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2. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS A. Bill Andersen of the PCA, 814 Hamilton, Redwood City, thanked the City for its participation in the 4th of July Parade sponsored by the PCA, "one of the best there has ever been." He said he wanted to correct comments made at an earlier Council meeting by Eleanor Reid who said that every year the PCA had tried to stop her from operating the hot dog business she has had for ten years on the corner of Marshall and Hamilton. Mr. Andersen said the PCA never attempted to stop anyone from conducting business during the 4th of July Parade. "However, during the Parade, for safety reasons, we do not allow vendors on the streets. The vendors are told they may conduct business behind the crowd as long as they have a permit which allows them to do so." B. Bill Abney, 2660 Broadway, Redwood City, proprietor of Give Pizza Chance, submitted two petitions signed by almost every merchant on both sides of the 2600 block of Broadway and northward up El Camino Real. The petitions describe gang activity which seems to be focused behind the Executive Billiards Hall. Mr. Abney said the owners have been dealing with this issue for several years, and "in the last eight weeks it has taken a turn for the worse. It has gone from sort of a teenage hang-out to the average age being around 22, 23, 24 years old. Repeated stories of guns, drugs, violence, threats, police officers being threatened, police officers being called at least three or four times a day." Mr. Abney described other acts of violence, trash, graffiti, and the problems new businesses have had. He said it appears the Police need clearer direction from Council, a comprehensive approach, rather than "we call, they come." Mayor Hartnett said that Acting City Manager Griffiths would follow up on this matter with Mr. Abney and the Police, and report back to the Council at the next regular meeting. MEMO 7/29/97 C. Vance Smith, 643 Hawes, Redwood City, addressed the Council regarding the recently adopted abandoned vehicle ordinance which prohibits vehicles from parking in one space for more than 72 hours. He said the law should have special provisions for the elderly who may use their vehicles only once a week. Mr. Vance advised that his elderly father recently had to return early from his vacation to avoid having his vehicle towed. He said a simple check on the license plate would have told the officers that the vehicle belonged at that address. Mr. Smith said the law should be enforced with an understanding of the hardships on the elderly. Mayor Hartnett advised that at the present time there were no special provisions for the elderly or anyone else, but he agreed that it should be enforced with common sense. He said the ordinance would be reviewed after it had been in operation for a while. MEMO 7/29/97 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 55 JULY28,1997 MINUTES Page No. 476 PAGE 2