September 10, 2018

________________________________________________________________

CLOSED SESSION

CALL TO ORDER - The Closed Session of the City Council was called to order by Mayor John Marchand at 6:30 pm, in the City Council Chambers, 3575 Pacific Avenue, Livermore, California.

ROLL CALL - Present: Mayor John Marchand, Vice Mayor Bob Woerner, and Council Members Robert W. Carling, Bob Coomber, and Steven Spedowfski.

OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL REGARDING CLOSED SESSION ITEMS.

ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION

1. Conference with Real Property Negotiator. To meet with Paul Spence and Steve Stewart, the City's negotiators pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8, regarding the purchase, sale, exchange, or lease of real property at Assessor's Parcel Numbers 098-0289-021-00, 098-0407-029-02, 098-0289-013-11, and 098-0407-013-00. The City negotiators may negotiate with Rikesh Patel on behalf of the Presidio Companies, LLC. The instructions will concern price and terms of payment.

2. Conference with Real Property Negotiator. To meet with Eric Uranga, City negotiator pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8 regarding the purchase, sale, exchange or lease of real property at 2038 First Street (APN Number 097-0001-022-00) and 2044 First Street (APN Number 097-0001-030-00). The City negotiator may negotiate with Kathleen Bireley and Thomas Chance, owner representatives. The instructions will concern price and terms of payment.

3. Conference with Labor Negotiator, Conference Joint Powers Agency Confidential Information. To meet with Administrative Services Director Douglas Alessio, the City's negotiator, pursuant to Government Code sections 54957.6, and 54956.96 regarding negotiations with The International Association of Firefighters, Local 1974, AFL-CIO-CLC.

________________________________________________________________ REGULAR MEETING

1.

CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE- The meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor John Marchand at 7:00 pm, in the City Council Chambers, 3575 Pacific Avenue, Livermore, California.

1.01 ROLL CALL - Present: Mayor John Marchand, Vice Mayor Bob Woerner and Council Members Robert W. Carling, Bob Coomber, and Steven Spedowfski.

1.02 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

1.03 REPORT OF ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION

City Attorney Jason Alcala said there was no reportable action.

2. PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS - None.

3.

CITIZENS FORUM

Karl Wente, Livermore, spoke regarding good government, Unified Livermore's candidate interviews, and in support of the Downtown project.

Jacob Anderson, Livermore, spoke regarding Unified Livermore's candidate interviews.

Dave McGuigan, Livermore, spoke regarding a traffic incident in 2012.

Jay Davis, Livermore, thanked the City Council for their stewardship of Livermore and the Downtown.

Rifka Several, Las Positas College, announced the fourth annual Cycling for Veterans event on Saturday, October 6, 2018.

Judy Ferrari, Livermore, read a statement on behalf of Trish Munro regarding surveys circulating in the community, questioned the funding source, content, and agenda of the surveys.

Nancy Bankhead, Livermore, expressed appreciation for the City's graffiti abatement efforts and presented a dozen eggs to CM Carling for participating in the Bankhead Theater fundraising event.

Jamie Menache and Laura Burch spoke in support of retail recreational cannabis businesses in Livermore.

Asa Strout, Livermore, spoke regarding Unified Livermore's efforts to increase voter turnout and give the people of Livermore a voice.

John Stein, Livermore, suggested installing landscaping at the temporary Downtown parking lot; and spoke regarding lack of transparency in election-related polls.

Victoria Cristobal, Spectrum Community Services, announced a fundraiser on September 27, 2018 in support of seniors on the waitlist for the Meals on Wheels program.

Connie Kopps, Livermore, spoke regarding issues relating to Springtown and suggested holding a community meeting to discuss the area.

Evan Branning, Livermore, spoke regarding Unified Livermore's candidate interviews and encouraged voter participation and registration.

4.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Item 4.02 was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion and action.

ON THE MOTION OF CM SPEDOWFSKI, SECONDED BY CM COOMBER, AND CARRIED ON A 5-0 VOTE, THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED THE CONSENT CALENDAR WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM 4.02.

Item 4.02 Karl Wente, Livermore, spoke regarding his experience learning about the items in the Consent Calendar and expressed appreciation to staff.

ON THE MOTION OF VM WOERNER, SECONDED BY CM CARLING, AND CARRIED ON A 5-0 VOTE, THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM 4.02.

4.01 Approval of draft minutes - August 13, 2018 regular City Council meeting.

4.02 Adoption of Ordinance 2074 amending Chapter 8.14 to the Livermore Municipal Code to establish a uniform and consistent abatement hearing process and to make other minor revisions to ensure internal consistency with current practices.

4.03 Acceptance of the 2018 Local Agency Biennial Notice and introduction of an ordinance revising Municipal Code Chapter 1.28, Conflict of Interest Code, to reflect the addition and deletion of positions from the City's salary schedules.

4.04 Resolution 2018-141 authorizing execution of a five-year agreement with Hinderliter, de Llamas and Associates, Inc. (HdL), for sales, use, and transaction tax management services in a total amount not to exceed $51,200; and for audit services in a variable amount dependent upon activity level.

4.05 Resolution 2018-142 authorizing execution of a two-year agreement with Michael Baker International, in a total amount not to exceed $300,000, for environmental review and scenic corridor analysis.

4.06 Resolution 2018-143 accepting for permanent maintenance and releasing of security for the 2017 Street Resurfacing, Project No. 2016-01, which includes work related to: Citywide Wall Replacement, Project No. 2006-54; Airport Runway Striping, Project No. 2017-1; Downtown Sculpture Installation, Project No. 2017-16; and Phase 1 Downtown Temporary Parking, Project No. 2014-37.

4.07 Resolution 2018-144 accepting Tract Map 7900 Nuvera Homes Inc., Meridian Station, public improvements for permanent maintenance; accepting all real property offered for dedication, including Public Utility Easement and Emergency Vehicle Access Easement; and authorizing release of security. Location: Gardella Plaza.

4.08 Resolution 2018-145 accepting Tract Map 8145 TRI Pointe Homes, Inc., Coopers Place, public improvements for permanent maintenance; accepting all real property offered for dedication, including Public Utility Easement, Emergency Vehicle Access Easement, and Sanitary Sewer Easement; and authorizing release of security. Location: Catalina Drive.

4.09 Resolution 2018-146 determining there remains a need to continue the emergency proclamation declared on March 15, 2017 for the February 19, 2017 flood damage.

4.10 Resolution 2018-147 authorizing an additional 0.25 Full Time Equivalent of the Senior Clerk special funded position for Horizons Family Counseling.

4.11 Resolution 2018-148 authorizing issuance of a purchase order with Motorola, in the amount of $438,926, for radio equipment to upgrade and support the City's radio interoperability.

5.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

5.01 Hearing to receive community input regarding the boundaries and composition of districts to be established for district-based elections for City Council Members and to provide direction to staff and the City's independent demographer regarding any preferred configurations and changes to the draft maps.

Recommendation: Staff recommended the City Council:

1. Hold the third hearing to receive community input regarding the boundaries and composition of districts to be established for district-based elections for City Council Members; and

2. Provide direction to staff and the City's independent demographer regarding any preferred configurations and changes to the draft maps.

Administrative Services Director Douglas Alessio and Wagaman Strategies Consultant Michael Wagaman presented the staff report. Assistant City Attorney Gabrielle Janssens and Remcho, Johansen & Purcell Consultant Thomas Willis were available for questions.

VM Woerner spoke regarding methods of achieving close population averages in the districts and clarified that the intention was to stay within 5% of the average.

In response to questions by CM Carling, Mr. Wagaman said compactness varied in the draft map alternatives and Council would need to balance between compactness and other priorities.

Mayor Marchand opened the public hearing.

Jacob Anderson, Livermore, supported keeping Springtown in one district, saying he preferred Plan Tangerine because Downtown was shared with all districts; he disliked Plan Maroon which isolated Downtown.

Karl Wente, Livermore, agreed with Mr. Anderson's comments regarding Plan Maroon; and expressed appreciation for the mathematical models submitted by the Delledera family.

Evan Branning, Livermore, supported Plan Emerald as the most compact alternative and said in his neighborhood by Murrieta and Stanley, the arroyo was a strong divide and the community was more connected with North Livermore.

Alan Burnham, Livermore, opposed Plan Lavender and Plan Maroon; he spoke regarding the importance of geographic compactness, school boundaries, and communities of interest.

Steven Delledera, Livermore, supported using logic and mathematics as non-traditional criteria for drawing district boundaries; of his six suggested formulas, he preferred the hyperbola formula.

Connie Kopps, Livermore, spoke in opposition to divisiveness and district-based elections; she suggested using owner occupancy as boundary criteria.

Kyle Dickerson, Livermore, spoke regarding his map proposal created using algorithm data, saying computers did not have implicit biases.

Michael Fredrich, Livermore, spoke regarding his experience living in the South Livermore Plan neighborhood, and said Plan Lavender did a good job keeping the area together.

There were no more speakers and the hearing was closed.

CM Carling said his favorite was Plan Emerald, with minor changes; he felt Plan Lavender, Maroon, and Tangerine were less compact. He supported using natural boundaries such as the arroyo and suggested modifications to Plan Emerald.

Agreeing with CM Carling's comments, VM Woerner supported Plan Emerald with smoothing along natural boundaries such as Portola Avenue and using Robertson Park Road rather than the arroyo.

CM Spedowfski supported excluding Plan Maroon from consideration and said Plan Sapphire and Emerald worked well. Regarding mathematical calculations, he said some subjectivity was needed. He said Livermore had open school district boundaries and keeping schools separate was less important.

CM Coomber said he favored Plan Tangerine and thought all the plans other than Plan Maroon could be tweaked; and he appreciated Mr. Delledera's concepts.

Mayor Marchand said he appreciated the maps submitted by the public. He agreed that Plan Emerald and Tangerine had good opportunities to be tweaked; he felt that Plan Lavender and Sapphire looked gerrymandered.

Mr. Wagaman noted that Mr. Dickerson's map was very close to Plan Emerald; based on the Council's discussion, he would create additional variants of Plan Emerald for the next meeting.

5.02 Hearing to consider formation of and intention to establish Community Facilities District No. 2018-1 (Auburn Grove, Tract 8168).

Recommendation: Staff recommended the City Council:

1. In connection with the proposed formation of Community Facilities District No. 2018-1 (Auburn Grove Maintenance) ("CFD") and a related Future Annexation Area pursuant to the Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act of 1982:

a. Conduct the public hearing and consider written and oral protests;

b. Adopt the resolution of formation of a Community Facilities District and Future Annexation Area;

c. Adopt a resolution calling a special landowner election for a community facilities district, and direct the City Clerk to complete the landowner elections;

d. Adopt a resolution declaring the results of the special landowner election and, if the election is successful, directing recording of Notice of Special Tax Lien; and

e. Introduce the ordinance levying special taxes within the CFD.

2. Upon formation of the CFD, staff further recommended the City Council adopt a resolution:

a. Authorizing execution of the Subdivision Improvement Agreement;

b. Approving Tract 8168 Final Map for recording; and accepting on behalf of the public all real property offered for dedication within Tract Map 8168 (Auburn Grove) in conformance with the terms of the offer, except for the following, which the Council rejects at this time, reserving the right to accept the offer at a future date: Larch Lane, Pecan Tree Way, Apple Tree Street, Plum Tree Street, Date Palm Way, Public Utility Easement (PUE), Public Access Easement (PAE), Public Sidewalk Easement (PSE), Emergency Vehicle Access Easement (EVAE), Sanitary Sewer Easement (SSE), Lots A & B (1' No Access Strips).

Assistant City Engineer Bob Vinn presented the staff report.

Mayor Marchand opened the public hearing.

Karl Wente, Livermore, expressed appreciation to staff and the Council for their efforts on the item.

Connie Kopps, Livermore, spoke in opposition to landscape districts, saying everyone should contribute to landscape taxes.

Kelley Stough, Lennar Homes, spoke in support of the item.

There were no more speakers and the hearing was closed.

ON THE MOTION OF CM COOMBER, SECONDED BY CM CARLING AND CARRIED ON A 5-0 VOTE, THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS:

Resolution 2018-149 approving a resolution of formation of a Community Facilities District and Future Annexation Area. City Of Livermore, Community Facilities District No. 2018-1 (Auburn Grove Maintenance).

Resolution 2018-150 calling special landowner election for a community facilities district. City of Livermore, Community Facilities District No. 2018-1 (Auburn Grove Maintenance)

Mayor Marchand directed the City Clerk to open and tabulate the ballots.

City Clerk Sarah Bunting announced the results of the ballot proceeding:

Ballots cast: 1 (representing 7 votes)

# of YES votes: 7

# of NO votes: 0

Ballot measure passed.

ON THE MOTION OF CM CARLING, SECONDED BY VM WOERNER AND CARRIED ON A 5-0 VOTE, THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION AND INTRODUCED THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE:

Resolution 2018-151 declaring results of special landowner election and directing recording of Notice of Special Tax Lien. City of Livermore, Community Facilities District No. 2018-1 (Auburn Grove Maintenance).

Ordinance introduced levying special tax within Community Facilities District No. 2018-1 (Auburn Grove Maintenance).

ON THE MOTION OF VM WOERNER, SECONDED BY CM CARLING AND CARRIED ON A 5-0 VOTE, THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION:

Resolution 2018-152 approving Final Tract Map and authorizing execution of a Subdivision Improvement Agreement (Tract 8168 - Auburn Grove).

5.03 Hearing to consider Downtown Specific Plan Amendments and an Addendum to the Downtown Specific Plan 2009 Subsequent Environmental Impact Report. The amendments enable the implementation of the downtown plan approved by the City Council.

. Location: Downtown Specific Plan Area - Downtown Core Land Use Area

. Site Area: Various

. Applicant: City of Livermore

. Application Number: Specific Plan Amendment (SPPA) 18-001

. Public improvements: None

. Zoning: Downtown Specific Plan (DSP) - Downtown Core

. General Plan: Downtown Area (DA)

. Historic Status: Not Applicable

. CEQA: A 2018 Addendum to the Downtown Specific Plan 2009 Subsequent Environmental Impact Report will be considered.

Recommendation: The Planning Commission and staff recommended the City Council:

1. Adopt a Resolution approving an Addendum to the Downtown Specific Plan 2009 Subsequent Environmental Impact Report;

2. Adopt a Resolution approving Specific Plan Amendment 18-001, amending provisions of the Downtown Specific Plan; and 3. Direct staff to file a Notice of Determination consistent with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act.

Planning Manager Steve Stewart presented an overview of the public hearings relating to Downtown and presented the staff report.

The City Council discussed the previous plan that had included a ten-story, 2,000 seat regional theater and 280-400 residential units on the site; noting that the current plan was smaller than previously envisioned and would have less traffic congestion.

CM Coomber said the proposed parking area east of the Bankhead was too narrow and he supported removing it from the plan.

Mayor Marchand noted that any references regarding BART coming into Downtown needed to be removed from the final documents.

Mayor Marchand opened the public hearing.

Drew Felker, Livermore, spoke in support of the project.

Tom O'Neill, Livermore, said the upcoming election would be a referendum and suggested finalizing things after the new council was seated.

Karl Wente, Livermore, disagreed with Mr. O'Neill's comments and spoke regarding the history of the land swap with the Stockmen's Association.

David Rounds, Livermore, spoke regarding parking in the project, saying the City's information was not true, and questioning what else was being obscured.

Roy Hannah, Livermore, expressed concerns regarding having sufficient parking to maintain the current atmosphere Downtown.

Alan Burnham, Livermore, supported moving ahead with the project, saying he was satisfied with the parking in the plan.

Ian Karlin, Livermore, supported the project, saying the City was morally and legally obligated to build affordable housing and that the plan was a good compromise.

Dawn Argula, CEO, Livermore Valley Chamber of Commerce, supported the project, saying the community had been waiting a long time for the development.

Lisa Tromovitch, Livermore, supported moving forward with the item and said the Planning Commission had been responsive to the community.

Asa Strout, Livermore, spoke regarding the project timeline, saying the Council had listened to the community and it was time to move forward with the plan.

Jacob Anderson, Livermore, said the Council had listened to the community; he disputed earlier comments that had questioned the Council's integrity.

There were no more speakers and the hearing was closed.

CM Coomber said he would not support the plan if there were not enough parking; he said he was elected to do something; he was proud of the project and pleased to see it moving forward.

CM Carling agreed with CM Coomber's comments and encouraged people with questions regarding the parking to spend time talking with staff or the Council. He said there would always be another election and he was ready to move forward.

CM Spedowfski agreed with prior comments and said he was elected to do a job. He said the impacts in the plan would be less than the project initially studied and spoke regarding sufficiency of the plan's parking; lack of funding for a third garage; advertisements in the newspaper created by a group of four people that were meant to confuse; and housing on the site. He supported moving forward on the item.

VM Woerner supported moving forward with the project, saying the Council had listened and collectively made careful considerations to find a balanced compromise between competing needs. He said the process was about design elements rather than a design competition; the number one priority from the public was parking and Council's commitment was to always have sufficient parking. He said there had been misleading ads and push surveys meant to confuse.

Mayor Marchand suggested that people with questions contact staff and the Council, who were engaged with the community and listening. He spoke regarding the evolution of the project from a ten-story building with no parking through a tremendous process of listening to the public. He said the project before the Council was based on a long process and the community's desire to prioritize parking and preserve the town character and open space.

THE CITY COUNCIL RECESSED FROM 9:39 PM - 9:46 PM.

ON THE MOTION OF CM CARLING, SECONDED BY CM COOMBER AND CARRIED ON A 5-0 VOTE, THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS:

Resolution 2018-153 approving an Addendum to the Downtown Specific Plan 2009 Subsequent Environmental Impact Report.

Resolution 2018-154 approving Specific Plan Amendment 18-001.

5.04 Hearing to consider a request to develop a four-story, 133-room hotel on the southeast corner of Railroad Avenue and South Livermore Avenue. The project also includes a public underground parking garage, new street frontage and median improvements, a new public street, surface parking with public ADA accessible stalls, storm water treatments, and landscaping.

. Location: 2205 Railroad Avenue

. Site Area: 1.4± acres

. Applicant: Presidio Companies

. Application Number: Downtown Design Review (DDR) 18-015

. Public improvements: Street frontage improvements on Railroad Avenue and South Livermore Avenue, a new public street with surface parking including ADA accessible stalls connecting South Livermore Avenue and Railroad Avenue, and a public underground parking garage containing approximately 120 parking stalls.

. Zoning: Downtown Specific Plan (DSP) - Downtown Core

. General Plan: Downtown Area (DA)

. Historic Status: None

. CEQA: Recommend finding the environmental impacts of the project were analyzed by, and the project is consistent with, the 2018 Addendum to the Downtown Specific Plan 2009 Subsequent Environmental Impact Report.

Recommendation: The Planning Commission and staff recommended the City Council:

1. Direct staff to file a Notice of Determination consistent with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act;

2. Adopt a resolution approving Downtown Design Review 18-015; and

3. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute the Disposition and Development Agreement and other documents necessary to effectuate the purposes of the DDA.

Assistant Planner Tricia Pontau presented the staff report. Rikesh Patel, Presidio Companies, presented an overview of the hotel project.

In response to questions by CM Carling, Ms. Pontau confirmed that the location of the hotel had previously been decided by the City Council and was not before the Council this evening.

CM Spedowfski requested that people using the term "iconic" explain what made a hotel iconic; and asked for people to explain how a full-service restaurant was critical to the project.

In response to questions by CM Coomber regarding roof drainage, Planning Manager Steve Stewart said water would drain into water treatment planter areas.

ON THE MOTION OF CM CARLING, SECONDED BY CM COOMBER, THE CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO CONTINUE PAST 11:00 PM TO CONTINUE THE REMAINDER OF ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.

Mayor Marchand opened the public hearing.

John Concannon, Livermore, speaking on behalf of the Concannon family, expressed support for the hotel.

Jan Brovant, Livermore, expressed concerns regarding traffic circulation entering and leaving the hotel.

Jacob Anderson, supported the project and spoke regarding the outreach process that had identified community priorities, saying the hotel location had ranked seventh out of ten.

Drew Felker, Livermore, spoke regarding the community's need for a nice hotel and supported approval of the project.

Jim Johnson, Livermore, spoke in support of the project, saying the majority of the community was in favor of continuing development of the Downtown.

Sherri Souza, Livermore, supported the project, saying it met several specific needs in the community and said the outreach had been fair.

David Kent, Livermore, spoke regarding history of the hotel project and said the project needed to move forward now.

Karl Wente, Livermore, spoke in support of the project.

Mony Nop, Livermore, expressed appreciation for the Council's process and spoke in support of the plan.

Jean King, Livermore, read a statement on behalf of Bill Dunlop expressing concerns regarding parking; she expressed concerns regarding traffic, the hotel location, the location of parking, and having more open space.

Karalee Brune, Livermore, supported previous comments regarding traffic circulation concerns; she wanted more open space and said her input regarding the hotel location was not considered.

Maryann Brent, Livermore, said she didn't like the plan except for Stockmen's Park and didn't see how an Italianate building, cowboys, and blacksmith concepts worked together. She said the hotel was too small.

Larry Dino, Livermore, supported the plan and spoke regarding the importance of a hotel to attract more visitors for the wine industry in Livermore.

Rachael Snedecor, Livermore Downtown Inc., spoke regarding the ability of the hotel to draw other uses, such as a steakhouse, and described the features of an iconic hotel.

Chris Chandler, Livermore Valley Wine Growers, disputed statements printed in newspaper advertisements regarding the process and spoke in support of the project.

Rosmary Bartsch, Livermore, said her concerns regarding the project had been addressed by Mr. Patel's presentation; she said the process had worked.

Tamara Reus, Livermore, a letter was read on behalf of Ms. Reus, urging the Council to reject the development agreement and expressing concerns regarding the hotel location, height, and type.

Evan Branning, Livermore, supported the project and spoke regarding his experience participating in the community outreach process.

Ian O'Leary expressed support for the project, saying the community had been part of the process and he had enjoyed it.

Rifka Several, Livermore, reading comments on behalf of Thom Jefferson, questioned what Livermore was getting for the sale price for the land; and said underground parking spaces for the hotel should not be considered public parking.

Alan Burnham, Livermore, spoke in support of the project, saying the hotel would look nice and the project was a good compromise.

Nancy Bankhead, Livermore, expressed support for the hotel.

Jim Schmidt, Livermore, supported the project and spoke regarding the need to compromise; saying the newspaper ads looked like manufactured complaints that didn't hold together.

Harpreet spoke in support of the hotel project.

Manraj Singh spoke in support of the hotel project.

Judge spoke regarding the history of the project and his experience running a restaurant Downtown; he expressed support for the project.

Ian Karlin, Livermore, expressed support for the hotel project and agreed with comments made by Mr. Branning.

Michael Fredrich, Livermore, expressed concerns regarding parking and the hotel, saying the site was too small, in the wrong place, and that the community had been promised a high-quality boutique hotel.

Beth Trutner, Livermore, spoke in support of the hotel project, commending the Council for listening to the community and to the experts.

John Stein, Livermore, supported the project and said changing or moving the hotel would cause the project to start over.

Jeff Kaskey, Livermore, said he wanted to make the plan better and the community had been promised a different hotel. He supported voting yes with an improved design and with vision injected into the project.

Dawn Argula, Livermore Chamber of Commerce, spoke regarding the business community's support for the hotel project.

Lisa Tromovitch, Livermore, expressed support for the hotel project.

Sblend Sblendorio, Innovation Tri Valley Leadership Group, spoke in support of the project and regarding the process.

Brent Siler, Livermore, suggested additional tree massing between the hotel and Blacksmith Square; agreed with prior comments regarding traffic circulation; and asked for clarification regarding the City taking on debt.

There were no more speakers and the hearing was closed.

CM Coomber said he did not want further delay; he said the process had been comprehensive and fair. Although he had supported a west-side hotel, the location was not up for debate. He said it was vital to move the process forward and he was comfortable with the direction.

CM Carling said there would be opportunities to continue looking at traffic and he did not think it was as complicated as envisioned. He said details of the plan would be worked out and he was ready to vote yes.

CM Spedowfski noted there was a dedicated left turn lane into the parking garage; and said a hotel would not be built without some kind of economic incentives. He spoke regarding parking and traffic circulation in the project, saying he was encouraged by the ADA spaces and the drop-off area; and said a parking garage at the current hotel location would gridlock the intersection.

VM Woerner spoke regarding staff's accomplishments and how the community came together to create a good plan. He said the hotel was a good decision.

Mayor Marchand spoke regarding attempts to divide the community, saying the Council had to weigh mutually exclusive competing priorities identified through the outreach process and the top three priorities had been parking, preservation of the town character, and open space; the hotel location was seventh on the priority list. He said nobody had wanted a ten-story, 2000-seat regional theater or a hotel on Railroad Avenue. He said the Council had listened to the community and the process had brought together people whose paths might never had crossed to create the vision; the project was remarkable and would reflect the community.

ON THE MOTION OF CM SPEDOWFSKI, SECONDED BY CM CARLING AND CARRIED ON A 5-0 VOTE, THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS:

Resolution 2018-155 approving Downtown Design Review 18-015.

Resolution 2018-156 authorizing execution of a Disposition and Development Agreement between the City of Livermore and 2205 Railroad Avenue LLC for the disposition of city owned parcels and development of a boutique hotel. (APN's 098-0407-029-02, 098-0289-013-11, 098-0407-013-00).

5.05 Hearing to consider a request to develop a five-level, approximately 180,000 square-foot parking garage on the east side of South L Street between First Street and Railroad Avenue, with approximately 500 parking stalls. The project also includes a surface parking lot to the east of the parking garage with approximately 48 parking stalls, a trash facility, a service road between the parking structure and the existing buildings on First Street, landscaping, and pedestrian walkways, including a paseo connecting the parking garage to First Street.

. Location: 50, 62, 74, and 90 South L Street and 2044-2048 First Street

. Site Area: 4.12± acres

. Applicant: City of Livermore

. Application Number: Downtown Design Review (DDR) 18-006

. Public improvements: The entire project as described above is a public improvement.

. Zoning: Downtown Specific Plan (DSP) - Downtown Core

. General Plan: Downtown Area (DA)

. Historic Status: A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA 18-022) has been approved for the demolition of a building on the project site that is over 50 years old.

. CEQA: Recommend finding the environmental impacts of the project were analyzed by, and the project is consistent with, the 2018 Addendum to the Downtown Specific Plan 2009 Subsequent Environmental Impact Report.

Recommendation: The Planning Commission and staff recommended the City Council:

1. Direct staff to file a Notice of Determination consistent with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act; and

2. Adopt a resolution approving Downtown Design Review 18-006 for the L Street Parking Garage.

Assistant Planner Ashley McBride presented the staff report.

In response to questions by CM Carling, Community Development Director Paul Spence said the evening's presentation would not include simulations showing the view from First Street.

CM Spedowfski spoke in support of the trash facility on the site, saying with proper compactors and added ventilation, it would be harder to detect unpleasant smells.

Mayor Marchand opened the public hearing.

Alan Burnham, Livermore, spoke in support of the parking garage project, saying it had exceeded his expectations.

Karl Wente, Livermore, expressed appreciation for the Council's process.

Rachael Snedecor, Livermore Downtown Inc., spoke in support of the parking garage project, saying the location was centralized to Downtown.

Dawn Argula, Livermore Valley Chamber of Commerce, CEO, expressed support for the parking garage project, saying the west-side location would help activate the First Street corridor.

There were no more speakers and the hearing was closed.

CM Carling spoke regarding the view from First Street, saying the garage could barely be seen and the structure would not loom over the area.

ON THE MOTION OF CM CARLING, SECONDED BY VM WOERNER, AND CARRIED ON A 5-0 VOTE, THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION:

Resolution 2018-157 approving Downtown Design Review 18-006.

6. MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION - NONE.

7.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS AND MATTERS INITIATED

7.01 Council Committee Reports and Matters Initiated by City Manager, City Attorney, Staff, and Council Members.

9/11 Remembrance Ceremony Mayor Marchand announced the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department's ceremony remembering the 17th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

8.

ADJOURNMENT - at 12:07 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2018, in honor and memory of the first responders at the September 11, 2001 attacks, to a regular City Council meeting on Monday, September 24, 2018 at 6:30 pm for the Summer Reading Program Awards immediately followed by the regular City Council business meeting, Council Chambers, 3575 Pacific Avenue, Livermore.

APPROVED:

JOHN P. MARCHAND, MAYOR

ATTEST:

SARAH BUNTING, CITY CLERK