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Bonnie Hansen, principal of Sequoia High School and a resident of Redwood City expressed her concern for the proposed cut. She complimented the Police Chief about how good the SRO is at their site. She said she lives three blocks away from the school and is grateful for the increased value in her home. She said that she has been in conversations with the Police Chief and Police Captains about the possibility of losing the SRO and wanted it to be known that both the Police Department and the school have already done investigation into this matter and that this is a last resort. She opined that it is a mistake to cut the SRO for 1,850 students on campus and she cited other schools that have either full or part-time SROs on site as a standard practice. She noted that in the past two months, there have been incidents at other schools that include a pipe bombing, a shooting, and a rape and said that now is not the time to make school sites a lower security priority even with Sequoia's safe track record. She asked that Council to not cut the SRO position at the school. Council discussion One Council Member spoke about the renaissance of the Sequoia High School and how he disagreed with some of the comments and the nature of the emails received. He explained that youth and education have been a priority for Council and community building in his view includes jointly finding positive solutions. It was mentioned that as Council looks at Council priorities this matter will be discussed again. Chief Cobarruviaz responded to questions on the reasoning for the current cut. He explained that it was his intention to support the school as best as he could. He explained that two positions were considered plus the PAL position. He elaborated on the juvenile detective and how he completes mandated tasks and the SRO does not fall under any state mandate. Regarding the PAL position he said that there were some talks about moving this over to the Parks and Recreation Services Department. This did not come to fruition and he could not recommend that the 10,000 youth that take advantage of PAL go without this position. Council asked about the four tiers and what packet four impacts might be. The Chief explained the tough choices associated with this level of cuts should these come to pass. Mr. Ed Hernandez, Police Captain, interjected and explained how packet four was put together by the Police Department and how none of these cuts would be easy. This would include the elimination of various positions crucial to the community. Mayor Foust said that she wants the PAL position to be funded in a similar manner as the Library Foundation. The Chief said that this is being looked at carefully and there is movement in that direction but it is not happening yet. Mayor Foust asked for the financial records of PAL Board including the donations and expenditures. City Manager Ingram said he would take this request on. There was concurrence from other Council Members on getting PAL's financial records. One Council Member asked for clarification on the issue of the member of the public asking about the funds for the Consent Calendar item emergency generator. City Manager Ingram explained that there are multiple funds that cover myriad of items and that is probably where the money is coming for the emergency operator. Various Council Members acknowledged a certain belligerent and unnecessary tone on the interactions and JOINT CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 9, 2009 PAGE 9