Dublin City Councilmembers heard a report aimed at increasing the city's ties with the Livermore Valley wine region. The council also continued a decision about how they will replace former councilmember Eric Swalwell.
The council met Jan. 15. Only three of its four members were present. Kevin Hart was unable to attend, because of surgery.
Councilmembers decided to postpone a decision about how to replace Swalwell, who is the Valley's new congressman. They will talk about it at their next regular council meeting on Feb. 5.
Chris Chandler, executive director of the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association, summed up the wine country activities in 2011.
In addition to Livermore, there also are wineries in Sunol, Danville and Palomares Canyon. There are no wineries in Dublin. However, Chandler mentioned one resident, though not by name, who owns a restaurant and privately makes wine. She said he hopes to expand that to professional winemaking, possibly as Dublin's first winery.
Dublin is a sponsor of the wine association. The city council formed a committee to promote vineyards and wine in Dublin. Toward that end, the city approved requirements for a new development in the northeast corner of the city that encourages vineyards.
Developer Braddock and Logan will be planting grapevines at the entrance to the Moller Ranch subdivision, which will have a maximum of 370 single family homes on 79 acres. The 136 acres of open space on the property are zoned for agricultural open space in hopes of enticing commercial growers to plant vineyards.
When councilmember David Haubert told Chandler that the city appreciates its partnership with the wine association, Chandler replied, "We do too. The efforts you have put forward are very progressive in the region. So many desire a wine country life-style. Moller Ranch with its vines and open space will be very well received by the community."
Mayor Tim Sbranti said that the talk of vineyards at Moller Ranch already has brought some calls to the city from prospective winegrowers.
Sbranti added that one of his goals is to promote agricultural lands in Dublin. The city has more than most people realize.
Sbranti mentioned tasting rooms as part of the approach. He also said that Dublin, with its crossroads location at Interstates 580 and 680, would be ideally located to build a wine education center for the region.
ALTAMONT CRUISERS DONATE $3000
On another item, Ken Reichmuth, president of the Altamont Cruisers, presented a check for $3000 to Police Chief Tom McCarthy. The money will support further training of crime prevention and school resources officers concerning current trends in drug and alcohol use by teens in Dublin.
"Without this donation, it's hard to finance the training because it's not part of what is mandated," said McCarthy.
Altamont Cruisers was founded 24 years ago to aid communities in curbing teen drug and alcohol use. Its big fund-raiser is a car show on the streets of Livermore every September. Last year, the event drew 15,000 people, said Reichmuth.
