From: Estela Villagrana
To: City Clerk
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Please read out loud for me for Agenda items 7/12/22 Date: Tuesday, July 12, 2022 6:07:17 PM
7. Regular Agenda Items
7.D Building 19 2175 Monarch Street
Hello Council members and members of the public. This is Estela Villagrana, managing member at Building43Winery. I urge you to find a suitable Spirits Alley tenant for Building 19 at 2175 Monarch St.
This is Spirits Alley and the tenant should have a business that is consistent with our members.
We have already lost one of our cornerstone and founding members and the impact has been devastating on the Alley. Our business models rely on traffic to a large extent and removing this building from our potential members will further the problem. We need more artisan alcohol producers and more consumer traffic on the Alley. The currently interested businesses, in leasing Building 19, do not have a suitable business model for Spirits Alley.
Please take your commitment to Spirits Alley a step further and enact an ordinance to protect the Alley and its artisan producers. This is how it was supposed to be when the City and the Producers cut the ribbon on Spirits Alley in 2014. Since then the City has not followed thru on promises to do their part to make the Alley realize its full potential. We have already seen the problems that arise when the City does not protect the visual and historic integrity of the Alley.
Please don’t allow any negotiations, on any property on Monarch Street, that don’t fit the use of the destination we have worked so hard to create. And follow this move up with the appropriate mechanism to ensure Spirits Alley is populated by artisan spirits producers.
Thank you.
From: Chris C. Kemp
To: Madlen Saddik
Cc: Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft; John Knox White; Tony Daysog; Lara Weisiger; Trish Spencer; Malia Vella; Becca Perata; Kelly Lux; Dani Gomes
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [Ext] Chamber Support for Astra Regarding Agenda Item 7-D On July 12, 2022 Date: Tuesday, July 12, 2022 5:17:36 PM
Attachments: We sent you safe versions of your files.msg Letter of Support Item 7-D_ 7-12-22.docx (1).pdf
Mimecast Attachment Protection has deemed this file to be safe, but always exercise caution when opening files.
Thank you for your support!
Best,
Chris
CEO | Astra
On Jul 12, 2022, at 4:45 PM, Madlen Saddik <[email protected]> wrote:
Honorable Mayor and Council Members,
Please find attached a letter of support for agenda item 7-D for the City Council Meeting today, Tuesday, July 12th.
I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Connecting Business and Community,
Madlen Saddik
President & CEO
o:510.522.0414 | m:650.954.0848
w: alamedachamber.com
e: [email protected]
Click Here to Book a Meeting With Me
"The best way to find yourself is to lose
yourself in the service of others.”
CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organization. Do not trust the identity of the sender, the safety of any links, or any attachments unless you know the content is safe.
From: Madlen Saddik
To: Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft; John Knox White; Tony Daysog; Lara Weisiger; Trish Spencer; Malia Vella Cc: Becca Perata; Kelly Lux; Madlen Saddik; Dani Gomes; Chris C. Kemp Subject: [EXTERNAL] Chamber Support for Astra Regarding Agenda Item 7-D On July 12, 2022 Date: Tuesday, July 12, 2022 4:45:51 PM
Attachments: We sent you safe versions of your files.msg Letter of Support Item 7-D_ 7-12-22.docx (1).pdf
Mimecast Attachment Protection has deemed this file to be safe, but always exercise caution when opening files.
Honorable Mayor and Council Members,
Please find attached a letter of support for agenda item 7-D for the City Council Meeting today, Tuesday, July 12th.
I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Connecting Business and Community,
Madlen Saddik
President & CEO
o:510.522.0414 | m:650.954.0848
w: alamedachamber.com
e: [email protected]
Click Here to Book a Meeting With Me
"The best way to find yourself is to lose
yourself in the service of others.”
From: Nancy Pfund
To: CityCouncil-List
Cc: City Clerk
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Support for Rain Industries Lease Proposal (2175 Monarch Street) Date: Tuesday, July 12, 2022 2:07:06 PM
Attachments: We sent you safe versions of your files.msg DBL Support Letter - Rain - City of Alameda.pdf
Mimecast Attachment Protection has deemed this file to be safe, but always exercise caution when opening files.
Dear Members of the Alameda City Council:
Enclosed is a letter to express support for the proposal from Rain Industries to lease Building 19 located at 2175 Monarch Street. As a 35-year resident of the East Bay, and Founder and Managing Partner of DBL, one of the first impact investing firms, I believe Rain is the ideal tenant for this historic and unique location.
I welcome the opportunity to work together with you and the Rain team to help address the wildfire problem and to identify the city of Alameda as a leader in using innovation to improve 21st-century wildfire outcomes.
Sincerely,
Nancy Pfund
Founder, Managing Partner
DBL Partners
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From: Ephraim Nowak
To: CityCouncil-List
Cc: City Clerk
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Item 7D on July 12, 2022 Agenda
Date: Tuesday, July 12, 2022 12:11:45 PM
July 11, 2022
RE: Item 7D on July 12, 2022 Agenda
RAIN INDUSTRIES application to lease BUILDING 19
Dear Mayor Ashcraft and City Council,
My name is Ephraim Nowak, and as a resident of Alameda I would like to share with you why I authentically believe Rain Industries is the perfect tenant choice for Building 19 at Alameda Point (Item 7D on the July 12, 2022 agenda) and for the greater community of Alameda.
Alameda and Innovation
The City of Alameda has a history of innovation and continues to innovate as demonstrated in the ongoing transformation of NAS Alameda into the pioneering and commercial hub it is becoming. The City’s efforts in modernizing the area through infrastructure upgrades, the seaplane lagoon ferry terminal, and recreational spaces along the waterfront are already paying dividends; my wife and daughter love spending time and making friends in Alameda Waterfront Park. By selecting Rain Industries as the tenant for Building 19, The City has the potential to build on the incredible local aviation history, with an innovative tenant who has demonstrated deep commitment to being an active participant in the community.
Aviation History
NAS Alameda was one of the largest and most complete naval air stations in the world and played a key role in the Doolittle Raid on Japan following the attack on Pearl Harbor during WWII. Alameda remained an important naval base through the Cold War
. From 1949 to 1953, the Navy based the Lockheed R6V Constitution—the largest airplane ever listed on the Navy inventory—at NAS Alameda. How fitting to have an aviation company based in the control tower at Alameda Point! Benefits to the Community
Rain is not a closed-door company. Since Rain made the decision to come to the island, they have actively sought out and created opportunities to engage with the community. A core component to this is educational outreach, building on the company founders' experience as former educational technology entrepreneurs.
Within months of arriving in Alameda, Rain developed and hosted the Rain Explore program, a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) outreach program designed to allow children and parents to explore the role of wildfire in the ecosystem, engineering processes, and aviation. Currently, Rain is developing regularly scheduled educational programs in collaboration with the Alameda Education Foundation and the Alameda Unified School District. Building 19 is uniquely suited to expanding Rain’s STEM program; the second parents and students walk through the main lobby doors, they would be exposed to a myriad of interactive wildfire and technology exhibits and an engineering makerspace. The combination of lobby, office and light industrial shop space, will allow Rain to host after-school programs that will dive into the topics introduced during Rain Explore. Selecting Rain as the tenant for Building 19 opens doors for members of the community.
Anchor Tenant
While exploring Alameda Point, it becomes quite apparent that this community has a demonstrated history of embracing innovative companies and enabling their success.
By selecting Rain as the tenant for Building 19, the City has the potential to develop another great anchor tenant for Alameda Point, which will continue to benefit the community for years to come.
Thank you for your time and consideration, and I hope you decide to give Rain the opportunity to be part of this community, as we seek to serve and protect California and the world from the devastating effects of catastrophic wildfires while meaningfully contributing to Alameda as our local community.
Sincerely,
Ephraim Nowak
Chief Engineer
Rain Industries Inc.
From: Miles Dotson
To: CityCouncil-List
Cc: City Clerk
Subject: [EXTERNAL] RE: Building 19 at Alameda Point, Item 7D Date: Tuesday, July 12, 2022 7:42:27 AM
Attachments: We sent you safe versions of your files.msg LOS - Rain-City of Alameda-3.pdf
Mimecast Attachment Protection has deemed this file to be safe, but always exercise caution when opening files.
Greetings,
Please see and incorporate the follow letter in the review of the following matter: Rain Industries’ application to lease Building 19 at Alameda Point, Item 7D on your July 12, 2022 agenda.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Miles Dotson
Managing Partner
DEVLAND Innovation R&D, New Ventures
Twitter @milesgdotson
LinkedIn /in/milesdotson
Website Schedule Meeting Work with Us
From: Steve Chiu
To: CityCouncil-List
Cc: City Clerk; Daniel Wholey
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Statement of Support for Rain Industries / Item 7D on July 12, 2022 Agenda Date: Tuesday, July 12, 2022 12:03:14 AM
City of Alameda City Council;
I am writing to let you know about the amazing and educational experience my 6 and 8 year olds had during a recent Rain Explore event and also to express my support for Rain Industries’ application to lease Building 19 at Alameda Point, Item 7D on your July 12, 2022 agenda.
On June 29th, my 6-year old daughter Lori and 8-year old son Steffen took a break from their normally scheduled summer camps and attended a unique STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) learning opportunity at the Rain Explore event, held at Rain Industries’ headquarters in Alameda Point.
It was a fantastic educational event that was well organized and had many activities tailored for young kids to have fun while learning about science. They learned pseudocoding, the basics of a helicopter engine, how to remotely fly a helicopter, and how wildfires impact the environment and how they are put out. My son, who is into video games, enjoyed sitting in the pilot seat flying the helicopter with the controller and viewing all the different screens.
While my daughter who enjoys arts and crafting, enjoyed building the helicopter engine with legos.
It was a unique opportunity that not only sparked interest in science and technology, but also explained to them complex topics in kid-sized digestible nuggets. Rain Industries is a welcomed addition to the community in that it makes Alameda the home to innovation, but it also invests back in the community by providing programs such as the Rain Explore event.
We hope Rain can remain in our community so families like ours can also benefit from these programs.
Wildfires in California are here to stay and supporting these companies close to home that truly understand the potential devestation of the wildfires are important to saving communities and lives.
Thank you for considering Rain Industries as a potential applicant to Building 19.
Steve Chiu
From: Justin Hersh
To: CityCouncil-List
Cc: City Clerk
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Item 7D on your July 12, 2022 agenda Date: Monday, July 11, 2022 8:48:32 PM
Attachments: We sent you safe versions of your files.msg Letter for city of Alameda in suppoort of Rain.pdf
Mimecast Attachment Protection has deemed this file to be safe, but always exercise caution when opening files.
This is my letter in support of Rain's application for leasing building 19.
Regards,
Justin
From: Liz Taylor
To: Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft; [email protected]; Tony Daysog; Trish Spencer; John Knox White Cc: City Clerk
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Letter re Council meeting agenda item 7D July 12 2022 Date: Monday, July 11, 2022 6:13:49 PM
Dear Mayor Ashcraft and esteemed council members
I am writing to ask that you support the efforts of Rain Industries (Rain) to secure a location for their headquarters and operations at Alameda Point. My understanding is that they are currently applying for use of Building 19 because of its proximity to the Northwest Territories and historic provenance as an air traffic control tower. While they are a small “start-up”, they have the support of family offices who have recognized the value of the technology in the face of climate change.
Rain is currently a client of DOER Marine. Their autonomous systems can play a pivotal role in wildfire mitigation – one of the most fearsome and disastrous climate related issues facing California. The Bay Area with its hilly terrain and dense population is at particular risk. Having systems that can help knock down and contain fires ahead of larger teams and aircraft arriving on scene can save countless lives and billions in property damage.
Rain contracted with DOER based on our decades of experience of designing, building and operating equipment in the harshest environments on Earth. Our assistance in areas such as waterproofing sensitive electronics, thermal dynamics, materials science, containerization, emergency response, and weight/balance/payload release strategies are helping the Rain team to meet their target of having systems ready and deployable for the 2023 fire season.
In order to do this, it would be helpful to move their offices and headquarters to Alameda Point. This will give them the ongoing proximity to DOER while helping them tighten the timeline by having their team come together in one space. Optimizing time and personnel in one location will benefit their deployment timeline which will benefit everyone who has family, property, or wild places they care about that are at risk from wildfire.
Alamedans seem to appreciate the diverse, innovative small businesses that hail from Alameda. Like DOER, Rain has a really interesting and compelling story – the kind that cities like to be known for fostering and supporting. I hope that they will be given a chance to grow and thrive at Alameda Point.
Best regards,
Liz Taylor
President
DOER Marine
650 W Tower Ave
Alameda CA 94501
Tel: 510-530-9388
From: Mikel Brodie
To: CityCouncil-List
Cc: City Clerk
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Support letter Building 19
Date: Monday, July 11, 2022 3:26:24 PM
Attachments: We sent you safe versions of your files.msg Support letter.pdf
Mimecast Attachment Protection has deemed this file to be safe, but always exercise caution when opening files.
Dear Mayor and City Council,
Please find attached my letter of support for Rain Industries’ application to lease Building 19 at Alameda Point, Item 7D on your July 12, 2022 agenda.
Sincerely,
Mikel
From: Damian Fagan
To: CityCouncil-List; City Clerk
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Almanac Beer Company Supports Approval of Item 7D (7/12/22) Date: Monday, July 11, 2022 1:06:45 PM
Dear Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft and Alameda City Council,
I am writing to express support for Rain Industries’ application to lease Building 19 at Alameda Point—Item 7D on your July 12, 2022 agenda.
As a Californian, I deeply believe we need to support companies focused on wildfire- abatement technology, especially a company focused on containing wildfires within 10 minutes of ignition like Rain Industries. We are all aware of the many devastating impacts each new wildfire season brings, and as climate change continues, these impacts are likely to only increase in severity over time. The loss of life and property is unacceptable and preventative action must be taken. We must embrace new technologies and innovations which will increase our ability to fight wildfires in California. The need is now.
Having met with the management team of Rain Industries, Almanac Beer Company supports Rain’s interest in making Alameda Point a permanent home as they increase employment and expand operations (I understand that 30% of their employees currently live in Alameda).
Imagine the rapid progress this groundbreaking company could make with an airfield so close to their HQ. The former air control tower, with a view over the entire airfield, would allow Rain to directly see their aircraft perform, adapt their software from the office and test almost immediately again. This creates R&D efficiencies uniquely suited to their specific needs, and virtually impossible to replicate in any other location.
Almanac Beer Company would warmly welcome Rain Industries as neighbors at Alameda Point.
Sincerely,
Damian Fagan
Founder, Owner & CEO
Almanac Beer Company
--
Mobile: 415.816.4747
651 W. Tower Ave.
Alameda, CA 94501
www.almanacbeer.com
From: Katie Welch
To: CityCouncil-List
Cc: City Clerk
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Agenda Item 7D for July 12, 2022 - Rain Industries Letter of Support Date: Monday, July 11, 2022 12:30:07 PM
Attachments: We sent you safe versions of your files.msg Katie Welch - Rain Industries Building 19 Letter of Support.pdf Mimecast Attachment Protection has deemed this file to be safe, but always exercise caution when opening files.
Dear Mayor Ashcraft and City Council,
I hope you all had a great weekend! Attached to this email is my letter of support for Rain Industries' application to lease Building 19 at Alameda Point. This is Item 7D for the July 12, 2022 meeting. Thanks so much for your time and consideration! Sincerely,
Katie Welch
From: Matt
To: CityCouncil-List
Cc: City Clerk
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Building 19 Letter of Support - Rain Industries Date: Monday, July 11, 2022 11:06:04 AM
Attachments: We sent you safe versions of your files.msg Rain Letter of Support.pdf
Mimecast Attachment Protection has deemed this file to be safe, but always exercise caution when opening files.
Dear Mayor and City Council,
Please find attached my letter of support for Rain Industries’ application to lease Building 19 at Alameda Point, Item 7D on your July 12, 2022 agenda.
Sincerely,
Matt Padgett
Mechatronics Engineer, Rain
rain.aero
From: Apoorva Kharche
To: CityCouncil-List
Cc: City Clerk
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Rain Industries - HQ At Alameda Point Date: Monday, July 11, 2022 10:32:06 AM
Attachments: We sent you safe versions of your files.msg Rain - Letter of Support.pdf
Mimecast Attachment Protection has deemed this file to be safe, but always exercise caution when opening files.
Dear Mayor and City Council,
Please find attached my letter of support for Rain Industries’ application to lease Building 19 at Alameda Point, Item 7D on your July 12, 2022 agenda.
Sincerely,
Apoorva Kharche
[email protected]
From: Sophia Bou-Ghannam
To: CityCouncil-List
Cc: City Clerk
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Support For Rain Industries - HQ in Alameda Point Date: Sunday, July 10, 2022 9:54:21 PM
Attachments: JUST_logo-100.png
Dear Mayor and City Council,
I am writing to express support for Rain Industries’ application to lease Building 19 at Alameda Point, Item 7D on your July 12, 2022 agenda.
We need to do what we can for companies focused on wildfire technology, especially a company focused on containing wildfires in their earliest phases. In 2018 alone, California wildfires caused 88 civilian casualties. Between 2005 and 2020, 89,210 structures were destroyed by wildfires. Given the devastating impact wildfire has brought upon the state of California, leasing Building 19 to Rain would honor the historic use of the Alameda Naval Air Station; protecting our state and our country.
Imagine the progress Rain could make with a potential flight testing site in such close proximity to a tower that is ideal for monitoring flight tests. I believe our community would agree that a company creating firefighting aircraft is the best use for a former air station.
Additionally, the City of Alameda uniquely operates on its own electrical grid, independent of the Planned Safety Power Shutdowns (PSPS) associated with wildfire season. This is a rare feature throughout the Bay Area. Rain needs constant power during wildfire season to monitor its autonomous aircraft, therefore I believe this city to be the perfect fit for its mission.
It is important that the city focuses on economic diversity, attracting new companies to avoid the economic consequences associated with a large employer leaving our community. This is especially true considering the mass exodus of technology companies leaving the Bay Area. I know that firms with longstanding relationships with the city are facing high rental rates as mentioned in the agenda for July 12th. Saildrone has facilities in St. Petersburg, Florida and other parts of the country. With high rental rates and existing facilities elsewhere, I fear that one of our largest employers has the opportunity to take its headquarters and employees away from the island. Leasing the tower to Saildrone for office space would increase its economic footprint on the City of Alameda, which would cause a larger negative impact on our city's economy should the company decide to move its headquarters.
I am sure another opportunity for Saildrone to extend its offices will become available at Alameda Point. However, this is the only air traffic control tower at Alameda Point and I encourage council to consider its best use. This council has the opportunity to bring an incredible partner and innovative life-saving technology into the community, and to facilitate what could be the end of catastrophic wildfires. I hope you will approve their application.
Best,
Sophia Bou-Ghannam, PhD
Scientist at Eat Just, Inc.
Sophia Bou-Ghannam
Scientist I, Cellular Agriculture
(415) 279-4362
visit ju.st
Notice of Confidentiality
The information contained in this e-mail message or any attachment(s) may be confidential and/or privileged and is intended for use only by the individual(s) to whom this message is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution, copying, or use is strictly prohibited. If you receive this e-mail message in error, please e-mail the original sender at Eat Just, Inc. (i.e., [sender]@ju.st) and destroy this message and remove the transmission from all computer directories (including e-mail servers).
From: Adam Blank
To: CityCouncil-List
Cc: City Clerk
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Support for Rain Industries" as Building 19 tenant Date: Sunday, July 10, 2022 5:38:52 PM
Dear Alameda City Council,
I'd like to express support of Rain Industries' application as the tenant for Building 19 at Alameda Point, Item 7D on your July 12th agenda.
I had the opportunity to tour Building 19 when it was in use by Makani Energy / Google X.
The building has a recent tradition as a place of innovation for aviation technologies, which could continue with Rain Industries. The tower is ideal for overlooking flight tests, allowing for more rapid R&D. Their mission to address wildfires is something the local community can rally around, and I sincerely hope you will approve their application. - Adam Blank, Area Resident
From: Aniruddha Katre
To: CityCouncil-List
Cc: City Clerk; Daniel Wholey
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Rain - Letter of Support
Date: Sunday, July 10, 2022 12:37:01 PM
Attachments: We sent you safe versions of your files.msg Rain - Letter of Support.pdf
Mimecast Attachment Protection has deemed this file to be safe, but always exercise caution when opening files.
Hello,
Please find attached my letter of support for Rain Industries' application to lease Building 19 at Alameda Point, item 7D on your July 12, 2022 agenda.
Sincerely,
Aniruddha Katre
From: Trish Spencer
To: Lara Weisiger
Subject: Fw: [EXTERNAL] Support for Rain Industries lease of Building 19 at Alameda Point Date: Friday, July 8, 2022 5:07:01 PM
From: Vicki Sedlack <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, July 6, 2022 5:06 PM
To: CityCouncil-List
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Support for Rain Industries lease of Building 19 at Alameda Point
July 6, 2022
Dear Mayor Ezzy-Ashcraft and Members of the Alameda City Council:
I am writing to express support for Rain Industries’ application to lease Building 19 at Alameda Point, Item 7D on your July 12, 2022 agenda.
I recently had the opportunity to tour the Rain facilities and meet the team. I was impressed by their innovative climate technology and the positive impact it can have on mitigating California wildfires.
I was also impressed by the team’s focus on providing STEM-based educational opportunities for Alameda students.
In fact, some of our local students and their families had the opportunity last week to participate in a day-long camp called Rain Explore. Students learned various elements of STEM including pseudocode, how a helicopter engine works, vehicle autonomy, the chemistry of fire retardant, and flight dynamics. The camp was very well-received by campers and parents alike. Rain has also employed an intern explicitly for the purpose of developing curriculum to support STEM learning opportunities for Alameda students. Experiencing real-world applications, right here in Alameda, presents a unique learning opportunity for Alameda students.
I support Rain’s interest in making Alameda Point a permanent home as they increase their number of employees, including of Alameda residents. Building 19, the former Naval Air Traffic Control Tower near the airfield, seems ideally suited for Rain to locate their headquarters and R & D center. Due to the building’s unique tower that overlooks where Rain would potentially be conducting flight testing, Rain could rapidly iterate upon its system from the tower and host students in the tower to see their latest aircraft fly autonomously. With a permanent home in Alameda, Rain could partner with Alameda Education Foundation and the educational community to grow programs that spark interest across various ages to dive into various fields within STEM.
I look forward to continuing to explore educational opportunities with Rain in the years ahead and appreciate your consideration of supporting their growth in Alameda.
Sincerely,
Vicki Sedlack
Executive Director
Alameda Education Foundation
From: Katie Ralston
To: CityCouncil-List
Cc: City Clerk
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Letter of Support for Rain
Date: Friday, July 8, 2022 4:44:24 PM
Attachments: We sent you safe versions of your files.msg Letter of Support for Rain.pdf
Mimecast Attachment Protection has deemed this file to be safe, but always exercise caution when opening files.
Dear City Council,
I am writing to express support for Rain Industries’ application to lease Building 19 at Alameda Point, Item 7D on your July 12, 2022, agenda.
Please find attached my letter of support for Rain Industries' application. Thank you. --
Best regards,
Katie Ralston