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Joe Streng, Parks and Recreation Commission Chair, referred to the minutes of the May meeting and stated that the Commission unanimously supported Option A. He said there has been considerable discussion about the project in the context of the bandstand and Friday Night Concerts but said the Commission feels strongly that it is more about creating a public space in the limited downtown area than it is about the concerts. The Commission feels that every inch of available space should be utilized to its greatest benefit, which Option A accomplishes in ways that Option B and the open swale does not. He noted significant community concerns regarding the safety of the open swale as well as support for widening the pedestrian area all the way up to Railroad Avenue. He stated that the Commission also heard from community members who wish to resource the granite blocks with the Lions Wayside swale into some sort of design element within the park. The Commission felt strongly enough about the idea that it included this in its motion. He noted that the Commission did not reach a consensus regarding the swale on the Delucchi Park side but strongly favored Option A on the Lions Wayside end. Councilmember Narum asked if the Commission discussed the location of the water/adventure play area. Mr. Streng said there was not strong support for a water feature, but that the Commission supported the recommendation in terms of the conceptual location for the play area. Councilmember Narum asked if the Commission discussed what looks like the addition of a number of trees in Lions Wayside Park along First Street. Mr. Streng said the Commission viewed it more as a conceptual representation of greenery along that stretch than as the addition of a specific number of trees. He confirmed for Councilmember Narum that the trees were not proposed in response to a request from adjacent residents. Mike Hosterman, Pleasanton Downtown Association (PDA) President, said the PDA board strongly supports Option A. He said Option A significantly increases the usability of the Firehouse Arts Center and creates a strong meeting place in the downtown. He suggested that if the bandstand were moved back to Railroad Avenue, performers could use Railroad Avenue or Firehouse Arts Center as a sort of staging area. He also noted that undergrounding the ditch, as suggested in OptioI A, would allow easy access to the restrooms at Firehouse Arts Center. He explained that the PDA rev ewed the project with a focus on what would most successfully enhance, beautify and draw people t3 the downtown. The PDA board feels strongly that this is an important project for the City. He said the board favors undergrounding the drainage swale on both sides of the park, which would allow additional parking on the Delucchi side to support downtown businesses. He noted that the farmers market has outgrown itself, that there are many acditional vendors who would like to participate, and said the board supports any efforts to expand the market area along West Angela Street. He questioned the proposed trees in the great lawn area, which he thought needed to be expanded as much as possible to accommodate even current attendance levels. He said he would like to see the plaza on the north side of Neal Street moved to the other side so as riot to detract from the great lawn area and perhaps just one plaza on the Delucchi Park side. It would also be his preference to move the water/adventure plaza into Delucchi Park, nearer the restrooms. -le stressed that any measures to increase bicycle and pedestrian connectivity, such as continuing the trail down through the park, would be of incredible benefit to downtown vitality. Mayor Thorne closed public hearing. MOTION: It was m/s by Narum/Brown to direct staff to pursue preliminary Option A. Councilmember Narum concurred with Mr. Hosterman's comments regarding the >ize of the great lawn, though she acknowledged the benefit of providing at least some trees for shading. She said the adventure play area should be moved to Delucchi Park for a number of reasons that include proximity City Council Minutes Page 11 of 13 July 16, 2013