HomeMy Public PortalAbout20140205 - Agenda Packet - Board of Directors (BOD) - 14-05
SPECIAL MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Administrative Office
330 Distel Circle, Los Altos, CA 94022
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
SPECIAL MEETING BEGINS AT 5:00 P.M.
SPECIAL MEETING BEGINS AT 6:00 P.M.
A G E N D A
5:00 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL
OPEN SPACE DISTRICT – CLOSED SESSION
ROLL CALL
1. CLOSED SESSION: PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION –
Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Title of Employee: General Manager
6:00 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL
OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS – PUBLIC
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
BOARD BUSINESS
1. Presentation of Strategy Research Institute’s Second Public Opinion Tracking Poll and Authorization to
Prepare Ballot Documents to Place a Bond Measure on the June 3, 2014 Ballot (R-14-29) – E. Cuzick
2. Review Draft Ordinance for Placement of a Bond Measure on the June 3, 2014 Ballot (R-14-30) – E.
Cuzick
ADJOURNMENT
TO ADDRESS THE BOARD: The President will invite public comment on agenda items at the time each item is considered by the Board of
Directors. You may address the Board concerning other matters during Oral Communications. Each speaker will ordinarily be limited
to three minutes. Alternately, you may comment to the Board by a written communication, which the Board appreciates.
Consent Calendar: All items on the Consent Calendar may be approved without discussion by one motion. Board members, the General
Manager, and members of the public may request that an item be removed from the Consent Calendar during consideration of the
Consent Calendar.
Meeting 14-05
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the District Clerk at (650)
691-1200. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the District to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.
Written materials relating to an item on this Agenda that are considered to be a public record and are distributed to Board members less than 72 hours
prior to the meeting, will be available for public inspection at the District’s Administrative Office located at 330 Distel Circle, Los Altos, California
94022.
CERTIFICATION OF POSTING OF AGENDA
I, Jennifer Woodworth, District Clerk for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD), declare that the foregoing agenda for the Special
Meeting of the MROSD Board of Directors was posted and available for review on January 31, 2014, at the Administrative Offices of MROSD, 330
Distel Circle, Los Altos California, 94022. The agenda is also available on the District’s web site at http://www.openspace.org.
Signed this 31st day of January, 2014, at Los Altos, California.
R-14-29
Meeting 14-05
February 5, 2014
AGENDA ITEM 1
AGENDA ITEM
Presentation of Strategy Research Institute’s Second Public Opinion Tracking Poll and
Authorization to Prepare Ballot Documents to Place a Bond Measure on the June 3, 2014 Ballot
GENERAL MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
1. Receive an informational presentation from Strategy Research Institute on a second public
opinion tracking poll to assess the feasibility of placing a successful funding measure on the
June 3, 2014 ballot.
2. Authorize General Manager to direct District staff to prepare ballot documents for placing a
bond measure on the June 2014 ballot.
SUMMARY
Strategy Research Institute (SRI), contracted by Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST),
conducted a series of scientific polls to assess likely public opinion on a wide range of open
space issues including the feasibility of placing a successful funding measure on the local ballot.
Dr. George Manross is the Chairman and CEO of SRI and will present the results of the second
tracking poll performed earlier this month along with his recommendation for the District to
place a bond measure on the June 2014 ballot.
DISCUSSION
In early 2013, Strategy Research Institute (SRI) was contracted by Peninsula Open Space Trust
(POST) to conduct a series of scientific opinion polls to assess public opinion regarding a wide
range of open space issues.
The initial benchmark poll focused on public opinion regarding Vision Plan related themes, the
feasibility of placing a successful funding measure on the local ballot, voter awareness of the
District, and core values important to voters.
In early fall, the first voter opinion tracking poll was conducted. Ballot language was tested. The
poll retested voter awareness of the District and voter core values. As the Vision Plan public
process was well underway, Vision Plan themes were not retested. Polling indicated that there
was significant public support for a bond measure.
R-14-29 Page 2
The second tracking poll results are the result of retesting ballot language, voter awareness, and
voter values similar to the first tracking poll. Dr. Manross’s presentation will review all of the
results of the second tracking poll including his recommendation to the District to proceed in
placing a bond measure on the June 2014 ballot.
Given this recommendation, staff requests the Board to authorize the General Manager to direct
staff to prepare ballot documents to place a bond measure on the June 2014 ballot.
BOARD COMMITTEE REVIEW
Committee action is not required for this informational agenda item.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice was provided pursuant to the Brown Act. Notice was also sent to the Vision Plan
interested parties list and to the Community Advisory Committee members.
CEQA COMPLIANCE
A presentation to the Board does not constitute a project under the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA).
NEXT STEPS
District Staff will prepare a Resolution of Necessity, Ordinance and Tax Rate Statement which
will be presented to the Board to vote on February 12, 2014.
Adoption of the Ordinance will take place with the Board on February 26, 2014.
Responsible Department Head:
Steve Abbors, General Manager
Prepared by:
Elaina Cuzick, Real Property Specialist
Contact person:
Steve Abbors, General Manager
R-14-30
Meeting 14-05
February 5, 2014
AGENDA ITEM 2
AGENDA ITEM
Review Draft Ordinance for Placement of a Bond Measure on the June 3, 2014 Ballot
GENERAL MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
Receive an informational presentation and review of a Draft District Ordinance for Placement of
a Bond Measure on the June 3, 2014 Ballot.
SUMMARY
An ordinance is the legal mechanism for the Board to place a bond measure before the voters in
order to fund the Vision Plan Priority Actions (R-14-25). The attached draft ordinance,
developed by staff and bond counsel, represents the formal commitment to voters and the public
regarding the District’s specific intentions with respect to funding the Vision Plan Priority
Actions by placing a bond measure on the June 3, 2014 ballot. It outlines the tax rate, the
maximum bond amount, the use of the proceeds (Draft Expenditure Plan), and the formation of
an Independent Citizen Oversight Committee. The draft ordinance is being brought to the Board
for review prior to the initial reading of the ordinance on February 12, 2014 and subsequent
adoption at the February 26, 2014 Board meeting.
DISCUSSION
An ordinance is the legal mechanism for the Board of Directors to place a bond measure on the
June 3, 2014 ballot. The attached draft ordinance has been written by staff and bond counsel to
conform to applicable law and to meet the interests of the District and the public. The draft
ordinance is being brought to the Board for review and discussion prior to the initial reading of
the ordinance at the February 12, 2014 Board Meeting. Adoption of the ordinance will be
considered by the Board the February 26, 2014 regular public meeting.
The draft ordinance contains that structure and framework of the proposed measure which, when
paired with the District’s Draft Expenditure Plan (Exhibit A to the ordinance), makes up the
formal commitment to voters and the public regarding the District’s specific intentions with
respect to funding and implementing Vision Plan Priority Actions. The Draft Expenditure Plan
is comprised of the capital improvement components of all of the “tier one” priority actions
approved by the Board at its meeting on January 29, 2014. That is because general obligation
bonds may only be used to fund capital improvements. The components of those priority actions
which are not capital improvements will be funded by other means, such as non-restricted tax
increments and grant funding as available.
R-14-30 Page 2
The draft ordinance defines and directs the following:
a) The date of the election.
b) The 75 word ballot question to be placed before the voters.
c) The purpose of incurring the indebtedness.
d) The intention of the Board to issue bonds only if it can be demonstrated that the resulting
property tax rate are not anticipated to exceed $3.18/$100,000 of assessed valuation.
e) The use of the proceeds:
a. Draft Expenditure Plan
i. Includes descriptions of 25 priority actions (District Vision Plan Top Tier
Priority Actions as approved at the January 29, 2014 Special Meeting of
the Board of Directors, R-14-25).
ii. Describes each priority action with an associated estimated total cost for
completion (2014 dollars).
iii. Lists estimated cost (2014 dollars) for completion of all priority actions
totaling $300,000,000.
iv. Includes a map of the District with locations of the 25 priority actions.
b. Appointment of an Independent Citizen Oversight Committee to review annual
expenditures of bond proceeds. It will be comprised of seven (7) at-large
members, all of who will be District residents.
c. Provides a process for the Board to propose amendments to the Expenditure Plan
which would require a two-thirds majority vote. Amendments would be
developed in consultation with the Citizen Oversight Committee for instances
where unexpected revenues and/or unforeseen circumstances impact the
Expenditure Plan.
d. Payment of legal, printing, and other costs of issuance from bond proceeds.
f) The maximum amount of bonds that may be issued under this authority totaling
$300,000,000.
g) The maximum rate of interest that may be paid on the bonds (12%).
h) The District’s commitment to comply with the requirements of state law.
i) The various instructions to the Counties on the form of the ballot and conduct of the
election as required by law.
j) The requirement for a 2/3 vote of the Board of Directors to place the matter before voters.
k) The Tax Rate Statement.
Once this ordinance has been introduced (first reading) at the February 12, 2014 regular Board
meeting, it may not be substantively altered except at a regular meeting held at least five (5) days
after alteration. As a practical matter, this means that once the Board has approved introduction
(first reading) of the ordinance there may not be any further significant changes because there is
only one more regular meeting of the Board on February 26th for the second reading of the
ordinance prior to the deadline set by the County Elections Officials. To be effective, this
ordinance must be submitted to the Counties no later than March 7, 2014.
BOARD COMMITTEE REVIEW
The status of the ordinance and Expenditure Plan was reviewed with the Capital Finance Ad Hoc
Committee on 1/6/14 and 1/29/14.
R-14-30 Page 3
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice was provided pursuant to the Brown Act. Notice was also sent to the Vision Plan
interested parties list and to the Community Advisory Committee members.
CEQA COMPLIANCE
A presentation to the Board does not constitute a project under the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA).
NEXT STEPS
District staff will prepare a Resolution of Necessity, Ordinance and Tax Rate Statement which
will be presented to the Board to vote on February 12, 2014.
Adoption of the ordinance is planned for February 26, 2014.
Attachments
1. Draft Ordinance
Responsible Department Head:
Steve Abbors, General Manager
Prepared by:
Elaina Cuzick, Real Property Specialist
Contact person:
Steve Abbors, General Manager
ORDINANCE NO. 2014-___
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN
SPACE DISTRICT CALLING AN ELECTION AND ORDERING THE SUBMISSION OF A PROPOSITION OF
INCURRING BONDED DEBT OF NOT TO EXCEED $300 MILLION FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING
PUBLIC ACCESS AND ACQUIRING, RESTORING AND PRESERVING OPEN SPACE, TO THE
QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT AT THE GENERAL
MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON JUNE 3, 2014
WHEREAS, on February 12, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District (the “District”) adopted, by a two-thirds vote of all the members of said Board of Directors, a Resolution
entitled "Determination that the Public Interest and Necessity Demand Providing Public Access, and Acquiring,
Restoring and Preserving Open Space, with Financing Through the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds"
(the "Resolution"); and
WHEREAS, in order to provide for the issuance by the District of its general obligation bonds to finance
the costs of providing public access and acquiring, restoring and preserving open space in the District, it is
necessary for this Board of Directors to pass an ordinance ordering the submission of the proposition of
incurring bonded indebtedness for such purpose to the qualified voters of the District at an election; and
WHEREAS, a General Election for the District is to be held on Tuesday, June 3, 2014; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors desires to submit to the voters at said election the proposition of
incurring bonded indebtedness as hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors desires to consolidate the District election with the General Election
to be held in the District on June 3, 2014.
Now therefore, the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District does ordain as
follows:
SECTION 1. That a district election is hereby called and ordered to be held in the District on June 3,
2014, at which election there shall be submitted to the qualified voters the proposition set forth below:
SECTION 2. That said proposition shall appear on the ballot for said district election in the following
form:
To improve access to hiking and biking opportunities, protect and preserve redwood forests,
natural open spaces, the scenic beauty of our region and coastline, critical wildlife habitat, restore
creeks to protect water quality, and reduce risk of forest fires; shall Midpeninsula Regional Open
Space District be authorized to issue up to $300 million in bonds, at a tax rate not to exceed $3.18 per
$100,000 of assessed value of property owned, with expenditures verified by independent citizen
oversight committee?
YES NO
The Board does hereby submit to the qualified voters of the District, at said district election, this
Ordinance and the proposition set forth above.
SECTION 3. The indebtedness to be incurred by the District shall be for the object and purpose set
forth in the Resolution, namely, to provide public access and acquire, restore and preserve open space in the
District and to implement a set of priority actions as described in Exhibit A. The object and purpose of the
priority actions shall be to improve access to hiking and biking opportunities, protect and preserve redwood
forests, natural open spaces, the scenic beauty of the region and coastline, critical wildlife habitat, restore
creeks to protect water quality, and reduce risk of wildfire. Priority actions will be distributed equitably across
the District. Repayment projections demonstrate that property tax rates will not exceed an additional $3.18 per
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year per $100,000 of assessed valuation. The repayment projections are based on reasonable growth
assumptions, taking into account Article XIIIA of the California Constitution. The foregoing provision shall not
be construed to limit the power and duty of the Board of Directors to cause to be levied and collected a tax
sufficient to fulfill its obligations to pay debt service on bonds in any fiscal year.
All of the foregoing described objects and purposes are referred to herein as the “Expenditure Plan” for
purposes of this Ordinance.
An Independent Citizen Oversight Committee will be formed to review and verify annual expenditures of
bond proceeds. An annual report will be prepared consistent with the accountability measures as required in
California Government Code sections 53410 and 53411. The Citizen Oversight Committee will consist of
seven at-large members, all of whom shall be District residents.
The indebtedness incurred under this Ordinance shall include the cost of legal and other fees incidental
to or connected with the authorization, issuance and sale of the general obligation bonds.
SECTION 4. The Tax Rate Statement is attached hereto as Exhibit “B.”
SECTION 5. The estimated cost of providing public access and acquiring, restoring and preserving
open space as outlined in the Expenditure Plan is not to exceed Three Hundred Million Dollars ($300,000,000).
The estimated cost includes the bond issuance fees.
SECTION 6. The principal amount of the general obligation bonds to be issued for the Expenditure Plan
is Three Hundred Million Dollars ($300,000,000).
SECTION 7. The rate of interest to be paid on the bonds to be issued for the Expenditure Plan shall not
exceed the State of California (the ‘State’) maximum allowed rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum (unless
the maximum interest rate for general obligation bonds of the District shall hereafter be increased by the
Legislature of the State, in which event said maximum fixed by said Legislature shall apply).
SECTION 8. Under Sections 53410 and 53411 of the California Government Code, the bonds shall
be for the specific purposes authorized in this Ordinance and the proceeds of such bonds will be applied only
to the Expenditure Plan. The District will comply with the requirements of Sections 53410 and 53411 of the
California Government Code.
SECTION 9. The Board of Directors finds that adoption of this Ordinance creating a government
funding mechanism or other government fiscal activity does not constitute a project under the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (14 Cal. Code. Regs., section 15378(b)(4)). The final design of and
alternatives considered for any particular project shall be subject to CEQA as required by law, and all
environmental review required by CEQA shall be completed before any specific project is commenced.
SECTION 10. This Board of Directors does hereby submit to the qualified voters of the District, at said
election, this proposition set forth in Section 2 hereof. The District proposes to provided public access and
acquire, preserve, and restore open space as part of the Expenditure Plan, and to issue and sell General
Obligation Bonds of the District pursuant to Section 5568 of the California Public Resources Code, Article 9,
commencing with Section 43600 of Chapter 4 of Division 4 of Title 4 of the California Government Code and/or
Article 4.5, commencing with Section 53506, of Chapter 3 of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the California
Government Code, in one or more series, in the maximum amount and for the objects and purposes set forth
above, if two-thirds of all qualified voters voting on the proposition set forth above vote in favor thereof. The
bonds are to be general obligations of the District, payable from and secured by taxes levied and collected in
the manner prescribed by laws of the State of California. All of said bonds are to be equally and ratably
secured, without priority, by the taxing power of the District.
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SECTION 11. The polls for said election shall be open the day of said election in accordance with the
California Elections Code.
SECTION 12. The election hereby called for the date hereinbefore specified shall be and is hereby,
ordered consolidated with the Statewide General Election to be held within the District on said date, and within
the territory affected by the consolidation, the election shall be held and conducted, election officials appointed,
voting precincts designated, ballots printed, polls opened and closed, ballots counted and returned, returns
canvassed, results declared, and all other proceedings incidental to and connected with the election shall be
regulated and done in accordance with the provisions of law regulating the Statewide general election and
specified herein. The Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo, the Board of Supervisors of the
County of Santa Clara and the Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Cruz are hereby requested to
order the consolidation of the election hereby called with said Statewide general election, and the Board of
Supervisors of the County of San Mateo, the Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Clara and the Board
of Supervisors of the County of Santa Cruz are hereby authorized to canvass the returns of said election, and
said election shall be held in all respects as if there were only one election and only one form of ballot shall be
used in each of the affected counties. Each of said Board of Supervisors shall certify the results of the canvass
of the returns of said district election in each of the respective counties to the Board of Directors of this District,
which shall thereafter declare the results thereof. The proposition submitted by this Ordinance shall be
designated on each ballot by a letter printed on the left margin of the square containing the description of the
proposition, as provided in the California Elections Code.
SECTION 13. The elections hereby consolidated shall be held in all respects as if there were only one
election and only one form of ballot shall be used in each of the respective counties.
SECTION 14. All persons qualified to vote at general district elections in the District upon the date of
the election herein provided for shall be qualified to vote upon the proposition submitted at said election.
SECTION 15. Ballots for the election shall be in form and in the number as required by law. On said
ballots, in addition to any other printed matter which may be required by law, two (2) voting squares shall be
set off to the right of the proposition submitted at the election, in the manner provided by law, one having the
word “YES” printed before it, and the other having the word “NO” printed before it.
SECTION 16. Each voter to vote for the proposition and for the incurring of said indebtedness shall
stamp or write a cross, or indicate by hold punch or other means, in the blank space opposite the word "YES"
on the ballot to the right of the proposition; and each voter to vote against the proposition and against the
incurring of said indebtedness shall stamp or write a cross, or indicate by hold punch or other means, in the
blank space opposite the word "NO" on the ballot to the right of the proposition.
SECTION 17. The District hereby requests and directs that San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz
Counties print the full text of this Ordinance, inclusive of attachments in each County’s respective Voter
Information Pamphlet. The Clerk of the Board of the District is hereby authorized and directed to take such
actions and fill out such forms as is necessary to accomplish this direction for publication of the full text of the
proposition in the Voter Information Pamphlets.
SECTION 18. The District hereby requests and directs that San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz
Counties allow arguments for and against this measure to be filed pursuant to Elections Code section 9282 et
seq. The Board adopts the provisions of Elections Code section 9285 to allow rebuttal arguments for the ballot
measure.
SECTION 19. The District will reimburse separately San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties
for the actual costs incurred by each of the county’s elections officials in conducting the election upon receipt of
a bill stating the amount due as determined by the elections officials pursuant to State law.
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SECTION 20. This Ordinance shall be published once a day for at least seven days in a newspaper
printed, published and circulated at least six (6) days a week in the District, or once a week for two weeks in a
newspaper printed, published and circulated less than six (6) days a week in the District. The first of said
publications shall, in either event, be within thirty (30) days after the adoption of this ordinance. The Clerk of
the Board of the District is hereby authorized and directed to make said publications and to transmit, for receipt
no later than March 7, 2014, a certified copy of this Ordinance to the appropriate officials of San Mateo County,
Santa Clara County and Santa Cruz County responsible for preparing the ballots for said election.
Section 21. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately as an ordinance relating to an election
pursuant to Government Code section 36937(a) upon its adoption by two-thirds vote of all the members of this
Board of Directors.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the District held on the 26th day of
February, 2014.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
President, Board of Directors
(S E A L)
Attest:
By:
Secretary, Board of Directors
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
General Counsel
I, the District Clerk of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, hereby certify that the above is a
true and correct copy of the ordinance duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional
Open Space District by the above vote at a meeting thereof duly held and called on the above day.
District Clerk
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EXHIBIT A
Expenditure Plan
TITLE: To improve access to hiking and biking opportunities, protect and preserve redwood forests, natural
open spaces, the scenic beauty of the region and coastline, critical wildlife habitat, restoration of creeks to
protect water quality, and reduction of risk of wildfire.
1. SUMMARY
Founded by voters in 1972, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (“District”) has protected, in
perpetuity, 62,000 acres of open space containing 26 preserves and more than 220 miles of trails that serve
Santa Clara, San Mateo, and a portion of Santa Cruz counties. The District’s preserves provide a scenic
backdrop to the region offering residents places for hiking, biking, horseback riding, or simply connecting with
nature, close to home. Throughout its 41-year history the District has used taxpayer dollars wisely, leveraging
funds to bring in state, federal, and private grant money, and providing annual audits in a transparent public
process. The District is governed by a publicly elected board of directors.
Over the years, the number of acres and miles of trails the District owns and maintains have steadily
increased, as have the number of visitors and the cost of land. Expanding public access, restoring sensitive
environments and purchasing land are costly, yet are high priorities for the public.
To reinforce and expand these types of services and resources, the Board of Directors is placing this
funding measure on the June 3, 2014 ballot.
$300 million in General Obligation Bonds will be sold. The bond repayment would be financed by an
annual property tax override based on a tax rate not to exceed $3.18 per $100,000 of assessed value of
property owned per year.
This Expenditure Plan outlines priority actions identified by the public and proposed by the District to be
funded with bond proceeds. Part B describes each priority action and describes what goals it will achieve. Part
C of the Plan describes the establishment of an independent Citizen Oversight Committee.
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2. PRIORITY ACTIONS
The priority actions listed below are the result of process that combined scientific analysis with broad
public engagement to create a shared vision for the future of the District and the region’s open space. Each
priority action may address one or more of the following:
• Improved hiking and biking opportunities
• Protection and preservation of redwoods, natural open spaces, the scenic beauty of the region
and coastline, critical habitats
• Restoration of creeks to protect water quality
• Reduction of the risk of wildfire
Priority actions are distributed across the District as depicted on the map attached to this Expenditure
Plan.
If approved, the bond proceeds would be allocated to fund the capital improvements necessary to
implement the priority actions listed below. Note: the number associated with each priority action does not
denote its priority level, but is only used for identification purposes to correlate with the locations depicted on
the map.
The estimates associated with each priority action are in 2014 dollars. These are estimates only, and
the actual costs may change in implementation.
The District may annually review and propose amendments to the Expenditure Plan to provide for the use of
additional federal, state and local funds, to account for unexpected revenues, or to take into consideration
unforeseen circumstances. The District shall act on no more than one package of amendments each fiscal
year. The District shall establish a process for proposed Expenditure Plan amendment(s) which ensures that
the Citizen Oversight Committee is included in the development. Upon completion of this process,
amendments(s) to the Expenditure Plan must be passed by a two-thirds majority of the District Board in a
publicly noticed meeting.
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PRIORITY ACTIONS, BY REGION
South Bay Foothills
(Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Saratoga, and Santa Cruz Mountains)
25 Sierra Azul: Loma Prieta Area Public Access, Regional Trails and Habitat Projects
Provide public access and recreation, including small campground. Develop, improve, connect regional multi-use
trails to Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, to protected land to east, and to Mt. Umunhum. Protect Steelhead
habitat, rare plants and grasslands, restore Knobcone Pine stands. $7,986,000
23 Sierra Azul: Mt. Umunhum Public Access and Interpretation Projects
Open Mt. Umunhum for multi-use public access to summit via road and trail. Open Bay Area Ridge Trail and
nearby trail connections. Preserve additional open space and complete wildlife corridor. $22,972,000
24 Sierra Azul: Rancho de Guadalupe Family Recreation
Open Rancho de Guadalupe to public access. Develop accessible multi-use trails with amenities such as parking
and family recreation. Enhance habitat for rare species. Protect cultural and natural resources. $10,078,000
22 Sierra Azul: Cathedral Oaks Public Access and Conservation Projects
Develop multi-use trail & plan future trails as land is available. Develop parking. Restore plant communities and
soils. Install trailside amenities. Preserve additional open space and complete wildlife corridor in upper Los Gatos
Creek watershed. $6,714,000
21 Bear Creek Redwoods: Public Recreation and Interpretive Projects
Open for hiking, equestrian activities. Provide parking areas, trails; upgrade stables. Restore & protect habitats
for various species. Repair roads & trails to reduce sediment. Rehabilitate Alma College site. $17,478,000
20 South Bay Foothills: Wildlife Passage and Ridge Trail Improvements
Establish safe corridors for mountain lions across Highway 17. Establish Bay Area Ridge Trail crossing.
$13,966,000
19 El Sereno: Dog Trails and Connections
Provide infrastructure to open trails to dogs. Develop connections to Skyline, Sanborn County Park, & Lexington
Reservoir. $2,254,000
18 South Bay Foothills: Saratoga-to-Sea Trail and Wildlife Corridor
Protect wildlife corridor along Highway 9. Connect trail to Saratoga-to-Sea Trail and Skyline-to-Sea Trail.
$1,365,000
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Peninsula Foothills and Bay
(Cupertino, Los Altos, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park,
Atherton, Redwood City, San Carlos, Woodside, Portola Valley, Skyline
12 Peninsula/South Bay Cities: Partner to Complete Middle Stevens Creek Trail
Support work by cities to develop the middle section of the Stevens Creek Trail and enhance neighborhood
connections. Support stream corridor restoration and steelhead habitat enhancement below dam. Develop and
install interpretive signage. $1,038,000
2 Regional: Bayfront Habitat Protection and Public Access Partnerships
Partner to complete gaps in Bay Trail and develop city-to-bay trails. Support wetland restoration. Preserve
additional bayfront open space. $4,151,000
17 Regional: Complete Upper Stevens Creek Trail
Complete multi-use connection between the Bay Trail & Bay Area Ridge Trail above the reservoir through
Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve & Lower/Upper Stevens Creek County Parks. Improve Preserve trails and
neighborhood connections. Preserve additional open space as available. $7,760,000
11 Rancho San Antonio: Interpretive Improvements, Refurbishing, and Transit Solutions
Add welcome center, refurbish and add interpretive exhibits to Deer Hollow Farm. Support of transit improvement
options such as bike trails, bikeshare station, bus service, or additional parking. $10,811,000
6 Windy Hill: Trail Improvements, Preservation and Hawthorns Area Historic Partnership
Improve trails, complete pond facilities. Increase multi-use trails, study possible improvements to increase dog
use. Open Hawthorns Area; develop trails connecting to Portola Valley and Palo Alto trails. Explore partnerships
to protect, restore, and interpret historic buildings. Improve habitat conditions in Los Trancos Creek. Preserve
additional scenic open space as available. $12,740,000
16 Long Ridge: Trail, Conservation and Habitat Restoration Projects (Saratoga)
Improve roadside parking and provide restrooms. Develop new trail connections to Eagle Rock and Devils
Canyon. Repair trails for year-round multi-use access. Protect watersheds for steelhead. Preserve additional
open space as available. Implement pond and habitat enhancement restoration projects to benefit rare species.
$5,140,000
9 Russian Ridge: Public Recreation, Grazing and Wildlife Protection Projects
Open currently closed areas of preserve. Construct and extend trails. Improve fencing, corrals, and water
systems to reintroduce conservation grazing. Improve habitat for sensitive species, implement pond
enhancement projects for garter snakes and red-legged frogs. $5,560,000
10 Coal Creek: Reopen Alpine Road for Trail Use
Reopen Alpine Road as trail connection between Portola Valley & Skyline Blvd. Reroute trails to reduce erosion
and improve visitor experience. $8,017,000
8 La Honda Creek/Russian Ridge: Preservation of Upper San Gregorio Watershed & Ridge Trail
Completion
Preserve upper San Gregorio watershed; restore endangered species habitats. Support opportunities to provide
additional water for fisheries. Complete Bay Area Ridge Trail multi-use connections and gaps. Provide additional
public use facilities. $15,347,000
5 La Honda Creek: Upper Area Recreation, Habitat Restoration and Conservation Grazing
Projects
Open upper half of the preserve to public; provide biking/hiking trails, dog access, and staging areas. Provide
loop & connector trails. Restore habitat for rare species. Improve fencing, corrals, and water systems to
reintroduce conservation grazing. $11,733,000
4 El Corte de Madera Creek: Bike Trail and Water Quality Projects
Develop single-use biking/hiking trails, complete Ridge Trail gaps, and develop trail system leading to parking
area. Restore damaged trails to improve water quality. Preserve additional open space as available.
$8,376,000
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Coast
(Half Moon Bay, San Gregorio, Pescadero, La Honda,)
15 Regional: Redwood Protection and Salmon Fishery Conservation
Preserve additional open space as available. Protect and promote redwood stands, mountain scenery, various
habitats and steelhead salmon. $50,728,000
14 Regional: Trail Connections and Campgrounds
Develop trails between Butano, Pescadero County Park, Pescadero, Russian Ridge, and between Skyline and
Portola Redwoods, Big Basin State Park. Partner with County and State Parks to improve existing campgrounds.
$3,966,000
13 Cloverdale Ranch: Wildlife Protection, Grazing and Trail Connections
Improve fencing, corrals, and water systems to increase conservation grazing and sustain large contiguous
grasslands. Restore habitat for endangered species. Provide trail connections to nearby State parks.
$15,712,000
7 La Honda Creek: Driscoll Ranch Public Access, Endangered Wildlife Protection and
Conservation Grazing
Open Driscoll Ranch Area; provide biking/hiking trails, limited dog access, parking areas, and interpretive
displays. Develop loop & connector trails. Restore habitat for endangered species. Restore La Honda Creek;
remove fish migration barriers. $14,825,000
3 Purisima Creek Redwoods: Purisima-to-Sea Trail, Watershed Protection and Conservation
Grazing
Complete and open multi-use Purisima-to-Sea trail connection between Ridge Trail and Coastal Trail, and new
parking areas. Preserve additional open space as available. Remove fish barriers and restore Lobitos Creek.
Restore ponds for endangered species. $7,608,000
1 Miramontes Ridge: Gateway to the Coast Public Access, Stream Restoration and Agriculture
Enhancement
Preserve scenic open space land as available, and establish wildlife corridor. Restore fish and red-legged frog
habitats in Madonna Creek watershed. Partner to enhance water availability for agriculture and fish. Develop
trail loop system, including Ridge Trail and neighborhood access points. Develop staging area, repair bridges.
$27,774,000
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3. INDEPENDENT CITIZEN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
An Independent Citizen Oversight Committee will be formed to review expenditures of bond proceeds.
The Independent Citizen Oversight Committee will consist of seven at-large members, all of whom shall be
District residents. The Citizen Oversight Committee will be selected by the Board and interviewed and
approved in open session, and will be subject to the conflict of interest constraints of the California Political
Reform Act.
The responsibilities of the Committee include:
• Review Plan expenditures on an annual basis to verify conformity with the Expenditure Plan.
• Review District’s Annual Audit and accountability report and present the Committee’s findings to the
Board at a public meeting.
• Review any proposed amendments to the Expenditure Plan.
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EXHIBIT B
TAX RATE STATEMENT
An election will be held in the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (the "District") on June 3,
2014, to authorize the sale of up to $300 million in bonds of the District to finance land acquisitions and
preservation of open space as described in the ballot measure. If the bonds are approved, the District expects
to sell the bonds in several series over time. Principal and interest on the bonds will be payable from the
proceeds of tax levies made upon the taxable property in the District. The information contained in numbered
paragraphs 1 - 3 below is provided in compliance with Sections 9400-9404 of the Elections Code of the State
of California.
1. The best estimate of the tax which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue during the
first fiscal year after the sale of the first series of bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available at
the time of filing of this statement, is $1.00 per $100,000 of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2015-16.
2. The best estimate of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue during
the first fiscal year after the sale of the last series of bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available
at the time of filing of this statement, is $2.90 per $100,000 of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2044-45.
3. The best estimate of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond
issue, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is $3.18 per
$100,000 of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2034-35.
Voters should note that the estimated tax rates are based on the estimated ASSESSED VALUE of
taxable property on the respective County's official tax rolls, not on a property's market value. Property owners
should consult their own property tax bills to determine their property's assessed value and any applicable tax
exemptions.
Attention of all voters is directed to the fact that the foregoing information is based upon the District's
projections and estimates only, which are not binding upon the District. The actual tax rates and the years in
which they will apply may vary from those presently estimated, due to variations from these estimates in the
timing of bond sales, the amount of bonds sold and market interest rates at the time of each sale, and actual
assessed valuations over the term of repayment of the bonds. The dates of sale and the amount of bonds sold
at any given time will be determined by the District based on its needs for funds and other factors. The actual
interest rates at which the bonds will be sold will depend on the bond market at the time of each sale. Actual
future assessed valuation will depend upon the amount and value of taxable property within the District as
determined by the respective County Assessor in the annual property value assessment process.
Dated: _______, 2014.
_________________________
General Manager
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District