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Mayor Claire read the proclamation and Gay Brownlee received the proclamation on <br /> behalf of the American Cancer Society thanking the Redwood City Council for taking <br /> the lead nationwide with the National Mayor's Conference and breast cancer. <br /> <br />6. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS <br /> <br /> Rudy Luca stated he has a strong issue regarding Kaiser Hospital and cited Planning <br /> Commission Chairperson Ralph Garcia's comments in the newspaper about Kaiser's <br /> possible relocation. Mr. Luca stated that Kaiser serves the community very well, <br /> seniors and young people alike as well as the employees of Kaiser. He further stated <br /> his appreciation for Council Members' responses and support of Kaiser Hospital. He <br /> asked that Council Members commit themselves to expediting the approval process. <br /> <br /> Mr. Luca also asked about costs to the City to change lighting from amber to a <br /> brighter lamp and the costs of the skate park. <br /> <br /> Council Member Hartnett clarified that he and Council Member Ruskin spoke in <br /> support of Kaiser Hospital and that comments from one Planning Commission <br /> Member are not representative of a City view. He further stated that prior to and since <br /> the comments were made, he has had discussions with representatives of Kaiser <br /> about the process and that Kaiser understands better the requirements for a massive <br /> development such as being proposed. He stated that Kaiser is strongly encouraged <br /> to stay and they are a very important component of the community. <br /> <br /> Council Member Ruskin stated that Kaiser is a very important part of this community. <br /> He further stated that in his meeting with a Kaiser representative, it was clear that <br /> Kaiser wanted to stay and the City wanted them to stay. He stated it is the City's <br /> interest to help Kaiser develop plans that meet the requirements and are in the good <br /> interest of the City. <br /> <br /> Council Member Howard stated she knows the value Kaiser brings and that nobody <br /> wants to see Kaiser leave. She further stated that the City staff has worked diligently <br /> with Kaiser, the downtown merchants and the community at large to design a <br /> campus that will be pedestrian friendly and compliment the downtown infrastructure. <br /> <br /> Council Member Howard assured Mr. Luca that for the past two years the City has <br /> been slowly converting the amber lighting into the lighter light and will be cost efficient <br /> in the future. She stated that El Camino Real, Veterans Boulevard and other areas in <br /> downtown have already been changed. <br /> <br /> City Manager Everett stated that the skate park is not over budget, that the project is <br /> combined with reconstruction of the restroom facilities, and the building of a storage <br /> shed and food concession for the various sports arenas. <br /> <br />REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 7, 2002 <br />MINUTES PAGE 2 <br />MINUTES Book No. 59 <br />Page No.276 <br /> <br /> <br />