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wonderful green building and water conservation measure, and said it should be left to the applicant to <br /> decide. <br /> Vice-Mayor Cook-Kallio agreed that traffic fees should not be strictly earmarked for El Charro at this time <br /> but said she would like an acknowledgement of the Council's intent to support the project with these <br /> funds if it moves forward. She explained that her primary concern with artificial turf related to recent <br /> studies that question its cleanliness and safety. <br /> Councilmember Brown said she preferred natural grass over artificial turf. <br /> Mayor Thorne stressed the importance of the El Charro extension, which he felt would be the greatest <br /> mitigating factor of anything recommended to date, and said he felt some of these fees should be <br /> allocated for that project when appropriate. He said he liked the idea of synthetic turf, particularly from a <br /> maintenance standpoint, and noted that the city intends to install a similar product at the Bernal <br /> Community Park sports fields. <br /> MOTION: It was m/s by Thorne/Pentin to approve the staff recommendation. <br /> Mayor Thorne reopened the public hearing. <br /> Mr. Pringle explained that the quality of artificial turf has improved significantly over the last 10 years. <br /> Heavenly Greens, the firm identified for this project, has installed this particular variation in 6 humane <br /> societies and multiple NFL stadiums. E&S Ring installed a similar product in a 1,000 unit project in <br /> Marina del Rey 3 years ago and has received an incredibly positive response. He assured the Vice <br /> Mayor that the product requires an extensive sub-base and drainage system and is easily cleaned with <br /> daily watering and monthly disinfection. Given the number of other water conserving measures in the <br /> project, he thought this seemed like a logical and obvious choice. <br /> Mayor Thorne closed the public hearing. <br /> Councilmember Narum requested and Mayor Thorne accepted an amendment to his motion to delete <br /> Condition of Approval No. 20, which relates to the installation of natural turf. <br /> Vice-Mayor Cook-Kallio reiterated her desire to see language addressing the intended, albeit flexible, <br /> use of impact fees to support the extension of El Charro. <br /> Mr. Fialho clarified for the record that they would not be reserving a portion of these fees for the El <br /> Charro interchange. What he recommended, which is what he understood to be the intent of the Council <br /> from previous discussions, is that they acknowledge that traffic fees in general may be used to offset the <br /> cost of El Charro once an actual project and estimated cost come forward. <br /> Vice-Mayor Cook-Kallio said one of the primary considerations in electing not to include this site in the <br /> East Side Specific Plan was the allocation of these funds to El Charro. <br /> Mr. Fialho said the direction from the Council at that time was not specific but that the intent to use traffic <br /> fees to offset the cost of El Charro was, and still is, clear. <br /> Vice-Mayor Cook-Kallio requested and Mr. Fialho agreed to include language offering El Charro as a <br /> possible use for the fees. <br /> After discussion with legal counsel, staff also agreed to amend the Affordable Housing Agreement to <br /> reflect the applicant's commitment to retain the 3 accessible units regardless of which option is <br /> ultimately exercised by the city. <br /> City Council Minutes Page 9 of 10 August 6,2013 <br />