2024-02-06 Regular CC Minutes MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY- -FEBRUARY 6, 2024- -7:00 P.M.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft convened the meeting at 7:04 p.m. Councilmember Jensen led the Pledge
of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers Daysog, Herrera Spencer, Jensen, Vella,
and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft — 4. [Note: Councilmember
Herrera Spencer was present from Hampton Inn & Suites
Watertown Boston, 25 Bond Street, Watertown, MA.]
Absent: Councilmember Vella — 1.
AGENDA CHANGES
None.
PROCLAMATIONS, SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
(24-047) Proclamation Declaring February 2024 as Black History Month.
Expressed appreciation for the proclamation; discussed history: John Lewis, Oakland.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft read the proclamation.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA
(24-048) Austin Tam, Alameda Friends and Families for a Ceasefire (AFF4C), urged Council to
take action; discussed the importance of calling for a ceasefire.
(24-049) Brooke El-Amine, AFF4C, urged Council to adopt a resolution calling for a ceasefire;
read what should be included in the resolution.
(24-050) Cam Bui, AFF4C, urged Council to take action; discussed investing decisions being
within Council's jurisdiction.
(24-051) Marilyn Alwan, AFF4C, urged Council to join with other cities to take a stand and
endorse a permanent ceasefire.
(24-052) Brian Kennedy, Alameda, expressed appreciation for Council not adopting a ceasefire.
(24-053) Sophie Ritchie, AFF4C, asked Council to reconsider calling for a ceasefire; discussed
children in Gaza being killed.
(24-054) Emil Radloff, Alameda, discussed an incident with an employee at the golf course
driving range resulting in him being told he is banned from the golf course.
(24-055) Liftawiya, AFF4C, discussed all of the agencies and groups that have called for a
ceasefire.
Regular Meeting
Alameda City Council
February 6,2024 1
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Herrera Spencer inquired about the services provider prior to Alameda Family
Services [paragraph no. 24-060], to which the Assistant City Manager responded Five Keys.
Councilmember Herrera Spencer inquired who has been providing services.
The Assistant City Manager stated no one; Five Keys was unable to hire someone.
Councilmember Herrera Spencer inquired how many people live in the village, to which the
Assistant City Manager responded there are currently 47 people.
Councilmember Herrera Spencer expressed support for Alameda Family Services; stated it is
unfortunate services were not being provided.
Councilmember Herrera Spencer inquired about residential tidelands and the amount paid to
Cushman & Wakefield [paragraph no. 24-061], the Base Reuse and Economic Development
Management Analyst stated between 2018 and present, the Cushman & Wakefield team
conducted a total of 42 transactions on behalf of the City; Cushman & Wakefield has received a
brokerage commission of$1,442,821.
The City Manager responded there are 51 residential tidelands leases; stated brokers are not
involved in the leases.
Councilmember Herrera Spencer inquired whether or not the City intends on selling the
tidelands, to which the City Manager responded in the negative; stated legally, the land cannot
be sold.
Did not address a Consent Calendar item: Bill Farber.
Expressed support for funding for a mental health professional: Steve Good, 5 Keys.
Stated receiving mental health services will help residents at Dignity Village; a dedicated
clinician will allow residents to receive care when needed: Karen Zeltzer, Alameda Family
Services.
Stated hiring for the position has been challenging; help from Council to fill the position would be
appreciated: Brandi Marshall, 5 Keys.
Mr. Good continued his comments addressing the importance of the service.
Stated the City considering a position speaks to understanding the complexity of needs:
Katherine Schwartz, Alameda Family Services.
Vice Mayor Daysog moved approval of the Consent Calendar.
Councilmember Jensen seconded the motion, which carried by the following roll call vote:
Councilmembers Daysog: Aye; Herrera Spencer: Aye; Jensen: Aye; and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft:
Aye. Ayes: 4. [Absent: Councilmember Vella — 1.] [Items so enacted or adopted are indicated
by an asterisk preceding the paragraph number.]
Regular Meeting
Alameda City Council
February 6,2024 2
(*24-056) Minutes of the Special and Regular City Council Meetings Held on January 2, 2024.
Approved.
(*24-057) Ratified bills in the amount of$9,196,790.13.
(*24-058) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute Three Agreements to
Implement the Estuary Water Shuttle Pilot Project: (1) Agreement between City of Alameda and
San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority for Shuttle Operations, (2)
Lease Agreement between City of Alameda and Big Yellow Boat, LLC concerning the Vessel to
be Used for Shuttle Operations, and (3) Funding Agreement between City of Alameda and
Alameda Transportation Management Association to Transfer Financial Contributions from
Private Businesses and Associations to the City of Alameda. Accepted.
(*24-059) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Second Amendment to
the Agreement with All Wire Connex to Provide Cable and Fiber Installations and Maintenance
throughout All City Facilities to Increase Compensation in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $100,000
for a Total Compensation Not-to-Exceed $174,000, and to Extend the Agreement Term 15
Months to November 30, 2025. Accepted.
(*24-060) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with
Alameda Family Services to Provide Full-Time On-Site Mental Health Support at Dignity Village
in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $109,031. Accepted.
(*24-061) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Third Amendment to
the Listing Agreement for the Sale and Lease of City-Owned Properties at Alameda Point and
Other City Properties with Cushman & Wakefield California, Inc., Extending the Term of the
Agreement through December 31, 2025. Accepted.
(*24-062) Recommendation to Authorize the Purchase of One Pipehunter 3 Cubic Yard
Combination Jet/Vacuum Sewer/Storm Cleaner for an Amount Not-to-Exceed $425,280 from
Texas Underground Inc. Consistent with Revised Vehicle Replacement Policy. Accepted; and
(*24-062 A) Resolution No.16133, "Amending the Fiscal Years 2023-25 Biennial Budget for the
Sewer Services Fund (501) Reducing Fiscal Year 2024-25 Appropriations by $419,783 and
Increasing Fiscal Year 2023-24 Appropriations by $425,280 to Advance Purchase of a
Combination Jet/Vacuum Sewer/Storm Cleaner." Adopted.
CONTINUED AGENDA ITEMS
None.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
(24-063) Recommendation to Accept a Status Report and Hold a Work Session on the City of
Alameda's Sub-Regional Adaptation Planning, including Consideration of the City of Alameda,
Acting as Lead Agency, to Apply for a Federal Emergency Management Agency Building
Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Grant of $55 Million for Sea Level Rise Adaptation
Planning and Implementation on Behalf of the Oakland Alameda Adaptation Committee.
Regular Meeting
Alameda City Council
February 6,2024 3
(24-064) Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated 15 minutes is needed for the presentation.
Councilmember Jensen moved approval of allowing 15 minutes for the presentation.
Vice Mayor Daysog seconded the motion, which carried by the following roll call vote:
Councilmembers Daysog: Aye; Herrera Spencer: Aye; Jensen: Aye; and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft:
Aye. Ayes: 4. [Absent: Councilmember Vella — 1.]
***
The Sustainability and Resilience Manager and Adaptation Project Manager gave a Power Point
presentation.
Matt Davis, Port of Oakland and Daniel Hamilton, City of Oakland made brief comments
completing the presentation.
In response to Vice Mayor Daysog's inquiry about the 2019 decision to increase stormwater fee,
the Adaptation Project Manager responded there is deferred maintenance with stormwater;
stated the majority is not being spent on sea level rise.
Vice Mayor Daysog stated that he understands new money is being used for the deferred
maintenance; inquired whether funding could be available at some point in time, to which the
Adaptation Project Manager responded in the affirmative.
Councilmember Herrera Spencer inquired whether the General Fund would be used for the $1.9
million local match.
The City Manager responded the current intent is to not use the General Fund; stated staff
believes the City would be highly competitive for State grants, as well as other regional grants; if
other grants are not obtained, use of the General Fund could be brought to Council.
In response to Councilmember Jensen's inquiry about governance options and when decisions
would be made, the Sustainability and Resilience Manager stated there is a process in place to
evaluate governance options, which will begin with stakeholder interviews and involving
agencies in the process, as well as doing research; whether or not funding is successful may
change how governance is approached.
The City Manager stated there will be questions about liability, phasing, and grant funds,
amongst other things; staff does not currently have all the answers, however, consultants are
reviewing all the options; everything would be brought back to all the partners joining the
agreement to agree to the governance structure.
Councilmember Jensen inquired if any additional positions would come with the grant, to which
the City Manager responded in the affirmative; stated specifics have not been discussed.
Councilmember Jensen urged staff to consider liability when thinking about the governance
structure and staffing placement.
Vice Mayor Daysog inquired about the community engagement strategy and approach relative
to the governance structure; stated decisions and discussions should consider concerns raised
Regular Meeting
Alameda City Council
February 6,2024 4
by representatives of socially marginalized groups.
The Sustainability and Resilience Manager responded half of the current governance structure
are community-based organizations and many represent marginalized communities in Alameda
and Oakland; the future governance structure will continue to seek input and include said
voices.
Vice Mayor Daysog stated that he looks forward to hearing more about the voting process; there
should be meaningful outreach to organizations.
Councilmember Herrera Spencer inquired whether staff anticipates having grants available to
help cover costs of additional staffing if necessary, to which the City Manager responded in the
affirmative; further stated the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant
allows some funds to be used for staffing; every grant is a little different; some allow staff costs
to be offset, some do not; staff will try to avoid using the General Fund for any match.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated current grant funding will expire in October 2025; inquired if the
Oakland Alameda Adaptation Committee (OAAC) will have expended all the grant funding by
then, to which the Adaptation Manager responded in the affirmative.
In response to Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft's inquiry regarding the term hydraulically connected, Kris
May, Pathways Climate, stated water will overtop the shoreline on Bayfarm Island near the
lagoon, Veterans Court, and along Doolittle Drive; all of those waters would co-mingle through
the neighborhoods and on the streets; flooding on Veterans Court cannot be addressed unless
everybody is out of the floodplain; since Alameda is not in the community disaster resilience
zone, the flooding comingling allows Alameda to be eligible for the BRIC grant.
Expressed support; stated many residents were affected when FEMA reassessed the
floodplains a couple of years ago; everyone can benefit from the assessment: Paul Beusterien,
Community of Harbor Bay Homeowners.
Expressed support; stated adaptation money should be leveraged to support economically
disadvantaged communities: Keta Price, Oakland Alameda Adaptation Committee.
Councilmember Jensen inquired if Council is being asked to take action on the item.
The City Manager responded Council is not approving anything; stated staff would appreciate
direction; the intent is to bring the matter back on the February 20 Consent Calendar to approve
a BRIC grant resolution.
Councilmember Herrera Spencer moved approval of the staff recommendation authorizing the
FEMA BRIC grant application and directing staff to return at the next Council meeting with a
resolution to approve submittal of a grant application, including the non-federal match for BRIC
funding.
Councilmember Jensen seconded the motion.
Under discussion, Vice Mayor Daysog expressed his support; stated since Alameda is an
island, it is especially affected by climate change and sea level rise; he looks forward to
community engagement; if there is an approach to have stakeholders from traditionally
Regular Meeting
Alameda City Council
February 6,2024 5
disenfranchised communities within the governance structure, he believes it will improve the
likelihood of getting the grant.
On the call for the question, the motion carried by the following roll call vote: Councilmembers
Daysog: Aye; Herrera Spencer: Aye; Jensen: Aye; and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 4.
[Absent: Councilmember Vella — 1.]
(24-065) Resolution No. 16134, "Approving the Appointment of Retired Annuitant Robert Orbeta
to the Position of Administrative Specialist III with Alameda Municipal Power and Certifying that
the Appointment Is Necessary to Fill a Critically Needed Position before the Passage of 180
Days Following the Date of Mr. Orbeta's Retirement in Accordance with Government Code
Sections 7522.56 and 21224." Adopted.
The Human Resources Director gave a Power Point presentation.
Vice Mayor Daysog moved adoption of the resolution.
Councilmember Jensen seconded the motion, which carried by the following roll call vote:
Councilmembers Daysog: Aye; Herrera Spencer: Aye; Jensen: Aye; and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft:
Aye. Ayes: 4. [Absent: Councilmember Vella — 1.]
CITY MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS
(24-066) The City Manager provided a 30-day notice stating the City will be initiating bargaining
with two miscellaneous groups on certain provisions within the current Memorandums of
Understanding (MOUs), which can be found on the City's Human Resources web page; thanked
City staff, especially Public Works, Alameda Municipal Power, and public safety employees, for
helping Alameda get through recent storms; discussed the tragic loss of former Alameda
Firefighter Patrick Corder.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA
(24-067) Steve Slauson, Alameda, discussed the free speech movement; urged Council to
adopt a resolution urging the federal government to cease and desist all military aid to foreign
governments.
COUNCIL REFERRALS
None.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
(24-068) Councilmember Herrera Spencer discussed a recent water rescue and Police
incidents.
(24-069) Councilmember Jensen stated that she attended the AC Transit Interagency Liaison
Committee meeting and the Open Government Commission meeting; expressed appreciation
for the work the City is doing to address global warming; stated that she attended the plastic
pollution prevention and packaging producer roundtable, as well as the League of California
Cities Mayor and Councilmember Academy.
Regular Meeting
Alameda City Council
February 6,2024 6
(24-070) Vice Mayor Daysog stated that he attended a Coast Guard presentation recognizing
the enlisted person of the quarter and year on behalf of the Mayor and Councilmembers.
(24-071) Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft announced that she was in Washington D.C. for the U.S.
Conference of Mayors meeting; she also attended the ceremony for the McKay Avenue Medical
Respite Center, Clinic and Navigation Center; she, along with other City staff, gathered for the
point-in-time count in an effort to count unsheltered individuals; she attended a regional county-
wide crime meeting with the Police Chief, a signing ceremony at Bohol Circle Immigrant Park,
the St. Mary's distinguished alumni awards and the Community Emergency Response Training
(CERT) orientation training.
ADJOURNMENT
(24-072) There being no further business, Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft adjourned the meeting at 9:02
p.m. in memory of Patrick Corder and Nick Cabral.
Respectfully submitted,
Lara Weisiger
City Clerk
The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Sunshine Ordinance.
Regular Meeting
Alameda City Council
February 6,2024 7