The Board Meeting, which was held on July 15, 2008 at the Peralta Oaks Headquarters Building, 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland, CA, was called to order at 1:00 p.m. by Board President Ayn Wieskamp.

ROLL CALL

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

Directors Absent:
Carol Severin

At this time, the Board of Directors met in Closed Session to discuss those items outlined on the Closed Session Board Meeting Agenda.

The Open Session of the Board Meeting was called to order at 2:04 p.m. by Board President Ayn Wieskamp.

Staff Present Included:
Pat O’Brien, Ted Radosevich, Dave Collins, Bob Doyle, Tim Anderson, Ted Radosevich, Carol Victor, Mike Anderson, Dave Sumner, Jack Kenny, Shelly Lewis, Megan Jones, Mark Pearson, John Swanson, Brian Wiese, John Escobar, Carol Johnson, Erich Pfuehler, Rosemary Cameron, Mary Mattingly.

A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

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

B. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Brenda Wood, Business Agent for AFSCME Local 2428, addressed the Board to express opposition to the District’s proposal to add seasonal labor job classifications, and briefly spoke about the history behind the union’s negotiations with the District pertaining to this subject.

Dave Kalahele, President of AFSCME Local 2428, also expressed the Union’s opposition to the District’s stance on seasonal job classifications, and submitted a petition signed by about 70% of the union’s members.

Director Siden asked for staff response to the Union’s concerns.  General Manager Pat O’Brien responded that this issue has already been withdrawn for discussion and is not “on the table.”

Paul Arvin stated his support for the District and its parks.  He spoke about his observation at Quarry Lakes wherein District lifeguards come in at 9:00 a.m. to lock the gates to the swim lagoon and come back to open it at 11:00 a.m. when they are scheduled to begin lifeguard services.  He stated that it does not seem correct that lifeguards are paid from 9:00 a.m. before they actually are required to work as lifeguards. Chief Tim Anderson, Asst. Gen. Manager for Public Safety, commented that Aquatics Supervisor Nick Shriver has spoken with Mr. Arvin on this subject before and indicated that there are other administrative duties that the lifeguards are required to attend to prior to the actual commencement of lifeguard services. 
Stephen Cooper addressed the Board regarding the Brushy Peak loop trail, and stated that the District can be a leader in the preservation of Native American sacred sites by not going forward with the construction of a trail to the summit.  He added that Brushy Peak is the last known site within Alameda and Contra Costa counties untouched by development.

Gypsy Taub addressed the Board regarding swim breaks and lifeguards overstepping their boundaries.  She stated that although swim breaks were designed to increase safety at swim areas, this rule has not achieved its goal, and cited data she gathered to support her claim. She asked the Board to eliminate swim breaks.  Ms. Taub also commented on her experience while at Lake Temescal, wherein District lifeguards asked that she put swim clothes on her young kids who were swimming naked, in violation of District rules.  She added that she was also approached by a lifeguard since a member of the public complained that her swimsuit was too revealing.

Ruth Orta, an Ohlone elder, addressed the Board to express her objection to Brushy Peak, a Native American sacred site, being opened for public tours.

C. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD

1. CONSENT CALENDAR

Moved by Director Radke, seconded by Director Lane, the Consent Calendar was approved 6-0, 1 absent.      

Directors present:      Beverly Lane, Ted Radke, Doug Siden, Nancy Skinner, John Sutter, Ayn Wieskamp.
Directors absent:        Carol Severin.

C-1-a               Approval of District Check Listing for the Period of June 21, 2008 to July 4, 2008
Resolution No. 2008-7-178               (attached)

C-1-b               Approval of Minutes of the Board Meeting of April 15, 2008

C-1-c               Authorization to Negotiate with Various Property Owners
Resolution No. 2008-7-179               (attached)                                                                               

C-1-d               Approval of Revisions to Ordinance 38
Resolution No. 2008-7-180               (attached)

Director Sutter suggested minor editorial changes for next year’s revision to eliminate redundancy in the language pertaining to bicycle restrictions in Exhibit A, and the write-up on areas with dog restrictions.

C-1-e               Authorization for the Sole Source Purchase of a CXT Pre-cast Concrete Vault Toilet:
Vasco Caves Regional Preserve
Resolution No. 2008-7-181               (attached)

C-1-f                Authorization to Amend the 2008 Capital Budget - Project Number 120600 (Rock                                               North East Trail): Del Valle Regional Park
Resolution No. 2008-7-182               (attached)

           
C-1-g               Authorization for the Sole Source Purchase of Duplex Pumps and Control Panel for a                                          Sewer Lift Station: Big Break Regional Shoreline
Resolution No. 2008-7-183               (attached)

2.         GENERAL MANAGER

PUBLIC HEARING

            a.         Second Reading And Adoption Of Ordinance Ordering The Submission Of A Proposition             Of Incurring Bonded Debt For The Purpose Of The Acquisition And Development Of             Regional Park, Recreation And Open Space Facilities And Acquisition And Development Of             Local Park, Recreation And Open Space Facilities To The Qualified Voters Of The East Bay             Regional Park District At The District Election On November 4, 2008
Ordinance No. 2008-7-184                (attached)

Moved by Director Radke, seconded by Director Siden, item C-2-a was approved with a vote of 6-0, 1 absent.

Directors present:      Beverly Lane, Ted Radke, Doug Siden, Nancy Skinner, John Sutter, Ayn Wieskamp.
Directors absent:        Carol Severin.

Dave Collins, AGM of Finance and Management Services, introduced this item, stating that the Board’s action today will formally place this measure to the voters of Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

Comments provided by Board members were as follows:

• this is a very important and an historic measure for the District and may be last best chance to determine what the future of the East Bay will look like;
• while there is the element of risk involved in submitting this measure to the voters during a period of economic turmoil, the risk factor is more than just the economic situation at this moment in time; the risk is what happens to the future of the Bay Area, the opportunity to preserve lands which are still open, especially since another million residents are expected to come into the 2-county area in the next 20 years according to ABAG.  There is a greater risk if the District does not go through with this measure;

• the District was created during the Depression, and the people then so valued open space that they were willing to tax themselves;
• nothing more important to quality of life for residents than having good parks and recreation.

Public Comment:

Ms. Jakki Kiehl addressed the Board, stating that she has not seen any provision in the project list that promotes or preserves Native American Culture.  AGM Collins stated that the expenditure plan is general in nature and proposes both the acquisition of property as well as access where appropriate.  Ms. Kiehl stated that she is concerned that most of the acquisition pertains to trails.  President Wieskamp added that properties for acquisition are not listed at this time simply because these are not known.  AGM Collins commented that the project descriptions are general in nature, and that there will be other steps such as resource and stewardship analysis once properties are acquired.

            3.         FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES          

Public Hearing

a.         Approval of the Measure CC 2008/2009 Tax Report and Proposed Measure CC                          Budget Revenues and Expenditures for 2009           
Resolution No. 2008-7-185               (attached)

Moved by Director Siden, seconded by Director Sutter, the Consent Calendar was approved with a
vote of 6-0, 1 absent. 

Directors present:      Beverly Lane, Ted Radke, Doug Siden, Nancy Skinner, John Sutter, Ayn Wieskamp.
Directors absent:        Carol Severin.

AGM Collins gave a presentation on this item, stating that this is the fourth year of the Measure CC program, with staff proposing $4.6 million in appropriations for the coming year.

PUBLIC HEARING

b.         Approval of Engineer's Report for Fiscal Year 2008/09, Adopt Resolution             Confirming             Diagram and Assessment, Order Maintenance, Improvements and Levy Annual Assessment             for Alameda County/Contra Costa County Regional Trails             Landscaping and Lighting             Assessment District No. 1, including ZB-1 (Five Canyons), ZB-2 (Dublin Hills), ZB-3             (Walpert Ridge), ZB-4 (San Ramon Hills), ZB-5 (Stone Valley), and ZB-6 (Sibley Volcanic);             Adopt Resolution Overruling Protests
Resolution No. 2008-7-186               (attached)

Moved by Director Lane, seconded by Director Radke, item 3-b was approved with a 6-0 vote with 1 absent.  

Directors present:      Beverly Lane, Ted Radke, Doug Siden, Nancy Skinner, John Sutter, Ayn Wieskamp.
Directors absent:        Carol Severin.

                                    Adopt Resolution Overruling Protests
Resolution No. 2008-7-187               (attached)

Moved by Director Radke, seconded by Director Sutter, the resolution overruling protests was approved with a 6-0 vote, with 1 Board member absent.

Directors present:      Beverly Lane, Ted Radke, Doug Siden, Nancy Skinner, John Sutter, Ayn Wieskamp.
Directors absent:        Carol Severin.

            4.         BOARD AND STAFF REPORTS
a.         2008 Regional Parks Bond Extension
Public Input: Summary of Comments Received

GM O’Brien stated that while the Ordinance has been adopted and changes cannot be made at this time, staff continues to receive comments and communications from the public regarding the proposed bond extension.
b.         Actions Taken by Other Jurisdictions Affecting the Park District

GM O’Brien discussed the topics listed on the staff report.

            5.         GENERAL MANAGER’S COMMENTS

GM O’Brien introduced AGM Dave Collins, who gave a presentation regarding the various departments and functions of the Finance and Management Services Division.

            6.         ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CLOSED SESSION

President Wieskamp stated that there were no announcements from the Closed Session.

            7.         BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS
a.         Natural and Cultural Resources Committee (6-4-2008)                               (Sutter)
b.         Operations Committee                                  (5-15-2008)                             (Severin)         

8.         BOARD COMMENTS

Director Siden reported on meetings attended.  Director Siden

• Attended Bea Soria’s retirement celebration at the Shoreline Center;
• Attended the City of Alameda’s July 4th Parade and mentioned that the Crab Cove Visitor Center received an award for excellent display;
• Attended the Alameda County Special District’s meeting held at Peralta Oaks.  Director Siden mentioned that there are now 17 members with the approval of the application of the Alameda County Transit District, and that John Rusmisel was honored for being appointed as the president of the State of California’s Special Mosquito Abatement District, with Tim Barry as the new Vice-President;
• Attended the Alameda Chamber of Commerce Mixer held at Crab Cove, arranged by Carol Johnson;
• Attended the MLKing Jr. Freedom Center Board of Directors meeting wherein 10 new board members were elected;
• Attended the Concerts at the Cove event;
• Had a meeting with Tom Guarino of PG&E and mentioned the problem being encountered by the District with the new center at Tidewater.
• Will be meeting with Ralph Trujillo, new Park Supervisor at MLK;
• Will have the Alameda County Legislative staff picnic at Crown Beach;
• Will meet with the new president of AFSCME Local 2428;
• Will attend the Board field trip on July 25.   

Director Lane reported on meetings attended.  Director Lane

• Passes around the new Bay Point brochure and handouts received from the Trails Conference she recently attended;
• Visited Las Trampas and Sycamore Valley Open Space;
• Along with Director Radke and District staff, had a meeting at Cong. Miller’s office regarding CNWS and other legislative issues;
• Attended the July 4th parade in Danville attended by the Volunteer Safety Patrol and District firefighters;
• Had a conversation with Amelia Wilson of the Regional Parks Association regarding the Board’s support for the citizen’s initiative in Moraga;
• Suggested that staff ensure that various city councils have made a resolution supporting the District’s bond measure extension before the County Mayors’ Conferences are asked for its endorsement.

Director Sutter reported on meetings attended.  Director Sutter

• Spoke about a letter received from a member of the public about how the West Ridge trail at Redwood Park provides a nice canopy and if it might be lost due to the tree project at the park.  Director Sutter hoped that cutting of trees are minimized;
• Visited the 66th Avenue public art at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Park and encouraged others to visit;
• Along with District staff, attended a “summit” meeting with other local and state agencies regarding the bridge and Gateway Park, where there was plenty of enthusiasm, although access is a major issue.

Director Radke reported on meetings attended.  Director Radke

• Mentioned a Contra Costa Times article on “Day in Wilderness is not far away” regarding the Sunol-Ohlone Wilderness;
• Spoke about the City of Martinez’ local park bond;
• Stated that an article on Bay Trail about the Carquinez Loop Trail did not include any mention of EBRPD;

• Mentioned an article on the Contra Costa Times dated July 15 regarding the Big Break connector;
• Will be attending the Contra Costa County Mayors Conference in Martinez.

Director Skinner reported on meetings attended.  Director Skinner

• Was out of town on vacation;
• Will be presenting to the Albany City Council on the bond measure extension on July 21;
• Commented on the passing of Berkeley City Council member Donna Spring, and asked that today’s meeting be adjourned in her memory.

Director Wieskamp reported on meetings attended.  Director Wieskamp

• Attended the Alameda County Mayors Conference in Piedmont;
• Will be meeting with Gail Murray of BART;
• Attended the Ardenwood Old-Fashioned 4th of July celebration;
• Attended the Alameda County Fair where the District exhibits were on display;

D. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Ms. Jakki Kiehl addressed the Board regarding Brushy Peak. She asked if the trail has been approved and conveyed her concern that earlier testimony stating that the Native American site is sacred has been ignored, and asked that the District Board reconsider its plans for Brushy Peak.

E. ADJOURNMENT

The Board Meeting was adjourned in honor of the late Berkeley City Council member Donna Spring at 4:20 p.m.

Allen Pulido, Clerk of the Board

Attachments:
Visitors Log
Resolution Nos. 2008-7-178 through 2008-7-187
Board Committee Report

Back to top