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Gita Dev spoke to what she believes to be the validity of signatures gathered towards passing the proposed initiative. In her opinion this is the voice of what the community wanted. She asked Council to work and/or understand the issues in the bay lands. Mark Capestany acknowledged the work done to the downtown area by the City Council. He spoke to his work in collecting signatures on the petition for the initiative, and that he did this to help direct the efforts of Council. He wants responsible development in the bay front areas. Nancy Keegan one of the seven impacted homeowners, spoke to the effects the proposed initiative will have on her home, should the charter amendment pass. She spoke to these unintended consequences and how while wishing to protect the bay, the initiative as written, does not protect private property. She pondered if residents knew what they were signing when asked to sign the petition. Susan Heistand spoke to her passion for protecting the environment and the wetlands and was in support of the Open Space Vote, and urged it to be put on the November ballot. Jeff Austin, regarding the initiative measure, spoke to the erosion of private property rights, the designation of salt flats as true open space, the costs that would come with this measure if passed, and also his regard for the environment, but how he is not in support of the measure. Joe LaClair urged Council to put the measure on the ballot to give people the chance to protect open space. He opined the petition signers were informed and in favor of what they signed. Robin Winslow Smith, spoke on behalf of Sequoia Audubon, supporting placement of the ballot measure on the November ballot. Melissa Hippard, spoke on behalf of the Sierra Club, and its interest in long-term protection of the bay lands. She asked Council to place the initiative measure on the ballot in November, without a competing measure. Lynne Trulio opined that the initiative measure was supported by community members and petition signers, and reiterated the areas this measure affected, as well as the uses it did not cover. She asked for support of the measure and that it be put on the November ballot. Cherlene Wright, Chairperson of Citizens to Protect Redwood City, spoke to Save the Bay efforts, costs of the proposed initiative, its unintended consequences, and supported the Mayor, Council and staff's efforts, and would be voting "No" on the ballot initiative. Rick Raybin spoke in support of a vibrant government for and by the people. He suggested letting the measure go forward for a community vote. Ramona Ambrozic spoke of her support to the proposed initiative, was opposed to development on the salt works, was mindful of water shortages and other conservation concerns, and asked for Council's support of the proposed initiative. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 4, 2008 MINUTES PAGE 5 MINUTE BOOK NO. 62 Page No. 186