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'.' . . , I . - community use. He said the County had made an offer to the Elementary School District that involves participation from the City of Redwood City should the Council approve it. - Council Member Hartnett said the County had federal block grant funds it was willing to use to fund the expansion on at least two campuses available for the school's use and the community at large. He said in connection with those discussions there had also been discussion on whether or not the County of San Mateo would invest in fields, either through renovation or acquisition, as well as discussion about the County's contribution to maintenance of those fields. Council Member Hartnett said, "As of this date the County has not, in fact, made an offer to the City representatives of Redwood City, with respect to a contribution of County funds for such purposes. It had been reported in at least one of the local newspapers, that such an offer had been made, that Council Member Ruskin and I had attended formal meetings in that regard with County representatives and others. No such offer had been made at those meetings. However, the topic is still under active discussion, and there are meetings that are still occurring at a policy maker level, in an attempt to determine whether or not the County, in fact, might be able to make an offer of a contribution. As well as to determine whether or not the Elementary School District may be able to partner in that endeavor in a way that is perhaps fuller than the Elementary School District might have initially anticipated. As well as to see whether or not in fulfillment of City Council objectives the City may be able to partner in that endeavor as well. I do expect we will be hearing more from the County in that regard shortly, in a matter of weeks. I hope that there will come a time when Vice Mayor Ruskin and I, together with Council Member - Claire, as the City/School Liaison Committee, may be in a position to make a recommendation to the Council with respect to such partnering. I am optimistic that something quite positive may occur, but discussions are still ongoing." Vice Mayor Ruskin thanked Council Member Hartnett for working with him in these discussions. He said, "When something is reported in the newspaper, an editorial, it tends to have a certain amount of credibility just by virtue of its being there, and it is very important to us that the public understands that sometimes things that are reported are not accurate." Vice Mayor Ruskin said he concurred with Council Member Hartnett's statement, "The County has yet to make a specific offer to us, but I feel... we are going to work out a partnership... We have already reached agreement in terms of the expanded mutli-purpose rooms which will become gymnasium size by partnering with the County and the School District." Mayor Howard thanked Vice Mayor Ruskin and Council Member Hartnett for representing the City working with the County and School District. She said the article was most unfortunate and thanked them for bringing clarification to the issue. Mayor Howard said there has been no program or recommendation brought to the Council at this point despite what the article said. She said it was very clear when the Council overwhelmingly supported a motion to allocate $1 million for renovation or acquisition of - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 56 JUNE 22, 1998 MINUTES Page No. 577 PAGE 15