Thursday, February 23, 2017 VOLUME LIV, NUMBER 8 Your Local News Source Since 1963 SERVING DUBLIN, LIVERMORE, PLEASANTON, SUNOL School Board Looks at Neal Site; New Eastside Plan Could Change Things By Ron McNicoll said the East Pleasanton Specific Using a 10-acre site it owns on and math) or language immersion, However, that line of thinking Plan (EPSP), which was stopped Vineyard Avenue, the Pleasanton or a K-8 school on the Neal site, it could be upstaged by news that a year ago, was not on the list of School District could relieve could be an alternative to building the trustees did not have at their potential development that the city See Inside Section A some school growth pressure that a school on the North Side, where meeting, a bid to revive a plan for gave him. Section A is filled with would come from future North the district does not have a site, development on the city’s eastside. Although the school board information about arts, people, Side development. The land was trustees said at their Feb. 14 meet- Tthere was no discussion of appeared to be in the dark about entertainment and special events. designated 15 or so years ago for ing. The board liked the idea well any need for a school on the east- the eastside, it’s apparent there There are education stories, a the never-built Neal School, enough to cancel its agenda plans side. Trustees asked consultant is a movement afoot by develop- variety of features, and the arts If the district were to build a to go out for a request for proposals Isaac Johnson about whether his ers and other interested parties to and entertainment and magnet school for STEAM (sci- (RFP) for a consultant who would projections included any possible bulletin board. ence, technology, engineering, art identify sites around town. eastside development. Johnson (See EAST PLEASANTON, page 2) Council to Discuss Downtown Steering Committee Option At its Feb. 27 meeting, the At a goals workshop, the coun- Livermore City Council will con- cil identified a steering committee sider establishing a Downtown as its preferred public outreach Steering Committee to lead the approach to plan the downtown. planning effort in the downtown. Staff suggests that the initial areas The council will also be asked of focus of the committee would to direct staff to distribute a Re- include downtown parking, circu- quest for Proposals (RFP) for con- lation, and a hotel. Recommenda- sultant teams to facilitate Steering tions could then be brought back to Committee meetings, activities, the city council and the community products, subsequent community through larger community work- workshops, and provide land use shops, which would be focused on and design consultation. (See STEERING, page 4) Zone 7 Connection Photo - Doug Jorgensen Between storms, rainbows made an appearance in North Livermore. Fees To Rise 7% By Ron McNicoll developers and DSRSD, a water Developers will be paying 7 retailer that functions in both Al- percent more to acquire connection ameda and Contra Costa counties. fees from Zone 7 Water Agency, The Dougherty Valley devel- Livermore Council Directs starting May 1. opers acquired rights to the water The Zone 7 board voted unani- from a Central Valley source after mously at its Feb. 15 meeting to being denied water from EBMUD. Staff to Focus on Priority Areas raise the fee, as recommended by Developers sued EBMUD. The the board’s Finance Committee. court allowed developers to look By Carol Graham bers Steven Spedowfski, Robert tion of a steering committee as its The increase will take the fee from for another water source over the Affordable Housing and Home- Carling, Bob Coomber and Bob preferred public outreach approach the current $25,320 to $27,180. following two years. lessness, Asset Management, Woerner participated. in planning the downtown. Connection fees for Dougherty There was public opposition Disaster Preparedness, the Down- For the downtown, the Council Coomber favored a compre- Valley development will rise 11 in the Valley to the agreement, town, Innovation and Economic directed staff to focus on parking hensive, broad-based approach, percent, from $23,430 to $26,080. but directors on the board at that Development, Long-term Finan- and circulation, a downtown hotel, involving the community at all Dougherty Valley, which is in time voted 6-1 to make the deal. cial Stability, and Public Safety and the continued implementa- levels. Contra Costa County, where Zone Developers purchased an extra 2 and Use of Technology were tion of a series of small projects, Spedowfski asked Rikesh Patel, 7 has no jurisdiction, operates percent from their water suppliers. the top priorities selected by the Livermorium Plaza, Shea Plaza representing Presidio Hotels, for under a separate agreement with They give it to Zone 7 annually, as Livermore City Council following shade improvements, and lighting his preference. Presidio was se- Zone 7. Zone 7 wheels the water compensation to Zone 7 for wheel- a Goals and Priorities Workshop. improvements, as the first steps in lected by the previous city council to Dougherty Valley as part of a ing the water. The priorities, listed alpha- implementing additional improve- to build the hotel in the downtown. three-way agreement established In determining new connection betically, were not ranked. Mayor ments downtown. Patel mentioned the uncertainty about 15 years ago between itself, John Marchand, and councilmem- The Council identified selec- (See ZONE 7, page 5) (See PRIORITIES, page 4) State of the City: Continuation Pleasanton Has Been High Schools Getting the Job Done Recognized Using the theme, Getting the report to you today that showing as Models Job Done, Pleasanton Mayor Jerry up, working hard and getting the Thorne delivered his State of the job done has given me the chance Del Valle High School in Liver- City message. to stand up here and say to you more and Village High School The Pleasanton Chamber of today that the state of your City is in Pleasanton have been named Commerce hosted the luncheon very, very strong. Man, did we get 2017 Model Continuation Schools on February 22. the job done last year." by the California Department of Thorne began by thanking Accomplishments in 2016 in- Education (CDE). They are two of his fellow councilmembers, the cluded a boost in the economy, the thirty-five continuation schools community and city staff for their which Thorne noted was healthy to be honored out of 452 schools efforts. He also spoke about the thanks to careful planning, strong across the state. city's growing diversity. "I am fiscal management, and a robust For Del Valle High School, the proud to be your Mayor in a city business community. Photo - Doug Jorgensen award comes back to back with the that is defined by its character and He continued, "Last year, voters The Sunol Repertory Theatre's 36th season production, 2014 Model Continuation School its commitment to the members of made clear that the Johnson Drive "Shakespeare Goes to Gravel Gulch . or the Villain Drove a Bard honor, as the designation lasts our community, which is increas- Economic Development Zone Bargain," opens March 11. It runs weekends through April 1 at the three years. ingly diverse. We remember we should be used to its maximum Sunol Glen School Theatre, 11601 Main St., Sunol. The play by The announcement of the selec- are a nation of immigrants and that potential, so we will be looking Tim Kelly is directed by John Ruzicka. The story: when a troupe of tions was made by State Superin- tendent Tom Torlakson, on Febru- many of our families came from forward to hearing more about that Shakespearean Actors makes their way to the small mining town somewhere else. We also remem- development this year. ary 16. He stated, “I applaud the ber that irrespective of religion, "Pleasanton is home currently of Gravel Gulch, a mysterious bandit known as Gentleman Dan is dedicated administration and staff or race or country of origin, if to more than 56,000 employees close behind with nefarious plans to fleece everyone. After a local on their work to assist and motivate you show up and work hard with at over 4,000 companies. Roche prospector finds gold, the stakes are raised for the whole town. at-risk students and help them reach us, together for the greater good is building a new 70,000 sq. ft. Admission is $15. All performances start at 8 p.m. For tickets or their full potential. The positive of our community, you will be a campus in Hacienda. There are information, go to www.sunol.net. Pictured are (from left) Soraia and nurturing climate these schools welcome addition." more than 2,000 in-home busi- Bohner (Generosity), Ron Smith Noble Hart), Ashley Ruzicka have created inspires students to do In moving to the talk's theme, nesses. Last year, the issued over (Sunny Day) Robin Spindler (The Dutchess), and Logan March well in their academic work and Thorne declared, "I am pleased to (See STATE OF THE CITY, page 5) (Johnny Lasso). (See SCHOOLS, page 2) PET OF THE WEEK You want to love Oprah, don't ya? 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