CCMIN060496 - Laserfiche WebLink

Terry Spraggins, 7024 Cone del Oro, indicated that seven years ago the Park District owned 17 acres on the ridge and none of it was open to the public. Today it has added 2500 more acres to the park and there are 1800 acres that are accessible. If the City enters into this agreement, there is a good chance the District can purchase connecting land so that more of the park will be available to the public. She strongly urged Council to support this. Margaret Tracy, 1262 Madison Avenue, Livemore, representing Preserve Area Ridgelands Committee (PARC), supported the proposal. Jack Hovingh, 4250 Muirwood Drive, felt the Park District owns more land that it can service. He believed it was irresponsible for the District to acquire more land. If the City funds acquisition of more land, he felt the Park District should agree not to levy any parcel taxes against the residents of the City of Pleasanton. Ms. Mohr asked if the parcel tax referred to was the five dollars imposed a couple of years ago and was it generating enough money to do the necessary improvements. Ms. Combs indicated that was a benefit assessment district for trails and trail maintenance throughout the District and is not connected with the acquisition or maintenance of the parks. She indicated the money was to connect the major regional trails such as the Iron Horse Trail, the Ohlone Trail, and other major regional trails. It is not for development or maintenance of park lands. Ms. Mohr asked if the Park District was making plans for the Iron Horse Trail through Pleasanton or would that be considered a City obligation? She felt that would be a good joint project. Ms. Combs indicated there was seed money for the initial development of the trail and some of the existing parcel tax will be used for that. In terms of the planning for the trail, it is in the Park District master plan and the City's proposed General Plan. Ms. Combs indicated the Iron Trail is not totally budgeted because the District doesn't know what the entire project will cost or when it will be done. There are many issues that need to be resolved. Ms. Mohr asked if some of the money for joint purchase could be used for the Iron Horse Trail as well as for the Ridge. Ms. Combs said that had not been considered, but could be discussed by the Liaison Committee. The trail will come through Dublin and into Pleasanton along the arroyo, part of the trail is already in place on the sidewalks through Hacienda Business Park and there have been discussions in the Liaison CommiRee about the next steps. The District is planning on moving forward with that. The current request is really specific to the Ridgelands because there are key parcels that still need to be acquired. She feels she can get more money from the District Board if she can show there is support from Pleasanton for those acquisitions. 06/04/96 -14-