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Brett Garrett, a 15-year Redwood City resident and business owner, agrees with Save the Bay, Friends of Redwood City, and the Raging Grannies regarding the proposed 50-50 plan and he compared the proposed project to filling in half the Grand Canyon. He spoke against the proposed project and expressed concern about ecology, clean water, floods, earthquakes, and possible lawsuits from people with homes built on unstable property. Tim Frank, representing DMB and an environmental and sustainability consultant, said he helped write the U.S. Green Building Standard, "Lead for Neighborhood Development," and in the process, he had looked at hundreds of projects around the country. He spoke favorably about green living, sustainable projects, meeting the needs of the community, and he is in favor of the proposed plan as a model project. Nil Blackburn, a resident of the Centennial neighborhood and a daughter of Middle Eastern immigrants, spoke about the value and importance of factual information in making decisions, that a singular approach will not work, and that the only certainty is change. She spoke about population growth issues, congestion, pollution, affordable housing, flooding risks, and earthquake risks. She is in favor of going into the process as an opportunity to find consensus and compromise. Greg Gomes, a 55-year resident of Redwood City, thanked Council for the summer programs in downtown such as music, movies, and the memories created. He agreed with many comments by the previous speaker and expressed his confidence in City Officials for making the right decisions for the city in the past and in the future. Josefina Ramirez, a resident of San Carlos with several rental properties in Redwood City, said she has attended workshops by DMB Saltworks and that it is wrong to stop the process because listening and learning is the way good government works. She spoke in favor of the continual study of the plan. Sally Lieber, a resident of Mountain View, made comparisons between Mountain View's Moffett Field and Redwood City and the proposed plan. She spoke against the plan overall, suggested that the proposed uses be placed somewhere else within Redwood City, and that decisive action should be taken sooner to avoid potential lawsuits saying "no" to the project. Carole Wong spoke in favor of a robust process because of the magnitude of the project. She spoke in favor of an expanded EIR process, the second round of scoping, and more time for public comment. Glenn Arvin, a Redwood City resident since 1986, spoke about his community involvement, being part of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and enjoying the outdoors. He said that progress can be managed but cannot be stopped, he wants this area to be a place people, such as his daughters, can live and work and not have to move away, and he spoke in favor of the process as healthy and beneficial for Redwood City. At 9:05 p.m. Council finished hearing public comment. Mayor Ira recommended a break and Council concurred. JOINT CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD MEETING MINUTES August 23, 2010 PAGE 9