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Reformation of RAC 2 October 20, 2008 BACKGROUND Although RACs are not required by law, they provide a valuable source of community input for matters ultimately to be considered by the City Council. The Joint and WSL RACs were essential to the prioritizing of the goals, objectives and programs used to implement the Redevelopment Plans. Both RACs advised the agency on Zoning Code changes within the Project Area, the Assembly Use Overlay District and the creation of the Commercial Rehabilitation Program. The primary function of the Joint RAC was to put into action the Redevelopment Plan by working with staff to create aFive-Year Implementation Plan. The Joint RAC, through the Implementation Plan, created the framework for the following projects and programs: • Expansion of the Marina Auto Mall • The Redevelopment of the Islander Motel • The Implementation of East 14th Street South Area Strategy • Renovation of the Bayfair Center The WSL RAC worked with staff to create the Five-Year Implementation Plans which were adopted by the Redevelopment Agency in 1999 and 2004. One program that was an outgrowth of the WSL RAC involvement in the Implementation Plans is the LINKS shuttle. The creation of this shuttle was a response to a shortage of public transportation in West San Leandro and an expressed desire for adequate public transportation by the West San Leandro business community. In addition, the WSL RAC advised the Redevelopment Agency on: • The MacArthur Boulevard Streetscape Improvement Plans • The Doolittle Drive Improvement Plans Now that these objectives, goals and programs have been established and priorities determined, the monitoring functions that the RACs serve duplicate the efforts of the Planning Commission and the City Council Business and Housing Development Committee. The declining number of issues to be reviewed by the RACs, the difficulty of supporting the RACs with current staffing levels, and difficulty in filling the current vacancies, are additional reasons the Rules and Communications Committee and staff recommend dissolving the Joint and WSL RACs. Staff and the Rules and Communications Committee are also recommending formation of a new RAC consisting of individuals from all three project areas as well as a housing representative in order to reposition the RACs to continue to provide valuable input, given the above challenges. The reformed RAC would have 10 members, made up of stakeholders -one property owner, one business owner and one resident who lives within 500 feet of each of the three Project Areas plus one stakeholder representing the housing community (i.e., non-profit housing agency, multi- family property owner, or multi-family residential developer). The proposed 10 member RAC should provide valuable and representative input, while remaining a manageable size that can be educated on the specifics of the Project Areas.