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used enough resources on the issue and requested the City send a specialist to talk with Bruce Babbitt of the Department of the Interior when the oficials from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife meet next week. She also requested the City hire a law firm experienced in these issues to delve into the matter to prove the City is not out of compliance. She requested the City lobby every member of Congress that oversees the Department of Interior with a letter coming from the Mayor requesting assistance and letters to Mayors of other bayfront communities such as Menlo Park, Foster City, Palo Alto who could encounter the same situation requesting they send letters as well. Council Member Howard described the issue as a Hobson's choice, where there is an apparent freedom of choice but in reality there is no choice. She further explained that had the City not raised the levees it could have put the residents of Redwood Shores in jeopardy of flooding and if the levees had not been raised, the City would have required every household in Redwood Shores to purchase flood control insurance at a cost of $1,000.00 a year. In order to raise the levees, the City was then obligated to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife to gate and restrict 1.9 miles of the levees due to the endangered species that reside there. City Council and staff have fought for years on the requirement and Council Member Jordan and Mayor Ruskin have worked diligently in the last 1 -1/2 years to negotiate with these agencies. She stated she took greater exception to those who have stated that enough has not been done because numerous alternatives have been presented and none accepted. She expressed dissappointment with the leadership in Redwood Shores due to many inaccurate and divisive communications to people. She stated it is important to understand that all share the same goal, to keep the levees open to the public and protect the endangered species. A vote not to build the gates would be irresponsible and could risk tax dollars up to $25,000.00 per day. She stated the Council wants to continue to work with the people of Redwood Shores and lobby the Federal officials who do have the power to open the gates. Council Member Ira stated that the Audobon Society has no desire to negotiate with the City so everything done in good faith by the City has been unsuccessful. U.S. Fish and Wildlife has not been the most cooperative and are under political pressure as well. He stated the need to write letters as mentioned previously as well as at the State level and that much hinges on the upcoming meeting with Congressman Lantos. Council Member Pierce encouraged everyone to remember that tonight is not the only time we will be facing U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the Audubon Society and the Corps of Engineers because we are a bayfront community and need to mitigate for development and roads and we need to find ways to work with the various groups. She stated there were potential ideas and supported moving forward with doing the best we can for our residents, but also find a way to meet the needs of these other groups. Public Comment: REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 24, 2000 PAGE 6 MINUTES Book No.58 Page NO. 15