The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) Board meetings are held in person at the District’s Administrative Office, and by teleconference pursuant to Government Code Section 54953.
PUBLIC ATTENDANCE OPTIONS 1. In person at the Midpen Administrative Office: the Board Room is open to the public during meetings of the Board of Directors. 2. Remotely via Zoom: Join the meeting conference by clicking this link: https://openspace.zoom.us/j/84810570267 3. By phone: dial (669) 900-6833 or (346) 248-7799 and enter the Meeting ID: 848 1057 0267
SUBMITTAL OF PUBLIC COMMENTS Members of the public may submit written comments to be provided to the Board, or register to make oral comments, as follows:
Requests to provide oral comment must be submitted prior to the time when public comment on the agenda item is closed as follows: o In-person attendance: submit a request via the paper-based public comment form at the meeting. o Remote attendance: submit a request through the public comment form at: https://www.openspace.org/public-comment.
Any comments received after the deadline will be provided to the Board after the meeting.
5:00 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
ROLL CALL
1. Selection of a Preferred Overcrossing Alternative for the Highway 17 Wildlife and Regional Trail Crossings and Trail Connections Project (R-24-62)
Staff Contact: Jared Hart, AICP, Senior Planner, Planning Department General Manager’s Recommendation: Review the key considerations and select one preferred multi-use use trail overcrossing alternative to advance with the wildlife undercrossing into the Caltrans Plans, Specifications & Estimates (PS&E) phase based on the Board of Director’s highest priority goals for the Highway 17 Wildlife and Regional Trail Crossings and Trail Connections Project as follows: 1. If the goal is to provide a more overall balanced project, including maximizing regional trail connections and providing an enhanced experience for trail users, and avoid the need to acquire a private property, select the Southern Overcrossing Alternative to advance with the wildlife undercrossing and associated features into the Caltrans Plans, Specifications & Estimates (PS&E) phase. 2. If the goal is to maximize the separation of trail users from the wildlife undercrossing for wildlife functionality and/or minimize construction and associated costs, select the Northern Overcrossing Alternative to advance with the wildlife undercrossing and associated features into the Caltrans Plans, Specifications & Estimates (PS&E) phase.
ADJOURNMENT
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
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 8, 2024 meeting minutes
2. Claims Report
3. Quarter 3 Proposed Budget Amendments for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2024 (R-24-63) Staff Contact: Rafaela Oceguera, Budget & Finance Manager, Budget & Finance Department General Manager’s Recommendation: Adopt a resolution approving the proposed Quarter 3 budget amendments for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.
4. One Year Contract Extension with Chavan & Associates for Financial Auditing Services (R-24-64) Staff Contacts: Michael Foster, Controller; Stefan Jaskulak, Chief Financial Officer/Director of Administrative Services, General Manager’s Office; Rafaela Oceguera, Budget & Finance Manager, Budget & Finance Department Controller’s Recommendation: Approve a one-year contract extension with Chavan & Associates to serve as the financial auditor for Fiscal Year 2023-24 for a not-to-exceed amount of $30,500.
5. Employee Wellness Benefit (R-24-65) Staff Contact: Candice Basnight, Human Resources Manager, Human Resources Department General Manager’s Recommendation: Approve an employee wellness benefit of $250 per eligible employee per year administered by Navia.
6. California Department of Fish and Wildlife Master Agreement (R-24-66) Staff Contact: Julie Andersen, Senior Resources Management Specialist, Natural Resources Department General Manager’s Recommendations: 1. Authorize the General Manager to approve a single payment of $111,037.25 to apply for a California Department of Fish and Wildlife Master Agreement to obtain regulatory permit coverage for various land management activities, including (but not limited to) culvert maintenance and replacement, road and trail drainage repairs and upgrades, aquatic habitat restoration in ponds, creeks and wetlands, invasive species removal, and bridge replacements and relocations. 2. Authorize the General Manager to approve annual project fees notified under the Master Agreement for a period of up to ten years.
7. Agreement with the City of San Carlos for Management of Trail Access to Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve from the End of Los Vientos Way (R-24-67) Staff Contact: Brian Malone, Assistant General Manager, General Manager’s Office General Manager’s Recommendation: Authorize the General Manager to enter into an agreement with the City of San Carlos regarding the management of public access to Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve at the end of Los Vientos Way.
BOARD BUSINESS Public comment on agenda items is received at the time each item is considered by the Board of Directors.
8. Award of Grazing Leases for three Conservation Grazing Units: Blue Brush Canyon (Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve); Lone Madrone (La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve); and Big Dipper/Mindego (Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve/Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve) (R-24-68) Staff Contact: Matthew Shapero, Conservation Grazing Program Manager, Resource Management Specialist III, Land and Facilities Department General Manager’s Recommendations: Based on the final evaluation results of a Request for Proposals Process that is consistent with the 2023 Board-adopted Agricultural Policy, adopt a Resolution authorizing the General Manager to: 1. Execute an initial five-year conservation grazing lease with Pacheco Cattle for the Blue Brush Canyon Grazing Unit in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. 2. Execute an initial five-year conservation grazing lease with Willow Creek Land and Cattle, LLC., for the Lone Madrone Grazing Unit in La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve. 3. Execute an initial five-year conservation grazing lease with Baird Livestock and Land Management, LLC., for the Big Dipper/Mindego Grazing Unit in Skyline Ridge/Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve. 4. Extend each of the foregoing leases, at the General Manager’s discretion, for up to two (2) additional five-year terms, for total lease terms of 15 years each, based on tenant performance.
9. Adoption of Resolution of Intention to Approve an Amendment to the Contract Between the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) and the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District to provide Section 21151, Industrial Disability Retirement for Local Miscellaneous Members (R-24-69) Staff Contact: Candice Basnight, Human Resources Manager, Human Resources Department General Manager’s Recommendations: Adopt the Resolution of Intention to Amend the California Public Employees’ Retirement System contract to provide Section 21151, Industrial Disability Retirement for Local Miscellaneous Members.
10. Motion for Reconsideration of the Board of Directors’ May 14, 2024 action regarding Recommendation Number 3: If horse boarding and/or public programming at the Stables site will continue, direct the General Manager to return with a revised concessionaire agreement. Oral presentation by Director Gleason. If the Board votes to reconsider the item, it will be placed on an agenda at a future Board meeting.
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.
Special Meeting Recording - Audio Only
Recording
Regular Meeting agendas are posted 72 hours prior to the meeting. Special Meeting agendas are posted at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.
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.
