HomeMy Public PortalAbout20160323 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD)
Board Meeting 16-07
*Approved by the Board of Directors on April 13, 2016
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Administrative Office
330 Distel Circle
Los Altos, CA 94022
March 23, 2016
APPROVED MINUTES*
SPECIAL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Vice-President Hassett called the special meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Nonette Hanko, Cecily Harris, Larry Hassett, Curt Riffle, and
Pete Siemens
Members Absent: Yoriko Kishimoto
Staff Present: General Manager Steve Abbors, Assistant General Manager Ana Ruiz,
Assistant General Manager Kevin Woodhouse, General Counsel Sheryl
Schaffner, Planning Manager Jane Mark, Planner III Lisa Bankosh, and
District Clerk Jennifer Woodworth
1. Alma College Cultural Landscape Rehabilitation Plan Informational Presentation
and Tentative Approval (R-16-33)
Director Siemens inquired if a decision regarding the rehabilitation of Alma College could delay
the opening of the Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve.
Planner III Lisa Bankosh explained that the Rehabilitation Plan is part of the Preserve Plan and
will be going to the Board in summer 2016, and the parking lot is planned for completion in
2018. The proposed Rehabilitation Plan is in response to the Board direction from June 2015 to
apply a minimal approach to Alma College.
Ms. Bankosh provided the staff presentation and explained that while Alma College is not a
historic listing, it is registered for preservation as a cultural landscape, which includes
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requirements related to the buildings in their current arrangement. As a result, the Rehabilitation
Plan must meet specific guidelines, including assessing features as they relate to the property as a
whole. Ms. Bankosh described the various structures on the site and displayed photographs of
their original condition and their current state. Finally, Ms. Bankosh outlined the proposed
Rehabilitation Plan vision and goals, which reflect the guidelines for historic culture landscape
and the language included in Measure AA related to the rehabilitation of Alma College. Ms.
Bankosh described the three phases of the Rehabilitation Plan including proposed funding for the
rehabilitation.
Capital Project Manager Aaron Hebert outlined the potential phasing for implementation and
estimated costs associated with the Rehabilitation Plan. Mr. Hebert described possible funding
sources for implementation, including Measure AA, District general funds, and potential funds
from grants or partners, explaining which aspects of the projects were eligible for Measure AA
funds according to the approved Expenditure Plan. Finally, Mr. Hebert described a cost reduction
strategy to help lower costs to the District, such as grant funds, packaging construction actions
under fewer contracts, and phasing the rehabilitation of the cultural landscape.
Ms. Bankosh outlined the next steps and tentative schedule for implementation of the proposed
Rehabilitation Plan and site opening.
Director Riffle inquired where the proposed fencing would be placed before the preserve opens.
Ms. Bankosh explained that when the parking lots open in 2018, the new fencing would largely
be placed where the current fencing already is. This will allow for preserve visitors to be able to
park and access the western portion of the Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve.
Director Hanko expressed her concerns regarding the expenses associated with implementation
of the Rehabilitation Plan and requested a tour of the site.
Director Harris expressed her support of the project and thanked staff for their efforts.
Director Siemens expressed his concerns regarding the level of funding being required of the
District. He also expressed his concern that the project would not delay the opening of the rest of
the Bear Creek Redwoods preserve.
Public comments opened at 7:01 p.m.
No speakers present.
Public comments closed at 7:01 p.m.
Director Riffle inquired regarding the maintenance costs for the site once it is opened to the
public and requested an estimate of the maintenance costs at a future meeting.
Ms. Bankosh explained the landscaping being proposed are native species and requires little
maintenance.
Director Siemens inquired regarding the costs for the minimal stabilizations.
Ms. Bankosh explained that the minimal stabilizations are needed to bring the structures up to
minimum safety standards.
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Mr. Hebert explained that the minimal stabilizations include structural work, safety work, and
site preparation to be funded by Measure AA and partially by the District’s general fund.
Motion: Director Hanko moved, and Director Harris seconded a motion to continue the item
until a later Board meeting date after she and any other interested Board members may tour the
site.
VOTE: 6-0-0 (Director Kishimoto absent.)
Vice-President Hassett adjourned the special meeting at 7:16 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING – BOARD MEETING
Vice-President Hassett called the regular meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District to order at 7:16 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Nonette Hanko, Cecily Harris, Larry Hassett, Curt Riffle, and
Pete Siemens
Members Absent: Yoriko Kishimoto
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, Operations Manager Michael Newburn,
Foothills Area Superintendent Tom Lausten, Ranger Tyler Barshow,
Management Analyst II Gordon Baillie, and District Clerk Jennifer
Woodworth
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
No speakers present.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: Director Harris moved, and Director Cyr seconded the motion to adopt the agenda.
VOTE: 6-0-0 (Director Kishimoto absent.)
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
• Informational Presentation regarding the Farmland Futures Initiative by Walter Moore,
President of the Peninsula Open Space Trust
Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) President Walter Moore described the Farmland Futures
Initiative which seeks to protect farmland acreage by tripling the amount of protected farmland
acreage and triple the number of protected farms on the San Mateo Coast.
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Noelle Thurlow, Director of Land Transactions for POST, described agricultural conservation
easements, which protect the land and can require the landowner to keep the land as agricultural
in perpetuity. Additionally, Ms Thurlow reported POST seeks to invest in infrastructure, increase
partnerships, and help farmers build equity in and eventually own the farms. Ms. Thurlow
described several farmland properties acquired by POST or properties for which POST has
purchased an agricultural easement. Both methods seek to preserve the farmland as agricultural
property in perpetuity.
Director Hanko inquired if houses would also be allowed on the property.
Mr. Moore explained that a housing center is allowed on each property to allow for a home, barn,
etc., which helps address San Mateo County’s concerns regarding a lack of farm labor housing.
The Board meeting recessed at 7:38 p.m. reconvened at 7:44 with Directors Cyr, Hanko, Harris,
Hassett, Riffle and Siemens present.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Director Harris pulled Item 3 from the Consent Calendar.
1. Approve Board Meeting Minutes:
March 9, 2016
2. Approve Claims Report
3. Revisions to Board Policy 4.02 Titled “Improvements on District Lands” (R-16-34)
Item 3 was heard after Item 7.
General Manager’s Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Amending Board Policy 4.02,
“Improvements on District Lands”.
Director Harris requested clarification for several of the changes to Board Policy 4.02.
Motion: Director Cyr moved, and Director Siemens seconded the motion to strike “youth
hostels” from paragraph C(2) of Board Policy 4.02.
VOTE: 6-0-0 (Director Kishimoto absent.)
Motion: Director Cyr moved, and Director Riffle seconded the motion to adopt a Resolution
Amending Board Policy 4.02, “Improvements on District Lands”, as amended.
VOTE: 6-0-0 (Director Kishimoto absent.)
4. Board Policy Titled “Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion” (R-16-35)
General Manager’s Recommendation: Approve the “Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion” policy
for inclusion in the Board Policy Manual.
Meeting 16-07 Page 5
Motion: Director Riffle moved, and Director Hanko seconded the motion to approve the
Consent Calendar, as amended, with the exception of Item 3.
Public comment opened at 7:48 p.m.
No speakers present.
Public comment closed at 7:48 p.m.
VOTE: 6-0-0 (Director Kishimoto absent.)
BOARD BUSINESS
5. Appointment of Tyler Barshow as a Peace Officer (R-16-28)
Operations Manager Michael Newburn presented the staff report and introduced new ranger
Tyler Barshow.
Public comment opened at 7:50 p.m.
No speakers present.
Public comment closed at 7:50 p.m.
Motion: Director Siemens moved, and Director Hanko seconded the motion to adopt a
Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
appointing Tyler Barshow as a Peace Officer.
VOTE: 6-0-0 (Director Kishimoto absent.)
Ranger Tyler Barshow was sworn in as a peace officer and received his badge.
6. Calendar Year 2015 Field Enforcement Activity Report and Ten-Year Field Activity
Summary (R-16-23)
Management Analyst II Gordon C. Baillie presented the staff report describing the trends for
various violations of the District’s Ordinance seen in the previous ten years and highlighted areas
of drastic changes, including off leash dog and after hours violations. Mr. Baillie reported on the
number of times District rangers responded to emergency situations, including fires, vehicle
accidents, and medical incidents.
No Board action required.
7. Information Services and Technology - Philosophies, Strategies and Tactics for
Delivering Value (R-16-32)
Information Services and Technology Department Manager Garrett Dunwoody presented the
staff report described the focus for the new Information Services and Technology Division for
the rest of the current fiscal year and FY2016-17. Mr. Dunwoody described upcoming projects,
including moving to cloud computing, software and hardware upgrades, GIS upgrades, and
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Microsoft upgrade. Finally, Mr. Dunwoody described the value to the District that each of these
projects will provide.
Directors Hassett and Siemens expressed a desire to better understand how to use technology to
support the District and continue to add value.
No Board action required.
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
A. Committee Reports
Director Cyr reported on the March 15, 2016 Legislative, Funding, and Public Affairs
Committee meeting
Director Hassett reported on the March 22, 2016 Real Property Committee meeting.
B. Staff Reports
Assistant General Manager Ana Ruiz reported the Engineering and Construction Manager will
start on March 28, 2016. Ms. Ruiz reported on several upcoming staff training sessions related to
the project delivery process and contracts. Finally, Ms. Ruiz provided an update on the Mt.
Umunhum road design and Santa Clara Valley Water District’s improvements to the Bay Trail,
which was led by Google.
Assistant General Manager Kevin Woodhouse reported he has been working on the Operations
department transition into the Visitor Services and Land and Facilities departments. Mr.
Woodhouse provided an update on the Highway 17 wildlife crossing feasibility study.
Chief Financial Officer Stefan Jaskulak described upcoming training courses related to the
rolling out new computer software and implementation of the change to the fiscal year and
bringing the payroll system in house. Mr. Jaskulak reported that four RFPs related to the
District’s bond program were recently issued, and staff plans to bring forward contracts to the
Board for approval early this summer.
General Manager Steve Abbors reported on his recent presentation at the California Land Trust
conference. Mr. Abbors has recently met with Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian and
Monterey County Supervisor Mark Stone to discuss Mt. Umunhum. Finally, Mr. Abbors also
reported the District has received a request for endorsement for Santa Clara County Parks
Measure A Park Charter Fund Amendment.
The Board directed staff by consensus to analyze Measure A and return to the Board of Directors
with an analysis of the measure.
Director Hanko spoke regarding the proposed charter amendment.
C. Director Reports
The Board members submitted their compensatory reports.
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Directors Harris reported she attended the Bay Nature Event on Sunday
Directors Riffle and Siemens reported their attendance at the Santa Clara Open Space Authority
Coyote Valley opening on Saturday.
ADJOURNMENT
Vice President Hassett adjourned the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District at 9:38 p.m.
________________________________
Jennifer Woodworth, MMC
District Clerk