San Leandro City Council Meeting – July 22, 2025

The San Leandro City Council convened at 7:00 PM on July 22, 2025, and adjourned at 9:59 PM. The meeting included a closed session report, an appointment to the Arts, Culture, and Library Commission, approval of the consent calendar, public hearings on delinquent account liens and park impact fees, and a six-month update on the Alternative Response Unit. All votes taken were 5-0-2, with Councilmember Simon and Vice Mayor Bowen absent. The transcript contains an apparent erroneous date reference.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar was approved by a 5-0-2 vote on a motion by Councilmember Aguilar, seconded by Councilmember Vivera Swalton. No items were pulled for separate discussion, but Councilmember Aguilar asked for an explanation of the cost increase on item 5E (traffic signal project). City Engineer Jason Emi explained that PG&E required relocation of an electrical service meter, adding design and construction costs. He acknowledged that staff turnover likely prevented earlier coordination and committed to engaging PG&E at the start of future projects.
• Public commenter Douglas Spalding spoke on items 5A, 5E, and 5F. He asked what vacating Eden Road means and suggested the city consider a safe parking area there; criticized the 25–50% cost increase on the traffic signal project; and questioned the East Bay SPCA contract and the handling of community cats.

Public Comments & Testimony (Non-Agenda)

• Ginny Madsen expressed distress about the Rules Committee meeting, stating paid lobbyists from well-funded groups (including the California Apartment Association) attended to tell the city what to do. She described being shouted down at a 2023 outreach meeting and asked the city to provide flyers or internet comment options for residents who lack computer access.
• Deborah Acosta (San Leandro resident and business owner) entered into the public record a summary of former City Manager Fran Robostelli's June 13 lawsuit against the city, which alleges a pattern of misconduct by three council members and brings claims for whistleblower retaliation, retaliation for refusing to approve illegal acts, and gender discrimination. Acosta said the city faces serious legal and financial risk and called on Councilmember Fred Simon to resign.
• Douglas Spalding noted that court evidentiary standards are more stringent than those for a council censure motion, supported Madsen's comments about lobbyists, praised the completion of fresh asphalt on Pencroft Avenue, thanked the city for improved communication, and commented on the Victoria Circle Miyawaki forest and Memorial Park fence.
• Jim Bischoffberger described an ongoing three-year dispute with San Leandro Police, alleging he was illegally ousted from his home with threats of arrest, without a complaint, warrant, or court order. He stated he has a deed, police reports, and attorney paperwork and asked for help accessing his home.

Public Hearing: Delinquent Account Liens (Item 8B)

• Finance Manager Susan Noj presented the annual process to collect delinquent fees by placing liens on property tax bills. The fees cover solid waste, CUPA (environmental permits), code enforcement/compliance, sidewalk and driveway repair, fire inspections, and commercial wastewater user charges. Staff send three legal notices (May–July), present to the Finance Committee, hold a public hearing, and then assess in early-to-mid August. A desk-item resolution change was added to allow the city manager or designee to opt out of placing a lien if deemed in the city's best interest.
• Updates: Some payments had been received (about 10 code compliance accounts, some CUPA and solid waste). Two large code enforcement accounts remain: approximately $700,000 on a property being developed (not expected to go to assessment) and approximately $150,000 on a property being sold (escrow anticipated payment).
• Public testimony: P Edwards described receiving repeated graffiti citations for 464 East 14th Street totaling $2,700 despite repainting, and said staff communication broke down after a reviewer left the city. Elvira Bueno (Bueno Properties) requested review and waiver of $14,000 in fines for 501 East 14th Street, stating citations were mailed to a vacant building and she was unaware until October 2024; she said she addressed issues but received a new citation on July 14.
• Council discussion: Assistant Community Development Director Avalon Schultz explained that fines are one enforcement tool, there is no maximum citation for non-single-family properties, and the city works with owners to reverse citations when properties are brought into compliance. Councilmember Bolt said the real goal is compliance, not revenue, and asked for staff to work with the property owners.
• Vote: Motion by Councilmember Aguilar, seconded by Councilmember Bolt, passed 5-0-2.

Public Hearing: Parkland Dedication and Park Development Impact Fees (Item 8A)

• Assistant Community Development Director Avalon Schultz presented a long-delayed update to parkland dedication and development impact fees, supported by consultant studies (NBS nexus study and Cosmont market feasibility analysis). The proposal would shift to square-footage-based fees per AB 602, direct 75% of fee revenue to improving existing parks (rather than land acquisition), and establish fee waivers for 100% affordable projects and ADUs. The presentation also sought council direction on a public art requirement for new development.
• Will Soholt (Cosmont) explained developer underwriting, emphasizing that current market conditions—higher capitalization rates, interest rates, and construction costs—are the primary barriers to new construction. He noted fees are a secondary factor but can matter at the margins.
• Public testimony: Brody Scotland (chair, Arts, Culture, and Library Commission) and Stephen Cassidy (arts commissioner) both urged the council to move forward on a public art requirement. Douglas Spalding questioned the affordability of units in new developments and asked about the stalled Tom Silvis project; Ginny Madsen supported focusing on improving existing parks and cautioned against profit-driven development.
• Council deliberation: Councilmember Aguilar asked about the public art process and inclusionary housing; Councilmember Vivera Swalton asked about data sources and whether park fees could support joint use with schools (staff said properly structured, yes). Mayor Gonzalez expressed frustration that the fee adjustment and public art were not packaged together and offered an alternative motion to send the entire item back to the Rules Committee, but it died for lack of a second. Councilmember Bolt supported a compromise with a time limit. Acting City Manager noted staff would need about six months for a comprehensive package.
• Vote: The council adopted the staff recommendations as amended, on a motion by Councilmember Aguilar seconded by Councilmember Vivera Swalton, by 5-0-2. The motion included adopting the ordinance updating parkland dedication, the resolution updating park impact fees and fee waivers, approving the fee study and parks capital improvement plan, and a resolution exempting ADUs from street improvement fees. The public art matter was referred to the Rules Committee for scheduling.
• Subsequent consensus: The Mayor stated the council's direction that the Rules Committee schedule the public art discussion and return an ordinance to the full council before the end of the calendar year.

Discussion Item: Alternative Response Unit Update (Item 9A)

• Division Chief Paige Bowie (Alameda County Fire) presented a six-month update on the ARU. The team operates 40 hours per week (Mondays–Thursdays) with four personnel and two beds at Eddy's Place shelter. Metrics: 625 911 calls answered, 121 follow-up visits, 68 on-view calls, 58 direct calls, 416 unique clients, average response time of 9 minutes, 8–10 calls per day, and average time on task of about 27 minutes.
• Two success stories were highlighted: Dana, a Care Court participant who completed treatment and moved to stable housing; and Deborah, a frequent 911 caller (352 calls from January to June) who was placed in memory care. The team filed 8 Enhanced Care Management petitions (7 accepted) and 9 Care Court petitions in the first six months.
• Council questions and comments: Councilmember Aguilar asked about clients with severe mental illness and noted SB 43 may expand holds. Councilmember Vivera Swalton asked about demographic data, specifically gender and LGBTQ youth, and commended Mayor Gonzalez for advocating for Measure W funds. Councilmember Bolt praised the program. Mayor Gonzalez asked about barriers, compassionate eviction, and grant applications; staff confirmed they are exploring grants. Funding was clarified: the program is funded through June 30, 2027.

Key Outcomes

• Appointed Andrew [surname unclear in transcript] to the District 1 seat on the Arts, Culture, and Library Commission (5-0-2).
• Approved the consent calendar (5-0-2).
• Adopted the resolution authorizing imposition of liens for delinquent accounts (5-0-2).
• Adopted the park impact fee ordinance/resolutions, including fee waivers and ADU exemptions, and approved the fee study (5-0-2).
• Referred the public art requirement to the Rules Committee with direction to return an ordinance by the end of 2025.
• Received the ARU six-month report and noted continued funding through June 30, 2027.