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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. Meeting 13-21 Page 2 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