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San Carlos and Belmont, employers and employees, may total upwards of 25,000 people. He said moving and protecting 25,000 people under emergency conditions would be extremely difficult without another ingresslegress from Redwood Shores. He said BCDC's Executive Director and its Board have to follow the mandates of the state legislature and suggested that the Council lobby the City's state legislators "for a modification ofBCDC's enabling legislation that would take constraints off the Board and Executive Director." Mr. Sotomayor said there was a significant financial constraint to also consider when thinking of the construction of a connector road. He said all the stakeholders had an interest in this issue and San Carlos and Belmont stood to gain a great deal. He suggested that these cities share in any costs associated with this project. MIS: CLAIRE/BAIN TO ACCEPT THE REPORT OF TIlE BAIR ISLAND TASK FORCE AND ITS RECOMMENDATIONS/PRIORITIES AS PRESENTED Council Member Claire said he supported a connector road as he was concerned about an alternative emergency access. He said he also was very interested in recreational opportunities for Redwood City residents who use Bair Island much more than anyone else. Council Member Claire said he agreed with Mr. Nobles that BCDC has played an important role in trying to preserve the quality of life in the Bay Area by providing a balance between commercial growth and preservation of open space recreational areas. He said he applauded BCDC's efforts. Council Member Ira said he wanted the Council to emphasize Recommendation Number 3, to utilize the Task Force "mainly as a consultant to aid Fish and Wildlife Service." Vice Mayor Ruskin said Fish and Wildlife was interested in public input and he felt the Task Force could aid the Service by organizing that input, or serve as a conduit for public opinion. Council Member Ira said he wanted to be sure that Redwood City was not the lead agency and providing that public input at the City's cost. He said, referring to Recommendation Number 5, that it was the responsibility of the Fish and Wildlife Service to open Bair Island to public access, "it was their asset, they purchased it, and they should be making the public access available to the citizens throughout the entire Bay Area... just as they do with national parks or any other asset which is under federal control. I feel it is their responsibility to provide that funding, and make it available so it just doesn't sit there, but it is something that can really be utilized." Council Member Hartnett said he would support the motion. He said the recommendations should be viewed in a positive way as they represent an opportunity for the Council to work positively with POST and Fish and Wildlife on access issues. Council Member Hartnett, the Council's representative to SBSA, said the representatives from Fish and Wildlife said "public participation in the process was important, and from a City perspective, we need to be organized in our comment so it has the most effect." He said that the Task Force provides that opportunity. Council Member Hartnett said that by having Redwood City offer some funding to help provide recreational access "is a signal that while we are not the lead agency, we are certainly recognizing this as an asset for all of the community within the confines of the limitations of what Fish and Wildlife REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 56 MAY 18, 1998 MINUTES Page No. 490 PAGE 12