2024-12-17 CC CS Minutes MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY- -DECEMBER 17, 2024- -5:00 P.M.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft convened the meeting at 5:06 p.m.
Roll Call — Present: Councilmembers Daysog, Herrera Spencer, Jensen, Vella
and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft — 5. [Note: Councilmember Jensen
arrived at 5:11 p.m., Councilmember Herrera Spencer left the
meeting at 5:14 p.m. and returned at 5:16 p.m., and
Councilmember Vella arrived at 5:20 p.m.]
Absent: None.
Public Comment
Estella Villagrana, Building 43 Winery, stated that this is her last attempt to save her
business, 43 Winery, which is in danger of being shut down due to what Tod Hickman is
doing personally; she met with City staff last week and sent a letter which she urges the
Council to read; she hopes to get the same support from the City as Project Burger.
Tod Hickman, Building 43 Winery, stated it is shameful the way that the City has treated
Ms. Villagrana and tried to get at him and his personal hobby of filing California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) lawsuits; he loves the environment and historic
districts, particularly military bases; Building 43 Winery is Ms. Villagrana's business; the
business is not his; the Mayor has harassed Ms. Villagrana publicly in a crusade to try
and shut down Building 43 and told the public to do hundreds of one-star yelp reviews;
the City Attorney failed to rein in the Mayor and committed fraud representing the people
of the State of California and issuing inspection warrants; what Council has done is
scandalous and illegal.
The meeting was adjourned to Closed Session to consider:
(24-675) Public Employee Performance Evaluation (Pursuant to Government Code
Section 54957); Positions Evaluated: City Attorney — Yibin Shen
(24-676) Conference with Legal Counsel — Potential Litigation; Potential Initiation of
Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 554956.9, Subsection (d)(4) Number of
Cases: One (As Plaintiff - City Initiating Legal Action); Potential Defendant: Steeltown
Winery LLC dba Building 43 Winery
Following the Closed Session, the meeting was reconvened and the Mayor announced
that regarding the Performance Evaluation, the City Council approved the evaluation
process by the following voice vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Daysog, Jensen, Vella, and
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft —4; Noes: Councilmember Herrera Spencer— 1; and the City Clerk
announced that regarding Potential Initiation of Litigation, staff provided information and
Special Meeting
Alameda City Council
December 17,2024
1
Council provided direction by the following voice vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Daysog,
Jensen, Vella, and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft — 4; Noes: Councilmember Herrera Spencer —
1.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft adjourned the meeting at 6:03 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lara Weisiger
City Clerk
The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Sunshine Ordinance.
Special Meeting
Alameda City Council
December 17,2024
2