Alameda City Council Meeting – November 4, 2025

The Alameda City Council met on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 (Election Day) for a regular meeting that included a closed session, proclamations, public comments, a consent calendar, appointments, a legislative update from State Senator Jesse Arreguín, and a workshop on infrastructure needs for libraries, parks, and recreation facilities. The meeting began at approximately 7:00 PM after closed session items were partially addressed.

Proclamation: Native American Heritage Month

• Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft proclaimed November 2025 as Native American Heritage Month in Alameda. The proclamation noted Alameda sits on unceded Chochenyo-speaking Ohlone territory, and highlighted local events including an Oakland Museum exhibition (Good Fire, Nov 7–May 31 2026) and library programs with Café Ohlone and others.
• Public comment: Gabriel Duncan (founder, Alameda Native History Project) criticized the city for not engaging with a bona fide recognized tribe (the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe) and for continuing to pay the Alameda Museum to store artifacts that include funerary items from shell mounds.

Consent Calendar

• Routine approvals were passed unanimously. Items included:
  • 5C: Authorization to purchase a Groundsmaster 4000‑D lawnmower for $110,000. Fleet supervisor Carlo Belboni explained it is a large industrial tractor‑mower with a 12‑foot cutting span, replacing two smaller mowers, and will pay for itself in labor savings within 2–3 years. Councilmember Jensen inquired about electric alternatives; Belboni stated current electric models cannot run a full shift without lengthy recharging, but he expects this to be the last diesel purchase of its size.
  • 5F: Second reading of the vendor ordinance (sidewalk vending). Councilmember Jensen clarified that the ordinance allows vending in residential areas until 8 PM or dusk (whichever is sooner), and on certain streets (e.g., Thompson Avenue) until 4 PM on weekends. The ordinance will take effect 30 days after tonight's approval (December 4), so it did not apply to Halloween.
• Public comment on consent calendar: Gabriel Duncan reiterated his objection to city payments to the Alameda Museum, arguing it inaccurately presents Native history and displays sacred funerary items.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Fourteen speakers addressed the council, primarily on immigration enforcement and ICE presence:
  • Philip Mataresi, Rowan Bernsarno, Gene Nader, Shalom Brun, Hilda Paulson, Savannah, Laura Thomas, and Zonic Allure called on the city to take stronger action to protect immigrant and transgender communities from federal enforcement. Speakers requested:
    • A clear public plan for responding to ICE.
    • That APD arrest ICE agents who violate rights.
    • Regular “Know Your Rights” training for businesses and residents in multiple languages.
    • Review of Flock license plate readers’ data sharing with ICE.
  • Shalom Brun also opposed the proposed surf pool at Enterprise Park, criticizing the process as insufficiently transparent and lacking community input.
• Speakers Gene Nader and others noted that many businesses on Webster Street had received no city information about rights; they urged the city to be proactive.

Discussion Items

7A: Appointments to Boards and Commissions

• Council unanimously adopted resolutions appointing Michelle Kenadler to the Commission on Persons with Disabilities and Roberta Kreitz to the Social Service Human Relations Board. Both appointees were sworn in and briefly introduced themselves.

7B: State Senator Jesse Arreguín – Legislative Update

• Senator Arreguín (SD‑7) presented an update on his work, emphasizing:
  • Immigration: The state allocated $50 million for legal defense and AG lawsuits against Trump administration policies; his bill SB 81 prohibits ICE from entering schools and healthcare facilities; the “No Secret Police Act” (SB 627) bans federal agents from wearing face coverings.
  • Housing: Over $20 million from HCD for the first phase of the North Housing Project (586 affordable homes).
  • Public Safety: SB 524 (AI use in police reports), SB 627, and SB 704 (gun barrel background checks) were signed.
  • Transit: $750 million one‑time loan to stabilize Bay Area transit; SB 63 would allow a regional sales tax measure for ongoing operating funds.
  • Climate: Prop 4 (coastal resilience) passed; cap‑and‑invest extended to 2045.
  • Make Polluters Pay Act: Senator expressed intent to vote for it when reintroduced; acknowledged strong industry opposition and the need for grassroots advocacy.
• Public comment: Heather McLeod and Rowan Bernsarno urged support for the Make Polluters Pay Act; Bernsarno noted over 3,000 California students walked out in support.

7C: Workshop on Infrastructure Needs for Libraries, Parks, and Recreation Facilities

• Communications Director Sarah Henry, Library Director Mike Eitner, and Recreation & Parks Director Justin Long presented:
  • The city faces over $800 million in deferred maintenance and upgrades citywide.
  • Parks: Alameda’s park system is the third oldest in California (established 1895). Deferred maintenance for parks alone is $40 million; planned new parks (DPAV, Seaplane Lagoon, Jean Sweeney, Enterprise Park, regional sports complex) total $216.5 million. The regional sports complex (40 acres at Alameda Point) is estimated at $65 million but could be phased.
  • Libraries: Bay Farm Library (opened 1980) needs expansion; lacks story time and study space. Main Library (opened 2006) needs refurbishment, a makerspace, and replacement of the building management system. West End Library (90 years old) is limited; no room to expand. Alameda Point is underserved; options range from a mobile van ($500,000) to a full‑service building ($20 million). Total library needs: $35 million.
  • Council discussion touched on equity (prioritizing Alameda Point given transportation barriers), potential partnerships (e.g., co‑location with schools or housing), and the possibility of a locally controlled infrastructure bond. City Manager Jennifer Ott clarified that Enterprise Park is dedicated parkland and any surf park proposal will come to council in an open public hearing; an exclusive negotiating agreement has not been executed.
  • Public comment: Adrian Alexander (longtime resident, recreation commissioner) supported a bond if projects are clearly listed. Katie Connell proposed creating a nonprofit “Carnegie Creativity Center” to revitalize the historic Carnegie Library building as an arts hub.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously (items 5C and 5F among others).
• Appointments: Michelle Kenadler and Roberta Kreitz were sworn in to their respective commissions.
• Closed Session: Council discussed:
  • Recruitment for interim city manager and city manager positions (unanimous direction).
  • Real property negotiations for 2301 Monarch Street, Building 24 (direction by 5‑0).
  • Potential litigation against Port of Oakland (no vote, direction given).
  • Existing litigation (Hickman and Stilltown Winery cases) (direction by 5‑0).
• Infrastructure Workshop: Council provided general support for exploring a potential revenue measure; staff will conduct a statistically valid poll after the December 2 workshop on flood protection and return early 2026 with draft language.
• Public Comment on ICE: No formal action taken, but Mayor and City Attorney noted existing efforts: city joined two federal lawsuits to protect grants, and the city’s website provides “Know Your Rights” information. A rapid response hotline was shared (510‑241‑4011).