THE WEEK OF JANUARY 12-16
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–SAN LEANDRO– Regular council meeting, (Note date due to MLK holiday) Tuesday, Jan. 16, 7 p.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]
–SURLENE GRANT NAMING– In 1998, Surlene Grant became first African American member of the San Leandro City Council, in addition, to being its first non-European representative. Although Grant was appointed to the seat, she later served two terms. Now, on the day after the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, the council will resume a discussion from last fall about whether to name a city building or structure in Grant’s honor (she is alive and well!). The council’s Rules Committee last September suggested a city community room within the soon-to-be built South Offices Community Room or the proposed East 14th Street Triangle project. The Rules Committee and Library Historical Commission both appear amendable to the community room proposal.
–NEW VICE MAYOR– Councilmember Lee Thomas‘ one-year reign as vice mayor is over. The council will appoint a new mayor Tuesday night. The post is ceremonial, but, 2018 being an election year, strategically, the title might sound impressive to casual voters. Just so you know, Councilmembers Corina Lopez and Deborah Cox are up for re-election in November. Unfortunately for Thomas, so is he. NEXT MEETING: Monday, Feb. 5.
–OAKLAND– Regular council meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 5:30 p.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE] // Authority over the Lobbyist Registration Act is transferred from the city clerk’s office to the Oakland Public Ethics Commission. NEXT MEETING: Committees, Tuesday, Jan. 23.
➤Rules Committee meeting, Thursday, Jan. 18, 10:45 a.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]
–BERKELEY– Special council meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 6 p.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE] // 2018-19 Strategic Plan. NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, Jan. 23
–HAYWARD– Regular council meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 7 p.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]
–AIRPORT ZONING HEIGHT CHANGE– Two hotel developers are interested in building at the Hayward Executive Airport. But to make the projects pencil out, the 40-foot building height limit need to be amended in the city’s zoning code. The Federal Aviation Administration, according to a city staff report, doubts the height increase merits safety concerns and appears amendable to it, on a case-by-case basis. “In exchange for the increase in height, a proposed development would be required to provide amenities or architectural enhancements that could not be achieved under the current zoning,” according to the staff report.
–COMMUNITY ENERGY UPDATE– East Bay Community Energy, the consortium of East Bay cities (not including Newark, Pleasanton, Alameda) offering competitive, renewable electricity prices to Alameda County customers, will have its CEO Nick Chaset address the council Tuesday. The city staff report contains this nugget of potential positive info: “PG&E recently announced its intention to raise rates a total of 2.8% in the first part of 2018. While EBCE’s rates have not yet been set, it is expected that customers will see savings relative to PG&E.”
–TRAFFIC SAFETY GRANT– Hayward Police are receiving a $240,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety. The department plans to use the funding for impaired driving enforcement, enforcement focusing on distracted driving, seat belt enforcement, special enforcement encouraging motorcycle safety, and enforcement and public education in areas with high bicycle/pedestrian collisions. NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, Jan. 23.
–ALAMEDA– Regular council meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 7 p.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]
–REPORT ON PIERS– A study commissioned last July to study the condition of piers at Alameda Point found them to “have experienced chemical intrusion that has compromised the structures, but there are many different ways to address the problem,” according to a staff report. However, “overall, for their age, the investment, and current use, the Alameda Point piers are in good condition.” Nevertheless, Pier 2, in particular, is in need of serious rehab. A comprehensive replacement “repairing 60 piles to 339 and ranging in cost from $2.4 million to $13.0 million.”
–NON-COMPLIANT LANDLORD– A three-bedroom condo at Willis Lane in Alameda could potential ignite a crisis over the overall worthiness of the city’s Rent Review Advisory Commission. Last November, the condo’s landlord attempted to raise the rent by 133 percent–from $1,500 a month to $3,500. The tenants petitioned the RRAC in December with mediation leading to a $750 a month increase. But the landlords is resisting the suggestion because, notably, the RRAC’s decision is non-binding. Furthermore, local government’s hands are tied when it comes to restriction rent increases on single-family dwellings as opposed to apartments. On Tuesday, the council will discuss whether applying further pressure on the landlord to comply with the RRAC determination in the form of a letter from the mayor and council. NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, Feb. 6.
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