Alameda City Council Meeting – September 1, 2026

The Alameda City Council met on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, starting with a closed session at 5:30 PM, followed by a special joint meeting at 6:59 PM, and the regular meeting at 7:00 PM. The council addressed a range of items including a critical commitment letter for the Stardust Gardens supportive housing project, approval of responses to a civil grand jury report on emergency preparedness, and lease amendments for two Alameda Point tenants.

Consent Calendar

• Approved routine items from the closed session (designation of real property negotiators for Building 24 and Piers 2 and 3) and the special joint meeting (minutes and investment report).
• Approved the regular consent calendar (items 5-A through 5-I), including police policy updates, a data acquisition support contract, a roof drain replacement project, ambulance transport agreement amendments, fire department compensation resolution, five grant applications totaling $5.03 million, and final passage of an ordinance prohibiting parking in bicycle lanes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Closed Session Comments: Mary Ann Morgan expressed community concern about companies involved in negotiations at Alameda Point, particularly those involved in military and AI technologies, calling for more transparency.
• Non-Agenda Oral Communications: Several speakers addressed:
  • Josh Altieri (Housing Authority) gave a quarterly update on voucher programs and partnerships.
  • Ken Levins (Marina Shores HOA) urged the council to refer a proposed truck route modification on Clement Avenue for further review, suggesting an alternative routing (westbound trucks on Clement, eastbound on Buena Vista).
  • Sid spoke against Flock cameras, citing Fourth Amendment concerns and potential for abuse.
  • Amos White opposed citing an AI data center at Alameda Point, citing water, electricity, air quality, noise, and equity impacts.
  • Anna Mayer (Marina Shores resident) supported the referral request, citing safety and pedestrian concerns.
  • Chris Blair and Katya Marthy opposed negotiations with certain corporations (e.g., Apollo Atomics, Giga Energy) without public notice.
  • Doyle Saylor objected to a potential data center and criticized the use of NDAs.
  • Maylani Sheehan shared a personal story about domestic violence.
• Agenda Item 7A (Stardust Gardens): Sixteen speakers testified, including:
  • Representatives from MidPen Housing, Alameda Point Collaborative (APC), Operation Dignity, the Alameda Food Bank, Brookfield Residential, San Francisco Bay Ferry, and community members expressed strong support for the city’s commitment letter.
  • Several Housing Authority board members and staff (Carly Grobe, Vanessa Cooper, Sylvia Martinez, Vadim Sidelnikov, Sepideh Kimarsi) explained the Housing Authority’s position: they could not commit project-based vouchers due to HUD regulations and budget constraints, but they remain committed to finding a solution. They requested the city approve the stopgap subsidy while the Housing Authority explores options.
  • Former Councilmember Malia Vella urged support and noted that the Housing Authority had years to act.
  • Michael Pucci warned against repeating past Section 8 funding shortfalls and criticized the city’s HUD consultant.
• Agenda Item 7C (DOER Marine): Elizabeth Taylor thanked the council for working on the lease extension.
• Later Oral Communications: Megan spoke about the importance of placemaking in selecting tenants for waterfront buildings at Alameda Point, urging the council to prioritize community gathering spaces over utilitarian uses. Leo Esclamado (remote) reiterated concerns about the Clement Avenue truck route and requested a referral for safer alternatives.

Discussion Items

• 7A – Stardust Gardens Operating Subsidy: City Manager Gerry Beaudin and Base Reuse Director Abigail Thorne-Lyman presented the recommendation to authorize a commitment letter to MidPen Housing for a $1 million annual operating subsidy (with 2.5% annual escalation for 20 years, total $25.5 million) for the 80-unit supportive housing project. The subsidy is a stopgap measure while the Alameda Housing Authority works out a permanent project-based voucher commitment. The project has raised $60 million in development funding and needs operating subsidy to secure final tax credits by September 8, 2026. The city would fund it from the Alameda Point Fund, delaying other infrastructure. Councilmembers debated the issue, with some expressing frustration at the Housing Authority’s lack of action but ultimately supporting the stopgap. Councilmember Daysog’s motion emphasized using the first paragraph of the staff recommendation and de-emphasizing paragraph three (structural changes to the Housing Authority). The council also directed staff to include language ensuring the city’s commitment can be reduced if other operating subsidies materialize.
• 7B – Response to Grand Jury Report on Emergency Preparedness: City Manager Beaudin and Fire Chief Nick Luby presented the city’s response to the 2025-26 Alameda County Civil Grand Jury report. The city agreed with several findings (e.g., need for updated EOP, improvements in social media messaging) and partially agreed with others (e.g., training exercises). They disagreed with the recommendation to discontinue the disaster registry. Councilmember Bowler requested adding clarifying language to responses for recommendations 29 and 30 (regarding after-action reports). The council approved the response unanimously with that amendment.
• 7C – DOER Marine Lease Amendment: Base Reuse Manager Alesia Strauch presented a second lease amendment for DOER Marine Operations (Building 41) for a six-month extension with two six-month renewal options (total possible 18 months). Rent remains the same for the initial six months, with 5% escalation on renewals. The goal is to maintain a tenant while the city works toward conveying the building. Approved unanimously.
• 7D – Faction Brewing Lease Amendment: Analyst Annie Cox presented a third lease amendment for Faction Brewing (Building 22, Suite 200). The amendment extends the initial term by three years, provides a repayment schedule for $222,000 in past-due rent, and offers a one-time credit for shade structure and signage improvements. Faction has been paying full rent since February 2026. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• 7A – Stardust Gardens: The council voted unanimously (5-0) to authorize the city manager to sign a commitment letter in substantial conformance with the staff report, with direction to include language allowing the city’s subsidy to be offset by other operating subsidies. The city will report back regularly.
• 7B – Grand Jury Response: The council voted unanimously (5-0) to authorize the city manager to finalize and transmit the city’s response, with added language clarifying implementation status for recommendations 29 and 30.
• 7C – DOER Marine: The council voted unanimously (5-0) to introduce the ordinance authorizing the lease amendment.
• 7D – Faction Brewing: The council voted unanimously (5-0) to introduce the ordinance authorizing the third lease amendment.
• Council Referrals and Communications: Councilmember Jensen raised concerns about the closure of restaurants at Harbor Bay Landing Shopping Center and urged staff to work with the property owner. Mayor Ashcraft announced nominations for appointments to the Civil Service Board, Planning Board, and Transportation Commission, to be confirmed at the next meeting.