July 7th, 2026 City Council Meeting
Transient Occupancy Tax (Hotel Tax) Ballot Measure
Context: The city faces an ongoing general fund structural deficit of approximately $7 million to $8 million.
Decisions & Actions:
Ballot Placement: The council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution placing a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) increase on the November 3, 2026 general municipal election ballot.
Proposed Rate Phasing: The measure proposes raising the hotel tax from the current 8% to 10% on July 1, 2027, and to 12% on July 1, 2028.
Revenue Impact: At 10%, the tax is projected to generate an additional $1.4 million annually, and at 12%, approximately $2.8 million annually (which would cover about one-third of the structural deficit).
Subcommittee Formed: The council unanimously approved forming a two-member ad hoc subcommittee to draft the primary ballot argument in favor of the measure.
Public Comments & Community Concerns
FCI Dublin Facility Status:
Staff provided an update confirming that no federal agency (DHS or Bureau of Prisons) has indicated plans to convert the closed FCI Dublin facility into an ICE detention center. DHS explicitly confirmed in March 2026 that FCI Dublin was not part of the agreement to house immigration detainees.
Equidistant / Equest Property Development:
Representatives/developers of a project near Foothill High School requested council assistance in resolving a delay/disagreement between the city engineer and their geotechnical engineer. The city manager offered to meet with staff and the developers to look into the matter.
ALPR Data Sharing Allegation:
A speaker from Oakland Privacy alleged that the Pleasanton Police Department was illegally sharing Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) data with federal border patrol agencies. Police leadership and staff noted they were unaware of this specific claim and committed to looking into it.
Community Events:
Community of Character announced its annual fundraising barbecue on August 8th.
Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council promoted its ongoing chair auction fundraiser.
Gas Station Rebranding (Item 10)
Staff introduced a de novo review of a sign design application to rebrand the former 76 gas station/Circle K at 4191 First Street into a Shell gasoline station and Fastfill Market.
