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That's really interesting. I could incorporate my silver and glass. But once I got started in the glass, I discovered a medium that I just couldn't stop working.

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Amber Smith asked that our resolution regarding the MML legislative action request is the microphone

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sounding really strange?

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Okay.

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We're going to try and fix that.

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Is that better?

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Okay.

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All right.

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So on the consent agenda, the Maryland Municipal League legislative action request will be pulled

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from the consent agenda and we will discuss that.

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Other than that, there are no changes to our agenda this evening.

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If you need copies of the packet, the agenda, or other items we're discussing, they're

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on the table over here.

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In addition, if you would like to sign up to comment on the Tacoma Junction, either one

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of the resolutions we will be taking up this evening, there is a sign and she at the back

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of the room.

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And then tonight is our last meeting for the summer.

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After this evening, we will be in recess until early September.

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So our first thing this evening are public comments on voting items.

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Our first voting item is the second reading ordinance authorizing the FY 2019 budget amendment number one.

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Any public comments on that?

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Okay, so you know public comments on that.

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That our second voting item is the second reading ordinance authorizing the FY 2019 storm

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ward of budget amendment number one.

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Seeing no public comments on that, we have the second reading ordinance awarding a contract

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for Lincoln Avenue sidewalk constructions.

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Any public comments on that?

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Okay.

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Next is the second reading ordinance authorizing purchase of replacement police vehicles.

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Any public comments on that?

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Next is the second reading ordinance authorizing a contract with the International Association

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of Chiefs of Police to conduct a promotional process for the police department.

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Any comments?

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Next is the Resolution Authorizing Submission of Legislative Action Request to the Maryland Municipal League.

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Next we'll have our consent agenda that includes resolution providing for

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redeployment to the Commission on Landlord 10 Affairs.

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Oh, go switch out my microphone.

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Okay. And then we have a resolution setting forth dates for the City Council's summer recess.

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All right, no public comments on that. We'll go to our voting session.

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The first item is the second reading ordinance authorizing the FY 2019 budget amendment number one.

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I don't believe there were any changes since last week.

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There's no changes.

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These are mostly carryover items.

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There were only three items that were new, which we went over last week.

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So I think unless there's questions it's straightforward.

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Okay.

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Would someone like to move the order?

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Councilman Searsy.

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Would someone like to second?

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Councilman Costa.

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Any discussion or questions?

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No.

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Would the clerk like to call the roll, please?

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Councilmember Covar.

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Councilmember DiValla.

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Yes.

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Councilmember Costa.

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Councilmember Siemens.

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Councilmember Smith.

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Yes.

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Councilmember Searsy.

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Mayor Stewart.

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Yes.

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All right.

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Next, we need to vote to convene as the Storm Morton Management Board.

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Was someone like to move that?

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That's what I was going to say, do I have a second?

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Is that a Councilwoman DiBala?

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All those in favor of convene?

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Yes, the Storm Morton Management Board.

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Hi.

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Hi.

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Any opposed?

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Any abstaining?

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We are now the Storm Morton Management Board.

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And we will take off the second reading ordinance authorizing the FYI 2019 Storm Morton

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Budget Amendment number one.

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This is the second reading.

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There's no changes from the first reading.

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So was someone like to remove this?

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Council Member Smith, second.

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You know, Council Member Costick, second, any discussion?

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A little clerk called the roll.

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Council Member Cobar, Council Member DiBalla, Council Member Costick, Council Member Siemens.

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Council Member Smith, Council Member Circi, Mayor Stewart.

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Yes.

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Next item is our third voting item, second reading ordinance awarding a contract for the Lincoln Avenue sidewalk construction.

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I don't think there's any.

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There's no change from this item that was introduced last week and as we said, the company

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is SEC Corporation with a construction bid of $435,000 and I urge her approval.

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Right.

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Would someone like to move this?

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Councilwoman DiBalla?

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Is it five a second?

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Finally.

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Councilwoman C.O.C.

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Second.

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Councilwoman DiBalla?

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Yes.

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Yes. I have one question. Do we know when, if this is approved tonight, do we know when

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this might start?

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It should start. No, I'm fading up.

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Just hold up fingers for months and we'll be good.

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It should start fairly soon. We're waiting to sign a contract.

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Okay. All right, so that was fairly soon waiting to sign the contract. In case anybody didn't hear that.

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Great.

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Terrific.

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A little clerk called the roll.

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Councillor Member Cogor.

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Councillor Member DiBalla.

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Yes.

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Councillor Member Costick.

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Councillor Member Siemens.

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Councillor Member Smith.

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Yes.

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Councillor Member Searsie.

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Mayor Stewart.

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Yes.

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Next item is second reading ordinance authorizing purchase of replacement police vehicles.

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Again, no change on that item.

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Do I have someone who would like to move that?

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No move.

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Councillor Member Siemens.

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Do I have a second?

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Thank you.

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Councillorwoman Costick.

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Any discussion or questions?

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Councillor Man de Balla.

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Yes, I don't know if you talked about this last week or not, at the Maryland Municipal League Conference, there was a police officer from Hyatt'sville with a retrofitted sit-in, and so I would ask the Fleet Review Committee and the police chief to look into that for the next go-round.

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Okay, great.

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Any other questions or comments?

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Councillor MacLeod?

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The clerk called the roll.

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Councillor Bimbe-Covard?

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Councillor Bimbe-Daballa?

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Yes.

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Councillor Bimbe-Costick?

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Councillor Bimbe-Cemanns?

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All right.

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Councillor Bimbe-Smith?

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Yes?

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Councillor Bimbe-Cersei?

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Mayor Stewart?

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Yes.

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Our fifth item is Second Read The Ordinance, Authorizing a Contract

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with the International Association of Chiefs of Police to conduct a promotional process

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for the Police Department.

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Again, this one had no change from its first reading with someone like Convovat?

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We good.

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Councillor Bimbe-Cemanns, second.

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Councillor M...

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Yes.

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Councilmember C.R.C., second. Any questions on this one?

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No questions? All right, we'll clerk all the roll.

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Councilmember C.R.C., Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Siemens, Councilmember

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Kostik, Councilmember DeBalla, Councilmember Kovar, Mayor Stewart.

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Yes.

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Next, we have the resolution authorizing submission of the legislative action request

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to the Maryland Municipal League.

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And we had the work session last week for council members, the updated resolution is in your packet on orange.

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And just to recap what we talked about last week, the City Council held the work session and selected the following for submission to the Maryland Municipality.

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The first was legislation to support residents impacted by increasing property values and rents resulting from infrastructure improvements.

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transit projects such as the purple line and redevelopment.

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The second request was legislation mandating coordination and cooperation between utilities,

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the state highway administration and municipalities to minimize impact on residents and businesses

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during infrastructure construction and repairs.

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And the third item was legislation to enable municipalities to decrease dependence upon property

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tax revenue by having additional options for raising revenues through taxation either by increased

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intergovernmental sharing of tax revenue or by allowing additional types of taxation.

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So these will be sent to the Maryland Municipal League and each year they consider the requests

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for municipalities across the state and then the legislative committee decides on which

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ones they will move forward.

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So would someone like to move the resolution?

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Council Member Siemens, do I have a second?

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Any discussion on this item?

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All right.

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Seeing no discussion, all those in favor, please say aye.

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Aye.

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Any opposed?

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Yes.

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Any abstaining?

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Okay.

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That's six to one.

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Our next is our consent agenda with someone like to move the consent agenda.

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Councilwoman Steercy, do I have a second?

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Councilmember Covar, all those in favor of the consent agenda, please say aye.

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Aye.

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Any opposed?

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any abstaining, consent agenda passes. All right, we will move now on to Council

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comments for the evening. Are there any Council comments this evening?

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Councilman

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Costing. Yeah, I'll keep things brief since I know we have a long night ahead of us.

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I'm happy to see everyone here tonight. I first of all I want to say I've gotten a

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lot of emails from people and I appreciate all of them. I do apologize if I

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have a chance to get back to you. There have I've gotten a lot today that I have read but

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haven't had a chance to respond to and I do hope to get back to everyone within the next

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couple of days. I also want to note since we're not having for their meetings in August that

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there will be an event on August 22nd for Ward 3. We're having our Ward 3 day at the

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Crossroads Farmer's Market on Anne Street and there will be a guided tour of the Farmer's Market

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at 11.30, that day, and 11.30 AM, followed by an opportunity to sit and chat, enjoy some of the food, and talk about city issues, whatever's on your mind.

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So I hope people will join me, and I'll be sending out some email blasts to remind people about that.

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Thank you.

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00:11:03,970 --> 00:11:11,870
Yeah, I was going to say something similar about emails, but I first want to thank the city staff and other council members for

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for helping me through while I was away on a long schedule family visit for the last two weeks, but I'm back.

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And if I haven't, I've read everything, I think, but I haven't responded, and I will win the next few days to all of you individually.

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Thank you for your comments.

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00:11:30,450 --> 00:11:32,290
Thank you, just two quick things.

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One, I had the opportunity to meet recently with representatives of the Tacoma Park Youth Council, as people know, that's a newly set up group.

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I met with a small subgroup of them the other day here in the community center, and I just want to encourage my colleagues if they haven't already done that to do the same thing because they had a lot of great suggestions, and they were very active and interested in what we're doing and happy to be part of the process that we have going on here in the municipalities, so I think it's a good example of a nice step forward that we did, and it's great to see engaged people

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younger people like that. I just want to mention one of the things, just kind of a light

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hearted thing since we might need that for later, but I was parked somewhere a couple

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days ago and as I moved toward my car this gentleman came up to me and he looked at me kind

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of strange and I went in and came back out to the car and said, oh, I was really worried

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and profile you looked like Ted Cruz, but then I saw your Jamie Raskin sticker on your

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car and I knew you were okay so just throwing that out there with with permission I

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forgot two things are we a question for the city manager are we done in

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Long Branch Lago with Washington yes we'll wait on that one because in my

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other question was also for the city manager so why don't somebody else go sorry

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All right, Councilmember Smith.

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First, it's great to see everyone.

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00:13:02,430 --> 00:13:03,890
Can the volume go up?

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00:13:04,230 --> 00:13:07,170
We're having issues with the microphones this evening.

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We're working on it right now.

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00:13:09,790 --> 00:13:11,470
The halls, I brought my own table inside.

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Is that allowed?

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00:13:12,570 --> 00:13:14,190
No, we have too many people.

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00:13:14,370 --> 00:13:16,390
As far as it up, somebody told me I couldn't move.

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00:13:17,690 --> 00:13:20,410
Why would I be able to put this group like any other way?

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00:13:20,950 --> 00:13:22,950
Councilmember Smith, I don't understand that.

230
00:13:23,230 --> 00:13:24,070
They took away the table.

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00:13:25,030 --> 00:13:26,590
There's a huge lobby out front.

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Thank you. That's what I want to set up. That's what I use to set up. I do not understand why I'm being challenged by the city manager and

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brought some grip to the planner. You can front me and mean it a lot. You tell me I can't use a public table and a public bed to do a public thing

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which is called a recall, called democracy. It's part of the Georgia, right? Very bright to set up.

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All right, we have dealing with two situations right now, the city manager may need to leave, so I just ask your patient, all right?

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There's a situation that we need to deal with in the city and I all ask you to please just your patients for one moment.

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Secondly, we are having issues with the microphone that we are trying to fix.

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We do have an overflow room. Is that correct? And where is it?

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00:14:20,510 --> 00:14:25,950
The isalea row. So if you would like to sign in, if you want to speak and then go

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sit in the isalea row, you can't. Okay?

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00:14:30,630 --> 00:14:32,470
Yeah, there are seats up here.

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All right, now if I can continue.

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It's good to see everyone here.

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I have just a couple announcements.

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I want to thank WPFW for hosting last week's town hall.

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It was really great.

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I even learned a lot about gentrification.

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I want to thank Katia and Dave, the host.

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They actually live here in Tacoma Park. I want to remind everyone that this Saturday is community day at Essex House Apartments. It runs from two to six. You can get a chance to see local reggae ban positive vibrations. There will be free food, kid performances, face painting, and a chance to share some food with your neighbors. This Saturday in the parking lot.

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And then finally, the Park Valley Bridge will be closed for the next 18 months for reconstruction.

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There is a traffic detour that is out on social media, so please you can go to my Twitter,

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page, Jared Smith, and get the information.

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Thank you.

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Great.

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Any other council, council, and woman?

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Seriously?

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Good evening, everyone.

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So I'll be real quick, so I had the opportunity on Monday, along with the Executive Director

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of the Crossroads Development Authority, Kaylee Gnall, to attend Purple Line now forum.

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It was a great exchange and included the new Executive, the new CEO of the Purple Line

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transit partners. So we were able to learn a lot and also make some really important connections,

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not just within Montgomery County, but there were a lot of representatives also from

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Prince George's County as well. So that was a wonderful opportunity. I want to continue to encourage

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people if you are interested in knowing more about the construction schedule. For the purple line,

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You can sign up online for alerts, particularly those that are in Ward 6 as well as areas of Ward 5.

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As they are continuing to move forward with construction, there's definitely going to be times in which streets will be closed or utilities make flicker things like that because they're relocating a lot of utilities right now.

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So I just want to encourage everyone to please sign up for for the updates.

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Thank you.

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Any other council comments this evening?

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All right.

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We'll come back to unless the WDC Manager have the City Manager's comments.

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Do you want to review those while she's out?

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So just very quickly we wanted to remind everyone that Tuesday, August 7th is National Night Out.

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Well, this year's, last year's got canceled at the very last minute due to whether very much like we're experiencing tonight.

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This is where police departments across the nation come together to host an event that will involve all sorts of games and food and giveaways, things of that nature.

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The purpose of the event is to heighten safety and crime prevention awareness and to support locally based businesses, groups and organizations.

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There are going to be all sorts of community groups there with tables and giveaways of their own.

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Again, it's going to be on Tuesday, August 7th, from 6 to 9 and it'll be at 7510 Maple Avenue right in front of Piney Branch Elementary School.

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Also a quick update on the Dockless Bike Evaluation Report that we've been expecting from the county.

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We heard from county staff that they expect their consultants will wrap up the report in early August and we'll share information with you all as soon as it's available.

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On a related note, you may have seen yesterday's Washington Post that OFO is pulling out of the area there, the yellow dockless bike.

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A representative for the company said that DC's regulations were too strict to work for their business model.

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And finally just a note on the city manager of my schedule during recess, she'll be out of the office on vacation August 17th through the 31st, and I'll be taking leave earlier in August.

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During that time, one of the two of us will always be here.

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Terrific, thank you very much. All right, we will just as a reminder.

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Can I ask my.

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Oh yeah, sorry.

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Never mind.

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Do you need something?

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As

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a reminder, there's sign up in the back of the room if you'd like to speak on Tacoma

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Junction.

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I already have two full sign-up sheets up here, I'll start reading off of.

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And there is the overflow room in the Azalea room if people want to go and sit there.

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So we will start now with public comments on both resolutions, the alternative resolution

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regarding the Decoma Junction site and the resolution regarding the Junction site or any just general comments you want on Decoma Junction.

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The first person I have is Vaughan McCandish and I'm apologize if I pronounce names wrong this evening.

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Vaughan McCandish and I am a resident of 8300 Flower Avenue Ward 5.

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I'm also the managing partner of the covered market in Old Town, Tacoma.

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I'm neither for against the Junction development based on its design.

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However, I wanted to make a few points about why I believe it is not the right time for this development to occur and to come apart from a financial perspective.

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The type of retail and restaurants that exist in your community are important.

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Equally so is who owns those businesses.

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It's basic economics that is city and grows best by acting to bring in as much money as possible into the community from outside sources.

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businesses. It also then must act to try and ensure that most profits earned within the

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community remain here. This results in more tax dollars. Small businesses generally

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keep profits local. Unless locally owned, regional and national businesses often send much

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of their profits out of the community. In 2013, Old Townscoma Park was primarily entirely

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first location small businesses. Over the last five years, first location entrepreneurs

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within our community have not taken over the majority of the empty spaces.

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There are many viable openings in terms of opportunities for small business, but

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lately the city has not motivated its entrepreneurs to fill those needs.

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Instead, we are often taking the easy route of finding regional businesses to fill the gap.

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And the number of retailers in the district has declined dramatically.

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Developing when you know that the resulting tenants are likely to be a detriment to the community by removing money from our economy is definitively not the right choice.

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I believe we need to counsel to take a few steps back and consider how we can best encourage the entrepreneurs within our city before any development occurs.

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The issue is that as larger businesses arrive, the more larger the business, they will be more likely entrenched.

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If regional or national businesses continue to take over more and more spaces, we may eventually find it very difficult to secure spaces for our local entrepreneurs.

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The unique field that all visitors envy very much about our city is fragile.

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We need to maintain a small business oriented community in order to maintain our diversity

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and to keep selling items not found on the shelves of big retail.

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After all, while we may have some good food coming to town, the field of walking down

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the street and the business district is greatly influenced by the items in the window.

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My understanding is that the city will receive lease payments starting at $120,000 per year

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from this development.

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I've also heard that the cancellation of the contract with NEC may cost the city's $75,000.

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In perspective of the city's budget, both of these numbers are minor.

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There are better ways to earn the income and the cost to end this development contract currently would be the better result for the community.

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I understand that it may be difficult to be in a situation we have to pay to escape but we should not proceed with a bad idea because canceling a contract is uncomfortable.

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Thank you.

331
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Thank you.

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Stella and Diane Cameroon and Carol Clayton, the next three people.

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00:23:33,620 --> 00:23:41,020
Hi, I'm Jenny Stella from Ward 1 and I'm going to second what this gentleman just said about keeping

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having local business owners because the profits remain in our community instead of corporate profit

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but going out of our community.

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I am here to say that I dissent from the NDC plan and I urge and beg you to please second and vote for the alternate plan.

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And then Carol Clayton.

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My

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name is Diane Cameron. I live in Kensington, Maryland. I shop at the Tacoma Park Silver

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Spring co-op. I'm a former resident here. I have attended Earth Day celebrations at

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the publicly owned lot. And I'm here to support Council Member Jarrett Smith's alternative

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resolution. And I urge all of you to vote for it so that we will keep public lands in public

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I have raised two children here and my roots are here.

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I urge the council to please, if you don't adopt the alternate plan, to delay the vote until mediation is complete.

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Thank you.

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Emily Cone, Harry Solomon and Jessica Landman.

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Emily Cone, it looks like?

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Yes, sorry.

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Ward 3, Emily Combe.

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This flower represents our hope that you will vote in the interest of our community.

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And second, and vote for this alternative plan.

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Thank you.

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Harry Solomon, Jessica Landman.

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I'm used to it.

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It's Harvey.

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Not Harry.

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Oh, I'm sorry.

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My name is Harvey Solomon.

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I'm a proud resident of Ward 1.

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I hope 17-year-old homeowner here in Tacoma Park.

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Many of you might recognize the logo on my t-shirt.

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I just like to tell you briefly how it started.

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On January 17, 2017, several days after the women's march on the wall,

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seven people slipped into a construction site near the White House after midnight.

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They climbed up a crane and unfurled a 70-foot banner for all the world to see.

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My best friend, Karen Topakian, chairman of the Board of Greenpeace, was one of them.

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Despite her fear of heights, she climbed in the bitter cold, in the pitch black, more

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than 100 feet in the air, and chained herself to that ladder.

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Six others climbed even higher to hang and later remove that banner before they descended

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and they were arrested.

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it. Does anybody here have that kind of courage? I know I don't. But tonight, some of you

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are facing something that could be very tough, not physically, of course, but mentally.

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What is it? Changing your mind. Resisting the temptation to just go on.

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Resisting the temptation,

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the urge to just science say enough is enough, let's just pass this draft resolution and

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be done with it. But that won't be the end of it. It'll be the beginning. The beginning

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of the development that'll be here long after most of us are gone. I'll leave it to others

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to explain who are far more eloquent, to explain the particulars of how we can do better.

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We're to come apart with a long, proud history of not doing what's easy or

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expedient, but what's right. I'm not equating your decision. I'm not equating

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your decision here tonight to risking your life climbing up 100 feet in the

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dead of night. But let me say it's a pretty humbling experience to sit at your

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dining room table and hear firsthand about that kind of commitment, about that

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kind of courage. I think it takes a different and no less valid kind of courage to dig down deep

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and to say you know what I got it wrong. It's not too late. Vote for alternative resolution

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seven. Let's work together to find a better solution. I know it's a lot to ask but the train

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hasn't yet

388
00:29:16,820 --> 00:29:21,920
Good evening. I'm Jessica Landman from Ward 1. That was a tough act to follow, I have to say.

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I want to draw people's attention tonight to one specific fact, which is that in the resolution the city is finally acknowledging that, and I'm paraphrasing here, that the proposal in the resolution involves multiple lots, and includes construction across at least one property line, which must be addressed either through consolidation of the lots,

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or through a legal agreement that satisfies the requirements of Montgomery County.

391
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Thank you, at least for coming forward and stating that problem clearly at long last.

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00:29:56,560 --> 00:29:59,920
Now there is this whereas clause that's in the resolution says that-

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The city has a preferred alternative for addressing this situation, which is to, and I'm quoting again, consolidate the lots under city ownership. Now that does sound good because it would address the problem of multiple ownerships. But my question is, how is this going to be accomplished? Is the city planning to buy the Johnny's auto lot for a million dollars? Or are you counting on NDC to buy the lot as currently planned and then donate it to the city?

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Because the residents who have been assured that taxpayers are not going to be on the hook for any costs associated with this project need to be informed how this key problem is going to be resolved.

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And I, for one, would be very interested in hearing what NDC has to say about the city's preferred alternative, what their perspective is on it, and how this consolidation is proposed to occur.

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In my opinion, I think the resolution needs a be-it-resolved clause stating that if this is moving forward, which, as you know, I think is premature and inappropriate, that there needs to be a clause in this resolution stating that the city will consolidate these lots through an agreement with NDC, and that this is going to be accomplished without cost to the city and taxpayers before you proceed to the stage of this resolution moving forward and the county being asked to

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to begin considering the site plan.

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Otherwise, we're talking about wasting the county's time

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and the taxpayers' money.

400
00:31:27,340 --> 00:31:28,060
Thank you very much.

401
00:31:28,200 --> 00:31:30,980
I would very much appreciate it if the mayor or city manager

402
00:31:30,980 --> 00:31:33,340
could speak to this question for everyone here tonight

403
00:31:33,340 --> 00:31:37,280
before you take a vote because taxpayer dollars are at stake.

404
00:31:37,960 --> 00:31:39,460
So thank you, and thank you, Jared Smith,

405
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for your resolution which I encourage

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all council members to vote for.

407
00:31:43,680 --> 00:31:44,160
I

408
00:31:48,800 --> 00:31:52,540
just want to remind folks who you have an overflow room

409
00:31:52,540 --> 00:32:00,540
in the azalea room if you want you can bought back and forth if you'd like to have a seat there and the sign-up sheet is in the back.

410
00:32:01,120 --> 00:32:04,600
You may want to mention that child care is available in the team room.

411
00:32:04,800 --> 00:32:08,100
Yes and child care is available in the team room if anyone wants that.

412
00:32:09,120 --> 00:32:15,380
So the next three folks we have are Merlin Kettering, Susan Schreiber and Byrne Kelly.

413
00:32:32,880 --> 00:32:41,980
Merlin Kettering, greetings council members, mayor, city manager and all who help to guide the city.

414
00:32:42,200 --> 00:32:42,560
Thank you.

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00:32:45,950 --> 00:32:56,350
Considering the permanence of the infrastructural dimensions of the development and considering

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the irretractability of the social dimensions of the development.

417
00:33:02,710 --> 00:33:13,750
I believe the decision will be best made when it is based upon the most well informed discernment possible.

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Gaps in your discernment will become very visible for the future that we are shaping.

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00:33:24,230 --> 00:33:33,210
Therefore, I support and I urge you to support the alternative resolution by Councilmember

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Smith to second it and pass it

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because we are shaping a future that will have tangible

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and intangible effects.

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Good evening, I'm Susan Schreiber, formerly of Maple Avenue, formerly of Sherman Avenue

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00:34:06,880 --> 00:34:13,020
and for the last ten years on Willow Avenue. Mayor Stewart and members of the council,

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I would like to ask that each of you prior to voting tonight on NDC's plan for developing

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00:34:19,260 --> 00:34:26,040
our property at the junction, to explain the reasons for your vote. You have told us that

427
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you have been listening, but you have provided no public response to the many issues and questions

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00:34:31,600 --> 00:34:37,280
raised by hundreds of people in our community who have weighed in with the legitimate concerns

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00:34:37,280 --> 00:34:43,380
about the size and scale of this project is probable impact on the future viability of

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00:34:43,380 --> 00:34:49,440
the food co-op, as well as other existing businesses in the junction, on traffic, and on

431
00:34:49,440 --> 00:34:55,140
our concerns about how the development as envisioned will contribute to increased gentrification

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and racial and economic segregation.

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You've heard from 15 architects and builders, environmental scientists, and overwhelming

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majority of the business owners in the junction, and many, many informed residents who

435
00:35:09,020 --> 00:35:14,880
have expressed serious concerns about these and other issues, including why our city is

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00:35:14,880 --> 00:35:22,920
so eager to hand over a centrally located place of publicly owned land that has so much potential

437
00:35:22,920 --> 00:35:29,080
to be developed in creative ways that could truly benefit our community, to a developer

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00:35:29,080 --> 00:35:35,740
who has shown no particular interest in the values of our community, for a term of 99 years

439
00:35:35,740 --> 00:35:41,060
in a deal that seems extremely favorable for the developer, and with little financial

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00:35:41,060 --> 00:35:44,220
return coming into the city for at least 20 years.

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00:35:44,900 --> 00:35:50,740
We know you have been listening to NDC, but I ask that before you vote tonight, each

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00:35:50,740 --> 00:35:59,400
of you, each of you, explain the basis of your decision in detail, including how, if and

443
00:35:59,400 --> 00:36:05,900
how, the concerns that so many people have raised have informed and shaped your thinking.

444
00:36:06,620 --> 00:36:12,700
And please don't tell us not to worry, because changes to this plan can always be made after

445
00:36:12,700 --> 00:36:16,160
your formal—after your—you formally vote to approve it.

446
00:36:16,800 --> 00:36:19,280
You have told us not to worry about traffic.

447
00:36:19,280 --> 00:36:22,500
You have told us not to worry about the co-op.

448
00:36:22,980 --> 00:36:26,820
We are worried and we deserve a response from you now.

449
00:36:27,780 --> 00:36:30,380
Why are you supporting this?

450
00:36:30,980 --> 00:36:31,380
Thank you.

451
00:36:45,150 --> 00:36:48,650
Good evening, Mayor, Council, Administration.

452
00:36:49,930 --> 00:36:57,190
I thought it was pretty despicable to be told by two planners and a police officer I couldn't set up a table.

453
00:36:58,250 --> 00:36:59,650
I always have a table.

454
00:36:59,890 --> 00:37:00,390
I have plans.

455
00:37:00,390 --> 00:37:03,130
I've worked on this project for free for four years.

456
00:37:03,870 --> 00:37:06,950
I've given an alternative site plans and I've met with everyone.

457
00:37:07,750 --> 00:37:13,770
And here's the problem, that kind of bullying by the city administrator and

458
00:37:13,770 --> 00:37:15,530
her staff is part of the problem.

459
00:37:16,090 --> 00:37:20,950
The council who is underpaid is a bigger part of the problem.

460
00:37:21,390 --> 00:37:25,650
Your eagerness to get done and go on your vacation is a part of the problem.

461
00:37:26,430 --> 00:37:29,110
NDC is part of the problem, but they're also the answer.

462
00:37:29,110 --> 00:37:32,590
The co-op is part of the problem, and they are part of the answer.

463
00:37:33,930 --> 00:37:35,290
That has to be recognized.

464
00:37:36,070 --> 00:37:46,650
The mediation has to end amlicably without one side having more strong opposition than the other side.

465
00:37:48,090 --> 00:37:52,310
We need to heal this division, okay?

466
00:37:52,970 --> 00:37:57,470
the way you don't include Jarrett, because he's the only one who had the

467
00:37:57,470 --> 00:38:02,670
temerity to say no to you. And basically you gang up on this looks terrible. You

468
00:38:02,670 --> 00:38:08,070
guys look bad and we need to fix this government and the way we can fix this

469
00:38:08,070 --> 00:38:13,730
government is through a recall if you won't fix it. We need to get the $200,000

470
00:38:13,730 --> 00:38:20,030
plus salary chopped in half of the city manager and give the other $80,000 to the

471
00:38:20,030 --> 00:38:24,370
mayor, so it's a full-time job, and they can work alongside the city manager.

472
00:38:25,070 --> 00:38:28,960
And the council people, thank you.

473
00:38:29,300 --> 00:38:35,040
And the council people also need to be paid an adequate salary in the 40 to $60,000 range,

474
00:38:35,320 --> 00:38:39,920
so that people who don't have the means like me can run for the council.

475
00:38:40,560 --> 00:38:46,540
And they can also work in the city with the staff because they obviously bring expertise to the table.

476
00:38:46,980 --> 00:38:51,020
But the expertise that none of you have is in planning and zoning.

477
00:38:52,160 --> 00:38:57,240
If you would take that other lot and you were in Montgomery County, that would be considered a major subdivision.

478
00:38:57,380 --> 00:39:00,080
You would have to go through the entire process, but you're not.

479
00:39:00,220 --> 00:39:04,840
You're a little fiefdom and you can block me from having a table because you're afraid of the truth.

480
00:39:05,860 --> 00:39:11,980
And you need to change, this council needs to change, this administration needs to change, you need to be gone.

481
00:39:11,980 --> 00:39:14,720
You don't live in the city and you raise our taxes and you want to want to listen.

482
00:39:15,080 --> 00:39:19,860
I just, I know you had some slides and I gave you five minutes, but you put them up, I'm sorry.

483
00:39:20,120 --> 00:39:21,060
We're going to put them up now.

484
00:39:21,300 --> 00:39:22,520
But when I came up, yeah.

485
00:39:23,280 --> 00:39:23,420
Okay.

486
00:39:23,660 --> 00:39:26,020
I just, I gave you the five minutes and you have two and a half minutes left.

487
00:39:26,180 --> 00:39:26,560
I just really.

488
00:39:26,720 --> 00:39:27,440
You'd love to see it.

489
00:39:27,820 --> 00:39:30,660
I already went over the line that I've made four different plans.

490
00:39:31,740 --> 00:39:32,740
I've circulated them.

491
00:39:33,200 --> 00:39:34,260
They're solution plans.

492
00:39:34,500 --> 00:39:35,780
They're not exactly what I want folks.

493
00:39:36,040 --> 00:39:41,340
What I want, after we get the new council and the charter change, what I want is we,

494
00:39:41,340 --> 00:39:47,980
We, all of us, pool our resources with the $2 million that the co-op has, and we develop that site.

495
00:39:48,300 --> 00:39:50,360
You all remember what happened in Silver Spring with the carpet?

496
00:39:50,880 --> 00:39:53,860
The carpet that we all played on and had a blast on?

497
00:39:54,380 --> 00:39:57,640
That was temporary and they put something up there that wasn't quite as good.

498
00:39:58,280 --> 00:40:01,960
At the same time, Discovery had to put a park, but they put a fence around it.

499
00:40:02,460 --> 00:40:04,260
And nobody used it except the homeless.

500
00:40:05,280 --> 00:40:07,080
We need a green carpet.

501
00:40:07,080 --> 00:40:13,000
But we need to be able to play, dance, sing, and have fun, and be to come apart.

502
00:40:13,440 --> 00:40:19,920
And this representation here, except for Jared Smith and his resolution, is not that.

503
00:40:20,520 --> 00:40:23,460
We want that, we want to wait, there's no hurry.

504
00:40:23,800 --> 00:40:26,620
Why are you so eager to do it now when it can be done in September?

505
00:40:27,080 --> 00:40:27,460
Thank you.

506
00:40:35,660 --> 00:40:42,980
The next three people are Carter Dardy, Emmy, and Debra Zuckerman.

507
00:40:42,980 --> 00:40:43,960
This

508
00:40:53,110 --> 00:40:56,190
is Zeb. He wants to talk to, but he'll have to wait.

509
00:40:57,550 --> 00:41:02,770
My name is Carter Doherty. Sixth Crescent Place in Ward 1, Neal Cohen, Columbia Avenue Ward 3.

510
00:41:03,830 --> 00:41:11,330
I last wore my resistance t-shirt to a demonstration against ICE last week when they started snatching people off of the streets,

511
00:41:14,000 --> 00:41:16,820
blocks away from all souls' unitarian church.

512
00:41:17,980 --> 00:41:21,280
I hope that's one thing we can agree to resist on.

513
00:41:23,350 --> 00:41:28,330
In the future, when the rain falls and when it storms, I hope you think not of the runoff

514
00:41:28,330 --> 00:41:33,530
from the impermeable ugly to comb a junction, but instead think of better storm water management,

515
00:41:33,930 --> 00:41:39,050
lead certification, a green roof, and maybe holding up inside a restaurant while you wait for

516
00:41:39,050 --> 00:41:48,170
the storm to pass. Like former Mayor Bruce Williams said, once right up here, it will pass. We will go on

517
00:41:48,170 --> 00:41:51,510
after this and continue a great life here in Tacoma Park.

518
00:41:51,930 --> 00:41:54,370
That said, this is not in the end of the line.

519
00:41:55,030 --> 00:42:00,430
You are making an extremely important strategic decision here, but there's still much to

520
00:42:00,430 --> 00:42:02,810
be carried through to see this through the completion.

521
00:42:03,650 --> 00:42:06,130
So far, you have done a fantastic job.

522
00:42:06,590 --> 00:42:08,870
You have shown the patience of job.

523
00:42:21,350 --> 00:42:27,400
For now, all we ask that you do is simply say, yes, on the primary resolution, get this

524
00:42:27,400 --> 00:42:30,820
underway, approve the site plan, and let's move on with life.

525
00:42:40,890 --> 00:42:42,090
Zav, what do you want to say?

526
00:42:43,030 --> 00:42:49,190
At this time, in the interest of civility and time and

527
00:42:49,190 --> 00:42:53,310
respecting this council's prerogative to actually listen and get work done,

528
00:42:53,610 --> 00:42:59,730
we would like to ask everyone here who is here tonight, who is in support of the council's site plan,

529
00:43:00,070 --> 00:43:03,070
to please stand up at this time and show the council your support.

530
00:43:03,070 --> 00:43:03,350
All

531
00:43:18,740 --> 00:43:21,200
right, thank you.

532
00:43:21,580 --> 00:43:27,780
We'd like to close by thanking the city manager.

533
00:43:28,180 --> 00:43:33,540
Excuse me, we'd like to close by thanking our public servants for

534
00:43:33,540 --> 00:43:39,060
over four years of this process of tireless listening and of changes to this plan.

535
00:43:39,060 --> 00:43:40,680
This is not something that's been pushed through.

536
00:43:41,120 --> 00:43:45,160
We'd like to thank the council, all of the council for their persistence and the prior councils.

537
00:43:45,160 --> 00:43:57,420
and we'd like to thank the rest of the city staff who has worked tirelessly to answer the number of questions that have been brought forth in a thoughtful manner on the website with facts, not just with slogan-ears, slogan-earing.

538
00:43:57,780 --> 00:44:01,080
So thank you, and let's move this forward. Thank you, come on.

539
00:44:12,090 --> 00:44:20,650
Hello, my name is Mline Brown. I'm a Ward 2 resident. I'm 10 years old. I was born in Tacoma Park and I attend our public school.

540
00:44:20,650 --> 00:44:26,870
I feel that we should follow through on this junction project and it will bring prosperity

541
00:44:26,870 --> 00:44:29,570
to our small businesses and community.

542
00:44:30,250 --> 00:44:34,710
It is an opportunity for our beloved town to come apart prosper and should not be seen

543
00:44:34,710 --> 00:44:37,930
as a rivalry for other businesses, beloved as they may be to us.

544
00:44:38,630 --> 00:44:40,850
Nor should it be a rivalry amongst ourselves.

545
00:44:41,590 --> 00:44:46,130
While not all of you agree with me, I sincerely believe that it is an idea for the best and will

546
00:44:46,130 --> 00:44:49,610
help our town continue to develop as a vibrant town should.

547
00:44:49,610 --> 00:44:57,750
I hope you take the suggestions seriously as we the children will inherit this town and we are ready to feel the winds have changed apart on their backs.

548
00:44:58,210 --> 00:44:59,670
Mayor, council members, citizens.

549
00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:02,780
Thank you for your time and your cooperation.

550
00:45:15,630 --> 00:45:40,410
So what do they say don't follow animals or children? My name is Deborah Zuckerman. I live on Poplar Avenue in Ward 3. I'm really proud to live in a city that is supportive of affordable housing, but I'm not proud to live in a city that's using the current project plan to fund that initiative.

551
00:45:40,410 --> 00:45:54,490
And the reason I'm, I feel that way is in part because of something, because I really feel that the, the project is currently proposed is actually going to perpetuate segregation in the city.

552
00:45:55,670 --> 00:46:06,750
I'm paraphrasing Council Member Circe, if I remember correctly when you were on COJO show, you said that relatively few of your constituents go to the junction currently.

553
00:46:06,750 --> 00:46:13,790
I don't think anyone on the council can seriously say that they think that's going to change

554
00:46:14,190 --> 00:46:16,870
if the current plan goes forward.

555
00:46:18,110 --> 00:46:24,550
The other basis for my concern is a conversation I had with another council member who pretty

556
00:46:24,550 --> 00:46:32,270
much said that, and I'm paraphrasing, but I think I'm being true to the comment that most

557
00:46:32,270 --> 00:46:49,270
Just low income and minority people in Tacoma Park shop on New Hampshire Avenue and Langley Park, and that people in other parts of the city don't want those kinds of stores at the junction.

558
00:46:50,170 --> 00:46:56,030
And that view, I believe, is really an inappropriate view.

559
00:46:56,030 --> 00:47:12,650
In fact, based on my circumstances and my tastes, I'm actually much more likely to shop on New Hampshire Avenue and Langley Park than I am to shop at the retail establishments that are likely to go into the New Junction Project.

560
00:47:12,650 --> 00:47:26,210
And a view that both those views, I believe, are really going to be detrimental because they will perpetuate racial and economic segregation in this city.

561
00:47:26,530 --> 00:47:40,070
And that's too high of a cost to pay to, by generating income to support a lot of goal of affordable housing, but not at that cost.

562
00:47:40,070 --> 00:47:40,810
Thank

563
00:47:46,670 --> 00:47:51,370
you. Can I have Alex Baca, Sally Kern, and Beth Cover?

564
00:47:53,730 --> 00:47:56,090
Is Alex here? Yeah, I

565
00:47:56,090 --> 00:47:56,370
Alex.

566
00:48:06,670 --> 00:48:11,850
Apologies for bringing my laptop up here. You all have so much to say. Good evening.

567
00:48:12,030 --> 00:48:16,350
My name is Alex Baca, and I am testifying on behalf of the Coalition for Smarter Growth.

568
00:48:16,950 --> 00:48:21,290
We are the leading organization in the Washington, D.C. region dedicated to advocating for more

569
00:48:21,290 --> 00:48:23,050
more inclusive and accessible places.

570
00:48:24,630 --> 00:48:28,910
We also advocate for the land use and the transportation policies and investments needed

571
00:48:28,910 --> 00:48:30,370
to make those places flourish.

572
00:48:31,150 --> 00:48:36,490
CSG wishes to express its support for this agenda item, resolution regarding the Supplement

573
00:48:36,490 --> 00:48:37,330
Judgment and Flight Fund.

574
00:48:39,150 --> 00:48:43,610
We urge the city to adopt the resolution and to quickly begin the implementation of this

575
00:48:43,610 --> 00:48:44,030
project.

576
00:48:44,390 --> 00:48:48,970
We support this low-scale, two-story project as currently proposed, because it replaces

577
00:48:48,970 --> 00:48:52,150
This is a surface parking lot that would be subject to updated stormwater management,

578
00:48:52,490 --> 00:48:55,670
which will improve water quality, and a community as progressive as to come up park,

579
00:48:55,850 --> 00:48:58,170
I am sure we can all agree that climate change is real.

580
00:48:58,710 --> 00:49:02,610
If you've looked outside in the past few days, perhaps you, like me, have thought about

581
00:49:02,610 --> 00:49:06,530
how this kind of weather is only going to get worse and more intense, which will lead to

582
00:49:06,530 --> 00:49:07,990
greater stormwater management issues.

583
00:49:08,730 --> 00:49:14,390
It integrates the TPSS co-op, which is a car-oriented standalone site into a row's shops along

584
00:49:14,390 --> 00:49:17,870
a public sidewalk that will better welcome TPSS visitors on foot.

585
00:49:17,870 --> 00:49:29,810
It will strengthen the financial viability of businesses at the common junction and create a stronger commercial node by filling in a dead space with active storefronts and places that are pleasant to walk.

586
00:49:30,310 --> 00:49:33,150
It will provide local employment opportunities for city residents.

587
00:49:33,710 --> 00:49:40,210
It will generate revenue for the city to provide public benefits, such as perhaps more affordable housing and diversify the tax base.

588
00:49:40,650 --> 00:49:42,910
It will improve traffic safety by slowing down drivers.

589
00:49:42,910 --> 00:49:46,950
Drivers slow down, I'm

590
00:49:50,920 --> 00:49:52,040
sorry, please.

591
00:49:53,100 --> 00:49:57,300
Apparently, as difficult as it may be for many of you in this room to believe,

592
00:49:57,880 --> 00:49:59,820
drivers slow down when they have more visual cues.

593
00:50:00,480 --> 00:50:03,860
Like seeing people in foot walking, shopping, and engaging with their city.

594
00:50:04,040 --> 00:50:05,960
I don't, excuse me, as

595
00:50:07,970 --> 00:50:11,170
a person who rides a bike for transportation.

596
00:50:11,450 --> 00:50:14,910
I don't take this comment lately, and I make this in very serious good faith.

597
00:50:15,270 --> 00:50:15,490
Thank you.

598
00:50:17,250 --> 00:50:24,650
If crossings to Morrison Park, just across the street are enhanced, that in itself can become a more usable public space.

599
00:50:24,810 --> 00:50:27,190
And that's a great opportunity that I would urge you to think about.

600
00:50:27,850 --> 00:50:34,890
The Coalition for Spreider Growth encourages a more affordable, healthier and more sustainable region by supporting projects like this one across the region.

601
00:50:35,130 --> 00:50:42,210
What happens in Tacoma Park does impact what happens in the region overall and who has the ability to live here.

602
00:50:42,210 --> 00:50:45,390
That's why I'm here to testify tonight in support of this resolution.

603
00:50:45,750 --> 00:50:56,430
But also on behalf of my organization, I would like to note that we do think this project is a tremendous missed opportunity to make to come apart more inclusive by building mixed income housing on top of ground floor retail.

604
00:50:58,230 --> 00:51:00,010
One second, I have to change formats.

605
00:51:03,980 --> 00:51:07,920
We would hope that a project like this one would help an increasingly expensive and

606
00:51:07,920 --> 00:51:11,260
in demand community become more inclusive with more housing choices.

607
00:51:11,780 --> 00:51:21,440
And we would like something that further reduces traffic, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions from new housing opportunities that are doing more people to live near stores and walk to major transit services.

608
00:51:21,960 --> 00:51:26,440
Making the development even smaller than the current proposal would only exacerbate these missed opportunities.

609
00:51:26,900 --> 00:51:33,300
We are extremely disappointed that the city is no longer considering any housing opportunities for the many people who would like to live here.

610
00:51:33,300 --> 00:51:43,500
Like you, there are many people who wish they could live here and shop at local stores and enjoy the farmers, market, and festivals, and walk to Metro, whether those shops are at Tacoma Junction or on New Hampshire Avenue.

611
00:51:44,780 --> 00:51:51,600
We urge the city and residents to consider how they make where you live, more inclusive of the many people who would like the opportunity to live here.

612
00:51:52,040 --> 00:51:52,360
Thank you.

613
00:51:52,360 --> 00:51:53,180
Thank you.

614
00:51:53,360 --> 00:51:53,980
All

615
00:51:57,980 --> 00:51:58,120
right.

616
00:51:58,440 --> 00:52:03,280
Next we had Sally Kern and then Beth Cover and then Jeff Trunzo.

617
00:52:13,280 --> 00:52:15,100
Sally Kern, Ward 2.

618
00:52:16,660 --> 00:52:23,280
Dear Council Member Smith, thank you for introducing your alternative resolution to postpone the

619
00:52:23,280 --> 00:52:25,940
vote on NDC's combined site plan.

620
00:52:26,060 --> 00:52:26,620
I

621
00:52:30,650 --> 00:52:38,150
urge the mayor and all city councils to stand with you and vote to postpone until residents

622
00:52:38,150 --> 00:52:45,450
like me and all of us feel secure that we have fully vetted the full negative impact

623
00:52:45,700 --> 00:52:54,370
of the combined site plan on pedestrian, cyclist, and transit user safety. I don't need to

624
00:52:54,370 --> 00:53:02,950
remind you all that these negative impacts on pedestrian, cyclist, and transit users will

625
00:53:02,950 --> 00:53:06,850
disproportionately affect people of color.

626
00:53:07,640 --> 00:53:16,010
They will disproportionately affect neighborhood children on their roots to school and on their

627
00:53:16,010 --> 00:53:22,630
roots to Blair cluster neighborhood bus stops like the high school bus stop in the junction

628
00:53:22,630 --> 00:53:24,670
at the corner of Lee and Carol.

629
00:53:24,670 --> 00:53:33,510
I am only a concerned parent watchdog, not a traffic expert, but I have grave concerns

630
00:53:33,510 --> 00:53:37,370
about the basic health and safety trade-offs.

631
00:53:37,690 --> 00:53:42,310
Our council and mayor are about to trigger into motion.

632
00:53:43,070 --> 00:53:53,230
Our city has spent $42,500 to date on a 99-page traffic study, and I'm sure NDC has paid

633
00:53:53,230 --> 00:54:02,090
the traffic group handsomely for their 201-page traffic impact analysis. I don't understand

634
00:54:02,410 --> 00:54:10,050
how a novice mom like me can do a cursory read through of 300 pages of traffic studies

635
00:54:10,050 --> 00:54:17,770
watch a couple hours of city work sessions and come away with a startling number of red flags

636
00:54:17,770 --> 00:54:24,430
concerning the traffic studies methodology considerations and results. I've

637
00:54:24,430 --> 00:54:30,190
compiled 12 pages of negative impacts so far and I have only scratched the

638
00:54:30,190 --> 00:54:37,490
surface. I am laying the groundwork to work directly with you or for going

639
00:54:37,490 --> 00:54:44,790
directly to Christopher Bishop our district's community liaison at SHA if it's a

640
00:54:44,790 --> 00:54:55,690
Yes, vote. I'd rather work with you directly instead of bypassing you. Beware the mother bear with cubs.

641
00:54:55,890 --> 00:54:56,430
We

642
00:55:04,460 --> 00:55:23,870
will fight to protect the safety of their own. Please stand with council members Smith tonight and vote for his alternative resolution to postpone the vote and keep every

643
00:55:23,870 --> 00:55:29,190
Every single resident of Tacoma Park, safe.

644
00:55:30,590 --> 00:55:31,110
Thank you.

645
00:55:41,760 --> 00:55:45,860
My name is Beth Culver and I live on Manor Soccer on the Ward 2.

646
00:55:46,680 --> 00:55:51,660
I just wanted to bring the perspective of having worked at Spring Mill Bakery for a while,

647
00:55:52,160 --> 00:55:56,340
that that corner is a place where my son and many kids walk.

648
00:55:56,940 --> 00:55:59,960
And I'm still actively concerned about the traffic.

649
00:55:59,960 --> 00:56:11,340
I would love for us to just hold off and wait for more, not more studies, but just more comprehensive plan that would address the dangers of that corner.

650
00:56:11,920 --> 00:56:22,200
I've seen the crossing guards on many occasions, yellow cars as well as actually stop the kids from crossing into a road with a car that will go through red lights.

651
00:56:22,200 --> 00:56:30,820
I don't necessarily think that a development will stop that particular problem, as well as aggravating some of the other trafficker shoes.

652
00:56:31,560 --> 00:56:34,140
I also just wanted to thank the community to come apart.

653
00:56:34,160 --> 00:56:41,760
I've been here for six years, and I'm really glad that I live in a city that I can come up here and speak to my city council about my views.

654
00:56:41,900 --> 00:56:43,660
And I appreciate you giving them consideration.

655
00:56:44,360 --> 00:56:44,900
Thank you very much.

656
00:56:44,900 --> 00:56:46,100
Jeff

657
00:56:53,650 --> 00:56:59,510
Trunzo, Sherman Avenue, Ward 3, mayor, council member, and city staff.

658
00:57:00,270 --> 00:57:02,770
Tonight my statement is going to be a little bit different.

659
00:57:02,970 --> 00:57:09,130
I'm not speaking solely for myself, but I'm speaking for Howard Cone and

660
00:57:09,130 --> 00:57:13,590
Seth Grimes, who were co-chair of the Tacoma Junction Task Force and

661
00:57:13,590 --> 00:57:15,370
myself who was the co-secretary.

662
00:57:16,350 --> 00:57:21,430
We ask the Tacoma Park City Council to vote in favor of the resolution regarding the

663
00:57:21,430 --> 00:57:30,070
to Comma Junction Site Plan, authorizing neighborhood development company to submit the project site plan for Montgomery County Planning Approval.

664
00:57:30,990 --> 00:57:45,970
We believe the Decomma Junction redevelopment process, as recommended by the Decomma Junction Task Force, implemented by the 2013-15 City Council, and continued by subsequent councils, is on track.

665
00:57:45,970 --> 00:57:49,150
The site plans propose building height,

666
00:57:49,930 --> 00:57:59,510
massing, setback, public space are within range to advance this project to planning review.

667
00:58:00,070 --> 00:58:04,930
Where further design changes may be identified and addressed, along with related points,

668
00:58:05,350 --> 00:58:07,530
such as junction roadway configuration.

669
00:58:08,050 --> 00:58:13,830
We are confident that accommodations for Tacoma Park Silver Spring co-op,

670
00:58:14,930 --> 00:58:20,830
Operations and growth can and will be satisfactorily concluded within the current process.

671
00:58:21,490 --> 00:58:26,030
Please vote in favor of the site plan and reject further project delay.

672
00:58:26,750 --> 00:58:29,630
Respectfully, Howard Cohn, Seth Grounds, and Jeff Trunzo.

673
00:58:35,620 --> 00:58:36,260
Yes, sir.

674
00:58:39,020 --> 00:58:41,460
Laura Barclay with the old to come a business association.

675
00:58:42,240 --> 00:58:44,780
I'm here to read a statement from the Board of Directors.

676
00:58:45,140 --> 00:58:48,920
The Board of Directors, the old to come a business association would like to thank the mayor,

677
00:58:48,920 --> 00:58:53,720
City Council and City staff for the thorough and thoughtful work on the Tacoma Junction

678
00:58:53,720 --> 00:58:55,700
Development Project over the past four years.

679
00:58:56,220 --> 00:59:00,280
We appreciate that the process has provided many opportunities for input and discussion

680
00:59:00,720 --> 00:59:04,620
and recognize the council's consideration of the project's many stakeholders and community

681
00:59:04,620 --> 00:59:05,020
input.

682
00:59:05,620 --> 00:59:10,000
We believe that this project will provide economic activity to an underutilized piece of land

683
00:59:10,000 --> 00:59:12,600
in part of our commercial district that could use a boost.

684
00:59:13,020 --> 00:59:17,860
It will also provide the density and additional activity which will benefit all businesses on the

685
00:59:17,860 --> 00:59:18,080
block.

686
00:59:18,080 --> 00:59:24,060
We ask that you vote to pass the proposed original resolution and move forward with a project with no further delays.

687
00:59:24,340 --> 00:59:24,640
Thank you.

688
00:59:25,120 --> 00:59:25,640
Great,

689
00:59:31,780 --> 00:59:39,500
just a reminder, we do have the overflow room in the Azalea room and we have child care for one more hour.

690
00:59:40,480 --> 00:59:42,440
And the hydrangea room is also set up.

691
00:59:42,540 --> 00:59:45,560
And the hydrangea room is also set up if you want to sit there.

692
00:59:45,840 --> 00:59:50,780
Next, we have Billie Cutler, Una, Kettering and Lisa Bode.

693
01:00:09,870 --> 01:00:39,550
Hello, my name is William Colter. I'm a 20-year resident this month of Ward 3 and a former member of the Tacoma Junction Task Force. It was a privilege to dedicate a year and a half of my time to studying this little slice of our community. There's been an awful lot of talk about the proposed development, but I've noticed one thing has been lacking from the discourse. That is gratitude. Gratitude for a mayor and a city council who have given us a

694
01:00:39,550 --> 01:00:43,770
transparent and honest process to choose how this land will be developed.

695
01:00:44,270 --> 01:00:49,990
Whether or not you like the proposed plan, a level playing field was provided for all to participate.

696
01:00:50,630 --> 01:00:57,710
There has been no evidence of the type of back room deals with money changing hands that I'm sure happens often in other communities.

697
01:00:58,570 --> 01:01:04,510
Gratitude for an experienced professional developer to take on the many challenges this project faces.

698
01:01:05,110 --> 01:01:11,290
not the least of which is the environmental remediation that must take place at their expense.

699
01:01:11,950 --> 01:01:16,210
NDC has been patient and cooperative in what has become a tense and

700
01:01:16,210 --> 01:01:21,070
embattled situation. I should note that the local developers, the task force, spoke to,

701
01:01:21,350 --> 01:01:24,790
were not at all interested in taking on this venture.

702
01:01:27,360 --> 01:01:33,220
Gratitude that the wishes of a popular local business, the co-op, are being considered.

703
01:01:33,220 --> 01:01:41,480
And to that point, I believe that the amount of effort and expense the city has put forth to accommodate a single private entity is unprecedented.

704
01:01:42,180 --> 01:01:52,060
Moreover, I would be remiss if I did not mention that the co-op was probably the first business in town to learn that development was being considered on the city lot.

705
01:01:52,820 --> 01:01:57,600
Armed with this foreknowledge, did they act expediently to secure ownership of their building?

706
01:01:57,600 --> 01:02:03,480
Did they put together a feasible proposal to develop the property and deliver it in a timely manner?

707
01:02:04,180 --> 01:02:11,900
Or have they encouraged what amounts to civic uprising to try and stem the process of the selected winner of the development bid?

708
01:02:13,220 --> 01:02:13,820
Yeah,

709
01:02:20,540 --> 01:02:26,760
in closing, I'm grateful that residents are able to come here and express their opinions openly.

710
01:02:27,180 --> 01:02:31,420
But I am also somewhat embarrassed by the extreme actions I've seen lately.

711
01:02:31,420 --> 01:02:36,700
It is my sincere hope that the opponents to this development will pause and recognize

712
01:02:36,700 --> 01:02:41,500
that this process has been more than fair to the co-op and that the city government understands

713
01:02:41,500 --> 01:02:46,820
your concerns about traffic, environment, and quality of life and trust they will be treated

714
01:02:46,820 --> 01:02:47,960
with deserving respect.

715
01:02:48,380 --> 01:02:48,740
Thank you.

716
01:02:59,810 --> 01:03:06,750
So to council members, my name is Una Kettering and I've lived in Tacoma Park for over 38

717
01:03:06,750 --> 01:03:07,430
years.

718
01:03:08,410 --> 01:03:15,450
I am here tonight to ask you, to first say thank you for what you are doing and what you

719
01:03:15,450 --> 01:03:21,750
have done, but to ask you to consider the alternative proposal by Jert Smith.

720
01:03:22,290 --> 01:03:30,090
In light of our, let us think of the safety of the future, our children and grandchildren.

721
01:03:30,890 --> 01:03:36,070
Let us think of racial equity and what kind of the commerce park we want.

722
01:03:36,070 --> 01:03:44,150
not just for a few, but for all of us. Please do the right thing and consider Jarrett Smith

723
01:03:44,150 --> 01:03:45,930
proposal. Thank you.

724
01:03:55,550 --> 01:04:02,510
Hi, I'm Lisa Badett from Sigmore Avenue. Firstly, would everyone in support of Jarrett

725
01:04:02,510 --> 01:04:05,490
Smith's alternative resolution please stand?

726
01:04:19,560 --> 01:04:22,920
I am in favor of Councilmember Smith's alternative

727
01:04:22,920 --> 01:04:26,960
resolution and urge the Council to second his resolution and delay the vote on the NDC

728
01:04:26,960 --> 01:04:33,540
site plan until it reaches a form that engenders greater community cohesion than is currently

729
01:04:33,540 --> 01:04:40,600
apparent. Thank you, Madam Mayor and City Council, for your patience with this long process.

730
01:04:41,120 --> 01:04:47,440
But I beg your patience a little longer and give the process a chance to correct itself and catch up

731
01:04:47,440 --> 01:04:54,620
with where it should be by now. As a vote for the current NDC proposal feels extremely premature.

732
01:04:54,620 --> 01:05:03,760
You have provided many responses to the community, but if the community felt that their concerns were actually being heard,

733
01:05:04,320 --> 01:05:09,320
would there be so many people here this evening when it's pouring cats and dogs?

734
01:05:12,140 --> 01:05:25,680
Okay, the mediation with the co-op should have started from the outset when there was first a clear problem and not just recently.

735
01:05:26,400 --> 01:05:32,740
There is, as of yet, no clarity on the common junction intersection reconfiguration.

736
01:05:33,600 --> 01:05:37,200
Infrastructure must precede development or it will fail miserably.

737
01:05:38,230 --> 01:05:47,020
The corollary that development must be right-sized for the existing and planned infrastructure is also true.

738
01:05:49,490 --> 01:05:54,950
We recently had an example of what happens, kind of an example in miniature of what happens

739
01:05:56,930 --> 01:06:05,490
when business pressures are put on local businesses at Capital City Cheesecake, now confectionery.

740
01:06:06,250 --> 01:06:12,890
There were a lot of young people who lost their jobs in that reconfiguration,

741
01:06:13,690 --> 01:06:16,610
which was not the first choice of the business owners.

742
01:06:18,270 --> 01:06:24,690
An expensive and oversized development leaves less room for businesses to have some wiggle room

743
01:06:24,690 --> 01:06:35,130
and hire our local youth, small business incubators and pop-ups like the our house that I gave you a letter about could provide a way forward.

744
01:06:35,610 --> 01:06:45,610
We need a creative solution to build something that goes hand in hand with the inclusiveness that's apparent in things like the community.

745
01:06:48,170 --> 01:06:54,450
Control, a public property is a treasure, and control of it should not be relinquished cavalierly.

746
01:06:55,210 --> 01:06:56,070
Thank you.

747
01:06:56,110 --> 01:06:58,510
Please second and vote for the alternative resolution.

748
01:06:58,790 --> 01:06:59,270
Thank you.

749
01:07:04,310 --> 01:07:09,070
Next up, could we please have Cynthia Morrell, Ron Davies and Nadine Block?

750
01:07:18,720 --> 01:07:19,140
Good evening.

751
01:07:19,340 --> 01:07:20,640
My name is Cynthia Mariel.

752
01:07:22,710 --> 01:07:30,750
I agree with Councilmember Terry Siemens that the views of ward 4 residents are important.

753
01:07:30,750 --> 01:07:36,770
I would expand that to say the views of all residents in all words are important.

754
01:07:38,070 --> 01:07:40,810
Democracy is civic engagement.

755
01:07:41,870 --> 01:07:51,330
Democracy is meeting with neighbors new and old, talking with them, and engaging in political discussion.

756
01:07:52,690 --> 01:07:58,970
I'm sure Mr. Siemens would not disagree, nor would people in this auditorium.

757
01:07:58,970 --> 01:08:09,370
Promoting democracy is not only an act of service, engaging in democratic action is an act of

758
01:08:09,370 --> 01:08:17,870
an empowerment. It is a step along the process of empowerment that ideally ends with engaging

759
01:08:17,870 --> 01:08:25,090
in going to the polls and voting and eventually sitting here on this council.

760
01:08:26,210 --> 01:08:36,490
When only 195 residents of Ward 4 vote to elect the winner of the Ward 4 council seat,

761
01:08:37,070 --> 01:08:45,150
then all of us would have to agree that a great deal of democratic engagement and empowerment

762
01:08:45,650 --> 01:08:48,950
work still remains to be done.

763
01:08:50,950 --> 01:09:01,950
Council. I urge you to join Mr. Smith to support the alternative, the intelligent resolution, and to vote yes on this resolution.

764
01:09:02,790 --> 01:09:03,710
Thank you.

765
01:09:11,410 --> 01:09:25,790
Ron Davies, Ward 3. There is a serious problem at this point. Most of the council and the mayor have made no efforts to find out with the total voting population to come apart really thinks about this ill-advised.

766
01:09:25,790 --> 01:09:32,110
current plan. Just holding Council meetings with three-minute statements by the public allowed

767
01:09:32,110 --> 01:09:36,730
or a one-on-one session with a Council member as a poor substitute for an official

768
01:09:37,630 --> 01:09:41,930
repraperendum. It is obvious the only folks who show up to either a Council meeting or

769
01:09:41,930 --> 01:09:47,990
a one-on-one are strong partisans on either side. In fact, the appears majority of the electorate

770
01:09:47,990 --> 01:09:53,010
is against the current plan, but we do not know. It seems that you are determined to make sure

771
01:09:53,010 --> 01:09:58,630
we never find out, which can only be done through a referendum. Why are you afraid of a referendum?

772
01:09:59,790 --> 01:10:05,190
At a minimum, council member Smith's resolution should be passed tonight, not the original resolution.

773
01:10:05,710 --> 01:10:09,950
We do know there is an addition to those of us who have already made our opposition to the current

774
01:10:09,950 --> 01:10:15,350
plain-known list of current businesses in the Tacoma Junction area, who are also against it.

775
01:10:15,690 --> 01:10:19,650
The last time someone attempted to read this list, she was shouted down.

776
01:10:19,650 --> 01:10:23,670
Okay, the list includes quite a few people.

777
01:10:24,190 --> 01:10:29,330
The Old Town Business Association is in favor of the development of it.

778
01:10:29,430 --> 01:10:32,270
But the people actually at the junction have a different view.

779
01:10:32,950 --> 01:10:37,770
They include Rick and Bernita Leonard, Heritage Building and Renovation Incorporated,

780
01:10:38,310 --> 01:10:46,190
Suds Laundromat, 7334 Carol Avenue, Eric Zeppler, Kinetic Artistry, 7216 Carol Avenue,

781
01:10:46,190 --> 01:10:54,070
Catherine Rurka, Spring Meal Bread Company, 73000 Carol Avenue, Mark Schneider, Urban High

782
01:10:54,070 --> 01:11:06,190
Fire LLC, 736 Carol Avenue, Paul H, Salone 2000, 730 Carol Avenue, Joanne Carey,

783
01:11:06,370 --> 01:11:13,430
Tacoma Park Animal Clinic, 730 Carol Avenue, Mark Howard, Tacoma Framers, 7312 Carol Avenue,

784
01:11:13,430 --> 01:11:18,990
Harresh Lahari, Tacoma Postal and Business Center, 7304, Carol Avenue.

785
01:11:19,390 --> 01:11:26,130
Kendra Blackett-Dabina, Bikram Yoga, Tacoma Park, 7324, Carol Avenue.

786
01:11:26,730 --> 01:11:30,950
Steven Cho, Carriage House Cleaners, 7308, Carol Avenue.

787
01:11:31,570 --> 01:11:36,250
Bruce and Inan Phillips, Healy Surgeons, 7311, Carol Avenue.

788
01:11:36,250 --> 01:11:44,670
Nassau Dach Aumenn, ND, Wisdom Path Healing Center, purple, mountain organics, 7-1-2-0 carol avenue,

789
01:11:45,230 --> 01:11:50,970
D-Doli, RS Automotive Incorporated, 7-2-2-0 carol avenue, Rachel Hardwick, President

790
01:11:50,970 --> 01:11:53,050
Tukomu Park, Saurastrin, COA.

791
01:11:54,090 --> 01:11:55,710
Okay, stand with that.

792
01:11:55,890 --> 01:11:57,330
There's only one more thing to say.

793
01:11:57,910 --> 01:12:06,230
Referendum now, referendum now, referendum now, referendum now, referendum now, referendum

794
01:12:06,230 --> 01:12:09,930
Now, referendum now, referendum now.

795
01:12:20,770 --> 01:12:25,550
Good evening, I wasn't actually going to speak tonight because so much has been said.

796
01:12:25,690 --> 01:12:34,050
But I do think it might be helpful to share with you my thoughts prompted by Keith Coslov's comment that I shouldn't be concerned about the fate of a small parking lot.

797
01:12:34,370 --> 01:12:37,290
It is not about the fate of a small parking lot.

798
01:12:37,610 --> 01:12:39,570
By the way, my name is Nadine, I'm in board three.

799
01:12:39,570 --> 01:12:46,050
To me and many of us, we are morally and ethically required to hold the line on further extractive

800
01:12:46,050 --> 01:12:48,250
corporate growth in our fair town.

801
01:12:48,390 --> 01:12:52,290
We must stand on the shoulders of those who found it to come apart, kept the eight-lane

802
01:12:52,290 --> 01:12:58,830
highway from dividing us, insisted on a nuclear-free zone, sanctuary status, voting rights for non-U.S. citizens

803
01:12:58,830 --> 01:13:00,710
in 1617-year-olds and more.

804
01:13:01,150 --> 01:13:03,370
We have been asked to hold the line.

805
01:13:03,750 --> 01:13:08,630
We've been asked by D.C. residents, by businesses who are owned and run by folks of color,

806
01:13:08,630 --> 01:13:14,030
by environmentalists, by folks who moved here for the racial and economic diversity, our city says

807
01:13:14,030 --> 01:13:19,850
it holds dear. I believe that giving this piece of public land away to a corporate developer

808
01:13:19,850 --> 01:13:27,430
for private gain is a serious affront to our community values. It will also cost the city hundreds

809
01:13:27,430 --> 01:13:32,890
of thousands of dollars, if not millions, simply to reconfigure the traffic patterns to make this

810
01:13:32,890 --> 01:13:40,230
possible at all. No one has explained where that money is coming from. I am afraid of the implications

811
01:13:40,230 --> 01:13:45,970
for years to come. I will continue to show my love for my hometown by exercising my right to

812
01:13:45,970 --> 01:13:52,570
protest against individuals and policies that I believe that are harming my hometown. Sometimes

813
01:13:52,570 --> 01:13:58,950
this might be interpreted as uncivil, but in spite of this obvious civil tone, simply because of a

814
01:13:58,950 --> 01:14:04,750
Disagreement on tactics or principle, I believe in community values over corporate profits.

815
01:14:05,050 --> 01:14:14,130
And standing by, while the city elected Zach Contra, each of this, is not in my nature nor is it helpful to the city's residents, especially our lower income neighbors.

816
01:14:14,610 --> 01:14:16,850
Again, this is not about a small parking lot.

817
01:14:17,170 --> 01:14:20,430
We have massive infill development happening at the Metro, where it should.

818
01:14:20,850 --> 01:14:23,970
And we have infill going to be happening around the purple line in New Hampshire,

819
01:14:23,970 --> 01:14:30,130
after Avenue quarter, where businesses are established and we have transportation access improvements that are coming.

820
01:14:30,670 --> 01:14:32,830
And we should be supporting more businesses there.

821
01:14:33,390 --> 01:14:39,110
They're requesting it, as noted, fixing the failed intersection is going to cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars.

822
01:14:39,430 --> 01:14:42,890
And the State Highway Administration has not said that they'll pay for it.

823
01:14:42,970 --> 01:14:48,470
In fact, we know that there's more critical infrastructure on a decades-long waiting list.

824
01:14:48,470 --> 01:14:53,310
If this reconfiguring were to happen, it would be on Tacoma Park's dime eating any revenue

825
01:14:53,310 --> 01:14:54,450
that might come in.

826
01:14:54,630 --> 01:14:57,970
If this development doesn't go bankrupt, anyways, from the-

827
01:15:00,000 --> 01:15:29,980
Opposition, a mile away, and you're the Metro, or on the New Hampshire Avenue side. This money sink will effectively eliminate funds for supporting the progressive plans we say we value. So, we're a lot of us are mystified. Why do you seek to settle our city with hundreds of thousands of dollars in cost? Simply to reconfigure traffic patterns that might only work for short time. Why can't we hear what you're going to do to address this financial concern? It's not hyperbole. This is about the heart and soul of Tacoma Park. If you don't hold on community values over corporate profit,

828
01:15:29,980 --> 01:15:30,920
It's now thank you miss well.

829
01:15:30,920 --> 01:15:32,760
We will lose to coma part that we love.

830
01:15:32,980 --> 01:15:33,020
Thank you.

831
01:15:43,860 --> 01:15:51,320
Sue Katz Miller, Maryam McDormann and Xavier, and I'm going to really get your name wrong.

832
01:15:51,480 --> 01:15:52,000
Last name wrong.

833
01:15:52,120 --> 01:15:52,380
Xavier.

834
01:15:52,780 --> 01:15:55,530
Are you there?

835
01:15:55,810 --> 01:15:55,970
Okay.

836
01:15:58,800 --> 01:16:00,380
So, this is it.

837
01:16:00,820 --> 01:16:01,920
Here we are.

838
01:16:04,300 --> 01:16:10,840
The county, whatever else happens with this plan, is not going to add in more public space

839
01:16:10,840 --> 01:16:15,300
for us to dance together and sing together and be a community together.

840
01:16:16,120 --> 01:16:22,120
The county, whatever else happens, is not going to concern itself with the fact that

841
01:16:22,120 --> 01:16:28,780
Kendra of Bikram Yoga just lost her bid to buy her building to a speculative DC developer

842
01:16:29,080 --> 01:16:34,300
as commercial gentrification takes off in anticipation of this development.

843
01:16:35,940 --> 01:16:40,720
We do have to wonder what the county is going to think about the safety of the lay-by and

844
01:16:40,720 --> 01:16:46,160
the exit from the garage on a blind curve, and the trucks backed up and worrying the fire

845
01:16:46,160 --> 01:16:46,480
chief.

846
01:16:47,420 --> 01:16:51,760
And we have to wonder what bank is going to want to finance a project that has been

847
01:16:51,760 --> 01:16:58,200
so passionately and consistently opposed by the community despite a very slick and often

848
01:16:58,200 --> 01:17:01,160
nasty pro-development PR campaign.

849
01:17:01,900 --> 01:17:07,480
And by the way, our support is broad and deep, this is our community, and we are not going

850
01:17:07,480 --> 01:17:10,860
to disappear after tonight, no matter how the votes go.

851
01:17:17,730 --> 01:17:22,350
So for years now, we've been earnestly emailing, testifying, and signing petitions.

852
01:17:22,870 --> 01:17:27,890
At meetings here, week after week, you have listened to an overwhelming majority of diverse

853
01:17:27,890 --> 01:17:34,090
residents pleading with you to stop, including renters, junction workers, young people, architects,

854
01:17:34,090 --> 01:17:35,450
and small business owners.

855
01:17:36,290 --> 01:17:42,630
Last week was not atypical, with 30 speaking against the plan and zero speaking for it.

856
01:17:42,630 --> 01:17:48,010
Each week, we get bewildered residents who've never spoken at a council meeting before,

857
01:17:48,410 --> 01:17:53,110
just figuring out what's happening here, trying to understand why the city is promoting

858
01:17:53,110 --> 01:17:53,950
this development.

859
01:17:54,490 --> 01:17:59,930
And in each stage, we've been told to be patient that nothing has been decided yet to trust

860
01:17:59,930 --> 01:18:00,670
the process.

861
01:18:01,610 --> 01:18:09,290
But tonight, you, our mayor, you, our council members, can steer us to a better plan.

862
01:18:09,290 --> 01:18:14,110
tonight at the 11th hour is not too late to turn around.

863
01:18:14,850 --> 01:18:21,550
Tonight we ask you to vote yes on the alternative resolution or no on the proposed site plan.

864
01:18:22,470 --> 01:18:27,670
These requests are not inflammatory nor divisive nor uncivil.

865
01:18:28,390 --> 01:18:36,470
Here in Tacoma Park we ask questions we organize and when necessary we resist from Lafayette Square to Tacoma Junction.

866
01:18:36,470 --> 01:18:40,550
This is the Tacoma Park we claim as our legacy.

867
01:18:41,430 --> 01:18:47,710
And so, I offer you this flower of hope, hope for unity, hope for peace in our city.

868
01:18:48,250 --> 01:18:54,350
And as I do that, I ask all to stand, who would say no to the proposed site plan.

869
01:19:31,150 --> 01:19:36,090
Hi, I'm Marion McDormand, I'm a 25 year resident, I live in Ward 5.

870
01:19:36,090 --> 01:19:45,450
and I would like to ask you to support the alternative item that Council Member Smith has put forward.

871
01:19:46,850 --> 01:19:56,310
I'm not against any kind of development at that parking lot site, but I think it should be smaller and more commensurate with the community.

872
01:19:57,610 --> 01:20:04,750
I also feel that there's an inherent conflict of interest in having a commercial entity

873
01:20:04,750 --> 01:20:09,490
who will profit from the development, drop the plans.

874
01:20:10,570 --> 01:20:17,830
Okay, neighborhood development company, if all this goes through, stands to profit from the development, right?

875
01:20:18,650 --> 01:20:26,110
So, of course, they're gonna drop a plan with maximizing their square footage, which will maximize their profit margins, you know?

876
01:20:26,450 --> 01:20:28,470
But that's not necessarily what the community wants.

877
01:20:28,730 --> 01:20:33,790
I think the city count, and having lived in to go and park for 25 years and more,

878
01:20:33,790 --> 01:20:53,830
I've seen a number of projects come up like this, okay, and I think that the council should pass some kind of resolution that says if we're going to drop plans for, you know, proposed new development, it should be with an independent architect or development firm that has no profit, potential profit from the project.

879
01:20:53,830 --> 01:20:53,890
there.

880
01:20:56,930 --> 01:21:03,630
It has no skin in the game. It would have been much better if, you know, at the

881
01:21:03,630 --> 01:21:08,930
beginning of this process, the City Council and the Mayor had hired an independent architect

882
01:21:08,930 --> 01:21:15,530
to drop different options for what this junction development could look like. And I think we

883
01:21:15,530 --> 01:21:19,690
would have ended up with plans that would be much more in character with the rest of the

884
01:21:19,690 --> 01:21:24,950
city and not, you know, making to come apart into Bethesda or D.C. Thank you.

885
01:21:36,820 --> 01:21:43,460
Hello, my name is Xavier. I do live in Tacoma Park, Prince George County. I mean,

886
01:21:44,000 --> 01:21:51,700
do we regret tonight not to be part of a city of Tacoma population when I see this kind of engagement?

887
01:21:53,100 --> 01:21:58,600
But you have to know that everything that is happening in the city of Tacoma is affecting us,

888
01:21:58,600 --> 01:22:01,620
and many of our residents do participate

889
01:22:01,620 --> 01:22:06,580
in the fabric of the city of Tacoma in very often

890
01:22:06,580 --> 01:22:13,780
in artistic ways, such as rhizome, radio Tacoma,

891
01:22:14,080 --> 01:22:14,480
and so on.

892
01:22:16,140 --> 01:22:18,220
Very soon, with the purple line,

893
01:22:19,080 --> 01:22:21,260
our neighborhood will be surrounded

894
01:22:21,260 --> 01:22:24,560
by enormous development, mostly commercial.

895
01:22:26,260 --> 01:22:33,740
The old Tacoma Park is a breath of fresh air for us, I mean, and to see that you're planning

896
01:22:33,740 --> 01:22:41,140
a little bit over development in areas that should not need those kind of development

897
01:22:41,140 --> 01:22:43,660
is of a concern.

898
01:22:44,340 --> 01:22:49,900
This is why I decided tonight to come and support the restoration of Council members.

899
01:22:50,400 --> 01:22:51,280
Thank you.

900
01:22:59,450 --> 01:23:03,910
Karen Elridge, Brian Robinson, and Eve Jenkins.

901
01:23:14,620 --> 01:23:17,880
Hi, my name is Karen Elridge, and my home is on Monoc Avenue.

902
01:23:19,180 --> 01:23:23,400
I have been a, I think, 38-year resident here in Tacoma Park.

903
01:23:23,560 --> 01:23:27,280
I've raised my children and my daughter is raising her grandchildren.

904
01:23:29,080 --> 01:23:31,840
And this isn't just a small piece of land.

905
01:23:31,840 --> 01:23:40,900
And we wouldn't be here night after night after night, mostly against the project, I don't

906
01:23:40,900 --> 01:23:45,160
think I've ever seen more than 20% of the people get up and say they were for it.

907
01:23:46,220 --> 01:23:51,460
And this has been amazing that all these people came out tonight in this rain.

908
01:23:52,340 --> 01:23:56,980
And I'm begging you to please listen to the people, we won't go away.

909
01:23:57,380 --> 01:24:07,460
This I'll be here with you to 2 o'clock in the morning and we'll be having these conversations again and again and again until we get it right for everybody in our neighborhoods.

910
01:24:08,680 --> 01:24:22,520
We need to have a town hall. We need to be able to talk back and forth because I know a lot of these folks who are for this project would be able to agree with things that we are who are against the project where there are lots of things that we can work together.

911
01:24:22,520 --> 01:24:24,780
We don't want an empty parking lot.

912
01:24:25,280 --> 01:24:26,980
There's a lot of us who want development.

913
01:24:27,300 --> 01:24:29,480
We just don't want the oversized development.

914
01:24:30,020 --> 01:24:33,700
And I'm really asking you guys, please back to Eric Smith

915
01:24:33,700 --> 01:24:36,140
so we can take a time to look at this.

916
01:24:36,300 --> 01:24:37,820
I know we've had it for a long time,

917
01:24:37,820 --> 01:24:40,920
but obviously you have not convinced us

918
01:24:40,920 --> 01:24:42,780
that this is the right thing to do.

919
01:24:43,520 --> 01:24:44,060
Thank you.

920
01:24:53,910 --> 01:24:57,110
Brian Robinson, Maple Avenue in Ward 1.

921
01:24:57,790 --> 01:25:00,650
I work with an organization called Friends of Old Decoma,

922
01:25:00,650 --> 01:25:06,410
which was originally founded to try and save part pharmacy from being bought out by a chain store.

923
01:25:07,390 --> 01:25:13,930
The business, and the business association at the time supported our efforts.

924
01:25:14,670 --> 01:25:22,850
But only two years ago, they sent out a mailer saying, what would you think about Starbucks coming in the neighborhood?

925
01:25:23,310 --> 01:25:26,090
Just out of curiosity, we don't have any knowledge.

926
01:25:26,930 --> 01:25:31,550
So, I've spoken to a number of the business owners.

927
01:25:31,870 --> 01:25:35,910
We also rent an art space on Carol Avenue.

928
01:25:36,230 --> 01:25:42,190
And this development, the developer would pay less in rent for the entire city lot in

929
01:25:42,190 --> 01:25:43,750
ground rent than we pay in rent.

930
01:25:44,530 --> 01:25:48,530
And the businesses across the street are already seeing the rents rise.

931
01:25:49,070 --> 01:25:53,570
So each of them will be paying more in rent than this developer will be paying in rent.

932
01:25:53,570 --> 01:25:58,030
And the developer is being brought in explicitly to gentrify those lots.

933
01:25:58,650 --> 01:26:11,690
In fact, the Business Association is basically in favor of raising the rent on the businesses in the notion that this will revitalize the block by increasing demand by bringing in a better class of business.

934
01:26:12,090 --> 01:26:13,410
And that's just disgusting.

935
01:26:14,130 --> 01:26:15,410
There's also the issue

936
01:26:19,350 --> 01:26:24,430
of the plan.

937
01:26:24,430 --> 01:26:30,770
And if we're a progressive community, then we should be doing what a lot of progressive communities do,

938
01:26:31,070 --> 01:26:42,670
which are designed by Syrent, not relying on the developer to give alternative plans and treat it as a city lot.

939
01:26:42,910 --> 01:26:47,290
I'm in favor of development, but not poorly planned development.

940
01:26:47,290 --> 01:27:00,650
This design would fill the entire lot with a building, it would cut off pedestrian access to Columbia Avenue through the wooded park plan, which could be easily provided.

941
01:27:01,350 --> 01:27:06,250
You may also notice there's a fire station parking lot that cuts into the lot.

942
01:27:06,250 --> 01:27:20,350
organization working with the Carol Avenue neighborhood association was responsible for getting the county to build that parking lot, to avoid tearing down two more houses on Carol Avenue.

943
01:27:20,690 --> 01:27:30,970
And when I spoke to some of the realtors and architects at the time, they said well, we want those houses torn down because they're nothing but a bunch of illegal immigrants anyway.

944
01:27:30,970 --> 01:27:39,610
And I called them out as racist on the localist's serve and I was denounced and I was denounced for calling them racists and

945
01:27:40,650 --> 01:27:48,310
And we saved those two houses, but now without a fight and the reason we had that the reason we recommended the Mark carriage

946
01:27:48,310 --> 01:27:51,490
They built that lot was to have a two-point turn

947
01:27:51,490 --> 01:27:56,610
Coming in off the city lot for trucks coming into the back of the co-op

948
01:27:56,610 --> 01:28:01,930
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And that is the way to design a development. Thank you very much.

949
01:28:13,260 --> 01:28:20,760
Hi, my name is Eve Jenkins and I live at 7127 Carroll Avenue. So right down from the

950
01:28:20,760 --> 01:28:29,380
fire station, obviously very close to this development. And I also work at a small local business in

951
01:28:29,380 --> 01:28:30,460
Old Tacoma restaurant.

952
01:28:33,260 --> 01:28:36,700
And I've been to a lot of city council meetings and listen to a lot of

953
01:28:36,700 --> 01:28:41,460
comments about this and this is the first time that I think I've ever actually made a comment.

954
01:28:42,280 --> 01:28:47,720
So I've had a lot of opportunity to think about it and I've listened to a lot of things.

955
01:28:48,080 --> 01:28:57,140
And ultimately come to the conclusion that I don't think that the development is appropriate

956
01:28:57,140 --> 01:28:58,420
for the location.

957
01:28:58,900 --> 01:28:59,740
I think it's too big.

958
01:28:59,740 --> 01:29:04,520
I think the traffic problems are maybe well-nigh insurmountable.

959
01:29:04,520 --> 01:29:34,160
And also, you know, as in my experience working, again, at an existing longstanding local business, I can see that we already have increased restaurant and retail coming in into Koma Park that is creating enough competition for the existing businesses that we maybe really can't support as many new restaurants.

960
01:29:34,160 --> 01:29:39,040
as what's coming in, so I'm not sure that we actually need the additional restaurant and retail in that location.

961
01:29:39,500 --> 01:29:46,320
We're starting to have some thriving activity along Carol Avenue, you know,

962
01:29:46,420 --> 01:29:49,440
where some of the new businesses are coming in, and I think that that's great,

963
01:29:49,660 --> 01:29:51,440
but we don't really need an additional building.

964
01:29:51,900 --> 01:29:59,720
Just, yeah, I'm not really pleased with the escalation of rhetoric that there has been.

965
01:30:00,000 --> 01:30:10,100
On this issue and the recall effort and the maligning of the city council that has gone on, I don't feel that the Tacoma Park City Council is the enemy.

966
01:30:14,940 --> 01:30:32,580
But I hope that you won't let any irritation that you might feel or feeling of being besieged, cloud, the issues and that you will still be able to clearly see what is right and appropriate in this and vote no on the

967
01:30:32,580 --> 01:30:38,020
project as it stands and maybe go ahead and vote yes on the resolution to

968
01:30:38,020 --> 01:30:44,740
extend the timeline of jurorsness resolution. And please consider that there

969
01:30:44,740 --> 01:30:49,620
may be a lot of other citizens like me who don't have a flare for the dramatic

970
01:30:49,620 --> 01:30:52,980
but still oppose this project. Thank you.

971
01:31:01,620 --> 01:31:04,780
Alison McDonald, Rachel Hardwick and Sam Branson.

972
01:31:04,780 --> 01:31:05,480
Hi

973
01:31:12,480 --> 01:31:18,480
everyone, I'm Alison McDonald. I live in Ward 2. This is my first time here tonight.

974
01:31:18,820 --> 01:31:24,420
I'm pleased to be here. I have two children. I've been following this for some time both

975
01:31:24,980 --> 01:31:29,780
streaming the City Council meetings when I'm traveling for work in hotel lobbies and also

976
01:31:29,780 --> 01:31:38,800
when I'm driving Carpool for ballet. I've tuned in from home. I really want to thank everyone

977
01:31:38,800 --> 01:31:45,080
here and the mayor and the council for your deliberation, for your time, for your consideration,

978
01:31:45,700 --> 01:31:52,440
and for putting up with so much conversation, sometimes divisive within this community.

979
01:31:52,900 --> 01:31:56,900
I really appreciate the democratic process that we have and that you're a consideration.

980
01:31:57,920 --> 01:31:59,700
I'm really excited about the junction.

981
01:32:00,100 --> 01:32:05,380
I'm really excited that there's an opportunity for our ward and ward two for something vibrant

982
01:32:05,380 --> 01:32:08,320
to be in the the junction space itself.

983
01:32:09,620 --> 01:32:11,400
It's a walkable for our neighborhood.

984
01:32:12,220 --> 01:32:16,500
We live on the other side of Slego Creek and I'm really excited.

985
01:32:17,240 --> 01:32:18,580
I believe I speak for a lot of people.

986
01:32:18,660 --> 01:32:22,660
I've heard over and over again about the disproportionate amount of people that are here tonight

987
01:32:22,660 --> 01:32:27,340
and have been here over the course of so much of the deliberations and I just want to let

988
01:32:27,340 --> 01:32:32,040
you know that I think I speak for many of my friends within my neighborhood and within

989
01:32:32,040 --> 01:32:34,180
in the greater community that maybe don't have the time

990
01:32:34,600 --> 01:32:37,120
to dedicate to come out every night.

991
01:32:37,320 --> 01:32:37,960
So thank you.

992
01:32:38,160 --> 01:32:39,460
I'm going to find a shop.

993
01:32:41,260 --> 01:32:43,580
And I would just say thanks once again,

994
01:32:43,960 --> 01:32:45,320
and I urge you to move forward.

995
01:32:45,740 --> 01:32:45,900
Thanks.

996
01:32:52,660 --> 01:32:54,240
They're telling me I can't have the table.

997
01:32:54,520 --> 01:32:55,480
Well, I always have the table.

998
01:32:55,840 --> 01:32:57,380
Mr. Kelly, I'll talk to you in a minute.

999
01:32:57,380 --> 01:32:58,660
You're cutting into our time.

1000
01:32:59,040 --> 01:32:59,380
I'm sorry.

1001
01:32:59,600 --> 01:33:00,380
Yeah, I'm not going to get over it.

1002
01:33:00,380 --> 01:33:01,460
You're not going to be special.

1003
01:33:04,180 --> 01:33:05,960
I want to leave the table there.

1004
01:33:12,120 --> 01:33:14,660
All right. You can begin if you want.

1005
01:33:16,040 --> 01:33:24,360
Hi. I'm Rachel Hardwick, and I'm President of the Board of the Co-op. On Friday,

1006
01:33:24,600 --> 01:33:30,060
Monday, and today, representatives from the Co-op, the City of Tacoma Park, and the developer

1007
01:33:30,060 --> 01:33:35,380
attended mediation sessions sponsored by the City Council and designed in an effort to

1008
01:33:35,380 --> 01:33:41,540
to resolve a number of issues related to the redevelopment of the city-owned parking lot located next to the co-op.

1009
01:33:42,600 --> 01:33:45,440
Specific discussions during mediation are confidential.

1010
01:33:46,200 --> 01:33:51,860
However, we can say that our discussions were extensive, lasting over six and a half hours so far,

1011
01:33:52,380 --> 01:33:56,700
and that they addressed some but not all of the complex issues we have agreed to discuss.

1012
01:33:57,480 --> 01:34:03,980
The board has concluded that at this time it is in the interest of the co-op and its members to continue with mediation.

1013
01:34:05,380 --> 01:34:10,640
The board asks the council not to approve the site plan, and instead wait until mediation

1014
01:34:10,640 --> 01:34:11,340
is concluded.

1015
01:34:11,860 --> 01:34:15,980
We expect to finish mediation before the council returns from its summer recess.

1016
01:34:17,160 --> 01:34:22,360
We make this request because the board thinks that approval of the current site plan before

1017
01:34:22,360 --> 01:34:27,780
completion of mediation could jeopardize the mediation's chances of addressing what the

1018
01:34:27,780 --> 01:34:33,860
board understands is essential purpose, that is, to find mutually acceptable and reasonable

1019
01:34:33,860 --> 01:34:36,580
accommodations of the co-ops operational needs.

1020
01:34:37,200 --> 01:34:42,060
This goal is fundamentally important because redevelopment of the city lot, as currently

1021
01:34:42,060 --> 01:34:47,940
proposed, will deprive the co-op of its current delivery loading zone on the city lot over

1022
01:34:47,940 --> 01:34:52,200
flow customer parking spaces and a place to store waste and recycling.

1023
01:34:52,860 --> 01:34:58,080
The board, with the help of its experts, has determined that the current NDC site plan

1024
01:34:58,080 --> 01:35:02,100
does not provide reasonable accommodation of the co-ops needs.

1025
01:35:02,100 --> 01:35:07,540
We are concerned that if the Council approves the site plan tonight, the approval would

1026
01:35:07,540 --> 01:35:09,440
officially sanction the current plan.

1027
01:35:10,020 --> 01:35:15,500
In our view, any such approval thereby could materially change the effectiveness of the

1028
01:35:15,500 --> 01:35:16,460
mediation process.

1029
01:35:17,340 --> 01:35:21,160
We ask that the Council not approve the NDC site plan.

1030
01:35:21,580 --> 01:35:27,580
Instead, please approve the pending alternative resolution, which is the only resolution offered

1031
01:35:27,580 --> 01:35:33,420
to this point that requires mediation to be concluded before the council votes on the site plan.

1032
01:35:34,040 --> 01:35:40,060
The co-op sees mediation as the best way to reach a resolution that can be endorsed by the co-op,

1033
01:35:40,240 --> 01:35:46,040
the city, and NDC, and we urge our members and shoppers to support our request. Thank you.

1034
01:36:08,690 --> 01:36:18,570
Sam Bramson, co-op shopper. Let me also thank everyone present for every contribution

1035
01:36:18,570 --> 01:36:21,830
they are making to a peaceful, rational, democratic

1036
01:36:21,830 --> 01:36:25,150
deliberation, and all the ways in which to come a park

1037
01:36:25,150 --> 01:36:27,270
government is doing a great and valuable job.

1038
01:36:28,130 --> 01:36:30,970
I invite both the supporters of the current NDC

1039
01:36:30,970 --> 01:36:34,590
proposal and those who oppose it to remember how many

1040
01:36:34,590 --> 01:36:36,270
goals that they have in common.

1041
01:36:37,550 --> 01:36:40,310
Don't let room-filling cheers and booze stop you from

1042
01:36:40,310 --> 01:36:43,610
inquiring honestly with someone in disagreement why they

1043
01:36:43,610 --> 01:36:44,470
feel the way they do.

1044
01:36:45,010 --> 01:36:47,730
A consensus on a way forward could be so close.

1045
01:36:48,750 --> 01:36:52,950
I am recently returned to the Washington area after a decade in Pittsburgh, where the

1046
01:36:52,950 --> 01:36:59,110
food co-op, the only one in the region, struggled in an analogous way as to come apart currently

1047
01:36:59,110 --> 01:37:01,610
with community interests versus corporate interests.

1048
01:37:02,290 --> 01:37:07,510
Please support Alternative Resolution 7, and in support of that, let me second the arguments

1049
01:37:07,510 --> 01:37:12,050
made so far, and also echo the pleas for creativity and risk.

1050
01:37:12,050 --> 01:37:23,350
If the world is going to find new, currently unknown ways to sustainably solve development questions that put community interests above all else, it will be through experimentation.

1051
01:37:24,270 --> 01:37:37,370
Tacoma Park has resources, community interest and a legacy in perfect alignment with this goal and would be an ideal place, frighteningly rare for such an experiment to take place.

1052
01:37:37,370 --> 01:37:40,990
The history books, 99 years from now when the proposed

1053
01:37:40,990 --> 01:37:43,450
least would end, will either say that the

1054
01:37:43,450 --> 01:37:46,270
municipality lost its unique character or that it

1055
01:37:46,270 --> 01:37:46,830
kept it.

1056
01:37:47,490 --> 01:37:50,710
But perhaps equally importantly, those history books

1057
01:37:50,710 --> 01:37:54,810
can say that the municipality stayed safe by trading

1058
01:37:54,810 --> 01:37:57,030
public property for what was still essentially

1059
01:37:57,030 --> 01:38:00,030
corporatism or that they struck out swinging.

1060
01:38:01,110 --> 01:38:01,990
Please swing.

1061
01:38:02,850 --> 01:38:05,970
Someday, a history book may say that sustainable,

1062
01:38:05,970 --> 01:38:11,030
community-based land usage became commonplace after experiments carried out in progressive

1063
01:38:11,030 --> 01:38:15,650
municipalities across the U.S. such as this one. Thank you.

1064
01:38:27,490 --> 01:38:33,510
Thank you. I now have Wellman Lahn and David Korn and Margaret Vitola.

1065
01:38:38,580 --> 01:38:41,360
Oh, did you have a slide? No, you didn't have slides, right?

1066
01:38:41,740 --> 01:38:44,960
No, I didn't have time, so that's okay.

1067
01:38:46,140 --> 01:38:52,520
Hi, my name is Valmoud Lantzra, I live in Ward 1, Peter Kovar's ward.

1068
01:38:52,960 --> 01:38:55,660
I want to thank everyone, the Mayor, the Council for taking the time.

1069
01:38:55,740 --> 01:38:56,580
It's going to be a long night.

1070
01:38:57,620 --> 01:39:01,260
I want to say a few words about one of the aspects of this development.

1071
01:39:01,460 --> 01:39:02,180
Can everyone hear me?

1072
01:39:02,640 --> 01:39:02,720
Yes.

1073
01:39:03,680 --> 01:39:03,820
Yes.

1074
01:39:04,620 --> 01:39:05,480
Thank you, Umarins.

1075
01:39:06,440 --> 01:39:12,680
Imagine, just imagine driving home one night on Carol Avenue and you see this vibrant

1076
01:39:13,540 --> 01:39:18,720
with people at night mingling about or you drive to work and you see this lot

1077
01:39:18,720 --> 01:39:21,240
and people are just hanging out talking to friends and neighbors.

1078
01:39:22,320 --> 01:39:26,960
And then imagine a community that's known for its inclusiveness

1079
01:39:26,960 --> 01:39:31,640
and commitment to social justice, doing an infill project that serves many needs

1080
01:39:31,640 --> 01:39:36,140
for this community, such as pedestrians, bicyclists, moms with strollers

1081
01:39:36,140 --> 01:39:38,100
and middle and high school students.

1082
01:39:38,100 --> 01:39:44,740
by providing amenities such as stores, family-owned restaurants, and a public living room.

1083
01:39:45,180 --> 01:39:52,720
Providing a safe way to school and to work without permanently disturbing and uprooting existing entities.

1084
01:39:53,440 --> 01:40:01,360
Instead, I see a proposed development that does not allow for adequate public space

1085
01:40:01,360 --> 01:40:06,880
creates additional traffic at an already very complex intersection.

1086
01:40:06,880 --> 01:40:14,560
basic issues that have not been resolved and that I refer to as details, promises to

1087
01:40:14,560 --> 01:40:19,340
deal with these details after a resolution has been voted on.

1088
01:40:20,060 --> 01:40:27,280
But these issues are key infrastructure problems, including traffic flow, pedestrian safety and

1089
01:40:27,280 --> 01:40:31,880
parking, all unresolved up until today.

1090
01:40:31,880 --> 01:40:37,140
I also see a design that is too big for its allocated space.

1091
01:40:37,760 --> 01:40:43,140
And once the site plan has been approved as is by voting yes, if that's what you were

1092
01:40:43,140 --> 01:40:49,480
to do, there will be no opportunity to make any significant changes to the amount of

1093
01:40:49,480 --> 01:40:52,060
public space in the project.

1094
01:40:53,080 --> 01:41:01,080
This should be the path forward, postpone the vote and vote no to the resolution and vote

1095
01:41:01,080 --> 01:41:07,960
yes to Jared Smith's amendment, we need to make as the community a fully informed decision.

1096
01:41:08,660 --> 01:41:13,480
Emphasize that the space should serve the community not just consumers.

1097
01:41:14,480 --> 01:41:20,600
Develop a project that will create additional tax revenue while still ensuring public accessible

1098
01:41:20,600 --> 01:41:28,120
space that's appropriate in scale and purpose and show all of us. All of us that we can resolve

1099
01:41:28,120 --> 01:41:33,380
all of these issues in the Tacoma Park Manor, which is with expertise, knowledge,

1100
01:41:34,600 --> 01:41:38,440
deliberation, compassion, and a sound vision for the future.

1101
01:41:38,840 --> 01:41:39,200
Thank you.

1102
01:41:48,950 --> 01:41:51,670
Good evening, Mayor and the City Council members.

1103
01:41:51,950 --> 01:41:53,070
I'm here as just second to her.

1104
01:41:53,430 --> 01:41:57,810
Basically, I can't second Jarrett's resolution, I would if I could.

1105
01:41:58,590 --> 01:42:01,450
But just sitting here, I hadn't expected to say anything further.

1106
01:42:02,130 --> 01:42:05,350
A thought occurred to me listening to all the great speakers on both sides.

1107
01:42:05,350 --> 01:42:15,330
I know that this is very difficult for a lot of people, but we have an existing business that we want to thrive in that space, and that is the co-op.

1108
01:42:16,610 --> 01:42:21,890
We're now talking about a perspective enterprise which is a risk and which is a gamble.

1109
01:42:22,170 --> 01:42:27,590
You don't know what's going to be there, if there's stories that are going to support an element of social justice or not.

1110
01:42:27,590 --> 01:42:38,830
We just have no clue at this point in time whether there will be necessary outlets or restaurants that serve the local people or bring people that make things harder for the existing businesses.

1111
01:42:39,530 --> 01:42:50,650
But so it seems to me that as you go into this, you have these two great unknowns. The unknown is the co-op mediation, which is not over, but is soon to be over.

1112
01:42:50,650 --> 01:42:53,770
And that's something that you will know very quickly.

1113
01:42:54,710 --> 01:42:57,390
And the other great unknown is the traffic dimension.

1114
01:42:58,410 --> 01:43:03,050
Having lived in Hickory now, living in Cedar, I lived in the traffic problem that exists

1115
01:43:03,050 --> 01:43:03,510
now.

1116
01:43:04,230 --> 01:43:09,630
And to sort of say, we'll deal this down the road, no pun intended, sorry.

1117
01:43:10,610 --> 01:43:15,130
Just doesn't seem to be sufficient to going ahead with this project.

1118
01:43:15,130 --> 01:43:21,830
You know, it could compound the issue and as Nadine talked about it could put the city on the hook financially.

1119
01:43:22,190 --> 01:43:24,530
It's a gigantic unknown.

1120
01:43:25,230 --> 01:43:35,010
So I know that Jared's resolution doesn't address that because you're not going to have that answer in four weeks after your well-deserved vacation.

1121
01:43:35,490 --> 01:43:40,150
But it seems to me that at least on the co-op side that's something that will be answerable.

1122
01:43:40,150 --> 01:43:44,950
And I hadn't thought of this until we heard from the co-op board of director.

1123
01:43:45,050 --> 01:43:49,310
But if you go ahead and vote for this now, it will affect the mediation process.

1124
01:43:49,310 --> 01:43:52,810
At least it should. And give the upper hand to the NDC.

1125
01:43:54,030 --> 01:44:00,550
So these two great unknowns, you know, lying out here, I think you got to take, you got to hit the pause button.

1126
01:44:01,110 --> 01:44:07,250
And hopefully as you resolve those issues, you're never going to get full cohesion on this.

1127
01:44:07,250 --> 01:44:13,190
but maybe you'll move closer to some community consensus so that this project becomes less

1128
01:44:13,190 --> 01:44:17,330
divisive as you proceed down the road. Thank you for considering that.

1129
01:44:28,830 --> 01:44:34,510
Good evening, Mayor and Council Members. My name is Margaret Fattulo. I'm a resident

1130
01:44:34,510 --> 01:44:41,110
of Ward 2 and I'd like to tell you a story of community and I'd like to be very respectful

1131
01:44:41,110 --> 01:44:46,950
of the time that I have a lot of it as I do that. But I'd like to begin my story in an unusual

1132
01:44:46,950 --> 01:44:56,090
I would like for us all to take 30 seconds of silence and use that 30 seconds of silence

1133
01:44:56,550 --> 01:44:59,950
to think about what we love about this community.

1134
01:45:00,000 --> 01:45:07,200
Community. Not this issue. What do you love about living care? What do we all love about

1135
01:45:07,200 --> 01:45:07,460
it?

1136
01:45:49,230 --> 01:45:57,360
Thank you. I belong to another community that had another very similar fight. There was

1137
01:45:57,360 --> 01:46:04,020
a group that believed strongly that a particular kind of development needed to happen. A particular

1138
01:46:04,020 --> 01:46:11,120
kind of building needed to happen in a particular location. There was another group in this very

1139
01:46:11,120 --> 01:46:17,820
beloved community of mine. It felt absolutely strongly that the building needed to be a different

1140
01:46:17,820 --> 01:46:26,100
kind of building in a different location. And this fight threatened to tear this beloved

1141
01:46:26,100 --> 01:46:31,360
community that I consider my second family. Threatened to tear apart,

1142
01:46:34,100 --> 01:46:36,340
people were disappearing

1143
01:46:36,340 --> 01:46:40,460
from the community saying they would never come back again. People were feeling threatened.

1144
01:46:40,460 --> 01:46:45,900
And everybody said we have to keep going.

1145
01:46:48,340 --> 01:46:49,960
How can we let this get derailed?

1146
01:46:50,300 --> 01:46:51,860
We've put so much work into it,

1147
01:46:55,350 --> 01:46:56,250
but we did.

1148
01:46:58,000 --> 01:46:58,780
We stopped.

1149
01:47:00,880 --> 01:47:01,680
We took a pause.

1150
01:47:03,280 --> 01:47:06,560
We went back and did another process of listening.

1151
01:47:07,400 --> 01:47:11,940
It was painful, but we did that.

1152
01:47:12,800 --> 01:47:18,860
And that beloved community of mine is now moving forward on a building where there is real

1153
01:47:18,860 --> 01:47:19,400
unity.

1154
01:47:20,440 --> 01:47:33,880
And that experience of working across difference, and taking the time to do that, helped preserve what I was thinking about during that 30 seconds, and my time's up.

1155
01:47:34,160 --> 01:47:34,460
Thank you.

1156
01:47:36,340 --> 01:47:37,460
Thank you.

1157
01:47:37,540 --> 01:47:37,900
Thank you.

1158
01:47:37,900 --> 01:47:45,340
It is the love of community, it is our neighbors, it is our friends, it is the bonds between us, that is the most important thing for us to value.

1159
01:47:45,340 --> 01:47:46,380
I

1160
01:47:55,600 --> 01:48:01,420
have Rick Weiss, Martha Feldman, Buriedett, Fines.

1161
01:48:07,590 --> 01:48:10,550
Hi, I'm Rick Weiss, 25 year resident of Pine Avenue.

1162
01:48:10,670 --> 01:48:14,630
I've spoken to you all before and written to you about my issues with this development.

1163
01:48:15,310 --> 01:48:21,130
I want to just reiterate to that particularly stick in my crawl and bring up one new point that I haven't gotten into before.

1164
01:48:21,810 --> 01:48:30,070
Craw number one is the lay by this kind of horrible plan to have trucks out on the street where garbage and

1165
01:48:30,070 --> 01:48:33,230
groceries will be delivered across the sidewalk and in people's way.

1166
01:48:33,750 --> 01:48:40,610
The lay-by, which is unsafe, unsanitary, unworkable, unbeautiful, unwanted, unwelcome, and it's

1167
01:48:40,610 --> 01:48:46,410
just a bad solution to a problem that didn't exist until NDC decided to try to squeeze

1168
01:48:46,410 --> 01:48:49,350
every square foot of space it could into its profits.

1169
01:48:52,540 --> 01:48:57,460
And whatever you think about the lay-by and its effect on the co-op to approve a plan

1170
01:48:57,460 --> 01:49:02,800
And right now that uses that is, as has been said a couple of times now, going to completely

1171
01:49:02,800 --> 01:49:05,560
undermine the mediation process that is currently out of way.

1172
01:49:05,680 --> 01:49:10,880
And for that reason, alone, you really need to vote to put a pause on this process.

1173
01:49:11,400 --> 01:49:16,360
The second crock, or on number two, is our so-called community space that's built into

1174
01:49:16,360 --> 01:49:17,000
this plan.

1175
01:49:17,400 --> 01:49:23,900
A space that is unspacious and uninviting and is completely in opposition to what we all

1176
01:49:23,900 --> 01:49:27,840
agreed to when the task force did its work some years ago.

1177
01:49:27,960 --> 01:49:32,960
Now, I heard some people who led that task force have changed their minds, or have a different opinion.

1178
01:49:33,400 --> 01:49:37,840
But let's remember that the task force report was not about their opinions.

1179
01:49:37,840 --> 01:49:41,000
It was about what everyone in the community said they wanted.

1180
01:49:41,520 --> 01:49:44,740
And what people in the community told the task force they wanted.

1181
01:49:44,740 --> 01:49:48,220
And what the task force reported was, among other things,

1182
01:49:48,220 --> 01:49:55,580
quote, expanded community use including a pavilion, a playground, a garden space and or a park.

1183
01:49:55,940 --> 01:49:59,720
It talked about food trucks and gathering space and a place to dance.

1184
01:50:00,480 --> 01:50:04,360
That is not what we have appearing in this plan.

1185
01:50:04,940 --> 01:50:12,520
The, to say that the planned, slightly expanded patch of sidewalk between Carol Avenue and a driveway,

1186
01:50:12,520 --> 01:50:18,180
way, satisfies what the community asked for here is just demonstrably false.

1187
01:50:18,580 --> 01:50:20,840
It's an insult to what we asked for.

1188
01:50:21,040 --> 01:50:27,320
It's a slap in the face to us and it should not be allowed to go forward and called a public

1189
01:50:27,320 --> 01:50:28,520
meeting space at all.

1190
01:50:32,750 --> 01:50:37,550
The third and last and new point I want to bring up is that one great thing that's come

1191
01:50:37,550 --> 01:50:42,910
out of this process is that we've seen a whole bunch of beautiful alternatives starting to

1192
01:50:42,910 --> 01:50:47,190
pop up from people in our community who are quite creative and have some great ideas.

1193
01:50:47,770 --> 01:50:53,150
The slides that Wilmaid showed a few weeks ago at a meeting of all kinds of creative ways

1194
01:50:53,150 --> 01:50:54,610
to use that open space.

1195
01:50:55,070 --> 01:50:59,150
Some of the ideas that the 15 architects and others have put forward with what you could

1196
01:50:59,150 --> 01:51:05,790
do in that space are just so fantastic, so creative, so experimental, so to coma park.

1197
01:51:06,350 --> 01:51:08,970
Why aren't we thinking about these things?

1198
01:51:08,970 --> 01:51:14,370
It is not too late to turn around, NDC has shown us what they would do.

1199
01:51:14,730 --> 01:51:17,270
Now we're starting to see what we would do.

1200
01:51:17,910 --> 01:51:22,850
Let's slow down, let's take advantage of our local talent and do something better.

1201
01:51:23,330 --> 01:51:24,430
Thank you very much.

1202
01:51:24,690 --> 01:51:25,290
Hi,

1203
01:51:35,740 --> 01:51:40,740
I'm Martha Feldman, I live on Jackson Avenue, and I'm a 33 year resident.

1204
01:51:41,920 --> 01:51:45,020
So I have a few things.

1205
01:51:45,020 --> 01:51:50,640
first of all I want to thank everyone on the council, every one of you who I know is a truly

1206
01:51:50,640 --> 01:51:57,340
decent person and I don't think we can say, you know, we may not agree with you every time but

1207
01:51:57,340 --> 01:52:06,760
you're all great people. I think part of the problem was that although I went to the meetings for

1208
01:52:06,760 --> 01:52:14,600
this project. And even though it appeared to be open and it was intended to be open,

1209
01:52:15,000 --> 01:52:23,940
I think it was actually a very close process where things were, the pictures they showed

1210
01:52:23,940 --> 01:52:30,320
us of developments they had done or thought they might do were very different. They were

1211
01:52:30,320 --> 01:52:37,500
would, they were smaller. And we also, as a number of people have said, were given

1212
01:52:37,500 --> 01:52:43,880
assurances that things, you know, would develop and be better. But I don't think, unfortunately,

1213
01:52:44,200 --> 01:52:51,760
it's worked out to the satisfaction of all the residents. And I think that may be why all

1214
01:52:51,760 --> 01:52:59,980
this opposition is now coming up later in the process, because it just didn't seem

1215
01:52:59,980 --> 01:53:05,220
I mean, like things were going to change, and now I have a few things on my own.

1216
01:53:06,080 --> 01:53:24,460
I want to just mention, we keep mentioning walkable communities, but as a 73 year old person I think you have to think that not everybody is going to be able to walk, and we definitely need to have parking throughout the city.

1217
01:53:24,460 --> 01:53:27,400
I won't say any more about that.

1218
01:53:27,800 --> 01:53:33,140
I support the mediation with the co-op, and I,

1219
01:53:35,190 --> 01:53:36,090
anyway.

1220
01:53:37,050 --> 01:53:46,330
And I have written a letter about these things before, but I think the traffic problems are going to be horrible.

1221
01:53:47,130 --> 01:53:54,490
The changes in lights that we have now, they may have improved the traffic a little on Ethan Allen,

1222
01:53:54,490 --> 01:54:01,250
but now it's worse on Carol Avenue, you know, we just, we want to keep a single lane,

1223
01:54:01,810 --> 01:54:09,270
or a double lane highway, and we just cannot support a tremendous amount of traffic. And I want

1224
01:54:09,270 --> 01:54:18,330
to say, and this relates to the traffic breaks for NDC, my husband and my taxes are now up to $9,600

1225
01:54:18,330 --> 01:54:28,370
dollars a year and that is because we had to move from the Prince George's avenue because I

1226
01:54:28,370 --> 01:54:35,190
could not stand living across the street from the basketball court on Prince George in Forest Park.

1227
01:54:35,830 --> 01:54:41,330
So, you know, I am now paying probably several thousand dollars more than I would have had to pay.

1228
01:54:41,450 --> 01:54:48,250
And I really resent the idea that someone's gonna come and not have to pay their fair share of

1229
01:54:48,250 --> 01:54:48,830
Yes, thank you.

1230
01:54:48,970 --> 01:54:49,210
Thank you.

1231
01:54:54,460 --> 01:54:56,100
Is Bernie dead still here?

1232
01:54:57,960 --> 01:54:59,060
No, did she leave?

1233
01:54:59,720 --> 01:54:59,940
Okay.

1234
01:55:02,100 --> 01:55:03,700
Then is Ann Maxwell?

1235
01:55:03,980 --> 01:55:06,180
I think she just had to go pick up her child

1236
01:55:06,180 --> 01:55:06,900
as she back yet?

1237
01:55:07,700 --> 01:55:10,160
Does anyone else child care is closing?

1238
01:55:10,280 --> 01:55:12,760
Is anyone else have a child and child care

1239
01:55:13,300 --> 01:55:14,240
that they need to speak?

1240
01:55:15,440 --> 01:55:16,820
All right, so we'll wait till Ann.

1241
01:55:17,400 --> 01:55:18,560
So Lorraine Pierce saw?

1242
01:55:18,940 --> 01:55:19,860
Ann just got back.

1243
01:55:20,220 --> 01:55:20,440
Okay.

1244
01:55:20,440 --> 01:55:20,500
All right,

1245
01:55:23,260 --> 01:55:25,320
so we'll have Lorraine first and then Ann.

1246
01:55:33,760 --> 01:55:40,920
I'm Lorraine Peer-Salvice President of Historic Tacoma and I'm here tonight representing

1247
01:55:40,920 --> 01:55:43,640
our organization and our Board of Directors.

1248
01:55:44,420 --> 01:55:51,140
Our concerns remain with respect to the impacts of this out-of-scale project on our historic

1249
01:55:51,140 --> 01:55:53,100
district and the 410 corridor.

1250
01:55:54,610 --> 01:56:00,580
410 corridor is an ever-present worry and please remember that widening will begin with

1251
01:56:00,580 --> 01:56:02,660
simply, with a third lane.

1252
01:56:03,400 --> 01:56:08,100
We must really be very careful of the loading that we put in this area.

1253
01:56:09,160 --> 01:56:20,140
As a property owner at 7328, Carol Avenue, historic Tacoma does not support the city resolution or the current site plan.

1254
01:56:20,600 --> 01:56:29,440
There are too many serious uncertainties that remain, many of which are in the alternative resolution.

1255
01:56:29,440 --> 01:56:33,480
but even that is incomplete, as you probably heard,

1256
01:56:33,900 --> 01:56:35,620
many additional ones tonight.

1257
01:56:37,180 --> 01:56:40,980
So, this project should be in better shape by now.

1258
01:56:41,840 --> 01:56:45,860
The developers should have provided us with multiple options,

1259
01:56:45,860 --> 01:56:50,760
a lot sooner, and drawings that were not just artistic renderings

1260
01:56:51,120 --> 01:56:52,420
and incomplete at that.

1261
01:56:53,160 --> 01:56:56,580
It's a bit embarrassing to be putting it forward

1262
01:56:56,580 --> 01:57:04,760
in his current state and I concern that when the county starts to look at it they're

1263
01:57:04,760 --> 01:57:08,860
going to wonder why on earth didn't we work on this more.

1264
01:57:10,520 --> 01:57:16,560
And I don't believe that the residents really comprehend the scale of what they will be

1265
01:57:16,560 --> 01:57:17,360
living with.

1266
01:57:17,540 --> 01:57:24,300
I've been looking at plans for many, many years and these are renderings that are not

1267
01:57:24,300 --> 01:57:38,340
to scale that they're showing us so right now I'm here to say please either vote no or put a pause on this project and find a real solution.

1268
01:57:38,460 --> 01:57:43,980
I know you don't want to hear that but it is this is such a major issue.

1269
01:57:44,280 --> 01:57:51,940
We're about to hand a 99 year lease to a developer that we really don't know.

1270
01:57:51,940 --> 01:57:56,420
we don't know how he's going to develop this and frankly we don't know what his

1271
01:57:56,420 --> 01:58:00,060
errors and assigns are going to do and so what are we doing in future generations?

1272
01:58:00,560 --> 01:58:08,420
Please put a pause on this to work this out and find solutions that will work for

1273
01:58:08,420 --> 01:58:15,560
us and then we can go on the regulatory pathway. That makes a lot more sense and it

1274
01:58:15,560 --> 01:58:19,840
will save a lot of heartburn and heartbreak in the future. Thank you.

1275
01:58:20,420 --> 01:58:20,820
I

1276
01:58:31,640 --> 01:58:32,920
am Anne Maxwell, word one.

1277
01:58:33,060 --> 01:58:34,160
This is my daughter, Yanna.

1278
01:58:34,400 --> 01:58:36,200
Thank you for letting us slip in.

1279
01:58:36,340 --> 01:58:38,780
Child care just closed, and we've got to get home to bed.

1280
01:58:39,460 --> 01:58:44,040
I just want to say very quickly, beyond being a to-home park resident,

1281
01:58:44,220 --> 01:58:46,360
I am a co-op member and a frequent shopper.

1282
01:58:46,860 --> 01:58:49,040
And the very things that I love about the co-op.

1283
01:58:49,560 --> 01:58:52,060
The walkable convenience that it provides,

1284
01:58:52,100 --> 01:58:55,560
the interesting food that I can buy there.

1285
01:58:55,860 --> 01:58:58,500
And the sense of community I get when I run into neighbors and

1286
01:58:58,500 --> 01:59:03,320
friends while shopping or walking to and from the co-op are the very reason that I support

1287
01:59:03,320 --> 01:59:04,600
moving ahead with the development.

1288
01:59:09,950 --> 01:59:13,530
I have faith given the deliberative process that has

1289
01:59:13,530 --> 01:59:19,030
gone thus far that you will guide this project in a way that reflects all the concerns that

1290
01:59:19,030 --> 01:59:23,610
you have heard and in the true spirit of Tacoma Park. So thank you very much.

1291
01:59:30,560 --> 01:59:37,580
Paul, are you still

1292
01:59:38,380 --> 01:59:41,880
William Ryker, Lois Wessel, Joanne Malone.

1293
01:59:46,370 --> 01:59:54,050
Good evening everyone, Paul Kristowski, only 26-year resident in Ward 1, but I did live

1294
01:59:54,050 --> 01:59:57,730
in Berkeley, California before that, so I think that probably counts for something.

1295
02:00:00,000 --> 02:00:04,760
As you know, I've had many environmental concerns about this project, and for those in the audience

1296
02:00:04,760 --> 02:00:09,960
who don't know me, I am an environmental scientist with 40 years of experience in environmental

1297
02:00:09,960 --> 02:00:15,420
impact analysis. Some of my concerns have been addressed by amendments to the current

1298
02:00:15,420 --> 02:00:20,340
resolution. However, it hasn't gone far enough, and there are still a lot of environmental

1299
02:00:20,340 --> 02:00:25,880
questions in the current resolution. For example, I heard a member of the audience tonight

1300
02:00:25,880 --> 02:00:31,680
site this often referred to urban myths that the material under the parking lot

1301
02:00:31,680 --> 02:00:36,560
is going to require environmental remediation. The city's own consultants to

1302
02:00:36,560 --> 02:00:41,400
which you paid a nice fee to did a great phase one and phase two study there.

1303
02:00:42,040 --> 02:00:46,060
And that material that is under the parking lot currently meets EPA standards

1304
02:00:46,060 --> 02:00:51,820
for clean fill. It doesn't require any remediation. This is just one example of

1305
02:00:51,820 --> 02:00:56,460
some of the environmental issues that need to be cleaned up in that resolution.

1306
02:00:57,500 --> 02:01:16,100
So I would like you to take a pause and vote no on that current resolution and vote yes on Councilman Smith's alternative resolution with the proviso that when we hit the pause button and take this deep rest that we look at all of the potential environmental impacts.

1307
02:01:16,100 --> 02:01:24,900
Well, there's still a chance to get the developer to mitigate them before our community has to suffer the ill-effects of environmental pollution.

1308
02:01:25,840 --> 02:01:34,620
And the last thing I heard the coalition on smarter growth here tonight, given enthusiastic endorsements of this project, as I would have expected.

1309
02:01:35,140 --> 02:01:44,860
But I would like the coalition on smarter growth, maybe to come up with some way of offsetting the 90,000 metric times of CO2 equivalents

1310
02:01:44,860 --> 02:01:47,080
that are going to be admitted during the construction.

1311
02:01:47,880 --> 02:01:52,280
Maybe the coalition for Smarter Gross can help work with the developer and with the city

1312
02:01:52,640 --> 02:01:55,820
to mitigate some of these impacts, which are major impacts.

1313
02:01:56,200 --> 02:01:57,200
Thank you very much.

1314
02:02:03,810 --> 02:02:05,210
William Reiger, Ward 1.

1315
02:02:05,650 --> 02:02:10,370
I spoke to the public comments about a year ago when City Council voted to move forward in this process.

1316
02:02:10,890 --> 02:02:15,090
Tonight I want to urge you all to do the same and to pass the original resolution.

1317
02:02:15,090 --> 02:02:24,810
The idea that at this point, the city can pivot and go with the development that might make the crop happier is quite frankly completely unrealistic.

1318
02:02:25,970 --> 02:02:30,030
NGC has already put in a tremendous amount of time, money, and most of all patients.

1319
02:02:30,590 --> 02:02:38,730
And to go ahead and pull the plug on a project like that, I think poses serious danger to the Tacoma Parks economic future going forward.

1320
02:02:38,730 --> 02:02:47,190
No developers won't want to come in here and touch anything, and quite frankly, it discourages business as a whole.

1321
02:02:48,470 --> 02:02:53,270
I also want to remind everyone that yes, NDC does want to make a profit, so does the co-op.

1322
02:02:53,430 --> 02:03:01,710
The co-op is actually a for-profit corporation, and they actually might profit more without competition,

1323
02:03:02,030 --> 02:03:07,230
while also having all the trucks and being able to lease this land from the city.

1324
02:03:09,430 --> 02:03:13,870
So I want to ask the you please focus on serving the entire community and

1325
02:03:13,870 --> 02:03:21,270
past this resolution that will help energize the entire area rather than focus on the business continuity of the single for profit business.

1326
02:03:21,590 --> 02:03:22,150
Thank you.

1327
02:03:27,920 --> 02:03:29,600
My name is Lois Wessel.

1328
02:03:29,960 --> 02:03:34,000
I live at 7105 Westmoreland Avenue, which is Ward 3.

1329
02:03:34,200 --> 02:03:39,140
And first of all, I want to thank all of the council members and the city manager and the deputy city manager for

1330
02:03:39,140 --> 02:03:42,940
are always being attentive, answering emails even in the middle of the light and keeping

1331
02:03:42,940 --> 02:03:46,020
us abreast of how this project has been shaping up.

1332
02:03:46,680 --> 02:03:50,060
As I said, I've lived into common part for 25 years, and I'm looking this way because

1333
02:03:50,060 --> 02:03:53,200
I feel like I'm speaking to everybody here, not just to the council.

1334
02:03:53,680 --> 02:04:00,160
And this has been a very contentious, clearly, tonight situation where people who are friends

1335
02:04:00,160 --> 02:04:05,040
and neighbors, and now maybe enemies have talked about this at every social gathering for

1336
02:04:05,040 --> 02:04:05,700
the last month.

1337
02:04:05,700 --> 02:04:09,960
And my family, we have a joke that this is Parks and Rec, and we are living in Pawnee

1338
02:04:09,960 --> 02:04:12,660
because it's gotten a little bit ridiculous, frankly.

1339
02:04:13,120 --> 02:04:17,920
I think we are all very disturbed by the world we're living in, where immigrant rights,

1340
02:04:18,180 --> 02:04:24,820
LGBTQ rights, reproductive rights, environmental rights, et cetera, our own democracy is being

1341
02:04:24,820 --> 02:04:25,340
questioned.

1342
02:04:25,520 --> 02:04:31,100
And maybe that utmost frustration that we have with the government of the United States is filtering

1343
02:04:31,100 --> 02:04:32,880
down to the way we're treating each other.

1344
02:04:32,880 --> 02:04:38,980
Frankly, I am appalled. My quote-unquote leftist credentials have been questions by my

1345
02:04:38,980 --> 02:04:43,380
quote-unquote friends and neighbors. I'm not a true revolutionary, because I support

1346
02:04:43,380 --> 02:04:52,440
the development. I believe that the city of Tacoma Park, the council members and the

1347
02:04:53,070 --> 02:04:57,110
Deputy City Manager, who happens to be somebody who's known longer than anybody else in this

1348
02:04:57,110 --> 02:05:03,530
room has done due diligence to the process of listening to what the community wants.

1349
02:05:03,870 --> 02:05:09,950
No independent local consultant is going to come in and have the capital to do a development

1350
02:05:09,950 --> 02:05:10,230
there.

1351
02:05:10,370 --> 02:05:14,530
So if we don't go forward, we are going to be stuck with a vacant lot, not a community

1352
02:05:14,530 --> 02:05:18,030
park, not a gathering space, but a vacant lot.

1353
02:05:18,190 --> 02:05:24,470
I also think that the development is going to bring a lot of more business to the co-op.

1354
02:05:24,470 --> 02:05:28,270
And in closing, I wanted to look back on the 25 years I've been here.

1355
02:05:28,430 --> 02:05:30,110
I bought a futon at the futon store.

1356
02:05:30,250 --> 02:05:32,870
I recently got rid of it, but that futon lasted a long time.

1357
02:05:33,270 --> 02:05:37,510
My husband and I bought our wedding rings at finewares, which wasn't Carol Avenue, where the site

1358
02:05:37,510 --> 02:05:37,970
get was.

1359
02:05:38,090 --> 02:05:41,370
I don't see them coming out on one way or the other on this project.

1360
02:05:42,770 --> 02:05:47,090
Many of us were disturbed when park pharmacy closed.

1361
02:05:47,470 --> 02:05:53,890
But I don't think there's a single one of us in the room who haven't enjoyed the convenience of the corporate CVS.

1362
02:05:53,890 --> 02:05:56,110
And I hate CVS. I'm a health care provider.

1363
02:05:56,290 --> 02:06:01,650
I try to convince people to go to other places to get their medications, not to CVS.

1364
02:06:01,970 --> 02:06:04,190
All of us have benefited from CVS.

1365
02:06:04,490 --> 02:06:11,030
All of us have bought the $12 localist drink at Republic, which is way too expensive.

1366
02:06:11,190 --> 02:06:15,610
The people I work with, the immigrants that I serve as a health care provider can't afford

1367
02:06:15,610 --> 02:06:19,990
to come to, to come apart to eat at Republic, yet we all enjoy it.

1368
02:06:19,990 --> 02:06:23,990
And we all enjoy Ace Hardware, and that is a chain.

1369
02:06:24,390 --> 02:06:31,870
And so I'd like to say that due diligence has been done, and if we take a pause, I'm concerned that we will lose momentum.

1370
02:06:31,910 --> 02:06:32,690
Thank you.

1371
02:06:41,790 --> 02:06:43,290
Good evening, everybody.

1372
02:06:43,850 --> 02:06:50,430
My name is Joanne Malone, and I have lived in Tacoma Park for only 28 years.

1373
02:06:50,610 --> 02:06:55,390
But a good 10 years before that, wanted to live in Tacoma Park.

1374
02:06:55,390 --> 02:07:13,230
And I especially want to thank the speaker who asked us to quietly take a breath for 30 seconds and remember what we love about Tacoma Park.

1375
02:07:15,390 --> 02:07:24,330
I also want to thank those of you that are speaking with a different view, including

1376
02:07:24,330 --> 02:07:30,390
the speaker right before me, and especially the ten year old who I assume had to go home

1377
02:07:30,390 --> 02:07:34,090
to bed, but please tell her she was very eloquent.

1378
02:07:34,090 --> 02:07:36,590
And I

1379
02:07:39,700 --> 02:07:54,100
want to thank Mayor Stewart and the council members for their patience, and for all of the things that you do do right, of which there are quite a few.

1380
02:08:02,910 --> 02:08:14,990
However, I feel strongly that moving forward with giving up this last small piece of land into coma park,

1381
02:08:14,990 --> 02:08:24,550
to a developer without the process that many people have spoken to very eloquently tonight,

1382
02:08:25,270 --> 02:08:33,350
to finish the mediation. I mean, why can't we wait a month?

1383
02:08:35,380 --> 02:08:39,140
What is so difficult about that?

1384
02:08:40,600 --> 02:08:51,020
I've read Jarrett Smith's resolution, I support it, unless you're willing to vote no against the project outright.

1385
02:08:51,980 --> 02:09:03,080
My main concerns have been expressed, and I'll just repeat, racial equity is one of the very top concerns.

1386
02:09:03,080 --> 02:09:10,960
concerns. I am concerned about businesses like Rowan's barbershop, RNSR demotives, the

1387
02:09:10,960 --> 02:09:18,880
Beak from yoga, and many others that are going to be negatively impacted. The fire chief

1388
02:09:18,880 --> 02:09:29,000
has spoken out against this. If one life is lost because of traffic blocking a fire department,

1389
02:09:29,000 --> 02:09:45,180
How can we possibly move forward with this, without a decent plan, for the fire department, for parking, for waste, for all of the things that need to be looked at.

1390
02:09:45,460 --> 02:09:47,780
Thank you so much for listening.

1391
02:09:54,230 --> 02:09:59,950
Can I have Robert Patton, Stephen Kern, Ben Rosenthal, and Esther Siegel?

1392
02:10:12,230 --> 02:10:20,610
Robert Patton, Westmoreland Avenue Board 3, I'm mostly concerned about the process.

1393
02:10:21,170 --> 02:10:27,230
I haven't been involved in the process at all because I really trusted so many great

1394
02:10:27,230 --> 02:10:33,370
people in the community who were working on this task force and who represented us in government.

1395
02:10:35,010 --> 02:10:42,590
And I want to keep that trust and honor the process that we're trying to go through.

1396
02:10:43,640 --> 02:10:49,990
It sounds like some of the people who have come here to testify tonight have been a part

1397
02:10:49,990 --> 02:10:56,250
of that process and they maybe feel like some important content got lost along the way.

1398
02:10:56,810 --> 02:10:59,850
I think that's really important to listen to.

1399
02:10:59,850 --> 02:11:23,050
I suspect there's a lot of us here tonight on both sides who didn't participate in the process before and I think we all need to reflect on how important it is to participate and go through the process and not just come in at the end and

1400
02:11:23,050 --> 02:11:33,710
and misrepresent what's happened or misrepresent the intentions, suggesting nefarious kinds of

1401
02:11:34,990 --> 02:11:37,570
intentions that people have in going through this.

1402
02:11:37,590 --> 02:11:39,950
I think everybody has the best intentions.

1403
02:11:40,010 --> 02:11:42,450
I think everybody is trying to do the best thing.

1404
02:11:45,510 --> 02:11:52,310
The thing about development in a capitalist society is somebody has to have the money to

1405
02:11:52,310 --> 02:11:58,770
make the development happen and our city probably doesn't have all of that capital.

1406
02:12:00,920 --> 02:12:08,800
I really like all of the idea that we could design a building and a redevelopment by

1407
02:12:08,800 --> 02:12:09,460
a committee.

1408
02:12:10,490 --> 02:12:12,540
That's a pretty damn hard thing to do.

1409
02:12:12,800 --> 02:12:18,720
I'm not going to be the consultant that facilitates that process, though I have been a consultant

1410
02:12:18,720 --> 02:12:21,280
because it's hard to do art by committee

1411
02:12:21,280 --> 02:12:23,580
and it's hard to do architecture by committee.

1412
02:12:24,400 --> 02:12:27,940
But I want to urge us to think about

1413
02:12:29,060 --> 02:12:34,400
if we're going to fully take ownership of this process

1414
02:12:34,880 --> 02:12:39,000
and not take advantage of having a developer

1415
02:12:39,000 --> 02:12:41,320
which we picked through a process

1416
02:12:41,320 --> 02:12:43,960
and had competition, et cetera, et cetera,

1417
02:12:44,580 --> 02:12:46,520
that we're gonna have to come up with the money

1418
02:12:46,520 --> 02:12:49,480
need to do something different with that parcel.

1419
02:12:50,020 --> 02:12:56,360
The one thing I'm glad I think we have almost complete agreement on is just having a parking

1420
02:12:56,360 --> 02:12:58,920
lot is probably not the best use of that land.

1421
02:13:00,160 --> 02:13:08,040
So as we pursue the alternative, let's pursue it holistically and make sure that we can come

1422
02:13:08,040 --> 02:13:11,420
up with the money to make it all work.

1423
02:13:23,770 --> 02:13:29,150
Stephen Kern, Woodland Avenue. I come to, I'm going off script tonight. I come to you with solutions.

1424
02:13:30,810 --> 02:13:37,330
Solution number one is, I think you have to vote for the Councilman Smith resolution tonight.

1425
02:13:37,570 --> 02:13:42,490
I think what Rachel said, Mayor, I think you were out of the room. Maybe you heard it over the speaker.

1426
02:13:43,030 --> 02:13:48,970
I think what she said pretty much kills any vote that you would take tonight. If you take a vote and

1427
02:13:48,970 --> 02:13:52,890
And you vote yes, you are poisoning the co-op mediation.

1428
02:13:53,770 --> 02:14:00,390
And so what you're saying by that is you're not going to, and David Porn spoke to this,

1429
02:14:00,530 --> 02:14:03,930
what you're saying is you, it's just lip service you're supporting the co-op.

1430
02:14:03,990 --> 02:14:08,890
So I think you have to kill that, and my solution is that's going to make the evening much shorter

1431
02:14:08,890 --> 02:14:09,470
for you guys.

1432
02:14:10,490 --> 02:14:11,710
I honestly think that.

1433
02:14:12,010 --> 02:14:14,770
My second solution is this, I can solve this problem.

1434
02:14:14,910 --> 02:14:17,290
I can get 90% of this room together.

1435
02:14:17,950 --> 02:14:34,010
If we stick with Tim Maill's 30,000 limit and we do a public-private partnership with Johnny's and make that a park, we've solved two of our big problems and we support the co-op, the comedy the co-op by giving them a lane for their trucks.

1436
02:14:34,450 --> 02:14:40,410
We've solved everything. We can actually get this whole room, raise your hand if you guys think you could go for that.

1437
02:14:40,910 --> 02:14:51,350
Guarantee the co-op, keep the development, just wait, I'm not going to get everybody, I'm not going to get everybody,

1438
02:14:51,790 --> 02:14:56,570
keep it under at 30,000 feet or under, and make sure there's a lane for the co-op.

1439
02:14:56,670 --> 02:14:57,510
Can we live with that?

1440
02:14:58,110 --> 02:14:59,970
I mean, I'm in favor of one-

1441
02:15:00,000 --> 02:15:29,880
A big park, okay? But I'm willing to compromise. I can find a compromise, and to me, that's leadership, and you guys have failed. If you go forward with 40% of us, you have failed. It's a complete failure. And if you are believing in this Nixonian silent majority, please, this is to come a park. You have to go forward. You have to go forward with a clear majority of us.

1442
02:15:29,880 --> 02:15:36,740
or this will go on forever? You know, Councilmember Schultz said it was a whack-a-mole. It's not whack-a-mole.

1443
02:15:36,820 --> 02:15:43,480
We've asked the same questions. We want to make sure the co-op is safe and we want to make our kids are safe

1444
02:15:43,480 --> 02:15:48,660
and we want to make sure we're not going to be paying extra money. None of this have been answered. That's not whack-a-mole.

1445
02:15:48,880 --> 02:15:52,780
We've asked the same questions over and over again for four years. You need to answer them.

1446
02:16:02,600 --> 02:16:06,700
Good evening, Mayor and Council and friends and neighbors.

1447
02:16:07,600 --> 02:16:14,980
Ben Rosenthal, I think this week I'm starting my 20th year as a resident on Carol Avenue.

1448
02:16:15,440 --> 02:16:20,120
This whole development is my front yard.

1449
02:16:22,020 --> 02:16:30,180
I think the first thing that I did upon moving to the neighborhood was become a member of the co-op.

1450
02:16:30,180 --> 02:16:37,040
So that's a member 4, 5, 5, if anybody needs a discount, I have to use it yet this month.

1451
02:16:39,480 --> 02:16:55,200
And it pains me that once I reveal what side of this divide I'm on, everyone in the room will then think of everything that I have to say through their partisan lens.

1452
02:16:55,200 --> 02:17:11,160
and this includes people of known for a really long time since I am not on Facebook particularly and I don't contribute to the listserv and because things have become rather vitriolic,

1453
02:17:12,040 --> 02:17:23,120
even my rather activist wife has noticed, refrained from speaking her mind for fear of neighborly reprobation.

1454
02:17:23,120 --> 02:17:32,860
So, I do have a recommendation for you, that's the sort of purpose, but mostly I'm here to appeal to everybody in the community.

1455
02:17:36,480 --> 02:17:49,800
I'm proud to be in the Sami Abbott room, and I know that many of the sort of foundational values of this community emerged over an oppositional fight around development, in that case it was a highway.

1456
02:17:51,500 --> 02:18:00,300
I'm looking at a picture of what used to be right across the street from my house, which is what the fire department looked like.

1457
02:18:00,740 --> 02:18:17,420
And I was quite involved as a butter of that project in trying to get to what we thought was a workable resolution to the counties demand that we improve the fire station or lose it.

1458
02:18:17,420 --> 02:18:22,620
And there were many people at that time who thought we couldn't possibly have anything

1459
02:18:22,620 --> 02:18:28,440
other than that fire station, or we would somehow lose a sense of who we were.

1460
02:18:29,940 --> 02:18:39,280
And we were in a building that needed major re-engineering, and many people thought we can't possibly

1461
02:18:39,280 --> 02:18:42,140
go on after the fiasco with the planning of the community center.

1462
02:18:42,280 --> 02:18:43,160
We've gone on.

1463
02:18:43,860 --> 02:18:44,940
We will go on.

1464
02:18:44,940 --> 02:18:50,260
We survived the fire department, we survived the community center.

1465
02:18:50,520 --> 02:18:55,260
I hope, and I think we'll survive this development, however it goes on.

1466
02:18:55,680 --> 02:18:59,140
I do encourage you to move on with the process there.

1467
02:18:59,280 --> 02:19:00,500
I've revealed my position.

1468
02:19:00,860 --> 02:19:06,560
I think you've done your due diligence, and I support you going forward.

1469
02:19:06,640 --> 02:19:12,860
But mostly I appeal to my neighbors not to go to civil war over whatever the outcome is.

1470
02:19:13,180 --> 02:19:13,300
Thank you.

1471
02:19:13,300 --> 02:19:14,140
I'm

1472
02:19:21,410 --> 02:19:24,270
Esther Siegel, Ward 5, 30 years.

1473
02:19:26,770 --> 02:19:33,990
I started writing about, I started every sentence with, you're going to vote in favor of the NDC plan even though.

1474
02:19:34,510 --> 02:19:40,710
And I had about seven, which many, most of people have already said so I don't need to go through all of the even those.

1475
02:19:41,210 --> 02:19:48,910
But I always wonder if you were doing a home renovation and there were so many even those to the development plan.

1476
02:19:48,910 --> 02:19:53,950
would you actually go through with it just because you're tired and you want to get it done?

1477
02:19:54,430 --> 02:19:57,390
No, you would look for the absolute best.

1478
02:19:57,950 --> 02:20:00,190
So I was thinking this plan is backwards.

1479
02:20:01,130 --> 02:20:08,950
First and foremost, the whole traffic issue has to be dealt with before anything can be done.

1480
02:20:10,290 --> 02:20:16,710
And then secondly, can you imagine having incredible town hall meetings discussing what this project would look like?

1481
02:20:16,710 --> 02:20:19,290
we could even have food if we did in a town hall meeting.

1482
02:20:19,970 --> 02:20:24,270
But to imagine what we could do as a group, and I think that's been said before.

1483
02:20:24,730 --> 02:20:31,310
But listening all these weeks, my number seven is really the one that I am the most deeply,

1484
02:20:31,650 --> 02:20:32,890
deeply troubled by.

1485
02:20:34,610 --> 02:20:42,210
You plan to vote for the current NDC proposal, even though this particular proposal has caused

1486
02:20:42,210 --> 02:20:45,810
such devastating divisiveness among your constituents.

1487
02:20:46,850 --> 02:20:54,470
Neighbors being pit against neighbors, horrible things being said towards you and on social media,

1488
02:20:55,070 --> 02:20:59,170
as well as concerns raised by neighboring businesses and emergency responses.

1489
02:20:59,730 --> 02:21:02,010
We look to you for leadership.

1490
02:21:04,580 --> 02:21:08,260
Part of being a leader is to bring your community together.

1491
02:21:08,260 --> 02:21:15,240
The divisiveness that this is caused, the anger that's in this room, neighbors.

1492
02:21:15,500 --> 02:21:23,500
It is so, it is like a screeching siren that there's something wrong with this project.

1493
02:21:24,120 --> 02:21:26,760
Not the people, but the project.

1494
02:21:28,940 --> 02:21:34,860
So I urge you, like everyone else in this room except the people who didn't urge you,

1495
02:21:34,860 --> 02:21:35,940
to

1496
02:21:38,980 --> 02:22:04,160
support the resolution before you, by Jared Smith, so that you can open the way to focus on the neglected parts of the city, secure a comprehensive and rational traffic evaluation, and plan, and then while we together as a community, not an outside developer, explore and imagine what our public space could be.

1497
02:22:04,660 --> 02:22:05,000
Thank you.

1498
02:22:05,000 --> 02:22:05,680
Great.

1499
02:22:14,700 --> 02:22:21,480
Next, I had Stephen Tells, Sarah Fitzpatrick, Louise House, and Mike Royce.

1500
02:22:23,370 --> 02:22:24,630
Steve Tells still here?

1501
02:22:24,910 --> 02:22:26,490
Sir, you have Tells to have a get back to us again.

1502
02:22:26,690 --> 02:22:30,290
Okay. So, I have Sarah Fitzpatrick, Louise House, and Mike Royce.

1503
02:22:41,500 --> 02:22:47,620
Hi. My name is Sarah Fitzpatrick. I just wanted to speak very briefly and ask that somebody

1504
02:22:47,620 --> 02:22:53,580
on the council, second Jared Smith's alternate resolution, so that at least one public discussion

1505
02:22:53,580 --> 02:22:55,020
can be had on its merits.

1506
02:22:55,620 --> 02:23:02,020
I support the passage of the resolution, but at least if we can have a discussion, I

1507
02:23:02,020 --> 02:23:03,820
think that's really valuable.

1508
02:23:04,220 --> 02:23:07,800
I do not support NDC's plan in either its details or its spirit.

1509
02:23:08,660 --> 02:23:13,500
Please vote no on the resolution to approve this plan and move with purpose and love for

1510
02:23:13,500 --> 02:23:17,600
all to come apart residents to commit this public land for equitable use for all.

1511
02:23:17,720 --> 02:23:17,980
Thank you.

1512
02:23:17,980 --> 02:23:18,840
Hi,

1513
02:23:26,110 --> 02:23:33,590
my name is Louise Howells, I've lived in Ward 3's in the same house since 1991 when I moved here with my family.

1514
02:23:35,590 --> 02:23:44,630
Before I came here, I lived in the city of Houston and I was at a senior city attorney and I worked on development issues for them, community development issues.

1515
02:23:45,010 --> 02:23:49,970
Since I've been here, I've been a professor of law and I run an economic development law clinic.

1516
02:23:49,970 --> 02:23:55,670
And I also study development and the law and how it affects people in their communities.

1517
02:23:56,290 --> 02:24:02,070
So I come at this from both a professional stance as well as I live here.

1518
02:24:02,370 --> 02:24:04,850
I walk my dog, I shop at the co-op.

1519
02:24:05,190 --> 02:24:09,430
I can't believe that people don't know what co-ops are, that they don't understand that they're

1520
02:24:09,430 --> 02:24:15,190
not private entities and that they're owned by people, that they're public entities in

1521
02:24:15,190 --> 02:24:17,170
very strongest way.

1522
02:24:19,590 --> 02:24:28,820
I have studied different projects across this country in my academic work, and I have seen

1523
02:24:28,820 --> 02:24:35,020
communities do it right, and I have seen communities find ways to create public space that's not

1524
02:24:35,020 --> 02:24:40,920
an extension of the sidewalk on smaller places, in smaller places, to make space that's comfortable

1525
02:24:40,920 --> 02:24:48,500
for people, and to provide real rights within the documents that support the project, legal rights.

1526
02:24:48,880 --> 02:24:55,080
I am a guest when I'm actually going to use this project in my law and economics class.

1527
02:24:55,120 --> 02:24:59,920
So I'm going to teach this fall, because it's going to be compared with other projects across the city.

1528
02:25:00,160 --> 02:25:08,040
And I'm going to ask my students to examine it and compare them, and find out what's right and what's wrong, and what should be done, and what shouldn't be done.

1529
02:25:08,040 --> 02:25:12,900
And I just think not that this is a bad path to go along, but that's so far you've got

1530
02:25:12,900 --> 02:25:13,300
it wrong.

1531
02:25:13,800 --> 02:25:16,560
There's a lot that's wrong about this that needs to be corrected.

1532
02:25:16,700 --> 02:25:19,240
It can be corrected as so many people have said here.

1533
02:25:20,380 --> 02:25:24,760
What am I talking about, many people have talked about the environment, but I really am about

1534
02:25:24,760 --> 02:25:31,480
public ownership and capital, the public's right to control its own capital wealth.

1535
02:25:31,980 --> 02:25:33,260
This is our capital wealth.

1536
02:25:33,740 --> 02:25:34,800
It is part of our space.

1537
02:25:35,240 --> 02:25:36,500
It is part of our commons.

1538
02:25:36,500 --> 02:25:41,220
And we need to have control over it, and you've heard many people here tonight say that

1539
02:25:41,220 --> 02:25:42,680
they don't think they have that.

1540
02:25:43,000 --> 02:25:49,080
And I think if you can't understand the difference between a good faith, comment, a will try

1541
02:25:49,080 --> 02:25:55,480
our hardest, provision in a contract, and a very concrete, very well developed, very

1542
02:25:55,480 --> 02:26:01,120
contractually enforceable right of people to uses of space, then I think you need to go

1543
02:26:01,120 --> 02:26:02,160
back to the drawing board.

1544
02:26:02,160 --> 02:26:08,240
But if one of my students were to have produced the documents that I have read, they would

1545
02:26:08,240 --> 02:26:11,620
not pass my course because they are too paid.

1546
02:26:13,840 --> 02:26:16,200
Takeness is not good public policy.

1547
02:26:16,960 --> 02:26:20,000
So I'm here as a teacher, I guess I apologize for that.

1548
02:26:21,040 --> 02:26:25,120
But the other thing is, I think economically, I'm not an economist, but I read the economists.

1549
02:26:25,860 --> 02:26:31,000
And the economists are telling us, I don't get them, I have to, I have to, I'm sorry, I'm

1550
02:26:31,000 --> 02:26:31,040
sorry.

1551
02:26:31,040 --> 02:26:35,500
Okay, but we thank the economist you will learn that we are moving towards the slow growth.

1552
02:26:35,580 --> 02:26:37,860
Thank you, commute a slow growth economy.

1553
02:26:50,690 --> 02:26:55,170
Good evening. My name is Mike Reist. I live in Ward 1 on Park Avenue.

1554
02:26:56,270 --> 02:27:02,210
Regarding the Tacoma Junction Revitalization effort, after attending many City Council

1555
02:27:02,210 --> 02:27:07,490
meetings over the last year, I have noticed that many comments made by some residents have been made

1556
02:27:07,490 --> 02:27:09,810
based on an underlying presumption of fear.

1557
02:27:10,430 --> 02:27:14,470
Fear of gentrification, fear of serious implications for diversity,

1558
02:27:15,090 --> 02:27:19,650
fear of serious implications for the quality of life, fear that traffic will only worsen,

1559
02:27:20,130 --> 02:27:23,310
fear that children will not be able to safely cross the street,

1560
02:27:24,070 --> 02:27:26,590
fear that there won't be enough parking for the co-op patrons,

1561
02:27:27,170 --> 02:27:29,030
fear that the co-op will go out of business.

1562
02:27:29,930 --> 02:27:34,030
But unlike the small percentage of residents who believe this project will only bring problems,

1563
02:27:34,030 --> 02:27:38,310
I, along with the overwhelming majority of residents that I have spoken with.

1564
02:27:38,610 --> 02:27:42,750
See how this project will bring positive benefits and opportunities to the city.

1565
02:27:43,530 --> 02:27:52,690
The redevelopment and revitalization of common junctionally will create a vibrant area with new offerings that residents and visitors alike will be drawn to.

1566
02:27:53,330 --> 02:27:56,470
It will create employment opportunities for local residents.

1567
02:27:57,030 --> 02:27:59,130
It will create a more lockable city.

1568
02:27:59,130 --> 02:28:11,650
It will be the impetus for the state to reconfigure the existing poorly designed intersection into an intersection that is greatly, that greatly improves the circulation of pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles.

1569
02:28:12,710 --> 02:28:18,770
It will create a new revenue, revenue source for the city that can be used for important city programs.

1570
02:28:20,030 --> 02:28:23,050
Change is never easy, but always possible.

1571
02:28:24,270 --> 02:28:26,410
This is a quote by someone we all know.

1572
02:28:26,410 --> 02:28:31,090
Now, change is never easy, but always possible.

1573
02:28:31,690 --> 02:28:33,290
This quote is from Barack Obama.

1574
02:28:34,330 --> 02:28:38,890
Please make this change a reality by voting yes for the resolution before you tonight.

1575
02:28:39,810 --> 02:28:43,670
The overwhelming majority of the city and I will thank you and support you.

1576
02:28:44,390 --> 02:28:51,570
Mayor Stewart, thank you for your leadership regarding the recall effort.

1577
02:28:52,690 --> 02:29:06,990
If the city of Tacoma Park is a nuclear free zone, then why are there some residents that have chosen the nuclear option of starting a recall campaign for certain members of the City Council who are only doing the job they were elected to do.

1578
02:29:10,720 --> 02:29:11,580
Thank you for listening.

1579
02:29:17,550 --> 02:29:24,790
Great, can I have Mike Taver, Barbara Arnold, sorry, and James Anderson.

1580
02:29:24,790 --> 02:29:25,830
My

1581
02:29:28,620 --> 02:29:32,100
wife's last words to me was please be good.

1582
02:29:34,220 --> 02:29:35,720
So I'll try.

1583
02:29:36,320 --> 02:29:39,360
I often feel since I knew Sammy Abbott pretty well.

1584
02:29:39,640 --> 02:29:42,460
I mean, I was in my 20s, but I knew him as a fellow activist.

1585
02:29:43,200 --> 02:29:46,840
I didn't know why I always felt like I was channeling somebody,

1586
02:29:47,100 --> 02:29:49,340
whatever I was in this place.

1587
02:29:49,980 --> 02:29:54,720
In this case, interestingly enough, I'm probably channeling my wife

1588
02:29:54,720 --> 02:30:00,000
because I've reached totally independently of what she said.

1589
02:30:00,000 --> 02:30:29,060
Some similar conclusions. So my, but my first question is why would you trust? Why would any of you trust? Or any of you in this room? Trust a developer? Why? I don't get it. Once that whole is dug, it's dug. There's no going back. They have only one interest making money. Why wouldn't you trust?

1590
02:30:29,060 --> 02:30:36,680
Just trust the views of the people in this room, who over the past years, 80% of whom

1591
02:30:37,440 --> 02:30:40,900
have said we don't want to go ahead.

1592
02:30:41,200 --> 02:30:45,380
Why wouldn't you agree with Jarrett and postponing this?

1593
02:30:45,560 --> 02:30:46,200
I don't get that.

1594
02:30:46,740 --> 02:30:47,700
I don't get it.

1595
02:30:48,320 --> 02:30:58,760
So the second, and here's my wife being channeled, the level of anger that I feel here and

1596
02:30:58,760 --> 02:31:03,520
amongst my neighbors, the divisiveness, big factor in this.

1597
02:31:04,570 --> 02:31:11,640
The level of anger, pettingness, negativity, and accusatory conduct between neighbors,

1598
02:31:11,980 --> 02:31:19,060
both in our district, has already accomplished the job of dividing neighbors and neighborhoods.

1599
02:31:20,530 --> 02:31:25,800
If the development goes forward, it will do so in a less unified,

1600
02:31:25,800 --> 02:31:29,400
the less progressive and more divided to come apart.

1601
02:31:30,200 --> 02:31:35,660
The hearings are not a numbers game where people clap and

1602
02:31:35,660 --> 02:31:39,800
applaud with those they agree with or those they don't.

1603
02:31:40,640 --> 02:31:43,840
If it goes forward, we're all the losers.

1604
02:31:45,960 --> 02:31:50,260
I already feel differently about neighbors and

1605
02:31:50,260 --> 02:31:51,840
the neighborhoods in my community.

1606
02:31:51,840 --> 02:31:56,260
If it goes forward, I feel those differences will only increase.

1607
02:31:56,920 --> 02:31:59,300
Please vote this proposal down.

1608
02:31:59,500 --> 02:32:07,160
Let's start again with a more modest, simple, and more funky plan.

1609
02:32:07,880 --> 02:32:09,220
That's to come apart.

1610
02:32:09,420 --> 02:32:11,460
Do I have a minute, by the way, left or what does that mean?

1611
02:32:11,520 --> 02:32:11,980
20 seconds.

1612
02:32:12,320 --> 02:32:13,300
30 seconds.

1613
02:32:14,520 --> 02:32:16,220
Go to Bethesda co-op.

1614
02:32:16,460 --> 02:32:21,820
Bethesda co-op used to employ 70 full time employees in downtown Bethesda.

1615
02:32:21,820 --> 02:32:28,620
go there on a Sunday. You'll see three employees and hardly any customers. I think that's one of the

1616
02:32:28,620 --> 02:32:31,560
fates we all fear will happen if you go forward.

1617
02:32:39,740 --> 02:32:41,140
Is Barbara Arno still here?

1618
02:32:42,140 --> 02:32:45,860
Yeah, and after her was James Anderson. Good

1619
02:32:49,090 --> 02:32:52,990
evening to all. I think this is my third time speaking

1620
02:32:52,990 --> 02:32:53,990
to this issue.

1621
02:32:56,450 --> 02:33:02,150
And before I get into some of the details of it, I would like to emphasize the

1622
02:33:02,150 --> 02:33:08,590
importance of the courage to change your mind and to listen to that little voice inside

1623
02:33:08,590 --> 02:33:18,370
of you at night and to think about how you will feel inside if you actually go forward

1624
02:33:18,370 --> 02:33:24,510
with this weather solution without allowing the time for the co-op to finish with the

1625
02:33:25,210 --> 02:33:33,390
And without at least seconding and considering the prospects of Mr. Smith's alternate resolution.

1626
02:33:34,430 --> 02:33:38,730
So you're going to be alone at night and that little voice or your conscious, you know?

1627
02:33:39,450 --> 02:33:40,890
It's going to be eating at you.

1628
02:33:41,030 --> 02:33:46,870
Even if you move on to bigger political office, it will have eaten at your soul.

1629
02:33:49,860 --> 02:33:52,320
And we all know about the portrait of Dorian Gray.

1630
02:33:54,020 --> 02:34:06,560
Well, maybe if you haven't read that though, okay, so anyway, people mentioned town hall

1631
02:34:06,560 --> 02:34:10,100
meetings and I had mentioned it to a friend of mine recently, I think it's a great idea

1632
02:34:10,100 --> 02:34:13,300
and it would allow for more back and forth discussion.

1633
02:34:13,500 --> 02:34:18,540
Here I'm able to give you my views and you smile and you nod your head, but then I never

1634
02:34:18,540 --> 02:34:23,240
really get, we never really have a chance, I never got a chance to hear how you feel

1635
02:34:23,240 --> 02:34:31,980
about my view and what works and what doesn't work and how it can move forward and how some

1636
02:34:31,980 --> 02:34:36,060
of my ideas or other people's ideas can be worked together.

1637
02:34:36,640 --> 02:34:39,260
So town hall meetings for the future.

1638
02:34:41,080 --> 02:34:47,120
So most of us choose to live here and what we like to about it is that it is a progressive

1639
02:34:47,120 --> 02:34:51,220
of community, or it has the reputation for being a progressive community.

1640
02:34:51,960 --> 02:34:57,200
From the onset, I didn't know too much about this process, I wasn't a part of it initially,

1641
02:34:58,000 --> 02:35:08,240
but I was really concerned that the developers who won the project did not honor the RFP stipulations,

1642
02:35:08,880 --> 02:35:11,240
the request for proposal stipulations.

1643
02:35:11,240 --> 02:35:17,000
There were a number of changes and things that were not honored, such as in particular

1644
02:35:17,000 --> 02:35:17,920
public space.

1645
02:35:18,460 --> 02:35:21,260
That has really not been addressed.

1646
02:35:23,320 --> 02:35:23,500
Whoops.

1647
02:35:24,480 --> 02:35:24,680
Okay.

1648
02:35:25,260 --> 02:35:32,920
My other really big concern is for such a developer to not have the lack of professional

1649
02:35:32,920 --> 02:35:44,580
rental renderings is a real concern because a sketch can hide a lot of woes and a professional

1650
02:35:44,580 --> 02:35:52,080
rendering should have the neighboring buildings, a co-optifier station, so that it's clear how

1651
02:35:52,080 --> 02:35:52,520
it works.

1652
02:35:52,680 --> 02:35:53,280
Thank you.

1653
02:35:55,100 --> 02:36:00,280
I would like to see professional renderings and I would like to see this place on the whole.

1654
02:36:00,720 --> 02:36:01,040
Thank you.

1655
02:36:08,290 --> 02:36:14,890
Yes. Good evening. I'm James Anderson. I'm a resident of Ward 1 for over 20 years.

1656
02:36:15,570 --> 02:36:19,130
We moved into Tacoma Park because of the values that it represents.

1657
02:36:19,650 --> 02:36:23,590
And when we brought up our children, that was something that we were very proud of.

1658
02:36:24,070 --> 02:36:30,350
Frankly, this process that we've all gone through, I think is something we all collectively should be very ashamed of.

1659
02:36:30,730 --> 02:36:35,350
What I'm asking the council to do is to just make a decision.

1660
02:36:35,350 --> 02:36:46,010
I am not convinced that delaying the process will, in any way, further bringing the community back together again.

1661
02:36:46,610 --> 02:36:51,190
I've been at social events, I've been walking on the streets, and

1662
02:36:51,190 --> 02:37:00,950
frankly, the behavior that has been exhibited by both sides have not set the example that I think we all want to set for our children and for our neighbors.

1663
02:37:00,950 --> 02:37:03,250
And it frankly is not what we represent.

1664
02:37:03,650 --> 02:37:07,410
We just need to move on with this, whatever the decision is.

1665
02:37:07,790 --> 02:37:11,030
Both parties need to live with it and support it.

1666
02:37:11,470 --> 02:37:16,330
Frankly, I just don't believe that delaying it is going to be in anyone's best interest.

1667
02:37:16,790 --> 02:37:22,910
Either we're for it, or we're against it, but a middle ground is just going to continue to tear this community apart.

1668
02:37:23,250 --> 02:37:23,630
Thank you.

1669
02:37:23,630 --> 02:37:24,570
I

1670
02:37:30,620 --> 02:37:36,440
have Joni Eisenberg, Ted Jacobson, and Jenny Evans-Mier.

1671
02:38:01,200 --> 02:38:03,660
Good evening. I'm Joni Eisenberg.

1672
02:38:03,920 --> 02:38:07,200
I've lived in Tacoma Park for 39 years.

1673
02:38:08,080 --> 02:38:18,620
And I hope to live tonight to be here when you vote for Jarrett Smith's proposal to vote for the alternate plan

1674
02:38:18,620 --> 02:38:23,140
and not move ahead with a plan that is so fraught

1675
02:38:23,140 --> 02:38:26,360
with problems, questions, and concerns.

1676
02:38:27,140 --> 02:38:31,200
I moved here because of the different values

1677
02:38:31,620 --> 02:38:33,580
that Tacoma Park represents.

1678
02:38:34,280 --> 02:38:38,240
We are still the only jurisdiction in Maryland

1679
02:38:38,240 --> 02:38:39,680
that has rent control.

1680
02:38:40,320 --> 02:38:42,800
That's the reason why I live here, one reason.

1681
02:38:43,620 --> 02:38:44,160
We are one.

1682
02:38:45,260 --> 02:38:48,040
We have a precious co-op, which I walk

1683
02:38:48,040 --> 02:38:56,840
to every day. And we have the history of a community that stood up against development

1684
02:38:56,840 --> 02:39:03,980
of an eight-lane highway, which was considered to be a feta-complete. No one imagined that

1685
02:39:03,980 --> 02:39:10,760
that eight-lane highway could be defeated. But Sammy Abbott and many others stood up and

1686
02:39:10,760 --> 02:39:17,460
said not in this lane are we going to allow eight and eight lane highway to come through

1687
02:39:17,460 --> 02:39:18,120
the town.

1688
02:39:18,380 --> 02:39:25,720
And there were people probably like you who turned that decision around and said no we're

1689
02:39:25,720 --> 02:39:27,320
going to stop that eight lane highway.

1690
02:39:27,800 --> 02:39:34,420
And what came up instead of that highway has been the Metro responsible development.

1691
02:39:34,420 --> 02:39:44,760
And, you know, Sammy Abbott, I've had this sign in my living room for 30 years, and I just realized it's more relevant today than ever.

1692
02:39:45,500 --> 02:39:58,800
Sammy Abbott said to come a park, preserve it, or lose it. And when we think about 99 years ago from today, which was 1919, women didn't have the right to vote.

1693
02:39:58,800 --> 02:40:03,420
We didn't have the threat of nuclear war yet, we didn't even have cars.

1694
02:40:04,180 --> 02:40:12,300
So how can we imagine what this developer would do with the United States 99 years from

1695
02:40:12,300 --> 02:40:16,660
now, which is 2117?

1696
02:40:17,040 --> 02:40:23,780
How can we trust a developer to preserve our precious Tacoma Park and make sure it's

1697
02:40:23,780 --> 02:40:34,660
the place that respects the environment, respects diversity of people, respects people's right to rent a home that's affordable.

1698
02:40:35,480 --> 02:40:43,860
We are demanding and respectively asking you to vote for Jarrett Smith's alternate proposal.

1699
02:40:52,810 --> 02:40:54,870
Good evening. I'm Ted Jacobson.

1700
02:40:55,130 --> 02:40:59,110
I've lived in Tacoma Park for 30 years, and I'm from Ward 2.

1701
02:41:00,330 --> 02:41:07,050
I don't think I've ever been more involved in any public or political issue than this homegrown one.

1702
02:41:07,990 --> 02:41:12,810
And so it's clear that there are passionate feelings on some sides.

1703
02:41:13,810 --> 02:41:16,790
We should not find ourselves in this conflict.

1704
02:41:18,210 --> 02:41:28,490
I think the main reason we do find ourselves in it is that the scope of the project has inflated beyond the original scale that was proposed by NDC.

1705
02:41:29,350 --> 02:41:33,790
And that the council did not resist that and allowed it to happen.

1706
02:41:34,650 --> 02:41:39,050
And so, we find ourselves in it, but I think it's a false conflict.

1707
02:41:39,690 --> 02:41:44,950
Because I think that it's possible to please mostly everyone,

1708
02:41:45,130 --> 02:41:47,770
this comment was made earlier and I hardly agree with it.

1709
02:41:48,350 --> 02:41:52,870
The proponents of the plan, the NDC plan, want to see the lot developed.

1710
02:41:53,630 --> 02:41:56,050
Most of the opponents do as well.

1711
02:41:56,050 --> 02:42:01,130
I think that both groups could be relatively pleased by the same development,

1712
02:42:01,330 --> 02:42:04,870
just not one of the scale in the current plan.

1713
02:42:05,330 --> 02:42:09,290
So I urge you to support the alternative resolution.

1714
02:42:09,870 --> 02:42:16,650
I beseech you to recognize that you can achieve harmony and progress that way.

1715
02:42:17,230 --> 02:42:25,230
And that in fact, it is your responsibility as democratically elected representatives.

1716
02:42:25,230 --> 02:42:38,510
to do so. I cannot imagine how you could view it as correct to move forward with a current plan given the huge amount of opposition in the community.

1717
02:42:49,660 --> 02:43:01,920
Good evening. My name is Jenny Evans. I'm a resident of Hilton Avenue in Ward 2. I'd like to read a statement that was sent as an email today to Mayor Stewart and our Councilwoman DiBalla.

1718
02:43:02,380 --> 02:43:07,020
Dear Cindy and Kate, we are writing to you as residents of ward two in connection with today's

1719
02:43:07,020 --> 02:43:11,620
vote on the Tacoma Junction Project. First, we want to thank you both for your leadership and

1720
02:43:11,620 --> 02:43:17,560
openness during this debate. Sometimes heated, though it may have been. We are very appreciative of

1721
02:43:17,560 --> 02:43:22,020
your thoughtful and deliberate consideration of the junction proposal and the important role

1722
02:43:22,020 --> 02:43:26,780
that you have played in making sure all sides could be heard. We want to take this opportunity to

1723
02:43:26,780 --> 02:43:31,220
underscore that we remain strong supporters of the project and we hope you both can vote yes

1724
02:43:31,220 --> 02:43:32,640
to move forward with the development.

1725
02:43:33,220 --> 02:43:38,060
We believe this project reflects to come apart values and our shared commitment to improving

1726
02:43:38,060 --> 02:43:41,300
our community and respecting our diverse population and needs.

1727
02:43:42,020 --> 02:43:44,940
We hope you will reject any resolution to postpone this vote.

1728
02:43:45,480 --> 02:43:49,880
After more than 20 years of debate about the use of the land, a comprehensive review of

1729
02:43:49,880 --> 02:43:55,480
the proposal on the table and an open and transparent process, we strongly believe now is the time

1730
02:43:55,480 --> 02:43:57,660
to take positive action and move forward.

1731
02:43:58,180 --> 02:44:05,500
As Ward 2 residents, many of whom have been here tonight, but many of whom are not able to be here because of either travel plans or childcare issues.

1732
02:44:06,500 --> 02:44:08,480
We hope you can count on your votes.

1733
02:44:09,020 --> 02:44:13,320
Many thanks, members, below sign of the Long Branch Sligo Creek neighborhood.

1734
02:44:13,960 --> 02:44:24,020
Casey Brown, Sam Brown, Kelly Gibson, Caleb Gibson, Jessica Hepin, Jessica Hepin, Cesar Bones, Kirk Kershaw, Dina Hickson, Michael Bevington, Ben Bevington.

1735
02:44:24,020 --> 02:44:29,380
Carrie Cesario, Jim Woodworth, Sarah Goldberg, Josh Goldberg, Beth McNair, Ian McNair,

1736
02:44:29,500 --> 02:44:34,200
Megan Holland McDonald, Tucker McDonald, Janet Maxx, Jeffrey Maxx, Margaret

1737
02:44:34,200 --> 02:44:42,800
McDonald, Claire Andrews, Arla Stevens, Nathan Goldstein, Leah Salza, David, sorry

1738
02:44:42,800 --> 02:44:47,160
I forgot a couple who wanted to be added but my husband Ed Muir and myself Jenny

1739
02:44:47,160 --> 02:44:49,820
Evans Muir. Thank you very much. Great,

1740
02:44:57,500 --> 02:44:59,720
now can I have Jeff?

1741
02:45:00,000 --> 02:45:07,320
Make something from Ethan Allen Avenue, sorry, and Kenneth Burton, Susan Hoffman.

1742
02:45:11,910 --> 02:45:33,110
I'm Jeff McQueen at Ethan Allen Avenue, and that's passed my bedtime, but I will try to speak in coherently. But I don't know much about politics. I'm a scientist. I didn't, and I don't have a resist shirt. And I've only been here six, five years, really. But I do have a dog.

1743
02:45:33,110 --> 02:45:41,090
And I had a page, someone to, you know, an arborist to go look at my dead tree so I can take it down.

1744
02:45:41,710 --> 02:45:45,770
So this is what a lot of what what what what what what to come apart represents.

1745
02:45:45,950 --> 02:45:48,810
To me is that we are very environmentally conservative.

1746
02:45:50,070 --> 02:45:57,970
And we care about the environment and how it affects not only the dogs or the trees or the asalus, but people as well.

1747
02:45:58,850 --> 02:46:07,310
and I'm a meteorological modeler and what we've seen here is traffic traffic is

1748
02:46:07,310 --> 02:46:13,850
the killer the silent killer this things that you do not see are the are the

1749
02:46:13,850 --> 02:46:18,290
junk that comes out of idling cars and trucks and buses so the more you

1750
02:46:18,290 --> 02:46:25,290
increase that pattern the worse you know your air becomes and to come apart is

1751
02:46:25,290 --> 02:46:27,170
is really a very progressive town,

1752
02:46:27,310 --> 02:46:29,790
but it's probably one of the dirtiest air pollution towns

1753
02:46:29,790 --> 02:46:30,450
in Maryland.

1754
02:46:31,090 --> 02:46:33,510
So it's kind of a contradiction or hypocrisy

1755
02:46:34,210 --> 02:46:36,590
of what we really represent and what we want to be.

1756
02:46:37,290 --> 02:46:38,810
Because that air, you know,

1757
02:46:39,290 --> 02:46:41,630
from our modeling study shows it's a neighborhood scale,

1758
02:46:41,870 --> 02:46:43,290
it just doesn't stay on Ethan Allen,

1759
02:46:43,470 --> 02:46:45,790
it doesn't say it actually kind of seeps down

1760
02:46:46,410 --> 02:46:49,890
and goes into the valleys like on Elm and on Sycamore

1761
02:46:49,890 --> 02:46:52,250
and Woodlands, and it kind of seeps down,

1762
02:46:52,350 --> 02:46:54,090
just kind of sick, it stuck down there.

1763
02:46:54,090 --> 02:46:59,790
And that air is plenty of studies are showing, you know, how it affects mainly the most sensitive,

1764
02:46:59,870 --> 02:47:09,310
the most vulnerable people who are the elderly and sadly the children like my little girl as well.

1765
02:47:10,290 --> 02:47:20,650
And it really does, you know, you're talking about carcinogens, so the key here is to, at all costs,

1766
02:47:20,650 --> 02:47:24,290
don't increase the traffic problem, but do you think that are going to probably

1767
02:47:24,290 --> 02:47:30,110
elite try to alleviate it a little bit more than what we have today? That's

1768
02:47:30,110 --> 02:47:33,570
really the direction that we've done. I think all most neighborhoods are going to

1769
02:47:33,570 --> 02:47:37,630
be looking at in the future at these new studies come out. You're going to start

1770
02:47:37,630 --> 02:47:41,930
seeing neighborhoods, we just saw a neighborhood scale, heat index maps, one of

1771
02:47:41,930 --> 02:47:45,970
the hottest, most awful places to live in Washington. You've got to say the same

1772
02:47:45,970 --> 02:47:52,770
anything about air quality, and to come apart could be this really green city that's

1773
02:47:52,770 --> 02:47:57,530
surrounded by a cloud of very brown and dirty and dangerous air.

1774
02:47:57,770 --> 02:48:00,330
So we need to, that's all I know about.

1775
02:48:00,390 --> 02:48:02,650
I don't know politics, I don't know much about it, but I do know whether.

1776
02:48:02,950 --> 02:48:10,130
And I do know air quality, and I think it's really critical that we consider the impacts of traffic,

1777
02:48:10,290 --> 02:48:13,090
not only the quality of life, but the quality of the air.

1778
02:48:13,770 --> 02:48:14,770
So thank you.

1779
02:48:24,860 --> 02:48:30,280
Hello my name is Kenneth Burton. I'm a member of the co-op and my husband and I are six

1780
02:48:30,280 --> 02:48:37,220
year residents of Ward one. For those in this highly charged room I'm going to say that I respect

1781
02:48:37,220 --> 02:48:43,920
your views and I hope you will respect my right to express mine. It's harder to come out and support

1782
02:48:43,920 --> 02:48:46,760
of this project than it was to come out as a proud gay man.

1783
02:48:51,250 --> 02:48:54,410
I support. Thank you. I support moving

1784
02:48:54,410 --> 02:48:59,570
Moving forward on the current site plan, this is the culmination of a four-year,

1785
02:48:59,950 --> 02:49:02,950
inclusive, probably plus, inclusive process.

1786
02:49:03,410 --> 02:49:09,190
I support adding a mix of new small and local businesses, and the jobs this will bring.

1787
02:49:09,530 --> 02:49:11,230
On what's currently a parking lot.

1788
02:49:11,750 --> 02:49:17,430
And to be honest, I have to drive past the coma junction to do most of my shopping in Langley Park.

1789
02:49:17,990 --> 02:49:23,110
And at home, I have one of those collapsible shopping carts in the basement that's getting dusty.

1790
02:49:23,110 --> 02:49:29,410
that I would love to use in this town, but without a mix of businesses that will reinforce each other,

1791
02:49:30,310 --> 02:49:36,590
I'm going to have to continue to drive past the parking lot that caps a landfill so I can buy what I need in other places.

1792
02:49:37,090 --> 02:49:46,430
I urge you to please move forward with this project and I urge the community to move forward with respect for one another regardless of what happens. Thank you.

1793
02:49:52,700 --> 02:50:01,440
Madam Mayor and members of the City Council. Susan Huffman, I'm in ward three. I'm going

1794
02:50:01,440 --> 02:50:08,000
to speak briefly. I urge you to vote for Council Member Smith's alternative resolution.

1795
02:50:09,200 --> 02:50:16,720
As time has gone on, we have come to realise the huge ramifications and possibly unintended

1796
02:50:16,720 --> 02:50:23,240
the protected consequences the proposed junction will have in terms of safety and economic justice.

1797
02:50:24,640 --> 02:50:29,860
Please take the same care you are taking with the purple line and

1798
02:50:29,860 --> 02:50:36,460
protect us and local businesses and vote for the alternative resolution.

1799
02:50:36,900 --> 02:50:37,380
Thank you.

1800
02:50:43,960 --> 02:50:48,280
Jordy Hannum, Dennis Hoffman, Joseph Klockner.

1801
02:50:48,280 --> 02:50:48,980
Hello,

1802
02:50:57,660 --> 02:50:58,860
Jordy Hannah, more three.

1803
02:50:59,320 --> 02:51:02,280
I support the to come a junction revitalization.

1804
02:51:02,420 --> 02:51:03,880
I've lived in Tacoma Park for 10 years,

1805
02:51:04,520 --> 02:51:06,500
and I've lived on Sherman Avenue for five years,

1806
02:51:06,800 --> 02:51:08,040
and I actually want to share the views

1807
02:51:08,040 --> 02:51:09,580
of the fellow Sherman Avenue.

1808
02:51:10,480 --> 02:51:14,500
Kathy Anderson, we had a coffee a few months back,

1809
02:51:14,680 --> 02:51:17,040
and she relayed that 20 years ago,

1810
02:51:17,640 --> 02:51:21,660
a similar project, a similar scope, was denied

1811
02:51:22,040 --> 02:51:24,300
for many of the same reasons discussed today.

1812
02:51:24,300 --> 02:51:31,440
And for 20 years, we've lived with what everyone agrees is an eyesore and a place that should have development.

1813
02:51:32,020 --> 02:51:35,520
And I don't want to see another 20 years go by.

1814
02:51:35,620 --> 02:51:40,140
At that time they said we just need a little more time that there's another project while there wasn't.

1815
02:51:40,420 --> 02:51:41,620
It is time for this.

1816
02:51:41,980 --> 02:51:48,520
The fact is there's not a consensus on a logical plan B, and I strongly support moving forward today.

1817
02:51:48,920 --> 02:51:51,460
I also just want to say one other thing about the process.

1818
02:51:51,460 --> 02:51:56,740
I work a lot on Capitol Hill, and over the past months and years, I've been

1819
02:51:56,740 --> 02:51:59,440
partened by this full sum and lengthy debate.

1820
02:51:59,660 --> 02:52:04,400
My God, if only Congress and a quarter of the time debating things like that

1821
02:52:04,400 --> 02:52:09,880
abominable tax bill or the upcoming Supreme Court, we'd be in much better place.

1822
02:52:10,780 --> 02:52:16,060
This process has been something worthy of respect.

1823
02:52:16,280 --> 02:52:19,440
This process put forward by the council and mayor.

1824
02:52:19,440 --> 02:52:24,340
And whatever the outcome of tonight, I would respect that because there's been strong

1825
02:52:24,340 --> 02:52:28,560
support on both sides and strong reason of debate.

1826
02:52:29,060 --> 02:52:35,380
So I was so dismayed to hear about the recall, the recall effort.

1827
02:52:35,940 --> 02:52:42,020
And again, regardless of what one thinks, the job of the council and the mayor is not to

1828
02:52:42,020 --> 02:52:44,000
come up with something that everyone agrees with.

1829
02:52:44,000 --> 02:52:50,940
Their job is to hold forward a debate where people can come and share their views over a

1830
02:52:50,940 --> 02:52:54,500
period of time and listen to a range of views, and they've done that.

1831
02:52:54,840 --> 02:52:58,640
And then their job is to articulate a rationale for their viewpoint.

1832
02:52:59,240 --> 02:53:03,860
And if you look at the mayor's blog post, if you look at what my council member, Kostya

1833
02:53:03,860 --> 02:53:08,680
wrote a few days ago, if you listen to what councilwoman Circe said on the Code Joe show,

1834
02:53:08,680 --> 02:53:11,640
These are well articulated reasons.

1835
02:53:11,920 --> 02:53:16,480
Again, even if you don't agree, I haven't always agreed with some of the views of Councilman

1836
02:53:16,480 --> 02:53:21,040
Covar, but there have been so well articulated and reasoned, and that's their job to put

1837
02:53:21,040 --> 02:53:24,700
forward, to listen, and then put forward reasons, and they've done that.

1838
02:53:25,180 --> 02:53:31,920
And I think their work should be applauded and not recalled, thank you.

1839
02:53:31,920 --> 02:53:33,160
Dennis

1840
02:53:42,060 --> 02:53:44,800
Huffman, Ward 3, thank you for this opportunity.

1841
02:53:45,300 --> 02:53:50,180
I urge you to support the alternative resolution because I'm concerned about traffic.

1842
02:53:50,960 --> 02:53:53,580
I'm concerned about the survival of the co-op.

1843
02:53:54,180 --> 02:53:58,320
I'm concerned about the survival of minority businesses, and

1844
02:53:58,320 --> 02:54:01,000
I'm concerned about the need to build equity in the city.

1845
02:54:02,430 --> 02:54:07,880
Of course, I'm also concerned that the project feels inevitable if it moves forward.

1846
02:54:08,480 --> 02:54:14,340
and it turns out so many of us were wrong, I, for one, won't mind a bit admitting

1847
02:54:14,340 --> 02:54:18,480
that I was wrong. That would be easy. We're all neighbors.

1848
02:54:20,560 --> 02:54:21,440
But what if you're wrong?

1849
02:54:22,500 --> 02:54:23,120
Thank you.

1850
02:54:34,000 --> 02:54:35,680
Joseph Klockner and Ward 2.

1851
02:54:40,060 --> 02:54:46,220
I've been here for 35 years or so and I hadn't spoken to this

1852
02:54:46,220 --> 02:54:51,500
body for many of those years until about the last two months.

1853
02:54:53,420 --> 02:55:01,140
And I think I've written a number of letters and communications to the Council and there.

1854
02:55:03,500 --> 02:55:06,600
And I think you know how I feel about it now.

1855
02:55:06,820 --> 02:55:09,940
You've probably never heard of me before, maybe Cindy.

1856
02:55:11,600 --> 02:55:17,200
But I feel very strongly that there's so many issues

1857
02:55:17,200 --> 02:55:26,780
about the proposal for NDC that are unresolved and potential for negative consequences, and

1858
02:55:26,780 --> 02:55:33,460
that just to go forward because we're tired of talking about it is not the right path.

1859
02:55:34,820 --> 02:55:40,800
And I think that we really need to support council members' dismiss alternative resolution.

1860
02:55:40,800 --> 02:55:48,540
The most important reason is to try to come to some kind of consensus amongst the group,

1861
02:55:49,440 --> 02:55:51,600
the neighbors and residents here.

1862
02:55:52,460 --> 02:55:56,800
I do believe that we have a similar vision of what needs to be there.

1863
02:55:56,960 --> 02:55:57,900
It's just how to get there.

1864
02:55:58,360 --> 02:56:03,680
And if we spend a little more time, we can realize our commonality rather than our differences.

1865
02:56:04,280 --> 02:56:04,980
Thank you.

1866
02:56:04,980 --> 02:56:06,000
All

1867
02:56:12,910 --> 02:56:19,070
right, next we have up Keith Berner, Maureen Tath-Meralis, you Tath-Meralis and Reginald Ruffin.

1868
02:56:23,490 --> 02:56:23,990
Thank you.

1869
02:56:26,190 --> 02:56:28,890
I've been a progressive activist for 50 years.

1870
02:56:29,230 --> 02:56:31,650
I'll hold up my credentials against anyone's.

1871
02:56:32,510 --> 02:56:35,950
In the county level since I've lived in the county for nearly 20,

1872
02:56:36,470 --> 02:56:41,490
I've been a consistent voter and advocate against the development industry and its dominance of our politics.

1873
02:56:42,250 --> 02:56:46,250
But I'm not against development, and even though I see the flaws of capitalism,

1874
02:56:46,250 --> 02:56:49,830
I'm not against a private entity earning a profit.

1875
02:56:50,290 --> 02:56:52,270
It depends how and where.

1876
02:56:53,770 --> 02:56:58,970
Now the history of the attempts to develop this impervious surface parking lot, go back

1877
02:56:58,970 --> 02:57:00,110
30 years.

1878
02:57:01,090 --> 02:57:05,730
If failed at that time, a good friend of ours was on the task force at that time because

1879
02:57:05,730 --> 02:57:08,310
no one could reach an agreement about how to move forward.

1880
02:57:08,310 --> 02:57:17,530
Those who are proposing tonight to stop this process are dreaming that we can all come

1881
02:57:17,530 --> 02:57:18,930
to the table and agree.

1882
02:57:19,690 --> 02:57:27,010
Those who say we could downsize the development somewhat or turn it into a playground are

1883
02:57:27,010 --> 02:57:29,970
lying to us about who's going to pay for it.

1884
02:57:30,970 --> 02:57:37,530
Do we want to raise property taxes further to fund a development at this junction, or would

1885
02:57:37,530 --> 02:57:42,150
But we rather on the flip side generate revenue from this development that can go into the

1886
02:57:42,150 --> 02:57:44,730
progressive programming that we favor in this city.

1887
02:57:45,550 --> 02:57:48,250
Now let's also address honestly the co-ops role.

1888
02:57:49,190 --> 02:57:53,070
The co-op tried to be the developer of this project.

1889
02:57:53,470 --> 02:57:55,570
It's hard enough to run a grocery store.

1890
02:57:56,310 --> 02:58:01,990
Their proposal was rejected rightfully, and since that time their posture has been to hold

1891
02:58:01,990 --> 02:58:06,030
a gun to their own head and say, one move and we shoot ourselves.

1892
02:58:06,030 --> 02:58:13,610
They have not engaged, forthrightly, fully and completely in this process.

1893
02:58:14,410 --> 02:58:21,090
Many of the opponents in this room missed the four years of open conversations in citizen input,

1894
02:58:21,950 --> 02:58:23,010
missed them completely.

1895
02:58:23,530 --> 02:58:31,850
But the co-op has purposely whipped them into an ideological frenzy in which an end goal,

1896
02:58:31,850 --> 02:58:39,130
which is stopping this searches for rationales from gentrification and harm to minorities to safety of children.

1897
02:58:39,410 --> 02:58:47,130
Frankly, this reminds me of how the Republican Party will find a rationale for a tax cut regardless of the economic conditions.

1898
02:58:47,730 --> 02:58:56,650
And frankly, those of you who are wearing resist shirts tonight, which would be appropriate in a protest against the Trump administration's policies, you offend me.

1899
02:58:56,650 --> 02:59:03,450
Because this is a two-story building on an impervious parking lot, this is not a moral issue of our time.

1900
02:59:03,750 --> 02:59:04,090
Thank you.

1901
02:59:16,740 --> 02:59:19,180
I'm Maureen Tafmeralis, Board 3.

1902
02:59:19,920 --> 02:59:22,220
Thank you again for being here to listen to our input.

1903
02:59:23,440 --> 02:59:34,340
I remain very concerned that the neighborhood development company has not complied with many of the stipulations that you, the council, has set forth in response to the community concerns that you have heard.

1904
02:59:35,040 --> 02:59:40,300
At last week, City Council asked several questions to which I did not receive any answers.

1905
02:59:40,520 --> 02:59:42,560
I have also submitted them in writing.

1906
02:59:43,420 --> 02:59:47,840
Before you vote on whether to move forward with the current Junction Development Plan, please

1907
02:59:47,840 --> 02:59:53,060
provide a public response to these questions and I will repeat them here.

1908
02:59:54,720 --> 02:59:59,640
Numerous citizens have requested and good practice would require an independent evaluation

1909
03:00:00,000 --> 03:00:29,120
Any of the compliance of the NDC plan with the council stipulations? Has the council asked for an independent evaluation? I will add, have you conducted any evaluation? If not, how is the council going to evaluate NDC's compliance with those county stipulations, such as public space? Is the council going to demand compliance before voting on the plan if you haven't? Why not?

1910
03:00:29,120 --> 03:00:34,940
Will the Council hold NDC accountable for compliance with Council stipulations?

1911
03:00:35,360 --> 03:00:42,820
Once its current not fully compliant plan has been approved, if so, how, if not, why not?

1912
03:00:43,560 --> 03:00:50,260
I would ask the Council to impose substantial fines on NDC for noncompliance with Council's guidelines.

1913
03:00:50,840 --> 03:00:57,300
Will the Council impose any penalties on NDC if it does not comply with Council stipulations?

1914
03:00:58,060 --> 03:01:04,940
I greatly appreciate that previously Councilmember Covar asked NDC to provide two scale drawings

1915
03:01:04,940 --> 03:01:10,320
of the proposed development and particularly you asked for a scale drawing showing trash

1916
03:01:10,320 --> 03:01:16,260
cans, trash trucks, delivery trucks on a trip typical trash pickup day so that the Council

1917
03:01:16,260 --> 03:01:22,580
in the public could see the impact on NDC's proposed public space across which trash will

1918
03:01:22,580 --> 03:01:23,500
have to cross.

1919
03:01:23,500 --> 03:01:33,220
has NDC provided these drawings to scale. If so, please provide them to the public before voting on the NDC plan.

1920
03:01:33,900 --> 03:01:44,780
If they haven't, why is the council not demanded that NDC respond to the request for two scale drawings and let the public see how trash delivery will be handled?

1921
03:01:46,280 --> 03:01:50,040
And how it will affect the sidewalk size public space.

1922
03:01:50,040 --> 03:01:56,500
I also ask, how can a mediation procedure be fair if the plan designed by one party is

1923
03:01:56,500 --> 03:01:58,740
approved before mediation is complete?

1924
03:01:59,800 --> 03:02:05,200
NDA has shown a lack of interest in community input showing up either after public comments

1925
03:02:05,200 --> 03:02:06,820
or not at all to these meetings.

1926
03:02:07,300 --> 03:02:08,480
They have been deceptive.

1927
03:02:08,680 --> 03:02:12,920
Their original design was smaller, included a driveway for the co-op deliveries and more

1928
03:02:12,920 --> 03:02:13,840
public space.

1929
03:02:14,200 --> 03:02:16,560
Those have disappeared with no consequences.

1930
03:02:16,560 --> 03:02:26,520
I ask again that if you said that you vote for Council members, alternative resolution, and if it does not pass, please vote against the city's resolution.

1931
03:02:26,820 --> 03:02:27,180
Thank you.

1932
03:02:36,060 --> 03:02:42,220
Thank you very much, my name is Hugh Taff Morales, I'm award three residents of 22 years into Co-opark of 32 years.

1933
03:02:43,880 --> 03:02:51,840
I appreciate the calls for civility, from everybody here, I appreciate the time of the Council, of the volunteers.

1934
03:02:51,840 --> 03:02:55,660
I hope we move forward in a respectful manner.

1935
03:02:56,020 --> 03:03:01,560
I would like to council to second council member Smith's alternative resolution and vote for it.

1936
03:03:01,880 --> 03:03:11,460
From the very start, my priority in the early phases when we saw competing architects show design programs has been to facilitate the co-op remaining in business.

1937
03:03:11,840 --> 03:03:18,880
I understand that might have not been easy working with them, but moving forward without mediation be concluded seems backwards.

1938
03:03:18,880 --> 03:03:23,620
words. The traffic plan is in complete racial equity issues are still in resolve.

1939
03:03:23,840 --> 03:03:27,080
Please vote for councilmember Smith's alternative plan. Thank you.

1940
03:03:34,950 --> 03:03:35,810
Yes, it is.

1941
03:03:35,930 --> 03:03:36,670
Well, thank you.

1942
03:03:36,810 --> 03:03:37,210
You're welcome.

1943
03:03:37,770 --> 03:03:38,910
Hi, it's Cole Park family.

1944
03:03:42,240 --> 03:03:46,520
Oh, boy. All right. I'm Reginald J. Ruffin, lived here for over 50 years.

1945
03:03:46,600 --> 03:03:48,980
By the way, the gentleman that left, we got to resist teacher for him.

1946
03:03:49,060 --> 03:03:50,100
Isn't it being mad about it?

1947
03:03:54,480 --> 03:03:57,320
Hi, it's Cole, more Park family. We got family business to deal with.

1948
03:03:57,340 --> 03:04:00,200
It's okay if we agree or disagree. You know, you're not going to agree with my

1949
03:04:00,200 --> 03:04:02,620
My patients is not over either of you or yours, it doesn't matter.

1950
03:04:02,980 --> 03:04:05,860
The matter is that we do it in a way that we can respect one another, okay?

1951
03:04:06,800 --> 03:04:11,680
All right, which means putting our community first, that's our culture.

1952
03:04:12,420 --> 03:04:15,060
It's a simple choice, community interest before corporate interest.

1953
03:04:15,720 --> 03:04:18,060
But we seem to be a family divided, divided by what?

1954
03:04:18,640 --> 03:04:23,120
We say, we say develop, but develop in the interest of the community, not the corporation.

1955
03:04:24,460 --> 03:04:26,780
Choose councilman Smith's balanced approach.

1956
03:04:26,780 --> 03:04:29,820
It's like about, it's like an olive branch being passed out.

1957
03:04:30,200 --> 03:04:40,520
The City Council says local businesses will be helped, but the co-op is a local business that's fighting for its existence, and in this mediation now, and you're going to vote without the benefit of that mediation.

1958
03:04:41,400 --> 03:04:45,520
That voting for corporate interest, that's voting for corporate interest, not community interest.

1959
03:04:46,020 --> 03:04:51,300
In fact, the people who say about revenue coming into the city, Ward 6 is a primary example.

1960
03:04:51,300 --> 03:04:57,100
They generate the largest business income that comes into the city, but the funds are not

1961
03:04:57,100 --> 03:05:00,880
redistributed, just reduced, reduced, reduced, new word with the lips.

1962
03:05:02,760 --> 03:05:05,600
Redistributed fairly as far as their district award is concerned.

1963
03:05:05,760 --> 03:05:06,540
That's a prime example.

1964
03:05:06,600 --> 03:05:09,300
Those are facts, by the way, not my opinion, those are the facts.

1965
03:05:10,720 --> 03:05:15,160
It's estimated that the far as the funds coming into the city is estimated about it will be

1966
03:05:15,160 --> 03:05:19,080
about another 20 to 30 years before any kind of significant profits are seen from this kind

1967
03:05:19,080 --> 03:05:19,560
of project.

1968
03:05:19,920 --> 03:05:21,100
20 to 30 years?

1969
03:05:21,100 --> 03:05:26,080
But even more importantly, we seem to have a family divided.

1970
03:05:27,140 --> 03:05:29,860
People who can afford this change, definitely or for it.

1971
03:05:30,100 --> 03:05:33,020
I can afford the change, but I don't want to leave my family behind.

1972
03:05:35,200 --> 03:05:38,700
As city leadership, why would you go forward with such a division

1973
03:05:38,700 --> 03:05:40,740
between family members like we're having now?

1974
03:05:40,900 --> 03:05:42,660
We've got almost 100 years of this side.

1975
03:05:42,840 --> 03:05:46,780
We've only spent 4% of the time or less than 4% of the time actually researching.

1976
03:05:47,840 --> 03:05:51,380
With that said, it's our culture to put the community first.

1977
03:05:51,380 --> 03:05:54,440
Which in fact, Mayor, we were just outside selling the burn table issue together.

1978
03:05:54,900 --> 03:05:56,560
So we were able to do that and work it out.

1979
03:05:57,180 --> 03:05:59,480
It means that we can work things out as a family.

1980
03:05:59,740 --> 03:06:02,040
It means that we can do things and work them together.

1981
03:06:02,700 --> 03:06:09,720
So like the resolution says, whereas the corporate has not meant certain constraints, whereas the community has not been with the,

1982
03:06:10,180 --> 03:06:17,340
it has not been with some of the regulatory process, whereas this has not been met with some of the stipulations that have been met.

1983
03:06:17,340 --> 03:06:24,340
We're saying we're as choose councilman Smith's alternative solution so that we can all just sort of move on to delays

1984
03:06:24,340 --> 03:06:29,420
Not going to kill anything by the way. We've delayed things before and gone forth with them in the city's history

1985
03:06:29,420 --> 03:06:35,180
So after half a century of living here. Let's just work together as a family and make it work together. Thank you

1986
03:06:41,260 --> 03:06:45,340
All right, next up we have Aaron O'Brien, Ronda Krants, and Carrie

1987
03:06:46,400 --> 03:06:47,280
Kitscher, Richard

1988
03:06:50,220 --> 03:06:56,220
Okay, then Walter Miles will be next. So Aaron, Ronda, and Walter

1989
03:06:56,220 --> 03:06:56,980
Hi

1990
03:06:59,790 --> 03:07:04,630
everyone. My name is Erin O'Brien. I live on Ethan Allen Avenue. I have a two-year-old

1991
03:07:04,630 --> 03:07:10,630
daughter. We live a few blocks away from the junction. I really like the project and I do

1992
03:07:10,630 --> 03:07:14,270
think it's good for our community. It's green. It's a lead certified building. It preserves

1993
03:07:14,270 --> 03:07:19,230
the forest. It remediates the old dump site. I think it's the right size. I think two stories

1994
03:07:19,230 --> 03:07:24,110
is reasonable and similar to the fire station. It's not going to compete with the co-op. It's not

1995
03:07:24,110 --> 03:07:28,730
going to have chain stores in it. The rent is comparable to other renovated spaces.

1996
03:07:29,190 --> 03:07:34,170
The tax space is going to help us fund progressive programs and the alternatives will cost

1997
03:07:34,170 --> 03:07:39,590
us money instead of make us money. Traffic is already really bad and we need to fix

1998
03:07:39,590 --> 03:07:45,390
the intersection either way. And it will give me a place to walk to and see more of my neighbors.

1999
03:07:47,910 --> 03:07:53,030
So please vote yes tonight. Don't delay again. And thank you for all your hard work.

2000
03:07:53,030 --> 03:07:56,850
know that a lot of people support you who just cannot come because we don't

2001
03:07:56,850 --> 03:08:03,290
have childcare or we work night shifts. We live in a very opinionated city as you

2002
03:08:03,290 --> 03:08:07,410
may have noticed and you can't make everybody happy but just know that the

2003
03:08:07,410 --> 03:08:11,730
loudest voices are not necessarily the most representative. In my

2004
03:08:11,730 --> 03:08:16,670
neighbors, Corrin Jeffers, George Cidell, Rachel Specter, Juan Oriana, Jonathan

2005
03:08:16,670 --> 03:08:22,330
Browning, Justin Marion, Morgan Snyder all support this as well and I also just

2006
03:08:22,330 --> 03:08:25,170
I just wanted to ask everybody to please respect your neighbors.

2007
03:08:25,950 --> 03:08:30,190
I am not going to be booing anybody tonight who doesn't agree with me or coughing very loudly.

2008
03:08:30,410 --> 03:08:36,170
I just, we all have to live together, long term together so if we can try and do that, I would appreciate it.

2009
03:08:36,390 --> 03:08:37,130
Thank you very much.

2010
03:08:47,040 --> 03:08:55,660
So I'm Rhonda Crants, Ward 3, and I moved it to Coma Park two days before I turned 40 so you can just go ahead and get how many years I did.

2011
03:08:57,180 --> 03:09:04,320
And thank you to the council and to the mayor, and thank you, mayor Stewart, for the blog post you sent.

2012
03:09:04,800 --> 03:09:07,180
I thought that was very informative and I appreciated it.

2013
03:09:07,960 --> 03:09:17,640
I would like to urge the council members to second the Jarrett's Miss proposal.

2014
03:09:18,180 --> 03:09:21,440
And my reasoning is really one that we've heard before.

2015
03:09:21,440 --> 03:09:26,240
There are several things that still need to be dealt with.

2016
03:09:26,600 --> 03:09:29,080
There really is no plan for the traffic.

2017
03:09:29,600 --> 03:09:31,200
These are things we know that are important.

2018
03:09:32,400 --> 03:09:40,060
Again, the co-op is going in mediation, and I agree that if we go ahead and accept

2019
03:09:40,060 --> 03:09:44,500
their proposal that you're basically saying what's the, you know, you're basically saying

2020
03:09:45,040 --> 03:09:46,880
there's no reason for mediation.

2021
03:09:47,860 --> 03:09:55,040
I worry with all the good intentions there are that if the proposal goes ahead resolution

2022
03:09:55,040 --> 03:09:59,700
goes ahead right now, that it will be very, very hard to deal with these issues.

2023
03:10:00,220 --> 03:10:03,140
I know I really believe that you have good intentions with that.

2024
03:10:03,260 --> 03:10:08,500
It's been hard enough to deal with these issues, but once it leaves, once it goes to the county,

2025
03:10:09,200 --> 03:10:14,020
once it goes to the other people that are going to have input, it's going to be harder.

2026
03:10:14,020 --> 03:10:20,020
So I think we should take the time to try to really make plans.

2027
03:10:20,340 --> 03:10:26,860
Think ahead, deal with those traffic issues, at least have a plan for moving forward and not just assume.

2028
03:10:28,060 --> 03:10:39,220
And I understand people just want to move it forward, but just to assume that these things are all going to be worked out without a plan beforehand is pretty, I think is not realistic.

2029
03:10:39,560 --> 03:10:42,880
And I'm a program manager, I've been through these things myself.

2030
03:10:42,880 --> 03:10:50,080
And you get to a point, you say we have to move forward, but it's the big picture, and I've seen it not work many times.

2031
03:10:50,860 --> 03:11:03,280
I do appreciate all the efforts, and I just urge you to vote for Jarrett Smith's proposal to try to address some of these issues before we'll make more of it.

2032
03:11:03,600 --> 03:11:03,960
Thank you.

2033
03:11:09,560 --> 03:11:13,440
Walter Miles, Lincoln Avenue, just two things.

2034
03:11:13,700 --> 03:11:19,440
I really think you should vote for Councilmember Smith's alternate resolution, and secondly,

2035
03:11:20,040 --> 03:11:21,600
I need to take her class.

2036
03:11:30,610 --> 03:11:34,670
Sabina Weistrick-Brown, Sabina's still here?

2037
03:11:35,950 --> 03:11:36,450
No.

2038
03:11:36,970 --> 03:11:37,110
Okay.

2039
03:11:37,390 --> 03:11:39,130
Andrew Strongin, did he leave?

2040
03:11:40,190 --> 03:11:40,770
Okay.

2041
03:11:41,110 --> 03:11:41,350
Andrew left.

2042
03:11:41,930 --> 03:11:42,830
Todd Solomon.

2043
03:11:43,090 --> 03:11:43,450
He left.

2044
03:11:43,450 --> 03:11:46,230
Okay. Kurt, Kurt, sure.

2045
03:11:46,790 --> 03:11:47,250
Kurt, sure.

2046
03:11:47,450 --> 03:11:48,290
Okay. Thank you.

2047
03:11:51,130 --> 03:11:52,580
Good evening. I'm Kurt Kurt, sure.

2048
03:11:52,920 --> 03:11:54,920
Resident almost quarter of a century.

2049
03:11:55,220 --> 03:11:56,560
Central Avenue Ward two.

2050
03:11:57,320 --> 03:12:00,360
First, I want to thank everybody on the council,

2051
03:12:00,740 --> 03:12:03,880
the mayor for the time and energy and commitment,

2052
03:12:04,640 --> 03:12:05,920
and for the public input.

2053
03:12:06,780 --> 03:12:09,220
I shop at the co-op and enjoy it,

2054
03:12:09,660 --> 03:12:11,940
and I'm also very excited for the development.

2055
03:12:11,940 --> 03:12:18,340
I feel if you delay, we could face another long, long period of no activity.

2056
03:12:18,560 --> 03:12:22,280
We're talking about a parking lot that is environmentally not a good thing at the moment.

2057
03:12:23,560 --> 03:12:31,560
And I'm concerned about the tax implications for our property taxes if we don't go forward to this.

2058
03:12:31,960 --> 03:12:39,300
Many of the same people I hear passionately opposing this development also really rail against the high taxes and to come apart.

2059
03:12:39,300 --> 03:12:42,800
And the solution to that is to expand the commercial tax base.

2060
03:12:43,340 --> 03:12:44,240
And this would do that.

2061
03:12:44,780 --> 03:12:49,980
And I strongly encourage you to please go ahead and vote for it.

2062
03:12:50,060 --> 03:12:51,680
I'm concerned if it doesn't go ahead.

2063
03:12:51,980 --> 03:12:55,960
It sits a very bad precedent for future development in Tacoma Park.

2064
03:12:56,520 --> 03:12:59,940
And other developers wanting to come here and try to do business.

2065
03:13:00,180 --> 03:13:00,940
Thank you very much.

2066
03:13:06,790 --> 03:13:10,390
Amarins, Europe, and then Robin Buck, Linda Provost.

2067
03:13:10,390 --> 03:13:11,330
Hi,

2068
03:13:18,780 --> 03:13:20,920
my name is Amarins, and I am part of Ward 1.

2069
03:13:22,080 --> 03:13:26,700
It is a sad day when we have realized our elective officials have failed us.

2070
03:13:27,180 --> 03:13:32,640
When they have failed to represent their constituents' interests and choose to listen to the voices of corporations instead.

2071
03:13:33,360 --> 03:13:37,980
Builders, architects, and site planners have all openly come out against the proposed development.

2072
03:13:38,460 --> 03:13:44,280
The development not only hurts the co-op, a prized sable of Tacoma Park, increases traffic congestion,

2073
03:13:44,280 --> 03:13:48,600
risking the safety of our children walking to school, but will also further the racial and

2074
03:13:50,220 --> 03:13:51,940
socioeconomic inequality in Tacoma Park.

2075
03:13:52,340 --> 03:13:57,800
And as a community that prides itself on being an inclusive progressive area, I ask the

2076
03:13:57,800 --> 03:14:00,280
council not to be complicit in this clear gentrification.

2077
03:14:00,880 --> 03:14:01,400
Thank you.

2078
03:14:11,960 --> 03:14:14,600
I decided on the shirt because it worked better with these pants.

2079
03:14:17,240 --> 03:14:26,050
So I'm Robin Buck, I live in Ward 3 and in all the times when I've come to these meetings,

2080
03:14:28,450 --> 03:14:34,410
I think I've only heard one person speak out saying that what he wanted was all park

2081
03:14:34,410 --> 03:14:35,110
all the time.

2082
03:14:35,890 --> 03:14:39,470
So I think that we're really in agreement and wanting something to happen there.

2083
03:14:41,340 --> 03:14:44,480
The concern that I have is that it happens responsibly.

2084
03:14:44,480 --> 03:14:59,700
And so I really want to thank Jared for putting forth a proposal to get some of these really critical questions answered, so that the project does move forward responsibly.

2085
03:15:05,220 --> 03:15:35,340
Last week, I missed the council meeting. It was with my mom. She's been, she's been really quite ill in and out of the hospital. My sister and I have talked about that and about how, in a lot of ways she's reaping the harvest of not taking care of herself in some different ways. And, you know, the high blood pressure, the problems with the kidney, the congested part failure, those weren't things that were predestined. And I'm not saying that to blame my mom.

2086
03:15:35,340 --> 03:15:36,540
I love my mom to pieces.

2087
03:15:37,040 --> 03:15:39,920
We went out there for 10 days and dropped everything

2088
03:15:39,920 --> 03:15:43,740
to just be with her and read to her and play games

2089
03:15:43,740 --> 03:15:47,100
and brought boxes and boxes of old pictures.

2090
03:15:48,640 --> 03:15:51,900
And it was great to see pictures of my mom

2091
03:15:51,900 --> 03:15:53,600
when she was young and fit.

2092
03:15:54,500 --> 03:15:55,500
I'm an eldest of five.

2093
03:15:58,400 --> 03:16:01,960
And when we don't look forward down the road

2094
03:16:01,960 --> 03:16:08,480
for how the decisions we make today will impact our health as a community.

2095
03:16:09,200 --> 03:16:15,060
There will be consequences whether we like it or not. It's like that's the way the world goes.

2096
03:16:15,920 --> 03:16:19,980
And one thing that I wanted to mention too,

2097
03:16:20,240 --> 03:16:26,700
a lovely woman from Coalition for Smarter Grounds spoke earlier this evening

2098
03:16:26,700 --> 03:16:33,500
And when I was involved with the public land use issue in DC for many years, they weighed

2099
03:16:33,500 --> 03:16:34,400
in on that too.

2100
03:16:34,600 --> 03:16:37,500
And I thought, hmm, never heard of these people before, because I was kind of new at

2101
03:16:37,500 --> 03:16:38,240
this business then.

2102
03:16:39,480 --> 03:16:44,540
And so I wanted to know also who funds them, how do they survive?

2103
03:16:45,300 --> 03:16:48,600
I contacted them and they said, well, our donors don't want to be revealed.

2104
03:16:48,920 --> 03:16:50,000
I thought, well, that's interesting.

2105
03:16:50,820 --> 03:16:55,220
Well, these days, their donors, they are revealed.

2106
03:16:55,220 --> 03:17:00,340
you can look them up. They're all developers. It's a developer-funded organization, so I would

2107
03:17:00,340 --> 03:17:08,760
just really caution you. In a coalition for smarter growth, sounds great, but I just, you know,

2108
03:17:09,080 --> 03:17:16,240
follow the money mix. This is kind of a good role with them, so I'm just really, really hoping everybody

2109
03:17:17,060 --> 03:17:18,280
votes for Bruce Jürgens.

2110
03:17:26,870 --> 03:17:30,470
Linda Provost? No, she's not here anymore. All right,

2111
03:17:30,470 --> 03:17:34,130
Okay, Satchel, and I can't quite make the last name.

2112
03:17:35,530 --> 03:17:36,390
No, he left, okay.

2113
03:17:38,330 --> 03:17:40,130
Janae Weeda, I don't think she left.

2114
03:17:40,390 --> 03:17:40,890
I haven't seen her.

2115
03:17:42,110 --> 03:17:44,230
All right, then we'll move on to.

2116
03:17:46,250 --> 03:17:46,910
Excuse me?

2117
03:17:51,940 --> 03:17:53,600
You're on the last sheet, Bill.

2118
03:17:55,080 --> 03:17:59,090
I have Lars Olsen next.

2119
03:17:59,370 --> 03:18:02,330
And then someone from Frederick, Maryland, I can't.

2120
03:18:02,330 --> 03:18:02,990
Is

2121
03:18:05,550 --> 03:18:06,250
she, is that first?

2122
03:18:06,730 --> 03:18:07,850
Okay, yeah, you're next then.

2123
03:18:08,770 --> 03:18:09,430
Okay,

2124
03:18:12,600 --> 03:18:13,080
you're up.

2125
03:18:14,780 --> 03:18:16,700
I'm Lars Olsen, Ward three.

2126
03:18:17,420 --> 03:18:23,960
Hancock Avenue, don't let my youthful appearance fool you.

2127
03:18:24,240 --> 03:18:26,400
I'm not an import from Bethesda.

2128
03:18:27,980 --> 03:18:35,280
I've been here almost 20 years and my wife and I have owned our house that whole time.

2129
03:18:35,280 --> 03:18:43,520
And we both support the resolution of developing the junction and urge the city to move quickly into implementation.

2130
03:18:44,620 --> 03:18:51,260
Thank you to the council, the developer for their past and continued patients.

2131
03:18:59,390 --> 03:19:04,370
Hi, I'm Sylvie Mortensen and I want to thank the council for listening all the voices tonight.

2132
03:19:05,470 --> 03:19:11,450
I'm a decade-long co-op shopper, which originally kind of attracted me when I lived closer into Tacoma.

2133
03:19:11,450 --> 03:19:14,430
was the co-op and a good gym and a drum circle.

2134
03:19:15,470 --> 03:19:16,790
You can find those all on Tacoma.

2135
03:19:18,750 --> 03:19:22,130
I feel like I'm going to echo a lot of voices that I've heard tonight.

2136
03:19:22,510 --> 03:19:30,150
I have sort of watched this process and been following everything with the co-op and

2137
03:19:31,410 --> 03:19:37,030
witnessing what I don't feel like to this point has been a super collaborative process.

2138
03:19:37,030 --> 03:19:43,010
I feel like the mediation has been the most profound step towards having a collaborative process.

2139
03:19:44,410 --> 03:19:54,990
I think it's a clear signal more as an observer now with this much outpouring of citizen participation that it's a signaled at pause

2140
03:19:54,990 --> 03:19:59,870
and think about the next step and moving more carefully.

2141
03:20:00,930 --> 03:20:11,650
I think in the haste and the legitimate reason to want to resolve one problem of this parking lot you can also come into other problems that you didn't expect.

2142
03:20:13,750 --> 03:20:29,130
As the where I last understood it the issues with the lay by and as to whether you know the trucks can make it into the co-op those are all legitimate things that could shut the co-op down potentially over time if the trucks decide we can't make these stops.

2143
03:20:29,130 --> 03:20:35,430
You know, it's just, it's not possible anymore, that's a concern, the traffic is a concern.

2144
03:20:37,190 --> 03:20:44,850
So I just want to, you know, echo that point that I think you have the opportunity to pause and make the best choice.

2145
03:20:44,930 --> 03:20:47,930
You don't really have the opportunity to fix it once you've made the wrong choice.

2146
03:20:48,870 --> 03:20:54,770
And I would just urge you to vote for the alternative plan, thank you.

2147
03:21:01,240 --> 03:21:05,260
I have Catherine Tunis, Linda Colca, and Alex Perkins.

2148
03:21:09,030 --> 03:21:10,830
Hi, I'm Catherine Tunis, how do you do?

2149
03:21:11,170 --> 03:21:13,310
I want to thank everybody who's worked on this.

2150
03:21:13,430 --> 03:21:16,330
I know there's been a lot of work going through all of this.

2151
03:21:16,670 --> 03:21:21,510
And I also want to say that I don't see this as co-op versus NDC or

2152
03:21:21,510 --> 03:21:25,650
development versus non-development or remind everyone whether they know it or not.

2153
03:21:25,750 --> 03:21:30,110
Is that this process started when the co-op purchased the city to develop a lot

2154
03:21:30,110 --> 03:21:32,670
themselves so that they could expand onto the lot.

2155
03:21:32,670 --> 03:21:40,590
So I think that's important to keep in mind, I'm going to go through the package here pretty quickly with some comments on the background piece.

2156
03:21:41,270 --> 03:21:47,930
The question about paragraph five on income tax, they're talking about a numbers of employees.

2157
03:21:48,110 --> 03:21:54,190
I think that should be normalized into FTE because there's a lot of part time employees that work in these stores.

2158
03:21:54,190 --> 03:22:08,310
The square footage, price per square footage is a little bit, the assumptions I think are quite off because the junction is in between all-town and New Hampshire Avenue and they're quoting all-town rates as like $45 to $50 a square foot.

2159
03:22:08,770 --> 03:22:22,210
Well, what I was able to find on the web the other day for New Hampshire Avenue is $2.17, $2.17 per square foot for an office and $1.67 per square foot for retail.

2160
03:22:22,210 --> 03:22:28,650
I think it's speculation about whether or not our property assessments are going to continue

2161
03:22:28,650 --> 03:22:29,430
to go up or not.

2162
03:22:29,830 --> 03:22:35,370
It's in a larger economic sphere of this nation, so we can't really say that for sure.

2163
03:22:35,970 --> 03:22:39,570
One of the things that bothered me about the proposal is that it does not talk about the

2164
03:22:39,570 --> 03:22:40,130
loading dock.

2165
03:22:40,470 --> 03:22:49,210
That was a key issue for the co-op, and it was one of the reasons why I supported NDC going

2166
03:22:49,210 --> 03:22:55,130
forward in the beginning because they assured me that there was going to be a loading dock right

2167
03:22:55,130 --> 03:23:01,510
where it is now with 18 wheelers able to turn around and that's not happening and I see that

2168
03:23:01,510 --> 03:23:06,270
as a major problem. I'm going to go very quickly through my other comments here. First of all,

2169
03:23:06,750 --> 03:23:11,390
the date, the date is incorrect. It should not be today. It should be at least two months today

2170
03:23:11,390 --> 03:23:17,030
from today so that we can see the results of the mediation. And if any changes need to be made,

2171
03:23:17,030 --> 03:23:23,950
I think it's really inappropriate to be picking winners and losers now you need to put that forward. We have a typo on line 32.

2172
03:23:27,510 --> 03:23:37,830
I'm glad to see the lead things in there in terms of energy. So there's a lot of good things in here too. The Lonnie Doc was promised that's around line 200.

2173
03:23:38,750 --> 03:23:54,350
the labor is a problem. I'm speeding through here. The trash is going to be taking out over the sidewalk, not in the back of the building, not picked up in the back of the building, they're taking trash to curb side. That is going to be a big issue.

2174
03:23:55,030 --> 03:24:03,690
The tree protection plan line 361, I would like to see the city make that public so that the public, there are a few people who really know about these things and how they should be done.

2175
03:24:03,690 --> 03:24:11,570
I'd like to comment on that. How are we going to guarantee the continuity of operations?

2176
03:24:11,970 --> 03:24:13,290
Thank you, Ms. Tunis, your time's up.

2177
03:24:13,350 --> 03:24:16,190
And I'm going to stop there, but I'll send you an email if that's okay.

2178
03:24:25,120 --> 03:24:32,780
Hi, my name is Linda Kolko, resident of Tacoma Park on Sherman Avenue Ward 3 for 32 years.

2179
03:24:33,560 --> 03:24:39,240
I have written to you, this is your mayor and city council. I'm sorry, I should have started off like that.

2180
03:24:39,240 --> 03:24:48,860
Anyway, I have written to you several times in spoken at City Council meetings to express my support for the redevelopment of the Tacoma Park Junction.

2181
03:24:49,340 --> 03:24:53,820
I truly appreciate your dedication and work on the junction redevelopment.

2182
03:24:54,120 --> 03:24:57,780
I've reviewed the information on the website and followed the debate carefully.

2183
03:24:58,280 --> 03:25:01,060
This point, I'm just going to make a few more comments.

2184
03:25:01,440 --> 03:25:06,720
I hope that as I said, I joined, I, like I said, I've been a resident for 32 years.

2185
03:25:06,720 --> 03:25:12,040
I joined the co-op when it moved to the junction about 20 years ago, and I shop there often.

2186
03:25:12,620 --> 03:25:14,000
I look forward to the redevelopment.

2187
03:25:14,120 --> 03:25:19,120
I am confident that we will find a way to ensure that the co-op remains viable, while allowing

2188
03:25:19,120 --> 03:25:23,400
other small businesses to thrive in a new reconfiguration of the space.

2189
03:25:23,840 --> 03:25:29,160
So therefore, I support the current site plan proposal and urge you to vote yes on approving

2190
03:25:29,160 --> 03:25:32,320
the draft site plan resolution this month.

2191
03:25:32,320 --> 03:25:39,800
As several people have said tonight, we have tried for many years to turn Tacoma Junction into a viable commercial and community space.

2192
03:25:40,040 --> 03:25:46,960
Let's move forward and work with NDC on its draft site plan to redevelop and to redevelop Tacoma Junction.

2193
03:25:47,180 --> 03:25:58,120
The City of Tacoma Park cannot continue to expend any more valuable energy and resources as we need to have time to focus on many other critical issues affecting our community.

2194
03:25:58,120 --> 03:26:02,980
Thanks again for all the time and effort you have expended on the Tacoma Junction redevelopment.

2195
03:26:03,200 --> 03:26:09,280
I wish you the best and look forward to the City of Tacoma Park moving forward on the junction redevelopment.

2196
03:26:09,440 --> 03:26:13,380
We need to move forward now on making the City's junction more robust and vibrant.

2197
03:26:13,620 --> 03:26:14,040
Thank you.

2198
03:26:20,400 --> 03:26:22,300
Is Alex Perkins still here?

2199
03:26:22,680 --> 03:26:23,140
Oh, there are.

2200
03:26:23,800 --> 03:26:27,600
And then Seth Hazard, Hazard, and Stuart.

2201
03:26:28,860 --> 03:26:32,420
Hi, Alex Perkins, 311 Boyd and a co-op member.

2202
03:26:32,420 --> 03:26:39,620
I should never know, I'm mad, I'm angry and I'm frustrated by this country's administration

2203
03:26:40,280 --> 03:26:45,620
policy, by the Trump administration's economic policy, and by its foreign policy.

2204
03:26:46,120 --> 03:26:51,080
But what I'm not angry about, what I'm not mad about, what I'm not frustrated about, is

2205
03:26:51,080 --> 03:26:55,340
the process of this council, this mayor, and this city of undertaking over the past four

2206
03:26:55,340 --> 03:26:55,580
years.

2207
03:26:56,800 --> 03:27:00,680
As someone said earlier, if our government worked like this, we'd be far better off.

2208
03:27:01,460 --> 03:27:06,040
I think it's time new forward, it's time to vote, and it's time to support the development.

2209
03:27:06,460 --> 03:27:07,080
Thank you very much.

2210
03:27:14,760 --> 03:27:19,700
Hi, Seth Hasset from Sherman Avenue, Ward 3.

2211
03:27:20,440 --> 03:27:28,440
And it's been a long night, I'm torn between wanting to express an opinion and not wanting this to go one minute longer.

2212
03:27:29,960 --> 03:27:37,160
But to put my wife and I, we strongly support moving forward with the development.

2213
03:27:37,160 --> 03:27:42,960
We've watched this process closely and spoken at previous council meetings.

2214
03:27:44,480 --> 03:27:50,300
But I do agree with one thing I heard earlier, which was, I don't think we're paying

2215
03:27:50,300 --> 03:27:57,340
you folks enough for the hard work that you do and for the process that you put forward.

2216
03:27:58,040 --> 03:28:05,320
I also do want to say, I mean, I hope that as we move forward that I'm a member of the

2217
03:28:05,320 --> 03:28:08,220
co-op, we chop there, we like shopping there.

2218
03:28:08,760 --> 03:28:14,720
And I hope that we can continue to feel included and welcome.

2219
03:28:15,180 --> 03:28:19,720
And it is a community resource and I don't think these two things are incompatible.

2220
03:28:20,160 --> 03:28:25,400
I think it's possible to move forward to have a strong and vibrant co-op that serves our community.

2221
03:28:25,920 --> 03:28:29,940
And to bring more cohesion to that area.

2222
03:28:30,400 --> 03:28:33,360
I've been going past there for 10 plus years and

2223
03:28:33,360 --> 03:28:37,960
And just waiting for this to move forward, I think it's best for the environment.

2224
03:28:38,200 --> 03:28:46,700
I do think it's going to help ultimately make this a more livable and vibrant community.

2225
03:28:47,100 --> 03:28:49,400
And so thank you, and I hope we can move forward.

2226
03:28:54,520 --> 03:28:59,060
Stuart, yeah, and then I'm Bill Simmons, Jamie and Nuggo.

2227
03:29:01,110 --> 03:29:02,550
Sorry, I'm from this grounds.

2228
03:29:02,950 --> 03:29:03,050
Okay.

2229
03:29:03,050 --> 03:29:33,030
Hi everyone. Thank you to the Council and to the Mayor for allowing me to speak and for anyone else to speak and taking such a long time to work through this. I was, as some know, got very involved four years ago, but then got busy with family and with travel overseas and wasn't able to spend as much time on it is what I would like to, so it's a personal matter to try to stay involved in these things, but it's also professional, and I think we've heard

2230
03:29:33,030 --> 03:29:42,550
a lot of the fears and the hopes, the dreams, some statistics, some that seem like less

2231
03:29:42,550 --> 03:29:47,530
than well-researched information about what may happen.

2232
03:29:48,870 --> 03:29:52,210
And so I'm not going to go back and forth on any of those, but I think I just want to

2233
03:29:52,210 --> 03:29:53,390
sort of tell a story.

2234
03:29:54,510 --> 03:29:59,830
I live in Ward 1 now, Peter and I have not agreed completely on things, and we've gone

2235
03:29:59,830 --> 03:29:59,970
And that's it.

2236
03:30:00,000 --> 03:30:29,980
I can forward on this. And I leave previously in ward three in two separate houses on Montgomery, which for the people who live in Montgomery. It's a very small one block street, and so we all know each other. So, and as others have said, we're all neighbors, we're a family. We have to continue to be neighbors and family. In 2011, it moved here. So relatively new to Tacoma Park. I chose to work on the Obama camp.

2237
03:30:29,980 --> 03:30:53,660
I chose to then follow two DC to work in the administration, but I also chose Tacoma Park and I had one cousin who's lived in DC, this entire time that he's been here, and he's my closest cousin from home, and he said dude, as he would say, you are going to live in Tacoma Park.

2238
03:30:54,740 --> 03:30:55,700
And I said, what do you mean?

2239
03:30:56,080 --> 03:30:57,400
You said you are going to live in Tacoma Park.

2240
03:30:57,640 --> 03:30:58,580
That is where you're going to live.

2241
03:30:58,760 --> 03:30:59,360
That's where you belong.

2242
03:30:59,560 --> 03:31:02,460
And so tonight I am here because I really did choose,

2243
03:31:02,780 --> 03:31:06,720
and I looked at Tacoma Park not just because he said so and predicted it,

2244
03:31:06,820 --> 03:31:10,780
but for all the reasons that so many of you brought up,

2245
03:31:11,460 --> 03:31:14,600
it's also why I believe in what the council has done.

2246
03:31:15,540 --> 03:31:20,440
I've returned to take an interest in this in the last six months

2247
03:31:20,440 --> 03:31:25,700
because I've been home more, and I believe in the process.

2248
03:31:26,940 --> 03:31:29,440
And, Pierre and I've talked a lot about that process.

2249
03:31:30,260 --> 03:31:32,060
He and I also worked at HUD together.

2250
03:31:32,580 --> 03:31:35,020
And so not a lot of process there sometimes.

2251
03:31:36,100 --> 03:31:39,200
So I just want to say that I'm very much for moving forward.

2252
03:31:39,940 --> 03:31:42,080
And that we move on this and we move forward.

2253
03:31:42,520 --> 03:31:43,920
And we continue with what has happened.

2254
03:31:44,440 --> 03:31:46,000
And we continue with the process.

2255
03:31:46,540 --> 03:31:47,960
Because that's what I believe in.

2256
03:31:47,960 --> 03:31:49,700
And I want to thank everybody for all their input.

2257
03:31:50,220 --> 03:31:50,460
Thank you.

2258
03:32:00,310 --> 03:32:01,870
Sorry, you guys are here so late.

2259
03:32:02,370 --> 03:32:04,070
I was not planning on speaking tonight.

2260
03:32:04,330 --> 03:32:07,470
I hate speaking in public probably more than anything else.

2261
03:32:08,170 --> 03:32:10,510
But I've been listening to everybody talk,

2262
03:32:10,790 --> 03:32:13,090
and I first want to say I came to this really late.

2263
03:32:13,190 --> 03:32:15,310
I'm kind of ashamed at how late I came to this.

2264
03:32:16,010 --> 03:32:19,030
And when I did come to it, I think at first I thought,

2265
03:32:19,290 --> 03:32:21,810
it's just two warring factions in Tacoma Park.

2266
03:32:21,970 --> 03:32:22,830
They'll figure it out.

2267
03:32:23,070 --> 03:32:25,190
I'll live with whatever it is because it's just

2268
03:32:25,190 --> 03:32:28,110
between two progressive differences.

2269
03:32:28,470 --> 03:32:30,990
And I was really saddened and appalled when I learned

2270
03:32:30,990 --> 03:32:32,230
what was really being proposed,

2271
03:32:32,670 --> 03:32:33,530
the lack of imagination,

2272
03:32:33,590 --> 03:32:36,370
and the complete lack of community gathering space

2273
03:32:36,370 --> 03:32:38,270
as the plans changed.

2274
03:32:39,170 --> 03:32:41,850
I was really confused as to why the council

2275
03:32:41,850 --> 03:32:43,430
wasn't holding NDC accountable.

2276
03:32:43,870 --> 03:32:46,570
And I share a lot of concerns that people have brought it

2277
03:32:46,570 --> 03:32:48,310
tonight and I don't feel we need to go

2278
03:32:48,310 --> 03:32:50,310
for them, they've been expressed very eloquently.

2279
03:32:51,310 --> 03:32:54,470
But I just wanted to say like when I hear people

2280
03:32:54,470 --> 03:33:00,050
who support this, I want to ask them the question, like when you think about community and what

2281
03:33:00,050 --> 03:33:05,150
it means to be community and where you want to spend your time in a community, especially

2282
03:33:05,150 --> 03:33:09,230
if you have children in what we're teaching them about community, do you want them to

2283
03:33:09,230 --> 03:33:13,410
know that community gathering spaces are centered around retail?

2284
03:33:14,130 --> 03:33:18,530
Or do you want them to know that there are green spaces, that there are open spaces where

2285
03:33:18,530 --> 03:33:21,090
where we can come together as community

2286
03:33:21,750 --> 03:33:25,470
and we can exist without having to purchase something.

2287
03:33:25,690 --> 03:33:28,730
When I think of my children when the green space

2288
03:33:28,730 --> 03:33:30,750
in Silver Spring that somebody brought up earlier,

2289
03:33:31,410 --> 03:33:34,310
everybody was so sad when that space disappeared

2290
03:33:34,310 --> 03:33:37,050
and the original plans for this development

2291
03:33:37,050 --> 03:33:41,610
included space that could have become that space,

2292
03:33:41,650 --> 03:33:43,750
again, not to that degree, not that size,

2293
03:33:44,230 --> 03:33:47,910
but I just feel like we're capable of so much more,

2294
03:33:47,910 --> 03:33:50,410
or something so much better than a large building

2295
03:33:50,410 --> 03:33:53,430
that you can't be in unless you're gonna buy something.

2296
03:33:54,190 --> 03:33:56,410
And I think that is Tacoma Park.

2297
03:33:56,470 --> 03:33:58,150
I've lived here my entire life.

2298
03:33:58,890 --> 03:34:02,890
And this goes against everything that I've thought

2299
03:34:02,890 --> 03:34:06,510
and felt Tacoma Park to stand for and to represent.

2300
03:34:07,850 --> 03:34:10,510
And sorry, I really didn't have anything prepared

2301
03:34:10,510 --> 03:34:13,570
and I'm not getting, I've lost track of where I was.

2302
03:34:13,570 --> 03:34:21,810
But I just, I feel that not, I do have a lot of concerns around the Relatial Equity aspect of this.

2303
03:34:22,130 --> 03:34:27,250
And I really feel like people, one thing that people keep saying is that this is going to bring a lot of job opportunities,

2304
03:34:27,570 --> 03:34:31,850
but it's not going to bring a lot of small business opportunities to people.

2305
03:34:32,330 --> 03:34:40,510
People who come from small socioeconomic backgrounds are not going to be able to afford these rents.

2306
03:34:40,510 --> 03:34:44,490
So they can be employed, but they can't be business owners in this space.

2307
03:34:44,730 --> 03:34:46,670
And that, to me, is also a huge concern.

2308
03:34:47,590 --> 03:34:54,010
Anyway, I hope that you guys support Jarrett tonight, and I hope that we can find a way to make more community and to come apart.

2309
03:35:03,290 --> 03:35:04,930
Keith Cosloff and Bruce Williams.

2310
03:35:16,820 --> 03:35:18,700
Hi, Keith Cosloff, word three.

2311
03:35:21,060 --> 03:35:28,940
I want to start by thanking you for all your patience with my many and continuing suggestions on this project.

2312
03:35:30,120 --> 03:35:34,300
I really thought carefully about the resolution that was

2313
03:35:35,160 --> 03:35:40,960
drafted by some of my neighbors and put forward by council members Smith and in particular I

2314
03:35:42,160 --> 03:35:44,320
asked could a further indefinite delay

2315
03:35:45,340 --> 03:35:49,040
meeting the four conditions in that resolution

2316
03:35:50,220 --> 03:35:52,040
really bring us all together

2317
03:35:55,250 --> 03:35:55,970
reluctantly

2318
03:35:56,790 --> 03:35:59,690
I concluded that the likelihood of that is low

2319
03:36:02,740 --> 03:36:22,120
It's not a perfect project and the process hasn't been perfect either, but on balance, I urge the council to move forward while maintaining both strong due diligence and holding NDC accountable at every step of the way.

2320
03:36:22,600 --> 03:36:23,160
Thank you.

2321
03:36:23,160 --> 03:36:24,020
Good

2322
03:36:36,590 --> 03:36:37,770
evening, members of the council.

2323
03:36:38,730 --> 03:36:39,450
My name is Bruce Williams.

2324
03:36:39,890 --> 03:36:41,030
Lincoln Avenue Ward 3.

2325
03:36:42,150 --> 03:36:44,390
First, I want to thank all of you for all of the effort

2326
03:36:45,170 --> 03:36:47,150
that you've put in on this process,

2327
03:36:48,250 --> 03:36:51,810
going through this current four-year process.

2328
03:36:52,910 --> 03:36:56,890
And I want to thank the staff as well,

2329
03:36:57,690 --> 03:36:59,610
the city manager, the deputy city manager,

2330
03:37:00,670 --> 03:37:03,390
and Sarah Danes and Ross Griggs being anybody else

2331
03:37:03,390 --> 03:37:05,010
who's worked on this because I know it's taken

2332
03:37:05,010 --> 03:37:06,590
and a lot of your time to do this.

2333
03:37:07,310 --> 03:37:09,870
And I know that you've put in a lot of effort

2334
03:37:09,870 --> 03:37:11,170
to try and get this right.

2335
03:37:12,470 --> 03:37:15,230
I just wanna give a perspective that I have

2336
03:37:15,830 --> 03:37:18,550
that I think is from 30,000 feet

2337
03:37:18,550 --> 03:37:22,450
and looking at the long-term as people talk about this

2338
03:37:22,450 --> 03:37:25,490
four-year process, in my mind it's a 30-year process.

2339
03:37:26,310 --> 03:37:30,550
It started back when I first moved to the city

2340
03:37:30,550 --> 03:37:44,670
30, 38 years ago, and it started with the co-ops original intent to try and move and move to what is now the city lot before they move to what was then the Turner Building.

2341
03:37:45,550 --> 03:37:55,490
It involved a lot of processes that the city worked on, that residents worked on, there were surets, people talk about you, would be nice surets, we had surets.

2342
03:37:56,090 --> 03:38:03,190
We had various committees, we had a, what we called with tongue firmly in cheek the last

2343
03:38:03,190 --> 03:38:07,630
to come a junction committee, obviously was not the case.

2344
03:38:08,450 --> 03:38:14,090
There have been continuing efforts through today, and this current effort, this for your

2345
03:38:14,090 --> 03:38:19,570
effort will continue past today, whatever you vote on, and I urge you to move forward and

2346
03:38:19,570 --> 03:38:24,250
vote for your resolution and not to stop this process,

2347
03:38:24,450 --> 03:38:25,810
not to put a hold on this process,

2348
03:38:26,170 --> 03:38:27,550
not to wait for mediation.

2349
03:38:28,330 --> 03:38:30,270
All of these things will continue.

2350
03:38:30,810 --> 03:38:35,870
I have had long experience with sitting where you are

2351
03:38:36,410 --> 03:38:39,470
and knowing that whatever happens tonight,

2352
03:38:39,970 --> 03:38:41,690
there's a whole lot more work to do.

2353
03:38:42,030 --> 03:38:43,210
This process will continue.

2354
03:38:43,910 --> 03:38:45,750
There's everything going forward with the county,

2355
03:38:46,590 --> 03:38:48,190
with the developer, with the co-op,

2356
03:38:48,190 --> 03:38:56,710
with mediation, all of these things will be dealt with, changes will happen, things will get better, and I urge you to move forward and vote yes.

2357
03:39:05,160 --> 03:39:10,280
I don't have any other sign, people who signed up, is there anyone else who would like to speak this evening?

2358
03:39:11,300 --> 03:39:18,820
Okay, then I didn't have any other sign up, so if you haven't signed up but would like to speak, just line up at the podium and you can speak.

2359
03:39:22,220 --> 03:39:25,400
I called you name, you must have left the room bill, I did call your name before.

2360
03:39:26,080 --> 03:39:26,400
Sorry.

2361
03:39:26,560 --> 03:39:27,860
I didn't hear you, but I didn't leave the room.

2362
03:39:28,180 --> 03:39:28,320
All right.

2363
03:39:28,540 --> 03:39:34,460
Well, hello, Mayor, Council, City of Authorities, once again.

2364
03:39:37,060 --> 03:39:41,980
As you probably remember for last week, I am strongly against this project in its current

2365
03:39:41,980 --> 03:39:42,400
form.

2366
03:39:43,620 --> 03:39:50,560
And I do kind of feel like I can understand the feelings and even the arguments or thinking

2367
03:39:50,560 --> 03:39:51,540
of both sides.

2368
03:39:52,780 --> 03:40:00,120
And what I'm about to say, I don't want to seem to come across as a personal attack to anybody.

2369
03:40:00,460 --> 03:40:08,900
But I was astounded earlier to hear CVS and vote as an example of why we should not be

2370
03:40:08,900 --> 03:40:38,440
you've concerned about this project, you know people may occasionally go to CVS and maybe there are some amongst us who really like CVS, I'm not one of them, I've gone to rhizome many, many more times and I've gone to that CVS down there and I think it does matter what we put into space and I think it does matter if the developer caused the shots or whether

2371
03:40:38,440 --> 03:40:40,120
the city caused the shots.

2372
03:40:46,680 --> 03:40:51,520
To those who decry further delay or

2373
03:40:53,700 --> 03:40:55,760
against that, I would like to

2374
03:40:55,760 --> 03:41:03,800
remind people that there was a smaller development approved a year or a year and a half ago that

2375
03:41:03,800 --> 03:41:10,460
people had bought in on and had started meeting with the developer and his representatives to

2376
03:41:10,460 --> 03:41:16,820
go over refining the plans, I know somehow that got delayed so that we haven't even bigger

2377
03:41:16,820 --> 03:41:28,360
project of less clear nature with much more threatening to the traffic and everything else.

2378
03:41:29,380 --> 03:41:39,560
So I urge you to go forward with Jared Smith's alternative proposal and build on the project

2379
03:41:39,560 --> 03:41:41,100
from there. Thank you.

2380
03:41:47,820 --> 03:41:54,940
Hi Zachary Wathen, Ward 2. I just want to thank all the council members for all your amazing

2381
03:41:54,940 --> 03:42:03,720
support and work that you do. I'm from Ward 2 as I said and I think what we need most

2382
03:42:03,720 --> 03:42:12,000
at the junction is parking and I feel like we already have parking but obviously you know

2383
03:42:12,000 --> 03:42:13,240
we have to do something there.

2384
03:42:14,120 --> 03:42:18,840
And so I think that the office plan,

2385
03:42:19,260 --> 03:42:22,060
I don't think it'll really work for our kind of,

2386
03:42:22,500 --> 03:42:26,820
to come apart because that doesn't really fit with our values

2387
03:42:26,820 --> 03:42:31,060
of preserving what we need for to come apart,

2388
03:42:31,420 --> 03:42:38,360
which is small businesses and collaboration with people all over the city

2389
03:42:38,360 --> 03:42:44,080
to come up with different alternatives, like the green carpet or something like that.

2390
03:42:44,340 --> 03:42:51,140
And I just think that it's really important that we try to bring a coalition delay, delay,

2391
03:42:51,560 --> 03:42:57,080
and I hope you, if you don't delay, I hope you at least vote for Garrett's idea.

2392
03:42:57,700 --> 03:42:58,560
Thank you very much.

2393
03:43:06,700 --> 03:43:07,520
Well, good evening.

2394
03:43:08,920 --> 03:43:13,240
I'm Catherine Desmond again from 238 Park Avenue in Ward 1.

2395
03:43:13,240 --> 03:43:18,180
And I'm just going to read a little bit from a letter that I wrote earlier this morning to Mr. Seamons

2396
03:43:18,180 --> 03:43:21,080
and I sent a copy to my councilman on Ward 1.

2397
03:43:21,440 --> 03:43:22,700
And I just want to share some of that.

2398
03:43:23,340 --> 03:43:25,740
The hour grows late, actually this wasn't in the letter.

2399
03:43:25,860 --> 03:43:28,900
The hour grows late, so many words, and will mine make a difference.

2400
03:43:29,200 --> 03:43:33,800
So I'm going to add 77 more words to my statement just to be sure.

2401
03:43:34,720 --> 03:43:38,720
So three parting thoughts, the junction, it's first of all just that.

2402
03:43:38,720 --> 03:43:44,960
It's two roads that cross and carry people on their way to the next part of their journey.

2403
03:43:45,380 --> 03:43:48,560
It holds the relics of three gas stations and three auto shops,

2404
03:43:49,080 --> 03:43:51,520
testament to the great golden age of the automobile.

2405
03:43:52,040 --> 03:43:57,500
And no matter what happens on the parking lot, the junction will forever be a way east or

2406
03:43:57,500 --> 03:44:02,500
west, north or south, for people who need to go somewhere else.

2407
03:44:03,400 --> 03:44:07,260
Second, the junction is the village of a residential neighborhood.

2408
03:44:07,260 --> 03:44:09,960
but okay, sustenance character of the area,

2409
03:44:10,180 --> 03:44:12,240
even as much of the traffic on the streets

2410
03:44:12,240 --> 03:44:13,480
is simply passing through.

2411
03:44:14,060 --> 03:44:15,860
But the most important thing to me,

2412
03:44:16,100 --> 03:44:19,160
I'm sorry, I should say there's so many important things

2413
03:44:19,160 --> 03:44:21,680
and maybe this isn't the most important thing to me,

2414
03:44:21,780 --> 03:44:22,680
but it's very important,

2415
03:44:23,100 --> 03:44:25,500
the junction is a protected historic district.

2416
03:44:26,000 --> 03:44:28,040
A designation that is not intended

2417
03:44:28,420 --> 03:44:31,100
just to protect bricks and mortar of yesterday

2418
03:44:31,460 --> 03:44:33,040
no matter how charming they are,

2419
03:44:33,560 --> 03:44:36,600
but to give value and meaning to our lives today

2420
03:44:36,600 --> 03:44:42,480
and going forward. And it's a value that's easy to overlook. It's there to give

2421
03:44:42,480 --> 03:44:49,040
those who walk on its sidewalks and frequent its buildings a space to capture time, the

2422
03:44:49,040 --> 03:44:55,720
most valuable commodity that we as humans have. The historic district is a bridge between

2423
03:44:55,720 --> 03:44:59,800
past and present, and a buffer zone between the present and the future.

2424
03:45:00,000 --> 03:45:29,160
Whatever that brings. Now, everything, unfortunately, grows old, including people. We become historic at some point. And a shopping center, or an office building put up in 2019, will bear the characteristic look of its era, and in some point in the future will be the harvest gold refrigerator amidst whatever follows it. So how do we reconcile these concerns? Well, I'm going to quote James Joyce. And if you want the full quote, I'll be in the back.

2425
03:45:29,840 --> 03:45:35,040
whatever is added to it, and this part is not the quote, whatever is added to an existing

2426
03:45:35,040 --> 03:45:43,020
historic district should be very, very respectful of the Sintillant, Circumambient, Cecil

2427
03:45:43,020 --> 03:45:45,740
Air into which it intrudes.

2428
03:45:48,220 --> 03:45:51,620
All right, NDCs converted a lot, including a historic building

2429
03:45:51,620 --> 03:46:00,360
in Tacoma Park, but the proposal they brought you is jarringly disruptive. So please ask yourself

2430
03:46:00,360 --> 03:46:02,340
Is this simply urban infill?

2431
03:46:02,640 --> 03:46:09,660
Or is it part of the whole cloth of the junction neighborhood that has meaning and value that will stand the test of time?

2432
03:46:09,920 --> 03:46:10,360
Thank you.

2433
03:46:10,680 --> 03:46:11,200
Thank you.

2434
03:46:17,750 --> 03:46:25,110
Central corn fell ward five, flower avenue, flower house, 12, 13.

2435
03:46:25,590 --> 03:46:28,150
It's arguably 17, 18, F four.

2436
03:46:28,330 --> 03:46:35,130
These are all bus lines that travel through to come a junction that provide accessible needs, both to the elderly, people who are ADA compliant.

2437
03:46:35,130 --> 03:46:40,490
using modern 21st century technology, these buses are even lower for the elderly, and thus,

2438
03:46:40,650 --> 03:46:45,390
people who are arguing for cars need for parking and to come a junction, I'm finding their

2439
03:46:45,390 --> 03:46:50,710
argument to be rather hollow. Additionally, we're looking at public space, the gazebo,

2440
03:46:50,770 --> 03:46:56,370
cross-away that seems underutilized in the city 99% of the time. I would urge the council to reject

2441
03:46:56,370 --> 03:47:01,650
councilmember Smith's motion and go forward as voting on moving forward on the junction now. Thank you.

2442
03:47:01,650 --> 03:47:02,650
Hello,

2443
03:47:08,800 --> 03:47:17,480
I'm Dan Walker from I live on Sherman Avenue Ward 3 and definitely appreciate everyone's time and patience here and giving me the chance to speak.

2444
03:47:18,280 --> 03:47:25,360
I have three young kids who I intend to raise here. We love Tacoma Park, we love walking around.

2445
03:47:26,160 --> 03:47:32,620
There is a lot of green space, a lot of community space if you've got three young kids and you don't drive very much.

2446
03:47:32,620 --> 03:47:38,440
much, you get to understand there are quite a few parks and places to meet and play and get

2447
03:47:38,440 --> 03:47:39,400
together with your neighbors.

2448
03:47:40,000 --> 03:47:43,280
We are looking forward, though, to this junction development.

2449
03:47:43,640 --> 03:47:51,880
I think the choice now is going forward with what we have or nothing, and I don't support

2450
03:47:51,880 --> 03:47:53,060
keeping a parking lot there.

2451
03:47:53,140 --> 03:47:58,440
I think it would be great to have some new development in the area, and I think the plan,

2452
03:47:58,440 --> 03:48:01,880
as it is, looks like there's a lot of good possibilities.

2453
03:48:01,880 --> 03:48:02,740
So, thank you.

2454
03:48:08,470 --> 03:48:12,590
Hi, I'm Gina Gaspon, 40-year resident of Ward 3.

2455
03:48:13,070 --> 03:48:15,410
I was certainly not planning to speak tonight.

2456
03:48:15,890 --> 03:48:17,390
I will make it very brief.

2457
03:48:17,530 --> 03:48:24,090
I've spoken to many of the council members and made my feelings and my thoughts known.

2458
03:48:25,830 --> 03:48:31,610
I just, I want to say thank you, everyone, for the process, which I heartily appreciate.

2459
03:48:34,270 --> 03:48:53,590
I happen to be a supporter of Council Member Smith's proposal, and I would just like to say I hope that at least one of you has the courage to second the proposal so that it can be talked about and voted on. Thank you.

2460
03:49:01,010 --> 03:49:06,190
Hi, I'm Sora. I live on Manor Circle, just moved there two months ago, so I have an excuse

2461
03:49:06,190 --> 03:49:12,290
for not getting involved earlier. I also can't say I've been here for 20 years. I'd like

2462
03:49:12,290 --> 03:49:16,750
to say that someday as a disabled person who can't work full time, that's really going

2463
03:49:16,750 --> 03:49:23,390
to be dependent on affordable housing and access to that. So that's really important to me.

2464
03:49:24,230 --> 03:49:29,450
I do have a job right now, I work as a tutor, and one thing I'm always thinking about as

2465
03:49:29,450 --> 03:49:32,390
a tutor is, where can I take the kids I work with?

2466
03:49:33,270 --> 03:49:35,010
So I rely on CVS sometimes.

2467
03:49:35,250 --> 03:49:36,710
I had to go there like two weeks ago

2468
03:49:36,710 --> 03:49:38,670
to get some food coloring for a project.

2469
03:49:39,590 --> 03:49:41,990
Sometimes we have to hang out in the Duncan Donuts

2470
03:49:41,990 --> 03:49:45,650
or the Starbucks if their parents are late picking them up

2471
03:49:45,650 --> 03:49:48,450
and I need somewhere where I know it's safe

2472
03:49:48,450 --> 03:49:50,770
and I know what to expect where we can just relax.

2473
03:49:51,970 --> 03:49:55,350
But the places I've had the most fun going with them this summer

2474
03:49:55,350 --> 03:49:58,330
and the places I think they've gotten the most out of

2475
03:49:58,330 --> 03:50:03,390
our arts spaces, our community spaces, where they have a chance to really interact with

2476
03:50:03,930 --> 03:50:08,390
other adults and see, okay, what do I want to be when I grow up?

2477
03:50:09,570 --> 03:50:12,430
In ways that are not, okay, this person is selling something to me.

2478
03:50:13,070 --> 03:50:20,070
So even as I think a lot about like things like property taxes, I do think it's important

2479
03:50:20,070 --> 03:50:28,070
to invest in those non-retail options for me as a tutor, for parents, for kids to grow

2480
03:50:28,070 --> 03:50:29,530
up imagining what are they going to be.

2481
03:50:37,780 --> 03:50:39,380
Any other public comments this evening?

2482
03:50:41,910 --> 03:50:42,150
Anyone?

2483
03:50:43,310 --> 03:50:44,070
All right.

2484
03:50:44,650 --> 03:50:47,390
Well, we will close off public comments.

2485
03:50:47,890 --> 03:50:49,730
And I did you want to?

2486
03:50:50,190 --> 03:50:51,410
You were like, did you like a break?

2487
03:50:52,610 --> 03:50:55,270
I think we will take a break until 11.30.

2488
03:50:55,450 --> 03:50:57,970
And then we'll come back and finish up our agenda.

2489
03:50:58,130 --> 03:50:58,450
Thank you.

2490
04:03:18,610 --> 04:03:27,850
voting session. The first item is the alternative resolution regarding the Tacoma Junction Site Plan. I'll first turn it over to Council Member Smith.

2491
04:03:30,670 --> 04:03:49,330
First before I make a motion to bring this to the floor for my colleagues to consider. I wanted to thank all the residents that worked on this resolution. I think it is really important and it speaks to the sentiment that is in our community.

2492
04:03:49,330 --> 04:03:55,390
Okay, I am not hopeful that this resolution will be considered by my colleagues.

2493
04:03:55,390 --> 04:04:19,150
There's been little to no feedback, given whether it's the amendment that was offered by a resident or even considering reworking some of the whereas clauses or some of the resolve clauses.

2494
04:04:19,150 --> 04:04:40,290
So I hope my colleagues will take a few minutes and maybe speak to the resolution, even if they aren't going to vote for it, but I think it is really important that our community is heard, and this is an opportunity for that to happen.

2495
04:04:40,770 --> 04:04:47,530
So I would like to make a motion for the alternative resolution to be heard by the body.

2496
04:04:49,050 --> 04:04:50,370
Thank you, would anyone like to second?

2497
04:04:51,350 --> 04:04:52,610
Councilmember Cove, our second?

2498
04:05:02,440 --> 04:05:05,280
So I seconded that because I think it's important to have these discussions.

2499
04:05:05,280 --> 04:05:08,860
I just want to be cleared everybody that I'm not voting in favor and I'm voting against

2500
04:05:08,860 --> 04:05:09,140
it.

2501
04:05:09,440 --> 04:05:12,600
I'll talk about that why when we get there.

2502
04:05:12,700 --> 04:05:13,220
Just go ahead.

2503
04:05:13,600 --> 04:05:13,960
I do not.

2504
04:05:14,060 --> 04:05:14,420
You guys ready?

2505
04:05:16,080 --> 04:05:21,540
Well, there were four conditions or criteria in the resolution.

2506
04:05:21,540 --> 04:05:25,940
And I think everybody heard about that quite a bit this evening.

2507
04:05:28,640 --> 04:05:40,920
And thinking about it and looking it over, it just struck me that most of those would really create a situation in which we'd have a very lengthy delay.

2508
04:05:41,140 --> 04:05:44,180
And not just that a delay per se is bad, but an open-ended delay.

2509
04:05:44,500 --> 04:05:50,440
And I also think that on several of them, it isn't the right time to

2510
04:05:52,020 --> 04:05:55,880
necessarily have all the things that are being asked for, fully realized.

2511
04:05:56,100 --> 04:06:02,840
And what I mean by that is, with respect to the traffic during, you know, in previous jobs,

2512
04:06:03,020 --> 04:06:12,200
I had involvement of various kinds legislatively and politically on a number of traffic and

2513
04:06:12,200 --> 04:06:14,920
transportation projects of one kind or another.

2514
04:06:14,920 --> 04:06:22,780
and even in our own case here with the Flower Avenue Green Street, the financing and a lot of

2515
04:06:22,780 --> 04:06:29,460
the other aspects of that come together over a period of time. And I don't think personally

2516
04:06:29,460 --> 04:06:35,000
that it works to say we have to have every single one of those things figured out before we go

2517
04:06:35,000 --> 04:06:42,840
forward. And I think that the design alone can take over a year. And I think with respect to

2518
04:06:42,840 --> 04:06:50,380
to racial equity, you know, we're working on a number of items here in the city and

2519
04:06:50,380 --> 04:06:55,140
those who had a chance to read the statement I sent around, I listed a number of them.

2520
04:06:55,380 --> 04:07:01,240
I think when we approved that policy last year, we knew that it was something that we

2521
04:07:01,240 --> 04:07:04,300
were going to have to spend a lot of time working on.

2522
04:07:04,300 --> 04:07:13,140
And then I agree that the initial listing in the materials wasn't where it should have

2523
04:07:13,140 --> 04:07:13,220
been.

2524
04:07:13,300 --> 04:07:16,060
But I think we've rededicated ourselves to that.

2525
04:07:16,080 --> 04:07:19,280
And I think it's going to be an ongoing iterative kind of process.

2526
04:07:19,540 --> 04:07:23,260
I hope in the fall we're going to be, there's been some discussion of it.

2527
04:07:23,440 --> 04:07:23,840
I've supported.

2528
04:07:24,020 --> 04:07:24,640
I hope we can get there.

2529
04:07:24,700 --> 04:07:29,760
There we're going to be having a committee of residents appointed to help us really work

2530
04:07:29,760 --> 04:07:37,220
work on those a set of issues around regulatory equity and actually move from it being something

2531
04:07:37,220 --> 04:07:40,840
that we want to work on to really be a useful tool for us to be able to do it.

2532
04:07:41,060 --> 04:07:48,960
But I don't think that the way that language is structured in the current version of the

2533
04:07:48,960 --> 04:07:56,180
resolution that Jared could forward is something that can be just done in a specified amount

2534
04:07:56,180 --> 04:07:56,460
of time.

2535
04:07:56,540 --> 04:07:58,240
That's going to be something we're working on all the time.

2536
04:07:58,240 --> 04:08:02,820
And I do think, you know, we're working on the hatchery of an erect center.

2537
04:08:02,980 --> 04:08:04,680
We're expanding the library.

2538
04:08:04,940 --> 04:08:07,780
We're getting more translations going on.

2539
04:08:07,900 --> 04:08:14,360
We have increased the extent to which our grant program is targeted to residents of color

2540
04:08:14,360 --> 04:08:15,640
and lower income people.

2541
04:08:15,760 --> 04:08:19,840
We're working on a stronger community policing process.

2542
04:08:19,980 --> 04:08:24,940
And if you want to look in my blog, there's a lot more references of that type.

2543
04:08:24,940 --> 04:08:30,220
And I think on the third point, which is having a series of town halls and so on,

2544
04:08:30,420 --> 04:08:35,240
I just don't see that as being transformative to what we're doing here.

2545
04:08:35,420 --> 04:08:39,460
I think from my view, it'll be better to vote on what we have now.

2546
04:08:39,580 --> 04:08:43,440
I'm planning to offer when we get to that, another amendment on public space,

2547
04:08:43,440 --> 04:08:49,660
and I understand it may lose, and I'll most likely end up voting against the resolution as a result.

2548
04:08:49,660 --> 04:08:55,140
But I just don't think that the town hall process out line did it would work.

2549
04:08:55,340 --> 04:09:02,400
And then in terms of the co-op and the mediation with NDC, we do have language in the resolution which I think has been strengthened.

2550
04:09:02,560 --> 04:09:06,940
I know the co-op at least commented on that through their lawyers.

2551
04:09:07,140 --> 04:09:15,560
And I think that language is structured so as to regardless of how the mediation goes forward, what happens with it.

2552
04:09:15,560 --> 04:09:17,020
It could fail, it could succeed.

2553
04:09:17,440 --> 04:09:27,360
We have the ability in that, through that language to ensure that any necessary changes are passed along to the county in that process.

2554
04:09:27,400 --> 04:09:32,940
I don't think we'll have been too far along then for that to not be able to be to function.

2555
04:09:33,160 --> 04:09:40,460
And so I know it took a long time running through each of those, but to me, I just don't think that at this point,

2556
04:09:41,200 --> 04:09:43,260
the resolution is the way for us to go.

2557
04:09:43,620 --> 04:09:43,720
Thanks.

2558
04:09:46,190 --> 04:09:46,830
Council Member Smith?

2559
04:09:47,070 --> 04:09:47,170
Yes.

2560
04:09:47,350 --> 04:09:55,810
And let me just touch on a couple of the resolve clauses that are, I think, really important.

2561
04:09:56,310 --> 04:10:02,770
I think the mediation, that's number one, we're not asking for a long period of time.

2562
04:10:03,310 --> 04:10:08,950
We're looking at September for this, for the mediation between the co-op and

2563
04:10:08,950 --> 04:10:19,850
the NDC to be concluded, I think that's a reasonable request and I think that would be helpful during the co-ops negotiations with NDC.

2564
04:10:21,270 --> 04:10:34,130
And I will offer that as an amendment when, you know, if these alternative resolution fails and I'll see if what my colleagues say about it that.

2565
04:10:35,270 --> 04:10:42,270
One thing that I think is extremely important is the racial equity.

2566
04:10:43,290 --> 04:10:51,910
You know, when this policy was initially thought about a year ago and it eventually passed,

2567
04:10:52,390 --> 04:11:00,470
I always thought that we would iterate, that it would get stronger, that it would be more robust, right?

2568
04:11:00,470 --> 04:11:06,350
And this issue, the junction development, was the catalyst.

2569
04:11:07,190 --> 04:11:09,370
I mean, it could have been another project in the city.

2570
04:11:10,090 --> 04:11:15,590
But I do not think that we should wait on this.

2571
04:11:15,850 --> 04:11:20,710
There should be an urgency of now regarding racial equity.

2572
04:11:21,110 --> 04:11:26,250
It is the biggest issue for our country.

2573
04:11:26,250 --> 04:11:49,410
And if we do not lead on this, like we lead on the environment and many other issues that rise to a national level, 16-year-olds voting, something I supported when that came forward by my colleague to mail, if we do not lead on this, there will be repercussions.

2574
04:11:49,410 --> 04:11:51,970
We call ourselves a progressive city.

2575
04:11:52,870 --> 04:11:59,110
This is an opportunity to show how progressive we truly are.

2576
04:12:08,180 --> 04:12:14,900
And then finally on the town halls, when WPFW hosted a town hall last week,

2577
04:12:15,380 --> 04:12:21,560
I thought it was an excellent opportunity to talk about some of these issues about this project.

2578
04:12:21,560 --> 04:12:27,600
I learned some stuff from some very, very smart people that do this every day.

2579
04:12:28,300 --> 04:12:36,300
So I think that incorporating that into this process would be the right way to go.

2580
04:12:36,740 --> 04:12:37,180
Thank you.

2581
04:12:40,190 --> 04:12:40,910
Thank you,

2582
04:12:43,060 --> 04:12:43,860
Mayor.

2583
04:12:45,420 --> 04:12:48,880
First of all, I'd like to just start out and a lot of people were here tonight.

2584
04:12:49,080 --> 04:12:52,080
I heard a number of them strutting their stuff about how long they've been here.

2585
04:12:52,080 --> 04:13:00,620
I've been in the city for 35 years and lived with my wife who won't let me tell you how long she's been here because she was born here.

2586
04:13:01,900 --> 04:13:08,600
I'm just going to say that black and white TVs were not common in the household when she was born, and I'm just saying.

2587
04:13:08,600 --> 04:13:19,180
And anyways, I have been concerned that so many people through this whole process have

2588
04:13:19,180 --> 04:13:26,640
talked about, you know, we're not hearing them, but it seems so confusing me because as I

2589
04:13:26,640 --> 04:13:34,740
think most people could see in this project is progressed, a lot of issues have been brought

2590
04:13:34,740 --> 04:13:44,360
up and a lot of those issues have been addressed. And there's decisions have been made that

2591
04:13:46,580 --> 04:13:51,980
some of us didn't agree with, but their decisions they got made along the way in response

2592
04:13:52,800 --> 04:14:02,760
quite often, in response to community feedback. And the, you know, the comments about the

2593
04:14:02,760 --> 04:14:09,760
fire chief I think is one example that we did check into those concerns and we talked

2594
04:14:09,760 --> 04:14:18,320
with the county fire department too and found that they did not have the concerns, they

2595
04:14:18,320 --> 04:14:25,660
are responsible for the fire station that the volunteer chief had an opinion that varied

2596
04:14:25,660 --> 04:14:28,200
from what the county was telling us.

2597
04:14:30,400 --> 04:14:36,320
Anyways, I think the biggest thing I've heard from people is,

2598
04:14:36,900 --> 04:14:39,940
the real gut concern here is the co-op.

2599
04:14:41,980 --> 04:14:50,380
So many people are worried that the co-op cannot survive this development.

2600
04:14:50,380 --> 04:14:59,980
And yet, you know, this council has repeatedly said how important it is for the co-op, and we have tried to...

2601
04:15:00,000 --> 04:15:29,640
To work with the co-op and as all along the way to make sure that the co-op does integrate into this plan in a successful way. There are things that have changed in the plan. And I'm glad that we're still working on mediation through mediation to try to find and overcome the other issues that the co-op have.

2602
04:15:29,640 --> 04:15:33,220
and as you know that's mostly with the deliveries.

2603
04:15:37,540 --> 04:15:48,360
Anyways, I did want to just say that I am not supportive of the resolution put in front

2604
04:15:48,360 --> 04:15:55,300
of us by Councilmember Smith, but I certainly appreciate his bringing that forward and I know

2605
04:15:55,300 --> 04:16:01,320
that the community worked on that resolution and I appreciate you putting that forward and

2606
04:16:01,320 --> 04:16:10,200
also Council Member Cobra, I thank you for seconded so that the Council does get the

2607
04:16:10,200 --> 04:16:11,480
chance to talk about it.

2608
04:16:16,860 --> 04:16:20,880
I guess that's all and you know we talk a little bit about the

2609
04:16:20,880 --> 04:16:27,920
other resolution and amended if this one does not pass but I guess it's no sense to talk

2610
04:16:27,920 --> 04:16:31,500
about that now of cases does pass.

2611
04:16:31,900 --> 04:16:32,960
All right.

2612
04:16:33,280 --> 04:16:33,920
Councilwoman DiBalla?

2613
04:16:34,540 --> 04:16:34,660
Yeah.

2614
04:16:35,340 --> 04:16:35,800
Thanks.

2615
04:16:40,340 --> 04:16:46,000
So I also appreciate your bringing it up on behalf of people.

2616
04:16:46,140 --> 04:16:48,000
And I understand that there's a lot of you out there

2617
04:16:48,000 --> 04:16:53,140
that have got some pretty deep set and valid concerns.

2618
04:16:54,840 --> 04:16:56,860
I've been talking to a lot of you.

2619
04:16:56,980 --> 04:17:00,600
I've been reading the emails, listening to the comments,

2620
04:17:03,740 --> 04:17:13,260
I'm not convinced that delaying, I'm not convinced that taking a pause is going to be the best way to address these issues.

2621
04:17:13,600 --> 04:17:24,120
I agree there are serious issues, starting with perhaps the most compelling mediation with the co-op.

2622
04:17:24,120 --> 04:17:33,260
I am thrilled that it's rolling and progressing however slowly in that both all parties are committed

2623
04:17:33,260 --> 04:17:33,760
to it.

2624
04:17:34,140 --> 04:17:39,640
And I hope to now that I'm back to be one of the council members joining in.

2625
04:17:42,430 --> 04:17:49,470
I had to talk with one of the board members last night about the reasons why the co-op board

2626
04:17:49,470 --> 04:18:03,030
field, it would be in their interest to have, to not have a vote on the resolution to

2627
04:18:03,030 --> 04:18:03,750
have a pause.

2628
04:18:04,370 --> 04:18:07,470
And it was as if there were mirror images.

2629
04:18:08,010 --> 04:18:13,010
It was precisely in order to get both parties to focus.

2630
04:18:13,470 --> 04:18:18,450
That would be the reason that I would want to move forward with a resolution and not take

2631
04:18:18,450 --> 04:18:18,830
a pause.

2632
04:18:20,230 --> 04:18:25,550
I will try it again, thank you for the feedback.

2633
04:18:29,950 --> 04:18:46,210
I care very deeply about the co-op, 30-year member, three-digit number, frequent shopper, lover of chocolate omens, but seriously, it's very important to be as well as it is to allow you in the room, but I don't see that a delay

2634
04:18:46,210 --> 04:18:56,930
a pause in the process will help the co-op to get a better deal if you will.

2635
04:18:57,410 --> 04:19:05,470
I feel that a lot of the answers that we're looking for, some of the questions that we have are better served.

2636
04:19:05,770 --> 04:19:15,830
If we move this proposal forward to the county level and start having those more specific discussions with the county.

2637
04:19:15,830 --> 04:19:18,150
and the state agencies.

2638
04:19:18,630 --> 04:19:20,210
So if you're still looking a little puzzled,

2639
04:19:20,690 --> 04:19:23,030
I can talk with you about it again tomorrow.

2640
04:19:23,630 --> 04:19:26,110
But I have given this a great deal of thought,

2641
04:19:26,210 --> 04:19:28,150
and I have talked extensively with people,

2642
04:19:28,230 --> 04:19:30,570
and that is where I'm coming out on that.

2643
04:19:30,970 --> 04:19:35,250
On the other issues, again, I think that moving forward

2644
04:19:35,810 --> 04:19:40,870
is, and not taking a pause, is the way to get the answers

2645
04:19:41,330 --> 04:19:43,890
and to address the issues on traffic.

2646
04:19:44,470 --> 04:19:46,490
We all have a lot of questions about traffic.

2647
04:19:46,790 --> 04:19:49,290
If we don't go up before SHA, we're never going to get the answers.

2648
04:19:50,210 --> 04:19:55,990
If we want to move forward on equity, let's start talking about who's going to be tenants

2649
04:19:55,990 --> 04:20:02,510
and whether we can have a clause on formula businesses or a clause on its favoring minority businesses.

2650
04:20:02,690 --> 04:20:06,850
Let's start talking about who's going to rent and what kind of tenants we want to see there.

2651
04:20:07,150 --> 04:20:12,450
There's nothing to prohibit some of the creative ideas that have been put forth.

2652
04:20:12,450 --> 04:20:16,550
This is a site plan for a structure, in my view.

2653
04:20:17,030 --> 04:20:21,690
And what we fill it with is the community piece that we need to work on together.

2654
04:20:22,190 --> 04:20:24,750
I don't think we need a pause to do that.

2655
04:20:25,270 --> 04:20:29,250
And I, in fact, I think a pause will just drag out the divisiveness.

2656
04:20:34,690 --> 04:20:35,130
So

2657
04:20:38,010 --> 04:20:42,090
as much as I believe these are issues that need to be worked on,

2658
04:20:42,150 --> 04:20:45,330
I don't think this is the way to work on them in summary.

2659
04:20:46,010 --> 04:20:46,290
Thank you.

2660
04:20:48,450 --> 04:20:51,190
Thank you, Mayor.

2661
04:20:52,530 --> 04:20:55,510
So I want to thank Councilmember Smith.

2662
04:20:56,570 --> 04:21:02,150
But more so, I want to thank the residents that pinned to paper on this.

2663
04:21:03,830 --> 04:21:09,550
Councilmember Smith has made it clear that it was not necessarily his resolution, but those

2664
04:21:09,550 --> 04:21:13,210
of some of the residents that have expressed concerns.

2665
04:21:13,210 --> 04:21:21,770
So part of my concern with some of the elements that are here are that they are stating, we're

2666
04:21:21,770 --> 04:21:28,810
stating the problems, we're stating waiting, we're not necessarily focused on the potential

2667
04:21:28,810 --> 04:21:31,510
solution or offering solutions.

2668
04:21:32,450 --> 04:21:38,610
So to kind of pick up where Councilmember DeBolla left off, some of the answers that we're seeking,

2669
04:21:38,610 --> 04:21:43,830
I mean, we could try to analyze as much data as we want on traffic.

2670
04:21:44,250 --> 04:21:47,350
We could come up with as many assumptions as we want.

2671
04:21:47,730 --> 04:21:53,050
At the end of the day, state highway administration has the final say on what that configuration

2672
04:21:53,050 --> 04:21:53,650
will look like.

2673
04:21:54,690 --> 04:22:01,590
And so we've had two separate traffic studies that have been done to kind of provide that

2674
04:22:01,590 --> 04:22:07,250
foundation for external review or for the county developmental review.

2675
04:22:07,250 --> 04:22:12,090
And I think now it's time to kind of say, hey, if we really want this intersection fixed,

2676
04:22:12,490 --> 04:22:17,630
we have our own traffic study, we have NDC's traffic study, we have a lot of traffic

2677
04:22:17,630 --> 04:22:23,050
studies, we have a previous SHH traffic study, we can put all of that stuff forward to say,

2678
04:22:23,130 --> 04:22:28,470
hey, now is the time for us to really take a constructive path forward with addressing

2679
04:22:28,470 --> 04:22:31,510
the problems that we know exist in that intersection right today.

2680
04:22:32,430 --> 04:22:40,150
In terms of mediation, I think the purpose of what we're talking through today is kind

2681
04:22:40,150 --> 04:22:45,910
of setting some of the base for the reasonableness of some of the accommodations.

2682
04:22:46,470 --> 04:22:51,490
There are things that are clearly already included in the resolution, because sessions that

2683
04:22:51,490 --> 04:22:57,070
have been made, including the second elevator to better accommodate the patrons of the co-op

2684
04:22:57,070 --> 04:23:01,790
and providing access to the underground parking underneath, increasing the number of parking

2685
04:23:01,790 --> 04:23:04,890
spaces that will be made available in the underground parking lot.

2686
04:23:05,370 --> 04:23:11,690
The lay by, love it or hate it, it was devised for the purpose of trying to meet the needs

2687
04:23:11,690 --> 04:23:16,330
of the 18 wheelers, which typically would be problematic to move on and off site any other

2688
04:23:16,330 --> 04:23:16,570
way.

2689
04:23:17,010 --> 04:23:22,090
Again, in the goal of meeting some of the needs of the co-op, I think what's going to be

2690
04:23:22,090 --> 04:23:29,590
really helpful in not pausing until mediation is over, but to actually vote now means

2691
04:23:29,590 --> 04:23:33,870
so we kind of set that foundation, we're saying, look, we know that we want that second

2692
04:23:33,870 --> 04:23:39,590
elevator, we know that we want you to make sure that parking is included, we know we want

2693
04:23:39,590 --> 04:23:44,050
at a minimum that lay by, maybe something better, but we want that.

2694
04:23:44,310 --> 04:23:51,030
We know we want a design that makes the current loading dock accessible, which it does, may

2695
04:23:51,030 --> 04:23:53,750
not be accessible for an 18-wheeler, but it is accessible.

2696
04:23:54,830 --> 04:24:00,750
So it kind of sets that foundation, which I think will actually help structure more

2697
04:24:00,750 --> 04:24:05,810
constructive discussions on both sides in the remaining time that we have with mediation.

2698
04:24:06,310 --> 04:24:07,450
Again, it sets the foundation.

2699
04:24:07,830 --> 04:24:08,870
It does not set the ceiling.

2700
04:24:09,310 --> 04:24:12,890
The goal of mediation is to reach that consensus to aim higher.

2701
04:24:14,010 --> 04:24:25,690
Lastly, I think that the social economic equity analysis that Councilmember Smith speaks

2702
04:24:25,690 --> 04:24:32,830
very passionately about, and I'm passionate about it as well, and I do think that there's

2703
04:24:32,830 --> 04:24:38,370
more, and we've talked about some of the changes we're making and trying to better identify

2704
04:24:38,370 --> 04:25:07,970
some of the equity issues that are a result of this project, but one thing that this project has identified as a need for us to really take a comprehensive look at how we're assessing equity more broadly, and so I kind of see it as an issue that is bigger than just this project alone, and it's something that we need to think more globally about not just how this project will fare the city, but how we're assessing all of our projects, how we're ensuring equity, not just as it relates to an individual project, but how

2705
04:25:07,970 --> 04:25:11,330
aspects of that project might impact other areas of the city.

2706
04:25:11,890 --> 04:25:16,390
So I would actually suggest that this would be something that we would need to do, should do,

2707
04:25:16,730 --> 04:25:21,330
should really take our time doing, but shouldn't necessarily be compelled to hold up

2708
04:25:22,010 --> 04:25:27,150
the process for reviewing the site plan in order to do that.

2709
04:25:27,590 --> 04:25:37,350
So again, I appreciate the feedback that residents and the time that residents have put in to drafting this resolution.

2710
04:25:37,350 --> 04:25:43,670
I know there's been lots of comments about the tenants, who the potential tenants will be.

2711
04:25:44,410 --> 04:25:45,310
We need a lease.

2712
04:25:45,790 --> 04:25:47,570
We need a lease before we can agree to anything.

2713
04:25:47,670 --> 04:25:48,790
Somebody needs to sign something.

2714
04:25:49,610 --> 04:25:55,390
And I just want to kind of ask everyone to put yourselves in the position of renting an

2715
04:25:55,390 --> 04:25:55,750
apartment.

2716
04:25:56,550 --> 04:26:02,150
And you show up, and there's an empty lot, and you ask, okay, I want to rent this apartment.

2717
04:26:02,550 --> 04:26:03,350
Where is it?

2718
04:26:03,530 --> 04:26:05,010
And they're like, we haven't built it yet.

2719
04:26:05,010 --> 04:26:11,550
You're like, okay, well how much? Okay, when is it going to be built? And they're like, we have no idea well

2720
04:26:11,550 --> 04:26:12,970
Is it approved to be built yet?

2721
04:26:14,210 --> 04:26:17,330
Not quite yet. So would you sign the lease?

2722
04:26:18,270 --> 04:26:19,710
So you have to ask yourself

2723
04:26:19,710 --> 04:26:30,210
How easy is it for someone like in DC or anyone to sell space that has not been or at least the design or the concept

2724
04:26:30,210 --> 04:26:32,730
that has not been greenlit by the city.

2725
04:26:33,590 --> 04:26:39,310
So it's really important for us to keep all of those aspects in mind, and I know we want all of the answers now.

2726
04:26:39,830 --> 04:26:47,530
But in reality, this is an iterative process, and it's going to take different steps in which we will get the answers that you all seek.

2727
04:26:48,150 --> 04:26:48,450
Thank you.

2728
04:26:49,610 --> 04:26:50,570
Councillor McCostock.

2729
04:26:51,550 --> 04:26:51,890
Thank you.

2730
04:26:52,330 --> 04:26:53,010
Excuse me.

2731
04:26:53,010 --> 04:27:01,630
I want to echo my colleagues' thanks to Council Member Smith and the residents who worked on this resolution.

2732
04:27:02,430 --> 04:27:11,790
I took some time to really seriously consider this resolution because I think there are a lot of important sentiments in it.

2733
04:27:12,530 --> 04:27:20,290
And I really understand and sympathize with the desire for more clarity, for more answers before moving forward.

2734
04:27:20,290 --> 04:27:24,230
And I think that's a really reasonable thing for people to want.

2735
04:27:24,950 --> 04:27:45,370
The thing that I keep coming back to, as I look at the information in front of us, is that it seems to me it's very difficult to get most of these answers prior to, as some of my colleagues have discussed tonight, sort of setting a path forward and setting some of these processes in motion at the county level through our discussions with SHA related to traffic.

2736
04:27:47,710 --> 04:27:55,050
So I think for me, it makes a lot of sense to move this vote forward to show a direction

2737
04:27:55,050 --> 04:27:56,110
that the city is taking.

2738
04:27:56,650 --> 04:28:00,490
And that doesn't mean that everything in the site plan is exactly how it will be.

2739
04:28:00,650 --> 04:28:05,450
It doesn't mean that exactly what we have in front of us from the traffic studies is exactly

2740
04:28:05,450 --> 04:28:07,810
what we're going to end up with at this intersection.

2741
04:28:08,350 --> 04:28:11,450
But I don't think we're in a place where we can say that, and I don't think we're going

2742
04:28:11,450 --> 04:28:15,790
to be at a place where we can say that until we move this process forward and see what happens

2743
04:28:15,790 --> 04:28:21,250
at the county level. And there will be opportunities for us throughout that process to continue to

2744
04:28:21,250 --> 04:28:26,770
weigh in, to continue to have discussions about traffic, to continue to have discussions in

2745
04:28:26,770 --> 04:28:33,790
September about the mediation process with the co-op. So I want to just go through these four

2746
04:28:33,790 --> 04:28:41,010
points in a little more detail. The first issue is related to the mediation. I have been

2747
04:28:41,010 --> 04:28:46,030
I'm very encouraged by the fact that both NDC and the co-op have been committed to this process.

2748
04:28:46,550 --> 04:28:51,810
I had the opportunity on Friday and again on Monday to be a part of those meetings.

2749
04:28:52,450 --> 04:28:57,810
And it was a great opportunity for me to see and to hear from all of the participants involved.

2750
04:28:59,410 --> 04:29:04,930
I think from my perspective, sitting in those meetings and talking with people,

2751
04:29:05,030 --> 04:29:08,070
it makes a lot of sense for mediation to be ongoing.

2752
04:29:08,070 --> 04:29:13,010
And I don't think that a vote on the site plan does anything more than gives us a little

2753
04:29:13,010 --> 04:29:15,190
more clarity about where we as a city are going.

2754
04:29:15,810 --> 04:29:21,530
I had a really great discussion, just a personal discussion, one-on-one with one of the board

2755
04:29:21,530 --> 04:29:22,490
members just the other day.

2756
04:29:22,630 --> 04:29:25,350
It was a long discussion an hour and a half, and it was a great discussion.

2757
04:29:25,710 --> 04:29:29,310
So I want to thank you for the opportunity to talk more.

2758
04:29:30,710 --> 04:29:34,230
And I think those conversations are the types of things that we need to continue to have,

2759
04:29:38,050 --> 04:29:38,050
and

2760
04:29:38,050 --> 04:29:47,650
And as a city and I see this vote as an opportunity to provide some more clarity on the direction the city wants to go.

2761
04:29:47,990 --> 04:29:50,270
So that our mediation discussions can continue.

2762
04:29:50,950 --> 04:29:53,770
And in September we'll have a session.

2763
04:29:54,030 --> 04:29:57,810
We have language in the resolution that's proposed related to the site plan.

2764
04:29:58,410 --> 04:29:59,730
We have a work session.

2765
04:30:00,000 --> 04:30:14,400
There will specifically talk about that mediation process and the outcomes of that. And that provides the sort of opportunity to really consider those things specifically, and with the intent that we need to when that process has continued along further.

2766
04:30:17,360 --> 04:30:29,900
Related to traffic, related to traffic, I think, again, I've been involved in transportation issues in the city for a while. I was a member of the Safe Roadways Committee for about

2767
04:30:29,900 --> 04:30:36,020
five years before I was elected. I care very, very much about traffic issues. And I live

2768
04:30:36,020 --> 04:30:39,480
about three blocks away from the junction. I walk through there frequently, I drive through

2769
04:30:39,480 --> 04:30:46,520
there frequently. I understand the challenges that are at that intersection. As we're looking

2770
04:30:46,520 --> 04:30:50,020
at this process, we've all been talking about improvements related to this development.

2771
04:30:50,200 --> 04:30:55,840
And just for years before there was a development, even really seriously considered here, like we're

2772
04:30:55,840 --> 04:30:58,960
We're looking at now, people have been talking about the problems with this intersection.

2773
04:30:59,320 --> 04:31:03,040
So, I see the process is moving forward.

2774
04:31:03,200 --> 04:31:04,600
We have a great opportunity right now.

2775
04:31:04,600 --> 04:31:08,820
We're talking with SHA and SHA is listening and that's a great opportunity for us.

2776
04:31:09,420 --> 04:31:12,900
Whether or not, you know, whatever happens with the vote and whatever happens with the future

2777
04:31:12,900 --> 04:31:16,580
of this project, SHA is talking about improving that intersection and that's huge.

2778
04:31:17,560 --> 04:31:23,680
So moving this project forward, if we vote on this, to move it forward to the county process

2779
04:31:23,680 --> 04:31:28,660
us, will allow for those further discussions with SHA that will give us more of the clarity

2780
04:31:28,660 --> 04:31:30,700
that we need related to traffic.

2781
04:31:32,080 --> 04:31:39,480
The third point is related to racial and socioeconomic equity, and I absolutely agree that we need

2782
04:31:39,920 --> 04:31:41,360
to continue to focus on this.

2783
04:31:41,460 --> 04:31:42,740
We need to focus on it more clearly.

2784
04:31:43,540 --> 04:31:49,500
I agree with Councilmember Circe who noted that one opportunity for us as we look at this

2785
04:31:49,500 --> 04:31:54,260
project is to use this as a model and to start to develop our process a little more.

2786
04:31:55,240 --> 04:31:59,240
I've had some really useful discussions just in the last couple of days with a couple

2787
04:31:59,240 --> 04:32:02,240
of people who I think might be able to help us work on that sort of thing.

2788
04:32:02,860 --> 04:32:09,380
I met with a professor at the University of Maryland who works on racial equity issues and

2789
04:32:09,380 --> 04:32:14,300
gave a presentation at the Maryland Municipal League conference back in June.

2790
04:32:14,300 --> 04:32:21,560
I just met with her recently, and she has a process for basically conducting a racial equity audit and

2791
04:32:21,560 --> 04:32:30,300
helping a community devise a strategic plan for moving forward. And to me, that's the sort of thing that we need to be focusing on and can provide us with a

2792
04:32:30,300 --> 04:32:37,300
holistic look at these issues in the city that we can then take and apply more specifically to the issues, the specific issues,

2793
04:32:37,300 --> 04:32:40,040
it was like a new project or a policy that we're considering.

2794
04:32:40,900 --> 04:32:44,840
And I think, again, I think there are opportunities as we go through the process with the county,

2795
04:32:44,900 --> 04:32:48,720
there will be more opportunities to look at that in the context of this project.

2796
04:32:49,720 --> 04:32:58,320
And then finally, related to building a consensus to building more community support, again,

2797
04:32:58,440 --> 04:33:03,380
I think having a little more clarity on where we're going, where the council stands on this issue,

2798
04:33:04,240 --> 04:33:13,780
where we want to see this project move forward will help us in many ways start to have more of those conversations to bring people together and find those commonalities.

2799
04:33:14,380 --> 04:33:20,880
I know that people won't, people won't all be happy with our results tonight, people won't all be happy with what happens in the county process.

2800
04:33:21,960 --> 04:33:32,780
But I think several people tonight expressed really clearly in the public comment session and I really appreciated the focus on building community and maintaining community and finding commonalities.

2801
04:33:32,780 --> 04:33:34,780
And I think that's really important.

2802
04:33:35,160 --> 04:33:40,180
I also would like to see us as this project moves forward, if it moves forward, find ways

2803
04:33:40,180 --> 04:33:45,420
to work together on things like maybe we don't all love the site plan, but can we work

2804
04:33:45,420 --> 04:33:48,800
together to find tenants that we really, really want in this building?

2805
04:33:49,020 --> 04:33:53,460
I've heard some fantastic suggestions about wanting an incubator project, for example.

2806
04:33:53,920 --> 04:33:58,120
I don't see there being any reason why we can't work together and bring something like this

2807
04:33:58,120 --> 04:33:59,440
to this project.

2808
04:33:59,980 --> 04:34:02,520
And I think that could involve discussions with the co-op.

2809
04:34:02,520 --> 04:34:09,100
I think that could involve discussions with nonprofits, with the city, and looking for an opportunity to put that into this very building.

2810
04:34:09,300 --> 04:34:12,640
I don't see this building as precluding any of those fantastic opportunities.

2811
04:34:13,580 --> 04:34:22,080
So I hope that we can come together as this process moves forward and work on those sorts of issues, because I think there are great opportunities.

2812
04:34:22,340 --> 04:34:28,400
Regardless of whether or not you agree with the exact look of the site plan and specific things that you want to have in it.

2813
04:34:28,860 --> 04:34:29,520
So, thank you.

2814
04:34:32,200 --> 04:34:48,200
Thank you, I just want to remind my colleagues that before them in the blue folders was a version of the resolution with a friendly amendment by Joseph Glockner.

2815
04:34:50,500 --> 04:34:51,060
So

2816
04:34:53,460 --> 04:35:08,120
there isn't, yes, it's the highlighted yellow, I just would, when we vote on this, I would like to make a motion that we vote on the resolution with the friendly amendment.

2817
04:35:08,640 --> 04:35:14,260
Is that fine with the second? Peter, is that okay with you because you seconded.

2818
04:35:14,260 --> 04:35:22,520
Okay, that's okay, all right, read it and then tell me if it's okay, and I'll go to Councilwoman Devallant with your light on.

2819
04:35:23,020 --> 04:35:25,600
Yeah, yeah, what I got diverted.

2820
04:35:26,040 --> 04:35:29,920
I want to say two things that I forget to say the first time run.

2821
04:35:30,740 --> 04:35:38,420
One is that I am completely serious about the notion of going back to the,

2822
04:35:41,360 --> 04:35:47,260
going back to the draft side plan as a result of mediation.

2823
04:35:47,540 --> 04:35:48,500
I may be the only one.

2824
04:35:49,000 --> 04:35:58,940
I don't think I am, but I just want it to be very clear that when I say that I think this does not disadvantage the co-op board.

2825
04:35:59,100 --> 04:36:05,720
It's because I am very serious that about going back if there need to be changes later,

2826
04:36:05,720 --> 04:36:12,340
with respect to the specifics of accommodation for the co-op.

2827
04:36:14,520 --> 04:36:24,740
And I do think that having some clarity about the focus of the project moving forward

2828
04:36:24,740 --> 04:36:32,060
will help both parties, I don't think it disadvantages the co-op if anything, I think it gives you

2829
04:36:33,640 --> 04:36:37,820
a party who may be more willing to come to the table.

2830
04:36:38,000 --> 04:36:39,240
So I just want to put that out there.

2831
04:36:39,560 --> 04:36:43,040
And the second thing I wanted to say is they're following up on what Casey said.

2832
04:36:43,160 --> 04:36:49,460
There's nothing to stop us from pursuing community consensus.

2833
04:36:50,620 --> 04:36:56,260
Even if this dress I plan goes forward tonight or not either way.

2834
04:36:56,420 --> 04:37:01,380
And I've heard two people tonight, two weeks ago I threw this out there that I would

2835
04:37:01,380 --> 04:37:04,120
volunteer to pull that together with anybody who is interested.

2836
04:37:04,500 --> 04:37:12,120
I heard two people tonight as there and Mary Margot, Vittulo.

2837
04:37:12,580 --> 04:37:14,400
I'm sorry, I'm forgetting your first name.

2838
04:37:15,020 --> 04:37:18,420
Yeah, saying that you were interested in doing that too.

2839
04:37:18,520 --> 04:37:20,700
So maybe we can connect on that later this week.

2840
04:37:22,980 --> 04:37:25,100
So, Councillor McCovar, are you?

2841
04:37:25,700 --> 04:37:27,420
And I just, one last thing.

2842
04:37:27,740 --> 04:37:29,860
I have listened patiently for several hours.

2843
04:37:29,860 --> 04:37:34,720
members and quite a few people asked me to share my thoughts and I'm trying to do that

2844
04:37:34,720 --> 04:37:38,400
right now. Thank you. Councilmember Cove, are you okay with the

2845
04:37:38,400 --> 04:37:43,440
friendly amendment? Okay, so when we vote on it, we'll vote on it with the friendly amendment.

2846
04:37:43,960 --> 04:37:50,260
Was there anything else councilmember Smith? So I'll just add my thoughts to this. A number

2847
04:37:50,260 --> 04:37:56,300
of people have mentioned over the last few weeks that they feel like some of the council

2848
04:37:56,300 --> 04:38:01,640
members are were tired and we just we want to just move on for the sake of moving on and I want to

2849
04:38:01,640 --> 04:38:09,460
clarify that point that that is not how I think any of us feel up here. In fact when I was the

2850
04:38:09,460 --> 04:38:16,620
City Council person for Ward 3 and I first came on the council the RFP process has already started

2851
04:38:17,260 --> 04:38:22,480
and I advocated for and successfully commits my colleagues at the time to slow down the process

2852
04:38:22,480 --> 04:38:27,340
of selecting a development partner to garner more community input.

2853
04:38:28,280 --> 04:38:31,780
And then over the last three years, there have been numerous times I have supported and

2854
04:38:31,780 --> 04:38:36,160
built into the process pauses and more time in our process.

2855
04:38:36,440 --> 04:38:41,400
And I've been open over the last four years to slowing down our process when I thought

2856
04:38:41,400 --> 04:38:43,420
it was advantageous to our community.

2857
04:38:44,460 --> 04:38:49,240
At this point, I don't believe it is the best interest of our community to delay this vote.

2858
04:38:49,240 --> 04:39:09,500
It's time that the City Council makes the decision whether or not they believe we believe that this draft site plan should move forward to the county level and we should decide tonight if a majority of our council believes that and believes we should move forward to review by state highway, the County Planning Board and Historic Preservation Commission.

2859
04:39:09,500 --> 04:39:32,140
I agree with my colleagues who have said that we have many questions to continue to ask and we've heard many of the same questions being asked of us and until we go to state highway, the county planning board and historic preservation, we're not going to get the final answers or the input.

2860
04:39:32,140 --> 04:39:35,180
But we need to answer some of these questions.

2861
04:39:36,420 --> 04:39:50,040
And I think as Councilwoman DeBalla said, all of the issues that Councilmember Smith raises in the alternative resolution are incredibly important issues and ones we've all been talking about.

2862
04:39:50,780 --> 04:39:53,760
The thing that we differ on is the approach right now.

2863
04:39:54,400 --> 04:40:01,340
I understand and I very much respect Councilmember Smith in saying he believes at this point is time to take a pause.

2864
04:40:01,340 --> 04:40:05,160
There have been times in the past where I have suggested taking a pause and he didn't agree

2865
04:40:05,160 --> 04:40:06,100
it was the right time.

2866
04:40:07,320 --> 04:40:10,580
And right now, I don't think it's the right time for us to take a pause.

2867
04:40:12,100 --> 04:40:22,940
Regarding the mediation between the co-op and NDC, again, I've always said I felt like

2868
04:40:22,940 --> 04:40:29,620
the mediation is a time for us to build trust and a stronger relationship because if we do

2869
04:40:29,620 --> 04:40:39,260
If you move forward with this project, it is not just about the next month to September or even through the end of the year.

2870
04:40:39,640 --> 04:40:43,600
It is not even about just getting through the county process and the planning board.

2871
04:40:44,000 --> 04:40:53,240
It is about really building trust and a relationship because it's really about our community and creating a space that we all want.

2872
04:40:54,160 --> 04:40:57,420
And we want the co-op to thrive and work on that.

2873
04:40:57,420 --> 04:41:05,020
And so, I see the mediation and the building of this relationship as something that will hopefully continue.

2874
04:41:07,020 --> 04:41:13,040
And I think with the information we'll get through the process at the county with SHA and HPC,

2875
04:41:13,320 --> 04:41:15,800
it will help strengthen that mediation.

2876
04:41:16,640 --> 04:41:20,980
I'm glad that all the parties are still agreed to move forward with the mediation.

2877
04:41:20,980 --> 04:41:28,840
And, again, as Councilwoman Debala mentioned, we've worked very diligently on the language

2878
04:41:28,840 --> 04:41:34,940
of the resolution, have taken the suggestions from the co-op to make sure that it is strengthened.

2879
04:41:35,660 --> 04:41:40,500
The language is strengthened to make sure it reflects the fact that if, as the mediation

2880
04:41:40,500 --> 04:41:45,660
moves forward, there are changes to the site plan, we will make sure those changes happen.

2881
04:41:51,740 --> 04:41:56,580
I will just say that I tried to lay out all these points in the blog I sent out earlier

2882
04:41:56,580 --> 04:41:59,500
this week because I had a feeling we were going to get to this point and it was going

2883
04:41:59,500 --> 04:42:00,240
to be very late.

2884
04:42:01,420 --> 04:42:06,480
I, if you haven't seen it, I'm more than happy to send that around and talk more about

2885
04:42:06,480 --> 04:42:07,240
these issues.

2886
04:42:08,100 --> 04:42:14,260
And I will just say that I want to thank Council Member Smith and the residents who helped

2887
04:42:14,260 --> 04:42:18,160
to write this resolution on the points regarding racial equity.

2888
04:42:18,440 --> 04:42:21,960
I think these are incredibly important points, as all my colleagues have said.

2889
04:42:22,220 --> 04:42:24,820
And I look forward in the fall to coming back from our recess,

2890
04:42:25,860 --> 04:42:30,800
revisiting, putting together a community conversation to help us look at the,

2891
04:42:30,800 --> 04:42:36,100
maybe the professor at University of Maryland who may do an audit for us.

2892
04:42:36,260 --> 04:42:41,120
The community conversations we've had in the past have really helped us to move forward

2893
04:42:41,120 --> 04:42:45,400
on our affordable housing work and our use development work and I think that it was a good

2894
04:42:45,400 --> 04:42:50,820
model to help us as councilmember Smith said really be much more intentional and strengthen

2895
04:42:50,820 --> 04:42:55,820
our work on racial equity. So I think that I will leave it there, councilman DeVolody

2896
04:42:55,820 --> 04:43:00,960
before you're assuming you're moving toward a vote before you do that. Can I propose that

2897
04:43:00,960 --> 04:43:05,000
we go on to Alaska time, which would make it only eight o'clock? Okay.

2898
04:43:10,600 --> 04:43:13,900
We'll do the last good time. Does that mean it's still light outside then?

2899
04:43:16,380 --> 04:43:20,200
It's the light outside of who has been there. That's true. Council Member Smith.

2900
04:43:20,500 --> 04:43:24,660
Can we have a roll call vote? Absolutely. Are we ready to vote?

2901
04:43:27,070 --> 04:43:28,970
All right. Will the clerk please call the roll?

2902
04:43:32,620 --> 04:43:33,900
Council Member Cobart? No.

2903
04:43:33,900 --> 04:43:43,320
No. Councilmember DeBalla. No. Councilmember Costick. No. Councilmember Siemens. No. Councilmember Smith. Yes. Councilmember Circev. No. Mayor Stewart. No.

2904
04:43:44,080 --> 04:43:49,980
Thank you. Thank you, Councilmember Smith. All right. We will move on to the next item, our agenda.

2905
04:43:50,860 --> 04:43:54,080
It is the resolution regarding the Decoma Junction site plan.

2906
04:43:57,080 --> 04:43:59,040
So we will

2907
04:44:13,820 --> 04:44:16,740
take another 15-minute break and come back. Thank you.

2908
05:00:02,450 --> 05:00:32,430
Thank you, the meeting. I want to thank everyone. Again, we listened to public comments and we discussed the alternative resolution. We'd like to turn our attention now to the resolution regarding the Tacoma Junction Site Plan. And I'd ask first, as we did a few weeks ago, during the work session, that if members of the council would like to make any general comments regarding the resolution, and then we can go through any amendments or

2909
05:00:32,430 --> 05:00:36,770
changes people would like and then take the vote on the resolution.

2910
05:00:37,370 --> 05:00:39,930
So first we'll start with general comments.

2911
05:00:40,310 --> 05:00:43,770
Are there any general comments that people would like to start off with?

2912
05:00:43,870 --> 05:00:44,650
Council member Coveyer.

2913
05:00:45,250 --> 05:00:46,230
I didn't mean to press the button.

2914
05:00:46,350 --> 05:00:46,750
Okay,

2915
05:00:49,970 --> 05:00:51,750
yeah, you sure you don't want to start us off?

2916
05:00:52,550 --> 05:00:53,850
Why don't you start us off?

2917
05:00:55,270 --> 05:00:55,930
Thank you.

2918
05:00:56,310 --> 05:01:03,230
And we have talked, I've talked quite a bit about the concern I have about public space.

2919
05:01:03,230 --> 05:01:13,130
I guess I think a number of people who spoke tonight during the public comment did mention that, and as I said myself,

2920
05:01:14,570 --> 05:01:26,370
when we took this up two weeks, so last week we didn't, the council didn't formally consider Junction related matters, but we did the week before on July 11th.

2921
05:01:26,370 --> 05:01:30,590
And it was late at night and I understand not everybody stayed up,

2922
05:01:30,650 --> 05:01:34,630
was able to stay up for that and may not have been able to watch it on video subsequently.

2923
05:01:35,010 --> 05:01:39,150
But one of the points that I made was in terms of public space.

2924
05:01:40,190 --> 05:01:47,790
If this resolution is approved, a process will unfold which will involve several county entities,

2925
05:01:48,010 --> 05:01:53,030
the county planning office and also the Historic Preservation Commission,

2926
05:01:53,030 --> 05:02:01,950
as well as state highway, those three in particular and even our facade advisory board will have some say in the matter.

2927
05:02:02,350 --> 05:02:08,090
So a number of those entities will be opining in various ways on the process, and

2928
05:02:08,870 --> 05:02:14,290
each of them will do the part that they're assigned to do.

2929
05:02:14,410 --> 05:02:19,870
And so from the state highway perspective, for example, they will have input into,

2930
05:02:19,870 --> 05:02:26,990
to, you know, does the labor work, what about the safety for pedestrians, how does the ingress

2931
05:02:26,990 --> 05:02:35,090
egress from the potential underground parking lot work and what's the overall set of questions

2932
05:02:35,090 --> 05:02:40,230
about the intersection and even the potential for reconfiguring it that we have to think about.

2933
05:02:40,870 --> 05:02:47,850
Planning will address the typical sort of planning type issues that will come up with them

2934
05:02:47,850 --> 05:02:59,670
and that will include a lot about the construction of the building, and then historic preservation will look, and I hope make some changes that might scale the building back to some extent in terms of height and what the facade looks like.

2935
05:03:00,950 --> 05:03:04,390
All of those changes could occur, those kinds of changes could occur.

2936
05:03:04,810 --> 05:03:11,430
I don't think any of those entities is going to say, hey, you know what, it might be good if you had more public space there.

2937
05:03:11,430 --> 05:03:13,790
That's not what any of them will be assigned to do.

2938
05:03:14,390 --> 05:03:23,970
The closest you might get would be historic preservation, but they'll be looking at the facade, but they're not going to be looking at the facade from the perspective of how much public space the city needs.

2939
05:03:24,650 --> 05:03:30,750
And so we're the ones who have to ask for more public space if we think we want it.

2940
05:03:30,830 --> 05:03:40,850
And so I mentioned this really for a number of months, people will recall when the concept plan as it was called came out last year.

2941
05:03:40,850 --> 05:03:45,770
And then I think a lot of people looked at that and thought that building might be okay in certain areas

2942
05:03:45,770 --> 05:03:52,350
It doesn't work well for us into common part comes out really too close to the side work all the way along and so one of the

2943
05:03:53,930 --> 05:03:58,470
Points that we made I thought pretty strongly in the resolution that was passed in October

2944
05:03:59,030 --> 05:04:05,530
There were a series of things we looked at that we that we didn't like about the concept plan one of the ones that stood out was the need to have more

2945
05:04:06,570 --> 05:04:08,770
public space and the precise

2946
05:04:10,650 --> 05:04:29,890
I'll just read the precise wording since that might help, just to explain what it was that we thought it would need a large amount of vibrant, comfortable and easily accessible street level public space that functions as a community gathering spot does not require the purchase of food or beverage to use and is accessible for year round use.

2947
05:04:30,410 --> 05:04:35,510
And then there was also another one that sort of fits with that, which was massing and fits the area.

2948
05:04:35,610 --> 05:04:39,650
And it's comfortable for those using and passing by the site on Carroll, Sikamore, and Columbia Avenue.

2949
05:04:39,850 --> 05:04:45,190
And so there's this overall size question and public space question that I think is really fundamental to it.

2950
05:04:45,630 --> 05:04:54,010
And so I think like a lot of people, I was hopeful that when NDC came back with their next iteration of the plan,

2951
05:04:54,630 --> 05:04:58,230
and it was first through the concept plan, there was a site plan that that would be addressed.

2952
05:04:58,230 --> 05:05:23,090
Well, they did put some, they did put some public space in there, but in my view nowhere near as much and so the discussion is centered around the fact that it's the same amount as you see at the gazebo and it's right around the same amount, I just don't think that that's a good comparison because people will be drawn to the site that's the purpose of it to be drawn to various retail and commercial outlets in the offices and so on that will be there.

2953
05:05:23,090 --> 05:05:24,650
I think a lot more people will gather.

2954
05:05:24,890 --> 05:05:27,170
And the point that I made, and then I'm coming to a close,

2955
05:05:28,210 --> 05:05:31,590
the point that I made to, I'll ask you a time, yes.

2956
05:05:31,970 --> 05:05:34,610
The point I made two weeks ago was that, you know,

2957
05:05:34,670 --> 05:05:36,330
some people said, well, you don't need that much base.

2958
05:05:36,450 --> 05:05:38,130
That could be too much public space.

2959
05:05:38,470 --> 05:05:41,350
And it's easy enough to fill in the public space afterwards.

2960
05:05:41,410 --> 05:05:45,030
You could put the fountain that everybody from Fred Schultz on down has talked about.

2961
05:05:45,310 --> 05:05:48,170
You could play equipment for kids.

2962
05:05:48,190 --> 05:05:52,270
You could put additional tables, chessboards like to have in DuPont Circle.

2963
05:05:52,270 --> 05:05:58,290
Well, there's no shortage of things you could put to fill public space if for some reason you feel that it's underutilized.

2964
05:05:58,390 --> 05:06:00,090
But the reverse isn't true.

2965
05:06:00,230 --> 05:06:03,850
Once the building is structured, the public space is the bug space and you can't sort of say,

2966
05:06:03,970 --> 05:06:05,990
hey, I wish we had more, let's grab it now.

2967
05:06:06,530 --> 05:06:11,690
And so, when I had offered it an amendment two weeks ago,

2968
05:06:12,010 --> 05:06:16,910
it was to sort of split the difference between the 34,000 that people were talking about square feet

2969
05:06:16,910 --> 05:06:22,890
and just under 50, about 48,000 that I think the current numbers are at and go to 41.

2970
05:06:23,730 --> 05:06:26,790
My colleagues didn't agree with me, so I'm proposing a different amendment.

2971
05:06:27,070 --> 05:06:32,970
I decided just to be worth making it a little smaller and see if maybe I could persuade them this time.

2972
05:06:33,430 --> 05:06:39,330
So it calls for a 10% cut, but what it specifically says in the languages that that would be used specifically

2973
05:06:39,330 --> 05:06:44,030
to move back the facade. It doesn't say exactly how the facade would be moved back, but that all the

2974
05:06:44,030 --> 05:06:49,590
space created from that would be at street level in the front of the building.

2975
05:06:50,150 --> 05:06:53,990
If you want to make the thing a little deeper or push back the sidewalk or whatever it is,

2976
05:06:54,170 --> 05:06:56,770
that will get more space at street level.

2977
05:06:57,110 --> 05:07:04,230
And it'll be roughly a doubling of the area and the size where there's the gathering spot now.

2978
05:07:04,650 --> 05:07:08,570
So for those who want full blown concerts, it wouldn't do it.

2979
05:07:08,670 --> 05:07:13,210
But for those who want to get more public space, it would certainly do that.

2980
05:07:13,210 --> 05:07:29,230
And I think the point is, it looks like this resolution could pass, I think this is a good opportunity to at least live up to what we, what I thought we were saying with the October resolution, so I'll stop there.

2981
05:07:29,230 --> 05:07:35,090
Anyone else like to make some opening comments before we go to the resolution and amendments?

2982
05:07:38,840 --> 05:07:39,600
Councilwoman DiBalla.

2983
05:07:46,380 --> 05:07:52,740
So I may be the only one who hasn't blocked extensively already, largely because of scheduling.

2984
05:07:53,000 --> 05:08:03,260
So for all of you more to and beyond, I will write down and get around my rationale for

2985
05:08:03,260 --> 05:08:11,840
my thinking. But I do want to make a couple of points and one is that there's been a lot

2986
05:08:11,840 --> 05:08:17,000
of question about what do people in board two think? Everybody on every block thinks

2987
05:08:17,000 --> 05:08:23,280
that they're block and their friends represent everybody. And I've learned that there's

2988
05:08:23,280 --> 05:08:29,280
many different communities in Tacoma Park and that many different communities even within

2989
05:08:29,280 --> 05:08:34,400
in one neighborhood, have different views on what is appropriate here.

2990
05:08:35,260 --> 05:08:47,060
I have been working to, within, and I've said this from the beginning, that I'm working within the development agreement.

2991
05:08:47,680 --> 05:08:57,420
I'm working within the resolutions of previous councils, I respect that a lot of people before me have made some choices here.

2992
05:08:58,220 --> 05:09:13,760
And I have offered two weeks ago, and again tonight, I will have a couple of tweaks to accommodate, to address many of the concerns that got raised tonight.

2993
05:09:14,020 --> 05:09:19,480
Now, some of you may feel like it's not far enough, it's not fast enough, it's not big enough you want to jump the whole thing.

2994
05:09:19,480 --> 05:09:46,500
But I am within the bounds of the proposal that we've got here trying to get the kinds of values that many of us have been looking for on environmental sustainability on affordable housing on some of the other topics that I've put forth on height and now we're going to talk about public space.

2995
05:09:46,500 --> 05:09:51,160
So, so that I get that, I just want to get that, get that covered.

2996
05:09:52,480 --> 05:09:53,080
Thank you.

2997
05:09:53,580 --> 05:09:54,340
Council on Costick.

2998
05:09:55,060 --> 05:09:55,380
Thank you.

2999
05:09:56,440 --> 05:09:58,240
I don't need to share a lot right now.

3000
05:09:58,280 --> 05:10:03,340
I talked extensively before about some of my thoughts on the previous resolution, but

3001
05:10:03,340 --> 05:10:07,580
I did want to note that I think, I think a lot of the work that we've done in this resolution

3002
05:10:07,580 --> 05:10:12,320
has really brought it to the place that I think really.

3003
05:11:06,460 --> 05:11:09,120
Okay, well, I'm going to go ahead and use my soccer voice.

3004
05:11:25,100 --> 05:11:30,680
I think the work that we've done on this resolution and the amendments that have been proposed

3005
05:11:30,680 --> 05:11:34,280
and the things that have been changed already and maybe some of the things that people have

3006
05:11:34,280 --> 05:11:40,920
to add tonight as well. I think it really brought this to a place that addresses a lot of the

3007
05:11:40,920 --> 05:11:45,560
concerns and tries to address a lot of the concerns that we've heard in the community. As

3008
05:11:45,560 --> 05:11:49,440
Councilmember DeBalla said, it might not address all of the concerns that people have and I understand

3009
05:11:49,440 --> 05:11:58,780
that. But I think there's been some great additions to this. Things like the Environmental Sustainability

3010
05:11:58,780 --> 05:12:02,120
clause that Councilmember DeBolla mentioned,

3011
05:12:02,620 --> 05:12:04,800
dedicating some funds to affordable housing,

3012
05:12:05,580 --> 05:12:07,820
borrowing formula businesses,

3013
05:12:09,360 --> 05:12:12,940
listing a minimum public space,

3014
05:12:13,840 --> 05:12:18,100
providing protections for the back of the building related to light and noise,

3015
05:12:18,600 --> 05:12:23,460
as well as minimizing the impact on the wooded area,

3016
05:12:25,180 --> 05:12:31,420
providing for the work session to address the mediation outcomes after the mediation is

3017
05:12:31,420 --> 05:12:37,300
complete with between the co-op and D.C. as well as the clause on height.

3018
05:12:37,860 --> 05:12:42,900
So I think there are a lot of resolutions in here that have moved the or a lot of clauses

3019
05:12:42,900 --> 05:12:47,440
in here that have really strengthened this resolution from where it was when it first started.

3020
05:12:47,440 --> 05:12:54,040
and I think we've done a lot to try to address the issues and I think it's

3021
05:12:54,040 --> 05:12:58,020
something that I feel like has become a very successful document because of

3022
05:12:58,020 --> 05:13:01,000
those things. So I want to thank my colleagues for the additions that they've

3023
05:13:01,000 --> 05:13:03,900
proposed to this. Thank you.

3024
05:13:13,580 --> 05:13:18,200
You can use it. Just use the hand my eye. We're just

3025
05:13:18,200 --> 05:13:22,380
going to use the hand mics tonight. All right. Well then you have to wave at me if

3026
05:13:22,380 --> 05:13:25,200
if you want to talk, anyone else going?

3027
05:13:25,500 --> 05:13:26,660
Yeah, Councilwoman C.O.C.

3028
05:13:26,940 --> 05:13:27,180
All right.

3029
05:13:28,520 --> 05:13:30,060
Thank you all for hanging in there.

3030
05:13:31,100 --> 05:13:34,900
So I just want to reiterate a number of the points

3031
05:13:34,900 --> 05:13:37,640
that Councilmember Acacia brought up.

3032
05:13:38,700 --> 05:13:45,060
I, you know, it's often hard because at the end of the day,

3033
05:13:45,680 --> 05:13:48,040
as I noted in a message I sent out

3034
05:13:48,040 --> 05:13:51,220
to Worstick's residents today, this issue

3035
05:13:51,220 --> 05:13:58,100
She was not black or white, it is really a various shades of gray depending on which topic

3036
05:13:58,100 --> 05:13:59,060
you're trying to cover.

3037
05:13:59,800 --> 05:14:04,880
And I think that there are benefits and their costs for everything that we do.

3038
05:14:05,580 --> 05:14:14,860
But I appreciate this resolution and that it tries to come up with and promote actionable

3039
05:14:14,860 --> 05:14:24,360
will step to try to mitigate some of the potential challenges to the project and also to try

3040
05:14:24,360 --> 05:14:31,300
to continue to promote a number of the benefits that we see in this type of development.

3041
05:14:32,080 --> 05:14:40,760
I know that there are quite a few folks that may not be 100% happy with what was ultimately

3042
05:14:40,760 --> 05:14:43,180
that we'll ultimately talk about today,

3043
05:14:43,960 --> 05:14:47,720
but when we think through some of the major topics

3044
05:14:47,720 --> 05:14:51,640
and some of the aspects and steps forward

3045
05:14:51,640 --> 05:14:53,300
that are noted here,

3046
05:14:53,800 --> 05:14:57,880
I think this is a really good first step.

3047
05:14:58,440 --> 05:15:00,000
Keeping in mind that we're going to continue.

3048
05:15:00,000 --> 05:15:29,320
I'll continue to have to take steps along the way. This is a marathon. It is not a sprint. But it does provide a really good first step towards realizing and noting the goals of the city as well as providing a path forward. So I just want to, again, thank members of the council who provided some really wonderful.

3049
05:15:29,940 --> 05:15:33,260
additions to this resolution, and I look forward to discussing it.

3050
05:15:42,580 --> 05:15:45,060
Can you hear it? All right. Would anyone else like to speak?

3051
05:15:46,980 --> 05:15:53,920
All right, so I'll just say a few words, as I mentioned, because I knew it was going to be late tonight.

3052
05:15:54,580 --> 05:15:59,260
I sent around most of my thoughts on this earlier this week.

3053
05:15:59,580 --> 05:16:05,940
And I just want to say one, we know this process has brought out a lot of emotions

3054
05:16:05,940 --> 05:16:20,580
and a lot of people, and I think that there's drawn out long time residents, new residents, old friends and new friends, and familiar faces and new ones as we've been talking not just about the junction but about the future of our city.

3055
05:16:21,500 --> 05:16:35,860
And I know it's been at times challenging, it's been challenging for me personally because I know as we move through this evening, there are definitely people who I have known for many years who I am probably going to disappoint by.

3056
05:16:35,860 --> 05:16:39,740
by some of the decisions that I plan on making tonight.

3057
05:16:40,600 --> 05:16:43,640
I appreciate everyone's insights and concerns and feedback.

3058
05:16:44,380 --> 05:16:46,840
And whether or not we have agreed or disagreed

3059
05:16:46,840 --> 05:16:49,200
throughout this process, I've really sought

3060
05:16:49,200 --> 05:16:52,700
to understand viewpoints and the diverse perspectives

3061
05:16:52,700 --> 05:16:53,640
in our community.

3062
05:16:54,880 --> 05:16:57,900
And I really do think that this is an opportunity for us,

3063
05:16:58,020 --> 05:17:01,620
that this project provides us an opportunity today

3064
05:17:01,620 --> 05:17:03,680
and in the future for our whole community.

3065
05:17:04,840 --> 05:17:11,240
And, you know, I've consulted with people inside and outside the community and I know people

3066
05:17:11,240 --> 05:17:15,160
have said, oh, we have architects who think this, architects who think that.

3067
05:17:16,360 --> 05:17:21,740
There are really a range of opinions and I think all of us up here have tried to do

3068
05:17:21,740 --> 05:17:27,180
our best at listening and pulling together the best information we have.

3069
05:17:27,180 --> 05:17:34,940
And that as that Councilwoman Ciarci just said, the resolution really does reflect much

3070
05:17:34,940 --> 05:17:41,940
of that, talking as Councilwoman DiBalla has done about really working hard on the environmental

3071
05:17:41,940 --> 05:17:43,040
aspects of this.

3072
05:17:43,580 --> 05:17:49,100
I want to thank the residents who came forward and we talked about adding language to ensure

3073
05:17:49,100 --> 05:17:54,600
that we're really attracting local businesses and that we are borrowing chain stores or

3074
05:17:54,600 --> 05:18:00,660
formula businesses in this location and many of the other things that we have

3075
05:18:00,660 --> 05:18:05,840
worked on and so I just want to thank my colleagues for all their work on

3076
05:18:05,840 --> 05:18:10,540
this and even if we don't ultimately agree on every point I want to thank

3077
05:18:10,540 --> 05:18:14,520
everyone for their thoughtfulness throughout this process and for all the input

3078
05:18:14,520 --> 05:18:20,200
that we received and I do want to thank the city staff as well. There have been

3079
05:18:20,200 --> 05:18:28,100
And lots of questions asked throughout the process and I appreciate them going through

3080
05:18:28,100 --> 05:18:32,620
the information and providing that to residents and to council members.

3081
05:18:33,180 --> 05:18:40,540
So I think at this time we will, let's first walk through the resolution,

3082
05:18:44,570 --> 05:18:46,110
no, let's actually

3083
05:18:46,110 --> 05:18:46,350
start.

3084
05:18:47,730 --> 05:18:48,470
It's late.

3085
05:18:49,550 --> 05:18:49,770
I know.

3086
05:18:50,010 --> 05:18:50,690
It's 14 pages.

3087
05:18:50,690 --> 05:18:54,870
is I'm going to ask if someone would move the resolution.

3088
05:18:56,820 --> 05:18:58,580
Thank you, Councilmember Siemens.

3089
05:18:58,780 --> 05:19:01,900
So I have a second, then we're going to walk through

3090
05:19:01,900 --> 05:19:03,200
and then take amendments, yeah.

3091
05:19:04,400 --> 05:19:05,700
Councilman, CRC, second.

3092
05:19:05,980 --> 05:19:09,000
OK, and now let's discuss the resolution.

3093
05:19:10,440 --> 05:19:12,800
We have the deputy city manager.

3094
05:19:13,060 --> 05:19:14,920
Has it up on the screens?

3095
05:19:15,160 --> 05:19:17,020
Everyone should be able to see it, correct?

3096
05:19:17,820 --> 05:19:18,960
We'll walk through.

3097
05:19:19,760 --> 05:19:28,140
There are no changes since the last time we discussed the resolution until we get to line

3098
05:19:29,340 --> 05:19:36,360
435. So unless someone has something that has not been raised yet or they would like

3099
05:19:36,360 --> 05:19:41,300
to go back to, I'll give you a second. But the first thing that we have to discuss is

3100
05:19:41,300 --> 05:19:43,040
line 435.

3101
05:19:50,040 --> 05:19:51,260
Is everybody okay starting here?

3102
05:19:56,240 --> 05:20:00,840
Yes, thank you. So, on line 435, I am at a

3103
05:20:00,840 --> 05:20:10,400
resolve clause. This was the, what is in red? The first part of it, not the last line

3104
05:20:10,400 --> 05:20:17,280
that's attached to it, is language that we had worked on with the co-op to be reflective

3105
05:20:17,280 --> 05:20:23,680
of their changes that they had suggested since our work session on July 11th, so that

3106
05:20:23,680 --> 05:20:33,720
is what is in red. And then NDC sent us some suggested changes in blue on this.

3107
05:20:34,380 --> 05:20:45,320
Okay, we're scrolling here. And so the question before us is, is there a preference between,

3108
05:20:45,320 --> 05:20:53,620
I mean, or what is the preference between the what is in the resolve clause in red or blue or any other further amendment someone would like to make council member co bar?

3109
05:20:56,500 --> 05:20:57,860
It's on, I thought I was waving.

3110
05:20:58,260 --> 05:20:58,720
Is that working?

3111
05:20:59,220 --> 05:20:59,300
No.

3112
05:20:59,580 --> 05:20:59,660
Yeah.

3113
05:21:00,260 --> 05:21:00,640
Oh.

3114
05:21:00,860 --> 05:21:01,240
You're on.

3115
05:21:01,500 --> 05:21:02,260
People can hear.

3116
05:21:02,520 --> 05:21:02,840
I'm sorry.

3117
05:21:05,020 --> 05:21:09,880
I prefer the existing language. It's in red and I'll just say why.

3118
05:21:10,540 --> 05:21:37,700
So this is the language that's in there, so that at the conclusion of mediation to the extent that changes are required in the site plan, that would be approved if this resolution is adopted, those changes can be forwarded on and in fact are required to be forwarded on to the county and the language in red, which is what is currently in there.

3119
05:21:38,820 --> 05:21:46,100
says that if site plan changes are required, whether because of mutual agreement between

3120
05:21:46,100 --> 05:21:52,700
NDC and the TPSS club or otherwise, and the otherwise is if there isn't a mutual agreement,

3121
05:21:53,180 --> 05:21:54,060
which could happen.

3122
05:21:55,400 --> 05:22:03,520
And the alternative language only focuses on changes that are agreed to by NDC and the

3123
05:22:03,520 --> 05:22:22,400
And I think it's important, I'm hopeful and based on the reports that I've heard, including some optimism that I've heard that the mediation will bear fruit but we have to have in the back of our mind at least the idea that maybe it won't.

3124
05:22:22,540 --> 05:22:28,020
And so to me, it's important to have the language cover both of those eventualities.

3125
05:22:32,520 --> 05:22:33,180
I agree.

3126
05:22:37,760 --> 05:22:44,360
Is it on? Yes. I agree. I don't like the blue for all the reasons that Council

3127
05:22:44,360 --> 05:22:49,420
member Kovar said. And I had to talk with someone on the break. I would like to just explain

3128
05:22:49,420 --> 05:22:55,420
in case maybe not everybody in the room knows the development agreement is the contractual

3129
05:22:55,420 --> 05:23:06,860
agreement between the city and NDC, and in it there's a whole section about if one party defaults on one part of the agreement.

3130
05:23:07,500 --> 05:23:12,780
And one of those default items is reasonable accommodation for the co-op.

3131
05:23:13,220 --> 05:23:21,400
And so that is the leverage by which we would either say, oh this is great, you came to agreement, we're good.

3132
05:23:21,400 --> 05:23:28,040
Or if it comes to that where we would say, okay, wait a minute, we will

3133
05:23:30,240 --> 05:23:42,940
require NDC, direct NDC to make changes that they might not have agreed to, that would be based on the development agreement language just so everybody sort of clear on the mechanism here.

3134
05:23:45,760 --> 05:23:47,300
Anyone else like to speak to this?

3135
05:23:53,860 --> 05:23:59,120
Probably don't have enough to say to warrant having passed the mic that far, but I agree.

3136
05:24:00,160 --> 05:24:05,840
I think the original language is better than the proposed language from NDC.

3137
05:24:08,220 --> 05:24:08,420
Ditto.

3138
05:24:12,120 --> 05:24:13,880
All right, and I will agree as well.

3139
05:24:14,220 --> 05:24:21,020
And so since we have a majority, that will be in the clause.

3140
05:24:21,020 --> 05:24:27,940
And when we vote, the red will be the clause we will have when we vote on the resolution.

3141
05:24:29,280 --> 05:24:35,780
I just had a question for the city manager, apologies, but I thought I saw somewhere in the drafter.

3142
05:24:35,940 --> 05:24:48,880
Did I read it somewhere else that we were asking that NDC put in the lay-by so that we would have continuity of construction for deliveries.

3143
05:24:49,780 --> 05:24:50,480
That's in there.

3144
05:24:50,900 --> 05:24:51,400
That's later on.

3145
05:24:51,460 --> 05:24:51,600
Okay.

3146
05:24:51,720 --> 05:24:53,800
I was looking forward and I couldn't.

3147
05:24:53,880 --> 05:24:54,180
I'm sorry.

3148
05:24:54,340 --> 05:24:55,620
I couldn't remember which clause it was in.

3149
05:24:55,620 --> 05:24:58,380
Did we just add that and not have it as a discussion point?

3150
05:24:59,320 --> 05:24:59,400
Yeah.

3151
05:24:59,400 --> 05:25:00,100
I think we did, right?

3152
05:25:00,480 --> 05:25:08,180
There are several places in here in red where it was clear that it was either a clarification

3153
05:25:08,180 --> 05:25:09,160
or whatever.

3154
05:25:09,360 --> 05:25:14,740
And that was put in there because there was not any controversy whatsoever that the label

3155
05:25:16,580 --> 05:25:21,820
the first element constructed so that continuity of operations could continue.

3156
05:25:22,080 --> 05:25:24,220
Great. Which line is it?

3157
05:25:29,860 --> 05:25:30,960
565, where it starts.

3158
05:25:31,200 --> 05:25:35,760
Okay. Great. Thank you. I just couldn't remember where we had put that in and wanted to make sure.

3159
05:25:42,550 --> 05:25:48,330
Okay. So it says the document will include the requirement to build the lay-by in the first stage of the construction process.

3160
05:25:49,030 --> 05:25:52,310
Thank you. All right.

3161
05:25:52,310 --> 05:26:02,250
Then do we want to say unless agreed upon, unless otherwise agreed upon by NDC and the co-op?

3162
05:26:05,730 --> 05:26:07,150
Wait, let's go back to that language.

3163
05:26:07,250 --> 05:26:07,610
Never mind.

3164
05:26:18,200 --> 05:26:21,980
This was a request by the co-op to have this language in.

3165
05:26:23,980 --> 05:26:33,420
You know, if there's some, I mean, there may be times in this resolution that all mutual parties agree to some option and then you, that can be discussed and followed up.

3166
05:26:33,420 --> 05:26:43,320
Okay, terrific. So then the next item we go to is the box that starts on line 462.

3167
05:26:45,820 --> 05:26:53,160
This was originally an amendment move forward by Councilwoman DiBalla regarding the height

3168
05:26:53,160 --> 05:26:59,900
of the building. We have two things to consider here. One was so in red is the original that

3169
05:26:59,900 --> 05:27:08,760
Councilwoman DeBalla had put forward. The first blue is suggestion from NDC and then Councilman

3170
05:27:08,760 --> 05:27:16,140
Costick had other suggested language. Councilwoman DeBalla, do you have, since you had put this forward,

3171
05:27:16,320 --> 05:27:18,100
do you have a preference and we'll start with you?

3172
05:27:25,540 --> 05:27:30,700
I'm fine with Councilwoman Costick's suggested

3173
05:27:30,700 --> 05:27:35,120
and I do not like NDC's suggested language.

3174
05:27:35,200 --> 05:27:40,300
Okay. I will ditto that and I'm going to see how many different ways we can pronounce councilman

3175
05:27:40,300 --> 05:27:44,260
cost the last name as the hour gets later and later.

3176
05:27:45,160 --> 05:27:49,980
Okay, and I think we're going to go with that because I think we keep pronouncing it differently.

3177
05:27:50,260 --> 05:27:51,320
Council member Calvar.

3178
05:27:51,960 --> 05:27:56,500
I'm less supportive of council member Cases suggested language.

3179
05:27:57,680 --> 05:28:01,760
The reason is, I agree that it's preferable to the NDC language.

3180
05:28:02,280 --> 05:28:08,220
The difference is, and the point I'm just concerned about is the initial red language

3181
05:28:08,220 --> 05:28:12,860
has to reduce the height of the building up to five feet through various means.

3182
05:28:13,460 --> 05:28:16,600
This one says to seek aesthetically appropriate ways to reduce it.

3183
05:28:16,740 --> 05:28:22,100
So, well, neither is definitive because they will talk about up to five feet.

3184
05:28:22,100 --> 05:28:30,880
the newer language is just talking about seeking as opposed to simply doing it and I understand

3185
05:28:30,880 --> 05:28:36,220
if you're saying it's up to five, then even doing up to five could end up being only

3186
05:28:36,220 --> 05:28:42,260
one, I wish it could be five, but I'd rather call for it than just call for seeking it if

3187
05:28:42,260 --> 05:28:43,360
that makes sense.

3188
05:28:43,360 --> 05:28:44,120
And,

3189
05:28:48,040 --> 05:28:48,940
yeah, Councilman.

3190
05:28:54,630 --> 05:29:00,230
So I will say that I was proposing this language just in an attempt to sort of merge the two of them.

3191
05:29:00,370 --> 05:29:10,070
I'm fine with something that maybe says something like to reduce the height of the building by up to five feet in an aesthetically appropriate way.

3192
05:29:10,330 --> 05:29:14,010
Kamma working with Montgomery County Historic Preservation Commission.

3193
05:29:14,630 --> 05:29:16,750
Is that acceptable to other people?

3194
05:29:18,990 --> 05:29:25,890
No, so what I proposed, but starting with two reduce and

3195
05:29:28,740 --> 05:29:32,520
to reduce the height of the

3196
05:29:32,520 --> 05:29:37,260
building by up to five feet in an aesthetically appropriate way,

3197
05:29:40,390 --> 05:29:41,610
comma working,

3198
05:29:55,750 --> 05:29:56,730
is that okay?

3199
05:29:57,630 --> 05:29:59,750
That's fine. Okay. There's any.

3200
05:30:00,000 --> 05:30:29,980
It was a will adopt that language from Councilwoman Costiac with the changes. Any? Yeah. I just would like to say that originally it did say five feet, exactly. And I was persuaded, and I was persuaded that by people who work with historic commission, we're not in the room now, that it ought to say up to five feet. Okay, agreed to that. Okay. Thank you for that clarification. All right.

3201
05:30:29,980 --> 05:30:40,000
All right, the next line is at line 486 and this is Councilmember Covars suggested language.

3202
05:30:48,030 --> 05:30:57,750
The next one is the additional language proposed by Councilmember Costick on line 510.

3203
05:30:58,330 --> 05:31:03,390
This adds, explore the potential of adding a paved or unpaid walking path into or benches

3204
05:31:03,390 --> 05:31:05,410
is in the Forest Conservation Area easement.

3205
05:31:06,250 --> 05:31:08,710
I think we don't need area again.

3206
05:31:09,830 --> 05:31:12,310
Provided that these elements do not disturb the natural

3207
05:31:12,310 --> 05:31:14,670
elements and conservation goals of this area.

3208
05:31:18,010 --> 05:31:18,810
Is that any?

3209
05:31:19,490 --> 05:31:23,360
Yeah, can I say something?

3210
05:31:23,980 --> 05:31:33,980
Yeah, so there was an informal tree commission memo.

3211
05:31:35,100 --> 05:31:41,480
couple three, whatever it was several months ago and and I meant I meant to contact you about this beforehand.

3212
05:31:41,680 --> 05:31:50,080
I'm sorry to tell you that they recommended not to do that because of the slope and because of the kind of path that would have to go in as a result.

3213
05:31:50,300 --> 05:31:58,900
I would personally think it would be a lovely touch, but I also think from an environmental point of view that it's just not feasible.

3214
05:31:58,900 --> 05:32:16,650
If I might just on that, it is absolutely the case that if there's slopes and that kind of thing because of ADA requirements and the other kind of impacts, you know, these kinds of paths would have to be very close to the two Columbia.

3215
05:32:17,410 --> 05:32:23,630
I don't think it harms anything to say explore the potential, but those other kinds of regulations would come into play.

3216
05:32:23,630 --> 05:32:24,210
Yeah.

3217
05:32:27,080 --> 05:32:31,420
Did you? Well, just if it says explore, it doesn't mean we have to do it. Right. Is there any harm in exploring?

3218
05:32:35,100 --> 05:32:42,360
No. Well, I mean, it's just literally impossible. Fine. But if we get explored, I don't see the harm. That's what would be my view.

3219
05:32:42,760 --> 05:32:44,440
Okay. Yeah. We good.

3220
05:32:49,080 --> 05:32:54,380
Yeah. I'll just say that that was partially my thinking in terms of including this language to say explore.

3221
05:32:55,180 --> 05:33:01,480
and hopes that maybe if we can't have a paved path or unpaved path, the benches could at least be some,

3222
05:33:02,160 --> 05:33:04,980
there could be some benches or something like that closer to the sidewalk.

3223
05:33:06,300 --> 05:33:12,440
So my perspective would be, I would like to see it in there just as an opportunity to explore it,

3224
05:33:12,460 --> 05:33:15,520
whether or not it's possible, can be decided further than the line.

3225
05:33:16,760 --> 05:33:23,840
Okay. Hearing no objections, and that will be in the resolution that we vote on.

3226
05:33:24,460 --> 05:33:31,260
The next is at line 524. I'm going to turn, this is regarding the stormwater treatment.

3227
05:33:32,620 --> 05:33:34,860
Councilman DeBala can I turn it over to you? Yes.

3228
05:33:37,000 --> 05:33:40,760
There was only one word missing. Treatment

3229
05:33:40,760 --> 05:33:45,640
and it will significantly exceed the city's 50% requirement for redevelopment.

3230
05:33:47,220 --> 05:33:53,370
We talked about putting that in there and it just didn't, the word didn't make it in there.

3231
05:33:53,610 --> 05:34:04,150
But the intent here is 100% storm order treatment on site, compared to say 95% is prohibitively expensive.

3232
05:34:04,890 --> 05:34:07,930
And is probably not a good choice.

3233
05:34:07,930 --> 05:34:13,170
but to push way beyond the 50% that the county requires is the intent here.

3234
05:34:14,010 --> 05:34:17,530
And I think this staff language captures it better than what I had.

3235
05:34:19,900 --> 05:34:20,120
Thank you.

3236
05:34:20,180 --> 05:34:22,220
Anyone have any questions regarding the storm water?

3237
05:34:23,760 --> 05:34:26,020
All right, then that will be included.

3238
05:34:27,240 --> 05:34:38,220
Before we move up, I just wanted to go back to the line regarding on 567 and 568 regarding the lay by.

3239
05:34:40,960 --> 05:34:55,480
This is the document will include the requirement to build a label in the first stage of the construction process and I want I'm trying to get in there and sorry it's late and that it will be

3240
05:34:55,480 --> 05:35:01,900
to be used by the co-op for deliveries during construction or for the purpose.

3241
05:35:01,920 --> 05:35:04,740
One purpose because it made a use for the purposes.

3242
05:35:05,020 --> 05:35:10,620
The whole class is about continuity of operations but I feel better if we spelled it out.

3243
05:35:15,700 --> 05:35:16,780
Did everybody get that?

3244
05:35:17,220 --> 05:35:20,800
We jumped to line 565 and we're talking about trucks again.

3245
05:35:22,020 --> 05:35:30,740
The document as in the document that describes how construction impacts on area business

3246
05:35:30,740 --> 05:35:35,380
will be addressed. Could we just add to facilitate co-op deliveries during construction?

3247
05:35:35,700 --> 05:35:41,580
Oh, that's good. To the end of that? I think that works.

3248
05:35:43,660 --> 05:35:50,860
At the very end, where it says the first stage of the construction process to facilitate co-op

3249
05:35:50,860 --> 05:35:52,200
deliveries during construction.

3250
05:35:57,360 --> 05:36:01,140
I heard a label out there in the audience somewhere. Facilitate,

3251
05:36:02,540 --> 05:36:06,620
Okay, so let's add that to that to clarify that point.

3252
05:36:07,420 --> 05:36:11,020
Council Member Cove, are you okay going back to your amendment?

3253
05:36:12,100 --> 05:36:12,300
Okay.

3254
05:36:14,600 --> 05:36:21,320
So now we have, before we leave energy neutral, is this last?

3255
05:36:24,580 --> 05:36:30,460
So I would just like to clarify once again for council what I said two weeks ago that the

3256
05:36:30,460 --> 05:37:00,340
The intent on line 537, creating an energy neutral building through INSET methods or off-site renewable energy credits, I do mean energy not just electricity, because a building that might potentially have a restaurant in it will use a lot of how water, however, many residents myself included by renewable energy credits in compensation for the natural gas heating that we use.

3257
05:37:00,460 --> 05:37:09,000
So it isn't hard, it isn't that expensive, even though there was some confusion about whether it was electricity or all energy.

3258
05:37:09,240 --> 05:37:10,760
I do, in fact, mean that all energy.

3259
05:37:10,980 --> 05:37:13,800
Just before we vote on it, I just want to make that clear, everybody.

3260
05:37:14,140 --> 05:37:16,020
And then there are ways that you can convert.

3261
05:37:21,020 --> 05:37:21,300
All right.

3262
05:37:22,180 --> 05:37:28,440
Then moving back to line 486, this is regarding,

3263
05:37:29,720 --> 05:37:34,260
Is actually Council Member Covar suggested language, starts on line 496.

3264
05:37:35,160 --> 05:37:39,300
Council Member Covar, I know you said this in the beginning statements, but is there anything else you'd like to?

3265
05:37:41,730 --> 05:37:42,650
Don't you use the microphone?

3266
05:37:43,950 --> 05:37:45,450
I think I explained it.

3267
05:37:45,650 --> 05:37:49,430
I would encourage my colleagues to join me in voting for it.

3268
05:37:49,450 --> 05:37:50,550
And I would just say one other thing.

3269
05:37:51,150 --> 05:37:58,150
If we were to put this language in, and NDC doesn't like it, that doesn't mean the project gets killed.

3270
05:37:58,150 --> 05:38:00,630
that just means there's a little more discussion with NDC.

3271
05:38:04,130 --> 05:38:05,890
Okay, would anyone like to speak to this?

3272
05:38:07,240 --> 05:38:08,770
Council member Searsie?

3273
05:38:09,150 --> 05:38:09,890
Assistant gone.

3274
05:38:10,210 --> 05:38:10,650
Okay, awesome.

3275
05:38:11,850 --> 05:38:17,670
So my concern still is the fact that in order to increase

3276
05:38:18,920 --> 05:38:21,210
the amount of public space proposed,

3277
05:38:21,850 --> 05:38:28,150
it would mean the setback for the project would be too great.

3278
05:38:28,150 --> 05:38:30,430
in whether or not that would be approved.

3279
05:38:31,290 --> 05:38:38,310
So for me, I think we want more public space, true.

3280
05:38:39,010 --> 05:38:45,250
But I also argue whether or not we have a provision that would,

3281
05:38:45,710 --> 05:38:50,950
that ask NDC to partner with the city on revitalization of B Y Morrison Park.

3282
05:38:51,170 --> 05:38:55,190
And so I wonder if, because of the setback requirements,

3283
05:38:55,190 --> 05:39:02,710
If we're not able to get that extra space at the current location,

3284
05:39:04,290 --> 05:39:07,930
would revitalization of be why Morrison Park and making it more functional

3285
05:39:08,670 --> 05:39:11,250
also kind of add to the overall public space.

3286
05:39:11,250 --> 05:39:14,550
Again, I'm just thinking about the overall setback requirements for the businesses.

3287
05:39:15,830 --> 05:39:20,310
Well, I think that the idea of revitalizing Morrison Park is a great idea.

3288
05:39:20,870 --> 05:39:23,070
And that should happen regardless.

3289
05:39:23,070 --> 05:39:25,430
But I don't view that as a substitute.

3290
05:39:25,630 --> 05:39:30,930
And the reason for that is I think that what people see with both Mars and Park and

3291
05:39:30,930 --> 05:39:36,450
also the gazebo, at least those two, there isn't a lot of activity there unless there's

3292
05:39:36,450 --> 05:39:42,050
something specific schedule there, for example, a concert or gathering of some kind that

3293
05:39:42,570 --> 05:39:44,650
is announced and people are invited to it.

3294
05:39:45,050 --> 05:39:50,130
And so to get the kind of more spontaneous sort of gathering that I think a lot of people

3295
05:39:50,130 --> 05:39:55,970
We'll talk about in the public comments tonight and that we've talked about a fair amount in the past.

3296
05:39:56,630 --> 05:40:13,570
If you're drawn to a site because there's a restaurant or cafe or other shop there that you're interested in and then you hang out, I think that's typically where you get where you get that now I would add that the language, which is also what was in the earlier version and I think Councilwoman Costa had been responsible for part of that.

3297
05:40:13,570 --> 05:40:42,010
It says that if the label gets modified during the county review process that the space still has to be preserved and put somewhere else, and so if one of the concerns is that if I'm understanding council members seriously correctly that the facade might be the historic preservation might insist that the facade be kept closer to the street, perhaps that's what you're suggesting.

3298
05:40:42,930 --> 05:40:48,890
I'm fine with the idea of just saying that this same amount of space that I'm asking for has to be put somewhere there.

3299
05:40:49,290 --> 05:40:58,350
My sense was it made the most sense to have it at the front, but if they don't like that and then we want to have it somewhere else where it would still be useful to the public, I'd be okay with that.

3300
05:41:02,440 --> 05:41:09,720
No, so I just want to make sure that the point is raised that there are setback requirements by the county, like Montgomery County.

3301
05:41:09,720 --> 05:41:20,560
So, you know, pushing like the suggestion that we could push back the actual storefronts and have them sitting further back from the street, their requirements there.

3302
05:41:20,840 --> 05:41:26,660
And again, I think I understand that process, but I can just wreck me if I'm wrong.

3303
05:41:26,700 --> 05:41:39,640
Maybe I wasn't going. So I guess what I'm saying is although this says move back the facade, I'm fine if we also added something that said, but if the store preservation says you can't move back the facade, we'll get the extra space somewhere else.

3304
05:41:39,640 --> 05:41:41,440
I would like to see the extra space.

3305
05:41:41,540 --> 05:41:44,140
My preference would be to have it at the front, but what's that?

3306
05:41:45,660 --> 05:41:48,960
Then why not just say 10 by 10% period?

3307
05:41:49,600 --> 05:41:51,320
If people want to vote for that, I'll accept that.

3308
05:41:58,260 --> 05:42:00,500
To be clear, I think there's two issues.

3309
05:42:00,860 --> 05:42:06,320
The first is the planning requirement for where the setback line goes, and that's a discussion

3310
05:42:06,320 --> 05:42:09,000
not just for historic preservation, but it's for the zoning.

3311
05:42:09,880 --> 05:42:21,140
The other obviously has the financial implications of a smaller building and how that might change what their contributions are in other aspects of your requirements.

3312
05:42:24,910 --> 05:42:28,950
Any other comments regarding this? Councilwoman DiBalla?

3313
05:42:30,290 --> 05:42:39,170
Yeah, I hate to make this more complicated because I would at least in theory like to see more public space.

3314
05:42:39,170 --> 05:42:45,710
It's more importantly, I would like to see public space that's useful regardless of the

3315
05:42:45,710 --> 05:42:46,050
size.

3316
05:42:46,510 --> 05:42:56,830
But one concern I have is that there may be other demands on square footage as we go

3317
05:42:56,830 --> 05:43:03,750
through the process, the back end for stormwater retention on the side if the corridor gets

3318
05:43:03,750 --> 05:43:16,390
wider for whatever reason. And I'm reluctant to say right now 10% off the top knowing that

3319
05:43:16,390 --> 05:43:23,470
there may be another 10% of the top somewhere on another issue and then the economic viability

3320
05:43:23,470 --> 05:43:31,450
of the project is a little more questionable. The rents are a little higher and we don't

3321
05:43:31,450 --> 05:43:34,770
go there. So that's something to think about.

3322
05:43:36,810 --> 05:43:43,490
I appreciate that. It sounds a little bit though, like negotiating against ourselves

3323
05:43:43,490 --> 05:43:48,930
in advance. Those things could happen, and there's, and there are trade-offs when anything

3324
05:43:48,930 --> 05:43:56,430
is done, for me it's sort of difficult to imagine. I mean, this is not as big a increase in public

3325
05:43:56,430 --> 05:44:00,870
space that I had wanted or as big a percentage reduction in public space in square footage

3326
05:44:00,870 --> 05:44:05,770
for the building as I had hoped for, some people said, well, why bother, that's such a small

3327
05:44:05,770 --> 05:44:08,230
amount. It's not going to make any difference. Well, it's not going to make any difference in,

3328
05:44:08,310 --> 05:44:12,550
why don't we just approve it? I mean, it's either significant or it isn't. I think if you double

3329
05:44:12,550 --> 05:44:20,210
the amount of public space by a pretty modest amount, you know, I think a few extra dollars per

3330
05:44:20,210 --> 05:44:26,470
square foot, it doesn't strike me as that's going to create, you know, the next Citronelle having

3331
05:44:26,470 --> 05:44:29,770
to move there, I think that's a pretty modest thing, so.

3332
05:44:30,550 --> 05:44:34,490
I think we can, we've discussed this and we've discussed this two other times.

3333
05:44:34,650 --> 05:44:37,530
Why don't we just take a vote on this one?

3334
05:44:37,850 --> 05:44:42,310
All those in favor of including Council Member Cove are suggested language and

3335
05:44:42,310 --> 05:44:46,710
the resolution, please raise your hand to all those opposed.

3336
05:44:46,970 --> 05:44:47,690
Please raise your hand.

3337
05:44:49,130 --> 05:44:49,410
All right.

3338
05:44:51,340 --> 05:44:57,460
All right, are there any other amendments or changes people would like to suggest to

3339
05:44:57,460 --> 05:44:58,180
to the resolution.

3340
05:45:00,980 --> 05:45:30,880
All right, seeing Noah. I would like to in response to many of the comments we had tonight in the section on SHA Reconfiguration and what we expect, just online 592 to add to work with SHA on Reconfiguration of the Junk and Intersection and other measures and on a county.

3341
05:45:30,880 --> 05:45:38,160
of costs so that we can and I'm sorry and what and on accounting of costs so that I really

3342
05:45:38,160 --> 05:45:44,500
can't hear you say it's okay and on accounting of costs and on accounting of costs or just

3343
05:45:44,500 --> 05:45:52,200
and on costs so that we can signal very clearly that that is an upfront issue that we need

3344
05:45:52,200 --> 05:45:57,380
to know how much it is and start talking about how we're going to pay for it. How it is going

3345
05:45:57,380 --> 05:46:01,480
to be paid for. Let me for phrase that. So the council will continue to work with

3346
05:46:01,480 --> 05:46:06,620
SHA and reconfiguration and other measures to improve traffic flow and on

3347
05:46:06,620 --> 05:46:12,600
costs. It doesn't make sense. I'm sorry. Okay. And on cost and on cost of the

3348
05:46:12,600 --> 05:46:16,400
juction and intersection and other measures, comma and on costs.

3349
05:46:32,180 --> 05:46:32,700
Yeah,

3350
05:46:51,200 --> 05:46:51,800
that's

3351
05:46:51,800 --> 05:46:52,680
comments on that or

3352
05:47:00,460 --> 05:47:09,480
I just think it should say taking into consideration of something because otherwise it says improve because

3353
05:47:16,810 --> 05:47:21,750
otherwise it says to improve because it's a little weird.

3354
05:47:23,620 --> 05:47:24,970
Are we both going to change?

3355
05:47:25,850 --> 05:47:28,970
All right. Any other suggestions?

3356
05:47:30,410 --> 05:47:32,750
All right. See no other suggestions.

3357
05:47:33,890 --> 05:47:35,170
I'll take a roll call vote.

3358
05:47:35,890 --> 05:47:35,950
Yeah.

3359
05:47:36,510 --> 05:47:37,010
Sorry.

3360
05:47:37,270 --> 05:47:37,530
It's okay.

3361
05:47:38,390 --> 05:47:38,610
Yeah.

3362
05:47:39,150 --> 05:47:45,250
I just, I see this as going back to what I said before.

3363
05:47:45,690 --> 05:47:51,770
If I thought that some of the people who commented earlier that there is a compromise that

3364
05:47:51,770 --> 05:47:56,430
many people will agree with, if I thought that was the case, I would be pursuing that.

3365
05:47:56,770 --> 05:48:02,650
But the people that I have talked to who say that they want less development mean a lot

3366
05:48:02,650 --> 05:48:04,750
less than 10% more public space.

3367
05:48:05,410 --> 05:48:07,890
And the people who I talk to say they're fine with it,

3368
05:48:07,950 --> 05:48:10,010
mean they're fine with it, and then they'd like a third story.

3369
05:48:10,470 --> 05:48:12,110
I'm not seeing a lot of middle ground.

3370
05:48:12,630 --> 05:48:18,090
And so on then making the assumption that I'm working within this framework,

3371
05:48:18,550 --> 05:48:25,190
I would rather have a better shot at more reasonable rates,

3372
05:48:25,770 --> 05:48:32,210
more minority businesses, more flexibility for the co-op and for the stormwater requirements.

3373
05:48:33,610 --> 05:48:40,750
And that's just why I personally voted the way that I did on the public space.

3374
05:48:41,350 --> 05:48:42,270
Thank you.

3375
05:48:42,650 --> 05:48:43,350
Okay.

3376
05:48:43,690 --> 05:48:53,970
Why don't we do a, do, all right, we'll do a roll call vote.

3377
05:48:55,310 --> 05:48:56,010
Okay.

3378
05:48:56,970 --> 05:48:58,210
Councilmember Covear.

3379
05:48:58,390 --> 05:48:58,550
No.

3380
05:48:59,010 --> 05:49:00,110
Councilmember DeBalla.

3381
05:49:00,670 --> 05:49:00,870
Yes.

3382
05:49:00,870 --> 05:49:08,790
Councilmember caustic Councilmember Siemens. I councilmember Smith. No councilmember Cersei. I mayor Stewart. Yes

3383
05:49:08,790 --> 05:49:14,280
I think that is our business for this evening. We are adjourned