pages: CityCouncil/2020-06-02.pdf, 22
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CityCouncil | 2020-06-02 | 22 | costs of legal challenges to City-sponsored ballot measures and to ensure the matter stands up to superficial legal challenges; expressed concern about having Charter amendment conversations at special meetings with less notice; stated that she is the one Councilmember that was not able to participate in a subcommittee; expressed support for clarifying motions; stated that she is not trusting of the process; that she would like to know the plan, when meetings will occur, who will be involved and how groups are being informed of the process and decisions; changes to the Charter are important; in the midst of a pandemic, most decisions should follow a process and timeline. Vice Mayor Knox White stated that he has been engaged in the matter for 18 years and has heard from both sides; the pandemic is a public health crisis that has a housing connection; a number of letters received suggest a pause until housing is an issue again; many housing issues need to be addressed and fixed; there is an opportunity to place the matter before the largest voting blocks in Alameda history; allowing as many people as possible to weigh-in on the issue is transparent; many important decisions will be voted on in the November 2020 election; stated one of the highlights from the Color of Law is related to density and use of density to impact housing; should Section 26-1 be repealed and Section 26-3 not be repealed, the piece of the law put in place to make it difficult to build housing would remain; it is more important to repeal Section 26-3 than Section 26-1 to impact housing; that he is not willing to support spot zoning; expressed support for removing zoning sledgehammers from the Charter, engaging the public in the planning process, considering a full repeal of Article 26on the November ballot. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she would like full Council support to move forward in removing Section 26-1; an outright ban on multi-family housing does not belong in the Charter; expressed support for needing a robust discussion; noted the discussion has been persistent for 20 years; stated the pandemic has shown how horrendous the housing crisis is; expressed concern about the abuse of power statement; stated as a matter of perception, use of power could be dereliction of duty; she takes her role as Mayor very seriously; this is a pivotal time in history; Council has the power to do something better; people do have the chance to engage in the public process; the matter is time-sensitive; housing is a human right; the previous vote for Measure A had been misguided and has had an impact on the City; expressed support for not letting perfect be the enemy of good; stated modifications should be bifurcated; messages need to be made simple and straightforward; the opportunity to vote on the matter should be provided; outside walking tours with social distancing will eventually be available; expressed support for taking Section 26-3 out of the Charter; questioned what Section 26-3 will be replaced with in zoning ordinances; stated the process will not happen overnight; stated Section 26-1 does not belong in the Charter; Council will be directing staff to return to Council with potential ballot language; expressed support for a measure repealing Section 26-1. Councilmember Oddie moved approval of adding a measure to repeal of Section 26-1 to the November 2020 ballot. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 9 June 2, 2020 | CityCouncil/2020-06-02.pdf |