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hard work, and said union members look forward to enjoying a quality life than can only be achieved by resolving this matter. Darlene Besst echoed the comments of Mr. Dalrymple and cited her national and local business affiliations. She said growth- restricting policies lead to a strangled local economy and if Pleasanton wishes to continue as the special and unique city that it is, the cap must be lifted to allow for planned and responsible growth. She challenged Ms. Murray's comments, stating that more and more residents wish to live and work in the same community and she urged the Council to comply with the court order. Jon Harvey, Greenbelt Alliance, said his organization works in the nine Bay Area counties to protect open space and promote vibrant surroundings with the key goals being to protect three million acres of open space and direct 85% of development to already urbanized areas. He helps cities and counties adopt policies that prepare for future growth while preserving the greenbelt, advocates for policies that create walk able and affordable neighborhoods, and endorses urban development projects for people of all income levels. On behalf of Greenbelt Alliance, he urged the City to continue working towards compliance with state law. He said the housing cap is not serving a useful purpose, and it is time for Pleasanton to focus on methods for increasing general employment and business activity. Mayor Hosterman said it is important for the public to understand that while it has been nearly one month since the ruling, the Council and staff has been working diligently and will continue to do so. Kay Ayala said it should be reiterated that in 1996, Pleasanton voters overwhelmingly passed a housing cap based on the City's General Plan. She said the number was arrived at cautiously and based upon the infrastructure and funding in place. The careful work of a city of planned progress has now been overturned by a State of planned crisis. She recalled her time on the Council and ABAG Committee and said the RHNA numbers brought forward at that time were preposterous and unfunded. She said she does not envy the Council's position, but asked that it remember it works for the people of Pleasanton, that people voted for a housing cap in 1996, reiterated that desire in 2008, and want a planned community that is economically stable. Martin Inderbitzen strongly urged the Council against a course of action that would involve continued litigation. He said it comes as no surprise to those in the real estate and legal community that the cap was overturned, and he suggested that the prospects of a successful appeal are slim. He recognized the importance of growth control and noted he was on the City's first growth management committee. He confirmed the comments of Mr. Hirst and Mr. Triska, stating that every property owner and developer in and around this community has followed this case. They understand the implications, they are truly concerned, and property owners are desperately looking to understand what is going on. He thanked the Mayor for the invitation to speak with her personally, but said that is one more step than they would have to do in other communities. In today's highly competitive environment, that is enough to have people looking elsewhere. He asked Councilmembers to overcome whatever differences they may have as individuals and come together in a 5 -0 vote to proceed with an expedient resolution. He said that action would send a strong message to folks like himself and those they do business with that this is a business friendly community. David Stark said he wrote an op -ed piece for the Pleasanton Weekly four years ago that discussed how much he enjoys the fact that he can both live and work here in town, something made possible by appropriate jobs to housing ratio. In that same piece he referenced the then, City Council Minutes Page 15 of 22 April 6, 2010