San Leandro · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Leandro public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.