AgdaPkt 2007-03-12 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Public Comment: Sandy Paoli stated that the CERT team members provided feedback in advance in order to respect the time at the priority session. She gave the background on work done so far and requested $50,000. for CERT. Reverend Julia Older spoke on behalf of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, stating that they have a commitment to living green and even use cloth napkins at coffee hour. She expressed hope and excitement about the Cool Cities and Climate priorities and the hope that Redwood City would be signing onto the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as community priorities. Barbara Boles, representing the San Mateo County League of Women Voters, stated that the League is very concerned about global warming and therefore, hopes that the City will sign onto the Sierra Club's Cool Cities initiative. Frank Schwartz, Redwood City resident, member of the John Muir Society of the Sierra Club and participates in the Cool Cities initiative. He cited studies that show that reducing California's global warming pollution to 1990 levels by 2020 will save California businesses and families billions of dollars and provide tens of thousands of new jobs. He further explained the benefits associated with joining the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and the Cool Cities Initiative. Bob Gelman, member of Friends of Redwood City, stated that it is a group of actively involved citizens deeply caring about the quality of life in the city and region. Some of the specific decisions the group would like to see included in the priorities are signing of the U.S. Mayors agreement and real leadership in the Sierra Club Cool Cities program. The group supports proactive decisions to maintain the current zoning in sensitive areas east of Highway 101. For housing needs, the group supports and encourages development of residential growth close to businesses and transit in the downtown area which is smart growth and will help to build a sustainable community. Rick Nordensten, Sierra Club Cool Cities lead for Redwood City, stated that since January 22 there was a fairly large milestone in the global warming news regarding the U.N. Intergovernmental panel on climate change that came up with a 98% consensus that global warming is caused by human activity which sets the stage for moving from debate to action. The Cool Cities team is a group of about 6 dedicated folks with the primary goal of reaching out to other organizations and community groups. On March 18 at Carrington Hall, the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter is holding its kick-off event for Cool Cities that covers San Mateo, Santa Clara, and San Benito counties. He urged making climate change a priority this year. Recess: 8:43-9:00 p.m. Council confirmed the budget study session dates to be June 18 and 25, and completed the session with consensus on the following: JOINT CITY COUNCIL/PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY FEBRUARY 12, 2007 PRIORITY SETTING SESSION PAGE 5 MEETING MINUTES