THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 16-22
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–ALAMEDA– Regular council meeting, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]
–INFRASTRUCTURE BOND MEASURE-– A $95 million general obligation bond measure may be coming to the ballot in Alameda this June. Here is the proposal ballot language to be discussed Tuesday night. “Alameda Clean Water/Disaster-Emergency Preparedness/Pothole Repair Bond. To upgrade storm drains, keep pollution from the Bay, and beaches/parks clean, protect drinking water, address sea-level rise/flooding; repair deteriorating streets/potholes/ police and fire facilities, improve traffic congestion/safety; and other infrastructure, shall the City of Alameda issue $95,000,000 in bonds with average levy of $23 per $100,000 of assessed value, generating approximately $6,000,000 annually to pay bonds over 36 years, and requiring fiscal accountability?”
–CANNABIS PERMITS– The council is set to formally approve a Request for Proposals (RFP) for its burgeoning cannabis industry. Alameda has up to nine cannabis-related permits available this spring. One for nursery cultivation, four for manufacturing, two for testing labs, and two medical cannabis dispensaries. The RFP is scheduled to be issued on Feb. 26, with proposals due by April 9. The council could make its selection during the first week of May. Notably the proposed RFP includes a local hire and local ownership provision. But also notably, the section is labeled voluntary. NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, Mar. 6.
–BERKELEY– Special council work session, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 6 p.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]
–CITY BALLOT MEASURES DISCUSSION– With a budget forecast begins to sour starting in 2020, Berkeley is eyeing possible revenue-generated ballot measures for the November 2018 General Election. East Bay cities have until Aug. 10 to finalize potential initiatives for November and Berkeley appears to be taking an early look at their options with Tuesday’s work session. First, a polling firm needs to be hired, and the council is being asked to give direction on the types of projects and issues to asked potential voters. The fruits of those surveys in the form of possible ballot measure language could come before the council in June or July, according to a city staff report. NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, Feb. 27
–SAN LEANDRO– Regular council meeting, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m. (Note: date change due to Presidents Day holiday) [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]
–BAYFAIR TRANSIT EIR– “In 2014, the City of San Leandro applied for and received a highly competitive $440,000 Priority Development Area (PDA) planning grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). The City also contributed local funds and in-kind contributions to match the grant along with contributions from BART, Madison Marquette (the owner of the Bayfair Center) and Alameda County. BART, Madison Marquette and Alameda County…” On Tuesday, the council will be asked to certify the Bay Fair Transit-Oriented Development Environmental Impact Report. READ it here.
–CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CONTRACT– For the left in San Leandro, it’s no secret that progressive political policies are almost always opposed by the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce. Really, any chamber in the East Bay. But the city is prepared to pay the chamber for consulting services. “Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution Approving a Consulting Services Agreement with the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce for $50,000 to Support New and Ongoing Economic Development Services.”
–INTERIM CITY MANAGER CONTRACT– Last month, the San Leandro City Council placed City Manager Chris Zapata on paid administrative leave while an independent investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct is conducted. Assistant City Manager Jeff Kay was appointed to replace him. The council will likely approve giving him a 15 percent raise to become the interim at $19,395 a month in salary, but will continue receiving health and other benefits associated with his assistant city manager capacity. If Zapata is allowed to return to his post, Kay will be given the option to return to his previous position. NEXT MEETING: Monday, Feb. 26.
–OAKLAND– Regular council meeting, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 5:30 p.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]
–RAINBOW REC CENTER BID– Last September, a Request for Proposal put out by the city to renovate and expand the Rainbow Recreation Center in East Oakland that topped at $8.7 million may have been too low. All three bids exceeded the amount. Now, city staff is asking the council to waive further outreach, award the contract to JUV, Inc, and allocate any additional $2.1 million from various existing revenue sources to the project
–BLACK HISTORY MONTH– Most East Bay cities have or will be honoring February’s Black History Month with resolutions. But Oakland, with a wealth of African American figures who have helped shape the city, is doing it differently. The council Tuesday is highlighting individuals from each council district. Among those being honored: Tiffany E. Grant King, Joe Hopkins, Jeff Myers, Diamano Coura, Nina Tanner Smith, Elizabeth Gilmore, Leonard “Googie” Kirtley, Jr, and John Jones III. Impact Hub Oakland in District 4 is also a honoree.
NEXT MEETING: Committees, Tuesday, Feb. 27.
–HAYWARD– Regular council meeting, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]
–MID-YEAR BUDGET REVIEW– When the city of Hayward approved its 2018 fiscal budget last June, the projection assumed the use of $2.47 million in general fund reserves to balance the budget. “Based on the FY 2018 year-end projection, the City should close the year building
reserves by the nominal amount of $33,000,” according to a city staff report. “While the “surplus” would appear to be nominal in advancing the City’s goal of long-term fiscal sustainability, it is a vast improvement over projections from the time the City adopted the budget last June.” NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, Feb. 27.
–BART– Regular board meeting, Thursday, Feb. 22, 9 a.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]
–BART PD CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD REVIEW– In the aftermath of the tragic shooting of Oscar Grant by a BART police officer in 2009, BART created a citizens review board to monitor the transportation police department. In January 2017, a review of the review board by an outside consultant began at the behest of the BART board. On Thursday, the board will be presented with its finding, including 53 recommendations. Paramount among them is recommendations to expand the review board’s power to audit BART PD and give the Office of Independent Police Auditor the ability to instigate investigations absent a complaint.
–EDEN HEALTH DISTRICT– Regular board meeting, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 5:30 p.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]
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