pages: CityCouncil/2016-05-17.pdf, 17
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CityCouncil | 2016-05-17 | 17 | resources on a monthly basis; Council should think more deeply before doing a Call for Review and prevent staff from having to work on another bureaucratic policy that may not be currently necessary: Irene Dieter, Alameda. Stated there should be a discussion about the Council review procedure; the Association supports Councilmember Oddie's referral; there needs to be a public forum to have proper input from the community: Robb Ratto, Downtown Business Association. Stated the Call for Review is an oversight function for the Council; the issue has been brought to Council in the past; currently the Call for Review is the only place a single Councilmember can agendize an item; the Council referral process was developed to provide Council direction before taking staff and community time; the proposal creates regular reporting from the Planning Board to the Council; the proposal maintains residents, business and Council's ability to file an appeal within 10 days and does not limit Council oversight; the change makes the process more clear and more transparent: John Knox White, Planning Board. Urged Council not consider the proposal; stated the process is helpful to the citizens of Alameda to come to a Councilmember and have consideration on a decision made by the Planning Board; the large fee would not allow people to appeal a decision: Janet Gibson, Alameda. Councilmember Oddie made brief comments on his referral. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft inquired what is the cost for an appeal. The Assistant City Attorney responded there is an initial fee then fees for labor and material. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she would like to see staff come back to Council with cleaned up language and actual costs when someone files an appeal. Vice Mayor Matarrese stated the Call for Review is a very important responsibility of the Council; the process is a very important tool the Council has and should be used sparingly and with judgement; Council is elected to exercise judgement and if Councilmembers are not making good judgements the citizens should let them know. Councilmember Daysog stated that he believes the City can continue to improve the Call for Review process; the Call for Review process is entrusted to Council and he does not want to give up that privilege; the standard for discussing Call for Review and improving the process should not be determined by whether it will succeed; further public discussion would be valuable; he is not opposed to discussing improvements to the Call for Review process; he would like to improve the public participation in governance. Mayor Spencer stated that she is concerned the policy has not been accurately Regular Meeting Alameda City Council May 17, 2016 | CityCouncil/2016-05-17.pdf |