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20. Public Comment <br /> Sandee Cook, representing residents of the Hacienda Mobile Home Park, shared concern regarding <br /> the lack of progress on the park's new kitchen. She reminded the Council that in October 2013 the City <br /> and park owner entered into a rent stabilization agreement which required that a new kitchen be <br /> completed by June 30, 2014. Residents were told work would begin the first part of January and that <br /> the kitchen would be unavailable for functions following the January 4th brunch and until after June 20, <br /> 2014. When work had not yet started at the beginning of March, the kitchen was reopened for the <br /> March 15th St. Patrick's Day dinner. Several days later, four residents packed up the kitchen with <br /> supplies provided by the property owner's representative. She reported that despite repeated delays <br /> and the very clear time frame imposed by the city, work has yet to begin. She stressed how important <br /> this resource is for many residents. She expressed concern that the park owner will repeat his past <br /> performance and fail to complete the work in the time agreed. She asked that the City Council not grant <br /> any extensions to the project and instead hold Mr. Hoon to the schedule laid out in the agreement. <br /> Mr. Lowell stated that staff has spoken with Ms. Cook and several other residents, and is aware of the <br /> progress with the kitchen. He stated that permits have been obtained, some supplies ordered and plans <br /> have been reviewed by staff. He assured Ms. Cook that staff will work with Mr. Hoon to ensure that he <br /> abides by the June 30, 2014 deadline. <br /> Rita Galvin, Tulancingo Sister City Association President, thanked Mayor Thorne and his wife for <br /> joining them on the recent visit to Tulancingo. As part of the trip, they visited a number of local <br /> organizations and Mayor Thome was given the keys to the city by Mayor Julio Soto. Mayor Thome also <br /> helped to represent Pleasanton at the local girls' center and neurological center, both of which the <br /> Sister City Association helps to support. She thanked Councilmember Brown for accompanying them <br /> on last year's visit and invited the entire Council to join them in the future.. <br /> Jackie Hawk acknowledged the current drought and the need to reduce consumption, but said that <br /> Zone 7's recent shut down of water from Del Valle Reservoir to the arroyo has several significant <br /> consequences for residents. She reported that following a similar shutdown in 2003 that resulted in the <br /> death of many birds and other sea life inhabiting the area as well as an increase in the mosquito <br /> population, the Alameda County Vector Control Board issued a statement strongly advising against any <br /> future shutdowns. Not only are the visual and olfactory impacts disturbing, neighbors along the arroyo <br /> are faced with many of its inhabitants looking to their yards for food and water. She questioned what <br /> impacts the new development at Stanley Boulevard and Bernal Avenue could have here and vice <br /> versa, and asked the Council what sort of workable solution might be reached. <br /> Councilmember Cook-Kallio recommended that she contact Zone 7, as they ultimately have the <br /> authority to act here. <br /> Keith Rothenberg, Livermore, cited a concern similar to Ms. Hawk's. He stated that Zone 7's decision to <br /> cease water releases into the arroyo below Del Valle Reservoir seriously threaten the livelihood of <br /> Sycamore Grove Park. He stated that ten years ago LARPD and Zone 7 co-funded the Sycamore <br /> Grove Recovery Program study, which he forwarded to the City Clerk for the Council's review. Among <br /> the findings was one assertion that the cutback of water releases coupled with below average rainfall in <br /> the 1980s created conditions so severe as to nearly constitute a stand-eliminating event. Since the <br /> completion of Del Valle Reservoir in 1968, these sycamores have been frequently subjected to <br /> unnatural water flow conditions and likely become adapted to the unnaturally high water table and <br /> persistent flow. While the study recommends an average minimum flow rate of 1 cubic foot per second <br /> from October to April, the arroyo has seen no flow since last month. He asked that the Council place <br /> this matter on the agenda as a matter of urgency so that the issues and possible solutions can be <br /> discussed in more detail. He asked the Council to consider directing staff to contact Zone 7 to express <br /> the importance of maintaining the health of these trees and to request that they take the lead in finding <br /> both immediate and long-term solutions. <br /> City Council Minutes Page 4 of 15 April 15;-2014 <br />