Written Correspondence Received by City Council
(10/20-11/2/2023)
Dana Dillworth (10/31/23) Closed Session - Consideration of the Sale of Rails-to-Trails Public Land Within Our Watershed Without Proper Authority
Whitney Jones (11/1/23) Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. CA WARN Act Notice to Brisbane City Council Elizabeht Larson (11/2/23) Preservation of the Sand Playground at Community Park Elna Miller (11/2/23) In Support of Sand
Lyora Zadik (11/2/23) Sand
Michelle Woodruff (11/2/23) A comment for tonight's meeting regarding sand at the Community Park Playground
Khalia Harding (11/2/23) Brisbane Park playground changes Madeline Johnson (11/2/23) Comment for city council meeting playground discussion To: Brisbane City Council
From: Dana Dillworth
RE: Closed Session - Consideration of the Sale of Rails-to-Trails Public Land Within Our Watershed Without Proper Authority
Re: Meeting of November 2, 2023
I object to the consideration of the sale of our Public land (Lot 1, Block 1, Tract 862) under closed session with insufficient information supplied in the Public posting.
By State law (Gov code 54222,) there is a minimum 60-day process of disposition of public lands which includes proper circulation of notice of availability of surplus land, first opportunities to non-profits, social agencies, open space and parks, and consideration of other Public and regional plans prior to consideration of a sale to a private enterprise. This land was bestowed to Brisbane for the purposes of creating Open Space trail opportunities. You do not have authority with this regard.
I will speak to the environmental potential of this area, ANY area west of South Hill. While littered with Himalayan blackberries and aging eucalyptus, is still filled with native plants and adjacent to Quarry Road… an internationally declared biodiverse natural preserve hotspot. It is an area that represents the southern drainage of Guadalupe Creek, San Bruno Mountain.
Equivalent to a stream’s importance, there should be protective measures of minimum setbacks of 60 to 100 feet from industrial activities. While there is no mention of the purpose of the sale, we assume habitat renewal is not part of the future agreement, or you would have mentioned a partnership with San Mateo County Parks for example.
A perfect use of this property would be a “Mountaineer’s” Native Plant Nursery for wetland plants. It is close to Lipman School. A safer pedestrian path can be constructed to connect to Quarry Road, contributing to a more walkable, breathable city.
I object to the piecemeal loss of our Public Lands and future loss of our ability to daylight creeks and improve habitat along the permitter of Crocker Park. This is a Public asset. We have the right to the highest beneficial use. Paving former paradise to expand a parking lot again?
Where is this property in relationship to the slumping Quarry Road? Is there a slide potential or interrupted drainage from future development of this land, as was the case with the Shen Kee property? Is it the wet spongy area near the old Aircraft Technical Publishing and Dolby Buildings? Will the sale create any impediment with the future repair(s) needed on/for supporting Quarry Road? Is this part of a bigger plan i.e. growth-inducing impacts? Where is the proper CEQA and General Plan compliance review required of this matter? A simple “direction was taken” as a legal response is not adequate .
You owe the Public full disclosure, complete daylight of the purpose and actual location of the property being discussed under closed-door session. This session is illegal and should not convene.
From: Whitney Jones <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, November 1, 2023 8:46 AM
To: Council Members <[email protected]>
Subject: CA WARN Act Notice to Brisbane City Council
Pursuant to California Labor Code section 1400, et seq. (the “California WARN Act”), the attached notice is to inform you that Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. plans to initiate an action that may be deemed a “mass layoff” under the California WARN Act. Please confirm receipt of the attached WARN notice via email to [email protected] and [email protected]
Thank you,
Whitney Jones
[ON COMPANY LETTERHEAD]
NOTICE TO BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL
Via Email ([email protected])
November 1, 2023
Brisbane City Council
Brisbane City Hall
50 Park Place
Brisbane, CA 94005
Re: California WARN Act Notice of Mass Layoff
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to California Labor Code section 1400, et seq. (the “California WARN Act”) and the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, 29 U.S.C. section 2101, et seq. (the “federal WARN Act”), this notice is to inform you that Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) plans to initiate actions that may be deemed a “mass layoff” and “termination” under the California WARN Act and a “mass layoff” and “plant closing” under the federal WARN Act.
The Company plans to terminate the employment of 65 employees assigned to its location at 7000 Marina Blvd, Brisbane, CA 94005 (the “Brisbane Location”) in connection with the commencement of a plant closure of the entire Brisbane Location. The Company also plans to terminate the employment of 37 employees assigned to its location at 501 Canal Blvd, Richmond, CA 94005 (“Richmond Location”).
The actions at the Brisbane Location and the Richmond Location are expected to commence during the 14-day period starting on January 2, 2024, and to continue in stages thereafter, during the 14-day period starting on March 1, 2024, the 14-day period starting on April 1, 2024, the 14-day period starting on May 1, 2024 and the 14-day period starting on June 3, 2024. These actions will be permanent.
The job titles of positions to be affected and the number of affected employees in each job classification assigned to each location are as follows:
501 Canal Blvd, Richmond, CA 94005
Job Title of Affected Position Number of Affected Employees Associate Director, Clinical Operations 1
Associate Director, Clinical Oversight &
Optimization 1
Associate Director, Lab Operations 1
Associate Director, Nonclinical Safety
Evaluation 1
Associate Scientist 1
Bioinformatics Engineer II 1
Bioinformatics Software Engineer I 1
Biorepository Specialist I 1
Clinical Trial Manager 1
Director, Clinical Operations 1
Director, Clinical Operations 1
Director, Clinical Sciences 1
Director, CMC Project Management 1
Director, Development Operations 1
Director, Environmental Health and Safety 1
Laboratory Informatics Manager 1
Manager, Lab Operations 1
Manager, Nonclinical Operations 1
Manager, Quality Systems 1
Principal Research Associate 1
Principal Research Associate 1
Quality Assurance Specialist III 1
Regulatory Affairs Operations Specialist III 1
Research Associate II 2
Research Associate III 2
Scientist I, AAV Engineering 1
Senior Manager, Nonclinical Operations 1
Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs 1
Senior Manager, Vector Core 1
Senior Project Manager 1
Senior Research Associate 2
Senior Scientist, Neuroscience 1
Vice President, Bioinformatics 1
Vice President, Quality Assurance 1
7000 Marina Blvd, Brisbane CA:
Job Title of Affected Position Number of Affected Employees Associate Director, CMC Regulatory Affairs 1
Associate Director, Engineering 1
Associate Director, Facilities 2
Associate Director, GxP Procurement 1
Associate Director, Program Lead 1
Associate Director, Project Management 1
Associate Director, Shop Floor Quality 1
Associate Scientist 1
Associate, Quality Control - Cell Culture (GMP) 1
Associate, Quality Control - Cell Culture and Bioassay 1 Associate, Quality Control Microbiology 2
Bioinformatics Scientist III 1
Chief of Staff 1
Compliance/Reliability Manager 1
Director, Alliance Management 1
Director, CMC Strategy 1
Director, External Manufacturing 1
Director, Global Logistics 1
Director, Investor Relations 1
Director, Validation 1
Executive Assistant, Legal and Human Resources 1
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer 1
Facilities Manager 1
Lead, Cell Therapy Clinical Manufacturing 1
Lead, GMP Warehouse 1
Manager, Automation Engineer 1
Manager, Cell Therapy Manufacturing 1
Manager, Logistics and Cold Chain 1
Manager, Maintenance Operations 1
Manager, Quality Assurance Raw Materials 1
Nonclinical Project Manager 1
Process Engineer III 1
Project Manager, Scientific Communications 1
Research Associate III 1
Senior Director, Bioanalytical Sciences 1
Senior Director, Brisbane Manufacturing Site 1
Senior Director, Business Operations 1
Senior Director, Facilities 1
Senior Director, GxP Proc. & Supplier Mgmt. 1
Senior Director, Head of Operations 1
Senior Director, IT Infrastructure & Operations 1
Senior Manager, Facilities 1
Senior Manager, GMP Warehouse 1
Senior Manager, Lab Operations 1
Senior Manager, Quality Control Microbiology 1
Senior Manager, Quality Systems 1
Senior Manufacturing Associate 3
Senior Program Manager, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 1 Senior Project Manager 1
Senior Research Associate 1
Senior Specialist, QC Microbiology (Environmental Monitoring) 1 Senior Specialist, Quality Control - Analytical Chemistry 1 Senior Specialist, Quality Control Lead 1
Senior Specialist, Quality Control Operations 1
Specialist, GMP Warehouse 1
Specialist, Quality Control, Raw Materials 1
SVP & CSO 1
Vice President, CMC Strategy 1
Vice President, Development Program Leadership 1
Vice President, Facilities 1
Vice President, Supply Chain Management & Business Ops 1 The affected employees do not have union representation and bumping rights do not exist.
For further information, please contact Whitney Jones, SVP and Chief People Officer, (415) 596-8721.
Sincerely,
Whitney Jones
SVP, Chief People Officer
Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc.
From: Elizabeth Larson <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, November 2, 2023 12:21 PM
To: Padilla, Ingrid <[email protected]>
Subject: Preservation of the Sand Playground at Community Park Hi Ingrid, Please pass my letter along to the council members for consideration.
Thank you!
Dear Brisbane City Council,
My name is Elizabeth Larson and I am writing to express my concerns regarding the recent decision to remove the sand from the Community Park playground. While I understand that the decision stems from a safety inspection and the need to adhere to updated playground safety standards, I implore the Council to reconsider this decision and find an alternative solution that allows for the retention of the sand area.
Sand play is an integral part of early childhood development, providing numerous benefits for children’s physical, cognitive, and social development. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, tactile experiences such as playing with sand are crucial for developing sensory processing skills in young children. These experiences contribute to children’s ability to complete more complex tasks as they grow older.
Furthermore, sand play encourages imaginative and creative play, which the National Association for the Education of Young Children recognizes as a fundamental aspect of cognitive development in early childhood. Children engage in open-ended play, building structures, and creating stories, which enhances their problem-solving skills and creativity.
The social benefits of sand play are also significant. As children play together in the sand, they learn to communicate, share, and work collaboratively, developing essential social skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
The Community Park is a central gathering point for our community, hosting events such as birthdays, the Farmer’s Market, concerts, and Day in the Park. The sand area plays a crucial role in making this space welcoming and enjoyable for families with young children. While the Tot Lot offers an alternative space for sand play, it lacks the amenities and central location of the Community Park, making it a less viable option for many families.
I respectfully request that the Brisbane City Council explore alternative solutions that would allow for the retention of the sand area at the Community Park playground. The benefits of sand play for early childhood development are too significant to be overlooked, and I believe that with proper maintenance and care, the sand area can continue to be a safe and enjoyable space for all.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Larson
mom of 3 Brisbane children
From: Elna Miller <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, November 2, 2023 1:53 PM
To: Padilla, Ingrid <[email protected]>
Cc: Cheung, Caroline <[email protected]>; Cunningham, Karen <[email protected]>; O'Connell, Terry <[email protected]>; Davis, Madison <[email protected]>
Subject: In Support of Sand
Hi Ingrid,
Please enter the following into the record regarding sand at the community park for consideration during the City Council meeting when this topic is discussed:
As a parent who has relied on Brisbane parks to provide enrichment for my two daughters for the past 13 years, I want to first express my appreciation to the Council and Parks & Rec Commission for considering the needs of the community, starting with the original construction of the current playground and now regarding plans to remove all sand from the Community Park. Thank you for pausing the planned project to collect public input and discuss alternatives.
It is important to continue to provide a sand area at the Community Park. The Tot Lot is inadequate as the only alternative. It lacks restroom access which is essential for children of potty training age. Pedestrian routes there are unsafe for children in strollers due to narrow, blocked, or non-existent sidewalks. Also, the playground equipment is not designed for children older than 4, many of whom still very much enjoy sand play.
I am concerned that completing the re-surfacing project as planned might make it more difficult or costly to re-introduce sand. I ask that the City develop a new plan that includes both re-surfacing and the preservation or construction of a sand play area.
Best Regards,
Elna Miller
Brisbane Native
From: Lyora <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, November 2, 2023 2:37 PM
To: Padilla, Ingrid <[email protected]>
Subject: Sand
To whom it may concern,
I am writing in order to express my dissent in the removal of the sand play area from Brisbane community park. The sand area is a favorite area in the park.It's the area of play where our children get to know each other and form friendships. They learn to share, increase their fine motor skills, problem solve, and use their imagination. There are countless benefits of sand play: social, emotional, mental, and physical. I'm dumbfounded on why there is a motion to remove the sand. I've seen the reasoning, but it makes no sense. There are countless ways to ensure the park is clean and safe, while keeping this important play area intact.
The tot lot is not adequate for a sand area in all of Brisbane The community park is where we attend birthday parties, community events, and entertain a larger age group of children. I ask that another plan be implemented, that does not put the sand area at the Community park at risk. Thank you for your time and service.
Lyora Zadik
From: Michelle Woodruff <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, November 2, 2023 3:20 PM
To: Padilla, Ingrid <[email protected]>
Subject: A comment for tonight's meeting regarding sand at the Community Park Playground
Hi Ingrid!
Can you enter this into the record for the meeting tonight? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To the City Council & Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Brisbane, CA regarding the Community Park Playground resurfacing/sand removal project:
Something as simple as a pile of sand may not seem like a big deal to us adults. It's a trip hazard, a mess to clean up, and it gets in your shoes and pockets.
But for kids it's everything.
If you ever had the opportunity to sit on a comfy park bench at the Community Park any given morning and watch the industry of children in the thrall of their pile of sand, you might begin to understand why the announcement of its removal caused such an uproar from the community. Sand is basic, and yet complicated. It makes things slippery, or, when wet, makes them less slippery. You can jump on it, hide in it, serve it as a meal to your friends and parents. It does quadruple the duty of every other piece of equipment on that playground.
The Silverspot playground isn't a Community playground, no matter how many signs go up. It doesn't have the foot traffic or the visibility of the Community Park. It doesn't have public, obvious bathrooms available within a few yards of it. It doesn't have those comfy benches in the shade. It also doesn't even come into play at Concerts in the Park, Day in the Park, or during the weekly Farmers' Market.
The kids need sand at the Community Park, near or exactly where it is currently, inside the playground, somehow. I am confident the City can find a way to make it happen while obeying the requirements of safety Inspectors, and I believe that the new/revamped sand area should be in place when the resurfacing is done, not after.
Turning the water feature back on would be great, too, while we're at it.
Cheers,
Michelle Woodruff
Brisbane Resident since 2011
Former President of the Mothers of Brisbane
Parent to Simone (12) and Sally (8)
From: Khalia Harding <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, November 2, 2023 4:55 PM
To: Padilla, Ingrid <[email protected]>
Cc: Paul Mangiamele <[email protected]>
Subject: Brisbane Park playground changes
Hi Ingrid
I’m a Brisbane resident, MoB Board member and mother of two young children. I wanted to share my views on the proposed changes to the playground ahead of the City meeting tonight. My family and I are currently in Australia and unable to attend in person.
My husband, Paul Mangiamele and I, are very supportive of the City’s proposed safety updates to the playground. We have seen numerous young children, including our own two year old, slip on the sand and hurt themselves. More concerning to me is the number of older children (4-6 years) who we have seen throw sand directly in the faces of younger children. In such a busy playground, ensuring we adhere with the latest safety standards is paramount.
I appreciate that many parents in town feel very nostalgic about the playground and are against the proposed updates. However many of these parents have also mentioned that their children have outgrown the playground and no longer use it. As a family who uses the playground almost daily, and will continue using the playground for several more years, we believe the decision should weight more heavily to our and similar views.
Thanks
Khalia Harding
From: Madeline Johnson <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, November 2, 2023 3:56 PM
To: Padilla, Ingrid <[email protected]>
Subject: Comment for city council meeting playground discussion
Hello Ingrid,
I wanted to reach out to you tonight before the city council meeting. I unfortunately won't be able to make it but I wanted to provide input for the discussion around the playground renovations.
I have greatly enjoyed coming to the park almost daily since I moved to Brisbane 2 years ago. I have a 3-year-old and a 5-month-old and my 3-year-old loves playing on the playground. While my daughter loves playing in the sandbox, I've seen the the sand become a huge slipping hazard. The wind frequently blows the sand all over the park. I've watched both adults and children slip and fall due to the sand.
Though I understand the importance of sand for children's tactile learning, I believe the current location of the sandbox in the park presents more of a hazard than a learning tool for children. I'm hoping that we can come to a solution tonight for how we incorporate the sandbox elsewhere in the park.
Thank you for your help.
Sincerely,
Maddy Johnson