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Motion carried 6-0 by electronic vote with Council Member Ira absent. Public Comment on Agenda Item 6.2C Dr. Hattery spoke in favor of getting people together to speak with people in power. He opined both sides would benefit and feel listened to, and government would come across as responsive and it is good public policy. He opined that interactions in Redwood City had been very good. He has attended many meetings, at which he felt that City officials, had been responsive and listened to people. Dr. Hattery felt that it is important to hear every voice and he is against limiting public comment because it does not serve the community. Ernie Schmidt, spoke as a resident about the need for professionalism in handling administrative business and to achieve smooth government. He opined that he has seen disruptions handled well at past public meetings and he spoke in favor of people conducting themselves as they do when conducting business. He also thanked Council for the many hours of community service. James Lee, representing Occupy Redwood City, cited Voltaire and said this is disturbing because this is a place to be heard and he is against limiting public comment to 15 minutes. He also stated that this contradicts previous statements asking for more community involvement; he opined this is a negative legacy that curtails free speech, even if not legally wrong. He asked that the item be reconsidered to add public comment. Brenda Hattery said she is speaking from her own background as a government employee with a lot of analytical work for U.S. Department of Transportation for Excellence in Government and how the focus is on consensus building in government. She noted they worked with and regulated many diverse groups and spoke in favor of hearing people without limitations, to be as inclusive as possible. Mr. Wilkins declined to comment on item 6.2C, as he noted his statements had been covered by other speakers. Council Member Pierce thanked the work of the two council members and the attorney. She finds that this an important tool to understand the public process. She supports this level of clarity but because this sets the template for future City Councils, she would like to make edits and consider additional input. Mayor Aguirre noted this is a way to document our practices and how we do business. She said that the Council does value input from the community and being inclusive. She asked the Ad Hoc committee to comment. The Ad Hoc Committee Members said that the work was done to memorialize current procedures and it seems it was misconstrued as an attempt to jeopardize public input. One Committee Member said he is not seeking unintended consequences and he would like to have the subcommittee work more on this and include additional input. He would like this placed as a Staff Report when it comes back for review. JOINT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY BOARD November 19, 2012 MEETING MINUTES PAGE 3 MINUTE BOOK NO. 64 Page No. 237