View from Russian Ridge Preserve to Mindego Hill by Karl Gohl

Special and Regular Meeting

Date
Meeting Agenda

6:00 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT – CLOSED SESSION

ROLL CALL

1. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS (Government Code Section 54956.8)
Property:  San Mateo County APN: 066-280-050
Agency Negotiator: Mike Williams, Real Property Manager
Negotiating Party: Ben Wright, Peninsula Open Space Trust
Under Negotiation: Terms and Conditions

ADJOURNMENT

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

ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
The Board President will invite public comment on items not on the agenda.  Each speaker will ordinarily be limited to three minutes; however, the Brown Act (Open Meeting Law) does not allow action by the Board of Directors on items not on the agenda. If you wish to address the Board, please complete a speaker card and give it to the District Clerk. Individuals are limited to one appearance during this section.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
• Introduction of staff
o Ivana Vento, Administrative Assistant
O Elizabeth Storey, Administrative Assistant
o Ellen Tjosvold, Interpretive Specialist

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. Claims Report

BOARD BUSINESS
The President will invite public comment on agenda items at the time each item is considered by the Board of Directors. Each speaker will ordinarily be limited to three minutes. Alternately, you may comment to the Board by a written communication, which the Board appreciates.

2. Election of the Calendar Year 2020 Officers for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Board of Directors (R-20-01)

Staff Contact: Jennifer Woodworth, District Clerk/Assistant to the General Manager
General Manager’s Recommendation: Elect Officers of the Board of Directors for Calendar Year 2020.

3. Consideration of a Special Recognition honoring docent Chris MacIntosh for her long-standing 40 years of volunteer service with the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (R-20-04)

Staff Contact: Renée Fitzsimons, Interpretation & Education Program Manager
General Manager’s Recommendation:
1. Approve one of the following special recognitions to honor docent Chris MacIntosh for her 40 years of volunteer service:
Option 1. Name an existing 0.5-mile, narrow unnamed trail that starts at the North Ridge Parking Lot at Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve the “Chris MacIntosh Trail”.
Option 2. Name the Harkins Ridge Trail Bridge at Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve as the “Chris MacIntosh Bridge”.
2. Approve the issuance of a proclamation acknowledging Chris MacIntosh’s remarkable docent service achievement.
3. Hold a small, informal dedication onsite in 2020.

4. Science Advisory Panel Topics (R-20-05)

Staff Contact: Kirk Lenington, Natural Resources Manager
General Manager’s Recommendation:
1. Authorize the General Manager to direct the Science Advisory Panel to prepare scientific reviews for the following two topics, as unanimously supported by the Planning and Natural Resources Committee:
• How can the District effectively and efficiently monitor changes in priority plant and animal populations at the landscape scale?
• What are the visitation and recreational use benefits and trade-offs to fulfilling District goals, including natural resource protection and ecologically-sensitive public enjoyment and education?
2. Additionally, authorize the General Manager to direct the Science Advisory Panel to prepare a scientific review for the following topic:
• Review of cattle grazing benefits and impacts:
• What is the net climate impact of cattle grazing (e.g., potential increase in soil carbon minus cattle methane emissions)?  What are the District’s options, such as grazing regimes or dietary additives, to reduce emissions from cattle grazing?
• What are the current scientific results on the effectiveness of managing grasslands and reducing fire risk with cattle grazing?
3. Retain the remaining 10 topics as reviewed by the Planning and Natural Resources Committee for future consideration when the Year 2 Science Advisory Panel work plan is discussed in 2020.

5. Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Board Compensation (R-20-03)

Staff Contact: Hilary Stevenson, General Counsel
General Manager’s Recommendation:
1. Adopt a Resolution making annual findings required by law that up to six compensable Board meetings per month are necessary for the effective operation of the agency.
2. Direct the General Manager and General Counsel to prepare and introduce an ordinance increasing Board compensation by five percent from $100.00 to $105.00 per meeting, consistent with current law.
3. Discuss other possible changes to Board Policy 6.06 – Meeting Compensation, Reimbursement of Authorized Necessary Expenses for Performance of Official Duties, and Adoption of Ethics Training Requirements Pursuant to Government Code Section 53232 et seq. (AB1234), and either:
A. Direct the General Manager to return at a future Board meeting with a revised policy reflecting Board feedback for consideration of adoption, OR
B. Refer the topic of policy changes to the Legislative, Funding, and Public Affairs Committee for further deliberation.

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


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.