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<br /> Lou Covey, President of Sustainable Redwood City spoke about their organization with
<br /> new board members, a new website, the use of new technology, and an approach that is
<br /> available for all about things going on in Redwood City and sustainability. He said their
<br /> issue-based website allows people to obtain factual information, make comments, ask
<br /> questions, and upload information for a marketplace of ideas on issues of sustainability.
<br /> Hector Flamenco, a Redwood City business owner, spoke in favor of continuing the
<br /> studies on the project, expressed concern about funding, and said that tax expenses are
<br /> not an option for him and many others. He questioned how a project of this magnitude will
<br /> be funded.
<br /> Brett Garrett, a 15-year Redwood City resident and business owner, agrees with Save the
<br /> Bay, Friends of Redwood City, and the Raging Grannies regarding the proposed 50-50
<br /> plan and he compared the proposed project to filling in half the Grand Canyon. He spoke
<br /> against the proposed project and expressed concern about ecology, clean water, floods,
<br /> earthquakes, and possible lawsuits from people with homes built on unstable property.
<br /> Tim Frank, representing DMB and an environmental and sustainability consultant, said he
<br /> helped write the U.S. Green Building Standard, "Lead for Neighborhood Development,"
<br /> and in the process, he had looked at hundreds of projects around the country. He spoke
<br /> favorably about green living, sustainable projects, meeting the needs of the community,
<br /> and he is in favor of the proposed plan as a model project.
<br /> Nil Blackburn, a resident of the Centennial neighborhood and a daughter of Middle
<br /> Eastern immigrants, spoke about the value and importance of factual information in
<br /> making decisions, that a singular approach will not work, and that the only certainty is
<br /> change. She spoke about population growth issues, congestion, pollution, affordable
<br /> housing, flooding risks, and earthquake risks. She is in favor of going into the process as
<br /> an opportunity to find consensus and compromise.
<br /> Greg Gomes, a 55-year resident of Redwood City, thanked Council for the summer
<br /> programs in downtown such as music, movies, and the memories created. He agreed
<br /> with many comments by the previous speaker and expressed his confidence in City
<br /> Officials for making the right decisions for the city in the past and in the future.
<br /> Josefina Ramirez, a resident of San Carlos with several rental properties in Redwood City,
<br /> said she has attended workshops by DMB Saltworks and that it is wrong to stop the
<br /> process because listening and learning is the way good government works. She spoke in
<br /> favor of the continual study of the plan.
<br /> Sally Lieber, a resident of Mountain View, made comparisons between Mountain View's
<br /> Moffett Field and Redwood City and the proposed plan. She spoke against the plan
<br /> overall, suggested that the proposed uses be placed somewhere else within Redwood
<br /> City, and that decisive action should be taken sooner to avoid potential lawsuits saying
<br /> "no" to the project.
<br /> JOINT CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD August 23, 2010
<br /> MEETING MINUTES PAGE 9
<br /> MINUTE BOOK NO. 63
<br /> Page No. 171
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