San Leandro City Council Meeting - March 4, 2025
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San Leandro City Council Meeting - March 4, 2025
Note: The agenda and minutes list the meeting date as March 3, 2025, but the user instruction specifies March 4, 2025.
The San Leandro City Council met on March 4, 2025, at 7:02 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included a closed session report, a proclamation recognizing March 2025 as American Red Cross Month, approval of consent calendar items with one item pulled for discussion, a public hearing on wastewater rate increases, and a first reading of the military equipment policy renewal. The meeting adjourned at 8:46 PM.
Closed Session Report
- City Attorney Pio Roda reported that the Council approved a settlement of $200,000 in the case of Benton Court vs. the City (unlawful detention, arrest, excessive force, malicious prosecution, negligence). The motion by Councilmember Aguilar, seconded by Councilmember Viveros-Walton, passed 7-0.
Recognitions
- 25-079: Proclamation declaring March 2025 as American Red Cross Month. Michael Gregory (Red Cross Board member) and Mig Rampa (Alameda County Community Disaster Program Manager) accepted the proclamation. Statistics shared: 1,600 volunteers in Alameda County, over 1,100 blood drives, 30,000 blood donations, and over 12,000 citizens trained in first aid/CPR. In 2024, San Leandro saw 700 blood units donated and 12 local disaster responses.
Consent Calendar
- Items 5a, 5c, and 5d were approved unanimously (7-0) without discussion. Item 5b was pulled by Councilmembers Simon and Boldt for discussion.
- 5b: Resolution to increase the cumulative change order amount from 15% to 25% (from $532,582 to $887,637) for the Annual Street Paving 21-23 Rehabilitation Phase, Project No. 2022.0050. After discussion, a motion by Councilmember Azevedo, seconded by Councilmember Bowen, passed 7-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- On Consent Calendar (5b): Two online speakers commented. Lucas expressed concern about routine budget overruns and questioned the resolution's claim of staying on budget. Douglas Balding supported the increase but urged better oversight of city finances, noting previous overruns.
- General Public Comments:
- Jim Odie, newly elected East Bay MUD representative for Ward 5, introduced himself and expressed commitment to safe drinking water and wastewater services for San Leandro.
- Douglas Balding celebrated the opening of the navigation center but urged long-term tenant protections and cited statistics on renter demographics: 72% of Black households and 67% of Latino households in San Leandro are renters; 25% of households under 35 are renters; 15% of seniors (65+) live below poverty level.
- On Item 10b (Military Equipment): Three online speakers commented. Bob Bailey (Chair of Community Police Review Board) noted that the CPRB had no further recommendations, but suggested more detailed reporting. Lucas urged removal of language allowing property destruction as exigent circumstances. Douglas Balding raised concerns about the number of assault rifles (80) and lack of a crowd control policy.
Discussion Items
10a. Wastewater Utility Rate Study and Proposition 218 Process
- Hayes Morehouse (Water Pollution Control Manager) and Eric Helgison (Bartle Wells Associates) presented the rate study. Key points:
- Last rate increase was in 2019; new rates would be effective July 1, 2025.
- The sewer enterprise is self-supporting; rates fund 125 miles of sewer lines, 12 pump stations, and the wastewater treatment plant.
- Capital plan includes $2.1 million/year for sewer repair/replacement (1% replacement rate), $2 million/year for nutrient optimization project (to meet 2034 discharge regulations), and $7 million in grants.
- Proposed rates: residential bills projected to rise from ~$57.12/month to ~$80.63/month over five years. San Leandro is currently in the middle of the regional comparison.
- Councilmember Simon expressed support for even higher infrastructure investment. Councilmember Azevedo asked about comparability to other agencies; Helgison noted five-year plans are common.
- Public Comment: None.
- Motion: Councilmember Azevedo moved to approve the resolution; seconded by Councilmember Aguilar. Passed 7-0.
10b. First Reading of Ordinance to Renew Military Equipment, Funding, Acquisition and Use Policy (AB 481)
- Assistant Police Chief Luis Torres presented the annual update. The city has equipment in 9 of 15 AB 481 categories. Usage in 2024: 62 UAV deployments, 23 armored vehicle deployments (21 tactical, 2 community events), 4 command post deployments, 5 hostage negotiation vehicle deployments, and one incident involving chemical agents (no injuries). No complaints or policy violations.
- Policy updates: removal of personally owned rifles from inventory; replacement of four breaching shotguns with two kinetic breaching tools (cost $14,000 each, funded by grants).
- Councilmember Boldt noted an error in the draft policy regarding destruction of property as exigent circumstances; the current policy already excludes it. A correction was made to replace the brand name "Taser" with a generic term.
- Public Comment: Bob Bailey (CPRB chair) noted the board's review and desire for more detailed reporting. Lucas raised concerns about exigent circumstances language and property destruction. Douglas Balding praised the breaching tool replacement but criticized the number of assault rifles (80) and lack of crowd control policy.
- Motion: Vice Mayor Bowen moved to approve staff's recommendations as amended (correcting the policy). Seconded by Councilmember Viveros-Walton. Passed 7-0.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar: Approved 7-0 (items 5a, 5c, 5d). Item 5b approved 7-0 after discussion.
- Wastewater Rate Study: Resolution 2025-017 adopted 7-0, authorizing the Prop 218 noticing process for proposed sewer rate increases (effective July 1, 2025).
- Military Equipment Policy: Ordinance 2025-001 passed 7-0 on first reading, with amendments to correct the policy language on exigent circumstances and replace "Taser" with a generic term. Approval to purchase two kinetic breaching tools using grant funds.
- Council Requests: None.
- Reports: Councilmembers reported on various meetings and events, including the navigation center ribbon cutting, East Bay Division legislative dinner, and state of the city upcoming March 18.
Discrepancy Note
- The agenda and minutes state the meeting date as March 3, 2025; the user instruction specifies March 4, 2025. The summary uses the provided date.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, it is seven oh two. We are convening the March third meeting of the San Leandro City Council. Welcome to uh women's history month, right? Lots of things happening this month as we close out uh Black History Month. Let's see, I will go ahead and lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Please stand if you're able to. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. So just a quick update to the public before we take roll. We were upstairs, we ran a little bit late because of closed session. We will be going at the conclusion of this meeting back to our closed session in continuation of that work. So at this point in time, Madam Clerk, would you please take roll? Thank you, Mayor. Councilmember Aguilar. Councilmember Azavino. Present. Councilmember Bolt. Present. Councilmember Simon. Present. Vice Mayor Bellin, present. Mayor Gonzalez. Present. Note all members are present. City of San Lano conducts orderly meetings for filling up. And or the California Federal Employment and Housing Act, California Penal Code Sections 403 or 415 are per se disruptive to meeting and will not be tolerated. Please see the City Council handbook and City Council meeting rules of decorum for more information. Thank you. If you would like to make a public comment during the meeting, you can do so in person or via Zoom. If you are present at the meeting, please complete a speaker card and submit it to the city clerk before the item is presented. If you wish to participate in public comment via Zoom, you may use the wreath. Wow. You may use the raise your hand tool when the item is called. During the public comment session, speakers will be invited to speak, and we'll have a set time to share their comments. If you have not had the opportunity to speak during the initial 30-minute period, there will be another chance to do so after item 12 City Council reports. Thank you. So for the third item on our agenda, report on closed session. I did give uh just a quick indication of where we are in that process. But did we have something to report on work thus far? Yes, Mayor. We have uh an announcement on closed session item 2A3, which is Benton Court versus uh the city, where there are alleged alleged claims of unlawful detention, arrest, excessive force, malicious prosecution, negligence. For a full and final release of all claims. The city council approved the settlement of 200,000. Motion by council member Aguilar. Second by Councilmember Varus Walton. 7-0 was the vote. The details of the settlement will be available in the next 60 days, and the city clerk may be contacted for a copy of the settlement agreement. That concludes my report. Okay, on happier news. We're going on to recognitions.
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