California 94022 " Subject: Windy Hill Open Space Preserve MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Dear Board Members: Portola Valley submitted a letter to your board dated June 22, 2004 (copy enclosed), requesting that a service road/trail proposed to be closed by the District be instead retained for trail use only. The letter points out that the trail has been a part of the Town's General Plan since 1970. In a discussion with Nonttte Hanko, she asked if we knew more about the history of the trail. This question led us to pursue the history further. Our exploration uncovered quite a bit of new information. We set forth a summary of this information below. Aerial Photo of the Service Road/Trail Proposed to be Closed The section proposed to be abandoned is clearly visible on an aerial photograph dated 1948 in possession of the Town. Consequently,we know the"trail"is at least 56 years old. Report of Richard Anderson Richard Anderson, a member of our Trails and Paths Committee, is familiar with the road/trail. He indicated that more than 15 years ago when working on trail planning, he hiked along the extension of the subject road/trail on the north side of Corte Madera Creek to Hamm's Gulch. He noted that there clearly was, and partially still exists, a road that continued on this alignment well up into Hamm's Gulch. Portions of this route have now been eroded and/or overgrown. We feel confident, therefore, that there was an old road that started well up Hamm's Gulch, came to Corte Madera Creek and then followed the north side of the creek, and then continued on the alignment that is proposed to be closed. We have shown a portion of this diagrammatically on an enclosed map. Historic Record Nancy Lund, the Town Historian, in her letter dated June 29, 2004 (copy enclosed) provides information on how the Hamm's Gulch trail was used by early residents. Her letter indicates that the late Town Historian, Dorothy Regnery, " ... believed this route probably followed an old Indian Trail." As noted by Ms. Lund, the route was used for hauling and later by Stanford University hikers. It appears quite logical that users of the trail/road would have come down to Corte Madera Creek and then stayed on the north side of the creek rather than crossing the creek. The north side is less steep and provides for relatively easy access. Also, the road discovered by Mr. Anderson stays on the north side of the creek. As one follows the creek, the first easy access to the floor of the valley would be through the natural swale through which the current road/trail passes. The user would then descend easily i Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District,June 29,2004 Page 1 to the floor of the valley and the early stores, school and other destinations. It would have been a longer route and more difficult route to continue around the hill, to the east of the swale, and then into the valley. We surmise, therefore, that this route dates back at least to the 1860's based on Nancy Lund's information. Early Map Ms. Lund also supplied a copy of a map dated 1868 (copy enclosed) based on the original map in the Engineer's office of San Mateo County. It is important to note that a road is shown leaving Corte Madera Creek in a location near the Kabcenell Driveway. This would appear to be a connection that would have also passed through the swale mentioned above. There would have been no point in climbing higher on the hill rather than taking the first convenient route to the valley floor. We have shown the first section of this trail by a dashed line on the enclosed map. Conclusion It is clear that the section of road/trail to be closed is at least 56 years old. It is very likely that it dates back to at least the 1860's, the time when the information submitted by Ms. Lund supports. It is also possible that it served as an Indian Trail,as noted by Dorothy Regnery. We again point out that this trail is very important to the Town and residents of The Sequoias. It serves as a close to level route for use by persons of all ages. The proposed replacement would not serve this function. Also, the trail on the existing alignment, has been on the Town plans for approximately 35 years. Finally, we now find that the history of the trail adds to the position of the Town that the trail should be retained. The town asks that your Board consider this information when it considers the Town's request. We urge the Board to retain the section in question for trail only use. Sincerely, Craig K. Breon Enclosures cc. L.Craig Britton,General Manager Town Council Nancy Lund,Town Historian I, II I Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District,June 29,2004 Page 2