Alameda City Council Meeting - May 5, 2026

The Alameda City Council held a regular meeting on May 5, 2026, beginning at 1:00 PM (closed session) and reconvening for the regular agenda. The meeting included a budget workshop for the FY 26-27 mid-cycle budget, a public hearing on the appeal of a use permit for amplified outdoor music at Park Station Brewery, and several other routine and consent items. The council deliberated on budget requests from multiple departments, heard extensive public testimony on the Park Station noise dispute, and voted on a number of items.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent calendar (including designating negotiators for building 11 at 1190 West Tower Avenue) with three ayes and two absent, and later approved the regular consent calendar (items 5A-5X) with Councilmember Bowler abstaining from items 5O and 5X.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Non-Agenda Oral Communications: Residents spoke on various topics. Tiffany Southwick, owner of Mary's Mercantile at Grand Marina, requested urgent city action to address public access closures affecting her business. Josh Altieri of Alameda Housing Authority provided updates on housing programs and customer service survey results. Corinne Kirschbaum demanded an independent investigation into the mayor's conduct related to homeless services contracts. Kathleen Von Martins spoke about cybersecurity and urged the city to harden its systems.
• Appeal of Park Station Use Permit: 29 speakers addressed the appeal. Appellants (represented by Rebecca Davis and Kevin Durfee) argued that the amplified outdoor music at Park Station violates the city's noise ordinance and CEQA, causing sleep disruption and an inability to enjoy their homes. Applicant Melody Taber and Grant Uskins (owners of Park Station) proposed a compromise 75 dB limit, noting that their Saturday bluegrass event at 75 dB measured 55-58 dB at the appellant's residence. Numerous community members, including Kathy Weber (Downtown Alameda), Bobby Centurion (neighbor of 36 years), Joseph Ozzie Osborne (Ozzy's Music Academy), and several residents, spoke in support of Park Station, emphasizing its role as a community gathering space and economic asset. Multiple neighbors like Ann Argyrio and Jeff Robus testified that the music was intrusive even with windows closed.

Discussion Items

• Mid-Cycle Budget Workshop (FY 26-27): The council heard a 45-minute presentation from Finance Director Ross McCarthy, Budget Manager E. Kat Burton, and department heads. The city faces a structural deficit with expenditures growing faster than revenues. The originally proposed residual fund balance of $9.69 million is threatened by a $5 million cost increase for the Aquatic Center, economic uncertainty, and a potential November ballot measure that could reduce transfer tax revenue. Staff presented alternatives to reduce new spending and preserve fund balances. Councilmembers debated priorities including police hiring (lifting the freeze from 72 to 76 sworn officers), adding a library social worker, cybersecurity tools, a part-time safety officer, and other departmental requests.
• City Attorney's Office Budget: The council considered and approved the city attorney's budget, including a $40,000 transfer from the general fund to support housing voucher programs (Section 8) fee waivers. Assistant City Attorney Julia Gonzalez highlighted the office's national award from the American Bar Association for advocacy on behalf of Barn Hill Marina residents.
• Appointment of City Manager: The council approved an agreement appointing Jared Jerry Bowden as City Manager effective June 30, 2026, with a modified compensation package (1% salary increase, reduced deferred compensation from 3% to 1%, reduced auto allowance from $550 to $400 per month, and removal of the word "facilitated" from the evaluation section). The vote was unanimous.
• Park Station Appeal: After hearing public testimony, the council discussed staff's recommendation to uphold the appeal and require compliance with the city's existing noise ordinance (ambient noise standard), rather than the 85 dB limit previously granted. The council also discussed a future review of the noise ordinance itself. The council voted unanimously to direct staff to implement the new conditions and return for review in four months.

Key Outcomes

• Budget Direction: The council voted 3-2 (Mayor Ashcraft, Vice Mayor Pryor, Councilmember Bowler in favor; Councilmembers Jensen and Daysog opposed) to adopt the mid-cycle budget with staff's proposed alternatives, including: unfreezing four police officer positions, making the HR safety officer a part-time position, adding a library social worker, funding for cybersecurity tools, a permit system audit, and other adjustments, while deferring several requested new positions and upgrades. The vote preserved an estimated $10.5 million in excess reserves.
• City Manager Contract: Approved unanimously with amendments reducing deferred compensation to 1% and auto allowance to $400/month.
• Park Station Appeal: Upholds the appeal, requiring outdoor amplified music to comply with the city's noise ordinance (ambient noise level) instead of the previously allowed 85 dB. The council also directed staff to evaluate and potentially update the city's noise ordinance, with a check-in with the Planning Board in four months.