San Leandro City Council Regular Meeting - April 9, 2026
San Leandro City Council Regular Meeting - April 9, 2026
Note on date: The agenda and minutes indicate the meeting was held on Monday, April 6, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The summary title uses the date provided in the instruction (April 9, 2026) due to a discrepancy between the source materials and the instruction.
The San Leandro City Council met on April 9, 2026 (per instruction; actual agenda date April 6), at City Hall. Mayor González called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM. Key actions included swearing in a new councilmember, appointing a commissioner, approving a consent calendar with ten items, selecting a new default electricity product for Ava Community Energy customers, authorizing a $185,000 appropriation for community outreach on a potential business license tax modernization measure, and referring a restorative justice mediation discussion to the Rules Committee.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously (6-0, Bowen absent). Items included:
- FY 2026 Mid-Year Budget Adjustments (Resolution 2026-027)
- Consulting Services Agreement with Nichols Consulting Engineers for a Pavement Cut Impact Fee Study ($137,395 plus up to 10% amendments) (Resolution 2026-028)
- Construction contract with Bear Electric Solutions for I-880 Integrated Corridor Management Central Segment ($1,801,925) (Resolution 2026-029)
- Amendments to On-Call Transportation Engineering Consulting Services agreements with DKS Associates, Fehr & Peers, and W-Trans (up to $600,000 total over two years) (Resolution 2026-030)
- Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Round 10 application for the Bay Fair Apartment Project, including an MOU with Alameda County Transportation Commission (Resolution 2026-031)
- Purchase of three-stream recycling stations from CleanRiver Recycling Solutions ($215,000) (Resolution 2026-032)
- Appointment of Councilmember James Aguilar to the Facilities and Transportation Committee (Min Order 2026-016)
- Approval of minutes from Finance Committee (Feb 25, 2026), Special City Council meetings (Mar 9 & Mar 23, 2026), and Rules Committee (Mar 25, 2026)
Public Comments & Testimony
- Consent Calendar comments:
- Robert Rayburn (BARC Director, District 4) spoke on consent item 5e (Bay Fair Apartments) but did not state a position.
- Alvaro Ramos supported mixed-use, high-density development for the Bay Fair project, opposing a purely residential approach.
- Chris Urban Res Life welcomed Councilmember Aguilar and called for unity.
- Douglas Spaulding questioned the need for a $1.8M traffic signal project on I-880, expressed concern about recycling stations filling with garbage, inquired about pavement cut impact fees, and asked for details on $7M in budget transfers. Mayor clarified the I-880 project is funded by ACTC for 880 detours.
- General public comments (non-agenda items):
- Jeff Carey (real estate), Lynette Bailey (accountant/tax preparer), Brian Rooney, Ed Harris (Fremont Bank employee), Marakua Banks (resident of Bancroft Towers), Bob Jones (real estate broker), and Douglas Spaulding spoke about paid parking challenges in the Best Building lot and along Bancroft Avenue, citing customer loss, elderly accessibility issues, and enforcement confusion. Some urged reconsideration of the policy.
- Melissa Wong (Washington Homeowners Association board member) welcomed Councilmember Aguilar and praised the Manor Library's Mandarin class.
- Bernard Ashcraft and Carol Haberkos spoke about an incident involving a homeless man being driven to Oakland by police, calling for a thorough investigation and criticizing the police union's actions.
- Emily Grego (Chamber of Commerce CEO) acknowledged parking concerns but noted the chamber generally supports some parking management; she urged balanced solutions.
- Action item 10b (Bright Choice default): One online speaker (Alvaro Ramos) warned of oil shock impacts and favored renewable 100% energy; another speaker supported the measure as a way to save money for low-income residents.
- Action item 10c (business license tax outreach):
- Sarah Bailey strongly supported the business license tax measure and urged council to follow staff recommendation.
- Douglas Spaulding supported the business license tax, opposed a citizen-led parcel tax measure, and called it undemocratic.
- Alvaro Ramos questioned survey demographics and opposed any funds going to police.
- Jenny Madson supported the business license tax as a way for businesses to pay fair share for infrastructure.
- Emily Grego requested more outreach to the business community and expressed frustration with repeated taxes on businesses.
- Action item 10d (restorative justice mediation):
- Douglas Spaulding endorsed restorative justice mediation for the council, emphasizing it as a truth-and-reconciliation approach distinct from standard mediation.
- Bob Bailey (with mediation background) clarified that restorative justice requires a neutral third party, voluntary participation, and acceptance of responsibility by the harmed party.
- Jeff Carey criticized the proposal as lacking substance and appearing to evade accountability.
Discussion Items
-
10b: Selecting Bright Choice as Default for Ava Community Energy
- Mayor González presented the resolution to default residential customers to a lower-cost electricity product (Bright Choice) that is now 90-95% carbon-free, citing economic equity for residents with lower median income and language barriers. The current default is the more expensive Renewable 100%.
- No council questions preceded public comment. After public comment, the motion moved by Mayor González and seconded by Councilmember Boldt passed 6-0.
-
10c: Potential Revenue Measure for November 2026 Ballot
- Deputy City Manager Eric Engelbart presented background: council directed staff in February 2025 to explore revenue measures; a $500,000 allocation was not included in the FY26-27 budget but later survey work was approved on December 15, 2025. Staff tested three types: business license tax modernization, parcel tax, and vacancy tax.
- Brian Godby (Godby Research) presented survey results (607 likely voters, March 9-19, 2026):
- Business license tax (simple majority needed): first test 62.6% support; after positive messaging 64.7% (15-point cushion).
- Parcel tax (two-thirds needed): first test 53% support; after messaging 56% (not viable).
- Vacancy tax (two-thirds needed): 61% support (within margin of error, not viable).
- Top priorities for spending: pothole repair/street maintenance, public safety infrastructure, emergency response.
- Staff recommended proceeding with community outreach and engagement for a business license tax modernization (gross receipts model, ~$3.8-4.3M annually) and appropriated up to $185,000 from undesignated reserves for outreach and consulting with Clifford Moss.
- Council questions addressed revenue adequacy, competition with a potential citizen initiative, implementation timeline (revenue starting in early 2027), and the flat-rate vs. square-foot parcel tax structure.
- Vice Mayor Viveros-Walton moved to adopt the resolution and direct staff to proceed; seconded by Councilmember Victor Aguilar. Passed 6-0.
-
10d: Restorative Justice Mediation for City Council
- Councilmember Simon proposed using restorative justice mediation as a future conflict resolution tool, to be implemented as part of an update to the council's discipline policy. He also suggested removing online discipline-related items from the city website, but the city attorney ruled that request was not agendized for this meeting; it was deferred to the council reports section.
- Councilmembers questioned definitions (restorative vs. standard mediation) and process (third-party neutral vs. mayor-led). Vice Mayor Viveros-Walton expressed concern about scope creep and suggested the issue go to the Rules Committee.
- After public comment, Councilmember Simon made a motion to send the restorative justice mediation discussion to the Rules Committee for further consideration. Seconded by Councilmember Boldt. Passed 5-1 (Viveros-Walton abstained; Bowen absent).
Key Outcomes
- Swearing-In of James Aguilar as District 2 Councilmember, administered by Oakland Unified School District Board President Jennifer Brouhard.
- Proclamation declaring April 2026 as National Autism Awareness Month, accepted by Ronke Shodipa of the Regional Center of the East Bay.
- Appointment of Mike Bryant to the Arts, Culture, and Library Commission (Min Order 2026-015).
- Consent Calendar approved as a block (6-0).
- Resolution 2026-033 adopted: Selecting Bright Choice as the default electricity product for San Leandro customers served by Ava Community Energy (6-0).
- Resolution 2026-034 adopted: Authorizing an amendment to the consulting agreement with Clifford Moss (up to $283,000 total) and appropriating $185,000 from undesignated reserves to conduct community outreach and engagement on a potential business license tax modernization measure. Staff directed to proceed with outreach and return with a proposed ballot package by June/July 2026 (6-0).
- Discussion on Restorative Justice Mediation referred to the Rules Committee for further study and potential incorporation into the council's discipline policy (5-1, Viveros-Walton abstained).
Note: Councilmember Xouhoa Bowen was absent for the entire meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, it's something I want. I'm gonna call this meeting of the family under a city council to order. Today is Monday, April 6th. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States and the Republicans. So at this point in time, Madam Clerk, would you please take a roll? Vice Mayor Viveros Walton. Present. Councilmember James Aguilar. Present. Councilmember Victor Aguilar. Present. Councilmember Fred Simon is absent. Councilmember Sue Bowen is absent. Councilmember Bolt. Here. And Mayor Gonzalez. Present. Thank you. So tonight with the appointment swearing in of it, uh our new member of the Arts Culture and Library Commission. So I'd like to move that item up to Section 6 recognitions in the interest of time. Immediately following our other recognitions, which include the oath of office for our district two council member, Councilmember James Aguilar, uh Aguilar, and the National Autism Awareness Month Proclamation. Any concerns about that? Seeing none. 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 43 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, meeting rules of the quorum 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. 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. Item three in our agenda is a report on closed session action taken. Was there any reportable action taken? No reportable action, Mayor. There was extensive discussion and guidance provided to legal counsel. At this point in time, we're going to move to the recognitions portion of our agenda. And we'll begin with a swearing in of James Aguilar, City Council of District 2. If you would come down to the front. Thank you, Mayor. We will be also joined by Jennifer Brohard, who will be administering the oath of office to our incoming council member. I do solemnly swear. I do solemnly swear. That I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States. If you don't mind, hold on just a second, so we're going to do a pause because we can't hear you online. We can hear there you go. So we're going to do this, we're going to share, we're going to have two mics, because we want everyone to re who records this video and who downloads it and clips it and all that to have the full thing nice and clean.
openpublica.com