San Leandro Councilmember Lee ThomasSAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCILWith a number of San Leandro housing projects in the pipeline and a potential push for retail cannabis permits in the near future, Councilmember Lee Thomas believes the city needs a lobbying ordinance in order for the council and public to distinguish whose interests are being served.Thomas proposed … Continue reading San Leandro councilmember proposes lobbying ordinance
Category: Lee Thomas
5 THINGS I THINK: THANKSGIVING EDITION
THINGS I THINK1➤I think Rep. Eric Swalwell is the greatest salesman in America. Over the past two years or more absolutely nobody, except for fellow Golden State Rep. Adam Schiff, has leveraged cable news and social media better to raise their profile in Washington. It started with clever, cutesy social media postings--"#swalwelling on Twitter and … Continue reading 5 THINGS I THINK: THANKSGIVING EDITION
San Leandro: BAL Theatre receives half million in city loans; Flavored tobacco ban finalized; Dispensary receives deadline extension
BAL Theatre owner Dan Dillman in front of the theater's marquee in 2014.SAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCILThe BAL Theatre, San Leandro's last Art Deco performing arts building has proven scrappy in keeping its doors open while attracting former A-list Hip Hop and R&B acts from the 80s and 90s to an underutilized area strip of East 14th … Continue reading San Leandro: BAL Theatre receives half million in city loans; Flavored tobacco ban finalized; Dispensary receives deadline extension
San Leandro dispensary faces another hurdle as permit deadline extension nears
San Leandro Mayor Pauline Russo Cutter haspublicly opposed the proposed site of the Davis Street Wellness Center dispensary.SAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCILSan Leandro city administration is standing firm in its stance against the conditional-use permit for a medical cannabis dispensary near a non-profit clinic and shelter for the poor, according to a staff report.Earlier this month, the … Continue reading San Leandro dispensary faces another hurdle as permit deadline extension nears
San Leandro zoning board overturns city’s denial of medical cannabis dispensary use permit
A rendering of the Davis Street Wellness Centerretail area at its proposed dispensary onTeagarden Street. PHOTO/DSWCSAN LEANDROAfter several San Leandro zoning commissioners downplayed a city staff report opposing the issuance of a conditional-use permit for the Davis Street Wellness Center medical cannabis dispensary, the board voted, 6-1,Thursday night to overturn the city’s denial.What was before … Continue reading San Leandro zoning board overturns city’s denial of medical cannabis dispensary use permit
San Leandro bans flavored tobacco sales, passes for now on menthol cigarettes
An proponent of San Leandro's ban on flavoredtobacco sales address the City Council Mondaynight with supporters in the foreground.SAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCILLike some of its neighboring cities, the San Leandro City Council approved Monday night a prohibition on the sale of flavored tobacco products. The council, however, diverged from Oakland and San Francisco, by sidestepping … Continue reading San Leandro bans flavored tobacco sales, passes for now on menthol cigarettes
San Leandro begins debate on whether to honor city’s first African American councilmember
Former San Leandro Councilmember Surlene Grant served from 1998-2008.SAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCILNear the end of former San Leandro Councilmember Ursula Reed's second term in office, she began exploring ways to honor her predecessor in District 2, Surlene Grant, the city's first-ever African American councilmember.Reed first proposed renaming Joaquin Plaza, a modest courtyard located on East 14th Street … Continue reading San Leandro begins debate on whether to honor city’s first African American councilmember
San Leandro tenant relocation payment ordinance stymied, sent back to Rules Committee
SAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCILFor the second time in as many weeks, a proposed tenant relocation payment program in San Leandro has failed to move forward. The San Leandro City Council sent back to committee, 5-2, Monday night a second iteration of the the program intended to compensate renters who are evicted through owner-initiated relocations.The council … Continue reading San Leandro tenant relocation payment ordinance stymied, sent back to Rules Committee
San Leandro looks to ban flavored tobacco products, but falls short on menthol cigarettes
San Leandro Councilmember Lee Thomaswants to ban the sale of menthol cigarettes within city limits.SAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCILThe San Leandro City Council is set to take on the tobacco and vaping industries after its Rules Committee voted Monday to move legislation banning the sale of flavored tobacco products within city limits. The proposal includes flavored "juices" used … Continue reading San Leandro looks to ban flavored tobacco products, but falls short on menthol cigarettes
Despite threat of losing federal funding, San Leandro declares sanctuary city status
San Leandro recieves more than $9 millionin federal funding, but Trump's threat to defundsanctuary cities did not make the council pause.SAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCILSan Leandro became the fifth sanctuary city in Alameda County and the third local municipality to embrace a bulwark against President Trump’s immigration policies in the past month. The San Leandro City … Continue reading Despite threat of losing federal funding, San Leandro declares sanctuary city status
Possible changes coming to San Leandro’s surveillance policies
SAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCIL | San Leandro may tear up its contract with its red-light camera vendor. Mayor Pauline Cutter urged Monday night for the City Council to examine the possibility of ending its contract for red-light camera services, in addition to beginning a dialogue over redistributing public safety surveillance cameras to recurring hot spots … Continue reading Possible changes coming to San Leandro’s surveillance policies
San Leandro rules committee nixes extending council term limits; ban on flavored cigarillos proposed
San Leandro Councilmember Ursula Reed's bidto lengthen term limits is falling flat.SAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCIL |Using the same rationale that led to the extension of term limits to 12 years in the state Legislature, San Leandro Councilmember Ursula Reed believed by the time the city’s elected officials became proficient in their jobs, they were ready … Continue reading San Leandro rules committee nixes extending council term limits; ban on flavored cigarillos proposed
SAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCIL PREVIEW: Slim pickings across the board
Bryan Azevedo and Ed Hernandez face-off in the San Leandro City Council's District 2--the only contested race of three open seats this fall.MEET THE CANDIDATESIn San Leandro, just four candidates filed for three seats this fall. But it gets worse. Two of the races involved termed out councilmembers--Jim Prola and Ursula Reed. Be it apathy in … Continue reading SAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCIL PREVIEW: Slim pickings across the board
San Leandro approves $15 minimum wage ordinance without small biz exemption
Union members and small business owners packedthe San Leandro City Council chambers Tuesdaynight to discuss raising the minimum wage.SAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCIL |Union members gathered for a group photo in front of the council dais and chanted si se puede following the San Leandro City Council’s approval Tuesday night of an ordinance that will raise … Continue reading San Leandro approves $15 minimum wage ordinance without small biz exemption
San Leandro City Council rolls back minimum wage carveouts for small biz; approves original $15 wage by 2020
SAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCIL | The San Leandro City Council reaffirmed its goal of raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2020 Monday night, but in a reversal, removed a previously approved one-year exemption for small businesses.The council voted, 6-1, to adopt the original proposal that begins to raise the city’s minimum wage … Continue reading San Leandro City Council rolls back minimum wage carveouts for small biz; approves original $15 wage by 2020
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