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
SPECIAL MEETING
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
7:00 P.M.
NOVEMBER 19, 2001
A RECEPTION FOR THE NEWLY APPOINTED COUNCIL MEMBERS AND NEWLY SELECTED MAYOR AND VICE-MAYOR WAS HELD IN THE CITY HALL FOYER IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE COUNCIL MEETING.
1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:15 p.m.
1a. ROLL CALL
Council Members Present: Hartnett, Ira, Pierce, Vice Mayor Claire and Mayor Ruskin
Council Members Absent: Howard (arrived at 7:23 p.m.); Jordan
Staff Present: City Clerk Howe, City Manager Everett, City Attorney Yamamoto, Financial Services Director Ponty, Police Chief Bolanos, Fire Chief Montez, Senior Deputy Clerk Ponte, Administrative Secretary Dale, Assistant to City Manager Gonzalez, Public Works Services Director/Assistant City Manager Ingram, Community Development Services Director Liedstrand, Community Development Services Manager Patterson, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Centeno, Library Director Chen, Senior Civil Engineer Lynch, Volunteer Balsamo
Mayor Ruskin announced the following individuals present in the audience: Former Redwood City Mayors Bury, Britschgi, LaBerge, Buchan; President of San Mateo County Board of Trustees Miljanich, San Mateo Board of Education Member Morantez
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Jim Hartnett, Council Member
"God Bless America" by Peninsula Music Arts Association3. INVOCATION - Pastor Scott Owens, Fully Alive Community Church
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Yeong Ching Foo spoke about the matter of interference imposed by the Consulate of the Peoples Republic of China. She cited the persecution of practitioners of Falun Gong over the last two years in China resulting in over 300 deaths, thousands sent to labor camps and healthy practitioners being locked in mental hospitals. She described further negative impacts on the practitioners and stated that the Government of China has extended the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners beyond the borders of China into the United States. Ms. Foo submitted a copy of a letter sent to President Bush asking him to inform the government of China that interference in the democratic process of this country must stop.
Mayor Ruskin stated that he had issued a proclamation recognizing Falun Gong and although he had been asked to rescind the proclamation, had not done so.
Pete Hughes stated that last year a fundraiser had occurred in an effort to raise money for a community center in sister city Colima, Mexico. He stated the community center has been completed and is being used as witnessed during a recent visit to make a payment bringing the contribution to the promised $10,000.00.
5. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY -
INSTALLATION OF NEWLY APPOINTED CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, CONDUCTED BY CITY CLERK;
Mayor Ruskin explained that the three Council Members are appointed rather than elected due to the cancellation of the November election when no other candidates turned in qualified nomination petitions.
- Administration of Oath of Office, and presentation of Certificates of Appointment to newly appointed Council Members;
City Clerk Howe administered the Oath of Office to Council Members Jim Hartnett, Diane Howard and Jeff Ira at the podium.- Comments from newly installed Council Members;
Council Member Hartnett introduced his wife and two sons and reflected on those individuals involved in his previous campaigns. He stated that Council is here to serve the people, because of the people and must stay attuned to the people of our city. He stated the city has a great quality of life here, but at every Council meeting voting occurs on quality of life issues. He further stated, that he will, for the next four years, as in the past, cast his votes each time in a way that he believes best supports the great quality of life for people of every age, income and background. He stated it is an honor to be on the Council and a privilege to serve with each and every one.
Council Member Howard thanked her husband, Steve, who has been a support over the past many years, particularly, this last year. She thanked the community and the Council for returning her to office. She stated that the Council's focus on communication is one of the major reasons that the election took the direction it did, rather than voter apathy. She cited various necessary elements Council ha s implemented and supported order to sustain economic vitality in the city. She stated her pride in working with Council and staff in steering the community during the unpredictable climate and keeping a steady course. She stated her belief that Redwood City is a city of opportunity, an opportunity for jobs, high quality education, a variety of housing opportunities and a city that offers families a safe, nurturing and thriving environment. She expressed her pride in working with the Council and the community and encouraged continued input on thoughts and concerns.
Council Member Ira stated that each election brings something different and although there was not the excitement of an election, that it is really important to recognize those that support the elected officials, that being their families. He introduced his wife and three children present in the audience. He stated his mother, father and sister were present as well. He continued that when asked why he sometimes appears to make decisions easily, it is due to the fact that he thinks about how the decision will affect all members of his family. He stated his belief that as Council spends time sharing with family and friends, that they help them to make decisions and help form their character in order to be strong, courageous and do what is right. He thanked his family and friends for being there.- Nominations and selection of Mayor for a two-year term, conducted by City Clerk; (nominations do not need a second.)
Mayor Ruskin opened nominations for Mayor to serve until November of 2003.
Council Member Hartnett nominated Council Member Claire to serve as Mayor. He stated Council Member Claire began formal public service to the City in 1978. He served on the Planning Commission, as Secretary and Chair to the Planning Commission. He then was elected to Council in 1982, re-elected in 1986 and 1990 and took one year off. He ran again in 1995 and is now serving his term after re-election in 1999. He has served most recently as Vice Mayor, and in a prior term Vice Mayor and Mayor with many distinguished Council Members and a number of Mayors introduced tonight.
Council Member Hartnett further stated that Council Member Claire's values were not formed by his public service, as his values were clearly formed before being elected to Council and appointed to the Planning Commission. He has been a professor of accounting, finance and tax. He has been a corporate controller, a consultant and his experience outside of public service is what has provided him the foundation for making those important decisions and the vision to be a great Mayor once again in Redwood City.
Council Member Pierce offered a second to the nomination for two outstanding reasons, those being his experience and the fact that he is willing to continue to entertain new ideas.
M/S Howard/Ira to close nominations. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote by those present.
MINUTE ORDER 01-166
City Clerk Howe took a roll call vote and those present with Council Member Jordan absent selected Council Member Claire as Mayor by a unanimous vote.
6. CALL TO ORDER BY THE NEWLY SELECTED MAYOR;
- Administration and selection of Vice Mayor for a two-year term, conducted by the Mayor;
Newly selected Mayor Claire thanked his colleagues for the support and promised to do the best job possible.
Mayor Claire opened nominations for Vice Mayor.
Council Member Howard nominated Jeff Ira for Vice Mayor. She stated that as a Certified Public Accountant, Council Member Ira has brought a wealth of knowledge and information to the Council. She stated she has enjoyed working on various committees with him and that various neighborhood and community issues have benefited from his thought and content.
Council Member Ruskin seconded the nomination. He stated that he has come to respect Council Member Ira very highly, is a great person to work with and has an extraordinary commitment to Redwood City. He stated that Council Member Ira brings a fiscal interest and his opinions are valued and make an extraordinary contribution to the decision making process. He further stated that he has shown leadership in many areas, introducing ideas that have later become policy, such as creating new housing opportunities, particularly for teachers and others in the community. He stated with pride that he seconds the nomination with an eye toward the future in that Council Member Ira will also make an excellent Mayor in the future.
M/S Hartnett/Howard to close the nominations. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
>MINUTE ORDER 01-167
The motion to appoint Council Member Ira to serve as Vice Mayor passed by a unanimous roll call vote with Council Member Jordan absent.
- Comments from Council Members and Vice Mayor recognition of Ira Ruskin for two years of service as Mayor of Redwood City;
Council Member Hartnett stated that former Mayor Ruskin has attempted to be at every significant event during his two years as Mayor. He has exhibited a high level of public dedication in appearing at not only all significant community events but attempting to represent Redwood City at all regional and county events in which the City's interests are protected or advanced. When a Mayor has the respect from the Council and staff, that Mayor can have an impact on how the city operates and on public policy in Redwood City. He stated Mayor Ruskin had that respect, continues to have it and as such had an impact that goes way beyond one vote. That impact was noticed in a number of ways such as his attentiveness to a timely response to each citizen communication whether, e-mail, telephone or letter and focused on the basic issues that relate to quality of life. The extraordinary amount of time Mayor Ruskin committed to public service was all to make this city a better place and the impact of his service will long be felt.
Council Member Howard thanked former Mayor Ruskin for his personal time and effort as both Mayor and Vice Mayor over the last combined four years. She cited his efforts at the regional level speaking forcefully and intelligently about issues of grave concern to the City such as transportation and water. Mayor Ruskin spent countless hours speaking to newspaper editorial boards, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, served as a representative to the Bay Area Water Users Association as both a City and County representative. She also thanked him for the sense of humor he brought to the Council meetings such that no matter what the issue was, he was able to bring humor and lighten things up. She further thanked him for raising the bar on esthetics, attention to detail, the beauty that comes from investing a great deal of time into your community.
Council Member Pierce stated that throughout her service on the Airport Roundtable Committee representatives have commented to her that Redwood City was well represented by former Mayor Ruskin.
Vice Mayor Ira thanked former Mayor Ruskin for all he has done. He stated that former Mayor Ruskin grew to understand how committed all Council Members are to Redwood City and he made a serious commitment to understanding him, his positions, where he is coming from and work with him. He stated it is a tremendous statement of character and what he provided to Redwood City.
- Comments by Mayor Ruskin; Council Members, newly selected Vice-Mayor and Mayor;
Mayor Claire read the proclamation and presented gifts to former Mayor Ruskin. He stated he admired former Mayor Ruskin's wit, ability to defuse, see beyond the immediate and get on with things. He stated that former Mayor Ruskin brought wisdom and wit to the weekly meetings with the City Manager and was fun. He further stated that it's been an enjoyable two years working as Vice Mayor with him and he has done a lot for the City.
Former Mayor Ruskin thanked his fellow Council Members and Mr. Molony for the comments. He stated he had many to thank beginning with the residents, his colleagues for the privilege and honor, Mayor Claire, City staff for all their work every day. He thanked staff for being present and stated that it exemplifies the incredible partnership between the policy makers and staff who carry out the policy very effectively and very imaginitively. One of his priorities was to make the Mayor's office more responsive by responding to communication in a timely fashion. He thanked the Clerk's Office for acting as his right hand. He further thanked the City Manager, his staff, the City Attorney and Volunteer Art Balsamo. He thanked the residents of Redwood City for communicating to him thoughts and feelings in a civil manner. He thanked the board, committee and commission members and stated briefly what has been accomplished in relation to the six Council priorities of youth and education, efficiency of government, housing, transportation and traffic, downtown and infrastructure. He commended Council for meeting the goals set in their priorities and thanked staff for helping them carry it out.
He talked about public service as being one of the most rewarding years of his life and thanked his wife for her support. He called upon all to consider public service whether it be volunteering, working for government or running for public office. He thanked both his colleagues and the residents of Redwood City.
Mayor Claire invited his family up to be introduced and thanked them for sustaining him and keeping him going. He introduced and called his wife to the podium announcing that they were married exactly 41 years ago that night.
- Public comment;
Clem Molony thanked former Mayor Ruskin and all the former Mayors in the audience. He stated former Mayor Ruskin had been inclusive, cared about the populous and there desires. Upon asking others their thoughts, he stated the following, the word "sincere", working to make Redwood City a better place, trees, roads and physical improvements. He further stated that he noticed his value of diversity in the people and the various parts of town. He thanked him for representation that shows the governance is working well and that people feel that.
Janet Borgens thanked Council for the effort in resolving the flooding issue. She further thanked Council for returning and responding to calls from residents.
7. ADJOURNMENT - 9:10 p.m.
M/S Hartnett/Howard to adjourn to a reception and then to the regular meeting of November 26, 2001 in memory of George McKibben, a staunch member of the community who will be missed along with his recently deceased wife. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia S. Howe, CMC
City Clerk
Copyright © 2001. The City of Redwood City. All rights reserved.