San Leandro Facilities & Transportation Committee Meeting - April 17, 2026
San Leandro Facilities & Transportation Committee Meeting - April 17, 2026
The Facilities & Transportation Committee met on April 17, 2026, at 4:00 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting included public comments regarding the closure of Lake Chabot Road gates, a presentation on the Lewelling Boulevard Streetscape Improvements project, and an update on the Water Pollution Control Capital Improvements Program. No formal votes were taken.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Lake Chabot Road gates: Four residents spoke during the initial public comment period. Kat Wilman, Ann Haywood, Tyler Dragoni, and Michelle Harris expressed concerns that the recent locking of gates and removal of bollards on Lake Chabot Road increases evacuation risk for the Bay Vista community during wildfires or other disasters. They noted the area has over 3,600 residents, two daycares, four residential care homes, and a 99-bed hospital. Speakers cited a 2022 Kittleson study estimating 1,500 cars would need to evacuate via narrow routes and a new study by the WEGO group confirming congestion. They urged reinstallation of bollards or full removal of gates to ensure emergency access. One speaker also requested that committee meetings be streamed online for broader public participation.
- Lewelling Boulevard Streetscape Improvements: Four additional public comments were made during this item. Bruce Dougie, Nicholas Bayes Avis, Sarah Bailey, and Tyler Dragoni all expressed strong support for the project. Speakers highlighted safety benefits, the need for separated bike lanes, and connectivity to schools, BART, and the bay. One speaker noted 66 collisions (including one cyclist fatality) on the corridor in five years and argued redesign is essential. Another suggested that the proposed flexible posts might not provide enough safety and advocated for more robust separation.
Discussion Items
- 26-155 Lewelling Boulevard Streetscape Improvements: Assistant Engineer Iman Fazi presented the project, which aims to improve safety on Lewelling Boulevard from Wicks Boulevard to Washington Avenue. The project includes protected bike lanes (Class IV), high-visibility crosswalks, tighter turning radii, no right turns on red at certain intersections, and removal of one travel lane in each direction to make room for a separated bike lane. Traffic study results showed all three signalized intersections would maintain Level of Service D or better during peak hours. The total project cost is estimated at $6.5 million, with funding from local sources ($1.2M), capital reserve/grants ($1.2M), an ACTC grant ($2.2M), and a HIP grant ($1.8M). Design is expected to be complete by end of 2026, with construction by end of 2027. Committee members asked about turning radii, bus stop coordination, parking retention, and the interaction with Washington Avenue. Councilmember Boldt expressed concern about right-turn restrictions and potential traffic backups; staff agreed to evaluate allowing right turns on red when no pedestrians are present. Councilmember Aguilar praised the project, noting its importance for students biking to nearby schools. The presentation was received, and the committee took no formal action.
- 26-156 Water Pollution Control Capital Improvements Program Updates: Water Pollution Control Division Manager Hayes Morehouse presented an overview of the 10-year CIP plan totaling $97 million. The plan focuses on nutrient (nitrogen) reduction to meet new 2024 regulations requiring 40–50% reduction of nitrogen discharge into San Francisco Bay. Key projects include: a treatment wetland (phase one complete, phase two design ongoing, operational target spring 2028); reconfiguration of aeration basins ($12M estimated) to increase nitrogen removal; and potential side-stream treatment (up to $15M). The sanitary sewer system (125 miles of pipe, much clay from 1920s-30s) is budgeted ~$2M/year for repairs and replacements. Staff are pursuing a procurement strategy using RFQs to pre-qualify consultants for program management, design, and construction management (requested Council authorization on May 4, 2026). Discussion included rate increases (5-year plan of ~8-9%/year), reserve funding (~$30M), and coordination between street paving and sewer replacement. Mayor González asked for a comprehensive projection of long-term pipe replacement costs. The presentation was received; no action taken.
Key Outcomes
- No votes or formal decisions were made on either agenda item. Presentations were received, and committee members provided feedback and asked questions. Staff will consider input on the Lewelling project (specifically regarding right-turn on red at Washington Avenue) and will bring a staff report to the City Council on May 4, 2026, to authorize consultant contracts for the Water Pollution Control CIP. The committee also discussed the importance of communication with the public regarding operational decisions, such as the Lake Chabot Road gate closure, and noted that streaming of committee meetings is under consideration by the Rules Committee.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, it is four o'clock, and I'm calling to the order of the meeting of the San Leandro City Council of Facilities and Transportation Committee. Today is Thursday, April 9th, 2026. Madam Clerk, would you please take the rule? Councilmember Bowden. Present. Councilmember Aguilar. Present. Mayor Gonzalez. Present. Would you please make your announcement, Madam Clerk? After each agenda item is presented, the mayor will ask for committee member comments and then take public comment. If you'd like to speak during public comment, please complete a speaker card and submit it to the clerk before the item is heard. Members of the public will have two minutes to share their comments. An opportunity for the public to address us on items that are not on our agenda. We have speaker cards today. I do have four speaker cards. Okay, would you please proceed with public comment? Can I have Kat Wilman and Carwood? Annie, Tyler Dragoni, and Miss Show Harris just stand on the side here after so she can speak and then you can go next. Thank you. Can you push there's a little red uh two choices on the microphone in front of you? Yes, there you go. New system perfect new system. Okay system. Okay. Welcome. When the city closed Lake Shabot Road over three years ago, residents of Bao Vista had one overriding concern. How do we safely and quickly evacuate in the event of a fast moving wildfire or other disaster? Lake Shabot Road is not just another street. It is the fastest evacuation route for hundreds of homes, especially those at the top of the hill, where a wildfire would hit first. This is a serious public safety issue. When we raise these concerns with city staff, the city council and county fire officials, the city acknowledged the risk. The gates were opened and bollards were installed. The city even demonstrated on video at a council meeting that emergency vehicles and residents could drive over the bollards if necessary. Was it ideal? No. But it gave our community some reassurance that in a life or death situation, there was a way out. Now, without notice to residents or even the city council, the ballers have been removed and the gates are locked. That decision has taken us backwards and put our community at greater risk. Wildfires are no longer seasonal. Disasters can happen at any time, and arson is a growing concern. Our community now has the results of a timed evacuation study showing clearly that closing Lake Chabot Road negatively impacts our ability to get out safely. So the question is simple. Why are we making evacuation harder, not easier? At a minimum, the city should reopen the gates and reinstall the bollards. Better yet, remove the gates and fences entirely and install continuous bollards across the entire road, so that in an emergency, no one is trapped because a single narrow gate at either end is blocked. The real risk here is not the fact that a few violators are driving on Lake Chabot Road now, but loss of life and exposure to fire. Public safety must come first. Thank you. Annie, if you can please come up.
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