Sunal Community Advisory Council Meeting - February 19, 2026
Sunal Community Advisory Council Meeting - February 19, 2026
The Sunal Community Advisory Council met on February 19, 2026, to receive updates from law enforcement, fire safety, and downtown revitalization work groups, and to discuss several key items including a proposed fireworks social host ordinance, a feasibility study for a community wastewater system, the Royal Day Laguna Bridge replacement project, and ongoing flooding issues. The council also approved minutes from prior meetings and heard public comments on various topics.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Bob Frillman raised a concern about a failing culvert at mile post 8.0 on Foothill Road, stating it has undermined and could collapse. He requested the council direct public works to inspect it. The council agreed to respond.
- Jim gave a tree report, noting work with the Resource Conservation District to clean up the creek and upcoming volunteer events. He also expressed concern about low community turnout at SAC meetings and called for better outreach and communication to avoid confusion and rumors about the council's function. He stated his full support for the council's work.
- During the fireworks item, Ken Horton questioned the fairness of holding property owners liable for fireworks violations committed by tenants. He asked the council to deny moving the ordinance forward until that issue is removed. Bob Frillman echoed this concern, arguing it could penalize innocent owners. Another public speaker, a member of the Fairview community, supported the ordinance, noting that property owners are typically responsible for tenant behavior and that the sheriff's department's approach of first trying to identify the actual violator is a superior step.
- Regarding the wastewater system, Bob Frillman asked about assumed participation rates and noted costs would double if only half the parcels join. Ken Horton argued that the proposed system disproportionately benefits a few commercial properties while residential parcel owners bear the cost, and that some residents already have functioning concrete septic tanks and should not be forced to connect. He questioned why the county is not funding the project. Another speaker expressed support for the idea of downtown improvements but stated they would only be supportive if connection is voluntary.
Discussion Items
- Law Enforcement & Fire Updates: Sgt. McTrini reported 28 calls for service and 20 proactive stops; he noted applying for an off-highway vehicle enforcement grant and that a public announcement is required before March. Chief Terra reported 25 fire-related calls for service, all EMS-related or cancelled in route, with no fire incidents. Rosemary Chang (Fire Safety Work Group) reported that CalFire grant-funded tree removal on Kilcare Road had begun, focusing on diseased trees threatening evacuation routes. She stated that only dangerous trees are removed and that community members will be consulted. Downtown revitalization update: the nonprofit received the check for the wayfinding sign prototype, and construction will begin soon. The sign is a prototype; community feedback is encouraged.
- 4A – Fireworks Social Host Ordinance: Sean McMillan presented a draft ordinance that would allow administrative fines ($750 first, $1,500 second, $2,500 third) on property owners or responsible parties when violators cannot be identified or are uncooperative. Discussion centered on whether property owners could be unfairly cited. Council members and the sergeant clarified that the intention is to first find the actual violator; the citation is a last resort and subject to an appeals process through the county's Board of Zoning Adjustments. After public comment, a motion to recommend the ordinance move forward to the Board of Supervisors passed unanimously (5-0).
- 4B – Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Alternatives: Lillia Walsh (Quest Engineering) presented seven alternatives ranging from no action (status quo) to comprehensive community systems. Costs ranged from $0 to $7.5 million. Alternative 4 (public restrooms with upgraded leach field allowing parking) was highlighted as a near-term option that could spur downtown revitalization. Council members and public discussed costs, whether participation would be voluntary, and funding sources. No action was taken; the item was informational.
- 4C – Royal Day Laguna Bridge Replacement Project: A Caltrans project manager and resident engineer presented the replacement schedule (construction starting April 2026, in-water work from June 1, 2026 through 2028). The project includes a new three-span bridge with two 13-foot lanes, shoulders, and a 17-foot bike/pedestrian path. Lane closures during non-peak hours and possible 55-hour weekend full closures were described. Questions were raised about coordination with school construction, bridge design aesthetics, and the possibility of adding a right-turn lane. Caltrans stated they will communicate via a public information website.
- 4D – Flooding Issues: A citizen-led "Journey into Sunol Flood Control" group presented their analysis of flooding from storms in 2022/2023 and called for a coordinated solution involving multiple agencies. They reported 130 years of combined agency experience among their volunteers and have held multi-agency meetings. A council member suggested forming a formal work group, but the presenter expressed a preference to remain independent to avoid Brown Act constraints and maintain freedom to advocate.
- 4E – Approval of Minutes: The council approved minutes from November 19, 2025 (4-0), January 15, 2026 (with Council member Conan abstaining as he was not present at that meeting; passed 3-0-1), and January 21, 2026 (4-0). Council member Conan noted a concern about language added by the clerk stating reports required no action, but it did not prevent approval.
Key Outcomes
- The council passed a motion to forward the fireworks social host ordinance to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors for consideration.
- Law enforcement and fire reports were received as informational.
- The downtown wayfinding sign prototype funding was secured.
- The bridge replacement project timeline was confirmed; construction begins April 2026 with in-water work starting June 1.
- The wastewater system study was presented; no action taken, but the council expressed interest in pursuing Alternative 4 (public restrooms and leach field upgrade) and exploring funding for it.
- The flooding issues presentation was received; no formal action was taken, but the council acknowledged the volunteer group's work.
- Minutes from three prior meetings were approved.
Meeting Transcript
Okay. It looks like it's so let's call the meeting to order. Do you want to do the roll call? Or do you want to read the directions first? Or whatever order you prefer. Oh, please state your name prior to your presentation. Or in-person speakers. Peace ballary speaker card and hand it to the chair. The chair will call your name when it is time for public comment. For online participants, use the raise hand function on the item you would like to speak on. The clerk will call your name when it is your turn to speak. Or dialed in participants, dial star nine to raise your hand on item. The clerk will call your name when it's your turn to speak. With that, let's start roll call. Council member Conan present. Council member Harrison. Present. Councilmember McLean. Council member start. Present. Chair the Grange. That'll be a council. Okay. Okay. Looks like we have a lot of comment cards, and we had a couple stacks that were generated, so we're putting them collating them by topic number. Okay. And I'm sorry if they're not in the same order which you turn them in. Just one public comment. Okay. Jim has a public comment. Okay. Bob Frillman. You're the first one for public comments holding. All right, guys. Thank you. Okay. Good evening. My name's Bob Frillman. I live at uh 10848 Foothill here in Sinnoll. Uh, what I wanted to comment about was that I didn't follow up on this, but back a while back when we had the big flooding up the in the canyon. I caught one of the guys from public works and told him that the culvert, which uh at mile point, I think it's mile post 8.0, which catches water on foothill, runs it under foothill road into a half pipe that runs through my property and out into a meadow. It's done that since Foothill Road was put in. It's it's not going through the culvert that the county put in, it's undermined, it's coming under the culvert. I made a movie of it during the uh the last big storm that I can email to you guys, or I can email it to public works or email it to somebody, but one of these days a fire truck or a cement truck is gonna go through that road. It looks like the under the pipe is is missing about that much earth all the way across foothill. But when they put that, you remember a few years ago they put those concrete catch basins along Foothill. The one next to our house has never worked, never floods in that low spot between us and Gromley all the time. So that's kind of what I wanted to say. Get some direction from you guys. I can get email addresses for you all later if you want to start there.
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