Meeting Agenda
7:00 REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
ROLL CALL
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
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
Introduction of Staff
• Ben Talavera, Management Analyst II
• Abraham Lopez, Farm Maintenance Worker
• Scott Reeves, E&C Department Manager
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDA
• Madonna Creek Equestrian Bridge Removal
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 October 22, 2025 meeting minutes
2. Claims Report
3. Approve the Purchase of the Santa Clara County Tax-Defaulted Valoff-Pezzoli Property located in unincorporated Santa Clara County as an addition to Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve (Assessor’s Parcel Number 558-31-008) (R-25-140)
Staff Contact: Lupe Hernandez, Real Property Agent II, Real Property Department
General Manager’s Recommendations:
1. Determine that the recommended actions are categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
2. Adopt a resolution approving an Agreement with Santa Clara County to Purchase the Tax-Defaulted property and authorizing the General Manager or other appropriate officer to execute any and all documents necessary or appropriate to purchase the taxdefaulted property and amending the FY2025-26 Budget to increase the Measure AA Fund Capital budget in the amount of $386,091.
3. Adopt a Preliminary Use and Management Plan for the Property.
4. Withhold dedication of the Valoff-Pezzoli Property as public open space at this time.
4. Award of Contract with Oregon State University for Consultation on Plant Pathogens (R-25-141)
Staff Contact: Amanda Mills, Resource Management Specialist II, Natural Resources Department
General Manager’s Recommendation: Authorize the General Manager to enter into a two-year term contract with Oregon State University to provide ecological consulting services regarding plant pathogens at 14 revegetation sites for a base amount not to exceed $99,708.
5. Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Adopting the California Building Standards Code (R-25-142)
Staff Contact: Hilary Stevenson, General Counsel, General Counsel’s Office
General Manager’s Recommendation: Waive the second reading and adopt an ordinance adopting the 2025 California Building Standards Code.
6. Award of Contract for the Coastside Barn Evaluation Project (R-25-143)
Staff Contact: Paul Kvam, Senior Capital Project Manager, Engineering & Construction Department
General Manager’s Recommendations:
1. Authorize the General Manager to enter into a contract with ZFA Structural Engineers to provide Phase 1 Feasibility Study services to evaluate disposition options for four barns and an accessory structure on the coastside for a not-to-exceed base contract amount of $63,658.
2. Authorize up to $135,379 for Phase 2 work for additional structural investigations and basis of design development services for selected structures that are deemed feasible for stabilization or rehabilitation for a not-to-exceed contract amount of $199,037.
3. Authorize a 15% contingency of $29,856 to cover unforeseen tasks beyond the current scope, for a total contract amount not-to-exceed $228,893.
7. Contract Amendment with Irish Excavation for the Prospect Road Culvert Replacement Project at Fremont Older Open Space Preserve (R-25-144)
Staff Contact: Alex Harker, Capital Project Manager III, Engineering & Construction Department
General Manager’s Recommendation: Authorize the General Manager to execute a contract amendment in the amount of $20,200 with Irish Excavation of Morgan Hill, California for installing additional riprap and erosion control measures, and off-hauling concrete and debris to complete the Prospect Road Culvert Replacement Project (Project), bringing the existing contract to a new not-to-exceed total amount of $275,755.
8. Reject All Bids for the La Honda Creek Agricultural Water Development Project in La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve (R-25-145)
Staff Contact: Leigh Guggemos, Capital Project Manager III, Engineering and Construction Department
General Manager’s Recommendations:
1. Reject all bids received for the La Honda Creek Agricultural Water Development Project.
2. Authorize the General Manager to re-solicit bids.
BOARD BUSINESS
Public comment on agenda items is received at the time each item is considered by the Board of Directors.
9. Informational presentation on Board Policy 1.05 Board Correspondence (R-25-146)
Staff Contact: Maria Soria, District Clerk/Assistant to the General Manager, General Manager’s Office
General Manager’s Recommendation: Receive a refresher on Board correspondence procedures as detailed in Board Policy 1.05 Board Correspondence. No Board action required.
10. Approval of Salary Adjustments and Amended Classification and Compensation Plan for Board Appointee Controller (R-25-148)
Staff Contact: Candice Basnight, Human Resources Manager, Human Resources Department
Board Appointee Evaluation Committee’s Recommendations: As a result of the Board of Director’s (Board) evaluation of the performance of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s (District or Midpen) Board Appointees for Fiscal Year 2024-25 (FY25), the Board Appointee Evaluation Committee recommends the following compensation adjustments for the Controller for FY26: Adjust the Controller’s base salary upward to $80,641, plus a one-time merit pay bonus of $4,032.
The Board Appointee Evaluation Committee recommends the adoption of a resolution approving the salary adjustments. The Board Appointee salary changes will be adopted through the Board approved Classification and Compensation Plan.
11. Approval of Salary Adjustments and Classification and Compensation Plan for Board Appointee General Counsel (R-25-149)
Staff Contact: Candice Basnight, Human Resources Manager, Human Resources Department
Board Appointee Evaluation Committee’s Recommendations: As a result of the Board of Director’s (Board) evaluation of the performance of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s (District or Midpen) Board Appointees for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 (FY25), the Board Appointee Evaluation Committee recommends the following compensation adjustments for the General Counsel for FY26: Adjust the General Counsel’s base salary upward to $321,077, plus a one-time merit pay bonus of $9,632.
The Board Appointee Evaluation Committee recommends the adoption of a resolution approving the salary adjustments. The Board Appointee salary changes will be adopted through the Board approved Classification and Compensation Plan.
12. Approval of Salary Adjustments and Amended Classification and Compensation Plan for Board Appointee General Manager (R-25-150)
Staff Contact: Candice Basnight, Human Resources Manager, Human Resources Department
Board Appointee Evaluation Committee’s Recommendations: As a result of the Board of Director’s (Board) evaluation of the performance of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s (District or Midpen) Board Appointees for Fiscal Year 2024-25 (FY25), the Board Appointee Evaluation Committee recommends the following compensation adjustments for the General Manager for FY26: Adjust the General Manager’s base salary upward to, $366,390 plus a one-time merit pay bonus of $10,992.
The Board Appointee Evaluation Committee recommends the adoption of a resolution approving the salary adjustments. The Board Appointee salary changes will be adopted through the Board approved Classification and Compensation Plan.
13. Governmental Money Purchase Plan and Trust (401(a)) and Retiree Health Savings, both set up as Employee-Only Contribution Plans, for Board Appointees (R-25-151)
Staff Contact: Candice Basnight, Human Resources Manager, Human Resources Department
General Manager’s Recommendations:
1. Adopt a Resolution implementing a new Money Purchase Plan (401(a)) and Trust for Board Appointees and authorize the CFO/Director of Administrative Services to execute all necessary and appropriate documents to establish and administer the Plan.
2. Adopt a Resolution implementing new Retiree Health Savings Plans for Board Appointees and authorize the CFO/Director of Administrative Services to execute all necessary and appropriate documents to establish and administer the Plan.
14. Award of Contract to Outfit the Open Space Explorer Outreach Vehicle (R-25-147)
Staff Contact: Brandon Stewart, Fleet and Facilities Manager, Fleet and Facilities Department and Natalie Jolly, Public Affairs Specialist III, Public Affairs Department
General Manager’s Recommendation: Authorize an award of contract to RV Grounded through Fremont Chevrolet to outfit the Open Space Explorer outreach vehicle for an amount not-to-exceed $133,815.
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. The Agenda is subject to a 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 5050 El Camino Real, Los Altos, California 94022.
