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Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting
Tuesday- -March 17, 2026- -7:00 p.m.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft convened the meeting at 7:10 p.m. Councilmember Daysog led
the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call - Present: Councilmembers Boller, Daysog, Pryor, and Mayor
Ezzy Ashcraft — 4.
Absent: Vice Mayor Pryor— 1.
Agenda Changes
(26- ) Councilmember Daysog requested that his referral [paragraph no. 26-158] be
heard at the next meeting when the entire Council is present.
Proclamations, Special Orders of the Day and Announcements
None.
Oral Communications, Non-Agenda
(26-135) Katherine Schwartz, Alameda Family Services (AFS), provided an update
regarding the Alameda High School Health Center; discussed staffing shortages and
stopped services; noted AFS is corresponding with Roots Community Clinic and La
Familia; expressed concerns over funding uncertainty.
(26-136) Kyle Sinkoff, AFS, discussed the potential loss of services to students at
Alameda High School; provided statistics regarding clients and demographics; noted 30
to 40% of students are eligible for Medi-Cal; stated sexual and reproductive education
services are provided and contribute to the health and well-being of students.
Consent Calendar
Councilmember Jensen moved approval of the Consent Calendar.
Councilmember Daysog seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote -
4. [Absent: Vice Mayor Pryor — 1.] [Items so enacted or adopted are indicated by an
asterisk preceding the paragraph number.]
(*26-137) Minutes of the Special and Regular City Council Meeting Held on February
17, 2026. Approved.
(*26-138) Ratified bills in the amount of $7,106,546.16.
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(*26-139) Recommendation to Authorize the Interim City Manager to Execute a Five-
Year Agreement with Centralsquare Technologies, LLC for Enterprise Asset
Management System Licensing Fees, for a Total Cumulative Amount Not-to-Exceed
$266,255. Accepted.
(*26-140) Recommendation to Authorize the Interim City Manager to Execute a Five-
Year Service Provider Agreement in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $75,000 per Year for a
Total Amount Not-to-Exceed of $375,000 to A&B Mechanical, Inc. for On-Call
Mechanical Maintenance. Accepted.
(*26-141) Recommendation to Accept the Work of Globe Engineering Development for
the Harbor Bay Business Park Bus Stops and Ferry Terminal Improvements, Project
No. P.W.02-23-01. Accepted.
(*26-142) Recommendation to Authorize the Interim City Manager to Execute an
Agreement with W. Bradley Electric, LLC, for the Traffic Signal Upgrades Project, No.
P.W. 07-24-18, in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $625,560, Including Contingency, Deny a
Bid Protest from Bay Area Lightworks, Inc., and Approve Project Plans and
Specifications. Accepted.
(*26-143) Recommendation to Authorize the Interim City Manager to Execute an
Agreement with Apena Engineering, Inc., for Retrofit of Shell Gate Place and Willow
Street Outfalls, No. P.W. 04-25-15, in an Amount Not-To-Exceed $611,622, Including
Contingency, and Approve Project Plans and Specifications. Accepted.
(*26-144) Recommendation to Authorize the Interim City Manager to Execute a Service
Provider Agreement with Covino Smith & Simon, Inc. for Federal Legislative Services
for a Term of 26 Months at a Compensation Not-to-Exceed $7,000 per Month with an
Option to Extend for Two Additional Years for a Total Compensation Not-to-Exceed
$350,000. Accepted.
(*26-145) Recommendation to Authorize Updates to the Existing Alameda Police
Department Policy Manual to Conform to Best Practices and to Ratify Policies that Have
Been Updated Pursuant to Legal Updates, Significant Liability Issues, and Imminent
Safety. Accepted.
(*26-146) Recommendation to Authorize the Interim City Manager to Execute and
Modify All Documents Deemed Necessary and Appropriate to Submit an Application to
Round 4 of the Prohousing Incentive Program to the California Department of Housing
and Community Development; and
(*26-146A) Resolution No. 16370, "Authorizing the Interim City Manager to Apply for,
Accept, and Appropriate Prohousing Incentive Program Grant Funds to Fund the Day
Center Relocation Supportive Services." Adopted.
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(*26-147) Resolution No. 16371, "Authorizing the Submission of an Allocation Request
to Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), Committing to Comply with the
Provisions of MTC's Regional Measure 3 Policies and Procedures for the Willie Stargell
Safety Improvements Project." Adopted.
(*26-148) Resolution No. 16372, "Approving a Letter of Understanding Between the
Alameda City Employees Association (ACEA) and the City of Alameda Regarding an
Addendum to the ACEA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to Include Part-Time
Library Classifications and Outline Provisions." Adopted.
(*26-149) Ordinance No. 3396, "Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Repealing
Chapter XXII (Streets and Sidewalks), Article I (Streets), Section 22-3 (Repairs) in Its
Entirety and Repealing and Replacing Chapter XXII (Streets and Sidewalks), Article II
(Sidewalks), Sections 22-18 (Repair of Sidewalks and Other Works) and 22-20
(Specifications) to Amend the Sidewalk Repair Procedures and Make Other Technical
Amendments." Finally passed.
(*26-150) Ordinance No. 3397, "Authorizing the Interim City Manager to Execute a
Lease for a Restaurant Suite Portion of the Historic Alameda Theatre Complex, with
Play House, LLC, Doing Business as Director's Cut (Project Burger), Located at 2319
Central Avenue, Alameda, California, for a Term of Thirty-Six (36) Months with One (1)
Extension Option for Thirty-Six (36) Months." Finally passed.
Continued Agenda Items
None.
Regular Agenda Items
(26-151) Mayor's State of the City Address.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft gave the State of the City Address and played a short video.
(26-152) Recommendation to Authorize the Public Works Director to Install
Improvements to the Lincoln Avenue and Walnut Street Intersection, Prohibiting
Through and Left-Turn Movements from Walnut Street.
The City Engineer gave a Power Point presentation.
Stated the design is not consistent with the main design for Lincoln Avenue; expressed
concerns about inconsistent street designs causing chaos for drivers and overall safety;
stated a diverter island penalizes law abiding citizens and residents; noted accident
counts exclude medical emergencies; urged signage be installed indicating cross traffic
does not stop: Jim Strehlow, Alameda.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft discussed looking at intersection statistics in real-time; stated
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observations show the intersection calls for a four-way signal light; she understands
signals have an associated cost; it is difficult to place a price-tag onto the cost of human
lives; the staff report indicates most of the Lincoln Avenue intersections are controlled
with signals; the Walnut Street and Lincoln Avenue intersection is without; videos shown
in the presentation indicate near-misses that would not be known if not for neighboring
cameras; cellphone data can measure near-misses for vehicle collisions; it is difficult to
quantify near-misses; Council should consider funding a signal at the intersection in the
near future; the intersection is dangerous due to drivers picking up speed off the bridge.
In response to Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft's inquiry about distance between signals, the City
Engineer stated there is a signal at Grand Street; Willow and Chestnut Streets both
have traffic signals as well.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft expressed support for the current proposal; stated something is
better than nothing; expressed concern over working around the problem; stated that
she would like funding for a signal to be found at some point.
Councilmember Daysog stated that he understands staff worked extensively with
neighbors and residents; he would like clarification about a four-way stop sign versus
the current proposal.
The City Engineer stated residents' overriding consideration was for the City to do
something to limits collisions at the intersection; residents appreciate the work done in
2020; flashing beacons for pedestrian crossings were recently added; collisions have
still occurred, with three recent collisions within a short time-period; residents are
frustrated and would like something to be done; the City receives complaints about
people not stopping at the existing stop signs; many times, the lack of stopping is the
result of human behavior; stop sign warrants exist so staff does not install stop signs
which lead to poor compliance.
Councilmember Daysog stated that he understands the concept of poor compliance
with stop signs; noted many drivers at least slow down to a California roll.
The City Engineer concurred; stated the response is an inappropriate use of a right-of-
way control to achieve traffic calming; drivers may be slowing down, however, people
are being put in a position not to follow the law; there is no desire to encourage that
behavior.
Councilmember Daysog stated one purposes for State warrants is providing drivers a
uniform experience from one city to another; the decision to install signage should not
be dramatically different from one place to another; questioned whether it is possible for
cities not to use State warrants based on existing circumstances and collisions.
The City Engineer stated there is a warrant which factors in collisions; the warrant looks
at a period with five collisions that are susceptible to correction or avoidance by
installation of a stop sign; five broad-side collisions have to occur in a calendar year; 38
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collisions over a period of 15 years averages to 2.8 collisions per year, which is not
quite enough; from the City's standpoint, the amount is still a lot.
Councilmember Jensen inquired whether any neighbors are opposed to the proposed
recommendation, to which the City Engineer responded in the negative.
In response to Councilmember Jensen's further inquiry about other locations, the City
Engineer stated this solution has not been installed in Alameda before; this location
would be the first.
David Parisi, Parametrix, stated the recommendation is use of a diverter island, which
are currently used throughout the Bay Area and the western United States; diverter use
is to reduce the potential for broad-side collisions; the raised feature included in the
design has been implemented in many places and has shown a large reduction in
collisions of the same nature; installing unwarranted signals and stop signs can cause
unnecessary traffic delays, increase rear-end collisions that do not currently occur and
can cause vehicles to take alternate routes; signals or stop signs are generally used for
right-of-way control, which is not necessarily needed at the intersection; six to twelve
month monitoring of the intersection will indicate program success.
Councilmember Jensen inquired about the effect on Lincoln Avenue through traffic, to
which Mr. Parisi responded the diverter island would not interrupt through traffic.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated correspondence from neighbors was in-favor of the staff
recommendation; expressed support for approving the staff recommendation.
Councilmember Daysog stated that he does not see any reason to oppose the matter;
inquired whether staff would analyze the effects on Willow Street; whether staff has
quantified or estimated the amount of traffic that would be diverted from Walnut Street
to Willow Street; whether the presence of a stop sign would ameliorate more traffic
traveling down Willow Street as a result of the sign providing a semblance of safety.
The City Engineer responded staff collected baseline data in late 2025 at all three
intersections; stated staff intends to collect data six months after construction to review
traffic counts; staff does not anticipate significant changes on Willow Street; there will be
an opportunity to make changes as part of a future, larger traffic project nearby.
Councilmember Daysog inquired whether more traffic should be diverted to Willow
Street due to the existing traffic signal.
The City Engineer responded in the affirmative; stated the approach and thought
process was deliberate; diverting traffic from Walnut Street to either Oak Street or
Willow Street provides more opportunity for safety maneuvers; the upcoming Lincoln
Avenue, Marshall Way, Pacific Avenue project has the intention of adding a protected
left turn which will further improve the safety of the intersections at Willow and Oak
Streets.
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Councilmember Daysog moved approval of the staff recommendation.
Councilmember Bolller seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote -
4. [Absent: Vice Mayor Pryor— 1.]
(26-153) Recommendation to Accept the 2025 Annual Reports on the Alameda 2040
General Plan/Housing Element, Transportation Choices Plan, Vision Zero Action Plan,
Climate Action and Resiliency Plan, and Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation
Plan.
***
(26-154) Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated an extra five minutes are needed for the
presentation.
Councilmember Daysog moved approval of allowing 15 minutes for the presentation.
Councilmember Boller seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 4.
[Absent: Vice Mayor Pryor — 1.]
***
The Planning, Building and Transportation (PBT) Director, Planner II, Sustainability
Manager, and Transportation Planning Manager gave a Power Point presentation.
Stated Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda (CASA) supports the work being
done over the past year and looks forward to the upcoming workplan; urged the City to
invest in proposed and future projects; stated the City needs to show it has skin in the
game for future federal and State funding; expressed support for the City investing in
staff capacity and project management: Ruth Abbe, CASA.
Questioned the prioritization of Vision Zero; stated Vision Zero cannot eliminate driving
while impaired; statistics include driving while impaired, which should be excluded since
it can occur anywhere; expressed concerns over parking displays being unreadable at
night; stated Vision Zero should include year-round education provided in primary
languages for Alameda; questioned how many drivers avoid intersections with
dedicated bike signals: Jim Strehlow, Alameda.
Discussed recent home upgrades; expressed support for the PBT Department; stated
staff has been great to work with: Michael Sullivan, Alameda.
Councilmember Jensen expressed support for the report details; stated the information
presented is helpful to understand what is going on regarding housing development and
how the City is meeting its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA); inquired
whether the previously presented diverter project would be included in future annual
Transportation reports and the schedule for completion.
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The City Engineer responded staff's intention is to have the project constructed in 2026.
Councilmember Jensen stated not much information has been presented regarding the
speed hump policy developed by the Transportation Commission; inquired whether the
policy is part of the report being presented or will be forthcoming separately.
The City Engineer responded staff is working extensively to finalize the policy; stated
the policy was taken to the Transportation Commission; staff is reviewing how to score
applications; Council approved funding for a street safety capital project; staff is looking
to earmark $150,000 specifically for speed humps throughout the City, which equates to
roughly ten installations proposed for this year.
Councilmember Jensen stated the presentation included a chart of how well the City is
meeting its RHNA goal; inquired whether the ratio will be changed to more or less
market rate or moderate housing since the City is not able to meet the RHNA goal.
The Planning, Building and Transportation Director responded the City's current RHNA
achievement is roughly 12% of the entire goal, which is not very different from other
cities within Alameda County, except the City of Dublin that is building tract housing;
stated staff is almost ready to bring a draft inclusionary housing ordinance update to the
Planning Board; the inclusionary housing ratio will include a variety of options to meet
the inclusionary requirement; currently, the ratio is 15%, which breaks down to 4% very
low, 4% low, and 7% moderate; the proposed table includes some flexibility to try to
achieve the same costs for the developer, but provides different scenarios for
compliance; the approach hopes to provide flexibility, however, the problem is broader
and more challenging; developer costs are not the only contributing factor; many other
factors, such as labor and construction costs, will create a policy question for Council of
how much responsibility and obligation the City wants to take on to solve the larger
market problem; staff plans to bring the ordinance to Council after receiving the
Planning Board recommendation.
Councilmember Jensen expressed support for using housing incentive program grant
funds [paragraph no. 26-146A] to build more housing and the MTC funding [paragraph
no. 26-147]; stated staff is working hard to do what is possible to improve streets and
build housing with available funds from the State and County.
In response to Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft's inquiry, the Planning, Building and Transportation
Director stated staff work on housing goes beyond looking at housing production
numbers; there are also a number of programs and advocacy work; staff is working with
Senator Arreguin's office to explore opportunities for further refinements in State law,
specifically, the State density bonus law; the approach will help protect community
assets, such as grocery stores from being displaced by housing development; staff is
also looking at ways to cleanup existing State legislation to provide better clarity and
consistency between existing laws and new bills recently passed; advocacy work is a
part of the Department workplan.
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Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft discussed a quarterly update provided by Senator Arreguin; stated
the Harbor Bay Shopping Center situation and State density bonus could have caused a
potential food desert; the legislative season is underway; she would like to ensure
needed amendments to State density bonus are made.
Councilmember Boller stated there are strong efforts and impressive accomplishments
in difficult terrain; RHNA goals are difficult to meet and require more structured thinking
relative to the economy; the Vision Zero Plan assesses how to get the most effective
outcomes; a lot of the work being done circles around customer service; City staff are
dedicated and making great strides; urged a focus be placed on how to constantly look
at ways to improve effectiveness and get to a new level for making difficult decisions;
the City may have funds to do more in the future, but also might have a more difficult
time; it is important to keep the perspective of effectiveness towards goals and planning;
expressed support for the annual reports.
Councilmember Daysog stated the RHNA goal covers an eight year period from 2023 to
2031; the City is 25% into the eight year period; the amount of housing produced in the
timeframe is 12% of the goal; there is an indication that the City is behind the pace at
which housing should be built; although the City if off pace, based on the economy,
interest rates, and construction inflation costs, the previous eight year period produced
more housing than the required allocation for 2015 to 2023; the City has not done a bad
job, but does not get bonus points for producing more housing in the previous period.
The Planning, Building and Transportation Director concurred with Councilmember
Daysog; stated extra housing is factored into setting the next RHNA target; the RHNA
responsibility to build housing does not fall on the City; the City has approved and
facilitated over 2,000 units, which are ready for developers to pull building permits; the
City is almost halfway through its RHNA allocation; the City is not the barrier to building,
the barrier is macroeconomics.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated the problem being solved is the housing crisis throughout
the State; Alameda has done a very good job; there are efforts to get more money from
the State, which is difficult due to budget deficits; the City is also lobbying for additional
funding for housing through MTC due to the relationship between housing and
transportation; the short-term rental ordinance was referenced; the City needs to sign
onto legislation; the matter needs to be agendized soon in order to be in place before
the 2026 World Cup brings many visitors; the matter will ensure AirBNBs and hotels are
registered and that the City receives associated fees; inquired whether there is a date
set for the matter to be brought to Council.
The Planning, Building and Transportation Director responded staff is taking a two-
prong approach to the matter; stated the Finance Department is taking the lead on the
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) business receipts and auditing; the Planning, Building
and Transportation Department will take on the regulatory aspect; he has seen a draft of
the ordinance.
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The City Clerk stated the matter is currently slated for the meeting on April 21, 2026.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft discussed a recent meeting with the Alameda Housing Authority
(AHA) about renovations to AHA properties; stated since new roofs are being planned,
she questioned whether solar panels are proposed as a way to help lower energy bills
and be environmentally friendly; installing solar panels at Independence Plaza would be
complicated; AHA is however updating end-of-life appliances; expressed support for
staff reaching out to AHA to provide resources on creating environmentally friendly
structures.
Councilmember Jensen inquired whether the City is performing outreach to the
community; stated gas water and central heaters will be banned in 2027; gas heaters
will not be able to be installed or replaced; questioned whether outreach is included as
part of the plan.
The Sustainability and Resilience Manager responded in the affirmative; stated Air
District rules will go into effect in 2027; residents will not be able to purchase a gas
water heater; in 2029, residents will not be able to purchase a gas furnace; the rules are
being reviewed by the Air District; a regional working group is discussing outreach
strategies and community education; discussions will be held on whether the rules need
to be revisited or revised in the coming months; staff is collaborating on ways to
communicate the changes; discussed upcoming fairs; stated City staff is working closely
with Alameda Municipal Power to put information on the website; the strategy is to pull
information together and be as coordinated as possible.
Councilmember Jensen moved approval of accepting the reports.
Councilmember Boller seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 4.
[Absent: Vice Mayor Pryor— 1.]
***
(26-155) The City Attorney noted that the Closed Session meeting needs to be re-
opened after the regular meeting.
***
(26-156) Resolution No. 16373, "Approving Letter of Understanding between the
Alameda Police Officers' Association and the City of Alameda." Adopted.
The Human Resources Director gave a brief presentation addressing this item and the
Letter of Understanding (LOU) for the International Association of Fire Fighters
[paragraph no. 26-157].
Stated the information from the presentation should have been included in the staff
report to be more helpful; expressed concern over the clarity of determinations being
made, effects on the budget, and the process: Jay Garfinkle, Alameda.
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Councilmember Jensen moved adoption of the resolutions.
Councilmember Boller seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 4.
[Absent: Vice Mayor Pryor— 1.]
(26-157) Resolution No. 16374, "Approving Letter of Understanding Between the
International Association of Firefighters, Local 689, and the City of Alameda." Adopted.
The presentation, discussion and motion were addressed under the previous Alameda
Police Officers' Association LOU [paragraph no. 26-156].
City Manager Communications
None.
Oral Communications, Non-Agenda
None.
Council Referrals
(26-158) Consider Directing Staff to Review Precluding Usage of City-Owned Properties
as Staging Grounds and/or Bases of Operations for Purposes of Conducting Super-
Charged Rounding Up of Legal and Undocumented Immigrants and Return to Council
with Analysis and Recommendations. Not heard. (Vice Mayor Daysog) [Moved to April
7, 2026.]
Council Communications
(26-159) Councilmember Daysog discussed attending a presentation by Lincoln Middle
School students regarding civic pursuits.
(26-160) Councilmember Jensen announced that she attended the opening of Ball Park
sports bar, a Bay Conservation and Development Commission meeting, the annual
Rotary Club lobster feed, the Alameda Little League opening ceremony, a Bay Farm
School celebration of nearby road improvements, a Mastick Senior Center art exhibition
opening reception, a community champions lunch, an Alameda Police presentation and
joint agency traffic crackdown, a Lincoln Middle School student presentation regarding
civic pursuits, the monthly StopWaste meeting, the annual Friends of the Alameda
Library volunteer recognition event, and an event at Temple Israel.
(26-161) Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft announced that she attended a press conference about
the release of the first tranche of Measure W funds, an Police Department swearing in
ceremony, an Alameda Kiwanis award event, a Cub Scout Pack 1015 celebration, a
swearing in ceremony for Alameda County Superior Court Judge Vermazen Radez, a
webinar put on by the Governor's office regarding care courts, and an MTC lobbying
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event in Sacramento.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft adjourned the meeting at 9:34
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
(—DocuSigned by:
Lan, LuSif r
"-759F6A0E8CC74DC...
Lara Weisiger
City Clerk
The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Sunshine Ordinance.
Regular Meeting
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March 17,2026