Title
Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting Held on July 15, 2025. (City Clerk)
Body
UNAPPROVED
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY- - JULY 15, 2025- -7:00 P.M.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft convened the meeting at 7:07 p.m. Vice Mayor Pryor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers Boller, Daysog, J25-ensen, Pryor, and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft - 5.
Absent: None.
AGENDA CHANGES
(25- ) The City Clerk announced the public hearing to consider an appeal of the Planning Board’s Approval of a Use Permit Amendment [paragraph no. 25- ] and the Community Facilities District 25-1 matter [paragraph no. 25- ] were withdrawn and would not be heard; both will return in September.
PROCLAMATIONS, SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA
(25- ) Brian Kennedy, Alameda, showed an image and discussed the Laken Riley Act and issues regarding ICE Agents.
(25- ) Margaret Fago, Frank Bette Center for the Arts, submitted a handout and invited the public to the 20th Anniversary Plein Air Paintout event at the Center July 28 through August 2.
CONSENT CALENDAR
The City Clerk made an announcement about salaries for the City Attorney and City Manager [paragraph nos. *25- and *25- ].
In response to Vice Mayor Pryor’s inquiry, the City Manager stated the two Police contracts [paragraph nos. *25- and *25- ] provide background investigations for new hiring and for the concealed carry weapon permits the City is now required to process; there are two contracts for the same service to have a bench of consultants; if one is busy or over-extended, another consultant could help; it gives a little more efficiency to be able to have two contractors that can help with backgrounds; the City will only use services when needed and consultants are not paid unless services are needed.
Councilmember Jensen stated the City will have a contractor for the Clement Avenue/Tilden Way Project [paragraph nos. *25- ], which will be moving forward relatively soon; she is looking forward to it; thanked the City Attorney and City Manager; stated the City is fortunate to have the City Manager; all the work done prior to returning to the City to develop Alameda Point is now coming to fruition; she hopes both the City Attorney and City Manager stick around for a long time.
Councilmember Jensen moved approval of the Consent Calendar.
Vice Mayor Pryor seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. [Items so enacted or adopted are indicated by an asterisk preceding the paragraph number.]
(*25- ) Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting, the Special Joint City Council and Successor Agency to the Community Improvement Commission and City Council Meeting Held on June 17, 2025. Approved.
(*25- ) Ratified bills in the amount of $3,999,719.78.
(*25- ) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a First Amendment to the Service Provider Agreement with the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) to Continue the AC Transit Free Bus Pass Program for Seniors and People with Disabilities for an Additional Two-Year Term, Not-to-Exceed $690,000, for a Total Five-Year Compensation Amount Not-To-Exceed $1,363,000. Accepted.
(*25- ) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Second Amendment to the Agreement with CMG Landscape Architecture for Up to $545,000, Including Contingencies, for a Total Agreement Amount Not-To-Exceed $3,387,000, to Provide Additional Technical Services Related to the Sea Level Rise Adaptation Projects. Accepted.
(*25- ) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute First Amendments with Bureau Veritas North America (BVNA) and Interwest, Respectively, for Total Agreement Amounts Not-To-Exceed $2,074,999, to Provide Third Party Plan Check Services through June 30, 2028. Accepted.
(*25- ) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Five-Year Agreement with Prado 9-1-1 Investigative Services to Conduct Background Investigations for Pre-Employment and Concealed Carry Weapon License Applicants, for a Total Amount Not-to-Exceed $150,000. Accepted.
(*25- ) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Five-Year Agreement with Ava G. Investigative Services to Conduct Background Investigations for Pre-Employment and Concealed Carry Weapon License Applicants, for a Total Amount Not-to-Exceed $150,000. Accepted.
(*25- ) Recommendation to Authorize Updates to the Existing Alameda Police Department Policy Manual to Conform to Best Practices and to Ratify Policies that Have Been Updated Pursuant to Legal Updates, Significant Liability Issues, and Imminent Safety. Accepted.
(*25- ) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Three-Year Agreement with Avallation, LLC for City Network Resiliency Services in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $182,976. Accepted.
(*25- ) Recommendation to Approve the Third Amendment to the Employment Agreement for the City Attorney, Effective July 13, 2025. Accepted.
(*25- ) Recommendation to Approve the First Amendment to the Employment Agreement for the City Manager, Effective July 13, 2025. Accepted.
(*25- ) Recommendation to Accept the Work of Chrisp Company for Sign & Striping Maintenance Project, No. P.W. 10-21-35. Accepted.
(*25- ) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Armer Norman and Associates, Inc., in an Amount Not-To-Exceed $2,271,825, for the Underground Fuel Storage Tanks Replacement Project at Maintenance Service Center and Alameda Police Station. Accepted.
(*25- ) Recommendation to Accept the Work of Radius Earthwork Inc., for the Pavement Management Project, Phase 42, No. P.W. 11-23-30. Accepted.
(*25- ) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Bayside Stripe & Seal, Inc. for Alameda Neighborhood Greenways Pacific Avenue - Oak Street to Lafayette Street, No. P.W. 04-25-09, in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $276,255, Including Contingency. Accepted.
(*25- ) Recommendation to Accept the Work of Columbia Electric, Inc. for the Highway Safety Improvement Program Upgrades to Improve Pedestrian Safety Project, No. P.W. 01-24-04. Accepted.
(*25- ) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Bay Cities Paving & Grading, Inc. for Pavement Management Project, Phase 43, No. P.W. 03-25-06, in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $6,719,050, Including Contingency. Accepted.
(*25- ) Recommendation to Accept the Work of Andrew M. Jordan, Inc., DBA A&B Construction, for the Alameda Point Reuse Area Infrastructure Replacement Phase 1 and Phase 2, No. P.W. 11-19-55. Accepted.
(*25- ) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Globe Engineering Development for Harbor Bay Business Park Bus Stops and Ferry Terminal Improvements, Project No. P.W.02-23-01, in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $815,271.60, Including Contingency; and
(*25- A) Resolution No. 16305, “Amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Capital Improvement Budget by Increasing Revenue and Appropriations in Capital Improvement Program C62100 by Appropriating $261,000 from Transportation Improvement Fund Balance (Fund 287).” Adopted.
(*25- ) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Bay Cities Paving & Grading, Inc. for Construction of Clement Avenue/Tilden Way Improvements Project No. P.W. 04-25-14, in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $8,373,060.21, Including a 15% Contingency;
(*25- A) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. for Construction Engineering and Inspection Services for the Clement Avenue/Tilden Way Improvements Project in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $1,102,124.10, Including a 10% Contingency; and
(*25- B) Resolution No. 16306, “Amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Capital Budget by Reducing Revenue and Appropriations in Capital Improvement Program C55300 by $75,000, Reducing Revenue and Appropriations of Measure BB Paratransit Funds in Capital Improvement Program C61000 by $200,000, and Appropriating $2,100,000 of Safe Routes to BART (SR2B) Grant Funds to Capital Improvement Program 65300 to Increase Revenue and Appropriations for Capital Improvement Program C65300 by $2,375,000.” Adopted.
(*25- ) Resolution No. 16307, “To Summarily Vacating a Public Utility Easement, Power Easement, Pathway Easement, and Streetlight Easement at 1051 Harbor Bay Parkway.” Adopted.
(25- ) Adoption of Resolution Declaring Intention to Form City of Alameda Community Facilities District No. 25-1 (West Midway Facilities), and to Authorize the Levy of a Special Tax Therein to Finance Public Facilities in and for Such Community Facilities District. Not heard.
(25- A) Adoption of Resolution Declaring Intention to Incur Bonded Indebtedness to Finance the Acquisition and Construction of Certain Public Facilities in and for City of Alameda Community Facilities District No. 25-1 (West Midway Facilities). Withdrawn; and
(25- B) Adoption of Resolution Declaring Intention to Annex Territory to Community Facilities District No. 17-1 (Alameda Point Public Services District) and to Authorize the Levy of Special Taxes Therein. Withdrawn.
(*25- ) Resolution No. 16308, “Approving Memorandum of Understanding between the Alameda Police Managers Association and the City of Alameda for a Twenty-Four Month Term Commencing July 1, 2025 and Ending June 30, 2027.” Adopted.
CONTINUED AGENDA ITEMS
None.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
(25- ) Resolution No. 16309, “Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Sharing Agreement with the Oakland Roots & Soul in an Amount Not-To-Exceed $150,000 in Support of a World Cup Team in their Alameda Facility during the World Cup Tournament in Summer, 2026.” Adopted.
The Economic Development Manager gave a Power Point presentation.
***
(25- ) Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft suggested allowing five minutes for the Oakland Roots and Soul representative to speak.
Vice Mayor Pryor moved approval of allowing five minutes.
Councilmember Jensen seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5.
***
Lindsay Barenz, Oakland Roots and Soul, gave a brief presentation.
Stated that he believes in the Roots; good things happen when Alameda shares the Island with others; the Alameda Soccer Club built the Hornet Soccer Field and the Alameda Point Soccer fields; visitors from all over the Bay area come to use Alameda’s fields; there is economic impact; he wholly supports the proposal: Christopher Seiwald, Alameda.
Expressed the Downtown Alameda Business Association (DABA) supports the agreement as a strategic investment in Alameda's future looking ahead to the 2026 Fifa World Cup; the designation would put Alameda on a global stage, drawing visitors, media attention and fans from around the world; stated the business community is eager to participate through special events, collaborations or simply welcoming visitors to Alameda’s shops, restaurants, and the beautiful Island; urged Council to approve the agreement and help position Alameda as a proud, visible participant in the rare and exciting moment: Kathy Weber, DABA.
Stated that she strongly supports the agreement; the opportunity could take Alameda to the next level of being a World Cup host community; the projected impact is massive for visitors discovering what Alameda does and has to offer; the partnership will boost tourism and will enhance Alameda’s visibility; urged Council to vote yes: Madlen Saddik, Chamber of Commerce.
Stated that he fully supports the proposal; he is excited to bring the visiting national team to Alameda and looks forward to it; the World Cup is huge and his family has attended many events over the years; urged Council to approve the agreement: Ron Mooney, Alameda.
Councilmember Daysog stated it sounds like a wise use of TOT dollars to get the word out about Alameda regionally; it is really exciting; he looks forward to when the games begin.
Councilmember Boller echoed the sentiments of the business community; stated there are good opportunities; lots of enthusiasm comes from being part of such a major event in the Bay Area; there may be opportunities for pop-up businesses in the surrounding and increased opportunities.
Vice Mayor Pryor stated it is very exciting and a wonderful opportunity for local businesses; Alameda is welcoming; she looks forward to all the visitors who will get to see Alameda’s amazing views and walkways.
Councilmember Jensen stated that she agrees it is a great opportunity; she remembers when the Sailing World Cup was in Alameda and a number of people at that time remained; people came from Europe to participate and they loved Alameda so much that they moved here with their families; expressed appreciation for Roots and Soul staff; stated the lease will be for the next 15 years; having the resource in Alameda will be tremendous; she is definitely supportive.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated Lindsey Barron spoke at the Alameda County Mayor's Conference; there was interest and excitement from Mayors; she attended a game at the Coliseum and was excited to see the diverse community; soccer has elevated on the world stage and she is delighted the Roots are in Alameda; the City has endorsed pending legislation for short term rentals; the League of California Cities is one of the authors; short term rental platforms, like Airbnb and VRBO, will be required to have a better means of TOT accounting.
Councilmember Jensen moved adoption of the resolution.
Vice Mayor Pryor seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5.
(25- ) Public Hearing to Consider an Appeal of the Planning Board’s Approval of Use Permit Amendment No. PLN24-0094 to Allow Additional Operating Hours for the Existing Legal Non-Conforming Gas Station Located at 1310 Central Avenue, as well as Sale of Packaged Foods and Non-alcoholic Beverages in the Existing Store; and Adoption of Resolution Upholding the Planning Board’s Approval of Use Permit Amendment PLN24-0094 to Allow Additional Operating Hours for the Existing Legal Non-Conforming Gas Station Located At 1310 Central Avenue, as Well as Sales of Packaged Foods and Non-Alcoholic Beverages in the Existing Store. Not heard.
CITY MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS
(25- ) The City Manager announced downtown Alameda recently launched The Avenue, a new space at Park Street and Alameda Avenue; it is open every Thursday night with games, music, dining, and fun for all the Art and Wine Fair will be on July 26 and 27; the Alameda Free Library is asking the community for feedback to guide future library services, programs and spaces; all Alamedans are invited to go plastic free in July; the Posey Tube is closed tonight and tomorrow from 10 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.; construction on the West Midway Project at Alameda Point will be completed this fall; the former commissary building is being demolished and progress is being made on the backbone infrastructure, including underground utility work; surface improvement work will start soon, including roadway paving curbs, gutters, and lighting.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA
(25- ) Maria Henderson, AC Transit, announced the AC Transit realigned bus service will go into effect on August 10; the plan is in response to changes in how people travel since the pandemic; each decision was weighted against guiding principles of reliability, equity, and frequency, and the requirement that there is enough workforce to operate the bus service; encouraged everyone to visit the website at actransit.org/realign to learn about bus line changes and stay connected.
COUNCIL REFERRALS
(25- ) Consider Directing Staff to Draft an Ordinance Prohibiting the Sale and Distribution of Mylar Balloons in the City. (Councilmember Jensen)
Councilmember Jensen gave a brief presentation.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she agrees that mylar balloons are a problem; she would like to start with more community education before considering an ordinance; the Alameda Recreation and Park Department (ARPD) and Alameda Municipal Power publications can include notices and information about not using Mylar balloons; outreach and work should be done with Alameda Unified School District, party stores across the Island, and school environmental groups; getting the message out first is a good start.
Vice Mayor Pryor stated that she understood it as the sale of mylar balloons, not necessarily the use; inquired how enforcement would work.
Councilmember Jensen responded her intention is to address environmental issues, similar to how the City adopted a plastic straw ban; mylar balloons affect the community because they interrupt power; she agrees with Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft regarding outreach; if there is an ordinance prohibiting the sale of mylar balloons, hopefully ARPD would not allow them to be used in parks; she does disagree with just starting with outreach, which could be more burdensome than establishing an ordinance prohibiting the sale and distribution of mylar balloons.
The City Attorney inquired whether Councilmember Jensen is also asking for enforcement, to which Councilmember Jensen responded in the negative; stated as with plastic straws and other environmental issues, the City does not necessarily enforce the distribution, but rather shares information; if it is determined that a business or a restaurant is distributing plastic straws, someone from Economic Development or Public Works has a chat with the business; similarly, she proposes not allowing stores to sell mylar balloons in Alameda so that the problem of having mylar balloons interrupt power is reduced.
In response to Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft’s inquiry, the City Manager stated staff will take Council direction; some things can be done easily, others may require coming back; a community education campaign can be done easily; Council could direct staff to put rules and programs in Alameda’s parks prohibiting the use of mylar balloons; enforcement could happen immediately and be similar to enforcement of smoking in parks; if the direction is to do an ordinance, staff would have to come back; staff would have to evaluate the workload and timing since other ordinances are being worked on this fall; how to proceed is the Council’s discretion.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated an education campaign would be good; not everybody buys balloons in Alameda; the use is not wanted.
Vice Mayor Pryor stated that she likes the idea and sentiment of the referral; she recommends tracking the data if the proposed ban takes place; it would be amazing if outages caused by the balloons are reduced by a significant amount.
Councilmember Daysog stated that he supports his colleagues ideas done through the referral process and loves to have public engagement; he would like to get input from businesses, such as Safeway and Discount City, and have further discussion; suggested the East Bay League of Cities may know what other cities are doing on the subject; further stated that he is fine with how the City Manager would like to move forward.
The City Manager stated that her only concern is whether or not there will be time to shift around priorities with other ordinances staff is working on, including affordable housing, the short term rental ordinance, and the food vendor ordinance; staff did minimal research and found that the City of Glendale has an ordinance; the mylar balloon ordinance can come after the other priorities, or staff could come back and present options without an ordinance to get direction on how to proceed.
***
(25- ) Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft suggested Councilmembers be given three more minutes to speak.
Councilmember Daysog moved approval of allowing five minutes.
Councilmember Boller seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5.
***
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she is intrigued by Councilmember Daysog’s comments and would like to start with outreach; it might be worthwhile to set up a meeting with stores; she likes outreach and education and completely agrees with the objective; she does not want any of the ordinances the City Manager mentioned to be bumped.
Councilmember Jensen stated that she is not suggesting anything be bumped and supports the ordinances that are being developed; she wants to be very clear that protecting the environment and reducing the interruption of power to Alameda Municipal Power (AMP) customers is a priority as well; she does not intend for it to be burdensome; the straw ordinance did not have a lot of outreach, discussion of education, yet it accomplished the objectives of reducing waste and plastic trash, which is what she is intending with mylar balloons; she agrees with Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft regarding an outreach campaign; mylar balloons can be purchased anywhere and come into Alameda from another city; AMP has mentioned occurrences tend to happen more in June around graduations; having an ordinance would allow the City an opportunity to take action for violations of the ordinance; the issue is important enough to bring a referral and she would like a proposal to come back.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she believes public outreach and education was done by groups like CASA before the plastic straw ban; inquired whether Councilmember Jensen is interested in pursuing the outreach and education regarding mylar balloons.
Councilmember Jensen responded in the affirmative, stated public outreach and education is a great idea and is certainly part of her referral.
Councilmember Boller stated that he appreciates Councilmember Jensen for bringing the referral forward; how to effectively get to the right outcome is interesting; it seems Councilmember Jensen is just looking for a simple ordinance that is narrowly tailored, with the focus on the sale and less impact in terms of staff time; discussed Penal Code Section 653.1 regarding releasing certain types of balloons and a Statewide ban on mylar balloons that is being developed by 2031; stated since some of the conduct is already prescribed by State law under the Penal Code, he wonders if it would help alleviate extra staff work load.
In response to Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft’s inquiry, the City Attorney stated all ordinances adopted by the City Council have enforcement mechanisms; there are consequences if ordinances are violated; it would take some research time to put together all the elements of an ordinance, even a simple one.
The City Manager stated the education campaign is something staff could start immediately at Council’s direction; park rules could be changed to prohibit mylar balloons, which could be enforced the same way as other park rules; staff could look at the City of Glendale’s ordinance; Glendale did not ban mylar balloons outright, but banned the use of helium; staff could return to Council and present options, including the Glendale model, or get direction to tweak things; staff could try to bring it back as quickly as possible, but with the other ordinances, she is just not sure of the timing.
Vice Mayor Pryor stated that she would be agreeable to put an ordinance in the queue; the number of power outages caused by mylar balloons seems like a financial responsibility; time and money spent up front may pay for itself at some point; the education campaign would be great and there is no reason to start it soon.
Councilmember Jensen stated that she appreciates Glendale's proposal as well; the City Manager made a good point about the use of helium; eliminating the use of helium in balloons could be another option to consider.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated the reason Glendale compromised was that the balloon industry came out and opposed it; Alameda could probably expect a legal challenge to an ordinance, which would factor in some time from the City Attorney’s office; she would love to see something that prioritizes outreach to the stores and the School District environmental clubs.
Councilmember Jensen moved approval of the referral.
Vice Mayor Pryor seconded the motion.
Under discussion, Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether the motion includes public education and outreach.
Councilmember Jensen responded that although she agrees with Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft about public outreach, it seems a bit burdensome; suggested directing staff to come back with options to how an ordinance could be enacted before changing websites and visiting stores to minimize staff time.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that it is very important to communicate with the public, which would be the approach she would take; inquired whether Councilmember Jensen would amended the motion to not prioritize it ahead of the three housing ordinances the City manager is working on.
Councilmember Jensen responded that she hopes the staff recommendations would include the other things that are in the queue; she does not intend for it to be prioritized unless there is a power outage incident affecting all of Alameda due to mylar balloons; she leaves it to the City Manager to prioritize.
In response to City Manager’s inquiry, Councilmember Jensen stated she would just like options for an ordinance brought back.
The City Attorney clarified that staff understands Councilmember Jensen’s direction that they will just be drafting options for an ordinance, not an ordinance itself.
Councilmember Jensen stated the options for an ordinance could include, similar to Glendale, the use of helium and mylar, and the types of enforcement there might be; if her colleagues agree that this is a good way to proceed, she would like the matter to return in September or October to give further direction.
Councilmember Jensen amended her motion to direct staff to return with options for an ordinance to prohibit the sale and distribution of Mylar balloons in Alameda.
Vice Mayor Pryor seconded the amended motion, which carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Boller, Daysog, Jensen and Pryor - 4. Noes: Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft - 1.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
(25- ) Mayor’s Nominations for Appointment to the Commission on Persons with Disabilities, Public Art Commission, and Social Service Human Relations Board. Not heard.
(25- ) Vice Mayor Pryor announced that she attended a tree-planting event at Washington Park on July 2 with Alameda’s Sister City delegation from Dumaguete, Philippines; there was a welcoming ceremony in Chambers after; on July 3, she attended a naturalization ceremony on the USS Hornet for people from 25 different countries; it was fun and exciting to ride in the 4th of July parade with the Mayor of Dumaguete; she attended a Bay tour with the Port of Oakland on July 11.
(25- ) Councilmember Boller announced that he was happy to join Vice Mayor Pryor at the event with the representatives from Dumaguete on July 2 and fellow Councilmembers at the 4th of July Parade.
(25- ) Councilmember Daysog announced he appreciated attending a luncheon with the Sister City delegation from Dumaguete and was excited to attend the 4th of July Parade with his colleagues; Alameda’s parade began over 50 years ago and he looks forward to celebrating the nation’s 250 birthday next July 4.
(25- ) Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft announced that she was unable to attend the tree-planting because of a meeting; she made it to the Chambers afterward to meet the very resilient Dumaguete delegation that had just come in from a 13 hour flight; the 4th of July Parade was very festive and she rode her electric bicycle; she attended a 100th birthday party on July 5 for Ginny Krutilek, co-founder of the Midway Shelter; on July 9, she attended a change of command ceremony at the US Coast Guard; on July 12, Rhythmics presented the latest in their Rising Seas series to educate the public on climate change and sea level rise; on July 13, she attended a great celebration for the one year birthday of Little Woodstock, the water shuttle.
ADJOURNMENT
(25- ) There being no further business, Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft adjourned the meeting at 8:31 p.m. in memory of Donna Vaughn.
Respectfully submitted,
Lara Weisiger, City Clerk
The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Sunshine Ordinance.