Title
Recommendation to Accept the Strategic Plan 2026-2027 Progress Report (City Manager)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Adam W. Politzer, Interim City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On Saturday, February 7, 2026, the Alameda City Council attended a workshop focused on team building and strategic priorities to guide the annual update to the City of Alameda’s (City) Strategic Plan.
The attached Progress Report, submitted for City Council adoption, reflects:
• Status Updates: Current progress on active initiatives
• Timeline Adjustments: Realignment of project schedules
• New Initiatives: New projects identified during the City Council workshop
Upon approval, the final 2026-2027 Progress Report will be published on the City’s website at www.alamedaca.gov/strategicplan <http://www.alamedaca.gov/strategicplan>.
BACKGROUND
The City launched a comprehensive Citywide Strategic Plan development process in 2023, including extensive community engagement, staff focus groups, and City Council workshops. On November 21, 2023, City Council formally adopted the City’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan.
To ensure transparency and accountability, the City prepares annual progress reports. Previous updates were approved in May 2024 and April 2025. The 2026-2027 update represents the final annual update before the full Strategic Plan renewal planned for 2027.
DISCUSSION
In preparation for the City Council’s February 7, 2026 workshop, City Department Directors conducted a review of all existing projects. While most of these initiatives remain on track, several have reached completion, while others require shifted timelines.
The Strategic Plan continues to be anchored by five core City Council Priorities:
• Enhance Community Safety & Services
• Build Resilience to Climate Change & Water Level Rise
• Invest in Transportation, Infrastructure, Economic Opportunities, & Historic Resources
• House all Alamedans & End Homelessness
• Practice Fiscally Responsible, Equitable, & Inclusive Governance
The 2026-2027 Progress Report includes newly completed projects and status updates across these five priority areas.
Enhance Community Safety & Services
Newly Completed Projects:
• CS11: Coordinate with Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) on the rebuild of the Alameda High School swim center
• CS20: Implement police officer hiring program
• CS33: Add Street Vendor Ordinance
• CS34: Negotiate police officer retention program for mid-career officers (years 6 to 10)
Projects with an Updated Schedule:
• CS16: Review the Alameda Municipal Power Infrastructure Master Plan (Added 2025-26)
Build Resilience to Climate Change & Water Level Rise
Newly Completed Projects:
• CC9: Update the Zero Waste Implementation Plan and provide public technical assistance
Invest in Transportation, Infrastructure, Economic Opportunities, & Historic Resources
Newly Completed Projects:
• TIEH6: Assess bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements on Mecartney Road, including consideration of a traffic signal
• TIEH13a: Implement Grand Street safety improvements from Shoreline to Encinal: Phase 1 Shoreline to Otis
• TIEH14a: Continue progress on the Cross Alameda Trail: Construction on Clement Street (Grand to Broadway)
• TIEH21: Rehabilitate 8 miles of sewer pipes
• TIEH34: Migrate all City computers to Microsoft Office 365
• TIEH38: Continue implementing intersection daylighting on high injury corridors and as part of the street paving program
Projects with an Updated Schedule:
• TIEH14b: Continue progress on the Cross Alameda Trail: Design and construct Clement/Tilden (2026-27)
• TIEH20: Continue infrastructure improvements at the Base including the design of Alameda Point Adaptive Reuse Area Phase 2 and 3 (2025-26, 2026-27)
House all Alamedans & End Homelessness
Newly Completed Projects:
• HH5: Coordinate with Alameda Food Bank on their relocation and solicit purchase offers for Building 92
• HH8c: Streamline housing production: Revise Universal Design Ordinance to address building new townhome projects
• HH8d: Streamline housing production: Improve and streamline design review and building permit processes for housing per State law
Projects with an Updated Schedule:
• HH2c: Implement Homelessness Strategic Plan: Relocate and expand Day Center and overnight shelter (2026-27)
Practice Fiscally Responsible, Equitable, & Inclusive Governance
Newly Completed Projects:
• GOV11: Create and implement Citywide communications plan
• GOV11a: Create and implement Citywide communications plan: Create annual communications report
• GOV14: Complete and plan implementation of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Plan
Projects with an Updated Schedule:
• GOV11b: Create and implement Citywide communications plan: Invest and expand media programming that is accessible to all (2026-27)
Proposed New Projects
During the workshop, several new initiatives were proposed and City Council prioritized which projects they wanted staff to review in more detail. Staff evaluated these projects and added the following initiatives to the 2026-2027 Progress Report:
Enhance Community Safety & Services
• CS37: Enhance Rent Program mediation services
• CS38: Explore e-bike safety measures and implement signage on City-owned paths regarding what is allowed and not allowed
• CS39: Prioritize the implementation of a Community Garden at Jean Sweeney Park
• CS40: Expand public engagement, education, and outreach efforts regarding immigration rights
Invest in Transportation, Infrastructure, Economic Opportunities, & Historic Resources
• TIEH40: Develop a coordinated policy to support organizations that honor Alameda’s history
• TIEH41: Develop an Alameda Point branding and storytelling strategy, a coordinated effort that is reflected in our event marketing, physical signage, online, and social media materials
Practice Fiscally Responsible, Equitable, & Inclusive Governance
• GOV16: Adopt ordinance required by SB 346 to allow the City to receive information from short-term rental platforms
• GOV17: Work with the Alameda Sister Cities Association to support Alameda Sister City activities
In addition, staff reviewed the following proposed projects and do not recommend adding them to the Strategic Plan at this time. Below is a brief project description, staff analysis, and an alternative recommendation that if desired can be included at a future City Council strategic planning workshop:
A. Creating a Commission between the Coast Guard and Community and the City
• Analysis: Multiple City departments are currently in regular communication with the Coast Guard. Creating a new Commission is subject to the Brown Act and would require ongoing staffing.
• Alternative: Direct staff to establish an informal working group.
B. Safety in local schools: Coordination between Alameda Police Department (APD) and Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) on preventive strategies, daily relationship building, and real-time emergencies
• Analysis: There is existing coordination between APD and AUSD. For reference, APD removed School Resource Officers (SROs) from AUSD schools in 2020, in response to schools closing during the pandemic and a shortage of officers.
• Alternative: Explore safety improvements with the school district, including the development of a Real-Time Crime Center with technology that would increase APD’s ability to manage a crisis.
C. Establish a public climate action and resiliency committee to advise the City Council and serve as a community forum. Examples are Dublin, Pacifica, Petaluma
• Analysis: Unlike some of these other cities, the City has an adopted Climate Action plan. Establishing a new committee would require additional General Fund and staffing resources for agendas, minutes, notices, and engagement. Staff currently presents annual updates to the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (CARP) to the Planning Board and the Public Utilities Board (PUB).
• Alternative: Formalize the Planning Board as the official advisory body for sustainability projects.
D. Establish and enforce reusable foodware and no plastic bottles or utensils in City facilities
• Analysis: This aligns with Program 5 of the recently adopted Zero Waste Implementation Plan <https://www.alamedaca.gov/CITYWIDE-PROJECTS/Zero-Waste-Implementation-Plan-Update> (ZWIP) which focuses on developing Zero Waste policies for City departments, including reviewing materials used at City facilities for operations. Program 5 is not identified as a priority program and, as such, will not be addressed during the first year of ZWIP implementation.
• Alternative: Staff will request funding all non-priority ZWIP programs in the next biennial budget process.
E. Create a homeownership assistance program for residents who meet certain qualifications
• Analysis: Implementing and maintaining a homeownership assistance program requires significant and specialized staffing resources as well as a large funding sources, particularly for down payment assistance. The Housing and Human Services Department currently provides residential housing rehabilitation funds for low-income residents, funded by the Community Development Block Grant.
• Alternative: Promote existing programs through the County and non-profit organizations that offer homeownership assistance and focus City resources on affordable housing production.
Conclusion
The City’s Strategic Plan establishes a shared vision for Alameda's future, along with key priorities and specific projects to achieve them. The 2026-2027 Progress Report serves as a bridge to the City’s next chapter. By accepting this update, City Council ensures that City resources remain aligned with the community’s most pressing needs. In 2027, the City will initiate a comprehensive process to develop a new three-year Strategic Plan (2027-2030).
ALTERNATIVES
• Provide direction and ask staff to return with a revised Progress Report
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no budget impact from receiving the 2026-2027 Progress Report on the Strategic Plan. Some projects will require funding and staff will either identify existing budget funds or bring a budget request to City Council during the budget process.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code and supports the City’s Strategic Plan.
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.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Accept the Strategic Plan 2026-2027 Progress Report.
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah Henry, Communications and Legislative Affairs Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Draft 2026-2027 Progress Report