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C. Comments by Mayor Howard; Council-Members, newly selected Vice-Mayor and Mayor; Council Member (Mayor) Howard thanked her husband Steve for his support and introduced and thanked her son, Jeff. She introduced Lydia and Diane from her husband's medical office and thanked them for their assistance and caring. Mayor Howard thanked the employees of Redwood City for their commitment to excellence. She expressed gratitude about being a part of the renaissance of Redwood City such as software companies' headquarters; Canada College Extension; housing; new recreational opportunities; an alliance with the Chamber; County and School Districts; and a new Fire Station, school and community center in Redwood Shores. New methods of communication have evolved with televised Council meetings, the Farmers' Market, informal meetings with Police and Fire, and attending neighborhood meetings. Mayor Howard pointed to the positive attitude and sense of pride emerging in the community and thanked everyone for electing her to the Council and allowing her to serve as Mayor for the last two years. Council Member Ira stated that in some ways Mayor Howard set a standard that will be difficult to maintain with her commitment and time spent. The tone she set was different allowing people to feel heard and cared about and he learned a great deal from her. Council Member Hartnett stated Mayor Howard set a standard beginning as Vice Mayor in support of him serving as Mayor. He reiterated the fact that Mayor Howard made the people feel heard and, therefore, a part of the decision. He felt that, along with many other attributes, will form her legacy as Mayor. Vice Mayor Claire noted that he has served with 11 Mayors and pointed out Georgi LaBerge, Judy Buchan and Bob Bury in the audience. He thanked Mayor Howard for exhibiting grace during challenging Council discussion and deliberation. Mayor Ruskin reflected on an election as organizational renewal. He felt that the people of Redwood City are pleased with the progress over the last several years but knows that much more is expected. Some of the issues are the downtown cinema proposal, traffic and transportation on a regional and local basis, neighborhood traffic, additional housing, improvements in the infrastructure, continued relationship with the schools, develop engineering options to address flooding. He thanked all who assisted in the election campaign and will work to live up to the confidence placed in him. He thanked his campaign manager Bob O'Brien; his wife, Cheryl; and his mentor, Georgi LaBerge. He thanked the citizens for voting him in to another 4-year term and the Council for their unanimous vote of confidence in him as Mayor. He thanked Council Member Jordan for her statements about working together and congratulated Council Member Claire on his selection as Vice Mayor. He welcomed Council Member Pierce. Mayor Ruskin said he would work every day to be worthy of the trust that the voters and the Council have placed in him so that his actions, behavior and statements always reflect well upon the Council and all of the people of Redwood City. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES BOOK NO. 57 November 15, 1999 MINUTES Page No. 461 PAGE 6