Alameda City Council Special and Regular Meeting – January 20, 2026

This meeting, held on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, began with a special closed session at 5:00 PM and transitioned into the regular council meeting. The agenda included items on closed session negotiations, oral communications from residents (many youth advocating for safer streets), a contentious discussion regarding the McCartney Road restriping project, adoption of the 2025 Zero Waste Implementation Plan, a workshop on Alameda Point disposition strategy, and approval of multiple leases. The council also appointed a new golf commissioner and heard city manager and councilmember reports.

Consent Calendar

• Closed Session Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously (4-0) to designate negotiators for the NL terminals real property negotiation.
• Regular Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously (5-0) after discussion of items 5H (final passage of CSI mini storage ordinance) and 5D (surplus lands act properties). On 5D, staff explained that recent changes to the Surplus Lands Act necessitated council declaration of exempt surplus before negotiations, and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review will occur later when concrete projects are proposed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Oral Communications (Non-Agenda): Seven speakers addressed the council. Several youth (Cora Piper, Jacob Moore Mortice, Lisa Roach, Josephina Renon) expressed concerns about bike and pedestrian safety, requesting safer crossings, slower speeds in school zones, and resurfacing of the bumpy wooden bridge. Alan Tubbs (volunteer at Alameda Naval Air Museum) requested financial relief and lease assistance, citing rising insurance costs and building maintenance issues. Josh Altieri (Housing Authority City of Alameda) highlighted partnerships with city departments and announced upcoming waitlists for two affordable housing properties.
• Item 10A – McCartney Road Restriping: Thirteen speakers provided public comment. The majority, including residents and parents with children, supported the lane reduction and safety improvements, citing slower traffic and safer crossings. A few speakers (e.g., William Pye, Rayla Graeber, Maureen Craw) opposed the changes, arguing insufficient community engagement and questioning the process.
• Item 7B – Zero Waste Implementation Plan: One speaker, Ruth Abbey (Community Action for Sustainable Alameda), supported adoption and urged full funding.
• Item 7C – Alameda Point Disposition: One remote speaker, Paul Eustarian, supported selling more property to reduce the city's landlord burden and generate infrastructure funding.

Discussion Items

• Item 10A – McCartney Road Restriping (Council Referral by Councilmember Desog): The council considered a referral to halt the recently completed restriping of McCartney Road from four lanes to two lanes (with buffered bike lanes) between Fortman Way and Island Drive. City Engineer Scott Wickstrom explained the changes were based on Vision Zero policy, Active Transportation Plan goals, and traffic analysis showing minimal impact on capacity (e.g., afternoon backup at Island Drive increased from 80 to 130 feet). He acknowledged outreach could have been better but defended the technical decision as safer. Councilmember Desog argued that staff overstepped authority, especially given opposition from the Harbor Bay Isle Homeowners Association. After extensive debate (including a failed motion to direct staff to review policies and municipal code for future projects), the council did not take action to halt the project. The interim city manager and city attorney committed to bringing back a policy on public engagement and staff delegation for infrastructure projects.
• Item 7B – 2025 Zero Waste Implementation Plan Update: Public Works Coordinator Liza Cord presented the plan, which replaces the 2020 goal with ongoing strategies to increase diversion from 81% toward 89%. The plan includes 12 programs, with four priority programs: enhancing multifamily bulky collection, enforcing illegal dumping, and piloting resources for low-income and unhoused communities (e.g., Cash for Trash). Funding requests will come in future budget cycles.
• Item 7C – Workshop on Disposition Strategy for Alameda Point: Base Reuse and Economic Development Director Abby Thorne Lyman reported that the Master Infrastructure Plan cost has risen to $900 million. The strategy focuses on selling land in the Phase 1 loop area to fund Phase 2 infrastructure (estimated $43 million). She highlighted that land values have not kept pace with inflation and building depreciation, and recommended seeking grants. Specific properties discussed include Building 41 (long-term ground lease), Building 11/412 complex (disposition due to $12 million roof need), and the Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (creative adaptive reuse). No formal action was taken.
• Items 7D & 7E – Lease Approvals:
  • 7D: Ordinance authorizing five-year leases with Chi Concepts LLC for Building 168 (28,000 sq ft interior) and Pier 1 at Alameda Point. Combined monthly base rent $27,150, with 3% annual increase. Approved unanimously.
  • 7E: Ordinance authorizing a five-year lease at 1001 Marina Village Parkway for fire administration consolidation (6,944 sq ft). Total cost $783,636 over five years, funded within existing budget. Will allow decontamination and wellness improvements at Fire Station 1. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Closed Session Votes:
  • Labor negotiations (4-1, Councilmember Desog dissenting).
  • Potential litigation (4-1, Councilmember Jensen dissenting).
  • Real property negotiation for NL terminals (5-0).
• Appointments: Yatin Shastri appointed to Golf Commission (5-0).
• Item 10A – McCartney Road: Motion to direct staff to update policies and municipal code for council review of future projects failed (2-2-1: Councilmembers Desog and Bowler in favor; Mayor Ashcraft and Vice Mayor Pryor opposed; Councilmember Jensen abstained). The project will proceed as completed. Staff will independently develop improved outreach and delegation guidelines to present at a future meeting.
• Zero Waste Plan: Adopted unanimously (5-0). Priority programs to be funded through future budget requests.
• Leases: Both ordinance items (7D and 7E) approved on first reading unanimously.
• Council Referrals: No new referrals were introduced. Councilmember Jensen indicated she would bring a future referral on tenant waste sorting requirements.
• Councilmember Reports: Vice Mayor Pryor participated in CASA cleanup and point-in-time count training. Councilmember Jensen attended an e-bike regulation webinar and noted leadership on SB 54 implementation. Mayor Ashcraft attended athletic field reopening and Mayor's Conference, highlighting Alameda's sea level rise planning. Councilmember Desog reported on the grand reopening of the school athletic fields.