pages: CityCouncil/2020-05-07.pdf, 4
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CityCouncil | 2020-05-07 | 4 | Urged Council to reschedule discussion of changes to Measure A so that concerned citi- zens can address City Council in person: Elizabeth Tuckwell, Alameda. Stated that he supports Option 2 to put a measure on the ballot to repeal Article 26, with additional provisions written into the Code to protect historic resources; Article 26 limits Alameda's ability to provide the community a fair share of housing; he does not want to see wholesale demolition of historic buildings, but cannot walk by people living in tents and just disregard it: Kevis Brownson, Alameda. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated her top three priorities when she became Mayor were: 1) housing affordability, availability, and homelessness, 2) traffic and transportation, and 3) the impact of climate change, especially sea-level rise; she speaks from different perspectives: as Mayor, as a long-time Alameda resident, and as the Vice Chair of a Statewide policy committee of the League of California Cities on Housing, Community and Economic Development; there is a housing crisis in the State because homes have not been built to keep up with the burgeoning workers coming to the State; as a result, people are living farther from their jobs and commuting, which clog the freeways and pollutes the air; some of the people slip through the cracks into homelessness; she disagrees with speakers who stated the issue can wait until the 2022 election; the most effective way to address homelessness is not to allow it to happen in the first place; she is proud of the work Council has done to enact progressive renter protections; there is more demand than supply; having a Charter measure which states no multi-family can be built is an impediment; it is not an easy topic; if COVID 19 is being brought into the conversation, remember the crisis impacts some people much more harshly than others including Alameda's small business owners, their employees and renters; Council has the time now; a decision to amend the Charter will not be made tonight; tonight's discussion is about whether voters should have the opportunity to vote on this in November 2020; she understands there may be fear of political consequences, but there is a higher purpose for Council service; thanked the Planning Board and Council for the work put into the issue; stated Council can address the issues in real-time despite what is going on; at the end of the day, she would like to do the most good for the majority of the people. Vice Mayor Knox White concurred with Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft's comments; stated the housing issue and the limitations the Charter are important to the City; with the national election in November, there is opportunity to ask the community how they would like to proceed on the issue; if Council does not allow the opportunity, all the comments from the past are words not met with the action that is clearly needed; removing Article 26 entirely is the most effective and best way; officials are elected to make decisions, but he understands there is lack of trust, which is the reason for Options 4a and 4b; the fact that Council is trying to find work-arounds means that the General Plan is inconsistent with the Charter; he is hoping Council can move forward. Councilmember Daysog stated he will talk straight and does not want to come across as disingenuous; he owns the moniker as the Councilmember who favors slow and moderate Special Meeting Alameda City Council 4 May 7, 2020 | CityCouncil/2020-05-07.pdf |