Alameda · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Alameda public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Downtown Commercial Zoning Modernization
The city is updating outdated zoning rules for Park and Webster streets to help fill empty storefronts. The changes let more types of businesses open without a lengthy conditional use permit, making it easier for small mom-and-pop shops to set up downtown.
South Shore Commercial-to-Residential Conversion
The planning board approved converting unused commercial space at the South Shore Beach and Tennis Club into 16 new residential units. While city staff supported the housing addition, several residents raised serious concerns about ongoing property management issues, broken elevators, rodent problems, and bright sports court lighting.
FY 2026-27 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Subrecipient Funding
The board reviewed community development block grant priorities and funding timelines for the upcoming fiscal year. Discussions focused on ensuring equitable RFP processes and addressing community needs like affordable housing and vulnerable populations.
Housing and Human Services Status and Work Plan
The division is drafting its next five-year strategic plan covering 2027 through 2032. The board discussed shelter bed configurations, supportive housing transitions, and homelessness prevention strategies.
Alameda Point Disposition Strategy and Leases
Poseidon Tech Corporation is leasing Building 11 at Alameda Point to manufacture autonomous aircraft, bringing new jobs and significant private investment to a long-vacant facility.
Pacific Avenue and Wilma Chan Way Greenway Crossing Safety
The city is adding a traffic signal, median diverter, and turning restrictions to a dangerous intersection to protect pedestrians and cyclists.
Emergency Preparedness
The city has partially activated its Emergency Operations Center to prepare for winter storms and high king tides around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Outage Management System Implementation
Alameda Municipal Power is planning to adopt a new software platform to streamline outage tracking, integrate multiple data sources, and improve customer notifications and outage maps.
Mastic Senior Center ADA Upgrades
City staff presented plans to upgrade the Mastic Senior Center to meet ADA standards, addressing pathway and restroom accessibility over a multi-phase construction timeline. Commissioners and residents emphasized the need for automatic door openers and immediate access solutions.
Calendar Year 2027 User Fee Adjustments
Councilmember Jensen reported that the StopWaste board enacted a modest new countywide fee to be included in hauler bills later this year.
FY 2026-27 Park Prioritization Plan & Capital Projects
The commission evaluated the department's park prioritization plan to determine how resources and improvement projects will be scheduled for city parks in the upcoming fiscal year.
Civil Immigration Enforcement Restrictions on City Property
Responding to community concerns, the council directed staff to explore prohibiting federal immigration enforcement from using city-owned properties for large-scale operations.
Rise Up Alameda Guaranteed Income Final Evaluation
The city reviewed the final results of its two-year guaranteed income pilot program, which gave $1,000 monthly to 150 low-income households. Participants showed higher savings and lower stress, though securing long-term funding remains a major hurdle.
Fernside Boulevard Traffic Calming and Bikeways Project
Residents and commissioners debated the proposed Fernside Boulevard redesign and its connection to neighborhood traffic calming and intersection changes at Gibbons Drive and High Street.
Draft 2026-2030 Library Strategic Plan
The library board reviewed and approved a comprehensive five-year strategic plan aimed at expanding access, improving user experience, and strengthening staff capacity. The plan incorporates community survey feedback from over 1,600 participants.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
The city adopted an ordinance implementing state law SB 346, empowering Alameda to require short-term rental platforms to report property-level listing and tax collection data.
Accessory Dwelling Unit and Condominium Conversion Zoning Updates
The city is updating its zoning code to align with state laws regarding ADUs and to allow property owners to convert ADUs into condominiums for separate sale. The board generally supported offering homeownership options while protecting rental housing stock.
Social Worker Library Services Extension
The library is rolling out automatic library card access for all Alameda Unified School District students and introducing free 24/7 online tutoring through Homework CA.
Youth Baseball 'Majors' Division Field Relocation
The commission was set to consider relocating youth baseball's 'Majors' division games from Littlejohn Park to Lower Washington Park and Tillman Park.
Historic Preservation and Redevelopment of 2320-2322 Lincoln Avenue
The board evaluated whether to allow major rehabilitation, reconstruction, or partial demolition of two late-19th-century buildings in downtown Alameda. Residents and board members debated balancing historical preservation with the practical reality of severe structural decay and the need to revitalize an eyesore.
Transportation Grant Applications ($5.03M)
The City is applying for over $5 million in grants from the Alameda County Transportation Commission to fund paving, neighborhood greenways, street safety improvements, and bridge feasibility studies.
Oakland Alameda Water Shuttle Phase 2 Pilot Project
Caltrans and Alameda County Transportation Commission are launching major construction on the Webster and Posey tubes. Fortunately, Webster Tube work will utilize overnight closures instead of continuous 24-7 lane restrictions, easing daytime traffic.
Charter Clean-Up and Real Property Lease Reforms
The council placed two charter amendment measures on the November ballot to remove outdated language and streamline commercial lease rules, allowing leases under 10 years to be approved by resolution rather than a lengthy ordinance process.
Little John Park Sports Field Usage and Neighborhood Impacts
Neighbors raised concerns regarding the exclusive use of Little John Park baseball field by Alameda Little League, citing a lack of early notification, restricted public park access, and perimeter fencing. The council referred the MOU back to staff and the commission to explore alternatives.
Ratio Utility Billing Systems (RUBS) Regulation
City rent program staff presented potential policy options to regulate or ban Ratio Utility Billing Systems (RUBS) for rental housing to address tenant complaints regarding fairness and transparency in shared utility costs.
Alameda Marina Master Plan Amendment
The developer of Alameda Marina asked to adjust its affordable housing requirements to align with the city's newly revised inclusionary housing ordinance. This allows Phase III (the Foundry) to move forward with 21 very low-income units while keeping construction on track for a July start.
Greenwood Golf Associates Inc. Litigation
The city is handling an ongoing legal dispute involving Greenwood Golf Associates Inc., with the city council giving closed-door instructions to the city attorney.
Three-Year Bay Wheels Bike Share Pilot in West Alameda
The city is planning a three-year Bay Wheels e-bike share pilot with eight docking stations in West Alameda to help commuters bridge the gap between water transit and local destinations during major tube construction.
City Staff Vacancies and Police Recruitment
A mandated state report showed healthy overall staffing levels across most city departments, though the police department continues to experience higher vacancy rates.
Accessible Parking Enforcement
The commission evaluated how parking enforcement manages accessible spaces across Alameda to ensure people with disabilities have reliable access to public areas.
Police Department Fleet Upgrades & Technology
Residents have raised questions regarding automated license plate reader cameras in the Bay Area. City officials reassured the public that Alameda retains strict control over its data and does not share it with outside agencies without high-level command approval.
Park Station Brewery Outdoor Amplified Music Noise Dispute
Neighbors near 1200 Park Street expressed frustration over loud amplified music and code violations from Park Station tavern, while patrons and downtown business advocates praised the vibrant community space. The board balanced these views by setting a 4-event monthly cap and establishing a 100-foot measurement standard.
2026 Cultural Arts and Arts Programming Funding Awards
The Public Art Commission was scheduled to review and score various arts and cultural programming proposals to decide which local projects receive funding support.
Pension Fund Financial Oversight
The board reviews the financial health and payroll status of city pension funds 101 and 102 for the quarter ending December 31, 2025.
Prohibition of Recreational Nitrous Oxide Sales
To combat a growing public health hazard and dangerous misuse among youth and drivers, the city introduced an ordinance banning the retail sale of recreational nitrous oxide and whipping devices.
Costa-Hawkins and Rent Control Exemptions
Rent Program staff provided an update on recent California Court of Appeal decisions affecting single-family homes, condominiums, and former military housing under the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act.
Alameda High School-Based Health Center Staffing and Funding
Community health representatives warned the council about the impending closure of physical health services at the Alameda High School-based Health Center due to provider departures.
Interim Vehicle Storage at Encinal Terminals
Bayview Landing LP received a two-year permit to store electric vehicles at 1521 Buena Vista, cleaning up blighted buildings while raising neighborhood concerns over truck traffic.
Immigration Staging Grounds Policy Review
Councilmember Daysog brought forward a proposal to direct staff to review precluding the use of city-owned properties as staging grounds or operational bases for large-scale federal immigration enforcement actions.
Sidewalk Repair Procedures and Fee Updates
City updated municipal code to support a sidewalk repair pilot program, dropping property liens in favor of standard debt collections and payment plans.
Firefighters Union MOU and Medical Examination Agreement
The council scheduled action on a two-year Memorandum of Understanding with the International Association of Firefighters Local 689 and a medical examination service agreement for city firefighters.
Police Department Data and Transparency Report
City officials addressed community concerns about automated license plate reader cameras, reassuring residents that Alameda maintains strict data control and does not sell or openly share its data with outside agencies.
Lincoln/Marshall/Pacific Corridor Streetlight Relocation
The city is moving forward with a major $20 million safety and corridor improvement project that includes lane reductions, a new roundabout, and the relocation of seven historic streetlights. The board discussed ensuring proper salvage, repair, and matching paint standards for these historic lampposts.
Park Street Transit Signal Priority and Optimization
AC Transit is upgrading the Park Street corridor with transit signal priority and signal coordination to speed up buses and improve traffic flow for everyone.
McCartney Road Re-striping and Traffic Safety
Residents and officials debated recent re-striping changes on McCartney Road on Bay Farm Island that reduced lanes to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety. While some community members and homeowners raised concerns about evacuation routes and project transparency, others praised slower traffic speeds and safer routes for children walking to school.
Environmental Policy
Alameda's city leaders just hit the brakes on a wild cloud brightening experiment. This decision might make it harder for other climate tech projects to get off the ground here.