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find the downtown and could not find their stores. Director Patterson identified the areas where trees blocked the access/view to the downtown and advised that although 13 trees would be removed, 51 trees would be planted as part of the Hamilton Street Improvement Project. In response to Council questions, Director Patterson advised that the designs for the beautification and identification of the downtown were fully discussed at the public workshops and unanimously approved by the Planning Commission and the Architectural Advisory Committee. There have been seven public meetings held to discuss this project, including Council meetings where the Council considered and approved each proposed feature, and in fact deleted several. Councilwoman Steinfeld, again expressed her opposition to the removal of any trees for downtown improvements; advised that notification of the workshops was inadequate and therefore the designs were approved without citizen input; and during this period of economic instability, construction of entry features was an inappropriate use of public funds, especially for these monuments which will attract pigeons and graffiti. Council Members discussed the completed project in terms of being responsive to the downtown merchants; creating a more open and inviting downtown area; planting more and appropriate kinds of trees to protect the sidewalks and monitor their growth potential while enhancing the beauty of the area; and the public input throughout the entire project development. Mayor Gasparini advised that all persons wishing to speak to this issue would be invited to speak at this time, but admonished everyone to respect each other's views and opinions and remain quiet and without comment during this period. Mayor Gasparini called upon those who wished to speak and advised each speaker would have up to three minutes. Don Saye, 2021 Broadway, Redwood City, spoke on behalf of fellow downtown merchants, some of whose names he read, who authorized him to offer their support of this program; and, also read a letter from Peninsula Center Stage voicing their support for increasing the visibility and viability of the downtown area. Ted Kai, Menlo Park, Chairperson of the Green Party in San Mateo County, stated that trees are precious living things that protect people from floods and other devastation, and asked the Council to see if there was any way to save these trees by uprooting them up and replanting them somewhere else. Michael Dean Hitchcock, 1508 Redwood, Redwood City, advised that he attended all the workshops and at each one asked staff to answer the same question about the proposed improvements: Is the public benefit equal to the public cost. Mr. Hitchcock stated he was convinced the answer is no. Mr. Hitchcock added that the consultants and staff advised that the proposed improvements would open up the downtown to the Sequoia Station shoppers, but the Sequoia Station owners had posted no parking-tow away signs that Regular Meeting Minutes MINUTE BOOK NO. 53 March 13, 1995 Page No. 095 Page 4