BOARD OF DIRECTORS PUENTE HILLS HABITAT PRESERVATION AUTHORITY Endowment Provided by the Puente Hills Landfill

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1 Notice and Agenda Special Meeting Thursday, January 31, 2019, 3:00 p.m. BOARD OF DIRECTORS PUENTE HILLS HABITAT PRESERVATION AUTHORITY Endowment Provided by the Puente Hills Landfill To be held at the following location: Joint Administration Office of the County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County 1955 Workman Mill Road, Whittier California: Location: Public Information Conference Room 105 Agency Director Alternate County of Los Angeles SULIC YOKOMIZO City of Whittier HENDERSON ALVARADO Hacienda Heights Improvement Association HUGHES LICARI Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County HYDE FERRANTE The Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority is a public entity established pursuant to the Joint Exercise of Powers Act by agreement with the City of Whittier, County of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts. Questions about any agenda items can be directed to Andrea Gullo, Executive Director, at Pursuant to Section of the Government Code the Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority (Authority), a Special Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Authority will be held at the call of the Chairperson of the Authority at the above time and place for the purpose of: 1. Receipt of Public Comments. 2. Annual Election of Officers. 3. Report from Citizens Technical Advisory Committee. 4. Consent Calendar: a. Approval of Authority Special Meeting Minutes of December 6, b. Receive and file the Authority s Portfolio Earnings Reports and Custom Position by Instrument Type for November and December 2018 prepared by the County of Los Angeles Treasurer and Tax Collector. c. Approval of recommendations from respective entities for reappointment of Citizens Technical Advisory Committee Members for four-year terms ending year 2023: Roy Francis representing the City of La Habra Heights, Shelley Andros representing the City of Whittier, and Gina Natoli representing Hacienda Heights. d. Receive and file end of the year Authority budget reports for fiscal year e. Receive and file half year report on Authority operation budget for fiscal year Receive and file October, November and December 2018 and Second Quarterly Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) Ranger Reports.

2 Notice and Agenda Special Meeting Thursday, January 31, 2019, 3:00 p.m. 6. Discussion and possible action regarding sending a letter to the Los Angeles County First District Consolidated Oversight Board supporting open space preservation of the Tres Hermanos property and to not consider of sale to noncontiguous entities or property owners. 7. Instruction to negotiators on property negotiations for the following property: A) Assessor Parcel Number Negotiating parties include Board Chairman, Executive Director, and property owner Wang. B) Assessor Parcel Number Negotiating parties include Board Chairman, Executive Director, and property owner Nhan. C) Assessor Parcel Number Negotiating parties include Board Chairman, Executive Director, and property owner King Boris. D) Assessor Parcel Numbers and Negotiating parties include Board Chairman and Authority Executive Director and Executive Officer of Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. (This item can be heard in closed session pursuant to Government Code Section regarding real estate negotiations.) 8. Executive Director s comments, and Board Members statements, responses, questions or directions to staff. 9. Adjournment and announcement of next meeting. NOTE: Members of the public may address the Board of Directors on any item shown on the agenda. NOTE: 72 hours prior to Board of Directors meetings, the entire Board of Directors agenda package is available for review, along with any meeting-related writings or documents provided to a majority of the Board members after distribution of the agenda package, in the office of the Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority, 7702 Washington Avenue #C, in Whittier. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, if you require a disability-related modification or accommodation to attend or participate in this meeting, including auxiliary aids or services, please call Melissa Miller or Andrea Gullo at at least 48 hours prior to meeting.

3 DRAFT Minutes of Special Meeting December 6, 2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS PUENTE HILLS HABITAT PRESERVATION AUTHORITY Held at the City Hall, City of Whittier Penn Street, Whittier, California Special Location: Council Chambers The Chairman, Bob Henderson, called the meeting to order and a roll call was taken at approximately 4:03 p.m., at the Council Chambers of the Whittier City Hall. From City of Whittier: Present: Bob Henderson, Chairman From Hacienda Heights Improvement Association: Present: Mike Hughes, Vice Chair From County of Los Angeles Present: Ivan Sulic, Director From Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County: Present: Robert Ferrante, Alternate Director Also present: Andrea Gullo, Authority Executive Director Melissa Miller, Authority Board Secretary Catherine Houwen, Authority CTAC Vice Chair Steve Huber, Whittier Audubon Mike Sprague, Whittier Daily News 1. RECEIPT OF PUBLIC COMMENTS. Steve Huber expressed Whittier Audubon s full support for continuing the Authority s new trail hours schedule, noting that even with these hours the recovery of the Preserve s vegetation and wildlife will likely be ongoing for several years. He added that setting any species populationlevel targets would only facilitate a return to the previous hour schedule and the environmental degradation it allowed, when the Preserve has always been intended to compensate for the habitat impacts caused by the Puente Hills Landfill. 2. REPORT FROM CITIZENS TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE. CTAC Vice Chair Houwen reviewed the main matters covered during CTAC s December 4, 2018, meeting, mentioning the following: CTAC recommends that the Board approve the proposed nonbid contract with Bellfree Contractors, Inc.; CTAC recommends that the Board approve the proposed contract with Psomas; 1

4 DRAFT Minutes of Special Meeting December 6, 2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS PUENTE HILLS HABITAT PRESERVATION AUTHORITY CTAC recommends that the Board authorize the increase in compensation and term for the Authority s contract with Land IQ for on-call biological services; and CTAC discussed various messages and possible additional methods for educating the public about the need to preserve the Preserve. 3. CONSENT CALENDAR: a) Approval of Authority Meeting Minutes for November 8, b) Receive and file the Authority s Portfolio Earnings Reports and Custom Position by Instrument Type for October 2018 prepared by the County of Los Angeles Treasurer and Tax Collector. c) Receive and file Receipts and Disbursements for the Authority for the quarter ending September 30, 2018, as submitted by the Los Angeles County Department of Auditor- Controller. Vice Chair Hughes motioned to receive and file these consent calendar items. Director Sulic seconded this motion, and the motion passed unanimously. 4. VERBAL REPORT FROM CHAIRMAN AND POSSIBLE ACTION ABOUT AGENCY WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE. Chairman Henderson reported that the amendments of the two most recent audits of the Authority s workers compensation insurance coverage are still in progress. Both the number of the Authority s volunteers and their average volunteer-time levels have been overstated in the past, and if the resulting changes or refunds are not substantial then the Board will have to reconsider its decision to have the volunteers covered by this policy. Executive Director Gullo stated that California State Parks and the City of Whittier both provide such coverage for their volunteers, but Chairman Henderson noted that most agencies do not do so. He advised that further developments regarding this issue will be brought back to the Board at the earliest opportunity, since it is such an important one. 5. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE NONBID CONTRACT WITH BELLFREE CONTRACTORS INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $14,530 FOR SYCAMORE CANYON TRAILHEAD MAINTENANCE. Executive Director Gullo reviewed this item as presented in the staff report, adding that the other possible contractors for this work were all found to be inadequate in either experience or location. In reply to Alternate Director Ferrante s question, she stated that the payment rate for this contract will be the same as those used in the Authority s previous contracts with this vendor. She added that Bellfree's prior experiences on the Preserve and their professional qualifications have proven that their particular service is more satisfactory for Authority purposes, and therefore a non-bid contract is recommended by staff. 2

5 DRAFT Minutes of Special Meeting December 6, 2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS PUENTE HILLS HABITAT PRESERVATION AUTHORITY Director Sulic motioned to authorize the Executive Director to execute this nonbid contract with Bellfree Contractors Inc. in the amount of $14,530 for Sycamore Canyon Trailhead maintenance. Alternate Director Ferrante seconded this motion, and the motion passed unanimously. 6. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION AUTHORIZING AUTHORIZING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $20, WITH PSOMAS FOR SERVICES OF SURVEYING, MAPPING AND CREATING A LEGAL DESCRIPTION FOR A CONSERVATION EASEMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE OLINDA HABITAT MITIGATION PROJECT IN THE CITY OF WHITTIER. Executive Director Gullo reviewed this item as presented in the staff report, adding that Psomas has been satisfactorily performing work on various other Authority contracts for years. There was little discussion. Alternate Director Ferrante motioned to authorize the Executive Director to execute this contract with Psomas in the amount of $20, for surveying, mapping and creating a legal description for a conservation easement related to the Olinda habitat mitigation project in Whittier. Vice Chair Hughes seconded this motion, which passed unanimously. 7. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION AMENDING CONTRACT WITH LAND IQ FOR ON-CALL BIOLOGICAL SERVICES: IN COMPENSATION BY 50% ($5,000) AND IN TERM BY EXTENDING IT THROUGH FEBRUARY Executive Director Gullo reviewed this item as presented in the staff report, and there was little discussion. Director Sulic motioned to authorize the Executive Director to amend the contract with Land IQ for on-call biological services, in compensation by 50% ($5,000) and in term by extending it through February Alternate Director Ferrante seconded this motion, and the motion passed unanimously. 8. INSTRUCTION TO NEGOTIATORS ON PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING PROPERTY: A) ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBER NEGOTIATING PARTIES INCLUDE BOARD CHAIRMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND PROPERTY OWNER WANG. B) ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBER NEGOTIATING PARTIES INCLUDE BOARD CHAIRMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND PROPERTY OWNER NHAN. C) ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBER NEGOTIATING PARTIES INCLUDE BOARD CHAIRMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND PROPERTY OWNER KING BORIS. D) ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBERS AND NEGOTIATING PARTIES INCLUDE BOARD CHAIRMAN AND AUTHORITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF MOUNTAINS 3

6 DRAFT Minutes of Special Meeting December 6, 2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS PUENTE HILLS HABITAT PRESERVATION AUTHORITY RECREATION AND CONSERVATION AUTHORITY. (This item can be heard in closed session pursuant to Government Code Section regarding real estate negotiations.). Executive Director Gullo reported that Counsel Collins told her just last week that the parcel specified as 8.d above is still progressing, with further requirements having been made by the involved title company, so resolution is anticipated in approximately another two months. 9. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR S COMMENTS, AND BOARD MEMBERS STATEMENTS, RESPONSES, QUESTIONS OR DIRECTIONS TO STAFF. Director Sulic asked if the Authority should be taking any position regarding the disposition of the nearby Tres Hermanos Ranch area, and if the Authority Board could also receive any further explanation from the County regarding the fund allotment from Measure A that is anticipated to occur in late January, especially since apparently some of that funding could be diverted for use in areas not related to open space. He stated that there should be a written report about this from the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District, and Chairman Henderson said that once that is received then the Authority should consider holding a special Board meeting at an earlier-than-usual date in January. Chairman Henderson reported that the Whittier City Council has just sent a letter to the Authority requesting information such as the Preserve s carrying capacities for various species, and that that Council has also determined that Whittier s new representation on the Authority s Board of Directors will be determined by April of next year. Lastly, he expressed his appreciation for having worked with the other Authority Directors, staff and rangers for the past 25 years, as well as their continuing high level of professionalism. Executive Director Gullo reported that she, Deputy Chief Ranger Hughes and the Chairman will be updating the La Habra Heights City Council at their December 10 meeting regarding the Authority s procedures and policies regarding brush clearance on the Preserve and its efforts to minimize fire threats. She also advised that, while one of the Authority s rangers has moved away from the Preserve, now the Chief Ranger for the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority is occupying the residence she vacated. She reported that the Authority s Broadrock mitigation project has just satisfactorily completed its third year. Lastly, she stated that the Authority s trails have been closed due to the current rains and are anticipated to be closed for the next two days at least due to the amount of rainfall being received in the area. Director Sulic asked if any campers have been detected anywhere in the Preserve over the last two weeks, and Executive Director Gullo replied in the negative. 10. ADJOURNMENT AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEXT MEETING. There being no further comments, or business to be discussed, Chairman Henderson adjourned the meeting at 5:00 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting date is December 27, 2018, which will most likely be cancelled due to its coinciding with the upcoming holiday. 4

7 DRAFT Minutes of Special Meeting December 6, 2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS PUENTE HILLS HABITAT PRESERVATION AUTHORITY Approved: Bob Henderson, Board Chairman Melissa Miller, Board Secretary 5

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