[{"_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",6194358,"mediaKeyId","3864455-9f9afe8439f029771c9511c1742e0246","parentId",3864455,"title","Pleasanton adopts two‑year budget, approves $5‑year CIP and directs study of downtown train quiet zone","audioSeconds",195,"startMs",3326000,"endMs",3521000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864455-9f9afe8439f029771c9511c1742e0246&start=3326&end=3521","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864455-9f9afe8439f029771c9511c1742e0246/thumbnail_3326000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6194358/Pleasanton/Alameda-County/California/Pleasanton-adopts-twoyear-budget-approves-5year-CIP-and-directs-study-of-downtown-train-quiet-zone","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194358-3b17cb10580396212de69fc58265b269/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448405&Signature=dQsKNrfsZ9xxdrXBJRxwPzZuJehAsAwRHldCiaeyGv3eho1BvI1I-2Psksi9GalYqh59jcHOH5RAAzL1XyQGOjkl~Ef1WhbaSmx~Fd6sl4TmFKYDpgbrkdVEA5bVwrI-v3h-aSFCTyNs~vxtTB4uTxcTC6RqXeq2oRutog-qmW1PH4qIM~xv3FrkXeQfFYZ52y8UlTPcioHIkMvq9Vf9NoXUa4Yd8CHux-oTKvlB10TUuytmbf9~fItWY~uE50WQ4wvxc2StNfRhkJMAhkmp6ujfkzZNDt8ncSvgYa2L67VCXO4tZ0TBS0DcX26Kb27-f0b-oTgSQGQMvZGDy6jvSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pleasanton, CA","date","2025-06-18T05:46:38Z","article","The Pleasanton City Council on Tuesday adopted a two‑year operating and capital budget for fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27 and approved a five‑year capital improvement program, adopting both votes unanimously.

The council also unanimously directed staff to prepare a feasibility report, proposed funding source and schedule for a railroad quiet zone covering downtown crossings and to return to council with the item for approval.

Why it matters: The budget is intended to balance operations and preserve critical services while addressing growing long‑term pressures — especially rising pension and insurance costs and deferred infrastructure maintenance. Council members and staff said the plan buys time but does not eliminate a longer‑term structural fiscal challenge that will require additional revenue or further changes.

City staff said the budget package reduces identified operating costs by roughly $6.7 million in year 1 and $7.1 million in year 2 compared with the current baseline and preserves core services such as police, fire, parks maintenance and the pool while also increasing the city’s planned transfers to deferred maintenance and capital projects from current levels. Mayor Matt Balch and City Manager Jerry Bowden emphasized the city sought to protect essential services while responding to community priorities.

Key program changes included reduced library hours: staff said library open hours would be cut from 62 to 48 per week, a change staff estimated would save about $830,000 in year 1 and $940,000 in year 2 while the city and labor partners finalize implementation. For school crossing guards the city has reached an interim arrangement with Pleasanton Unified School District under which the district will staff roughly 10 high‑priority crossing locations and the city will cover 12 other locations; staff estimate approximately $210,000 in savings to the city in year 1 and $240,000 in year 2 from that pilot arrangement.

Staff told the council the revised proposal reduced planned use of pension trust funds from $4 million to $3 million in the first year and trimmed the general‑fund contribution to the deferred maintenance program by $1.6 million across the two years (a $1 million reduction in year 1, $600,000 in year 2). Finance Director Susan Hsieh said the general fund reserve is projected to be about 19.9% at the end of year 1 and 19.4% at the end of year 2 (the city’s reserve target is 20%).

The council voted to adopt the operating budget and the 5‑year capital improvement program in separate motions. Both motions passed unanimously (roll calls recorded by name).

Quiet‑zone direction: After an extended public comment period — including multiple residents who measured or described nighttime horn levels — Councilmember Julie Gaydos moved and the council seconded a direction that staff return with a formal agenda report that includes a scope, timeline and funding source for a quiet‑zone feasibility study and the related design work. Traffic engineer Mike Tassano later told the council a conservative schedule to qualify, design and construct a quiet zone typically takes multiple years; his initial engineering estimate — based on recent work in comparable Bay Area cities — put likely construction costs in the low‑hundreds of thousands of dollars and suggested a feasibility/design package could be significantly less than the placeholder figure earlier described by community groups.

Public comment and personnel: The budget hearing drew dozens of speakers. Several residents and small‑business owners urged the council to preserve library, pool and recreation hours; others urged adoption of a quiet zone to reduce train horn noise downtown. Members of the Pleasanton City Employees Association and individual employees urged the council not to lay off city staff; staff told the council the recommended budget reductions included 13.5 full‑time equivalent positions proposed for removal across bargaining units and management. The city manager said those reductions were spread across the organization and included nine positions in the largest bargaining unit. PCEA representatives and other speakers requested postponing layoffs pending resolution of outstanding labor matters.

Staff next steps: Staff said they will (1) finalize and implement the adopted budgets, (2) return with a formal agenda item laying out the quiet‑zone feasibility study scope and funding source at the council’s request, (3) complete a resource review and a prioritized 20‑year capital improvement plan to feed an upcoming sewer and water rate study, and (4) continue consultations with labor over staffing changes.

A final note: Councilmembers and the city manager emphasized the adopted budget only covers the next two fiscal years and that the city will need additional long‑term strategies — including potential revenue options, further efficiencies, or phased capital plans — to address persistent pressures from pension and other costs.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","6/17/25 - City Council Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Pleasanton City Council on Tuesday adopted a two‑year operating and capital budget for fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27 and approved a five‑year capital improvement program, and unanimously directed staff to return with a feasibility study and funding plan for a downtown railroad 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},6194344,"Pleasanton reports settlement with Housing Action Coalition; council to consider rezoning of three commercial sites",31,673000,704000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864455-9f9afe8439f029771c9511c1742e0246&start=673&end=704","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864455-9f9afe8439f029771c9511c1742e0246/thumbnail_673000.jpg","/articles/6194344/Pleasanton/Alameda-County/California/Pleasanton-reports-settlement-with-Housing-Action-Coalition-council-to-consider-rezoning-of-three-commercial-sites","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194344-0cc2c6a8d6e8f043177f4dc563d139da/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448405&Signature=Edmb3Uf1SrKAmcJuozRnSURLCoouLHCYNXxs1REg-sTen1jWkZ8nCExUZ8y3P-P2G3l~Rd2mnobbszu-nuZUdDjw4nPeibl2PKZH0dgN4QPLcXLGVbSDl1P0mGovomYuk7ZG5dCz98ZHk9nqiX6rcU0~C6pfouNegGzl8WwTotfwheYyG26gFPcQJxn~JJ-xlcATqIBAc8tJY6dMBB1DAzQxFlR2tzMOc~Seo6cS7agA3Lgf4BjFQouKY5rfnr68Y43WZhGq4ulf1oPSXrfTgfnAmWoGVY~8RxNoA3ba0RzNtigRjHm-H3uC6EUVzDSQcSSOcmr5wtuPfQnnW64rzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","In a brief closed‑session report at the start of the June 17 meeting, the city attorney told the Pleasanton City Council the city had approved a settlement agreement with the Housing Action Coalition intended to resolve legal disputes over the city’s certified housing element.

The city attorney reported the settlement requires the council to consider rezoning three identified commercial properties to residential use as part of actions to implement the agreement. The city attorney said the closed‑session vote to approve the settlement was unanimous.

Why it matters: Rezonings tied to compliance with a certified housing element may change land‑use designations for specific commercial parcels and could enable housing development by altering allowable uses and zoning regulations. The council’s consideration of those rezonings is a procedural step required by the settlement and will be brought forward as formal agenda items for public review and action in a future meeting.

The city attorney concluded the closed‑session report without further public discussion; no motions or votes on the rezoning items occurred in open session during the meeting. The council’s next steps will be to schedule public hearings and formal rezoning items as required by law and the terms of the settlement.

","In a closed‑session report, the city attorney told the council the City of Pleasanton approved a settlement with the Housing Action Coalition to resolve litigation related to the city’s certified housing element. Under the settlement, the city will consider rezoning three commercial properties for residential use; the closed‑session vote was 5‑0.",{"_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},6194349,"Pleasanton Geological Hazard Abatement District approves monitoring contract and 2025 assessments",123,523000,646000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864455-9f9afe8439f029771c9511c1742e0246&start=523&end=646","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864455-9f9afe8439f029771c9511c1742e0246/thumbnail_523000.jpg","/articles/6194349/Pleasanton/Alameda-County/California/Pleasanton-Geological-Hazard-Abatement-District-approves-monitoring-contract-and-2025-assessments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194349-7d56d6bc217ec5ae9523fab275c60159/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448405&Signature=Pmxw9JqArylG9EgtV5EG8P88Xdn6ESDuqYY812pySZSpFdT5gFHobG8Yrs3EhIc6x114kyolVsk9FMUBtnE-dkhjl642y~sYNgOzM7lh-rVfvD1WasFYwkPf5YA4~JktDqjAYkIt2ymKx0aH7EwbgtYpzgPx0jfyTsOZi08JKa6C9inJWfLJWEh9gVDR7DdhWYb1lfqlGlAxedGv5uksMbvucG2LjjlVFgA8I9-2Giojri8IfzMytcz33B1iJsvv2Dt77vs3EvtOC3T43hfmamu5BDHH3gpt0sejYRprOjWlEWIr3l4kcp-GvMTmfPXYE9latK~B0U9oQnDkKdN43Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a special meeting called June 17, the City of Pleasanton Geological Hazard Abatement District approved a routine professional services agreement to monitor five district areas and adopted resolutions approving the district’s 2025 annual assessments.

The services contract covers monitoring for the Laurel Creek, Morrill, Moller Ranch, Lamoni Ranch and Oak Creek Farm GHADs and was presented to the board as the district’s annual, routine business. The board approved the contract on the consent calendar by unanimous roll call.

At the same meeting the board adopted resolutions setting the 2025 assessments for the GHAD service areas. The board opened a public hearing but received no public comment on the assessments; a motion to approve the resolutions carried unanimously.

Board members present at the special session recorded aye votes in roll call; the meeting concluded with an adjournment after the consent and public‑hearing items were approved.

","The City of Pleasanton Geological Hazard Abatement District (GHAD) approved an annual professional services agreement to monitor five hazard districts and adopted resolutions approving the 2025 annual assessments for GHAD areas. Both consent‑calendar items passed by unanimous vote at a special GHAD meeting.",{"_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},6194354,"Pleasanton adopts 2025 Sewer System Management Plan required by state regulators",1056,11131000,12187000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864455-9f9afe8439f029771c9511c1742e0246&start=11131&end=12187","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864455-9f9afe8439f029771c9511c1742e0246/thumbnail_11131000.jpg","/articles/6194354/Pleasanton/Alameda-County/California/Pleasanton-adopts-2025-Sewer-System-Management-Plan-required-by-state-regulators","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194354-e2300000790e117e22a063db317db036/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448405&Signature=Vq451OU1zdv8AcVGfSKIHcsBiZjTF9F8ObIVsfuRQiHpTkmma1~gj22OKnMRJwRN47FNwjGna7WVwuJRov-zha5DbyAHetoGSe-VeOfT~0qFR7ubxFCSK5Lmr4OGITlM1~0ktmW7FA0HtO-PL89F~JXEcW7nLPNsoHgBbpcLlnhM9R26Hz7lgo5NfwYeV1nlFPJ6FuZiEkRPq7uN7ger-HDn0Qxqkgv0lJyg0lb0a2l82oqa22eRQuS3~LzerQhWUgVaCje96BfPfgC3devBJmdERzzSqQarWpc7VnXF93jHPkySh3a4gihRsaLvenJiDhPcYWilNCbSUYScPtWC1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pleasanton City Council on June 17 adopted a resolution approving the city’s 2025 Sewer System Management Plan, a document aligned with the State Water Resources Control Board’s 2022 sanitary sewer regulations.

The SSMP adoption requires the city to maintain a schedule of inspections, emergency spill response procedures, a renewed capital improvement prioritization process and annual performance monitoring. The council approved the plan unanimously.

Why it matters: The 2022 state regulations moved many voluntary program items to mandatory requirements, tightened timelines for audits and annual reporting and created new enforcement tools for the state. The SSMP is now an enforceable element of state oversight: failure to implement required practices can result in fines or other enforcement actions.

What the plan says: City staff and Cauzi Consulting told the council the plan documents the city’s sewer system inventory — about 21,000 customers, roughly 253 miles of gravity mains, eight siphons, 11 pump stations and five miles of force mains — and sets a schedule for CCTV condition assessments, cleaning, and targeted capital projects. The SSMP calls for performance monitoring across multiple key performance indicators (KPIs) with ten‑year trend graphs submitted annually to the state; it also mandates a designated legally responsible official (LRO) to certify compliance and reporting.

Staff noted the city’s CCTV and condition‑assessment program has accelerated recently but still needs steady, ongoing funding to reach the target of camera inspection of the full collection network on a multi‑year cycle. Paul Cauzi of Cauzi Consulting said agencies that do not follow the new requirements can face significant enforcement penalties; he cited several out‑of‑state and California examples where agencies paid millions in consent decrees or fines after failing to implement required programs.

Next steps: Staff said it will submit the SSMP to the State Water Resources Control Board per the regulation schedule and will follow the council’s earlier direction on a resource evaluation and a 20‑year CIP prioritization to fund SSMP implementation and the upcoming sewer rate study.

","The City Council unanimously approved the 2025 Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP), a state‑mandated document that sets inspection, maintenance and capital planning requirements for the city’s sewer collection system and establishes performance indicators and timelines for audits and annual reporting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pleasanton adopts two‑year budget, approves $5‑year CIP and directs study of downtown train quiet zone

Pleasanton reports settlement with Housing Action Coalition; council to consider rezoning of three commercial sites

Pleasanton Geological Hazard Abatement District approves monitoring contract and 2025 assessments

Pleasanton adopts 2025 Sewer System Management Plan required by state regulators