HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpeaker Slips & Written Comm at Meeting_RedactedANNUAL UPDATE2014____
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This past year, with your support, the District took many great leaps
forward to fulfill your vision for open space—from land acquisition
and habitat restoration to public access and community outreach.
Our goal is to complete the system of open space preserves that you
identified through the District’s open space Vision Plan and have chosen to
support through Measure AA.
Stephen E. Abbors
General Manager
Last fall, our Board approved a five-year
list of Measure AA projects that expand our
work to preserve land, restore
habitat, and improve public
access. In the last year, we
have expedited dozens of
projects, including extensive
work to prepare to open three
major nature destinations: the
Mount Umunhum Summit
in Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, Bear
Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, and
La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve.
Our accomplishments are moving forward
with the additional support of Measure AA.
We have:
• Completed work preparation of Mindego
Hill so we can open trails at that beautiful
site in 2016;
• Protected key lands where we can
strengthen the greenbelt, preserve grazing
lands, protect headwaters and creeks, create
staging areas, and connect trails;
• Completed the El Corte de Madera Creek
Watershed Protection Project, protecting
steelhead trout and Coho salmon;
• Restored damaged ponds on the Coastside,
improving water infrastructure for grazing
and wildlife; and
• Expanded trail systems at Russian Ridge
Open Space Preserve, El Corte de Madera
Creek Open Space Preserve, and Sierra Azul
Open Space Preserve.
We’re also using Measure AA resources
to strengthen and develop partnerships.
We’re very proud of a new partnership with
the County of San Mateo, Department of
Parks and Recreation, which uses $1 million
in county Measure A funds to work on the
Bay Trail. With additional support from
the District’s Measure AA funds, we will
complete a critical gap in the trail, creating
an 80-mile contiguous stretch of trail that
parallels the 101 corridor and provides
outdoor recreation and a safe commute route
for pedestrians and bicyclists.
All of this is possible because of the public’s
long-term commitment to fund a system of
open space preserves on the peninsula. To
maximize the impact of this funding, the
District recently achieved an upgrade of our
bond rating, from AA and AA+ to AAA, and
we were able to sell our first tranche of bonds,
$45 million, with a $2.3 million premium,
which we passed onto taxpayers as a reduced
assessment. This year, District residents will
pay 80 cents per $100,000 in assessed value
rather than $1.10 originally anticipated. In
addition, we are carefully reviewing how we
do our work, particularly project delivery,
and are in the process of making changes to
the organization that will allow us to most
effectively meet the goals of Measure AA.
Meanwhile, we have continued to grow and
nurture all of our existing programs including
community outreach, volunteer enrichment,
docent-led activities, events for youth and
families, scientific research, and our core
work to protect humans and wildlife alike
throughout our 26 preserves.
We thank you for your support and your
trust in us; and we look forward to fulfilling
the vision we share, one in which every
person in our region enjoys improved mental
and physical health, clean air and water, free
outdoor activities, the biodiversity we need to
survive, and all the countless other benefits of
living in a thriving natural environment.
GENERAL MANAGER’S MESSAGE
T he past year has been vitally important to the Midpen mission to
preserve and protect open space, and to provide recreation in the
preserves. While the list of achievements is extensive, a few
highlights include:
• Completion of trails in Russian Ridge, Sierra Azul at Mt. Umunhum, and
El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserves.
• Completion of planning for additional trails and trail extensions at
Purisima-to-the-Sea Regional Trail and along the San Francisco Bay Trail
north of East Palo Alto.
MINDEGO GATEWAY PARKING AREA: Opened May
2014 in partnership with Peninsula Open Space
Trust. The project offers a new parking area, viewing
platform, and restroom and connects the greater
portion of Russian Ridge to the diverse Mindego Hill
Area of the preserve.
On June 3, 2014, with a two-thirds majority, District voters approved Measure AA, a
general obligation bond measure that authorizes Midpen to issue up to $300 million
in bonds over the next 20 to 30 years to fulfill the capital projects in the Top 25 Vision
Plan Priority Action Portfolios as identified in the Vision Plan.
BALD MOUNTAIN PARKING: Funded by a grant from
the Coastal Conservancy, the new parking area and
restroom provides visitors an access point for the
future trail to the Mount Umunhum summit.
PUBLIC ACCESS HIGHLIGHTS
PASSAGE OFMEASURE AA
PLANNED/UPCOMING PROJECTS
• Mindego Area Access: The extension of Mindego Hill Trail to the top
of Mindego Hill opens in spring 2016 with the reintroduction of cattle
grazing.
• Mount Umunhum Summit and Trail: Once completed, visitors will find
an ADA-accessible interpretive trail, information about the area’s rich
natural and cultural history, and expansive views of the entire Bay Area,
Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz, and even the Sierra Nevada. Trail and summit
are expected to open in the fall of 2016.
• Bear Creek Redwoods Access: Bear Creek Open Space Preserve, with
its shaded fir and redwood forests, cool perennial creeks, and spectacular
views of the Sierra Azul Range, is expected to open to the public in 2018.
In order to open the preserve for public access, several high-priority public
access and resource management projects must be developed, including
the Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve Plan, Bear Creek Stables Site Plan,
and Alma College Landscape Rehabilitation Plan.
Research shows that families who spend time connecting with the
peace, beauty, and solitude of nature are planting a seed that will
grow into a lifelong appreciation for nature and will lead healthier,
happier lives. We also know we can enrich their experience when we offer
opportunities to engage on a more interactive level. Midpen provides a
wide array of opportunities to educate, experience, and celebrate nature’s
treasures in the preserves. A few examples of such offerings over the past
year include the following:
• More than 3,300 visitors participated in 233 docent-led hikes, bike rides,
and dog walks to see and explore watersheds, fungi, bats, oaks, Ohlone
medicine, birds, and a variety of other topics.
• The David C. Daniels Nature Center welcomed over 3,400 visitors
providing an incredible opportunity for families to discover the value of
the great diversity of plant and animal life in the region.
• Third-through-fifth graders throughout the District participated in our
docent-led Spaces and Species Field Trips at Skyline Ridge Preserve led
by docents. Midpen also helped to fund transportation for classes that
would have been unable to attend.
• 2,200 elementary schoolchildren visited Los Trancos, Monte Bello, and
Windy Hill preserves, and our partners at Environmental Volunteers
helpeded enrich their experiences.
• We partnered with Latino Outdoors to help us bring the same interpretive
and educational opportunities to diverse audiences and led Spanish-
language hikes. The nonprofit group is also helping train staff and
volunteers.
We couldn’t do all we do at Midpen without the
selfless hard work our volunteers contribute to
accomplish so many varied tasks. Try on these
impressive examples of volunteer achievements
from the 2014-15 year:
300 Free guided activities
82 Outdoor service projects
5 Eagle Scout projects
3 Park management internships
2 Girl Scout Gold Awards
20 New recruits for community outreach work
45 New recruits for volunteer trail patrol
165 Total active volunteers on trail patrol
30 New volunteers in the Advanced Resource
Management Squad (ARMS)
1,370 Total number of ARMS volunteers’
hours of service
20,000 Hours of time
$537,400 Total estimated cost savings* due to
volunteer services
* based on the Independent Sector- Fiscal Value of Volunteer Hours
(by State)
VOLUNTEERS
BY THE NUMBERS
ENGAGING OUR VISITORS
93%
Property Taxes
Property
Management4%
Midpen completed another year of strong financial management,
balancing spending with revenues and leveraging those funds with
additional grants. We experienced a 5 percent increase in revenues due
to an increase in property tax collections in the Midpeninsula region, our primary
source of revenue.
The true headliner in Midpen’s fiscal story was the support shown by the voters
in passing Measure AA, which will provide $300 million over the next 20 years
to continue to protect open space, restore the environment, and provide greater
recreational access to the spaces.
Meanwhile, prudent financial management, strategic long-term planning,
and a clear vision has earned Midpen an AAA bond rating, reflecting Midpen’s
strong fiscal position and earning us the ability to borrow money for projects at
low interest rates. As of this writing, we have just completed an advantageous sale
of Measure AA bonds to move forward with the public’s high-priority items as
established in the Measure AA visioning process.
BUDGET
District expenditures totaled $35.6 million and remained within the budget approved
by the District Board of Directors. Excluding land acquisitions and debt service, total
expenditures were $21.5 million, which is $4.2 million or 16.3% below the budget.
Of the $8.0 million in land purchases and capital expenditures, $5.2 million is
eligible for reimbursement from the Measure AA general obligation bonds.
MEASURE AA BONDS
In August 2015 the District sold its first series of Measure AA bonds for $45
million. Funds will be used for both previous land acquisitions and capital
projects that occurred in fiscal year 2014 and for land acquisitions and capital
projects moving forward for the next three years. For fiscal year 2014-15,
$5.2 million of Measure AA funds were used. Because of favorable interest rates,
the Measure AA tax rate for 2015-16 is approximately 80 cents per $100,000 of
assessed property value.
51%
25%2%
13%
9%
Land Purchases
Capital
Debt ServicePast Purchases
OperatingExpenses
Revenues: $37,887,134*
Property taxes $35,081,540
Property management $1,436,680
Grants $952,925
Interest/Investments $174,654
Other/Miscellaneous $241,335
Expenditures: $35,610,809*
Operating expenses $18,067,992
Debt service on prior
purchases $8,893,601
Property management &
improvements $615,280
Land acquisition $4,771,119
Capital Expenditures $3,262,817
* From Audited Financial Statement, March 31, 2015
Excess of Revenues Over Expenditures $2,317,281
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
.5% Interest/
Investment
Property
Management &
Improvements
2.5% Grants
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Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
Photo: Maila Pinlac Perez
Acquisition and Preservation
FULFILLING THE PROMISE OF MEASURE AA
The sale of Measure AA bonds will allow us to open currently closed areas for public access and
recreation, purchase land as it becomes available (including redwood forests), and improve access
to hiking and biking trails. We will be able to help preserve agriculture along the San Mateo
Coast and pursue restoration projects for streams, creeks, ponds, and other waterways critical for
long-term protection and water supply. One year after passage, Measure AA is already delivering
on its promise to the voters. The following are just a sample of the high-priority projects now underway using
Measure AA funds:
• Purchasing of additional lands to grow the District’s contiguous greenbelt.
• Leveraging partnerships to create connections between District lands and other open space/park lands, such as
Alpine Ranch and Stevens Creek Trail Corridor, and Monte Bello and Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space
Preserves (OSP).
• Opening Mindego Hill after introducing cattle for resource management.
• Acquiring land and beginning planning of a Purisima-to-Sea trail from Skyline area.
• Providing public access and amenities for hiking, biking, and equestrian activities on Mt. Umunhum.
• Adding elements to existing Cooley Landing in partnership with the City of East Palo Alto.
• Completing trails and closing gaps in the San Francisco Bay Trail and adjacent Ravenswood OSP.
LOBITOS CREEK AREA OF
PURISIMA CREEK OSP
In March 2015, Midpen purchased
the 40-acre Riggs property as an
addition to Purisima Creek Redwoods
OSP. The property helps to protect
the Lobitos Creek watershed, which
provides spawning habitat for Coho
salmon and steelhead trout, and
protects scenic views from Highway 1
on the San Mateo Coast.
ALPINE RANCH
Next to Pescadero Creek County
Park, this gorgeous 353-acre Alpine
Ranch property features beautiful
redwood forests, two critical
watersheds, and a connection to
protected open space land. The
ridgeline provides expansive views of
the upper Pescadero watershed and
includes views of Portola Redwoods
State Park, Butano Ridge, and the
Pacific Ocean.
NEW LAND IN
MONTE BELLO
The final property needed to
complete the proposed Stevens
Creek Trail was recently purchased
in conjunction with Santa Clara
County. This 60-acre property
along Stevens Canyon Road will be
an addition to Monte Bello OSP.
T hroughout the years, Midpen
has worked to protect and
maintain the health of
watersheds throughout the area.
We’ve stayed true to our mission
of preserving plants, animals and
natural communities by protecting
the lands and waters they need
to survive. Watershed health and
success is reflected in many of the
projects Midpen has completed.
Roads that used to collect water
and erode into gullies now drain
effectively. Streams that were buried
in soil are now bridged or have had
culverts properly installed. Trails
that ran through streams have been
rerouted to protect direct impact.
To accomplish these goals, Midpen
has been committed to working
in partnership with local resource
agencies. In 2014, Midpen was
awarded a grant of $230,970 from
the California Department of Fish
and Wildlife toward watershed
protection construction costs at La
Honda Creek OSP. This grant helped
fund a portion of a project that
included almost five miles of road
upgrades and repair of an existing
stock pond. Along with reducing
sediment downstream, these
improvements helped to create a
system supporting future public
access.
Although the growing drought has
created many regional challenges,
the lack of rain has allowed many
time-sensitive projects to move
forward more quickly than antici-
pated. The El Niño rains expected
this winter will be an early test
of repaired roads and trails. With
record rains headed our way, these
critical repairs will prevent many
legacy trails and roads from being
washed away.
Restored lands provide many benefits, such as improved fish and
wildlife productivity, pollution reduction, flood protection,
and recreational opportunities. These services not only improve
the health of our region, but collectively, these projects form a green
infrastructure, that supports a high quality of life for our residents. As
we work toward achieving the region’s vision, we’re proud to share with
you these snapshots of just some of our conservation work this year.
CONSERVATION GRAZING PROGRAM
As part of its resource management plan, the District expanded its
conservation grazing program by re-introducing cattle at the Red Barn
in La Honda Creek OSP and making water system repairs and upgrades
at Mindego Ranch. The District’s conservation grazing program serves
several important purposes, including fuel reduction for fire protection,
restoring biodiversity of the land, and retaining historic ranching within
the San Mateo Coast region.
PROTECTION OF RARE AND SENSITIVE SPECIES
Midpen continues efforts in support of the recovery of the San Francisco
garter snake partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to secure
permitting to improve habitat for the species at the Mindego Ranch area
of Russian Ridge OSP.
Surveys for California red-legged frogs at the La Honda Creek OSP
are proving the value of the District’s pond restoration and management
projects. Despite a low-water year, young frogs were observed in one of
the recently repaired stock ponds, indicating breeding success of the
frogs at the site.
PARTNERSHIPS FOR CONSERVATION
In cooperation with conservation partners, Midpen continues to protect
threatened and endangered species and eradicate invasive plants.
• National Marine Fisheries Service conducted a survey of Permanente
Creek within Rancho San Antonio to assess habitat for steelhead trout
• San Mateo County Resource Conservation District treated the
invasive grass slender false brome on properties neighboring
Thornewood OSP.
• California Academy of Sciences and other organizations collaborated
with Midpen on a bioblitz at San Mateo County’s Memorial Park.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife authorized an endangered species recovery
permit at La Honda and Russian Ridge OSPs.
Commitment
to Watershed
Protection RESTORATION AND CONSERVATION
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Board of Directors
Midpen is governed by a seven-member board of directors.
The District is divided into seven geographic wards, each represented by
an elected board member for a four-year term. The District itself
consists of San Mateo, Santa Clara, and parts of Santa Cruz counties.
Board of Directors (left to right): Jed Cyr, Ward 3; Nonette Hanko, Ward 5;
Cecily Harris, Ward 7; Larry Hasset, Ward 6; Pete Siemens, Ward 1;
Yoriko Kishimoto, Ward 2; Curt Riffle, Ward 4.
Mission Statement: To acquire and preserve a regional
greenbelt of open space land in perpetuity; protect and restore
the natural environment; and provide opportunities for
ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education.
DISTRICT PROFILE
FOUNDED
IN 1972
62,383
ACRES
225 MILES
OF TRAILS
26
PRESERVES
135 EMPLOYEES
IN 3 OFFICES
2 MILLION
VISITORS
PER YEAR
$43.9 MILLION
BUDGET
720,000
RESIDENTS
Design: Alexander Atkins Design, Inc.
330 Distel Circle
Los Altos, CA 94022
650-691-1200
www.openspace.org