The Board Meeting, which was held on June 18, 2008 at the City of Brentwood’s Community Center, 730 Third Street, Brentwood, CA, was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Board President Ayn Wieskamp.

ROLL CALL

Directors Present:
Ayn Wieskamp, President
Ted Radke, Vice-President
Doug Siden, Treasurer
Nancy Skinner, Secretary
Beverly Lane
Carol Severi
John Sutter

Directors Absent:
None.

Staff Present Included:
Pat O’Brien, Dave Collins, Ted Radosevich, Mike Anderson, Rosemary Cameron, John Escobar, Dave Collins, Bob Doyle, Jim Townsend, Nancy Kaiser, Erich Pfuehler, Matt Madison, Mike Moran.

A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

By motion of Director Siden, seconded by Director Radke, the Agenda was unanimously approved.

B. PUBLIC COMMENTS

• 1. Welcome Remarks by Area Elected Officials/Staff 

Mayor Bob Taylor, City of Brentwood, welcomed the Board, District staff and other attendees. He spoke about developments in the City since the last District Board meeting was held in Brentwood in June of 2007, such as the population surpassing 50,000 and the construction of the Highway 4 By-pass.  He also expressed support for the District’s proposed bond extension measure.  He also offered to conduct a tour of City facilities and projects and asked that this be put on the agenda of the 2009 District Board meeting in Brentwood.  Mayor Taylor also introduced officials from the City in attendance: Craig Bronzon, Director, Parks and Recreation, and Parks Commissioners Ernie Rodriguez and Sandy Myers.

Councilmember Pat Anderson, City of Oakley, addressed the Board, stating that she enjoyed the field trip to Big Break Regional Shoreline conducted before this meeting, and extended an invitation to the Board to visit Oakley again.

Councilmember Kevin Romick, City of Oakley, stated that he also enjoyed the field trip and stated that he looked forward to the completion of the Delta Science Center and the presentation on the proposed bond extension measure.

Ms. Karyn Cornell, East County Field Representative for Supervisor Piepho, thanked the Board for conducting a meeting in Brentwood, and said that she will be speaking on an agenda item later in the meeting.

Mr. Exodie Roe, Field Representative for Congressman Jerry McNerney, 11th District, welcomed the Board to the City of Brentwood, and conveyed Cong. McNerney’s gratitude to the District for its work.  He also thanked District staff Erich Pfuehler for inviting him to attend this meeting.

Ms. Carolina Salazar, Field Representative for Senator Tom Torlakson, welcomed the Board.  She also announced that Contra Costa County has just given approval for $ 2 million for the construction of the Delta Trail.   

Mr. Paul Adler from Supervisor Federal Glover’s office stated that the Supervisor looks forward to the Bay Point event coming up on Saturday, June 21, 2008, and expressed gratitude for the field trip to Big Break.

• 2. Public Comments

Ms. Nancy Chinn, Executive Director for the Delta Science Center, thanked the District for its commitment to the Center.  Ms. Chinn also expressed her gratitude to Naturalist Mike Moran and other District staff for their assistance with a sign project for the Marsh Creek Watershed.  She announced that the Delta Science Center is active with educational programs currently in place.

Mr. Ernest Pacheco, member of Citizens Against Pollution (CAP), spoke about the group’s objections to the 600 megawatt Russell City Power Plant in Hayward and handed out information to the Board showing over 100 bird species that live and nest in the area that will be affected by this power plant.  He added that if the California Energy Commission (CEC) does not grant an extension, there will no longer be a threat to the shoreline area.  He asked that the Board recommend that the CEC deny Calpine’s petition for extension. 

Mr. Andy Wilson, a resident of Hayward and a CAP member, also spoke against the Russell City Power Plant.  He informed the Board that the CEC Commissioners over-rode their staff’s recommendation not to approve the power plant.  He encouraged the Board to write a letter to the CEC asking that they deny the extension for Russell City.

Bob Doyle, AGM for Land Acquisition, stated that staff is aware of the situation and have communicated with concerned parties.  He also added that the District does not comment on every industrial plant that gets constructed in the East Bay area, but are looking at this specific issue.

C. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD

1. CONSENT CALENDAR

• C-1-a.
  Approval of District Check Listing for the Period of May 24, 2008 to June 6, 2008
  Resolution No. 2008-6-155 (Attached)
  
• C-1-b.
  Authorization to Negotiate with Various Property Owners
  Resolution No. 2008-6-156 (Attached)
• C-1-c.
  Authorization to Extend a Cooperative Agreement with the California Department of Transportation and Accept Grant Funds to Hire Crews from Civicorps School
  Resolution No. 2008-6-157 (Attached)
• C-1-d.
  Authorization to Apply for Grant Funds from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District for the Development of the Bay Trail at the Wildcat Creek Regional Trail
  Resolution No. 2008-6-158 (Attached)
• C-1-e.
  Authorization to Purchase Two Xerox Digital Copiers/Printers
  Resolution No. 2008-6-159 (Attached)
• C-1-f.
  Acceptance of First Quarter Report of Investment Activity for the East Bay Regional Park District for the Period Ending March 31, 2008
  Resolution No. 2008-6-160 (Attached)
• C-1-g.
  Acceptance of Quarterly Unaudited Financial Statements for the East Bay Regional Park District for the Period Ending March 31, 2008
  Resolution No. 2008-6-161 (Attached)

2. BOARD AND STAFF REPORTS

1. East Contra Costa County – 2008 Park Bond Extension Projects

Mike Anderson, AGM for Planning/Stewardship and Development, gave a presentation on the East Contra Costa County projects as included in the District’s proposed bond extension measure for the November 2008 General Elections, and how funds from the proposed bond extension will be allocated.

Director Radke mentioned that many of the projects proposed for East Contra Costa overlap the Habitat Conservation Plan projects; this would mean more funding to further these projects.

Director Lane also called attention to the District’s bond extension brochure which summarizes estimated funding allocations for each city.

2. 2008 Regional Parks Bond Extension

(1) Final Project List

Dave Collins, AGM for Finance and Management Services, gave a presentation on the Project List for the District’s 75% portion/share of the bond measure proceeds.  He stated that this current version was based on the Board recommendations from its June 1, 2008 Board meeting and incorporates language changes and funding revisions based on a 7% contingency amount.

After a discussion of various Board member concerns on the project list descriptions, the following changes were recommended:

• Item 10/Briones – revise first/second sentence to read "...in the park, in partnership with other agencies. Improve Alhambra Valley..."
• Item 32/Gateway Shoreline – last sentence, instead of listing all agencies individually, revise to read "...in cooperation with other agencies."
• Item 37/Las Trampas – delete "primitive" from reference to camping areas;
• Item 53/Redwood – add a reference to construction of an interpretive facility;
• Item 63/Urban Creeks – revise first sentence to read "...work with cities and community organization..."
3. East Contra Costa Trails Update

Jim Townsend, Trails Development Program Manager, gave a brief update on the on-going projects in Contra Costa County:

• Port Chicago Mitigation Fund Spending Plan – approved by Contra Costa Board of Supervisors, which includes not only the $2 million mentioned earlier by Carolina Salazar to construct sections of the Delta Trail, both east and west of the Bay Point Wetlands property, but also $350,000 for the needed planning and environmental studies prior to the undertaking the construction of the Delta Trail, $450,000 for access improvements to the trail adjacent to Bay Point Wetlands, providing the first opportunity for community to connect to the waterfront, and $1.5 million for reconstruction of the Delta DeAnza Trail along Bailey Road for a safer access to the Bay Point Bart Station;
• Orwood Bridge Replacement project;
• Recreational Feasibility Study for Jersey Island.

Diane Burgess of the Friends of Marsh Creek (FOMC) provided a presentation on their organizations’ projects and activities that highlight the Marsh Creek Watershed and future projects and partnerships with the District.

Tom Lindemuth, also of FOMC, spoke about Freedom High School’s student programs conducted at the Marsh Creek Watershed.

Karyn Cornell from Supervisor Mary Piepho’s office, and John Cunningham, Transportation Planner, Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development, spoke about the East Contra Costa County Trail Mapping effort spearheaded by Supervisor Mary Peipho.

4. GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

• a. Actions Taken by Other Jurisdictions Affecting the Park District

General Manager Pat O’Brien spoke about the lack of an adopted State Budget and possible repercussions to the District, as well as the other items listed on the report.

Director Skinner suggested enhancing the District’s website to promote other less-used parks so that the public is made aware of other choices if some District parks are full.

5. BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS

1. Operations Committee (Severin) (4-24-2008)
2. Regional Parks Foundation (Wieskamp) (3-20-2008)

6. BOARD COMMENTS

Director Radke reported on meetings attended. Director Radke

• Mentioned that Contra Costa Council and Bart President Gail Murray have endorsed the District’s bond measure extension;
• Stated that he was looking forward to the opening of Bay Pt. Regional Shoreline;
• Received a Thank You note for the District’s participation in the American Wetlands Month program at Mt. View Sanitary District.

Director Sutter reported on meetings attended. Director Sutter

• Attended the Ivan Dickson Trail project at Redwood Regional Park with about 80 volunteers;
• Attended the Alameda County Mayors Conference in Alameda, wherein there was a talk on the State Budget;
• Commented on his trip to Australia where he toured parks in Melbourne and Sydney – parks were spotless and very well maintained.

Director Lane reported on meetings attended. Director Lane

• Attended the California Trails and Greenways Conference in San Diego;
• Attended the Open Space Conference in Oakland;
• Attended several Community Advisory Committee meetings for the Concord Naval Weapons Station;
• Mentioned the Castle Rock Opening/Dedication on June 28;
• Announced that Supervising Naturalist Traci Parent will be receiving a scholarship award from the Conference of California Historical Societies for her Rose Hill Cemetery report on June 28.

Director Siden reported on meetings attended. Director Siden

• Expressed appreciation to members of the public for attending this meeting;
• Attended the California Trails and Greenways Conference in San Diego;
• Will be speaking about the District’s park bond measure before Supervisor Nate Miley’s foundation;
• Attended the Alameda County Mayors Conference in Alameda;
• Attended the East Bay EDA meeting in Walnut Creek;
• Attended the MLKing, Jr. Freedom Center Breakfast meeting where they are working to recruit a new Board member;
• Attended the first Crab Cove concert for the summer;
• Attended the Fort Baker ribbon cutting ceremony in Sausalito, with Speaker Nancy Pelosi in attendance;
• Spoke before the Santa Clara County Special Districts Association held at the Santa Clara County Water District
• Attended the CFO/Controller interviews;
• Attended the EBMUD Directors Breakfast meeting, where the issue of drought/water rationing was discussed.

Director Severin reported on meetings attended. Director Severin

• Spoke to this meeting’s attendees on how they can help the District by spreading the word on the merits of the proposed bond measure to their family and friends;
• Attended the Board Land Session/workshop;
• Attended the Alameda County Liaison Committee meeting;
• Attended the Alameda County Mayors Conference in Alameda;
• Attended the Ecology Committee meeting.

Director Skinner reported on meetings attended. Director Skinner

• Attended the Ecology Committee meeting;
• Went on a bird watching trip.

D. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Ernie Rodriguez, Parks Commissioner, City of Brentwood, expressed his gratitude to the Board for continuing to conduct yearly meetings in the city as it is an important way by which they can remain informed of District issues.  He also stated his willingness to help promote the bond measure extension, especially to the city’s senior groups.  He asked that he be informed of next year’s Board meeting early so they can reserve the Council Chambers for the Board meeting.

Sandy Myers, Parks Commissioner, City of Brentwood, also expressed her appreciation to the Board for conducting its meeting in Brentwood.  She also advised that the city is building a new Senior Center next to the city’s aquatic center, and offered this new venue for the District’s 2009 Brentwood Board meeting.

E. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned by President Wieskamp at 8:50 p.m.

Allen Pulido, Clerk of the Board

Attachments:
Visitors Log
Resolution Nos.2008-6-155 to 2008-6-164
Board Committee Report

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