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