CC MIN 2014-10-30 Special Town Hall

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are here because JobTrain extended an invitation to them and she is excited for this opportunity. Diana Reddy thanked the City Council for being here tonight and she believes she does not need to be say much more because these are the best stories. She applauds the City for looking at innovative ways to look at rent stabilization situation and she hopes something can be done right away. Colt Rymer thanked the Council for hosting this meeting and he said that as a disabled veteran he has some challenges. He also said that homes are being bought out at big prizes and veterans are losing the places where they can live due to cost. He said that local community help is needed. He asked the Council to rethink the limited building height and he asked for rent stabilization. Josefina Jeronimo said she is here for the same concerns - rent. She said she got a letter saying that her rent was going to be raised $500 at the end of September and she is asking for rent control in Redwood City. She said that we need it because we are low income and she is a family of four and she did not want to move them to another school and they are trying their best to find a home/apartment in Redwood City but rent is so high. She said that we cannot continue to pay more money so she asks and begs for the Council's consideration and thanks the Council very much. Penny Coyote spoke about her personal journey and how she has been homeless but has been able to have a stable life with a place to live for the last six years thanks to the help of many professionals and agencies in this City. She noted that this fact makes a world of a difference and she asked that people open their hearts to these realities and understand that we are all doing our best. She thanked the Council for the opportunity to speak tonight. She spoke about the 1966 United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, Article 25 that states that everyone has some fundamental basic human rights and social protections. She asked Council to feel the pain of others and the struggles and inadequacies of others and open their hearts to others; so judge not, and understand that we are all doing the best that we can. Angelo Pissani, Case Manager at the site, thanked the Council for all it has done for his clients and he said this is their second home and it is hard for him to have very few options to offer. He wanted to reiterate that this place is a home for a lot of people and this is where they find meaning to life and what keeps them going. He said this has become his home, too. Silvia Ramirez begged the Council to keep working hard because this is a second home to many people. She appreciates having this safe place and she thanks Ms. Chin for being such a great coordinator. She added that many of the volunteers have the same issue with housing and she believes that this is hard. She added that story telling is a powerful tool and the stories heard tonight are powerful and real. Ms. Ramirez asked Council to continue doing the great job of keeping this Center alive. Mayor Gee thanked everyone present for sharing their stories. He provided the floor to his colleagues. One Council Member was very pleased with the attendance and she was very touched by the stories shared. She also spoke about the Pride and SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL TOWN HALL October 30, 2014 MEETING MINUTES PAGE 5 MINUTE BOOK NO. 65 Page No. 266