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VIEWPOINT

City Council Briefs - A Summary of Actions Taken by the

March 2008

City Council Extends Exclusive Negotiating Rights on Transit Center

The City Council voted 4-1 to extend the exclusive negotiating rights [ERN] with Wareham Development for up to one year on the proposed Transit Center project. Councilman John Fricke was the sole “no” vote. This was not the final approval of the project, and indeed not any sort of approval at all. In fact, Wareham has not even submitted an application with the City yet to begin the project, which would be located on the open air parking lot on Horton Street, between the Amtrak Station and the Emeryville Post Office. The project also includes plans to finally clean up Emeryville’s last remaining Superfund site.

New Director of Public Works.

City Manager Patrick O’Keeffe formally announced that Maurice Kaufman has been named as the new Director of Public Works. He had been serving as the Acting Director since the retirement of Hank Van Dyke last year. Kaufman is a long-time Emeryville Public Works Department senior staff member.

Annual Trip to Washington.

The Council voted 5-0 to send the Mayor and Vice Mayor as part of the City’s delegation to the Annual Trip to Washington, DC in March. The delegation meets with Congressional representatives and executive branch officials to advocate for federal funding for critical Emeryville projects. Representatives of the Emery Unified School District and senior City staff will also go on the trip.

Cultural Arts Center Plan

The Council voted 5-0 to issue an RFP for a consultant to prepare a Strategic Plan for the proposed Cultural Arts Center [the former United Stamping Company building next to City Hall on Hollis Street]. This building will eventually be the permanent site for the Emeryville Exhibition of the Arts and will house exhibits from the Emeryville Historical Society.

Council Approves Loan to School District

The Council unanimously approved a $2.8 million loan to the Emery Unified School District for a renovation and expansion of Anna Yates Elementary School. Acting Superintendent Stephen Wesley made the presentation before the City Council.

Triangle Meeting on Traffic Calming

The Council will hold an open community meeting on Monday evening, April 7th, starting at 7:30 p.m. on issues concerning the traffic calming measures in the Triangle area. The meeting will be held at the Emeryville Senior Center, 4321 Salem Street.

Red Cross Month

The Council voted unanimously to proclaim March, 2008 as American Red Cross Month in Emeryville. The Council especially sited the Red Cross’s work in disaster relief and emergency preparedness. Representatives of the Red Cross were on hand to receive the proclamation.