HomeMy Public PortalAbout20140528 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD)
May 28, 2014
Board Meeting 14-13
*Approved by the Board of Directors on June 11, 2014
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Administrative Office
330 Distel Circle
Los Altos, CA 94022
May 28, 2014
APPROVED MINUTES*
SPECIAL MEETING
I. CALL TO ORDER
President Harris called the Special Meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Board of Directors to order at 6:03 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Nonette Hanko, Cecily Harris, Larry Hassett, Yoriko Kishimoto,
Curt Riffle, and Pete Siemens
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: General Manager Steve Abbors, General Counsel Sheryl Schaffner,
Assistant General Manager Kevin Woodhouse, Real Property Manager
Mike Williams, Open Space Planner III Matt Baldzikowski
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
(GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9(d)(1))
Name of Case: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District v. County of Santa Clara, et
al. (Lehigh Quarry CEQA Matter)
Santa Clara County Superior Court Case No. 1-12-CV-236881
The Board of Directors convened into Closed Session at 6:05 pm.
The Board of Directors reconvened into Open Session at 7:02 pm.
2. Presentation by San Mateo Resource Conservation District
Ms. Kellyx Nelson Executive Director of the San Mateo Resource Conservation District (RCD)
provided a presentation describing the history and the mission of the RCD including partnering
with other agencies and landowners to accomplish their goals. Ms. Nelson summarized several
Meeting 14-13 Page 2
of RCD’s current projects, including education and outreach opportunities, pond and weed
management, wildfire prevention, and stream restoration.
IV. ADJOURNMENT
President Harris adjourned the Special Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District at 7:34 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING
I. CALL TO ORDER
President Harris called the Regular Meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Board of Directors to order at 7:34 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Nonette Hanko, Cecily Harris, Larry Hassett, Yoriko Kishimoto,
Curt Riffle, and Pete Siemens
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: General Manager Steve Abbors, General Counsel Sheryl Schaffner,
Assistant General Manager Ana Ruiz, Assistant General Manager Kevin
Woodhouse, Administrative Services Manager Kate Drayson, Natural
Resources Manager Kirk Lenington, Acting Operations Manager Michael
Newburn, Acting Planning Manager Tina Hugg, Public Affairs Manager
Shelly Lewis, Real Property Manager Mike Williams, and District Clerk
Jennifer Woodworth
III. REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION (IF NECESSARY) (The Board shall publicly
state any reportable action taken in closed session pursuant to Government Code Section
54957.1)
President Harris noted that there were no actions to report out of closed session.
IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Walter Moore, President of the Peninsula Regional Open Space Trust, spoke in favor of Measure
AA summarizing several of the legislative and editorial endorsements the measure has received
and urged people to volunteer at the “Hike Out the Vote” event this Sunday at Ravenswood
Open Space Preserve.
V. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: Director Riffle moved, and Director Kishimoto seconded the motion to adopt the
agenda.
VOTE: 7-0-0
Meeting 14-13 Page 3
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Approve Minutes of the Special and Regular Board Meetings of May 14, 2014.
2. Approve the Claims Report
3. Appointment of Director and Alternate Representatives to the California Joint
Powers Insurance Authority Board of Directors (R-14-84)
General Manager’s Recommendation: Appoint President Cecily Harris as Director and General
Manager Steve Abbors and Assistant General Manager Ana Ruiz as Alternates to the California
Joint Powers Insurance Authority Board of Directors.
4. Amendment to an Agreement with Phytosphere Research to Continue Monitoring
of Treatment Methods to Suppress the Spread of Sudden Oak Death (R-14-52)
General Manager’s Recommendation: Authorize the General Manager to execute an
Amendment to the Agreement with Phytosphere Research for an additional $15,000 to continue
monitoring of treatment methods in Calendar Years 2014 and 2015 to suppress the spread of
Sudden Oak Death, for a total contract amount not to exceed $67,500.
Public hearing opened at 7:40 p.m.
No speakers present.
Public hearing closed at 7:40 p.m.
Motion: Director Cyr moved, and Director Hanko seconded the motion to approve the Consent
Calendar.
VOTE: 7-0-0
VII. BOARD BUSINESS
5. Year-End Review of the Fiscal Year 2013-14 District Action Plan and
Accomplishments (R-14-81)
General Manager Steve Abbors described the List of Major Accomplishments included in the
Board Report and published on the District’s website.
Administrative Services Manager Kate Drayson provided a brief summary of the progress made
by District staff on the Fiscal Year 2012-13 Action and invited the department managers to share
some of their departments’ accomplishments with the Board.
Real Property Manager Mike Williams described the efforts of Real Property staff to complete
the Vision Plan, Capital Finance Program, Driscoll Ranch and additional property acquisition
projects.
Meeting 14-13 Page 4
Co-Acting Planning Manager Tina Hugg described the work completed by the Planning
department related to Mt. Umunhum, El Corte de Madera staging area, Mindego Ranch staging
area and new trails, and the Mary Davey Memorial Bench.
Natural Resources Manager Kirk Lenington summarized projects worked on by Natural
Resources staff including the completed Vision Plan, Mindego Ranch Aquatic Species
Management Plan, and Hicks Flat Mercury Remediation projects.
Acting Operations Manager Michael Newburn described several accomplishments of the
Operations department including an update of the District’s Rules and Regulations ordinance,
completion of the permits database for use by all four offices, and the Mora Road upgrade.
Public Affairs Manager Shelly Lewis described several of the outreach events organized by the
Public Affairs department, including an increased focus on diversity, increased social media
presence and attending employer health fairs. Ms. Lewis also described other projects completed
by her department, such as translation of District written materials into several new languages,
and the improved the volunteer program, leading to 18,000 hours of volunteer service and more
than 270 docent programs during the last fiscal year.
Ms. Drayson stated that the Administration department has focused on implementation of
process and procedural updates to increase operational efficiency, including the streamlined
midyear budget process, Districtwide changes to the credit card program, and the streamlined
claims process. Ms. Drayson also described the completed compensation study and improved
use of the IAFS system.
Public hearing opened at 8:23 p.m.
No speakers present.
Public hearing closed at 8:23 p.m.
VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Director Hassett reported that the Real Property Committee met to discuss the possible
demolition of the Saratoga Gap Cabins. The Committee’s recommendation will be going to the
Board on June 11th.
District Clerk Jennifer Woodworth provided comments regarding the Board appointee evaluation
process and the upcoming meetings associated with completing the evaluations.
IX. STAFF REPORTS
Mr. Abbors provided comments on the Vision Plan and Vision Plan Implementation Guide.
X. DIRECTOR REPORTS
The Board submitted their compensatory forms to the District Clerk.
Meeting 14-13 Page 5
Director Hassett reported that he attended the Special District Parks Forum in Orange County
and commented on the value of District’s extensive outreach efforts.
Director Cyr reported that he and other Board members attended retired Ranger Dennis
Danielson’s retirement party.
Director Riffle presented at the League of Women Voters for Los Altos and Mountain View.
Mr. Riffle also reported that he address the members of the Volunteer Trail Patrol at their recent
training session.
Director Harris reported that she attended San Carlos Hometown Days.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
President Harris adjourned the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District at 8:50 p.m.
________________________________
Jennifer Woodworth, CMC
District Clerk