pages: CityCouncil/2013-03-05.pdf, 8
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CityCouncil | 2013-03-05 | 8 | Councilmember Chen inquired whether the letter of support legally binds the City to a particular course of action. The Chief Operating Officer - Alameda Point responded in the negative. Mr. Schlossberg stated the VA's project is undergoing environmental review; until the review is done, the VA cannot proceed; the City also needs to do environmental review; neither party can enter into binding agreements at this time; the federal government wants to know the City's view, however, the actions are unilateral; hopefully, the federal government will continue to cooperate with, and listen to, the City and take the City's interests into account; the ability to exclude the 74 acres is a unilateral action; the nature of the action tonight is not binding and is cooperation between two governments; binding agreements may come about from the action tonight after full NEPA and California Environmental Review Act (CEQA) review. Councilmember Chen stated the letter has two components: 1) redrawing the VA undeveloped area boundary; and 2) the City asking the VA for help with infrastructure and access; inquired what guarantees the City will have that by supporting the Navy giving the VA the 74 acres, the City hopes to save millions of dollars in public access and infrastructure. Mr. Schlossberg responded neither side can give binding commitments until both sides complete environmental review; the cooperative effort is born out of geography; to access the federal parcel, the VA will travel through the City and Alameda residents will travel through the VA property to access the park area; there is a mutual interest; everything is subject to change as the environmental documents proceed, public comment is received and alternatives are raised. Vice Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated the staff report indicates the term sheet includes VA coordination with the local transit authority; inquired whether the local transit authority is AC Transit or the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. The Chief Operating Officer - Alameda Point responded AC Transit. Vice Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated the term sheet states: the VA shall contact the local transit authority to seek to obtain extended public transit services to the facilities at no additional costs to the VA and subject to the applicable federal law and the availability of funds; inquired whether doing more than is listed in the term sheet is possible; and whether the VA could operate a shuttle bus; stated 250 VA employees will serve around 543 patients during the weekdays and around 70 patients on weekends; in addition, there will be special events with from 1,000 to 5,000 attendees; individual cars would be a burden; the clause does not go far enough. The Chief Operating Officer - Alameda Point responded the non-binding term sheet is a road map for how the two agencies coordinate together; City staff wanted to include something about transit; the City is reviewing the VA's environmental document and will Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 8 March 5, 2013 | CityCouncil/2013-03-05.pdf |