Pleasanton council ready for priority-setting workshop

The Pleasanton City Council is set to review the city’s draft work plan for the coming years during a special meeting and workshop on Wednesday, starting 5:30 p.m.

“We anticipate discussion from the council and the community on many of the items on the work plan as we historically have in previous work plan workshops,” a city official told the Weekly.

Councilmembers and staff will spend time Wednesday evening going over their “shared interests and objectives for the coming two fiscal years and take public input toward identifying those initiatives that should be included in the work plan,” staff said in a report.

Staff generated rankings along with recommendations from city commissions, committees and stakeholder groups helped outline the draft work plan. The 27-page document includes a number of goals with project descriptions, and cost estimates and status, if applicable.

Topping the city’s list of 13 identified priorities this year is COVID-19 response — “new for this work plan,” according to staff — as well as familiar topics like developing Bernal Community Park, implementing the General Plan, enhancing the downtown area, maintaining fiscal sustainability, and addressing affordable housing.

Any priority item not already designated a priority by at least three council members will be given time for discussion and public comment on Wednesday.

Some items that should generate discussion on Wednesday include building a new library and Civic Center, making design improvements on Division Street between Main Street and Railroad Avenue, repairing several sound walls along Stoneridge Drive as well as West Las Positas Boulevard and Valley Avenue, and proposals to pave the Centennial and Arroyo Mocho trails, and also develop a master plan for the Century House.

The council will also look at reducing the service term to two years for youth representatives on all city commissions, and banning the use of gas powered leaf blowers within city limits.

Both the planning and Housing Commission identified the East Pleasanton specific plan as a high priority — though with slightly varying levels of importance — but listed updating the city’s housing element update as number one. The Pleasanton Downtown Association listed launching a “Shop Small – Support Local” campaign to encourage shopping, dining and local tourism as their top priority, followed by recruiting and retaining downtown retail, and expanding and improving parking in downtown — all supported by the city council.

The Civics Art Commission identified the need for a facility assessment of the Amador Theater, and also proposed determining whether a cultural art walk can be incorporated in the Civic Center and Library Master Plan.

Identifying new wellness programs focused on youth and teen mental health, as well as navigating the pandemic took precedence for the Youth Commission, along with redesigning the Ptownlife website, which helps keep its youth and teen subscribers updated on local activities and events.