OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

San Leandro City Council Meeting – February 3, 2026: Rent Stabilization Passes, District Elections Set, Project Elevate Update

City Council — Tuesday, February 3, 2026
BodySan Leandro, California
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, February 3, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:50:07
Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Thank you.

0:30

Thank you.

1:00

Thank you.

1:30

Thank you.

2:00

Thank you.

2:30

Okay, it is 7.01 and I'm calling this meeting of the San Leandro City Council to order.

2:42

It is Monday, February 2nd, 2026.

2:46

Please join me in our Pledge of Allegiance.

2:50

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for

2:55

which it stands, one nation under God,

2:58

invisible with liberty and justice for all.

3:01

So we've got on our next item, please take roll.

3:05

Madam Clerk.

3:07

Council Member Aguilar.

3:10

Present.

3:12

Council Member Azevedo.

3:14

Present.

3:15

Council Member Bolt.

3:17

Present.

3:18

Council Member Simon.

3:20

Present.

3:22

Vice Mayor Viveros Walton.

3:23

Present.

3:25

Present.

3:27

Council Member Bowen.

3:29

Present.

3:31

And Mayor Gonzalez. Present.

3:33

The City of San Lando conducts orderly meetings

3:35

So let's try that again.

3:37

The City of San Lando conducts orderly meetings

3:39

to fulfill its mandate.

3:41

Discriminatory statements or conduct that would potentially

3:43

violate the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964

3:45

and or

3:47

the California Fair Employment and Housing Act.

3:49

California Penal Code

3:51

sections 403 or 415 are per se disruptive to a meeting and will not be tolerated. Please see

3:57

the City Council Handbook and the City Council Meeting Rules of Decorum for more information.

4:04

Madam Clerk, your announcement please. If you would like to make a public comment during the

4:09

meeting, you can do so in person or via Zoom. If you are present at the meeting, please complete

4:14

a speaker card and submit it to the City Clerk before the item is presented. If you wish to

4:19

participate in public comment via Zoom, you can use the raise your hand tool when the item is called.

4:26

During the public comment session, speakers will be invited to speak and will have a set time to

4:31

share their comments. A countdown timer will appear for their convenience and when the time is up,

4:37

the microphone will be muted. All raised hands outside of public comment will be lowered to

4:42

avoid confusion. Once public comment is opened, hands may be raised to speak. There will be a 30

4:50

minute window for public comments, which will take place under item 7, public comments, as per the

4:55

published agenda. After this time is up, the council will proceed with the rest of the meeting's agenda.

5:02

If you have not had the opportunity to speak during the initial 30 minute period,

5:06

there will be another chance to do so after item 12, city council reports.

5:12

At this point in time, I do not believe we had a closed session today.

5:17

Therefore, there is no report for closed session.

5:19

But we do have recognitions.

5:21

Today we will proclaim February 2026 as Black History Month here in the city of San Leandro.

5:29

Tatiana, would you please come up?

5:31

Where are you?

5:42

a little bit of intro so we know that tiana is a longtime resident of san leandro so we're

6:04

especially grateful that you're here today a local business owner for the dc dance center

6:09

which empowers community youth

6:13

through inclusive arts education.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing█████████████████████████████████████████████48%
Procedural████████████13%
Technology and Innovation███████████12%
Community Engagement██████████11%
Personnel Matters███████7%
Transportation Safety███3%
Parks and Recreation███3%
Economic Development██2%
Homelessness█1%
Summary of Proceedings

San Leandro City Council Meeting – February 3, 2026

The San Leandro City Council met on February 3, 2026 (note: the transcript and agenda indicate the meeting was held on Monday, February 2, 2026, but the user-provided date is used here). The council approved the second reading of the Residential Rent Stabilization Ordinance after extensive public testimony, adopted a resolution calling for a June 2026 special election on district-based elections, received a progress update on the Project Elevate ERP modernization, and recognized Black History Month.

Recognitions & Awards

  • Black History Month Proclamation: Mayor Gonzalez proclaimed February 2026 as Black History Month. Tatiana, owner of DC Dance Center and a longtime resident, accepted the proclamation and spoke about her work empowering youth through inclusive arts education.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent calendar included items on rent registry software (Item 5A), pedestrian beacon improvements (5B), commission appointments (5D), and other routine approvals. Public comment was heard from Mike McGuire (comparing software costs to other city expenditures), Alvaro Ramos (opposing hawk beacons), Douglas Spalding (supporting the registry and commission appointments), Willow (gratitude for a crosswalk at Arbor and Dutton), and Rachel Radin (supporting hawk lights). The council voted unanimously to approve the consent calendar.

Public Comments & Testimony

General Public Comment (Non‑Agenda Items)

  • Several speakers spoke in support of Councilmember Fred Simon, who is the subject of an investigation report. Karen Silva, Nancy Raffalof, and Ginny Madsen praised his character and criticized the investigation as biased and costly ($135,000). Lawrence Abbott urged fairness and criticized political targeting.
  • Douglas Spaulding praised San Leandro Hospital and the Stephen Taylor Sanctity of Life Park dedication. Melissa Wong highlighted factual errors in the investigation report, noting the investigator failed to interview a key facilitator.
  • Ed Hernandez requested a review of residency requirements for a council member whose primary residence was sold, citing California Government Code.

Public Comment on Rent Stabilization Ordinance (Item 10A) Over 20 speakers and several online commenters addressed the ordinance. Positions included:

  • Support for the ordinance: Douglas Spalding, Jim Prola, Alvaro Ramos, Mimi Dean, Evelyn Olivera, Jenny Madsen, Emily Rich, Jimmy Kelly, Craig Williams, Rob Rich, Carol Haberkoss, Chris Longoria, Lawrence Abbott, Kaylee Figueroa, Kathleen Parsons, and others argued that rent control is necessary to protect tenants, especially seniors and low-income residents, from excessive increases. They noted that landlords benefit from tax deductions and that the ordinance is moderate compared to state law.
  • Opposition or concerns: Gordon Galvin, Eva Poon, John Sullivan, Athena Stanford, Kate Halfon, Anthony Adesi, Jennifer Rizzo (California Apartment Association), David Stark (Bay East Association of Realtors), Bill Espinola, Tuan Ngo, Vanessa, and Tyler Gonzalez argued that the 65% CPI cap (or 3%) is too restrictive, will discourage maintenance and investment, harm small “mom and pop” landlords, and reduce housing supply. Some requested a 5% cap or flat CPI, and elimination of the 65% formula. Concerns were raised about the lack of capital improvement pass‑throughs and the impact on aging housing stock.
  • A few speakers (e.g., Anthony Adesi, Vanessa) asked the council to table the ordinance for further study.

Public Comment on District Elections (Item 10C)

  • Douglas Spalding spoke in support of the charter amendment for district‑based elections, calling it a matter of equity.

Discussion Items

  • Rent Stabilization Ordinance (Item 10A, Second Reading): Development Director Tom Liao summarized the outreach efforts since 2023. Councillmember Aguilar asked the city attorney whether removing the CPI formula would require a new first reading (affirmed). Mayor Gonzalez then explained his opposition, stating the ordinance is too extreme (65% of CPI, no banking, no capital pass‑throughs), lacks data on rent increases for existing tenants, and may constitute a regulatory taking. He proposed income‑testing or a 5% cap with a registry. Councilmember Bowen emphasized the importance of education, language access, and a one‑year review. The motion carried 6‑1 (Mayor Gonzalez voting no).
  • Project Elevate ERP Update (Item 10B): CIO Michael Siner presented the city’s multi‑year effort to modernize HR, payroll, and finance systems (Workday). Key points: implementation began October 2024, on track for July 2026 “operational transition.” Payroll testing is in parallel run, aiming for near‑100% accuracy. The council approved a $98,800 amendment to the Barry Dunn contract for oversight through December 2026, fully within the existing $3.3M remaining budget. Unanimous vote.
  • Special Municipal Election for District Elections (Item 10C): Acting City Clerk Sarah Bunting presented a resolution to place a charter amendment on the June 2, 2026 ballot, transitioning council elections to district‑based representation beginning November 2026. Estimated cost $500,000, already budgeted. Unanimous vote.
  • Councilmember Submissions (Item 11): Councilmember Simon submitted two items for the March 7, 2026 council retreat: (1) a policy prohibiting the accuser from voting on the accused in ethics/discipline processes; (2) enhancements to the Stephen Taylor Sanctity of Life Pavilion, including stage street art and signage.

Key Outcomes

  • Rent Stabilization Ordinance passed on second reading (6‑1); takes effect January 1, 2027. The ordinance caps rent increases at 65% of CPI or 3%, whichever is lower, with exemptions for small landlords (duplex, ADUs, etc.) and new construction. Staff will provide outreach and a one‑year review.
  • Project Elevate continues with council approval of the consultant amendment. Go‑live target July 2026.
  • District Elections will be on the June 2, 2026 ballot; if approved, first district‑based council election in November 2026.
  • Council Retreat will include the two items proposed by Councilmember Simon.
  • The council also recognized Black History Month and heard updates on ICE enforcement concerns, the Stephen Taylor park, and upcoming railroad crossing work.

Meeting Transcript

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, it is 7.01 and I'm calling this meeting of the San Leandro City Council to order. It is Monday, February 2nd, 2026. Please join me in our Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, invisible with liberty and justice for all. So we've got on our next item, please take roll. Madam Clerk. Council Member Aguilar. Present. Council Member Azevedo. Present. Council Member Bolt. Present. Council Member Simon. Present. Vice Mayor Viveros Walton. Present. Present. Council Member Bowen. Present. And Mayor Gonzalez. Present. The City of San Lando conducts orderly meetings So let's try that again. The City of San Lando conducts orderly meetings to fulfill its mandate. Discriminatory statements or conduct that would potentially violate the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 and or the California Fair 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 the City Council Meeting Rules of Decorum for more information. Madam Clerk, your announcement please. 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 can use the raise your 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 the 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.

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