Laserfiche WebLink
MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC <br /> 14. Public Comment from the audience regarding items not listed on the agenda <br /> Gary Haas said he was disturbed to learn that the city charges non-profit veterans' <br /> organizations a $75 fee for non city-sponsored events, specifically with regards to the Veterans <br /> Parade. He said he preferred for his tax dollars to go towards the veterans, not city or safety <br /> staff which are already supported through other fees, and encouraged the Council to exempt <br /> military personnel organizations from the fee. <br /> George Bowen, Parkside, updated the Council on the neighborhood's progress regarding their <br /> request that the Council consider rezoning the CM Capital property back to Commercial- <br /> Industrial. Residents are circulating a petition, whose information has been verified by the <br /> Planning Department, and have already gathered 225 signatures in support of the request. Most <br /> notably, all homeowner households in the Parkside community that were approached have <br /> signed the petition. They are also finding that residents in the larger community strongly share <br /> their concerns once informed about the city's plans for high-density growth and issues related to <br /> RHNA. The comments most frequently received relate to "Dublinization" and concern over <br /> additional growth given the current drought situation. He asked those in attendance who support <br /> the request to raise their hands, provided the City Clerk with a copy of the petition, and said he <br /> would continue to keep the Council updated on their progress. <br /> Mayor Thorne asked when the Housing Element will come before the Council as this would be <br /> the appropriate time for them to have both the petition and their discussion prepared. <br /> City Manager Fialho said the Housing Element is expected to come to the Planning Commission <br /> in late June/July and to the Council later in August. <br /> John Huk said he mailed a letter to the Mayor on March 18 pleading for his assistance with a <br /> critical safety matter and received no response or recognition of receipt. He urged the Council to <br /> come to his home and witness the dangers caused by one or several redwood trees. He said he <br /> received two letters, one from the City Manager and one from City Landscape Architect Mike <br /> Fulford, denying his request for removal but that both are invalid. He said Mr. Fulford and former <br /> Mayor Hosterman made comments indicating that a swimming pool is more valuable that the <br /> safety of his family and that the ramblings and prevarications in Mr. Fulford's letter are <br /> damaging to his family's medical, mental, dental and financial wellbeing. He said the city is non- <br /> compliant in its protection of existing trees and refuses to disclose to him certain information that <br /> would validate his request. He said his doctors have recommended removal of the trees in <br /> question health reasons but that Mr. Fulford will not recognize this or the thousands of dollars in <br /> property damage they have caused. He again urged the Council to come to his home and view <br /> the situation for themselves. <br /> PUBLIC HEARINGS AND OTHER MATTERS <br /> 15. Approved the Pleasanton Parks and Recreation Master Plan <br /> Mr. Fialho introduced the item, stating that the Parks and Recreation Master Plan is a City <br /> Council Priority as listed on its Work Plan. The Plan attempts to integrate many of the facilities <br /> and parks needs reflected in the General Plan, with greater detail given to expanded park <br /> opportunities, renovation of existing facilities and a variety of other programmatic needs to <br /> address the needs of the community's changing demographics. The Plan was prepared by the <br /> City Council Minutes Page 3 of 11 June 3,2014 <br />