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. . . . . - Wildlife Service had no funds to address its planned acquisition of Bair Island for up to two years, "so I don't see that 30 days is going to resolve all of the issues here. I believe it is strongly in the public good to take this action and for the City to move forward tonight, - and then, as it has been indicated, there can be further negotiations over time as to the actual design of the facility. I encourage your positive vote tonight." Nita Spangler, 970 Edgewood Road, a Redwood City resident since 1944, said she has had a long time interest in the Bair Island area, and described how she was on the dredger, Mallard, when a lot of that property was converted by the Leslie Salt Company. She expressed her support of POST's interest in conserving that land. Mrs. Spangler said the residents of Redwood City spoke several years ago and said they did not want that land developed. She said, "the area now has an opportunity to have public access designed and moved aiIead by private hands before it gets bogged down in government bureaucracy." She said that POST has been very effective in opening up lands to the public so they are conserved forever. Mrs. Spangler said, "I hope you will give consideration to the request tonight to delay this decision. What I have seen and what I have heard of the plans, they will make this property accessible with a minimum cost to the public and will avoid litigation... I know the public is very keen about access out there." Mrs. Spangler said she was an advocate for Redwood City and felt very strongly about this issue, "and I wish you would, too." Mrs. Spangler presented a picture of Redwood City's bay frontage and suggested it be put on the City's Web Site. Ralph Nobles, 3720 Country Club Drive, referred to the letter he had written to the Council, and said, "POST's sole purpose of requesting fair compensation for its valuable - access easement is to facilitate the construction of public access to Bair Island. He said Redwood City is on record as advocating public access to Bair Island, and advised he was a member of the Bair Island Task Force. He said the Task Force was investigating public access issues. Mr. Nobles said, "it would be inappropriate for the City to use its power of condemnation unnecessarily, and that's what this would be if you go forward tonight." Mr. Nobles said it would be aiding a private developer against the public interest, and would be a public relations disaster. He said a 30-day delay would allow the parties involved to reach a workable solution. Mr. Nobles said that he had heard that "we are facing impending gridlock on Bair Island Road." He said the area was already congested and dangerous, and the City was planning another development across from the Riab Development, a hotel in that area, as well as a large commercial development. Mr. Nobles said there had not been a traffic mitigation plan offered to address the planned developments, and the impact on the Whipple A venue overpass had also not been addressed. Julia Bott, representing the Lorna Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club, said the Sierra club's mission statement included, "to preserve, protect and to enjoy the special places of the earth." She said the City's right or justification in using eminent domain was not at issue, but she urged the Council "to do it in a way that gets you the most you can for all City residents." She said the Council h!\d tÞe,oPP9rtunity to create a world class access to Bair - Island. She expressed support for the requested delay and asked that Council "direct staff REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 56 APRIL 6,1998 MINUTES Page No. 379 PAGE 19