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San Mateo County Hazard Mitigation Plan 286 SECTION 2 - Chapter 15 City of Redwood City Francisco. The availability of water transport greatly increased the efficiency of the lumber trade. A small village consisting of the homes of laborers connected with the redwood trade and supporting business sprang up around the wharf. Redwood City exploded in population following World War II. The town expanded outward, annexing territory toward the Bay and inland toward the Santa Cruz Mountains. San Mateo County grew rapidly in population, and the county government built many large institutional buildings in the Downtown area. As regional shopping malls, freeways, and suburban sprawl siphoned energy away from Downtown, the area stagnated and declined. During this period, many historic buildings fell into disrepair or were lost altogether. Today the Historic Courthouse is beautifully restored and is the center of community life, bridging a proud past with a promising future 12.  Climate—The slogan for Redwood City is “Climate Best by Government Test.” This slogan references a climatological report by the United States and German Governments before World War I that tied Redwood City for the world’s best climate with the Canary Islands and North Africa’s Mediterranean Coast 13. Presently, Redwood City enjoys a typically Mediterranean climate characterized by warm, dry summers and mild winters. Historically, July is the warmest month for the city, with average high temperatures reaching low 80s. December and January are typically the coolest months, with average lows reaching the low 40s. July 1972 and January 1949 experienced record high and low temperatures of 110 degrees Fahrenheit and 16 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. Average precipitation for the city is approximately 20 inches per year, with the wettest month being February (4.1”) and the driest being July (0”)14.  Governing Body Format—The City of Redwood City is a Charter City. The type of government employed by the Redwood City is a Council-Manager format. This format is characterized by a legislative and executive branch. The legislative branch consists of a seven-member City Council. The City Council generally functions to provide legislative direction and set City policy. The executive branch consists of a Council-appointed City Manager. This City Manager is responsible for the operational activities of all City Departments; implementing the City’s general policy guidelines; submitting for adoption a balanced budget; recommending strategies and solutions to City Council; following legislative activities and keeping Council apprised of potential impacts to the City. The City Council assumes responsibility for the adoption of this plan; the City Manager will oversee its implementation.  Development Trends—The redevelopment of Middlefield Road (Century Theater and “Theater Way”) in 2004, the removal of the Annex Building and development of Courthouse Square in 2006, and the adoption of the Downtown Precise Plan in 2011 set the stage for a development boom in downtown Redwood City. The DTPP created an urban vision along with a clear set of development standards and design guidelines for development in the core of downtown. By having the zoning in place as the market improved post- recession, developers were able to move quickly with project proposals. 12 http://www.redwoodcity.org/about-the-city/history 13 http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2015/04/24/why-is-climate-best-by-government-test-the-slogan-for-redwood-city/ 14 http://www.weather.com/weather/monthly/l/Redwood+City+CA+94063:4:US 6.3.B. - Page 13