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PLA has done in Niles Canyon over the last ten to twelve years. It's a grassroots organization, but the money was there when they needed it to function. He was certain they could make this happen if the City approved it. The City would not have to pay for crossing signals. He said the December trains were heavily patronized and the largest purchase of tickets was by residents of Pleasanton. The few people at this meeting against the train are from Second Street and a few other places. He reminded Council of the vote on Measure DD. Fifty-five years ago, the San Francisco city administration wanted to eliminate cable cars. That didn't happen because they are a treasure and icon for the City of San Francisco. He felt the Niles Canyon Railway was Pleasanton's cable cars. He presented a copy of a newspaper article about the cable cars and how they were saved. Jim Evans, 1917 Devereaux Drive, President of the Pacific Locomotive Association, indicated he was available to answer any questions. He asked Council to support the Pleasanton Downtown Association request to keep open the option to study the train. This is a volunteer organization and it has done quite a bit. It maintains grade crossings and has an immaculate safety record. A total of 38,000 people rode the trains last year and 10,000 on the holiday trains. They would like to work with the City to come to Pleasanton. He agreed they cannot be specific about any aspect of the plan. They certainly could not bring the train here next year or the year after, but would like to have the door remain open for the possibility. Developing the site in some other way would preclude that option. Ms. Ayala asked about the question regarding steam trains. Mr. Evans said the PLA collection includes ten steam locomotives and four or five diesel locomotives. The steam locomotive has been running at various times, but it is now taken apart for federal inspections. It will be put back together for operation in the spring or summer. He agreed it is possible the diesel engines may come into Pleasanton sometimes. Gerry DeWees, 1748 Beachwood Way, said he is an active member of the PLA. He supports the PDA request for further study of the train over the next eighteen months. He agreed it would be several years before the train could come to town. It is a volunteer organization and the members drive the spikes themselves. There will be an interchange with Union Pacific at Verona and Sunol shortly. He said there are grants available, but the City must give its approval before the organization can apply for the grants. Gabe Vargas, 2488 Fern Trail, Sunol, indicated he is a Boardmember of Niles Main Street, the Sunol Business Guild and an active member of the PLA. He referred to several key words in the specific plan: future, preservation, parking, transportation, historical preservation. He said the pictures previously shown of the train area in Sunol are not accurate. A previous speaker had suggested using local transportation to reduce the number of cars. When a train comes to Sunol it brings 400 people from Fremont. He said they were close to getting permission for people in Niles to be able to board the train and commute to Sunol and eventually to Pleasanton. He sees the Transportation Corridor as the umbilical cord to connect three historical towns; Niles, Sunol and Pleasanton. He remembers coming to Main Street Pleasanton in the early fifties on horseback and finding a user-friendly town. This evening he is hearing Pleasanton portrayed as exclusive as opposed to inclusive. Someone remarked people from Pleasanton City Council 16 02/05/02 Minutes