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He cited historic conversion of alkali grassland to agriculture and urban use, overgrazing, and impacts associated with road and utility line construction and maintenance as the spearscale's principle threats. The San Joaquin spearscale is a recommended focus for the EACCS and East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy. He opposed the claim that the potential population loss has already been fully and successfully mitigated by the Arroyo Mocho realignment project due to the lack of supporting documentation and inadequate study of the species population and habitat. The Sierra Club maintains that the EIR does not adequately demonstrate that the impacts would be less than significant nor does it support defining prior mitigations as current ones or the address of EIR deficiencies in separate agreements. Mayor Hosterman asked what the current distribution of the San Joaquin spearscale is and what percentage of that currently occurs on the Staples Ranch site. Mr. Morrison shared a distribution map; he could not provide percentages but said that most occurrences are within Alameda County. He noted that most of its original habitat in San Joaquin Valley has been disrupted by agricultural conversion. Mr. Morrison added that he would support a 30-day continuance of the item to allow staff the opportunity to provide more environmental documents. Mayor Hosterman said that, depending upon the Council's decision tonight, she would invite him to assist staff in future plans for habitat protection. Rich Cimino, East Alameda Audubon Society representative, reviewed the Audubon Society's role in the planning process and its recommendation to enlarge the community park along the Arroyo Mocho. He explained that this could be accomplished by moving the ice facility to the northeast and would ultimately serve to mitigate the impact to the spearscale. He acknowledged his initial support for the project, assured the Council that it continues, but suggested that a continuance would allow both stakeholders and conservationists the opportunity to study the plant's habitat and reach a consensus. Mayor Hosterman asked what had suddenly changed Mr. Cimino's support of the project. He explained that his original position had not really deviated; he just feels there is a need to carefully consider the evidence surrounding the endangerment of the San Joaquin spearscale. He detailed other ongoing efforts to restore the species' habitat and explained that those efforts have increased awareness on the matter here. Mr. Cimino asked to clarify what has been perceived as his blanket support of the project and reiterated his desire to relocate the Sharks Ice facility to allow a larger portion of the native plant collection to extend towards Stoneridge Drive and the Arroyo Mocho. He added that he has a meeting with Sharks Ice tomorrow to discuss the matter. Ralph Kanz, ACA Conservation Director, reviewed a letter forwarded to the Council. He said that the City does not yet have a legally defensible CEQA document largely due to the San Joaquin spearscale issue. He acknowledged Mr. Jeung's direction that the EIR must be based on existing conditions at the site and explained that those conditions indicate spearscale presence. He advised the Council against making a Statement of Overriding Considerations and instead suggested continuing the item for 30 days to allow an opportunity to consider the possible mitigations as well as the possible inclusion of the Stoneridge Drive extension in the CEQA documents. Councilmember Sullivan asked how Mr. Kanz would respond to the comments that mitigation of the impacts to the San Joaquin spearscale is adequate because it has replanted itself in the City Council Minutes Page 11 of 15 February 3, 2009