HomeMy Public PortalAbout20160928 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD)
September 28, 2016
Board Meeting 16-24
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Administrative Office
330 Distel Circle
Los Altos, CA 94022
September 28, 2016
APPROVED MINUTES*
SPECIAL MEETING – CLOSED SESSION
President Kishimoto called the special meeting to order at 5:00 p.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
1. CLOSED SESSION: PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION.
Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Title of Employees: Controller
General Counsel
General Manager
CLOSED SESSION: CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS. Government
Code Section 54957.6
Agency designated representatives: Board of Directors
Unrepresented Employees: Controller
General Counsel
General Manager
Public comments opened at 5:00 p.m.
No speakers present.
Public comments closed at 5:00 p.m.
The Board convened into closed session.
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* Approved by the Board of Directors on October 12, 2016
President Kishimoto adjourned the special meeting at 6:47 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING
President Kishimoto called the regular meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District to order at 7:01 p.m.
President Kishimoto reported the Board met in closed session, and no reportable action was
taken.
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,
Chief Financial Officer/ Administrative Services Director Stefan Jaskulak,
General Counsel Sheryl Schaffner, District Clerk/Assistant to the General
Manager Jennifer Woodworth, Planning Manager Jane Mark, Planner III
Lisa Bankosh, Planner III Gretchen Laustsen
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
No speakers present.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: Director Riffle moved, and Director Cyr seconded the motion to adopt the agenda.
VOTE: 7-0-0
CONSENT CALENDAR
Director Harris pulled Item 3 from the Consent Calendar.
Public comment opened at 7:02 p.m.
No speakers present.
Public comment closed at 7:02 p.m.
Motion: Director Cyr moved, and Director Siemens seconded the motion to approve the Consent
Calendar, with the exception of Item 3.
VOTE: 7-0-0
1. Approve September 14, 2016 Minutes
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* Approved by the Board of Directors on October 12, 2016
2. Approve Claims Report
3. Agreement with Grassroots Ecology (formerly Acterra Stewardship) for Native
Planting and Interpretive Work at Cooley Landing (R-16-116)
General Manager’s Recommendation: Enter into an agreement with Grassroots Ecology in the
amount of $90,000 to manage volunteer service projects for native plant restoration and
interpretive work during a three-year period at Cooley Landing Park, which includes portions of
Ravenswood Open Space Preserve. The full scope of work is eligible for Measure AA
reimbursement.
Director Harris inquired if the work had already been completed and whether the scope of work
includes maintenance. Additionally, Director Harris asked for information regarding the
District’s ongoing partnership with the City of East Palo Alto for Cooley Landing.
Senior Planner Tina Hugg explained the work has not been completed and is a replacement of
the temporary installation. The plantings are new installations rather than maintenance, which is
why the project is eligible for Measure AA reimbursement.
Assistant General Manager Ana Ruiz explained the District is continuing to work with East Palo
Alto for the next phase of the park plan, which also includes a portion of the Ravenswood Open
Space Preserve.
Director Riffle spoke in favor of the item and requested additional information regarding long
term plans for the site.
Ms. Ruiz explained a long term plan for continuing a District partnership has not yet been
developed and will require Board approval.
Motion: Director Riffle moved, and Director Hassett seconded the motion to approve Item 3.
VOTE: 7-0-0
BOARD BUSINESS
4. Public Hearing to Receive Public Comments on the Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve
Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report (R-16-117)
Director Riffle reported the District purchased the property from the Peninsula Open Space Trust
19 years ago, and there are no ongoing financial implications between the two organizations
related to the agenda item. Director Riffle consulted with General Counsel who did not identify a
conflict of interest related to Director Riffle’s participation in the Board’s deliberation on the
item; therefore, he will not be recusing himself from the item.
Planner III Lisa Bankosh provided an overview of the Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve Plan,
including the planning process to date and each of the proposed three implementation phases.
For Alma College, the District plans a fiscally-sustainable clean-up and rehabilitation plan which
allows the site’s cultural significance to be understood and safely enjoyed by the public. There
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* Approved by the Board of Directors on October 12, 2016
are several constraints associated with fault lines beneath the Alma College site prohibiting some
reuse options for the site.
Planner III Gretchen Laustsen provided an overview of the elements of the Bear Creek Stables
site plan including improvement standards, management guidelines, public access programs and
improvements, and maintenance and operations improvements. The Board previously selected
Phased Alternative A2 as the preferred alternative for Bear Creek Stables.
Director Hanko suggested including interpretive elements to provide more knowledge regarding
the San Andreas Fault.
Ms. Bankosh explained there is the opportunity to include interpretive elements at Alma College
to help educate the public about the San Andreas Fault.
Director Siemens thanked staff for their work on their project and spoke in favor of the design
work already underway.
Director Riffle spoke in favor of the preserve plan and the phasing of the project.
Director Harris spoke in favor of the preserve plan, the phasing of the projects, and the
preservation of the cultural resources. Director Harris requested additional information related to
seeking additional historical designation for Alma College.
Ms. Bankosh explained the District will be researching the process, especially related to funding
resources related to any additional historical listing.
President Kishimoto commented on the different areas and improvements for the public and
private access areas and whether Measure AA funding would be used for those improvements.
Ms. Laustsen explained when the improvements return to the Board for approval, the costs can
be listed separately for the private and public improvements.
President Kishimoto commented on possible increased erosion and sedimentation due to new
trails.
Ms. Bankosh explained staff has a goal of an overall reduction in sedimentation for the preserve.
President Kishimoto inquired regarding the restoration of the Alma College building if a partner
is not found.
Ms. Bankosh explained Santa Clara County only requires stabilization of the buildings, and any
additional rehabilitation and potential reuse options require additional grant or partner funding.
Mike Parker of Ascent Environmental provided an overview of the CEQA process to date and
described the purposed of an environmental impact report (EIR). The preserve plan was designed
to mitigate impacts through avoidance, minimization, compensation, and adaptive management.
Mr. Parker described several impacts that were mitigated to less than significant, including
biological resources, cultural resources, hazardous materials, and dam safety.
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* Approved by the Board of Directors on October 12, 2016
Gary Jakobs of Ascent Environmental described the significant and unavoidable impacts
associated with the demolition of historic structures associated with the “Alma College
Complex.” Mitigation includes documentation of the 1950 library, utility garage, and 1934
library prior to removal, but the impacts to historic structures would remain significant and
unavoidable after mitigation. Mr. Jakobs described the alternatives evaluated in the EIR.
Ms. Bankosh provided an overview of CEQA process and described various methods for the
public to provide input.
Director Riffle asked how parking needs would be addressed.
Ms. Bankosh explained additional parking areas are planned for phase three; however, if demand
is high, the parking areas could potentially be completed earlier in the project. The size of the
parking areas could also be increased.
President Kishimoto opened the public hearing at 8:26 p.m.
Nancy Cole spoke in favor of the preserve plan and spoke regarding hiking along the Sanborn
trail and suggested trails in the eastern side of the preserve not be multi-use.
Jenny Whitman thanked staff and the District for their work on the preserve plan and thanked
staff for working with Bear Creek Stables in developing it. Finally, Ms. Whitman read a letter
from Rick Parfitt of the Santa Clara Fire Safe Council regarding wildfire protection.
Jane Krejci from the Mountain School spoke in favor of partnerships and thanked staff for their
efforts.
Melany Moore spoke in favor of the process.
Peter Hargreaves thanked staff for their work. Mr. Hargreaves asked if residents who live near
the southwest corner of the preserve would have access there to the western portion of the
preserve. Additionally, would the eastern portion trails remain open by permit once western
portion opens.
Sharon Chalmai Strong asked if western portion of the preserve will be available to hikers and
equestrians by permit before it is open to public. Also, will there be connection between east and
west sides of the preserve at intersection of summit and Bear Creek Rd, and can the presentation
center trail be connected to the trail network at an earlier phase?
Pam Ashford thanked staff for the District’s wildfire protection efforts at Bear Creek Stables.
Frank Bakonyi spoke in favor of water storage at the Bear Creek Stables, separation of the public
from the private boarders at Bear Creek Stables, allowing public events on site for possible
fundraising, and increased parking areas for visitors.
President Kishimoto closed the public hearing at 8:42 p.m.
Director Hassett thanked staff for their work on the preserve plan and EIR. Director Hassett
spoke regarding increased traffic along mountain roads.
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* Approved by the Board of Directors on October 12, 2016
Ms. Bankosh responded to public comments regarding access in the southwest corner of the
preserve stating road safety and terrain conditions prevent access at this time. Permit access to
the eastern portion will continue for stable boarders and neighbors. All other permit access for
the eastern portion will end after the western side opens because when construction begins on the
eastern side, it will be unsafe for the public to be in the construction areas.
Director Cyr thanked staff for their work on the project, especially related to the historic analysis
of Alma College.
Director Kishimoto thanked staff for their efforts.
Director Siemens suggested inclusion of a temporary gravel parking lot in the northern area of
the preserve if demand is high.
No Board action required.
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDA
• Highway 17 Wildlife Crossing and Bay Area Ridge Trail Crossing Open House,
Summary of Public Comments, and Next Steps
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
A. Committee Reports
Director Kishimoto reported the Diversity Ad Hoc Committee met on September 15th and will be
meeting again soon.
Director Kishimoto reported the Board Retreat Ad Hoc Committee met on September 26th.
B. Staff Reports
Assistant General Manager Ana Ruiz reported on several ongoing projects, including the
Ravenswood Bay Trail, a potential purchase of San Jose Water Company land to increase public
access, removal of material at Mount Umunhum to Mount Thayer, and dog access at El Sereno
Open Space Preserve.
Chief Financial Officer/Administrative Services Director Stefan Jaskulak provided an update on
the Measure AA Bond Oversight Committee, information technology upgrades and training, and
training on the District’s enterprise resource system.
Legislative/External Affairs Specialist Josh Hugg reported on a request from the Sempervirens
Fund to endorse efforts to get the Cotoni Coast Dairies property added to the California Coast
National Monument.
The Board by consensus requested staff return with this item for Board discussion and action.
General Manager Steve Abbors reported his attendance at a meeting of the League of
Conservation Voters.
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* Approved by the Board of Directors on October 12, 2016
C. Director Reports
The Board members submitted their compensatory reports.
Directors Hassett, Cyr, Siemens, Riffle, and Kishimoto reported their attendance at the District’s
Volunteer Recognition Event and thanked staff for their effort putting it together.
ADJOURNMENT
President Kishimoto adjourned the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District back into closed session at 9:22 p.m.
President Kishimoto adjourned the special meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District at 9:31 p.m.
________________________________
Jennifer Woodworth, MMC
District Clerk