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With respect to the "free to come and go" clause, Mr. Pfund described the sign-in and roll <br />call procedures before each class and activity. He noted that after the martial arts class <br />concluded, the students would play in the back area of the academy while waiting for <br />their parents. He noted that he sat and monitored the front door while an employee <br />monitored the back door. He noted that both doors had an audible alarm that sounded <br />when the doors open and close. He has purchased and plans to install a loud screeching <br />alarm for the back door. When the parents arrive for their children, they sign the children <br />out for accountability (Exhibit 5); the parents then escort the children from the academy. <br />Mr. Pfund noted that he takes great care to know where each child was from when they <br />are picked up from school, when on the premises, and until the parents pick them up and <br />escort them from the facility. He noted that while he might use the word "care," and as <br />humans, they care for children because they are our most valuable resource. However, he <br />indicated he was in the business of educating children in integrity and success and <br />overcoming challenges, and he was very good at that. He stressed that while the word <br />"care" was used by the parents, the academy was not a day care. <br />Mr. Pfund noted that the parent's waiver sheet stated that they agree that their children <br />were free to come and go from the facility and that if the children chose not to participate, <br />the instructor will notify the parent immediately. He noted that was exactly what they do <br />in that case and that he would not say that they cannot leave. Mr. Pfund indicated that for <br />the most part, parents and children have an understanding that the children will not leave <br />his academy until their parents pick them up because 5- and 8-year-olds do not drive. <br />Mr. Pfund asked where the children would go. He added that the children would not just <br />go wandering on the streets. <br />Mr. Pfund noted that virtually every program in Pleasanton worked in this manner, such <br />as gymnastics academies, swim teams, martial arts schools, dance academies, and <br />learning/tutoring centers; some of those facilities were located in the same vicinity as his <br />business. He noted that those businesses were not in the business of care and supervision <br />of children, either. He noted that the children were not held against their will and were <br />free to come and go from the other facilities as well. He added that these programs have <br />children left unattended by parents and thus should get daycare licenses as well. He <br />noted that he had called 201oca1 facilities stating that he was considering enrolling his <br />child and asked whether he was allowed to leave his son unattended at the program. <br />Each facility replied that was allowed and further stated that if his son wanted to go home <br />early, their policy was to call the parent to pick the child up. When he stated that he <br />would be concerned that his son would leave the facility without him, the facility <br />representatives each stated that would not happen. When he asked whether they provided <br />care and supervision, the representatives stated that they were not a daycare. When he <br />asked whether the facility had asign-out sheet, the majority of the facilities stated that <br />they did not. <br />Mr. Pfund stated that we live in a free -to-come-and-go society and that there is no <br />commercial business catering to school-age children where children are not free to come <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, February 13, 2008 Page 22 of 42 <br />