pages: CityCouncil/2015-01-21.pdf, 8
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CityCouncil | 2015-01-21 | 8 | Stated the City Manager has shown a strong bias against the Park District and should be recused from any meetings; provided examples: former Councilmember Karin Lucas, Friends of Crab Cove. Stated during the petition campaign, everybody wanted to see Crab Cove become part of Crown Beach; expressed support for the referral: Gretchen Lipow, Alameda. Stated that she supports the collaboration; encouraged improvements in the storm drainage on the easement in front of the park: Susan Galleymore, Alameda. Vice Mayor Matarrese stated 6,000 signatures being gathered very quickly shows that the people of Alameda are very interested in making sure this occurs and validates the 2008 election which included the project in Measure WW; a liaison committee with two elected EBRPD Board Members and two elected Councilmembers is a good model for setting the tone; management representing the City well in a conciliatory and productive manor going forward is important; the issue is critical because more park land is not available; the City has to work well with the sister agency [EBRPD], which has a stake in Alameda. Councilmember Oddie stated passing the referral will turn the page; requested changes to the referral; suggested engaging the City's lobbyist in Washington D.C. to help assist in the matter; stated having assistance from federal representatives, such as the City's Congress member, would be nice; the State Assemblymember's office would be willing to lend a hand; that he spoke to the State Senator's office and was told that they would be willing to assist in any way possible; the City should approach State legislators, but should especially approach federal representatives because the issue needs to be resolved by the federal government. Vice Mayor Matarrese stated the support given by Attorney General Kamala Harris was greatly appreciated; all help is welcome; accepted the addition. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she has a different take on the referral; she has no problem working in harmony with fellow agencies; however, EBRPD sued the City; the ink hardly seems dry on the Settlement Agreement; the lawsuit cost the City hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees, which comes out of the City's General Fund; she supports parks in Alameda; Assymblymember Bonta's office deserves credit for stepping in and trying to help with the settlement; the litigation was long and costly; the Park District also paid legal fees and used a good, expensive law firm; the City has done its part to support the Park District land acquisition of Crab Cove; the last City Council voted to approve the [initiative] ordinance, which was a great community grassroots effort; the City down zoned the property to Open Space at risk of a lawsuit from the developer who had the option to purchase the land at the time; at some point, the Park District is going to have to pay something or convince the federal government to give them the land; the land was never the City's land; telling the federal government how to precede with regard to its property is not the City's role; GSA and EBRPD are Special Meeting Alameda City Council 8 January 21, 2015 | CityCouncil/2015-01-21.pdf |