CCMIN050712SP - Laserfiche WebLink

Angela Willmes said Wal-Mart is an irresponsible employer who chooses to pass the responsibility of fair wages and benefits onto taxpayers. She asked the Council not to show support for a company that lies and cheats and whose concern is profit rather than people. She provided staff with a petition, signed by many local businesses that oppose Wal-Mart, and asked the Council to consider the well being of those who have supported this community for so long. Rylee Willmes said it is unfair that Wal-Mart does not offer living wages and decent benefits and instead shifts this burden to the taxpayer. Anastasia Hooverson said Wal-Mart is not her idea of a good neighbor and cited several reasons stated by previous speakers. She said she also believed traffic to be an issue. Jeffrey Safire referred to recent reports that the Pleasanton Downtown Association is proposing an ordinance that would require a full and proper process for all new businesses interested in operating within the downtown, whether a currently permitted use or not. He said it seemed unfair that neighbors in other areas of the community would be denied this same right. He said the store hours and right to sell alcohol makes Wal-Mart seem more like a common liquor store, which is not what this community wants. He also felt a traffic study should be required to assess the impacts on Stoneridge Drive. Scott Raty, Chamber of Commerce, commended the Zoning Administrator and Council on the original project approval and the Planning Commission for its unanimous vote to reject the appeal. He said it is evident that the public's opposition relates to the Wal-Mart name and not the rule of law. He felt that Councilmember Sullivan's failure to present his case prior to the public hearing robbed the public of the opportunity to comment on his position. He urged the Council to reject the appeal and send a message of certainty that when you follow the rules, you will be treated fairly. Misty Tanner said she is a former assistant manager at Wal-Mart and has firsthand experience with how they mistreat their employees. Studies show that 70% of Wal-Mart's California employees rely on some form of state aid, which falls to the taxpayers to support. She asked the Council to grant the appeal and reject the application. Jan Batcheller asked the Council to deny the appeal. She said this process and appeal is a prime example of one person and his opinion costing the taxpayers and neighboring businesses what can be tens of thousands of dollars in staff time, lost wages, lost rent, and lost sales. She said this is a simple matter of one grocery replacing another, with the same hours and size as the previous use, and questioned why the Council is involved at all. William Fazakerly said that what one would prefer is not the issue here, zoning laws and procedures are. The accusations made are a matter for the courts and it is not the Council's job to dictate the wages that a company must pay. Dorene Paradiso-Carroll asked the Council to deny the appeal. Patrick Carroll also asked the Council to deny the appeal. John Lange said that a new Wal-Mart store at this location would benefit neighbors, tenants and the employment base. He asked the Council to deny the appeal. John Stoker said he continues to support Wal-Mart and asked the Council to deny the appeal. Jaime Castro said competition is healthy for the market and asked the Council to deny the appeal. City Council Special Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 7 May 7, 2012