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Your August 17, 2017 email also referenced approximately 35 linear feet of fill that would be used to extend the culvert on the north side of Neal Street. This culvert was proposed to support a paved area and what are anticipated to be large volumes of pedestrians on the north side of Neal Street(in close proximity to the bandstand). However, staff will work on minimizing this culvert as much as possible while still meeting the objectives of the Master Plan. In formulating the Master Plan and during the present permitting process, staff and the consultant team evaluated alternatives that would avoid culverting Kottinger Creek. One alternative would involve relocating the bandstand to the northeastern corner of the Lions Wayside Park and rotating the structure so that it would face the southwestern portion of the park(i.e., towards the intersection of Neal Street and Railroad Avenue). While this alternative would not require any culvert, it was not pursued in detail because it would be located farther away from the Firehouse Arts Center(reducing the potential for the sharing of infrastructure and ease of access between the two facilities),and would be too close to First Street (and its attendant noise and distractions). No other suitable locations for the bandstand (an historic and fundamental feature of the new park)were identified that would be sufficiently far from First Street while avoiding direct impacts to the creek. However, as previously discussed, we think that the currently-proposed alternative is environmentally superior to the initially-proposed option. We hope this letter conveys the City's desire to complete this very important community project while establishing a high standard for environmental protection. If you have questions or can provide further direction on advancing this application, please contact Matthew Gruber, Landscape Architect: mgruber;usityofpleasantonca.gov, or(925)931-5672. Sincerely, Adam Weinstein Planning/Deputy Director of Community Development Coy: Brian Dolan, Assistant City Manager Steve Kirkpatrick, Director of Engineering Matthew Gruber, Landscape Architect Kristin Asmus, AECOM Encl: August 16, 2017 letter to Brian Wines, RWQCB Page 5 of 5