pages: CityCouncil/2017-02-21.pdf, 12
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CityCouncil | 2017-02-21 | 12 | Mayor Spencer seconded the motion. On the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. Councilmember Oddie stated housing advocates were not involved in developing the principal; there is a limited amount of land; the plan seems conflicted; Council has to decide whether to focus on housing, true mixed-use, or commercial; Council needs to stand behind the issues deemed important; attracting hotels is an issue; yet, when a hotel project came forward, the project fell through with the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC); there is a lot of disconnect; the desire is to have high quality jobs, yet there was a proposal to have a Ranch 99, which is a non-labor, non-union grocer who depresses wages for all other grocery workers; key stakeholders were missed left out of the process. Vice Mayor Vella stated that she saw a lot of conflicts in the report; a number of skilled- trade unions are involved in different apprenticeship programs in Alameda and none of them were involved in process; as a job pathway, unions should be involved as a resource; she supports incubator space and nurturing space to grow businesses; one thing missing in the draft strategy is how incubator spaces and technology infrastructure will be supported; from an IT standpoint, the work is already being done and should be incorporated in the Strategic Plan; converting previous car lots should also be included; loss of businesses impacts revenues; the City needs to work with existing businesses to figure out options; the issues should be recognized in the strategic plan; revenue generation should also be a focus. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft stated housing, transportation and jobs should rise to the top at the priority setting workshop; she would like to see a focus on housing; figuring out funding is important; inquired what the reference to the need for student housing means. Ms. Srivastava responded one of the ideas from the Peralta Community College District was exploring adding student housing to the College of Alameda campus; details are not worked out, but if the idea could be fleshed out if it is of interest. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft stated she would not be interested in non-funded mandates; tourism bumps down to a lower tier; the need for hotels for the business community should be kept in mind; transportation and jobs are important; she is intrigued by the suggestion that Alameda should work with other cities with maritime industries; the City has ageing infrastructure of the piers and grapples with the leases for maritime businesses; she is interested in knowing if there are examples of partnerships. Ms. Srivastava stated there are examples for other types of infrastructure; the idea came directly out of a maritime industry focus group; the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) should play a role rather than going at it alone. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 12 February 21, 2017 | CityCouncil/2017-02-21.pdf |