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<br />dU-..</ <br /> <br />Prior to receiving the Grand Jury's report, the City became aware of the anxiety and <br />concern felt by the property owners involved in the acquisition procedures, as well as from <br />other members of the public. The Mayor had already directed that an ad-hoc committee of <br />the Council be formed to examine the City's development processes and make <br />recommendations as to guidelines for a more sensitive approach to future redevelopment <br />actions. <br /> <br />That committee, consisting of Vice-Mayor Barbara Pierce, Council member Jim Hartnett, <br />and Council member Rosanne Foust, has met twice, in addition to performing other <br />research, interviews, and meetings. The results are the attached draft "Guiding Principles <br />for Property Acquisition." <br /> <br />The committee's recommendations, consistent with those of the Grand Jury, are: <br />1) Distribute to pertinent staff a set of guiding principles which will aid them in <br />interacting appropriately, respectfully, and honorably with owners of properties <br />which the City may seek to acquire, and provide any necessary guidance to help <br />staff implement and adhere to these guidelines; <br />2) Designate the Mayor as the appropriate City authority to whom citizens may bring <br />their concerns or complaints regarding compliance with the "Guiding Principles for <br />Property Acquisition." The Mayor will address specific complaints with the City <br />Manager, determine if actions taken by City staff or consultants have been <br />consistent with the "Guiding Principles for Property Acquisition," and determine an <br />appropriate response. <br /> <br />The committee recognizes the great sensitivity of this subject, and the emotional and very <br />personal reactions that the issues of property acquisition, and particularly eminent domain, <br />can bring about. It is our belief that the style and approach used during the City's <br />interactions with property owners in the course of the property acquisition, while legally <br />appropriate and within the standard guidelines for redevelopment, could and should have <br />been accomplished in a more sensitiye manner, on the part of Council members, City <br />staff, and the City's hired redevelopment consultants. <br /> <br />The City Council has the responsibility to provide the policy and direction for the City's <br />actions; staff has the responsibility to implement those actions in a manner that is legal <br />and consistent with the values of our community. These guidelines represent an <br />opportunity for improvement in both of those areas. <br /> <br />To examine the process and subsequently develop the guidelines, the committee engaged <br />in a thoughtful and deliberate approach in re-evaluating the City's procedures. This <br />approach incorporated our experience with development and redevelopment issues; the <br />'big picture' of Redwood City development; and our historical knowledge of the eminent <br />domain actions in which the City has been involved. In addition to our recent research <br />efforts in this re-evaluation, the members of this committee already possess a great deal <br />of knowledge of these issues, and utilized this existing knowledge in developing these <br />guiding principles. <br /> <br />To gain the widest possible perspectiye and most comprehensive understanding of this <br />issue, we spoke directly with a variety of individuals who were involved, affected, or <br />knowledgeable both during and after the property acquisition period: property owners, <br />