The Board Meeting, which was held on April 17, 2007 at the Peralta Oaks Headquarters Building, 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland, CA, was called to order at 12:45 p.m. by Board Vice President Ayn Wieskamp.

ROLL CALL

Directors Present:
Ayn Wieskamp, Vice President
Ted Radke, Treasurer
Doug Siden, Secretary
Beverly Lane, Director
Carol Severin, Director
Nancy Skinner, Director

Directors Absent: John Sutter, President

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 Vice President Ayn Wieskamp.

Staff Present Included: Pat O'Brien, Ted Radosevich, Dave Collins, Bob Doyle, Tim Anderson, Mike Anderson, Randy Carlton, Carol Victor, Anne Scheer, Mimi Waluch, Rita Fesler, Susan Gonzalez, Carol Johnson, Jeff Rasmussen, Jon King, Steve Bobzien, Doug Bell, Dave Riensche, Joan Suzio, Steve Crudo, Joe DiDonato, Brian Wiese

A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

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

B. PUBLIC COMMENTS

C. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD

1. CONSENT CALENDAR

Regarding Item C-1-f, Director Siden had a question.
Regarding Item C-1-i, Director Siden had a comment.
Regarding Item C-1-k, Directors Siden and Severin had comments.

By motion of Director Lane, seconded by Director Severin, the Consent Calendar was unanimously approved.

• C-1-a
  Approval of Check Listing for the Period of March 23, 2007 through April 6, 2007
  Resolution No. 2007-4-75 (Attached)
• C-1-b
  Approval of Minutes of the Board Meeting of April 3, 2007
• C-1-c
  Authorization to Negotiate with Various Property Owners
  Resolution No. 2007-4-76 (Attached)
• C-1-d
  Approval of the Berkeley Meadow Phase III Restoration Project and Authorization to Apply for Grant Funds from the California Coastal Conservancy: Eastshore State Park
• Resolution No. 2007-4-77 (Attached)
• C-1-e
  Authorization to Apply for Grant Funds from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for Construction of the Delta Discovery Experience at Big Break Regional Shoreline
  Resolution No. 2007-4-78 (Attached)
• C-1-f
  Approval of Sole Source Purchase of Digital Microwave Radio Equipment from Harris Corporation, Microwave Communications Division, Redwood Shores, California
  Resolution No. 2007-4-79 (Attached)

Director Siden asked about a proposal for putting together a radio system for the two counties; he would like to know what the District is doing.

Communications and Records Manager Steve Crudo noted that there is a proposal for a two-county-wide interoperable radio system for the street personnel. What the District is doing is finishing the upgrade on the District's infrastructure which runs its system making it compatible with the two counties should the District go down that path later on and join the JPA. All of the District's digital microwave is compatible with their digital microwave, sharing components and technicians. GM O'Brien stated that the District is upgrading to digital. Mr. Crudo stated that the District is getting rid of older analog equipment that is no longer manual. GM O'Brien stated that the District has done this already in part of the District.

AGM of Public Safety Tim Anderson noted this proposal is not directly related to the interoperable project. This is an internal in-house upgrade that is being done to the existing microwave system. However the equipment that the District is buying is compatible should the District choose to join the JPA or be part of that process later. It doesn't matter if it's done or not, the District is still going to have a stand-alone system, and that's what this Board material is for.

GM O'Brien noted that some of that information addressing that subject will be brought to the next Operations Committee meeting. There are some issues that have to be looked at beforethe plan moves forward.

Mr. Anderson noted that the District's microwave system is actually independent of the radios. It is out of the internet, the high-speed transmission of radio signals, and that is what is referred to as the "backbone." The radio system itself is independent and kind of plugged into the microwave system to transmit all the way around the two-county district.

Director Lane noted that she is the alternate for the Operations Committee and noticed that there is a lot of information in the packet analyzing the two-county system. She suggested that if any of the Board members want to see that information either before or after the Operations meeting, it would be very instructive. She noted that often people from the cities will ask her "Now where is East Bay Regional Parks on this?" so she appreciated having that much information.

Acting President Wieskamp noted that they would be getting more information at the Operations Committee meeting, if anyone was interested and had the time to attend.

• C-1-g
  Authorization to Award a Contract to DKS Associates for Feasibility/Conceptual Engineering and Biological Assessment Study for Trail Crossing of Richmond Parkway: Wildcat Creek Trail
  Resolution No. 2007-4-80 (Attached)
• C-1-h
  Authorization to Adopt a Resolution Supporting Earth Day, April 21, 2007 and California Trail Days,
  May 19 and 20, 2007
  Resolution No. 2007-4-81 (Attached)
• C-1-i
  Authorization to Accept a Grant of Utility Easement from Ronald Arp: Big Break Regional Shoreline
  Resolution No. 2007-4-82 (Attached)

Director Siden noted that he wants to commend staff on saving money on this project. AGM of Land Division Bob Doyle noted that the neighbor who owns this property was very good at allowing the District to put this easement on his property, reducing the length of the sanitary sewer connection and saving the Park District almost $25,000 in construction costs.

• C-1-j
  Authorization to Enter into a Special Use Agreement with Martinez Sportsmen's Club at Martinez
  Regional Shoreline
  Resolution No. 2007-4-83 (Attached)
• C-1-k
  Authorization to Enter Into Agreement with Action Vending to Provide Healthy Foods Vending Machine Service at the Peralta Oaks Administration Building, and Cull Canyon, Don Castro, Quarry Lakes, Roberts and Temescal Regional Parks
  Resolution No. 2007-4-84 (Attached)

Director Severin is very pleased to see that this is coming about, and extended thanks to Revenue Analyst Rita Fesler.
She noted that she feels having 80% of healthy foods in vending machines is very good. Director Lane also extended her appreciation. Acting President Wieskamp agrees, stating that this might be a good example for other agencies.

• C-1-l
  Authorization to Enter in a Special Use Agreement with Martinez Racing Pigeon Club at Martinez Regional Shoreline
  Resolution No. 2007-4-85 (Attached)
• C-1-m
  Authorization to Purchase One Truck Cab and Chassis
  Resolution No. 2007-4-86 (Attached)

3. BOARD AND STAFF REPORTS

• C-3-a
  Actions Taken by Other Jurisdictions Affecting the Park District

General Manager Pat O'Brien reviewed the written material with the Board, stating that he had nothing further to add to this item.

4. GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

General Manager Pat O'Brien introduced Wildlife Program Manager Doug Bell and Resource Analyst Dave Riensche who made a presentation on Canada goose management. They reported that because of the recent changes by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Game, the District is not permitted to manage overabundant resident Canada geese through egg addling. Resident Canada geese are a topic of concern because of their effect on water quality, lawns, and walkways, and resulting health effects. Mr. Riensche noted that Canada geese in urban areas in the last 50 years have increased substantially to approximately 3 to 8 million. This has created a problem in over 100 urban areas and in 37 states. The presentation outlined various management options. GM O'Brien noted that he and Mr. Bell will be meeting with the Director of California Department of Fish and Game Monday, and will address some of these issues.

Regarding Division reports, Director Lane asked about having interpretive signs on the Iron Horse Trail. She noted it would be interesting to have the history of the trail and that it was once a rail right-of-way. GM O'Brien said he would talk with Chief of Interpretation and Recreation Rick Parmer and Trails Program Manager Jim Townsend about this. Director Lane noted that having a couple of different panels at several locations would be good.

General Manager Pat O'Brien reviewed the written material with the Board, stating that he had nothing further to add to this item.

5. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CLOSED SESSION

Vice President Wieskamp advised that there were no announcements from the Closed Session, which was held on April 17, 2007.

6. BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS

• a. Operations Committee (3/21/07) (Wieskamp)
• b. Executive Committee (2/27/07) (Sutter)
• c. Executive Committee (3/27/07) (Sutter)

7. BOARD COMMENTS

Director Lane noted that she has gone to Sycamore Valley a few times and that it looks beautiful. She noted there has been a lot of use on the Iron Horse Trail. She attended the retirement luncheon for John Waters and enjoyed his interesting talk; last Saturday she attended the Marsh House party next to the Stone House which was a very nice fund raiser; and tonight she is going to the Concord Community Advisory Committee meeting. She enjoyed the Contra Costa Mayors' Conference in Martinez, and had a good conversation with Congressman McNerney. She had an interesting meeting with the Agricultural Committee for the Tri-Valley area, where they talked about supporting open space issues with the Faria project in San Ramon. She noted that the developer was also in attendance. Director Lane shared an interesting flyer "Alameda County's Rancher and Wildlife Friendly Program Restores Ponds and Helps Rare Animals." She noted that she signed up for the Trails Challenge; and she liked the new Tri Valley Visitors Guide which had a nice color ad about the Park District. Director Lane noted that she is going to the Regional Parks Association meeting on Sunday, and on Earth Day she is working on the Ivan Dickson Trail at Las Trampas.

Director Severin noted that she too likes the Tri Valley Visitors Guide ad. She also noted that Public Affairs should get four stars for the new RIN; she feels it is very impressive and that the public will like it. She attended the Fremont Liaison meeting, and the HASPA meeting. She went to the Ohlone College staging area. She noted that as you drive in and go up the road, before you reach the staging area, there is a big sign that reads "Buses Only Beyond This Point." She feels the staging area is not well noticed, and the sign is not easily seen for incoming vehicles and should be changed. She also noted it is not a very attractive parking area once you find it. She went to Meyers Estate where the parking lot there is gorgeous. GM O'Brien noted he will check into the signage. She noted that at the last HASPA meeting the topic was brought up about the proposed BMX park. She noted that Chief of Planning Mike Anderson has notified her that the project has now been canceled. She noted that she too enjoyed attending the John Waters retirement luncheon. Director Severin asked Community Relations Manager Carol Johnson about the Rowell Ranch parade on May 12th in Castro Valley and would the District be involved. Ms. Johnson said that the District would be.

Director Radke noted there is going to be a Labor Environmental Group meeting in Contra Costa County on May 16th and that the City Manager of San Ramon would be in attendance. He suggested to Director Lane that she may want to go as he plans to be in Chicago and will be unable to attend. He stated it is a good group and very useful meetings. Director Radke noted on the 26th there is a meeting of the Delta Science Center committee, and planning for a preview of the Delta Science Center/Big Break semi-temporary opening on May 19th. Also at Bay Point, Senator Torlakson is coordinating an Earth Day clean-up on 21st. He noted there is a hearing in Bay Point on the 24th sponsored by the County regarding mitigation funds that Senator Torlakson was trying to get the County to spend to earmark for the Bay Point - Delta Trail; he hopes to attend.
Director Radke attended the Contra Costa Mayors' Conference; and will be attending the Legislative luncheon Friday at Frank Fats in Sacramento. Director Radke noted that in the latest field poll on global warming which he thought was very interesting. It shows a tremendous increase in public opinion, California support, for measures in attempt to address that issue. This was discussed at the Legislative Committee meeting last week with the District's Legislative Advocate, Doug Houston, and what the District needs is some sort of focus, there are well over 200 bills that purport in one way or another deal with the global warming issue and what the District needs in order to begin to look at those issues where it might effectively engage in as a District, in some way of being able to focus and to decide which ones are really worth spending the time and trouble. He noted that he thinks it was the Committee's recommendation to refer this to Resources Committee to see if they could provide some guidelines so that then, working with the General Manager and the Legislative Advocate, begin to focus on legislative issues in Sacramento.

Director Skinner suggested that the Park District let Doug Houston, the District's advocate, know of its interest in any bills that are trying to develop any kind of understanding of, or protocols for, or quantification methodologies for carboncy sequestration in land use, agricultural, and forestry. And the reason, as discussed before, is that at the moment there is a lot of debate about how much carbon actually gets stored either in soils or in forests or in general open space, and the science is emerging in almost a daily basis. In given the State's decision initially under AB 32 to meet a 25% reduction goal and eventually, though it is not codified in law but it is part of the governor's target, to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by the year 2050.

Director Skinner noted that there is going to be a look at what role can open space, agriculture, non-filled soils, forests and such play in that. In given that the District is in effect a land bank and could either benefit or even maybe be hurt by however these definitions get, the District should definitely follow that side. And the District should also follow any side that might define what they call an offset, and the reason the District would want to pay attention to that is because in meeting emissions reductions, the regulatory process is going to allow for those who, it's going to be very expensive say, to directly reduce their emissions, they are going to allow them to do in effect purchase offset and they're going define what is an allowable offset. At the moment, there is a lot of controversy about whether say preserving land, open space, or forests, could be considered an allowable offset, so the District would want to pay attention to those kinds of things.

Director Skinner noted that what she has been paying attention to or noticing is that a lot of public agencies are starting to get very involved in this issue. ABAG, the Air Quality Management District, and two other agencies who are working with them have all formed sort of a consortium to look at public agencies role in this issue, how to communicate to the public, so there is this big effort going there. The Alameda County Conference of Mayors has now taken up the issue and has given a contract to the StopWaste, Alameda County's source reduction and recycling board to stop waste agency, to help the different jurisdictions address this. EBMUD has done what is called their emissions inventory. So basically most of the public agencies around the District are either looking at the issue or developing policies around it, or conducting what is called a baseline emissions inventory in some area, and this District is not yet, so it may want to get involved as discussed in the Board workshops. The District doesn't want to be the last agency on the block out there on this one. Director Skinner noted that she has been appointed lately to a couple of these efforts. The City of Berkeley voters adopted an 80% reduction goal and Mayor Bates has now set up a group to do some initial advising and she is on that and Mayor Newsome, City of San Francisco, has had a long-time goal and they have a variety of task forces, one is on clean technology, and she was just appointed to that. So there is a lot of activity in that area and she feels that the District as an agency would be well served to pay attention to it. As far as the poll that Director Radke referred to, 81% of California voters say global warming is very serious and only one in five approve of the job of the Federal Government, and 79% think it is great what California is doing. So clearly in terms of appeal to the voters, the issue is very popular.

Director Skinner noted that the last two weeks have been slow as to attending meetings.

Director Siden attended the Kiwanis Club Service Day at Crown Beach and was invited to give the greetings; there was a picture on the front page of Alameda Journal. He attended the John Waters retirement which was very nice, and while there, he enjoyed seeing the top of the ridge at Black Diamond. He attended the East Bay Economic Development Alliance planning conference for their board last week. Last Friday, he attended the Eden Area League of Women's Voters 50 Anniversary; Hayward Mayor Mike Sweeney gave the greetings and mentioned the importance of the League in protecting the Hayward Shoreline. Saturday he attended the Planning and Conservation League symposium in Sacramento which was fine program. This Thursday is an update on the State budget. He will be attending the Legislative luncheon on Friday at Frank Fat's in Sacramento; Earth Day on the weekend; and later this month the Alameda League of Women Voters event.
Director Siden noted that the RIN was in the San Francisco Chronicle, but not in the Oakland Tribune. He plans to attend the Horace Carpentier dinner May 8th.

Acting President Wieskamp noted that the meeting with Congressman McNerney was quite good. She attended the Wildflower Festival noting it was great fun, definitely a family event and with quite a diversity of population in attendance. She attended the State of the City in Fremont; the Fremont Liaisons Committee with a tractor tour at Ardenwood that was nice; she will be attending the State of the City of Newark meeting, she will attend the Children's' Memorial Service on President Sutter's behalf, which will be in Oakland on the 27th. She was asked if the Park District would consider participating in the Fremont Arts event in late August, which she noted would be a good event.

D. PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were no public comments.

E. ADJOURNMENT

The Board Meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m. by Vice President Wieskamp in memory of Ardenwood Park Ranger Marcelino Madrigal who passed away over the weekend. Marcelino started with the District in February of 1985, working most of those 22 years at Ardenwood Historic Farm. He was very interested in native plants, creating several native plant gardens at the farm, as well as the development of a beautiful lawn area near the Farmyard. He also developed a small heirloom apple orchard which serves as the centerpiece for the annual Johnny Appleseed Day event. Marcelino was very knowledgeable in astronomy, assisting naturalists with popular star programs at Ardenwood, Sunol and Coyote Hills. He was interested in birds and was able to find nests of great-horned owls, red-tailed hawks and red-shouldered hawks nesting in Ardenwood's eucalyptus groves. He also enjoyed working with volunteers. He had a wonderful, dry sense of humor and he will be missed by staff and volunteers. Marcelino was 50 years old.

Sharon Marshall, Clerk of the Board

Attachments:
Visitors Log
Resolution Nos. 2007-4-77 through 2007-4-88
Board Committee Reports

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