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C. Community Benefits (301) Recommendation: Consider the preliminary research conducted by City staff, take public comment and provide further direction and outreach preferences regarding community benefits. No decision is required. Mr. Ekern, Community Development Director, provided an overview of the research staff has done in looking at comparable cities' community benefits programs and what they may have in common and what it means. They had also met with local stakeholders to get a feeling for a possible range of contributors and partners for these sorts of programs (presentation on file). He said that with hard work they hope to get a community benefit program ordinance done by the end of this calendar year. Public Comment Sandra Cooperman spoke in favor of affordable housing and developers taking into consideration people displaced on the recent fires and that many includes seniors and disabled people. She spoke about seniors being property rich and cash poor. She hopes the city and the developers can talk and discuss these issues and looks for positive outcomes from the community benefits program. Diane Reddy spoke about her concerns that the over 2,000 housing units that are currently in pipeline tend be at a moderate level of affordability in our high cost area. She believes that affordable housing for low income people and seniors is crucial at this time and spoke in favor of having an effective anti-displacement policy in place for future planning. Belen Seara said she works for the San Mateo Union Community Alliance, a community and labor-based organization, which is affiliated with the San Mateo Labor Council and the Building and Trades Council. She expressed their support for the staff report for robust community outreach for the community benefits program to be as inclusive as possible. She also spoke in support of ensuring underserviced and underrepresented people to attend meetings, with translations and varied meeting times; looking at job co- benefits; regional economic prosperity strategy; how this region can work together to move low wage workers into mid-wage jobs; and, the need for more affordable housing. Dr. Bell announced that as part of the certification of the Housing Elements the City will be participating in a nexus study with 21 Elements. One Council Member believes this is the right course of action and he appreciates the speakers tonight. The issue of densities bonus were discussed and Mr. Ekern confirmed that is in the books. This Council Member about the Green Belt Alliance and how they have produced a good report. One Council Member would like additional information from the City of San Mateo and from their prior experience, and she would like to look at the greater framework such as the fees we have in place. Another Council Member inquired if we follow the state guidelines for a density bonus and Mr. Ekern confirmed that the City follows it. CITY COUNCIL January 27, 2014 MEETING MINUTES PAGE 12 MINUTE BOOK NO. 65 Page No. 70