Alameda County Board of Supervisors Meeting – August 4, 2026

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors convened on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at the County Administration Building in Oakland. The meeting included proclamations, a historic action on the Russell City Redress Fund, extensive public testimony on a proposed $30 minimum wage initiative, approval of a substantial consent calendar and mass motion, and a closed session report on the settlement and release of the independent investigation into the death of Sophia Mason. The board voted 5-0 to approve the Russell City Redress Fund MOU and 3-2 to refer the minimum wage initiative for an economic impact study before placing it on a future ballot.

Proclamations & Commendations

• August 2026 as Child Support Awareness Month – Recognized the Alameda County Child Support Services, which collected over $78 million last year with 94% going directly to children.
• 2026 as International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists – Highlighted that rangelands cover approximately 188,000 acres (40%) of Alameda County and that livestock is the second largest agricultural commodity in the county.

Russell City Redress Fund (Item 129)

• The board unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding between Alameda County and the City of Hayward establishing the governance of the Russell City Redress Fund and authorized the Auditor-Controller to issue phase one redress payments to eligible former residents.
• The fund totals $1.3 million, contributed by Supervisor Marquez ($400,000), Supervisor Miley ($250,000), City of Hayward ($250,000), President Halbert ($100,000), Supervisor Fortunato Bas ($100,000), Supervisor Tam ($100,000), and the Alameda County Office of Education.
• Supervisor Miley pledged an additional $250,000 (to be brought as a separate action in the fall), which would bring the fund to $1.8 million.
• Community speakers expressed strong support, including descendants and former residents who described the trauma of displacement in the 1950s-60s when approximately 700 parcels were acquired via eminent domain, displacing about 1,400 residents. Several speakers urged the board to continue expanding the fund and to consider creating an office of reparations.

Minimum Wage Ballot Initiative (Item 130) – Public Hearing & Vote

• Background: The Registrar of Voters certified 117,000 signatures for a proposed ordinance raising the minimum wage to $30 per hour by 2030 for unincorporated areas, county-owned properties, and certain employers. The board had three options: A) adopt immediately, B) place on the November 2026 ballot, or C) refer for a 30-day study.
• Public Comments (over 50 speakers, one minute each):
  • Proponents (workers, community organizations, youth): Argued that $30/hour is the minimum needed for a living wage in Alameda County, cited 117,000 signatures as the will of the people, and noted the gradual phase-in (large employers by 2030, small by 2037). Speakers shared personal stories of working multiple jobs and struggling with rent and food costs.
  • Opponents (business owners, chambers of commerce, some nonprofits): Requested an economic impact study, citing concerns about job losses, price increases, harm to small businesses and nonprofits, and potential conflicts with Measure C and state laws.
• Board Deliberation:
  • Supervisors Tam, Miley, and Halbert supported option C (study), citing the need to understand fiscal impacts, effects on small businesses, nonprofits, the interplay with Measure C, legal challenges, and county contracts. They noted voters would still have a chance to vote in March 2028.
  • Supervisors Marquez and Fortunato Bas supported option B (ballot), arguing the democratic process should be honored and that the study would delay justice.
• Vote: Motion to adopt option C (study) passed 3-2 (Marquez and Fortunato Bas opposed). Scope of study to include economic impact on businesses of all sizes, fiscal impact on the county, effects on employment, inflation, the wealth gap, interactions with state minimum wage laws, and implications for county contracts and Measure C. Report due within 30 days (by September 15, 2026).

Consent Calendar (Items 131-153) and Mass Motion (Items 2-126)

• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously. Included routine health, social services, personnel, and board/commission appointments.
• Mass Motion: Approved with specific discussions on several items:
  • Item 3 – Capital Improvement Plan: Supervisor Fortunato Bas inquired about a projected $182 million for Santa Rita Jail electrical and core renovations. GSA Director explained it is a future planning estimate not yet approved.
  • Item 8 – Training contract with Chabot Las Positas Community College ($13 million increase): Clarified that funds are for training staff and caregivers serving foster youth, not a direct pipeline for child welfare workers.
  • Item 15 – Emergency food distribution contracts: Supervisor Fortunato Bas asked Social Services to issue an RFP before contracts expire in two years to ensure broader and more innovative services.
  • Item 24 – Supportive Housing Community Land Trust ($900,000 bridge funding): Agency reported the organization has drawn $3.3 million of prior $5.8 million and is working toward operational stability.
  • Item 29 – Oakland LGBTQ Community Center ($1.5 million for identity-affirming wellness care): Approved. Supervisor Fortunato Bas noted this is a milestone for LGBTQIA+ services.
  • Item 97 – Probation contract extension: Several youth speakers from Urban Peace Movement urged a ban on pepper spray in juvenile hall. Chief Probation Officer reported that after a five-year meet-and-confer process, use of force policies were narrowed to three extreme situations, and a less harmful agent (Repulse) is being adopted. Usage dropped from 8-9 times per month in 2024 to 1-2 times per month in 2025.
  • Item 113 – License agreement with Federal Bureau of Prisons for Fire Department Fuels Crew housing: Approved. Chief McDonald noted the crew is currently deployed to Washington wildfires.
• Recusals: Supervisor Miley recused from items 20 and 47 due to campaign contributions. Those items passed on separate votes.

Ordenances (Second Readings)

• Item 48: Firearm safe storage ordinance for unincorporated areas – Adopted unanimously.
• Item 79: Memorandum of Understanding with ACMEA Sworn (Sheriff's units) and salary ordinance amendments – Adopted unanimously.
• Item 116: First reading of traffic code amendments for unincorporated county roadways – Introduced unanimously.

Closed Session Report

• County Counsel reported two settlements:
  1. Blackman case: $130,000 settlement approved May 12, 2026 (unanimous).
  2. Johnson v. County (Sophia Mason case): $12 million settlement approved October 7, 2025 (unanimous). The independent investigation report into Sophia Mason's death was released publicly with limited redactions. The board issued a statement noting that 7 of 15 state recommendations have been fully implemented, staff vacancies reduced from 32.8% to 21.2%, and case backlog reduced by 57% from 3,900 to 1,500. A moment of silence was observed.

Key Outcomes

• Russell City Redress Fund MOU approved (5-0); first phase payments authorized.
• Minimum wage initiative referred for a 30-day economic impact study (3-2); final board action expected September 15, 2026.
• Consent calendar and mass motion (most items) approved, with several items discussed in detail.
• Firearm storage and salary ordinances adopted.
• Closed session settlements announced; independent investigation report released.
• Next regular meeting: September 15, 2026 (board on recess in August).