Alameda City Council and SACIC Joint Meeting - May 6, 2025

The City Council of Alameda held a special joint meeting with the Successor Agency to the Community Improvement Commission (SACIC) at 6:59 PM, followed by a regular City Council meeting at 7:00 PM on May 6, 2025. The closed session was canceled. The combined meetings covered routine approvals, public hearings, policy discussions, and a council referral on LGBTQ sanctuary city status. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar (SACIC)

• 2-A (2025-4975): Minutes of the Special Joint City Council and SACIC Meeting held on February 18, 2025, were approved unanimously.

Agenda Item (SACIC)

• 3-A (2025-4970): The City Council accepted the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Audited Financial Statements and Compliance Reports. Acting Finance Director Ross McCarthy presented a 10-year comparison of CalPERS pension liability, highlighting a $20 million investment loss in FY 2021-22 due to a bear market. Elected City Auditor Kevin Kennedy praised the finance department for producing the financial statements in-house for the first time, resulting in a clean audit opinion. The motion passed unanimously.

Proclamations, Special Orders of the Day and Announcements

• 3-A (2025-4739): Proclamation declaring May 2025 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Mayor Ashcraft read the proclamation, noting the theme "A Legacy of Leadership and Resilience" and listing local AANHPI leaders. Library events were highlighted.
• 3-B (2025-4740): Proclamation declaring May 2025 as Jewish American Heritage Month. Mayor Ashcraft acknowledged rising antisemitism since October 7, 2023, and listed library programs celebrating Jewish culture. Councilmember Daysog added comments about upcoming cultural festivals.

Oral Communications, Non-Agenda (Public Comment)

• Brian Kennedy: Expressed opposition to the city's "Know Your Rights" webpage for immigrants, arguing it interferes with ICE's efforts to combat child sex trafficking and cartel activity. He urged the city to remove the page.
• Gabrielle Duncan (Founder, Alameda Native History Project): Announced the first annual acorn harvest and culinary series, producing acorn flour for the first time in over 300 years. Noted a $5,000 grant recommendation from the Public Art Commission and thanked the city for support.

Consent Calendar (Regular City Council)

• Items 5-A through 5-Q: Approved by one motion. Councilmember Daysog recused himself from items 5-J (Island City Landscaping and Lighting District Zones 1,4,5,6,8) and 5-Q (Webster Street BIA) due to property boundary conflicts.
  • 5-E (2025-4920): MOU with Alameda Unified School District for exterior property management at Alameda Point (Building 17) for 10 years. Councilmember Jensen raised concerns about $600,000 in unpaid services over the prior decade. City Manager indicated staff would encourage the school district to sell or dispose of the property. The item was approved.
  • 5-O (2025-4961): Public hearing on the CDBG/HOME Five-Year Strategic Plan and FY 2025-26 Action Plan. Speakers included:
    • Carol Mahar (Spectrum Community Services): Thanked the city for funding senior meals (nearly 15,000 meals served last year).
    • Liz Varella (Building Futures): Reported a $35,000 cut to the Midway Shelter and noted looming federal cuts; requested continued support.
    • Laura McInnes (Family Violence Law Center): Urged adoption of the grant, citing critical legal services for domestic violence survivors.
    • Kyle Sinkhoff (Alameda Family Services): Spoke in support of continued CDBG funding for a part-time therapist at high schools, citing low social connectedness among AUSD youth.
    • Bridget Schultz (Eden I&R 211 Alameda County): Reported 2,110 calls and 5,159 referrals from Alameda residents last fiscal year, with housing as the top need.
  • 5-P (2025-4964): Public hearing on Park Street Business Improvement Area (BIA) assessment with a 2.4% CPI adjustment. No public comment.
  • 5-Q (2025-4965): Public hearing on Webster Street BIA assessment with a 2.4% CPI adjustment. No public comment. The consent calendar passed unanimously.

Discussion Items

• 7-A (2025-4968): Social Service Human Relations Board (SSHRB) Work Plan for FY 2025-26. Vice President Samantha Green and President Scott Beams presented. Key areas: continuing work on housing/homelessness, Alamedans United Against Hate, domestic violence, and CDBG oversight. New initiatives include age-friendly city designation and a community needs assessment. Councilmember Daysog encouraged SSHRB to focus on LGBTQ+ inclusion, especially transgender individuals. The work plan was accepted unanimously.

• 7-B (2025-4977): CARE Team update and new service agreement with Alameda Family Services (AFS) for $1,681,886 over three years (July 2025-June 2028). Deputy Chief Cody Moxley reported that in 2024, the CARE Team responded to 1,332 calls (1,149 mental health crises). Outcomes: 46% resolved on-site, 28% transported, 8% psychiatric holds, 26% good intent/unable to locate. AFS Director Karen Zeltzer explained that most consultations are by phone, with in-person response within 20 minutes. She also noted a bridge therapy program using interns to address therapy waitlists. Discussion included concerns about library safety (9 CARE responses to main library in 2024). Fire Chief Nick Luby spoke about ongoing collaboration with library staff. The agreement was approved unanimously.

• 7-C (2025-4982): Introduction of ordinance re-adopting limits on third-party food delivery service fees (15% cap on delivery fees, CPI-adjusted fee increases). Economic Development Manager Jackie Kali presented. Councilmember Jensen moved to remove the sunset clause and direct staff to return in one year with data on effectiveness, including potential cap reduction and investigation of pricing discrepancies. The motion passed unanimously.

Council Referral

• 10-A (2025-4942): Consider directing staff to declare Alameda an LGBTQ Sanctuary City. Councilmember Daysog introduced the item, noting the day's court ruling allowing the Trump administration to ban transgender individuals from the military. He emphasized concrete actions such as leveraging city assets (parks, pools) to show support. Public comment: Gabriel Duncan spoke in favor, highlighting the importance of safety for two-spirit and LGBTQ+ individuals. Council discussion: Mayor Ashcraft cautioned against adopting a formal label due to potential federal funding risks, but supported taking affirmative steps. Councilmember Bowler suggested referring the matter to the city manager and city attorney to develop recommendations. The council voted unanimously to direct staff to take steps to make Alameda more welcoming, with possible expedited actions for Pride Month in June.

City Manager Communications

• First budget workshop held May 5; second workshop scheduled for May 13.
• Central Avenue Safety Project construction ongoing from Lincoln Avenue to 9th Street.
• Oakland-Alameda Access Project virtual presentation on May 14.
• Bike to Wherever Day on May 15.

Key Outcomes

• SACIC Minutes: Approved unanimously.
• FY 2023-24 Audited Financial Statements: Accepted unanimously.
• Consent Calendar (Regular): Approved unanimously, with recusals noted.
• SSHRB Work Plan: Accepted unanimously.
• CARE Team Agreement: Authorized unanimously.
• Third-Party Food Delivery Ordinance: Introduced and approved with removal of sunset clause; staff to report back in one year.
• LGBTQ Sanctuary City Referral: Referred to city manager and city attorney for affirmative steps; direction to consider expedited actions for Pride Month. Passed unanimously.
• Council Communications: Members reported attending various community events.

Meeting adjourned at 10:20 PM.