HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-07-18_cityofsanrafael_23801bf4ccda69b29ef1376617fdd952Page 1 of 2
Esther Beirne
From: Carlene McCart
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2011 1:28 PM
To: Esther Beirne
Subject: FW: Baseball in San Rafael
From: Corey Busch
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2u11 12:51 PNi
To: Carlene McCart
Subject: Baseball in San Rafael
Dear Ms. McCart - As a resident of Marin County for 17 years and as a neighbor of Albert Park,
I am very enthusiastic and supportive of the proposal currently under consideration by the City
Council to bring professional baseball to our community.
I know first hand as an avid baseball fan and as the parent of two youngsters who grew up in
Marin, played youth ball, who love the game and who have learned so much from it, that
bringing professional baseball to San Rafael would be tremendous for our community.
I know you hear a lot about the, economic benefits of bringing baseball to San Rafael, all of
which is true, but the tremendous social benefits and the good that baseball can bring to a
community and to our children can not be measured or over -stated.
I know you also hear from neighbors who think that this proposal will somehow have a negative
impact on their neighborhood. But the truth is that Albert Park was built for baseball and the
proposal before the Council only utilizes a valuable public park for the purpose for which it was
intended. This proposal can only serve to enhance the neighborhood, not hurt it. Besides,
having happy kids and great family entertainment nearby is a good thing for the community - not
a bad thing.
It was my privilege to serve as executive vice president of the San Francisco Giants from 1979
through 1992, and I know first hand how the baseball experience can have a positive impact on
young people and their families. I have seen it time and time again. San Rafael is no different
than any other community and we need to encourage activities for our kids that keep them out of
trouble while at the same time bringing them together with their families.
Please approve the proposal to bring professional baseball to Albert Park, San Rafael will be just
a little better for all of us if you do.
Sincerely,
Corey Busch
7/14/2011
Esther Beirne
From:
Jack Gilbert _.,,,. _.,. ,
Sent:
Thursday, July 14, 2011,11:22 HSI
To:
Distrib- City Clerk
Subject:
A Baseball proposal
We live in Sonoma Co. and were regular attendees at the Crushers games.
It was a great addition to the community and was well supported. We
would drive to San Rafael to support a new team. We urge your approval
of this proposal. It will benefit many people and groups in your community.
Jack Gilbert
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Esther Beirne
From: Judi Shaffer �,..._.... ,
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2011 9:31 AM
To: Distrib- City Clerk
Subject: I'd love to see Minor League Baseball in San Rafael! .
It's such a great activity for a community to get to participate in-- good for kids to watch
(inspirational), families to go to together-- very, very fun --affordable baseball! Imagine that!
I'd love to see this in San Rafael!
7/14/2011
Page 1 of 1
Esther Beirne
From:
Dana Melnichek on behalf of Al Boro
Sent:
Thursday, July 14, 2011 9:46 AM
To:
Esther Beirne
Cc:
Carlene McCart; Nancy Mackie
Subject: FW: Baseball at Albert Park - YES!!!!!
-----Original M -------
From: '�)comcast.net]
Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 20116:02 Nisi
To: Al Boro; Greg Brockbank; Damon Connolly; Barbara Heller; Marc Levine
Subject: Baseball at Albert Park - YES!!!!!
I received an inflamatory flyer from GPNA urging me to have my voice heard about the
ballpark at Albert Park. I would resounding vote yes. I have never been in a town that
has minor league baseball where it is not a bonus. All of us who moved in near Albert
Park knew it was a park with a lighted field. I would love see it used as much as
possible. If we never do anything that might annoy someone else, nothing will ever
happen. This is simply NIMBYism.
Lindy Jung
7/14/2011
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Esther Beirne
From: bob leedy
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2011 10:03 AM
To: Distrib- City Clerk
Subject: Baseball
R.D. Leedy 07/15/2011
773 Beechnut CT
San Rafael, CA
I would love to see AA / A ball in San Rafael. Since the Giants and A's charge so
much for a game
a reasonable ticket to minor league play is extremely attractive. There is much
concern for noise
and debris plus alcohol at the proposed site. I too would be upset if I lived in the
area. My suggestion
is to propose the team use McInnes Park.
Thank you.
7/14/2011
Page 1 of 1
Esther Beirne
From: Richard Carlsen i. —
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2011 8:30 AM
To: Distrib- City Clerk
Subject: Albert Park
Thumbs up to minor league baseball at Alberts park.
Richard and Barbara Carlsen
7/14/2011
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Esther Beirne
From:
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2011 8:00 AM
To: Distrib- City Clerk
Subject: baseball
Dear Council, Would love to see baseball at Albert's park. Madelon Montobbio .
7/14/2011
Page I of 2
Esther Beirne
From: i
Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2011 11:05 PM
To: Distrib- City Clerk; Distrib- City Clerk
Subject: Fwd: San Rafael City Council - Baseball at Albert Park
I would like to see baseball again at Alpert Park.
Mary Ellen Trainor
-----OriainalFrom: i m>
To: Mary Ellen <msbearvly@aol.com>
Sent: Wed, Jul 13, 2011 9:03 pm
Subject: FW: San Rafael City Council - Baseball at Albert Park
ME
Maybe you and Ian or anybody else interested can send an email to the City Clerk
supporting the program.,
rg
Would like to see minor league (Class A) baseball (like the former Sonoma Crushers/
Redwood Pioneers) played at Albert Park in San Rafael next season?
The San Rafael City Council is going to make a decision on Monday night July 18 at
8:00.
Let the Council know your position either by being there, or if you can not attend, by
sending an email preferably by Friday morning to
city.clerk@cityofsanrafae1.org
Below is the detail information and web site to the City Staff Report to the Council.
Hello,
In response to your request for updated information on the proposal for professional
baseball at Albert Park, I refer you to the link below. It contains the Staff Report,
proposed Agreement and support documents submitted to the City Council for
consideration at their next regular meeting on Monday, July 18, 2011.
7/14/2011
Page 2 of 2
Centerfield Partners, LLC submitted a proposal to the City to bring professional
baseball to Albert Park Baseball Field and Stadium. This requires an Agreement to be
approved by the Council, to specify the improvements that will be made by Centerfield
to the existing Stadium, and to manage the operations of the games in the park and its
vicinity. The Agreement to be considered by the Council is a multi year, non exclusive
contract that includes implementation plans to address parking, traffic, security, service
of alcoholic beverages, noise, concessions, community benefits and a site plan.
The proposal covers three seasons, with regular season play taking place in late May
through the first part of September. The games would be scheduled for up to 45
season dates, with a combination of evenings and weekend day games.
This item will be brought before the City Council on July 18th at 8 pm in the City Hall
Council Chambers. Support and concerns have been voiced in the community, and all
are encouraged to attend the Council meeting.
Click here for the staff report, the Agreement, and additional information related to the
proposal
http•//www cityofsanrafael org/News Section/Professional Baseball Proposed for Albert Park.htm
Thank you for your interest in this issue.
Carlene McCart, Director
San Rafael Community Services
618 B Street
San Rafael, CA 94901
tel: 415.485.3340 fax: 415.485.3186
7/14/2011
I am unable to attend the meeting on Monday but I want to make sure
that my support comes through here.
Baseball at Alberts Park will change the lives of this county in the
best way possible.
41,
Thank you,
Natalie Corsini
Natalie Corsini
B.A. for Media Studies May 2010
University of California at Berkeley
Dear Friends: I am a Gerstle Park resident and unequivocal supporter of
baseball at Albert Park.
I will be unable to attend the meeting Monday night and am registering
my support here.
The neighborhood and city will benefit greatly.
Studies conducted at Johns Hopkins Medical School have shown that minor
league baseball is good for the mind.
Thank you.
Skip Corsini
215 Bayview Street, Apt. #327
San Rafael CA 94901
415.205.3039
Dear. Ms. McCart,
This letter is in full support of bringing professional baseball to San
Rafael.
I am a San Rafael native. Born at Marin General in 1964, I have lived
my whole life in San Rafael (where I still live) and teach at Dominican
University. My brother and I both played Little League baseball at
Alberts Park. I love San Rafael and am excited to think of how a minor
league baseball team would revitalize our towns decaying sense of
community. I can think of no better vehicle than America's Pastime to
bring the city together, to further enhance our shining image and to
boost our local economy. This is a great opportunity; the kind that
sets one town apart from the others - and allows her to really stand
out.
As County seat, overseer of our beloved Mission and the gem of the
North Bay, San Rafael is the obvious choice for this project. Please do
not let this opportunity pass us by. Please bring professional baseball
to Alberts Park in 2012.
Sincerely,
Stuart Horne
Department of Communications
Dominican University of California
Page 2 of 2
Zip Code
94901
Phone Number
415-460-1875
*
E---' !'A,'--ess
1 1. --
* Send email to (select one)
Mayor Albert J. Boro
* Please enter your questions/ comments below
Dear Major and City Councilmembers, I appreciate that you would like to bring business in
our lovely city. It is generally a welcome proposition. Unfortunatly having a baseball team in
the heart of town will have devastating consequences for those of us in the surrounding
neighborhoods. As it currently stands we are already greatly affected by the noise from
Davidson school, Albert park and other social and school events. Please take us into
consideration when making this decision. It will be an added burden for us. Thank you for
listening. Marguerite Borba
7/15/2011
Esther Beirne
From: Dana Melnichek on behalf of Al Boro
Sent: Friday, July 15, 2011 7:57 AM
To: Esther Beirne
Subject: FW: Albert Park Development, a Respectful Note of Concern
Attachments: FW: Formsite email to Mayor Albert J. Boro 6225117
LLJ
FW: Formsite email
to Mayor Al...
Couple more emails...
-----Original Message -----
From: Marina A. Ledin [mailto:marina@aikan.org]
Sent: Friday, July 15, 2011 12:19 AM
To: Al Boro; Greg Brockbank; Damon Connolly; Barbara Heller; Marc
Levine; Nancy Mackle; Carlene McCart
Cc: Bob Beyea President GPNA; Samantha Sargent Chair GPNA Parks
Committee
Subject: Albert Park Development, a Respectful Note of Concern
Dear Mayor Boro,Vice Mayor Brockbank, City Manager Mackle, Director of
Community Services (and Parks and Rec) McCart, and Council Members
Connolly, Heller, and Levine,
My name is Marina Ledin. I live at 44 Pleasant Lane in the Gerstle Park
Neighborhood. I own my home and have lived there for well over 20 years.
Prior to this, growing up, I lived with my parents for 22 years in another
home in the Gerstle Park Neighborhood. I went to Laurel Dell Elementary
School, Davidson Middle School, and San Rafael High School. I started
voting and paying taxes when I turned 18.
At this time I would like to register my concern about the plans for
Albert Park's conversion to a professional sports facility.
I live where I elected to live, knowing all of Marin County's
neighborhoods as a former professional Real Estate Appraiser assigned to
Marin County by a national savings and loan corporation.
The installation of any professional sports venue in any geography brings
up sound levels to higher decibel rates. In some cases this is a non
issue, such as Industrially Zoned areas. Residential neighborhoods are not
zoned for such sound level increases, which in this case would qualify as
a "noise disturbance" which is prohibited by law.
The accommodation of expected parking increases due to any professional
sports facility installation would add to already congested roadways with
residential cars parked on right and left hand sides of neighboring
residential streets.
The addition of any entertainment facility to any area escalates traffic
patterns in that vicinity. In underpopulated zones this again is a non
issue. However in residential neighborhoods regular traffic increases of
any magnitude statistically change the incident rates of both vehicular
and pedestrian accidents to all surrounding neighborhoods. This drives
property insurance premiums up and property values down.
As a former professional Residential Real Estate Appraiser I can assure
you that any government certified lending institution would formally
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document and forecast economic value decreases for "subject property fair
market values". This is a highly undesired impact on any homeowner in any
affected neighborhood in any area.
The choices that you make as public servants always carry consequences. If
you approve of this plan I, along with others of like mind will
proactively seek your recall through appropriate channels as responsible,
voting San Rafael citizens.
In closing, I ask all of you -- do you live in such a neighborhood? If you
were contemplating purchase of a residential property in our community to
be your home of primary occupancy, would you settle down in the vicinity
of a Professional Baseball venue?
Respectfully Yours,
Marina A. Ledin
2
Michael A. Soldavini
20 Taylor Street
San Rafael, CA 94901
July 14, 2011
Re: Centerfield Partners LLC
Proposal to Bring Professional Baseball to Albert Park
Mr, Albert J. Boro, Mayor
City of San Rafael
1400 Fifth Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901-1943
Dear Mayor Boro:
I have been observing the various machinations of Centerfield Partners, LLC (hereinafter "CP"),
with keen interest, as they pertain to the captioned proposal, and I am astounded at what appears
to be a cleverly orchestrated series of willful and premeditated actions that have been instigated
by CP to intentionally blindside the residents of the Gerstle Park Neighborhood concerning CP's
desire to bring professional baseball to Albert Park. CP appears to have gone out of its way to
lobby almost every advising body with input to City Hall in order to set the stage for quick
approval of an extremely favorable and one-sided Use Agreement that not only includes the ball
park itself but the surrounding facilities of the San Rafael Community Center and Lonatese
Gardens, while doing their best toavoid meeting directly with the residents of the Gerstle Park
neighborhood concerning this project.
I am also very concerned by what appears to be the apparent predisposition in favor of the
proposal by Ms. Carlene McCart, Community Services Director, the members of the Parks and
Recreation Commission Board of Directors, Ms. Katie Korzun, Economic Development
Coordinator, and Mr. Robert Epstein, City Attorney and their willingness to provide CP with an
inordinate amount of staff support at taxpayer expense in what seems to be a concerted effort to
ram the CP proposal through the Public Review process and guarantee final approval of the
proposal by City Council, again, all with absolute minimal Gerstle Park neighborhood
involvement.
For your edification, I am a 58 year native resident of San Rafael who grew up on C and Taylor
Streets and played ball at Albert Park long before Safeway, the Community Center, Parkside
Children's Center, The Lofts, the San Rafael Corporate Center, or Bocce were even envisioned
to have been placed at their current locations. I speak from a perspective that predates your
tenure as Mayor by some 39 years. Prior to these developments, the Centerfield proposal would
have made some sense; however, in view of the developments which have taken place since my
childhood, I can't help but view this proposal as pure and simple folly aimed at giving a select
group of individuals "bragging rights" by exploiting the provenance of an historic ball field at
the neighborhood's expense. Consequently, I tend to become a little "animated" when I see
certain individuals at City Hall favoring adoption of such ludicrous proposals. Hence, this letter
appealing to you as Mayor to insert some common sense into this debate.
I can respect the individual opinions of certain of my less tenured neighbors and various
members of the Council, City departments and advisory committees, and I am not anti -baseball;
however, I am loath to understand how anyone could be in favor of this proposal when the
potential impact on the Gerstle Park neighborhood is fully appreciated. The numbers below
speak for themselves. There is simply no other way to describe it. If this proposal passes, the
Gerstle Park neighborhood will be invaded!
The area immediately surrounding Albert Park will need to accommodate a nighttime
influx of more than 117% of the ENTIRE population of the City of San Rafael duriniz the 4
month playing season, not including several pre -season exhibition games, try -out camps, and
post -season games. If this realization doesn't help to put things into perspective for those who
don't believe that there will be an impact on the Gerstle Park neighborhood, then I am at a loss to
comprehend what will.
This statement is not an exaggeration. It is based on numbers provided by CP and the City, and
calculated as follows:
(1,500 spectators per game)(45 games per season) = 67,500 spectators within a 4 month window
The ENTIRE population of San Rafael, per the City website = 57,713 (2010 Census)
67,500 calculates to 117% of 57,713
Add to this the fact that human nature dictates that no one will pay for parking unless they really
need to, and you can imagine what will happen to the neighborhood streets when spectators try
to find an additional 18,125 places to park.
(67,500 spectators) / (2.4 spectators per vehicle) = 18,125 vehicles
To place the scope of this proposal into further context, its magnitude and impact on the Gerstle
Park neighborhood over a 4 month period is akin to supplanting the Albert Park ball field
(present 4 month usage of 33,750 at capacity seating) with any of the following facilities (all
capacities approximate):
I
Kezar Stadium (San Francisco) — 10,000 seats
Oakland Coliseum (Oakland) — 63,000 seats
California Memorial Stadium (UC Berkeley) 60,500 seats
ATT Park (San Francisco) — 42,000 seats
Candlestick Park (San Francisco) — 69,000 seats
Stanford Stadium (Palo Alto) — 50,000 seats
Shoreline Amphitheater (Mountain View) — 22,000
Concord Pavilion (Concord) — 12,500 seats
I draw your attention to the fact that Page 106 of the San Rafael General Plan 2020 summarizes
the Gerstle Park Neighborhood as:
"Gerstle Park is a unique, historic and walkable neighborhood in close proximity to Downtown.
It is essentially built -out ... Opportunities should be taken to ... reduce impacts of through -
traffic on neighborhood streets, and restore parlunij on neighborhood streets." (Emphasis
Added.)
With respect to the issue of traffic, it would seem that the Centerfield proposal runs counter to
this publicly recognized reality. Regardless of the obviously contrived conclusions provided by
members of the Parks and Recreation Commission, Ms. McCart, and Mr. Epstein in support of
the CP proposal, the proposal is factually incompatible with the written statements found in the
San Rafael General Plan 2020 and the requirements of CEQA. San Rafael does not need to
become a "Me Too" City at the expense of its historic neighborhoods. The infrastructure
requirements profiled in the CP proposal are more readily accommodated at a site that is less
densely populated. Has anyone considered offering CP the McGinnis Park facilities as an
alternate location?
The parking on neighborhood streets around my home is already committed to several businesses
whose workers choke the streets by 9:OOAM, and residents who attempt to find parking for
themselves throughout the day and evenings, 7days/week. Taylor Street is constantly being used
as a direct connector for traffic between Anderson Drive and D Streets. It is also used as a "Park -
N -Ride" lot by several groups who begin to claim their spots by 6:30AM daily.
Current weekend and evening events at the Community Center and Albert Park already cause
neighbors' driveways to be partially blocked by parked vehicles. My front yard is constantly
littered with beer cans, bottles, and debris, not to mention the loud and disorderly stragglers from
these events wandering through the neighborhood during early morning hours, the persistent
vandalizing of flowers and shrubbery, or occasional vomit and urine that I must cleanup. Adding
some 67,500 more individuals and some 18,125 more vehicles to an already mounting problem is
nothing short of irresponsible from my perspective.
Does the City plan to restrict access to parking and redirect traffic away from the Gerstle Park
neighborhood, keeping it on the Lindaro Street side of the park? If so, how will this be
accomplished without added expense to the City? How does the SRPD intend to maintain the
present safety and security of the neighborhood during and after an event?
Evening noise generated by crowds from the current activities at the Albert Park ball field, the
San Rafael Community Center, and Bocce courts is already very loud and disturbing to many of
us in this quiet neighborhood; however, it is presently somewhat "tolerable", as these activities
and related noise are intermittent in nature. Any increase in the amount of activity and noise at
these facilities, to the extent being proposed by the CP proposal, dramatically changes the
neighborhood dynamic and likewise changes the ensuing noise level from being tolerable to
being completely intolerable, and likely a violation of Chapter 18 of the San Rafael Municipal
Code, as it pertains to noise.
Consequently, it is my opinion that the CP proposal will have a very real and measurable
negative impact on the quality of life that we, in the Gerstle Park neighborhood, presently enjoy.
Several of us are already talking about the possibility of moving out of the neighborhood, and
possibly San Rafael altogether, if this proposal is approved.
The recent endorsement of the CP proposal by the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce seems to
be rooted more in wishful thinking than in hard fact. This proposal is not an economic stimulus
package for the Downtown merchants, as CP would have everyone believe. There are no
guarantees that that this proposal will help revitalize the downtown. In fact, recently published
reports in the IJ suggest that San Rafael is suffering from gentrification and, in view of the
present economic crises that cities, families, and senior residents in particular are facing; I
seriously doubt that many residents will have the discretionary funds needed to participate in
evenings out on -the -town prior to or after a ball game. Couple this reality with the fact that CP
plans to provide concession stands at the Park and I question the incentive for spectators to even
want to visit Fourth Street.
In my opinion, and contrary to Mr. Epstein's June 21, 2011 response to Mr. Rossi' letter of May
4, 2011, the CP proposal will indeed necessitate a material change in "Operations" at Albert Park
that will directly impact the surrounding neighborhood if the facilities are to switch from an
occasional use by a maximum crowd of possibly 1,200 spectators, (Davidson School
Graduation), to a concentrated use that requires that the facilities accommodate in excess of
67,500 spectators and some 28,125 motor vehicles within a 4 month period.
I've heard comments that suggest that the Council has already decided that the Centerfield
proposal will simply be grandfathered in under Albert Park's current use plan, regardless of the
wishes of the Gerstle Park residents or CEQA requirements. These comments are substantiated
by the contents of Mr. Epstein's letter and the fact that various members of the City's staff have
actively participated in drafting a Lease Agreement to accommodate CP, even prior to the
proposal being presented to City Council for approval. Who authorized City staff to spend tax
payer dollars and proceed to draft such an Agreement prior to completion of the requisite public
review .process and any subsequerit approval by City Council? This further suggests that City
Council is prepared to ignore any ensuing public comment and simply rubberstamp the deal.
The draft Use Agreement between the City and CP that is presently published on the City of San
Rafael website also gives me great concern, because it appears to provide CP with unprecedented
control over more than just the ball field and stadium. It now seems that CP is to have sole
discretion over who will be able to use the Community Center and Lonatese Gardens, in addition
0
to the ball field. If this understanding is correct, then I strongly question the Council's motives
for allowing the expansion of the original CP proposal to now include these public assets. What
right does an out-of-town, private entity have to be given preference for use of these community
assets over the residents whose tax dollars paid for these assets in the first place?
In view of the above, I am adamantly opposed to the CP proposal and the Terms and Conditions
of the Use Agreement, as presently drafted. In my opinion, this deal is not in the best interests of
the City as a whole, nor is it in the best interests of the residents of Gerstle Park in particular.
I respectfully request that you please vote allainst this proposal.
c ae Sorin ""�ac ;
Cc: (Via Email)
Vice Mayor, Mr. Greg Brockbank
Council Member, Mr. Damon Connolly
Council Member, Ms. Barbara Heller
Council Member, Mr. Marc Levine
City Manager, Ms, Nancy Mackle
Director of Community Services, Ms, Carlene McCart
City Attorney, Mr. Robert Epstein
Esther Beirne
From:
Carlene McCart
Sent:
Thursday, July 14, 2011 12:53 PM
To:
Esther Beirne
Subject:
FW: Albert Park Commercialization proposal
-----Original Message -----
From: Bob Brown
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2011 12:37 PM
To: Carlene McCart
Subject: FW: Albert Park Commercialization proposal
Foryou...
BB
P Think of trees before you print please.
nrt
From: ___ net]
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2011 11:19 AM
To: Bob Brown
Subject: Albert Park Commercialization proposal
Dear Representative R. Brown,
I'm outraged by the fast track of the commercialization proposed for Albert Park in San
Rafael, CA. After more than two years of researching Marin neighborhoods I've just moved
to a San Rafael neighborhood within 2 blocks of this park. I chose this San Rafael
neighborhood because of it's quiet neighborhood feeling lending itself to quiet serenity.
I've invested thousands of dollars in making this new residence work for me. The
commercialization of Albert Park will completely change the atmosphere turning it into a
more city -like busy thoroughfare with all the accompanying noise, increased small
business, auto and foot traffic, litter, and lowering the safety of the neighborhood. My
new home, and all the financial, time and labor that went into creating it, will all be
destroyed. Not by a hurricane or flood, buy by those interested in increasing commerce and
power for non-residents.
I would move out, of course. But, this is entirely unfair and unjust.
I've spoken with many neighbors who do not want this intrusion into our lives and our
neighborhood.
Please stop this commercialization project. It's not what the residents want. We've
invested in this area. We deserve this influence in what happens here.
Sincerely,
Barbara Moore
San Rafael, CA 94901
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