pages: CityCouncil/2019-01-02.pdf, 8
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CityCouncil | 2019-01-02 | 8 | 12 meetings if they feel there has been misuse of Measure WW funds; outlined additional costs not related to a special election that also must be considered by Council; stated that she cannot support adopting the ordinance and would like to pursue submitting the ordinance to voters; it is a misnomer to state a special election is due to actions of Council; questioned if Council waits to place the election on the next general election at a lower cost, what other costs are accruing in that time; stated Council has fiduciary obligations that must be considered; the previous agenda item stated the project is a top need; that she would like to discuss the ballot question. Councilmember Daysog stated the issue is straight-forward; Council should respect the wishes of those who signed the initiative; a special election is far too costly; the vote should be placed on the November 2020 ballot; Friends of Crab Cove are asking for the vote to be placed on the November 2020 ballot. Councilmember Oddie stated that he was struck by Ms. Middelberg's comment stating: "we can do better as a City;" expressed support for holding the election; stated the City cannot be held responsible for what was said in order for Measure WW to pass; discussed the previous agenda item relating to the current item; stated the issue should be resolved sooner rather than later; the project will go forward; if the vote is pushed to November or 2020, the City's liability is much more than $600,000; that he hopes both sides can keep talking and come to a solution; the area will become a homeless facility, but it will become urban blight if nothing is done. The Interim City Attorney stated if Council concedes at this point, it is not an automatic taking of the property. Vice Mayor Knox White inquired if Council moves to place the item on the ballot, are the proponents able to withdraw, to which the Interim City Attorney responded in the affirmative. Vice Mayor Knox White stated if the item does not move forward, the wellness center will lose tens of millions of dollars that have already been committed; Alameda is caring as a community; homelessness is a major issue; the need is well documented; the best way to find a solution is to sit down and address the issues and concerns; the initiative is not support community-wide; requested clarification about the allocation of Measure WW funds; stated that he believes there are factual misstatements in the initiative that need to be challenged; now is a time for healing. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated the City and the County are in the midst of a housing crisis; outlined a meeting with the Oakland Mayor; the proposed project is a well thought out way to shelter the most vulnerable homeless individuals; expressed support for going forward with a special election, due to funding commitments the project has acquired which will not exist in November 2020; outlined funding opportunities; stated projects are competing for the funding opportunities; the proponents are able to withdraw the petition any time up to January 11, 2019 at 5:00pm; Council has not expressed a desire to adopt the ordinance; inquired the process if members of the Council would like to Regular Meeting Alameda City Council January 2, 2019 | CityCouncil/2019-01-02.pdf |