Tag: Malia Vella

Alameda backs town hall on gun violence, but not without some council resistance

An Alameda City Council referral calling for a town hall on the issue of gun violence was unanimously approved Tuesday night. But not before two councilmembers repeatedly questioned the scope of the event and whether its aims had already been covered at a recent public event in Alameda. "I'm a bit stunned by the resistance," … Continue reading Alameda backs town hall on gun violence, but not without some council resistance →

Alameda adds just-cause protections for Section 8 renters

A loophole in Alameda’s recently enacted just-cause ordinance was closed Tuesday night after the City Council approved an urgency ordinance that adds the same protections to low-income Section 8 recipients. The council also voted to extend tenant relocation payments to Section 8 renters in cases when the landlord decides to move into the unit or … Continue reading Alameda adds just-cause protections for Section 8 renters →

Alameda: Oddie pulls claim for city to reimburse him for legal bills

When Alameda's former city manager made shocking allegations two years ago that Councilmember Jim Oddie threatened her employment if she did not select a candidate for fire chief preferred by the city's firefighters union, the charge not only kickstarted a scandal that still resonates today, but led to exorbitant legal bills for the accused. Oddie … Continue reading Alameda: Oddie pulls claim for city to reimburse him for legal bills →

Alameda City Council agrees that two members violated the charter

With a segment of Alameda residents fuming over a scathing civil grand jury finding that two Alameda elected officials violated the city charter, the Alameda City Council on Tuesday night voted to accept its findings and recommendations. Jim Oddie and Malia, the councilmembers alleged by the Alameda County grand jury of violating the charter each … Continue reading Alameda City Council agrees that two members violated the charter →

Five councilmembers and a baby

Alameda Councilmember Malia Vella said last spring that she was inclined to breast-feed her newborn at the council dais if improvements for working mothers were not made at City Hall. Changes like new changing tables in restrooms and a plan to purchase a breast-feeding pod for City Hall is already in the works. But despite … Continue reading Five councilmembers and a baby →

ALAMEDA: Proposed responses to grand jury limit exposure to Vella on charter violation finding

An Alameda County grand jury last month determined, among other findings, that two Alameda councilmembers violated the city charter by exerting undue influence on the city manager's decision to hire a new fire chief. The civil grand jury also faulted the city for allowing the councilmembers to participate in the editing of the independent report … Continue reading ALAMEDA: Proposed responses to grand jury limit exposure to Vella on charter violation finding →

Alameda birther starts fourth petition to recall councilman

An Alameda resident, who as a candidate for the state legislature, questioned whether his opponent, Assemblymember Rob Bonta, is a U.S. citizenship, and then unsuccessfully attempted six total recall petitions against two Alameda councilmembers in the past year, has launched a seventh. In the wake of an Alameda County grand jury report last month that, … Continue reading Alameda birther starts fourth petition to recall councilman →

Alameda places 2.8 percent cap on annual rent increases

Alameda renters scored a major legislative victory late Tuesday night when the Alameda City Council approved an ordinance that places a cap on annual rent increase. The change amounts to a reduction in annual increases from up to five percent under a previous ordinance to 2.8 percent for many Alameda renters, starting on Sept. 1. … Continue reading Alameda places 2.8 percent cap on annual rent increases →

5 observations on the ALCO grand jury’s deferential view of law enforcement

People dying at Santa Rita Jail. Seems fine, says Alameda County grand jury.

With grand jury in rearview, Alameda begins work on charter reform

Despite a highly critical grand jury report last week that skewered Alameda City Hall and urged them to bolster its city charter with specific interference laws, Alameda officials have actually been working on the issue for more than six months. The grand jury and an independent investigation by the city into allegations that Councilmember Jim … Continue reading With grand jury in rearview, Alameda begins work on charter reform →

Grand jury finds Alameda councilmembers violated charter

Two Alameda councilmembers violated the city's charter by interfering in the city manager's duties to independently hire a new fire chief, the Alameda County civil grand jury concluded in a report released Monday. In the case of one of the councilmembers, the determination runs counter to prior investigations into the matter that rocked Alameda politics … Continue reading Grand jury finds Alameda councilmembers violated charter →

Civil grand jury will not recommend removing Alameda councilmember

A forthcoming Alameda County civil grand jury report will include an investigation into allegations that Alameda councilmembers violated the city charter by exerting undue influence on its then-city manager to hire a fire chief candidate of their choice, according to sources aware of the section in the report due to be released this week. The … Continue reading Civil grand jury will not recommend removing Alameda councilmember →

Sweeping protections for Alameda renters coming soon

An Alameda City Council, buoyed by a November election that built upon its progressive majority while trouncing a landlords-backed ballot initiative, moved forward Tuesday night with a menu of sweeping new protections coming soon for struggling Alameda renters. The council directed its staff to prepare a just-cause ordinance for possible approval next month, a regulation … Continue reading Sweeping protections for Alameda renters coming soon →

Expecting Alameda councilmember demands an area at City Hall for breast-feeding mothers

Alameda City Hall is one of the least modern centers of local government in the East Bay. The building lacks basic amenities and, for employees, particularly women, the lack of a dedicated room for breast-feeding is likely illegal. In a council referral scheduled for Tuesday night, Alameda Councilmember Malia Vella, who is pregnant, is calling … Continue reading Expecting Alameda councilmember demands an area at City Hall for breast-feeding mothers →

City Hall Tip Sheet: Mar. 15-21 — San Leandro revisits red light camera contract; More license plate readers for Fremont

>San Leandro to approve adult-use cannabis sales SAN LEANDRO — Regular council meeting, Monday, Mar. 18, 7 p.m. ENTIRE AGENDA HERE | Next meeting: Mar. 25. --RETAIL CANNABIS-- San Leandro is poised to allow its three permitted dispensaries to begin selling retail adult-use cannabis, according to a proposed ordinance. Included is a "shot clock" for … Continue reading City Hall Tip Sheet: Mar. 15-21 — San Leandro revisits red light camera contract; More license plate readers for Fremont →