Chairman of the Board's Message - Board Votes to Oppose Ballot Initiative

Chairman of the Board's Message - Board Votes to Oppose Ballot Initiative

2008 Annual Progress Seminar
Elected officials, community and business leaders from throughout San Mateo County spent the weekend together in Monterey at the Chamber's 39th Annual Progress Seminar.

The sessions began Saturday morning with a recap by John Maltbie, County Manager, on over 30 years of public service. Will Travis, Executive Director of the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) shared with us his forecast on rising sea levels. Within the next 100 years, the bay will reclaim its original shoreline. Rather than yearn for days of the past, armed with knowledge, we should be planning for the future selected restoration and high-density, urban development that is located and built to protect inland communities and infrastructure.

This year's breakout sessions were topical and contemporary, reflecting the challenges that government and business both face together. Issues included water, green jobs, the current status of the real estate market, public private partnerships, retaining and recruiting today's workforce, and our aging population. Our panel of experts regaled session participants with knowledge, information on current trends and forecasts of what to expect over the next several years.

Our lunch keynote panel included a live recording of Carl Guardino's KLIV CEO Show. Carl is President/CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, and his panelists included Tom Werner, CEO of SunPower and Bill Watkins, CEO of Seagate Technology. Carl's questioning along with Tom and Bill's candid answers on business, politics and leadership were wide-ranging, humorous and entertaining.

The keynote speaker on Sunday was the honorable Willie Brown. After more than 40 years in politics, Willie entertained session participants on his observations on politics, and the changes that have occurred over time. He shared with us his reasons and thoughts on his book, Basic Brown My Life and Our Times. Finally, he was able to offer his perspective on the current presidential race, the future race for governor, and depending on how things turn out, who may be the new mayor of San Francisco.

Thank you to all that attended a fabulous weekend in Monterey, our great keynote speakers, and expert panelists. Finally, a great big thanks to:

Session Co-Chairs: Rosanne Foust and Rich Gordon
Signature Sponsor: Comcast
Premier Sponsors: BEST, DMB Redwood City Saltworks and San Mateo Credit Union
Media Partner: San Francisco Business Times
And our many other corporate sponsors

Together, this was one of our "best ever" Progress Seminars. Mark your calendars for April 17-19, 2009, where we will be in Monterey again for our 40th Annual Progress Seminar.

Minority Rule -Changing the Way the City Does Business?
In early March, a coalition consisting of four environmental groups turned into Redwood City a proposed ballot initiative for the November election.

The initiative, titled "Open Space Vote", would require any potential development or changes to properties currently designated as "Open Space" be voted on by the public. A two-thirds vote would be required to allow any changes to proceed, or put another way, only a one-third vote would be required to stop a project. Late last week, the City Attorney's office released the title and summary of the initiative, and as required by law, his office is responsible for providing an impartial and true understanding of the intent of the initiative. The formal title on this initiative is now "A City Charter Amendment Requiring a Two-Thirds Vote of City Voters to Change the General Plan Designation or Zoning Ordinance Uses for Certain Lands in the City."

This proposed amendment has far-reaching ramifications for Redwood City and covers more than just the properties along the bay front. The areas included in this initiative include parks throughout Redwood City, a number of areas in Redwood Shores including the lagoon, the Port of Redwood City, and a number of unimproved properties.

Land use planning is very complicated and includes general plan designations, zoning, special use districts, precise plans and other planning elements. This initiative ignores these complications and makes land use planning sound very simple, when it is not. Decisions about land use include study, community input, public hearings, compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act and many other laws and regulations.

Ultimately, final decisions are in the hands of our elected officials as they should be.

This charter amendment will impact how Redwood City is governed and operates, and changes the roles and responsibilities of city staff, the Planning Commission and the City Council. Due to the impacts of this initiative, the issue was scheduled for all of our committee meetings in April, and on the agenda at our April Board meeting.

Our Chamber is beginning to understand how this proposed ballot initiative would change how the City conducts business. The ballot initiative was reviewed and discussed at each of the Chamber¹s standing committees:
Economic Development, Business and Government Relations, Education, the Ambassadors, and Transportation and Housing. Each committee voted to recommend to the Board to oppose this initiative. At the Board¹s April meeting, the Board of Directors voted to oppose this initiative, and to develop a communication plan to inform our members and the Redwood City community of the Chamber's position.

Membership Drive
This year's membership drive is underway. Please refer a friend or colleague. Remember that $25 of each new membership will be donated by the Chamber to a school of your choice.

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