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situation and supports the signing of the Lund Ranch II referendum. The referendum process largely contributed to what Pleasanton is today in regard to parks versus housing projects. The current signature gathering process gives the residents an opportunity to weigh in a project that will have an impact on the City. Her site inspection leads her to believe the project does violate Measure PP and expressed support for a smaller development that would be in compliance. She encouraged residents to sign the referendum and visit the website: www.saveourhills.com. In closing, she referenced an editorial supporting the referendum in The Pleasanton Weekly. Carrie Cox expressed her concerns regarding a proposed Costco on Johnson Drive. She has been attending Council meetings since November and speaking about this issue. She quoted from the September 2015 Supplemental Environment Impact report, where Item C, "issues for concern" states that the analysis indicates a net increase in negative air emissions and increased traffic levels are significant and unavoidable even after mitigation efforts have been conducted. She inquired as to what will happen when there are an extra 12,000 to 16,000 cars in the area. Bill Wheeler, Black Tie Transportation, spoke to draw attention to the Planning Commission process regarding the Costco proposal. Mayor Thorne stated this matter will have a full public hearing but it seems to be moving forward with agreements signed in violation of due process. A representative from Neuron said that, "Costco is coming." He urged the Council to review the Environmental Impact Report, especially the fiscal analysis. He expressed concern that there has not been proper consideration of the one scenario that would be a good compromise, a mixed-used area which would not bring in as much revenue as Costco but would have more quality jobs and still increase revenue for the City. He urged the Council to ask probing questions, be objective, and listen to local residents who will be the ones dealing with the traffic mess and air pollution. Alfred Exner stated that he visited the Lund Ranch II property where development will be and looked down on a beautiful valley where someone has maintained a grove of oak trees and stream for a long time. People have thought about this property and maintenance of the area and urged the Council to protect the trees and stream by giving the public more time to have dialogue on this topic. Carolyn Spain stated she is a strong supporter of saving Pleasanton's hills and is not pro-development, however, she does not support the current tactics employed in the signature gathering process. She has personally witnessed misleading statements and threatening tactics by the paid signature gatherers. She inquired as to who hired the gatherers or their company name and was not given an answer. She understands the Council cannot do anything about the referendum process. During the January 19th Council meeting she shared her personal experience with the tactics used by paid signature gatherers. She referenced comments made by Planning Commissioner O'Connor and Councilmember Brown. She has been advised by the State that blatant lies told by signature gatherers are illegal. She has been personally attacked and is fearful for her personal safety and stated that those who are behind it should be held accountable. Bill Spain, a 27-year resident, expressed disappointment with the Lund Ranch II referendum process and its leadership in hiring the out-of-town paid signature gatherers. He believes the leadership is just a select few with special interests and he witnessed Councilmember Brown and Commissioner O'Connor publicly supporting these negative efforts. He spoke with Sergeant Fountain and raised his concerns regarding neighborhood volunteers and paid signature gatherers. He understands the right to petition but also stated that police officers have been summoned on multiple occasions for incidents caused by paid signature gatherers. People are being harassed while doing personal shopping or conducting business in town and these incidents are a wasteful use of valuable police time. He personally witnessed and described three of these incidents with defiant and disrespectful signature gatherers. John Bauer stated that the East Pleasanton Specific Plan has not been abandoned but shelved because of the drought. The Council approved the Lund Ranch II project but he wants the hillsides and ridges protected from development. The Planning Commission received a detailed report on how other City Council Minutes Page 2 of 12 February 2,2016