01 - Laserfiche WebLink

Councilmember McGovern referencing the gridlock issue asked if it would be possible to strengthen the letter by putting in the statistics about where Pleasanton is in the East Bay and in Northern California as it relates to the problems with gridlock and where we stand on those issues. Councilmember Cook-Kallio indicated it is difficult to rationalize not meeting affordability because of increased property values. She indicated she supports the proposed letter and indicated Council is going to have to address the issue of affordable housing. To ask them to change the formula and to look at all these valid concerns because Pleasanton is in a unique situation is appropriate, but to say that we can't have affordable housing because we have high property values means that we can never have affordable housing, which isn't reasonable either. Staft indicated the Mayor supported the draft methodology and throughout the process, Pleasanton made it clear that we support income related housing in town. The concern was how you distribute that throughout the region. Regarding the gridlock issue, the Mayor's focus throughout the process was gridlock, not just in the Pleasanton area but other areas of the region. Forcing housing in these specific areas is not helping the region. Mayor Hosterman opened the public hearing. Hearing no requests to speak the public hearing was closed. Motion: It was m/s by Thorne/Cook-Kallio authorizing the Mayor to forward a letter to the Association of Bay Area Governments reflecting the City's comments. Motion passed by the following: Ayes: Cook-Kallio, McGovern, Sullivan, Throne, Mayor Hosterman Noes: None Absent: None MATTERS INITIATED BY COUNCIL Councilmember Cook-Kallio commented on a recent article in the newspaper regarding an issue relating to someone trying to go to the Police Department to get lawful information. She asked for the policy on how the city responds to those public record act requests. Councilmember Sullivan, referencing recent teenage driving accidents, questioned if the School District Liaison Committee would have any interest in revisiting this issue and perhaps involve the Police Department in discussing ideas on how to prevent this kind of tragedy. Councilmember McGovern noted that she will be suggesting at the Priority Setting Session to bring back the Youth Master PlanlTri Valley Health Initiative to look at the issues of alcohol and drug use within the community, where you could look at traffic issues also. City Council Minutes 13 January 16, 2007