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trial court, and required the City to repeal Ordinance No. 1961 or put the matter to public vote. She asked the Council to forgo the hefty cost of an election by repealing Ordinance No. 1961. Kathy Dowding read the names of the 74 soldiers most recently killed in Iraq and Afghanistan and asked the public to remember Bowe Bergdahl who remains in captivity in Afghanistan. She extended an invitation to the next Pleasantonians for Peace at the next vigil. Mike Benham reported on the events of June 1, 2009 concerning Iran's presidential election and asked the Council to join city and government officials from around the world in expressing solidarity with the Iranian community and naming the human and civil rights of the Iranian people an international concern. He provided a sample letter for consideration. Siroos Mirzadeh and Sima Yazdani reiterated Mr. Benham's request. Tamim Hamid voiced concern for the lack of suitable tennis courts and the upcoming increase by Lifetime Tennis. He asked the Council to consider alternatives for providing families with tennis opportunities without being gouged. Mayor Hosterman acknowledged Mr. Hamid's concerns, said she is pleased the City is able to provide these community services given the economic climate and that the City would seek to achieve some balance. Louis Rivara stated he and his wife are both realtors and recently two of their promotional signs were confiscated from the median strip between Santa Rita Road and the frontage road near Jensen Tract. During this economic crisis he felt that the city needs to look for ways to support local business as much as possible and shared articles on other cities that have done things on both a narrow and broad scale concerning liberal policies towards signage. He asked the Council to consider other flexibilities on the way businesses are supported in this community. Mayor Hosterman said the City has done a lot to address the effects of the economy on merchants and asked staff to consider Mr. Rivara's comments for additional possibilities. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND OTHER MATTERS 20. Public Hearing: PGPA -15, City of Pleasanton Consider adoption of the General Plan Update including certification of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), Environmental Findings, Statement of Overriding Considerations, and Adoption of the Draft General Plan dated April 24, 2009 (with amendments) Director of Community Development Brian Dolan presented the staff report, providing an overview of the updated General Plan and EIR development process and the changes made since the Council last reviewed both documents. He acknowledged the years of work by Principal Planner Janice Stern, contract planner Sally Maxwell, and former Planning Director Jerry Iserson that went into updating the General Plan. Mr. Dolan outlined the themes of the General Plan which differ from the previous plan and provide a framework to shape future growth of the Pleasanton community with a focus on conservation. He read the General Plan Vision, stating that it focuses on maintaining Pleasanton's community environment, strengthening business resources, preserving natural resources, and developing sustainable community principles. Sustainable development has been incorporated into every element of the General Plan and dictates policies and initiatives designed to foster fiscal City Council Minutes Page 4 of 15 July 21, 2009