-New rates for Garbage and Recycling services for 2011-12 were approved. This year there will be a very modest $0.66 per month increase. Dublin’s rates remain 27% below the Tri-Valley average and our residents and businesses will still receive the highest amount of services

-To enhance the City’s aesthetic quality, new enclosure standards for garbage and recycling bins in both multi-family and commercial projects were approved. The City will also review opportunities to work with property owners on creating nicer enclosures for existing projects.

-The Council reviewed its policies in regards to limiting window signage to 25% for Dublin businesses. It was agreed that the existing regulations should be left in place so as to maintain the attractiveness of the community

-The Joint Facility Usage agreement between the City of Dublin and the Dublin Unified School District was updated and approved

-A request from the Dublin Rotary Club to host Circus Vargas from July 8-18 at the intersection of Hacienda Drive and Martinelli Way near I-580 was approved

-The City Council named Dublin’s two newest parks in the Positano Development. The 4.6 acre park slated to be finished within the next year will be called Positano Hills Park, while the future 5.0 acre park adjacent to the future elementary school when it’s needed will be called Diamond Memorial Park in memory of Dublin resident and Army Staff Sergeant Sean Diamond, who was killed in the line of duty

-A General Plan Amendment study for modifications to the Foster family property lines in the Hansen Hill development was approved

-The City’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan was updated to include a plan to more effectively utilize volunteers during a disaster

-The improvements to the newly renovated Dublin Sportsgrounds were officially accepted

-The Disposition and Development Agreement allowing Arroyo Vista to proceed was officially approved

-A contract was approved for the Dahlin Group to examine cost-effective modifications to the Dublin Civic Center which can better utilize its space

-A contract was approved to do a study examining overhead cost allocations charged to developers when working on projects

-The Award of Bid to construct a new traffic signal at the intersection of Amador Valley Blvd. and Brighton Drive was approved

-A contract approving the City’s Annual Street Overlay program was approved

-Donations to the Dublin Heritage Park, Dublin Senior Center, and Dublin Pride Week were formally recognized. A full report was also given regarding Dublin Pride Week, and winners from the Poster Contest were awarded

-Dublin-based Challenge Butter was given a proclamation for being in business for 100 years and emerging as a worldwide industry leader

-A proclamation in support of the Tri-Valley Housing Opportunity Center was presented

-BART Board Member John McPartland presented the City with a commemorative part of the track from the West Dublin BART station

-A proclamation was presented to Bethany Zummo for making the United States Womens’ Paralympics Sitting Volleyball team

Tags: Council Updates by Tim Sbranti
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-The next phase of the Dublin Transit Center, Avalon Bay’s 505-unit development on the current surface parking lot of the end-of-the-line BART station was approved

-Zoning changes were approved for Scarlett Court making it easier for automotive uses to locate in that area. Previously auto-related businesses needed to go through an expensive Conditional Use Permit process, but can now locate in the vicinity by right.

-The City Council agreed conceptually to the idea of hosting an International Food and Wine Festival in the fall of 2012 as a replacement to Day on the Glen

-The conceptual design for the neighborhood park in the Positano development was approved

-A draft letter from the City of Dublin to the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) in response to the Initial Vision Scenario of the Sustainable Communities Strategy was approved. The biggest concern expressed was the not enough emphasis was given to Dublin’s potential to become a major job center for the Bay Area given the fact that over 2 million square feet of land is zoned for office within walking distance of BART. Other concerns in the expressed centered around the number of housing units allotted to Dublin and implementation costs.

-A proposal to release City Weed Abatement Liens against Syed Bukhari in response to his paying an amount in excess of the original fine was approved

-The Council agreed to send a letter to the Citizens Redistricting Commission stating that the Tri-Valley should be considered as a “community of interest”, while asking that the five cities of Dublin, Pleasanton, Livermore, San Ramon, and Danville be kept in the same Assembly, Senate, and Congressional districts

-A letter was approved to be sent to the Economic Development Administration in support of IGATE’s submittal for grant funding for the I-6 Green Challenge

-In recognition to their many years of dedication and service to Dublin, the City Council agreed to place a plaque in memory of Dave and Bea Burton next to the orchard when Phase II of the Dublin Heritage Park is constructed

-Vice Mayor Kevin Hart and Councilmember Eric Swalwell were appointed to the City Attorney’s Evaluation/Negotiation committee

-Fees associated with field usage for the Dublin Sister City Association’s International Friendship Soccer Tournament were waived

-Dublin businesses celebrating anniversaries of 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 years were recognized

-Jasmine Bafaiz was appointed as the Student representative to the City’s Parks and Community Services Commission

-Appointments were made to the City’s Youth Advisory Committee

-Student volunteers for the Dublin Library’s after-school Homework Center were recognized

Tags: Council Updates by Tim Sbranti
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-The City Council heard an update on the activities planned for this year’s Farmers Market
-Plans to host a Preview Party with the Dublin Historical Preservation Association in advance of the offficial grand opening of the Dublin Heritage Park and Museums was approved
-In an effort to conserve water, the City Council approved a Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance
-A contract was approved with Chevron Energy Solutions to conduct a thorough energy audit of the City of Dublin’s operations to review opportunities for better practices and cost savings
-Activities taking place in Dublin for National Bike to Work Month were reviewed, including Dublin’s hosting of Bike to Work Day on May 12th
-Businesses who sponsored St. Patrick’s weekend festivities were recognized
-Proclamations were issued in honor of retiring Wells Principal Kathy Roselle, Older Americans Month, and Public Service Recognition Week

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