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Redwood City E-News
Building a Great Community Together
 Issue #53 ~ January, 2008
(Back to index of all issues)
IN THIS ISSUE:
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City Prepares to Withstand Winter Storms
Redwood City residents who are concerned with possible flooding in their neighbohoods from January storms can pick up sandbags at the Public Works parking lot, located at 1400 Broadway. There is a limit of 24 sandbags per household.
Any household experiencing severe storm damage (fallen tree or extreme flooding) should call Redwood City Public Works at 780-7464 (an after hours emergency number is noted on that phone line).
 Over the last few years, the City has implemented a number of major capital improvement projects aimed at reducing the potential for major flooding - however, a big storm combined with high tides can still produce possible flood conditions.
City crews have inspected and cleaned out all storm drains, creeks, channels, catch basins and pump stations in preparation for this set of storms. They have also made every effort to clear heavy leaf drop areas of fallen leaves; however with the high winds there will be more leaves on the streets even after these efforts. The leaf vacuum crew is working as efficiently as possible to clean out critical areas.
Staff is also on-call for after hours so that the City can respond to storm-related emergencies, such as flooding, fallen trees, traffic signal failures, and other storm issues. City staff will continually be inspecting the City's vulnerable areas throughout the storm period.
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Bicycle/Pedestrian Safety & Access Workshop Scheduled
The community is invited to share their suggestions, ideas, and advice  on how to improve pedestrian and bicyclist access and safety in the Stambaugh-Heller and Redwood Village neighborhoods.
Join your neighbors for this innovative and engaging workshop:
- Wednesday, January 16th, 2008
6:30 to 8:30 pm
Hoover Elementary School
701 Charter Street in Redwood City
The specific area of focus is generally bordered by Spring Street, Chestnut Street, Chew Street, and Douglas Avenue.
This is the first in a series of community workshops to be held in both English and Spanish. Each workshop will offer discussions around determining the improvements that may need to be made to ensure access and safety of pedestrians and bicyclists traveling to work, school, shopping, and services. Free child care for children ages three to nine is available during this meeting (please call 780-7229 to reserve child care). Snacks and beverages will be served.
For more information contact
Jeannie Young in the City's Housing & Economic Development division at
(650) 780–7365.
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Preparation of New General Plan Kicks Off January 30!
Save the Date!
January 30th marks the kick off meeting as we start the process of developing Redwood City's new General Plan:
Wednesday, January 30, 2008, starting at 7pm in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1017 Middlefield Road.
The City's General Plan is the document which lays the foundation for the long-term physical development of
our community, and so  community involvement in its development is of critical importance.
This initial workshop/meeting will lay the groundwork for the approximately 18-month process of creating the new General Plan. Be a part of shaping Redwood City's future! Plan on joining this effort at its kick off on January 30th.
For more information contact Tom Passanisi, Principle Planner, at 780-7237. More information on this process will be available soon!
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Community Invited to Help Council Develop Priorities
Each year the City Council reviews and revises a set of two-year priorities. These priorities help provide the City’s overall direction, and contain specific programs, projects, policies, and processes that are used in developing work programs for the various City departments.
This month, there are two opportunities for the community to participate in helping the Council in this important process - and you're invited to join one of these Community Input Workshops on City Council Priorities:
- Wednesday, January 23
6 - 9 pm
OR
- Thursday, January 31 (same agenda as the 1/23 meeting)
6 - 9 pm
Both sessions will be at the Veterans Memorial Senior Center, 1455 Madison Avenue. Please RSVP to 780-7300.
Dinner will be provided at each of these workshops, followed by an overview of the priority-setting process, and a facilitated discussion designed to gain your ideas, opinions, and suggestions, and incorporate community and neighborhood values regarding City Council priorities.
This is not a City Council meeting; rather, it is a great opportunity for community members to work together to develop your own concepts of what the Council’s priorities should be. The results of this workshop will be provided to the City Council for them to utilize during their deliberations on priorities, to take place at a future public Council meeting.
Interested community members are strongly encouraged and invited to attend and participate in this important process. RSVPs to 780-7300 are required so that the appropriate number of dinners can be provided.
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City Gets Grants for Community Climate Protection Initiative
Last May, the City Council authorized "seed" money to initiate a community climate protection initiative, and the City is happy to announce that sufficient grant funds have been secured and a full-time staff person is on-board for this program!
 The purpose of the initiative is to gain community and neighborhood involvement in the issue of climate protection, and assist with best practices, coordination, monitoring, and reporting of the climate effects and efforts within the City's own operations.
This is a wonderful opportunity to build community around this important issue. Our efforts will include strategies that encourage residents to take action to reduce their own household energy use and live in a more sustainable manner, while caring for their neighborhoods and the city.
Among many strategies being developed, this initiative will include:
- Conducting a community-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory.
- Developing a climate action plan, in collaboration with community members, city staff, and community based organizations.
- Launching the Redwood City Cool Campaign to encourage residents to work together to lower our community’s carbon emissions through monthly challenges, facilitated through an online presence.
- Launching a Green@Home program to train volunteers to conduct home energy audits, show neighbors ways to save energy, and help build community around this issue.
- Expanding community environmental education will raise consciousness among residents about the effects of global warming, while promoting positive actions and behavior changes that individuals can take.
You'll hear more about Redwood City's climate protection efforts and there will be many opportunities for you and your neighbors to learn about, and take action, on this important issue.
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City Council Public Hearing on "The Preserve at Redwood Shores"
The City Council of Redwood City will be considering a number of key aspects of the proposed development in Redwood Shores, known as The Preserve at Redwood Shores, at their meeting on Monday, January 28, 2008. The meeting starts at 7 pm, and takes place in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1017 Middlefield Road.
The Council will consider approval of proposed General Plan and Zoning Map Amendments, a Precise Plan for the project site, and a Mitigation Monitoring Program. 
This is the culmination of a long review process, which included creation of a draft and final environmental impact report, numerous public hearings and meetings, and detailed review, approval, and recommendation by the Redwood City Planning Commission.
If the City Council approves these documents, the project will then move forward through the City's Planned Community Permit Process, which will entail a more detailed review of the project's actual plans and specifications.
The community is invited to attend and participate in this key meeting as the Council discusses and considers this project.
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Resolve to Go Green for 2008!
This New Year why not make a few resolutions to help keep the  environment healthy? Simple changes in your and your family's daily routines followed throughout the year can really make a difference.
Here are some suggestions that are easy to do and can set you on the road to sustainable living for 2008! See how many of these great ideas you can put into regular practice:
- Reuse shopping bags, or better yet, get a durable bag to carry with you to the grocery store and on all your shopping trips.
- Buy locally-made and grown products. They usually require less packaging and eliminate the environmental costs of long-distance transport. Local fruits and vegetables are often fresher, and locally-produced goods help support your own community.
- Buy fewer disposable items. Look for long-lasting goods that won’t have to be replaced as often. You’ll reduce waste and save landfill space.
- Compost leaves and garden trimmings. The compost will improve your garden soil while reducing waste.
- While you’re shopping with your reusable shopping bag, look for products with recycled content. Buying recycled closes the cycle by putting resources back into use.
- If possible, find a carpool partner to share your daily commute, or use mass transit. A commute alternative helps reduce air pollution and traffic congestion.
- If one of your resolutions is to get more exercise, try doing your shopping and errands on foot as part of your exercise program. Walking will help keep automobile pollution down and help ease traffic congestion.
- Switch to environmentally friendly commercial laundry soaps - read the labels to make your choices.
- In sunny weather, dry your laundry the old fashioned way: outdoors on a clothesline. You'll save energy by not using the dryer.
(Source: greenliving.suite101.com)
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