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- Commissioner Arkin noted that he had received a document from the City which <br />addressed rules and operating procedures for City Council meetings. He noted that the <br />document also addressed ethics, which stated that it was against City rules to use the <br />prestige or influence of a City official or employee for private gain for themselves or <br />others. He also received a brochure entitled "Vision Pleasanton" in the mail that <br />appeared to be developed by the Chamber of Commerce and/or its Political Action <br />Committee (PAC) and had General Plan-type policies. He noted that four City <br />employees' names were listed as contributors to the brochure and inquired whether they <br />used City time and resources to create the brochure. He inquired whether that effort <br />would violate the ethics policy and would like to see the Commission make a <br />recommendation to City Council to look into this issue. <br />Ms. Nerland advised that she did not know the parties involved in that document but <br />heard that the Chamber of Commerce had created a PAC. She stated that she did not <br />know what the role of the Pleasanton employees had been, but that staff is frequently <br />asked for City information or documents which aze often provided as required under the <br />Public Records Act. She noted that staff could look into the matter. <br />Commissioner Maas believed that the employees had contributed general facts about the <br />City, rather than working on the PAC itself. <br />Commissioner Fox noted that she agreed with Commissioner Arkin's comments. She <br />_ would like to know what role the City employees had in the creation of the brochure <br />because there was some confusion whether this was related to the City's General Plan <br />process. Chair Roberts concurred with wanting more information regazding the creation <br />of the brochure. <br />Commissioner Arkin believed it would be appropriate for the Planning Commission to <br />ask the City Council to look into whether City resources were used to develop a pazallel <br />General Plan. He was concerned with the process in developing the brochure, <br />considering that the City has a General Plan update in progress which is being led by the <br />Planning Commission. <br />Commissioner Maas suggested that the issue be brought up during the public comments <br />portion of a City Council meeting, rather than having the Planning Commission bring the <br />issue up. <br />Commissioner Arkin noted that the Planning Commission was the lead body in the <br />development of the General Plan. <br />Ms. Nerland suggested that staff gather more background information into the matter, and <br />provide it in written form for the next meeting. <br />Commissioner Maas did not want to strain City staff resources in looking into this matter, <br />but the consensus was to direct staff to obtain further information on the brochure and <br />- agendize the matter for the next agenda. <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES May 26, 2004 Page 14 of 15 <br />