Eden Area Municipal Advisory Council Meeting – August 12, 2026

The Eden Area Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) held a regular meeting on August 12, 2026, at the San Lorenzo Library. The meeting included a detailed presentation from AC Transit on its financial crisis and proposed contingency service cuts, a public hearing and vote on a new Taco Bell drive‑through restaurant, and routine administrative items. Councilmembers asked clarifying questions, debated trade‑offs, and voted unanimously on both action items.

Consent Calendar

• None on the agenda.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Fire Department Liaison Report (non‑agenda public comment): Aaron Panfilio, Alameda County Fire, reported 743 total calls for service in May 2026, including 54 fire‑related, 455 EMS, 10 non‑fire (gas leaks), 18 service calls, 97 good‑intent calls, 38 false alarms, and 71 other calls. He offered to provide monthly updates.
• Public Comment on the Taco Bell project: Randy (community member) spoke in strong support, citing the convenience of a late‑night food option and economic development benefits.
• No other public comments were received on agenda items.

Discussion Items

1. AC Transit Informational Presentation: Financial Outlook & Contingency Service Plan

AC Transit Board Vice President Murphy McCaulay, along with staff Diane Castleberry and Owen Christofferson, presented an overview of the agency’s operations and a looming fiscal crisis. Key points:

• AC Transit serves ~3 million riders/month (65% low‑income, 75% people of color) with a $606 million annual operating budget.
• Post‑pandemic recovery: Weekday ridership is 141,000; weekend ridership now exceeds weekday numbers. Student trips total 30,000/day.
• Fiscal cliff: A projected $200 million deficit over four years (annual gap of $50 million starting 2027). Causes: exhausted federal pandemic aid, flat sales tax revenue, rising costs (fuel +28%, parts +14%, buses +35%).
• Contingency plan (16% service cuts) would reduce frequencies and hours on many routes, including Line 9 (30‑minute before 7am/after 7pm, 6am‑10pm) and Line 97 (30‑minute all day, truncated to Union Landing Transit Center). Neighborhood routes would also see cuts. The plan would only take effect if a new funding measure fails.
• Connect Bay Area Act – a proposed half‑cent sales tax on the November 2026 ballot (five Bay Area counties) would generate ~$980 million/year for transit; AC Transit would receive ~$52 million/year to avoid cuts.
• State bridge loan: AC Transit received a $55 million loan (must be repaid with interest).
• Outreach & next steps: Public hearings scheduled for October 14, 2026; board decisions in November/December; cuts would take effect June 13, 2027 if no new funding is approved.
• Councilmembers raised questions about capital budget, student route funding, fare increases, the trade‑off between frequency and coverage, and the intersection with development requiring no parking. Chair Cushman (a transit‑dependent rider) emphasized the community’s reliance on bus service. Councilmembers expressed general support for the sales tax measure and asked AC Transit to provide information on emergency evacuation coordination.

2. PLN2025-00099 – Taco Bell Drive‑Through Restaurant at 2020 Hesperian Boulevard (Action Item)

Staff Planner Christine Green presented a Site Development Review and Conditional Use Permit for a new 1,600‑sq‑ft single‑lane Taco Bell with a drive‑through (hours 8am – 1am daily). The site is vacant, zoned C‑1, adjacent to residential units. Key conditions recommended by staff:

• 9 parking spaces (5 required).
• Sound wall on rear property line; order speaker facing away from homes.
• Landscaping plan with trees and shrubs.
• The project is categorically exempt from CEQA (Class 3, Section 15303).
• The drive‑through policy was recently amended to allow five new drive‑ins along Hesperian; this is the first application. One letter of opposition was received from a nearby business owner; Alameda County Economic and Civil Development supported the project subject to noise/traffic investigation.
• Councilmembers Taylor Aston‑Nielsen and Megan Roehl proposed additional conditions: a 12‑foot‑high fence (max allowed) and delivery hours limited to 8‑11am and 2‑5pm to minimize neighborhood disruption.
• Motion to approve the Conditional Use Permit and Site Development Review (forwarded to West County Board of Zoning Adjustments and Planning Director, respectively) passed unanimously (4‑0‑1, Vice Chair Aston‑Nielsen absent) on both votes, with the additional conditions included.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes of June 9, 2026: Approved (4‑0‑1, Councilmember Marumahoko abstained as not present; Vice Chair excused).
• AC Transit Presentation: Received as informational; council encouraged public support for the Connect Bay Area Act. No formal action taken.
• Taco Bell Project (PLN2025-00099): Approved with conditions (12‑foot fence, restricted delivery hours). Two separate motions passed unanimously: (1) Conditional Use Permit forwarded to West County Board of Zoning Adjustments, and (2) Site Development Review forwarded to the Planning Director.
• Chair’s Report: Chair Warren Cushman introduced himself and his disability advocacy background; council congratulated him and Vice Chair Taylor Aston‑Nielsen.
• Announcements: Healthy Living Festival on September 24 at Oakland Zoo (ages 55+); District Director coffee with Supervisor Lena Tam on July 29 (9–10am).
• Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for September 8, 2026.

Note: The agenda listed the meeting date as August 11, 2026, but the transcript indicates the meeting occurred on August 12, 2026 (as specified in the user instruction). This discrepancy may be due to a time‑zone offset or transcription error.