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~~° INTRODUCTION ['L£ A~.~kNTc~N. City Manager's Budget Message currently in good financial position, the future is not without significant challenges; it is imperative that efforts to contain future costs be continued to ensure that expenditures can be financed with available revenues. It is important to keep our future financial capacity in perspective as we make long term decisions about labor agreements, pre-funding retiree medical benefits, user fee cost recovery, and the adequacy of our water and sewer rates. Address Affordable Housing Needs January 17, 2007 marked the grand opening of the Parkview assisted living facility adjacent to the Pleasanton Senior Center. The 105-unit complex offers housing with a range of services for seniors who desire assistance with activities for daily living. The project is the result of collaboration between the City of Pleasanton, BRIDGE Housing Corporation and Eskaton. A key feature of The Parkview is the availability of 31 below-market rate units with substantially reduced monthly rates for very low income senior citizens. Expected to be fully occupied within eighteen months, after four months the facility is already more than 65% leased. Through the operating budget, the City will continue to invest in this project through staff support and coordination of programs, services and activities targeting our senior population. A similar project is also underway for the existing Kottinger Place Senior Housing Complex. Located near downtown, this 50-unit housing complex opened in 1972 and provides affordable housing for low income seniors. To plan for the eventual replacement of this aging facility, the City's Housing Authority is working collaboratively with representatives from Christian Church Homes (a nonprofit housing developer) and the Board of Directors of Pleasanton Gardens (a neighboring senior housing facility) to explore options for joint redevelopment. A community task force will analyze development options and funding alternatives. The City's goal is to create a practical, cost-effective and collaborative approach to address a critical housing need. This budget includes a continuation of consulting services and staff support to accomplish this objective. Implement Improved Traffic Circulation Measures As traffic continues to impact the community the Traffic Division places emphasis on projects and programs to address problem areas. This budget contains funding for the conversion of an Engineering Technician II from limited term to permanent status and the addition of an Associate Transportation Engineer to address signal timing and enhance the City's transportation system performance. Improving congestion levels on the regional roadways provides significant benefit to internal circulation on Pleasanton streets. The City will continue to move forward to secure funding for the environmental documentation necessary to widen State Route 84 to a four-lane roadway. The City will also work with its regional partners to ensure that area projects for I-580 and I-680 remain a high priority for funding and completion in the coming years. The new Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan will complement the City's existing Community Trails Master Plan and identify specific projects that will improve and connect pedestrian and bicycle facilities throughout the city, as well as establish guidelines and prioritization for future projects. The development of the master xtx