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. . . . . - to abuse. He said it would be better to have situational expectations rather than the same policy for every officer for every shift. - Ronald Fullmer, 2786 Carolina, said he actually came down to see the wood in the Council Chamber and thought it was beautiful. Mr. Fullmer said he thought the Chief was doing a heck of a job and offered to buy him a pizza. Dr. Ron Crates, Superintendent of the Redwood City School District, said he had a high regard for the Police Department and thought the department's cooperation with the community was exemplary. Dr. Crates described the Police Department's involvement with local schools, PAL and D.A.R.E. He also commended the Council for using this controversial issue to forge a community consensus. Dr. Crates said it wasn't often a City had the opportunity to have a public discussion about expectations for safety and security. He expressed support for the Council and the Police Department for this important community dialogue. Walter Hogue, 1933 E. Bayshore Blvd., said there had been a little media bashing at this meeting, and said without the newspapers addressing the issue there would have been no public debate. He said he wanted to commend the media for bringing this issue to everyone's attention. Mr. Hogue said he still wasn't sure what was the correct definition of a quota, and said what he did know was that we should keep questioning. Mayor Howard asked if anyone else would like to speak to this issue. No one came -. forward. Council Member Leipzig said, "First issue is the violation of the Charter. The charge that some members of the Councilor all, I'm not sure, violated the Charter by even raising this issue, I think that's a ludicrous charge, and it is clear that we have the obligation and the right to ask questions of any department and any member of that department. The issue of the newspapers, there has been a little bit of media bashing here, and I too agree with the last speaker, if it weren't for the media, we wouldn't have input sometimes ITom the citizens. I've been on the receiving end of bad media, in numerous occasions over the years in different roles, so I know it can seem like you are being attacked, but in this instance, I think all the newspapers that covered this issue in Redwood City have done an excellent job of raising issues." He said a debate was occurring now about the media coverage in Washington D.C. and of the President. He said they were doing a fine job, that the issues had to be published and addressed. Council Member Leipzig said, "This is called democracy. So, I commend all the newspapers, the Chronicle, the Mercury, the Tribune, the Almanac, the Times and the radio and television stations. They seem to jump on things at times, and it may be counter to our opinion, but we have a packed audience tonight. We have heard ITom dozens and dozens of residents, because of the media, so I commend them for that. Next week I'll probably get all over them for something, but that's all right." Council Member Leipzig said the issue here was a legal one. He - described the very difficult issues the Council had considered and said that sometimes the Council did not have a choice. He said, "We pay our attorney to give us legal advice, we REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. S6 FEBRUARY 2.1998 MINUTES Page No. 229 PAGE 14