City of Alameda Open Government Commission Meeting - October 5, 2026

The Open Government Commission of the City of Alameda met on Monday, October 5, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 2263 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda, CA, with remote participation available via Zoom. Commissioners Harris, T. Los, and Chair Bowling were present, constituting a quorum. The Commission unanimously approved the February 2, 2026 meeting minutes, directed staff to prepare the 2026 Annual Report, received a staff update from the City Clerk, and heard commissioners' reflections marking Vice Chair Harris's final meeting. No members of the public provided comment.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public speakers signed up or came forward for non-agenda public comment, and none spoke on the annual report item.

Discussion Items

• Minutes of the February 2, 2026 Meeting (Item 3-A): A motion to approve the minutes was made, seconded, and passed 3-0 by roll call vote (Harris, T. Los, Bowling). The Chair referred to the meeting date as "February 26th" in one instance, though the agenda lists it as February 2, 2026.
• 2026 Annual Report (Item 3-B): The City Clerk reviewed the prior year's process, noting the Commission had directed her to draft the annual report and that the same public-records-request search could be repeated if desired, with a return in February 2027. Commissioners requested a side-by-side comparison of prior-year and current-year statistics for Public Records Act (PRA) requests. A commissioner observed an apparent increase in PRA requests, possibly driven by AI-related firms seeking bid tabulations and contracts, as well as an increase in email searches. The Chair introduced the item as "approve the 2025 annual report," though the agenda identifies it as the 2026 Annual Report; the action taken was to direct staff to prepare the report. Asked whether any hearing-officer hearings had occurred, the City Clerk replied that none had; the only complaint filed all year was dismissed as insufficient. The Commission unanimously directed staff to prepare the report again, including the side-by-side comparison. No subcommittee was formed.
• Staff Communication (Item 4): The City Clerk reported that the only complaint filed all year — filed June 22 and alleging a June 11 meeting — was deemed insufficient because no such meeting occurred; the body in question, related to the "care team," had not met in years. She also announced that Vice Chair Harris's tenure would end because his appointing authority, Mayor Ezzy Ashkoff, is termed out. The City Clerk noted she will reach 30 years with the City next May. Commissioners praised her competence and the quality of the mandatory training video.
• Commission Communications (Item 5): Vice Chair Harris indicated this was likely his last meeting, thanking the Commission and the City Clerk. A commissioner echoed appreciation, reflecting on a "good two years" and enjoyable service on the Commission. The meeting was then adjourned without a formal motion, as none was required.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the February 2, 2026 meeting minutes (3-0; Harris, T. Los, Bowling).
• Directed staff to prepare the 2026 Annual Report (3-0), including side-by-side prior-year vs. current-year PRA statistics, with a draft to return in February 2027.
• Acknowledged the City Clerk's report that the only complaint filed all year was dismissed as insufficient.
• Recognized Vice Chair Harris's final meeting on the Commission.