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It was moved by Ms. Ayala, seconded by Ms. Dennis, to authorize staff to send the draft letter to ABAG. Mayor Tarver wanted to add a statement about a collaborative approach to solving the problem regionally. Ms. Dennis wanted to amplify statements regarding the sphere of influence. She believed that what ABAG is suggesting would get in the way of achieving the goals because ofthe long negotiations that could result. She wanted to make that clear to ABAG. Mr. Swift said that is confusing throughout the region because there are many counties and differences in the service areas. Ms. Michelotti referred to the city's established urban growth boundary and indicated the city is limited by that. Ms. Ayala agreed to amend her motion to include these comments. Mr. Pico stated the Tri-Valley Affordable Housing Committee is also sending a similar letter to ABAG. He believed this is an unfunded mandate from the state and the cities need to lay a foundation for their defense in the event the goals cannot be achieved in the future. The infrastructure is not available and there is no financing mechanism available to provide the infrastructure necessary for the additional residential development. The subsidies that would be required for the low and very low income housing units would have to come from a source other than the local community. He believed the state should provide some kind of financing mechanism to assist the cities or the developers in achieving the goals. This area has the worst air quality attainment in the Bay Area, the worst traffic congestion, and the residents are being asked to drink recycled sewer water in order to provide for growth. There is also the proposal to drain Lake Del Valle to provide for growth. He believed there were tremendous infrastructure issues to be addressed and for ABAG to demand housing requirements without addressing the other issues is unconscionable. He reiterated this was an unfunded mandate. He objected to the threat of loss of revenues if the city is unable to achieve the goals. He said the draft letter was nice, but he preferred that it be more forceful and clearly identify the need for the state to address the other issues. He also believed it was hypocritical for ABAG to place these mandates and yet not provide affordable housing in conjunction with the West DublinfPleasanton BART station project. Ms. Dennis felt the letter does point out the fact that the city does not have control over water, sewer, and electrical services and the regional road capacities. She believed there was a mechanism for addressing the unfunded mandate concern, but was not certain how to do that. Ms. Michelotti felt that was unrealistic; the state is not going to give the city $300,000 for every new house in order to get affordable housing. There is a real problem Pleasanton City Council 11 04/18/00 Minutes