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Home My Public Portal About20151117 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD)Board Meeting 15-29 *Approved by the Board of Directors on December 9, 2015 SPECIAL MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Mountain View Community Center, Room 2 201 S. Rengstorff Avenue, Mountain View, CA Tuesday, November 17, 2015 APPROVED MINUTES* SPECIAL MEETING CALL TO ORDER President Siemens called the special meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District to order at 9:40 a.m. 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, Assistant General Manager Ana Ruiz, Assistant General Manager Kevin Woodhouse, General Counsel Sheryl Schaffner, Senior Management Analyst Lisa Tulee, Administrative Services Manager Kate Drayson, Planning Manager Jane Mark, Real Property Manager Mike Williams, Natural Resources Manager Kirk Lenington, Public Affairs Manager Shelly Lewis, Operations Manager Michael Newburn, Human Resources Supervisor Candice Basnight, Senior Planner Tina Hugg, District Clerk Jennifer Woodworth ORAL COMMUNICATIONS No speakers present. BOARD BUSINESS Review and Discussion of Priority Focus Areas for Fiscal Year 2016-17 Action Plan (R-15- 161) Meeting 15-29 Page 2 General Manager Abbors provided opening comments summarizing the agenda topics for the retreat and the goal to keep the Board informed on progress related to current District projects and recommended projects for the coming year. Mr. Abbors also explained current constraints on District workload and District staff including implementation of a new business model as informed by the Financial and Operational Sustainability Model. Director Riffle suggested inclusion of being responsive to our constituents as one of the goals/objectives in the Strategic Plan (Success Criteria) Director Kishimoto provided comments regarding her appreciation that the Board be given the opportunity to suggest possible projects for inclusion in the next fiscal year’s Action Plan. Assistant General Manager Kevin Woodhouse described projects included in implementation of the new business model, which have been completed or are underway and continuing into FY2016-17, including issuing the first tranche of Measure AA bonds, new positions and accompanying recruitments, and District-wide Capital Program Tracking System Assistant General Manager Ana Ruiz summarized projects associated with opening the Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve to the public. Ms. Ruiz described projects to be completed before the end of the current fiscal year and proposed for FY2016-17, including approval of the Environmental Impact Report and Preserve Plan, building a new parking lot, and numerous water system improvements. Director Harris suggested the Board look at a policy related to cost recovery for its programs in the future. Director Cyr stated that this type of policy is also related to the larger discussion of the intensity of use for District preserves. Ms. Ruiz described the ongoing and proposed projects associated with opening Mount Umunhum Summit to the public, including extensive public input, completion of the Bald Mountain parking area, completion of the Mt. Umunhum Trail, and construction of summit improvements. Ms. Ruiz provided an update regarding the opening of La Honda Open Space Preserve. Completed projects and proposed projects include repairs to ranch roads, improved grazing operation and management practices leading to a higher quality grassland habitat, proposed parking off Sears Ranch Road, and evaluation of the Driscoll Event Center as a potential Coastal Field Office. Mr. Woodhouse discussed other Measure AA projects and projects driven by the implementation of the Strategic Plan and the District’s mission, which are currently underway or recommended for FY2016-17. Director Riffle commented on the nice balance between internal organizational work and opening of District preserves. Director Harris commented on the current accelerated pace of the organization and inquired if the pace is sustainable or should potentially be slowed. Meeting 15-29 Page 3 Director Hanko expressed her concerns regarding several ongoing projects in Santa Clara County, but a disproportionate number of projects in San Mateo County. Members of the Board made suggestions for individual projects to discuss during the afternoon portion of the meeting. Director Riffle suggested that some District projects may be best implemented by partners. The Board recessed at 12:09 p.m. and reconvened at 12:48 with all directors present. Ms. Ruiz described the list of potential Action Plan projects proposed for FY2016-17 explaining the list will likely be shortened based on staff capacity and other District resources. Mr. Woodhouse provided additional information regarding Coal Creek and the reopening of Alpine Road. Ms. Ruiz described several of the complexities of this project, including negotiations with San Mateo County who owns the road. The members of the Board discussed the project and the costs associated with negotiating a memorandum of understanding and road repairs. The Board directed staff to begin discussions with San Mateo County to develop a timeline for the project for possible inclusion in the FY2016-17 Action Plan, including conditions under which the District would accept Alpine Road and preliminary scoping the required repairs. Director Hanko suggested working with the La Honda community regarding continuing projects and trails in the La Honda Open Space Preserve to update them on progress of the preserve plan. Director Hassett expressed his concern that La Honda OSP has been delayed due to issues that have arisen related to Bear Creek Redwoods OSP. Ms. Ruiz stated La Honda projects can be prioritized for the FY2016-17 Action Plan to prevent further delays in La Honda projects. Additionally, the Red Barn schedule will be looked at again as part of the FY2015-16 midyear budget. Ms. Ruiz explained several of the complexities related to opening El Sereno to dog access, especially the lack of parking and dog access on San Jose Water Company land. Planning Manager Jane Mark suggested staff will contact San Jose Water Company regarding dog access on their property. Ms. Ruiz confirmed the El Sereno dog access project will remain on the list for the FY 2016-17 Action Plan. Natural Resources Manager Kirk Lenington provided an update on the Stevens Creek fish passage project including additional funding for the Guadalupe Coyote Creek Resource Conservation District to manage the project. The Board directed staff to continue work with the Resource Conservation District and Santa Clara Valley Water District to pursue the Stevens Creek fish passage. Staff will report on the project’s progress later in FY2015-16, and the Board may later decide to direct staff to take a larger leadership role in the project. Meeting 15-29 Page 4 Director Harris inquired regarding proposed projects at Madonna Creek. Real Property Manager Mike Williams explained that the current tenant at Madonna Creek requested and will be funding the stable expansion project. Mr. Lenington explained that the agricultural plan is to assist with fish passage. Director Riffle suggested the District should pursue additional partnerships where possible. Mr. Woodhouse suggested partnership opportunities can be identified in future Action Plans. Mr. Abbors provided closing comments summarizing District focus for the coming fiscal year and thanked staff and the members of the Board for their work and comments. Director Siemens thanked staff for the materials provided and the effort staff put into creating them. ADJOURNMENT President Siemens adjourned the Special Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District at 2:56 p.m. ________________________________ Jennifer Woodworth, CMC District Clerk