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The PDA would like to continue to explore options for the southern entrance to Main Street in conjunction with the City's plans for a civic center and asked Council to adopt the Planning Commission's recommendations on page 8 of the staffreport. She recognized that there are very strong opinions regarding the Niles Canyon Railroad and the PDA has made an effort to get all the information it can and to get input from its members. The Board asks Council to leave in language that would allow the PDA to continue to study this issue. Mr. Campbell pointed out that the PDA was originally in favor of the train, it switched its position to being opposed to it, and now it is supporting it. He asked for the reasons for these changes. Ms. Stoddard said the PDA originally supported it based on the information available. Since that time, more information has become available regarding the opposition of the neighbors and the fact that all components were not in place. The Board backed off its full support at this time and wanted more time to study the matter. Ms. Ayala asked if the PDA Board had considered a trade-offwith the train and parking spots. Ms. Stoddard presented the analogy of having a tool box and wanting to keep as many tools as possible to revitalize downtown. She acknowledged that parking is the number one priority and would take precedence. Mr. Campbell asked if the PDA was going to pay for an 18 month study. Ms. Stoddard said the PDA did not say it would pay for a study. It would build a committee comprised of various stakeholders to make one final recommendation about whether the train was feasible in the downtown. Ms. Dennis indicated she had spoken to Mike O'Callahan, who presented a survey of the downtown merchants. It appears there is support for bringing the train downtown, but with no increase in taxes or PDA fees. She wanted to know if the PDA had considered a budget for such a study or what it was willing to spend. She felt that would be a key component of having something come out of an 18 month delay. Ms. Stoddard said that was a valid question. The PDA has not allocated any funds for the study. Denise Stafford, 2140 Tanager Court, spoke in favor of the train and its historic value. She pointed out that in 1996, 75% of Pleasanton voters approved the advisory measure (concerning the train). She believed the Committees should have been focusing on how to make this happen instead of finding reasons not to do it. She felt the train met the requirements of the original specific plan in that it uses the Transportation Corridor for its intended use; parking has been addressed, historic trains would enhance the beauty of downtown; trains have been part of Pleasanton's development in the past and would enhance the historic aspects downtown; it will increase the economic vitality downtown by bringing people there. She believed that if the 1996 Pleasanton City Council 9 02/05/02 Minutes