Press Release

Valerie Arkin, Councilmember for District Two, Announces 

Candidacy for Second Term on Pleasanton City Council

Arkin Intent on Maintaining Pleasanton’s Many Assets While Combatting Negative Impacts on Neighborhoods by New Development  

(Pleasanton, CA)—Pleasanton Councilmember Valerie Arkin today announced her candidacy for a second term on the Pleasanton City Council, to which she was elected in 2020. Since Pleasanton moved to districted elections in 2022, Arkin now represents District 2, encompassing the northeast area of Fairlands, Birdland, the Gates, and neighborhoods along Stoneridge Drive.  

“My top priority is to ensure that Pleasanton remains an outstanding place to live, work and raise a family,” says Arkin. According to a recent survey, 91% of residents feel that Pleasanton is an excellent or good place to raise a family. “I always put the concerns of Pleasanton residents and businesses first, in every decision”, she adds.

Prior to her election to the City Council, Arkin served on the Pleasanton Unified School District Board of Trustees for 12 years on a platform of supporting the highest quality academic programs for students and transparency about school issues for residents and parents. Continuing our strong partnership with the school district is another priority for Arkin, who serves on the City/PUSD liaison committee.

“Public safety is an important priority for our city and the recent community survey indicated that 93% of residents feel safe in our town,” says Arkin. The Councilmember was a strong proponent of an alternative mental health response unit to support the police on calls that require specialist intervention. She also approved the purchase of a crime scene investigation vehicle required for the collection, preservation, packaging and transport of physical evidence left at a crime scene, and a police command vehicle to assist in natural disasters. In view of the recent wildfires and winter flooding throughout California, Arkin has also lobbied for increased planning for natural disasters that includes resident notifications and a comprehensive evacuation plan.

“State housing mandates have increased pressure on cities to zone and approve significantly more housing, creating a problem for historic cities such as ours that are essentially built out. New housing should fit the surrounding areas, whenever legally possible.  I have advocated for less high density housing, especially in our historic  

downtown. I look forward to a second term to continue the thoughtful and creative planning required to meet these housing mandates, while protecting Pleasanton’s neighborhoods,” says Arkin.

Arkin is also focused on continuing to address the PFAS contaminants issue in Pleasanton.  After the wells were shut down, plans were developed to build new wells and infrastructure to ensure a clean and safe water supply. 

Fiscal responsibility is another key target area for Arkin, who is committed to developing a balanced budget that provides essential community services such as public safety, water infrastructure, library and senior services, parks and recreation opportunities, and arts and culture.  A new cricket pitch, pickleball courts, and the upcoming renovation/update to Wayside park downtown are recent city improvements that she supported.                                                                                                          

“For many years, Pleasanton has relied on tax increments from the Hacienda Business Park and Stoneridge Mall to bring in additional revenue,” noted Arkin. “The collapse of the retail and commercial office sectors in the wake of Covid and remote working has changed that. As a result, we have to reinvent new revenue streams for the city, as well as maximize the existing budget to the fullest extent.”

Moving into the next four years, Arkin anticipates an intensified need to step up Council responses to issues that affect the quality of life in Pleasanton, including securing a safe water supply, enhancing public safety, Livermore Airport noise mitigation, and the redevelopment of Stoneridge Mall. 

“I encourage community input and will continue to be responsive, respectful, and listen to various viewpoints. I will continue my goals of leading with transparency, accountability, and oversight at the forefront of all decisions”, says Arkin. 

Arkin is a 31-year resident of Pleasanton and lives in the city with her husband Brian. Her three grown children—Chris, Angela and Nick are all graduates of Pleasanton public schools.

Arkin is employed by Alameda County as a representative for County Supervisor, Nate Miley. She holds a BS in Health Sciences from California State University, Northridge, and an MBA from California Lutheran University.

For more information about Valerie Arkin, please visit www.VoteValerieArkin.com.