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MOTION: It was m/s by Thorne /Sullivan to approve Consent Calendar. Motion passed by the <br /> following vote: <br /> Ayes: Councilmembers Cook- Kallio, Sullivan, Thorne, Mayor Hosterman <br /> Noes: None <br /> Absent: Councilmember McGovern <br /> MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC <br /> 6. Public Comment <br /> Cy Matin said he finds the services of the Pleasanton Library to be extremely limited, if not non- <br /> existent and antiquated, particularly when compared to those offered by the city of Livermore. <br /> He said he returned from working overseas to a dismal job market here in the states and is <br /> disappointed in the job resources available here. He requested that the Council reconsider its <br /> priorities to put greater import on and allocate funds towards the establishment of a job and <br /> computer center to offer unemployed citizens resources for and assistance in creating new <br /> revenue for themselves. <br /> Angelina Summers spoke about the bubbled yellow curb ramps located in various portions of <br /> the City. She acknowledged their installation was designed to meet ADA requirements but said <br /> the ramps present untenable obstacles for young children, shopping carts, strollers, people with <br /> balance issues, and those employing walkers, senior scooters, or wheelchairs. She asked how <br /> much each offending ramp has cost taxpayers, how much the City has spent on them to date, if <br /> enough have been installed to comply with ADA guidelines, and what possible alternatives exist. <br /> Director of Operation Services, Daniel Smith, confirmed that the curb ramps were installed to <br /> meet ADA guidelines, specifically for the visually impaired. He explained that they are painted a <br /> bright color to provide visual contrast and bubbled so that they can be felt by those with full <br /> impairment. He concurred with her comments but said the installation is required by both state <br /> and federal mandates and no alternatives are currently available. He also said the issue was <br /> broached with ADA representatives at the last ADA Committee meeting and they also <br /> concurred. <br /> Mayor Hosterman noted that she has seen similar installations of differing color and size in <br /> other cities. She asked if there would be an opportunity to change the current color and also <br /> move towards something smaller so they may be avoided by those who dislike them. <br /> Mr.. Smith said a color change is being considered for the downtown area at this time. Size <br /> requirements have changed, but they currently mandate a larger installation. To Ms. Summers' <br /> questions, he said the cost of each ramp depends on how the curbs are retrofitted. A ramp and <br /> screen retrofit performed simultaneously is less expensive and a single screen installation costs <br /> roughly $300. He could not confirm total costs to date but said roughly 40% of the City's curbs <br /> have screens installed. <br /> Fred Norman said he hoped the Mayor took advantage of her recent trip to Washington, D.C. to <br /> mention to federal officials and lobbyists that the funding of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan <br /> supports the slaughter of thousands of American soldiers as well as hundreds of thousands of <br /> innocent Iraqi, Afghan, and Pakistani citizens. He said the moral issue of these wars has <br /> lessened the greatness of America and thought it incongruous that Pleasanton could celebrate <br /> the birthdays of noted peace activists, Martin Luther King Jr. and Jesus Christ, while ignoring <br /> this slaughter. He said that as of January 1, 2010 5,320 American soldiers had died as a result <br /> City Council Minutes Page 2 of 9 February 2, 2010 <br />