‘Lil’ Arnerich served two terms on the Alameda City Council. ALAMEDAAnthony ‘Lil’ Arnerich, a former Alameda councilmember and civic leader, particularly in the retrofitting of Alameda High School, and an advocate for youth sports, died Friday. He was 89. Arnerich’s… Read More ›
Alameda
In a twist, Alameda places its city manager on administrative leave
Alameda City Manager Jill Keimach ALAMEDA CITY COUNCIL As the public awaited the potential release of an independent investigation into claims of political interference made by its City Manager Jill Keimach, the Alameda City Council, instead, came out of a nearly… Read More ›
Spouse of Alameda’s elected city auditor says housing at Alameda Point will bring low-income cars
A rendering for a portion of Phase 1 of the Site A plan at Alameda Point. ALAMEDA CITY COUNCILWhen the Alameda City Council revisits an 800-unit housing and commercial development at Alameda Point tonight, known as “Site A,” the spouse… Read More ›
EBC AGENDA | MAR 2-8 | HAYWARD may go carbon-free; FREMONT police seek tech upgrades; ALAMEDA extra special closed session
THE WEEK OF MARCH 2-8.–HAYWARD– Regular council meeting, Tuesday, Mar. 6, 7 p.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]–CARBON-FREE ENERGY– Hayward could be heading toward 100 percent carbon-free energy for all its residents through the new East Bay Community Energy program. The council will decide Tuesday… Read More ›
Alameda City Council calls special closed session next week; investigation believed to be topic
Alameda councilmembers met for five hours during a closed session in late January likely discussing the same item being heard Friday. ALAMEDA CITY COUNCILAn independent inquiry into allegations made last October by Alameda City Manager Jill Keimach against unnamed councilmembers… Read More ›
At 11 p.m. sharp, Alameda council meeting abruptly adjourns with no decision on ballot measure
ALAMEDA CITY COUNCILAs the clock inched toward 11 p.m. Tuesday night, Alameda councilmembers not only were concentrating on a decision whether to place a $95 million bond measure on the June ballot, they were also racing against time. The city’s… Read More ›
Alameda infrastructure bond measure could be coming to the ballot this year
A proposed Alameda infrastructure bond measure in June could join other high- profile tax and fee increases this June. ALAMEDA CITY COUNCILLast September, hundreds of residents in Alameda’s West End reported foul-smelling water coming from the taps and shower heads…. Read More ›
Alameda delays decision for more license-plate readers after disclosure of vendor’s ties to ICE
A proposal Tuesday night would have allowed installation of fixed-mounted license-plate readers near Alameda bridges and other exit points. ALAMEDA CITY COUNCILA controversial proposal to install 13 Automated License-Plate Readers (ALPRs) mounted at fixed points around Alameda’s bridges and exit… Read More ›
County supervisor lectured Alameda’s mayor after she did not support ballot measure that benefits her city’s interests
Alameda Mayor Trish Herrera Spencer ALAMEDA CTC The nine-county regional ballot measure this June to raise an estimated $4.5 billion for local transportation projects, includes significant funding for Bay Area ferries, which are immensely popularity in places like Alameda. But when… Read More ›
Crime is up, raise the bridges! A classic Alameda trope returns with a high-tech spin
Alameda’s Park Street drawbridge. ALAMEDA CITY COUNCIL–PUBLIC COMMENT–Alameda Police Chief Paul Rolleri says the city is in the midst of a dramatic 30-year drop in crime. However, on Tuesday night he will ask the Alameda City Council to approve the… Read More ›
EBC AGENDA | FEB 2-8 | ALAMEDA COUNTY 1/2-cent sales tax measure for child care coming this June; ALAMEDA PD wants 13 license-plate readers
THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 2-8. –ALAMEDA COUNTY– Regular council meeting, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 10:30 a.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE] –BALLOT MEASURE FOR CHILDREN– The Board of Supervisor will approve placement on the June ballot of a countywide half-cent sales tax measure to fund child… Read More ›
A five-hour Alameda City Council closed session with no explanation, only speculation
A special closed session Alameda City Council meeting started at 3:30 p.m. last Tuesday and ended at 8:25 p.m. What did they talk about? ALAMEDA CITY COUNCILFor nearly five hours last Tuesday the Alameda City Council sat in a special… Read More ›
Nancy O’Malley, Buffy Wicks, Libby Schaaf, Abel Guillen’s council opponent, post big year-end fundraising numbers
ELECTION 2018–CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS–Whether your race is in June, November, or both, it’s definitely go-time and the cash a candidate has in the bank on Jan. 1 is now a signal of how strong a campaign might be. Below are… Read More ›
EBC AGENDA | JAN. 26-FEB. 1 | BERKELEY seeks surveillance use policy; ALAMEDA’s own city manager scandal heats up?; State Dem pre-endorsements
THE WEEK OF JAN. 26-FEB. 1–ALAMEDA– Special closed session council meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 3:30 p.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]–ALAMEDA’S CITY MANAGER SCANDAL?– It’s not clear what exactly the Alameda City Council might be discussing behind closed doors Tuesday afternoon. The agenda suggests the… Read More ›
EBC AGENDA | JAN 12-16 | HAYWARD airport zoning height changes; ALAMEDA’s crumbling piers; SAN LEANDRO look to honor former councilwoman
THE WEEK OF JANUARY 12-16.–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,… Read More ›
East Bay’s Top 10 Races to Watch in 2018
ELECTION 2018While legislative special elections in Southern California proliferate–mainly due to resignations that follow claim of sexual harassment–the level of interesting and competitive races in the East Bay is lacking something fierce. Several cities in Alameda County will decide whether… Read More ›
2017 Year in East Bay Politics: We grabbed Trump by the politics
2017 YEAR IN EAST BAY POLITICSIt’s difficult to imagine what the prevailing story line of politics in the East Bay would have been without the daily barrage of tweets and general insanity emanating from President Donald Trump in 2017. Much… Read More ›
Bereft of housing, Alameda City Council sinks 589-unit housing development for now
The Alameda City Council put on hold Tuesday a proposed 589-unit Encinal Terminals project on the Northern Waterfront. ALAMEDA CITY COUNCILIn a city that has long resisted meeting minimum state standards for the creation of new housing, the Alameda Council Tuesday… Read More ›
EBC AGENDA | DEC 15-21 | BERKELEY revisits police pepper spray policy; ALAMEDA land swap for 589 housing units; ALAMEDA COUNTY Coliseum sale talks; OAKLAND reboots
THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 15-21 –BERKELEY– Special council meeting, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 6 p.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]–MOVE TO REPEAL PEPPER SPRAY ORDINANCE– Last September, the City Council approved authorization for the police department to include pepper spray under its use-of-force policy. Pepper spray had… Read More ›
EBC AGENDA | DEC 1-6 | BERKELEY Climate plan makes progress; ALAMEDA weighs-in on Israel-Palestine; OAKLAND labor strike cancels meetings
THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 1-6 –OAKLAND– [MEETINGS CANCELLED DUE TO LABOR NEGOTIATIONS] City Council committee meetings, Tuesday, Dec. 5, start at 9 a.m. ➤Finance & Management Committee, 9 a.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]–PUBLIC SAFETY OT IN THE RED– Oakland’s overtime budget for police… Read More ›
Despite sanctuary city status, Hayward approves DOJ grant funding for police, but not really
HAYWARD CITY COUNCILA U.S. Department of Justice grant allocated to the Hayward Police Department worth $42,491 is likely at risk after the Hayward City Council instructed its staff to not sign a controversial new certification that runs opposed to its… Read More ›
5 MORE THINGS I THINK ABOUT EAST BAY POLITICS…
ELECTION 2018 By the looks of it, Alameda Mayor Trishmight be running for re-election againstthe entire City Council. ➤I think after what the East Bay Times and columnist Daniel Borenstein pulled with the Alameda City Council and city manager interference story, you… Read More ›
Alamedans will vote on landlord-backed rent measure in 2018
A petitioner on Park Street in Alameda last July seeking a signature for a landlords- backed ballot measure. ALAMEDA CITY COUNCILOver the past 18 months, Alameda has seen a number of rent-related ballot measures come and go. Some, like two… Read More ›
Alameda City Council approves independent probe into city manager’s interference claims
Over the shoulder of Assemblymember Rob Bonta, Alameda Mayor Trish Spencer, Council- members Malia Vella, Jim Oddie, and City Manager Jill Keimach duirng at a council meeting Tuesday. ALAMEDA CITY COUNCILAccusations made by Alameda City Manager Jill Keimach earlier this… Read More ›
Alameda city manager, in memo, alleges councilmembers illegally interfered in selection of fire chief
Alameda City Hall is again in upheaval after its citymanager alleged some councilmembers violated itsCity Charter. ALAMEDA CITY COUNCILAlameda City Manager Jill Keimach, in a memo sent to the City Council earlier this month, alleged that some elected city officials… Read More ›
Sandre Swanson, although courted by supporters, says he won’t run for Alameda mayor
Sandre Swanson during an endorsement meeting last year for the 9th state Senate. ALAMEDAAn unsuccessful run for the state Senate last year proved Sandre Swanson is not done with public service. Swanson confirmed Friday that he had strong interest for… Read More ›
EBC AGENDA | OCT 13-19 | OAKLAND stocks new Police Commission; Another rent measure in ALAMEDA; television chopper problem in BERKELEY; Pot plans in HAYWARD
THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 13-19 –OAKLAND– Regular council meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 5:30 p.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]–POLICE COMMISSION FILLS OUT– Mayor Libby Schaaf‘ had her appointments to the Oakland Police Commission ready to go two weeks ago. They are Thomas… Read More ›
Alameda councilman eyes run for mayor: ‘Don’t know if I can win.’
Alameda Councilmember Frank Matarrese ALAMEDA CITY COUNCILSeemingly from the day Trish Herrera Spencer was elected Alameda mayor in 2014, the line of challengers seeking to make her a one-termer began jockeying for position. Nearly three years later, Councilmember Marilyn Ezzy… Read More ›
Alameda names new fire chief amid criticism of city manager’s handling of hiring process
Alameda’s new fire chief Ed Rodriguez’s first day on the job is Nov. 13. ALAMEDAAlameda City Manager Jill Keimach on Tuesday named Ed Rodriguez as the city’s next fire chief. Rodriguez previously headed the Salinas Fire Department and replaces Alameda… Read More ›
Fremont City Council, except one member, fell under the spell of powerful landlord interests
Fremont Councilmember Vinnie Bacon said last week that a city rent board ordinance will do nothing for renters. He supports rent control. FREMONT CITY COUNCIL–PUBLIC COMMENT–Appointed Fremont Councilmember David Bonaccorsi hid behind modest change while striking populist tones. His collegaues… Read More ›