View from Russian Ridge Preserve to Mindego Hill by Karl Gohl

Board of Directors

Date
Additional Information

Special Meeting: 5 p.m., Regular Meeting 7 p.m.

Consistent with Governor Gavin Newsom's Executive Order N-29-20, the Governor has allowed local legislative bodies to hold public meetings via teleconference and to make public meetings accessible telephonically or otherwise electronically to all members of the public seeking to observe and to address the local legislative body or state body to avoid public gatherings, and has suspended all contrary provisions of the Brown Act.

THIS MEETING WILL BE VIA TELECONFERENCE ONLY

1. The meeting can be viewed in real-time at: https://openspace.zoom.us/j/89001105063 or listen to the meeting by dialing (669) 900-6833 or (346) 248-7799 (Webinar ID 89001105063).

2. Members of the public may provide written or oral comments by submitting a public comment form at: openspace.org/public-comment

  • Comments on matters not on the agenda must be submitted prior to the time the board president calls for public comments.
  • Comments on agenda items must be submitted prior to the time public comment on the agenda item is closed.
  • All comments shall be subject to the same rules as would otherwise govern speaker comments at the board of directors meeting.
  • All written comments or requests to speak must be submitted via the public comment form. Comments via text or social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) will not be accepted.

Any comments received after the deadline, will be provided to the Board after the meeting.

Meeting Agenda

5:00 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT–STUDY SESSION

ROLL CALL

1. Findings from the Santa Cruz Mountains Climate Resilience Project (R-21-81)

Staff Contact: Sophie Christel, Management Analyst I, Natural Resources Department

General Manager’s Recommendation: Receive a presentation from EcoAdapt on the results of theSanta Cruz Mountains Climate Resilience Project.  No Board action required.

2. Informational Presentation on the Social Media Program (R-21-80)

Staff Contact: Sasha Hnatkovich, Public Affairs Specialist II, Public Affairs

General Manager’s Recommendation: Receive a staff report on the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s social media program.  No Board action required.

ADJOURNMENT

 

7:00 REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT

ORAL COMMUNICATIONS

This portion of the agenda is for members of the public to comment on items not on the agenda; however, the Brown Act (Open Meeting Law) does not allow action by the Board of Directors on items not on the agenda. Individuals are limited to one comment during this section.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

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.

1. Approve the May 26, 2021 and June 2, 2021 Board meetingminutes

2. Claims Report

3 . Contract Amendment with Coastwide Environmental Technologies, Inc., for the Demolitionof Non-Historic Ruins at Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve (R-21-79)

Staff Contact: Leigh Guggemos, Capital Project Manager III, Engineering and ConstructionDepartment

General Manager’s Recommendation: Authorize the General Manger to execute a contractamendment with Coastwide Environmental Technologies, Inc., in the amount of $110,000 toinclude the demolition and removal of non-historic ruins at the Alma College site in Bear CreekRedwoods Open Space Preserve; the amendment would bring the contract to a total not-to-exceedamount of $572,300.

4. Award of Contract to BKF Engineers for Design and Engineering Services for the TrailConnection to Lexington Reservoir County Park as part of the Phase II Trail Network atBear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve (R-21-77)

Staff Contact: Scott Reeves, Senior Capital Project Manager, Engineering & Construction Department

General Manager’s Recommendation:

1.   Authorize the General Manger to enter into a contract with BKF Engineers for trail design andengineering services at Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve for a base contractamount not-to-exceed $109,960.

2.   Authorize a 10% contingency of $10,996 to be awarded if necessary to cover unforeseenconditions, for a total not-to-exceed contract amount of $120,956.

5. Agreement with the Santa Clara County FireSafeCouncil to implement the Los GatosCreek Watershed Collaborative Forest Health Project in Bear Creek Redwoods, Long Ridge, Saratoga Gap, and Sierra Azul Open Space Preserves; and Adoption of a Resolution for a Grant Application to the Wildlife Conservation Board for Coordinated Project Support (R-21-76)

Staff Contact: Deborah Hirst, Grants Program Manager, Administrative Services

General Manager’s Recommendation: 

1.   Authorize the General Manager to enter into an agreement with the Santa Clara CountyFireSafe Council to implement the Los Gatos Creek Watershed Collaborative Forest HealthGrant Project in Bear Creek Redwoods, Long Ridge, Saratoga Gap, and Sierra Azul OpenSpace Preserves, funded by a direct award from the California Department of Forestry andFire’s Forest Health Grant Program.

2.   Adopt a resolution for a grant application to the Wildlife Conservation Board for coordinatedproject support for the Los Gatos Creek Watershed - Wildland Fire Project.

6. Cost Share Agreement between Peninsula Open Space Trust and Midpeninsula RegionalOpen Space District for   Preparation of a Land Division Application to Support theProposed Purchase of the Johnston Ranch Property as an Addition to Miramontes RidgeOpen Space Preserve (R-21-71)

Staff Contact: Michael Williams, Real Property Manager

General Manager’s Recommendation: Authorize the General Manager to enter into a cost shareagreement with Peninsula Open Space Trust for preparing and submitting the land divisionapplication to San Mateo County for the Johnston Ranch Property in the amount of $57,948.

7. Approval of a Comment Letter to the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection onProposed State Minimum Fire Safe Regulations (R-21-82)

Staff Contact: Joshua Hugg, Governmental Affairs SpecialistGeneral Manager’s Recommendation: Authorize the Board President to sign a comment letter onbehalf of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Board of Directors to the CaliforniaBoard of Forestry and Fire Protection on proposed State Minimum Fire Safe Regulations.

8. Contract Amendment for the American Badger and Burrowing Owl Habitat Suitability Study (R-21-78)

Staff Contact: Karine Tokatlian, Resource Management Specialist II, Natural Resources

General Manager’s Recommendation: Authorize the General Manager to increase the contract amount by $15,750 for a new base contract amount of $230,000, with San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory and sub-consultant Pathways for Wildlife, for additional biological analysis and publication services that will inform management actions for protecting American Badger and Burrowing Owl populations.  Additional analysis costs will amount to $6,750 and publicationcosts will amount to $9,000.

BOARD BUSINESS

Public comment on agenda items at the time each item is considered by the Board of Directors. Written public comments will be provided to the Board prior to the meeting and posted on the District’s website at www.openspace.org. The names of all commenters will be read into the record.

9. Permitting Approach for the Bear Creek Stables Project (R-21-74)

Staff Contact: Gretchen Laustsen, Senior Planner, Planning Department

General Manager’s Recommendation:

1. Receive an update on the Bear Creek Stables Project, including permitting status and challenges.

2. Affirm the Use Permit permitting approach for the Bear Creek Stables Project.

10.Skyline Ranch Tree Farm Lease and Restoration Goals at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve (R-21-73)

Staff Contact: Tom Reyes, Resource Management Specialist III, Natural Resources and Susan Weidemann, Property Management Specialist II, Land and Facilities

General Manager’s Recommendation:

1.Determine that the recommended action is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set out in the report.

2.Determine that the recommended treatment of invasive species is within the scope of the Integrated Pest Management Program Environmental Impact Report.

3.Based on the findings of this report, determine that the restoration goals at the Skyline Ranch Tree Farm have been met.

4.Approve the attached Resolution authorizing the General Manager to enter into a new ten-year lease agreement with one optional ten-year extension to Donna Ducca-Johsens and Parker Johsens for the Skyline Tree Farm.

11. Recognition of the Midpeninsula Regional Peace Officers Association (R-21-75)

Staff Contact: Candice Basnight, Human Resources Manager

General Manager’s Recommendation: Adopt a resolution recognizing the Midpeninsula Regional Peace Officers Association as a new employee organization, pursuant to the Employer/Employee Relations Policy.

12. Fiscal Year 2021-22 Budget and Capital Improvement and Action Plan (R-21-72)

Staff Contact: Stefan Jaskulak, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Administrative Services

General Manager’s Recommendation:

1.Adopt a Resolution approving the Fiscal Year 2021-22 (FY22) Budget and Capital Improvement and Action Plan.

2.Adopt a Resolution approving the Classification and Compensation Plan for Fiscal Year 2021-22.

INFORMATIONAL REPORTS –Reports on compensable meetings attended. Brief reports or announcements concerning activities of District Directors and staff; opportunity to refer public or Board questions to staff for information; request staff to report to the Board on a matter at a future meeting; or direct staff to place a matter on a future agenda. Items in this category are for discussion and direction to staff only. No final policy action will be taken by the Board.

A. Committee Reports

B. Staff Reports

C.Director Reports

ADJOURNMENT

*Times are estimated and items may appear earlier or later than listed. Agenda is subject to change of order.

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.


Regular Meeting agendas are posted 72 hours prior to the meeting. Special Meeting agendas are posted at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings take place at the District Administrative Office - 5050 El Camino Real, Los Altos, CA 94022

Meeting minutes are generally available two to four weeks after a Board meeting. Please note that formal meeting minutes are not taken at Committee meetings or some Special Meetings of the Board (that is, study sessions or public workshops). See Midpen meeting minutes.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the District Clerk at clerk@openspace.org or 650-691-1200. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the District to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.