MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF REDWOOD CITY

March 6, 2000

REDWOOD CITY CITY COUNCIL

MAYOR  IRA RUSKIN
VICE MAYOR  RICHARD S. CLAIRE

 
COUNCILMEMBER JIM HARTNETT
COUNCILMEMBER DIANE HOWARD
COUNCILMEMBER JEFF IRA
COUNCILMEMBER COLLEEN M. JORDAN
COUNCILMEMBER BARBARA PIERCE

STUDY SESSION
5:30 - 7:00 P.M.
MARCH 6, 2000

Dr. Cecil Reeves facilitated this study session.

1. CALL TO ORDER - 5:40 p.m.

2. ROLL CALL

Council Members Present: Hartnett, Howard, Ira, Jordan, Pierce, Mayor Ruskin

Council Members Absent: Vice Mayor Claire (arrived at 5:42 p.m.)

Staff Present: City Manager Everett, Assistant to the City Manager Gonzalez, City Attorney Schricker, City Clerk Howe; Senior Deputy City Clerk Ponte, Financial Services Director Ponty, Community Development Services Director Nelson, Senior Civil Engineer Chang, Fire Chief Montez, Human Resources Director Rivera-Pena, Parks and Recreation Manager Centeno, Parks and Recreation Director Griffiths, Public Works Services Director Ingram, Police Captain Warner

3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None

4. STUDY SESSION

A. Council Priority Session Follow-up;

Facilitator Reeves explained the process as paring the list of priorities down to a manageable size.

Council comments included clarification that because an issue appears on the list does not mean there is consensus from Council. The point was made that some priorities are policy issues rather than requiring funding. Further comment was that the ranking does not necessarily reflect importance and lower ranked items may be items already in progress. Discussion continued around staff or Council sub-committee impact that could affect elimination of priorities.

Education/Youth
The suggestion of grouping After School Programs with Homework Centers (Items 1 and 2) under Education and Schools was brought up along with the point that some items could be further grouped.

Facilitator Reeves asked for items considered to be ongoing and not going to cause an impact such as the Media Centers. Council continued that there is collaboration between the City and Schools and encouraged expansion of matching funds programs to provide a greater impact. Consensus was for further exploration to occur by the Council rather than the schools committee.

The PAL facility was agreed would be funded mostly through CDGB and other funds.
Increase in playing fields issue to be discussed in upcoming CIP session.

Childcare facilities to be handled in 00/02 budget and funding collabortion to occur for 1-5 year olds.

Redwood Shores library/middle/high school childcare/community center to be discussed simultaneously. Discussion included having committee explore and make recommendations as to highest demand and need to focus on first.

Seed dollars (collaborate projects - music art in schools) maintenance costs be absorbed by Parks and Recreation to allot toward music art in schools.

Transportation/Traffic
Consensus to group promoting many forms of transportation with City bus shuttle.

Consensus that Bloomquist Road extension, Bayfront expressway and Bair Island to Redwood Shores Parkway connector are ongoing.

Consensus for three more traffic officers and further recommendations to be looked at by the Transportation Sub-Committee.

Public Comment:

Janet Borgens thanked Council Member Jordan for the placement of speed humps.

Infrastructure/Replacement
Council discussion continued regarding Infrastructure/Replacement and consensus was Flooding and Accelerated Sidewalk Repair to be numbers one and two.

Accelerated Sidewalk Repair - some agreement appeared that the issue is important and needs to be addressed.

Public Comment:
Pete Hughes stated the flooding problem is difficult to address seriously without money dedicated and supported a tax in this instance.

Housing
Comments included exploring City/School employee housing assistance and first time homebuyer program together and looking at updated consolidated plan and housing strategy during General Plan update (policy issue). Senior housing complex and low interest housing loans were listed as strategies. City of Palo Alto's plan was pointed to as a model.

Downtown Improvement
General consensus was that all three areas are important for staff to stay focused on .

1. Continue to plan for the Downtown Cinema/Retail Project
2. Expand the Downtown area plan to include housing
3. Parking structure in redevelopment area downtown.

Doing Business/Efficiency
Establishment of Citywide operating principles on performance was determined to be on track. Interest was expressed for exploration of Palo Alto's and San Jose's external management/cost audit programs. Continued interest was expressed regarding the hiring of a communications specialist. Dedicated staff time for Council priorities at regional boards was determined may come with the the budget presentation. Making aesthetics a way of doing business was defined as a guiding principle. The focus on savings to be tied to the employees' bonus program was stated. A desire for a bonus/reward program was also expressed.

M/S Claire/Hartnett to adjourn the meeting at 7:06 p.m. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.

5. ADJOURNMENT - 7:05 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia S. Howe, CMC

City Clerk

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