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From: Patty Tulloch <br />To: GRP -City Council; Council -Diane Howard; Council -Shelly Masur; Council -Alicia Aguirre; Council -Ian Bain; Council - <br />Janet Borgens; Council-Giselle Hale; Council -Diana Reddy; MGR -Melissa Stevenson Diaz <br />Subject: Please Rethink the Budget Cuts <br />Date: Monday, October 26, 2020 2:30:20 PM <br />Dear Mayor and Council Members, <br />I understand the city is under increased financial pressures due to Covid- <br />19 but cutting the city's essential services does not seem like the prudent <br />or smart approach to dealing with this issue. <br />The citizens of Redwood City trusted the City Council to protect essential <br />services and safety services when measure RR was passed. Removing <br />Engine 9 and freezing staffing of both the Fire and Police Departments <br />puts our citizens at risk. Engine 9 is part of the busiest fire station in <br />Redwood City and the only truck at that station capable of pumping water <br />for hose lines and servicing water to the large buildings and high rises <br />currently built and in the process of being built as part of your expansive <br />development plans. It makes no sense to put at risk those new buildings <br />and residents by cutting Engine 9. There is no way the interim Fire Chief <br />and City and City Manager could have done a detailed analysis to <br />understand the impact on downtown residents and response times from <br />surrounding stations. As we've learned with the increasing fire dangers <br />throughout California, every second counts. <br />It would seem that more due diligence is required, including looking at <br />alternate areas for budget cuts that do not impact resident's safety. <br />Additional hiring freezes for both the Fire Department and Police <br />Department also put our residents and those sworn to protect us at risk. <br />We can't continue to overwork and under appreciate those who put their <br />lives on the line for us each and every day. <br />Let's put citizen safety first and look for non-essential areas to make up <br />for the COVID-19 economic losses. <br />Thank you for your consideration, <br />Patty Tulloch <br />Redwood City Resident and Small Business Owner <br />