CCMIN011916 - Laserfiche WebLink

Vice Mayor Narum suggested the speaker meet with staff prior to the workshop so that he can share his concerns. Vickie LaBarge stated that she prefers no additional building in Pleasanton but understands this is not an option due to the City's adopted General Plan. She supports Council's decision and has been handing out flyers around town. She witnessed aggressive tactics by paid signature gatherers for the referendum who also were stating inaccuracies such as the petition would prevent mansions on the hills, it is a land grab," and that the City gave the developer land to develop. This referendum will stop the development of Lund Ranch. She stated she was called degrading names and this behavior does not fit with character of their city. She wanted the residents of Sycamore Heights to know how signature gatherers are behaving. In closing, she stated she had left a message for the City's traffic staff and wanted to know when they would be contacting her. Greg O'Connor read a letter into the record on behalf of Matt Sullivan, former Planning Commissioner and City Councilmember. In summary, City Council ignored Measure PP and their interpretation of it was flawed. It will result in grading within 100 feet of a ridgeline and building on slopes which 25% or greater grade. He urged residents to sign the petition. The neighborhoods are at odds because of traffic on their street and an alternative acceptable compromise would have been to grant the permitted end unit provision. The people of Pleasanton will be the losers regardless of the outcome. Mr. O'Connor stated that much of the information regarding petition gatherer disputes was hearsay and that the behavior at the Farmer's Market was unacceptable. He requested a City Police Officer be present for the four hours of the Farmer's Market. Michelle Plunge stated that residents are disappointed with the Council's decision regarding Lund Ranch. A website, Savepleasantonhillsides.com, is available and there are signature gathering stations, including one at the Farmer's Market, Saturday 23rd, 9am to 1pm. Residents have until February 3rd to sign the petition. She thanked the voters for their protection of the ridgelines and hillsides in Pleasanton. Bill Spain spoke of his 27 year residency in Pleasanton and has attended all the Planning Commission meetings related to Lund Ranch II. He stated that there were a wide variety of factors considered including impacts to neighborhood traffic, parks, and previously negotiated neighborhood agreements. The January 25 vote was not everything he sought, but was fair. Staff included all vested parties and it is an agreement they could be satisfied with and proud of. He believes it is a small group trying to overturn Council's decision and does not agree with the confrontational approach and blatantly misleading statements being given to residents. Vice Mayor Narum requested that the Interim City Attorney comment on the City's involvement in signature gathering. Interim City Attorney Harryman stated that the City has no involvement in the signature gathering process whatsoever and any misrepresentations by signature gatherers should be forwarded to the Secretary of State. City Manager Fialho stated that the joint meeting with the Planning Commission will take place once all of the necessary data, including the economic study, is available. At that time, possibly in March, the City will release the information to the public and the meeting will be scheduled. In response to an inquiry from Councilmember Brown, Interim City Attorney Harryman stated that it is legal for paid signature gatherers to collect signatures for a referendum, however, she did not know if it is legal for them to gather signatures for more than one petition at a time. Councilmember Brown stated that she believes there is zero tolerance for the inaccurate statements purportedly being given by signature gatherers. City Council Minutes Page 4 of 6 January 19,2016