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memorial effort and are eager to experience what both the memorial and proposed improvements will add to the community. Larry Annis strongly encouraged approval of the plan, sharing particular support for the memorial and potential to increase burial opportunities for citizens of the Pleasanton community. Despite his tendency to question the prudence of government spending, he said he believed the proposed improvements to be a solid return on the investment and that would only add to the legacy Pleasanton has already built. Phil Stage expressed his support for the plan and veterans memorial. He asked that the Council consider setting special plot rates for Pleasanton veterans. Doug Miller stated that the approximately 15 veterans in attendance as well as the local VFW and American Legion chapters are fully supportive of the project and eager to commence the fundraising effort that includes $40,000 in matching funds from the Harringtons. He stressed that while they have every confidence in their ability to raise the necessary funding, it is important that they be able to provide the community with a clear time frame. He shared his appreciation for the proposed information kiosk, which he noted is becoming an increasingly popular cemetery feature and can serve as attractive additions for those visiting their loved ones as well as school children, research groups and other learning based activities. He thanked the Council for its ongoing sensitivity to and support of veterans' issues. Mayor Thorne closed public comment. Mayor Thorne asked whether, were the Council interested in moving forward with the project quickly, staff could return with some sort of financial plan for consideration in the near future. Mr. Fialho repeated the staff recommendation, noting that the final element directs staff to prepare information regarding immediate site related needs as outlined in Sections 1 and 2 and then secondary site related news, including potential infill of cremation and casket plots, as part of the CIP process during the 2015-16 Fiscal Year. Councilmember Narum asked and staff confirmed that approval of the Master Plan would allow fundraising efforts for the veterans' memorial to begin immediately. She shared the concern of one constituent which was that the walking paths be accessible to those who rely on mobility devices. Ms. Yurchak said that accessibility was in fact the intent of designing these paths. She explained that the materials being considered include decomposed granite or some other compacted fill similar to what is at Alviso Adobe. Councilmember Cook-Kallio said that the ideas incorporated into this Master Plan present the Council with a real opportunity to respect, preserve and honor the history of this community and thanked everyone involved. She requested support to formalize the direction that staff looks into the feasibility of installing and operating something like a cistern on site. Vice-Mayor Pentin applauded the committee and consultant on what he said is a wonderful Master Plan that looks to preserve an important part of the community's history. He expressed his strong support for the veterans' memorial to honor those who sacrificed everything to provide for what we all enjoy today. Councilmember Brown concurred that staff, the committee and consultants did a wonderful job in preparing the Master Plan, noting that she had not received even one call or email in opposition. She thanked the Harringtons for their generous contribution to veterans' memorial, which is both fitting and appropriate in this setting. She again shared her sense that the city may not have a real long-term interest in owning and operating a cemetery but acknowledged that it is very difficult to disagree with something that has such strong financial, practical and sentimental value to the community. She hoped, City Council Minutes Page 9 of 22 November 18, 2014