Alameda City Council Meeting: Vacancy and Retention Report, May 20, 2025

The Alameda City Council held a regular meeting on May 20, 2025, preceded by a closed session and a joint meeting with the Successor Agency. The primary agenda item was an informational report on city vacancies, recruitment, and retention as mandated by Assembly Bill 2561, including a presentation by the APOA on police staffing challenges. The council also approved routine consent calendar items and heard public comments on various topics.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the Special Joint City Council and SACIC meeting of May 6, 2025, and investment transactions report for the quarter ending March 31, 2025.
• Approved routine items including: demolition contract for Building 116 ($281,160), on-call roofing maintenance ($800,000), update on affordable housing grant application, environmental services amendment ($305,000), cooperative agreement with AUSD for emergency shelters, fire records management system ($179,396), acceptance of $963,000 JAG grant for CARE team, salary schedule amendments for part-time classifications, final map for West Midway Large Lot, appointment of parking hearing examiner, and final passage of ordinance on third-party food delivery services.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Brian Kennedy criticized the city's website for posting "know your rights" information regarding ICE, asserting that ICE targets criminal illegal aliens and recounting the murder of a child by illegal aliens. He urged the council to remove the content and expressed opposition to sanctuary city policies.
• Leslie Schubin, a resident and landlady, alleged harassment by city staff member Bill Chapin regarding a rent increase approved in November 2023. She argued that a 2024 law was applied retroactively to force a refund, claiming violation of state and federal law.
• William Morrison questioned how the council corrects mistakes, citing the High Street/Fernside/Gibbons Drive intersection and traffic calming measures. He referenced the General Plan's mobility element and argued that current street designs worsen traffic congestion and harm neighborhood character.

Discussion Items

• Item 7A: Vacancies, Recruitment, and Retention Report (AB 2561) – Acting HR Director Noelle White presented: Citywide average vacancy rate of 10.3% over 12 months (7.7% excluding APOA). APOA had the highest vacancy rate at 24.4%, exceeding the 20% threshold for additional reporting. Recruitment averaged 84 calendar days to fill positions—35 days faster than comparable agencies. In 2024, 98 vacancies were created; attrition rate was 12.3% (9.9% excluding APOA). Retirements (23) and voluntary separations (42) were key drivers. Efforts to reduce hiring obstacles include online testing, updated class specs, and external raters.
• APOA Presentation – Sergeant Kevin Horikoshi, APOA president, reported current sworn staffing at 69 officers (budgeted 88): 37 patrol, 0 traffic division, 1 community resource, 1 support services, 5 field training, and 2 detectives (each with ~200 cases). From June 2021 to May 2025, the department hired 48 officers but lost 48 officers plus 5 academy recruits. Of the 48 losses, 16 left for other agencies, 10 service retirements, 11 disability retirements, 6 released, 5 left profession. Over half who left were academy and field-training investments. Reasons cited: wages/benefits, career growth limitations (few assignments beyond patrol), proximity to home, and disagreement with policies/work restrictions. He noted that burnout and overtime are managed but crime is trending down.
• Council Discussion – Councilmembers expressed concern about retention, deployment, and burnout. Councilmember Jensen suggested an outside consultant for deployment analysis; the Mayor favored internal expertise. Councilmember Daysog questioned the proposed reduction of sworn positions from 88 to 72, arguing it could worsen career development and retention, and noted that the cuts seem disproportionate compared to the Great Recession when only 4 positions were cut. City Manager Jennifer Ott explained that budget constraints—reduced revenues and increased costs—necessitate pausing hiring at 72 officers, with emphasis on retaining existing staff. Councilmember Bowler highlighted that the budget proposed expansion from current staffing and that consensus supports prioritizing police staffing. Vice Mayor Pryor cautioned against punishing the police department for reducing crime through efficiency. The council accepted the informational report with additional feedback.

Key Outcomes

• The council unanimously accepted the informational report on vacancies, recruitment, and retention, incorporating council comments.
• The city manager will consider council feedback on police deployment, retention strategies, and budget implications as the FY2025-26 budget process continues.
• No formal votes were taken on the report; it was informational. The consent calendar items were approved unanimously.
• The meeting was adjourned in memory of former City Attorney Janet Kern (2012-2018).