Alameda City Council Meeting Summary – March 18, 2025

The Alameda City Council met on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, beginning with a closed session at 5:30 PM and the regular meeting at 7:00 PM. The council addressed a range of items including a proclamation, consent calendar, a sister city resolution, a settlement agreement for the Oakland Airport project, and design concepts for the Fernside Traffic Calming and Bikeways Project. The meeting extended past midnight due to extensive public comment and deliberation.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar included routine approvals for minutes, bills, and several service agreements (solid waste consulting, compost procurement, tree treatment/planting, termination of an emergency action for a city-owned building, an amendment to an exclusive negotiating agreement with Radium Presents, mental health support at Dignity Village, and a grant application for South Shore Beach sand replenishment). All items were approved by a single motion, except item 5J (Wadi Foquin sister city) which was pulled for discussion. Vice Mayor Pryor recused herself from item 5H (Radium Presents) due to the Levine Act.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 5J – Sister City with Wadi Foquin: Over 40 speakers addressed the council. Supporters emphasized people-to-people diplomacy, cultural exchange, and the existing community ties through Friends of Wadi Foquin and the Alameda Sister City Association. Opponents expressed concerns that the relationship would be perceived as a political statement against Israel, increase anti-Semitism, and that the village lacks compatibility with Alameda. Several speakers proposed a parallel sister city with an Israeli town. The council heard from representatives of the Jewish Community Relations Council, Temple Israel, and residents on both sides.
• Item 7B – Fernside Traffic Calming and Bikeways: Approximately 20 speakers commented. Many supported the Fernside improvements but opposed the proposed changes to the Gibbons Drive/High Street intersection without a traffic study, citing fears of traffic diversion onto narrow side streets (e.g., Bayo Vista, Cornell, Yale). A few speakers supported the intersection changes for pedestrian safety. The city attorney clarified that Councilmember Jensen, a Gibbons Drive resident, was not required to recuse due to the project's scope.

Discussion Items

• Item 5J – Sister City with Wadi Foquin (Palestinian Territories): The council heard a presentation from Communications Director Sarah Henry, Alameda Sister City Association President Karen Fong, and Reverend Michael Yoshi. They detailed the history of the proposal, the village's conditions under Israeli occupation, and potential exchanges (soccer, farming, cultural). Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about compatibility, community outreach, and the political implications. Following public comment, Councilmember Bowler moved to continue the item for further staff work, including community outreach and research on the village council’s positions, with a report back in several months. The motion was amended to include a review of other cities’ sister city policies to ensure apolitical focus. The motion passed 4-1, with Councilmember Daysog voting no.
• Item 7A – Settlement Agreement with Port of Oakland and CLASS: Staff presented a settlement agreement regarding the Port of Oakland’s terminal modernization project. The agreement includes 10 key benefits for Alameda, such as a new airport noise plan, construction noise mitigation, air quality monitoring, traffic management, and community engagement. Public speakers from CLASS and the Chamber of Commerce supported the agreement. The council unanimously approved the settlement and authorized the city manager to execute it.
• Item 7B – Fernside Traffic Calming and Bikeways Project: Staff presented near-term and long-term design concepts. The near-term plan includes buffered bike lanes, pedestrian median islands, and curb extensions from Tilden to High Street. The long-term plan envisions a two-way cycle track. A key point of contention was the proposed redesign of the five-legged intersection at Fernside/High Street/Gibbons Drive, which would restrict Gibbons to right-turn-only onto High Street. Staff recommended a traffic study before finalizing that intersection change. After public comment, the council endorsed the design concepts for the full corridor, with the condition that the Gibbons/High Street intersection changes be subject to a traffic study and extensive community outreach before any final decision. The motion passed unanimously.
• Item 11A – Mayor’s Nominations: Mayor Ashcraft announced nominations for the Commission on Persons with Disabilities (John Lip) and the Golf Commission (Lily Boris and Hamil Sarant). These will be voted on at the next meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Item 5J – Sister City with Wadi Foquin: Continued for further staff work and community outreach, with a report back in several months. Motion passed 4-1 (Councilmember Daysog dissenting).
• Item 7A – Oakland Airport Settlement: Approved unanimously. Authorized the city manager to execute the settlement agreement.
• Item 7B – Fernside Project: Council endorsed the near-term and long-term design concepts, with the condition that the Gibbons Drive intersection changes be subject to a traffic study and additional public outreach before implementation. Approved unanimously.
• Item 7C (Climate Action Plan) and 7D (Economic Development Update): Withdrawn from the agenda; will be brought back on April 1, 2025.