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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Alameda Social Service Human Relations Board Meeting – January 21, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, January 21, 2026

BodyAlameda, California

SessionCity Council

DateWednesday, January 21, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:33:05

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:00

Oh no!

0:03

That's it.

0:04

Good evening.

0:05

And welcome to the January 15th, 2026 Social Service Human Relations Board for the City of Alameda.

0:14

Um, but before the meeting gets started, um I want everyone to know this meeting has been recorded.

0:21

The chat function has been turned off.

0:24

If members of the public would like to comment on an item, there are multiple options to do so.

0:29

If attending via Zoom, digitally raise your hand, and Secretary Man will announce when it is your turn.

0:35

You will then have the option to unmute yourself and to proceed with your public comment.

0:40

Email your public comment to Secretary Ben Ayan at G M A N N A H A Y O N at Alamedaca.gov before or during the meeting with your name, the agenda item number, your referencing, and your comment.

0:57

Comments submitted during the meeting before the conclusion of the public comment section will be read into the record.

1:05

Her email address is also on the meeting's agenda.

1:08

If you're calling in by phone, please email Ms.

1:12

Ben as we cannot see you raising your hand.

1:15

You can also dial star nine to raise your hand, and we will call on you.

1:20

To provide a public comment in person, please complete a public comment slip with your name and the agenda item number you will be speaking on.

1:27

We will be called upon when it is your turn.

1:30

Public comments will be limited to three minutes.

1:35

The public has two opportunities for public comments.

1:39

First under agenda item two, public comments.

1:41

Comments from the audience may concern matters not in the agenda, but must deal with matters subject to the jurisdiction of the Social Service Human Relations Board.

1:50

Second, under each agenda item, there will be an opportunity for public comment on a specific item.

1:56

Each item follows a format similar to the council meetings.

2:00

First, after a presentation, we will ask if there are any clarifying questions from Shrub members for staff.

2:06

Then we will ask if there are any public comments on this agenda item, and finally, after public comment, we will open the item up for board discussion and a vote if recommended.

2:16

The meeting is now called to order at 7:04 p.m.

2:27

Let us proceed to roll call.

2:31

Um Robbie Kreitz, she's absent, and um also I want to mention there's gonna be a new person uh starting next month.

2:40

Um board member Chantel Carter, um, and we'll save the introduction until she's here next week.

2:46

She's also absent.

2:48

Uh Bernie Wolf here.

2:50

Gerald Bryant, here Michelle Buckholz, for now, Samantha Green, and Scott Means, here.

2:57

We have a forum of four people.

3:02

All right.

3:03

We also have with us tonight from the Housing Human Services Division, Gresham Anna, program manager, and Shelby Neal administrative specialist, and possibly attending virtually Camille Rodriguez.

3:17

Is that yeah, okay, yes, great.

3:20

Um, welcome.

3:21

All right, we will now be moving on to item number two.

3:25

Non-agenda public comments, okay.

3:31

The city welcomes speaker providing public comment, but please be advised.

3:34

This is a limited public forum.

3:36

Comments from the audience may concern matters either on or not on the agenda, but must deal with matters subject to the jurisdiction of the Social Service and Human Relations Board.

3:45

Comments will be limited to three minutes.

3:48

Comments concerning matters on this evening's agenda will be heard when the item is called.

3:53

If speakers fail to follow these rules, they will be warned, and if they continue to disregard the rules, their opportunity to speak will end.

4:04

So, do we have any speakers for item number two?

4:09

Yes, we do.

4:10

We have Harin, Hershenbaum.

4:15

All right, welcome.

4:16

Go ahead, you can start your time.

4:18

So, um, I uh formerly want to express my deep disappointment and concern regarding board's conduct treatment of public testimony and apparent district government for the community where welfare responsibilities you are entrusted to uphold.

4:34

At my first meeting, I used my allotted three minutes to speak about serious and ongoing issues involved being homeless services in Alameda, the village of blood, and millions of dollars in unaccounted public funds designated for vulnerable residents.

4:52

I came not as an adversary, but as a longtime Alameda resident, former educator, taxpayer, homeless myself, and a whistleblower.

5:09

Um raising documented concerns about the well-being of unhoused individuals and the integrity of public oversight.

5:23

What followed was not engagement, curiosity, or due diligence.

5:29

I was cut off.

5:30

No board member asked a single question, no one requested additional information, no one followed up, no follow-up occurred.

5:40

Instead, I was treated as a nuisance rather than a constitution.

5:45

I was given hostile looks when it entering a subsequent answering subsequent meetings.

5:52

I was passed over when requesting to speak, and most disturbingly, my public comments were omitted from the official meeting minutes.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Homelessness█████████████████████████████████33%

Community Engagement█████████████████████████25%

Procedural██████████10%

Youth Programs██████████10%

Racial Equity████████8%

Mental Health Awareness██████6%

Arts And Culture██████6%

Public Engagement█1%

Affordable Housing█1%

Summary of Proceedings

Alameda Social Service Human Relations Board Meeting – January 21, 2026

The Social Service Human Relations Board (SSHRB) met on January 21, 2026, to discuss collaboration on a Season for Nonviolence event, review progress on the annual work plan, receive a presentation on the upcoming Point-in-Time homeless count, and handle routine business. The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. and adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Board member Robbie Kreitz was absent; board member Chantel Carter was also absent but will join next month. Staff present included Gracia (Program Manager), Shelby Neal (Administrative Specialist), and Camille Rodriguez (Homeless Services Manager, joining virtually partway).

Public Comments & Testimony

Harin Hershenbaum spoke during non-agenda public comments, expressing deep disappointment and concern about the board's treatment of public testimony. He stated that at a prior meeting, after using his allotted three minutes to raise issues about homeless services, the Village of Blood, and unaccounted public funds, no board member asked questions or followed up, and his comments were omitted from the official meeting minutes. He argued this violates the California Brown Act and suppresses the public record. He urged the board to examine uncomfortable information rather than dismiss it. The board chair thanked him and cut him off after three minutes. A second speaker then made a brief, dismissive comment about the board and the mayor.

Consent Calendar

Approval of Minutes (December 1, 2025): The board initially tabled the minutes because Michelle Buckholz, who attended the December meeting, was absent. Later in the meeting after Michelle arrived, the board revisited the item. A motion to approve was made and seconded, and the minutes were approved unanimously.

Discussion Items

Season for Nonviolence Partnership: Board member Gerald Bryant led a discussion on collaborating with the Alameda Collaborative for Children, Youth and Their Families (ACCYF) and the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) for an event commemorating the Season for Nonviolence (January 30 – April 4). The event is planned for the last week of March 2026. The youth advisory committee wants a Wednesday (early release day) starting at 4 p.m., and have proposed an open-mic format with tabling by various clubs, possibly at the Healing Garden. Board members offered to serve as judges and help promote the event. Gerald noted the need to reach out to WABA (owners of the Healing Garden) for permission. The board expressed enthusiasm and committed to supporting the youth.
Review of 2025-26 SSHRB Work Plan Progress: Staff member Gracia facilitated a mid-year evaluation. The board discussed each objective:
- Community Needs Assessment: Staff is now leading this effort, with three stakeholder sessions planned. The board will participate as stakeholders and provide feedback on a draft. Board members raised questions about data scope (e.g., including domestic violence indicators for CDBG funding) and ensuring the assessment captures broader community needs. Staff confirmed that data from HMIS and surveys will be used, and the board will have checkpoints to address gaps.
- Infrastructure, CDG (completed), Road Home, and Domestic Violence committees: Board members reported on their work. The United Against Hate (AUAH) committee (chaired by Gerald) noted progress on resolutions but still needs to engage with local student unions, LGBTQ community, and the City of Davis for best practices. A pivot to a book club with authors was suggested. The Domestic Violence committee (chaired by Bernie) focuses on task force meetings, with a February 2 meeting featuring the city attorney and victim advocate. The Road Home committee (chaired by Scott and Sam) discussed the upcoming Point-in-Time count and a potential shift to outreach around the data.
- New business: Board member Sam Green proposed focusing on overdose prevention and Narcan distribution, including training YAC members and city seasonal staff. The board agreed to explore partnerships with schools and parks.
Point-in-Time Count Presentation: Camille Rodriguez presented on the January 22, 2026 Point-in-Time count of unsheltered homeless individuals. She reported that about 50 volunteers have registered and more are needed to cover all census tracts. Volunteers will meet at 4:30 a.m., walk assigned tracts, and administer surveys via the Counting Us app. Incentives include gift cards and care packages from Girl Scouts and a local baseball team. The count helps secure federal funding. Board members asked about known locations and data methodology; Camille explained that locations are based on observations and may include duplicates. The board discussed sending thank-you notes to volunteers.
Staff Communications: Gracia provided updates:
- Day center relocation: Contractor Marcon Builders selected; construction to be completed late summer/early fall.
- Federally funded social service provider contracts executed after a long delay.
- Five-year progress report presented to city council and accepted on January 6.
- Stakeholder sessions for needs assessment begin this month.
- New interim city manager appointed: Mr. Adam Pollitzer (experience: 35 years in local government).
- 17 below-market-rate homes sold to low-to-moderate income households from September to December.
Board Communications: Board member Gerald reported an email from Diane at the Free Library requesting co-sponsorship for a Black History Month book event featuring a pioneer NAACP recruiter. The board agreed to follow up and potentially partner.

Key Outcomes

Minutes approved (December 1, 2025) after Michelle Buckholz arrived.
Season for Nonviolence event: Board will provide judges and promote the event. Staff will coordinate with ACCYF and WABA on logistics.
Work plan revisions: The board will explore overdose prevention initiatives, including Narcan training and distribution. The Road Home and AUAH committees will adjust focus based on new priorities.
Point-in-Time count: Board encouraged to volunteer. Staff will send thank-you notes to volunteers.
Black History Month co-sponsorship: Board to follow up with Diane and library staff.
Board member assignments: New members will be placed on AUAH and Domestic Violence committees; Robbie Kreitz expressed interest in Domestic Violence.

Meeting Transcript

Oh no! That's it. Good evening. And welcome to the January 15th, 2026 Social Service Human Relations Board for the City of Alameda. Um, but before the meeting gets started, um I want everyone to know this meeting has been recorded. The chat function has been turned off. If members of the public would like to comment on an item, there are multiple options to do so. If attending via Zoom, digitally raise your hand, and Secretary Man will announce when it is your turn. You will then have the option to unmute yourself and to proceed with your public comment. Email your public comment to Secretary Ben Ayan at G M A N N A H A Y O N at Alamedaca.gov before or during the meeting with your name, the agenda item number, your referencing, and your comment. Comments submitted during the meeting before the conclusion of the public comment section will be read into the record. Her email address is also on the meeting's agenda. If you're calling in by phone, please email Ms. Ben as we cannot see you raising your hand. You can also dial star nine to raise your hand, and we will call on you. To provide a public comment in person, please complete a public comment slip with your name and the agenda item number you will be speaking on. We will be called upon when it is your turn. Public comments will be limited to three minutes. The public has two opportunities for public comments. First under agenda item two, public comments. Comments from the audience may concern matters not in the agenda, but must deal with matters subject to the jurisdiction of the Social Service Human Relations Board. Second, under each agenda item, there will be an opportunity for public comment on a specific item. Each item follows a format similar to the council meetings. First, after a presentation, we will ask if there are any clarifying questions from Shrub members for staff. Then we will ask if there are any public comments on this agenda item, and finally, after public comment, we will open the item up for board discussion and a vote if recommended. The meeting is now called to order at 7:04 p.m. Let us proceed to roll call. Um Robbie Kreitz, she's absent, and um also I want to mention there's gonna be a new person uh starting next month. Um board member Chantel Carter, um, and we'll save the introduction until she's here next week. She's also absent. Uh Bernie Wolf here. Gerald Bryant, here Michelle Buckholz, for now, Samantha Green, and Scott Means, here. We have a forum of four people. All right. We also have with us tonight from the Housing Human Services Division, Gresham Anna, program manager, and Shelby Neal administrative specialist, and possibly attending virtually Camille Rodriguez. Is that yeah, okay, yes, great. Um, welcome. All right, we will now be moving on to item number two. Non-agenda public comments, okay. The city welcomes speaker providing public comment, but please be advised. This is a limited public forum. Comments from the audience may concern matters either on or not on the agenda, but must deal with matters subject to the jurisdiction of the Social Service and Human Relations Board. Comments will be limited to three minutes. Comments concerning matters on this evening's agenda will be heard when the item is called. If speakers fail to follow these rules, they will be warned, and if they continue to disregard the rules, their opportunity to speak will end. So, do we have any speakers for item number two? Yes, we do. We have Harin, Hershenbaum. All right, welcome. Go ahead, you can start your time.

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