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engaged the community and various groups, including a Congressional representative <br /> in various ways and at multiple meetings. <br /> Ms. Ekas, Director of Planning, Housing, and Economic Development, continued the <br /> presentation (on file) on the direction of the New General Plan, the vision for downtown, <br /> Redwood City as a regional, collaborative leader, and maintaining the City's fiscal <br /> health via two policies. The two policies are to "foster regional collaboration on housing, <br /> transportation, and infrastructure" and "work to ensure that Redwood City capitalizes on <br /> any benefits that can be derived from high speed rail and minimizes any potential <br /> disadvantages." <br /> A Council Member, who is on the High Speed Rail ad hoc committee, said she wanted <br /> to assure the community, residents, and staff that they are actively engaged in this <br /> process. She said Council is following this closely, attends all meetings, and is working <br /> collaboratively with Caltrain. She noted that the commuter rail line and eventually the <br /> high speed rail line are important priorities and they are working through the issues with <br /> the different stakeholders. Another Council Member, who also serves on the ad hoc <br /> committee, agreed with the statement made by his colleague and noted that the <br /> process they have been engaged in has been longer than the presentation showed. He <br /> opined that there could have been a better process with more communication and less <br /> frustration. He said the city talks about what it can control and directly vote on. <br /> However, he said there are other factors to consider: the California High Speed Rail <br /> Authority (HSR Authority) has a different timeline dependent on federal funding, which <br /> has a different fiscal year than Redwood City, and the need to work together with <br /> federally elected officials. <br /> Other Council Member's comments included how many more regional discussions there <br /> might be; rail working together as a whole; interest in the priorities of different <br /> communities; community input; a potential station; a vision of downtown as urban and <br /> walkable; federal funding; concern with the usage of the word "urban" as one Council <br /> Member does not consider this city to be an urban setting in terms of density level <br /> Mayor Ira concluded that there are significantly more questions than answers and it is <br /> difficult to have meaningful discussions. He said it is imperative to work with other cities <br /> as there will be strength in numbers and they will do what is necessary and right for the <br /> City of Redwood City, including a lawsuit if needed. He agreed with another Council <br /> Member's statements that the tradition within this Council is to work and explore <br /> together as a unit and to get more information. <br /> Other Council discussion included clarification on the issue of a possible lawsuit. . <br /> Vice Mayor Aguirre asked for clarification from another Council Member/ad hoc <br /> committee member about the funding loss for a station in Redwood City or elsewhere <br /> on the Peninsula. This Council Member opined that it is not an immediate concern <br /> since the High Speed Rail Authority has to connect a line from San Francisco with Los <br /> Angeles first, and then the question would be whether or not a station in Redwood City <br /> would be right before looking at funding. <br /> JOINT CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD December 6, 2010 <br /> MEETING MINUTES PAGE 8 <br /> MINUTE BOOK NO. 63 <br /> Page No. 238 <br />