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adverse impacts and controversy and that people's health, safety, and welfare should not be sacrificed for in lieu housing. David Amann said he is a long time resident and that he runs a business downtown. He believes that Redwood City has a reputation for being open and inclusive. He said there is a need for independent information gathering by impartial professionals so that there can be collaborative discussion and understanding of all the economic and environmental impacts. He asked Council to approve the study of the proposed DMB 50-50 plan. Mark Leach, representing the IBEW International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Labor Union #617, said he is a construction worker, and his goal is to build good things, and that they will never know if they are building good things unless they are studied. He asked Council to move forward with the study. Olivia Edwards, President of San Mateo County Association of Realtors (SAMCAR), recognized other members of the association and their affiliate members by asking them to stand. She said that SAMCAR is a strong advocate of affordable housing. She said that after reviewing the plan, their Board of Directors supports this plan and its study. She said the plan will provide innumerable benefits to Redwood City and the County of San Mateo and urged Council to move forward. Barbara Valley said she agrees with the last three speakers and that Council needs to initiate the process and move forward to understand and learn the impacts of the plan. She said she has accessed the city's website to read the information online. She encourages residents to review the information online themselves, attend the meetings, let their voices be heard, and demand answers. Nancy Krop, a resident, held up a sign and said the issue is not about building housing but where to build it. She opined this is the worst possible location for building housing and she considers it irresponsible community planning to consider doing so there. She spoke about her concerns with sea levels rising and she cited a study from the 2009 California Climate Study by the California Natural Resources Agency to not build in any areas that require protection from significant sea level rise. She said that if Council does choose to go forward, she asked for an EIR, and have city staff study alternative 7, that is no housing at the location. Will Richardson said he has been a resident since 1951, is a proud resident of the city, he supports the study and he thanked Council for considering it. Robert Huibers, representing the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, supports the DMB plan and asked if he could cede to the Frias family. Alonso Frias, representing the MidPeninsula Soccer League in Redwood City, was joined by twelve children from the Madera Roja Club, said they have been in existence for over 26 years and that they believe involvement in sports benefits families and builds a strong community. He expressed their support for the study of the 50/50 plan and how it might benefit them because there is currently a big shortage of sports fields. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 10, 2009 MINUTES PAGE 9 MINUTE BOOK NO. 62 Page No. 450