REDWOOD CITY CITY COUNCIL
MAYOR RICHARD S. CLAIRE
VICE MAYOR JEFF IRA
COUNCILMEMBER JIM
HARTNETT
COUNCILMEMBER DIANE HOWARD
COUNCILMEMBER COLLEEN M. JORDAN
COUNCILMEMBER BARBARA PIERCE
COUNCILMEMBER IRA RUSKIN
COUNCIL PRIORITY SETTING SESSION
MAIN LIBRARY COMMUNITY ROOM
1044 MIDDLEFIELD RD.
8:00 A.M. - 1:45 P.M.
JANUARY 26, 2002
Facilitator: Dr. Cecil Reeves
ON JANUARY 26, 2002 THE CITY COUNCIL OF REDWOOD CITY CONDUCTED A PRIORITY SETTING SESSION.
Continental Breakfast
Status of Past Priorities
City Manager Ed Everett gave a summary of designated projects, programs, policies and processes that related to the previous six priorities. A status report was provided to Council prior to the session and is on file in the City Clerk Department.
He further explained that Council had received reports over the past several months on the Citizens' Survey, Downtown Plan, Street Maintenance, and the Redwood City Water Supply/Recycled Water. Summaries of the above topics were also provided prior to the session and are available in the City Clerk Department.
Community Input
Warren Dale, Chairperson of Civic Cultural Commission, stated that he had good news. He stated the Commission has developed a strategic plan and named the various opportunities for focus such as performing arts, ballet, public art and participation in the Fox Theatre opportunities.
Rudy Luca asked if the areas of discussion would be addressed through the previous budget or continue into the new budget.
Keith Bautista stated the County Courthouse Restoration Committee's desire to take it back to its grandeur. He encouraged the City Council to make it a priority and stated that the Committee has raised over $130,000.00 and has prepared schematic plans.
Deborah Grove restated the December 4, 2001 letter from the Senior Affairs Commission requesting consideration of $7,000.00 to conduct a survey project. She stated that although the initial request was that the funding come from the 2001 Election Savings, the Commission is not indifferent to the funding source.
Steven Howard, Architectural Review Committee Member, stated a process is necessary for those reviewing projects and that the code enforcement process lacks follow-up for compliance. He suggested a mentor program to ensure success for those seeking to build in the City.
Erin Callaghan, Redwood Oaks Neighborhood Association, stated the need for infrastructure focus for sewer and water needs. She further stated that Woodside Road is seen more by outside residents and should be considered a priority.
Rosanne Foust stated three issues as priorities: Advance planning on the General Plan; childcare needs, suggesting a look at South San Francisco; and library services in Redwood Shores suggesting community input toward fundraising.
David Stuart thanked the Council for its visibility at events, responsiveness to needs and support of education. He stated that Redwood City has the finest elementary library in the country.
Pete Hughes thanked the Council and offered four priority suggestions: 1) Affordable housing - stating Casa de Redwood is ready to help with low-income senior housing. 2) Parking - suggesting permits be used. 3) South shore recreation activities and 4) water recycling to be implemented throughout the city.
John Dempsey, Housing and Human Concerns Committee, stated transportation is critical for both youth and seniors and that the City's needs cannot be separated from regional transportation plans.
Bonnie Miller, Housing and Human Concerns Committee, stated priorities of housing needs for both rental and seniors. She further stated homelessness and increased hunger are critical issues and thanked City Council for assistance with the flooding problem in Friendly Acres.
James Jonas stated a priority should be "quality of life". He further stated that good housing, infrastructure, downtown improvements and waterways access are "quality of life" issues that attract a high tech community.
Francis Ludwig, Library Board President, thanked City Council and stated that the library services are terribly under served. He also stated the need for a library branch in Redwood Shores.
Jean Harrison, Senior Affairs Commission, concurred with the previous speakers regarding the dire need for a transportation system.
John Seybert encouraged looking at the downtown area plan with a global vision referring to Ms. Foust's statements. He stated that water is a critical issue.
Break
Changes? Modifications? or Acceptance of Council Existing Six Priority Categories
Discussion ensured amongst Council Members with consensus to retain the six priorities, adding Water Supply and Culture in the City. Consensus was for "Quality of Life" to be a credo status and to maintain "Pedestrian-Friendly Public Places" as a Council policy. Priorities to be as follows:
- Youth and Education
- Housing
- Downtown Improvements
- Transportation/Traffic
- Infrastructure
- Do Business Effectively/Efficiently
- Water Supply
- Culture in the City
Discussion of Possible Programs, Projects, Processes, and Policies to Include for the Next Two Years
Council Members indicated various programs, projects, processes and policies for consideration. A summary by broad categories was compiled onto a spreadsheet to be distributed to City Council on January 28. Council Members agreed upon the next step of ranking each of the suggested programs, projects, processes and/or policies. That tabulation will be done and the results considered at the Council meeting of November 4.
Community Input
John Dempsey stated two important areas of consideration to be 1)transportation - asking that the budget include staff time to put a plan together and 2)housing - a Council committee could focus on the issue.
Rudy Luca stated two areas for consideration: 1)transportation for seniors that might include shuttles and 2) housing for seniors and others. He stated these should move forward and be the number one priority.
Pat Taviss, Library Board Vice Chair, stated six items as priorities: Literacy, transportation, library media center access, continuance of Jan Lepowski's position, Literature/Art and a Redwood Shores Library.
Bonnie Miller restated the Quality of Life issue and asked that seniors be remembered.
Judy Buchan stated areas of priority to be that the Downtown businesspeople be included in the oversight and Middlefield Road discussion
Francis Ludwig, Library Board Member, spoke about programs with the school districts.
James Jonas gave various comments specific to each priority:
- Youth and Education - sailing as a youth activity
- Housing - guidelines needed for building height and for the floating home community
- Transportation - create waterfront walkways and a Bayfront waterway
- Infrastructure - seek State level grants
- Culture - a waterway wine festival
- Downtown - walk downtown to waterways
- Efficient Business - free wireless Internet, initiate business incubators - web based City services
Steven Howard stated the priorities to be Youth, Transportation and Housing. He commented that at risk medical studies show the greatest impact on a child is the first three years. Transportation should include train and bus coordination Downtown for safe theatre access and the Middlefield Road development is important. Housing considerations should include study of residential zoning to determine which areas are appropriate for building.
John Seybert, in the area of Youth and Education, suggested the City should support a program to develop civic leaders and a youth interest commission.
Discussion of Council Committees/ Subcommittees and lunch
Mayor Claire confirmed appointment to Council Committees and Subcommittees. Consensus was to disband some Ad Hoc Committees and rename others. The Legislative Committee was disbanded and a Legislative section will be carried on the Council agenda to allow for any necessary legislation to be discussed.
Revisions to the Council Committees and Subcommittees will be reflected in the 2002 Roster to be completed in February.
Adjournment - 1:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia S. Howe, CMC
City Clerk
Copyright © 2002. The City of Redwood City. All rights reserved.