Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) Meeting – April 21, 2026

The Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) held a meeting on April 21, 2026, at 2:00 PM. The meeting featured extensive public comment regarding the controversial Mosaic outdoor school/camp project approved by the Board of Supervisors, an update on new fire station construction, and a detailed presentation on the Sheriff's Office license plate reader (Flock Safety) program with a call to action for the Board of Supervisors vote the following day.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the March 16, 2026 MAC meeting (motion by Councilmember Davini, seconded, passed unanimously).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Robert Brahm (arborist, 51 years): Expressed strong opposition to the Mosaic project, stating that 50% of trees on the western side of the creek are California Bay, the most flammable leaf in California. He argued a fire would be impossible to suppress and the canyon is a "fire trap."
• Leslie Hardy (Cole Canyon resident, 41 years): Opposed the project, citing fire danger, water supply concerns (septic system inadequacy, reliance on trucked water), traffic impacts, and the inability to build on her own land due to restrictions. Noted that the project would take 10+ years and create a safety hazard.
• Rex Warren (third-generation Cole Canyon resident): Opposed, highlighting water issues – wells drilled five times yielding only 1.5 and 4 gallons per minute – and criticizing the planning department for not hearing back from the ABC (Alcohol Beverage Control) for 10 years. Also noted Williamson Act and Measure D violations.
• Dick Schneider: Detailed Williamson Act violations (no compatible use determination, no existing commercial agricultural use, no conditions to protect adjacent winery) and Measure D violations (project is a school, not a recreational camp, as shown by tax returns and business codes).
• Matt Turner (demographer): Announced Oraloma Sanitary District's move to by-district elections and invited public map drawing. Also argued the project approval shows need for incorporation.
• Katie Burdett (president, Castro Valley Parent Nursery School): Expressed safety concerns about children nearly being hit by cars near her school on Christensen Lane, requesting county help to address traffic issues.
• Martha McFarland (resident): Opposed the project, discussing fire danger, inadequate water supply (her 2,500-gallon tank provides only four minutes of fire flow), steep terrain, and fear that the school would bring noise and wildlife displacement.
• Carolyn Millen: Strongly opposed, alleging the EIR process was biased – letters were withheld, the Ag Advisory Committee not consulted, and the Board of Supervisors ignored MAC and BZA unanimous votes. Noted firefighters fear speaking publicly.
• Robert Batinic (coalition of unincorporated area representatives): Spoke in support of community cameras (Flock Safety) for public safety, urging their retention. (Later clarified under item 7.)
• Edward Escobar: Opposed Senate Bill 1135 (removing supervisor discretionary funds) and criticized political games. Supported public safety cameras.
• James Millen (unclear if Jim or John?): Jim Millen – Opposed project, disappointed that the MAC's unanimous vote (5-0) was ignored. Criticized three supervisors for disregarding Measure D, Williamson Act, and safety concerns. Praised Supervisor Miley.
• Linda Fusinati (30-year resident): Opposed, emphasizing fire risk from children, flawed evacuation plan (buses too large for road), and that the school doubles the population of the box canyon with one way in/out.
• Bob Fusinati: Argued the project is clearly a school (calling sleeping quarters temporary is misleading), that square footage exceeds 12,000 ft² limit, and that the planning department was incompetent.
• Pat Sullivan (developer): Complained about Alameda County building department delays – his 11-unit Anita Ave project took 5 years to get a permit, despite initial support.
• Alana Koskey (Cole Canyon resident): Opposed, criticized lack of MAC representation at BOS meeting, noting that Supervisor Tam misquoted square footage limits and that Albert Lopez (planning director) ignored issues. Questioned bridge access for fire engines.
• John Coskey (end of Cole Canyon): Opposed, stated BOS decision was hasty and ignored Canyon residents. Worried about oversight of the property and potential creep of activities.
• Bruce King (Friends of San Lorenzo Creek): Provided update on multi-use trail development (San Lorenzo Creekway and Foothill Trail), invited community to Trails Day event.
• Keith Seaburn (neighbor and winery owner): Expressed gratitude for MAC's work, but criticized planning department for never reaching out to neighbors. Noted that their winery must provide portable toilets for >35 guests, yet the school's septic system is deemed sufficient.
• Lindsay Wizamerski (canyon resident): Opposed, referenced the Paradise fire and the lack of a secondary drain field in the project plans. Also mentioned Williamson Act tax credit issues.
• Stephen Wisomerski: Opposed, argued the project violates Williamson Act (parcel under 40 acres) and that the ABC issue was ignored. Criticized supervisors for not considering MAC input.
• Christy Picotto (realtor): Opposed, stated she warned Mosaic about agricultural zoning restrictions before they bought the property. Disappointed in planning department and supervisors who didn't understand agricultural law.
• John Coskey (second speaker?): Called ABC himself and got a callback the next morning, suggesting Albert Lopez didn't try hard enough. Urged impeachment of Lopez.
• Ruth Blay (50-year resident, geologist): Opposed, argued fractured geology is not a valid reason to assume separate aquifers – wells could deplete neighbors' water. The project would start "water wars." The land cannot support the proposed use.
• Brian Morrison (former resident, cattle partner): Opposed, discussed his experience digging wells on the site (shallow, drought issues). Accused planning staff of bias (saying "we" when referencing the project). Urged appeal and lawsuit.
• Peter Rosen: Opposed, said process was flawed – staff recommendation was followed despite unanimous opposition from MAC and BZA. Encouraged residents to keep fighting.
• Tron (speaker online?): Supported Nate Miley and public safety, criticized Aisha Wahab's politics.
• Linda Tangren (online): Opposed project, called EIR biased, criticized Albert Lopez. Warned of fire spreading to other schools (Van Oi, Canyon Middle). Urged continued fight.
• Ruth (later, after fire presentation): Asked about fire insurance availability.

(Additional public comments on Flock Safety item are noted below under that discussion.)

Discussion Items

• Fire Station Construction Update (Deputy Chief Eric): Reported that three fire stations are under construction (Station 7 in Palomares Hills, Station 25 in Castro Valley, Station 22 in San Lorenzo). Station 7 slab poured, framing to start June; Station 25 interim station active, demolition complete, permit process finishing; Station 7 on track for January 2027 completion, Station 25 14 months out. Remainder of Measure X bond ($25M) will fund two more stations (Lake Chabot and Ashland). Council expressed appreciation for on-schedule progress.

• Sheriff's Real-Time Information Center and Flock Safety Presentation (Sergeant Fenton Carly): Presented overview of the license plate reader (LPR) program, real-time information center, community cameras, and drone program. Emphasized crime reduction (auto theft cut in half), solved homicides, human trafficking, missing persons cases. Stated data is not shared with ICE or federal authorities. Guardrails in place. Noted that the Board of Supervisors is voting tomorrow on a retroactive contract to continue Flock. If vote no, unincorporated areas would lose coverage. Council members expressed strong support, with some technical questions deferred. Multiple public speakers in favor of retaining Flock; one speaker opposed citing privacy concerns.

• Mosaic Project (general discussion): While not an agenda item for new action, the entire first half of the meeting was dedicated to public comments and council comments on the Board of Supervisors' approval of the Mosaic outdoor school/camp on Cole Canyon Road. Council members expressed frustration that their unanimous 7-0 vote against the project was ignored, as was the West County BZA's 3-0 vote. They criticized staff and the three supervisors who voted for approval (Bass, Marquez, Tam) and praised Supervisor Miley. Chair Moore noted the lack of representation for unincorporated areas and suggested either incorporation or supporting pro-agriculture supervisors in elections.

Key Outcomes

• The MAC took no action on the Mosaic project, as it has already been approved by the Board of Supervisors. However, council members and the chair encouraged residents to seek reconsideration by contacting the three supervisors who voted for approval.
• The fire station updates were informational; no action required.
• On the Flock Safety item, the MAC did not take a formal vote but council members unanimously expressed support for retaining the technology. They urged residents to attend the Board of Supervisors meeting on April 22, 2026 at 3:00 PM to speak in favor of the contract renewal.
• The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:15 PM.