San Leandro · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Leandro public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
OPEB and pension trust investment performance
Both trusts lost a little value this quarter amid global economic uncertainty, but one-year returns are still positive - about $1.8 million gained in the pension fund and $500,000 in the OPEB trust year over year.
Critical Infrastructure and Technology Replacement
The city's new payroll and finance system has fixed early glitches but still has overtime calculation, cost-allocation and reporting issues. Key staff left, and the city plans to ask the council for contract help paid from the $1.2 million remaining in the project budget.
Workday ERP implementation (Project Elevate)
The city's new payroll and finance system has fixed early glitches but still has overtime calculation, cost-allocation and reporting issues. Key staff left, and the city plans to ask the council for contract help paid from the $1.2 million remaining in the project budget.
Bank reconciliation timeliness
The mayor flagged monthly bank reconciliations as a priority, recalling a control weakness from a few years ago, and asked for a plan to get them done on time - ideally with Workday's help.
Annual RIPA Report and Stop Data Analysis
The board reviewed monthly stop data and use-of-force numbers, identifying missing citation data caused by a 911 system glitch and discussing disparities in traffic stops.
Peregrine Technologies AI Platform Contract Review
Board members raised concerns about the City Council's recent approval of a non-bid contract for Peregrine Technologies' AI data integration platform without prior review by the review board, scheduling a future briefing.
Independent Police Auditor Oversight and Flock System Audits
The board and public discussed automated license plate reader (Flock) audits, data retention, access controls, and the need to track bad outcomes alongside successful vehicle recoveries.
AC Transit Funding and Potential Service Reductions
BART faces deficits over $370 million a year starting in fiscal 2027. Without a regional transit funding measure, BART has approved a backup plan to cut service by 70%, close at 9 p.m., and raise fares 50% — a big deal for the 7,000 daily riders at San Leandro and Bay Fair stations.
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Zoning Code Updates
San Leandro is updating its accessory dwelling unit rules to match a dozen recent state bills. The changes clarify how many ADUs are allowed per lot, tighten city review timelines to 15 business days, and make it easier to legalize unpermitted ADUs built before 2020. The rules are already in effect — this just puts them in the local code.
Feral Cat Colony Management and City Codes
A Floresta Gardens teacher told the council for the second time that feral cats are creating a daily public health risk, and that no city staff has followed up despite her district councilmember forwarding her email. County vector control says it can't enforce the relevant codes.
Lake Chabot Road Emergency Evacuation Route Repairs
A resident questioned the mayor's push to reopen Lake Chabot Road, arguing the $1.5 million figure cited is insufficient and that money would be better spent on firehouses with roofs literally caving in.
Ava Community Energy Electricity Default Options
San Leandro residents have been defaulted into 100% renewable electricity since 2022, but the city council has acted to shift the default back to the cheaper Bright Choice product around 2027 — saving households roughly $5–10 a month while lowering the renewable mix.
Transition to District-Based Council Elections
The county registrar mistakenly sent out ballots using the old at-large voting system instead of the new district-based system established by Measure F. The city council stepped in with a resolution to make sure votes in Districts 1, 2, 3, and 5 are counted and reported properly.
Casa Peralta Historic Preservation and Assessment Costs
The city's 1901 historic house museum is red-tagged and unsafe, with restoration costs potentially hitting $15 million against only $1.3 million left in the project budget. The committee is leaning toward offering the property back to the Brooks family, who donated it in 1971, possibly with a preservation nonprofit taking it over. Residents packed the room to demand the building be saved, not demolished.
Election and Voting Guide
Mail-in ballots for the November election are officially out, giving San Leandro residents a chance to weigh in on local races for mayor and city council alongside state contests. Just check your ballot, drop it off, and make sure your voice is heard before November 3.
East Bay Greenway Regional Bikeway Construction
A long-awaited regional bike and pedestrian trail along the BART corridor is finally breaking ground on San Leandro Boulevard this month. Expect lane closures, detours, and temporary bus stop relocations for the next couple of years, but the payoff is protected bike lanes, safer crossings, and better bus stops.
Monarch Bay Golf Course Review and Revenue Decline
A resident urged the committee to issue an RFP for golf course management, arguing the current operator has run the course down and that better management could double the city's net revenue to $2 million a year.
Proposed Warehouse Redevelopment at 3199 Alvarado Street
CC Industries wants to tear down the old Levitz building and build a massive 241,000-square-foot warehouse. Residents raised heavy concerns about truck traffic, noise, and whether the building is secretly designed to become an AI data center. The commission ultimately approved it after adding strict rules barring data centers without a new permit and requiring vibration and pest controls.
Departmental Performance Measures and Service Delivery
The committee evaluated annual performance metrics across city departments, including library attendance, recreation program registrations, and public works response times. Members discussed ways to refine metrics to better reflect public impact versus internal operations.
Fiscal Year 2026 Financial Performance and Revenue Trends
The city reviewed preliminary financial results for fiscal year 2026, showing steady general fund revenues of $150.2 million and disciplined expenditures. Discussions focused on specific tax trends, utility users tax declines, and code enforcement fine reversals.
Council Conflict Resolution and Rules Committee Scope
The city is updating its rules to help council members work through disagreements before fights escalate to formal investigations or legal complaints. New steps encourage members to talk things out directly or with the help of council leadership.
Llewellyn Interim Housing & Drop-In Center First Annual Report
City staff and partner organizations presented positive outcomes from the first year of the Llewellyn Interim Housing and Drop-In Center, highlighting high rates of chronically homeless individuals successfully transitioned into permanent housing.
Constitutional Policing Training and Oversight Framework
Independent Police Auditor Jeff Schlanger led a training session reviewing Fourth Amendment rules governing police stops, detentions, frisks, arrests, and searches to ensure adherence to constitutional standards.
ALPR Transparency and Outside Expert Presentations
The board reviewed police data-sharing practices after discovering that out-of-state and regional networks could query San Leandro's Flock Safety cameras via statewide lookup features. Residents and board members raised concerns about data security, transparency, and whether third-party advocacy groups should present to the board.
Fiscal Year 2027 Mid-Cycle Budget and Arts Funding
City staff briefed the commission on a massive $850,000 budget reduction target for the library department over the next three fiscal years to combat structural deficits. The cuts include freezing vacant positions and completely eliminating the commission's $50,000 public art and grants line item, though council members have expressed interest in potentially preserving grant funding.
GMAA Story Studio Youth Digital Literacy Pilot
A local nonprofit presented a proposal for a digital storytelling pilot program that teaches youth digital media skills while preserving community history across generations.
Cannabis Retail Policy and Zoning Expansion
The city is considering expanding the number of cannabis dispensary operating permits from four to six and updating zoning restrictions and distancing requirements. Industry representatives and operators spoke in favor of updating out-of-date maps to allow fairer access across the city, while committee members emphasized balancing neighborhood preferences and youth safety.
Monarch Bay Golf Club Operations and Capital Planning
A public commenter raised concerns over a 130-page consultant report showing a 50% decline in net revenue at Monarch Bay Golf Course and urged the city to issue an RFP for a private partnership.
Data Center Development Concerns
Residents and council members called for a ban or strict regulations on data centers due to concerns over water usage, electrical grid strain, noise pollution, and environmental impacts.
New Towing Yard and Vehicle Storage at 476 Whitney Street
A local towing company received approval to set up an outdoor vehicle storage yard at 476 Whitney Street. The project includes 24/7 drop-off capability within a secured area and standard daytime pickup hours, addressing industrial land use needs without impacting nearby residential areas.
Quarterly Investment Performance and Portfolio Liquidity
The committee reviewed investment portfolio performance for Q4 2025, discussing asset allocation, risk premiums, and strategies to ensure adequate city liquidity.
Fleet Fund Policy and Replacement Strategy
The city is evaluating its internal fleet fund to address aging vehicles, long procurement lead times for fire apparatus, and sustainable funding models. Officials discussed transitioning from a pay-as-you-go approach to a reserve-based model to avoid large one-time general fund hits.
FY 2025 Arts & Culture Grants Program Review
Staff reviewed the impact of $46,500 in grants given to local artists and non-profits in 2025, which resulted in community murals, public workshops, and cultural preservation projects.
MacArthur Boulevard Planter Mosaic Beautification
Volunteers offered to beautify three old concrete planters on MacArthur Boulevard with mosaic tile art at no cost to the city.
Parking Minimums and Transportation Demand Management (TDM)
Local business owners and residents raised concerns about the recently installed parking meters in downtown San Leandro, arguing that confusing payment apps and fees hurt elderly customers and small businesses.
Basic Needs and Food Security Services
Davis Street Community Center reported rising demand for food distribution, senior support, and basic needs assistance amidst high living costs in San Leandro.
Senior Paratransit and Food Delivery Programs
Mercy Brown Bag provides fresh groceries twice a month to nearly 1,000 low-income senior households in San Leandro, helping vulnerable residents maintain their health and housing.
Age-Friendly Initiative Priority Projects Update
The city is expanding caregiver support through newly awarded county grants, piloting memory cafes, and integrating age-friendly priorities directly into commission meetings.
Age-Friendly Action Plan & Caregiver Support
The city is expanding caregiver support through newly awarded county grants, piloting memory cafes, and integrating age-friendly priorities directly into commission meetings.
Restrictions on Outside Expert and Advocacy Speakers
Board members clashed with city staff over whether organizations engaged in advocacy, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation, can be invited to give formal presentations. Members argued that strict rules limit their ability to gather independent technical and privacy perspectives on technologies like automated license plate readers.
City Council Priority Work Plans Review
The commission established four primary community projects for the next two years, including a library bike tour, a poetry contest, writing workshops for Latinx youth, and the Game of Shrooms art event.
MacArthur-Superior Roundabout Project & Traffic Safety
The MacArthur Roundabout project has faced years of delays, multi-agency coordination challenges with Caltrans and Oakland, and rising costs now estimated at $7.52 million. Residents and council members continue to push for faster delivery to address persistent safety concerns at the complex intersection.
MacArthur Roundabout Project Delays and Cost Increases
The MacArthur Roundabout project has faced years of delays, multi-agency coordination challenges with Caltrans and Oakland, and rising costs now estimated at $7.52 million. Residents and council members continue to push for faster delivery to address persistent safety concerns at the complex intersection.
District 2 Parking Restrictions and Enforcement
Residents from Cascade Road and Tudor Road expressed frustration over proposed red curbs that would eliminate parking in front of their homes following vehicle collisions.
Business License Tax Modernization
The council approved funding for community outreach to explore modernizing the city's business license tax structure for the November ballot to help address infrastructure and budget needs.
School-Based Health and Youth Services
Fuente Wellness Center and school-based health centers provide medical, dental, and behavioral health services directly to students and youth in San Leandro and San Lorenzo.
Housing Element Progress and Production Goals
A real estate expert presented findings on why entitled housing projects in San Leandro remain unbuilt. High interest rates, construction costs, and capital market caution are stalling major multifamily developments.
Police Department Leadership and Policy Transitions
City officials introduced new Interim Police Chief Joseph Krines, who brings decades of municipal law enforcement experience to San Leandro.
Senior Lunch Program Schedule with Elected Officials
Commissioners discussed ways to improve visibility among older residents, moving away from formal large lunches toward informal coffee meet-and-greets at the Senior Community Center.
Personnel Appointment
The city introduced a new interim police chief to guide the department during a transitional period.