Public Meetings - San Leandro, California

The San Leandro Senior Commission met on September 18, 2025, to handle administrative approvals, receive city updates, and discuss age-friendly initiatives, including a detailed presentation from Tech Exchange on digital literacy services for seniors. Consent Calendar - The commission unanimously approved the agenda for September 18th and the minutes from July 17th through a roll call vote. Public Comments & Testimony - Sky Wu, a community member, expressed support for creating an edible garden at the senior center patio and offered to help organize community resources. Discussion Items - City staff announced upcoming events like Oktoberfest and police barbecues, encouraged newsletter sign-ups, and addressed feedback on improving event communication. They also highlighted fall prevention activities, an ice cream social, and name badge upgrades. - Tech Exchange representatives presented their digital literacy program, which includes basic computer training, cybersecurity, and free laptops for graduates. They discussed e-waste recycling partnerships and volunteer opportunities. - Commissioners deliberated on issues such as event visibility in newsletters, suggesting individual event pages. They also discussed senior day trips, landscaping concerns, and senior homelessness. - Age-friendly updates covered fall prevention walks, emergency preparedness trainings, housing programs like Home Match and rental assistance, and transportation services including shuttle evacuations and day trips. Key Outcomes - The consent calendar was approved with all commissioners voting in favor. - The commission agreed to change email practices: commissioners will reply only to the secretary for attendance confirmations, not via "reply all." - The October meeting may be rescheduled; a doodle poll will be sent to determine alternative dates. - Commissioners shared announcements on topics like handicap parking, garden improvements, and legislative impacts on seniors.

The Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) met to elect new leadership, review complete streets checklists for two road reconstruction projects, and allow members to share observations and concerns about local bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure over the past five months. Discussion Items - Election of Chair and Vice Chair: The committee elected Commissioner Sarah Bailey as Chair and Commissioner Nicholas Bezanis as Vice Chair. They will serve through December 31, 2026. - Dutton Avenue Road Reconstruction Complete Streets Checklist: Associate Engineer Robbie Chi presented the checklist. Project improvements include road reconstruction, sidewalk repairs, curb ramp upgrades, and installing two rectangular rapid flashing beacons at pedestrian crossings near Washington Elementary School. Committee members expressed support for safety enhancements but raised concerns about the lack of dedicated bike facilities on Dutton Avenue. Members also suggested improving bike route signage on nearby Oaks Street, which is designated as a Class 3 bikeway. - Welling Boulevard Class 4 Bikeways Checklist: Engineer Imon Faze presented plans for a road diet and separated bike lanes on Welling Boulevard, funded by a state grant. The project aims to improve safety and accessibility, with design completion targeted for end of 2026 and construction by June 2030. Committee members expressed excitement and asked about public disclosure, parking impacts, and project timeline. - Committee Member Comments: Members shared various observations and requests: - Malika requested a button-activated flashing light at a crosswalk on Roosevelt and Dutton for safer crossing outside school hours. Staff noted it is on a priority list but requires infrastructure upgrades. - Concerns were raised about vehicles parking in bike lanes, with a suggestion for a city ordinance to allow reporting via photos. - Interest was expressed in repurposing unused railroad spurs for bike and pedestrian use, though staff noted challenges with railroad agreements. - Requests were made for traffic calming measures, school zone signs, and improvements at intersections like Williams and Alvarado (part of the planned Crosstown Corridor project). - Discussion highlighted unsafe crosswalks, such as at Oaks and East 14th, with suggestions to remove crosswalk markings or add barriers to discourage crossing. Staff mentioned planned pedestrian improvements at nearby signalized intersections. Key Outcomes - Sarah Bailey and Nicholas Bezanis were elected as Chair and Vice Chair of the BPAC. - The committee provided feedback on the Dutton Avenue and Welling Boulevard projects, with staff noting priorities and next steps for implementation. - Staff addressed member concerns, indicating that issues like crosswalk improvements are on priority lists but subject to funding and enforcement limitations. - The next BPAC meeting is tentatively scheduled for the first quarter of 2026, with discussions on potentially holding quarterly meetings to allow more member input on infrastructure issues.

The San Leandro Finance Committee convened on September 26, 2025, to review proposed changes to the city's General Fund Reserve Policy, receive updates on the Project Elevate ERP implementation and the city's year-end financial performance, and discuss departmental performance measures. Discussions centered on ensuring fiscal stability amid revenue declines and structural deficits, with significant deliberation on adjusting reserve targets and funding strategies. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public spoke on any of the agenda items. Discussion Items General Fund Reserve Policy Update: - Staff presented proposed changes to the reserve policy, which currently requires a 20% reserve for economic uncertainty plus a separate $5 million for major emergencies. - The proposal is to eliminate the dedicated $5 million emergency fund, retain the 20% target, and rename the combined reserve the "Emergency and Economic Uncertainty Reserve." This change is projected to help the city meet its 20% target in the current fiscal year (FY26), but forecasts show a decline in subsequent years. - Committee members expressed varied positions: - Councilmember Walton was hesitant to eliminate the entire $5 million at once, suggesting a phased reduction (e.g., to $3 million in FY27) to maintain a cushion. - Mayor Gonzalez and other members were concerned about the psychological effect of releasing reserves, potentially reducing pressure to address the structural deficit. There was discussion about using other levers, such as drawing from pension trust funds or making further budget cuts, to balance revenues and expenditures as directed by the council. - Staff clarified that the $5 million is not separate cash but part of the overall unassigned fund balance; re-categorizing it would increase the available percentage for the 20% target. - Key Information Requested: The committee asked staff to provide: 1. Expert analysis on the impact of reserve levels on the city's credit rating. 2. Updated forecasts on CalPERS pension cost projections and their peak timing. 3. Various budget balancing scenarios incorporating potential cuts, use of trust funds, and phased reduction of the $5 million emergency reserve. Project Elevate (Workday ERP Implementation) Update: - Staff reported that Phase 1 (Payroll and Human Capital Management) go-live is delayed to March 1, 2026, to allow more time for quality end-to-end and parallel payroll testing. The overall project and Phase 2 (Core Financials) remain on schedule for a July 1, 2026, launch. - Councilmember Questions and Concerns: - Questions were raised about the validity of parallel testing since the city is switching from a semi-monthly to a bi-weekly pay cycle, meaning the existing system (Eden) cannot serve as a true "source of truth" for comparison. - Staff outlined mitigation strategies, including hiring additional consultants with relevant experience and engaging with other cities that have undergone similar transitions. - The estimated cost for schedule changes and accelerated Phase 2 work is approximately $325,000, which remains within the appropriated project budget. FY 2024-25 Preliminary Unaudited Financial Report & Performance Measures: - Financial Highlights: General Fund revenues came in at $146.8M, $3.4M over budget, driven by higher-than-expected property tax (including ROPs residuals), business license fees, franchise fees, and interest income. These gains were offset by declines in sales tax (down $1.3M from budget) and transient occupancy tax (due to the closure of the Nimitz hotel). - Performance Measures Review: The committee reviewed year-end results for departmental performance metrics set in the previous biennial budget cycle. - Mayor Gonzalez advocated for improved data presentation, requesting multi-year trend analysis of actual revenues and original vs. final budget comparisons to better assess fiscal conservatism and revenue trends. - Councilmember Aguilar requested an analysis of potential revenue from expanding cannabis dispensaries in the city. - Department heads answered questions on specific metrics for Parks & Rec, Library, Public Works, and Police. Discussions highlighted the need for updated, relevant metrics in the new budget cycle, including considerations for post-pandemic behavior changes (e.g., digital library usage) and the integration of AI tools in city operations. - Police Chief explained that year-over-year property crime comparisons are not available (marked "NA") due to a state-mandated switch from the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) system to the NIBRS system, which captures and reports crime data differently. Key Outcomes - Guidance on Reserve Policy: The committee provided preliminary direction to staff: - Retain the $5 million major emergency reserve for the current fiscal year (FY26). - Be open to a phased reduction (potentially to $3 million) in the following fiscal year (FY27), contingent on further analysis and the incorporation of other budget-balancing strategies. - Staff is to return with scenarios exploring different levels of reserve reduction, use of pension trust funds, and expenditure cuts to achieve a balanced budget where revenues meet or exceed expenditures. - Consent Calendar Referrals: The following informational items were unanimously referred to the full city council for placement on the consent calendar: - Item 2B: Project Elevate Update. - Item 2C: FY 2024-25 Preliminary Unaudited Financial Report. - Item 2D: (Mentioned but not detailed in transcript) – Presumably another consent item. - Next Steps: Staff will incorporate committee feedback, conduct requested analyses, and prepare recommendations for the full city council's consideration.

The Arts, Culture, and Library Commission met on September 16, 2025, with a quorum present. The session covered library services updates, including new amenities and exhibits, and involved ranking fiscal year 2026 priorities and allocating the arts fund budget. Consent Calendar - Unanimously approved the minutes from the July 15, 2025, meeting. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public were present to provide comments. Discussion Items - Library staff reported on successful study pod installations, an upcoming Mulford Library groundbreaking ceremony, and exhibits such as a Mars display and planned Fred Korematsu and art education month showcases. Staff also noted positive progress on the 1% art fee for new developments. - Commissioners engaged in a dot-ranking exercise to prioritize fiscal year 2026 initiatives. Topics included grant program improvements, the comedy event, partnerships with businesses, and support for art in vacant storefronts and underpasses. Commissioners expressed concerns about funding art at the Hisparian Triangle, citing poor visibility and enabling city inaction, with some advocating to deprioritize it. - Commissioner Alvarez raised questions about the library's role as a sanctuary city, inquiring about resources for immigrant communities and protocols for interactions with law enforcement. Staff clarified the library's position of neither impeding nor aiding enforcement, per city attorney guidance, and expressed openness to hosting know-your-rights trainings. Key Outcomes - The commission voted to allocate the $50,000 arts fund budget: $20,000 to the comedy event and $30,000 to the grants program. The motion was made, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Note: The agenda and minutes list the meeting date as September 15, 2025, but the instruction provided states September 16, 2025. This summary uses the instruction-provided date for the title. The San Leandro City Council met on September 16, 2025, at 7:05 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. All seven councilmembers were present (Aguilar Jr., Azevedo, Simon, González III, Bowen, Viveros-Walton, Boldt). The meeting began with a proclamation for Hispanic Heritage Month, followed by the unanimous appointment of Mallika Potter to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission and the appointment of several members to the Youth Advisory Commission. The consent calendar was approved with the exception of Item 5.f., a lease agreement for a library cafe, which drew extensive public comment and debate before being approved on a 6-1 vote. Consent Calendar - 5.a. Approved Amendment No. 1 to the legal services agreement with Stream, Kim, Hicks, Wrage & Alfaro, PC for tort litigation defense (increase of $1,000,000 per fiscal year for FY 2025-2027). (Resolution 2025-118) - 5.b. Approved a consulting services agreement and MFP lease agreements with J.J.R. Enterprises, Inc. dba Caltronics Business Systems Inc. for citywide multi-function printer replacement, maintenance, and support (FY 2025-2026 cost $108,499; 5-year total not to exceed $550,000). (Resolution 2025-119) - 5.c. Approved an assignment, assumption, and release agreement for the lease of city-owned property at 2208 San Leandro Boulevard among the City, Family Service of San Leandro, and Hively. (Resolution 2025-120) - 5.d. Approved Amendment No. 4 to the consulting services agreement with Noll & Tam Architects for the Mulford-Marina Branch Library project (increase of $350,000 to a total not-to-exceed $1,198,884; term extended to December 31, 2027; additional amendments up to $119,888 authorized for construction administration). (Resolution 2025-121) - 5.e. Approved Amendment No. 1 to the consulting services agreement with MNS Engineers, Inc. for the Cary-Haas Pedestrian Bridge Replacement project (increase of $106,140 to a total not-to-exceed $513,337; additional amendments up to $77,000 authorized). (Resolution 2025-122) - 5.g. Approved the minutes from the September 2, 2025 City Council meeting as submitted. Public Comments & Testimony - On Item 5.f. (Library Cafe Lease): Nineteen people spoke. Many expressed support for As Kneaded Bakery, citing its community involvement, quality products, and successful track record. Supporters included Ileana Imberman Berkowitz (owner), employees, family members, and community partners such as the Hebrew Free Loan Association and the San Leandro Community Food Pantry. Speakers from Zocalo Coffee (owner Sarah Oberhart and Daniel Grace) and other community members raised concerns about the transparency of the RFP process. They noted that Zocalo’s proposal offered higher rent and more business readiness, and questioned why evaluation criteria, scores, and applications were not publicly released. Several speakers called for greater transparency and accountability in city contracting, while others urged the council not to pit two women-owned businesses against each other. - On Non-Agenda Items (Item 7): Two speakers addressed the council. Maureen Forney (representing Third Act) promoted a clean energy event on September 21. Douglas Spaulding commented on council attendance records and questioned a potential citizens’ bond measure. Discussion Items - Item 5.f. – Lease Agreement with As Kneaded Bakery: Councilmember Aguilar pulled the item from the consent calendar for separate discussion. Councilmembers disclosed ex parte communications with bidders: many had spoken with representatives of Zocalo Coffee; Vice Mayor Bowen also spoke with the owner of As Kneaded. Library Director Brian Simons explained the RFP timeline (March 10 to April 10, 2025), the receipt of eight proposals, scoring by three reviewers on six criteria (100 points total), and interviews with the three most qualified respondents. The selection was based on qualifications and interviews, with preference for a guaranteed rent over a variable one. City Attorney and City Manager clarified that under California law, proposal details remain confidential until a contract is awarded to avoid prejudicing negotiations. Several councilmembers expressed that the process was fair and that no wrongdoing was detected. Councilmember Boldt made a motion to approve the staff recommendation. Key Outcomes - Item 5.f. approved on a vote of 6-1 (Aye: Azevedo, Simon, González III, Bowen, Viveros-Walton, Boldt; Nay: Aguilar Jr.). The resolution (Reso 2025-123) authorizes the City Manager to execute a lease with As Kneaded for the food service space and one parking space at the Main Library for $2,550 per month for a two-year term, with three one-year renewal options (total term not to exceed five years). - Appointments: Mallika Potter appointed to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (unanimous). Several youth members appointed to the Youth Advisory Commission (terms ending August 31, 2026; unanimous). - Proclamation: September 15 – October 15, 2025 declared Hispanic Heritage Month. - City Manager Reports: Noted the 4th Annual Rides & Readers Car Show (50 cars, 200 attendees), the United 4 Safety event (500 attendees, 130 ring cameras distributed), and the upcoming Mulford-Marina Branch Library groundbreaking ceremony on September 19. - Council Reports: Members reported on community events attended, including Manor Day in the Park, United for Safety, and a veteran support event. Vice Mayor Bowen highlighted food scarcity initiatives and a fire prevention collaboration. Councilmember Simon noted progress on the Stephen Taylor Sanctity of Life Pavilion. The mayor announced a Beautify San Leandro event on September 21 and a Sun Day clean energy celebration.

The San Leandro Facilities and Transportation Committee met on September 11, 2025, to discuss updates on the City Projects web page and the Hillside Drive Geological Hazard Abatement District. The meeting included presentations from staff, public comments, and deliberations by committee members. Public Comments & Testimony - A public speaker expressed support for the new City Projects web page, citing its helpfulness during the Bancroft Avenue reconstruction project, but criticized difficulties in navigating to the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) information and inconsistencies in project cost data. - Another speaker, Vinny Lee, raised concerns about potential insurance impacts on residents if the Geological Hazard Abatement District (GHAD) is dissolved, and highlighted the increased frequency of severe storms. Discussion Items - City Projects Web Page Update: Public Works Administrative Manager Tiffany Carrato presented the new web page designed to provide information on city projects, including interactive maps and status updates. Committee members praised the enhancements but suggested improvements such as easier navigation, timely updates, and aligning the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) map colors with Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) standards to better reflect road conditions. - Hillside Drive Geological Hazard Abatement District: Senior Engineer Dane Rogers provided an update on the GHAD, formed to address landslide hazards. With funding exhausted and limited interest from property owners in new levies, staff recommended dissolution. Committee members discussed liability issues, the possibility of future grants, and the process for dissolving the GHAD. Key Outcomes - For the City Projects web page, staff will continue to enhance the site based on feedback, including improving navigation and updating the PCI map to align with MTC categories. - For the Hillside Drive GHAD, the committee directed staff to proceed with the dissolution process, starting with a resolution of intent to dissolve at the October 6 city council meeting, followed by a public hearing and weighted vote from property owners. The meeting concluded with a moment of silence in remembrance of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

The San Leandro City Council met on September 9, 2025, primarily to consider and adopt an updated City Council handbook, which included a new code of ethics and procedural revisions. The consent calendar was approved, and extensive public comment and council discussion preceded the unanimous vote to adopt the handbook. Consent Calendar - The consent calendar was approved unanimously, including a 2019 grant item that was clarified by the police chief as overdue paperwork requiring submission to secure funds. Public Comments & Testimony - Mitch Heidema, representing the League of San Leandro Voters, expressed support for the handbook's code of ethics but criticized the lack of clear consequences and protections for whistleblowers. - Tim Holmes emphasized the importance of council members caring about ethical standards. - Deborah Acosta, from the Mission Bay Residents Association, urged the council to approve the handbook quickly to address pressing issues like mobile home rent stabilization. - Maureen Dupree Dominguez voiced support for the code of ethics, stressing the need for public accountability. - Rosie M. highlighted concerns about council misconduct and called for stronger ethics rules with transparency and consequences. - David Jackson, on behalf of the League of San Leandro Voters, supported the ethics rules but advocated for a clear complaint channel, defined consequences, and a requirement for council members to correct factual misstatements. Discussion Items - The city clerk presented updates to the handbook, including reorganization, removal of outdated references, and additions such as a code of ethics and consequences for violations. - The finance director proposed changing the reimbursement deadline from 90 to 30 days for expense reports to align with city policies. - Council members debated amendments: Councilmember Simon proposed adding a supermajority requirement for disciplinary actions and using a values-based code of ethics from Morgan Hill, while Councilmember Aguilar suggested bifurcating travel/training and technology budgets. - A substitute motion to include these amendments was made but failed with a 2-5 vote. - Councilmember Bolt moved to adopt the handbook as presented, emphasizing the need to move on to other community issues. Key Outcomes - The council unanimously voted 7-0 to adopt the updated City Council handbook with the proposed changes, including the code of ethics and 30-day reimbursement policy. - The meeting adjourned at 8:01 PM.

The San Leandro City Council met on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025. The meeting covered routine business, a proclamation for National Preparedness Month, a status update on the city's Climate Action Plan, and extensive public comments. Public comments were dominated by advocacy for rent stabilization and mobile home park ordinance reforms, as well as allegations of misconduct against several council members. Consent Calendar - The consent calendar was approved unanimously (7-0) with the exception of item 5E. - Item 5E was approved with a vote of 4-0, with Councilmembers Simon, Aguilar, and Vice Mayor Bowen recused. Public Comments & Testimony - Rent Stabilization & Mobile Home Ordinances: Multiple residents, including seniors and disabled individuals, urged the council to pass a strong rent stabilization ordinance and amend the mobile home park ordinance. Speakers expressed fear of displacement due to rising rents and requested caps on increases (e.g., 3%) and protections against owners passing repair costs to residents. - Allegations of Council Misconduct: Representatives from the "League of San Leandro Voters" and other residents presented detailed allegations against Councilmembers Azevedo, Aguilar, and Simon. These included references to federal investigations (Azevedo), censures for interfering with the city manager's duties (Aguilar and Simon), and creating a hostile work environment. Speakers called for accountability, public apologies, and in some cases, resignation. - General Governance Concerns: Several commenters expressed broad concerns about council dysfunction, lack of public trust, and the need for ethical leadership. One speaker called for the release of findings from an investigation involving Vice Mayor Bowen. - Support for Council: One speaker thanked the council for their work and community-building efforts. Discussion Items - National Preparedness Month Proclamation: Mayor Gonzalez proclaimed September 2025 as National Preparedness Month in San Leandro, emphasizing emergency planning and recognizing the work of local fire crews. - Climate Action Plan Update: Sustainability Analyst Kimberly Anderson presented a status update on the city's Climate Action Plan. Key points included: - Formation of a new Environmental Services Division. - Programs like Ava Community Energy's 100% renewable default power mix and e-bike incentives. - New solid waste agreements incorporating state organic waste recycling mandates (SB 1383). - Initiatives: "Trash-Free San Leandro," sea level rise studies, Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan updates, Tree Master Plan, and expansion of community resilience hubs. - Plans for municipal fleet electrification and pursuing "Clean California Community" designation. - Council discussion focused on metrics for progress, regional coordination, water reuse, litter reduction, and the role of resiliency hubs in emergency preparedness. Key Outcomes - Consent Calendar: Approved as noted. - Proclamation: September 2025 officially declared National Preparedness Month. - Climate Action Plan: Status update received and filed. No formal action was taken. - Public Comments: Numerous positions and concerns were entered into the public record. The council did not take immediate action on the issues raised during public comment. - Next Steps: Council reports included announcements of upcoming community events (e.g., United for Safety Barbecue on September 13th, shoreline cleanup, Third Act Sunday event). Council Reports & Announcements - Councilmembers reported on activities during the summer break, including attendance at conferences (Strong Cities Network, API Lead Summit), mosquito abatement district updates, and previews of upcoming district events like a ribbon-cutting for Memorial Park.

The Arts, Culture and Library Commission met on July 15, 2025, at 6:36 PM in the Trustees Room of the Main Library. The meeting focused on the fiscal year 2026 work plan, a proposed Home Movie Day program, and updates on the city's public art fee initiative. Commissioners discussed priorities for the upcoming year, including grant program improvements, underpass art, and sponsorship outreach. The meeting adjourned at 7:56 PM. Consent Calendar - Minutes of June 17, 2025: Approved unanimously. Staff Reports & Announcements - No August meeting; next meeting September 16, 2025. - Comedy Festival: Three shows drew 281 attendees at the Historic Ball Theater, 249 at the Main Library, and 203 at the 21st Amendment Brewery. Staff noted many attendees were first-time visitors to those venues. - New Commissioner: Andrew Acevedo nominated by Councilmember Speide Viveros Walton, to be sworn in July 21, 2025, joining the commission in September. - Public Art Fee (1% for Art): The Community Development Department presented to the Finance Committee on May 28, 2025, recommending a requirement for private development projects over $250,000 to set aside 1% of construction cost for public art, with an in-lieu fee option. The item will go to the City Council on July 21, 2025. Commissioners were encouraged to attend or send supportive comments. Discussion Items 7A. FY26 Work Plan Commissioners brainstormed priorities for the next fiscal year. Key themes included: - Grants Program: Simplifying the application process, offering plain language and translation upon request, and starting pre-flight checks to help applicants. Proposed earlier timeline to avoid year-end rush. - Public Art: Continuing support for the Hispanic Triangle (Hesperian, Bancroft, E. 14th) and exploring underpass beautification (potentially requiring Alameda County partnership). - Cultural Identity Projects: Reaching out to businesses representing diverse cultures (e.g., Hispanic, Chinese) for festivals like Día de los Muertos or Lunar New Year. - Storefront Pop-Ups: Using vacant storefronts for temporary art installations, possibly with school or artist partnerships. - Sponsorship Outreach: Identifying local businesses and sponsors (e.g., Kaiser, Waste Management, Prologis) to fund projects independently of the city budget. Staff emphasized building relationships rather than cold asks. - One Percent for Art: Depending on council action July 21, developing policy details for the fund. The chair proposed a ranked-choice prioritization exercise at the September meeting to decide funding allocations. 7B. Home Movie Day Commissioner Miller presented a proposal for a community film program in partnership with the library's Memory Lab. The concept: patrons digitize home movies, submit files, and staff/volunteers edit them into a curated program for public screening. Focus on San Leandro history and culture. The event would occur in fall 2026 to allow adequate planning. Staff will research similar programs (e.g., African American Museum and Library of Oakland, Bay Area Video Coalition) and report back with cost estimates and feasibility. Commission Reports & Announcements - Arts Endowment Committee: Committee members compiled a list of 10+ Bay Area cities with percent-for-art ordinances, to be shared with the full commission. They will attend the July 21 City Council meeting to support the 1% for art proposal. - Grants Committee: All grant funds have been distributed. Commissioners discussed improving outreach through social media and the local newspaper, and nudging grantees to provide event dates for promotion. - Commissioner Miller: Attended a California Fund for the Arts networking event in Oakland, connecting with East Bay artists and arts organizations. - Comedy Festival Feedback: Commissioners enjoyed the 21st Amendment Brewery venue and suggested a time gap from the Cherry Festival in future years. Key Outcomes - Work Plan: Prioritization will continue at the September 16, 2025 meeting, where commissioners will rank projects and finalize funding for the grants program and other initiatives. - Home Movie Day: Concept approved in principle; staff will research feasibility and present a detailed proposal at a future meeting. - Public Art Fee: Commissioners encouraged to support the item at the July 21 City Council meeting; the commission expects to participate in policy development if council approves. - Sponsorship Leads: Commissioners identified Kaiser, Waste Management, Prologis, and others as potential partners; staff will coordinate outreach efforts.