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Sandy McVey, 930 Glennan Drive, said she and her husband had seen many positive changes over the last ten years, Sequoia Station, City Hall and Red Morton Center. Mrs. McVey said it was time for Stulsaft Park to be renovated. She said it would only cost $200,000 for Stulsaft to be improved. Mrs. McVey said she felt the Farm Hill Neighborhood had been neglected and her neighbor, Jill, had told her that she had played on the existing play equipment in Stulsaft when she was a child. She said that Stulsaft Park was the first park people saw when they drove into Redwood City off Highway 280 and it was an embarrassment. She said the needed improvements could not wait another year. Virginia Ball, Civic Cultural Commissioner, spoke in favor of the proposed improvements, on behalf of her grandchildren. Mrs. Ball described the successful SurnnIer Concerts in the Park program at Stafford Park, and encouraged the Council to support the proposed park projects and the SurnnIer concert program. Al Diaz, 50 King Street, said his property shared a fence with Stafford Park. Mr. Diaz referred to the letter he had previously sent to the Council and said although he supported renovating Stafford Park, the proposed design of the water and sand play area was too big and too extravagant. He described his family's use of the Park and said if the Council wanted to save money it could get rid of a stage used only six times a year. He said more picnic tables and more shade for the picnic tables were needed and the restrooms could be renovated. Mr. Diaz said he was concerned that the proposed landscape design might obscure some sight lines and increased landscape density might become a security issue. Mr. Diaz also said that the proposed introduction of concrete around the picnic tables might become a safety issue. Mayor Howard announced that she had six more speaker's cards, but the Council could not hear the rest of the speakers and still have enough time to conduct its planned working Study Session with the Planning Commission and Architectural Advisory Committee. Mayor Howard asked all those in the audience who were in support of the proposed conceptual designs to please stand and give their names and addresses, and those not in support to also stand and give their comments. Thirty-five supportive people stood and gave their names and comments. A few speakers expressed concerns about the following: there was a need for more picnic tables; the water play area equipment should be cleaned regularly; the in-ground stage area wasn't needed; the Summer concert square stage needed to fit onto the round stage area; and, bathrooms were needed in Stulsaft Park. Council Member Claire expressed support for the $1,050,000 in improvements and said it was incumbent upon the Council to find the extra money, over and above the $825,000 already budgeted for these park improvements. He said the Park and Recreation maintenance people do a great job, but there had been no improvements to parks on this Adjourned Regular Meeting/Study Session MINUTE BOOK NO. 56 April 13, 1998 Minutes Page No. 392 Page 6