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Councilmember McGovern requested that the task force be informed that the potential for off- site development exists. Councilmember Sullivan asked that staff return with that information concurrent with the results of this agreement. Mayor Hosterman opened the item to public comment. Becky Dennis, Kottinger Place Task Force, ask the Council to support the staff recommendation. She asked the Council to treat Pleasanton Gardens as a non profit granting agency and determine whether or not it wishes to form a partnership. Referring to the principles of agreement, she noted that the last bullet does not contain language supporting the goal of analyzing the properties' abilities to address the long -term housing service needs of Pleasanton's growing senior population. She said task force members possess extensive professional and personal expertise in providing senior housing and that when the Council reviews their recommendations within the context of a non profit service provider's analysis, their motives will become apparent. Sandra Sayre said that since becoming Resident Manager of Pleasanton Gardens she is much more aware of the increasing problems of an aging property as well as an aging population. She asked the Council to consider the practicality and costs of ever increasing repairs and maintenance balanced against the overall deterioration of the property. She said the average resident is 80 years old, with more and more requiring mobility assistance and accessibility standards that these apartments were not designed to meet. She said that as much as she loves her current home and would not like to move, she feels that not proceeding with a new, larger, and more modern senior community would be irresponsible. Barbara Hempill related her professional experience in the development of affordable housing for seniors and the disabled community. She said the components of a successful project are possession of the land and a non profit developer. She asked the Council to realize this proposal is only a concept of what could be developed on the land and that it is open to change. She said the goals of the Council and task force are aligned, and that is to create sufficient housing for the burgeoning senior population. Paul Henshaw said Pleasanton Gardens is an aging facility attempting to meet the needs of an aging population, and that it is unlikely the present facilities could be rehabilitated in an economically viable manner. He said this project would increase opportunities for both low income and senior independent living. He urged the Council to move forward with this vision by adopting the staff recommendation. Dolores Bengtson said the environmental issues raised by Councilmember McGovern would be minimal as the proposal stays within the existing footprint of the current facilities. She fully supported investigation of additional and alternative sites for affordable senior housing but advised that in addition to the property itself, one must consider the adjacencies because without proximity to certain services, the project would never succeed. She stated this particular site is ideal because the adjacencies are available to make it function well within the community and asked the Council to support the staff recommendation. Christine Steiner said the City is grappling with the same public housing issues that existed when she served as a Housing Commissioner in the late 1970s. She said the issues identified with this project are inherent in public and particularly senior housing. She said the cost to City Council Minutes Page 12 of 15 February 16, 2010