Title
Minutes of the Special and Regular City Council Meetings Held on October 21, 2025. (City Clerk)
Body
UNAPPROVED
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY- -OCTOBER 21, 2025- -5:15 P.M.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft convened the meeting at 5:18 p.m.
Roll Call - Present: Councilmembers Daysog, Boller, Jensen, Pryor and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft - 5. [Note: Councilmember Jensen arrived at 5:19 p.m.]
Absent: None.
Consent Calendar
Vice Mayor Pryor moved approval of the Consent Calendar.
Councilmember Boller 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- ) Recommendation to Approve Amy Wooldridge, Assistant City Manager, Justin Long, Recreation and Parks Department Director, Matt Nowlen, Recreation and Parks Department Assistant Director, and Daniel Turner, Deputy City Attorney as Real Property Negotiators for a Portion of Enterprise Park, including 150 West Hornet Avenue with Neptune Beach Surf Club Development Partners, LLC. Accepted.
The meeting was adjourned to Closed Session to consider:
(25- ) Conference with Labor Negotiators (Government Code Section 54957.6); City Negotiators: Jennifer Ott, City Manager, Noelle White, Human Resources Director, Jack Hughes, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, and Doug McManaway, Deputy City Attorney; Employee Organizations: International Association of Firefighters, Local 689 (IAFF) and Alameda Fire Chiefs Association (AFCA); Under Negotiation: Salaries, Employee Benefits and Terms of Employment
(25- ) Conference with Legal Counsel - Potential Litigation; Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9, Subsection (d)(4); Number of Cases: One (As Plaintiff - City Initiating Legal Action); Potential Defendant: Port of Oakland. Not heard.
(25- ) Conference with Real Property Negotiators (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8) Property: Portion of the Alameda Point Enterprise Park Boarded by West Hornet Avenue, the San Francisco Bay, the Water Emergency Transportation Authority and the Encinal Boat Launch, Alameda, CA; City Negotiators: Assistant City Manager Amy Wooldridge, Justin Long, Recreation and Parks Director, Matt Nowlen, Recreation and Parks Assistant Director, and Deputy City Attorney Daniel Turner; Negotiating Parties: ity of Alameda and Neptune Beach Surf Club; Under Negotiation: Price and terms
Following the Closed Session, the meeting was reconvened and the City Clerk announced that regarding Labor, staff provided information, and the City Council provided direction, which carried by two unanimous voice votes - 5; and regarding Real Property, staff provided information, and the City Council provided direction, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft adjourned the meeting at 6:46 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lara Weisiger, City Clerk
The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Sunshine Ordinance.
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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY- -OCTOBER 21, 2025- -7:00 P.M.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft convened the meeting at 7:04 p.m. Vice Mayor Pryor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers Boller, Daysog, Jensen, Pryor, and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft - 5.
Absent: None.
AGENDA CHANGES
None.
PROCLAMATIONS, SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
(25- ) Proclamation Declaring October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft discussed videos being created and made brief comments about a recent tragedy.
(25- ) Proclamation Declaring October 19 through 25, 2025 as United Against Hate Week.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft read the proclamation.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA
(25- ) Rita Lark, Alameda, submitted information; expressed concern about plumbing issues not addressed at the Esperanza Apartments; urged Council to have an audit done to find out where the funds for repairing the sewer pipes went.
(25- ) Mitch Ball, Alameda, stated that he is a renter who cannot afford to own a car; people he supports the new bike lanes throughout the City as he bikes to work and the grocery store; he appreciates that the City has not been fighting back against the California Housing Element, and has been approving building new buildings.
(25- ) Robert Shaye, Alameda, submitted information; expressed concern about the pattern of misrepresentations and untruths made by the Alameda Housing Authority (AHA), including false closed session disclosures, which are a Brown Act violation; stated community meetings made it clear the AHA plans to pursue Senate Bill 35 entitlement for an upcoming housing project to fast-track approval; urged the Council to demand a higher level of service from the AHA.
(25- ) Carmen Watson, Alameda, expressed concern about the Poplar project and the AHA not listening to residents; stated the AHA hired a consultant who has been rude when people raise concerns; questions have gone unanswered; it feels very unsettling to live in a neighborhood where not all factors are being considered; urged Council to hold the AHA accountable.
(25- ) Chris Boswell, Alameda, stated that he has not received notices sent to other neighbors; he does not believe the State allows low-income housing projects to supersede local laws; he is not saying that Alameda should not put in low-income housing, but the City should not ruin his neighborhood and destroying property values; discussed the Clement Avenue-Tilden Way roundabout.
(25- ) Maria Chenut, Alameda, discussed the proposed development on Eagle Avenue and AHA mistakes, including refusing to do a traffic study; expressed concerns regarding basic communication; urged Council to pay attention to the project.
(25- ) Colin Herrick, Alameda, expressed concern about the proposed development, which is a monolith out of scale with the neighborhood; urged Council to take a closer look.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Vice Mayor Pryor moved approval of the Consent Calendar.
Councilmember Boller 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 Meeting, and the Regular City Council Meeting Held on September 16, 2025. Approved.
(*25- ) Ratified bills in the amount of $3,928,301.64.
(*25- ) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Service Provider Agreement with Blaisdell’s Business Products to Acquire Furniture for the Alameda Police Department Records Unit Office Remodel, in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $81,286.72. Accepted.
(*25- ) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Five-Year Agreement with Valmis Investigations 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 Approve Allocation of $3,564,564 in East Bay Municipal Utility District System Capacity Charge and Wastewater Capacity Fee Credits for the Rebuilding Existing Supportive Housing at Alameda Point Project and Delegate Authority to the City Manager to Issue Pledge Letters and Agreements, as Needed. Accepted.
(*25- ) Recommendation to Accept the Work of Ranger Pipelines, Inc. for Cyclic Sewer Replacement Project, Phase 20, No. PW 08-23-20. Accepted.
(*25- ) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Accept the Work of Roofing and Solar Construction, Inc. for the Mastick Senior Center Roof Replacement Project, No. P.W. 02-24-07. Accepted.
(*25- ) Recommendation to Accept the Work of Mountain Cascade Inc. for Construction of Group 4 Sewer Pump Station Renovations for Reliability and Safety Improvements Project, No. P.W. 08-17-37. Accepted.
(*25- ) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with McGuire and Hester for the Estuary Park Phase 2 Site Improvements Project No. P.W. 02-25-03, in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $5,581,440; and
(25- A) Resolution No. 16332, “Amending the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget by Increasing Authorized Expenditures in Capital Improvement Project C52500 by $2,657,109, Transferring $855,729 from Alameda Recreation and Parks Development Impact Fee to C52500, Transferring $301,380 from General Fund to C5250, and Granting Authority for the City Manager to Sign a Promissory Note Between the Sewer Services Fund and the Capital Improvement Fund in the Amount of $1,500,000.” Adopted.
(*25- ) Resolution No. 16333, “Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Third Amendment to the Economic Development Conveyance Agreement to Modify the Housing Fee for the Former Naval Air Station, Alameda.” Adopted.
(*25- ) Resolution No. 16334, “Authorizing the City Attorney to Negotiate and Execute a Grant Agreement Between the Board of State and Community Corrections and the City of Alameda by and Through the Alameda City Attorney’s Office to Accept $486,465 in Grant Funds to Hire a Victim Service Advocate; and Amendment of the Fiscal Year 2025-27 Police Grants Fund (Fund 22131100) Estimated Revenue and Expenditures Budget and Amendment of the General Fund (Fund 10023043) Transfers in Revenue Budget in the Amount of $486,465 for the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program Grant.” Adopted.
(*25- ) Summary Title: Take Final Action to Adopt the California Building, Fire and Other Related Codes and Make Local Additions and Amendments
Ordinance No. 3389, “Amending the Alameda Municipal Code to Adopt the New 2025 California Building Standards Codes and Local Amendments Implementing the Alameda 2040 General Plan by Repealing Ordinance No. 3338 and Adding: (1) Article I (Uniform Codes Relating to Building, Housing and Technical Codes) to Chapter XIII (Building and Housing), to Adopt Chapter 1, Division II Scope and Administration of the California Building Code, 2025 Edition as the Alameda Administrative Code, the 2025 California Building Code Volumes 1 and 2 as Amended, the 2025 California Residential Building Code as Amended, the 2025 Edition of the California Historical Building Code, the 2025 Edition of the California Electrical Code, the 2025 Edition of the California Plumbing Code as Amended, the 2025 Edition of the California Mechanical Code, the 1997 Uniform Housing Code, the 2024 Edition of the International Property Maintenance Code as Amended and the 1997 Edition of the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings; and Adopting (2) the 2025 Edition of the California Fire Code, including Appendix Chapters 4, B, BB, C, CC, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, N and P with Necessary Additions and Amendments to Section 15-1 of Chapter XV (Fire Prevention) due to Local Climatic, Geological, or Topographical Conditions; and Adopting (3) the 2025 Edition of the California Green Buildings Standards Code and the 2025 Edition of the California Energy Code with Necessary Additions and Amendments to Section 13-10 of Chapter XIII (Building and Housing) due to Local Climatic, Geological, or Topographical Conditions.” Finally passed.
(*25- ) Ordinance No. 3390, “Levying Special Taxes Within the City of Alameda Community Facilities District No. 25-1 (West Midway Facilities).” Finally passed.
CONTINUED AGENDA ITEMS
None.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
(25- ) Workshop to Discuss City of Alameda’s Fiscal Sustainability Including Reviewing the Current Financial Status of the City Budget, and Seeking Feedback on Future Revenue Measure Opportunities, an Improved Collections Process and a Draft Budget and Financial Accountability Policy.
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(25- ) Mayor Ezzy Aschraft inquired how much time is needed for the presentation, to which the Communications and Legislative Affairs Officer responded 10 additional minutes.
Vice Mayor Pryor moved approval of allowing 20 minutes for the presentation.
Councilmember Boller seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5.
***
The Communications and Legislative Affairs Officer, Finance Director and Budget Manager gave a Power Point presentation.
Councilmember Daysog inquired why the tax is being called a public safety tax when it seems to be more of an infrastructure tax.
The City Manager responded staff is contemplating an infrastructure bond revenue measure and also wanted to determine if there is any interest from the Council to pursue how the community feels about a tax to help offset the City’s operating costs; the infrastructure bond is not a public revenue or public safety tax; staff is exploring whether the Council would like staff to poll for both; there would be two different measures; staff is not suggesting putting both on the ballot.
The Public Information Officer gave an example of Berkeley putting a public safety tax on home improvements, which generated around $8.5 million.
Councilmember Boller inquired whether there is any way for the City to contemplate some type of fiscal stewardship policy at the same time as a tax to tie together sound fiscal management and make it clear to the community that the City is doing both.
The Public Information Officer responded in the affirmative; stated the City would have oversight embedded into a revenue measure; in the past, folks have been asked what they would like to see in terms of oversight; staff could include other mechanisms as well.
Councilmember Jensen inquired whether the uncollected traffic mitigation revenue is just one time that it has not been collected for the current Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 or whether collecting the revenue last year was unusual; further inquired where the traffic mitigation revenue tends to be derived from, to which the Finance Director responded the City collects traffic mitigation fees on new developments on Alameda County Transportation Commission's (ACTC) behalf and remit the funds directly to ACTC; the collection is a pass-through fee.
In response to Councilmember Jensen’s inquiry regarding the sidewalk program, the Public Works Director responded that the City launched a pilot program for sidewalks a year ago; property owners are offered the option to have the City do the work; the amount on the slide reflects property owners that did not elect to join the program at the end of last year; the City did the work to remove the tripping hazard and invoiced the property owners; enforcement has started for invoices that have not been paid; there is a 70% participation rate in the new sidewalk program; 30% of property owners did not respond, and 40% paid; only a small percent of property owners are completely non-responsive.
In response to Councilmember Jensen’s further inquiry, the Public Works Director stated the Zero Waste Program collection for FY24-25 relates primarily to violations of the City’s foodware ordinance; the dollar amount reflects a variety of different businesses after numerous compliance attempts; citations that go unpaid continue to ratchet up over time, both in dollar value, and frequency; the $40,000 is primarily a couple of businesses that remain non-compliant.
In response to Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft’s inquiry regarding the learning curve related to the sidewalk program, the Public Works Director stated the letter to residents is straightforward about necessary work being completed for the public’s benefit; she hopes as the City continues to force the issue and further collection, compliance will fall in line.
In response to Vice Mayor Pryor’s inquiry regarding the rent program fees of $470,000, the Rent Program Director responded the amounts are primarily landlords who have not paid the annual program fees; the amount shown for the last fiscal year represents about 800 rental units out of the 13,000 rental units that are regulated; it is a significant amount of money, but a small percentage of the total; staff continues to work with the landlords; if the fees are not paid, the landlords will not be able to increase the rent; staff has the ability to issue citations to landlords that own 20 or more units; since citations are not appropriate for smaller landlords, staff would like some sort of collections process.
Vice Mayor Pryor inquired whether a flexible collections policy, including hardship, payment plans, and appeals, currently happens.
The Rent Program Director responded in the affirmative; stated there are multiple outreach attempts; the rent ordinance has a late penalty increases each month up to 60%.
The City Attorney further clarified the rent program was operated by the Housing Authority, not the City, for the first number of years; the City was not able to reach an agreement on issuing citations, which is actually one of the reasons why Council directed the program be transferred back to the City; once the program was transferred back to the City, the Council subsequently authorized staff to hire an inspector who came on board about a year ago and has since been issuing citations; citations have substantially funded the cost of the position; the City intends to continue to pursue outstanding registration cases.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired how many large landlords have not paid any program fees since the beginning, to which the Rent Program director responded 20 landlords owed at least $5,000 in fees; several of them have paid and come into compliance; now only 10 landlords owning multiple properties across the City have not paid.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether the compliance is attributed to the inspector, to which the Rent Program Director responded in the affirmative; stated the inspector actively goes out and serves papers in person; contact with the landlords has been made to explain the seriousness of the situation.
Councilmember Daysog stated the City is asking residents to pay a tax in exchange for paying a tax to pay for shortfalls in infrastructure without the City committing to not go above a certain amount of spending on operations; inquired why should residents pay a tax if the City is not going to exercise some form of fiscal discipline.
The City Manager responded as part of the infrastructure bond, Council could agree to some sort of policy put upon itself in terms of expenditure; for a tax measure, staff has not given thought to the idea; part of the infrastructure bond polling is to solicit feedback on priorities to develop a list and ask Council how detailed the list should be; projects that stood out in the last poll were street projects, shoreline adaptation, and disaster preparedness; if the majority of the Council wants to add to the policy, or other things, there could be a discussions; currently such things are not things being considered as part of the infrastructure measure.
Expressed concern about the proposed public safety parcel tax; stated there is a housing crisis in Alameda which contributes to all of the other issues; taxing improvements discourages the development of desperately needed new housing; collecting taxes for public safety in this manner may have a coincidental, unintended consequence; people often have more mental health crises when homeless; financial difficulties can encourage young people to turn to crime; discussed different taxing mechanisms: Mitch Ball, Alameda.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she fully and firmly believes in doing polls regarding revenue-raising measures; she has co-chaired a couple of major campaigns; the City relied heavily on good polling, listened to what the people wanted, and gave them a ballot measure they would support; she is concerned about facing one challenge after the other, including the very high cost of living and housing; a number of people are going without paychecks right now; the City needs to consider other potential revenue-raising measures in 2026; she hopes the nine Bay Area counties will get Proposition 63 on the ballot to keep the transit systems from going over the fiscal cliff; she does not want to compete on the same fall ballot with said measure; there will also be a County’s affordable housing bond in 2026 and any school district measures; it is important to keep all of this in mind for timing; it should start with polling; Alameda is very respectful of the residents and what they say; they are the eyes and ears of the City and will give good information; the City needs to manage expenditures by avoiding unnecessary expenditures, particularly lawsuits and settlements for things like trip and falls on City streets; the sidewalk program is a good program; discussed the traffic improvements on Gibbons Drive and Fernside Avenue and addressing tree and sidewalk issues; stated the Civic Center Garage security gate is another important project which relates to Americans with Disabilities (ADA) issues when the elevator gets broken; things take time; staff has done a great job on the budget; Alameda’s fiscal sustainability is very impressive, which is why she does not feel language is needed in a ballot measure; her plea is to find money elsewhere; she agrees with everything that is being proposed; she is really proud of the rent program; encouraged the collections process to continue.
Councilmember Boller stated that he agrees City staff is being very responsible with fiscal responsibility and the various types of revenue measures; getting community input is really important; he does not agree with the notion that requests should be so specific that there is not flexibility to make the best public policy decisions once the money is available; the voters should be given a general sense what the City is doing, otherwise the experts and consultants who work in City Hall would all be straddled with a framework that might not be feasible or the most effective use of the funds.
Vice Mayor Pryor stated putting a bond measure on the ballot is fiscally responsible; things are going to get more expensive the longer the wait; practical things like signal lights are coming to the end of their useful life; some of the needed upgrades that are very expensive include decontamination zones in the Firehouses, keeping sidewalks ADA accessible, and contending with sea level rise; she absolutely supports polling the public regarding having a bond or a parcel tax; there is a lot of work to be done; it is the responsibility of the Council to get it done.
Councilmember Jensen stated that she appreciates the work staff has done to solicit and maintain grant funds; the challenge remains that there are not going to be enough grants or funds from the State, the federal government, the County, or elsewhere to meet the City’s needs; she continues to support an infrastructure bond to improve Alameda's deteriorating roads, intersections, sidewalks, and facilities; in many jurisdictions, Bond measures include some sort of oversight to ensure funds are going to the intent that the legislators put on the ballot, and that those paying the fees are comfortable; suggested as the City moves forward with a consensus to put something on the ballot, it include an oversight structure.
Councilmember Daysog stated that he would encourage polling that takes into account the responses from residents, renters, and homeowners; to have survey response with a confidence of 95% level, it would mean polling 1200--600 homeowners and 600 renters; Alameda has infrastructure needs in the amount of hundreds of millions of dollars; he believes if the City is going to ask residents to pay more taxes for needed infrastructure, then residents, in turn, deserve to hear fiscal discipline on the part of City with respect to wages and non-wage compensation; residents should not be paying more taxes for infrastructure, and then suddenly the City pays more wages and non-wage compensation above the historic annual average for total compensation.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated Councilmembers are policy makers; it would be helpful to have a presentation by a pollster to explain what goes into a poll, and what makes a statistically relevant poll; reasonable minds can differ; public safety is really important to the community; one of the ways to attract and retain good employees in public safety is by paying them adequately; all those things will be taken into consideration.
The City Manager stated that she wants to make sure everyone is on the same page in terms of the recommendations and that everyone agrees there is no need for significant changes; inquired whether the Council wants staff to keep the polling focused on infrastructure, or add a question on public safety tax.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft responded more information is better than less; she would like to find out what the residents think.
The City Manager stated based on the feedback regarding the budget policy and collections, staff will move forward and bring those back as future agenda items.
(25- ) Introduction of Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Adding Article XIX (Sidewalk Vending) of Chapter VI (Businesses, Occupations and Industries) to Establish Regulations for Sidewalk Vending and by Making Related Conforming Amendments. Introduced; and
(25- A) Public Hearing to Consider Resolution No. 16335, “Amending Master Fee Resolution No. 12191 to Add a Sidewalk Vendor Permit Fee to the Fee Schedule for Public Works.” Adopted.
The Assistant City Manager gave a Power Point presentation.
Councilmember Daysog inquired in what way does the Ordinance being contemplated still allow for high school students from a club to sell food for a high school project.
The Assistant City Manager responded if the students are on public property, they would fall under the ordinance; if they are on private property, such as on school property, or a child sells lemonade at a corner stand in their front yard, it would not fall under the ordinance; however, if they moved to the sidewalk at the corner, it would fall under the ordinance; realistically, the ordinance is complaint-based and complaint-driven; Code Enforcement generally focuses on high-priority health and safety issues and prioritizes calls.
The City Attorney clarified laws are equally applied; stated all violations are violations; the City’s enforcement staff deploys resources accordingly.
In response to Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft’s inquiry regarding students selling on a driveway at Christmas Tree Lane, the Assistant City Manager stated the ordinance would not apply; it would apply in public right-of-way; Code Enforcement Officers will be trained to treat everyone equally; the City is resource-constrained with only a couple of Code Enforcement Officers; the significant Christmas Tree Lane issues, require the City to take a proactive approach; there and other areas with lot of unpermitted sidewalk vendors.
Vice Mayor Pryor inquired whether unpermitted vendors unaware of the ordinance would get a verbal warning first before being issued a citation, to which the Assistant City Manager responded in the affirmative; stated staff wants to do a lot of education; there would be verbal and written warnings, especially in the first year, before starting the citation process.
Councilmember Jensen inquired whether all vendors will be required to have a City business license, to which the Assistant City Manager responded in the affirmative; stated the ordinance is currently written to require a City business license.
Councilmember Daysog recommended staff consider training Code Enforcement Officers about what constitutes private property in commercial areas versus public property.
Stated that he is a legal vendor with an ice cream truck; he goes head-to-head with the illegal vendors; he is probably the biggest complainer because the other vendors do not play by the rules; he appreciates the ordinance as it levels the playing field: Richard Haick, Sticks and Cones.
Councilmember Jensen stated many of the vendors seem to be working together or come from a collective; suggested Code Enforcement work with experienced, compliant vendors to determine umbrella organizations that could be contacted to ensure they know the new requirements; neighbors are very supportive of putting up signage; regarding permit fee or business license waivers, she feels there should be some financial contribution by the vendors; knowing they have to pay a fee gives them the responsibility to comply with the requirements; she is ready to support a motion approving the ordinance.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated A-frame signage with QR codes are being considered and will not block the public right-of-way.
In response to Vice Mayor Pryor’s inquiry regarding the workers, the Assistant City Manager stated there is a combination of both worker vendors and owner-operated vendors; the owner and the cart need to be permitted; Code Enforcement would work to identify the owner, track them down, do the education, give verbal and written warnings, and then citations would be issued to the owner.
Vice Mayor Pryor stated it is not part of the ordinance, but she is concerned about the owner adhering to labor laws and worried about having people who are essentially being exploited working at the carts.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated there was some discussion that there may be some exploitation, some human trafficking involved; it is such a balance; in recent years, visiting Christmas Tree Lane has become difficult; there could be a lot of other things going on, but the ordinance is a really good start; Code Enforcement being proactive doing education is a great starting point; revisions or amendments can be made as needed.
Vice Mayor Pryor moved approval of the ordinance, including the $50 fee [and adoption of the resolution].
The City Clerk noted the motion should include the edit to add R-6 to Section 6-62.9 Subsections B and C.
Mayor Ezzy Aschraft inquired whether both the introduction of the ordinance as amended and adoption of the resolution could be done in one motion, to which the City Clerk responded in the affirmative.
In response to Councilmember Jensen’s inquiry regarding the fees, the Assistant City Manager stated the fee is: $50 annual fee, $119 business license if they make less than $88,000 per year, any cost to procure insurance, which is approximately $25 a month, the cost of an Alameda County food permit and the cost of the State resale license.
Councilmember Jensen stated that she is uncomfortable with saying vendors have to pay over $200 every year to vend before four o’clock on any day, which seems to effectively be eliminating vending, not just on Thompson, but in other parts of Alameda, unless it is just temporary vending or seasonal vending.
The Assistant City Manager stated the ordinance allows year-round vending throughout the City, from 8 a.m. or sunrise to 8 p.m. or sunset, whichever is earlier or later, and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. in commercial areas; it is Citywide, including parks, so vendors have quite a bit of economic opportunities; the permit lasts for a year, so the over $200 fee is a once-a-year cost.
Councilmember Jensen stated people who are vending at Christmas time on Thompson Avenue probably do not have a business license; with this consideration, the ordinance will effectively end the opportunity for vending on Thompson Avenue.
The Assistant City Manager concurred; stated it will end vending on Christmas Tree Lane due to the specific carve-out in the ordinance that prohibits vending the month of December after 4 o'clock on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and the week before Christmas, and vending is not allowed year-round after sunset.
Councilmember Jensen seconded the motion.
Under discussion, Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated in the last few years, carts have appeared on Thompson Avenue, which is not the best place for them; there are more and more people every year; Alameda is a nice, safe place; if people want to come here, having regulations is important; she would have liked to hear directly from an operator, but it is a good start; it is an ordinance whose time has come.
On the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote - 5.
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Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft called a recess at 9:05 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 9:15 p.m.
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CITY MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS
(25- ) The City Manager Announced the City of Hayward approved her employment and she will be sending her official resignation and 45 day notice; her last day will be December 5; expressed that she has truly enjoyed working in Alameda; in recognition of United Against Hate Week, the Social Service Human Relations Board is hosting a free film screening of the movie Bias on October 23; on November 1 and 2, the 45th Annual Alameda Holiday Boutique is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the City has started construction on the Clement Avenue Tilden Way improvement project this week; construction on Central Avenue is finishing up with the final paving in the area in front of Encinal High School to be completed during the Thanksgiving school break; provided transportation updates, including increasing ferry capacity for the Harbor Bay and Alameda Seaplane ferry routes, effective November 3.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA
None.
COUNCIL REFERRALS
None.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
(25- ) Councilmember Jensen announced that on October 18 she participated in Alameda's No Kings Rally, along with more than 4,000 of her friends and neighbors who showed support for values and the concept that everyone belongs here in Alameda, and here in America; Alameda has tremendous resources available to all residents and businesses and much of the recent successes in the City can be attributed to the outstanding leadership of City Manager; thanked the City Manager for her service to Alameda, and wished her the best in her new role as the City Manager of Hayward.
(25- ) Vice Mayor Pryor concurred with everything Councilmember Jensen said about the City Manager; stated the City Manager has been so incredible and supportive; announced that she attended the Cal Cities conference in Long Beach October 8 through 10, and an Alameda Healthcare District Board meeting on October 14; she co-hosted the Donut Fun Run on October 19, went to the No Kings Rally afterwards, and then the Friends of the Alameda Aninal Shelter (FAAS) fundraiser.
(25- ) Councilmember Boller announced that he attended Pride in the Park on October 11, the Airport Noise Management Forum on October 15, the FAAS fundraiser on October 18, the Sister City Committee event regarding the Wadi Foquin proposal on October 19; stated it is a big loss for the City of Alameda to have the City Manager leave, but she has left behind a legacy of service and incredible accomplishments here.
(25- ) Councilmember Daysog stated that the City Manager will be sorely missed; highlighted her accomplishments before she was City Manager, including the Historic Alameda Theater; announced that he attended the United Nations 80th Celebration at Jack London Square and the Pride celebration on October 11, and the AC Transit/City of Alameda meeting and No Kings rally on October 16; it was great to see so many Alamedans concerned about the direction of the country expressing their views.
(25- ) Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft announced that she also attended the League of California Cities Annual Conference in Long Beach October 8 through 10; on October 11, before Pride in the Park, she did Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training; after Pride in the Park, she was the guest at an event for an Alameda resident who turned 96; on October 14, she attended the Community Beat Meeting at the Library; on October 16, she met staff at Gibbons Drive to view quick build demonstration projects; afterwards, she attended the City’s employee appreciation picnic; on October 18, she attended at the No Kings rally and the FAAS fundraiser, October 19, she went to St. Philip Neri Catholic Church to celebrate it its 100th birthday and the Buena Vista United Methodist Church celebration of Palestinian culture and Wadi Foquin; wished everyone Happy Diwali; expressed her gratitude to the City Manager, for all her accomplishments and service to the City.
(25- ) Mayor’s Nominations for Appointment to the Commission on Persons with Disabilities, Golf Commission, Historical Advisory Board, Public Art Commission, and Social Service Human Relations Board.
The Mayor nominated Michelle Knoedler for appointment to the Commission on Persons with Disability Issues and Roberta Kreitz for appointment to the Social Service Human Relations Board and made brief comments regarding their qualifications.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft adjourned the meeting at 9:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lara Weisiger, City Clerk
The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Sunshine Ordinance.