Title
Final Passage of Uncodified Ordinance Ordering the Submission of a Measure Incurring Bonded Indebtedness to the Qualified Voters of the City of Alameda at the General Municipal Election to be Held on November 3, 2026, for the Purpose of Financing the Cost of the Acquisition and Construction of Certain Municipal Improvement Projects. [Requires four affirmative votes]; and
Adoption of Resolution Calling for the Holding of a Consolidated Municipal Election in the City of Alameda on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the Submission of a Measure to Approve the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds to Finance Municipal Improvements, Establishing the Policies and Procedures for Such an Election, Requesting that the County of Alameda Conduct Such an Election, and Authorizing City Councilmembers to File Written Arguments For or Against the Measure. (City Clerk 10021030)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Lara Weisiger, City Clerk
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
At the July 7, 2026 meeting, City Council adopted a resolution indicating that the public interest and necessity demand the issuance of general obligation bonds (GO bonds) to finance municipal improvement projects of the City of Alameda (City) and introduced an Ordinance submitting a GO bond measure to voters. To finalize placing the measure on the ballot, City Council needs to:
• Approve final passage of the ordinance submitting a GO bond measure to voters;
• Adopt a resolution placing the GO bond measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot, including the 75-word ballot measure question; and
• Determine what City Councilmembers, if any, will file written arguments for or against the measure.
BACKGROUND
At the July 7, 2026 City Council meeting, staff presented the City’s critical need for infrastructure funding and introduced an ordinance submitting a GO bond measure to the voters. In order for the measure to be placed on the ballot, the City Council needs to pass the ordinance and adopt a resolution calling the election.
DISCUSSION
Final Passage of Ordinance
As a first step, City Council needs to pass the uncodified ordinance ordering the submission of a measure incurring bonded indebtedness to the qualified voters of the City at the general municipal election to be held on November 3, 2026. Passage of the ordinance requires four (4) affirmative votes of the City Council. The ordinance does not become effective unless the voters approve the ballot measure by a two-thirds vote.
The staff report for this ordinance was included when the ordinance was introduced and is available at the following link:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=8120940&GUID=0FEE9222-1348-4A4B-9FB2-F6E62760BB5A&Options=&Search=&FullText=1>
This ordinance was not revised when it was introduced. The Tax Rate Statement is attached as Exhibit 1.
Resolution Placing a Measure on the Ballot
In addition to passing the ordinance, City Council needs to adopt a resolution consolidating the GO Bond measure with the other City measures on the November 3, 2026 ballot. In particular, the proposed 75-word ballot question is being presented to City Council for approval to be submitted to the voters. Any City Council action to advance a measure to the November ballot does not equate City Council support or opposition to the measure, which would be addressed through the ballot arguments discussed below. Placing the measure on the ballot provides Alameda voters the opportunity to consider and decide whether to approve the GO bond measure.
If the measure receives a two-thirds majority vote of those voting on the measure, the City will be able to issue bonds. Each ballot question is limited to 75 words by State law. However, the full text of the ordinance will also be made available to the voters for additional details on the GO bond.
Ballot Title and Question:
SAFER Alameda Act - Preparing Alameda for Sea-Level Rise, Accidents, Flooding, Earthquakes, Resilience.
To prepare for emergencies, earthquakes and sea-level rise; prevent flooded Tubes; repair potholes; keep streets safe and accessible; maintain response to fires, accidents, and medical emergencies; prevent Bay pollution; and protect shorelines; shall the City of Alameda measure issuing $300,000,000 in bonds, levying $49/$100,000 of assessed value, generating approximately $19,000,000 annually while bonds are outstanding, requiring oversight, public disclosures, and local control, be adopted?
Ballot Arguments and Impartial Analysis:
In addition, the resolution authorizes the City Council to submit arguments and rebuttals concerning the measure. Arguments and rebuttals shall be submitted in accordance with Elections Code Sections 9280-9287. The City Clerk, as the City Elections Official, has set the deadline for submitting arguments as 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 and rebuttals are due 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 13, 2026.
If the City Council elects to prepare ballot arguments and potential rebuttals, it has the following options: 1) draft an argument as a whole body in open session and decide signers at that time; 2) authorize no more than two Councilmembers to meet as a subcommittee of the City Council to draft an argument and have the entire City Council sign; 3) authorize no more than two Councilmembers to draft an argument and decide the combination of Councilmembers and/or other signers; or 4) authorize no more than two Councilmembers to draft and sign an argument and have up to three/four other signers. The City Council could also elect not to draft an argument.
The resolution also directs the preparation of the City Attorney’s impartial analysis of the effects of the measure. The impartial analysis is due by 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 6, 2026.
ALTERNATIVES
• Pass the ordinance and adopt the resolution calling for an election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the submission of a bond measure to finance public infrastructure improvements.
• Provide alternative direction to staff regarding addressing the funding needed for Citywide infrastructure.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Since the City will have an election in November 2026 for offices and at least two Charter amendments, there is an additional cost of approximately $20,000 more for this additional measure.
The fiscal impact of this GO Bond, if approved by the voters, will provide the City the funding to accomplish numerous necessary and important infrastructure improvements that the City would otherwise be unable to accomplish. The bonds are intended only to fund capital projects that would not otherwise be addressed due to a shortage of funds and are not intended to be used to maintain spending levels previously supported by other revenue sources, including the General Fund.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code and is included in the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan under GOV15, explore potential revenue measures that increase fiscal resilience and implement the City Council’s strategic priorities, and GOV15b, explore a general obligation bond or other revenue measure to fund deferred maintenance and new infrastructure needs.
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. For purposes of CEQA, a project does not include the creation of government funding mechanisms or other government fiscal activities, which do not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant impact on the environment.
CLIMATE IMPACT
The ability of the City to meet the challenge of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, protect the shoreline from natural disasters such as flooding, rising sea and ground water levels, erosion, and earthquakes, and respond to more frequent and intense storms will require significant new funding sources. This action is the first step in exploring a revenue measure that could significantly help support the City’s efforts to address climate change.
RECOMMENDATION
Final Passage of uncodified ordinance ordering the submission of a measure incurring bonded indebtedness to the qualified voters of the City of Alameda at the general municipal election to be held on November 3, 2026, for the purpose of financing the cost of the acquisition and construction of certain municipal improvement projects, and adopt a resolution calling for the holding of a consolidated municipal election in the City of Alameda on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the submission of a measure to approve the issuance of GO bonds to finance municipal improvements establishing the policies and procedures for such an election, requesting that the County of Alameda conduct such an election, and authorizing City Councilmembers to file written arguments for or against the measure.
Respectfully submitted,
Lara Weisiger, City Clerk
Ashley Zieba, Assistant City Clerk
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Tax Rate Statement