Eden Area Municipal Advisory Council Meeting – May 13, 2026
Eden Area Municipal Advisory Council Meeting – May 13, 2026
The Eden Area Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) convened on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at approximately 6:00 PM to consider a conditional use permit for a T‑Mobile telecommunications facility, receive a comprehensive county budget update, and hear public comments. The meeting featured presentations from multiple county departments and concluded at 8:50 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (April 14, 2026) – Motion to approve, seconded, and passed unanimously (6‑0). Councilmember Elizabeth Stanley was excused.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Ashley (San Lorenzo homeowner) – Expressed support for increased fireworks enforcement and anonymous reporting during the 4th of July period; noted the Board of Supervisors passed the first reading of a fireworks ordinance that day.
- Chuck Meadows – Opposed an alcohol conditional use permit on 14th Street (previously denied 7‑0 by the MAC but approved by the BZA); urged residents to attend the Board of Supervisors hearing on Thursday, May 14. Noted a church shares a common wall with the proposed location.
- Erin Pansilio – Introduced as the new Alameda County Fire liaison; offered support.
- Officer Pabst (CHP) – Reported April enforcement: 282 citations, 32 tows, 5 DUI, 1 felony, 5 misdemeanor, 60 non‑injury crashes, 10 injury crashes (down from prior month). Highlighted CHP Hayward’s statewide lead in traffic enforcement contacts (812 citations in 24 hours). Announced upcoming Memorial Day enforcement and a child passenger safety technician program.
- Diane Castleberry (AC Transit) – Announced a June 10 AC Transit Board meeting to consider service reductions due to a four‑year, $200 million deficit beginning in 2028. Without new revenue, reductions could exceed 16% and eliminate up to 300 jobs. Encouraged community attendance.
- Tyler Dragoni – Supported Chuck Meadows’ remarks; appealed the BZA decision on the alcohol outlet, citing disregard for the Environmental Justice Element and inadequate notice to a predominantly Spanish‑speaking church. Urged attendance at Thursday’s planning meeting.
- Public comments on budget – Several residents (Anna Rasquiza, Raymundo Achileta, Delilah, Matthias, Ashley G, Oscar G, Sandra, Ashley Acosta, Samantha, Michael Freed) consistently requested: more granular, unincorporated‑specific budget data; earlier release of materials; improved website accessibility; and meaningful community engagement before decisions are finalized. Michael Freed also noted a construction staging site at Maddox/Mission/Hampton intersection causing blight.
Discussion Items
- Conditional Use Permit for T‑Mobile (PLN2025‑00152) – Michael Fleming (Planning) presented the request to continue operation of an existing telecom facility at 16520 Worthley Drive. The 50‑foot tower sits on a heavy‑industrial M2 zone; staff recommended approval. Council noted the prior permit expired May 8, 2023, and the facility has been operating without a current permit. Discussion included a planned ordinance to fine expired telecom permits. No public opposition. Motion to recommend approval (by Councilmember Whitler, seconded by Maramahoko) passed unanimously (6‑0).
- County Budget Presentation – Melanie Atendito (County Administrator’s Office) gave an overview of the FY 2026‑27 budget development, highlighting a preliminary funding gap of $91.4 million. Economic context: inflation driven by energy prices, tech layoffs, state and federal policy uncertainties. County General Fund is $4.3 billion; 15 cents of every property tax dollar goes to the county (ERAF shift of ~$760 million to state). Department heads then presented services:
- Sandy Rivera (CDA) – Economic development (Lorenzo Theatre, façade improvements, events); code enforcement (1,700 cases); online permitting; housing programs (Crescent Grove affordable housing, lead hazard control).
- Daniel Dessenberg (Public Works) – Maintains 470 miles of roads, 500+ miles of channels; completed 22.7 miles of road rehab, 526 pothole repairs; processed 8,700 permits; spent $18 million over four years on illegal dumping/encampment cleanup. Noted bridge closure on Llewellyn starting June 2026 (community meeting May 18).
- Eric (Fire) – Provides fire services to five cities and unincorporated areas (nine stations). Measure X projects: new stations in Castro Valley, San Lorenzo (Station 22), Ashland, Lake Chabot; training center in Dublin. Station 22 remediation underway.
- Deb Sigo (Library) – Served 1.4 million visitors, issued 24,000 new library cards; 4,100 on‑site programs (130,000 attendees). Expanding home‑daycare libraries from 11 to 22. Hired a full‑time Spanish‑designated librarian for Cherryland.
- Council Questions – Councilmembers asked about budget transparency, service impacts, ERAF, and the county’s AI adoption strategy. Multiple members reiterated the need for unincorporated‑specific data. Councilmember Ray requested Public Works present a dedicated flood control update. Councilmember Taylor inquired about tenant protection ordinances (rent registry, inspection pilot) and potential conflicts among housing bonds. Councilmember Warren emphasized municipal service clarity.
- Subcommittee Reports –
- Economic Development Subcommittee (Taylor, Warren, Elizabeth) – Will meet soon to review the final Economic Development Strategic Plan before it goes to the full MAC.
- BART Transit Subcommittee (Warren) – Ongoing outreach; community meeting scheduled for May 14.
- Inclusionary Housing Subcommittee (Warren, Taylor) – Initial meeting with other MACs; process expected to last about 18 months before an ordinance goes to the Board.
Key Outcomes
- Vote – Unanimous recommendation to approve the T‑Mobile conditional use permit (PLN2025‑00152).
- Directives – Council requested Public Works present a detailed flood control presentation at a future meeting. Council also expressed desire for annual departmental updates.
- Next Steps – County Administrator’s Office will present a balanced proposed budget on May 28, 2026; budget hearings scheduled June 23‑26. The MAC will receive further budget updates as information becomes available.
- Chair Transition – Chair Whitler noted her two‑year term ends next month; council asked to begin considering candidates for chair and vice chair.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, let me um call this meeting to order. It's um pretty much right six o'clock. Trying to looking at my 601. So can you take the roll, please? Councilmember Taylor Assid Nielsen. Here. Councilmember Ray Maramahoko. Yes. Councilmember Menonrol. President. Councilmember Elizabeth Stanley, excuse. Councilmember Warren Cushman. Councilmember Diane Leitler. Here. We have a quorum. Okay, thank you. Um can we all stand for a pledge of allegiance, please? I pledge allegiance. Under uh visible delivery, and this is for all. All right, at this time we will be open for um public announcements or comments from the public. Speakers. Yes. Let's start with a joke. Thank you. Good afternoon. My name is Achelke, and I'm a homeowner in San Lorenzo. And I'm here to see how we can keep our neighborhoods safer during the 4th of July celebrations. There's been a significant increase and the usage of professional grade, explosives, and fireworks. And while this may seem like harmless fun, they pose fire risk and cause both physical and mental harm. These illegal fireworks are incredibly stressful for pets, the elderly, and people dealing with PTSD. Last year in my neighborhood, they went on well after 12 a.m. So I think it would be beneficial to everyone if we not only had increased public awareness about the dangers, but also more visible law enforcement regularly patrolling these areas. And I would also like the council to support the Sheriff's Office efforts to enforce the fireworks and social host ordinance. Last year I know they were working really hard to keep us safe, but more needs to be done. And I'd like to know how the residents can help and how we can further support them. Lastly, residents do need a way to anonymously report illegal fireworks activity violations to avoid potential ill will among residents and neighbors. Sorry, really quick. The Board of Supervisors today did pass the first reading of the fireworks ordinance. Chuck Meadows. Good evening, members of the board. My name is Chuck Meadows. I'm here to actually resurrect an issue that came before you way back when regarding an alcohol uh conditional use permit on 14th Street. This matter was voted 7-0 by this board against granting a permit. It was appealed to the Board of Zoning Adjustments where it was approved 5-0, and is now going to the Board of Supervisors this Thursday. So at 10 o'clock this Thursday, it's the first item on the regular agenda. There will be public comments, and we're hoping that this time we can get some people that live in near proximity to the actual location. And he brought up the fact that no one in the immediate area registered a single complaint or objection to introducing I can't remember, it's the fourth or fifth liquor store within a less than a mile radius of that location. Tyler Dragoni, an ex member of this board has circulated some documents, and I've not been able to verify it independently, but apparently there is a church that shares a common wall with the proposed location. Now if that is true, then the application should be denied just on that fact alone. There, but there are other factors including the damage to the potential community from having yet another liquor store.
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