OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Alameda City Council Meeting - December 2, 2025: Housing, Fees, Balloons, and Shoreline

City Council — Tuesday, December 2, 2025
BodyAlameda, California
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, December 2, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 5:31:53
Transcript — Verbatim
4:02

We'd like people to come in when we have a bring any myself.

4:12

All right.

4:12

Yeah, I know, but I need them physically present.

4:16

Lovely to have everyone join us.

4:20

Okay.

4:29

Let's do it.

4:33

We don't need anything.

4:34

You've got this.

4:36

All right.

4:36

Um, all right.

4:38

Good every ready in the balcony.

4:41

Two thumbs up.

4:42

Two thumbs up.

4:42

If the balcony is ready, we're all ready.

4:44

All right.

4:45

Welcome everyone.

4:46

Uh, to the City of Alameda City Council meeting.

4:50

Tonight is Tuesday, December 2nd, two thousand twenty-five.

4:54

And I'm going to call the meeting to order.

4:58

And um, we're going to start with a closed session.

4:59

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.

5:15

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.

5:25

Council members bowler.

5:27

Jensen?

5:28

Prior here.

5:28

Mayor Ezy Ashcraft.

5:30

Here for present, and Councilmember Desog will be here hopefully soon.

5:33

All right.

5:34

And um, would you please?

5:37

Oh, well, we have a consent calendar, and this is just the one item.

5:41

It's routine.

5:42

I'm gonna ask the city clerk to please introduce it.

5:45

This is designating the negotiators for um faction the to go with the faction closed session item.

5:51

E.

5:52

Okay.

5:53

All right.

5:54

So did I have a motion?

5:55

Yes.

5:56

Councilmember Jensen has moved approval.

5:58

Councilmember Bowler has seconded all those in favor.

6:02

Um please signify by stating aye.

6:04

Aye.

6:05

That motion passes unanimously.

6:09

Um so then, Madam Clerk, would you?

6:12

Oh, do we have any public comment?

6:14

All right.

6:14

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.

6:26

Okay, clerk.

6:27

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.

6:34

For B is conference with labor negotiators pursuant to government code section five four nine five seven point six.

6:38

The city negotiators are the city manager, human resources director, and Jack Hughes from Libra Cassidy Whitmore and Assistant City Attorney Organizations are the International Association of Firefighters, Local 689, and Alameda Fire Chiefs Association under negotiation are salaries and play benefits in terms of employment for C is Conference of Legal Council Potential Litigation, potential initiation of litigation pursuant to government code section 54956.9 subsection D4.

7:01

Number of cases is one with the city initiating litigation as plaintiff, the potential defendant is the Port of Oakland.

7:06

For D is Conference of Real Property Negotiators pursuant to government code section 54956.8.

7:11

The property is 2317 Central Avenue of the Alameda Theater.

7:15

The negotiators are the city manager, base for use and economic development director, uh, economic development division manager, assistant city attorney, negotiating parties are the city of Alameda, SACIC, and the Alameda Theater in Citiplex under negotiation or price in terms of lease and loans.

7:31

For E is Conference of Real Property Negotiators pursuant to government code section 54956.8 property is Bay 200, a portion of building 22 located at 2501 Monarch Street at Alameda Point.

7:42

The city negotiators are the city manager, economic development director, economic development division manager, administrative management analyst, assistant city attorney, and the negotiating parties are the city of Alameda and Faction Brewing under negotiation or a price in terms of lease.

7:55

Well done, Madam Clerk.

7:57

So the little agenda change we're going to do because our colleague, Councilmember Daesog, is running late.

8:03

We are going to start with the port settlement item, which should be really short.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing████████████████████████24%
Procedural███████████████████████23%
Parks and Recreation██████████████████18%
Environmental Protection██████████████14%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████8%
Fiscal Sustainability█████5%
Personnel Matters██2%
Community Engagement██2%
Public Engagement█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Alameda City Council Meeting - December 2, 2025: Housing, Fees, Balloons, and Shoreline

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.

Consent Calendar

  • The council unanimously approved the consent calendar, which included routine items such as designating negotiators for closed session, salary approvals for executive staff, and other administrative actions. Councilmember Daysog recused himself from item 5G (janitorial services on Park and Webster Streets). The consent calendar also included a public hearing on the Community Development Block Grant needs statement. Public comment was heard from John Brennan regarding the Alameda Warming Shelter partnership.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • William Morrison spoke on three items: 1) urged preservation of railroad right-of-way for manufacturing economy in the Tilden project, 2) suggested using Pearl Street instead of Versailles for north-south greenway, and 3) requested more meaningful public participation in city decisions.
  • Randy Rentschler thanked outgoing City Manager Jennifer Ott for her service, particularly on bike lanes and roundabouts.
  • Jim Strayler invited the community to view holiday decorations on Gibbons Drive and encouraged walking and biking on Thompson Avenue.
  • John Brennan (on consent calendar) thanked the city for partnership on the Warming Shelter, noting additions of an extra month in April, a caseworker, and a laundry program.
  • Andrew Rosenberg (Pacific Development) stated that a $25/sq ft in-lieu fee for inclusionary housing is too high; offered $10/sq ft for the Foundry project at Alameda Marina.
  • Sean Murphy (Pacific Development) emphasized the unique costs of the Foundry project (seawall, infrastructure) and requested a reduced in-lieu fee.
  • Andy Wang (Planning Board) urged the city to consider project-specific relief to get housing built, noting that "15% of zero units is zero units."
  • Eric Clock (Graystar) said BMR units at Launch Apartments have been largely vacant even after rent reductions; supported reasonable in-lieu fees.
  • Sophia DeWitt (EBHO) stressed the importance of inclusionary housing for all income levels and the need to affirmatively further fair housing.
  • Multiple speakers from Alameda Aquatic Masters (Maria Ducy, Ann Delp, Linda Gilcrest, Barry Parker, Michael Grace, Annie Horn, Drew Schwartz, Olwin Carvalho, Amelia McDonald, Dara Jones, Lisa Klein, Stephanie Lapachet, Ann McCormick, Jeannie Merrill) opposed the proposed pool fee increases, requesting parity with youth team rates and arguing that the fees would threaten the program's sustainability.
  • Lauren Isell (CASA) highlighted community engagement efforts on sea level rise adaptation.
  • Mitch Ball (public) argued for a lot-area based parcel tax for infrastructure funding.
  • Messipsa suggested tree planting and evacuation planning for tsunami risk.
  • Ruth Abbey (CASA) urged investment in shoreline protection and commended city staff.
  • Mitch Ball (on balloons) criticized industry lobbying and urged a ban on mylar balloons.
  • Roberto Astacio (Dollar Tree) opposed a full ban, stating it would harm businesses and drive sales elsewhere.
  • Ruth Abbey (CASA) supported a ban and also urged restrictions on latex balloons and confetti.
  • Maria Stockham (Coalition for Responsible Celebration) urged a responsible-use approach instead of a ban.

Discussion Items

  • 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.

Key Outcomes

  • The council unanimously approved the consent calendar with noted recusal.
  • Appointed Chantal Carter to the Social Service Human Relations Board effective January 1, 2026, and she was sworn in.
  • The inclusionary housing ordinance update workshop provided direction for staff to conduct a nexus study and return with ordinance options.
  • The recreation and parks fee schedule was approved except for aquatic fees, which will be brought back on January 6, 2026, after further review.
  • No formal action on shoreline flood protection; staff will return with funding options.
  • The mylar balloon ban motion failed; staff will continue education and permit-based restrictions.
  • Council provided direction in closed session on city manager hiring and labor negotiations.
  • Outgoing City Manager Jennifer Ott was thanked for her service.

Meeting Transcript

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.

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