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Councilman Ruskin advised that the Council and City Code Enforcement Team was working on this proposed ordinance and described the issues being considered, including a better appearance, a way not to impede pedestrian progress, appropriate placement, the removal of chains, where in the City to allow them, and a greater effort to remove materials deemed harmful to children. He said the Council and staff were putting lots of effort into this issue. In response to Councilman Leipzig's suggestion that the City use bolt cutters and remove those newsracks that are blocking sidewalks, City Attorney Schricker advised that if the blockage was egregious the City could act immediately, but the legal process involves fact finding first, then notification, working with the owners/publishers, and then removal, if necessary. Mayor Hartnett asked that Code Enforcement Officer Schnell review the specific sites mentioned by Mr. Harris and prepare a report for the Council's AprillO packet. MEMO 4/8/97 H. Richard Anderson, IllS Virginia Avenue, reported on the San Mateo Community College District's efforts to sell surplus land, including land on the Canada Campus, to finance long deferred maintenance projects. Mr. Anderson said some of this land is in the City of Woodside, and the Woodside City Council is considering building low income housing on that land which is an important entrance to Redwood City. He said there has been no meaningful dialogue with the residents of Redwood City, and he asked that the City join in a Task Force with the College, neighboring cities and business leaders to develop creative solutions for the College District's financial problems while preserving land that once sold is lost forever. Mayor Hartnett advised he had talked with a member of the College's Board of Trustees and planned to continue communications with the Board on this issue. Councilman Claire expressed his irritation that the City of Woodside would choose this area, an entrance to Redwood City, for its low income housing when other sites were available, and that the Woodside City Council did not contact the City of Redwood City Council to discuss this important issue. He said the Council and staff needed to be involved in the decisions made in this area. Councilman Claire advised that he and City staff had participated in community meetings recently discussing the lack of playing fields in Redwood City, and suggested that the proposed surplus lands could be utilized by many organizations for recreation to the benefit of Canada College. Councilman Ruskin said he had also discussed the situation with a College District Board member and would continue to do so. He agreed that when school districts sell surplus lands they usually regret it. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINU~E BOOK NO. 55 APRIL 7,1997 MINUTES PAGE 4 Page No. 226