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extension in the General Plan and build it sooner rather than later. Extending Stoneridge Drive would have a regional impact, but it is a local issue and she felt Pleasanton would decide when the roadway is extended and how it is to be funded. Mayor Hosterman said as the City’s Mayor, she needs to always be open to new information and new data and she needs to be willing to change her position when she finds there is sufficient data to do so. She is barely there and it is very difficult for her, but she does see including Stoneridge Drive extension as a piece to offer the region in turn for much needed regional improvements. She was not quite sure how to get there as far as tying the extension to regional improvements, but if the surrounding freeway system was moving the way it was supposed to, this discussion would not be held. Our ability to motor around and in-between our communities is important, but we are so severely impacted by the surrounding freeway infrastructure that this must be addressed. She felt it was all about timing and she wanted the opportunity again to try and achieve a 5-0 vote tonight because this has been a very, very contentious issue in the community and she felt it was time for it to stop. As a leader, it is important to recognize when it is time to make a decision and the right decision that is for the betterment of the entire community. She also thinks that it is part of our role as leaders to be able to reach consensus with one another, to be flexible and be able to move. She asked fellow Councilmembers to see if they can find an opportunity for movement such that we can come together and pull the community together. She felt there were a number of ways this could be done. She liked Councilmember Sullivan’s idea from last week; leaving Stoneridge Drive extension in the General Plan and using it as leverage to achieve regional improvements. She also wanted the Council to have discussion regarding asking the community to weigh in by ratifying the Council’s decision. Historically, Pleasanton cherishes its democracy and have, over the years, formulated and seen initiatives and referendums more so than any other city in the County of Alameda. She referred to the fight over saving the Pleasanton Ridge, using reverse osmosis to clean groundwater, the 1996 General Plan, and other issues. Regarding trying to tie any future Stoneridge Drive extension to regional improvements, further discussion was needed on how to do this. She felt the Congestion Management Agency just approved regional improvements for I580 from Stockton to Oakland and many will take place in Pleasanton’s stretch of the Tri-Valley. She felt what made more sense is for her and Vice Mayor McGovern get to work and try and get the regional partners back to the table and focus on State Route 84’s inclusion. One potential new improvement was the new flyover from westbound 580 to southbound 680 at a price of $1.1 billion and State Route 84 can be widened from 680 to 580 for less than $200 million. Again, she felt it was all about timing but also pulling together the community and starting a healing process. She felt there was an opportunity to try and achieve some sort of meaningful conclusion which takes into account everybody in the city. Councilmember Thorne concurred with the Mayor, but said whatever decision is made a healing process should be started within the community. He felt this was the most divisive issue ever dealt with and neighborhood is pitted against neighborhood which is distressing. After the data was presented, he attended a public event and afterwards many people approached him to talk about the Stoneridge Drive extension. Everyone has a strong opinion, he said he was glad the data was completed, felt the discussion was getting broader, people are discussing things not specific to Stoneridge Drive or Valley Avenue but more about State Route 84, 580, or other traffic issues that impact everyone. City Council Minutes 16 May 1, 2007