AgdaPkt 2005-11-14 - Laserfiche WebLink

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/A-/ REPORT To the Honorable Mayor and City Council From the Ad Hoc Committee on Redevelopment November 14, 2005 Subject Consideration of draft "Guiding Principles for Property Acquisition" prepared by the Ad Hoc Committee on Redevelopment Recommendation 1. Accept the "Guiding Principles for Properly Acquisition" prepared by the Ad Hoc Committee on Redevelopment, and direct the City Manager to implement the distribution of these guidelines to pertinent staff and provide for appropriate direction in the use of these guidelines; 2. Designate the Mayor as the authority to whom citizens may bring concerns or complaints regarding compliance with the "Guiding Principles for Properly Acquisition." Background In 2003, Redwood City initiated eminent domain actions in order to acquire the land necessary for construction of an underground public parking garage. As you are aware, the public garage has been built and the retail-cinema project is now under construction. The property owners of one parcel made a legal response to the action and this matter was ultimately settled the following year. In June of 2005, the City Council received correspondence from the Acting Court Executive Officer for the San Mateo County Superior Court advising that the 2004-2005 Grand Jury had filed its report, which contained findings and recommendations pertaining to the City, and that the City Council was required to respond to the that portion of the Grand Jury report regarding the fair and equitable treatment of property owners related to the acquisition of properties. In summary, the Grand Jury's recommendations were (paraphrased): 1. Develop written guidelines and train staff on the proper treatment of citizens, during the course of a property acquisition. 2. Designate a member of the Council as the point person for complaints concerning the Redevelopment Agency activities. On September 26,2005 the Council authorized a letter from Mayor Ira in response to the Grand Jury's report. In that response, the City agreed to implement the Grand Jury's two recommendations, by the end of 2005.