Title
Approve Draft Meeting Minutes - October 12, 2026
Body
DRAFT MEETING MINUTES OF THE
CITY OF ALAMEDA PLANNING BOARD
MONDAY OCTOBER 12, 2026
Video recording of this meeting can be found here: <https://alameda.granicus.com/player/clip/4372?view_id=6&redirect=true>.
1. ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
* Members of the public can participate in person or remotely via Zoom.
Present: President Cisneros and Board Members Hom, Tsou, Wang, and Ly.
Absent: Board Members Ruiz and Freed.
New Board Member Ly was introduced (*3:53), and staff introduced a new staff member, Jeff Bond, who will be assisting the Planning, Building & Transportation Director and Staff.
2. AGENDA CHANGES
Board Member Tsou made a motion (*6:35) to move item 5-B to the top of the agenda. Board Member Ly seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.
3. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
William Morrison (*7:16) discussed his frustrations with public participation. He didn’t think it was fair that he didn’t get to interact with the board or respond to the board members’ comments. He was concerned that collusion and violations were occurring.
Pam Luo (10:59) discussed the Gibbons Traffic Calming item and wanted it to be discussed with the item tonight. They were two separate items, but wanted them merged together.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
4-A 2026-6163 - Approve Draft Meeting Minutes - June 22, 2026 (continued from the July 13th, 2026, Planning Board Meeting)
Minutes can be found:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=8127111&GUID=3A3BD616-B362-49F1-9644-911301FA7BB2&FullText=1>.
These minutes were continued to the next meeting since there was not a quorum to vote nor had other board members watched the meeting video.
4-B 2026-6270 - Approve Draft Meeting Minutes - August 24, 2026
Minutes can be found:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=8201090&GUID=198B20A6-4582-469A-9F6C-47EA7019C53B&FullText=1>.
Board Member Hom made a motion to approve the August 24th, 2026, meeting minutes. Board Member Wang seconded the motion, the motion passed 5-0.
5. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
5-A 2026-6369 - Board Elections
Board Member Ruiz had submitted (*15:09) her nomination earlier in writing for Board Member Wang for President and Board Member Tsou as Vice President. Board Member Hom agreed/seconded this nomination.
There were no public comments on this item.
Board Member Hom made the motion (16:41) to nominate Board Member Wang as President and Board Member Tsou as Vice President. Board Member Ly seconded the motion and the motion passed 5-0. The new President and Vice President would preside at the next meeting.
5-B 2026-6363 - Gibbons Drive Sidewalks and Trees Plan - Public Hearing to Consider a Resolution Recommending City Council Adoption of the Gibbons Drive Sidewalks and Trees Plan. CEQA Determination: The proposed action is categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15308 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment)
Board Member Wang recused himself because he is a resident of Gibbons Drive.
Erin Smith, Public Works Director, introduced (*18:09) this item and gave a presentation. The staff report and attachments can be found at:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=8259291&GUID=B7043B95-E670-418C-8098-3F5705C3A229&FullText=1>.
Board clarifying questions start at the 40:45-minute mark.
Public Comment for item 5B - comments were limited to 2 minutes due to the number of speakers. To hear the comments in their entirety, please refer to the video timestamp.
Maria Van Lieshout (*1:04:29) was not in favor of this project. She discussed in detail her frustrations with this project and gave alternatives to community outreach and to save the trees.
Jim Strehlow (*1:07:01) was not in favor of this project. He discussed how prominent these trees were to the community.
Jennifer Green (*1:09:12) was not in favor of this project. She discussed how important the trees were, and they could thrive for more years.
Travis Morgan (*1:10:53) was not in favor of this project. He believed the trees could be saved and the sidewalks fixed.
Pam Luo (*1:13:00) was not in favor of this project. She discussed the Master Tree Plan and what the goals were.
Cate Lewis, via Zoom, (*1:15:15) was against the project. She discussed how she felt that there had been no outreach and that many visitors come to Alameda just to see these trees.
Lorre Zuppin, via Zoom, (*1:16:34) was against this project. She wanted to see a full completed plan with requirements that the community had discussed.
Carter Luo, via Zoom, (1:18:54) was against this plan. He discussed how these trees are iconic to the community.
Monica Allen, via Zoom, (1:21:13) was against this project and seconded the speakers before her and wanted to see options to preserve the canopy.
Pete Aston, via Zoom, (1:22:12) was against this project. He felt that the community outreach was very inconsistent.
Mark Minor (*1:24:48) was against this project. He believed these trees were a legacy and very beneficial to the history of Alameda.
William Morrison (*1:27:04) was against this project. He discussed his issues with community outreach and seconded Speaker Minor.
Patricia Grey (*1:28:51) was against this project. She discussed the impact these trees had on her.
Amos White (*1:31:15) was against this project. His three main concerns were the trees, the process and the climate.
David Harris (1:33:30) was against this project. He discussed how important these trees were to the neighborhood and his family.
Kelly Becker, via Zoom, (1:35:01) was against this project. She discussed how these trees improve the resident’s quality of life but did acknowledge the trip hazards.
Linnea Williams, via Zoom, (*1:36:55) was against this project. She discussed the beauty of the trees and that the sidewalks did have tripping hazards.
A woman who did not want to give her name spoke at the end. She disagreed (*1:39:42) with the statement that the roads or sidewalks were dangerous or a tripping hazard.
Action taken for item 5B
Board discussion starts at the 1:40:55-minute mark.
Board Member Hom made a motion (*2:09:29) to recommend to City Staff that this Resolution be brought back before the Planning Board with amendments to the policy plan that addresses the comments made my Planning Board Members and the Public. Board Member Tsou seconded the motion, and the motion passed 4-0.
6. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
6-A 2026-6361
Planning, Building and Transportation Department Recent Actions and Decisions
Recent actions and decisions can be found at:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=8259289&GUID=AB2EC92F-BF2E-4CB5-AA55-8EFDF2FCF6A7/>
Brian McGuire, Board Secretary, discussed (*2:12:09) recent actions and decisions.
No decision or action was pulled for review.
6-B 2026-6362
Oral Report - Future Public Meetings and Upcoming Planning, Building and Transportation Department Projects
Secretary McGuire discussed (*2:13:47) upcoming events and meetings. He also gave an update on department staffing.
There were no public comments.
7. BOARD COMMUNICATIONS
Board Member Ly started (*2:19:37) a conversation on Alameda’s Housing Goals
8. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
Jim Strehlow (*2:23:18) said that many people were concerned that the meeting was happening on a holiday. He was pleased with the turnout and that the board actually listened to the speakers and their concerns.
9. ADJOURNMENT
President Cisneros adjourned the meeting at 9:24 pm.
*Refers to the minute mark in the video