Alameda · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Alameda public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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The city is updating outdated zoning rules for Park and Webster streets to help fill empty storefronts.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.
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.
Gibbons Drive Sidewalks and Trees Plan
Public Works introduced a long-term plan to address severe sidewalk and curb damage along Gibbons Drive while managing 112 mature liquid amber trees. Residents overwhelmingly urged the city to preserve the canopy and explore alternative engineering solutions instead of adopting a 20 percent tree removal cap.
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.
Emergency Preparedness
The city has partially activated its Emergency Operations Center to prepare for winter storms and high king tides around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
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.
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.
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.
Campaign Donation Disclosure Requirements
The council added a rule requiring elected officials to publicly disclose campaign donations over $100 from parties with business before the council to increase transparency.
Clement Avenue Truck Route Restriping and Neighborhood Impacts
Residents and council members raised safety concerns about designating Clement Avenue as a heavy truck route given recent residential development and bike trail installations, prompting a review of alternative options.
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.
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.
Public Records Requests and AI Impact
Staff noted a recent surge in public records act requests, potentially driven by AI tools and automated searches for contracts and bids. The annual report will track these statistics to help the city understand workload trends.
Mayoral Election
Voters are sizing up mayoral candidate Tracy Jensen ahead of the November election to see what she's bringing to the table for Alameda. Her platform and background are taking center stage as locals decide who should lead the city next.