Citizen’s Advisory Committee Meeting

Meeting Summary

7:00 PM on Monday, February 26, 2007

Open Space Authority Administration Office

6830 Via Del Oro, Suite 200, San Jose

 

Attendees:

Citizen Advisory Committee Members:

Name	Represent	Present	Absent
Susan McKuhen	District 1	ü
Carmen Montano	District 2		ü
Jan Hintermeister	District 3	ü
Eric Carruthers	District 4	ü
Karna Carlson	District 5	ü
Vacant	District 6	-	-
Vacant	District 7	-	-
Vacant	Agriculture	-	-
Vacant	Business	-	-
Vacant	Civic Organizations	-	-
Daniel J. Kenney	Development Community		ü
Vacant	Education	-	-
David Poeschel	Environmental		ü
Son Cheong (C.K.) Kuan	Labor	ü
Dorsey Moore	Parks	ü
Kitty Monahan	Trails		ü
	Totals	6	4

 

Other Attendees:

Board Liaison Present:

The Honorable Alex Kennett – Director, District One

The Honorable Virginia Holtz – Director, District Five

Staff Present:

Patrick Congdon – General Manager (staff)

Public Present: None

 

Action Items:

Task	Lead	Due Date	ü
From 1/22/07 Meeting:
Distribute meeting summary from 11/27/06 meeting	Dorsey	2/19/07	X
Distribute meeting summary from 1/22/07 meeting	Dorsey	2/19/07	ü
Email CAC members existing CAC work plan	Dorsey	2/19/07	ü
Review CAC work plan prior to 2/26/07 meeting	All CAC	2/26/07	ü
Review Bay Area Agricultural Land Conservation Agencies Program Survey, letter and phone script	All CAC	2/26/07	ü
Schedule OSA outreach presentations	Dorsey	3/26/07
Arrange for CAC tour of new OSA property adjacent to Sierra Road	Dorsey	3/26/07
From 2/26/07 Meeting:
Contact staff to issue Bay Area Agricultural Land Conservation Agencies Program Survey,	Dorsey	3/26/07	ü
Send Dorsey copies of Santa Clara Valley Water District Advisory Committee governance and work plan documents	Karna	3/26/07	ü
Distribute meeting summary from 2/26/07 meeting	Dorsey	3/26/07	ü
Email CAC members existing CAC FY 2006-07 Work Plan Status and Draft Work Plan for FY 2007-08	Dorsey	3/26/07	ü
Send out online survey to solicit input from CAC members to increase engagement and effectiveness of CAC	Dorsey	3/26/07

 

 

1.      Call to Order – Dorsey Moore

A.     Approve excused absences

B.      Introduction of Guests – No guests were present

 

2.      Public Presentations for Items not Listed on the Agenda (Limit:  3 minutes)

      No public presentations were made

 

3.      Approval of the Meeting Summary of Previous Meeting

A.     Meeting Summary – January 22, 2007 was provided and approved unanimously.

 

4.      Reports

A.     Board Liaison Report –  Boardmembers Kennett and Holtz

i.     Members of the Santa Teresa Foothills Homeowners Association spoke at the February 22^nd Board of Directors meeting regarding concerns of a new monster home going in at the end of Miracle Mountain Drive.  The speakers requested that OSA move to purchase the adjacent land to see that it is not developed.

 

B.      Authority Staff Report – Presented by Patrick Congdon

                                        i.    District 7 Board Vacancy Update - The Board seat for District 7 is vacant and OSA has posted notices in several local newspapers encouraging qualified individuals to apply.  So far OSA has received five applications which will be screened by a subcommittee of the BOD.  One application was received late from Jim Zito.  His application was not considered because it was received after the closing date.  The Board will interview qualified candidates and vote on selecting a candidate at the March 8^th Board meeting.

                                      ii.    Doan Ranch Acquisition - OSA is in the process of purchasing the Doan Ranch in the upper Coyote watershed.  This 574-acre parcel contains California native grasses, three ponds, oak trees, burrowing owls and several other species of flora and fauna.  OSA is also looking at an additional 128-acre parcel affiliated with the Doan Ranch which has good access from Canada Road.  The price of land is going up.  The average cost of an acre is roughly $10,000/acre. 

                                    iii.    Litigation Update – CAC Member McKuhen asked about the status of the OSA litigation.  General Manager Congdon stated that the case is at the State Supreme Court, but has not been calendared as of yet.  OSA is thinking that it may not be calendared until late 2007 or early 2008.

                                     iv.    Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) – Boardmember Hall represented OSA at a stakeholder group regarding the HCP.  GM Congdon is on the Biological Goals Committee and working with a financial consultant.  OSA may possibly become a side partner.  If OSA is brought in, OSA may be an implementing agency which would manage Reserve areas.

                                       v.    Rancho Canada del Oro Update – The 80-foot bridge was installed.  The new paved ADA trail loop has been getting some use by persons with mobility aids.  A grand opening is being planned for the new ADA Trail.  The meadow in the same area has been drill seeded with native grasses.

                                     vi.    Milpitas Berryessa Study Area – Planning name given to this area is Sierra Vista.  Hoping to put in a staging area near the top and create 6-7 miles of trails.  The Coastal Commission has provided OSA with a planning grant for this work.  OSA is hoping to open the Sierra Property late this year.

                                   vii.    King of the Mountain Race – The King of the Mountain Bike Race was held on 2/17.  The bike race began at the San Jose City Hall and finished at the top of Sierra Road and ended on OSA land.  The event had 120-150 riders.  It was a great first time event and OSA received some good feedback from the promoters.

                                 viii.    Tour de California – The Tour de California also used the Sierra Road to finish a stage of their race.  The event went well overall and provided good public exposure for OSA.  The City of San Jose was thankful for OSA’s staff help during the event.

                                     ix.    Santa Teresa Foothills Homeowners Association – GM Congdon added to what Director Kennett added regarding this groups concern over possible adjacent development.  There is a 23-acre parcel adjacent to the current monster home that could possibly be sold to OSA to preserve the scenic value of the area.

                                       x.    Marijuana Eradication – GM Congdon reported that OSA will be working to remove plastic debris associated from a past marijuana eradication project on OSA Property.  A Blackhawk helicopter will be helping out as a training exercise.

                                     xi.    National Invasive Plant Awareness Week – Is in March.

                                   xii.    Weed Awareness Day at the Capital – March 12th.  GM Congdon will be going to Sacramento to educate elected officials on the importance of weed control.  Problem weeds include:  Barbed Goat Grass and Stinkwort among others.  CAC Member Carruthers asked about whether there are still weed abatement districts as he recalls from years ago.  GM Congdon said weed abatement districts primary concentrate on urban lot issues and not so much on non-native invasive plants in wildland areas.

 

C.     CAC Chair & Members –

                                        i.      CAC Member Carruthers – Coyote Valley Specific Plan will be released on March 12^th.  A draft Environmental Impact Report is underway and they are developing guidelines.

                                      ii.      CAC Member Moore –

a.                   CAC Chairperson Duties – Dorsey thanked Jan for his leadership as past CAC Chairperson and other CAC Members for their leadership over the years.  Also stated that he will do his best to fulfill the duties as required of the Chairperson.  He committed to treat all CAC Members with dignity and respect.  Additionally, he committed to treat everyone fairly and he encouraged CAC Members to provide him with feedback if he does not live up to his or CAC Member standards. 

b.                  CAC Meeting Summaries – Dorsey has made some changes to the meeting summaries to make it easier to track attendance and to stay on task with CAC projects and commitments.  He also said that his goal is to get the meeting summaries distributed a week after the meeting so absent CAC Members can get informed and act in a timely manner on CAC projects and commitments.

c.                   Purpose of CAC – Dorsey mentioned at a yet to be determined CAC meeting he would like to discuss the CAC Member position descriptions.

d.                  Suggestions for CAC engagement and increased effectiveness – Dorsey mentioned that he would issue an online survey to CAC members before the next meeting to gather suggestions on how to make the CAC more engaged.  He cited CAC Member Monahan’s suggestion of getting a tour of new OSA properties and would like to hear more suggestions from other CAC Members.

 

5.      New Business

A.     CAC Work Plan for Plan for July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008 –  Dorsey facilitated a discussion on the Fiscal Year 2006-07 Work Plan.  All CAC Members contributed to a helpful discussion of past and future activities.  Karna suggested that the CAC review governance documents from a Santa Clara Valley Water District advisory committee to help guide changes to CAC governance strategy. 

 

An attachment to this Meeting Summary notes the status of the programs and projects undertaken during the current fiscal year.  A draft Fiscal Year 2007-08 Work Plan was developed and is also attached.  This document is still open for discussion.  All CAC members are encouraged to review and edit this document.  The CAC will attempt to finalize the Fiscal Year 2007-08 Work Plan at the March 26^th meeting.

 

B.      Outreach Speaker’s Bureau –Dorsey asked the CAC if anyone would like training on being part of the OSA Outreach Speaker’s Bureau.  He noted that this is not a required activity for all CAC Members, but only for those that want to participate.  Please coordinate all presentations through Lark as she needs to make sure the equipment is available and have enough handouts prepared.  Lark will also track who presented and the date of the presentation. 

                                                                          i.      Dorsey has committed to give presentations to the Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley (3/7) and Quicksilver Running Club (3/1).  He also reiterated his commitment to present to the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association and North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association with Boardmember Annable.

                       

6.      Unfinished Business

A.     Bay Area Agricultural Land Conservation Agencies Program – Project Update – Eric Carruthers

                                                                          i.      Survey is just about ready to go out.  Dorsey wanted to have a brief meeting with Eric and Jan regarding some final details which happened right after the CAC meeting.  The survey will be sent out before the March 26^th CAC meeting. 

 

7.      Items for Next Meeting (March 26, 2007)

A.     Attempt to finalize the CAC Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2007-08. 

B.      Outreach Speaker’s Bureau Update

C.     Bay Area Agricultural Land Conservation Agencies Program – follow-up

 

8.      Announcements/Orientation

A.     CAC Members –

                                                  i.      Karna – Willow Glen Way bridge grand opening on March 3^rd from 10AM – noon.

                                                ii.      CK – Announced there is a Transportation Land Use Coalition meeting on March 24^th in Oakland from 10AM – 2PM.  There is also an ABAG and MTC joint meeting discuss how to reduce pollution and promote green technologies.

           &n