San Leandro City Council Meeting – September 16, 2025: Library Cafe Lease Approved Amid Transparency Debate
San Leandro City Council Meeting – September 16, 2025: Library Cafe Lease Approved Amid Transparency Debate
Note: The agenda and minutes list the meeting date as September 15, 2025, but the instruction provided states September 16, 2025. This summary uses the instruction-provided date for the title.
The San Leandro City Council met on September 16, 2025, at 7:05 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. All seven councilmembers were present (Aguilar Jr., Azevedo, Simon, González III, Bowen, Viveros-Walton, Boldt). The meeting began with a proclamation for Hispanic Heritage Month, followed by the unanimous appointment of Mallika Potter to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission and the appointment of several members to the Youth Advisory Commission. The consent calendar was approved with the exception of Item 5.f., a lease agreement for a library cafe, which drew extensive public comment and debate before being approved on a 6-1 vote.
Consent Calendar
- 5.a. Approved Amendment No. 1 to the legal services agreement with Stream, Kim, Hicks, Wrage & Alfaro, PC for tort litigation defense (increase of $1,000,000 per fiscal year for FY 2025-2027). (Resolution 2025-118)
- 5.b. Approved a consulting services agreement and MFP lease agreements with J.J.R. Enterprises, Inc. dba Caltronics Business Systems Inc. for citywide multi-function printer replacement, maintenance, and support (FY 2025-2026 cost $108,499; 5-year total not to exceed $550,000). (Resolution 2025-119)
- 5.c. Approved an assignment, assumption, and release agreement for the lease of city-owned property at 2208 San Leandro Boulevard among the City, Family Service of San Leandro, and Hively. (Resolution 2025-120)
- 5.d. Approved Amendment No. 4 to the consulting services agreement with Noll & Tam Architects for the Mulford-Marina Branch Library project (increase of $350,000 to a total not-to-exceed $1,198,884; term extended to December 31, 2027; additional amendments up to $119,888 authorized for construction administration). (Resolution 2025-121)
- 5.e. Approved Amendment No. 1 to the consulting services agreement with MNS Engineers, Inc. for the Cary-Haas Pedestrian Bridge Replacement project (increase of $106,140 to a total not-to-exceed $513,337; additional amendments up to $77,000 authorized). (Resolution 2025-122)
- 5.g. Approved the minutes from the September 2, 2025 City Council meeting as submitted.
Public Comments & Testimony
- On Item 5.f. (Library Cafe Lease): Nineteen people spoke. Many expressed support for As Kneaded Bakery, citing its community involvement, quality products, and successful track record. Supporters included Ileana Imberman Berkowitz (owner), employees, family members, and community partners such as the Hebrew Free Loan Association and the San Leandro Community Food Pantry. Speakers from Zocalo Coffee (owner Sarah Oberhart and Daniel Grace) and other community members raised concerns about the transparency of the RFP process. They noted that Zocalo’s proposal offered higher rent and more business readiness, and questioned why evaluation criteria, scores, and applications were not publicly released. Several speakers called for greater transparency and accountability in city contracting, while others urged the council not to pit two women-owned businesses against each other.
- On Non-Agenda Items (Item 7): Two speakers addressed the council. Maureen Forney (representing Third Act) promoted a clean energy event on September 21. Douglas Spaulding commented on council attendance records and questioned a potential citizens’ bond measure.
Discussion Items
- Item 5.f. – Lease Agreement with As Kneaded Bakery: Councilmember Aguilar pulled the item from the consent calendar for separate discussion. Councilmembers disclosed ex parte communications with bidders: many had spoken with representatives of Zocalo Coffee; Vice Mayor Bowen also spoke with the owner of As Kneaded. Library Director Brian Simons explained the RFP timeline (March 10 to April 10, 2025), the receipt of eight proposals, scoring by three reviewers on six criteria (100 points total), and interviews with the three most qualified respondents. The selection was based on qualifications and interviews, with preference for a guaranteed rent over a variable one. City Attorney and City Manager clarified that under California law, proposal details remain confidential until a contract is awarded to avoid prejudicing negotiations. Several councilmembers expressed that the process was fair and that no wrongdoing was detected. Councilmember Boldt made a motion to approve the staff recommendation.
Key Outcomes
- Item 5.f. approved on a vote of 6-1 (Aye: Azevedo, Simon, González III, Bowen, Viveros-Walton, Boldt; Nay: Aguilar Jr.). The resolution (Reso 2025-123) authorizes the City Manager to execute a lease with As Kneaded for the food service space and one parking space at the Main Library for $2,550 per month for a two-year term, with three one-year renewal options (total term not to exceed five years).
- Appointments: Mallika Potter appointed to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (unanimous). Several youth members appointed to the Youth Advisory Commission (terms ending August 31, 2026; unanimous).
- Proclamation: September 15 – October 15, 2025 declared Hispanic Heritage Month.
- City Manager Reports: Noted the 4th Annual Rides & Readers Car Show (50 cars, ~200 attendees), the United 4 Safety event (~500 attendees, 130 ring cameras distributed), and the upcoming Mulford-Marina Branch Library groundbreaking ceremony on September 19.
- Council Reports: Members reported on community events attended, including Manor Day in the Park, United for Safety, and a veteran support event. Vice Mayor Bowen highlighted food scarcity initiatives and a fire prevention collaboration. Councilmember Simon noted progress on the Stephen Taylor Sanctity of Life Pavilion. The mayor announced a Beautify San Leandro event on September 21 and a Sun Day clean energy celebration.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, so to members of the public, we apologize for being a couple of minutes late. We wanted to make sure that council members had a little bit of a bio break as we move from closed session. We'll begin in about one more minute. And again, we apologize for our delay. Councilmember Azevedo. Present. Councilmember Bolt. Present. Councilmember Simon. Councilmember Vivero Swalton. Present. Vice Mayor Bowen. Present. And Mayor Gonzalez. Present. I do believe it will have slight echoes. So technology, if you could just kind of keep an eye on that. There appears to be a slight echo from either maybe somebody's computer or the like, but if we can just try to address that. Tonight we have an appointment, the appointment swearing in of a new member of the bicycle pedestrian advisory committee as item 10, and several members of the youth advisory commission as item 10b. I'd like to move these up to section four recognitions in the interest of time. Is anybody opposed? Okay, so we will move so forward accordingly. The City of San Leandro conducts orderly meetings to fulfill its mandate. Discriminatory statements or conduct that would potentially violate the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 and or California Employment and Housing Act, California Penal Code Sections 403 or 415 are per se disruptive to a meeting and will not be tolerated. Please see the City Council Handbook and City Council Meeting Rules of Decorum for more information. Madam Clerk, your announcement, please. If you would like to make 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 can use the raise hand tool when the item is called. During the public comment session, speakers will be invited to speak and will have a set time to share their comments. A countdown timer will appear for their convenience. And when time is up, the microphone will be muted. All raised hands outside of public comment will be lowered to avoid confusion. Once public comment is opened, hands may be raised to speak. There will be a 30-minute window for public comments, which will take place under item 7, public comments as per the published agenda. After this time is up, the council will proceed with the rest of the meeting's agenda. 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. Okay, at this point in time, do we have anything to report out of close session? No reportable actions were taken in closed session, Mayor. Thank you. Okay, at this point in time, we will move first to our recognition proclamation to declare Hispanic Heritage Month here in San Leandro. I think we've got uh Benny Valles. Are you here? Where are you, Benny? There you are. Come on up. Stand right here. Sorry. So many comes from Bale Foclorico, Costa de Oro. And I'll give you the chance at the end to say a few words about how you maintain culture and help it thrive.
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