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Mayor Thome asked why, when the direction has been to try to minimize the use of task forces moving forward, staff selected this type of process over public hearings at the Parks and Recreation Commission. Ms. Yuan-Miu explained that the task force setting allows members with a variety of perspectives to participate. Mr. Fialho acknowledged the Council's preference to utilize fewer task forces going forward but said this project is somewhat unique in its history as well as dimension added by the possible integration of Castleridge and EBRPD. Staff is ultimately amenable to either option, but feels that a task force may allow for a better dialogue and outcome. Mayor Thorne said he could support it but reiterated his interest in following a different path when appropriate. He asked whether the task force would be conducting the financial review mentioned earlier. Ms. Yuan-Miu explained that financial information, which is considered part of the environmental scan and important to understand some of the constraints moving forward, would be prepared by staff. Vice-Mayor Pentin said he too was not entirely convinced of the need for a task force. Having served on the Parks and Recreation Commission, he felt the same could be accomplished through several workshops and public hearings at that level. Councilmember Cook-Kallio said she agreed that some of what was envisioned for the park has not come to fruition. She said she felt strongly about the need for input from those who actually use the park, not necessarily those staff is recommending participate on the task force. She noted that both the Parks and Recreation Commission and Planning Commission have another venue through which to weigh in and neighborhood input generally tends to manifest of its own volition. She recommended that if a task force is pursued, it be limited in scope and duration and focus on the following: what programs are important, who those programs serve, what the community expectations of the Alviso Adobe are, and how to achieve that while also integrating with EBRPC to provide trail access. She expressed concern that allowing temporary access to the Castleridge trail without first recognizing the needs of the park might jeopardize certain needs of which they are not yet aware. Councilmember Narum said she felt it was important for the Council, as elected officials, not to have a seat on the task force and to ask the same of others. She asked and Mr. Fialho confirmed that they could opt not to appoint elected representatives from EBRPD and PUSD. Mayor Thome opened the item for public comment. Kurt Kummer advised the Council that he was speaking on behalf of Friends of Alviso Adobe and its supporters. He said he supported the recommendation of the task force, which would allow greater involvement and more input than was achieved in the last planning effort. He said the acquisition of the Austin property open space has long been envisioned as an opportunity to provide trail access from the park to the top of Pleasanton Ridge, but that it must be implemented correctly in order to be successful. He encouraged the Council to direct staff to include consideration of the Castleridge and Austin properties in tandem with the park. He recommended the appointment of a Bicycle, Pedestrian and Trails Committee member and two Friends of Alviso Adobe members to the task force, as well as at least two residents from the surrounding neighborhoods. He questioned the need for a Civic Arts Commissioner and said he would prefer to see EBRPD act as more of a resource than a voting member of the task force. Specifically, he requested that the Council consider making Mr. Fulford available as a resource and recommended the following Friends of Alviso Adobe members for appointment: Jim Fields and Jim Dobias, former Parks and Recreation Commissioners; Mike Segundo; and Ron Simmons. City Council Minutes Page 10 of 16 July 15,2014