By shearing its total budget, the city of Mountain View plans to continue managing Deer Hollow Farm, but assistance from neighboring cities – including Los Altos and Los Altos Hills – would lighten the financial burden, Mountain View officials said.
The historic working farm, located in the Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve south of Los Altos, serves as an educational center for schools and community groups and a reminder of Santa Clara County’s rich agricultural history.
City managers Doug Schmitz of Los Altos and Carl Cahill of Los Altos Hills attended an informational meeting organized by Mountain View city officials April 29 to brainstorm cooperative solutions to keep the farm operating. Representatives from Sunnyvale, Cupertino and local agencies also participated.
“It was an informational and educational meeting about short- and long-term plans,” Schmitz said. “We are very happy at the number of representatives at the meeting. There were a lot of ideas thrown around about raising fees and parking revenue.”
However, Schmitz said it would be premature to comment on or commit to any financial contribution at this time. The Los Altos City Council must first discuss and vote on the issue, he added.
Cahill agreed.
“It is too soon to comment on what (Los Altos Hills) will do in terms of a contribution,” Cahill said.
Los Altos Hills City Councilman Jean Mordo reinforced his support at the meeting.
“We value Deer Hollow and want to support it,” Mordo said. “We want to do whatever we can to help.”
Although all residents have free access to the farm, Mountain View oversees operations at an annual cost of $110,000. With additional funding from the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, a grant from Santa Clara County and the support of the non-profit Friends of Deer Hollow Farm, the farm has hosted school groups and families for 35 years. Visitors can tour the working homestead, observe the livestock, attend summer day camps and learn about the Ohlones, the Native Americans who populated the area.
“We are delighted that Mountain View will continue its support of the farm,” said MROSD Board President Mary Davey, who attended the meeting. “But our district is really interested in including other cities.”
In addition to leasing the land to the farm at no cost, the district contributes $145,000 annually toward expenses and will continue to do so, according to Davey.
Mountain View city officials are considering different tiered options to trim expenses and increase revenues, according to recreation manager Regina Maurantonio. Proposals include reclassifying staff jobs, eliminating vacant positions and raising fees.
Although they plan to continue operating the farm, “city officials are hopeful that they will hear back from the representatives who attended the meeting” in terms of some assistance. Nothing will be decided for certain until next month, she said.
The Mountain View City Council has scheduled a public hearing June 15 and a budget vote June 22.
Friends of Deer Hollow Farm President Sue Gale discussed with others at the meeting several options for sustaining the farm.
“This 150-year-old historic farm and educational center deserves the support of nearby cities,” Gale said. “Modest voluntary annual contributions by local governments is a practical and fair solution, since staffing a gate is cost prohibitive. Hopefully more meetings will be held to discuss this.”
For more information, visit www.fodhf.org or www.ci.mtnview.ca.us.
Contact Jana Seshadri at [email protected].
