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Vice-Mayor Cook-Kallio requested clarification on how the spearscale population is measured. Mr. Kanz could not provide an actual number of plants that were present on the cited 12 acres of population. He reiterated the variable nature of an annual species population and stressed the importance of protecting the habitat to allow the species the opportunity to fluctuate as the climate and natural conditions change. Vice-Mayor Cook-Kallio questioned if there is any sense of how long an area could lack species vegetation and still experience a recurrence of growth when conditions change. Mr. Kanz said that it varies from species to species and doubted that any specific information is available. Councilmember Sullivan questioned and confirmed that a survey is necessary to determine the mitigation needs and that it has not yet been adequately performed. Mr. Kanz described the work to date as an exercise in plant counting rather than an assessment of habitat quality. John Carroll said protection of the Arroyo Mocho is a priority and voiced support for relocating the Sharks Ice facility to the northeast. He questioned the adequacy of the current EIR in light of the Stoneridge Drive extension and asked if the County's offer to finance the extension isn't more of a windfall for developers than for Pleasanton. He stressed the need for a separate meeting to consider the extension separately from the EIR. Councilmember Sullivan commented on the relative lack of public presence at tonight's meeting and wondered if it is because the meeting notice did not specifically identify the Stoneridge Drive extension as a topic of discussion. Mr. Carroll confirmed that the notice made no mention of the extension and added that the documentation the public has received specifically states that Staff recommends that the Council hold a special meeting on that matter. Councilmember Sullivan questioned and confirmed that Mr. Carroll felt there would be a greater public presence if residents knew the Council would potentially make a decision on the extension this evening. Becky Dennis voiced support for the staff recommendation and congratulated staff on devising a plan amidst expansive and opposing community input. She said that the development of Staples Ranch is inevitable and expressed support for the Stoneridge Drive extension but said further discussion of the implications of accepting the County's offer may be warranted. She advised the Council to appeal to the Alameda County Resource Conservation District for assistance in developing adequate mitigations for the spearscale. She said the project will encourage the much needed development of SR 84 and she asked the project's opponents to consider how to make the best of an inevitable situation. Paul Mooney urged separate discussion on the Stoneridge Drive extension and asked the Council not to consider merging the issue with the Staples Ranch project. There being no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. BREAK: Mayor Hosterman called for a brief break and thereafter, reconvened the regular meeting with all members present. Councilmember Sullivan voiced concern over the discussion and public input on a matter that was not on the agenda, noted that the meeting was advertised to the community and press as a hearing on the Staples Ranch Specific Plan consistent with an MOU that does not include Stoneridge Drive; notice otherwise would have afforded the Council the opportunity to hear from a broader cross section of the community. He said he would like to exercise his right to continue the hearing to future date so that the public can be properly informed of the full scope of what is being considered. He suggested that other members of the Council who support the Specific City Council Minutes Page 12 of 14 February 3, 2009