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17. Public Comment John Loll thanked Councilmember Narum for mentioning the Big Draw Art Celebration in her opening comments. The event, which was a great success last year, will be held Saturday May 1016. He also noted that today is National Give Local American Day. Councilmember Brown asked Mr. Loll to explain how the Big Draw benefits the community, aside from drawing people to downtown Pleasanton. Mr. Loll said it is essentially serves as Pleasanton's signature arts event. In addition to promoting community togetherness, the Big Draw encourages residents to experience art first hard. As part of the event, pianos will be installed throughout the downtown for the public to play and asphalt squares will be available for chalk drawings. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND OTHER MATTERS 18. Presentation regarding Measure AA- Alameda County Healthcare Services Safety Net Reauthorization City Manager Fialho introduced the item, noting that it is informational only in nature and the Council is not being asked to take action. Measure AA, which will appear on the June 3, 2014 ballot in Alameda County, reauthorizes and extends the existing Measure A tax for 15 years through 2034. As a special tax, a 2/3 affirmative majority of those voting is required to extend the tax. Measure A tax revenues fund health related services for low-income and uninsured residents. 75% of revenues are allocated for the Alameda County Public Health System, including Highland Hospital, with the remaining 25% allocated by the County Board of Supervisors based on need in the areas of healthcare services, network providers, emergency care, public health and mental health. He introduced Bradley Cleveland, Measure AA campaign manager. Mr. Cleveland said the intent of Measure A is to ensure that all county residents have access to primary, preventive and mental health care as well as public health services. These funds support not only programs for the uninsured and working poor, but also the network of emergency rooms and trauma centers that are so vital to the entire community. In the instance of Children's Hospital, the support the hospital receives from Measure A allows the hospital to draw down additional federal money to support their critical programs. With increases in the aging population and chronic disease as well as the epidemic of childhood diseases and asthma, the public health programs supported by these funds help to keep both children and adults out of more expensive emergency room settings. He discussed the recent impacts of the Affordable Care Act on public health programs, noting that despite its efforts recent estimates indicate that over 100,000 Alameda County residents remain uninsured. HealthPAC, a program supported by Measure A, focuses on providing the preventive and primary services that these individuals would otherwise not have access to. He acknowledged concerns related to accountability but stressed that accountability is very clearly written into the measure. As required by law, an independent oversight committee reviews every single expenditure and grant and prepares a comprehensive report available for review by the public. The most recent report highlights the expansion of services and facilities as well as the leveraging of Measure A funds to obtain additional federal and foundation grants. The small discretionary fund available to the Board of Supervisors is critical to allowing them the flexibility to fund the unanticipated needs of the district. Perhaps the most important component of accountability is that Measure A must be reauthorized by the voters every 10 to 15 years. He stressed that Measure AA simply extends the existing Measure A tax, which has a proven track record over the last 10 years, and does not actually increase taxes. City Council Minutes Page 4 of 20 - -"May6,2014