December 6th

-The Council approved a letter of support for the staff recommendations in the Alameda County Transportation Commission’s Strategic Expenditure Plan

-Parking restrictions were approved for Dublin Court to assist AVI in their trash and recycling collection efforts

-Updates were made to the City’s Code Enforcement Policy

-A gift was accepted from Sprint for 50 radios to assist the City with our disaster preparedness efforts

-The Council authorized for a Streetlight LED Demonstration project

-A final report was given highlighting the 2011 Farmers Market, and the Council gave suggestions on ways to improve it for 2012

-The meeting dates were chosen for the City’s budget planning process

-Kevin Hart was selected as Vice Mayor for 2012

-Jim Kohnen was re-appointed to the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement Board

-A presentation was given by the District 57 Little League Challenger program for developmentally and/or physically disabled children

December 20th

-The Council approved a commercial façade improvement program to assist with revitalizing older properties. The City will have mini-grants available for businesses doing façade improvements, and will also provide matching funds for qualifying projects. In addition, the City will provide 5 free hours of architectural services to property owners to incentive and help them explore design options

-A fee deferral was approved to assist development in the City’s Transit Centers

-Authorization was given to begin the EIR process for the Dublin Crossings (Camp Parks) land exchange project

-Councilmembers Hildenbrand and Biddle were appointed to represent the Council at the February 9th Town Hall meeting on signage

-Councilmember Swalwell was chosen to represent the City at the National League of Cities annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

-Mayor Sbranti and Councilmember Biddle were selected to serve on the Dublin Pride Week Committee

-It was decided that City Council minutes will now be recorded as Action Minutes

-A gift was accepted from the Valley Spokesman Club for the City’s bicycle programs

Tags: Council Updates by Tim Sbranti
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November 1st
-Proclamations were awarded to Rachel Reed and Charlotte Tanner for receiving their Girl Scout Gold Awards
-Recognition was given to all of the Dublin 101 participants
-Sponsors of the Dublin Community Golf Tournament were recognized
-A proposal to post signs on portions of Dublin Blvd. in commemoration of the Historic Lincoln Highway were approved
-The Council discussed the All American Label appeal of the Planning Commission denial and continued the item to the November 15th meeting
-The Council considered options relative to making a General Plan Amendment Study and accompanying Urgency Moratorium ordinance for areas of the City with the Business Park/Industrial designation
-An extension was granted to Alameda County for the Site Development Review approvals previously given for the East County Hall of Justice
-A draft proposal was approved conceptually by the Council for a Food and Wine Festival to replace Day on the Glen. The new festival would be a one day event in mid-September from 10-8 that would feature more adult-oriented themes but still consist of activities for children
-An update on the City of Dublin’s first year with its revamped website was given
-A report was given highlighted the City’s concerns with StopWaste.org’s proposed Mandatory Recycling Ordinance, and the associated costs to local businesses. An update was also given on the proposed Single-Use Ban Ordinance
-Appointments were made to the City’s Citizen/Organization of the Year Committee

November 15th
-A proclamation was issued in honor of National Family Week
-Recognition was given to the Dublin Corporate Center for receiving the StopWaste.org Business Efficiency Award for its green practices
-Businesses celebrating 20, 25, 30, and 35 year anniversaries in Dublin were recognized
-The Council considered and ultimately denied the appeal of the Planning Commission decision to locate a Montessori Day Care on Silvergate Drive
-The Council considered and ultimately affirmed the Planning Commission’s original decision to deny All American Label’s expansion
-The Council considered an Urgency Moratorium ordinance for areas of the City with the Business Park/Industrial designation and decided not to pursue it. However, the Council reaffirmed its interest in considering moving forward with a Specific Plan that would encompass these areas with specific focus on Dublin Blvd between Village Parkway and the Transit Center/Dublin Crossings development. The Specific Plan Study would also Sierra Court, Scarlett Court and Dougherty Road
-The Council authorized the solicitation of bids for the extension of the Alamo Canal Trail beneath I-580
-A review was given of the various incentives and ways the City works with the small business community and all of the partnership areas with the Chamber
-The City reviewed the success of its Public-Semi Public Facility policy over the past seven years, including the success in bringing in the School of Imagination, YMCA, Springfield Montessori, Emerald Vista Childcare, and the expansion of Hope Hospice. The Council agreed that in addition to zoning, community benefit payments and other creative efforts to support public-semi public uses throughout the City should continue to be explored
-The Council granted the request from B.J.’s Brewery to utilize Dublin’s Sewer Capacity Assistance program to help lower its sewer connection fees

Tags: Council Updates by Tim Sbranti
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October 4th
-A presentation was given by Fire Chief Sheldon Gilbert on the health clinics being piloted at selected fire stations in Alameda County
-The Council discussed the All American Label appeal of the Planning Commission denial and continued the item to the November 1st meeting
-Zoning Amendment changes were made to sections dealing with Temporary Use Permits, Off-Street Loading Requirements, and Accessory Uses. The section on Signage was deferred to 2012 after a Committee meeting of interested parties could review and make comments on the proposed amendments
-The Facility Use Policy for the Dublin Heritage Park and Museums was approved
-An amended Ex Parte Contact Policy was approved
-A request from Valley Christian for a General Plan Amendment Study to rezone a small portion of its property from public-semi public to residential was approved
-New parking restrictions were approved for Antone Way
-The annual Ad-Hoc Audit Review sub-committee was approved

October 18th
-A proclamation celebrating Red Ribbon Week was presented
-Sheldon Gilbert was recognized by the Council for receiving the California Fire Chief of the Year Award
-A presentation was given on the “Shop Local Holiday Campaign” being sponsored by the City of Dublin and the Dublin Chamber of Commerce
-A Purchase and Sale Agreement was approved for the City of Dublin to acquire the old National Food Lab property
-In recognition and appreciation of Taleo’s expansion at the Dublin Corporate Center, a portion of Koll Center Parkway was renamed Taleo Way
-The Council heard a presentation and update on the Parks and Community Services Strategic Master Plan

October 24th (Special Study Session with Urban Land Institute)
-A report from the Urban Land Institute’s Technical Assistance Panel was given to the Council on how to best implement the Downtown Specific Plan. 10 specific ULI recommendations were discussed in detail by the City Council and Staff

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