Category: Hayward City Council

Hayward approves second downtown dispensary: ‘We’re basically making the downtown a drug hub’

A second cannabis dispensary is coming to downtown Hayward. A conditional-use permit was granted Tuesday night to Jiva Life for a retail establishment at the former Hayward Fishery restaurant on the corner of Foothill Boulevard and C Street. Hayward officials last year approved a cannabis dispensary on B Street. Like the location approved this week, … Continue reading Hayward approves second downtown dispensary: ‘We’re basically making the downtown a drug hub’ →

Hayward PD’s proposal for four drones is delayed

The Hayward Police Department's bid to join a small group of East Bay cities that deploy Unmanned Aerial Systems, commonly known as drones, will be delayed after the Hayward City Council postponed a vote Tuesday night for its purchase. Hayward city staff pulled the item prior to Tuesday night's meeting following discussion of whether greater … Continue reading Hayward PD’s proposal for four drones is delayed →

Hayward: Salinas, Marquez melt down following attacks on their records

Earlier this month, Hayward Councilmember Elisa Marquez and Mark Salinas – two of three incumbents seeking re-election this November – flashed moments of anger and disdain toward their more progressive opponents when challenged about their respective records. In one exchange, Marquez belittled her opponent's portrayal of her record on the council as inattentive to the … Continue reading Hayward: Salinas, Marquez melt down following attacks on their records →

Hayward: Plan to lower annual rent increases moves ahead

Hayward renters could see their annual rent increases lowered from a current five percent cap to as low as two percent, according to a proposed revision to the city's Residential Rent Stabilization Ordinance. The three-member Hayward Housing-Homelessness Task Force moved forward a staff proposals last week that could tie rent hikes to increases in the … Continue reading Hayward: Plan to lower annual rent increases moves ahead →

Large, energized field of candidates in Hayward

Boosted by an emboldened group of progressives and activists, Hayward's sprawling 13-candidate race for four seats on the City Council could be a once-in-generation reconfiguration of its political power structure. The field of 13 candidates this November, includes three incumbents, and a field of newcomers baptized by Hayward's dramatic push to the left stoked over … Continue reading Large, energized field of candidates in Hayward →

Hayward police chief apologizes for saying city council is ignorant

Hayward Police Chief Toney Chaplin apologized last week for saying Hayward City Council members were ignorant of the department's day-to-day activities. Chaplin, a former San Francisco interim police chief, who was tapped to lead the Hayward Police Department in July 2019, made the initial comment during a City Council budget and finance committee meeting on … Continue reading Hayward police chief apologizes for saying city council is ignorant →

Hayward: Task force to study lowering annual rent increase cap, but not before odd exchange involving mayor

During a somewhat routine update to Hayward's rent stabilization ordinance last week in which certain tweaks and language intended to align the ordinance with changes in state law were offered by city staff, Hayward Councilmember Aisha Wahab sought a  significant change by proposing to lower the threshold for rent increases to roughly two percent a … Continue reading Hayward: Task force to study lowering annual rent increase cap, but not before odd exchange involving mayor →

Hayward to ask voters to increase hotel tax, allow non-citizens to serve on boards

Hayward voters will be asked this November to increase its current hotel tax up to 14 percent. A charter amendment to allow non-citizens to serve on city boards and commissions will also appear on the fall ballot, the Hayward City Council decided last week. Hayward's 8.5 percent Transient Occupancy Tax, also known as a hotel … Continue reading Hayward to ask voters to increase hotel tax, allow non-citizens to serve on boards →

Hayward approves budget that includes police officer hiring freeze

Hayward councilmembers approved a $169 million budget for the next fiscal year that includes a $4.1 million cut to the Hayward Police Department. The move comes following several weeks of advocacy by Hayward residents for the City Council to incorporate a list of seven demands to defund the police department. The cut approved on Tuesday … Continue reading Hayward approves budget that includes police officer hiring freeze →

Hayward may ask voters to allow non-citizens to serve on boards

Hayward voters may be asked this November to amend its City Charter and allow non-citizens to serve on city boards and commissions. The Hayward City Council unanimously voted to move forward the proposal on Tuesday night by directing staff to begin an analysis for placing the proposed charter amendment on the Nov. 3 ballot. The … Continue reading Hayward may ask voters to allow non-citizens to serve on boards →

Hayward: Zermeño apologizes for previously saying ‘Police Lives Matter’

Hayward Councilmember Francisco Zermeño apologized for diminishing the Black Lives Matter movement by previously using derivatives of the phrase, such as Latino Lives Matter and Police Lives Matter. The statement was made through social media accounts connected with Zermeño's re-election campaign and after a large Black Lives Matter rally in front of Hayward City Hall … Continue reading Hayward: Zermeño apologizes for previously saying ‘Police Lives Matter’ →

Hayward: Wahab tried to lower council pay by 5%, colleagues were cool to the idea

As Hayward councilmembers thanked its executive team and firefighters on Tuesday night for foregoing two percent cost-of-living increases to help lower the city's ballooning covid-related deficit, in addition, to their own two percent cut in council pay, Hayward Councilmember Aisha Wahab, instead, pushed for further generosity from her colleagues. "I, personally, am willing to forego … Continue reading Hayward: Wahab tried to lower council pay by 5%, colleagues were cool to the idea →

Hayward firefighters unions offer to postpone cost-of-living increase, city leadership follows suit

The belt-tightening at Hayward City Hall due to covid-19 is becoming more evident as the city faces a potential $17 million loss of revenues this year. In order to limit the toll on the city's finances, Hayward firefighters unions are offering to forego an upcoming two percent cost-of-living increase scheduled for July 1. The offer … Continue reading Hayward firefighters unions offer to postpone cost-of-living increase, city leadership follows suit →

Hayward to give $500 to residents ineligible for unemployment benefits

Hayward residents who are not able to access unemployment benefits can apply for a $500 grant from the city's relief fund. The Hayward City Council approved the grants Tuesday night as part of a $400,000 total allocation to the Hayward Community Relief Fund, which was formed recently to aid residents and small businesses left increasingly … Continue reading Hayward to give $500 to residents ineligible for unemployment benefits →