Alameda City Council Meeting - June 2, 2026

On Tuesday, June 2, 2026, the Alameda City Council convened for a regular meeting, preceded by a closed session and a special joint meeting of the City Council and the Successor Agency. The meeting covered a mid-cycle budget update and workforce changes, the Aquatic Center parking plan, a Pride Month proclamation, and reports from closed session. Key votes included approval of budget amendments, workforce changes, and a 50-space parking plan for the Aquatic Center.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar for the regular City Council meeting was approved unanimously (5-0). Items included routine approvals such as resolutions amending the master fee schedule, with recusals noted for Councilmember Bowler on certain fees.
• The consent calendar for the Successor Agency meeting was approved unanimously (5-0), including adoption of the Proposition 4 appropriations limit for FY 2026-27.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Oral Communications (Non-Agenda):
  • James Golden reported a car accident at Walnut and Clement due to limited visibility after bike lane installation and requested a stop sign at that intersection.
  • Karen Kirschbaum alleged that the city has unaccounted-for funds (up to $10 million) and mishandled homeless services. She was warned for disrupting the meeting and then escorted out.
• Item 3A (Budget and Workforce Changes):
  • Mitch Ball supported adding a parking technician, stating it would be revenue-positive and improve enforcement, but argued three technicians are insufficient.
  • Denise Trapiny (Bikewalk Alameda) also supported the parking technician and urged the city to enforce bike lane parking regulations, calling current enforcement inadequate.
• Item 7A (Aquatic Center Parking Plan):
  • Mitch Ball criticized the parking demand model and recommended paid parking at the Aquatic Center, warning that uncontrolled overflow would worsen traffic.
  • Denise Trapiny (Bikewalk Alameda) supported the reduced 50-space lot and shared parking agreements but advocated for paid parking and expressed concern about paving more parkland.

Discussion Items

• Item 3A: Mid-Cycle Budget and Workforce Amendments (FY 2026-27)

  • Budget Manager Katerina Burton and Finance Director Ross McCarthy presented the mid-cycle budget, highlighting $159 million in expenditures, $158 million in revenues, and a projected ending residual fund balance of $9.7 million (including a $5 million increase for the Aquatic Center).
  • Council discussed the risk of losing transfer tax revenue (up to $18 million) due to a potential November ballot measure. Finance Director McCarthy stated the city does not budget for hypotheticals.
  • Councilmember Daysog expressed concerns about dipping into OPEB and pension trust funds to cover growing costs. Assistant City Manager Woldridge noted a five-year forecast would be conducted.
  • Workforce changes included adding four police officers and a parking technician, and converting four full-time positions to part-time. Director Aaron Smith (Public Works) outlined parking enforcement needs and the future need for a parking supervisor.
  • Council debated whether to approve all positions immediately or defer some until the new city manager arrives (June 30). A compromise ensured that recruitments would not begin until the new city manager approves them.
  • Councilmember Daysog voted no, citing that the police hiring freeze (76 sworn officers instead of 88) does not allow the chief to reach optimal staffing levels.

• Item 7A: Aquatic Center Parking Action Plan

  • Recreation and Parks Director Justin Long presented the plan for a 50-space on-site parking lot (reduced from 67), with 110 bike parking spaces, shared parking agreements with College of Alameda (126 spaces plus 10 dedicated employee spaces), and ongoing negotiations with Blue Rise for 25–35 unrestricted overflow spaces.
  • Dixon Resources Unlimited consultants recommended 67 spaces but did not account for the off-site agreements. Staff proposed two-hour time limits during peak periods, a 5% discount for alternative transportation users, and no paid parking at this time.
  • Council received updates on a loading zone for community gardeners and a drop-off area.
  • Councilmember Desag favored a 67-space lot, arguing that license agreements for off-site parking may be temporary and that 50 spaces would cause frequent overflow. Others supported the staff recommendation, noting the flexibility of off-site agreements and the ability to reassess paid parking later.

Key Outcomes

• Closed Session Reports:
  • Item 4A: Council provided direction on real property negotiations for Building 29 (Alameda Point) – passed 5-0.
  • Item 4B: Council authorized settlement with Greenway Golf Associates (existing litigation) – passed 5-0.
  • Item 4C: Council ratified performance evaluations for City Attorney and City Clerk – passed 5-0.
• Successor Agency Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously (5-0).
• Item 3A (Budget and Workforce Changes): Motion to approve the mid-cycle budget and workforce changes as proposed in the staff report passed 4-1 (Councilmember Daysog voted no). All new positions are subject to the new city manager's approval before recruitment begins July 1.
• Item 3B (Rent Program Budget Amendment): Adopted by a vote of 4-0 with one abstention (Councilmember Bowler recused).
• Item 7A (Aquatic Center Parking Plan): Motion to approve the 50-space on-site parking lot, shared parking agreements, time-limited parking, and incentives for alternative transportation, with continued assessment of the parking plan (including potential paid parking), passed 4-1 (Councilmember Daysog voted no).
• Proclamation: June 2026 declared LGBTQ+ Pride Month in Alameda, with library events highlighted.
• Reappointments: Mayor announced reappointments to the Commission on Persons with Disabilities (John Lip, Jane Schmidt), Golf Commission (Yatin Shastri), and Public Utilities Board (Elise Hunter); ratification will occur at the next meeting.
• Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at approximately 11:10 p.m. after final closed session item.