Minutes 2006 0403 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES Page 5 City of San Leandro City COWlcil and San Leandro Redevelopment Agency Joint Meeting-April 3, 2006 Jan Zhanqing Ren, Global Mission to Rescue Persecuted Falun Gong Practitioners, addressed the City Council regarding the various acts of persecution and violence committed by the Chinese government on the practitioners ofFalun Gong. Ms. Ren urged the Council to take action to stop the persecution ofFalun Gong practitioners. Harold Perez, San Leandro resident, addressed the City Council regarding the possibility of installing red light cameras on Davis Street, truck traffic, lack of vehicle traffic on Westgate Parkway, and the rumored closure of Timothy Drive. Annabell McGeorge, San Leandro resident, addressed the City Council regarding a house at 2105 West Avenue 134th which she described as "a shambles." Ms. McGeorge provided photos of the property to the Council and reported that there are eleven adult and seven juvenile occupants living at the residence and eleven assorted vehicles, including a 5-ton Army transport truck, a fire engine and industrial garbage compressors. Ms. McGeorge expressed hope that new ordinances would be passed to address the problems at this property. 6. CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS AND COMMENTS Mr. Jermanis commented on the MacArthur Boulevard streetscape improvements currently under construction, noting that Vice Mayor Badger and Councilmember Stephens, as well as Assistant City Manager Hollister, attended a meeting at Vila Cereja on March 27 to hear the concerns of the local business owners. City staff committed to look into the issues and hold a follow-up meeting with the business owners to discuss what measures could be taken to alleviate their concerns. Mr. Jermanis pointed out that when the project began in 2000, community meetings were conducted. During these meetings, the area businesses expressed a desire for traffic calming, beautification of the area and the transformation of MacArthur from a traffic thoroughfare. Regarding the concerns raised by the speakers over human rights violations of Falun Gong practitioners, Mr. Jermanis noted that the City Council adopted a policy several years ago not to take positions on international issues. fustead, individuals or groups are encouraged to work through the appropriate agencies to seek redress. Mr. Jermanis commented that the City will review the intersection suggested by Mr. Perez for its appropriateness for red light camera enforcement. He stated that the City has no plans to close Timothy Drive. Mr. J ermanis indicated that the City is monitoring traffic flow on Westgate Parkway and local businesses have been encouraged to use Williams Street for truck deliveries; however, trucks are not prohibited from using Davis Street. Regarding Ms. McGeorge's comments about the conditions at 2105 West Avenue 1341\ Mr. Jermanis stated that Councilmember Santos brought the matter to the attention of City staff, and the police have been out to that location on several occasions. He noted at a recent work session, the City Council discussed the need for strengthening the Community Preservation ordinance. At Council's direction, the City Attorney is working on amendments to the Community Preservation ordinance which will be presented to the Council for consideration.