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productivity and quality of life for every Pleasanton resident. Pleasanton Reads, whose need exploded <br /> with the closure of the local adult school, is a volunteer based program that currently has 77 volunteers <br /> working with 101 students and another 130 students waiting for instruction. She asked both volunteers <br /> and students in attendance to stand briefly and invited several students of the program forward to <br /> speak. <br /> Nilafar Azim said she has been attending classes for approximately three years. Over this time her <br /> English language and communication skills have improved significantly and she has had an opportunity <br /> to make many new friends. <br /> Wenhui Jiang said that as a recent immigrant from China who could not speak or understand a word of <br /> English, the library's free ESL program and personalized tutoring have been invaluable in helping her to <br /> acclimate and feel more confident in her surroundings. <br /> Jenny Guzman said she knew no English when she moved from Colombia three years ago. The <br /> library's free English conversation class helped to introduce her to the language and new friends and <br /> bolstered her confidence. After 6 months in the program, she transferred to a local community college <br /> where she majored in education and has since applied to a graduate program at UC Berkeley. <br /> Councilmember Cook-Kallio asked Ms. Johnson about volunteer requirements and how they might <br /> become involved. <br /> Ms. Johnson invited anyone interested in volunteering to either call her at the library or email her at <br /> pennviohnson[a�citvofpleasantonca.gov. She stressed that the program is always in need of more <br /> tutors, who generally must be at least of college age. <br /> Vice-Mayor Pentin read the Proclamation proclaiming September 2014 as "Adult Literacy Awareness <br /> Month" into the record. <br /> 18. Commendation for the Dolores Bengtson Aquatic Center Staff <br /> Community Services Director Andrade-Wax recognized Community Services Manager Spiller and <br /> Recreation Supervisor Dunaway for their work with the aquatic center. <br /> Mr. Spiller thanked the Council for noticing and honoring the staff, all of whom have put in many hours <br /> of training prior to what has proven to be a very interesting summer. <br /> Ms. Dunaway echoed his thanked. She noted that the staff is comprised largely of young adults working <br /> their first job and said the fact that they are saving lives is phenomenal. <br /> Vice-Mayor Pentin read the Commendation recognizing the Dolores Bengtson Aquatic Center Staff into <br /> the record. <br /> 19. Public Comment <br /> George Bowen reported that at the recent Planning Commission James Paxson of Hacienda Business <br /> Park and Karen Ellgas from the Parkside neighborhood presented a joint proposal for resolution on the <br /> zoning issue regarding the 5758 West Las Positas property. While many in the community feel the best <br /> resolution would be to eliminate the residential zoning for the site, they did reach an agreement to <br /> reduce the allowed density from 30 to 12.2 residential units per acre to be consistent with the Verona <br /> neighborhood. The proposal also called for setbacks consistent with the existing commercial setback <br /> and a residential building height limit of 35 feet. Mr. Bowen said the surrounding neighborhood is quite <br /> City Council Minutes Page 4 of 11 August 19,2014 <br />