Title
Recommendation to Receive a Report on the Alameda Museum. (Library 21052300)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Gerry Beaudin, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Alameda (City) contracts with the Alameda Museum (Museum) for City archival services. The Museum will be providing a presentation on existing programs and updates on the coordination of Indigenous artifacts and educational displays in response to a City Council referral regarding the handling of Indigenous artifacts.
BACKGROUND
On June 16, 2026, Councilmember Jensen brought a City Council referral to “Consider providing direction to staff about amending the Alameda Museum Agreement to add requirements related to historical settlements and civilizations and development of an Indigenous program in partnership with local organizations representing Indigenous People.” Staff shared that they are coordinating with the Alameda Museum to present to City Council on the Museum's current programs and provide specific updates on their work with local Indigenous Tribes to repatriate artifacts and develop an educational display.
The Alameda Museum is a local nonprofit organization that conserves tangible artifacts related to Alameda's cultural and architectural heritage. The City has contracted with the Museum for City archival services since 2007. In 2024, the City executed a new five-year agreement with the Museum. The agreement helps fund the Museum’s archival and historical preservation services as well as its free public museum. The most recent agreement was updated to focus on diversity and inclusion, increasing accessibility through technology, and fostering greater collaboration with City departments, students, teachers, businesses, and other Alameda museums.
The Museum, located at 2324 Alameda Avenue, is open to the public and offers educational access through exhibits and programs exploring the unique history and heritage of Alameda and its early pioneers. The Museum also operates the Meyers House Museum and Garden, located at 2021 Alameda Avenue.
Since the last City Council update, the Museum has hired an Executive Director to help guide their strategic growth. They are also working with the Confederated Villages of Lisjan to facilitate formal repatriation of the Indigenous cultural materials in the Museum’s stewardship and to collaborate on a future exhibit centered on Ohlone voices. City Staff have not been involved in these discussions.
DISCUSSION
Board President Valerie Turpen and Executive Director Kent Anderson will provide the Alameda Museum presentation.
ALTERNATIVES
There are no alternatives to receiving this report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There are no financial impacts from accepting the Museum’s annual report.
City Council approved the current five-year agreement with the Museum in 2024, and annual funding of $42,600 is included in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Library Department budget. Any future funding for the Museum is subject to City Council approval.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action does not constitute a “project” as defined in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, and therefore, no further CEQA analysis is required.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Receive a report on the Alameda Museum.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Abler, Library Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Service Provider Agreement with the Alameda Museum
2. Alameda Museum Report 2026
3. Alameda Museum Achievements 2025-2026