Alameda City Council Meeting – July 1, 2025

The Alameda City Council met on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, beginning with a closed session at 5:30 PM and the regular meeting at 7:00 PM. The council approved the $35.5 million Aquatic Center project with a parking compromise, appointed seven commissioners, and passed the consent calendar over one councilmember's opposition on labor agreements.

Closed Session (5:30 PM)

• 3-A Conference with real property negotiators regarding 2151 Ferry Point (Little Opera House lease option).
• 3-B Conference with legal counsel – potential litigation against Steeltown Winery LLC (Building 43 Winery).
• 3-C Conference with legal counsel – potential litigation against Port of Oakland.
• No action was announced on any closed session item except that the council adjourned from closed session.

Proclamations & Special Orders

• Ginny Kritluck Day – Mayor Ashcraft proclaimed Friday, July 4, 2025, as Ginny Kritluck Day in honor of her 100th birthday and decades of community service, including founding the Alameda Homeless Network and Midway Shelter.

Oral Communications (Non-Agenda) – First Round

• Velma Gay – Representing the homeless community, called for a neutral task force to oversee homelessness efforts, centralized data systems, training for management, and transparent community meetings.
• Denai Lam – Opposed the recent painting of red curbs on Pacific Avenue (Arbor to J Street), stating 28 feet of parking was lost in front of her house; argued measurements were arbitrary and that no accidents have occurred there.
• Joshua Altieri (Housing Authority of Alameda) – Announced the opening of the first North Housing building (45 units) and the Lynette Corner senior building (64 units) with supportive services; invited council to a grand opening on September 25, 2025.
• William Morrison – Criticized the active transportation plan as overly favoring bicycles over automobiles; urged consideration of speed bumps for Gibbons Drive.
• Gabriel Duncan (Alameda Native History Project) – Promoted the 2025 Acorn Granary Challenge and later requested Native American representation on the Historical Advisory Board.

Consent Calendar

• All items on the consent calendar (5-A through 5-O) were approved in a single motion, except that Councilmember Daysog voted no on items 5-G (MCEA MOU), 5-H (PANS MOU), 5-I (APOA MOU), 5-J (Executive Management Compensation), 5-K (AMP Unrepresented Management), and 5-L (ACEA MOU). Item 5-M (EUPA MOU) had been withdrawn. Councilmember Daysog explained his opposition was due to a revenue-indexed formula for pay raises and what he considered excessive equity adjustments (12%-18% for specific positions).
• Items included: approval of minutes, bills, OpenGov software renewal ($143,546.91), storm drain trash capture services ($1,586,362.26), maintenance agreement for OAAP bike/ped components, Sewer System Management Plan, and multiple labor agreements.

Discussion Items

7-A Appointment of Boards and Commissioners

• The council unanimously approved resolutions appointing Julie Lyons (Commission on Persons with Disabilities), David Crotty (Historical Advisory Board), and reappointing Dimple Kanji and Sara Stricker (Library Board), Xiomara Cisneros and Andy Wang (Planning Board), and Christina McKenna (Public Utilities Board).
• Public comment: Gabriel Duncan asked for Native American representation on the Historical Advisory Board, noting Alameda's Ohlone heritage and shell mounds.
• Swearing-in ceremony: Each appointee spoke briefly.

7-B Aquatic Center Project and Funding Plan

• Staff presentation (Recreation & Parks Director Justin Long): The project cost is $35.5 million (up from original $30M due to design changes and site conditions). Key changes: removed pavilion, reduced parking from 93 to 67 spaces, shrunk admin building, and used value engineering. The project is 100% electric. Parking was reduced to 67 spaces (seven more than the 60 envisioned in the 2014 Sweeney Park master plan). A shared parking agreement with Blue Rise Ventures/College of Alameda provides 126 spaces after 5 PM weekdays and all day weekends.
• Public comments (split on parking):
  • Christy Cannon (CASA) – Opposed 67 spaces, citing Alameda's Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (CARP) and noting that 68 spaces at Washington Park are often underused.
  • Mitchell Ball – Argued the parking lot is too large, that 90%+ drive assumption is unrealistic, and that parking for non-disabled vehicles should be paid ($1/hour).
  • Drew Schwartz (Recreation & Parks Commissioner) – Supported the project as designed, emphasizing the need for pool space for masters swimming and community water safety.
  • Marla Koss (Alameda Backyard Growers) – Expressed concern that the community garden (diagonally across the trail) was omitted from maps and that reduced parking would harm seniors bringing tools and deliveries.
  • Tushawn Amariswardena – Supported the project but urged revisiting parking to align with CARP goals; noted that bike lockers cost money while car parking is free.
  • Chris Trioni – Advocated for 100 on-site spaces plus overflow for major tournaments; warned Alameda could lose regional events without adequate parking.
  • Cindy Johnson (Bike Walk Alameda) – Praised bike lockers and TDM elements but called for further parking reduction and paid parking from day one.
  • Amelia McDonald – Supported approval but urged continued conversation on parking to ensure access for families, seniors, and people with disabilities.
• Council deliberation:
  • Councilmember Jensen asked about bike lockers and shared parking; noted that many Alameda households have only one car.
  • Councilmember Daysog praised the higher contingency (17% vs. 10% typical) and suggested phasing the parking lot (e.g., up to 67 spaces, but build fewer if savings needed).
  • Councilmember Bowler questioned whether 60 original spaces could work with TDM measures; staff noted it would require design adjustments.
  • Mayor Ashcraft strongly advocated for reducing parking to 50 or fewer, citing climate goals and the recently CARP plan; she noted the Piedmont aquatic center has no additional parking and uses active enforcement.
  • City Manager Ott recommended a bid alternate approach: bid for 67 spaces with an alternate for 50 spaces, allowing the council to choose at contract award (expected Oct 2025). This would also provide time to explore shared parking and TDM pricing.
• Outcome: Councilmember Daysog moved to approve the staff recommendation (67 spaces) but include a bid alternate for 50 spaces, plus direct staff to work on shared parking. Councilmember Bowler seconded. The motion passed 4-1 (Mayor Ashcraft opposed, favoring a lower number from the start). The project funding plan and design were approved.

City Manager Communications

• New rates for ACI trash, Alameda Municipal Power, AC Transit, and ferry service effective July 1, 2025.
• 4th of July parade details: 171 entries, same route, road closures from 7 AM; parking removal by 4 AM.
• Central Avenue traffic pattern switch starting July 7 (westbound only for several months).
• Woodstock Water Shuttle first birthday celebration on July 13.
• Councilmember Jensen noted the Alameda minimum wage increased to $17.46.

Council Communications

• Councilmember Jensen reported attending Rhythmics Rising Seas event, being elected chair of Stop Waste, visiting AMP's Cartwright Substation, and a tour of the Least Tern Refuge.
• Vice Mayor Pryor also visited Cartwright Substation and praised AMP's redundant loop system.
• Councilmember Bowler attended the Innovation Island Excellence Awards.
• Councilmember Daysog judged the Sand Sculpture Contest (57th year), praised Bayview Island Women's Club, and attended the Alameda Leisure Club art show. He also highlighted the problem of Mylar balloons causing power outages and called for a public education campaign.

Key Outcomes

• Closed session: No action reported.
• Consent calendar: Approved with Councilmember Daysog voting no on six labor agreements.
• Appointments: Julie Lyons, David Crotty, and reappointments all approved unanimously.
• Aquatic Center: Project and funding plan approved (4-1). Parking: staff to bid for 67 spaces with a bid alternate for 50 spaces; council to decide at contract award in October 2025. Staff directed to pursue shared parking agreements and return with updated TDM/pricing details.
• Next meeting: Not explicitly stated, but implied two weeks later (likely July 15, 2025).