Alameda County Board of Supervisors Meeting – December 16, 2025
Alameda County Board of Supervisors Meeting – December 16, 2025
This regular meeting of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors on December 16, 2025, began with board remarks, public comment, and unanimous approval of the consent calendar. Key agenda items included a resolution on language access, the sheriff's annual military equipment report, and a decision on an interim ambulance service provider. The board also heard extensive public testimony regarding a recent explosion on East Welling Boulevard, approved several ordinances, and received updates on HIV/AIDS awareness and immigrant community impacts.
Board Remarks & Moment of Silence
- Supervisor Tam thanked first responders for their response to a December 11 fire in Ashland and mutual aid to Washington. She adjourned the meeting in memory of Rob Reiner, a key architect of Proposition 10, and celebrated Hanukkah while denouncing recent anti-Semitic acts in San Lorenzo.
- Supervisor Marquez requested a status update on the Ashland explosion, noting Red Cross support for displaced residents.
- Supervisor Fortunato Bass thanked community partners for holiday drives and wished a peaceful holiday.
- President Halbert acknowledged the bitter-sweet holiday, referencing the Hayward explosion, the murder of Ashlyn, and the death of Rob Reiner, as well as an attack in Australia. He reported over 500 toys collected at his event.
- The board observed a moment of silence for Rob Reiner and victims of the Australia incident before adjourning.
Consent Calendar
- The board approved items 72 through 89 (without item 79) on a unanimous roll call vote (4-0, Supervisor Miley excused).
Public Comments & Testimony
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On agenda items (excluding set matters):
- Ranji Tate (Alliance of South Asians Taking Action/JVP) spoke in support of item 45, urging redelegation of investment authority to the treasurer and criticizing delays on the ethical investment policy.
- Ben Wong and Winnie Mai (Asian Health Services) supported the language access resolution (item 27), sharing patient stories about the importance of linguistically and culturally concordant care.
- Jake Peterson (Jewish Voice for Peace, District 5) supported item 45, calling attacks on the treasurer anti-Semitic and financially illiterate.
- Laura Calvert (Spectrum Community Services) strongly supported item 2, a one-time investment for LIHEAP and weatherization, emphasizing its role in homelessness prevention.
- P. Say Finnith (Korean Community Center of the East Bay) supported the language access resolution, noting the crisis during COVID for Korean-speaking communities.
- Davida Scott thanked the county library system for 44 placements and provided updates on Thanksgiving and Christmas drives.
- Buffalo spoke on item 11, criticizing eviction practices at a low-income housing building for seniors with disabilities.
- Julia Liao (Asian Health Services) supported the language access resolution, citing the county's linguistic diversity and the need for culturally responsive communication.
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On items not on the agenda (regarding the East Welling Boulevard explosion):
- Fourteen speakers (residents, business owners, and property owners) expressed concerns about the construction project, the explosion, lack of evacuation, property damage, and safety issues. They criticized PG&E and county oversight, and requested mental health support for traumatized residents. President Halbert acknowledged their comments but noted the item was not agendized.
Closed Session Report
- County counsel reported:
- In Crane Ridge Vineyard Owners Association, the board authorized settlement of $150,000 (unanimous, all five supervisors) on October 14, 2025.
- In California v Trump and Watson v Republican National Committee, the board authorized filing an amicus brief (4-0, Supervisor Miley excused).
Discussion Items
Item 11 – Ambulance Services Contract Policy
- The board approved a resolution adopting an ambulance services contract policy per Health and Safety Code §1797.230. The policy includes employment retention requirements, financial proof, and diversity/equity efforts. Supervisor Marquez asked for clarification, and the interim AC Health Director explained it memorializes existing practices to comply with 2022 state law.
Item 27 – Language Access Resolution
- Supervisor Tam and Marquez presented a board letter affirming the county's commitment to equitable language access. Tam noted that Alameda County is the fourth most diverse in California, with 46% of immigrants speaking a language other than English. The resolution directs the CAO to compile a one-year language access utilization report and present annual reports to the board. Supervisor Marquez highlighted that District 2 is 45.9% foreign-born. The resolution was approved as part of the mass motion.
Item 47 – FY 2026-27 Budget Development Strategy
- Supervisor Fortunato Bass commended the county administrator for submitting the proposed budget by May 30 (two weeks earlier than usual) to allow more public and board deliberation. Approved as part of mass motion.
Item 64 – Community Wildfire Protection Plan Update
- Supervisor Fortunato Bass gave visibility to the updated plan, noting community engagement. Fire Chief thanked stakeholders and highlighted fuel mitigation and home hardening. Approved as part of mass motion.
Item 70 – HIV and AIDS Awareness Month Proclamation
- Supervisor Tam proclaimed December 2025 as HIV and AIDS Awareness Month, citing data: 9,667 people living with HIV in the Oakland Transitional Grant Area, with disparities among Black and Latino communities. Representatives from Oakland LGBTQ Community Center, Bay Area Community Health, and Public Health Department accepted the proclamation and urged continued funding and commitment.
Item 70.1 – Sheriff's Annual Military Equipment Report
- Captain Dan Brody presented the report required by AB 481. Key points: no policy violations or complaints; top used equipment includes Bearcat armored vehicle (38 uses) and drones (756 deployments). The sheriff requested approval for additional pepperball launchers (8 new VXR extended-range) and projectiles (up to 6,000 each of three types, plus 4,000 additional for previous items due to a clerical error), and a replacement armored vehicle.
- Public comment: Several speakers (American Friends Service Committee, community members) urged the board to reject the increase, arguing it contradicts last year's one-for-one replacement promise and that scatter shot munitions should be banned. They noted pepperball can fire up to 10 rounds per second and pose risks in crowd settings.
- Board discussion:
- Supervisor Tam asked about community engagement (only two attendees at October 21 meeting in Cherryland) and the canceled PPC meeting due to federal activity. The sheriff noted no complaints were received.
- Supervisor Fortunato Bass inquired about scatter shot munitions; the sheriff said they are actively exploring alternatives and may phase them out. Commander Clippinger gave examples of their potential use in hostage/barricade situations.
- Supervisor Marquez expressed concern about the large inventory increase given the current federal environment and made a substitute motion to approve the baseline inventory from last year (i.e., no increase).
- Supervisor Halbert made a motion to accept the report as presented, citing trust in the sheriff's judgment and need for training and mutual aid.
- Vote on substitute motion (Marquez): Failed 2-3 (Marquez and Fortunato Bass in favor; Tam, Miley, Halbert against).
- Vote on original motion (Halbert): Passed 3-2 (Tam, Miley, Halbert in favor; Marquez, Fortunato Bass against).
Item 71 – Ambulance Transport Provider Interim Contract
- Interim Health Director Anika Chowdry and EMS Director Lori McFadden presented two options:
- Option A1: Extend the current Falk contract for two years (through June 2028) with an option for one additional year. Maintains status quo, no innovations can be mandated.
- Option A2: Award AMR a three-year contract with a six-month transition (starting Jan 2026) and full service by July 2026, including innovations like nurse navigation, behavioral health training, and population-specific performance measures.
- Staff clarified that under current Falk contract, innovations cannot be mandated. Fire Chief McDonald offered to implement a nurse consultation service at dispatch, but staff noted it would be less comprehensive than AMR's program.
- Public comment: 17 in-person and 3 online speakers. Falk supporters (including paramedics, EMTs, labor unions, and firefighter associations) emphasized stability, workforce continuity, and risks of transition. AMR supporters highlighted their experience, innovation capabilities, and independent scoring of their proposal as best. Several speakers mentioned potential disruptions to patient care.
- Board discussion:
- Supervisor Fortunato Bass moved to approve Option A1 (Falk extension) with an amendment by Supervisor Marquez that the six-month updates on alternate system design come to the full board.
- Supervisor Marquez seconded, noting consistency with her past positions and the need for stability before designing a new system.
- Supervisor Tam and Miley expressed support for the motion, citing the fire department's willingness to start innovations.
- President Halbert supported the motion but clarified he does not want to specify which entity should report on innovations.
- Vote: Unanimous (5-0) to approve Option A1 with the amendment.
Item 71.1 – Alameda County Together for All Ad Hoc Committee Update
- Supervisor Fortunato Bass provided an informational update on the November 6 meeting, which focused on impacts of federal immigration enforcement on AAPI communities. She noted that 18% of ICE arrests in the first half of 2025 were of Asian/Southeast Asian individuals. The full board received the packet materials.
Key Outcomes
- Closed Session Settlements: Authorized $150,000 settlement in Crane Ridge Vineyard (unanimous) and authorized amicus brief in California v Trump and Watson v RNC (4-0).
- Consent Calendar: Approved items 72-89 (except 79) unanimously.
- Mass Motion: Approved all items (2-11, etc.) including the ambulance policy, language access resolution, budget strategy, and wildfire plan (4-0, Miley excused).
- Ordinances: Approved item 31 (pre-election residency), 37A/B (salary amendments), 38A/B (obsolete classifications), 45 (investment authority), 51A/B (CIO and ROV recruitment), 65A/B (fire department salaries), 66 (traffic code), and 67A/B (building codes) — all on 4-0 votes (Miley excused).
- Sheriff's Military Equipment Report: Approved as presented (including increased munitions) on a 3-2 vote.
- Ambulance Interim Provider: Approved extension of Falk contract for two years plus one optional year, with direction to explore alternate system designs and report to full board every six months (unanimous).
- Future Reports: The CAO will prepare a one-year language access utilization report; the EMS agency will report on alternate system design every six months to the full board; the sheriff will continue annual reports.
Meeting Transcript
Recording in progress. Good morning, everyone. I'd like to call to order today's meeting of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. Would you all please rise if you can and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance? Pledge of allegiance. Thank you. Will the clerk please call the roll to establish our quorum? Supervisor Marquez. Present. Supervisor Tam. Present. Supervisor Miley. Supervisor Fortunatabas. President Halbert. Present. We have a quorum. Very good. The next item is Board of Supervisors' remarks. I'll recognize Supervisor Tam. Thank you, President Halbert. I wanted to take the opportunity to thank our first responders, the Alameda County Fire Department and the Sheriff's Office for their rapid response and helping to address the fire that occurred on Eastwood Welling in Ashland on December 11th. And also for their work, especially the fire department in providing mutual aid to Washington State for the flood and storm damage that had occurred as well. And I'd like to adjourn today's meeting in memory of Rob Reiner, who worked alongside the late supervisor Wilma Chan as one of the key architects for Proposition 10, which then led to funding the first five programs, and it's an integral part of Alameda County's uh early childhood care um programs. And I also wanted to take the opportunity to um celebrate Hanukkah and reaffirm that this board um is committed to making sure that there's an inclusive environment in every part of our county and uh to denounce any acts of anti-Semitism, uh, some that occurred very recently uh in my district in San Lorenzo. Thank you, Supervisor Marquez. Uh thank you, uh Vice Chair, for those comments. I um have the same sentiment with respect to the passing of Mr. Reiner, and also just want to um request, if possible later today, if we could just provide a status update to the public with respect to next steps with the explosion that occurred last Thursday in Ashland and um find out if I know that the Red Cross is involved with providing support and um housing for the folks that have been displaced, but if we can get an update on additional support and services that can be provided to the people that were injured, those that are still hospitalized and those that are recovering at home. So just um really unfortunate set of circumstances, but hope that we can debrief and learn from the situation so that it does not um repeat in our community. Thank you. Thank you, Supervisor Marquez, Supervisor Fortunato Bass. Thank you, President Halbert. Um and thank you to my colleagues for your comments as well. I uh definitely concur and empathize with them. Um I wanted to just take a brief uh few seconds to thank the organizations that my office has been able to partner with during the holiday season, including raising leaders who worked with us on uh Thanksgiving bags to McClyman's high school families, um, also to the Linda Han Foundation who did their annual Joy of Giving event and uh assembly member Liz Ortega, who helped deliver literally um hundreds of thousands of diapers to families in need. Um, I also wanted to um wish everyone a happy and peaceful holiday, I know with some of the recent events that is not that for everyone, and I hope it will be a time that people can connect with their loved ones, and while that might be hard for those of you whose loved ones might have passed, who may be incarcerated, who may be detained or deported, um, it is really a season where we need to reflect on uh the care and compassion that we all have for each other, and I hope it's with that spirit that we'll be able to have a peaceful holiday. Thank you. Thank you. Uh I'll echo uh all of our shared concerns. Uh, indeed, this is a bittersweet holiday with uh the Hayward explosion, the murder of Ashlyn, Ashland, the murder of Rob Reiner. Uh, I also will, while I don't typically weigh in on uh in international incidents. I think what we saw in Australia was deplorable. I think 16 people dead, 42 injured among the Hanukkah celebration. So that's the bitter part, the sweet part. I'd like to thank everyone who showed up. I think many of us had holiday events where we collected toys and food. Over 500 toys collected at my event, a ton of food, the very next day, going out to members in the community in need. I'd like to thank also rising leaders at bike distribution. Just yesterday, outstanding work. That's the sweet part of our holidays.
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