ROLL CALL

Chairperson Alex Kennett called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and requested roll call from the Clerk.

Members Present

Alex Kennett, Jim Foran, Virginia Holtz, Craige Edgerton, Garnetta Annable. Sequoia Hall arrived at 6:32 p.m., Mike Potter arrived at 6:40 p.m.

Members Excused Absent

None

Staff Present

Bill Parkin, Legal Counsel

Lauren Crook, Clerk of the Board

CONVENED TO CLOSED SESSION

6:30 P.M.

RETURN FROM CLOSED SESSION

7:00 P.M.  There were no reportable actions.

OPEN SESSION

Chairperson Alex Kennett called the regular meeting of the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority (OSA) to order at 7:00 p.m.

Public Present

None

PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS

None

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

G. Annable moved to adopt the agenda. S. Hall seconded the motion. 

The motion passed 7-0. 

MINUTES

Approval of September 28, 2006 Minutes

V. Holtz moved to approve the September 28, 2006 minutes.  J. Foran seconded the motion.  The motion passed 6-0.  S.  Hall abstained.

WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS

None

NEW BUSINESS

Agenda Item #1: Grassland Management and Grazing Presentation by the General Manager.

A. Kennett noted that the General Manager was not in attendance at the meeting.  (P Congdon was on sick leave).

L. Crook stated that the General Manager would present the item at the next Board meeting.

Agenda Item #2: Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Communities Conservation Plan Participation Update – General Manager

L. Crook stated that General Manager P. Congdon would update the Board with status of the HCP at the next meeting and he would be bringing a draft agreement for HCP partnership to the Board at their next meeting.

Agenda Item #3: Authorization to Enter into Purchase Agreement  for the Acquisition of 233 Acres from Mary Moore: Arroyo Aguague Study Area

A. Kennett introduced the item.

Motion:  C. Edgerton moved to approve Resolution 06-31.   J. Foran seconded the motion.

V. Holtz stated that she would like to amend the resolution to include the parcel number and the study area within the text.

J. Foran stated the title of the resolution should include the same information.

C. Edgerton approved amendment to the resolution.  J. Foran seconded the amendment.  The motion passed 7-0.

Agenda Item #4: Approve resolution authorizing the General Manager to submit an application for Proposition 40 grant funding for the construction of a staging area within the Milpitas-Berryessa Study Area.

A. Kennett introduced the item.

Motion:  J. Foran moved to approve Resolution 06-32.   C. Edgerton seconded the motion.

The motion passed 7-0.

J. Foran stated that he understood this grant request has very high standing. 

L. Crook stated that P. Congdon wanted the Board to know that analysis of the staging area was underway.

CONSENT CALENDAR

There are no items on the Consent Calendar

INFORMATIONAL REPORTS

CAC Committee Update (from liaisons)

The October 23, 2006 CAC meeting was cancelled.  No report.

Agricultural Project Update

No report

Acquisition Policy Committee

G. Annable asked that the final document from the committee be put on a future agenda before the end of the year.

Acquisition Committee

G. Annable stated that P. Congdon led a field trip to the Hurner property in the San Antonio Valley.  She stated the reason the OSA looked at the parcel was because OSA has been asked by the Nature Conservancy to make a contribution towards the property.  She said the parcel was about 2,890 acres.  She noted that the Hurner’s wanted to have public access. 

She said that she had occasion to speak to Paul Romero, Deputy Director of Parks and asked him about funding and management of the property. 

G. Annable asked that P. Congdon have some communication with Director Romero regarding participation, funding and management of the property.

J. Foran stated that General Manager P. Congdon has been very good at putting complex situations together such as the Jackson Sisters Ranch.  His hard work has reaped goodwill for the agency and found a way to obtain satisfactory solutions for the agency.

Use & Management Committee

No report.

Administration & Budget Committee

No report.

General Manager’s Report

L. Crook stated that staff had redesigned the OSA patch and showed the Board the Board and example.  She pointed out that the oak tree was a prominent part of the patch.

Legal Counsel Report

B. Parkin reported on a case decided by the First District Court of Appeal, Amberger-Warren v. City of Piedmont which concerns immunity for trail design and maintenance.

Board Member Reports

J. Foran noted that LAFCO has released their updated draft of their agriculture mitigation policy; he stated that he attended the Bay Trail board meeting the day before.

G. Annable stated she had participated in the Coast Alive program.  She stated the group was looking for ideas for what will best serve the community.

S. Hall stated that the Castro Valley Ranch development was happening and the developer is planning 50 parcels.

V. Holtz reported on her attendance, along with Director Edgerton, at the Land Trust Alliance Rally in Nashville, TN.  She stated that the most informative session she attended was how to set up a successful conservation easement program.

C. Edgerton stated that he attended the HCP/NCCP meeting.  He said the plan was moving forward but no big decisions have been made yet.

M. Potter asked that meeting be adjourned in honor of the passing of Leonard McKay.  He stated Leonard McKay was an important person, community leader and business owner in San Jose.  M. Potter also noted that he was also a charter member of the Pioneer Society of Santa Clara County as well as a charter member of the 1850 Mountain Charlie Chapter of E Clampus Vitus.

M. Potter asked that a letter be sent notifying the Pioneers and his family that this meeting was adjourned in honor of Leonard McKay.

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned in honor of Leonard McKay at  7:38 p.m.