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In response to Mayor Brown's inquiry, Vice Mayor Testa expressed opposition to a letter expressing the City's support for the HAU. In response to Councilmember Balch's inquiries, Assistant to the City Manager Hopkins clarified the Governor's budget is the funding mechanism and needs to pass both houses. She confirmed this is simply the proposed budget and there remains a long process with many opportunities for revision before a final version is approved. In response to Councilmember Balch's inquiry, Assistant to the City Manager Hopkins confirmed the HAU will be providing technical assistance and other items which would benefit the City's staff. In response to Councilmember Balch's earlier inquiry, Niccolo DeLuca, Senior Director at Townsend Public Affairs, confirmed this is a part of the Governor's proposal and must go through a long process before passage in June. In response to Councilmember Narum's inquiry, Mr. DeLuca could not confirm if the HAU had been previously approved and the Governor is simply attempting to fund it now. In response to Vice Mayor Testa's inquiry, Mr. DeLuca advised meetings are already public and some communities have concerns based on the Governor's statement. He noted some communities have looked into budgetary language comparing it to a previous slip-up over the Governor's remarks on high-speed rail which were later clarified. Mr. DeLuca suggested working together to help Pleasanton through this proposal and noted there have been multiple differing reactions from other cities. In response to Vice Mayor Testa's inquiry, Mr. DeLuca stated the Governor's proposed budget includes about $650 million for affordable housing. He added this does not include Assembly proposals to fund affordable housing citing Assembly Bill 71 which is in the billions. He added the Senate has been amiable to helping cities address homelessness and affordable housing but does not yet have a proposal. In response to Mayor Brown's inquiry, Mr. DeLuca stated he cannot speculate on the intent behind the Governor's antagonistic statement. He noted he can understand the point of view on the statement from cities. He advised, based on the City's Legislative Framework, it is wiser to send a letter asking how they can work together. Mayor Brown noted Pleasanton has an approved Housing Element which should be in the letter. In response to Councilmember Balch's inquiry, Mr. DeLuca advised the draft letter would be helpful. He stated their tact has been to be selective on focused bills to receive extra effort and credited staff for its diligent work on previous letters. He added their preference is to be thoughtful and when they do weigh in, to stress Pleasanton's uniqueness. In response to Vice Mayor Testa's inquiry, Mr. DeLuca stated he could not confirm the overall cost of meeting affordable housing mandates statewide. He added there is also Senate Bill 5 which is a new affordable housing bond being introduced this year to help cities fund affordable housing to meet their Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) numbers. Mayor Brown opened public comment. City Council Minutes Page 10 of 13 February 2, 2021