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Mayor Ruskin welcomed the youth present, who are part of "Frontiers in Leadership" a Redwood City 2000 mentoring program to provide young people of different ethnic groups with an opportunity to be coached by people from the City, County, School District, non-profit organizations, and Kaiser Permanente. Rosalina Calderon, the head of the program, was also at the Council Meeting. 2. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Paula Dresden introduced the program Bethlehem A.D. and encouraged the Council Members and community in general to attend. She introduced the project that is now in its 8* year. Dresden also thanked the City of Redwood City for all their support and help in making this event a safe one. This event is organized by business people and neighborhoods, as well as circa 20 churches, and last year's attendance reached 17,000 people. The dates of the event are December 21s~, 22''d, and 23ra 1999 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Scott Plumley spoke about opposing the installation of a bus stop on the comer of Hudson and Brewster Avenues. Because the streets are too narrow and too busy, this is not a viable solution. Additionally, he stated that the buses that presently do the route are mostly empty. He presented the Council with two letters: one was a copy of SamTrans notification to residents in the Hudson/Brewster areas, and the second was a copy of a response sent by Plumley opposing the addition. His research with local residents also demonstrates that they oppose the project. Bernard A. Ausprung addressed the issue of the additional bus stop on Brewster/Hudson. Due to the fact that the streets are too narrow he stressed that the situation is unsafe. Ausprung has contacted SamTrans sharing his concerns with the bus going in a dual direction. The overburden of Hudson in general is very troubling. According to Ausprung, this is the easy way out (dropping the solution on Hudson) and it is unsafe. Ideal[y, other routes should be developed to remedy the problem. Brian Casey shared concerns with the new bus proposal by SamTrans because in his opinion the need is not justified. Since Casey was an officer with the Redwood City police department for 4 years, and because he patrolled this street, he feels pretty sure about the traffic patterns in this area. He believes there is no need for a Southbound bus stop. Casey strongly recommends that SamTrans conduct a survey to better assess the need for this additional bus stop. Council Member Pierce offered to work with residents to discuss the issue. Ralph Nobles addressed the issue of the eminent closure of Redwood Shores Levees. In his opinion, while nobody wants to see the levees closed, there is a high probability of it happening. Similarly, there is a great opportunity to avoid it. After talking with scientists he understood the need for a habitat for the clapper rail. Nobles proposes a mitigation plan which includes submitting a proposal consisting in the City acquiring ownership of the 113 acre (area H in Redwood Shores), and restoring it to muted title action (becoming habitat for the clapper REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 13, 1999 MINUTES PAGE 2 MINUTES Book No.57 Page NO. 486