Unincorporated Services Committee Meeting - March 3, 2026

Note: The meeting transcript identifies the date as February 26, 2026, but the provided metadata specifies March 3, 2026. This summary follows the metadata date.

The Unincorporated Services Committee, chaired by Supervisor Miley and including Supervisor Tam, met to review the unincorporated area budget, behavioral health services, tenant protections, and a proposed inclusionary zoning and ministerial review policy. The meeting featured extensive public testimony, with calls for greater transparency, community input, and preservation of prevention programs.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Non‑agendized items: Two speakers addressed unrelated issues. One called for county enforcement against an illegal food vendor on Hesperian Boulevard, alleging repeated violations with no penalty. Another requested county assistance for a family displaced by a gas explosion on Meekland Avenue; Supervisor Miley’s office promised follow‑up.
• Budget Overview: Multiple speakers (Warren Cushman, Dave Thompson, Juliana Weiser Leon, Anna Raschizon, Charles Pisano, Sandra, Oscar Gonzalez, Delilah, Aidan, Carlos Sandoval, Ashley Acosta, Matias, Tun Wynn, Raimundo, Santos, David, Taylor, Jesus Romero, and others) expressed appreciation for the increased detail in the budget book but urged a formal, ongoing community input process. Many emphasized that unincorporated residents deserve a meaningful voice in budget decisions, especially given reduced funds and a compressed timeline. Several youth leaders from SLAM requested that prevention funding be protected and that grants be released through open RFPs.
• Behavioral Health: Public comment focused on the impact of Proposition 1 cuts. Youth leaders from SLAM (Oscar, Jesus, Delilah, Matias, Santos, Ashley, Carlos, Aidan, Isabel, and others) asked the county to preserve prevention programs, partner with SLAM, and ensure funding opportunities are transparent. Juliana (Eden Church) and Maria Miranda (My Eden Voice) described the value of peer‑to‑peer services and family cafes in the unincorporated area. Warren Cushman urged collaboration given the difficult budget landscape.
• Tenant Protections: Warren Cushman called for inclusive stakeholder engagement. Jennifer Rizzo (California Apartment Association) noted that 93% of eviction notices were for non‑payment of rent and that mediation had a 94% resolution rate. David Stark (Bay East Association of Realtors) questioned the need for new ordinances given economic headwinds. Kristen Hackett (My Eden Voice) reported challenges with the mediation program and requested a housing counselor. Dirk Barnes (East Bay Rental Housing Association) praised the Housing Provider Resource Center and suggested an eviction diversion program. Rove Antonio (CAA) cautioned against using theoretical models for eviction trends. Lindsay (member of the public) asked for stronger just‑cause protections, rental registry, and expanded relocation assistance. David Garges (property owner) warned that overregulation could drive small landlords out of the market.
• Inclusionary Zoning: Warren Cushman expressed support for the planned process and emphasized early stakeholder dialogue.

Discussion Items

• Unincorporated Area Budget Overview (Melanie, CAO’s office):

  • Presented an accelerated budget timeline for FY 26‑27, with the proposed balanced budget to be presented to the Board in late May (instead of early June).
  • Highlighted economic challenges: median home price in Alameda County at $1.12 million, home sales down 40% from December, foreclosure filings up 32% nationally.
  • State and federal uncertainties: California projects a $2.9 billion shortfall for FY 25‑26 and a $22 billion deficit for FY 27‑28. Federal policy changes may impact Medi‑Cal and safety‑net programs.
  • The FY 25‑26 unincorporated services budget totals $385 million for direct municipal services (Public Works, Fire, Sheriff, CDA, Library).
  • Ongoing research: a landscape analysis of management models in comparable urban counties is being conducted with a UC Berkeley graduate student.
  • Supervisor Miley noted that the county faces a $3.2 billion deficit in the next few years and urged caution on discretionary spending. He and Supervisor Tam supported a “road show” of budget presentations to the Municipal Advisory Councils (MACs) to gather community input.
  • Public speakers overwhelmingly supported the transparency improvements but called for deeper community engagement and a formal input process.

• Behavioral Health Update (Dr. Karen Tribble, Director; Stephanie Montgomery, Kathy Powell):

  • The department oversees an $832 million budget, with $540 million contracted to community providers.
  • Proposition 1 (Behavioral Health Services Act) shifts funding from prevention to severe mental illness and substance use, reducing the county’s MHSA allocation from $206 million to $127.5 million. This will require $52.8 million in program cuts, with a remaining $22 million gap (plus an additional $6 million shortfall).
  • The My Eden Voice Community Wellness Committee proposal for $60,000 in prevention funding cannot be funded under the new rules, but the department offered alternative collaboration: use existing language access services, co‑location spaces, and opioid settlement funds ($80 million total, $31.7 million received to date) for prevention‑aligned activities.
  • The department committed to exploring third‑space supports and a potential Eden Mental Health Task Force.
  • Public speakers, especially SLAM youth, urged the county to preserve prevention efforts and partner with coalitions like SLAM. They noted that SLAM is federally funded and conducts youth substance use needs assessments and monthly art socials.

• Tenant Protection Update (Michelle, Jennifer – CDA):

  • Since March 2025, 153 eviction notices were received; 93% were for non‑payment of rent. Only 62 unlawful detainer actions were filed in court, but informal evictions are estimated to be 5.5 times higher than court evictions, suggesting possible non‑compliance.
  • The mediation program (launched November 2024) handled 21 cases, with 8 fully resolved and 2 partially resolved. A separate courthouse‑based mediation program had a 99% success rate but is currently unfunded.
  • Upcoming ordinances: Fair Chance Housing (target summer 2026), Rental Registry (spring 2026), Proactive Rental Inspection Pilot (spring/summer 2026), and Landlord‑Tenant Relations Ordinance (fall 2026).
  • Measure W funds ($1.2 million for unincorporated tenant‑landlord programs) will support continuation of the Housing Provider Resource Center ($150,000), My Eden Voice outreach ($150,000), and a minor home repair program ($200,000).
  • Supervisor Miley expressed support for emergency rental assistance and stressed the need for collaboration between landlords and tenants. He remained opposed to extending just‑cause to single‑family homes unless a rental registry shows abuse.

• Inclusionary Zoning & Ministerial Review (Angelica Gonzalez, Olivia Ortiz – CDA Planning):

  • This is an initial informational presentation on the Affordable Housing Production (AHP) policies, part of the transit‑oriented communities (TOC) compliance.
  • 75% of Bay Area jurisdictions (82 of 109) have inclusionary zoning policies. Unincorporated Alameda County currently does not.
  • The policy would require a percentage of affordable units in new market‑rate developments, with alternative compliance (e.g., in‑lieu fees). Ministerial review (streamlined approval) would be offered to projects exceeding the affordability requirements.
  • Timeline: public meetings now through April 2026; feasibility study and ordinance drafts in late 2026‑early 2027; adoption target by July 1, 2027.
  • Public feedback from MACs and Planning Commission showed general support but concerns about reducing development and limited public involvement in ministerial review. An ad‑hoc MAC subcommittee of seven members will guide the process.
  • Supervisor Tam noted the challenging market conditions and asked how the policy would avoid impeding development. Staff responded that the feasibility study will consider phasing and future amendments. Supervisor Miley expressed hope for moving the timeline forward and asked for data on other jurisdictions’ ministerial review experiences.

Key Outcomes

• The committee received the budget overview and behavioral health update without formal votes.
• The CAO’s office will conduct a MAC road show in April/May 2026 to present the proposed budget and gather community input.
• Behavioral Health will continue to collaborate with My Eden Voice and explore alternative funding sources (e.g., opioid settlement) for prevention‑style programs.
• CDA will proceed with stakeholder engagement for the upcoming tenant protection ordinances, including a rental registry and proactive rental inspection pilot.
• The inclusionary zoning and ministerial review process will move forward with the ad‑hoc MAC subcommittee, a community meeting on April 29, 2026, and ongoing consultant work. The committee did not take a vote but endorsed continued development of the policy.