City of Pleasanton Services at a Glance

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Pleasanton's city government provides a great number of services to the community. Check out the directory below for a description of what each department does as well as contact information. For additional information, access www.cityofpleasantonca.gov/government/departments/. E-mail addresses for contacts within the various offices can be found in the City Directory posted on its website.

City Manager

As Pleasanton's chief administrative officer, City Manager Nelson Fialho is responsible for providing overall leadership and administrative direction to the organization in the fulfillment of City Council policies and priorities. Specific functions carried out by Fialho and his staff include preparing an annual operating budget, overseeing personnel related practices and activities, and directing city services and programs. Contact the City Manager's office at (925) 931-5002.

City Attorney

Appointed by the City Council, the City Attorney serves as its chief legal counsel as well as the department head for the City Attorney's Office, a full-service legal department that advises council members and city staff on contractual, regulatory, and litigation matters. Specific areas where the City Attorney provides input include open meeting and public records laws; conflicts of interests; land use and environmental laws; claims and litigation; municipal elections; employment and labor relations; municipal utilities; procurement and other internal services; code enforcement; and resolutions, ordinances, and other legal documents. Contact the City Attorney's office at (925) 931-5015.

Community Development Department

This department has five divisions, described below.

Planning Services This division provides a range of planning services related to current, advanced planning and code enforcement. The City Planning Commission advises the City Council on land use matters including zoning issues, use permits, variance, and site and architectural plans. The Commission reviews and makes recommendations regarding development plans submitted by the Planning Division, and is also responsible for General Plan and Specific Plan reviews.

The division's website, www.cityofpleasantonca.gov/business/planning, has extensive information about all facets of the planning and building process, including applications for Development Review, the Zoning Parcel Map, Municipal Code Regulations, Site Development Standards by Zoning District, and Ordinances Related to Planned Unit Development Zoning.

A collection of Green Building-related documents, checklists, and guidelines, including the Energy Element of the General Plan and information on the Solar Cities Program, is also available online.

Anyone conducting business within the City of Pleasanton, including companies using a Pleasanton address for business mailing purposes, is required to have a business license on file. For Business License information, call (925) 931-5440.

For general planning information or special events regulations, contact the Planning Services division at (925) 931-5600. A planner is available during office hours to discuss planning-related questions at (925) 437-4009.

Building and Safety Services This division helps safeguard Pleasanton citizens against faulty or inadequate building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical installations and construction practices. The division provides guidance in compliance with state and local construction laws as they relate to seismic, wind, fire life safety, and accessibility in both plan review and field inspection, and reviews and inspects all private development structures and site work within the property boundary. Staff can be reached at (925) 931-5300.

Code Enforcement This division of the Community Development Department enforces the Pleasanton Municipal Code as it applies to property maintenance, property nuisances, and other problems in residential and commercial zoning districts. Staff work closely with all city departments to resolve health, safety, and public nuisance problems that adversely affect quality of life in Pleasanton. Over 90 percent of all reported problems are resolved on the initial contact by Code Enforcement officers. In rare circumstances, administrative penalties are assessed to those who fail to comply with the municipal code.

Engineering Services and Construction Services The Engineering Division, which is comprised of the Capital Improvement Section, Development Services Section, and Construction Inspection Services, designs and constructs public facilities and reviews public improvements constructed by private property development. The general phone number is (925) 931-5650.

Traffic Information The Traffic Division is responsible for planning and operating the roadways, sidewalks, and bikeways to provide for the safe and efficient movement of people, goods, and services within Pleasanton. The most common requests of Traffic Division staff involve safety, speed, traffic signals, signs and markings, school and neighborhood traffic conditions. The general number is (925) 931-5677.

Community Services Department

The Community Services Department presents a wealth of indoor and outdoor activities, classes, entertainment, services, and facilities to residents of all ages, including programs at the Firehouse Arts Center, Amador Theater, Callippe Preserve Golf Course, and the newly renovated Dolores Bengtson Aquatic Center. Additional offerings include: facility rentals; preschool; parks, trails, and open space; paratransit; recreational activities for the developmentally disabled; special interest classes; sports; and senior, teen, and youth services. Classes, camps, and activities are listed in the quarterly Activities Guide. Online registration for after-school recreation programs, aquatics, exercise and sports classes, teen activities, and much more is available from the city's web site. Contact the department at (925) 931-5340.

Economic Development Department

The mission of Pleasanton's Economic Development Program is to provide a positive business climate and a stable economic base for the provision of goods, services, and facilities desired by the community. Recognizing that Pleasanton is a product in the economic development market, the department works to remain competitive by building upon the city's strengths while realistically addressing challenges that the city can directly control or influence.

The department has just released a new Economic Development Strategic Plan, the first revision to the document since February 2007. The report, based on analysis of demographic, economic, business, fiscal, and market conditions as well as input from city staff, the Pleasanton Economic Vitality Committee, local stakeholders, and the City Council, will serve as an aid in guiding the city's economic development priorities and activities over the next three to five years. When the document is adopted, it will be available for download at cityofpleasantonca.gov/business/development.

Another new publication from the Economic Development Department is its Economic Assets Report, a promotional booklet that highlights the five key assets that attract companies to Pleasanton and keeps them here: access to major markets, innovation, business centers, talent, and amenities. It, too, will be posted on the city's web site.

The department also operates Local Emergency Action Plan (LEAP), a partnership between the city and local businesses and nonprofits to ensure continuity of business and service operations after a local emergency or disaster. For more information, contact Genevieve Pastor-Cohen, Emergency Preparedness Manager, at (925) 454-2317.

Economic Development also leads the city's participation in Commendable Commutes, a partnership with local employers to help reduce peak hour traffic and air pollution by promoting transportation alternatives. Services include a citywide Guaranteed Ride Home Program, on-site transportation information visits, and Try Transit Program. All Hacienda businesses with 75 or more employees are eligible to participate in this program. Contact Lisa Adamos, Economic Development Specialist, at (925) 931-5039.

The department participates in a number of regional economic development efforts, including Innovation Tri-Valley and the innovation hub i-GATE. It also oversees an online business directory, a free job website for Pleasanton employers (TriValleyJobs.com), information on starting a business, and an online directory of available commercial space. For more information, call Pamela Ott, Economic Development Director, at (925) 931-5040.

Finance Department

The Finance Department is responsible for the safekeeping, management, and accounting of the city's financial assets. The department provides Pleasanton's financial information to the public, the City Council, the City Manager, and other city departments. It also audits revenue sources; processes cash receipts, payroll, and accounts payable; administers assessment districts and other debt; invests city funds; monitors the budget; and coordinates financial audits.

The Finance Department, which is divided into Administration, Treasury, and Accounting divisions, can be reached by calling (925) 931-5400. Copies of Pleasanton's Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports, Operating Budget, and other documents are available at www.cityofpleasantonca.gov/services/finance/.

Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department

As an emergency response and community service organization, the goal of the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department is to limit the risk of fire; to limit injury and property damage associated with fire, explosions, hazardous materials incidents, storms or other natural and technological emergencies; to prepare city forces for disaster response; and to better prepare the community for self help in the event of a major disaster.

The Fire Department also conducts a number of fire prevention activities for businesses, including new construction and tenant improvement plan check and inspection and annual fire inspections. A commitment to emergency preparedness is another key focus of the department, which provides a wide range of services for the public. Information about how to prepare for various emergencies can be found on the city's website at www.cityofpleasantonca.gov/services/fire/emergency-preparedness.html. In an emergency, always dial 911. To contact the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department with questions when emergencies aren't present, call (925) 454-2361.

Library Services Department

It's a milestone year for the Pleasanton Public Library as the city has just celebrated the 25th anniversary of the November, 1988 opening of the library building at 400 Old Bernal Avenue.

A lot has changed in those years. Now, many of the library's services are accessible via its home page at www.cityofpleasantonca.gov/services/library. Patrons can search the catalog, renew or place materials on hold, and discover library programs and activities. E-books and audiobooks that can be viewed on almost any computer, smart phone, tablet, or e-reader are also available. The free Good Reads e-newsletter service delivers notifications and descriptions of new titles in user-selected categories, from best sellers to new DVDs to business publications.

The library also hosts a variety of events for all ages from children to adults. Kids can enjoy everything from magic shows to craft workshops to movie matinees, while grown-ups may prefer the adult book club, the library's free Classic Film Series, or programs offering free resume and employment search help, computer training, or free legal help.

Library cards, free to anyone who resides in, is employed in, or attends school in California, are issued in person at the Reception Desk. Temporary visitors to the state can request a short-term card. For more information, contact the library at (925) 931-3400.

Operations Services Department

Located at 3333 Busch Road, the Operations Services Department (OSD) is responsible for maintaining the city's infrastructure. Its 11 divisions oversee a variety of areas related to the delivery and maintenance of utilities and public assets, from streets and storm drains to a dependable water supply as well as facility and fleet maintenance.

A number of useful business resources are provided by the Energy and Sustainability Division, which develops and implements strategies to assist Pleasanton residents, employees, and business owners improve energy efficiency and conserve natural resources. This division is also responsible for developing and implementing a community-based Climate Action Plan (CAP). For information on current events and opportunities, including rebates, visit www.pleasantongreenscene.org.

The divisions are: Administration, Energy & Sustainability, Facility & Fleet Maintenance, Park Maintenance, Sewer, Signs & Street Lights, Storm Drains, Streets, Utility (Water & Sewer) Billing, Water, and Water Conservation. The general contact number is (925) 931-5500.

Police Department

Pleasanton's men and women in blue have a multi-tiered mission: To collaborate with the community to protect life and property through the creative use of resources, community education and involvement, and interactive problem solving. The department is committed to the ideals of Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS), which center around building partnerships with the community to work collectively in proactive problem solving to address the causes of crime and other community issues. This approach recognizes that some crimes and ongoing neighborhood problems result from variables better known to the people who live in that neighborhood than by the police. This coordinated effort between the police and the community provides a more effective approach to solving problems, with an eye towards long-term solutions rather than just short-term fixes.

The department's website, cityofpleasantonca.gov/services/police, has a wealth of information on the Pleasanton Police Department's divisions and programs, including crime prevention for businesses, online reporting of minor offenses, youth services, victims rights' and resources, and the citizens academy. You can also sign up for updates via e-mail and text message on issues such as street closures and traffic advisories. For information or non-emergency calls contact the department at (925) 931-5100. The police emergency number is (925) 931-5122.

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