OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

San Leandro City Council Meeting: March 2, 2026 – Discipline Votes and Downtown Update

City Council — Thursday, August 20, 2026
BodySan Leandro, California
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, August 20, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:54:39
Transcript — Verbatim
11:12

Okay, it's 701.

11:13

I'm calling to order the San Leandro City Council meeting of March 2nd, 2026.

11:21

Madam Clerk, would you please take roll?

11:27

Councilmember Vivaros Walton.

11:30

Present.

11:31

Council Member Aguilar.

11:34

Present.

11:35

Councilmember Simon.

11:37

Present.

11:39

Councilmember Bowen.

11:41

Present.

11:42

Councilmember Bolt.

11:43

Present.

11:44

And Mayor Gonzalez.

11:46

Present.

11:46

Would you please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance?

11:50

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

11:57

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

12:02

Madam Clerk.

12:05

Your announcement, please.

12:09

If you would like to make a public comment during the meeting, you can do so in person or via Zoom.

12:16

If you are present at the meeting, please complete a speaker card and submit it to the city clerk before the item is presented.

12:23

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

12:32

Speakers will be invited to speak and we'll have a set time to share their comments.

12:37

A countdown timer will appear for their convenience.

12:39

And when the time is up, the microphone will be muted.

12:43

All raised hands outside of public comment will be lowered to avoid confusion.

12:48

Once public comment is opened, hands may be raised to speak.

13:00

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

13:04

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.

13:40

So with respect to our closed session, there was ample discussion of a variety of items, but was any action taken.

13:52

So today we've got two recognitions.

13:54

We've got proclamation declare March as American Red Cross month in the City of San Leandro.

13:59

And a proclamation to declare March as women's history month in the city of San Leandro.

14:03

So let's begin with the American Red Cross.

14:06

Justin Mueller, regional CEO for Northern California Red Cross.

14:10

Please come on up.

14:12

And bring others with you if you'd like to stand right here so that you're front and center.

14:37

Oh, look at that.

14:39

There we go.

14:40

So I'll say that the uh Red Cross does some amazing things.

14:44

And I had the opportunity to go and give blood last weekend.

14:48

And just like uh I think the the spokesperson for the Red Cross said, uh, you go in a little bit nervous if you haven't done it in a while, but they were so smooth.

14:58

They were amazing.

15:00

And I came out with a big smile and thumbs up and said, this is something that should be done regularly.

15:05

So that's my encouragement to everyone.

15:07

Please be sure to get out there and donate blood because the uh the demand is insatiable right now.

15:14

We really need lots of help.

15:15

But I don't want to steal your thunder because I'm sure you're gonna say lots of good stuff.

15:18

Um Justin is the regional CEO, right, for the Red Cross here in uh Northern California.

15:25

And I'll let you say more about yourself when when I give you the mic.

15:29

Here we go.

15:30

So whereas March is American Red Cross Month, and we uh when we recognize the compassion of the people of San Leandro, and we reaffirm our commitment to care for one another in times of crisis, and whereas the American Red Cross was founded in May 1881 by Clara Barton, and this year marks the 145th anniversary of the of the Red Cross.

15:54

And whereas the American Red Cross is a volunteer agency chartered and authorized by Congress to provide compassionate assistance afflicted by personnel, local, and national disaster, personal, local or national disasters.

16:09

And whereas San Leandro and other communities depend on the American Red Cross, because it is not a government agency.

16:18

The American Red Cross depends on you on support from the public to commit to continue its humanitarian work.

16:26

And whereas for over 100 years, the United States presidents have called on the American on the American people, that's us, to support the Red Cross and its humanitarian mission.

16:38

And whereas people have counted on the American Red Cross for the information and skills they need to be safe at home, at work, at school, at play, training people in life-saving skills and CPR, first aid, fire prevention, water safety.

16:55

And whereas the American Red Cross reports that it has over 1,600 volunteers in Alameda County alone, who can assist and respond to hundreds of disasters annually.

17:09

And it has held over 1,100 blood drives and received nearly 30,000 blood donations.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Council Ethics███████████████████████23%
Council Governance██████████████████████22%
Public Comments████████████████16%
Workplace Harassment█████████9%
Procedural███████7%
Economic Development██████6%
Public Safety█████5%
Public Health██2%
Community Outreach██2%
Summary of Proceedings

San Leandro City Council Meeting – March 2, 2026

The San Leandro City Council met on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 7:00 PM in city hall chambers. The meeting included recognitions, consent calendar approvals, a downtown community benefit district presentation, and contentious action items regarding disciplinary resolutions for Councilmembers Victor Aguilar and Fred Simon. The meeting adjourned at 11:45 PM after extended debate.

Recognitions

  • American Red Cross Month Proclamation: Mayor Gonzalez presented a proclamation declaring March 2026 as American Red Cross Month. Justin Mueller, regional CEO for the Northern California Red Cross, accepted and noted Alameda County statistics: over 1,600 volunteers, nearly 30,000 blood donations, and over 830 units donated in San Leandro in 2025.
  • Women's History Month Proclamation: Proclamation presented to Liz Varela, honored for her work with Building Futures. The proclamation reaffirmed the city's commitment to policies supporting women.

Consent Calendar

  • 5a-5g: All items approved unanimously. Items included:
    • 5a: Resolution to amend master salary schedule.
    • 5b: Acceptance of $67,378 gift from San Leandro Public Library Foundation from former commissioner Donna Reed.
    • 5c: Construction contract to Apeña Engineering ($269,300) for trash capture devices, using a $1,000,000 EPA grant.
    • 5d: Amendment No. 2 to consulting agreement with Activewayz Engineering ($101,000) for capital improvement program assignments.
    • 5e: Appointment of Councilmember Dylan Bolt to the East Bay Dischargers Authority Commission.
    • 5f: Appointment of Councilmember Fred Simon to the Facilities and Transportation Committee.
    • 5g: Approval of February 17, 2026 meeting minutes.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Consent Calendar Comments: Sarah Bailey spoke against item 5f (Simon's appointment), alleging Councilmember Simon's mistreatment of female staff. Lawrence Abbott defended Simon's character.
  • Online Comments: Douglas Spaulding questioned details on items 5c and 5d regarding contract specifics and maintenance. Lucas raised concerns about consultant billing rates.
  • Non-Agenda Public Comments: Residents urged a formal apology for redlining, reopening of Chabot Road, library service concerns, and support for a public budget task force. Jesse Rubin criticized Councilmembers Simon and Aguilar for not acknowledging former councilmember Acevedo's guilty plea.
  • Action Item 10a (Aguilar): Multiple public speakers, including members of the League of San Leandro voters, urged adoption of the resolution as originally drafted, emphasizing the gender bias finding.
  • Action Item 10b (Simon): Similar comments from residents, with some defending Simon's character. Kat Wellman (Belle Vista Improvement Association) argued disciplinary measures should not have a chilling effect on council members asking tough questions.

Discussion Items

  • 9a. Downtown San Leandro Community Benefit District Annual Update: Morgan Macrose (SLIA director) presented the 2025 update. Highlights: $1 million in revenue, but a $15,000 operational deficit due to flat funding for safety ambassadors. Ambassador services: 67,000 infrastructure cleanings, 3,000+ de-escalations, 25 EMS calls. Upcoming events: Women's Hysteria Festival, monthly markets, and public art projects (e.g., $16,000 mural at Fieldworks). Councilmember Bolt questioned camera surveillance privacy. Vice Mayor Vivaros-Walton asked about reauthorization challenges (2028).
  • 10a. Discipline Resolution for Councilmember Aguilar: Extensive debate over the finding of gender bias. Councilmember Bolt proposed striking the phrase "differential treatment reflecting gender bias" and replacing it with "treatment unbecoming of a council member." Councilmember Bowen insisted on keeping the finding, noting legal exposure. After multiple motions and amendments, a final motion by Mayor Gonzalez passed 5-1 (Aguilar excused) to delete subparagraphs A, B, and C from page two of the resolution while retaining the rest.
  • 10b. Discipline Resolution for Councilmember Simon: Parallel debate. Councilmember Simon stated he regretted that Bowen felt bias and promised to improve communication. A motion identical to Aguilar's passed unanimously (5-0, Simon excused).
  • 10c. Restorative Justice Mediation: Discussed briefly; council voted to continue this item to the regular meeting on April 6, 2026.
  • 10d. Attorney-Client Privilege Waiver: Withdrawn by Councilmember Simon.

Key Outcomes

  • Discipline Resolutions: Both resolutions adopted as amended (striking the specific subparagraphs A, B, C from the findings section). The original findings of the investigation report (including gender bias) remain adopted by the council per earlier vote.
  • Meeting Extended: Council voted to extend the meeting to 11:45 PM to complete agenda.
  • Item 10c: Continued to April 6, 2026 regular meeting.
  • Item 10d: Withdrawn by Councilmember Simon.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, it's 701. I'm calling to order the San Leandro City Council meeting of March 2nd, 2026. Madam Clerk, would you please take roll? Councilmember Vivaros Walton. Present. Council Member Aguilar. Present. Councilmember Simon. Present. Councilmember Bowen. Present. Councilmember Bolt. Present. And Mayor Gonzalez. Present. Would you please join me in the 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, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. 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. Speakers will be invited to speak and we'll 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. 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. So with respect to our closed session, there was ample discussion of a variety of items, but was any action taken. So today we've got two recognitions. We've got proclamation declare March as American Red Cross month in the City of San Leandro. And a proclamation to declare March as women's history month in the city of San Leandro. So let's begin with the American Red Cross. Justin Mueller, regional CEO for Northern California Red Cross. Please come on up. And bring others with you if you'd like to stand right here so that you're front and center. Oh, look at that. There we go. So I'll say that the uh Red Cross does some amazing things. And I had the opportunity to go and give blood last weekend. And just like uh I think the the spokesperson for the Red Cross said, uh, you go in a little bit nervous if you haven't done it in a while, but they were so smooth. They were amazing. And I came out with a big smile and thumbs up and said, this is something that should be done regularly. So that's my encouragement to everyone. Please be sure to get out there and donate blood because the uh the demand is insatiable right now. We really need lots of help. But I don't want to steal your thunder because I'm sure you're gonna say lots of good stuff. Um Justin is the regional CEO, right, for the Red Cross here in uh Northern California.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com