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Mayor Thome indicated he understood that parking along Old Foothill Road was temporary and <br /> Assistant City Manager Dolan stated that the District wanted to ensure that benefits would be long- <br /> term. It was noted that if Council wanted to make parking temporary, instead of permanent, East Bay <br /> would ask that a comparable location be determined. The cost of that would need to be absorbed by <br /> the City. <br /> In reply to Councilmember Narum's question regarding the approved conditions on the Austin property, <br /> Assistant City Manager Dolan reported there was a condition that specifically allowed grazing and trails. <br /> He added that eight homes were approved as part of the Austin property. <br /> Councilmember Brown commented on the two different parking lots and asked if there would be <br /> appropriate signage identifying Alviso Adobe and Castleridge Trail. Assistant City Manager Dolan <br /> stated a signage plan would be needed for both areas. The City has the authority and responsibility to <br /> manage the area. He added that there is a possibility of expanded parking on the Austin property. <br /> Additionally, he stated there is a gate on Jerlin Place, noted that signage will identify driveways and <br /> trails, and addressed communicating closures on Foothill during special events. <br /> Mayor Thorne opened for public comment. <br /> Ayn Wieskamp, Board Member, East Bay Regional Park District, commented on the importance of <br /> parks and expanding them but noted the lack of access. She stated this is one of the best opportunities <br /> on the ridge for walkers and families with young children to use a trail. She added that it is about giving <br /> real people of all ages and abilities the chance to enjoy nature. She thanked the City for requesting the <br /> prioritization of Garms, stated they want to be good neighbors and commented positively on the Alviso <br /> Adobe Community Park. <br /> Bob Nisbet, Assistant General Manager, East Bay Regional Park District, voiced support for staffs <br /> recommendation and commented positively on the process. He highlighted Sections 6 in terms of <br /> closures for special events and 7 in terms of the ability to construct more parking in the future, on the <br /> Austin property, as needed. He addressed Garms improvements and the agencies commitment to <br /> improve the number of access points. He stated that the matter will be presented to the EBRPD Board <br /> on July 5th. <br /> Deborah Wahl, Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission, reaffirmed the Commission's <br /> recommendations that Council not approve the MOU. After much discussion, the Commission felt that <br /> approving it would not be the right decision, adding that the Commission wants this to be a win/win for <br /> all. She added that the Commission does not like parking on Old Foothill as a permanent solution; <br /> parking on Austin makes more sense; that the proposed location of the restrooms would negatively <br /> impact neighbors, and stated their wish that the Garms property would have been opened. She asked <br /> Council not to approve the MOU and to go back to the drawing board to find a more-suitable solution. <br /> Dolores Bengtson, 568 Hamilton Way, Pleasanton, Alviso Adobe Docent and advocate, spoke in <br /> opposition to the MOU and referenced a memo she sent to Council listing reasons for her opposition. <br /> She offered a possible solution and alternative location for a regional trails staging area. Additionally, <br /> she spoke on behalf of Kurt Kummer former Parks and Recreation Commissioner, noting that he gave <br /> her permission to affirm his opposition to the MOU. She urged Council to take a step back and <br /> continue working with the EBRPD to develop a discreet, permanent regional park staging area, free of <br /> potential conflicts and with unlimited parking potential, such as the south side of the Austin property. <br /> • <br /> City Council Minutes Page 6 of 9 June 21,2016 <br />