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Mr. Pico indicated the U. S. Department of Fish and Wildlife was pushing to get a regional habitat conservation plan and that is part of the Department' s objections to the golf course plan and the LAVWMA sewer line. He suggested the City Council consider sending a letter to the Department indicating Council was favorable to considering a regional conservation plan and would be willing to cooperate with the Department on that matter. Ms. Ayala asked what that means. Mr. Lum stated Fish and Wildlife has been seeking from Alameda County a coordinated study of developing a habitat conservation plan. The Department has not approached the cities directly. The issue has been raised with respect to the LAVWMA pipeline expansion, but not with regard to the golf course project. Mayor Tarver indicated he was fed up with this whole process and how much money has been spent on the golf course. He was not willing to wait until December. He preferred to give staff six months and he would provide his help or that of anyone else to get this done. He was disgusted that it has taken so long and cost so much to get through the permitting agencies. He felt it was possible that this process will kill this course. He has seen development occur in similar areas that get permits. Yet the City cannot get the necessary permits. If it can't be done in six months and the City has to admit defeat, then so be it, but he was unwilling to continue the process any longer. Mr. Lum indicated staff is completing revisions to the plan and responses to the agencies will occur within the next couple of weeks. There will then be a series of meetings and staff will be seeking assistance from other state and local officials to help move this forward successfully. Mr. Pico reiterated his belief that the Department wanted a regional habitat conservation program and is taking every step to get that. Mayor Tarver said that is just Fish and Wildlife. The Regional Water Quality Control Board wants three to one ratios on land. It is incredible. Something has to be done to find out what is required and get to the point. The City cannot afford to continue to spend the public funds like this. Ms. Michelotti did not think Pleasanton was being singled out; this is happening in all areas. Karl Geier, Miller, Start & Regalia, 1331 North California Boulevard, Suite 500, Walnut Creek, representing New Cities Development, agreed with the difficulties of the development process and trying to get various permits. His client expected the annexation vote to be taken some months ago and does not consent to its being postponed again. The condition on the New Cities project was that the annexation vote had to occur Pleasanton City Council 23 03/21/00 Minutes