HomeMy Public PortalAbout20211209 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD)
December 9, 2021
Board Meeting 21-34
*Approved by the Board of Directors on December 15, 2021
SPECIAL MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Thursday, December 9, 2021
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
President Riffle called the special meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District to
order at 9:30 a.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, Chief
Financial Officer/Director of Administrative Services Stefan Jaskulak,
Assistant General Manager Brian Malone, Assistant General Manager
Susanna Chan, District Clerk/Assistant to the General Manager Jennifer
Woodworth, Controller Mike Foster, Budget & Analysis Manager Rafaela
Duran, Finance Manager Andrew Taylor, Natural Resources Manager
Kirk Lenington, Chief Ranger/Visitor Services Manager Matt Anderson,
Planning Manager Jane Mark, Land & Facilities Manager Brandon
Stewart, Engineering & Construction Manager Jay Lin, Human Resources
Manager Candice Basnight, Information Systems & Technology Manager
Casey Hiatt, Public Affairs Manager Kori Skinner, Real Property Manager
Mike Williams, Budget Analyst I Lupe Hernandez, and Budget Analyst I
Elissa Martinez
President Riffle 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,
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which was physically posted at the District’s Administrative Office, and on the District website.
President Riffle described the process and protocols for the meeting.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Deputy District Clerk Maria Soria read the submitted public comments into the record.
Shani Kleinhaus suggested a criterion be added to the Measure AA prioritization Tier 1 criteria
“Risk of Extirpation or Extinction” to help the District prioritize projects and funding that critical
to protect at risk species.
Merav Vonshak urged the District prioritize funding for projects and actions to protect the newts
along Alma Bridge Road.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Motion: Director Siemens moved, and Director Cyr seconded the motion to adopt the agenda.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 7-0-0
BOARD BUSINESS
1. Measure AA Project List Prioritization (R-21-164)
General Manager Ana Ruiz commented on the purpose and goals for the retreat and stated that as
topics of interest by the Board are raised, staff will note these for additional discussion near the
end of the day.
Assistant General Manager Susanna Chan provided the staff presentation summarizing the
Vision Plan and Measure AA process. Ms. Chan summarized the prioritization criteria, described
progress made to date on Measure AA portfolios and projects, and reviewed the proposed
projects for each portfolio.
Director Kishimoto requested and received additional information regarding the District’s
method of determining percentage complete for the Measure AA portfolios and projects.
The Board requested and received clarification and additional information regarding the various
proposed Measure AA projects.
Director Holman suggested expanding the Tier 2 criteria “need for timely action” to include
habitat and wildlife at risk, which would help the newt crossing project be prioritized to be on the
upcoming five-year list of projects.
Ms. Chan reported the newt crossing project is on the proposed five-year project list.
Assistant General Manager Brian Malone stated staff views the need for timely action to protect
at risk resources to include habitat and wildlife that are at risk.
President Riffle spoke in support of the progress made on Measure AA projects and portfolios.
Meeting 21-34 Page 3
Director Kishimoto spoke in support of protecting additional bayfront open space lands,
specifically in the Cargill property area.
President Riffle commented the United States Department of Fish and Wildlife may be a better
agency to manage these lands.
The Board recessed at 10:32 a.m. and reconvened at 10:40 a.m. with all Directors present.
President Riffle spoke in support of additional land conservation opportunities to support public
access at La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve (OSP).
Director Holman commented on the high cost for the completion of the trails included in
Hawthorns Area Plan stating some of the funds could potentially be used for other projects.
Ms. Ruiz stated the funding also includes restoration and interpretation of historic structures,
natural resource restoration, and potential protection of additional open space areas.
Public comment opened at 11:28 a.m.
Ms. Woodworth reported no public comments were submitted for this item.
Public comment closed at 11:28 a.m.
Motion: Director Holman moved, and Director Kishimoto seconded the motion to approve the
Measure AA Five-Year Project List and Optional Project List for Fiscal Years 2023-24 through
2027-28.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 7-0-0
The Board recessed at 11:34 a.m. and reconvened at 12:16 p.m. with all Directors present.
2. 2021 Environmental Scan and Fiscal Year 2022-23 Strategic Plan Goals and
Objectives (R-21-165)
Chief Financial Officer Stefan Jaskulak described the purpose and process used to develop the
annual environmental scan. Mr. Jaskulak described key themes of the environmental scan,
including the District’s continued stable financial position, transition to a hybrid work
environment, leadership changes at partner agencies, supply chain issues/labor shortages, and a
growing challenge to balance resource protection with access to nature. Mr. Jaskulak presented
both internal and external strengths, challenges & barriers, and opportunities for the District.
Director Hassett commented on the impact of the ongoing fuel reduction projects throughout the
District.
Director Kishimoto commented on the implementation of SB9, which promotes higher
densification of housing, and the increased importance of open space.
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Director Kersteen-Tucker stated the District will face increased pressure on the San Mateo Coast
to increase public outreach and gain support for the District’s mission there, including preserving
the rural character of the region. This will be increasingly important as the Board considers the
Cloverdale Ranch acquisition.
Director Holman expressed support for prioritizing housing for staff, such as when the District
acquires properties with existing structures.
President Riffle commented on the negative impacts of climate change, including the need for
wildfire resiliency.
Board members also made suggestions for additional strengths, challenges & barriers, and
opportunities.
The item was continued until after item 3.
The Board returned to this agenda item at 1:35 p.m. after agenda item 3.
Mr. Malone reviewed the process used to develop the District’s strategic plan which guides the
development of each year’s budget and action plan. Mr. Malone reviewed the draft FY23
Strategic Plan Goals and Objectives and proposed edits.
The Board suggested edits to the FY23 Strategic Plan Goals and Objectives.
Public comment opened at 2:43 p.m.
Craig Gleason provided comments in support of providing access to open space and promoting
the benefits of open space in order to engage the public, which will help them become more
engaged in the stewardship of open spaces.
Public comment closed at 2:44 p.m.
The Board recessed at 2:45 p.m. and reconvened at 2:55 p.m. with all Directors present.
Ms. Woodworth reviewed the proposed edits to the FY23 Strategic Plan Goals and Objectives.
Motion: Director Holman moved, and Director Siemens seconded the motion to approve the
FY23 Strategic Plan Goals and Objectives, as modified.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 7-0-0
3. Recommendations to further Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy Goals (R-21-
166)
Ms. Ruiz provided the staff presentation summarizing recommended strategies and
implementation action items to further Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Policy Goals.
Strategies were developed by staff teams and include connecting more intentionally with DEI
organizations and programs, expand District programs (grantmaking, docent/volunteer, junior
ranger, etc.), improve outreach strategies to reach all communities, update the Board policy on
Meeting 21-34 Page 5
equality, diversity, and inclusion, provide cultural competency training to staff, consider hiring a
recruitment specialist focused on DEI, etc. The various strategies will be implemented in phases
and will be brought to the Board as part of the annual budget process.
The members of the Board praised staff for their work to develop the DEI strategies.
Director Kishimoto commented on the importance of DEI initiatives and bringing in staff and
preserve visitors from all communities.
President Riffle inquired how progress will be measured implementing the DEI strategies.
Ms. Ruiz stated initial progress will be measured by implementing the proposed strategies, and
additional metrics are needed and will be developed.
No Board action required.
The Board recessed at 1:25 p.m. and reconvened at 1:35 p.m. with all Directors present.
4. Review of Next Steps, including Future Board Topics for Discussion
Ms. Woodworth reviewed the topics suggested by the board for future discussion at an upcoming
retreat.
The Board members suggested additional topics for discussion.
Director Kersteen-Tucker suggested an ad hoc committee to plan the upcoming retreat may be
helpful.
Director Holman suggested the ad hoc committee can narrow the list and help determine the
length of the retreat.
Director Siemens stated the Board should focus on policy-level decisions and not on detailed
decisions.
Director Kersteen-Tucker stated the Board should consider what it expects the outcome of the
retreat to be when it reviewed the list of potential topics.
President Riffle agreed the Board should stay at the policy level and provide direction to staff.
Director Kersteen-Tucker suggested soliciting staff feedback on the list of topics after the list has
been consolidated.
Ms. Ruiz agreed and stated staff may also suggest topics that are timely and critical to the
District.
Motion: Director Siemens moved, and Director Cyr seconded the motion to:
1. Authorize formation of an ad hoc committee to work with the General Manager to refine
the list of suggested topics for Board discussion and to plan an upcoming Board retreat.
Meeting 21-34 Page 6
2. Authorize the Board President to appoint three Board members to serve on the ad hoc
committee.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 7-0-0
President Riffle appointed Directors Cyr and Siemens and himself to serve on the ad hoc
committee.
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
• Progress Update on Measure AA Commitments
ADJOURNMENT
President Riffle adjourned the special meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District at 3:42 p.m.
________________________________
Jennifer Woodworth, MMC
District Clerk