The Board Meeting, which was held on March 4, 2008 at the Peralta Oaks Headquarters Building, 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland, CA, was called to order at 12:45 p.m. by Board President Ayn Wieskamp.

ROLL CALL

Directors Present:
Ayn Wieskamp, President
Ted Radke, Vice-President
Nancy Skinner, Secretary
John Sutter
Beverly Lane
Carol Severin

Directors Absent:
Doug Siden, Treasurer

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 2:05 p.m. by Board President Ayn Wieskamp; Director Siden joined the meeting at this time.

Staff Present Included:
Pat O'Brien, Ted Radosevich, Rosemary Cameron, John Escobar, Dave Collins, Mike Anderson, Tim Anderson, Anne Scheer, Steve Myli, Shelly Lewis, Mark Ragatz, Doug Bell, Bob Doyle, Joan Suzio, Anne Rockwell, Bill Nichols, Mark Taylor, Kevin Takei, Nigel Harold, John Hitchen.

A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

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

B. PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were no Public Comments at this time.

C. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD

1. CONSENT CALENDAR

Moved by Director Sutter, seconded by Director Radke, the Consent Calendar was unanimously approved.

• C-1-a.
  Approval of District Check Listing for the Period of February 9, 2008 through February 22, 2008
  Resolution No. 2008-3-045 (Attached)
• C-1-b.
  Approval of the Minutes of the Board Meeting of February 5, 2009
• C-1-c
  Authorization to Award a Contract to Supply District Channel Catfish Requirements for 2008
  Resolution No. 2008-3-046 (Attached)
• C-1-d
  Authorization to Receive Funds From Save Mt. Diablo, Encumber Funds and Negotiate Contracts for the Prairie Falcon Tracking Study
  Resolution No. 2008-3-047 (Attached)
• C-1-e
  Authorization to Purchase One Wide-Area Mower
  Resolution No. 2008-3-048 (Attached)
• C-1-f
  Authorization to Extend the Agreement with SCI Consulting Group for Assessment District Engineering and Administration
  Resolution No. 2008-3-049 (Attached)
• C-1-g
  Authorization to Apply for Grant Funds from the California Coastal Conservancy-San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program for the Expansion of Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve
  Resolution No. 2008-3-050 (Attached)
• C-1-h
  Authorization to Establish a District-Wide Environmentally Preferred Purchasing Program
  Resolution No. 2008-3-051 (Attached)
• C-1-i
  Authorization to Purchase Microsoft Office Software Assurance Agreement
  Resolution No. 2008-3-052 (Attached)
• C-1-j
  Approval of Resolution Initiating Proceedings and Ordering Filing of Annual Report for Alameda County/Contra Costa County Regional Trails Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District
  Resolution No. 2008-3-053 (Attached)
• C-1-k
  Approval of Resolution Initiating Proceedings and Ordering Filing of Annual Report for East Contra Costa County Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District
  Resolution No. 2008-3-054 (Attached)

2. BOARD AND STAFF REPORTS

a. 2008 Regional Parks Bond Extension

Dave Collins, AGM of Management Services, explained to the Board that this section is meant to document and summarize all comments and correspondence received pertaining to the proposed bond measure extension and will be part of future Board meeting agendas until such time that action for the proposed measure is finalized by the Board. General Manager Pat O'Brien added that there will be complete notes taken at each of these meetings, which will be summarized and presented to the Board for their reference when they meet to formalize the proposed bond measure and project list.

In response to a question by President Wieskamp on how staff is disseminating information on the six public meetings, Mike Anderson, AGM of Planning/Stewardship and Development, stated that staff has an extensive database which will be used as the basis for meeting notifications, in addition to using the District website.
Rosemary Cameron, AGM of Public Affairs, added that the District's e-newsletter, sent to 19,000 subscribers, will also be used in conjunction with Regional in Nature.

Director Lane asked staff to ensure that Park and Recreation Commissioners in each jurisdiction within the District receive an invitation to these meetings, not just their staff. Director Radke also asked that the City Council of Pinole be updated as well.

Director Sutter suggested that staff contact television stations that do local coverage. He also relayed a call he received from Helen Black of Oakland, a long time advocate of a trail from Lake Temescal to Sibley. While this is not on the current project list, he encouraged staff to determine the cost involved in completing it; it is an existing trail, but not maintained as such.

Director Siden asked staff to include the various city "Friends of Parks" and "Foundation" groups, Chambers of Commerce, service clubs, etc. in the meeting notifications.

Regarding the letter received from Mr. Morris Older of the East Bay Trails Council, Director Sutter asked that the feasibility of establishing more backpack sites is worth further study. Director Lane suggested that information on current trails and backpack sites within the District be conveyed to Mr. Older.

Director Skinner commented that a number of correspondence and communications she received from constituents express great concern over the adequacy of funds allocated for the West Metro area for: the completion of the East Bay cities' sports field complex (Gilman section of Eastshore Park); the protection of North Richmond Shoreline; Pt. Pinole, wherein the construction of an interpretive and environmental education center, the Atlas Bridge and other improvements are planned. She added that one of her main objectives is to fulfill a need for staffed facilities/visitor centers in the urban area, especially the West Contra Costa County area.

President Weiskamp commented that Middle Harbor has the potential to have a facility such as a visitor center.

Norman La Force addressed the Board on behalf of the Sierra Club to express the following: 1) they are opposed to the idea of taking funds out of the Eastshore Park allocation for use in other areas; 2) additional funds are needed for North Richmond shoreline/wetlands, that the $1.5 million allocation is too low and should be increased to $5 million and that there needs to be a facility built to serve West Contra Costa County; 3) the needs of the ball fields at Gilman street should be addressed without taking monies away from Eastshore Park, and 4) for over a year, have asked that funds be taken out of the Capital Development Projects section for habitat restoration/ and enhancement projects, and have not received any results to-date.

Tony Sustak of the North Richmond Shoreline Open Space Alliance addressed the Board, stating that this group has endorsed the concept of having an interpretive center in the West County area.

b. Actions Taken by Other Jurisdictions Affecting the Park District

GM O'Brien discussed the other items listed on the staff report.

Director Lane added that there has been a Sphere of Influence application submitted by the City of San Ramon for 5,000 additional acres that would come into the Tassajara Valley, possible affecting the Tassajara Regional Trail. This was submitted without any City Council discussion and is outside the urban limit line.

3. GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

Shorelines Unit Manager Mark Ragatz gave a presentation updating the Board on current projects on the various parks within the Shoreline Unit.

4. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CLOSED SESSION

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

5. BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS

1. Ecology Committee (12/19/07) (Severin)

6. BOARD COMMENTS

Director Sutter reported on meetings attended. Director Sutter

• Attended a meeting with Oakland Zoo leaders with Director Siden, where it was communicated that an allocation of $4 million has been set by the District as part of the proposed bond measure extension, compared with the Zoo's request of $20 million;
• Attended a reception of the East Bay League of Conservation Voters, where Director Siden made a presentation on the proposed bond extension;
• Attended the Natural and Cultural Resources Committee meeting, where there was a discussion of the non-native mussels problem which is spreading from the Midwest to this region;
• Attended meetings of the Chabot Space and Science Board and Finance Committee, where they are still having financial difficulties;
• Had a meeting with the Director of Parks and Recreation for the Town of Moraga, who shared his ideas on the proposed bond measure;
• Mentioned that this morning's meeting with Oakland Mayor Dellums had been postponed;
• Asked District Counsel Radosevich if the partial settlement of $2 million received by San Francisco pertaining to the Cosco Busan oil spill will impact the District; District Counsel Radosevich answered in the negative, stating that the District is in the process of compiling its own costs for the emergency response, and will be submitting its claim soon.

Director Radke reported on meetings attended. Director Radke:

• Attended a meeting of the North Contra Costa Shoreline JPA where he made a presentation on the proposed bond extension measure;
• Attended a meeting of the Carquinez Preservation Trust, which was reconstituted by having a new Board of Directors. Their first major project was a new bridge to bridge trail from the Solano to Contra Costa shore side;
• Attended a meeting with the Delta Science Center group and Marine Preservation Institute;
• Attended the Finance Committee meeting as a substitute member;
• Stated he was looking forward to the upcoming Legislative Committee meeting wherein there will be a presentation on the latest poll pertaining to the proposed bond measure;
• Mentioned that he will be making a bond extension presentation at the Habitat Conservation Plan Implementing Group, where there will be a representative from each of the East County cities in attendance.

Director Skinner reported on meetings attended. Director Skinner

• Attended the East Bay EDA Legislative Reception, MLKing Rally, Margaret Kelley's retirement reception, the YMCA dinner on January 24, 2008;
• Attended the East Bay League of Conservation Voters reception with Directors Siden and Sutter;
• Attended the El Cerrito Democratic Club meeting (not as District Board member), where the focus was climate change and global warming;
• Announced that her speaking engagement on March 7 to the Richmond Rotary was postponed to April.

Director Severin reported on meetings attended. Director Severin

• Attended the Operations Committee meeting;
• Attended the CPRS Conference in Monterey, and spoke about several sessions she attended;
• Spoke about her suggested enhancements to the District's Internship Program and her request for additional funding for the 2008 Fall semester and for making it a year-round program in 2009;
• Met with Senator Ellen Corbett and staff at Quarry lakes, where they had a tour of the orchard grove. She also asked that staff check the possibility of adding signage that will be visible to Bart riders as trains pass the park.

Director Siden reported on meetings attended. Director Siden

• Attended the Airport Area Business Association meeting, where it was mentioned that the District was prominently featured in Oakland's efforts to advertise and promote itself;
• Attended the East Bay League of Conservation Voters reception;
• Attended a meeting of the Waterfront Action Board;
• Conducted "ride-alongs" of MLKing Jr. and Oyster Bay parks with Park Supervisor Joan Suzio, and Crown Beach with Unit Manager Anne Rockwell;
• Attended a meeting with Oakland Zoo Board with Director Sutter, and mentioned that an invitation was extended for them to meet with District Board members;
• Represented the Board at the PAC meeting, and mentioned that PAC Chair Rich Guarienti received a Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award in Dublin. Director Siden also mentioned that Danville resident Director Lane also received a Citizen of the Year Award;
• Announced that he attended the Spring Egg Scramble that the District co-sponsors with the City of Alameda's Park and Recreation Department this morning.

Director Lane reported on meetings attended. Director Lane

• Visited Black Diamond with President Wieskamp, where they conducted a tour of the mine before its re-opening in April, and also viewed the vandalism at the cemetery;
• Attended the Operations Committee meeting;
• Spoke about an issue concerning an equestrian and a neighbor at a recently opened trail from Northgate to Diablo Foothills;
• Spoke to Magee Park Committee regarding the proposed bond extension;
• Shared a brochure regarding an exhibit from the San Ramon Community Center called "Take a Hike";
• Mentioned that she is working on an exhibit at the Contra Costa History Center in Martinez which will feature Tilden Park in preparation for the District's 75th anniversary next year.

Director Wieskamp reported on meetings attended. Director Wieskamp

• Attended the Operations and Finance Committee meetings;
• Conducted a park tour of Lake Chabot, Quarry Lakes, Black Diamond Mines;
• Relayed Lake Chabot staff concerns regarding the continued storage of the remains of the Hayward Barn in the park and its possible disposal;
• Attended the Women of Distinction event in Pleasanton on behalf of the Board;
• Attended the LARPD Foundation personnel event;
• Asked if the continuing problems with Canadian Geese may be addressed by meeting with legislators in Sacramento; GM O'Brien stated that staff is currently addressing this with the Department of Fish and Game, and that he actually has a meeting in Sacramento on March 5 to specifically address this issue;
• Asked if the District's Public Safety Department can offer protection for the cemetery at Black Diamond Mines to prevent further vandalism;
• Will be touring Pleasanton Ridge and Las Trampas on March 5, and will be attending the Supervisors Academy, and will attend a Lawrence Livermore Lab's Science and Engineering Fair;
• Suggested that a staff-led tours of land-banked properties be scheduled this year, to which Director Sutter added that it would also help to have a schedule of guided hikes, generally, within the District.

D. PUBLIC COMMENTS

PAC Chair Rich Guarienti addressed the Board. He stated that he attends as many Board meetings as possible, and encourage the Board to ask him any questions they may have regarding the PAC. Mr. Guarienti commended staff with their work in putting together staff presentations during these meetings.

E. ADJOURNMENT

The Board Meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m. by President Wieskamp.

Allen Pulido, Clerk of the Board

Attachments:
Visitors Log
Resolution Nos. 2008-3-045 through 2008-3-054
Board Committee Report

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