| Published November 17, 2009 |
Volume
17, Number 11
|
City of Pleasanton
Services at a
Glance
The City of Pleasanton offers a host of services to the community.
Browse the directory below for descriptions of the services and contact
details for each of the city’s departments. More in-depth information
is also available at www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us/government/departments/.
City
Manager’s Office
As
chief administrative officer, the City Manager is responsible for
providing overall leadership and administrative direction to the
organization in the fulfillment of City Council policies and
priorities. Specific functions 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 chief legal counsel
and 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. Questions typically
relate to open meeting and public records laws; conflicts of interests;
land use and environmental laws; municipal elections; employment and
labor relations; municipal utilities; procurement and other internal
services; and resolutions, ordinances, and other legal documents.
Contact the City Attorney’s office at (925) 931-5015.

Community
Development Services
Absorbing
many functions of the former Planning and Public Works Departments,
this organization now houses the Planning, Building Inspection, Code
Enforcement, Engineering Services and Construction, and Traffic
Information Divisions.
The Planning
Division
is responsible for providing a range of planning services related to
current, advanced planning and code enforcement. The City Planning
Commission advises the Council on land use matters including zoning
issues, use permits, variances, 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 web site, www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us/business/planning/index.html,
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 City's Program, is also
available online.
For general planning information as well as
special events regulations, contact the division at (925) 931-5600. For
Business License information, call (925) 931-5440. For Tree Removal
information, contact the City Landscape Architect at (925) 931-5672.
The Building
and Safety Services Division
helps safeguard Pleasanton citizens against faulty or inappropriate
building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical construction practices.
The division provides guidance in compliance with state and local
construction laws as they relate to seismic, wind, and fire life safety
in both plan review and field inspection. The division's objective is
to maintain the highest level of public safety and customer service in
the administration of building construction code enforcement. The
general number for the division is (925) 931-5300.
The Code
Enforcement Division
enforces the Pleasanton Municipal Code as it applies to property
maintenance, property nuisances, and other problems in residential and
commercial zoning districts.
The division works closely with
other city departments in order to resolve health, safety, and public
nuisance problems that adversely affect Pleasanton’s quality of life.
The unit focuses on public education as the best way to gain voluntary
compliance with the Municipal Code and steers abatement measures
through coordinated and cooperative measures. Call the division at
(925) 931-5620.
The
Engineering Division
is responsible for the design and construction of public facilities and
review of private infrastructure; plan review and inspection of
building construction; and transportation systems. The division
consists of Engineering and Construction Inspection. The general phone
number is (925) 931-5650.
The Traffic
Division
is responsible for planning and operating the roadways, sidewalks, and
bikeways in Pleasanton to provide for the safe and efficient movement
of people, goods and services. The most common requests of Traffic
Division staff involve safety, speed, traffic signals, signs and
markings, and school and neighborhood traffic conditions. The general
number is (925) 931-5677.
Economic
Development
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 city’s Economic
Development Strategic Plan, last revised in February 2007, is one
vehicle for advancing these accomplishments. The document also serves
as a guide for the Economic Vitality Committee, a group of local
business people from different market segments who are appointed by the
City Council to serve the city as advisors.
Another department
initiative is the 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 are eligible to participate in this program.
Contact an Economic Development Specialist at (925) 931-5039.
The
department participates in a number of regional economic development
efforts, including the Tri-Valley Business Council, and 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. Contact the department at
(925) 931-5038.
Finance
The
Finance Department is responsible for the safekeeping, management, and
accounting of the city's financial assets. The department provides city
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. In addition, the department
reads water meters, and processes bills and payments for water and
sewer customers.
The Finance Department is organized into four
divisions, most of which can be reached through the main department
number, (925) 931-5400.
The
Administration Division provides the direction and
coordination of all department functions.
The Treasury
Division monitors, controls, audits, and invests city
funds.
The
Accounting Division
is responsible for maintaining the general ledger accounting system.
This includes processing the city's payroll, receiving and accounting
for all cash collections, paying bills, invoicing and collecting
accounts receivable, posting all financial activities to the
computerized ledger system, and generating financial reports.
The Utility
Billing Division
is responsible for reading all water meters, producing bills,
processing payments, and providing customer account services and water
conservation information. Reach the division directly at (925)
931-5425.
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.ci.pleasanton.ca.us/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
Located
at 400 Old Bernal Avenue, the Pleasanton Public Library is open seven
days a week: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Reference librarians are ready to help with any business or general
question in person, by phone, or online at www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us/library.html.
The online site also allows users to do catalog searches and renewals,
place materials on hold, and find links to extensive online business
resources, from business law, industry information, and how to start a
business to business directories and investment information.
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
Many
functions formerly delivered through the city’s Public Works Department
are now organized under the Operations Services Department, which
oversees a variety of areas related to the delivery and maintenance of
utilities and public assets, including support services for building
and fleet maintenance. Administrative offices are located at the
Operations Services Center, 3333 Busch Road. The general number is
(925) 931-5500.
The Street
Division
ensures that city streets, sidewalks, parking lots, traffic control
signs, and pavement markings are maintained to provide safe
and
accessible public passage throughout. For more information,
The
general contact number is (925) 931-5551.
The
Utilities Division
encompasses source control; sewer, storm drain, and water systems; and
the water lab. The Sewer/Storm Drain unit is committed to meeting the
ever-increasing challenges of service demands, conserving natural
resources, preserving the environment, and protecting the public
health. Services are provided around the clock. During normal business
hours (7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.), call the Sewer Division at (925) 931-5535.
Emergency service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year by
calling the Pleasanton Police Dispatcher at (925) 931-5100.
The Water
Division
provides a dependable water supply to Pleasanton residents and
businesses. It strives to maintain a leak-free system that provides
continuous service and emergency fire protection and meets the
fluctuating demands of the system. A high priority is meeting all State
Health Department standards and protecting Pleasanton’s natural
resources and the environment. Contact the Water Division at (925)
931-5520 during normal business hours (7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m). For
after-hours emergency service, call the Police Dispatch at 931-5100.
The Utility
Planning Division
houses the Clean Water and Water Conservation Programs. The city’s
Clean Water Program is a combined effort with local governments,
residents and local businesses working together to protect area creeks,
wetlands, and ultimately San Francisco Bay. The program is based at the
Operations Service Center, 3333 Busch Road, and can be contacted at
(925) 931-5520.
The Water Conservation Program reflects
the city’s commitment to providing all its water customers with
information and programs for wise water use, helping to protect
precious resources, save the environment, and reduces the cost of
utility bills. Contact a water conservation coordinator at
(925)
931-5500.
Parks
& Community Services
The
Parks and Community Services Department presents a wealth of indoor and
outdoor activities, classes, services, and facilities for all ages.
Specific offerings include: aquatics, golf, facility rentals,
preschool, parks, trails and open space, paratransit,
recreational activities for the developmentally disabled, sports, and
senior 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.
Police
Department
The
mission of the Pleasanton Police Department is to work in collaboration
with the community to protect life and property. This is accomplished
through the creative use of resources, community education, and
involvement and interactive problem-solving. The department’s
underlying philosophy is Community Oriented Policing and Problem
Solving (COPPS), which aims to create an enhanced problem-solving
partnership between the police and the public. To those ends, the
police department maintains personnel devoted to community policing,
crime prevention, patrol operations, traffic, investigation, records
and communications, permits, and youth services.
The
department also has an extensive crime prevention program, offered at
no charge to businesses. Simply call the department to schedule a
security survey for your business. An officer will visit your site,
inspect it, and make security improvement recommendations. For
information or non-emergency calls contact the department at (925)
931-5100. In an emergency, always dial 911.
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