Public Meetings - Alameda, California

The Alameda City Council met on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, starting with a closed session at 5:30 PM, followed by a special joint meeting at 6:59 PM, and the regular meeting at 7:00 PM. The council addressed a range of items including a critical commitment letter for the Stardust Gardens supportive housing project, approval of responses to a civil grand jury report on emergency preparedness, and lease amendments for two Alameda Point tenants. Consent Calendar - Approved routine items from the closed session (designation of real property negotiators for Building 24 and Piers 2 and 3) and the special joint meeting (minutes and investment report). - Approved the regular consent calendar (items 5-A through 5-I), including police policy updates, a data acquisition support contract, a roof drain replacement project, ambulance transport agreement amendments, fire department compensation resolution, five grant applications totaling $5.03 million, and final passage of an ordinance prohibiting parking in bicycle lanes. Public Comments & Testimony - Closed Session Comments: Mary Ann Morgan expressed community concern about companies involved in negotiations at Alameda Point, particularly those involved in military and AI technologies, calling for more transparency. - Non-Agenda Oral Communications: Several speakers addressed: - Josh Altieri (Housing Authority) gave a quarterly update on voucher programs and partnerships. - Ken Levins (Marina Shores HOA) urged the council to refer a proposed truck route modification on Clement Avenue for further review, suggesting an alternative routing (westbound trucks on Clement, eastbound on Buena Vista). - Sid spoke against Flock cameras, citing Fourth Amendment concerns and potential for abuse. - Amos White opposed citing an AI data center at Alameda Point, citing water, electricity, air quality, noise, and equity impacts. - Anna Mayer (Marina Shores resident) supported the referral request, citing safety and pedestrian concerns. - Chris Blair and Katya Marthy opposed negotiations with certain corporations (e.g., Apollo Atomics, Giga Energy) without public notice. - Doyle Saylor objected to a potential data center and criticized the use of NDAs. - Maylani Sheehan shared a personal story about domestic violence. - Agenda Item 7A (Stardust Gardens): Sixteen speakers testified, including: - Representatives from MidPen Housing, Alameda Point Collaborative (APC), Operation Dignity, the Alameda Food Bank, Brookfield Residential, San Francisco Bay Ferry, and community members expressed strong support for the city’s commitment letter. - Several Housing Authority board members and staff (Carly Grobe, Vanessa Cooper, Sylvia Martinez, Vadim Sidelnikov, Sepideh Kimarsi) explained the Housing Authority’s position: they could not commit project-based vouchers due to HUD regulations and budget constraints, but they remain committed to finding a solution. They requested the city approve the stopgap subsidy while the Housing Authority explores options. - Former Councilmember Malia Vella urged support and noted that the Housing Authority had years to act. - Michael Pucci warned against repeating past Section 8 funding shortfalls and criticized the city’s HUD consultant. - Agenda Item 7C (DOER Marine): Elizabeth Taylor thanked the council for working on the lease extension. - Later Oral Communications: Megan spoke about the importance of placemaking in selecting tenants for waterfront buildings at Alameda Point, urging the council to prioritize community gathering spaces over utilitarian uses. Leo Esclamado (remote) reiterated concerns about the Clement Avenue truck route and requested a referral for safer alternatives. Discussion Items - 7A – Stardust Gardens Operating Subsidy: City Manager Gerry Beaudin and Base Reuse Director Abigail Thorne-Lyman presented the recommendation to authorize a commitment letter to MidPen Housing for a $1 million annual operating subsidy (with 2.5% annual escalation for 20 years, total $25.5 million) for the 80-unit supportive housing project. The subsidy is a stopgap measure while the Alameda Housing Authority works out a permanent project-based voucher commitment. The project has raised $60 million in development funding and needs operating subsidy to secure final tax credits by September 8, 2026. The city would fund it from the Alameda Point Fund, delaying other infrastructure. Councilmembers debated the issue, with some expressing frustration at the Housing Authority’s lack of action but ultimately supporting the stopgap. Councilmember Daysog’s motion emphasized using the first paragraph of the staff recommendation and de-emphasizing paragraph three (structural changes to the Housing Authority). The council also directed staff to include language ensuring the city’s commitment can be reduced if other operating subsidies materialize. - 7B – Response to Grand Jury Report on Emergency Preparedness: City Manager Beaudin and Fire Chief Nick Luby presented the city’s response to the 2025-26 Alameda County Civil Grand Jury report. The city agreed with several findings (e.g., need for updated EOP, improvements in social media messaging) and partially agreed with others (e.g., training exercises). They disagreed with the recommendation to discontinue the disaster registry. Councilmember Bowler requested adding clarifying language to responses for recommendations 29 and 30 (regarding after-action reports). The council approved the response unanimously with that amendment. - 7C – DOER Marine Lease Amendment: Base Reuse Manager Alesia Strauch presented a second lease amendment for DOER Marine Operations (Building 41) for a six-month extension with two six-month renewal options (total possible 18 months). Rent remains the same for the initial six months, with 5% escalation on renewals. The goal is to maintain a tenant while the city works toward conveying the building. Approved unanimously. - 7D – Faction Brewing Lease Amendment: Analyst Annie Cox presented a third lease amendment for Faction Brewing (Building 22, Suite 200). The amendment extends the initial term by three years, provides a repayment schedule for $222,000 in past-due rent, and offers a one-time credit for shade structure and signage improvements. Faction has been paying full rent since February 2026. Approved unanimously. Key Outcomes - 7A – Stardust Gardens: The council voted unanimously (5-0) to authorize the city manager to sign a commitment letter in substantial conformance with the staff report, with direction to include language allowing the city’s subsidy to be offset by other operating subsidies. The city will report back regularly. - 7B – Grand Jury Response: The council voted unanimously (5-0) to authorize the city manager to finalize and transmit the city’s response, with added language clarifying implementation status for recommendations 29 and 30. - 7C – DOER Marine: The council voted unanimously (5-0) to introduce the ordinance authorizing the lease amendment. - 7D – Faction Brewing: The council voted unanimously (5-0) to introduce the ordinance authorizing the third lease amendment. - Council Referrals and Communications: Councilmember Jensen raised concerns about the closure of restaurants at Harbor Bay Landing Shopping Center and urged staff to work with the property owner. Mayor Ashcraft announced nominations for appointments to the Civil Service Board, Planning Board, and Transportation Commission, to be confirmed at the next meeting.

This was a special meeting of the Alameda Planning Board, held on Monday, August 24, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The primary agenda item was a public workshop (Item 5-A) to discuss the proposed interim venue for the Oakland Roots and Soul professional soccer clubs at 1150 & 1220 Harbor Bay Parkway. No decisions were made; the workshop served to present technical studies (noise, traffic, CEQA) and gather public and board feedback. The meeting also included approval of consent calendar items and staff/board communications. Consent Calendar - Item 4-A: Approved the draft meeting minutes from July 13, 2026, unanimously (motion carried). Public Comments & Testimony Seven speakers addressed the board, evenly split in support and opposition: - John De Boer – Bay Farm resident of 20+ years, expressed strong support for the project, citing family-friendly entertainment, youth engagement, and community benefits. - Harry Constantopolis – Business agent for Local 107 (stagehands union). Supported the project but requested inclusion in collective bargaining for labor at the venue. - Ronald Canfield – Bay Farm resident of 40 years, opposed the project. He expressed concerns about noise, parking overflow into neighborhoods, late-night disturbances, and the location’s incompatibility with the residential community. - Kathy Weber – Executive Director, Downtown Alameda Business Association. Supported the proposal, emphasizing economic benefits for local businesses and potential to attract visitors to Alameda. - Roberto Lamas (likely) – A representative from the Alameda Chamber and Economic Alliance spoke in support, highlighting the team’s community engagement, absence of city subsidy, and the value of activating the practice facility as a gathering place. - Joe Ernst – Resident, developer/investor in Harbor Bay Business Park, and board member of the business park. Strongly supported the project, citing economic development and the Roots’ track record as a community partner. Discussion Items Staff and Consultant Presentations - Brian McGuire (Planner III) introduced the workshop and provided an update since the June workshop. Key developments: the project was referred to the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) and FAA; an open house on August 8 drew over 200 attendees; the club submitted additional application materials that morning. - Lydia Tan (Chief Real Estate Officer, Oakland Roots & Soul) reviewed the club’s history, vision for a stable home, and community outreach efforts. She noted that FAA feedback required lowering proposed light poles by 14 feet to avoid airspace conflicts. - Chris Dugan (ESA sound consultant) presented the noise analysis. The model assumed maximum simultaneous noise from spectators, drummers, and speakers (110 dBA at source). The closest residential receptor (1,100 feet away) was estimated at 54.5 dBA, just under the city’s 55 dBA exterior standard. Dugan emphasized that the project would comply with municipal code and general plan noise standards. He also noted that design features (speaker orientation, shielding by business park buildings) would further reduce impacts. - Andy Kaczynski (Fehr & Peers traffic consultant) presented the Transportation Management Plan. Key elements: a shuttle service connecting to Coliseum BART and remote parking; 2,100 on-site parking spaces within the business park (plus remote lots along Hegenberger); traffic control officers at critical intersections; and measures to deter cut-through traffic on Bay Farm Island. Traffic analysis showed Level of Service C before games and E/F at two intersections immediately after games, but overall VMT impacts were found less than significant under CEQA. Board Questions and Comments - Board Member Hom asked about capacity (8,000 total, comprising 7,639 seats and field-level seating), the ALUC process and FAA interaction, and the status of parking agreements with adjacent property owners (to be secured via conditions of approval). He later suggested a photo simulation for lighting, a solid waste management plan, and a review of short-term noise standards. - Board Member Sue questioned the parking demand/supply figures, clarifying that remote parking would only be used for sellouts; she emphasized the need for a detailed game-day operations plan and recommended shifting parking away from neighborhoods. - Board Member Wang asked about the permanent vs. temporary nature of “local traffic only” signs and encouraged more aggressive use of remote parking and shuttles to reduce vehicle trips. - Board Member Cisneros asked why traffic analysis did not extend to Island Drive/Doolittle; staff explained that the intersection at Harbor Bay and South Loop Road would meter traffic, limiting downstream impacts. Key Outcomes - No action taken on the proposed sports facility; this was a workshop to inform future decision-making. - The board provided feedback to staff and applicants, including: further refine traffic management and parking plans; develop a comprehensive game-day operations plan; consider a solid waste/recycling plan; explore photo simulations for lighting; and continue engaging with the airport land use commission and FAA. - Next steps: The ALUC is scheduled to meet in September to determine land-use compatibility. The planning board will likely consider the use permit and design review at a subsequent meeting (potentially in late September), after new board members are nominated by the City Council on September 1 and seated. - Consent Calendar approved. - Future meetings: September 14th will include a zoning update for Park/Webster Street commercial areas and a use permit for the Beach & Tennis Club. An appeal of a recent design review decision is scheduled for September 28th.

The Alameda Planning Board meeting scheduled for Monday, July 27, 2026, at 7:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers was canceled. No agenda items were discussed, and no decisions were made. The cancellation was noted on the printed agenda of July 16, 2026.

The Alameda Transportation Commission met on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 6:31 PM remotely and in person. The meeting covered updates on AC Transit's financial crisis and contingency service plan, endorsed a design concept for a neighborhood greenway crossing at Pacific Avenue and Wilma Chan Way, and discussed restriping Clement Avenue to accommodate a truck route, with significant public concern about safety and neighborhood impacts. Consent Calendar - Approved minutes from February 25 and May 20, 2026, with abstentions from commissioners absent for those meetings. - Received the mid-year transportation status report for discussion at a future meeting. Public Comments & Testimony - AC Transit Contingency Plan: Mitch Ball supported the ballot measure and suggested eliminating Line 19 to free resources. Suzanne Diers urged AC Transit to improve service frequency and convenience. Leo Esclamado and Kim Kettle raised concerns about Line 19 elimination affecting new housing developments and requested consideration of existing parking removal for bus stops. - Pacific Avenue/Wilma Chan Way Crossing: Denise Trapena (Bike Walk Alameda) strongly supported staff's recommended design with a standard traffic signal over a pedestrian hybrid beacon (PHB), and requested roadway markings for greenway. Hamid Saran, a resident, asked for speed humps on Wilma Chan to address speeding. - Clement Avenue Truck Route: Nearly all speakers opposed the truck route on Clement Avenue, citing safety for children, pedestrians, and cyclists, and urged the city to keep the truck route on Buena Vista and pursue a General Plan amendment. Speakers included residents from Marina Shores, who highlighted the thriving neighborhood, playgrounds, and the cross-Alameda trail. Discussion Items - AC Transit Contingency Service Plan: Staff from AC Transit presented challenges: a projected $200 million deficit over four years, potential 16% service cuts, and up to 300 layoffs if sustainable funding is not secured. The plan preserves the 51A route with 15-minute headways but reduces frequencies on lines 30/31, 96, and changes to Line O and Line W, with a new line connecting Fruitvale BART to South Shore. Commissioners expressed support for SB63 (Connect Bay Area) and emphasized the need to protect transit-dependent populations and the 51A route. - Pacific Avenue/Wilma Chan Way Crossing: Staff recommended a design with a median diverter, traffic signal (over PHB), and left-side bikeway. Commissioners supported the recommendation, noting the intersection's dangerous conditions and safety benefits. The endorsement was approved unanimously. - Clement Avenue Restriping: The city engineer presented options: eliminate on-street parking (21 spaces) to create 14-foot travel lanes for trucks, relocate the cycle track, or maintain the truck route on Buena Vista via a General Plan amendment. A parking study showed sufficient capacity in the neighborhood. Commissioners discussed the trade-offs: parking loss vs. safety and neighborhood character. Vice Chair Sutham Thira voiced strong support for keeping the truck route on Buena Vista, given the current residential context and investments in the cross-Alameda trail. Key Outcomes - Endorsed the design concept for Pacific Avenue/Wilma Chan Way crossing improvements (unanimous). - No formal action on Clement Avenue; staff will consider feedback and conduct further outreach, especially to Buena Vista residents, if a General Plan amendment is pursued. - Commissioner Dara Abrams announced the City Council's placement of the Safer Alameda Act infrastructure bond on the November 2026 ballot, which includes funding for street and safety improvements.

The Alameda City Council met on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, for a regular meeting that covered a wide range of topics including a farewell to outgoing City Attorney Eben Shen, approval of consent calendar items, a charter amendment proposal to eliminate the elected auditor and treasurer positions, final passage of a general obligation bond measure for municipal improvements, and introduction of an ordinance prohibiting parking in bike lanes. The meeting featured public comments, detailed discussions, and multiple votes, with the council ultimately approving the bond measure and bike lane ordinance while deferring action on the charter amendment. Consent Calendar - Approved routine items (the consent calendar) with a unanimous vote, except for Councilmember Daysog voting no on item 5D. - Items included approvals related to a theater real property negotiation (4A, passed 4-1), a real property negotiation for Building 43 at Alameda Point (4B, unanimous), and a settlement with Alameda Marina regarding development impact fees (4C, unanimous). The settlement terms included: the city waives park and transportation impact fees of $2,318,399 (increased by $218,399 due to California construction cost index); Foundry shall pay all remaining impact fees of $770,520 by October 31, 2026; Foundry shall comply with the new inclusionary housing ordinance and provide 21 very low-income housing units; if Foundry does not pull building permits by October 31, 2026, the fee waiver shall be null and void; and Foundry shall waive all current and future claims against the city. - Also approved reappointments and appointments to the Civil Service Board, Historical Advisory Board, Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, Library Board, and Recreation and Park Commission, with a unanimous vote. Public Comments & Testimony - Josh Altier (Communications and Community Programs Manager, Housing Authority of the City of Alameda) reported on housing programs serving over 3,000 local residents and 1,800 low-income households, thanked partners including the Alameda Food Bank, Friends of Alameda Animal Shelter, Alameda Boys and Girls Club, and the Recreation and Parks Department, and noted that over 9,000 applications were generated for five property-specific interest lists. - Damian Mason (member of CASA, Oakland Alameda Adaptation Committee, and Alameda Backyard Growers) urged protection of young coastal live oaks along the Harbor Bay Shoreline Trail, emphasizing their role in nature-based sea level rise adaptation. He stated the current plan is to remove all of them. - Carolyn Mason echoed Damian Mason's comments, noting the trees are only one to three inches in diameter and not yet protected by city ordinance, but asked that they be incorporated into shoreline designs. - Amos White (Executive Director, 100K Trees for Humanity) added that coast live oaks are protected species and urged the council to direct staff to preserve these trees as part of the climate adaptation plan. - Kyle Connor provided public comment on closed session items, expressing excitement about Alameda and the future. - Public comment on the consent calendar included support for the Oakland Alameda Water Shuttle (Phase 2) and the bike share pilot program from an Alameda TMA representative and the Director of Planning for San Francisco Bay Ferry (Mike Gorgali). - Public comment on item 7B (charter amendment) included: Kathy Long calling the proposal a dangerous step backwards; Amos White noting the auditor and treasurer positions require professional qualifications; Paula Rainey recalling past financial alarms raised by the auditor and treasurer; and Karen Miller (remote) calling the proposal a power grab. - Public comment on item 7D (bike lane parking) came from Cindy Johnson (Bikewalk Alameda), who supported the ordinance as a workaround but expressed hope for a future state-level vehicle code amendment. Discussion Items - Farewell to City Attorney Eben Shen: The mayor read a proclamation highlighting Shen's accomplishments including guiding the city through COVID-19, successfully defending the food delivery ordinance, creating the Prosecution and Public Rights Unit (PPRU) which resolved over 1,000 cases since 2020, establishing the police auditor role, fostering the annual Fair Housing Conference, receiving the American Bar Association Hodson Award in 2025 for extending rent control to maritime residences, and supervising major real estate transactions. Vice Mayor Pryor, Councilmember Bowler (who presented a piece of his mother's art), Councilmember Daysog, Councilmember Jensen, and a representative from the California Department of Justice each expressed gratitude. - Item 7B – Charter Amendment to Eliminate the Offices of Elected City Auditor and City Treasurer: Mayor Ashcraft and Vice Mayor Pryor presented the subcommittee's recommendation to place a charter amendment on the November 2026 ballot to eliminate both positions, citing redundancy due to modern financial oversight laws, the $84,000 annual savings from salary and benefits, and the lack of similar positions in other Alameda County cities. Councilmember Bowler moved to consolidate the two offices into a single elected auditor position, allowing the current treasurer to finish his term, but the motion died for lack of a second. Councilmember Daysog provided historical context from 1936-1937 showing the positions were created after a scandal involving malfeasance by the mayor and city council. Councilmember Jensen noted the 2019-2020 Charter Review Subcommittee had conducted extensive public outreach (including two public workshops with the League of Women Voters) and after 15 months, did not recommend elimination because public support was lacking. She stated, "After 13 months of gathering information privately with no public outreach and no information gathering and without consulting with the elected incumbents, the 2026 subcommittee recommends eliminating the elected auditor and treasurer." Councilmember Jensen further noted that the current incumbents, Kevin Kennedy (Treasurer) and Kevin Kearney (Auditor), each stated they do not plan to run for re-election, but argued the positions provide independent oversight that cannot be replaced by staff or external auditors. The discussion did not result in a vote; the item was effectively tabled. - Item 7C – Infrastructure Bond Measure: Final passage of an ordinance and resolution to place a general obligation bond measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot to finance municipal improvements. The mayor and Councilmember Bowler were designated to author the ballot argument in favor and any rebuttal. The motion passed 4-1 (with Councilmember Jensen voting no). The bond measure language and survey questions were drafted by staff. - Item 7D – No Parking in Bike Lanes Ordinance: Ricardo De La Torre, the city's parking manager, introduced an ordinance adding Section 8-8.10 to the Alameda Municipal Code to prohibit parking in class two, three, and four bike lanes citywide, with a proposed fine of $79. The ordinance addresses a gap in state law that only prohibits parking in class one bikeways. A discussion ensued about accommodations for commercial deliveries, with Public Works Director Aaron Smith noting that commercial loading zones exist on Park Street and other corridors and that the city is open to reviewing requests for additional zones. The ordinance passed its first reading unanimously. Key Outcomes - Closed Session Actions: Approved theater real property negotiations (4-1), real property negotiations for Building 43 (unanimous), and a settlement with Alameda Marina (unanimous). - Charter Amendment (Item 7B): No vote was taken; the proposal to place the elimination of the elected auditor and treasurer on the ballot was deferred. - Infrastructure Bond Measure (Item 7C): Final passage approved 4-1 (Councilmember Jensen dissenting). Mayor Ashcraft and Councilmember Bowler were authorized to write the ballot argument in favor. - No Parking in Bike Lanes Ordinance (Item 7D): First reading of the ordinance and adoption of the resolution amending the master fee schedule were approved unanimously. The ordinance would take effect on October 1, 2026, pending final passage on September 1, 2026. - Voting Delegate for League of California Cities Annual Conference: The mayor (delegate) and vice mayor (alternate) were approved. - Board and Commission Appointments: Unanimously approved reappointments and new appointments to multiple boards and commissions. - Next Meeting: The council noted August is a dark month; the next regular meeting is September 1, 2026.

The Social Services Human Relations Board met on July 20, 2026, to elect board leadership, reflect on past accomplishments, review a community needs survey, and set SMART goals for the upcoming year. The meeting included staff updates on the Dignity Village transformation and the launch of the Open Door Cafe. Consent Calendar - The minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were made during the meeting. Discussion Items - 4a – Board Leadership Election: After discussion, the board elected Gerald Bryant as President and Samantha Green as Vice President. The motion passed with all in favor (one abstention). - 4b – Work Plan Planning with SMART Goals: - The board reflected on accomplishments including a comprehensive volunteer list, overdose response training, community outreach for the Road Home plan, and the Volunteer of the Year award. - Challenges identified included limited policy influence, the need to focus more on human relations, and difficulty reaching broader community segments. - A community needs survey with 328 respondents (84% Alameda residents, 26% cost-burdened renters, 40% lower income below $87,500) was presented. The lowest-rated items were awareness of affordable housing options and ease of accessing services. - Breakout groups developed goals in four areas: domestic violence awareness (quarterly task force, October campaign), community outreach (tabling at two local events per quarter, biannual presentations), belonging and connection (MLK volunteer day, National Night Out partnership), and an anti-hate initiative (quarterly listening sessions, hate incident reporting campaign). - Staff Communications: - Dignity Village RFP: The city is releasing a request for proposals to convert the interim shelter into permanent supportive housing or a hotel-based model due to expiring grants. Options include combining units with kitchenettes or securing an extended-stay site. The city council will ultimately decide. - Staff promotion: Yasmin Obidi was promoted to full-time Administrative Technician II. - Open Door Cafe: A new weekly program at the main library provides unhoused residents with meals, resources, and social connections. - Board Communications: - Member Gerald Bryant reported on the ongoing struggle of Dr. Acker’s Montessori school to find a new location, expressing disappointment at failed negotiations. - Member Samantha Green shared her experience participating in a ride-along with Alameda County Healthcare for the Homeless outreach team, highlighting the importance of trust and persistence. Key Outcomes - Elected leadership: Gerald Bryant as President, Samantha Green as Vice President. - Work Plan Goals: The board will finalize SMART goals based on breakout group discussions, focusing on domestic violence awareness, community outreach, belonging initiatives, and anti-hate actions. - Next Steps: The board will continue refining the work plan and align activities with the community survey findings. Staff will provide further details on the Dignity Village RFP and upcoming events.

The Alameda Golf Commission met on July 15, 2026, at 6:30 PM, with Chair Lynn Jones presiding. Commissioners Boris, Tom, and Jones were present. The meeting included public comment, approval of previous minutes, and a detailed update on the Greenway Golf settlement and facility reports. Consent Calendar - The minutes from the February 11, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony - Lily, a former golf commissioner, raised several concerns about unfulfilled promises and ongoing issues at the golf course. She stated that cart paths were to be paved with brown textured asphalt, but only wood chips were installed. She also noted that building modernization and ADA-compliant bathrooms had been discussed but not completed. She criticized the condition of driving range mats and lighting, claiming only 10% of lights work. Additionally, she questioned a proposed rate increase that would raise resident weekend rates by 12.9% (from $62 to $70) while non-resident rates would increase only 5.6% (from $89 to $94), calling the disparity unfair. Discussion Items - Director of Parks and Recreation, Amy Long, provided a comprehensive update on community events, department highlights, and project updates. She reported on the Estuary Park Phase 2 construction, which includes pickleball courts, dog parks, and a playground, with completion expected in late September and opening in December/January. - Director Long then presented an overview of the Greenway settlement. Key terms include: no financial obligation for the city (up to $15 million liability settled for zero), consolidation of lease updates, removal of the reserve capital fund requirement, city responsibility for commission agendas and minutes, audit rights with the city paying 50% of costs, a 20-business-day notice before a violation is issued, and a fee increase cap of 8% for residents with no increases until December 31, 2027. A minimum 10% separation between resident and other categories was also established. - Commissioner Jones expressed concerns about the non-disparagement clause, asking whether it would limit the commission's ability to criticize Greenway. Director Long clarified that constructive criticism (e.g., about driving range mats) is not considered disparagement, which is defined as slander and libel under California law. She also asked about Greenway's attendance at meetings; Director Long stated that Greenway will attend once the lease is resolved, likely by November 2026. - Commissioner Tom raised the issue of ADA compliance for the driving range bathrooms, noting that doors are heavy and difficult for wheelchair users. Director Long agreed to follow up with the general manager. - The commission also discussed a drainage report, which is under the purview of the Public Works Director, not part of the Greenway settlement. Key Outcomes - The minutes from the February 11, 2026 meeting were approved. - The next meeting is scheduled for September 8, 2026, at 6:30 PM. - The meeting was adjourned by motion.

No transcript was provided in the input. Please provide the meeting transcript to generate the structured summary.

The Alameda Planning Board held a meeting on July 13, 2026, to discuss proposed short-term rental (STR) zoning ordinance amendments and a workshop on commercial zoning updates for Park and Webster Streets. The board received public comments, deliberated, and recommended the STR ordinance to the city council with several amendments. The commercial zoning workshop was informational, with board feedback to inform future amendments. Consent Calendar - The draft meeting minutes from June 22 were tabled due to insufficient members present to vote (only 3 of 5 members present). Public Comments & Testimony - Warren Wong (longtime resident, real estate appraiser): Urged caution, emphasizing property rights and potential impacts on property values. Supported the ordinance generally but requested safeguards against speculative rentals. - Athena Mog Haddam (STR operator): Expressed dependence on STR income; questioned the complete prohibition of ADUs from STRs, noting state law does not exclude all ADUs and requested reconsideration. - Steve Bassi (property owner with a cottage): Noted his property has a cottage with a different address on the same parcel; asked for clarification to ensure eligibility. Also concerned about the 60-day phase-in period for non-compliant units. - Zidim (West End resident): Described nuisance from a non-owner-occupied STR across the street; advocated for a local host requirement with distance-based proximity, not just 60-minute response. - Juliana Conell (five-star super host, third-generation Alamedan): Argued that responsible STRs support local economy and families; requested continued support for well-regulated STRs. - Philip Cocky (real estate agent, STR operator): Opposed excluding single-family homes from STRs, arguing speculators are not an issue; supported good policies but warned against over-restriction. - Catherine Chang (manages family unit, lives next door): Described smooth operation with local management; questioned treatment of mixed long-term/short-term rentals. Discussion Items - Agenda Item 5A: Short-Term Rental Ordinance Amendments - Staff Presentation (Steve Buckley, Planning Services Manager): Presented ordinance modeled on Santa Monica, focusing on primary residence requirement, allowed properties, safety standards, enforcement (warning, suspension, revocation), and amnesty period. Key provisions: only one STR per property, owner or tenant must be primary resident, prohibition on ADUs and SB9 lot splits for STRs. - Board Deliberation: - Board Member Hom: Noted primary residence definition lacks explicit time requirement; suggested adding six months or more. Discussed tenants as hosts could lead to multiple STRs per owner. Supported grandfathering legacy ADUs not under state law. - Board Member Sue: Clarified that only one primary residence per person, limiting STRs. Questioned enforcement of primary residence requirement. Supported grandfathering pre-2017 ADUs. - Board Member Wang: Raised concerns about enforcement process for noise complaints vs. primary residence violations (binary). Suggested clearer enforcement ladder. Supported requiring local host to reside in Alameda and providing an affidavit for primary residence. Proposed that false primary residence claims should result in property bar from STR for 180 days. - Board Member Han: Praised balance of ordinance. Supported allowing legacy ADUs; recommended local contact reside in Alameda; suggested clarifying "only one STR per property" to avoid confusion with multiple hosts. Suggested primary residence time limit (six months) and requiring long-term lease for tenant hosts. - Board President Cisneros: Supported with similar amendments. Agreed on lenient enforcement for legacy operators with good history. - Consensus: Support for ordinance with amendments: (1) clarify primary residence with time/factors, (2) allow legacy ADUs (pre-2017 or not under state law), (3) require local host to be able to respond on site within 60 minutes (not necessarily reside in Alameda), (4) strengthen enforcement for false primary residence (single warning, property barred for 180 days), (5) address different address on same parcel. - Agenda Item 5B: Commercial Zoning Workshop - Staff Presentation (Caesar, Economic Dev.; Henry Dong, Planning): Presented proposed updates to streamline zoning for Park and Webster Streets: consolidate uses into "general retail sales" and "general personal services", remove use permits for certain uses (e.g., thrift stores, salons, massage, tattoo, gyms, small offices <4,000 sq ft), update definitions, and propose window transparency policy and extended business hours. Vacancy rates: 12% on Webster Street, 7% on Park Street. - Board Feedback: - Board Member Wang: Supported consolidation; questioned handling of hotels, artist studios, and offices. Suggested offices might be better on side streets. Asked about enforcement of CUP for a church (assembly use) approved earlier. - Board Member Hom: Supported proposed changes, especially removing outdated restrictions like billiards and tattoo. Agreed with using square footage for office use permit threshold. Supported window transparency. - Board Member Sue: Supported overall approach; noted concern about offices on main floor but acknowledged some use better than vacancy. Liked window transparency. - Board President Cisneros: Supported with emphasis on street-level activation and window transparency. Raised question about assembly uses and need to revisit definitions. - No vote; workshop feedback to be incorporated into draft amendments for September. Key Outcomes - Short-Term Rental Ordinance: The board voted unanimously (3-0, with two members absent) to recommend the ordinance to the city council with the following amendments: - Define primary residence with a minimum occupancy period (e.g., six months per year). - Allow legacy ADUs (those not created under state ADU law, e.g., pre-2017 or historically existing) to be used as STRs. - Require local contact to be able to respond on site within 60 minutes (not necessarily reside in Alameda). - Strengthen enforcement for primary residence violations: false claims result in immediate revocation and property bar from STRs for 180 days. - Clarify that only one STR is allowed per property regardless of number of hosts (e.g., owner and tenant cannot both host). - Clarify that a different address on the same parcel does not disqualify a property if it is on the same parcel. - Extend the amnesty/phase-in period for existing operators with no complaints. - Commercial Zoning Workshop: No formal vote; staff will incorporate board feedback and return with draft amendments in September. Board expressed general support for consolidation, window transparency, and extending business hours. - Administrative: The July 27 meeting was canceled; a special meeting is scheduled for August 24 to discuss a soccer team's outdoor performance space permit.