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Ms. Seto explained that the timing would be close, although doable, provided the Council direction was to agendize consideration of the various resolution options and potentially the calling of an election. Mayor Thorne opened the item for public comment Arne Olson asked that the Council not waste its time with considering tonight's recommended actions. Apart from the obvious cost of a special election, he felt it was the Council's responsibility to determine whether or not to proceed with or halt the planning process just as it was when the process was begun. He supporting Councilmember Pentin's opposing vote at the last meeting and reminded the Council that 3 of its members supported the planning process during the last election. He said that this has become a divisive issue for the community due to the drought as well as the uncertainty of the next Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) cycle. He felt the process should stop until this uncertainty is reduced. At that time, the Council can use the work of the Task Force and Draft EIR to help select the best plan for the east side. If a plan is selected, then voters should be given a chance to weigh in. Scott Raty, Chamber of Commerce, recommended that the Council rescind its prior action calling for an election. He also recommended that the community look at long-term water availability rather than the immediate crisis of the drought. Recent efforts by the city to secure a more sustainable water supply will help to provide certainty to the uncertain question of water availability. He noted that certain factors affecting the other issues identified, such as new Measure BB monies that might be used for the El Charro extension, will become much clearer over the next 12 to 18 months and provide the community with the information it needs to make a more informed decision. He said that the Chamber supports halting the process at this time and revisiting it only when a greater clarity is reached on all those uncertainties that have been identified. He also urged the Council to consider the appropriate time to resume the planning process through its annual priority setting process, as it has done with countless other planning efforts in the past. Sandy Yamaoda noted that since the last Council meeting, the Task Force has not met nor has a meeting been scheduled. She asked how the Council could attempt to craft a clear ballot measure without the benefit of the Task Force's final recommendation. She stated that all but the "no build" options considered in the Draft EIR lack economic feasibility. She asked that the Council halt the planning process in the interest of saving time and money and instead focus on improving the existing constraints and issues raised by the public. She suggested that one option to address the issue without spending taxpayer funds would be to place a measure, clearly stating the number of homes and amount of industrial space, on the November 2016 ballot. Kelly Cousins concurred with Ms. Yamaoda that the best option is to pursue something that will benefit Pleasanton both now and in the future rather than simply focusing on the drought or RHNA and kicking an inherently faulty plan down the road. She said the Draft EIR failed to properly address the impacts. She thanked the many residents who have shown their support for a democratic process and asked that the Council give them the level of consideration that their input warrants. Mike Pirozzoli urged the Council to vote to halt the planning process now in deference to all the legitimate issues raised over the last several meetings. In doing so, the community would have an opportunity to evaluate the impacts of the city's already approved projects that are on the horizon. Julie Testa said that staff has been clear that it would be cost prohibitive to place this matter on the ballot, just as the community has been clear that the type of development being contemplated for the east side would be irresponsible on any number of levels. She said that the water issue is much broader than the current drought and has the potential to impact this community's long-term quality of life. She asked that the Council vote to halt the process and instead seriously apply itself to the issue of overcrowding in schools. Regardless of what development occurs on the east side, enrollment at the city's existing schools all exceeds General Plan recommendations. While the Draft EIR addressed schools, its conclusions were dishonest and the Council's continued position that the planning responsibility lies with the school district is both disingenuous and unfair to the community. She urged the Council to look for mitigations that don't necessarily include the school district. John Bauer asked that the Council be clear in stating what metrics would be used to determine that the drought has come to end and the planning process should resume. He referred to his written comments to the Council, which he said covered a number of very valid reasons to halt the project. He said it is very easy for the public to oppose development when there is no cost to them. He suggested that voters be asked to put their money where City Council Minutes Page 4 of 15 June 2,2015