San Leandro Hillside Geological Hazard Abatement District (GAD) Board Meeting — November 17

The GAD Board of Directors convened after a closed session and focused on the public hearing and decision process for potentially dissolving the Hillside Geological Hazard Abatement District. The meeting included a staff recap of the dissolution procedure, public questions about geographic scope and post-dissolution responsibilities, and a board vote to proceed after the City Clerk reported objection levels were below the statutory threshold.

Attendance & Roll Call

• Directors present: Azevedo, Bolt, Aguilar, Viveros-Walton, Bowen, and Chairperson Gonzalez
• Directors absent: Simon (noted as absent at the vote)

Consent Calendar

• Adopted minutes from the prior meeting (motion by Director/Councilmember Aguilar; second by Director/Councilmember Viveros-Walton)
  • Vote: Passed 6-0, with Director Simon absent

Public Comments & Testimony

• Douglas Spalding (via Zoom): Asked about the geographic extent of the hillside geologic hazard area and whether it affects Lake Chabot Road, Bay-O-Vista, areas near the creek, and properties along the fault line in San Leandro.
• Jeffrey (via Zoom): Asked what happens after dissolution and whether they would be able to plant vegetation on the hillside currently covered by a tarp to mitigate landslide risk.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing: Potential Dissolution of the Hillside GAD
  • Staff presentation (Erwin Ching, GAD Manager):
    • Reported that on October 6, the Board approved a Resolution of Intent to Dissolve and set the public hearing for November 17.
    • Stated that at least 30 days prior to the hearing, notices were mailed to 26 property owners within the GAD, requesting written agreement/objection submitted before close of the public hearing.
    • Explained the legal threshold: if written objections exceed more than 50% of the weighted assessed value of real property, the Board must abandon dissolution proceedings; if 50% or less, the Board may proceed if it makes findings meeting one or more of four required factors.
    • Staff recommended relying on Factor #3 as most applicable: the GAD has not levied or collected assessments and holds no significant liquid assets.
    • Noted that even if the Board orders dissolution, it must still be confirmed by property owners in writing within 90 days of the public hearing.
  • Staff responses to public questions (Erwin Ching):
    • Stated that the GAD location, if dissolved, does not impact Lake Chabot Road, and does not affect areas of Bay-O-Vista other than the properties within the GAD (described as including properties on top of the hill).
    • Regarding planting on the slope covered by tarp: said it depends on how the proceedings go; if the GAD is dissolved, responsibility for maintaining and repairing the currently damaged slope would revert to the property owners.
  • Public hearing timing: Opened at 7:01 PM and closed at 7:03 PM.
  • Chairperson Gonzalez invited any remaining written objections to be submitted before close; the record reflected no one approached to submit additional written objections at that time.

Key Outcomes

• City Clerk tabulation of written objections:
  • Reported no additional written objections received during the hearing.
  • Determined that fewer than 50%, based on weighted assessed value, submitted written objections.
• Board action to approve proceeding with dissolution step (as presented):
  • Motion by Director/Councilmember Aguilar; second by Director/Councilmember Viveros-Walton
  • Vote: Passed unanimously (Director Simon absent)
• Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 7:07 PM