HomeMy Public PortalAbout20131015 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD)
October 15, 2013
Board Meeting 13-26
*Approved by the Board of Directors on November 13, 2013
SPECIAL MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Administrative Office
330 Distel Circle
Los Altos, CA 94022
October 15, 2013
APPROVED MINUTES*
I. CALL TO ORDER
President Cyr called the Regular Meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Board of Directors to order at 2:30 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Nonette Hanko, Larry Hassett, and Curt Riffle
Members Absent: Cecily Harris, Yoriko Kishimoto, and Pete Siemens
Staff Present: Assistant General Manager Kevin Woodhouse, General Counsel Sheryl
Schaffner, Assistant General Counsel Hilary Stevenson, Natural
Resources Manager Kirk Lenington, Acting Planning Co-Manager Tina
Hugg, Public Affairs Manager Shelly Lewis, Real Property Manager Mike
Williams, Operations Manager David Sanguinetti, Area Superintendent
Brian Malone, Resource Management Specialist I Joel Silverman, Real
Property Specialist Elaina Cuzick, Senior Administrative Assistant
Amudha Sankar, Real Property Manager Mike Williams, Planner III Lisa
Bankosh, and District Clerk Jennifer Woodworth
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
There were none.
Informational Presentation on Conservation Grazing Management Strategies (R-13-98) –
C. Koopmann
Meeting 13-26 Page 2
Assistant General Manager Kevin Woodhouse explained to the Directors that this workshop is to
inform them of the District’s current grazing practices and describing the technical details of the
program prior to future Board decisions regarding the award of grazing leases.
Director Kishimoto arrived at 2:34 p.m.
Clayton Koopmann, Rangeland Ecologist, provided an informational presentation regarding the
District’s Conservation Grazing Program. Mr. Koopmann outlined the background of the
District’s current practices and plans for future regarding grazing of District properties. The
District currently grazes approximately 7,700 acres and proposes to increase the amount of
grazing lands to 10,800 acres in the near future. Mr. Koopmann described the practice of
conservation grazing including providing explanations of terms and definitions related to
grazing. Mr. Koopmann reported that District staff toured four properties owned by government
agencies to view their grazing systems and described the grazing operations at each of those
locations. Mr. Koopmann outlined the various factors to consider regarding conservation
grazing and the impacts of these strategies.
Director Kishimoto inquired about the positive aspects of seasonal rotation versus year round
rotation of cattle grazing. Mr. Koopmann explained the District must balance its objectives,
including water quality, fire protection, recreational uses, agricultural operators, etc. However,
seasonal rotation is preferred for smaller properties where little infrastructure exists.
Director Riffle inquired if anyone could comment regarding the District’s reputation along the
Coast.
Doniga Markegard, currently the District’s tenant at Toto Ranch, commented that by allowing
agriculture to remain on District lands after they are purchased is essential to creating goodwill.
Also outreach and education by District staff seems to be improving resident perception of the
District and its mission in the Coastal area.
Director Riffle inquired about the costs of infrastructure needed for grazing. Natural Resources
Manager Kirk Lenington responded that grazing is used by the District as a resource
management tool, and the District often provides infrastructure which promotes resource
management. However, the relationship between the District and its tenants is a partnership
where it must be economically viable for the ranchers and the District.
Director Cyr observed that a policy question inherent in this conversation relates to the type of
visitor experience being created. This objective should be balanced against the other objectives
including water quality, fire protection, agricultural operators, etc.
Public Comment opened at 4:05 p.m.
Dan Olstein, Director of Land Stewardship at the Peninsula Open Space Trust, spoke in favor of
the District’s grazing program.
Doniga Markegard stated the District could support the agricultural uses by providing housing
for entry level ranchers and partnerships with seasoned ranchers. Sustainable grazing takes more
resources and capital than large operations.
Public comment closed at 4:11 p.m.
Meeting 13-26 Page 3
Director Cyr commented that when considering the trail experience for these lands, the District
should work to mitigate as many factors as possible when the trails are being built, such as
fencing, natural features, etc. This can optimistically prevent ongoing expenses to repeatedly
repair trails in the future.
V. ADJOURNMENT
President Cyr adjourned the Special Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District at 4:20 p.m.
__________________________________
Jennifer Woodworth
District Clerk