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Ms. Ayala supported the staff recommendation to engage Council and the Commissions in a workshop to start the process. She noted she got involved in City politics from serving on the General Plan review. The last process took three years and there was a lot of outreach to the community. She did not want to leave the average citizen out of this process. It is important to engage the community in projects and felt the General Plan review was the best way to begin, since it educates the citizens on every aspect of the city. She hoped this would engage new participants and encourage some to mn for City Council. A few weeks ago, there was discussion before Council about Commission liaison members and the fact that they would have two votes on an issue. If the General Plan review process is set up with just the Council and Planning Commission, then Council will be voting on it twice. She felt strongly that a component should be added that includes community members in the workshop atmosphere. During the last General Plan review process, there were many town hall meetings. That took a lot of time, but it was very helpful. She did not think Councilmembers had any more time left to devote to this process and felt the citizens committee could be a part of that outreach process. She did not know what this group would be called and whether it would be appointed or advertised, but she definitely wanted to reach out to the community. She did want to keep it at nine to eleven members because that is a more workable size. The group could be an advisory group or steering group, but she could envision a workshop to review certain elements and then send the citizens out for outreach. Mayor Pico did not want another three-year process. The City has a relatively good General Plan. There are some circulation and land use elements that need to be reviewed as well as adding an energy component. There could also be a water component added. The major adjustments to the Plan, like the urban growth boundaries, dwelling unit caps, etc., have already been done. He felt the Council/Commission process could be started and as the process continues, if it is seen there is a need for more input in a specific area, then subcommittees or citizen committees could be created. He hoped to have a process that would allow him to vote on the final General Plan while he is still in office. Ms. Ayala also wanted to accomplish this in a two-year or less time frame. She was concerned about leaving out an element that could help the process move forward more quickly. Mayor Pico believed the Council/Commission workshop format does not preclude the citizen participation element described by Ms. Ayala. During the process, it would be possible to identify where help would be needed, rather than for Council to decide that at this meeting. He wanted to start the process now. Mr. Brozosky said one thing that may take more time is the east side of Pleasanton. Everything else would be modifications to existing policies. Mayor Pico said no General Plan will ever be the final one. There is always the ability to amend it. If it takes four or five years, then at that time people will raise new questions. He felt it was appropriate to have a different process for this review and he was sensitive to the concerns of the community about starting committees without adequate direction or having committees languish or go on for long periods of time. He liked the model suggested by staff and would like to try to make it work. Pleasanton City Council 17 03/18/03 Minutes