Unincorporated Services Committee Meeting Summary - March 26, 2026
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Unincorporated Services Committee Meeting Summary - March 26, 2026
Note: The transcript records the date as March 25, 2026, but the provided instruction specifies the meeting took place on March 26, 2026. This summary uses the instructed date.
The Unincorporated Services Committee of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, chaired by Supervisor Miley and also attended by Supervisor Tam, convened to discuss several items including a cannabis ordinance amendment, a fireworks prohibition ordinance, updates on Measure X fire stations, the first annual Environmental Justice (EJ) Implementation Status Report, and the Alameda County Health Status Report. The meeting began with public comments on non-agendized items, followed by action items, and concluded with presentations and discussions.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Matt Turner spoke about the transition from at-large elections to by-district elections in the unincorporated area, encouraging participation via the YouMapIt.com website.
- Rachel Osajima, Director of the Alameda County Arts Commission, announced a call for artists for a public art project at the new African American Wellness Hub in Oakland, with a deadline of April 30, 2026, and an info session on April 9, 2026.
- Cannabis Ordinance (Item 5): Several speakers opposed the expansion of hours. Sandra Archiletta, a resident and prevention professional, argued that increased access would harm youth, as cannabis is the most used substance by youth. Anthony Escander, a 16-year-old student, urged against the change, stating it would allow easier access before school. Brooklyn, a public health professional, argued that the proposal would increase consumption and strain county resources. Delilah, a youth leader, expressed concerns about enforcement and normalization. Marcia Lopez, a community leader and mother, opposed the earlier hours. Samantha Ramos, a youth leader, noted that delivery services make access easier for youth. Oscar, another youth leader, argued that the proposal values drugs over necessities. Matthias, a youth, echoed concerns about youth exposure. Cheryl Lighthoven expressed frustration that supervisors do not live in the area and do not care. Supervisor Miley responded by defending the ordinance, noting that the two dispensaries have operated without issues for 20+ years, and that any expansion would require individual approvals with public review.
- Fireworks Ordinance: Several speakers supported the ordinance. Dale Silva, a Fairview resident, argued that property owner responsibility is well-established in other codes. Fran Krug spoke in support, citing fire risks and the success of similar ordinances in neighboring jurisdictions. Brenda from Fairview thanked the Sheriff's Department and MACs for their work. Bob Clark, a Fairview resident, provided examples of other jurisdictions that have adopted similar ordinances and urged swift adoption.
- EJ Implementation Report: Anna Raskiza, director of community development at Resources for Community Development, praised the EJ element and noted that youth are using the document as a tool for learning and action.
Discussion Items
1. Cannabis Ordinance Amendment (Item 5)
Rodrigo Arduña from the County Planning Department presented an ordinance to amend Chapter 6.108 of the County General Ordinance Code to expand retail and delivery hours for cannabis from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., aligning with state law. The change would affect three operators: two dispensaries (Garden of Eden and We Are Hemp) in urban unincorporated areas and one delivery operator in East County. The ordinance is CEQA-exempt. Each operator would need to petition individually to change hours, with approvals subject to review. Supervisor Miley noted that the operators have a long history of compliance and that the change does not automatically allow new hours. Supervisor Tam asked clarifying questions about the review process. Public comment was largely opposed. The committee voted unanimously (2-0) to forward the ordinance to the full Board of Supervisors for consideration.
2. Fireworks and Social Host Ordinance
Sergeant Curtis Imperial from the Alameda County Sheriff's Office presented a proposed ordinance to prohibit all fireworks in unincorporated areas, establish a social host ordinance, and create a fine structure. The ordinance was developed collaboratively with county council, fire agencies, and the MACs. Key points: 644 fireworks calls from June 4 to July 6, 2025; fines of $750 for first violation, $1,500 for second, $2,500 for third and subsequent; enforcement by ACSO; appeals to BZA and then Board of Supervisors; property owners may be held liable if renters do not pay, but due process is provided. The Castle Valley MAC did not support the ordinance, but all other MACs voted unanimously in favor. Supervisor Miley expressed strong support, though he raised questions about tenant protections, oaths at hearings, and notification. He also noted that the ordinance should be flexible to accommodate cultural events like Lunar New Year. The committee voted unanimously (2-0) to forward the ordinance to the full Board of Supervisors for adoption, with first reading scheduled for April 21, 2026.
3. Measure X Fire Stations Update (Item 1)
Eric Moore, Deputy Chief of Alameda County Fire, provided an update on Phase 1 of Measure X fire station projects. Three stations are under construction: Station 7 (Palomares Hills) – foundation poured in March, superstructure starting May, completion expected by end of 2026; Station 25 (Castro Valley) – moved to interim facility, demolition of old station starting April 9, 2026, groundbreaking in June; Station 22 (San Lorenzo) – under contract, construction starting by end of 2026. Total budget for the three stations is $65 million. Public art components are being integrated. Phase 2 studies for stations 24 and 26 are underway.
4. Environmental Justice Implementation Status Report (Item 2)
Ali Avers from the Planning Department presented the first annual report on the EJ Element (adopted August 2024). The EJ Element includes 162 action items across 7 goal areas. Of the 103 non-ongoing actions, 9.7% implemented, 6.8% significant progress, 58.3% in progress, 25.2% not yet started. Barriers include funding and staffing. Examples of progress: online code enforcement forms in multiple languages (implemented), lead poisoning prevention JPA expansion (in progress), healthy store conversion program (significant progress), All In Eats transition (implemented), disaggregated health data (significant progress), Office of Unincorporated Services exploration (in progress), USPS place name changes (implemented). The report also notes challenges from federal policy changes (e.g., HR1, immigration enforcement). The report was presented to the Eden Area MAC and Castro Valley MAC, which provided feedback requesting more frequent updates, clearer metrics, and stronger community engagement. The committee received the report and discussed the need to connect health data to EJ actions. No vote was taken.
5. Alameda County Health Status Report
Julia Reifman and Trem Wen from the Alameda County Public Health Department presented health data for the county and the EJ priority communities. Key findings: A 13-year life expectancy gap by race/ethnicity in the county (2018-2019); a 12.5-year gap by city/place, with Hayward Acres having the lowest life expectancy (75.2 years) and Piedmont the highest (87.7 years). The EJ area has higher mortality in middle age (49% higher for ages 45-74) and higher rates of heart disease and cancer mortality. Disparities are stark for African American, Black, and Pacific Islander populations. Social determinants such as poverty, overcrowding, low high school completion, and limited access to parks and tree canopy contribute to poor health outcomes. The report is required every three years under EJ Element objective 6.6B. Supervisor Miley emphasized the need to translate data into actionable strategies and to align with the EJ Element. The committee received the report and requested further integration with the EJ implementation.
Key Outcomes
- Cannabis Ordinance Amendment: Motion passed (2-0) to forward the ordinance to the full Board of Supervisors for consideration.
- Fireworks and Social Host Ordinance: Motion passed (2-0) to forward the ordinance to the full Board of Supervisors for adoption, with first reading on April 21, 2026.
- Fire Stations Update: Noted; no vote required.
- EJ Implementation Report: Received and discussed; no vote.
- Health Status Report: Received and discussed; no vote.
The meeting was adjourned at an unspecified time.
Meeting Transcript
So good evening, everyone. We're gonna call the unincorporated meeting Wednesday, March 25th. To order with the clerk take the roll. Supervisor Tim. Present. Supervisor Miley. Here. All right. If we could have instructions in Spanish interpretation. And Elena, can you give us the instructions for Spanish interpretation? Yes, of course. Um good afternoon. Uh this virtual interpretation is being providing uh for this meeting. Uh we will like you to for the people who is joining via Zoom to please join with the number, a webinar number 8464430209. You go and click on the box at the bottom with three dots, and then you will select interpretation in the language you wish to be listened to. And if you want to listen to only the interpreted language, please select mute original audio. Presiona la cajita de thres puntos abajo de la pantalla. Seleccion interpretación in el idioma que se desayun. Is it in cambio prefiere escuchar solo in el idioma interpretado? Muchas gracias. Thank you very much. Is there anything else? Nothing else. Okay. So it's been requested that we move a few items around. So we're gonna take public comment on non-agendized items first. Public comment on non-agendized items. Matt Turner. And then Rachel Osajima. Thank you very much for the opportunity to speak early. Um is moving from uh at large elections to by district for the first time in its over century long year history. And uh there is a website you can go to to participate uh with a free tool called uh you map it.com. And uh we're encouraging folks to go there and participate. There are flyers with Q QR codes at the front of the room, and then folks listening online or to a recording, you map it.com will have all the details, including links to go to Oraloma's own website where they have uh details about the schedule and how you can get involved. That's it. Thank you very much. Good evening. My name is Rachel Osajima, and I'm the director of the Alameda County Arts Commission. And I'm happy to announce that my office is working on a new public art project. So I thought I would mention it. The county is building a new African American wellness hub, which will be located on Martin Luther King Junior Way in Oakland. And um the main lead agency is Behavioral Health Care and Alameda County Alameda Health Agency. And my office is working on the public art component for that future building that's expected to open in 2028. And to gear up for that, we have just issued a call for artists. It's a request for qualifications for artists to apply to be considered free future opportunities at that site. It's available on our website, arts. And the a call is open for artists to apply online through the deadline of April 30th, and we have an informational video on our website, and we will have an online info session and an in-person workshop at the Joyce Gordon Gallery in Oakland on Thursday, April 9th. So thank you. I hope that spread the word. Lastly, April is Arts, Culture and Creativity Month.
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