Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District

The agenda for the meeting includes the interview and potential appointment of James Covel for the vacant Ward 2 position on the Board of Directors. The meeting also allocates time for general public comments on matters not listed on the agenda. The consent calendar covers routine items such as the approval of past meeting minutes (excluding the most recent ones), summary of payments, approval of RFPs for pickup trucks, approval of bids for Kahn Ranch improvements, approval of a professional services agreement for legal services through Monterey County Counsel, and approval of a resolution regarding the Garland Ranch Regional Park Defensible Space Maintenance Project. Discussion/Action items include amendments to the Canine Ordinance and an informational presentation regarding the Monterey Bay Area Stewardship Authority Regional Legislation AB1548. The Board also scheduled a closed session to discuss instructions for Real Property Negotiators concerning Locke-Paddon Wetland Community Park and a conference with legal counsel regarding potential litigation.

The report includes a review of the District's financial position, comparing assets, liabilities, and equity between the current and previous fiscal years. It covers the period from July 1, 2023, through November 30, 2023. The report also presents a comparison of the District's budgeted amounts to the actual income and expenses. Additionally, the report discusses income accounts such as property taxes, interest earnings, dividends, rent, donations, reimbursements, environmental education programs, other revenue, and grant income.

The meeting included public comments on topics such as the difficulty of hearing people on the Zoom feed, fire danger and the health of District parks, climate change, the acquisition of the Rancho Cañada unit of Palo Corona, and the possibility of raising the annual fee charged to District residents. The Board also discussed the status of the current strategic plan, streamlining, modifying and prioritizing plan elements. Accomplishments made on the current strategic plan were discussed, including the success of passing Measure E, earning the Special District Leadership Foundation Transparency Certification, starting the District fund at the Community Foundation, and the usage of the new Multi benefit Community Trail at Palo Corona.

This General Development Plan for Palo Corona Regional Park outlines a roadmap for the conservation, stewardship, and public access of its 4,585 acres. It focuses on providing diverse recreation, educational, and research opportunities, alongside the perpetual protection and restoration of natural resources and habitat. Key initiatives include extensive public outreach, converting a former golf course into native habitat, and developing a comprehensive trail system accommodating various user groups, including universal access trails and multi-use trails. The plan aims to maintain the park for public enjoyment, enhance programming, and ensure adaptability to evolving community needs while upholding conservation efforts.

The Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District Board Meeting included a review of the proposed Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget, and the adoption of Resolution #2024-07, which formally approves the budget with slight edits to Goals and the breaking out of CFD expenditures by park. The board also considered the Special District Grant Accessibility Act, streamlining federal grant programs, and took no action on Initiative 1935, invalidating local revenue and proposed development-related fee legislation and litigation. Additionally, the board reviewed and approved Resolution #2024-06, finding the Garland Ranch Regional Park East Garzas Road Shaded Fuel Break Project Exempt from CEQA, and approved requests for bids for fuel mitigation projects at Garland Ranch Regional Park. The board also discussed and considered an agreement to complete Monterey Salinas Transit Surf! Project Mitigation at Marina Dunes Preserve.