[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6230935,"mediaKeyId","3441744-145145d0754b682b07742c53f03c09e5","parentId",3441744,"title","Residents push Pleasanton for downtown train 'quiet zone'; council hears petition and feasibility caveats","audioSeconds",327,"startMs",2219000,"endMs",2546000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3441744-145145d0754b682b07742c53f03c09e5&start=2219&end=2546","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3441744-145145d0754b682b07742c53f03c09e5/thumbnail_2219000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6230935/Pleasanton/Alameda-County/California/Residents-push-Pleasanton-for-downtown-train-quiet-zone-council-hears-petition-and-feasibility-caveats","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230935-742be8b7f2d302aae1ff24eb86b25a65/orig.mp4?Expires=1770431244&Signature=Uy5sB0fEHkMUrhV3755CH2qCTGnrehn1U4zVKJQ8ZRbQ6CKRQNfwVVz7I7pg1HjyiuH~pwZF0CmOTjag1In8jMSklcgErPeo44AuUKSkyHgCygAbxdyVBh5GScevAPBh~OKtWTopPIASBQVf8OpKSt4ovDI-f~EijCAVO6o1OiU2EyWshkryOn1J6Wst7EV14Yx9dIHHz682yRr3KVC5wBymTCIKyD8E5n0VXb07Wui99bQMZH1-vXKj~Xuk8NMscm8j7gDWNpoqtuVV9oBQgdxhZ5pRPpfyBJ-uCK7JxD9kS~MsMgQ8gzQGDjK3PZplMJIJH6nqrZsHIyBox6qNdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pleasanton, CA","date","2025-05-22T07:05:57.797Z","article","Residents asking the Pleasanton City Council to pursue a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) “quiet zone” for downtown spoke at length during public comment May 20, asking the council to allocate seed funding to study whether the city can reduce nighttime train horn noise.

Speakers said freight and passenger trains have become louder and more frequent at night and that horn blasts disrupt sleep, study, and community life. Dr. Asim (an internal medicine physician) told the council such nocturnal noise can increase cardiovascular and mental‑health risks and impair children’s learning. Several residents described a rapid petition drive; Jim Lierman told council volunteers had gathered roughly 170 signatures in three weeks supporting a quiet zone in downtown Pleasanton.

Council staff said the topic had been included in the capital/transportation prioritization process but ranked below other projects for funding. City staff and engineering consultants said a professional FRA‑oriented feasibility and design study would generally be required before any grant or implementation work could proceed; staff estimated an initial study could cost on the order of $125,000 and would identify whether low‑cost supplemental safety measures would be sufficient or whether larger intersection gating or infrastructure changes — potentially costing hundreds of thousands or more — would be required.

Speakers urged the city to allocate seed money to fund the study and to pursue state and federal grant programs that could pay for implementation. Council members asked staff clarifying technical questions; staff said advancing a quiet‑zone study would require re‑prioritizing existing CIP requests or adding the study as a new CIP item. Staff said results could enable applications for FRA and state grant opportunities if the technical review shows feasible, lower‑cost supplemental safety measures.

Council did not vote on a study allocation during the May 20 meeting; staff said the project could be considered in the next CIP update if council prioritizes it.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","5/20/25 - City Council Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Several Pleasanton residents told the City Council May 20 that frequent nighttime train horn blasts in the downtown area are disrupting sleep and public health and urged the council to fund a study and pursue a Federal Railroad Administration quiet zone.","taxTitle","Pleasanton , Alameda County, California","taxId",2911,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6230940,"Residents and students urge Pleasanton to spare library hours as council trims budget",2238,6555000,8793000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3441744-145145d0754b682b07742c53f03c09e5&start=6555&end=8793","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3441744-145145d0754b682b07742c53f03c09e5/thumbnail_6555000.jpg","/articles/6230940/Pleasanton/Alameda-County/California/Residents-and-students-urge-Pleasanton-to-spare-library-hours-as-council-trims-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230940-092dad1ebd17c0e168472aa737170788/orig.mp4?Expires=1770431244&Signature=LdjnLsZxAIHUmtlbyZVxTyj57lIUvcGkZLDC-1K7Vr17q108o2NyZTaXIGivpySLzZHPkgrXwxI2xODWgDRd9bGmf~tx1gS-Ib5zDL379FBHdhIkbiuQSRpg8JzQbINiPx6PaOwcmsa-36ShJkiD1sg1hvqZ6kIynvpoPqirbsR6RoIYcql3P73oGfe50r9Fc7wmGrU2B6FYZgGQa~LsBETKruz2tITv0Q1CqMUy~FllaFVOZWDqxm7YWUjCrkBo7r2G4q9weeyXCugkua2ZT0ErmQZZkAmWAofry~HJ-njxpoVmC7Qhj-sM18-ijIs610QOPG4Talab0PeD-rE8hQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pleasanton City Council continued its budget discussions through the evening of May 20, receiving public comment from scores of residents and students urging the council to reverse proposed cuts to library hours and other community services.

Finance Director Susan Shea presented a two‑year operating and capital framework that relies on modest revenue growth, $7 million in annual operational reductions, and “one‑time” uses of reserves to balance the general fund for fiscal years 2026–27. The proposal included reductions to library hours and other service adjustments to help close an identified structural budget gap. City staff emphasized the budget presented on May 20 was not the final adoption: the council is scheduled to hear a final budget on June 17.

During a public comment period that lasted more than an hour, dozens of speakers urged the council to keep the Pleasanton Public Library open seven days a week and to maintain evening hours that students and working families rely on. Students described the library as “a quiet environment” essential for after‑school study or late‑evening exam preparation; one student, Avika Nambalkar, said, “For kids like me, it's just we all we all should be able to learn something new” during weekend hours. Several speakers cited petitions and attendance numbers: one speaker said volunteers had gathered more than 1,600 petition signatures in favor of preserving library hours.

Council members acknowledged the strength of public sentiment but also described hard fiscal choices. Mayor Karla Balch and Councilmember Stephen Eicher (spelling as in transcript) emphasized the city must address a long‑term pension obligation that has grown materially in recent years. City staff outlined options for shaving operating costs and using limited one‑time funds — including transfers from a capital reserve and draws from a Section 115 pension trust — while warning those approaches are not sustainable indefinitely.

During council deliberations the council provided staff direction on a small number of technical budget items: staff was asked to reduce the planned two‑year withdrawal from the Section 115 pension trust by $1,000,000 (from $4,000,000 to $3,000,000 total across two years) so more principal remains invested, and to present options refining library hours rather than immediately closing Sunday service. Councilmembers suggested weekday evening hours could be shifted to preserve Sunday or other high‑use times; staff said they would model schedules and cost impacts and return to the council prior to final budget adoption.

The proposed capital program and “deferred maintenance” set‑aside also drew scrutiny. Staff described a five‑year capital improvement program that begins a multi‑year effort to address roads, water and sewer infrastructure, and building systems; the council discussed whether to hold some funds in liquid reserves until an asset management plan is completed later in the year. Residents including long‑time community volunteers urged preservation of parks, the senior center, and the Firehouse Arts Center alongside the library.

City staff said the budget for final adoption will reflect council direction and additional technical adjustments; staff reiterated the final proposed operating and capital budgets will be scheduled for public hearing and adoption June 17.","Facing a multi‑year structural shortfall, the Pleasanton City Council debated a proposed two‑year budget that reduces library hours among other service cuts. Hundreds of residents — including many students — urged the council to preserve Sunday and evening hours and told the council the library supports schooling, literacy and community services.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6230945,"Pleasanton council accepts annual military-equipment report, debates armored rescue vehicle displays",2591,2818000,5409000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3441744-145145d0754b682b07742c53f03c09e5&start=2818&end=5409","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3441744-145145d0754b682b07742c53f03c09e5/thumbnail_2818000.jpg","/articles/6230945/Pleasanton/Alameda-County/California/Pleasanton-council-accepts-annual-military-equipment-report-debates-armored-rescue-vehicle-displays","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230945-f22b4cea7074ff7007523c8281b0601b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770431244&Signature=ka-B90WkMAWjUqEI1e8ilAa61YdJRYmOc6rijccISpymODecXXsYIezKlum7VG7m0wtHdlJ0Z6i6Xw7yvv9h68sLMUqlR4vJbQfL-u9GSDQU8uQXLv9z69BHgVAAFaC7NsoBxtyyJFB06Wx5~RVgPLFK38Fdu09Fs5y8TQgV-TKtYS4M-T5rqscRfO1EJjnf-hvU4naQ1Yjxua68zFj1OIpOWlZfjgwmnEq2MaWixpupKlRuaC8u9-YIGoiA24eVzYrJZSon3Fd-6NX7DT-5uz-L6jNE7qL-Cc5DL4fLBdrgJfrtfn3HD7BS15jDG5cpoU4XD0HX73wT7YEZ7QAfLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pleasanton City Council voted unanimously May 20 to accept the Pleasanton Police Department’s annual military equipment use report for 2024 and approve a first-reading ordinance amending the city’s military equipment policy to add a replacement robot.

The action followed a presentation by Lieutenant Nicholas Albert of the Pleasanton Police Department, who said the department’s armored rescue vehicle “was utilized 1 time in that 2024 calendar year” in support of an East County Tactical Team arrest, and that allied agencies deployed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) 14 times in the reporting period. Albert also told council the department is requesting replacement of a decade-old robot with a newer model; he said the replacement is funded through the department’s repair-and-replacement budget and “has no offensive or weaponized capability.”

The vote to accept the annual report and to introduce the ordinance came after more than an hour of public comment on whether the ARV and other listed equipment should be shown at public events. Speakers were sharply divided: some residents urged the city to prohibit public displays, arguing the ARV “normalizes” military hardware in community settings, while others asked to keep the vehicle available for educational displays and neighborhood events. Vicki LaBarge, a neighborhood captain, told the council she supports ARV and command-vehicle displays and asked the council to prohibit loaning the ARV to other cities for major community events.

Council members and staff clarified the current policy and prior direction. Police policy (policy 710) authorizes deployment of the ARV for high-risk incidents with supervisor authorization; community-event displays currently require approval by the chief of police. City Manager Jerry Thorne said a prior council majority had directed him and the chief not to authorize community-event displays, but the written policy still vests final discretion with the chief. City Attorney staff advised that formally changing who may authorize community displays would require an ordinance amendment brought back to council.

Council discussion focused on two related questions: whether the council should change the policy to remove chief-level authorization for community displays and whether the ARV should be deployed at specific events such as National Night Out. The council voted unanimously to adopt the staff-recommended items (accept the 2024 report and introduce the ordinance adding the replacement robot). Council members did not change the written policy that allows the chief to authorize community displays; members discussed but did not adopt any new ordinance limiting the vehicle’s appearance at community events. Several council members asked staff to return with a formal amendment if the council wishes to change the chief’s authority.

Public speakers who opposed community displays framed their views as a matter of civic safety and tone. John Bauer said the ARV “does not belong in Pleasanton” and urged the city to “get rid of the bat.” Other residents, including parents and neighborhood volunteers, described positive experiences with ARV displays at National Night Out and urged the council to allow educational access for children.

Staff and police leaders said the ARV is intended as a defensive, lifesaving tool for hostage, barricade or active-threat incidents and that officers receive training on its safe operation. Lieutenant Albert told the council each use is reviewed through the chain of command and there were no complaints reported during the 2024 period.

The council’s action leaves the policy language intact; if a future majority of the council wants to restrict community displays, staff said the change should be handled by ordinance and brought back for a future meeting.

Council actions on the item were unanimous at roll call.","The Pleasanton City Council unanimously accepted the police department’s 2024 military equipment use report and approved an ordinance adding replacement equipment, while residents and some council members debated whether the department’s armored rescue vehicle (ARV) should be displayed at community events such as National Night Out.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6230930,"Pleasanton council hears questions on Lineside Wayside Park project, park sound system and parking-lot use",365,985000,1350000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3441744-145145d0754b682b07742c53f03c09e5&start=985&end=1350","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3441744-145145d0754b682b07742c53f03c09e5/thumbnail_985000.jpg","/articles/6230930/Pleasanton/Alameda-County/California/Pleasanton-council-hears-questions-on-Lineside-Wayside-Park-project-park-sound-system-and-parking-lot-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230930-cb5acd2f58eb56271d636452b5a55d33/orig.mp4?Expires=1770431244&Signature=beLLd7rGCqtcSZaWYQqeLdyriEwoKOpmi7DpXhYpDDr1dozOakZ7Jz8HJBOoGk1gJfIc8e-EYqap0bxMv4zdBgSuXAxGLglFC5UsyIpSlVpe8orBiKH6PJChB5rrBPC~quruPNMr-v2xAFyA91mioYtb6bEnBMnoH6CAVnkJ-~UL6ZvnzXbUhUbp9gJMkcfq4uN0l-WZJ9cjbOlmiL8l~va7KVTLXdt4e17CCOxeE-V24pmNd~USjuTjAK2dOSzHEteE9ePRraaMK4oGYpOxHFEZYOuIbDd-hbDxVw6yQ~5inVV2~PEuN8ETSrVsF5L-8bfBi4wKlzlT41MwdaROsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members on May 20 asked staff clarifying questions about Lineside Wayside Park (listed as item 11 on the consent calendar) after staff said the construction project came in under budget.

Councilmember Testa asked why excess funds were not used to extend a concert-area sound system so more of the park could hear performances; staff replied that wiring and infrastructure for future speakers were installed as part of the project, and that speakers could be added later. City Engineer Adam Nelke explained the park master plan identified the area as a parking and access location and said some space is still reserved for future amenities, including a tot lot. Councilmember Gaydos asked whether the city’s purchase of the former liquor-store parcel (described in staff materials as a multi‑million‑dollar acquisition) was being repurposed only for parking or whether alternative uses had been discussed; staff said the parcel was planned to unlock underutilized parking behind the Firehouse Arts Center but left open the possibility of future uses.

The agenda packet and supplemental materials were available to council on the dais, and Mayor Karla Balch recused herself from item 11 after disclosing a campaign contribution from the contractor within the last 12 months. After public comment on consent items and no public speakers on item 11, the council approved the consent calendar (with item 2 continued) and recorded Mayor Balch’s recusal in the roll-call announcement.

Council members asked staff to return with more details on specific items that had been discussed previously in ad hoc meetings and requested that future staff reports reflect those discussions where appropriate.","Council members asked staff about excess funds from a Lineside Wayside Park project, the installed wiring for future speakers, and the plan to convert an adjacent former liquor-store parcel into parking. Mayor Balch recused from the item due to a campaign contribution from the contractor.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents push Pleasanton for downtown train 'quiet zone'; council hears petition and feasibility caveats

Residents and students urge Pleasanton to spare library hours as council trims budget

Pleasanton council accepts annual military-equipment report, debates armored rescue vehicle displays

Pleasanton council hears questions on Lineside Wayside Park project, park sound system and parking-lot use