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Minutes - San Leandro City Council Meeting - September 21, 1992 Page - 4 - PUBLIC COMMENTS (continued) were more fields. He said he likes the proposed sports complex but said it would still not meet the needs of soccer players. Council Member Perry pointed out that the land is owned by the School District and they control access. She noted that the Council/School Liaison Committee has this matter under constant discussion. Anna Jo, Ivy Court, said she was there to speak for the squirrels. She promised to do whatever she could to help and asked the City Council to consider Dr. Katz's proposal and help the squirrels. Lorna Boatwright, Mini Cab in Oakland, said the new paratransit company proposes using vans, and some seniors have a problem stepping up into vans. She said the company proposed using eight sedans, but only a van was displayed at the library. She said seniors are concerned about the lack of curb-to-curb assistance because some of them can barely get to and from their doors. Mayor Karp suggested she discuss this with Dennis Smith. Linda Kremer, 660 E. Lewelling Boulevard, Hayward, representing Mini Cab paratransit, said they conducted a survey of their senior and paratransit clients and the participants do not want the program changed. She said participants are concerned whether they will have emergency service if 24-hour service is eliminated, how they will get assistance to and from doors, and whether they will get help taking groceries to and from stores. She said they are concerned about the 24-hour-notice pickup requirement. She said she was concerned whether the disabled would be able to get into the vans. Mayor Karp asked if she was aware that the paratransit rules are set by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, using TDA funds. He said her questions could be answered by Dennis Smith. He asked why a Hayward resident was talking to the San Leandro Council . She said she lives at the border, her disabled son goes to school in San Leandro, and she works as a taxi driver in San Leandro. Council Member Perry asked if she circulated the survey while St. Mini Cab was under contract with the City and said she was greatly disturbed by this. She noted the survey said, "Your service could be in jeopardy. " She said there was an open-bid process with MTC, and St. Mini Cab did not make the top-three cut. She said she was disturbed that St. Mini Cab is trying to bring this to the Council this way. Joann Freize, 2541 Lessley, Castro Valley, said she uses Marina Park regularly. She thanked the Council for considering the life of the squirrels and showed pictures of owls who reside in squirrel holes and burrows. She said there were three owls there for several years; they died when the park district poisoned the squirrels, and no owls have ever returned, nor have the jackrabbits, but the squirrels have. She showed current pictures of burrowing owls at Bonaire Park and said we wouldn't have the owls if we didn't have the squirrels. She asked the City Council to consider that if the squirrels are poisoned, the other animals lose their habitat and will no longer exist in our area.