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Councilmember Sullivan said he would withhold his comments until after the close of the public hearing, at which point he would like the opportunity to make his case before any motions are submitted or a vote taken. Mayor Hosterman opened the public hearing. Dorothy Anderson, owner of Meadows Shopping Center, said she recently lost another two tenants and her center is at less than 30% occupancy. She said she is asking only to replace one supermarket with another and Wal-Mart has as much right to move in there as any other store. She asked that the Council deny the appeal and allow her to restore a much needed anchor to the center. Sharrell Michelotti said the Zoning Administrator acted appropriately in approving the application for a permitted use and asked the Council to deny the appeal. Robin Moran said she supported filling the location with another anchor tenant but questioned whether another grocery store was needed in Pleasanton. She asked the Council to uphold the appeal. Kerry Sigman said the applicant was secretive about its plans and ashamed to disclose its name because of its reprehensible business practices and the likely community opposition. She felt that a public hearing should be required to discuss the obvious environmental impacts of such a use, particularly since much has changed since PUD-84 was approved nearly 30 years ago. Bob Decker cited several safety issues related to the operation of 63-foot tractor-trailers in the area. He also questioned the need for another grocery store in Pleasanton. Janice Decker asked the Council to say "no" to companies with poor business practices that lower the standard of living for Pleasanton and its own employees in order to raise its bottom line. She suggested there are other businesses that would be a better fit and a real asset to the entire community. Stella Peterson said she opposed a Wal-Mart grocery store based on the impacts to traffic and existing businesses. Brian Adkins said he opposed a Wal-Mart grocery store due to traffic impacts and cyclist safety. Paul Anderson said Wal-Mart does not deal on a level playing field and asked the Council to grant the appeal. if the Council chooses to deny the appeal, he requested the addition of several conditions of approval: 1) at least 80% of all store employees are to be employed full-time; 2) full-time employees receive pay and benefits comparable to that of other large grocers in the area; and 3) Wal-Mart allow an internal employee association for the purpose of processing grievances and negotiating wages and benefits. Kathleen Tollworthy said Wal-Mart has been unfairly singled out and noted that the public is free to decide for themselves whether to shop there or not. She asked why Councilmember Sullivan appealed an item that received unanimous support from the Planning Commission. Ellis Goldbery, Danville, cited allegations of bribery and other criminal activity made against Wal-Mart in a total of 31 countries. He asked the Council to grant the appeal and consider an ordinance that prohibits any company found to have committed a crime from opening a business within Pleasanton. John Roe agreed that a vacant anchor location is bad for business but said that is the risk one takes in a free enterprise system. He asked why the Council has the ability to prohibit new banks within the downtown area, despite it being a legitimate and permitted use, but cannot say "no" to Wal-Mart. City Council Special Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 7 May 7, 2012