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I -\H \NT t ly City Manager's Budget Message INTRODUCTION the operating budget addresses each goal of the work plan, with particular emphasis placed on our continued tradition of community -based partnerships. Develop Bernal Community Park In early 2005, the City Council awarded a consultant agreement to the firm of M.D. Fotheringham, Inc. for the design of the first phase of Bernal Community Park. Design work required approximately 18 months, and was then formally bid in summer 2007. The City Council awarded the construction contract to Valley Crest Landscape Development of Pleasanton in November 2007. Project construction began in early February 2008, and has progressed normally. The project's construction is now substantially cornplete, and the contractor's mandatory 90 -day maintenance period is underway. It is anticipated that the project will be formally accepted and open to the public in September 2009. Included in the operating budget are funds needed to support contractual parks maintenance and operations upkeep. Design is also underway for the 15 -acre second phase of the project, which will include additional parking for 150 vehicles, three (3) all- weather, lighted multi purpose fields suitable for rugby, lacrosse, football or soccer, a restroom /concessions building, group picnic area and other open space related amenities. It is anticipated that the design of Phase 2 will be completed in spring 2010. It is very possible that construction of Phase 2 may be delayed if economic conditions do not improve to generate sufficient revenues to support operational and maintenance costs in the short term. We will continue to monitor economic conditions and provide the City Council with an appropriate recommendation in the coming months. Complete a Comprehensive General Plan Update and Coordinate Remaining Development Initiated by the City Council in April 2003, the General Plan Update process first solicited input from the community through a series of neighborhood workshops and joint City Council Planning and Commission meetings. This inclusive process expanded to include community and regional agencies such as the Pleasanton Unified School District and the Zone 7 Water Agency to ensure mutual interests and concerns were incorporated. The result of this collaborative effort is the General Plan Update that is projected to be adopted in the summer of 2009. This General Plan will provide the framework for the development of a future East Side Specific Plan, which will be a coordinated effort between property owners as well as other major stakeholders in the community. During the next two years, further cooperation with the Hacienda Business Park Owners' Association will lead to the preparation of a comprehensive planned unit development amendment for the Hacienda Business Park. The City budget supplements the major funding from the owners to accomplish the different facets of these projects such as public meetings and consultant reports. Maintain Fiscal Sustainability A paramount goal of the City Council is maintaining fiscal sustainability. This 2009 10/2010 -11 budget ensures that the level of services is sustainable within current revenues. While the City is currently in good financial position, the future is not without significant challenges; it is imperative that efforts to contain future costs be continued to ensure that expenditures can be financed with available revenues. It is important to