REDWOOD CITY CITY COUNCIL
MAYOR DIANE HOWARD
VICE MAYOR IRA RUSKIN
COUNCILMEMBER RICHARD S. CLAIRE
COUNCILMEMBER JIM HARTNETT
COUNCILMEMBER JEFF IRA
COUNCILMEMBER COLLEEN M. JORDAN
COUNCILMEMBER MATT LEIPZIG
REGULAR MEETING
7:30 p.m.
NOVEMBER 15, 1999
CALL TO ORDER *A reception for the newly elected Council Members and Council Member Matt Leipzig was held in the City Hall foyer between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Council Members Present: Claire, Hartnett, Ira, Jordan, Leipzig, Vice Mayor Ruskin and Mayor Howard
Council Members Absent: None
Staff Present: City Manager Everett, Executive Assistant Valentine, City Attorney Schricker, City Clerk Howe, Administrative Clerk Noble, Community Development Services Director Nelson, Fire Marshall Vella, Police Chief Bolanos, Human Resources Director Rivera-Pena, Parks and Recreation Director Griffiths, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Manager Hover, Volunteer Balsamo
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Led by Council Member Leipzig
INVOCATION: Pastor Dennis Logie
Sequoia Christian Church
Mayor Howard acknowledged Boy Scout Troop 149 with Scoutmaster George Conti to observe the meeting and earn their Citizenship Badge. Olivia Martinez, Don Gibson and Lorraine Rumley of the Sequoia Union High School Board, Pat Milianich of the Community College Board.
2. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
- Canvass of Returns of the November 2, 1999 Consolidated General Municipal Election providing the names and total votes for the four newly elected Council Members. Certified results have been received from the County Elections Department. The four elected council members for 4 year terms on the Redwood City Council were as follows: Ira Ruskin, Richard Claire, Barbara Pierce, and Colleen Jordan.
i) M/S Ira/Ruskin to adopt RESOLUTION 13790 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDWOOD CITY DECLARING CANVASS OF RETURNS AND RESULTS OF GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION HELD ON NOVEMBER 2, 1999; (1999 Elections) (100)
The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.
- Recognition of Council Member - Matt Leipzig;
Mayor Howard spoke of the diversity represented by the very different views of the Council Members. Mayor Howard thanked Council Member Leipzig for 4 years of distinguished service to the people of Redwood City and presented a plaque to him along with a gift from the City Council.
Council Member Jordan expressed friendship and professional respect toward Council Member Leipzig. She cited his bright mind, clear headed objective analysis of facts, laser like focus on priorities, unwavering eagle eye and a rational approach to policy making as qualities he possesses.
Council Member Ira commended Council Member Leipzig on his attitude and graciousness in losing the election. Council Member Ira urged learning from his mistakes and following up on the good things he brought to the table.
Council Member Hartnett mentioned a sense of humor as being appreciated in Council Member Leipzig and his ability to make an argument in a succinct and to the point manner. His ability to move forward after a vote enabled the Council to continue on with the peoples' business.
Council Member Leipzig thanked his colleagues for the remarks and thanked the citizens of Redwood City for the honor and privilege of serving on the City Council for the past 4 years. He spoke about public service as a wonderful experience and while difficult and time consuming, one of the most rewarding experiences that he has had. He mentioned a highlight as being meeting the people of Redwood City and understanding their needs and concerns, trying to solve their problems or major issues. He encouraged people to serve on committees, watch the meetings on television and consider serving on the Council. He thanked the supporters throughout the years. Council Member Leipzig individually spoke of various Council Members.
3. ADJOURNMENT
A. M/S Leipzig/Ira to adjourn sine die. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
4. INSTALLATION OF NEWLY ELECTED CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, CONDUCTED BY CITY CLERK;
Mayor Howard explained the Oath of Office, installation and process for selection of Mayor.
A. Administration of Oath of Office, and presentation of Certificates of Election to newly elected Council Members;
City Clerk Howe invited the newly elected Council Members to individually take the Oath of Office at the podium and receive a Certificate of Election.
B. Comments from newly installed Council Members;
Council Member Claire reflected on previous installations. He thanked his mother, the voters of Redwood City of which was a 31% turnout; his committee members: Jack Anthony, Virginia Ball, Elaine Baker, Laura Bueno, Mike Claire, Adrian Collins, Frank Deighan, Jeanette Garrity, Sue and Cliff Keely, Gary Lloyd, Ken McCoy, Demitri Milas, Hillary Paulson, Erin Raiser, Tites Tumanes, Dave Stuart and Vincent Trucelli. He thanked Jack Navara, Bob and Cindy Navara along with children Lisa and Matthew, sister Jackie and great nieces Christina and Jessica, Mike and Patty Claire along with daughters Megan, Kelly and Kathleen. He thanked daughter Laura and husband Ralph Bueno, grandchildren Alejandro and Dominic, and Ken. He thanked his wife, Pat, for all the support and all of the years.
Council Member Pierce expressed honor and pleasure and thanked all those who helped her in the election, especially, her husband and daughters. She said she takes very much to heart being a member of the City Council. She said she has a lot of homework to do, to reach out and talk to members of the community and work with the Council to build consensus to reach across the differences to build a better Redwood City. She mentioned if the Council is to find a better way to serve all of the community, it is going to take the community to take the responsibility to become informed, to research issues, to be willing to live with different opinions, different backgrounds and to work together to create solutions that all can live with. She invited the community to become involved and be a part of the solution.
Council Member Jordan thanked all who helped in her campaign: her parents and brother, Terry Anderlini, Donna Zachami and family, Cheryl Werner, Oscar Orozco, Fernando Vega, Pete and Ginny Hughes, Joan and Marty Putnam, George Cressan and Peter Radin, Carlo Montesano and the Neighbors for Reasonable Action, Bob Diaz and his mother Lupe, Maria Henderson, Suzanne McClellan and the people of "I Can" who were working for reform with the Redwood City School District, Jennifer Marrick, Kathleen Means, Scott Eckhart, Joe Polumbo, LaVerne Atherly and Matt Leipzig, and the voters who showed up and sent in absentee ballots. Looking forward Council Member Jordan expressed desire to work together and see good government, to focus on priorities in a laserlike focus and bring the community into the process sooner.
Vice Mayor Ruskin thanked everyone for the opportunity to serve the City for another 4 years.
C. Nominations and selection of Mayor for a two-year term, conducted by City Clerk; (Nominations do not need a second.)
City Clerk Howe began the nomination selection with an explanation of the process. It was explained that any Council Member is eligible to nominate a Council Member for Mayor and the nomination needs no second. After the close of nominations each Council Member will be called in alphabetical order for his or her vote.
Mayor Howard nominated Vice Mayor Ira Ruskin for Mayor for 1999-01. Mayor Howard commended Vice Mayor Ruskin for his assistance to her over the last two years and his qualifications to serve as Mayor. There being no other nominations, the nomination period was closed and the roll call vote was taken and tallied. The vote for Ira Ruskin for Mayor was unanimous.
5. CALL TO ORDER BY THE NEWLY SELECTED MAYOR;
A. Nominations and selection of Vice Mayor for a two-year term, conducted by the Mayor;
Mayor Ruskin took his seat and opened the nomination period for Vice Mayor.
Council Member Hartnett nominated Council Member Claire for Vice Mayor who he feels to be obviously qualified, experienced, and keeps staff on their toes, which is an important role of the Vice Mayor along with the Mayor interacting with staff.
Council Member Jordan spoke about her and Council Member Ira's vote for Ira Ruskin for Mayor. She felt he had worked very hard and deserved the nomination but also the unanimous vote would be an expression of the willingness to work together for Redwood City. In the same spirit, Council Member Jordan nominated Council Member Ira for Vice Mayor in order to combine slates and factions.
There being no further nominations, Mayor Ruskin asked for a motion to close nominations.
M/S Howard/Hartnett to close the nominations. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
City Clerk Howe explained the roll call vote would be alphabetical and each Council Member must indicate a vote for either Council Member Claire or Council Member Ira.
The alphabetical roll call vote tally was as follows:
|
Council Member Claire |
Council Member Ira |
| Council Member Claire: |
X |
|
| Council Member Hartnett: |
X |
|
| Council Member Howard: |
X |
|
| Council Member Ira: |
|
X |
| Council Member Jordan: |
|
X |
| Council Member Pierce: |
X |
|
| Mayor Ruskin: |
X |
|
Council Member Claire was selected to serve as Vice Mayor for 1999-01 with 5 votes and Council Member Ira received 2 votes.
Vice Mayor Claire thanked his colleagues for the vote of confidence and expressed that they would be working together in the next 4 years in a very positive manner.
B. Comments from Council Members and Vice Mayor recognition of Diane Howard for two years of service as Mayor;
Mayor Ruskin thanked Council Member Howard for her distinguished service as Mayor over the last two years during a time of significant progress where Mayor Howard served a distinguished leadership role during that period. Vice Mayor Ruskin presented Mayor Howard with a plaque and a gavel. He then read a proclamation and presented a gift from the Council. He explained the gift reflects not only the strength of her commitment but one of the sources of her inspiration to public service. A piece of sculpted glass was the first part of the gift and the second part was a piece of dark glass upon which the sculpted glass sits. The inscription on the dark glass read, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world, indeed, it is the only thing that ever has", by Margaret Mead.
Keith Bautista, President of DES Architects and Engineers, and Associate Melanie Rogers acknowledged the quality of life available to the 150 employees of DES. Mr. Bautista mentioned the various organizations Mayor Howard was involved in while still finding time to donate time to the Visiting Nursing Association Hospice Program. Mr. Bautista explained the Mask Project as masks painted by various celebrities, Mayor Howard, being one of them and the masks being auctioned off as a fundraiser. DES out bid for Mayor Howard's mask, which represented Redwood City with the colors and logo, and presented it to her.
C. Comments by Mayor Howard; Council-Members, newly selected Vice-Mayor and Mayor;
Council Member (Mayor) Howard thanked her husband Steve for his support and introduced and thanked her son, Jeff. She introduced Lydia and Diane from her husband's medical office and thanked them for their assistance and caring. Mayor Howard thanked the employees of Redwood City for their commitment to excellence. She expressed gratitude about being a part of the renaissance of Redwood City such as software companies' headquarters; Canada College Extension; housing; new recreational opportunities; an alliance with the Chamber; County and School Districts; and a new Fire Station, school and community center in Redwood Shores. New methods of communication have evolved with televised Council meetings, the Farmers' Market, informal meetings with Police and Fire, and attending neighborhood meetings. Mayor Howard pointed to the positive attitude and sense of pride emerging in the community and thanked everyone for electing her to the Council and allowing her to serve as Mayor for the last two years.
Council Member Ira stated that in some ways Mayor Howard set a standard that will be difficult to maintain with her commitment and time spent. The tone she set was different allowing people to feel heard and cared about and he learned a great deal from her.
Council Member Hartnett stated Mayor Howard set a standard beginning as Vice Mayor in support of him serving as Mayor. He reiterated the fact that Mayor Howard made the people feel heard and, therefore, a part of the decision. He felt that, along with many other attributes, will form her legacy as Mayor.
Vice Mayor Claire noted that he has served with 11 Mayors and pointed out Georgi LaBerge, Judy Buchan and Bob Bury in the audience. He thanked Mayor Howard for exhibiting grace during challenging Council discussion and deliberation.
Mayor Ruskin reflected on an election as organizational renewal. He felt that the people of Redwood City are pleased with the progress over the last several years but knows that much more is expected. Some of the issues are the downtown cinema proposal, traffic and transportation on a regional and local basis, neighborhood traffic, additional housing, improvements in the infrastructure, continued relationship with the schools, develop engineering options to address flooding. He thanked all who assisted in the election campaign and will work to live up to the confidence placed in him. He thanked his campaign manager Bob O'Brien; his wife, Cheryl; and his mentor, Georgi LaBerge. He thanked the citizens for voting him in to another 4-year term and the Council for their unanimous vote of confidence in him as Mayor. He thanked Council Member Jordan for her statements about working together and congratulated Council Member Claire on his selection as Vice Mayor. He welcomed Council Member Pierce. Mayor Ruskin said he would work every day to be worthy of the trust that the voters and the Council have placed in him so that his actions, behavior and statements always reflect well upon the Council and all of the people of Redwood City.
D. Public comment;
None
6. BENEDICTION - Pastor Dennis Logie, Sequoia Christian Church
7. ADJOURNMENT
M/S: Howard/Jordan to adjourn until the next council meeting in memory of Eugene Rose, who received was a retired WWII Sea Bee and a retired Redwood City Senior Building Inspector for whom a memorial service was held the past week in Santa Clara. An honor guard composed of fellow retired Sea Bee's played a tribute to him and a second honor guard of Army retirees fired a gun salute before Eugene was laid to rest. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
The next regular Council meeting will be held on Monday, November 22, 1999 at 7:30 p.m., City Council Chamber, 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, 94063.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia S. Howe, CMC
City Clerk
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