{"id":176,"date":"2010-02-15T06:08:00","date_gmt":"2010-02-15T06:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/terragrafix.com\/blog\/?p=176"},"modified":"2010-02-15T06:08:00","modified_gmt":"2010-02-15T06:08:00","slug":"message-to-residents-from-emeryville-council-member-jennifer-west-public-input-and-community-participation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.thesecretnewsonline.com\/?p=176","title":{"rendered":"Message to Residents from Emeryville Council Member Jennifer West: Public Input and Community Participation"},"content":{"rendered":"

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West Seeks Community Input\/Participation in Transit Center Public Hearing, I-80 Pedestrian-Bike Bridge Workshop, ECCL, “Shortest Triathlon”, and Cooperative Grocery<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Dear Emeryville neighbors, <\/p>\n

This is my second letter to you since taking office in November 2009. My purpose in writing you is to inform you of upcoming city council actions, provide transparency about the city process and to ask for your input and participation. I encourage you to reply to me about something that is important to you. The best ways to contact me are by email at emeryvillewest@gmail.com<\/span><\/a> or by phone at <\/span><\/span>(510) 420-5795<\/span>. Of course, if you see me in the park, or at the <\/span>grocery store<\/span>, please introduce yourself!<\/p>\n

My topics for this email include events for public input and organizations or activities for <\/span>community participation<\/span>: Transit Center Public Hearing, I-80 Ped\/Bike Bridge Community Workshop, ECCL living room conversations, the Shortest Triathlon, and joining the COG.<\/p>\n

Vital Public Input (the City Council needs to hear from you!):<\/p>\n

<\/span>Public Hearing on the Transit Center Tuesday, Feb 16, 2010, 7:16 p.m., <\/span><\/span>City Council Chambers<\/span>, City Hall (corner of Park Ave. and Hollis)<\/p>\n

<\/span>This development project (conditional use permit and design review) was not approved by the <\/span>Planning Commission<\/span> on January 28, 2010, and the City Council appealed that decision to itself for a public hearing this Tuesday. I was the only council member who voted against appealing the P.C. decision because the developer could appeal the decision. I know that there are people in town who have been following this project and who have opinions on the scale and transit nature of the building. Wareham Development has built many buildings in this area of town, including the Terraces, the Amtrak Station, Emery Station I, Emery Station East and North, and some of the Novartis buildings. They are about to begin on the Emery Greenway project at the corner of Powell and Hollis. The \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Transit Center\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is planned for the Amtrak parking lot site on Horton Blvd., and will be a 163 foot high building (9 stories) with parking below, an office\/bio-tech building, and bus bays for folks to connect to from Amtrak. The Heritage Square Parking Garage (7 stories, 73 feet high) is planned for the corner of Horton and 62nd St. This combined project will create an additional 528 <\/span>parking spaces<\/span> on our designated bike blvd, bringing the total to over 800 spaces for cars. Please go to the city\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s website to read more about the project in our staff report (warning: that file is extremely large) which is under <\/span>city council agenda<\/span> for March 2, 2010.<\/p>\n

I ran for city council to change the way large development projects happen in town, making sure that residents are getting tangible benefits from the public money that is spent. For this project, our <\/span>Redevelopment Agency<\/span> is putting in money to help clean up the toxic site (up to $3 million), paying for the replacement of the public parking spaces (around $2-$3 million), and there is federal money being spent on the plaza improvements (close to $1 million). There are public benefits from the project, including job creation, a public plaza at the end of 59th St., <\/span>new tax revenues<\/span>, a new elevator to the bridge over the train tracks, a new traffic signal at 62nd and Hollis, and bike valet parking. What do you think about the balance of benefits and costs? I am asking you to send a message to the entire city council (you can access a form on the <\/span>city of Emeryville<\/span>\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s website) if you have an opinion in support of or in opposition to this project. Even better, please attend the public hearing and make your voice heard!<\/p>\n

I-80 Pedestrian\/Bicycle Bridge Community workshop: Weds, Feb. 24, 6:30-8:30, City Council Chambers<\/span><\/p>\n

Are you someone who wishes you didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have to go all the way to Berkeley to ride safely to the Bay trail? We are planning for a new pedestrian and bike bridge to cross I-80 at the west end of 65th St., and would like your input. Please come, learn about the 3 bridge alignments that are proposed, hear about the process and timeline, and also give direct feedback to staff on the plan that makes the most sense to you. See you there!<\/p>\n

Emeryville Center for Community Life Living Room Conversations, March 6-10, 2010<\/span><\/p>\n

The Center for Community Life is a significant undertaking for our small town and school district. This year is time for us to scale back the project from the original $125 million concept and gauge what level of community support exists before putting a <\/span>school bond measure<\/span> on the ballot. This joint use facility that would include schools, a <\/span>rec center<\/span>, a library and community services needs your input! It will be stronger with the inclusion of residents\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 ideas. For a week in March, folks will be meeting in living rooms, community rooms, and cafes to talk in small groups about how to refine or influence this project. Please try to find a group that fits your schedule and make sure your ideas are incorporated. The conversations will be facilitated and will include an elected official and staff. Gather your neighbors and host one! Please don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t miss this opportunity to be involved.<\/p>\n

Building Community at events and organizations:<\/span> April 17, 2010 Shortest Triathlon, 8:00 a.m., begins at the Emery Secondary School Pool, ends at City Hall<\/span><\/p>\n

Come join me! Last year I completed my very first triathlon in about 45 minutes. This year, because I am one year older, I hope to do it in 46 minutes. It was a great event, and I loved seeing people I knew there, participating and cheering everyone on. You, too, can do it! Some folks are competitive, others are just hoping to finish. Proceeds will support wellness programs in the Emery Schools. Register at Active.com<\/span><\/a>. Later that day: <\/span>Earth Day<\/span> in Emeryville on 47th St. and Temescal Creek Park at noon.
<\/span>
The Cooperative<\/span> Grocery, aka the COG, 1450 67th St.<\/span><\/p>\n

Want to spend less money on your groceries? Want to know that you are buying from local companies? Want to be a part of a community that believes in sustainable production? The COG is right here in Emeryville, at Hollis and 67th St. I knew about it because I pick up my Full Belly Farm weekly vegetable box there every Friday. Now that I have joined the member supported grocery store, I find I save money on non-perishable items I used to buy elsewhere. Plus, I really enjoy meeting the people who are members. Check it out at thecog.org<\/span><\/a>, and feel free to ask me questions about this fantastic opportunity to shop here in Emeryville and support a non-profit organization selling quality food.<\/p>\n

Thanks for reading my newsletter, and please, respond to me with any feedback or if you would like to be removed. Happy Valentine\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Day!<\/p>\n

Sincerely,
<\/span>Jennifer West
Emeryville City Council Member<\/span>
emeryvillewest@gmail.com<\/a>
(510) 420-5795
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