Rules and Open Government Committee Meeting - April 22, 2026

The committee met on April 22, 2026, at 2:00 PM. Roll call confirmed Councilmembers Candela, Duane Foley, and Cohen (absent), with a quorum present. The meeting reviewed final agendas for April 28 and May 5, approved consent calendar items, discussed three memoranda, and heard public comments on the 2040 General Plan update.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the final agenda for April 28 with a friendly amendment to move the Bill Key park naming item (item 7) immediately after the consent calendar. Motion passed.
• Approved the draft agenda for May 5. Motion passed.
• Approved the consent calendar after a public comment from Ryan, who criticized PG&E’s rate increase and the CPUC’s handling of the ZOG fire, noting the victims (Faye McLeod, Karen King, Kenneth Wilson, and a fourth). No other discussion. Motion passed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ryan: Expressed opposition to PG&E’s rate increase and criticized the CPUC for not holding PG&E accountable for the ZOG fire. He shared a personal story of being burned as a child and said the victims’ names were not acknowledged.
• Chris Tisdill (Alpha X / Apex Homes): Expressed support for modular construction, describing his company’s $2 million investment in a closed wall panel system and pre-sales of 100 ADUs. He highlighted benefits: reduced costs, faster timelines, quality control, and local job creation.
• Brian: Expressed frustration with lack of accountability and transparency, referencing three resignations from the House of Representatives, a park/school renaming, and a councilmember’s guilty plea. He urged officials to speak truth about any knowledge of abuse.
• Larry Ames (park and community advocate): Urged robust public engagement on the 2040 General Plan update, warning that ministerial approvals could harm quality of life. He emphasized the need for supporting infrastructure, preservation of historic structures and school lands, and protecting neighborhood business districts from data centers and warehouses.
• Brenda: Criticized insufficient outreach about the 2040 General Plan, specifically the proposal to exceed SB9/10 requirements by allowing more units on single-family lots by right without hearings. She called for much more outreach to all neighborhoods.
• David Hyindell (All District Leadership Group): Stated the city appears to be going beyond state mandates, allowing up to 10–15 units on a single lot without review. He urged broader outreach, noting only four meetings planned (one at Viva Calle), with most districts not represented.
• Doug Andre (District 1): Supported more inclusive outreach, noting the nearest meeting was a 25-minute drive from his home.
• Sandra Delvin: Expressed concern over permanent changes to single-family neighborhoods, noting that four meetings exclude districts with the most single-family homes. Called for better communication highlighting the extent of proposed changes (e.g., 14–15 units next door).
• Doris Livsey (Murdoch Neighborhood Association, District 1 Leadership): Said people are unaware of the General Plan changes; requested public meetings (including Zoom) and better council member publicity.
• Unnamed speaker (Corey neighborhood): Echoed requests for better outreach, suggesting postcards that clearly explain the scale of changes, similar to the agrihood plan process.

Discussion Items

• Item C1 – Identification of Priority Neighborhoods (Councilmember Campos): Proposed aligning the next set of priority neighborhoods with the Youth Empowerment Alliance’s work for a $500,000 expenditure. Councilmember Duan moved approval, emphasizing investment in youth. Councilmember Candelas asked about workload analysis; administration confirmed no analysis needed because it is part of a manager’s budget addendum. Motion passed.
• Item C2 – Attracting Investment in Employment Lands (Councilmember Candelas): Sought to intentionally market large vacant industrial/commercial parcels (e.g., in District 8) for economic development, job creation, and tax revenue. Councilmember Duan supported, noting only 13% of land is industrial and need for well-paying jobs. Administration confirmed no workload analysis needed as work is in progress. Motion passed.
• Item C4 – Prefab/Factory-Produced Housing Structures (Councilmember Ortiz): Explored modular construction to deliver housing faster and cheaper while maintaining strong labor standards. Discussed potential for local manufacturing and job creation. Public comment from Chris Tisdill supported the approach. Councilmember Foley moved approval subject to workload analysis. Motion passed.
• Item C3 was deferred to the next meeting due to the absence of Councilmember Tordillos; public comment taken under open forum.

Key Outcomes

• Approved agendas for April 28 and May 5 and the consent calendar (all unanimous).
• Approved the priority neighborhoods memorandum (Item C1) without workload analysis, directing the administration to proceed.
• Approved the employment lands memorandum (Item C2) as part of existing work program.
• Approved the prefab housing referral (Item C4) subject to workload analysis; expects return to committee.
• Deferred Item C3 to April 28.
• Heard extensive public comment urging broader and more transparent outreach for the 2040 General Plan update; no specific council action taken on that topic during the meeting.