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Francisco property with surface parking. He also encouraged finalizing this master plan as <br /> expediently as possible so that a funding plan could be developed. He recommended a multi- <br /> year financing plan, similar to that developed for the Bernal project and thought the project, in <br /> general, carried great opportunity for grants. He asked why relocating the Police Station did not <br /> seem to be a supported option. <br /> Mr. Fialho explained that to move the Police Station would be costly and that no alternate <br /> locations are truly viable. He acknowledged that the Bernal property is available but said this <br /> was not contemplated by the Specific Plan and is not an authorized use. He added that <br /> considerable money was put into an expansion of the current building only 8 years ago. <br /> Councilmember Thorne stated support for Option C, with the minimum amount of surface <br /> parking possible. <br /> Vice Mayor Cook- Kallio said that a large modern library is a sign of a wonderful community and <br /> acknowledged that funding may be an issue, but cautioned against scrimping on something so <br /> vital to the community. She supported incorporating this into the Civic Center Master Plan and <br /> said she was thrilled about the use of natural lighting as well as the proposed balcony area. She <br /> said that the only drawback of the plan is that it cannot be done tomorrow. <br /> Councilmember Sullivan felt all the concepts presented were good, but encouraged a closer <br /> look at the San Francisco property, reorienting the Ace station towards the downtown, and a <br /> transit oriented development on that site. He also said the interface between the Civic Center <br /> and southern end of Main Street could be examined to identify opportunities to increase <br /> commercial and retail prospects, specifically by realigning the east side of Main Street. He <br /> requested an economic study for the southern end of Main Street and transit oriented <br /> development at the Ace station. He agreed that a financing plan should be developed and <br /> suggested the entire project be considered in phases as well. <br /> Debbie Look, Library Commission Chair, said that a new or expanded library has been the focus <br /> of the Commission for the last 7 years. She said that Pleasanton is a community that loves its <br /> library and reported a 164% increase in circulation since 2000. She also reported that the library <br /> circulated 1.4 million items in 2008, or roughly eight items for every man, woman, and child in <br /> the City. Staff continues to improve services despite the current building's serious constraints <br /> but noted that the current facility is roughly one -half the size of the accepted standard. She <br /> reviewed the library needs assessment which was updated earlier this year, said the <br /> Commission is very excited about the possibilities offered by new library technologies, noted <br /> that many of the City's capital priorities have been realized, and requested that this project be <br /> given significant attention and thought. She concurred with staff and supported Option C. <br /> Corri Cooper, Library Commission Vice Chair, stressed the need for action. She reported <br /> increasing library congestion and noise and children's programs without the space to <br /> accommodate everyone wishing to participate. The sheer volume of traffic means resources <br /> such as chairs, tables, computers, and checkout machines are overused and insufficient. <br /> Judith Matthew, Library Commissioner, noted that the present library was built and opened <br /> several years before internet access was commonplace. She said that technology has become <br /> an integral part of libraries and our daily lives and incorporating it into such a structure has been <br /> limiting. She thanked the City for providing the wireless network as well as the assistance <br /> provided to staff and the community. She listed several new libraries in the area that she visited <br /> and commented on the vast computer banks available for public access. She said that the new <br /> City Council Minutes Page 6 of 9 October 6, 2009 <br />