From: Andrew Lau-Seim
To: CITYCOUNCIL-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Council Meeting Written Statement - Unacceptable Construction Conditions Date: Tuesday, June 3, 2025 11:36:03 AM
Hello,
I wish to submit the following written comment for the Alameda City Council Meeting on 6/3/2025:
My street, the 3200 block of Fillmore Street, was recently affected by the "Cyclic Sewer Repair Project, Phase 21." The condition our street was in during the construction, and left in at the conclusion of the construction , was completely unacceptable. Construction dirt and dust was spread throughout our neighborhood during the project, with no effort to control the dirt and dust, and was not cleaned up on Fridays or at the final conclusion of the project. City staff was kind enough to come out and inspect our street on 6/2/2025 on short notice when requested, but city staff very disappointingly told me, "this is acceptable" when shown the construction conditions left behind. They also told me this is the condition they have left other streets affected by this project in, which is even more disturbing. Apparently the City and its contractors feel no obligation to leave streets in a clean and livable condition. The as-left conditions are completely unacceptable. Our street, our homes, cars, yards, sidewalks, and even home interiors, are covered in construction dirt and dust. The contractor made no effort to restore our street to a livable condition, and city staff apparently find this to be "acceptable." I would love to show City Leadership photos and videos of the conditions city staff told me are acceptable, but the bottom line is that the city owes its residents and property owners better conditions when construction projects are completed. I would urge City Leaders to review construction conditions and determine for themselves if the way our streets are being left is acceptable for residents and property owners. I personally think the City of Alameda can do much better.
Thank you,
Andrew Lau-Seim
3259 Fillmore St.
Alameda, CA 94501
From: Andrew Lau-Seim
To: CITYCOUNCIL-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Council Meeting Written Statement - Resident Notification Date: Tuesday, June 3, 2025 11:35:58 AM
Hello,
I wish to submit the following written comment for the Alameda City Council Meeting on 6/3/2025:
Project notification to residents and property owners is insufficient. On 5/7/2025 I received a 48-hour notice for the start of "Cyclic Sewer Repair Project, Phase 21." This notice was received after utility crews started marking street underground utilities, and after I called Public Works to ask why our street appeared to be preparing for construction. I was told the contractor had failed to provide notice, and construction would be delayed until 48-hour notice was provided. The 48-hour notice was delivered the following day. The project didn't allow parking on our street from 7:30am-5pm Monday through Friday from 5/9/2025 through 5/30/2025. 48-hour notice is insufficient for a project that took away all street parking for three weeks. The CIty of Alameda must notify residents and property owners in writing one month and
one week prior to the start of a project that directly impacts us in such ways. City Council Meetings and Facebook are insufficient methods of advance project notification.
Residents and property owners should not be required to attend Council meetings or use social media to be aware of projects that will impact them or their properties. Mail, home delivery or direct outreach to affected residents and property owners is well within the City's means, and in my view is the only acceptable form of notification for projects that disrupt our lives. I would ask the city to revise project notification requirements so residents and property owners will be aware of projects that disrupt their homes and businesses long before 48- hours. I believe one month and one week notification is reasonable and appropriate and I urge the city to implement this change in notification time and method so residents are better informed.
Thank you,
Andrew Lau-Seim
3259 Fillmore St.
Alameda, CA 94501