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405 <br /> with the cooperation of the Board, hoped that something positive can <br /> be done to direct some of the younger children away from that kind of <br /> influence. <br /> Council referred to the March 1979 Washington School closing impact <br /> study which suggests that, absent educational or recreational activity, <br /> something else less desirable will fill the void; that it is important <br /> to have the schools occupied in as many of these neighborhoods as pos- <br /> sible; that these sites should be looked at, not simply as a piece of <br /> real estate, but for what is good for the entire community. <br /> In response to questions by the Board, Mr. Fales advised that for Hoover <br /> School , particularly, the principal source of funds for improvements <br /> would come from Block Grant Funds, not only the City's, but possibly <br /> also the County's. In addition, the Police Youth Club has accumulated <br /> money from various sources. Beyond that, however, it is up to the <br /> Council to set priorities for program money. He noted that the City <br /> has targeted this structurally older area for housing rehabilitation <br /> and is spending Block Grant Funds there, and that this seems a logical <br /> extension of that commitment. <br /> Discussion continued regarding school age population, the fact that with <br /> closure of Washington and Hoover Schools the District's school popula- <br /> tion is at a maximum, and what possible impact there might be on the <br /> area if there is a sudden increase in housing stock in the Washington <br /> School neighborhood. Mr. Fales referred to the development on Horgan <br /> Avenue which would add fewer than 100 homes, with possibly high school <br /> age children, whereas, in the target area many of the older homes capable <br /> of rehabilitation would be attractive to younger families who are unable <br /> to penetrate the housing market otherwise, and these would be families <br /> with young school age children. <br /> In response to questions regarding maintenance of the Hoover pool facili- <br /> ,, ties, Mr. Fales advised that there had once been an agreement between <br /> the City and the School District that provided for equal sharing of costs <br /> for maintaining the pool , but that the District had initiated dissolution <br /> of the agreement because of inability to pay its share. <br /> The interest in athletic activities, such as little league and soccer, was <br /> noted, and in some cases resulting in overuse of some of the playing fields, <br /> allowing little time for maintenance and upkeep; lack of cooperation of <br /> those using the fields; the fact that much of the athletic activity in <br /> the area takes place in Redwood City, with participants coming from other <br /> communities in the Bay area, who do not care about what condition the <br /> grounds are left in; the fact that soccer teams do have their own insur- <br /> ance. Mr. Fales also noted the extremely bad conditions at Hoover School , <br /> with broken glass and big holes; that if plans go forward and Block Grant <br /> Funds can be invested in the Hoover School recreation area, the City will <br /> maintain it in a way that will be worth the expenditure; that the City <br /> already has an investment in the pool , and that since it is the only <br /> large open space area in that neighborhood, he believed it is worth <br /> following up. <br /> In response to question as to what has to be done to accomplish this pro- <br /> gram, Mr. Fales advised that what is needed first is an indication from <br /> Council and the Board that they approve the idea, then it would be de- <br /> fined as to what area and what people will be served, costs involved <br /> and the source of funds. <br /> Discussion followed regarding the many instances of vandalism at Hoover <br /> pool and that as already suggested, having the property occupied and the <br /> 60 conducting of a recreational program would be an advantage from that <br /> standpoint. Mr. Fales added that we have vandalism because there is a <br /> lack of presence, as well as a lack of commitment by the neighborhood, <br /> Jnt.Mtg. <br /> 11/19/80 <br /> Page 2 <br />