ROLL CALL/ CONVENED TO CLOSED SESSION

Chairperson Jim Foran called the regular meeting of the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority (OSA) to order at 6:32 p.m. at the Open Space Authority Administrative Office, 6830 Via del Oro, Ste 200, San Jose, CA.  He directed the Clerk to take Roll Call.

Members Present

A. Kennett, J. Foran, V. Holtz, K. Gill, G. Annable, M. Potter,  and S. Hall

Members Excused Absent

None

Staff Present

Patrick Congdon, General Manager

Bill Parkin, Legal Counsel

Lauren Crook, Clerk of the Board

Lark Burkhart, Public Information Specialist

Public Present

Dorsey Moore

Greg West

RETURN FROM CLOSED SESSION

7:10 P.M.   No reportable actions.

OPEN SESSION

Chairperson Jim Foran called the open session of the regular meeting of the OSA to order at 7:13 p.m.

PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS

J. Foran asked if there were any members of the public who wished to address the Board on a topic not already on the agenda. 

Greg West of the Santa Clara County Parks Commission greeted the Board and gave an update regarding Martial Cottle Park.  He stated that the preliminary plan was completed and in the process of review.  He thanked the Open Space Authority for their support of the project.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

S. Hall moved to adopt the agenda and move Agenda Item #2: Board Discussion of Open Space Authority Role in Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan and make it the first item in Board Business.  M. Potter seconded the motion. 

The motion passed 7-0.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of March 13, 2008

A. Kennett moved to approve the minutes of March 13, 2008.  V. Holtz seconded the motion.

S. Hall stated he had an amendment on Page 3 of the minutes in his Board Member Reports:

…put on by the Open Space Authority Silicon Valley Land Conservancy.

A. Kennett and V. Holtz accepted the amendment.  The motion passed 7-0. 

CONSENT CALENDAR

J. Foran noted that there were no items on the Consent Calendar.

WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS

J. Foran asked the Clerk if there were any written communications. 

L. Crook stated there were no written communications.

NEW BUSINESS

Agenda Item #2: Board Discussion of Open Space Authority Role in Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan

P. Congdon introduced the item stating that Authority Legal Counsel Bill Parkin would be giving a presentation on the legal issues associated with the Authority’s involvement with the HCP.  He mentioned that there would also be discussion about Chapter 8, of which a copy has been made available to each board member at tonight’s meeting.   He noted that Ken Schreiber would be at the next Board meeting to answer any questions the Board may have.

S. Hall pointed out that much of the language in Chapter was still fluid as to how the plan would be managed.

Board discussion ensued.

B. Parkin addressed the Board and talked about the legal aspects of the HCP in relation to the Open Space Authority.

Board discussion continued.

S. Hall stated he had crafted a statement, which could be reviewed and modified by legal counsel, to be used by the Board when addressing the public.  He read his draft statement:

“The Open Space Authority would like to participate in the acquisition and management of HCP lands.  We are already carrying out many of the tasks associated with the HCP and feel we are the natural party to cost effectively implement the conservation goals.”

P. Congdon stated that he was hearing the Board say as a consensus that the Open Space Authority would like to participate in the HCP with acquiring and managing land. 

S. Hall asked P. Congdon and B. Parkin to draft a more formal statement of interest in participation in the HCP.

B. Parkin offered to send a letter to HCP Legal Counsel making them aware of the Board’s interest in participating in the HCP.

The Board requested that B. Parkin send a letter to HCP Legal Counsel.

Agenda Item #1: Approval of Administrative Office Relocation and Execution of Lease Agreement.

P. Congdon introduced the item.  He stated that staff had located a space at 6980 Santa Teresa Blvd.

M. Potter moved to approve the relocation of the Authority Administrative Office and authorize the General Manager to Execute the Lease Agreement.  V. Holtz seconded the motion.

The motion passed 6-0.  S. Hall was not in attendance for the vote.

INFORMATIONAL REPORTS

CAC Committee Update (from liaisons) &

Agricultural Project Update

Dorsey Moore stated that the CAC met on Monday.  He asked the Board for their comments regarding the final Agricultural Study by April 10. 

J. Foran asked that the CAC make a presentation of the salient points of the study at the next meeting.

Acquisition Committee

No report.

Use & Management Committee

J. Foran stated that there was no report.

Administration & Budget Committee

J. Foran stated that the Committee met prior to the board meeting. 

Agriculture and Conservation Mitigation Workshop Committee

J. Foran stated that the Committee did not meet.

General Manager’s Report

P. Congdon reported that he had no report.

Legal Counsel Report

William Parkin stated that he had no report.

Board Member Reports

Alex Kennett stated that he would be taking the OSA booth to the Earth Day event on April 22 in Morgan Hill.

Garnetta Annable stated she had no report.

Kalvin Gill stated that his community would be having an event on April 26^th.

Mike Potter stated he had no report.

Virginia Holtz stated that Spring in Guadalupe Gardens would be held on April 26^th. 

Jim Foran thanked staff for their work on the Coyote Valley Specific Plan.

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 8:43 p.m.