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Pleasanton council adopts annexation, senior utility discount and several measures; approves bond defeasance and purchasing policy
Summary
At its January regular session the Pleasanton City Council adopted an annexation ordinance, approved a senior water/sewer discount, authorized a bond defeasance transfer, adopted a procurement policy, approved an investment advisory contract and accepted a property purchase offer, among other actions.
The Pleasanton City Council on Jan. 2025 approved multiple ordinances and resolutions affecting city boundaries, utility discounts, municipal debt and purchasing rules.
The council adopted Ordinance No. 24-1352 annexing a roughly 397.442-acre tract into the city and extended city boundary limits to include the described properties. Council members also adopted Ordinance No. 24-1353 to add Section 50.021 to the city code to establish a discount for water and sewer services for residents age 65 and older. The council approved Resolution No. 324-25 authorizing the Pleasanton Housing Finance Corporation to transfer $798,676.19 to assist the city in defeasing selected outstanding bond maturities to avoid an immediate water-sewer rate increase. The council adopted Resolution No. 325-25 to establish a procurement purchasing policy for the city that formalizes purchasing protocols and clarifies procedures for federal grant-funded purchases. The council approved a two-year investment advisory agreement with Deep Blue Investment Advisory for $20,000 annually and accepted a $190,000 cash offer from Aaron Walker for Lot 4, West Goodwin Street Number 2 Subdivision. Several other ordinances were read for first reading, and one hotel-occupancy-tax amendment was postponed.
Why it matters: The annexation expands city limits and adds properties to Pleasanton’s service and regulatory domain; the senior discount changes the city’s utility-rate code for older residents; the bond defeasance is intended to reduce near-term debt pressure on rates; the procurement policy creates a codified process for city purchases that will apply to ordinary and federally funded contracts.
Most important actions
- Annexation ordinance (Ordinance No. 24-1352): Council approved second reading and adoption to annex a 397.442-plus acre tract described by deed records (document No. 239701) in Atascosa County into the City of Pleasanton. Motion and second were recorded and the motion carried.
- Senior utility discount (Ordinance No. 24-1353): Council adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 50 (Utilities in General) by adding Section 50.021 to establish a discount for water and sewer services for residents age 65 and older. Motion and second were recorded and the motion carried.
- Bond defeasance (Resolution No. 324-25): Council adopted a resolution authorizing the redemption/defeasance of certain outstanding bond maturities. The Pleasanton Housing Finance Corporation transferred or is authorized to transfer $798,676.19 to assist the city in defeasing selected maturities on March 1, 2025; city staff said the defeasance is intended to avoid an increase in water/sewer rates that would otherwise result from the outstanding debt.
- Procurement/purchasing policy (Resolution No. 325-25): Council adopted a purchasing policy intended to formalize procurement protocols (spending limits align with the city charter), clarify emergency purchasing procedures and add requirements for federally funded grants. Staff said this is the city’s first formal written procurement policy.
- Investment advisory agreement: The council approved a two-year contract with Deep Blue Investment Advisory (referred to in the meeting as DBIA/Deep Blue Investments) for investment-advisory services at a cost of $20,000 per year. Financial staff said the city has not previously used outside investment advisory services and recommended the contract to assist with managing the city’s portfolio.
- Property offer accepted: Council accepted a $190,000 cash offer from Aaron Walker for Lot 4 in the West Goodwin Street Number 2 Subdivision. Motion and second were recorded and the motion carried.
Other business and procedural items
- First readings: The council read for first reading Ordinance No. 25-1354 (ordering the general election for May 2025 for council districts), Ordinance No. 25-1355 (deannexation petition filed by Ernest and Lisa Trevino for three tracts) and Ordinance No. 25-1356 (amending Chapter 110 — permits and inspection fees). Those items were presented as first readings; no final action was taken at this meeting.
- Hotel occupancy tax resolution (Resolution No. 326-25): A proposed amendment to terms and conditions for hotel-occupancy-tax grants was moved, then the council voted to postpone the item.
What council members said
Financial director (identified in the meeting as Gail) told the council that outside investment advisory services were new to the city and recommended a two-year contract at $20,000 annually. A staff presenter explained the procurement policy fills a gap because the city had previously relied on the charter rather than a standalone policy and that the policy clarifies emergency purchase procedures and federal grant requirements. A staff speaker explained the purpose and dollar amount involved in the defeasance transfer and said the defeasance would occur on March 1, 2025.
Ending: The council moved other routine agenda items, held an executive session, and later returned to approve the property sale and additional items before adjourning.
