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youth, and would keep them from coming. The YMPIC and Youth Commission did not want the youth center to be a day-care for kids. The YMPIC and Youth Commission wanted it to be a place where youth wanted to go and not made to go. He pointed out that Pleasanton is a youth rich town. A recent survey indicated that over 50 percent of homes in Pleasanton contain youth as compared to the national average of 33 percent. He urged Council to move forward with this project by voting to support staff's recommendation. Michael Johnson, 6296 Hansen Drive, Vice Chair of the Youth Commission, presented a petition to Council with 1,455 signatures from the two local high schools. These students supported the construction of a permanent youth center instead of a temporary facility, and also supported having the permanent youth center located on the Bernal property, which is a central location to the downtown, the library, Fairgrounds, and future sports park. Mayor Pico acknowledged and commended the young men and women who are serving on the Youth Commission. He applauded their efforts by try/ng to plan for the future of the youth in this community. Cindy McGovem, 9206 Longview Drive, acknowledged staff for its hard work. She was proud of the youth in Pleasanton and was proud to be a part of the YMPIC. She mentioned that the YMPIC visited six different teen centers. The teen centers varied depending on the community. YMPIC members discussed the cost effective mechanisms that were used at these teen centers. She pointed out that the youth of this community are asking Council to work with them to identify what is best for the youth in Pleasanton. She reminded Council that it is reviewing the General Plan and believed this would be the opportune time to see what type of amenities are still needed in Pleasanton as the community approaches build out. She believed a youth center is one amenity. She also suggested Council consider building a Community Center. She asked Council to move forward with this process only if it wanted a youth center in Pleasanton. If there were a possibility of entering into an agreement with owners of permanent locations that could go from an interim to a permanent location, Ms. Ayah asked if this would ease the hesitancy of the youth? Ms. McGovem did not believe a teen center should be opened as a permanent structure if it was believed the rug could be pulled out from under it. She emphasized the need for a youth center in the community, which the youth have been wanting for a long time. She pointed out that if it was determined that an interim facility could be used for a youth center, it needed to offer elements that address all of the different types of interests for the youth in this community. A youth center that offers various types of programs and services for all types of youth in the community will bring the youth together in one place, which will build a great community amongst them, and give them a reason to come and join the youth center. She noted that the reason the Bemal property is of interest is because it is close to Pleasanton Middle School and Hearst Elementary School. Ifa youth center were built on the Bemal property, the gymnasium and the tennis courts at Pleasanton City Council 6 02/03/04 Minutes