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6.1.A. - Page 48 <br />that further engagement was part of the plan so that a viable solution would be found <br />that included financial contributions by other jurisdictions. <br />One Council Member suggested another letter to local jurisdictions inviting them to <br />come to the table. This Council Member would like the letter to welcome input to <br />improve regional collaboration on an important issue such as this one. <br />Mr. Ekern was hopeful that with him being new, he could engage in a fresh dialogue <br />with the stakeholders. Another Council Member opined there was a true desire to work <br />on this, but the neighboring jurisdictions had just been hit by major staff changes and <br />there was a loss of momentum. This Council Member noted that there was a meeting, <br />which various officials from neighboring jurisdictions attended, and there was <br />awareness that this was not a Redwood City problem. This Council Member further <br />stated that we needed universal solutions throughout the entire region. Another <br />Council Member said that to date the conversations had focused on what was possible <br />and he remained optimistic. This Council Member was hopeful and he wanted to <br />reiterate that the East side was very much in the forefront of these conversations <br />because Council was aware of the flooding that had occured in this area. He added that <br />the reason why Council had a subcommittee on this was because it cared and wanted <br />to find a solution but there was no silver bullet. Another Council Member reiterated that <br />the stakeholders were the County of San Mateo, Atherton, Menlo Park and Woodside. <br />One Council Member inquired about access to the 5 Ave. pump station and if that <br />would include upgrading the gates. Mr. Peter Vorametsanti added that staff was waiting <br />to start a project at the pump station. This Council Member recalled that there were <br />funds under the Capital Improvement Project to this end. Mr. Vorametsanti added that <br />over 1 million dollars had already been spent on this. Council discussed the issue of <br />the pump station and access around that area. Mr. Ekern added that the City does <br />have an easement for access but construction was what was being reviewed. He <br />added that the goal was not to move water from one side of the freeway to another side <br />but to find a comprehensive solution. One Council Member underscored the fact that <br />any solution will not mean shifting the problem to another jurisdiction. This Council <br />Member would like to have some sort of a plan to address this even if there was no <br />money to handle this right now. The other Council Member said that the other <br />jurisdictions had recognized that there was a problem and seemed willing to discuss <br />and seek a joint solution. <br />Public Comment <br />Greg Evans, representing Harbor Village and owner of a trailer park, noted that there <br />were many concerned residents who had been affected by flooding present and they <br />had provided a booklet (on file) to Council as an attempt to show that pictures could <br />display a thousand words. He invited Council to reach out to people who had a lot of <br />abilities and were interested in solutions and in moving forward. <br />Al Engel, owner of Harbor Village Mobile Home Park, one of five mobile home parks <br />that adjoin along the bay front, said they had been suffering for over 30 years since they <br />built 1959 and they were unaware other cities increased water flow into canal. He <br />JOINT CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD October 24, 2011 <br />MEETING MINUTES PAGE 8 <br />