OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Alameda County Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting – January 27, 2026

Board of Supervisors — Tuesday, January 27, 2026
BodyAlameda County, California
SessionBoard of Supervisors
DateTuesday, January 27, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:54:49
Transcript — Verbatim
0:13

Recording in progress.

0:16

Good morning, everyone.

0:17

I'd like to call our meeting to order today.

0:20

Tuesday, January 27th, a regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors.

0:25

Can I have a roll call, please, to establish our quorum?

0:28

Supervisor Marquez present.

0:31

Supervisor Tam present.

0:33

Supervisor Miley excused.

0:34

Supervisor Fortunato Bas.

0:36

Present.

0:37

President Halbert.

0:39

Present.

0:39

We have a quorum.

0:40

Thank you very much.

0:41

Our next item is to rise if you can and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:47

Pledge allegiance.

0:59

Our next item is supervisors' remarks.

1:02

I'll recognize Supervisor Tam.

1:06

Thank you, President Halbert.

1:08

I wanted to uh take this opportunity to note that we should close the meeting today in honor of Nellie Wong.

1:18

She is a stalwart in Oakland, Chinatown, which is one of the oldest Chinatowns in the United States, and she was a social justice advocate, a poet, an author, an artist from the first generations of Chinese Americans that are born here.

1:33

And she passed away on January 2nd at the age of 91.

1:38

She her last book was nothing like freedom.

1:43

So hopefully we can honor her memory.

1:47

Thank you.

1:47

We will, and please remind me to do so.

1:49

Supervisor Marquez.

1:52

Thank you.

1:53

Um I'm gonna have more detailed comments later, um, during our set matter, item 51, specifically to uh what happened this past weekend, but also just want to ask, I'm sure others would feel uh the need to also adjourn this meeting in memory of Alex Predi.

2:11

Um, and also just wanted to thank AC Health, all the volunteers, local leaders, volunteers, everyone that came out for the point in time count last Thursday.

2:23

Um many of us were up at 4 a.m.

2:25

in the morning.

2:26

We were assigned to a specific census track, and I know we all had different experiences throughout this county, but just really want to uplift the tremendous work we're doing to implement the home together plan and with the support of Measure W.

2:39

So hopefully we'll get that data in the summer and it will show that the investments are paying off, but just really wanted to thank everyone for um stepping in and volunteering.

2:49

Thank you.

2:50

Very well, and uh thank you.

2:51

You'll remind me as well at the end of the meeting.

2:53

Okay, very good.

2:54

Supervisor Fortunato Bass.

2:57

Uh thank you.

2:58

Thank you, Supervisors Tam and Marquez, for those adjournments.

3:01

Um, I would like to add since we haven't yet also adjourning in memory of Renee Good and Keith Porter, and also I don't see um our AC health interim director in the room at the moment, but also wanted to thank AC Health and everyone who helped to organize the point in time count last week.

3:23

Um, myself and one of my staff were able to volunteer, and it was a tremendous, tremendous volunteer operation.

3:30

Um the goal was to recruit a thousand volunteers, and there were about 1,300 people who registered.

3:38

So I was just really pleased to see that uh level of interest in the community.

3:43

Uh there's our AC Health Interim Director.

3:46

I'm just thanking you and your team, interim director um Chowdhury, for the incredible work on the point in time count.

3:53

Um I too am looking forward to the results to help inform not only our funding but also our program and strategies.

4:00

Uh, one thing I wanted to highlight because I was out in West Oakland is that there's often a lot of talk about whether people who are unhoused are coming in from other counties or other cities, and uh the handful of people I talked to were actually born and raised here in Alameda County.

4:17

Two of them um born and raised in Oakland, unhoused in Oakland and last house, literally a few blocks from where I talked to them, and one of them was a Hayward uh resident born and raised, but now in Oakland.

4:28

So the information we get is going to be critical, and thank you again to everyone who is a part of that effort, whether you were staff or a volunteer.

4:37

Thank you.

4:38

I'll echo those comments indeed, those people who are on the street overwhelmingly from our community, not from out of town.

4:46

I would agree with that statement as I've experienced the same.

4:50

Um, I would also like to remark that we recently held the CAO's ad hoc finance committee meeting where we discussed the request for proposals to conduct a peer review of the ethical investment policy that was before us.

5:08

We held that meeting, and I know many people are interested to understand this.

5:14

And so while we don't have a agendized item, I would like to make the comments that we held that meeting.

5:19

The results of that meeting are the RFP has been sent to our GSA team for procurement.

5:27

It will go through the procurement process.

5:30

That will take some period, four to six months, as was previously elucidated by our administrator.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety█████████████████████████████████████████████74%
Procedural███5%
Racial Equity███5%
Healthcare Services██4%
Public Health Services██3%
Homelessness█2%
Public Engagement█2%
Affordable Housing█1%
Mental Health Awareness█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Alameda County Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting – January 27, 2026

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting on January 27, 2026, starting at approximately 9:30 AM. Supervisors Marquez, Tam, Fortunato Bas, and President Halbert were present; Supervisor Miley was excused initially but later attended. The meeting included supervisors' remarks, approval of a consent calendar, a mass motion, ordinance readings, and a major set matter (Item 51) regarding immigration enforcement response planning and ICE-free zones. Extensive public comment was heard on Item 51 and other items. The board also adopted proclamations for National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and the 30th anniversary of Alameda Alliance for Health, and reported out a closed session settlement.

Consent Calendar

  • Items 52–55 were approved unanimously via roll call vote.
  • A mass motion (items 2–13, 16–48, excluding item 14 due to Supervisor Miley's recusal) was approved unanimously after Supervisor Tam moved and Supervisor Marquez seconded. Supervisor Miley spoke in support of item 42 (emergency management agreement). Supervisor Tam noted item 2 provided food services funding for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
  • Item 14 (grant from District 5 to United Seniors) was approved 4–0 after Supervisor Miley recused himself as president of the organization.
  • First readings of ordinances: Item 29 (green building practices), Item 34 (MOU with Union of American Physicians and Dentists), and Item 35 (MOU with Management Employees Association) were each introduced and waived, all approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Human Trafficking Prevention Month (Item 49): Two public speakers supported the proclamation. Rose McCarr (Justice at Last) noted her organization represented over 2,000 trafficking survivors and provided 2025 statistics (52 victims in court, 64 others supported). Tim Drew (East Bay DSA) supported the proclamation, referencing his sister's experience, and urged adoption of the ethical investment policy.
  • Alameda Alliance for Health 30th Anniversary (Item 50): No public comment.
  • HIV Funding (Item 10): Joe Hawkins (Oakland LGBTQ Community Center) urged release of federal HIV funds, noting 100% of new infections are among Black males and rising rates in the Latinx community. Holly Calhoun (Project Open Hand) supported releasing funds, warning of a February 28 deadline to avoid returning funds to the federal government.
  • Immigration Enforcement Response & ICE-Free Zones (Item 51): Over 50 public speakers, both in person and online, overwhelmingly supported the two proposals. Speakers included clergy, community organizers, elected officials (Oakland Councilmember Noel Gallo), legal organizations, health professionals, and immigrant advocates. Key arguments: ICE actions are unconstitutional and violent; the county must protect residents; similar policies in Santa Clara County and Chicago. Many speakers also urged the board to oppose reopening FCI Dublin as an ICE detention center. One speaker opposed the resolutions, calling sanctuary cities unconstitutional and supporting President Trump's policies. Several speakers requested stronger enforcement, including having sheriff's deputies arrest ICE agents who violate laws.

Discussion Items

  • Supervisors' Remarks: Supervisor Tam requested adjournment in memory of Nellie Wong (poet, activist, died Jan. 2 at 91). Supervisor Marquez and Fortunato Bas thanked AC Health and volunteers for the Point-in-Time count (1,300 registered, goal 1,000); Marquez also asked for a status update on the ethical investment policy RFP in April. Supervisor Fortunato Bas requested adjournment in memory of Renee Good, Keith Porter, and Alex Pready (killed by ICE). President Halbert noted the ad hoc finance committee meeting on the ethical investment policy RFP has been sent to GSA for procurement (4-6 months).
  • Closed Session Report: County Council reported that on December 16, 2025, the board authorized settlement of case RG21093232 for $60,000 paid to plaintiff, with all supervisors voting yes (Miley excused). No other reportable actions.
  • Proclamations (Items 49 & 50): Supervisor Tam presented proclamations declaring January 2026 as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and commending Alameda Alliance for Health for 30 years of service. District Attorney Ursula Jones Dixon spoke about human trafficking prevention efforts, noting 261 survivors served in 2025, 142 first-time services, and partnerships for upcoming Super Bowl, NCAA, and FIFA events. Alliance CEO Matthew Woodrow noted growth from 65,000 to over 400,000 members.
  • Immigration Enforcement Response Plan & ICE-Free Zones (Item 51): Supervisor Fortunato Bass presented the recommendations: (1) direct the county administrator to develop a comprehensive response plan for immigration enforcement, and (2) adopt a resolution prohibiting use of county-owned/controlled property for federal civil immigration enforcement. She provided context on rising ICE violence (three deaths in January 2026, 32 deaths in ICE custody in 2025), increased ICE funding ($75 billion over 4 years), and similar policies in Santa Clara County, Chicago, San Jose, and Los Angeles. Supervisor Marquez voiced support, emphasizing preparation and coordination. Supervisor Tam raised questions about enforceability; county council and sheriff explained that the policy restricts use of county property for staging/processing but does not prevent ICE from making arrests in public areas, and enforcement includes cease-and-desist letters and potential litigation. Supervisor Miley strongly supported the proposals, citing his oath of office, but cautioned against sheriff deputies confronting ICE directly. Sheriff Sanchez committed to exploring discontinuation of SCAAP funding and emphasized treating all people humanely. The board also discussed signage and training for county staff.

Key Outcomes

  • Item 51 (Immigration Enforcement Response & ICE-Free Zones): Approved unanimously (5-0) on a motion by Supervisor Fortunato Bass, seconded by Supervisor Marquez. Roll call: Marquez aye, Tam aye, Miley aye, Fortunato Bas aye, Halbert aye.
  • Consent Calendar and Mass Motion: Approved unanimously as noted.
  • Ordinances (Items 29, 34, 35): First readings introduced and approved unanimously.
  • Closed Session Settlement: Authorized settlement of $60,000 in case RG21093232.
  • Proclamations: Adopted for Human Trafficking Prevention Month and Alameda Alliance for Health 30th anniversary.
  • Adjournments: The board adjourned in memory of Nellie Wong, Alex Pready, Renee Good, and Keith Porter.
  • Next Steps: The ACT ad hoc committee will receive a status update on the response plan and ICE-free zone implementation at its next meeting (scheduled for February 2026). The ethical investment policy RFP is in procurement (4-6 months).

Meeting Transcript

Recording in progress. Good morning, everyone. I'd like to call our meeting to order today. Tuesday, January 27th, a regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors. Can I have a roll call, please, to establish our quorum? Supervisor Marquez present. Supervisor Tam present. Supervisor Miley excused. Supervisor Fortunato Bas. Present. President Halbert. Present. We have a quorum. Thank you very much. Our next item is to rise if you can and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge allegiance. Our next item is supervisors' remarks. I'll recognize Supervisor Tam. Thank you, President Halbert. I wanted to uh take this opportunity to note that we should close the meeting today in honor of Nellie Wong. She is a stalwart in Oakland, Chinatown, which is one of the oldest Chinatowns in the United States, and she was a social justice advocate, a poet, an author, an artist from the first generations of Chinese Americans that are born here. And she passed away on January 2nd at the age of 91. She her last book was nothing like freedom. So hopefully we can honor her memory. Thank you. We will, and please remind me to do so. Supervisor Marquez. Thank you. Um I'm gonna have more detailed comments later, um, during our set matter, item 51, specifically to uh what happened this past weekend, but also just want to ask, I'm sure others would feel uh the need to also adjourn this meeting in memory of Alex Predi. Um, and also just wanted to thank AC Health, all the volunteers, local leaders, volunteers, everyone that came out for the point in time count last Thursday. Um many of us were up at 4 a.m. in the morning. We were assigned to a specific census track, and I know we all had different experiences throughout this county, but just really want to uplift the tremendous work we're doing to implement the home together plan and with the support of Measure W. So hopefully we'll get that data in the summer and it will show that the investments are paying off, but just really wanted to thank everyone for um stepping in and volunteering. Thank you. Very well, and uh thank you. You'll remind me as well at the end of the meeting. Okay, very good. Supervisor Fortunato Bass. Uh thank you. Thank you, Supervisors Tam and Marquez, for those adjournments. Um, I would like to add since we haven't yet also adjourning in memory of Renee Good and Keith Porter, and also I don't see um our AC health interim director in the room at the moment, but also wanted to thank AC Health and everyone who helped to organize the point in time count last week. Um, myself and one of my staff were able to volunteer, and it was a tremendous, tremendous volunteer operation. Um the goal was to recruit a thousand volunteers, and there were about 1,300 people who registered. So I was just really pleased to see that uh level of interest in the community. Uh there's our AC Health Interim Director. I'm just thanking you and your team, interim director um Chowdhury, for the incredible work on the point in time count. Um I too am looking forward to the results to help inform not only our funding but also our program and strategies. Uh, one thing I wanted to highlight because I was out in West Oakland is that there's often a lot of talk about whether people who are unhoused are coming in from other counties or other cities, and uh the handful of people I talked to were actually born and raised here in Alameda County. Two of them um born and raised in Oakland, unhoused in Oakland and last house, literally a few blocks from where I talked to them, and one of them was a Hayward uh resident born and raised, but now in Oakland.

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