AgdaPkt 2012-06-11 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6.1.A. - Page 4 not go unheard nor corporations be allowed to destroy jobs and Redwood City's deep water Port has an impact in this city as well as the Bay Area. Shawn Cartwright, with Occupy San Jose, spoke about their protest against DMB and the proposed plan to build homes in an area that is for the environment and nature and not for building homes. They look at who is involved in various issues, such as Saltworks and high speed rail, and opined that it seems to be the same people and regulations involved. She spoke against SAMCEDA (San Mateo County Economic Development Corporation) and said that everyone should be represented and everyone wants and needs real, sustainable, not temporary, jobs. Ron Freeman, a resident, spoke of his love for Redwood City's affordability and diversity, but he opined that the actions of the City Council are making Redwood City unaffordable. He said an example is the approval of the Mel's Bowl project and how the people currently living there will have to move and opined that crime rates will increase. He said that Saltworks is another example of not building more affordable housing. He spoke in opposition to the development project by Cargill and Saltworks and opined there is a need for more affordable housing near existing transit corridors. Emily Schnipper, with Occupy, said they want Council to think bigger and for the future of what people would want for Saltworks and beyond that. They want to see people walking, biking, interacting with their neighbors, a greater sense of community, more stable (affordable) housing versus the Saltworks project which, she opined, would make it more difficult as it is not near transit, downtown, or any other major area of interest to people. She opined that Redwood City is one of the last affordable cities and they want to stay, not be priced out, and to make this city a better place. They want to see an emphasis on the environment as an integral part of where we live and have the Saltworks land be returned to nature and be a draw to people such as the bay lands area is in Palo Alto. One Council Member asked for clarification on the EIR process and the concern expressed that DMB Saltworks selected the consultants. City Attorney Thompson provided clarification that with any project it starts with an application followed by a project description which has not occurred. She noted that the environmental review process can only start when the City has an application with a project description. She further stated that the City decides which consultants to rely on. This Council Member noted that none of the Council Members have taken a stand on the project. She reiterated that the Council agreed on an environmental review with all its options but there was no position taken by the Council. This Council Member also commented that she has found that the voters of Redwood City are highly competent to make up their own minds and study the issues on both sides. This Council Member would appreciate more civility and did not appreciate speakers' vilifying Council Members who take their public service very seriously. Another Council Member believes that this Council is focused on Affordable Housing and he serves on the Housing and Endowment Trust and there is a true commitment to this issue. JOINT CITY COUNCIUSUCCESSOR AGENCY April 23, 2012 MEETING MINUTES PAGE 4