HomeMy Public PortalAbout20150128 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD)
Board Meeting 15-03
*Approved by the Board of Directors on February 11, 2015
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Administrative Office
330 Distel Circle
Los Altos, CA 94022
January 28, 2015
APPROVED MINUTES*
SPECIAL MEETING – STUDY SESSION
I. CALL TO ORDER
President Siemens called the Special Meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Board of Directors to order at 5:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Cecily Harris, Larry Hassett, Yoriko Kishimoto, Curt Riffle, and
Pete Siemens
Members Absent: Nonette Hanko
Staff Present: General Manager Steve Abbors, General Counsel Sheryl Schaffner,
Assistant General Manager Kevin Woodhouse, District Clerk Jennifer
Woodworth
III. STUDY SESSION
1. Financial and Operational Sustainability Model Study Update (R-15-23)
Nancy Hetrick, Andy Belknap, and Christine Butterfield of Management Partners provided the
presentation outlining the work already completed as part of the Financial and Operational
Sustainability Model Study (FOSM), general principles of organizational design, proposed
guiding principles for the District, and potential models for the organizational structure. They
provided a summary of comments received from members of District staff in response to the
presentation. Finally, the three phases of implementation were described including priorities for
recruitment and creation of various organizational systems.
Director Riffle inquired regarding possible methods of measuring an organization’s
effectiveness.
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Ms. Hetrick responded that effectiveness may be measured according to various metrics
including employee morale or project delivery.
Director Harris inquired regarding the creation of performance measures to determine the
success of and accountability in the organization.
Mr. Belknap explained that performance measures will be created in conjunction with District
staff as part of Phase I.
Director Kishimoto expressed her concerns regarding the sustainability of the model including
the additional staff members proposed.
Mr. Belknap explained his staff tested the District’s current financial model, and it anticipates
growth and continues to be sustainable into the future.
Director Hassett inquired as to the Board involvement in Phase II of implementation.
General Manager Steve Abbors explained that the Board has made and will continue to make the
policy decisions that are necessary for implementation.
Director Siemens stated his view is that the Board will be primarily involved in Phase I of
implementation.
Mr. Belknap explained that his organization often holds workshops for the legislative body
during implementation to update them on progress.
Public hearing opened at 6:45 p.m.
No speakers present.
Public hearing closed at 6:45 p.m.
IV. ADJOURNMENT
President Siemens adjourned the Special Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District at 6:48 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING
I. CALL TO ORDER
President Siemens called the Regular Meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Board of Directors to order at 7:02 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Cecily Harris, Larry Hassett, Yoriko Kishimoto, Curt Riffle, and
Pete Siemens
Meeting 15-03 Page 3
Members Absent: Nonette Hanko
Staff Present: General Manager Steve Abbors, Assistant General Manager Ana Ruiz,
Assistant General Manager Kevin Woodhouse, General Counsel Sheryl
Schaffner, Public Affairs Shelly Lewis, Real Property Manager Mike
Williams, Real Property Specialist Allen Ishibashi, Planning Manager
Jane Mark, Planner III Gina Coony, Planner III Lisa Bankosh, Senior
Planner Meredith Manning, and District Clerk Jennifer Woodworth
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Sam Drake, President of the Umunhum Conservancy, spoke in support of the District approving
signage at the site for donor recognition and requested the Board agendize that item for a future
Legislative, Funding and Public Affairs Committee meeting.
IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: Director Cyr moved, and Director Harris seconded the motion to adopt the agenda.
VOTE: 6-0-0 (Director Hanko absent.)
V. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Approve Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of January 14, 2015.
2. Approve the Claims Report
3. Appointment of Board of Directors Standing Committee Members for Calendar
Year 2015 (R-15-15)
Board President’s Recommendation: Approve the President’s appointments to the Board
Standing Committees, as well as approve the appointments of Board representatives to other
bodies, and determine the compensation status for attendance at Board Committee meetings.
4. Appointment of District Representatives to the Governing Board of the
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Financing Authority for Calendar Year 2015
(R-15-16)
Board President’s Recommendation: Approve appointment of Directors Pete Siemens, Curt
Riffle, Jed Cyr, and Larry Hassett to serve on the Governing Board of the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District Financing Authority for Calendar Year 2015.
5. Renewal of Investment Authority and Adoption of Annual Statement of Investment
Policy (R-15-17)
General Manager’s Recommendation: Adopt a resolution to renew the District Controller’s
investment authority until January 7, 2016 and approve the District’s Revised Statement of
Investment Policy.
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6. 2014 Ombudsperson Annual Report and Extension of the Ombudsperson’s
Appointment through December 31, 2015 (R-15-21)
General Manager’s Recommendations:
1. Receive an annual report from Rosemary Field, the District’s Ombudsperson.
2. Approve an extension to the appointment of Rosemary Field as the District’s ombudsperson
through December 31, 2015.
Motion: Director Kishimoto moved, and Director Hassett seconded the motion to approve the
Consent Calendar.
VOTE: 6-0-0 (Director Hanko absent.)
VI. BOARD BUSINESS
7. Contract for the Mount Umunhum Radar Tower Interim Repair Project located at
Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve (R-15-09)
Planner III Gina Coony provided the staff report stating that access to the building can be
completely sealed with the exception of access for emergency reasons. By sealing access to the
building, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety regulations will be met.
Ms. Coony reported that the new contract would meet all District goals of completing all
necessary safety and structural repairs.
Public hearing opened at 7:17 p.m.
Sam Drake, President of the Umunhum Conservancy, spoke regarding the proposed repairs that
are no longer included in the proposed contract. Mr. Drake also expressed his concern that the
District is passing the costs for repairs on to the Conservancy thereby increasing their costs.
Public hearing closed at 7:20 p.m.
Motion: Director Harris moved, and Director Hassett seconded the motion to authorize the
General Manager to enter into a contract with Ashron Construction and Restoration, Inc., of
Milpitas, CA, for a contract amount of $222,980. In addition, authorize a 10% contingency of
$22,298 to cover any unforeseen conditions, for a not-to-exceed contract total of $245,278, to
complete the Mount Umunhum Radar Tower Interim Repair Project located at Sierra Azul Open
Space Preserve.
VOTE: 6-0-0 (Director Hanko absent.)
8. Award of Contract for Design and Engineering Services for the Mount Umunhum
Summit Project (R-15-18)
Planner III Lisa Bankosh presented the staff report outlining the services included in the contract
and described the work previously completed on the site and planned work based on contracts
previously approved by the Board of Directors. Ms. Bankosh described the planned elements of
the project including visitor access points, trails, landform restoration, ADA accessible facilitates
and trails, and proposed structures to provide shelter and shade. Finally, Ms. Bankosh described
Meeting 15-03 Page 5
the planned project schedule including when the project will be reviewed by the Planning and
Natural Resources Committee.
Director Hassett inquired about the process for choosing the recommended consultant.
Ms. Bankosh explained the process used for seeking and choosing the recommended consultant,
including the need for an additional consultant if another consultant was chosen and the
additional work being completed by the recommended consultant.
Several Board members inquired regarding specific elements of the site plans, including
helicopter landing areas and access to potable water.
Senior Planner Meredith Manning explained the item will be going to the Planning and Natural
Resources Committee to review those elements.
Director Harris requested the Board remained informed as to the progress of the project through
the biweekly reports.
Public hearing opened at 7:55 p.m.
No speakers were present.
Public hearing closed at 7:55 p.m.
Motion: Director Kishimoto moved, and Director Cyr seconded the motion to authorize the
General Manager to execute a contract with Restoration Design Group for an amount of
$325,735 to design and engineer ecological restoration and visitor amenities on the summit of
Mount Umunhum at Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. In addition, authorize a 15% contingency
of $48,860 to cover unforeseen requirements, for a not-to-exceed total contract amount of
$374,595.
VOTE: 6-0-0 (Director Hanko absent.)
9. Proposed Funding and Acquisition Agreement to Purchase a Conservation
Easement for the Alpine Ranch Property owned by Peninsula Open Space Trust located at
8700 Alpine Road, La Honda, in unincorporated San Mateo County (Assessor’s Parcel
Numbers 083-340-140) (R-15-14)
Real Property Manager Mike Williams presented the staff report describing the location of the
property, geographic features of the property and structures on the property. Mr. Williams
described the habitat and resources value of the property. Finally, Mr. Williams explained the
project’s relation to Measure AA and the terms of purchase and conservation easement.
Director Harris inquired as to the process for the annual monitoring of the conservation
easement.
Mr. Williams explained the annual monitoring is largely completed by photomonitoring the area
each year to study any developments or threats to natural resources on the land.
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Public hearing opened at 8:21 p.m.
Tricia Suvari, Vice President of land transactions at Peninsula Open Space Trust spoke in
support of the District’s purchase of the conservation easement and stated that the additional
hikers’ hut will address the limited capacity associated with the current hikers’ hut.
Marlene Finley, Director of San Mateo County Parks, spoke in support of the District’s purchase
of the conservation easement.
Public hearing closed at 8:27 p.m.
Motion: Director Hassett moved, and Director Harris seconded the motion to:
1. Determine that the recommended actions are categorically exempt from the California
Quality Act as set out in the staff report.
2. Adopt a Resolution authorizing the execution of the Funding and Acquisition Agreement
with Peninsula Open Space Trust and accept a conveyance of a conservation easement over
POST’s Alpine Ranch property.
3. Adopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan recommendations as set out in the staff
report.
4. Withhold dedication of the Alpine Ranch property as public open space.
VOTE: 6-0-0 (Director Hanko absent.)
VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
No Committee reports provided.
VIII. STAFF REPORTS
Assistant General Manager Kevin Woodhouse reported that staff has begun working with
Assemblymember Rich Gordon’s staff to pursue a potential legislative change regarding the
General Manager’s contract authority. Staff will be bringing a staff report to the Board at a
future Board meeting to determine Board support.
Assistant General Manager Ana Ruiz provided an update on the District’s current 9/80 schedule
and other non-compensatory benefits.
Mr. Abbors reported that he recently met with Kerry Siragusa from Lehigh Quarry and reported
that Lehigh is currently meeting their obligations.
IX. DIRECTOR REPORTS
The Board submitted their compensatory forms to the District Clerk.
Director Kishimoto requested the proposal for recognizing Mt. Umunhum donors be agendized
for the next Board meeting.
Director Kishimoto reported that she spoke at the Bay Area Open Space Council’s Rainy Day
Event.
Directors Riffle and Cyr thanked staff for their efforts in preparing the biweekly reports.
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X. ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED SESSION
The Board adjourned to Closed Session at 8:49 p.m.
1. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS (Government Code
Section 54956.8)
Property: End of Lucy Lane, Half Moon Bay, CA, San Mateo County APN 066-320-120
Agency Negotiator: Michael Williams, Real Property Manager
Negotiating Party: Henry Riggs, Property Owner
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
2. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS (Government Code
Section 54956.8)
Property: 15900 Soda Springs Road, Los Gatos, CA, Santa Clara County APN 558-31-
008
Agency Negotiator: Allen Ishibashi, Senior Real Property Agent
Negotiating Party: Linda Kinney, Santa Clara County Tax Collector’s Office
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
XI. ADJOURNMENT
President Siemens adjourned the Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District at 9:40 p.m.
________________________________
Jennifer Woodworth, CMC
District Clerk