Title
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. (Councilmember Jensen)
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COUNCIL REFERRAL FORM
The Council can take any of the following actions:
1) Take no action.
2) Refer the matter to staff to schedule as a future City Council agenda item. Concurrence that staff time will be devoted to the item does not signify approval.
3) Take dispositive action only on time sensitive legislative matters if sufficiently noticed such that the public and Council have been provided sufficient information by the published agenda, and no formal published notice of a public hearing is required.
Name of Councilmember(s) requesting referral: Councilmember Jensen
Date of submission to City Clerk (must be submitted before 5:00 p.m. on the Monday two weeks before the Council meeting requested): 6/1/2026
Council Meeting date: 6/16/2026
Brief description of the subject to be printed on the agenda, sufficient to inform the City Council and public of the nature of the referral:
Direct the Museum of Alameda, as a requirement for continued financial support from the City, to comprehensively catalog the artifacts of Alameda’s historical settlements and civilizations, and to develop an Indigenous program in partnership with local organizations representing Indigenous People.
The City Council approved a Strategic Plan on November 21, 2023, which established the following 5 priorities:
A. Enhance Community Safety & Services
B. Build Resilience to Climate Change & Water Level Rise
C. Invest in Transportation, Infrastructure, Economic Opportunities & Historic Resources
D. House All Alamedans & End Homelessness
E. Practice Fiscal Responsible, Equitable & Inclusive Governance
If applicable, briefly describe which Council priority the subject falls under and how it relates:
C. Practice Fiscal Responsible, Equitable & Inclusive Governance: It is a fact that Alameda destroyed indigenous burial mounds between 1890 and 1910. The Sather Mound along Santa Clara Avenue contained the remains of 450 members of the same indigenous tribe. Recognizing and taking responsibility for this historic action is responsible, and demonstrates the City’s support for all residents’ heritage. City financial support should be provided when institutions like the Alameda museum are community resources for all residents of all cultural and ethnic backgrounds.