CCMIN081903 - Laserfiche WebLink

Other Speakers Sonia Talati, 2139 Goldcrest Circle, announced she was just crowned Miss Northern California Junior Teen 2003. She described the American Coed Pageant and said she would be representing California at the National competition in Orlando, Florida. She indicated she would be available to participate in local events and asked to be notified if she could be of assistance. In order to attend the Nationals, she is seeking funding from businesses, organizations and individuals. She gave her telephone number and presented written information. Mr. Campbell suggested that she bring envelopes to the next Council meeting for people to use to send in contributions. Vanessa Kawaihau, 871 Sycamore Road, noted that traffic in Happy Valley will increase from 270 to about 1,420 cars. About 1,100 will be going to the golf course and 65% are from outside the area. Pleasanton goes to great lengths to stop cut-through traffic on City streets and she objected to this traffic cutting through a neighborhood not annexed to Pleasanton. She noted there will be three miles of trails to open space areas that are available to horses. She asked how the horses would get there? The people in Happy Valley do not use the Happy Valley loop to walk their horses because they feel it is unsafe due to speeding vehicles. She noted various speeding problems in the area. Jerry Wagner, 6344 Alisal Street, presented a five-gallon bucket filled with trash he picked up in an hour that he said it was from hikers and bikers from Sycamore/Sunol to Alisal/Mockingbird Lane. He did not want seven more trails and a park in the Happy Valley area. On another subject, he noted 4160 Stanley Boulevard was sold at a foreclosure sale. He expressed various complaints about the former owner and about the City for selling its surplus property to the former owner at what he felt was a low price. He cited various lawsuits the City is involved in and expressed his belief the City Attorney was not doing his job properly. Del Grande, 4831 Mildred Drive, Fremont, owner of United Cab Company in Pleasanton, indicated he was representing himself and nine other cab companies in Pleasanton. He said Pleasanton is the only city that requires $1 million in insurance per cab. That costs $11,000 per year per car. Dublin and Livermore only require $400,000 in insurance. One cab earns about $2,000 per month and it costs $900 a month for insurance premiums. He asked Council to reduce the insurance requirement to $400,000. He noted it is very difficult to find a company to provide a $1 million coverage. He did not think there had been any accidents or claims in the last two years. Sharif M. Akbari, 1212 Venice Way, Manteca, owner of Metro Cab since 1999, said he has never had a claim in five years. His business has declined since 9/11 and that, along with the insurance requirement, are causing him to think he may have to close his business. He said the insurance is required because of the contract with the City, but if his business were just public transportation, the minimum insurance would be $250,000. He asked Council to investigate this issue. Pleasanton City Council 5 08/19/03 Minutes