HomeMy Public PortalAbout20130910 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD)
September 10, 2013
Board Meeting 13-21
*Approved by the Board of Directors on September 25, 2013
SPECIAL MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Elkus Ranch
1500 Purisima Creek Road
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
September 10, 2013
APPROVED MINUTES*
SPECIAL MEETING – STUDY SESSION
I. CALL TO ORDER
President Cyr called the Special Meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District Board of Directors to order at 4:01 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Yoriko Kishimoto, Pete Siemens, Nonette Hanko, Larry
Hassett, and Cecily Harris
Members Absent: Curt Riffle (Recused due to potential conflict of interest)
Staff Present: General Manager Steve Abbors, Assistant General Manager Ana
Ruiz, Assistant General Manager Kevin Woodhouse, Assistant
General Counsel Hilary Stevenson, Natural Resources Manager
Kirk Lenington, Acting Planning Co-Manager Tina Hugg, Planner
III Lisa Bankosh, Real Property Manager Michael Williams, Real
Property Specialist Elaina Cuzick, Public Affairs Manager Shelly
Lewis, Area Superintendent Brian Malone, and District Clerk
Jennifer Woodworth
III. BOARD BUSINESS
Real Property Manager Mike Williams provided an overview of the site’s location as
well as a brief history on and past uses of the Event Center.
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Natural Resources Manager Kirk Lenington described the riparian corridor along the
stretch of San Gregorio Creek that flows through the Event Center property, specifically
noting the presence of Coho salmon and steelhead trout.
Real Property Manager Mike Williams provided the staff presentation of the POST
(Driscoll) Event Center property explaining that the District does not own or manage the
property. Mr. Williams stated that the District has been studying the uses that have
occurred on the Event Center property and has held Coastside meetings to gather public
input. Mr. Williams described five categories of known prior uses of the Event Center
and their levels of intensity with regards to their impact on the land. Mr. Williams also
stated that an evaluation of what uses to allow on the property in the future must also take
into consideration constraints on District staff time and the use of District resources to
manage these events.
Director Hassett asked how the Event Center was operated by the previous owner and
requested more information on this topic from staff because he is unsure of how the
District would fund the types of events being described.
Director Harris inquired if the Lease and Management Agreement with POST would be
an annual lease. Real Property Manager Williams explained that the agreement may be
for multiple years.
Director Hanko commented that it would be helpful to know the attendance expected for
the proposed uses. Mr. Williams responded that staff will be observing the rodeo being
held at the Event Center on September 22nd to gather more information.
Director Kishimoto commented that the role of the District is changing as it acquires
more land. With this project the District must decide if it is going to operate as a
landowner acting as landlord, create partnerships with other agencies to operate the site,
or remain a preservationist agency with a hands-off approach.
Director Siemens expressed his concerns regarding the District’s potential liability and
insurance requirements for the proposed uses.
Public comment opened at 4:50 p.m.
Paul Barulich spoke in favor of combining the Event Center and the grazing operation on
the Preserve into a single Request for Proposals by the District.
Maria Fonseca, a member of the San Mateo County Horseman’s Association, spoke in
support of equestrian events being held at the Event Center.
Lyndall Erb, a member of Bay Area Farms and Trails, spoke regarding the historical
value of the Event Center.
Bob Meehan spoke in support of the other events held at the Event Center, such as
concerts, reunions, picnics. Mr. Meehan also spoke in favor of combining the Event
Center and the grazing operation into a single Request for Proposals by the District.
Meeting 13-21 Page 3
Charise McHugh, a resident of San Mateo County and chairman of the Half Moon Bay
Coastside Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Bureau, spoke in support of tourism in
the rural areas of the Coastside, and the role the Event Center plays in supporting
tourism.
Angelo Costanza, a member of the Woodside Mounted Patrol, spoke in favor of
combining the Event Center and the grazing operation into a single Request for Proposals
by the District.
Rebekah Witter spoke about the historical value of rodeos to California culture and the
need to preserve the horse culture.
Mike Bushue, a member of Equestrian Trail Riders’ Action Committee, spoke in support
of horse clinics, especially those held by 4-H clubs, because these do not require many
District resources to operate.
Carol Bridgeman, a member of San Mateo County Mounted Search and Rescue, said the
Event Center is integral to training their horses and described the types of training used
by her organization.
Doniga Markegard spoke in support of keeping the Event Center and grazing operation
separate. Ms. Markegard also spoke about cattle grazing and her family’s dependence on
the land.
Public comment closed at 5:16 p.m.
Director Hassett commented that he was uncomfortable with the idea of concerts,
reunions, and picnics being held at the Event Center because these types of events do not
depend on the Event Center to exist. Director Hassett asserted his belief that separate
Requests for Proposals for the Event Center and grazing operation are important because
combining these would otherwise limit the number of people who have the ability to
participate in the process. Director Hassett expressed his concerns about the District
financing some of the potential uses of the Event Center and the associated
environmental impact inherent in the high-intensity uses. Director Hassett voiced his
concern that the potential uses of the Event Center will strain District staff capacity and
resources that are already in short supply.
Director Hanko expressed her desire that the District capture the rural character of the
area and preserve it; however, she is open to partnerships in order to finance the project.
Directors Kishimoto and Siemens voiced their opinions that partnerships with
independent operators would be required for high-intensity uses.
Director Cyr stated that the decisions made regarding the Event Center could lead to a
major policy shift by the District to provide more activities on the land rather than
straightforward preservation.
Meeting 13-21 Page 4
Director Hassett commented that it is important for all aspects of the community to be
working together, including hotels, agricultural interests, community events, etc., and
noted the importance of tourism to the Coastside economy.
IV. ADJOURNMENT
President Cyr adjourned the Special Meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District at 5:41 p.m.
__________________________________
Jennifer Woodworth
District Clerk