>Hayward’s budget is looking up, too
HAYWARD — Regular council meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 7 p.m.
ENTIRE AGENDA HERE | Next meeting: Jan. 29.
-HELP FOR HOMELESS COMING- “The City of Hayward is experiencing a homeless shelter emergency. According to the 2017 Point-in-Time Count, there are 397 homeless individuals in Hayward, of whom 79% (313) are unsheltered. There are two homeless shelters in Hayward for families and women with children, leaving a serious need for shelters for homeless individuals. As a result, staff recommends the City Council take emergency actions to implement a Hayward Housing Navigation Center for approximately 45 individuals on the currently vacant City-owned parcel at the corner of Depot and Whitesell Roads, including authorizing the appropriation of up to $3 million in State and local funding for one-time start-up costs (approximately $500,000) and one year of operational funding (approximately $2.5 million),” according to a staff report.
–“The proposed Hayward Housing Navigation Center is modeled after the successful City of Berkeley Pathways STAIR Center that opened in June 2018 and has placed 45 individuals in housing since opening.” The entire council took a tour of the Berkeley center earlier this month.
-GOOD NEWS ON THE BUDGET- Before the approval of Measure T last November, Hayward’s city finances looked as dismal as ever. But the ballot measure to increase the Real Estate Transfer Tax is estimated to bring in $7 million a year in new revenue and just in the nick of time as Hayward’s General Fund Reserve continues to dwindle below 20 percent. Previous estimates had the reserve drained by Fiscal Year 2022. Now city staff believes the additional revenue and new labor agreements will keep reserves at a more comfortable 20 percent at least for the next two years.
-NOTES- In closed session, an employee performance review is scheduled for Hayward City Attorney Michael Lawson. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]… Hayward city employees represented by SEIU Local 1021 will begin paying an extra half percent toward their pensions starting in July 2020, according to a new contract to be approved Tuesday night. SEIU Local 1021 employees currently pay 4.5 percent.
>>Planning Commission meeting, Thursday, Jan. 24, 7 p.m.
ENTIRE AGENDA HERE | Next meeting: Feb. 14.
-APPROVAL FOR CHURCH BLDG, SENIOR HOUSING- Pilgrim Baptist Church wants approval to “rezone to construct a 20,470-square-foot church building, supporting administrative and assembly buildings totaling 10,508 square feet, and a 34-unit senior affordable housing development on a 6.2 acre parcel located at 29831 Clearbrook Circle. One of the problems with the project is it is proposed for an hillside with sloping that is more than the city’s maximum of 25 percent.
>Alameda discusses city manager search in closed session
ALAMEDA — Closed session meeting, Monday, Jan. 21, 5:15 p.m.
ENTIRE AGENDA HERE | Next meeting: Feb 5.
–-CITY MANAGER SEARCH- The finish line for finding a permanent city manager appears within sight. The council’s closed session meeting includes a discussion on the matter. Alameda has been without a permanent city manager since last spring. Bet on an announcement of a new city manager the next time this item shows up on a closed session agenda. Four potential lawsuits are also on the closed session agenda, two as the city serving as plaintiff, two as defendants.
>San Leandro and airport noise reduction
SAN LEANDRO — Regular council meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 7 p.m.
ENTIRE AGENDA HERE | Next meeting: Jan. 28.
–-AIRPORT INSULATION PROGRAM- “Following modifications to the facilities and operations of the Oakland International Airport over 20 years ago, a number of residents throughout San Leandro, Alameda and other surrounding areas began experiencing increased noise impacts from the airport, which is owned and operated by the Port of Oakland.” A third phase of a program to help insulate San Leandro homes on Davis West near the airport is about to begin after the city redirects $542,000 it received for the sale of city-owned property to homeowners insulation improvements.
NEWARK — Regular council meeting, Thursday, Jan. 24, 7 p.m.
ENTIRE AGENDA HERE | Next meeting: Feb. 14.
-SINGLE-FAM PROJECTS- Ten single-family homes could be coming to a residential block at Magnolia Street and Baine Avenue in Newark. “The proposed project will provide the following community benefits: (1) Replacement of six vacant single family homes having a history of police and code enforcement issues related to squatters, and rodent infestation with ten high-quality single family homes; (2) Promotion of a stable single-family neighborhood; (3) Preservation of historic character of Old Town by proposing Victorian-style homes; and (4) The applicant will pay approximately $692,816 towards Development Impact Fees that can be utilized citywide to improve the Newark community. The project will also pay approximately $91,532 in school fees to the Newark Unified School District.”
-Later the same night, a projects known as the “Classics at Newark,” nine single-family homes on Newark Boulevard will come before the council.
BART — Board retreat, Thursday, Jan. 24, 9:30 a.m.
ENTIRE AGENDA HERE | Next meeting: Feb. 20.
ACTRANSIT — Regular board meeting, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 5 p.m.
AGENDA NOT YET POSTED| Next meeting: Feb. 13.
EBMUD — Regular board meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 1:15 p.m.
ENTIRE AGENDA HERE | Next meeting: Feb. 12. | Water supply update