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<br />Cynthia Denny, spoke on protecting the San Francisco Bay and the bay lands. She spoke <br />to a similar work done by the Sierra Club regarding wetlands preservation. She stated <br />appreciation for Council's efforts towards a countermeasure but that she was still in support <br />of the ballot initiative. <br /> <br />Lou Covey, agreed with previous speakers in that wetland restoration is needed but he <br />opined that the Open Space Initiative would not accomplish this. He stated he was behind <br />the efforts of the Council in getting the countermeasure on the ballot and he supports it. <br /> <br />Pat Dixon was present to speak on the jail issue, but also stated her disappointment in <br />hearing that the Audubon Society and Sierra Club are behind the Charter Amendment. <br /> <br />Ralph Nobles, CEO of the Open Space Vote Initiative, spoke on the Council's concerns <br />over the unintended consequences of this initiative. He stated that he may personally be <br />willing to consider supporting an alternative countermeasure dealing with the Cargill lands; <br />provided that the countermeasure retains all the rest of the language of his initiative and if <br />there was a high degree of certainty that a shared measure would survive the legal <br />challenges. He stated that they have been advised and assured by their attorneys that <br />their measure does not have any unintended consequences and that any measure that <br />deals with a single land parcel or land owner would in all likelihood be thrown out by the <br />courts. <br /> <br />Melissa Hippard, spoke on behalf of the Sierra Club's local chapter, and stated she <br />appreciated the Council's interest in working with the environmental community in finding a <br />solution for protecting open space and parks. On review of the City's countermeasure she, <br />however, felt that the Open Space Initiative provides the best protection for these areas. <br /> <br />Marianna Raymond, commented that beyond what had been said by the previous <br />environmental groups, she followed the Cargill issue, she considered both sides, and she <br />personally found that the Charter Amendment is solid, strong and legal. <br /> <br />Lynne Trulio (minutes ceded to her by Jo LaClair) congratulated the City on a recent award <br />and its focus on the downtown area. As a member of Friends of Redwood City she spoke <br />to the concerns raised regarding the Initiative. She stated some or many of these potential <br />concerns are listed in the countermeasure. She stressed, too, that legal questions have <br />been asked regarding the Initiative. She gave an overview analysis of the Initiative, <br />including which if any items would require a vote of the people, using the Senior Center <br />and waste water treatment plant, as examples. She spoke on zoning and land use <br />designations. She stated the City should take action to designate park lands in the General <br />Plan with zoning specifics in that regard, as well as redesignating any residential properties <br />which are now shown to be on park lands. She opined a countermeasure is unnecessary <br />because the Initiative still provides the best protection for the Open Space. She asked the <br />Council to place the matter on the November ballot. <br /> <br />JULY 21, 2008 <br />PAGE 7 <br /> <br />JOINT SPECIAL CITY COUNCIUREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD <br />MEETING MINUTES <br />