The San Ramon City Council is one step closer to silencing citizens on the Sunset Development and Bishop Ranch.
At the regularly scheduled city council meeting on Sept. 23, citizens continued their protest of the proposed text amendment to Measure G, which would abolish a supermajority vote and reduce public participation to a single meeting, and reject Ordinances 531-532 that ultimately give a Zoning Administrator final say, leaving the public with a $4,500 appeal fee.
Tuesday night, Councilman Robert Jweniat held evidence in his hand against the Sunset Development, yet the written public comments he had placed in a folder are now silent.
In the past, the councilman admitted that abolishing Measure G and passing Ordinance 531 and 532 could cause legal problems, which would inevitably cost citizens for a development they despise.
"Sunset Development is ruining our city," Carol Gilbert said at an August council meeting.
While elected officials' actions disrespect and disregard the public, Chirag Kathrani, founder of OpGov.ai, and other citizens remain dedicated to their city.
"We must free San Ramon from Sunset," Kathrani said after addressing the council.
Emails sent to City Council members seeking comment went unreturned.
After the meeting, OpGov.ai formally reached out to the elected officials and the mayor regarding several complaints raised during Tuesday's meeting, including lighting hazards and concerns about the safety of senior residents.
Not one request was returned.
Snapshot of reporter Angela Underwood's email to all San Ramon elected officials. (Photo: OpGov.ai)
The local media also ignores the public on the matter.
OpGov.ai's email to local meeting outlets went unanswered, indicating a lack of interest in San Ramon citizens' concerns. (Photo: OpGov.ai)
This is not new to Kathrani, who was interviewed by Danville San Ramon journalist Jeanita Lyman for thirty minutes on the long-term development of San Ramon.
"Kathrani and another neighboring resident, Yohannes Tilahun, said that they both wanted to see more public outreach and opportunities for feedback on the redevelopment of Bishop Ranch at its current stage, with both only recently becoming interested in the functions of local government years after the discussion and planning stages for CityWalk," Lyman wrote in the July 10 report.
The biased comment regarding the "recent interest," along with the report’s praise of Sunset Development CEO Alex Mehan Jr., is questionable to say the least.
Several local reporters were sent this report prior to the meeting to draw attention to the pressing matter.
Not one media outlet responded, just like the council members with the email.
Kathrani is considering filing a Grand Jury complaint similar to that of the City of San Joaquin to stop the San Ramon officials from silencing taxpayers.
“There should be consequences for blatantly ignoring the public,” Kathrani said.
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