June 21st Council Updates
-The City of Dublin’s budget for Fiscal Year 2011-2012 was approved. For the first time in three years, this year’s budget contains no cuts to programs and services. In fact, there are some modest increases to staffing in key areas to enhance City programs and services related to economic development, communications, and environmental stewardship. Additionally, the budget was balanced without touching the City’s Economic Uncertainty Reserve.
-The City of Dublin’s Strategic Initiatives were approved. The five areas of strategic emphasis for 2011-2012 are related to economic development, downtown improvements, open space and environmental stewardship, communications, and dynamic recreational and cultural opportunities.
-The City of Dublin’s Capital Improvement Projects were approved. Items funded for 2011-2012 of significance include Civic Center Modifications and Generator, Positano Neighborhood Park, Alamo Canal Trail, Maintenance Yard Facility Improvements, Shannon Center parking lot improvements, Emerald Glen Plaza and lighting improvements, St. Patrick’s Way expansion towards Regional St., and Golden Gate Drive enhancements leading to the West Dublin BART Station. Studies will also be completed future expansion phases of Fallon Sports Park, whether to develop a café as part of the Dublin Library, and renovations to the Dublin Swim Center. Other highlights include the preparation of engineering documents related to the widening of Dublin Boulevard from Sierra Court to Dublin Court and the widening of Dougherty Road from Sierra Lane to the North City Limit.
-Sponsors for the City of Dublin’s Bike to Work Day were recognized
-The City of Dublin’s Traffic Impact Fee deferral program was extended
-Dublin’s Smoking Pollution Control Ordinance was modified to increase the percentage of non-smoking units in multi-family housing from 50% to 75%
-The annual engineering reports and assessments for Dublin’s Lighting and Landscaping maintenance districts were approved
-The City Council was given an update on the Sustainable Neighborhood Development Strategy that is being developed
-Directional signage enhancements for auto dealers in the vicinity of Scarlett Drive were approved
-The Dublin City Council approved a General Plan Amendment study to examine whether to change a public/semi-public site previously slated for the Muslim Community Center into housing. Lennar wishes to extend the Sonata neighborhood across Brannigan by building 19 single-family residential units on the 3-acre site
