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<br />enough comparison of expenditures versus target and not enough review of revenue versus <br />targets. <br /> <br />Mr. Fialho believed Mr. Thorne was using many terms from the private sector. He noted <br />staff has tried to identify the cost to provide a service, which is reflected in the budget. There is <br />a short-term and long-term financial plan and he felt staff has done a good job with the short- <br />term. There will be presentations on the long-term strategies that will focus on ten- year <br />revenues and expenditures. The suggested matrixes can show relationships for planning. <br /> <br />Matt Sullivan indicated he was encouraged by the concept of sustainability in the <br />economic and fiscal elements and the General Plan overall. He agreed with Mr. Thorne that <br />sometimes that phrase is overused, but in this case it is right on target. It is referring city <br />finances and ways for the city to meet current needs as well as the needs of future generations. <br />There is reference to balanced budgets, but that happens once and in this case sustainable city <br />finances is about balanced budgets over the long term, especially in light of build out. He <br />thanked staff and the Economic Vitality Committee for all their work on this element and he <br />supported it in general. There are many strategies and tactics for fiscal viability. He wanted to <br />know how to maintain that and felt there should be a strategic plan for the fiscal element. He <br />liked the idea of a model for the General Plan build out land use. He asked what other <br />strategies are there for looking at long term trends, forecasts or reviewing things going on in the <br />state or country that could affect Pleasanton from a fiscal standpoint. <br /> <br />Mr. Fialho stated that staff has done five-year plans and acknowledged that as the city <br />approached build out it needed to have more long term planning. Now that the new Finance <br />Director has come on board, that kind of long-term analysis will be done and a report presented <br />to Council for input. Part of that process may require policy direction from Council. For <br />instance, to pursue more retail expansion if there is a need to increase sales tax revenues; or to <br />focus on residential or commercial development to create a sustainable fiscal environment. <br />What Council appears to be looking for will be coming forward as a separate item. <br /> <br />Mr. Sullivan acknowledged that but indicated a desire to have some kind of policy <br />statement reflecting that. Under Goal 1, he wanted the environment included in the list of <br />sustainable connections. He supported the Strategic Plan and looked forward to a session <br />where he could present some comments. <br /> <br />Mayor Hosterman also thanked staff and the Economic Vitality Committee for their work <br />on these elements. Back in the early nineties, the community focus was on concerns about <br />developing too quickly, too many houses and the direction of the city. At that time, this Element <br />served the city very well and it has come a long way. She was pleased with the new language <br />and changes included in the Element. With a few more changes, the Element will serve the city <br />well to build out. She thanked staff for the hard work and for listening to the Council and all the <br />Commissions in updating this very important Element. <br /> <br />Ms. McGovern also thanked the Economic Vitality Committee and all the other <br />Commissions for looking at this. <br /> <br />Mr. Fialho clarified that these documents will come back to Council as a final document <br />called a Draft General Plan to be reviewed, discussed and debated for final approval some time <br />late this year. <br /> <br />General Plan Workshop <br />City Council <br /> <br />5 <br /> <br />OS/23/06 <br />