Minutes February 16, 2000:

Meeting called to order at 5:36 pm.
Members present: Richard Izmerian, Tim Frahm, Jerry Hearn, Ann Moser, Keith Mangold,Wade Leschyn, Mary Paglieri, Peggy Beckett
Tom Forest absent.
Staff and Commission present: Gary Lockman.
Members notifying Wade of planned absence: Carroll Ann

Changes to Agenda:
Delay minutes acceptance till Gary arrives. Tim asked that the research proposal from Dr. Jerry Smith be discussed.

No Public Comment

Chairperson’s Report:
Personal bio’s received from a little over one-half of committee. For those still outstanding, please get them to Wade shortly.

Committee Reorganization:
Jerry sent letter to Supervisor Gordon last month. No new news.
Wade said most of the discussion on the issues of committee reorganization happened last month, he only wanted to briefly review the issues as he sees them: 1) the internal structure of the committee, and 2) the establishment of a work plan for the coming year. Wade distributed an email on January 27, to all members of the committee (by US mail to Jerry Hearn), the list of suggested committee projects that came from Patrick Sanchez’s office March 7, 1996. He has discussed the list with Gary Lockman. Gary and Wade concluded that the list at this point is several years old so at best it can only serve as a most general guide to the types of projects that could be worked on by the committee this year. Wade is interested in finding a method to allow the committee flexibility in finding our own projects that we are interested in, while at the same time establishing a work plan so we, staff and the commission know what some of our goals are and what things we are working on. Without a plan it is difficult to rate our achievements. Wade would like to establish a a working subcommittee to develop this work plan for this coming year. I thought it would be a good idea to dissolve the current subcommittee structure so that this new subcommittee would be free to define a new structure to match the work plan that will result. Basically Wade’s view is that new subcommittees would be formed around specific projects and would have specified goals and a limited lifespan.
Tim made a motion not to dissolve the current subcommittee structure, Richard seconded. Motion died for lack of any additional support. Richard made a new motion that a subcommittee for work plan be established. Jerry seconded. Motion carried. Discussion will be carried off line. Wade will chair this subcommittee. It will meet the second Wednesday of March at Wade’s house 6:30 pm. Anne Wade and Keith said they would attend.

Minutes Acceptance:
The January “discussion record” (no quorum at that meeting so the discussion record is not officially minutes) were accepted with no change. The November minutes are out but copies are not available. Their approval will be postponed.

Staff report:
The County budget process is currently in process. March and April are current progress milestones. Budget is the same for this year, Budget outlook is cloudy because of salary and benefits package and hospital overrun. New planner position for FishNet4C projects and Ranger positions may be put on hold. CRMP guidelines are now out. The assumption is that the majority of FishNet4C projects will fall under Parks. There may be an advisory role for the committee to be involved in an advisory capacity in the planning prioritization and selection of projects, the identification of key things we would be interested in getting involved in at a variety of levels: advising, funding participating. and identifying other agencies that should be involved. We should know what is coming up so we can be proactive rather than reactive. The current task could be researching our role in FishNet4C. Look at what is out there, match our expertise, interests, resources, establish goals. We’ve asked for involvement in FishNet4C, well it is here. Tim said Pilarcitos, San Francisquito, Pescadero, San Gregorio. have established or are in the process of establishing watershed management plans. Patrick’s list was nice for 1996, but the items are dated as already noted. There is no scope, or goals defined to the projects mentioned. Two projects the brochure: 1) salmonid conservation, and 2) mountain lion material would be good places to start. Starting points for the work plan is establishing a calendar of events and plan for the year. Staff can inform the committee as they foresee issues for the future.
Committee comments regarding the Trails Plan have already been extracted from our minutes and forwarded to consultant, but an official letter from the committee would be a good idea..
Fitzgerald Master Plan is out of money on the contract, there are more issues and the issues are more complex that consultant originally planned for. Comments are on hold, waiting for revised costing for EIR. Keith asked if any on site activity is currently going on. A major development is going in next to the proposed parking lot at the Pillar Point Marsh making the impact of the proposed parking lot more sensitive than originally thought. EIR will follow the Master Plan. A new contractor will be hired for the EIR once the Master Plan is approved. There will be a new public forum and discussion for the EIR. Monitoring of fishing data at Fitzgerald is a component of the plan and would not start until at least the conceptual nature of the plan is accepted by the Board of Supervisors. Gary will check on the status of whether the county is still actively backing the idea of making Fitzgerald a marine reserve.
Keith said that San Vicente Creek there is less than 10 feet of usable culvert left before the down cutting of the culvert will erode the shoreline.
SBMS third draft expected back shortly. After public comment, it will go to the board of Supervisors. Are there any issues we should be looking at? We commented 3-4 years ago on the initial plan. There is a request to change the current 45 day review period to a 60 day review period which would allow us a bit better comment period.
Edgewood Park plan is pending but not being currently worked on.
Coyote Point Master Plan reviewed in March and will be sent out for bid.
Thought is being given to recreational opportunities on unincorporated areas of the Pacifica coast. Staff is looking at the issues and considering establishing a plan to be ready when possible funding becomes available.
When the Trails plan goes to the Commission, the committee may want to review how our comments are included and present before the commission if we feel something needs more emphasis. Same with Fitzgerald. There is plenty of opportunity for comment on issues and priorities.

San Francisco Watershed. / Pilarcitos
Gary passed out a Jan 31 letter from Rodney McInnis to Hillary Gitelman.

Feral Pigs:
Mary attended the Skyline Homeowners Association regarding feral pigs. Mary has been asked to work with them along with Jim Nee of the Santa Cruz Agriculture Dept. and also Cal Fish and Game on nonlethal methods of pig control. Elimination of 80% of the pig population each year is required to have controlling effect on pig population. First step is an assessment of the problem. Gary reported on Mid Pen activities, passed out an attachment from Mid-Penninsula re Biology and Ecological Impacts of Wild Pigs. Mid-Penninsula is in the process of entering into an agreement with the Santa Clara vector control to control pigs and SMC is considering partnering in the process. Tim said that the coastal farmers are not having good luck with pig trapping and were looking for shooters instead. Ann asked what Marin does about feral pigs. Gary mentioned the importance of keeping staff and the committee informed of all activities that members of the committee are involved

Watershed restoration fund:
The Federal government allocated to the state, and the state is expected counties to establish plans and projects within a 30 - 40 day turnaround time for comments. Funding was calendared on the Board of Supervisors for approval of a grant request. There will be opportunity for comments on projects and involvement in the next round of funding which will be next January. Keith said it will be difficult for this fund to solve sedimentation or flow issues because they are just too big... but removal of objects from creeks are doable tasks. In stream barrier removal and purchasing of riparian corridors would be good targets for funding.

Prop 12 & 13:
Gary passed out an informational sheet which includes pro and con arguments on the initiative.

New Business:
Mary said PHS is in the process of drafting a proposal for funding. $1000-$2000 grant request for indigenous species. They would be interested in applying to the committee. Proposal would be reviewed by the wildlife subcommittee. Wade asked Mary to have Susan Kelly contact him if they were interested.

Research proposal for Dr. Jerry Smith:
Preliminary review of research in Pilarcitos watershed funding request regarding flash board stream diversions. Original thought was that the flash boards could be a impediment to fish migration but new thought might indicate that the pools formed by the boards might actually improve survivability of fingerlings. Preliminary review by streams subcommittee

Meeting tomorrow night for Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary in El Granada. Study relative to new regulations which will be proposed. Comments produced by the committee could be forwarded to this new group. Change last years letter asking for closure to a request for study and forward to the study group . Forward last years letter as an informational item to the group

Mary was referred to a Woodside resident regarding a coyote activity by a local pest control agent and is helping the resident on advising her to clean up her yard. She is also hoping to do a coyote awareness meeting for the City of Woodside.

Meeting ended at 6:55 pm. Keith moved and Peggy seconded.

Respectfully submitted,
acting secretary Wade Leschyn