The Alameda City Council met on December 2, 2025, for a special meeting that included a closed session and a regular meeting. Key topics included updates to the inclusionary housing ordinance, the annual recreation and parks user fee schedule, shoreline flood protection infrastructure, and a proposed ban on mylar balloons. The council also appointed a new Social Service Human Relations Board member and honored outgoing City Manager Jennifer Ott.
Inclusionary Housing Ordinance Update (6A): Staff presented findings that the current 15% across-the-board requirement does not meet local need. Recommendations included separate ratios for rental and ownership housing, reallocation of moderate-income rentals, expanding in-lieu fees, clustered housing options, and extending affordability terms. The planning board supported increased flexibility. Developers requested lower fees to jumpstart projects. Council discussed the need for a nexus study, use of in-lieu fees for a housing trust fund, and integration of clustered affordable housing to avoid segregation. Councilmember Daysog emphasized desegregation goals; Mayor Ashcraft noted potential carve-outs for projects with extraordinary community benefits. Staff will return with further analysis.
Recreation and Parks User Fee Schedule (7B): Director Justin Long presented proposed fee increases, with most programs seeing 3-5% increases. Pool rental rates for swim teams were proposed to increase significantly, with a four-year phase-in plan. The Aquatic Masters team objected, citing high costs and inequity compared to youth teams. Council shifted to hold all aquatic fees for further review, adopting the rest of the schedule. Motion approved unanimously.
Shoreline Flood Protection (7C): Sustainability manager Danielle Miller updated on sea level rise risks, the Oakland Alameda Adaptation Committee (OAK), and projects totaling $295 million. $26.5 million in grants obtained so far. Council heard from community partners and public. Discussion on funding, including potential revenue measures. No action taken; workshop for input.
Mylar Balloon Ban (7D): Staff recommended an ordinance to ban sale/distribution of mylar balloons, citing power outages (54 incidents over 5 years, 7 causing outages) and environmental harm. A state ban phases in 2027-2031. Council debated enforcement, impact on businesses, and scope. Councilmember Jensen moved to draft an ordinance banning sale of lighter-than-air inflated objects and restrict mylar balloons and confetti in city facilities. Motion failed 2-3. Staff will pursue education and permit-based restrictions in city facilities.
We'd like people to come in when we have a bring any myself. All right. Yeah, I know, but I need them physically present. Lovely to have everyone join us. Okay. Let's do it. We don't need anything. You've got this. All right. Um, all right. Good every ready in the balcony. Two thumbs up. Two thumbs up. If the balcony is ready, we're all ready. All right. Welcome everyone. Uh, to the City of Alameda City Council meeting. Tonight is Tuesday, December 2nd, two thousand twenty-five. And I'm going to call the meeting to order. And um, we're going to start with a closed session. And so I, well, actually, it's a special city council and successor agency to the community improvement commission, used to be known as redevelopment agency meeting, but um we're starting with that closed session. So I would like the um city clerk, Laura Weisinger to please call the role for the city council and the special the successor agency to the community improvement commission. Council members bowler. Jensen? Prior here. Mayor Ezy Ashcraft. Here for present, and Councilmember Desog will be here hopefully soon. All right. And um, would you please? Oh, well, we have a consent calendar, and this is just the one item. It's routine. I'm gonna ask the city clerk to please introduce it. This is designating the negotiators for um faction the to go with the faction closed session item. E. Okay. All right. So did I have a motion? Yes. Councilmember Jensen has moved approval. Councilmember Bowler has seconded all those in favor. Um please signify by stating aye. Aye. That motion passes unanimously. Um so then, Madam Clerk, would you? Oh, do we have any public comment? All right. So then I'm um going to adjourn the meeting to closed session to consider the following items that the city clerk will introduce, and then I'll tell you about a little agenda order change. Okay, clerk. For A is public employee appointment hiring pursuant to government code section five four nine five seven to title description of position be filled as city manager. For B is conference with labor negotiators pursuant to government code section five four nine five seven point six.