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loop roads. With the opinion of some that the bypass road may take up to 30 years to complete, the community is weeks closer to realizing a three-fold, not so temporary, traffic increase on Sycamore Road and Alisal Street. Mayor Pico acknowledged the attendance in the Chambers of H. Abram Wilson, Mayor of San Ramon. Angela Merjano, 815 Pradera Way, San Ramon, shared her experience in the purchase of a home in Thomas Ranch in San Ramon. This area was at one time owned by New Cities Development and at that time the area was graded in preparation for the building of the development. The land was then sold to William Lyons Development. The City of San Ramon approved the developers to build in this area. Slopes were to be reinforced and have proper drainage. In the summer of 2000 it was observed by a homeowner there was fill being brought in to grade the land. To her knowledge, proper drainage was never installed. She shared with councilmembers pictures of the area. A punch list had been presented to the City of San Ramon and City representatives are in contact with New Cities Development in helping resolve the situation. There are several items on the list. The greatest problem is the hillside slope which has opened up because of the recent rains. They have been working with the City of San Ramon in attempting to resolve this. She does not want to see any other homeowner in the area in the same situation her Thomas Ranch neighbors are facing. She suggested that the Pleasanton City Council not vote to approve any New Cities Development proposal. She invited Councilmembers to visit their neighborhood to see for themselves the situation. Carla Hannum, 767 Pradem Way, San Ramon, is also a Thomas Ranch resident. She urged the Pleasanton City Council to be very careful, cautious and wise in any continued relationship with New Cities Development. She hoped the taxpayers in Pleasanton will not have to go through the troubles they are presently experiencing. She urged Council to make sure New Cities follows the letter of the law for any development project. Gregory Bortolussi, 812 Pradera Way, San Ramon, a Thomas Ranch resident, and a member of the Thomas Ranch Board of Directors, shared photographs of soil erosion in the development. He also shared a letter from the San Ramon City Services Director, Joyce Fekuda, to New Cities. When he purchased his home three years ago he did not know, nor did any of the other owners in the development now that there was a contract with New Cities holding them responsible for the streets, lights, sewers, hillsides, and common areas of the development. New Cities does not dispute this fact. One and one- half years ago the final home in the final phase was sold and since that point they have repeatedly met with New Cities representatives, but have been unable to come to any solution to the situation. Water is seeping up through the streets, there is significant hillside erosion, 50% of the landscaping planted by New Cities has died, streetlights are not working, and anything else that could possibly go wrong, has gone wrong. The residents met with City staff approximately two weeks ago. They shared a letter to New Cities with a three page punch list with items that need to be completed before acceptance of the development. On Tuesday of last week New Cities was to have met Pleasanton City Council 7 04/01/03 Minutes