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<br />SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL/STUDY SESSION/TOWN HALL April 20, 2015 <br />MEETING MINUTES PAGE 4 <br /> <br />5. STUDY SESSION/TOWN HALL MEETING <br /> <br />This is an opportunity for residents and community members to share with the <br />City Council issues of concerns. As there is no formal agenda and no agendized <br />items, and in accordance with the Brown Act, the City Council may listen only, <br />and is not allowed to take any action. <br /> <br />Mayor Gee thanked all the speakers and the translator. He encouraged those present to <br />speak with staff present regarding various initiatives and suggestions. <br /> <br />Council Member Bain said he is aware of the rent issues and he appreciated people <br />coming here tonight. He values residents at all income levels and it is important to him <br />that we keep people here in the city, safe, and he respects all different professions. He <br />does not think that rent control is the answer but that incentives can be used to help <br />keep rent low. He supports hourly wages of $15/hour should that be approved <br />throughout the bay area. He spoke about building heights and he said the City used to <br />have an overarching guideline on aesthetics and he believes it should be reinstituted. <br />He shared his disappointment with some of the buildings and while he expected the <br />Precise Plan to play out 10-15 years it played out faster than expected. <br /> <br />Vice Mayor Foust thanked everyone for coming this evening and she asked speakers to <br />leave contact information as there are resources that staff can connect residents with. <br />Regarding the water concerns she explained that the Public Works Director can provide <br />further details on the concerns expressed. She spoke about current partnerships <br />between private and public and how there is a transportation demand management <br />program required for all employers who move into town. She expressed her thanks to <br />those who showed up and she appreciates hearing from the residents. <br /> <br />Council Member Howard thanked everyone for coming tonight and she agreed with Vice <br />Mayor Foust’s comments. She addressed the issue of recycled water looking at every <br />opportunity for members of the public to get water for their trees. She said the City has <br />made a multimillion investment in recycled water and that was thanks to prior <br />leadership. Council Member Howard mentioned HEART (San Mateo Housing <br />Endowment and Regional Trust) and how much that organization is doing as well as <br />Habitat for Humanity. On another note she mentioned that the City is working on <br />accessory dwelling units and she finds that our diversity is one of our biggest strengths. <br />She values multiple income levels, diversity and housing affordability. <br /> <br />Mayor Gee received additional speaker cards and public comment was provided. <br /> <br />Alison Madden advocated that Council take great consideration regarding Docktown, <br />noting that there has been a Marina in Redwood City for the past five decades. She <br />said that there is now a San Francisco law firm - Morrison and Forrester - that is <br />meeting with the State Lands Commission and staff regarding regulations that they <br />were not really aware of that does support mixed commercial, recreational, and <br />residential use on the Marina on State Lands and Redwood Creek. She said Redwood <br />Creek is State Lands and the management of which has been granted to the City with a <br />lot of very low, low and moderate income households there. She opined that everyone <br />is happy with city management of Docktown, Public W orks is responsive, everyone is <br />following the rules, and if the city would like to not manage it, she said there are <br />6.1.K. - Page 4