San Leandro City Council Meeting - August 20, 2026

The San Leandro City Council met on Monday, August 20, 2026, at 7:01 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, a consent calendar, public comments, a presentation on the Downtown Community Benefit District, and two disciplinary resolutions for Councilmembers Aguilar and Simon. After lengthy debate, both resolutions were adopted with amendments. The meeting adjourned at 11:45 PM.

Consent Calendar

• 5a: Adopted a resolution to amend the Master Salary Schedule, adding Water Pollution Environmental Compliance Inspector I/II and revising other classifications.
• 5b: Accepted a $67,378 gift from the San Leandro Public Library Foundation for library enhancements.
• 5c: Approved a $269,300 construction contract with Apeña Engineering for trash capture devices, authorized change orders up to 25%, accepted a $1,000,000 EPA grant, and appropriated funds.
• 5d: Approved Amendment No. 2 ($101,000) to the consulting agreement with Activewayz Engineering for capital improvement program assignments.
• 5e: Appointed Councilmember Dylan Boldt to the East Bay Dischargers Authority Commission.
• 5f: Appointed Councilmember Fred Simon to the Facilities and Transportation Committee.
• 5g: Approved minutes from the February 17, 2026 meeting. The consent calendar passed unanimously after public comment.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On Consent Calendar: Sarah Bailey read excerpts from an investigator's report accusing Councilmember Simon of bullying and demeaning female staff, especially the Public Works Director. Lawrence Abbott defended Simon's character, calling him fair and exemplary.
• On Non-Agenda Items (Item 7): Multiple residents spoke on various topics:
  • Nancy Rafaloff urged the council to retain a local veterinary hospital (closing at month-end).
  • Chris Urban acknowledged native land and supported Bernard Ashcraft’s request for a formal apology for redlining.
  • David Anderson supported a redlining resolution and raised concerns about Lake Chabot Road closure and emergency evacuation routes, urging council unity.
  • Deborah Acosta linked Women's History Month to enforcement of ethics standards and due process.
  • Lawrence Abbott supported the redlining resolution and reconciliation.
  • Leo T. West criticized library service cuts and computers, and alleged council misconduct.
  • Anthony Tajada praised the council's handling of a vacancy and encouraged internal resolution of disputes rather than external investigations.
  • Melissa Wong highlighted a $10 million budget deficit, criticized the rushed budget process, and proposed two public members join the Finance Committee for transparency.
  • Alvaro Ramos commented on Alameda County ending participation in a federal immigration program (SCAP) and concerns about ICE and federal detention.
  • Douglas Spaulding supported a redlining resolution, requested status on rent registry and just cause eviction, and praised fire prevention efforts.
  • Jesse Rubin criticized Councilmembers Simon and Aguilar for not acknowledging former councilmember Acevedo's crimes, harming public trust.
  • Tauray Nenguke advocated for high-speed rail to ease housing crisis.

Discussion Items

• 9a – Downtown Community Benefit District Annual Update: Morgan Macrose presented the SLIA's 2025 accomplishments, including safety and cleaning ambassadors who conducted over 3,000 de-escalations and 25 EMS calls, 11 events, a new coordinated camera system, and public art projects. She noted an operational deficit due to flat funding for safety ambassadors and discussed the 2028 reauthorization challenge. Council members praised the work and asked about expansion, bicycle patrol, and the camera program's privacy implications. Public comment raised support and concerns about surveillance.

• 10a – Discipline for Councilmember Aguilar: The council considered a resolution to formally admonish Councilmember Aguilar based on findings of retaliation, abusive conduct, and gender bias. After extensive debate, a motion to adopt the resolution as written failed (3-3). A subsequent motion by Councilmember Bolt to strike paragraphs A, B, and C from the findings section (keeping only the amended language describing conduct as "treatment unbecoming of a council member") was approved 5-0 (Councilmember Aguilar excused). The final resolution adopts the investigation report but disciplines only for the remaining provisions.

• 10b – Discipline for Councilmember Simon: Following the same pattern as 10a, a motion by Councilmember Bolt to adopt the resolution with paragraphs A, B, and C struck from page two passed unanimously (5-0, Councilmember Simon excused). Councilmember Simon expressed regret that Councilmember Bowen felt biased and committed to improving communication.

• 10d – Authorization for City Attorney: Councilmember Simon withdrew his request to have the City Attorney prepare responses to his questions, closing that item without action.

• 10c – Restorative Justice Mediation: Due to time constraints, the council voted unanimously to continue this item to the next regular meeting on April 6, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved 5-0 (all items).
• Downtown CBA Presentation: Acknowledged; no formal vote.
• Discipline Resolutions: Both 10a (Aguilar) and 10b (Simon) were adopted with modifications: language on gender bias was removed from the findings section, and discipline was based on other misconduct. The resolutions state the council adopted the investigation report but disciplined only for specific conduct.
• 10d (City Attorney): Withdrawn by Councilmember Simon.
• 10c (Restorative Justice): Postponed to the April 6, 2026 regular meeting via an adjourned regular meeting procedure.