Board of Supervisors Retreat – August 6, 2026

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors held the first day of a two-day retreat on August 6, 2026, at the Martinelli Event Center. The retreat focused on team building, group dynamics, and reviewing norms and protocols to improve board functioning. Facilitators Jen and Dan led exercises on trust, conflict, and feedback. The board then worked through a series of operational items, reaching several agreements on public comment, closed session scheduling, proclamations, support materials, and other procedural improvements. No formal votes were taken, but consensus was reached on multiple action items.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kelly Abrew (in person) expressed views on team dynamics, calling the board a "team of sharks," and criticized the use of closed sessions as a buffer that makes it difficult for the public to know when to speak. He also commented on discretionary grants and geographic equity.
• Andrew Turnbull (in person) complimented the facilitators and urged the board to create a flow chart for how issues proceed through committees and the Synol Municipal Advisory Council. He also stressed the importance of predictable public comment times for citizens.

Discussion Items

• Team Building and Group Dynamics: The board participated in a photo card exercise to share how they showed up and how they wanted to feel by the end of the retreat. A discussion on whether the board is a team followed, with supervisors generally agreeing they are a team but with room for improvement. They later engaged in a “blind spotting” feedback exercise where each supervisor and the county administrator and interim county counsel received constructive feedback from colleagues on strengths and areas for growth.
• Norms and Protocols Review: The board reviewed and debated several items raised in the prior year’s retreat and in one-on-one interviews:
  • Public Comment: Agreed to standardize to two minutes per speaker; set a reasonable time (3–5 minutes) for speakers to sign up or raise hands; limit total public comment to up to one hour; and establish a set time for public comment on open session items (likely 1:30 PM after closed session). The board policy will be updated from three minutes to two minutes.
  • Closed Session: Decided to time‑block closed session on Tuesdays: public comment on closed session at 9:30 AM, closed session begins immediately after, with the goal of reconvening open session at 1:30 PM. If closed session runs beyond 1:30 PM, remaining items are postponed to the end of the day. Also agreed to add a separate closed session on Thursday afternoons following the planning meeting for non‑time‑sensitive items (e.g., labor, litigation, performance evaluations), starting with one Thursday per month.
  • Commendations and Proclamations: After extensive discussion, the board agreed to eliminate nearly all proclamations from board meetings effective immediately. Annual acknowledgments (e.g., Law Day, employee service awards) will be handled at the district level or via newsletters/social media. The board president may briefly recognize a month or day (e.g., Hispanic Heritage Month) without bringing in speakers or taking photos. Exceptions will be rare and require the board president’s approval.
  • Support Materials: The board requested that materials for work sessions be posted 24 hours in advance and that for regular meetings, materials be available 72 hours before (by Friday for Tuesday meetings). If materials are not ready, the item should be postponed. Departments are also asked to include live hyperlinks to prior actions. County Administration will confirm technical feasibility and notify departments.
  • Speaking Order: The board agreed to capture its typical speaking order (sponsor first, then district‑related, then others) as an intention in the board operating procedures, but no formal change to practice.
  • Parliamentary Procedures: The board decided to defer selecting a formal parliamentary authority (e.g., Robert’s Rules or Rosenberg’s) to a work session later in the year, with a recommendation to be presented by end of 2026.
  • Budget Integration and Oversight: Acknowledged improvements made this year (e.g., earlier budget work sessions, involving unincorporated representatives). No further changes were requested.
  • Department Head Evaluations: County Administrator Susan Muranishi will develop a evaluation schedule by October 31, 2026. Most department heads will be on a two‑year cycle, with annual check‑ins for key departments (Social Services, Health, Community Development, Public Works). Prioritize completing the outstanding evaluation for the County Administrator from the previous cycle.
  • Board Committees and Ad Hoc Committees: The board agreed to defer reorganization of standing and ad hoc committees to January/February 2027, after receiving a comprehensive list of committees and commissions. A separate work session may be scheduled.
  • Staff Engagement: The idea of holding a meeting with department heads was left as a good idea but not committed; it will be considered by the incoming board president.

Key Outcomes

• Public Comment: Policy to be updated to two‑minute standard; implementation expected by September 15, 2026.
• Closed Session: New Tuesday and Thursday time‑block schedule to take effect at the next meeting.
• Commendations: New policy to go into effect immediately; Susan’s office to draft communication for department heads and supervisors by September 2026.
• Support Materials: 24‑hour advance posting for work sessions and 72‑hour for regular meetings; technology check and department notification to be completed by September 2026.
• Department Head Evaluations: Schedule to be produced by October 31, 2026.
• Parliamentary Procedures: Work session and recommendation due by end of 2026.
• Committee Structure: Deferred to first quarter 2027.
• Staff Engagement: No timeline; remains a good idea.

All decisions are subject to formal action at a future board meeting as needed.