CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL

gy�NSA o� City Council Regular Meeting - Submit your written public ~� e" comment Op''NNED COCity of Pleasanton Full Name Email (this entry is disclosable if included) Agenda Item Number First Name: David Last Name: De Bonis daviddebo@gmail.com 5 Comments Dear City Council, Submitted On: Oct 6, 2025, 12:10PM PDT As a chiropractor with a practice on First Street for nearly 20 years and a longtime Pleasanton resident, I am writing to express my strong support for Natascha Thomson's guest opinion in the Pleasanton Weekly opposing the proposed PDA fee increase. It is fundamentally unjust to mandate that service businesses like mine, located off Main Street, fund an organization that provides no tangible benefits to us. The Pleasanton Downtown Association (PDA) focuses almost exclusively on promoting Main Street restaurants and retail, ignoring the diverse needs of the majority of its 500+ members, who are not in these categories. My practice relies on referrals and targeted marketing, not PDA events, yet we are forced to pay fees based solely on our downtown address. I am genuinely curious what percentage of PDA members would choose to remain so if given the choice. Requiring membership in an unaccountable organization that does not serve our interests violates the principles of fair representation. The PDA provides no transparency or data demonstrating value for service businesses like mine, yet demands our financial support. As a resident deeply invested in Pleasanton's fiscal health, I also question whether city funds should be used to subsidize an organization that primarily benefits a small subset of businesses. Allocating taxpayer money to the PDA, raises concerns about responsible stewardship of public resources at a time when critical city services are vulnerable. I urge the City Council to reject the proposed PDA fee increase, make membership voluntary, and reevaluate the use of city funds to support this organization. Downtown vitality relies on innovative businesses that create value for the public and profit for owners, not just a few annual events. It is time for the PDA to stand on its own two feet. If it can not, that should be a sure sign that the time for change has come. I trust you will prioritize fairness and fiscal responsibility in your decision.