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Claire Felong addressed Council on the need for communication and using various mediums to engage the public. She supports "Green Building Codes" and she shared her excitement about working on the Cool Cities Team. Ms. Felong stated that the S1. Francis Center is LEED certified and this is an example of an organization being proactive to become "green". Council took at 10-minute break from 8:40 p.m. to 8:55 p.m. Dr. Manning asked the Council if the five current priorities are acceptable to the Council. After some discussion, there was consensus that the current priorities were adequate, however there was mention that the following items were missing: infrastructure, revitalizing neighborhoods and the dog park. It was suggested that these additional items are under the umbrella of government operations. Council discussed the dog park as being under the CIP (Capital Improvement Projects) and how this has long-term implications because of maintenance. Council asked questions about specific projects on the matrix and their statuses. Council discussed topics such as economic development, the bicycle pedestrian committee and staff provided additional information. Police Department staffing levels were also discussed and the Chief provided details on the hiring levels. Emergency preparedness was also discussed. Council asked questions of staff regarding various projects related to water, partnerships with other entities, youth support and positive approaches, downtown ambassadors, noticing and posting requirements, economic development and proposed residential developments. Regarding the economic development and the progress made in the downtown, it was suggested that a report be brought back incorporating what is happening or will happen in downtown Redwood City. Such report would address parking, marketing, the downtown precise plan, housing and any other areas that may be applicable. Such report would first go through the Downtown Committee, then the Council Subcommittee and then come back to Council. There was a suggestion to add a sixth priority that focuses on youth and education. Dr. Manning invited Council Members to lobby for particular projects. Individual Council Members shared an interest in the following areas or projects: increase resources in areas that were previously cut, raise revenues, improve the quality of life, create a community newsletter to reach out to the community, expand youth and education programs, increase funds for economic development, and expand code enforcement services. Other issues mentioned: disaster preparedness, dog parks, neighborhood revitalization, youth and a more solution oriented approach, economic vitality, the creation of a Green Citizens' Advisory Committee, infrastructure and housing, healthy and sustainable community, this being a destination city with more cultural and regional draw. Training for City Commissioners was also one of the ideas mentioned by one Council Member. Additional comments included the need for the reporting from the Community Input Sessions to be more detailed and reflective of the issues brought forth. There was a concern that only a 1/10 of a percent of the population attended these meetings. It was mentioned that qualitative analysis would have been useful. Some Council Members spoke about the need for a strategic plan covering a multi-year period. The issue of accountability was brought up and how it is expected that the JOINT CITY COUNCIUREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2008 PAGE 8