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n______n___________n______-----------______n--_-----_-----------------------______n______--------------------- Mayor Howard recessed the meeting at I :20 p.m. Meeting reconvened at I :23 p.m. n--_____------______n______-------------------------------------------------------------------------______n__--- Rudy Fischer, 776 Mediterranean, Redwood City, thanked the Council Members for this community meeting, and said the priorities they had set were good ones. Mr. Fisher said there had been lots of improvements in the Redwood Shores neighborhood over the past few years, and said he supported the revitalization of the downtown area. Virginia Ball, 1922 Oak Ave., member of the Redwood City Civic Cultural Commission, thanked the Council for this public forum. Mrs. Ball said she would like to see culture and cultural activities become more important in Redwood City and made a part of the economic development strategies. She described the success of the "Music in the Parks" program, and asked that the Council, Chamber and the whole community get involved and support the "Tis the Season" celebration in December, which brings people to the Downtown. Mrs. Ball thanked the Council for funding for the Civic Cultural Commission programs and said that the Commission would come back to the Council with plans for the future. Ian Bain, 1405 Marshall, Chairman of the Housing and Human Concerns Committee, spoke on behalf of Shelter Network which helps homeless families and families in transition. He described Shelter Network's desire to have the City's financial commitment to its programs resolved. Mr. Bain also described HHCC's commitment to promoting affordable housing for all income levels. He said the desired sustainable growth that all cities seek will not be possible without providing adequate housing for new employees. He described the subcommittee working on a First Time Homebuyers Program. John Dempsey, member of the HHCC, said he was surprised that housing was only 7th on the priority list, as it is an extremely important issue on the whole Peninsula. He described the need and the pressure to reach the ABAG housing requirements. Mr. Dempsey said housing availability affects development and expressed hope that the Council will place a higher premium on housing in Redwood City. Robert Slusser, 541 Cringle Dr., member of the Park and Recreation Commission, thanked the Council for considering the issues that were his priorities also, and asked Council to address the clean up of Redwood City's two entry points and public safety. Mr. Slusser agreed that a new attitude had to be developed including crime prevention and cleaning up the City as the responsibility of the community. He said he supported Park and Recreation and cultural programs for youth after school and the City had to learn how to do more with less. Mr. Slusser said it might be unpopular but he believed the City didn't do enough to reward employees. He said the community is interested in revitalizing the City's parks and were willing to get involved, as they did with Red Morton Center. ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING COUNCIL WORKSHOP MINUTE BOOK NO. 56 JANUARY 31,1998 MINUTES Page No. 208 PAGE 15