Alameda County Unincorporated Services Committee Meeting – May 28, 2026
Alameda County Unincorporated Services Committee Meeting – May 28, 2026
The Alameda County Board of Supervisors Unincorporated Services Committee met on May 28, 2026, to discuss three major items: the Meekland Avenue Bridge construction and road closure, enforcement against unpermitted food vending in Castro Valley and San Lorenzo, and a proposal for an unincorporated community coordination pilot. Public comments were heard on each item, and the committee received updates from county staff and partner agencies.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Meekland Avenue Bridge: Multiple callers expressed concerns about inadequate public notification, traffic backup on Paseo Grande near Colonial Acres school, lack of multilingual outreach (cards were in English only), and insufficient bus rerouting information. One speaker noted that the community only learned of meetings through active email sign-ups. Another urged coordination with the school district. Christine Bruner, a disabled senior, said she depends on buses 93 and 34 and feared the detours would be inadequate for non-English speakers.
- Food Vending Enforcement: Keith Barrows (San Lorenzo Village) said the situation had improved but still needed “teeth” because vendors know they need permits but ignore the law. Diane Weiler thanked Supervisor Miley for his strong stance. Michael Freed suggested using waste management trucks for confiscated equipment and impounding generators for emergency use rather than destroying them.
- Unincorporated Community Coordination Pilot: Approximately 36 speakers commented, with the vast majority supporting the pilot. Many urged placement in the County Administrator’s Office (CAO) for cross-departmental authority. Opponents included Dr. Ann Maris, who called the report biased and said existing services suffice, and Bill Mulgrew (Castro Valley MAC), who argued the real problem is organizational culture rather than structural gaps. Several Castro Valley residents disputed that the MAC represented them and supported the pilot.
Discussion Items
1. Meekland Avenue Bridge Construction and Road Closure – Public Works Director Daniel Desabeth presented the project, which includes a full bridge closure from June 2026 to April 2027 for reconstruction. AC Transit planner Owen Christofferson detailed temporary bus detours for lines 93 and 34, including stop closures and proposed temporary stops. Supervisor Miley asked about community feedback and ridership. Public comments raised concerns about notification, traffic spillover, and lack of Spanish-language outreach. Staff responded that they would continue to post signage, coordinate with mapping services, and provide multilingual communications.
2. Unpermitted Food Vending Enforcement – Environmental Health Director Ronald Broader and Antonio Golar presented an overview of state laws (SB 946, SB 972, SB 635) and the county’s ordinance. They described a pilot enforcement plan conducted February–April 2026 in Castro Valley and San Lorenzo, which resulted in 29 inspections, all involving repeat offenders, and confiscation of food and equipment. Challenges included inability to identify vendors (no ID required), limited storage for confiscated items, and staff safety concerns. Supervisor Miley expressed strong frustration, stating that unenforced laws create health and safety risks, and directed staff to return to the Board for additional resources and to explore stronger penalties, including possible arrest authority. Supervisor Miley also called for cross-agency coordination and asked County Counsel to examine legal options for holding repeat violators accountable.
3. Unincorporated Community Coordination Pilot – Brianne Gala presented her research and updated recommendations for a two-year pilot staffed by two positions (administrator and analyst) funded by Measure W ($300,000 per year). The pilot would focus on cross-agency coordination, implementation of the Environmental Justice Element and development permit reform, and improved budget transparency. Recommended placement was in the CAO’s office. Supervisor Tam suggested the Community Development Agency (CDA) might be more practical given its existing functions. Supervisor Miley supported the pilot but emphasized the need for authority to convene departments, leaning toward the CAO’s office. The supervisors agreed to continue discussion at the Transportation and Planning Committee and then to the full Board.
Key Outcomes
- Meekland Bridge: No formal action; the item was informational. Staff will continue outreach and coordinate with AC Transit and schools.
- Food Vending Enforcement: The committee directed Environmental Health to bring a request for additional resources (funding, equipment, storage) to the full Board of Supervisors. Supervisors also asked County Counsel to explore options for stronger enforcement, including potential arrest authority and the ability to impound vehicles.
- Coordination Pilot: The committee received the report and will take the proposal to the Transportation and Planning Committee on June 1, 2026, followed by the Measure W allocation meeting. The pilot will be refined based on feedback and brought back for final Board approval.
- Non-Agendized Items: AC Transit’s Diane Castleberry announced a June 10 Board meeting on possible service reductions due to a $200 million deficit, with a draft plan posted June 5. Supervisor Miley noted MTC had provided a $55 million loan. The committee also acknowledged community efforts that led to the denial of a new liquor store in Ashland.
Meeting Transcript
It started. Good evening, and welcome to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors Unincorporated Services Committee meeting. May I have roll call, please, Tisa? Supervisor Miley, excuse Supervisor Tan. Present Supervisor Miley will be joining shortly. He is tied up at an A-bag meeting. Um Tisa, do you want to go over instructions on Spanish interpretation? Vanessa. Yes. Thank you. Buenas tardes, damas y caballeros. In esta reunion, ustedes tendrán la opportunidad de tener acceso a la interpretación al Espanyol. Solo necesita presionar el símbolo terracchio in su pantalla, orebuscar los thres puntitos para seleccionar el idioma al Spaniel. Estamos asus. Gracias por unirse a nosotros. Thank you, and back to you. Vanessa. Yes. Okay. And that's it for the Spanish instructions. Yes. Thank you. And for in-person participation, the meeting site is open to the public. If you speak on an item, you can fill out a speaker's card and hand it to me. And for remote participation, follow the teleconferencing guidelines posted at www.acav.org and use the raise your hand function. Thank you. Uh we will start with the first item, which is an information item on the Meekland Avenue Bridge construction and road closure. We have Almay County Public Works and also AC Transit. Hi, quick question. This is the Spanish interpreter, the second interpreter. May I please be assigned as well as my uh colleague interpreter? Okay. Thank you. All right, thank you. Daniel Desabeth Public Works Director. This is about the Meekland Avenue Corridor Improvement Project that uh we have started construction. The primary focus will be on the bridge construction that would be requiring a long-term closure of uh of the bridge area. Uh next slide, please. So the project uh limits is between the welling and blossom way, that's the overall project, and the project will next slide. The project will provide uh multiple values, uh walking opportunities, continuous sidewalk, high visibility, crosswalk, and ADA compliant uh facilities all throughout the project limits. Uh the pavements will be repaved, and uh all the uh you know the cracks and the bad riding condition will be improved to a smooth riding environment. The biking will be provided a continuous bike lane all throughout the project limit, and there will be uh consistent locations of uh safe transit connections. Uh next. In addition to that, it will provide uh street trees and landscaping. There you go. Uh street trees and landscaping, green infrastructure which is capturing runoff from the street and treating it before releasing it into eventually to the bay, and improvements for uh the drainage facilities along the roadway. That just gives you the broader uh scope of the various items that we will be doing throughout the project limit. Uh like I said, today's meeting next slide will be regarding the Mickland Avenue bridge construction and the issue of road closure. Uh next the bridge will be fully closed during the construction period, and you know, if you ask why full closure, as you can see, it is safer. Full closure allows construction crews to work more safely and effectively and efficiently, and reducing the overall time it takes to uh put the bridge back together.
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