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by the State of California so that her students are exposed to the same skills and writing styles as they are in school. Her classes are focused and academically rigorous and she communicates with all parents in person as well as via send-home notes and email. Ms. Shackelford stressed that she is a teacher, not a daycare worker and believes that she has a unique opportunity to continue her career while also staying home with her own children during the day. She asked the Council to vote in support of LIL so that it may continue to offer the same high level of academic support and learning opportunities that it does now. Dr. Elliott Alber said that he moved to Pleasanton specifically for the opportunities provided by LIL. His family does not speak Chinese, but he believes fluency in several foreign languages to be a necessity in the modern world. He stressed that academic achievement is paramount to both him and LIL, and cautioned the Council that a vote against this relocation could pose a great loss to the local community. Rachel Tu reiterated the previous comments and noted that the program welcomes students of all ethnicities, strengthens the community and should be embraced. Ms. Fox stressed that she is not questioning the quality of LIL's program but believes licensing in very important. A licensed program requires that the director has either a Commission of Teacher Credentialing Child Development Site Supervisor Permit or an equivalent accreditation issued by the Department of Child and Social Services. She believes it is important to set standards whereby the State monitors and maintains the :>afety and conduct of those facilities and noted LIL was found to be operating in excess of it:> CUP last fall. She cited additional operational similarities between LIL and other programs, all of which are licensed, and said that failure to require such here would make it the only church operating an unlicensed afterschool program in Pleasanton. Ms. Zheng said that the City's primary concerns seem to revolve around the background checks and appropriate safety training of her staff. She explained that all staff has cleared the first level background check and that as the City does not have a supporting fingerprinting process in place, the latter may take some additional time. First-aid and CPR certification course have been scheduled. In response to Ms. Fox, she stated that repeated conversations with the State Department have reiterated that this sort of exemption is being granted throughout the state. Councilmember McGovern noted that at the Planning Commission hearing Mr. MacDonald said the applicant was willing to obtain a childcare license and asked if they were still willing to do so. She said that she is concerned that the State grants these exemptions so that it does not have to follow through with supervision of the programs and believes it is due to the budget crisis. Ms. Zheng deferred to Mr. MacDonald who confirmed that they will do so if the City requires it. He cautioned that it would create a zoning issue due to the requirement of a private and exclusive outdoor play area. While the applicant is willing 1;o fence off a portion of the church's parking lot, it seems ridiculous to do so considering the arnple square footage available inside and the proximity to Hart Middle School's play area. He also cautioned that the State has made it very clear that it considers this an afterschool program, does not want to have to issue a license for it, and tends to feel burdened when cities needlessly throw programs into their process. The public hearing was closed City Council Minutes Page 6 of 19 February 17, 2009