OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Fairview Municipal Advisory Council Meeting - May 6, 2026

Board of Supervisors — Wednesday, May 6, 2026
BodyAlameda County, California
SessionBoard of Supervisors
DateWednesday, May 6, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:39:09
Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Good evening, everybody.

0:01

Welcome to our May 5th, Fairview Mac.

0:05

Um, let's let's start off with a Pledge of Allegiance, please, Ms.

0:10

Farmer.

0:32

And can we get a roll call, please?

0:34

Councilmember Farmer.

0:36

Present.

0:37

Councilmember Higgins.

0:41

Councilmember Philbin, excused.

0:43

Vice Chair Rhodes.

0:45

Here.

0:45

Chair Anglin.

0:47

Here.

0:47

We have a quorum.

0:49

Thank you.

0:50

We'll open it up for public comment.

0:52

You have up to three minutes to speak on anything that's not on tonight's agenda.

0:57

Do we have any speakers online?

1:01

Yes.

1:04

Diane, you're on the line.

1:06

You have three minutes.

1:11

Thank you.

1:11

Can you hear me okay?

1:15

Yes.

1:15

Yes.

1:16

Okay, thank you so much.

1:18

Yes, my name is Diane Castleberry, and I'm calling from calling.

1:22

I'm sorry to join you online versus in person.

1:26

I am here to just provide a public service announcement for AC Transit.

1:30

It provides bus service in your area, although limited.

1:36

We are announcing to everyone that on June 10th, our board will be meeting to provide a presentation on a contingency contingency service plan that may be initiated, depending on whether or not we have new funding that becomes available by the end of this calendar year.

2:00

That plan will consider uh reductions that could be up to 16 more than 16 percent plus um up to 300 layoffs.

2:10

Um and that's the equivalent, like if in terms of um 16.4 percent um reduction in service would be like 100 buses removed um from service.

2:21

And so we are asking people to just kind of be aware that we are having this uh uh board meeting where we'll be presenting a draft plan um for consideration and seeking feedback.

2:33

Additionally, um at our offices, we'll have an open house that afternoon um to provide with staff available to kind of walk through what that means for their service.

2:44

And we also plan to be out in the community, and so in a couple of weeks, um you'll see um on our website and we'll be sending out like an e newsletter out um to let people know about um where we'll be and what those changes will look like, and then um the earliest that those changes would go into effect would be June of 2027.

3:06

Um so there is still time, um, but we just wanted to let people know that on June 10th um this draft contingency plan will be presented to our board, and we will be seeking uh public comment, and we will also have an open house that afternoon um to you know have staff resources to provide people with information, and then of course they can also um reach us, but we'll send out an e-newsletter um in the next couple weeks to let people know what's going on.

3:33

So thank you so much for your time.

3:43

Kelly, you're on the line, you have three minutes.

3:47

Yeah, well, we just heard from AC Transit.

3:50

Maybe um we could hear from uh Bart.

3:53

You know, BART has a train station, it's not in Fairview, but it's in Castor Valley, and uh it'd be nice if uh if instead of sending out the staff to uh to take the the you know to to bring the bad news, maybe they could send out their politicians to uh to tell you about uh what what shutting down the Castor Valley Bart station would mean for uh for fair for Fairview and for Castor Valley.

4:19

Um it's funny how the politicians disappear when uh when there's bad news.

4:24

Um in Fairview, um there's this uh, you know, the county administrator's office um has a lot uh a lot of stuff going on inside the county and um they went to all the Macs and said told you that you're gonna have action minutes instead of detailed minutes because video is is record being recorded of all these meetings.

4:49

Um they forget that uh the microphones, especially in the in the uh, you know, that uh main uh planning commission uh meeting hall that uh the microphones cut out really often, and that means the video is pretty useless sometimes if you don't hear what anybody's saying uh as the microphone cuts out.

5:06

Um and the planning commission when the uh the chair was stood up on uh his hind legs and barked back at the action minutes idea uh yesterday.

5:16

Um he expressed disbelief, disagreement, and outright rejected the order that supposedly came from the county administrator.

5:24

And he said, quote, we've been hearing this for 15 years, end quote.

5:29

So uh he's not buying this at all.

5:31

Um he also staff told him that uh staff that the county staff is reports to the big county boss, meaning the county administrator.

5:40

Um, and of course, anybody who looks at an org chart chart would realize that that's not really uh correct.

5:46

Uh that's like a uh a myth.

5:48

That's uh a hundred percent myth.

5:51

Um there's they uh don't report to the county administrator.

5:56

Um the then also there's remember the grandiose proposal that we're gonna uh set up an office of unincorporated services that sounds like a great thing that could do everything and make everything uh streamlined for everyone.

6:09

Uh well that's since been narrowed down now from what what the Macs are hearing.

6:14

Um uh they're uh whittled it back to just a couple of strategic initiatives, uh not off uh in core uh services for everything and everyone, and it would just have a handful of staff.

6:26

So this uh the the that whole thing is is uh uh being uh shrunk down to be just a tiny sliver of what the title is.

6:35

The title is big, but the actual budget, the actual proposal is small.

6:40

Thank you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation█████████████████████████████████████37%
Miscellaneous████████████████16%
Budget Process█████████9%
Fiscal Sustainability████████8%
Homelessness████4%
Traffic Safety████4%
Engineering And Infrastructure████4%
Youth Programs███3%
Unincorporated Area Services███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Fairview Municipal Advisory Council Meeting - May 6, 2026

The Fairview Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) met on May 6, 2026 (the transcript references May 5, but the official date is May 6). The meeting included updates from the California Highway Patrol, the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD), and the Alameda County Administrator's Office on the upcoming budget. The council also approved minutes, adjusted the June meeting date, and heard public comments on transit service reductions and county governance.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes (April 7, 2026): Approved with 3 ayes (Higgins, Rhodes, Anglin) and 1 abstention (Farmer).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Diane Castleberry (AC Transit): Announced a June 10, 2026 AC Transit board meeting to present a draft contingency service plan. The plan may include service reductions of over 16% (equivalent to removing 100 buses) and up to 300 layoffs, with earliest implementation in June 2027. She urged public awareness and feedback.
  • Kelly (caller): Criticized BART for not sending politicians to discuss potential closure of the Castro Valley BART station. Also criticized the county administrator's office for mandating action minutes instead of detailed minutes, noting that microphones often cut out, making video recordings unreliable. Reported that the Planning Commission chair rejected the order for action minutes, calling it a "myth" that staff reports to the county administrator. Also noted that the proposed Office of Unincorporated Services has been scaled back to a few strategic initiatives with a handful of staff.
  • Bruce King (Friends of San Lorenzo Creek): Commended HARD for their work and advocated for creek habitat restoration, particularly at Carroll Pereira Park and along the San Lorenzo Creekway Trail.
  • Caller (on Lake Ridge Park): Raised concern that vehicles are blocking the evacuation route at Pickford Street, a dead-end street leading into Lake Ridge Park, and asked how residents would exit in an emergency.

Discussion Items

  • California Highway Patrol Update (Officer Jen Pabst): Presented first-quarter 2026 statistics for Fairview: traffic citations down compared to first quarter 2025 (due to officer Barcini training new officers), injury crashes up by 2, non-injury crashes down, 3 misdemeanor arrests. Highlighted the CARES program for unhoused individuals (one success story, database of over 300 individuals in patrol jurisdiction). Discussed traffic issues at Fairview Elementary and ongoing side show enforcement task force. New office on Jackson Street expected to open by end of July.
  • Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD) Update (General Manager Jim Wheeler): Provided a comprehensive overview of the district's operations, finances, and projects. Key points: Measure X F1 bond ($250M) passed with 78% approval; district has 120 parks, 155 full-time employees; 5.9 million park visitors in the past year; $46.6 million general fund revenue; $23 million shifted to state via ERAF; $91.4 million county funding gap. Lake Ridge Park improvements planned with $72,000 in uncollected impact fees for Fairview, pending community process. Council expressed support and requested continued engagement. Public comment from Bruce King (Friends of San Lorenzo Creek) commended HARD and advocated for creek restoration. A caller raised concerns about blocked evacuation route at Lake Ridge Park.
  • Alameda County Unincorporated Area Budget Update (Melanie Atendito): Presented economic context, state/federal updates, and the county's $91.4 million funding gap for FY 2026-27. Highlighted that the county shifts more property tax to the state ($760M) than it keeps ($673M). Measure W allocations: 80% for housing and homelessness, 20% for essential county services, with 30% of that recommended for unincorporated areas. Department heads from Community Development Agency, Public Works, Fire, and Library provided brief updates on services and accomplishments. Council expressed interest in deeper Fairview-specific budget details.

Key Outcomes

  • Minutes Approved: April 7, 2026 minutes approved (3-0-1).
  • Meeting Schedule Adjusted: The June 2, 2026 meeting was moved to June 4, 2026 to accommodate election use of the room. Approved unanimously.
  • CHP Update Received: Officer Pabst presented statistics and discussed enforcement, unhoused outreach, and traffic issues. Council requested continued collaboration on Fairview Elementary traffic.
  • HARD Update Received: General Manager Wheeler provided a comprehensive overview. Council expressed support for Lake Ridge Park improvements and community engagement. HARD will return to request $72,000 in uncollected impact fees for Fairview.
  • Budget Update Received: Melanie Atendito presented the county's $91.4 million funding gap for FY 2026-27, with strategies to close it. Council expressed interest in deeper Fairview-specific budget details.
  • Fireworks Ordinance Update: Chair reported that the ordinance is moving forward with small changes, aiming for Board of Supervisors approval on May 12 and June 2, with a 30-day review period, tight before July 4.
  • Affordable Homes Subcommittee Report: Councilmember Farmer reported on the ad hoc meeting regarding in-lieu fees and ministerial approval, expressing concerns about parking, fire safety, and infrastructure.

Chair's Report & Council Announcements

  • Chair provided a brief update on the fireworks ordinance.
  • Councilmember Rhodes announced a new stop sign on Fairview Avenue and progress on painting bumps on Upper D.
  • Councilmember Higgins announced a Veterans Day ceremony at Lone Tree Cemetery (date to be confirmed).
  • Councilmember Farmer reported on the affordable homes subcommittee ad hoc meeting, noting concerns about in-lieu fees and ministerial approval.
  • Councilmember Rhodes noted she will be absent next month due to vacation.

Key Outcomes

  • Minutes Approved: April 7, 2026 minutes approved (3-0-1).
  • Meeting Schedule Adjusted: June 2 meeting moved to June 4, 2026, approved unanimously.
  • CHP Update Received: Officer Pabst presented statistics and discussed enforcement, unhoused outreach, and traffic issues. Council requested continued collaboration on Fairview Elementary traffic.
  • HARD Update Received: General Manager Wheeler provided a comprehensive overview. Council expressed support for Lake Ridge Park improvements and community engagement process. HARD will return to request $72,000 in uncollected impact fees for Fairview.
  • Budget Update Received: Melanie Atendito presented the county's $91.4 million funding gap for FY 2026-27, with strategies to close it. Council expressed interest in deeper Fairview-specific budget details.
  • Fireworks Ordinance Update: Chair reported that the ordinance is moving forward with small changes, aiming for Board of Supervisors approval on May 12 and June 2, with a 30-day review period, tight before July 4.
  • Affordable Homes Subcommittee Report: Councilmember Farmer reported on the ad hoc meeting regarding in-lieu fees and ministerial approval, expressing concerns about parking, fire safety, and infrastructure.

Chair's Report & Council Announcements

  • Chair provided a brief update on the fireworks ordinance.
  • Councilmember Rhodes announced a new stop sign on Fairview Avenue and progress on painting bumps on Upper D. She also noted she will be absent next month.
  • Councilmember Higgins announced a Veterans Day ceremony at Lone Tree Cemetery (date to be confirmed).
  • Councilmember Farmer reported on the affordable homes subcommittee ad hoc meeting.

Key Outcomes

  • Minutes Approved: April 7, 2026 minutes approved (3-0-1).
  • Meeting Schedule Adjusted: June 2 meeting moved to June 4, 2026, approved unanimously.
  • CHP Update Received: Officer Pabst presented statistics and discussed enforcement, unhoused outreach, and traffic issues. Council requested continued collaboration on Fairview Elementary traffic.
  • HARD Update Received: General Manager Wheeler provided a comprehensive overview. Council expressed support for Lake Ridge Park improvements and community engagement process. HARD will return to request $72,000 in uncollected impact fees for Fairview.
  • Budget Update Received: Melanie Atendito presented the county's $91.4 million funding gap for FY 2026-27, with strategies to close it. Council expressed interest in deeper Fairview-specific budget details.
  • Fireworks Ordinance Update: Chair reported that the ordinance is moving forward with small changes, aiming for Board of Supervisors approval on May 12 and June 2, with a 30-day review period, tight before July 4.
  • Affordable Homes Subcommittee Report: Councilmember Farmer reported on the ad hoc meeting regarding in-lieu fees and ministerial approval, expressing concerns about parking, fire safety, and infrastructure.

Chair's Report & Council Announcements

  • Chair provided a brief update on the fireworks ordinance.
  • Councilmember Rhodes announced a new stop sign on Fairview Avenue and progress on painting bumps on Upper D. She also noted she will be absent next month.
  • Councilmember Higgins announced a Veterans Day ceremony at Lone Tree Cemetery (date to be confirmed).
  • Councilmember Farmer reported on the affordable homes subcommittee ad hoc meeting.

Key Outcomes

  • Minutes Approved: April 7, 2026 minutes approved (3-0-1).
  • Meeting Schedule Adjusted: June 2 meeting moved to June 4, 2026, approved unanimously.
  • CHP Update Received: Officer Pabst presented statistics and discussed enforcement, unhoused outreach, and traffic issues. Council requested continued collaboration on Fairview Elementary traffic.
  • HARD Update Received: General Manager Wheeler provided a comprehensive overview. Council expressed support for Lake Ridge Park improvements and community engagement process. HARD will return to request $72,000 in uncollected impact fees for Fairview.
  • Budget Update Received: Melanie Atendito presented the county's $91.4 million funding gap for FY 2026-27, with strategies to close it. Council expressed interest in deeper Fairview-specific budget details.
  • Fireworks Ordinance Update: Chair reported that the ordinance is moving forward with small changes, aiming for Board of Supervisors approval on May 12 and June 2, with a 30-day review period, tight before July 4.
  • Affordable Homes Subcommittee Report: Councilmember Farmer reported on the ad hoc meeting regarding in-lieu fees and ministerial approval, expressing concerns about parking, fire safety, and infrastructure.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everybody. Welcome to our May 5th, Fairview Mac. Um, let's let's start off with a Pledge of Allegiance, please, Ms. Farmer. And can we get a roll call, please? Councilmember Farmer. Present. Councilmember Higgins. Councilmember Philbin, excused. Vice Chair Rhodes. Here. Chair Anglin. Here. We have a quorum. Thank you. We'll open it up for public comment. You have up to three minutes to speak on anything that's not on tonight's agenda. Do we have any speakers online? Yes. Diane, you're on the line. You have three minutes. Thank you. Can you hear me okay? Yes. Yes. Okay, thank you so much. Yes, my name is Diane Castleberry, and I'm calling from calling. I'm sorry to join you online versus in person. I am here to just provide a public service announcement for AC Transit. It provides bus service in your area, although limited. We are announcing to everyone that on June 10th, our board will be meeting to provide a presentation on a contingency contingency service plan that may be initiated, depending on whether or not we have new funding that becomes available by the end of this calendar year. That plan will consider uh reductions that could be up to 16 more than 16 percent plus um up to 300 layoffs. Um and that's the equivalent, like if in terms of um 16.4 percent um reduction in service would be like 100 buses removed um from service. And so we are asking people to just kind of be aware that we are having this uh uh board meeting where we'll be presenting a draft plan um for consideration and seeking feedback. Additionally, um at our offices, we'll have an open house that afternoon um to provide with staff available to kind of walk through what that means for their service. And we also plan to be out in the community, and so in a couple of weeks, um you'll see um on our website and we'll be sending out like an e newsletter out um to let people know about um where we'll be and what those changes will look like, and then um the earliest that those changes would go into effect would be June of 2027. Um so there is still time, um, but we just wanted to let people know that on June 10th um this draft contingency plan will be presented to our board, and we will be seeking uh public comment, and we will also have an open house that afternoon um to you know have staff resources to provide people with information, and then of course they can also um reach us, but we'll send out an e-newsletter um in the next couple weeks to let people know what's going on. So thank you so much for your time. Kelly, you're on the line, you have three minutes. Yeah, well, we just heard from AC Transit. Maybe um we could hear from uh Bart. You know, BART has a train station, it's not in Fairview, but it's in Castor Valley, and uh it'd be nice if uh if instead of sending out the staff to uh to take the the you know to to bring the bad news, maybe they could send out their politicians to uh to tell you about uh what what shutting down the Castor Valley Bart station would mean for uh for fair for Fairview and for Castor Valley. Um it's funny how the politicians disappear when uh when there's bad news. Um in Fairview, um there's this uh, you know, the county administrator's office um has a lot uh a lot of stuff going on inside the county and um they went to all the Macs and said told you that you're gonna have action minutes instead of detailed minutes because video is is record being recorded of all these meetings. Um they forget that uh the microphones, especially in the in the uh, you know, that uh main uh planning commission uh meeting hall that uh the microphones cut out really often, and that means the video is pretty useless sometimes if you don't hear what anybody's saying uh as the microphone cuts out. Um and the planning commission when the uh the chair was stood up on uh his hind legs and barked back at the action minutes idea uh yesterday. Um he expressed disbelief, disagreement, and outright rejected the order that supposedly came from the county administrator. And he said, quote, we've been hearing this for 15 years, end quote. So uh he's not buying this at all. Um he also staff told him that uh staff that the county staff is reports to the big county boss, meaning the county administrator.

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