Alameda City Council Meeting - July 15, 2025

This regular meeting of the Alameda City Council on July 15, 2025, began with a closed session at 5:00 PM and the public session at 7:00 PM. The council approved a consent calendar with numerous routine items, heard public comments, voted on a transient occupancy tax sharing agreement to support a World Cup team training camp, and directed staff to explore options for an ordinance banning mylar balloons.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar included 20 items (5-A through 5-U, and 5-W; item 5-V was pulled and will return in September). Items 5-A (minutes) were initially pulled for clarification but then re-approved. The council approved the consent calendar unanimously after a public announcement of salary increases for the city attorney (6.41% equity increase) and city manager (11.25% equity increase), effective July 13, 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Brian Kennedy criticized the city for posting proclamations on Facebook that he claimed supported illegal immigration and a U.S. senator he described as a "race hustler." He urged the council to stop making the city a laughingstock.

• Margaret Fago (President, Frank Bette Center for the Arts) invited the council and public to the center's 20th anniversary Plenair Paint Out event, featuring 40 artists from across the country.

• Christopher Sewald (Roots investor) spoke in support of the TOT agreement, citing positive past experiences with the America's Cup and soccer fields in Alameda.

• Kathy Weber (Executive Director, Downtown Alameda) expressed strong support for the TOT agreement, calling it a strategic investment that would place Alameda on a global stage.

• Madeline Sadek (President & CEO, Alameda Chamber and Economic Alliance) voiced strong support for the TOT agreement, emphasizing the tourism boost and global visibility.

• Ron Mooney (President, Downtown Alameda Business Association) fully supported the proposal, noting the excitement a visiting national team would bring.

• Maria Henderson (AC Transit) announced the new AC Transit Realign bus service network effective August 10, 2025, and urged the community to check for route changes.

Discussion Items

• Item 7-A: Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Sharing Agreement with Oakland Roots & Soul – Dwayne Dalman (Economic Development Division Manager) presented the staff recommendation to authorize the city manager to negotiate a TOT sharing agreement not to exceed $150,000 to support a World Cup team base camp at the Roots & Soul training facility during the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup. The agreement would be funded from incremental TOT revenue generated by expected increases in hotel and short-term rental occupancy (historical baseline: 77% hotel, 58% short-term rental in June). A team base camp is projected to bring 60,000–80,000 tourists and 30,000 hotel nights. Lindsay Barrens (President, Oakland Roots & Soul) provided additional context, noting the facility's 15-year lease and the need for public funding to cover FIFA-related costs. All public speakers supported the proposal. Council members expressed enthusiasm, citing community benefits and regional collaboration. The resolution was approved unanimously.

• Item 10-A: Council Referral – Mylar Balloon Prohibition – Councilmember Jensen introduced a referral to direct staff to draft an ordinance prohibiting the sale and distribution of mylar balloons. She cited 54 documented service interruptions due to mylar balloons over the past five years, affecting over 17,000 Alameda residents, plus environmental harm. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft advocated for a public education campaign first and questioned enforcement. Councilmember Daysog wanted input from businesses. City Manager Ott noted staff was already working on several other ordinances (affordable housing, short-term rentals, food vendors) and could bring back options. An amendment was adopted to direct staff to return with options for an ordinance (e.g., banning helium or outright sale) rather than drafting an ordinance immediately. The motion passed 4-1, with Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft dissenting.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approval (5-0) of the consent calendar, including items 5-J and 5-K (contract amendments for city attorney and city manager with salary increases).
• Unanimous approval (5-0) of Resolution authorizing the city manager to negotiate and execute a TOT sharing agreement with Oakland Roots & Soul for up to $150,000 for the 2026 World Cup team base camp.
• Approved council referral (4-1) directing staff to return with options for an ordinance prohibiting the sale and distribution of mylar balloons in Alameda, to be considered after other pending ordinances; public education and park rule updates were not included in the motion.
• The meeting was adjourned in memory of Donna Vaughn, co-founder of the Friends of the Alameda Library.