Alameda City Council Meeting - March 17, 2026

The Alameda City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 (St. Patrick's Day), convening at approximately 7:00 p.m. after a closed session that began at 2:00 p.m. The meeting featured the Mayor’s State of the City address, presentations on a traffic safety improvement and annual departmental reports, and routine votes. All voting members were present except Vice Mayor Pryor. A council referral was postponed to the April 7 meeting.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar was approved unanimously by a 4-0 vote. No items were pulled for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Catherine Schwartz (CEO, Alameda Family Services) reported that the Native American Health Center will end physical health services at the Alameda High School Health Center on April 10, 2026, affecting hundreds of students. She stated that AFS is in talks with Roots Community Clinic and La Familia but these partners require first-year bridge funding. She urged the council to help secure funding to prevent the center’s closure.
• Kyle Sinkoff (Director of School-Based Services, AFS) provided key statistics: roughly 200 students served last school year, close to 1,000 visits; demographics include 28% Latino, 26% Asian, 18% White, 15% Black/African American; 91% of medical visits were for reproductive/sexual health; 7 student pregnancies reported this school year. He strongly supported preserving the health center.
• Jim Strelo (on Item 7B) opposed the proposed diverter island, arguing that crashes should be addressed through enforcement and better signage, not by penalizing law‑abiding drivers. He recommended installing "Cross traffic does not stop" signs and excluding impaired‑driving collisions from stats.
• Ruth Abbey (Community Action for Sustainable Alameda, on Item 7C) praised the city’s accomplishments and advocated strongly for increased staff capacity, particularly a transportation/climate project manager, to carry out future projects.
• Jim Strelo (on Item 7C) questioned why Vision Zero is a priority given low crime rates; urged year‑round multi‑lingual education; and criticized speed‑hump installation without prior resident notification.
• Michael Sullivan (on Item 7C) thanked the building and planning departments for their excellent support during his DIY electrification and seismic retrofit.
• Jay Garfinkel (on Items 7D/E) requested more explanatory detail in the agenda materials; he did not oppose the items.

Mayor's State of the City Address

Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft delivered her annual State of the City address, emphasizing public safety, transportation, housing, climate, and community wellbeing. Key points included:

• Public Safety: 2025 crime reductions: vehicle theft down 45%, larceny 15%, vandalism 14%, burglary 11%. Traffic enforcement up 91%. CARE team handled over 1,100 calls. Fireboat Neptune launched; a comprehensive strategic fire plan will begin in 2026.
• Transportation: Central Avenue improvements (first roundabouts, protected cycle track); Grand Street cycle track; Pacific Avenue neighborhood greenway. Alameda named gold‑level Bicycle‑Friendly Community. Woodstock water shuttle carried over 125,000 riders.
• Housing: City received Pro‑Housing Designation and $1M grant. In 2025, permitted 65 units (52 ADUs). Sold 12 below‑market‑rate homes. Rent program recovered over $500,000 in overcharges and secured rent control for 150 units at Admiral’s Cove.
• Homelessness: Dignity Village achieved 30 exits to positive housing (Jan 2025 – Mar 2026). Renovated day center and safe parking facility opening fall 2026. Warming shelter provided overnight stays, meals, and case management.
• Climate: Emissions down 29% since 2005; CARP on track. AMP maintains low rates, invests in grid reliability. Sea‑level rise planning advancing.
• Other: Estuary Park completion late 2026; aquatic center opens 2027; library noted 216,000 visits and a new clinical social worker pilot. City joined amicus briefs supporting local authority. The mayor also acknowledged challenges: uncertainty around the Alameda Point VA clinic, structural budget deficits, and the need for disciplined decision‑making. She concluded by thanking the community for its compassion and resilience.

Discussion Items

7B – Lincoln Avenue/Walnut Street Diverter

City Engineer Scott Wickstrom presented the proposal to install a concrete diverter island at the intersection, prohibiting through and left turns from Walnut Street to reduce broadside collisions. The intersection was flagged under Vision Zero; 38 collisions (30 broadside) occurred in recent years. Stop signs and traffic signals were deemed unfeasible because they do not meet state warrants and could lead to non‑compliance and rear‑end crashes. The diverter would force turning movements to the right, with pedestrians and cyclists still permitted. The Transportation Commission supported the plan. Council discussed neighbor input (neighbors largely supportive of action), traffic diversion to signalized intersections (Willow and Oak), and fire response (not impacted). After public comment, the council voted unanimously (4‑0) to authorize the Public Works Director to install the improvements.

7C – Acceptance of 2025 Annual Reports

Planning, Building & Transportation Director Allen Ty, Planner Tristan Swear, Sustainability Manager Danielle Miller, and Transportation Manager Lisa Foster jointly presented reports on the General Plan Housing Element, Transportation Choices Plan, Vision Zero, Climate Action & Resiliency Plan, and Climate Adaptation/Hazard Mitigation. Highlights: 2025 housing permits for 65 units (12% of RHNA target, but over 2,000 units in pipeline); 1.5 miles of all‑ages bikeways; safety improvements at 79 intersections; 225,000+ free bus rides for seniors/disabled; 29% emission reduction versus 2005. Staff noted processing 4,500 permits and 30,000 inspections in 2025. Upcoming work includes instant permits, inclusionary housing ordinance, short‑term rental rules, and a speed hump policy with 10 installations planned. Council asked about housing ratios (inclusionary ordinance update coming May 2026), speed hump scheduling, and outreach on 2027 gas appliance rules. The reports were accepted unanimously (4‑0).

7D & 7E – Letters of Understanding with Police and Fire Unions

HR Director Noelle White presented two resolutions approving clarifications to memorandums of understanding with the Alameda Police Officers Association and IAFF Local 689 to ensure compliance with CalPERS regulations. The revisions address holiday pay, career development incentives, and acting pay language; compensation is unchanged. Both unions agreed. After public comment, the council adopted both resolutions unanimously (4‑0).

Council Communications

Councilmembers reported attending various community events: new business opening, Rotary fundraiser, Little League opening, school civic projects, library volunteer event, police swearing‑in, care court webinar, and an MTC lobbying trip. A planned council referral was moved to the April 7 agenda.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved 4‑0.
• Item 7B (diverter) approved 4‑0.
• Item 7C (annual reports) accepted 4‑0.
• Items 7D & 7E (Police and Fire LOUs) adopted 4‑0.
• Closed session actions: The council gave unanimous direction (4‑0) in the Greenway Golf litigation and provided direction on a second closed‑session matter.
• Meeting adjourned at 9:34 p.m.