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<br />Staff indicated the EIR Report would be about a year and a half out. The Parks and <br />Recreation Commission will be crucial in giving direction to move forward. Staff also <br />commented that realistically if this type of facility is not put on this property, it would <br />be decades before anything went out there based on the City's current finances. <br /> <br />Discussion ensued regarding the need for a financing package that can pull all of this <br />together to include all interests in the property. With regard to the MOU, it was noted <br />that there have not been problems, but there have been delays. The schedule will <br />be revised and will be moving forward. <br /> <br />Councilmember McGovern indicated her desire to see a timeline on when the MOU <br />will be in place and how long it will take to design the park. She stated the need to <br />start doing things in a timely manner, based on public perception and trust. <br /> <br />Mayor Hosterman opened the public hearing. <br /> <br />Dr. Sandy Bigman addressed the City Council noting she used to be a competitive <br />figure skater. She commented on the lack of available ice arenas and noted this <br />project would be a win for the community. <br /> <br />Allen Roberts addressed the City Council noting he has raised three children in the <br />City of Pleasanton and they have been involved in a lot of sports, including ice <br />hockey. He noted that he has had to take his children outside of Pleasanton to <br />practice ice hockey. He complimented the San Jose Sharks on their facilities, as <br />well as the facility in Fremont. He indicated his support for directing staff to review <br />this proposal. <br /> <br />Laura Goldhawk indicated her support for the proposal as well, indicating she too <br />has a daughter who she has to take out of the area to access an ice rink. <br /> <br />John Cligny addressed the City Council on behalf of Pleasanton Youth Soccer, <br />indicating his support for the proposed facility. He indicated the need to move <br />forward with the planning of additional sports fields. He added the proposal for this <br />17 acre facility on Staples Ranch is important, but he would like to partner with the <br />interested parties to finish the 17 acres of Staples Ranch. They would like not only <br />to see the 8 acre facility of the Sharks, but would love to see 3 or 4 all-weather lit <br />soccer fields that could also be used for Lacrosse. He would like to see the City <br />Council direct the Parks and Recreation Commission and Parks and Community <br />Services department to seriously consider that kind of proposal to finish the entire <br />facility. He commented on a recent program for the developmentally disabled kids in <br />the City of Pleasanton, indicating they use city and school parks. <br /> <br />John Carroll addressed the City Council indicating he is surprised that the private <br />sector is not able to respond to the enormous demand for ice rinks. He indicated <br />there should be some kind of benchmark or conditions that must be met before too <br />much money is invested in this type of scenario. He indicated the proposal would <br />clearly be a regional facility and not a community facility. He added that given the <br />large demand for open fields, he is not sure this would be the best use for this site. <br />He thinks the community needs more input on what goes on the Staples Ranch <br />property. He noted the primary access may be from Stoneridge Drive and that would <br />be a mistake. He feels access should be from EI Charro. He indicated he would like <br /> <br />City Council Minutes <br /> <br />7 <br /> <br />October 3, 2006 <br />