Alameda City Council Regular and Closed Session Meeting: April 7, 2026
Alameda City Council Regular and Closed Session Meeting: April 7, 2026
The Alameda City Council held a special closed session at 12:30 PM, followed by a regular meeting at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. The regular session included a proclamation for Arab American Heritage Month, oral communications, approval of the consent calendar, discussion and approval of sea level rise adaptation grants and contracts, introduction of rent ordinance amendments, and a referral to study restrictions on city property use for immigration enforcement. The council also took action on closed session items, including direction on hiring a city manager.
Consent Calendar
- Items Approved: The council approved the consent calendar (items 5A-5G, with 5D withdrawn) unanimously by a voice vote. Items included routine approvals, a resolution for Day Center relocation project expenditure (with discussion on reopening date and provider), and the strategic plan update (with discussion on Sister Cities and community garden inclusion).
- Public Comments on Consent Calendar: Five speakers supported the community garden at Jean Sweeney Park, citing food security, equity, and intergenerational benefits. One speaker objected to the strategic plan, demanding proof of homelessness spending.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Brian Kennedy spoke about attending a "No Kings" rally, displaying signs critical of sanctuary cities and alleging that an illegal alien killed an 18-year-old in Chicago. He expressed support for President Trump and criticized leftist demonstrations.
- Gabrielle Duncan (Founder/Director, Alameda Native History Project) requested the city enter discussions on managing oak trees as a food resource, using prescribed fire, and planning green levees for sea level rise. She noted their acorn harvest trainings are fully booked.
- Lauren Isell (Community Action for Sustainable Alameda) supported the Bay Farm Island adaptation project, noting extensive community outreach involving over 5,000 residents in vulnerable areas.
- Zoe Siegel (Senior Director, Greenbelt Alliance) supported the sea level rise planning amendment, praising the city's grant efforts and community engagement.
- Paul Boosterian (Bay Farm resident) supported the project and highlighted the importance of the Island Drive interim measure.
- Megan Amara Siri Wardena (garden educator) voiced full support, urging nature-based solutions that promote play and learning.
- Timothy Hilton (renter on Shoreline Drive) supported the rent ordinance updates, sharing experiences with rent registry issues.
Discussion Items
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Items 7A-7E: Bay Farm Island Adaptation Project and Related Contracts
- Staff (Danielle Mueller, Sustainability Manager; Chris Giard, CMG Landscape Architects) presented on the near-term adaptation plan for Bay Farm Island, funded by a $2.64 million Prop 68 grant (State Coastal Conservancy) and a $1.14 million SB1 grant for the shoreline adaptation plan. The project is at 30% design, aiming for 60% with this funding, targeting construction around 2030. Features include nature-based solutions, ADA access, fishing pier, and trail improvements.
- The council discussed grant funding, the status of the BRIC grant (canceled but potentially resuming), and coordination with Oakland and other agencies. Staff clarified that contract amendments are due to expanded scope, not cost overruns.
- The council voted unanimously (5-0) to accept the grant, allocate $50,000 from the general fund, and approve amendments to four agreements.
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Item 7F: Rent Ordinance Amendments
- Bill Chapin (Rent Program Director) presented amendments including: allowing city council to seek judicial review of hearing officer decisions, requiring a 7-day displacement before permanent relocation payments, giving tenants right to reoccupy after invalid eviction notices, clarifying full compliance for rent increases, and addressing post-sale liability.
- Two resolutions were also presented: one on rent program fees (including a $50,000 general fund subsidy for Section 8 fee waivers) and one rescinding an outdated Ellis Act policy.
- Councilmember Bowler recused himself due to a potential conflict of interest.
- After public comment, the council voted 4-0 to introduce the ordinance and adopt the resolutions.
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Item 10A: Referral on City Property Use for Immigration Enforcement
- Councilmember Daysog introduced a referral to direct staff to review precluding city-owned properties from being used as staging grounds for immigration roundups, and to return with analysis and recommendations. He noted similar policies in other East Bay cities.
- Council discussion included support from Vice Mayor Pryor, Councilmember Bowler (citing over 60 emails and existing strategic plan work), and Councilmember Jensen. Mayor Ashcraft expressed caution about enforcement feasibility (77 police officers, federal property in Alameda) and suggested focusing on practical measures like bystander training.
- The council voted unanimously (5-0) to refer the item to staff with direction to report back as soon as practical, including an examination of enforcement options.
Key Outcomes
- Closed Session Actions:
- Item 4A (City Manager hiring): Council provided direction by a vote of 4-1 (Councilmember Daysog abstaining). This action was announced after reconvening from closed session.
- Items 4B (Litigation) and 4C (Real property negotiations): Staff provided information and council provided direction by 5-0 votes.
- Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously.
- Bay Farm Island Adaptation Project (7A-7E): Approved unanimously. The city will accept $2.64 million in Prop 68 grant funds and $1.14 million in SB1 funds, allocate $50,000 general fund for staff time, and amend agreements with CMG Landscape Architects, Greenbelt Alliance, Community Action for Sustainable Alameda, and San Francisco Estuary Institute.
- Rent Ordinance Amendments (7F): Introduced by a 4-0 vote (Bowler recused), with a second reading required. Resolutions on program fees and Ellis Act policy also adopted.
- Referral on Immigration Enforcement (10A): Approved unanimously. Staff will review precluding city property use for immigration roundups and report back as soon as practical, including enforcement analysis.
- Proclamation: April 2026 recognized as Arab American Heritage Month in Alameda.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the city council meeting for the City of Alameda. Tonight is um Tuesday, April seventh, twenty twenty-six, and the council is about to go into closed session, special city council meeting closed session, and we will start with the roll call, Madam Clerk, Laura Weissinger. Would you please call the roll? Councilmember Spoiler? Days on prior here. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft. Here. For present, and hopefully Councilmember Jensen will be here shortly. Hopefully. Okay. And so um we will go next to the consent calendar, and this is for the closed session. This is a routine item that will be approved by one motion, unless removed by council members. Madam Clerk, do you want to tell us what that item is? Yes, so this one is designating negotiators for the um real property negotiations for peers two, three and two, which is uh for C on the closed session. Thank you. But we're actually going to hear that first up, and thank you. So what I need is a a motion, a second and a unanimous vote of all of us. Who wants to make that motion? Co Councilmember um Bowler makes the motion, seconded by Councilmember Daesog over there, seconds the gotta get in practice for the meeting. The regular meeting. All those in favor signify by stating aye. Aye. Okay, that's everybody. Thank you. And Madam Clerk, do we have any public comment on the closed session? There is none. All right. And would you please um introduce the closed session items and tell us any additional information we need to know? You've got it. For A is public employee appointment hiring pursuant to government code section five four nine five seven, the title description and position to be filled as city manager. For B as conference of legal counsel existing litigation pursuant to government code section five four nine five six point nine eight. Case name of City of Alameda versus the Greenway Golf Associates Inc. The court is Alameda County Superior Court, and the case number is two two C V011964. Four C is conference with real property negotiators pursuant to government code section five four nine five six point eight. The property is peers two and three, and adjacent property at Alameda Point. The city negotiators are the interim city manager, base for use and economic development director, base for use manager and assistant city attorney. No, um, that's how we're going to hear them. So could we please have everyone who is associated with item four C, please join us in room three ninety-one. And with that, we're adjourning to closed session and have every intention of being back before you at seven PM this evening. All right. Good evening, everyone. Apologies for starting a little late. Um, welcome to the city council meeting for the city of Alameda. The council has just returned from closed session. And so I would like to ask the city clerk to please read announce any actions that were taken in closed session. So item 4A, which is public appointment hiring, council will go back in after the open session to discuss that further. Item 4B, which was existing litigation, staff provided information and council provided direction by five eyes. Item 4C, which was conference with real property negotiators for the Alameda Point Piers 2 and 3, staff provided information and council provided direction by five eyes. And item 4D, which was potential litigation, was not heard. All right.
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