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.' stated that there is a lot of benefit statewide and for Redwood City for that alignment to be studied fully. He stated his hopes that the City Council considers being a part of an aggressive statewide effort to lobby for an increase in Federal funding for high speed rail in California and that the City becomes part of an effort to encourage state, regional and local entities to include high speed trains in their planning. He stated his concerns with the system and asked that at a later date support or thoughts on the position be offered. Melissa Hippert, conservation representative with the local chapter of the Sierra Club, clarified that there is a designated wilderness area within Henry Coe State Park in which two of the proposed rail routes would transect. She stated that the Sierra Club has gone on record in support of high speed rail. She further explained the four proposed routes, two of which involve Henry Coe State Park. She stated that the Sierra Club would like to see the project built with minimal environmental impact and the Chapter has undertaken a campaign with two main messages. One is to have the High Speed Rail Authority remove the Coe routes from consideration. The second issue is to bring Altamont back in for the reasons previously mentioned. M/S Ruskin/Howard to extend the meeting until 11 :10 p.m. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote. Michael Kiesling stated there are many reasons why the Council should support Altamont, but explained one in particular. The project as proposed would go from San Francisco to San Francisco Airport, to Redwood City to San Jose, and then either over the hills of the valley or further south to Gilroy and over the valley. If the Altamont route were chosen. it would go San Francisco. San Francisco Airport, Redwood City and across the bay picking up Fremont and out to Pleasanton. An alignment would also come from San Jose to Fremont and out. He stated the difference means that Redwood City would be compelled to build parking garages and deal with all the traffic coming to downtown Redwood City. D. Council Member Howard - announced a boat tour of five Redwood City Harbor on sites on December 16 at 1 :00 p.m. The location to meet is at the Marine Science Institute Dock. E. Vice Mayor Pierce - announced that on Thursday from 7-10 p.m., December 11, at the Veterans building there would be a continuation of the Courthouse Plaza Design. 9. ADJOURNMENT - 11:10 p.m. M/S Foust/Hartnett to adjourn until the next Special City Council meeting of December 15, 2003. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote. Respectfully submitted, JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND BOARD OF EQUALIZATION DECEMBER 8, 2003 MEETING MINUTES PAGE 10