The East Bay Regional Park District Board Meeting, Which Was Held Virtually on May 19, 2020, Called Its Closed Session to Order at 11:30 A.M
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Approved Minutes Board Meeting of May 19, 2020 The East Bay Regional Park District Board Meeting, which was held virtually on May 19, 2020, called its Closed Session to order at 11:30 a.m. by Board President Ellen Corbett. ROLL CALL Directors Remote: Ellen Corbett, President Dee Rosario, Vice President Beverly Lane, Secretary Colin Coffey, Treasurer Dennis Waespi Elizabeth Echols Ayn Wieskamp The Open Session of the Board Meeting was called to order at 1:01 p.m. by President Corbett. Staff Remote: Robert Doyle, Ana Alvarez, Carol Victor, Jim O’Connor, Anthony Ciaburro, Debra Auker, Kristina Kelchner, Carol Johnson, Erich Pfuehler, Alan Love, Brian Holt, Michael Reeves, Mary Mattingly, Jim Tallerico, Matt Graul, Lisa Goorjian, Aileen Theile, Chris Barton, David Sumner, Lisa Baldinger, Sean Dougan, Toby Perry, Ren Bates, Rachel Lem, Matthew James, David Vance, Peter Fitch Guests: None. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Director Corbett opened the meeting and stated that consistent with Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order N-25-20 issued on March 12, 2020 in response to the threat of COVID-19, and the Alameda County Health Department’s Order dated March 16, 2020, the Board of Directors may utilize teleconferencing to remotely participate in meetings. President Corbett asked if the Board members had any questions about the meeting process. There were none. A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA By motion of Director Wieskamp, and seconded by Director Rosario, the Board voted unanimously to approve the agenda. Roll Call vote unanimous. Directors Remote: Ellen Corbett, Colin Coffey, Elizabeth Echols, Beverly Lane, Dee Rosario, Dennis Waespi, Ayn Wieskamp. Directors Against: None. Directors Absent: None. B. PUBLIC COMMENTS President Corbett thanked the public and staff for attending the virtual Board meeting that was streaming live on zoom. Corbett acknowledged that with the new technology there may be some challenges, however staff will endeavor to improve the meeting platform. She explained that public comments were to be submitted in advance by e-mail to [email protected] or left by voice message at 510-544-2016. This allowed the Clerk time to provide the Board members with the comments in advance of the meeting. President Corbett explained that emails or voicemail received after the deadline will be provided to the Board of Directors and become part of the public record of the meeting. Approved Minutes Board Meeting of May 19, 2020 Carrie Monks from Alameda commented on the large groups of people that congregated on the beach did not practice social distancing or wear masks. It concerned her, she has complained, and nothing has happened. Monks would like the District to enforce the rules of the Governor. Kelly Abreu, Mission Peak Conservancy, commented on the lease between the city of Fremont and the District on the operation of Mission Peak that is set to expire in July 2020. City staff are no longer working with the Park District for the public good because of the city’s overreach and unreasonable demands. Abreu urged the Board to support District staff in their endeavor to renew this 25-year lease. President Corbett asked Mr. Abreu if he wanted the letter read into the record as some of his comments were duplicative. He said it was not necessary. An e-mail received from Mr. Yragui, cofounder of Mission Peak Conservancy, highlighted in detail the comments by Mr. Abreu. David Fielder sent an email and a written document on the continued closure of Pt. Isabel. He commented that the dog park guidance is broad brushed. There are different approaches to the Health Order in the East Bay. President Corbett read into the record a letter received from the Sierra Club. Norman LaForce, Legal Counsel for the Sierra Club commented on the District’s lack of transparency and inability to stream Park District meetings live. He cited the May 5, 2020 Board meeting where the YouTube link did not work. Corbett had a discussion with Mr. LaForce, there will be a response to this letter, and she noted that today is the first live zoom meeting. Clerk, Knight read into the record emails received in advance from Patricia Aguilera, Kelly Barney, Marc LaRhette, Andrew M. Lojo, Austin McInerny, Smita Shanker, Kent Wegener, and Doug Yamamoto. C. SPECIAL UPDATE By motion of Director Lane, and seconded by Director Waespi, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Item C Special Update. Directors For: Colin Coffey, Ellen Corbett, Elizabeth Echols, Beverly Lane, Dee Rosario, Dennis Waespi, Ayn Wieskamp. Directors Against: None. Directors Absent: None 1. General Manager’s Update on the Status of the East Bay Regional Park District Emergency During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Resolution Reaffirming the Existence of a Local East Bay Regional Park District Emergency. Resolution No. 2020 – 05 - 090 (attached) General Manager Doyle commented on the extraordinary work of staff in this unprecedented time. Staff are doing their best to help people acknowledge that parks are more important than ever. Staff are working with the Health Departments in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties and have provided webinars to staff in combination with UCSF staff about COVID and the Shelter in Place Order. GM Doyle reported the District has 300 people unable to work due to the social distancing rules. Staff are working towards implementation to repopulate park offices. GM Doyle stated that staff will be living with restrictions and challenges that will have a long-term impact. Staff are overwhelmed with the increase in park usage. Memorial Day is this weekend and there will be more park users. GM Doyle observed that staff should not be put in a position to monitor the public’s use of the Health Department regulations, nor should staff be put in a position to confront the public. The public needs to play a huge role in voluntarily adhering to social distancing and to keep their dogs on leash. GM Doyle thanked the Board for providing funding for public information. There is a plan to re-open Del Valle State Park and Pt. Isabel. Director Echols stated she is delighted staff is moving forward to keep District parks open and there is a date to open Pt Isabel. Echols was pleased to hear from active users of this park; the District can count on them to help keep Pt. Isabel safe. Director Coffey commented on increased user conflict on the trails. He mentioned that he and his wife had a bad encounter at Pt. Pinole with a riding unlawfully on a narrow dirt trail. Coffey Approved Minutes Board Meeting of May 19, 2020 remined board members and staff that at 2019 Trails Workshop, one of the points to follow up on was to have some organized interface with various trail use constituents and stakeholders to determine what types of behaviors are acceptable. Director Rosario thanked the Park District, AFSCME and Task Force for the good communication within the committee. Director Waespi thanked the GM, staff and Task Force. He commented he is glad staff are looking to open more parks. President Corbett commented she sits on the EOC and is impressed with how people are pulling together to steer the District through the Shelter in Place. D. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD 1. CONSENT CALENDAR By motion of Director Wieskamp, and seconded by Director Echols, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Consent Calendar. Directors For: Colin Coffey, Ellen Corbett, Elizabeth Echols, Beverly Lane, Dee Rosario, Dennis Waespi, Ayn Wieskamp. Directors Against: None. Directors Absent: None. a. Approval of District Check Listing for the Period of March 30, 2020 to April 12, 2020 Resolution No. 2020 – 05 - 091 (attached) b. Approval of the Minutes for the Board Meeting of May 5, 2020 c. Resolution to Support AB 2148 (Quirk D-Hayward) – Regional Climate Adaptation Planning Groups Resolution No. 2020 – 05 - 092 (attached) d. Resolution to Support AB 2551 (Bauer-Kahan D-Orinda) – Preservation of Alameda-Tesla Expansion Area Resolution No. 2020 – 05 - 093 (attached) e. Resolution to Support AB 2619 (Stone D-Monterey Bay) - Coastal Resilience, Adaptation and Access Fund Resolution No. 2020 – 05 - 094 (attached) f. Resolution to Support S. 3269 (Carper D-DE) – Clean Economy Act of 2020 Resolution No. 2020 – 05 - 095 (attached) g. Resolution to Support S. 3288 (Harris D-CA) – Protecting Unique and Beautiful Landscapes by Investing in California (PUBLIC) Lands Act Resolution No. 2020 – 05 - 096 (attached) Director Rosario asked why we are not supporting HR 2199 or 2215. Erich Pfuehler, Chief of Government and Legislative Affairs replied this bill is a combination of three house bills. The Park District’s position on the redwood bill is because it calls for redwood restoration and they deal with the Central Coast and the San Gabriel Mountains and there is no nexus to the Park District. Staff can bring both to the committee if it is your pleasure. Rosario responded he would like the District to support the other bills because of the similar issues of protection of open space. h. Resolution to Support S. 3422 (Gardner R-CO and Manchin D-WV) – Land and Water Conservation Fund, Great American Outdoors Act Resolution No. 2020 – 05 - 097 (attached) Approved Minutes Board Meeting of May 19, 2020 i. Resolution to Support SB 1296 (Durazo D-Los Angeles) – Career Pathways and Climate Resiliency Grant Programs Resolution No. 2020 – 05 - 098 (attached) j. Resolution to Support SB 1323 (Skinner D-Berkeley) - California Carbon Sequestration and Climate Resiliency Project Registry Resolution No. 2020 – 05 - 099 (attached) k. Authorization to Accept a Recreational Trail Easement Across the Wallis Ranch Residential Development from Trumark Homes, dba Development Solutions WR, LLC: Tassajara Creek Regional Trail Resolution No. 2020 – 05 - 100 (attached) l. Authorization to Allocate and Transfer Board Contingency Funds for TOGETHER Bay Area (formerly Bay Area Open Space Council) Membership in years 2020 and 2021 Resolution No.