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Keith Bautista stated that the Marina Shore project is too valuable and too important to allow to be delayed any further. He stated both he and his wife support having the referendum voted on in November because of the benefit of greater participation as stated in the election statistics shown tonight. The additional benefit is the savings of upwards of $100,000.00. Jack Castle, resident of Redwood City and owner of a business on Bair Island Road, encouraged placement on the November ballot. He stated he is also a former Planning Commissioner and former member of other commissions. He stated this experience provides him with the knowledge of the amount of voluntary time spent on this proposal. He stated that the proposal provides housing for teachers and city workers, meets the requirements of low income housing. He stated his hope that the item go before a November vote. Daniela Gasparini asked for clarification of what the signature verification on the petition actually consists of. She further stated that the site of the project is an industrial area, it is not open space that is being taken off of the registry. She stated that she would rather see a piece of property redeveloped. She stated that this is a democracy and that people were told during the signature gathering process that the topic is to be put on the November ballot to let the public speak. She encouraged placement of the measure on the November ballot and stated that the community supports that decision. Ron Crates, Redwood City Elementary School District Superintendent, encouraged the Council to place the measure on the November ballot and to conduct a community dialogue in educating the merits of housing, particularly, this project. Tom Fernandez, Redwood City resident, stated that there is no question that a large number of people were involved in the effort to gather sufficient signatures. He stated that it is also clear that a large amount of people worked hard to get additional information out to the community and to try to be sure that the facts being put out were correct. He further stated that he was told by people who signed the petition that they support the project but felt it should be voted on by the residents. He urged the placement on the November ballot and not getting caught up in a disingenuous representation. Victor Moore, Redwood City Neighbors for Reasonable Action (RCNRA), stated that if buildings are built east of Hwy. 101, then he recommends houseboats. He stated his belief in the first democracy that the citizens vote first. SPECIAL/TELECONFERENCE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 5, 2004 MEETING MINUTES PAGE 4 MINUTES Book No. 60 Page No. 286