pages: CityCouncil/2013-03-05.pdf, 11
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CityCouncil | 2013-03-05 | 11 | approached the City Council in 2011 advocating that the Council speak to the VA about better ways to protect the Least Tern colony and find ways to configure the VA project to be more protective of the birds; the issue is being considered by the VA due to the City Council representing the environmental community. The City Manager inquired whether the Council discussion two years ago about the project would constitute a conflict of interest, to which the City Attorney responded in the negative; stated a conflict of interest arises if a particular Councilmember has a financial interest in the outcome. Councilmember Chen inquired whether the language on the agenda complies with the Sunshine Ordinance. The City Attorney responded in the affirmative; stated the agenda items have to allow a person of average intelligence to understand the matter being discussed; the language on the agenda adequately gave notice; anyone interested in additional information could have read the staff report, which was available when the agenda was published. In response to Vice Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft's inquiry regarding the relationship between the March 14th environmental hearings and the Council action tonight, the Chief Operating Officer - Alameda Point stated the Navy and VA released a joint, draft Environmental Assessment (EA); meetings are being held to discuss and receive comments on the EA, which is part of the standard NEPA process; the term sheet lays out a project road map, which is subject to environmental review; the finalized NEPA and CEQA documents may change the results of the final agreement; following environmental review, staff will return to Council with binding agreements, such as easements. Vice Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired what the City would do with the comments by the public and City Council as the process moves forward. The City Manager responded the process is a federal process, not a City process; staff wanted VA staff present tonight to hear the comments firsthand. Vice Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether staff would not be summarizing the issues and concerns raised. The City Manager responded that staff does not intend to summarize issues and concerns beyond the meeting minutes, which can be forwarded to the VA. Vice Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she would like to see more description of transit options; the VA representative addressed communications with AC Transit and future steps; that she was hoping to capture said comments. The City Manager stated the City has the right to comment on the environmental document; staff intends to submit comments consistent with the Council discussion Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 11 March 5, 2013 | CityCouncil/2013-03-05.pdf |