HomeMy Public PortalAbout20161109 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD)
November 9, 2016
Board Meeting 16-28
*Approved by the Board of Directors on November 16, 2016
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Administrative Office
330 Distel Circle
Los Altos, CA 94022
November 9, 2016
APPROVED MINUTES*
REGULAR MEETING
President Kishimoto called the regular meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District to order at 7:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Nonette Hanko, Larry Hassett, Yoriko Kishimoto and Curt Riffle
Members Absent: Cecily Harris and Pete Siemens
Staff Present: General Manager Steve Abbors, Assistant General Manager Ana Ruiz,
Assistant General Manager Kevin Woodhouse, Chief Financial Officer/
Administrative Services Director Stefan Jaskulak, General Counsel Sheryl
Schaffner, District Clerk/Assistant to the General Manager Jennifer
Woodworth, Nicole Gonzales, Finance & Budget Analyst II, Planning
Manager Jane Mark, Senior Planner Tina Hugg, Planner I Alicia Halpern,
Real Property Manager Mike Williams, Land and Facilities Manager
Brian Malone, Visitor Services Manager Michael Newburn, Engineering
and Construction Manager Jay Lin, Natural Resources Manager Kirk
Lenington, Information Systems and Technology Manager Garrett
Dunwoody, Integrated Pest Management Coordinator Coty Sifuentes-
Winter
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
No speakers present.
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
• Introduction of Staff
o Matt Brunnings, Capital Project Manager III
o Janine Ward, Procurement and Contract Specialist
Meeting 16-28 Page 2
Director Siemens arrived at 7:08 p.m.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: Director Riffle moved, and Director Hassett seconded the motion to adopt the agenda.
VOTE: 6-0-0 (Director Harris absent.)
CONSENT CALENDAR
Public comment opened at 7:09 p.m.
No speakers present.
Public comment closed at 7:09 p.m.
Motion: Director Riffle moved, and Director Cyr seconded the motion to approve the Consent
Calendar.
VOTE: 6-0-0 (Director Harris absent.)
1. Approve October 26, 2016 Minutes
2. Approve Claims Report
3. Use and Management Plan Amendment for Fremont Older Open Space Preserve
and Award of Contract to West Coast Netting Construction Services to install the Prospect
Road Parking Area Safety Structure for a Base Amount Not-to-Exceed $46,500 and a
Separate 15% Contingency (R-16-132)
General Manager’s Recommendation:
1. Approve a Use and Management Amendment to allow for the construction of a net
canopy safety structure at Fremont Older Open Space Preserve.
2. Authorize the General Manager to enter into a contract with West Coast Netting
Construction Services of Kingman, Arizona for an amount not to exceed $46,500.
3. Authorize a 15% construction contract contingency in the amount of $6,975 to be
reserved for unanticipated issues, thus allowing a total contract amount not-to-exceed
$53,475.
4. Resolution and Approval of Caltrans Cooperative Agreement for Highway 17
Wildlife Passage and Bay Area Ridge Trail Crossing Project (R-16-147)
General Manager’s Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution approving the Caltrans Cooperative
Agreement and authorizing the General Manager to enter into the Agreement for a not-to-exceed
amount of $165,000 to fund Caltrans’ oversight of the development of a Project Initiation
Document for the Highway 17 Wildlife Passage and Bay Area Ridge Trail Crossing Project.
Meeting 16-28 Page 3
BOARD BUSINESS
5. Proposed Expansion of Dogs On-Leash Access on All Trails at El Sereno Open
Space Preserve (R-16-148)
Assistant General Manager Ana Ruiz spoke regarding previous meetings and workshops related
to opening all current trails in the El Sereno Open Space Preserve to on-leash dogs. The project
was discussed as part of the District’s Vision Plan process and included as a Measure AA
project.
Planner I Alicia Halpern provided an overview of the El Sereno Open Space Preserve, current
limited and full dog access in the District’s preserves, and the regulations included in the
District’s ordinance related to dogs. Ms. Halpern described the dog access site evaluation
criteria, which guide when areas are opened to dog access, and applied these criteria to the trail
system within the El Sereno trail system. All of the trails currently in El Sereno are proposed to
be opened for on-leash dog access, except for San Jose Water Company property. At a recent
neighborhood meeting, neighbors expressed concern regarding limited parking along Sheldon
Rd. Since then, District staff has met with these neighbors and will continue to look for
solutions. District staff has proposed additional signage to educate visitors regarding compliance
with District regulations. Finally, Ms. Halpern discussed the next steps of the process, including
environmental review and continuing negotiations with the San Jose Water Company.
Director Hassett requested additional information regarding the portion of land owned by the San
Jose Water Company.
Real Property Manager Mike Williams reported staff is currently in discussions with San Jose
Water Company regarding this property.
President Kishimoto reported she has also spoken with the Chief Operating Officer of the San
Jose Water Company about the District acquiring access to this portion of land.
Public comment opened at 7:37 p.m.
Maria Ristow spoke in favor of opening of the El Sereno trail system to dogs.
Public comment closed at 7:38 p.m.
Director Riffle spoke in favor of opening of the El Sereno trail system to dogs.
Director Siemens spoke in favor of the process being used by staff to consider opening the El
Sereno trail system to dogs.
President Kishimoto suggested staff consider long term permitting options for dog walkers to
help encourage dog walkers to clean up dog waste.
Director Hassett commented on the “Dog Access Site Evaluation Criteria” stating they should
allow for partial openings of preserves to dog access rather than an all or nothing approach.
Motion: Director Siemens moved, and Director Hanko seconded the motion to:
Meeting 16-28 Page 4
1. Approve the proposed project description for the El Sereno Dog Access Project, as set
out in this report, to proceed with the required environmental review in accordance with
the California Environmental Quality Act.
2. Approve the above project description for a future Use and Management Plan
Amendment for El Sereno Open Space Preserve, excluding trail segment over San Jose
Water Company Property, pending formalized access rights.
VOTE: 6-0-0 (Director Harris absent.)
6. Year-End Review of the Fiscal Year 2015-16 District Budget and Action Plan (R-16-
118)
Chief Financial Officer/Administrative Services Director Stefan Jaskulak provided the staff report
describing significant FY2014-15 Action Plan accomplishments. Mr. Jaskulak summarized the
FY2014-15 revenues and budget performance, including expenditures and savings, and compared
FY2014-15 to past District budget performances. Finally, Mr. Jaskulak described FY2016-17
budget expenditure trending through the first quarter.
Public comment opened at 8:11 p.m.
No speakers present.
Public comment closed at 8:11 p.m.
7. Annual Integrated Pest Management Report, 2015 (R-16-120)
Integrated Pest Management Coordinator Coty Sifuentes-Winter presented the first year of pest
management activities for the first complete year of the Integrated Pest Management Program
(IPM). IPM is defined by the adaptive management cycle: assessing the problem, designing a
solution, implementing the treatment, monitoring and evaluating the progress, and adjusting our
treatment. The District uses cloud-based Calflora to assess pest problems and develop an annual
work plan, which is then implemented by District staff, contractors, and tenants. Mr. Sifuentes-
Winter summarized pest problems currently identified on District lands and several pest control
treatments utilized by the District in 2015, including herbicide use and public notifications
associated with herbicide application. Finally, Mr. Sifuentes-Winter described updates to the best
management practices included in the IPM guidance manual and new District forms developed
to assist the IPM program.
President Kishimoto commented on potentially using drone technology to monitor pests on
District lands.
President Kishimoto requested additional information related to prevention.
Mr. Sifuentes-Winter explained prevention practices are included as part of the implementation
plan for year three.
Public comment opened at 8:45 p.m.
No speakers present.
Meeting 16-28 Page 5
Public comment closed at 8:45 p.m.
No Board action required.
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
• Summary of the 10/17/16 Facilities Ad Hoc Committee Meeting
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
A. Committee Reports
Director Cyr reported the Legislative, Funding, and Public Affairs Committee meeting yesterday
to receive a legislative briefing and a report on applicants for the ombudsperson position.
B. Staff Reports
Assistant General Manager Ana Ruiz provided an update on the parking lot design for the Alma
College parking lot.
Assistant General Manager Kevin Woodhouse reported on the District’s recent graduates from
the Santa Clara County Leadership Academy and provided an update on the public meetings
related to Santa Clara Valley Water District’s Permanente Creek flood prevention project at
Rancho San Antonio.
Mr. Jaskulak provided an update on the Measure AA Bond Oversight Committee and the
District’s efforts to convert the year-end report into a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
Mr. Williams reported on the upcoming Vida Verde event in East Palo Alto.
General Counsel provided an update on release of selenium by the East Materials Storage Area
at Lehigh Quarry and enforcement by the State Water Resources Control Board.
General Manager Steve Abbors reported his attendance at Monday’s meeting of the San Mateo
County Farm Bureau.
C. Director Reports
The Board members submitted their compensatory reports.
Director Hassett commented on signage prohibiting drone use near national parks in Utah.
Director Cyr commented on work currently being done at Mt. Umunhum and suggested the
District may consider pursuing press coverage for the work.
President Kishimoto reported she will be attending the Bay Area Confluence tomorrow related to
regional water resilience.
Meeting 16-28 Page 6
ADJOURNMENT
President Kishimoto adjourned the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District at 9:27 p.m.
________________________________
Jennifer Woodworth, MMC
District Clerk