Alameda County Reparations Commission Working Session – February 2, 2026

This working session of the Alameda County Reparations Commission was held on February 2, 2026, from 12:30 PM onward. Commissioners and staff gathered to review the timeline for producing final recommendations, discuss community engagement strategies, hear subcommittee reports, and reflect on working norms. The meeting featured a gallery walk of prior listening session materials and small-group brainstorming on priority categories for recommendations. No public comments were offered. The commission did not take formal votes but reached consensus on several action items.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the designated public comment period.

Discussion Items

• Timeline Feasibility and Extension: Commissioners raised concerns that the proposed timeline (ending June 2026) was too tight given the complexity of developing comprehensive recommendations. Several speakers noted that additional time was needed for community listening sessions, data analysis, and partner reviews. Some argued that a six-month extension would allow deeper engagement with hard-to-reach communities and ensure the report is thorough. Others cautioned that extending the timeline could lead to loss of momentum and that the commission should aim to produce a “first lap” report within the current timeframe, leaving room for future updates.
• Survey Collection and Analysis: The Data Analysis and Research (DAR) subcommittee presented a plan to collect 400 completed surveys by February 28, 2026, using both online platforms and in-person outreach at community events (e.g., Tri‑City Summer Celebration). The goal is to phase data collection: Phase 1 ending Feb. 28, with analysis feeding into the draft report, and Phase 2 continuing after that for living data updates. Some commissioners expressed frustration that the survey instrument had not been shared with the full commission for input before launch. Staff committed to establishing a clearer process for subcommittee decisions that affect the commission’s public representation.
• Subcommittee Goals and Commitments:
  • Data, Analysis & Research (DAR): In addition to survey collection, the subcommittee will analyze results and work with community partners to get feedback on draft materials. They plan to meet weekly.
  • Budget Subcommittee: Chair reported that the budget has surplus in some line items due to venue discounts. They will rebalance funds and continue to support other subcommittees’ spending needs. A key need is for subcommittee chairs to attend Monday budget meetings briefly to communicate funding requests.
  • Other subcommittees (Education, Housing, Health, Criminal Justice, etc.) are expected to generate specific recommendations within the seven identified pillars (education, economic development, housing, elections, criminal justice, data, health).
• Gallery Walk and Recommendation Brainstorming: Commissioners participated in an exercise where they reviewed physical displays of prior listening session outputs and community feedback. They then broke into three color-coded groups (red, green, black) to identify common priorities. Top categories that emerged were housing, criminal justice, and data. The facilitator emphasized that these seven categories should serve as scaffolding for final recommendations.
• Working Norms and Communication: A substantial portion of the meeting was devoted to reflecting on what behaviors should continue, start, or stop to improve effectiveness. Specific concerns included: last-minute planning, reliance on a small number of commissioners for event organization, inconsistent communication (e.g., emails unanswered), and lack of clarity around decision-making processes for subcommittees. Proposed improvements: starting communication earlier, sharing documents with full commission before execution, building relationships, and addressing conflict directly.
• Library & Staff Update: A staff member from the Alameda County Library noted that the library’s internal survey system is being used for data collection. They also mentioned upcoming deadlines for submitting local stories to the state reparations task force. The library will assist with logistical support.

Key Outcomes

• Phase 1 survey collection deadline set for February 28, 2026, with a target of 400 responses. Data will be analyzed to inform the draft report.
• Seven recommendation pillars confirmed (education, economic development, housing, elections, criminal justice, data, health). Subcommittees will draft specific recommendations within these categories.
• No formal vote on timeline extension; consensus was to proceed with the current timeline for a “first draft” report, while allowing the commission to revisit the timeline if needed at a future meeting.
• Commitment to improve communication: Commissioners agreed to (a) provide at least 48–72 hours notice for urgent requests, (b) use text messages for time-sensitive communications, and (c) ensure subcommittee chairs attend budget meetings briefly.
• Process clarification: A commissioner will draft a formal decision-making flowchart for subcommittees to avoid future misalignment.
• Next steps: Subcommittees will continue meeting weekly; the next full commission meeting is scheduled for March 2, 2026, where draft recommendations will be presented.