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7.3.B. - Page 5 <br /> Diana Reddy, representing the Redwood City Local Housing Committee, applauds staff <br /> for its work but she echoed the prior speakers' comments that it is not ambitious <br /> enough. She noted that the Housing Element is a guide for eight years but that there is <br /> a problem because there are no guarantees. She opined that 47% of Redwood City <br /> residents are renters who are struggling and that 40% of our guests, at Shelters, are <br /> waiters and baggers who can't afford to live here. She said she is begging the Council <br /> to help support the renters who are part of this community. <br /> Lee Callister expressed appreciation to the staff for its hard work and said that what <br /> concerns him is the length of the Plan and he does not believe it should be that long. <br /> He said it strikes him that as much as things have changed it would be great to have a <br /> shorter Plan that focuses on a shorter time period and then make the necessary <br /> changes. <br /> Rhovy Lynn Antonio, Government Affairs Director - Tri- County, supports the staff <br /> recommendation and she spoke highly about the process and the leadership the City <br /> has shown on the issue of Housing. She mentioned specific items that her organization <br /> supports and she would like to extend her appreciation to the City Council and she <br /> supports the actions before Council tonight. <br /> Recommendation: <br /> Hold a public hearing and (1) Adopt the Negative Declaration for the City of <br /> Redwood City Housing Element and (2) Adopt the City of Redwood City <br /> Draft 2015 -2023 Housing Element and (3) Direct staff to send the Element to <br /> the Department of Housing and Community Development for Certification. <br /> RESOLUTION No. 15376 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDWOOD <br /> CITY TO ADOPT THE NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE REDWOOD CITY <br /> 2015 -2023 HOUSING ELEMENT AND TO ADOPT THE CITY OF REDWOOD <br /> CITY DRAFT 2015 -2023 HOUSING ELEMENT <br /> M/S Aguirre /Pierce to close the Public Hearing. Motion carried by unanimous voice <br /> vote. <br /> Mayor Gee asked that staff provide clarification on various items. Dr. Bell covered the <br /> following items: 1) in regards to the eight years Dr. Bell said that that State set that <br /> requirement and it is an eight year cycle, and 2) and he also added that the Plan is due <br /> to the State by the end of the year, and 3) lastly Dr. Bell noted that the programs listed <br /> are the ones that are more prescriptive in nature and we will have more clarity and <br /> these will come back to Council in early 2015 with further details and clarifications. <br /> Mr. Aknin also commented that while this is an eight year cycle, the Housing Element <br /> can be amended in the future. There is also a concern that if it does not get adopted <br /> within the timeline there are penalties and additional requirements, and one could open <br /> the City to lawsuits and make oneself non - eligible for a number of funds such for <br /> Transportation. <br /> One Council Member asked staff to address the concerns from the speakers that the <br /> Plan was not ambitious enough. Mr. Aknin said that Redwood City can always exceed <br /> JOINT CITY COUNCIL /SUCCESSOR AGENCY BOARD October 20, 2014 <br /> SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES PAGE 5 <br />