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BACKGROUND In April 2006, the City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Alameda County Surplus Property Authority (SPA) regarding the future development of the County-owned Staples Ranch Property, located in the northeast unincorporated area of Pleasanton. The MOU anticipates the development of a 37+/- acre auto mall, 45+/- acre senior continuing care community with up to 800 living units (including skilled nursing support facilities), a 17 +/- acre community park, and 11+/- acres of commercial uses. Following approval of the MOU, the City was approached by San Jose Arena Management, LLC (SJAM) regarding the potential of forming a joint public-private partnership to develop amulti-rink ice skating facility within the community park site. SJAM is an affiliate of the San Jose Sharks National Hockey League (NHL) team, and operates all of the facilities associated with the Sharks. At its meeting of October 3, 2006, the Council directed the Parks and Recreation Commission to conduct a community planning process for the purpose of developing a conceptual site plan and list of potential recreational uses for the proposed park. In doing so, the Council also asked the Commission to address the merits of including the SJAM proposal as a possible park use. The proposed concept plan, if approved by the Council, could then be incorporated into the Staples Ranch Specific Plan update and Specific Plan EIR process. If the SJAM concept were included, staff would begin preliminary discussion with SJAM regarding the ice facility concept. Parks and Recreation Commission Planning Process The Parks and Recreation Commission began work on the project on February 8, 2007, when it adopted the planning process and schedule. Participation at a series of planned workshop meetings was encouraged by the Youth, Planning, and Human Services commissions; Youth Master Plan Implementation Committee (YMPIC); Trails Ad Hoc Committee; and other interested agencies, groups and individuals. The adopted planning process consisted of the following steps: 1. Community Workshop #1 -review site information, receive community input regarding desired park uses, and recommend potential options (based on available acreage) for preparing site plan diagrams. 2. Community Workshop #2 -receive community input regarding the site plan options, and recommend a draft preferred plan. 3. Formal Commission recommendation to the City Council regarding preferred park concept and site configuration. 4. City Council review and approval of proposed park concept site configuration, and "next steps" process. On March 1, 2007, the Commission conducted Workshop #1. Commissioners heard requests from a number of individuals and groups for sports fields and tennis courts, a dog exercise area, and leisure recreation facilities such as trails and open space. There was also support for the inclusion of an ice skating facility as part of the park plan. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Commission asked City staff and project consultants Page 2 of 6