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MINUTES Page 6 City of San Leandro City Council and San Leandro Redevelopment Agency Joint Meeting-February 4, 2008 4. PUBLIC HEARINGS-JOINT CITY COUNCIL/ REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY None. 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS Public Comments are limited to 3 minutes per speaker, subject to adjustment by the Mayor. When you address the City Council, you should fill out a speaker card and submit it to the City Clerk so the order of speakers may be determined and an official record of names and addresses obtained. The public is invited to make comments on items of public interest NOT listed on the Agenda. Jillian Jones Grant, Cynthia Salcedo, Chris Kuhn and Joanna Franco, students from the Social Justice Academy at San Leandro High School, addressed the City Council regarding a student that was struck and killed by an Amtrak train in San Leandro in December 2007. The students expressed concern regarding the speed of Amtrak trains and their proximity to Muir and Wilson Schools. The students stated that they would like to work with the City, Amtrak and Senator Ellen Corbett to slow the speed of trains to 5-10 mph while traveling through San Leandro. The students requested a letter of support from the City, which they could forward to Senator Corbett. Mayor Santos stated that he would write a letter to Union Pacific Railroad, requesting a review of train safety aspects within San Leandro. Vice Mayor Grant noted that at the last Alameda County Transportation Improvement Authority (ACTIA) meeting, this issue was discussed. Supervisor Gail Steele advocated for the cities along the rail corridor to work together to urge Union Pacific to slow the trains down. Vice Mayor Grant suggested that the students also contact Supervisors Steele and Lai-Bitker with their request. Mayor Santos offered to send a copy of his letter to the Alameda County Mayors Conference, and to the cities in Alameda County along the rail corridor. Councilmember Gregory thanked the students for attending the meeting. He noted that he helped secure the funding for the Social Justice Academy, and he stated that he hoped the students would regularly attend Council meetings. Gayle Hudson, San Leandro resident, addressed the City Council, presenting petitions to the Council signed by residents in her neighborhood. The petitions requested traffic calming measures on Victoria Avenue. Ms. Hudson described the property damage and safety issues created by cars speeding on Victoria Avenue. Earle Shenk, San Leandro resident, addressed the City Council, commenting on the problems with speeding cars on Victoria Avenue from MacArthur to Bancroft. Mr. Shenk commented on several life-threatening auto accidents which have occurred on Victoria Avenue. Mr. Shenk urged the City to consider traffic calming measures for Victoria Avenue, even though it does not meet the City's criteria for such measures.