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feels that it is good government to allow for some level of competition and therefore recommended the <br /> RFP process. He stressed that the contract is nimble enough to allow BACT to replace it if they do not <br /> meet the required performance standards and staff is very comfortable with the recommendation. <br /> Mayor Thorne closed the public comment. <br /> Councilmember Brown asked staff to explain the police presence at the Commission's meeting. Mr. <br /> Fialho explained that staff received over 300 emails regarding the service agreement, several of which <br /> were threatening and raised concerns about whether the public process and the Council Chambers <br /> would be safe for everyone in attendance. He therefore made the judgment call to have several <br /> uniformed officers present. <br /> Mayor Thorne welcomed representatives of either applicant to make comment and reopened public <br /> comment. <br /> Rebecca Posamentier, Director of Youth Education Program at BACT, spoke to several questions <br /> raised earlier in the meeting. She stated that Crocodile Junction complies with Visual and Performing <br /> Arts Standards for California schools. She also stated that fingerprinting, background checks and TB <br /> testing is a standard part of their own program and that are able to comply with additional local <br /> standards that a jurisdiction might have. She said that while she has not attended an SF Shake show in <br /> Pleasanton, she believed its high quality theater performance to be comparable to what is produced by <br /> BACT's Youth Education Program. She explained that the main stage program offers productions with <br /> adult actors performing literature based shows for young people and their families but the Youth <br /> Education Program teaches students how to perform through production based shows that are <br /> predominately musical theater. She also explained that while this is an auditiononly program, BACT <br /> acknowledges that many don't have the skills or experience to land a role with additional instruction and <br /> therefore offers both young performers and little performers' classes to help learn these skills in a low <br /> key setting. <br /> Mayor Thorne closed public comment. <br /> Vice-Mayor Cook-Kallio asked whether the program has produced any excess revenue in past years <br /> and if so, where those funds would go. Ms. Andrade-Wax said that while certain shows generate more <br /> revenues than others, it generally nets out at zero. If there were to be excess revenues, they would be <br /> returned to the General Fund. <br /> Vice-Mayor Cook-Kallio asked about the fees for classes offered through the Contract Class Program. <br /> Ms. Andrade-Wax said the classes are typically less than for someone participating in a children's <br /> production and of greater value than a typical class that might last 6 to 8 weeks. The City also has a fee <br /> assistance program for all classes offered to children and adults. Information can be obtained via the <br /> City's website, the activities guide or from current instructors and staff. <br /> Vice-Mayor Cook-Kallio asked and staff confirmed that the donated tickets referenced earlier were <br /> made available throughout the Bay Area, not just in Pleasanton, and asked how the public would <br /> access them <br /> Ms. Andrade-Wax said that was simply an example of BACT's past accomplishments. She explained <br /> that staff has started conversations about what would be appropriate for this community but not explore <br /> it further without an agreement. <br /> Vice-Mayor Cook-Kallio said that as an educator she is very excited to hear about the in school <br /> programs and asked if that is outside of the scope of this agreement. Ms. Andrade-Wax confirmed and <br /> said this initial agreement is for the productions and contract classes, camps and workshops. If there is <br /> City Council Minutes Page 9 of 13 March 19, 2013 <br />