The Board Meeting, which was held on May 6, 2008 at the Peralta Oaks Headquarters Building, 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland, CA, was called to order at 1:20 p.m. by Board President Ayn Wieskamp.

ROLL CALL

Directors Present:
Ayn Wieskamp, President
Ted Radke, Vice-President
Doug Siden, Treasurer
Beverly Lane
Carol Severin

Directors Absent:
John Sutter
Nancy Skinner

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; Director Skinner joined the meeting at 2:15 pm.

Staff Present Included:
Pat O'Brien, Ted Radosevich, Dave Collins, Bob Doyle, Carol Johnson, Jeff Rasmussen, Tim Anderson, Anne Scheer, Diane Althoff, Ted Radosevich, Carol Victor, Laura Comstock, Susan Gonzales, Shelly Lewis.

A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

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

B. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Bruce Beyaert, Chairman of Trails for Richmond Action Committee (TRAC), addressed the Board and spoke about their support for the proposed bond extension measure and for the project comments/suggestions as presented in TRAC's letter dated April 26, 2008. Mr. Beyaert also emphasized the importance of specifically including adequate funds to complete the San Francisco Bay Trail within proposed line items 42 - North Richmond Wetlands, and 49 - Point San Pablo, rather than in the generic item 6 - Bay Trail."

Ellen Barth, representing Citizens for Eastshore State Park (CESP), addressed the Board and stated that CESP endorses TRAC's proposals for the bond measure extension.

C. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD

1. CONSENT CALENDAR

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

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

• C-1-a.
  Approval of District Check Listing for the Period of April 4, 2008 through April 25, 2008
  Resolution No. 2008-5-105 (attached)
• C-1-b
  Approval of Minutes of the Board Meeting of March 18, 2008
• C-1-c
  Authorization to Amend the 2008 Budget and Convert Vacant Public Safety Positions to an Office Specialist and Dispatch Systems Administrator: Public Safety Division
  Resolution No. 2008-5-106 (attached)
• C-1-d
  Approval to Reclassify One Confidential Secretary Position to Confidential Legal Assistant and Set the Salary Range at Confidential Range 2
  Resolution No. 2008-5-107 (attached)
• C-1-e
  Resolution to Oppose Pending State Ballot Proposition 98 – California Property Owners and Farmland Protection Act
  Resolution No. 2008-5-108 (attached)
• C-1-f
  Resolution to Support Pending State Ballot Proposition 99 – The Homeowners and Private Property Protection Act
  Resolution No. 2008-5-109 (attached)
• C-1-g
  Authorization to Apply for Grant Funds From the Land and Water Conservation Fund for Open Turf Construction: Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline
  Resolution No. 2008-5-110 (attached)
• C-1-h
  Authorization to Accept Annual Insurance Renewal/Quotations
  Resolution No. 2008-5-111 (attached)
• C-1-i
  Authorization to Amend the 2008 Budget and Purchase One Sanitation Truck
  Resolution No. 2008-5-112 (attached)
• C-1-j
  Resolution to Support the Proposed Increase to the City of Oakland Landscape and Lighting Assessment District's Annual Assessment and Authorization to Amend the 2008 Budget
  Resolution No. 2008-5-113 (attached)

District Counsel Ted Radosevich explained that the four District parcels covered by this assessment are the Peralta Oaks administrative office main building, the communications site connected to the top parking lot at Peralta Oaks, the Gelston facility at Claremont Canyon, and the Tidewater/Flexivan property.

• C-1-k
  Approval of Out-of-State Travel for General Manager Pat O'Brien to Attend the 2008 Nevada Hike, Bike and Walk Conference, May 14-16, 2008, at Lake Tahoe, Nevada
  Resolution No. 2008-5-114 (attached)
• C-1-l
  Resolution to Support the Candidacy of Katy Foulkes to the Enterprise Special District Seat on the Alameda County Local Agency Formation Commission
  Resolution No. 2008-5-115 (attached)
• C-1-m
  Authorization to Reallocate and Appropriate Funds for the Tidewater Phase 2 Improvements: Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Shoreline
  Resolution No. 2008-5-116 (attached)
• C-1-n
  Resolution to Support Pending State Resolution SCR 87 Calling for a Moratorium on Aerial Spraying of the Light Brown Apple Moth
  Resolution No. 2008-5-117 (attached)
• C-1-o
  Resolution to Support Pending State Legislation AB 2537 to Maintain Community Volunteerism
  Resolution No. 2008-5-118 (attached)
• C-1-p
  Resolution to Support Pending State Legislation AB 2504 to Establish a More Comprehensive Regional Recreation Plan for the Sacramento – San Joaquin Delta
  Resolution No. 2008-5-119 (attached)

2. LAND DIVISION

• C-2-a.
  Authorization to Appropriate and Transfer Funds for the Acquisition of Fee Interest in Real Property from Don and Lonne Carr and Bay Area Wetlands, LLC (Breuner Marsh): Point Pinole Regional Shoreline
  Resolution No. 2008-5-120 (attached)

Moved by Director Lane, seconded by Director Radke, item C-2-a was passed unanimously.

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

Asst. General Manager for Land Acquisition Bob Doyle explained that this item has been a very significant effort of the District and goes a very long way in showing its commitment to urban parks, environmental justice and preservation of the shoreline. AGM Doyle stated that this funding request will provide the monies necessary to complete the purchase and jury verdict in the trial for the acquisition of the property under the District's authority under Eminent Domain; a total of 217 acres will be transferred to the District. He added that the District is one of the few agencies still willing to take legal action to pursue the public's will to protect property, and advised the Board that the Carr's legal counsel have given notice that they intend to appeal the jury's decision.

The Board was unanimous in its appreciation of the significance of this acquisition and the amount of work that staff put into this process.

3. PARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Park Advisory Chair Rich Guarienti gave a presentation to update the Board on the Committee's activities.

4. BOARD AND STAFF REPORTS

1. 2008 Regional Parks Bond Extension
   Asst. General Manager for Finance and Management Services Dave Collins updated the Board on the District's efforts regarding the proposed bond extension measure, stating that all scheduled public meetings have been completed, comments received and summarized, and that staff will be preparing a revision of the draft project list for presentation to the Legislative Committee and the full Board as soon as possible. He also added that the District's bond rating has been upgraded by Standard and Poor's to AAA, while Moody's has it AA1.
2. Actions Taken by Other Jurisdictions Affecting the Park District
   GM O'Brien discussed the items listed on the staff report.

5. GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

GM O'Brien introduced Laura Comstock, Interpretive Parklands Unit Manager, who gave a presentation updating the Board on the various projects within the Interpretive Parklands Unit.

6. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CLOSED SESSION

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

7. BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS

1. Contra Costa County Special Districts Assn. (1-28-2008) (Radke)
2. EBMUD/EBRPD Liaison Committee (4-11-2008) (Sutter)
3. Executive Committee (3-25-2008) (Wieskamp)

   Director Siden requested that the Community Survey presented at the Executive Committee meeting be presented to the full Board as well.

4. Contra Costa County Special Districts Assn. (1-28-2008) (Radke)

8. BOARD COMMENTS

Director Lane reported on meetings attended. Director Lane

• Attended the Devil Mountain Run held in Danville attended by 2,000 people, and requested that Public Affairs prepare an informational sign that can be easily set-up at event locations that will "remind" participants that they are in fact on an East Bay Regional Park District Trail;
• Thanked Community Relations Manager Carol Johnson for her assistance during the bond extension presentations;
• Attended the Ardenwood Tank House dedication;
• Visited Las Trampas, Black Diamond Mines and Sunol/Camp Ohlone;
• Gave a welcome address to a Kiwanis Club;
• Attended the East County field trip;
• Attended various public meetings and spoke about the proposed bond extension: Concord, Oakley, Dublin, Clayton Library, Concord Neighborhood Alliance (with Ron Brown);
• Mentioned that the Elworthy Property is coming up before the Danville Planning Commission soon; she plans to attend this meeting as this is a sizeable parcel between San Ramon and Walnut Creek that will complete the District's Ridge Trail if acquired.

Director Radke reported on meetings attended. Director Radke

• Addressed the volunteers during the Contra Loma trails/Earth Day on behalf of the Board;
• Conducted a bond extension presentation before the Contra Costa CSDA and at the Oakley public meeting;
• Attended the Oakland Zoo meeting and tour, the East Contra Costa Board field trip;
• Attended Congressman George Miller's annual birthday/fundraiser event, and stated that the District's proposed bond extension was endorsed by the Congressman;
• Will be doing a presentation on the proposed bond extension before the Martinez City Council, the Ambrose Park and Recreation District, and the Hercules City Council; he was asked to also present before the Pinole City Council, but will be unable to do so due to a conflict with the District's Board meeting;
• Mentioned that he liked the Oakland Magazine's article regarding green initiatives and the reference to climate regulation, improved air and water quality, and erosion control, which are all benefits provided by the District and suggested that these are repeated and emphasized in the AA extension effort.

Director Severin reported on meetings attended. Director Severin

• Attended the CARPD conference in Monterey;
• Attended the Finance Committee (as an alternate) and Operations Committee meetings;
• Attended the Board Workshops and Field trip;
• Attended the meeting with Oakland Zoo officials;
• Attended the County and District sponsored event in Oakland honoring the children victims of violence, where she spoke on behalf of the District. Supervisor Steele commented that she wanted the San Lorenzo Barn installed at Ardenwood and not Kennedy Park, which belongs to HARD;
• Attended the Fremont and Dublin public meetings for the park bond extension;
• Spoke at the Moslem Mosque Open House in Fremont and visited the Niles area on May 3;
• Will be attending meetings of the Alameda County CSDA on May 7, the Rowell Ranch Rodeo parade, Pleasanton Liaison Committee, Alameda County Mayors Conference, the East Bay EDA Economic Forecast, the Livermore Scottish event and the storytelling event at Kennedy Grove;
• Asked about the process by which the orchard at Quarry Lakes may be named; GM O'Brien stated that this is done via the Naming Process through the Planning and Stewardship department.

Director Siden reported on meetings attended. Director Siden

• Thanked the Board and staff for the calls, cards and flowers he received;
• Attended 5 public meetings for the regional park bond extension;
• Attended meetings of the Waterfront Action, Bay Planning Coalition and League of Women Voters;
• Spoke at the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce/Government Affairs Committee;
• Participated in a conference call with Congresswoman Barbara Lee regarding the MLKing Jr. Freedom Center regarding Board development and the utilization of the Center;
• Will be speaking before the Alameda Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Coliseum Area Committee, the Alameda Chamber of Commerce – Annual State of the City.

Director Wieskamp reported on meetings attended. Director Wieskamp

• Attended the Tank House dedication at Ardenwood;
• Attended meetings of the Executive, Finance and Operations Committees;
• Attended the bond extension public meetings in Fremont and Dublin;
• Attended the Special Lafco meeting;
• Attended the meeting with Oakland Zoo officials, and suggested that Rick Parmer, Chief of Interpretation and Recreation, meet with the Education staff person from the zoo for a tour of Camp Arroyo;
• Went on a park tour of Sunol/Camp Ohlone with Director Lane;
• Will be meeting with Supervisor Haggerty regarding the proposed bond extension;
• Will be conducting park tours of Briones, Middle Harbor, Crown Beach on May 8 and 9;
• Mentioned that a Heroes Event – celebrating Alameda County Fire, Police and EMT personnel - will be held at Sunol on Friday, May 9, and invited District lifeguards, fire and police personnel to attend on behalf of the District;
• Spoke about the possibility of adding a barn to Ardenwood, and asked that a policy be developed, if there is none, to govern the acceptance and installation of such structures without the necessary funding available for it. She stated that it does not make sense to accept these without the proper funding and/or use identified;
• Asked that the possibility of installing a new pedestrian/bicycle gate at Ohlone be addressed as soon as possible as it would be a great way to attract more park users to Mission Peak.

GM O'Brien spoke about the amount of staff time involved in supporting the various community events related to the proposed bond extension and how it may sometimes cause Public Affairs staff to be overbooked. He asked the Board to be a little patient if staff is unable to support Board member-scheduled presentations as he has asked other departments to work towards expanding staff resources and involvement for these meetings.

D. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Rich Guarienti addressed the Board, stating that the Dublin-AA public presentation went very well. He also suggested that the District consider selling t-shirts unique to each visitor center. Guarienti commented on the horse incident at Redwood/Albanico, and suggested that Public Safety incidents/reports be shared with VTSP (?).

E. ADJOURNMENT

The Board Meeting was adjourned at 4:25 p.m.

Allen Pulido, Clerk of the Board

Attachments:
Visitors Log
Resolution Nos. 2008-5-105 through 2008-5-120
Board Committee Report

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