Alameda City Council Meeting - April 15, 2025

The Alameda City Council met on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 7:00 PM (following a closed session at 5:15 PM) to consider a range of routine and substantive items. Key actions included unanimous approval of the consent calendar, endorsement of the Willie Stargell Avenue Complete Street Corridor design concept, authorization of a six-year property management agreement with Lincoln Property Company (LPC West), and introduction of an ordinance granting a fourth lease amendment to Auctions by the Bay. All votes taken during the regular meeting were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the March 18, 2025 meetings.
• Authorized updates to the Alameda Police Department Policy Manual, accepted the annual Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) data report, and accepted the 2024 Military Equipment Use Report.
• Authorized cooperative agreements, contract amendments, and service agreements for fire station alerting, property management, engineering support, storm water fee administration, tree maintenance, security services, and business improvement areas.
• Final passage of an ordinance limiting designated EV charging spaces to vehicles actively charging.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Shauna Vaughn spoke about personal experiences and alleged mistreatment by the Navy, referencing a 1994 case and implying the Navy closed operations in Alameda due to her status as a "wounded warrior."
• William Morrison voiced opposition to the planned closure of Gibbons Drive as part of the Fernside traffic calming project, stating it would negatively affect traffic flow and that it was being pursued by a small group without adequate study.
• Gabriel Duncan (Alameda Native History Project) updated on the Acorns Culinary Series, celebrating indigenous cuisine and community participation, including over 100 participants in the acorn harvest and donations from a 94-year-old resident.
• Sebastian (remote, Alameda Homeless Shelter) requested portable restrooms for the shelter, citing a ratio of roughly 50 homeless individuals to one bathroom. Staff acknowledged the request.
• Jim Strela expressed concerns about the Willie Stargell Avenue plan, particularly the single-lane roundabout near In-N-Out Burger, predicting traffic backups and suggesting the city consider two-lane roundabouts or no changes east of 5th Street.
• Alan Michon (operator of Alameda Point Antiques Fair and Michon's Auctions) strongly opposed the Stargell plan, arguing that traffic circles would cause gridlock, road rage, and emergencies, and urged rejection of the proposal.
• Brandon Wang and Mike Meyer (LPC West) expressed gratitude for the opportunity and commitment to managing the city's property portfolio.

Discussion Items

• Willie Stargell Avenue Complete Street Corridor (Item 7-A): Staff presented a plan to improve safety and connectivity along Willie Stargell Avenue from Main Street to Mariner Square Loop. Key features include traffic calming, separated bike lanes, new bus stops, crosswalk enhancements, and two roundabouts (at 5th Street and Mariner Square Loop). The project is funded by $6 million in grants with an $11.4 million cost for Phase 1, and aims for construction in 2027. Councilmembers expressed support, citing safety benefits and outreach to the Coast Guard and affordable housing communities, while acknowledging concerns from public speakers.
• Property Management Agreement with LPC West (Item 7-B): Staff recommended a new six-year agreement with LPC West (with two-year initial term and two two-year options) at a total pre-commission cost of $14,435,991.83, after a revised RFP process. The decision followed a December 2024 council rejection of a prior agreement over liability concerns. Staff's analysis showed contracting was more cost-effective than bringing services in-house. Councilmembers praised the renegotiated agreement and LPC's acceptance of standard liability language.
• Auctions by the Bay Lease Amendment (Item 7-C): Staff proposed a fourth lease amendment extending the deferred rent repayment period for Building 20 at Alameda Point by 11 months. The tenant, Michon's Auctions, had $77,739.73 remaining in deferred rent and was current on all other obligations. Councilmembers expressed strong support, citing the tenant's long history and community value, and noted the ordinance requires four affirmative votes.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously (with Councilmember Daysog recusing from item 5-M - Webster Street BIA).
• Willie Stargell Avenue: Motion to endorse design concept and adopt resolution of support passed unanimously.
• LPC West Agreement: Motion to authorize the city manager to execute the agreement passed unanimously.
• Auctions by the Bay: Motion to introduce the ordinance passed unanimously (with four affirmative votes required).
• Closed Session: Council provided direction on labor negotiations, with Councilmember Daysog voting no.