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G.J. Scope spoke about documents on file regarding the General Plan land use map, Cargill's space, open space, the Williamson Act, and how the contract was never terminated or canceled (presentation on file). Lynn Trujillo, a resident of Redwood City and member of the Friends of Redwood City, said that Cargill has benefitted greatly from the current use in property tax savings. She asked Council to deny this proposal and suggested the site be restored as a public resource for global climate change, and for the health of the bay. She said Cargill should delay consideration of its request until the Williamson Act contract is closer to expiration so as to better evaluate the needs of the proposal at that time. She said the site is located within the Don Edwards San Francisco National Wildlife Refuge area which is also a part of the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Refuge area and it is a haven for wildlife (presentation on file). Peggy Bruggman (with time donated by Doris Dahlgren) spoke about the Greenbelt Alliance, BCDC (San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission), Friends of Redwood City, and Save the Bay and how many organizations oppose this project. She made the point that staff has expressed that this is not needed to meet the housing RHNA (Regional Housing Needs Assessment) numbers for the city and that they can be met elsewhere. She said that they wholeheartedly support the staff comments and urged Council to deny the request and deny the rezoning. Mayor Foust spoke to a July 24, 2009 editorial in the San Francisco Chronicle and how the city asked for a retraction and how that newspaper's editor offered an apology. Heidi Sjolund, with Canada 4-H, said she supports the Cargill development and she said that many of their activities will be on display at the San Mateo County Fair. She said they are the only club in the County without a farm and that DMB has been working with them for the past three years on this matter. Mary Meyer, representing the San Mateo County 4-H Youth Development Program, asked the Council to study and evaluate the plan submitted by DMB Saltworks because the children need a place to learn and grow. She said the plan by DMB will allow them space for the 4-H, a community garden, athletics, and schools for experiential learning. Keith Bautista, has lived in Redwood City most of his life, said tonight is not the time to decide but the time to give this proposal a fair study and complete evaluation of its merits. Scott Sammons, from the Redwood City National Little League, with a few other members of this organization said he supports this project because there is a shortage of playing fields and they see this as an opportunity to get more playing fields. They asked Council to consider the proposal. Doug Carlson, from Bair Island Aquatic Center, said he lives near Redwood City Creek and that he is committed to access to the water and aquatics. He is excited about this evaluation, and he would like to have the process started, and said this organization supports the open review process and working with the community. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 10, 2009 MINUTES PAGE 7 MINUTE BOOK NO. 62 Page No. 448