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. . I . - case there was no other indication, other than a perception, and granted that's important, but there was no indication of a factual nature that there was a hazard" regarding the proposed EA buildings. Vice Mayor Howard said "I consider them (EA) good neighbors, that they have a history of taking responsibility for - mitigating traffic impacts, and the community they are leaving has said they wi!! miss them greatly because they were very good neighbors.... I agree with Councilman Leipzig that we need to put pressure in the right places to make sure the traffic mitigation happens... .I wi!! be voting to deny the appeal." Vice Mayor Howard acknowledged the work done by the appellants and said she was sorry she couldn't support both sides. Councilwoman La Berge, said "my coUeagues have expressed the same sentiments that I have.... Regarding the safety issue, I am not an expert. I relied on the FAA to give recommendations on that, and I believe that we all up here do what we think is best for Redwood City. We have spent a great deal of time looking at all of the issues, considering every side of it, reading aU of the material, and ultimately at the end you say, 'what do I reaUy feel in my heart and in my head is the best for the majority of the citizens in Redwood City, all the citizens in Redwood City.' I believe that Electronic Arts is going to be a good neighbor to us. They have shown an unusual interest to being a part of the community, and providing us with amenities that I think that we'll all enjoy. We will benefit greatly from the sales tax, property tax, and Redwood Shores wi!! definitely profit from the money that goes into the GID. It will be a corporation that will bring a great deal to Redwood City, and so I will support Councilman - Claire's motion." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At 11:12 P.M. MIS: RUSKlNIHOWARD TO CONTINUE THE MEETING TO 11:20 P.M. CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE. MINUTE ORDER NO. 96-181 --------------------------------------___-__n______------------------------------------------------ Mayor Hartnett addressed several issues. He said, "I think the issue is not so much the applicant being Electronic Arts, as good a corporate citizen as they've proven themselves to be in the current location, and the history that they have indicates that they will be an exceUent citizen of Redwood City. That is not the major issue. Issues that have been brought to the fore by the appellants are ones that are certainly very important....for the City to be challenged on. The thorough presentations that were made tonight were similar to presentations to the Planning Commission and similar to the writings we have received over the last months. And they have challenged the City to make sure that the City would be doing the right thing if it approved this project as proposed." He said the appellants had throughout the process asked the right questions, and the project has ended up a better project, and the City has made a better decision because of '-- those questions and challenges. Mayor Hartnett said the challenges regarding the REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 54 JULY 15, 1996 MINUTES PAGE 26 Page No. 398