San Leandro City Council Meeting Summary - February 17, 2026
San Leandro City Council Meeting Summary - February 17, 2026
The San Leandro City Council met on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 7:04 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included a presentation on residential development market conditions, a motion to conduct a poll on potential revenue measures, and discussion on the process to fill the District 2 council vacancy. The meeting concluded at 10:46 PM.
Recognitions
- 10a. & 4. Appointments to Boards and Commissions: The Council unanimously approved (6-0) the appointment of Shaylani Alex to the Arts, Culture and Library Commission and Victor Crovocheza to the Community Police Review Board. Both were sworn in during the meeting.
Consent Calendar
- 5a. 26-061: Adopted Resolution to accept the Audited Financial Statements for FYE June 30, 2025 (Enactment No: Reso 2026-012).
- 5b. 25-606: Adopted Resolution to approve a consulting agreement with Resonance Consultancy Inc. for city branding assessment and application plan, not to exceed $150,000 (Enactment No: Reso 2026-013).
- 5c. 26-021: Adopted Resolution to authorize the City Manager to execute Program Supplement Agreement No. F032 with the State of California and accept $1,928,000 in Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program Grant funds for the I-880 Integrated Corridor Management Project (Enactment No: Reso 2026-014).
- 5d. 26-037: Adopted Resolution to approve purchase agreements for five police vehicles, not to exceed $450,000 (Enactment No: Reso 2026-015).
- 5e. 26-042: Adopted Resolution to accept $35,000 in grant funding from the National Fitness Campaign and appropriate $325,000 in Park In-Lieu Fees for an outdoor fitness court at Marina Park (Enactment No: Reso 2026-016).
- 5f. 26-060: Approved minutes from the February 2, 2026 Special and Regular meetings.
The consent calendar was approved unanimously (6-0).
City Manager and City Attorney Reports and Comments
- City Manager Cameron announced that the Police Department welcomed two new officers: Officer Javier Almos (graduated Contra Costa County Basic Police Academy on Feb. 13) and Officer Aaron Gonzalez (former Police Services Technician), both beginning an 18-week field training program.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 7 (Non-Agenda): Ten people spoke.
- Douglas Spaulding raised questions about the city branding contract and police vehicle purchases, and inquired about the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) registry and advertising.
- Mimi Dean (via Zoom) spoke about fairness in the disciplinary process involving Councilmember Simon and the voting process.
- Several speakers (Bernard Ashcraft, David Anderson, Nancy Raffaloff, Karen Silva, Carol Habercos, Michael McGuire, Anthony Tejada) urged the Council to adopt a resolution apologizing for historical redlining, and expressed support for Councilmembers Simon and Aguilar regarding recent investigations.
- Rob Rich urged accountability and restorative justice regarding the findings of gender bias in investigations.
- Michael McGuire and others emphasized the need for a prompt redlining apology.
- Item 9a (Presentation): Douglas Spaulding questioned the profit-driven development model and suggested exploring social housing.
- Item 10b (Poll Survey): Three speakers commented. Douglas Spaulding and Jeff Crop offered opinions on the polling strategy; Emily Grego (Chamber of Commerce) expressed concerns about taxes targeting businesses.
- Item 10c (District 2 Vacancy): Seven speakers commented. Leo Sheridan and Ed Hernandez advocated for an appointment process, citing the district's need for representation. Douglas Spaulding suggested a June special election. James Aguilar and Alvaro Ramos supported an appointment process and requested transparent communication.
Discussion Items
- 9a. Presentation on Current Residential Development Market Conditions and Feasibility of Key Residential Development Projects: Economic Development Manager Katie Bowman and consultant Will Sol Holt (Cosmont Realty) presented. Key points included: the impact of cap rates and interest rates on development feasibility; the importance of Central Cowan's leasing success as a bellwether; and an analysis of three entitled projects (Maximus, Town Hall Square, and 1388 Bancroft). Only 1388 Bancroft was deemed financially feasible in the near term. Council discussed potential city levers such as inclusionary housing, impact fees, and rent stabilization.
- 10b. Motion to Direct Staff to Work with Consultant to Conduct a Poll Surveying Tax Measures: Deputy City Manager Eric Engelbart presented options: Business License Tax Modernization, Parcel Tax, Utility Tax modification, District Sales Tax, and Vacancy Tax. Staff recommended testing Business License Tax Modernization and a Parcel Tax, with an additional informal question on Vacancy Tax viability. Councilmembers Bowen and Aguilar inquired about alternative taxes (e.g., sugar, cannabis, alcohol). Councilmember Simon expressed concern about the scale of the city's $300M infrastructure deficit relative to potential revenue.
- 10c. Council Discussion and Direction Regarding Process for Appointment to Fill District 2 City Council Vacancy: The Council debated whether to pursue an appointment process or let the vacancy stand until a November 2026 special election. A motion to extend the meeting to 10:30 PM passed (5-1, with Boldt opposed). A motion to call the question passed (4-2, with Bowen and Gonzalez opposed). Ultimately, the Council unanimously (6-0) approved a motion to proceed with an appointment process per Charter Section 250, including providing access to the city budget book and Council annual planning session presentation to applicants.
Key Outcomes
- Unanimous approval (6-0) of the motion to conduct a poll on Business License Tax Modernization and a Parcel Tax, with an additional viability question on a Vacancy Tax. (Enactment No: Min Order 2026-009)
- Unanimous approval (6-0) to proceed with an appointment process to fill the District 2 City Council vacancy, with a timeline: applications available Feb. 23/25, due March 9/10; interviews the week of March 23; appointment by April 11. (Enactment No: Min Order 2026-010)
- Meeting extended twice (5-1 to 10:30 PM, and 4-2 to 10:45 PM) to accommodate agenda items.
The meeting adjourned at 10:46 PM in honor of Reverend Jesse Jackson.
Meeting Transcript
How do we give us a h do we give us a hug Okay, we'll get started momentarily as soon as we get one more council member. Okay, it is 704. I'm calling this meeting of the San Lando City Council to order. And we'll lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Please stand if you're able to. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. Madam Clerk, would you please take roll? Councilmember Bolt. Sorry, Council Albert Bolt. Present. Thank you. Council Member Simon. Present. Thank you. Councilmember Viveros Walton. Present. Present. Thank you. Councilmember Aguilar. Present. Thank you. Councilmember Bowen. Sorry, there you go. Present. Thank you. And Mayor Gonzalez. Present. Thank you. So before we get to date. I'd like to acknowledge the lunar new year is being celebrated by many in our community at this time. It marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and is observed across numerous cultures present here in San Landro and in countries like China, Vietnam, Korea, and others. And we extend our best wishes to all that are celebrating. And we recognize the cultural significance of this holiday to many of our residents. So may you have a healthy and prosperous new year. Tonight we have the appointment and swearing in of two new members under agenda 10A. Shaylani Alex to the Arts Culture and Library Commission and Victor Crevocheza to the Community Police Review Board. I'd like to move these items up to Section 4 recognitions in the interest of time if there are no objections. Looking down Council Rule, don't see any objections, so it will be adjusted accordingly in our agenda. Please see the City Council handbook and city council meeting rules of decorum for more information. Madam Clerk, your announcement. 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 open, 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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