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Mayor Gee thanked the teachers who participated in the program. He presented awards to the poster winners and special guest H20 Joe arrived to greet everyone and provide photo opportunity with the City Council and student award recipients. Mayor Gee moved up the item regarding the fire at SIMS and asked Dr. Bell, City Manager, and Fire Chief Skinner to provide an update. Dr. Bell spoke about the fire at SIMS Metal in December and the ongoing investigation. He stated that the City has met with SIMS and required them to enact certain requirements immediately to mitigate the risk that seemed to be present: they have to have three qualified machine operators present 24/7; there will be zero inventory at the end of each operating day, and the City will do frequent and random inspections. He noted that a variety of regulatory agencies would be investigating SIMS. Mr. Skinner stated that the Fire Department has done daily inspections of SIMS while they have been in operation. He stated that they have complied with 24/7 staffing and have been in compliance with shredding to the ground every day. He stated that SIMS management wants to move forward with investigating best practices for all of their facilities. He stated that these types of fires are particularly difficult and SIMS has been in compliance with the mandates. He stated that the Fire Department would continue inspections throughout the 60-period on an unannounced basis and then will move forward from there. Dr. Bell stated that once these conditions were agreed to, staff sent out press releases and held a press conference to make the community aware of what was happening. They will plan for a more detailed update at the next meeting on January 27, 2014. Mr. Skinner noted that SIMS Metal has been doing their own outreach as well and has conducted their own town hall meetings that they have invited the city to attend as well. Dr. Bell noted that there would definitely be one the evening of January 29 at North Fair Oaks Community Center. Mayor Gee thanked them for the work done and for showing leadership in this situation. 6. PUBLIC COMMENT Ernie Schmidt spoke about the changes to the Council in the last month. He appreciates their civic duty and commitment. He thanked the Council for reacting quickly and placing safeguards to prevent further incidents at SIMS Metal. He thanked former Mayor and Council Member Aguirre for her service as Mayor and being a great ambassador to Redwood City. Kate Comfort Harr, Executive Director of HIP Housing, delivered the 2014 HIP Housing Calendar, which includes the art of children who were asked what they consider home. She said they took 316 calls from people in Redwood City looking for affordable housing and 21 people were matched of those who were interviewed. She stated 14 people are in the Self Sufficiency program and 89 people are served by BMR (Below Market Rate) housing in Redwood City. CITY COUNCIL January 13, 2014 MEETING MINUTES PAGE 3 MINUTE BOOK NO. 65 Page No. 48