HomeMy Public PortalAbout20220323 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD)
March 23, 2022
Board Meeting 22-10
*Approved by the Board of Directors on April 13, 2022
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
The Board of Directors conducted this meeting in accordance with California Government Code
section 54953(e) and Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Resolution 21-33. All Board
members and staff participated via teleconference.
APPROVED MINUTES*
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA
REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
President Kersteen-Tucker called the special meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District to order at 5:01 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Larry Hassett, Karen Holman, Zoe Kersteen-Tucker, Yoriko
Kishimoto, Curt Riffle, and Pete Siemens
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: General Manager Ana Ruiz, General Counsel Hilary Stevenson, Assistant
General Manager Brian Malone, Assistant General Manager Susanna
Chan, Chief Financial Officer/Director of Administrative Services Stefan
Jaskulak, District Clerk/Assistant to the General Manager Jennifer
Woodworth, Natural Resources Manager Kirk Lennington, Senior
Resource Management Specialist Julie Andersen, Senior Resource
Management Special Aaron Hebert
President Kersteen-Tucker announced this meeting is being held in accordance with Government
Code section 54953(e) and Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Resolution 21-33,
allowing Board members to participate remotely. The District has done its best to conduct a
meeting where everyone has an opportunity to listen to the meeting and to provide comment. The
public has the opportunity to comment on the agenda, and the opportunity to listen to this
meeting through the internet or via telephone. This information can be found on the meeting
agenda, which was physically posted at the District’s Administrative Office, and on the District
website. President Kersteen-Tucker described the process and protocols for the meeting.
Meeting 22-10 Page 2
1. Proposed New Mitigation Policy (R-22-41)
Senior Resource Management Specialist Julie Andersen described the process used to develop
the mitigation policy. Ms. Anderson summarized previous comments made by the Board and the
District’s partners and the changes made to the policy to address these comments.
Senior Resource Management Special Aaron Hebert reported on the various environmental
advocate organizations staff consulted regarding the draft mitigation policy and summarized the
comments received. Mr. Hebert reported the mitigation policy was well received by
environmental advocacy organizations and described proposed changes to the policy and
additions to the related administrative policy made in response to the comments received. By
adopting a mitigation policy, the District will establish review criteria for external mitigation
requests, promote partnering with other organizations, and be able to help facilitate appropriate
mitigation in proximity to impact areas.
Director Riffle inquired how many requests for mitigation projects the District receives per year.
Additionally, Director Riffle inquired regarding the impact on staff to monitor and report on the
projects.
Mr. Hebert reported the District receives numerous requests for mitigation projects per year,
many of which are not recommended to the Board. Staff time is typically the largest constraint
on the projects moving forward and why projects may not be recommended to the Board.
Director Holman requested additional information regarding whether the mitigation funding
received includes allocations for staff to analyze the mitigation projects to determine whether the
project should be recommended for Board approval.
Ms. Andersen stated that by tying the mitigation projects to projects already included in the
District’s Action Plan, much of the project analysis is likely already completed, and staff
resources are often already allocated to pursue the work. Mitigation funding for the projects
helps the District offset its own costs to implement these projects, which were already planned.
In the future, the District could potentially request funding for analysis when there are advanced
mitigation requirements.
Director Riffle requested additional information regarding the proposed addition to the
administrative policy on mitigation as requested by some of the environmental advocacy
organizations.
Ms. Andersen commented that including the questions to an administrative policy will help staff
document the project analysis process as a guide for future staff members and will allow for
flexibility to update and add to the evaluation criteria, as needed, to reflect and respond to new
knowledge and experience.
Public comment opened at 5:54 p.m.
Alice Kaufman, Legislative Advocacy Director with Green Foothills, thanked staff for their work
on the policy and encouraged other organizations to adopt similar policies. Ms. Kaufman spoke
in support of working with environmental advocacy organizations when reviewing potential
Meeting 22-10 Page 3
mitigation projects. Ms. Kaufman stated the mitigation evaluation criteria help clarify some of
the vagueness currently in the draft mitigation policy.
Public comment closed at 5:57 p.m.
Director Riffle supported the General Manager’s recommendation and asked staff to
communicate the District’s responses to the mitigation evaluation criteria to the environmental
advocacy organizations when analyzing potential mitigation projects.
Director Holman spoke in support of including the mitigation evaluation criteria in the Board
policy to help communicate this information to the public.
Director Kishimoto spoke in support of including the mitigation evaluation criteria in the
mitigation policy.
Director Siemens spoke in support of the Board weighing in on mitigation projects as needed,
especially when they may be controversial.
Director Cyr suggested referencing an associated administrative policy in the Board’s mitigation
policy.
President Kersteen-Tucker spoke in support of including the mitigation evaluation criteria in the
Board’s mitigation policy to assist environmental advocacy organizations by providing concrete
language to reference.
Motion: Director Holman moved, and Director Kishimoto seconded the motion to approve the
mitigation policy as an addition to the Resource Management Policies and restoring the
questions in M-7 as were previously existing.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 7-0-0
ADJOURNMENT
President Kersteen-Tucker adjourned the special meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District at 6:19 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA
REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
President Kersteen-Tucker called the regular meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District to order at 7:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Jed Cyr, Larry Hassett, Karen Holman, Zoe Kersteen-Tucker, Yoriko
Kishimoto, Curt Riffle, and Pete Siemens
Members Absent: None
Meeting 22-10 Page 4
Staff Present: General Manager Ana Ruiz, General Counsel Hilary Stevenson, Assistant
General Manager Brian Malone, Assistant General Manager Susanna
Chan, Chief Financial Officer/Director of Administrative Services Stefan
Jaskulak, District Clerk/Assistant to the General Manager Jennifer
Woodworth, Capital Project Manager II Ivana Yeung, Information
Systems & Technology Manager Casey Hiatt, GIS Program Administrator
Jamie Hawk, Planning Manager Jane Mark, Planner III Alex Casbara,
Public Affairs Manager Kori Skinner
President Kersteen-Tucker announced this meeting is being held in accordance with Government
Code section 54953(e) and Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Resolution 21-33,
allowing Board members to participate remotely. The District has done its best to conduct a
meeting where everyone has an opportunity to listen to the meeting and to provide comment. The
public has the opportunity to comment on the agenda, and the opportunity to listen to this
meeting through the internet or via telephone. This information can be found on the meeting
agenda, which was physically posted at the District’s Administrative Office, and on the District
website. President Kersteen-Tucker described the process and protocols for the meeting.
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
• Introduction of staff
o Anna Costanza, GIS Technician
O Eleanor Raab, Public Affairs Specialist I
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
District Clerk/Assistant to the General Manager Jennifer Woodworth read the submitted
comments into the record.
Edward Noskowski commented in support of opening District bike trails and multi-use trails to
class 1 e-bikes to provide additional access to those who are otherwise unable to enjoy the open
space.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: Director Riffle moved, and Director Cyr seconded the motion to adopt the agenda.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 7-0-0
CONSENT CALENDAR
Director Holman pulled Item 4 from the Consent Calendar.
Public comment opened at 7:11 p.m.
Ms. Woodworth reported no public comments had been submitted regarding the Consent
Calendar items.
Public comment closed at 7:11 p.m.
Meeting 22-10 Page 5
Motion: Director Cyr moved, and Director Siemens seconded the motion to approve the Consent
Calendar, except for item 4.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 7-0-0
1. Approve the March 9, 2022 Board meeting minutes
2. Approve Claims Report
3. Proposed Trail Name for Lower La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve Loop Trail
(R-22-39)
General Manager’s Recommendation: Approve the proposed “Grasshopper Loop Trail” name for
the former Sears Ranch Road loop trail located in lower La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve,
which was unanimously supported by the Legislative, Funding, and Public Affairs Committee.
4. Award of Contract for the Hawthorns Historic Complex Structural Assessment (R-
22-40)
General Manager’s Recommendation:
1. Authorize the General Manager to enter contract with Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates,
Inc., of Emeryville, California, for a base amount of $88,060.
2. Authorize a 15% contingency of $13,209 to be expended only if necessary to cover
unforeseen conditions, for a total contract amount not-to-exceed $101,269.
Item 4 was heard after the Consent Calendar.
Ms. Ruiz provided an overview of the project, which requires gathering additional data on the
conditions of the structures, disposition and repair options, the estimated costs for each option,
etc. This information is needed to inform a recommendation that can then be forwarded to the
Board of Directors when considering how to move forward with the project.
Director Holman expressed concern regarding the chosen consultant due the apparent lack of
expertise related to the types of structures at the Hawthorns site. Director Holman commented on
the consultant’s past work on the Deer Hollow Farm White Barn and suggested the funding
could be used for known repairs to the building. Finally, if the District finds a partner for the
Hawthorns Historic Complex, the partner will likely want to conduct its own assessment to
determine what repairs are needed.
Ms. Ruiz stated the assessment will be able to help inform the Board on future decisions
regarding the site and would also be shared with potential partners to help these partners
understand the site needs before they decide to partner with the District.
Director Hassett expressed concern regarding the District being able to find a partner for the
Hawthorns site, and the District should instead focus on trails for the site. Director Hassett spoke
in support of using the existing assessment rather than hiring a consultant to complete a new one.
Meeting 22-10 Page 6
Director Siemens requested and received additional clarification regarding the conservation
easement on the site stating it could be altered if the District and Peninsula Open Space Trust
agreed to the changes.
Ms. Ruiz stated defined cost figures are needed to understand the order of magnitude costs to
repair the numerous structures, and expert knowledge is needed to accurately determine those
figures.
Director Cyr spoke in support of having a thorough, current analysis of the entire site before the
Board makes additional decisions regarding the site.
Director Siemens stated he is interested in seeing drawings as part of the assessment and also
seeing the differential in costs if the work is completed by the District versus if the work is
completed by a private entity.
Director Kishimoto recommended including further details on the scope of the work for contract
approvals for future Board reports.
Motion: Director Holman moved, and Director Siemens seconded the motion to approve the
General Manager’s recommendation.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 7-0-0
5. Contract Amendments for Grassroots Ecology to provide two years of annual
vegetation monitoring and reporting and Jana Sokale Environmental Consulting to
provide two years of adaptive management recommendations and annual regulatory
agency reporting, both in support of the Hendrys Creek Restoration Project at Sierra Azul
Open Space Preserve. (R-22-42)
General Manager’s Recommendation:
1. Authorize the General Manager to execute a contract amendment with Grassroots
Ecology for two additional years of annual vegetation monitoring and reporting for the Hendrys
Creek Restoration Project at Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve in the amount of $23,340, for a
total amended contract not-to-exceed $335,340.
2. Authorize the General Manager to execute a contract amendment with Jana Sokale
Environmental Consulting for two additional years of adaptive management recommendations
and annual regulatory agency reporting for the Hendrys Creek Restoration Project at Sierra Azul
Open Space Preserve in the amount of $17,280, for a total amended contract not-to-exceed
$67,255.
6. Teleconferenced Board Meetings Pursuant to the Brown Act and Assembly Bill 361
(R-22-43)
General Manager’s Recommendation: Adopt a resolution affirming findings on the continued
need for remote teleconferenced public meetings pursuant to AB 361.
Meeting 22-10 Page 7
BOARD BUSINESS
7. Public Hearing and Adoption of the New Redistricting Ward Boundary Map (R-22-
44)
GIS Program Administrator Jamie Hawk reviewed the redistricting process to date, including
various public meetings and public hearings, the broader public engagement process, public
comments received, and the three redistricting scenarios reviewed and commented on by the
Board and public, etc. Ms. Hawk described the ward boundaries included in redistricting
Scenario A, which was identified the Board’s preferred scenario at a prior meeting, and how this
scenario meets the Board’s redistricting guidelines and statutory requirements.
Public hearing opened at 8:12 p.m.
Ms. Woodworth reported no public comments had been received for this item.
Public hearing closed at 8:13 p.m.
Motion: Director Cyr moved, and Director Siemens seconded the motion to the close public
hearing
ROLL CALL VOTE: 7-0-0
Motion: Director Cyr moved, and Director Siemens seconded the motion to adopt a resolution
establishing the boundaries of Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District wards that align with
the preferred redistricting scenario map.
Director Riffle thanked Ms. Hawk for her excellent work on the project and spoke in support of
the transparency of the project and public engagement process.
Director Holman commented regarding the Board’s criteria for the redistricting process, which
sought to avoid making significant changes to the ward boundaries. Scenario A would change
the wards for thousands of residents, such as in the Stanford area. Additionally, Director Holman
expressed concern regarding the large variation among diversity percentages of the various
wards.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 6-1-0 (Director Holman dissenting)
8. Hawthorns Area Plan – Approval of the Vision and Goals (R-22-45)
Planner III Alex Casbara described the Hawthorns area of the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve,
including the existing conditions of the site, such as the conservation easement governing the
site, geographic boundaries, existing trails, etc. Mr. Casbara presented the proposed vision and
goals for the Hawthorns area, which seek to protect and restore natural habitats and resources,
provide low intensity public access, support regional and local connectivity, interpret the natural
and cultural history of the area, etc. Mr. Casbara reviewed the phases of and timeline for the
Hawthorns Area Plan, including approval of the project vision and goals, site planning,
environmental review, and implementation. Each of the District’s phases include opportunities
for public comment and public engagement.
Meeting 22-10 Page 8
Public comment opened at 9:02 p.m.
Ms. Woodworth read the submitted comments into the record.
David Moss provided comments in support of connecting open space preserves, including
connecting Arastradero Preserve to the Hawthorns Area, but stating that access through private
property is needed to make these connections. Mr. Moss asked the District to pursue an easement
through one of the neighboring private properties.
Mike Green who neighbors the Hawthorns property expressed concern that the scenic values will
be diminished if there is high traffic or new structures are built at the preserve.
Jeremy Dennis, Town Manager for Portola Valley, raised three issues that the Town of Portola
Valley will be monitoring as the site is developed: 1) ensuring that parking for Windy Hill
minimizes impacts on nearby residential streets and commercial properties; 2) Town
representation when discussing potential trail connections; and 3) including the importance of
wildfire mitigation work as part of the District’s goals for the site.
Public comment closed at 9:05 p.m.
Motion: Director Riffle moved, and Director Siemens seconded the motion to approve the
Vision and Goals for the Hawthorns Area Plan as recommended by the Planning and Natural
Resources Committee.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 7-0-0
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
A. Committee Reports
Director Riffle reported the Planning and Natural Resources Committee met on March 15, 2022
to receive an update on the Purisima Multimodal Access Project Update and Proposed
Transportation Management Strategies.
B. Staff Reports
Public Affairs Manager Kori Skinner displayed a clip from the recent Open Roads with Doug
McConnell that highlighted La Honda Open Space Preserve.
C. Director Reports
Directors Cyr, Riffle and Holman reported on a recent webinar on wildlife crossings and
commented on the importance of wildlife crossings to wildlife connectivity.
Directors Riffle, Cyr, Hassett, and Kersteen-Tucker reported they will be attending Bay Nature’s
2022 Local Hero Awards Event, which will honor District founder Nonette Hanko.
Meeting 22-10 Page 9
Director Kishimoto reported she recently presented at the San Francisco Bay Conservation and
Development Commission meeting on March 17, 2022 and participated in the District’s
legislative visits with President Kersteen-Tucker on March 22, 2022.
President Kersteen-Tucker reported on the visits to the District’s state legislative delegation.
ADJOURNMENT
President Kersteen-Tucker adjourned the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District at 9:22 p.m.
________________________________
Jennifer Woodworth, MMC
District Clerk