CITY COUNCIL MEETING
777 B Street, Hayward, CA 94541
Council Chambers
https://hayward.zoom.us/j/84370439951?pwd=BelcArbHVPu5bWdVYmPXGSPUqAg80b.1 CALIFORNA Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
The City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Salinas at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Pledge of Allegiance: Council Member Zermeño
Mayor Salinas announced that Council Member Andrews had requested to participate in the meeting via the Zoom platform under the "just cause" provision of AB 2449.
ROLL CALL
Present: COUNCIL MEMBERS Andrews, Bonilla Jr., Goldstein, Roche, Syrop, Zermeño MAYOR Salinas
Absent: NONE
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
The City Council convened in closed session on March 25, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., with six members present, Council Member Andrews participating remotely pursuant the "just cause" provision of AB 2449, and no public speakers, regarding four items: 1) public employment pursuant to Government Code section 54957(b)(1) regarding City Clerk; 2) public employment pursuant to Government Code section 54957(b)(1) regarding City Attorney; 3) conference with legal counsel pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2) regarding one anticipated litigation matter; and 4) conference with legal counsel pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2) regarding one anticipated litigation matter. Mayor Salinas indicated that the City Council discussed each item and took no reportable action.
PRESENTATION
Mayor Salinas read a proclamation declaring March 2025 as the 23rd Annual March for Meals Month in the City of Hayward, recognizing the vital contributions of SOS Meals on Wheels and Spectrum Community Services Inc. Mr. Blake Spears, Meals on Wheels Board President, accepted the proclamation on behalf of Meals on Wheels, and Caryl Mahar, Spectrum Community Services Development Director, accepted the proclamation on behalf of Spectrum Community Services Inc.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Peggy Guernsey expressed concern about the City's tree ordinance including responsibility for tree maintenance in new developments, communication to residents, invasive species, City- maintained trees on private property, and removal and lack of replacement of heritage trees in areas such as South Hayward.
CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS
City Manager Dr. Ana Alvarez made two announcements: 1) the Hayward Police Department successfully completed its fifth Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) accreditation cycle; and 2) the Downtown Hayward Public Library will host a panel discussion titled, "Exploring Art and Innocence" on March 29, 2025, highlighting the Library's Prison Arts Project display.
CONSENT
1. Approve the City Council Minutes of the Meeting on March 8, 2025 MIN 25-040 It was moved by Council Member Syrop, seconded by Council Member Goldstein, and carried unanimously by roll call vote, to adopt the City Council meeting minutes of March 8, 2025.
2. Adopt a Resolution Approving the Purchase of Trash Capture Devices for Cabot Boulevard, Project No. 07746 CONS 25-124
Staff report submitted by Public Works Director Ameri, dated March 25, 2025, was filed.
It was moved by Council Member Syrop, seconded by Council Member Goldstein, and carried unanimously by roll call vote, to adopt the resolution.
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS Andrews, Bonilla Jr., Goldstein, Roche, Syrop, Zermeño
MAYOR Salinas
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Resolution 25-037, "Resolution Approving Purchase of Continuous Deflective Separator Units for Cabot Boulevard, Project No. 07746"
3. Adopt a Resolution Accepting the Resignation of Mr. Lucas Banks from the Clean and Green Commission, Effective Immediately CONS 25-128
Staff report submitted by City Clerk Lens, dated March 25, 2025, was filed.
Council Member Andrews thanked Lucas Banks for his service on the Clean and Green Commission, especially in addressing bulky item pickups.
It was moved by Council Member Syrop, seconded by Council Member Goldstein, and carried unanimously by roll call vote, to adopt the resolution. 2| March 25.2025
SHOF HAY MAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING
777 B Street, Hayward, CA 94541
Council Chambers
https://hayward.zoom.us/j/84370439951?pwd=BelcArbHVPu5bWdVYmPXG5PUqAg80b.1 CALIFORNA Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS Andrews, Bonilla Jr., Goldstein, Roche, Syrop, Zermeño
MAYOR Salinas
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Resolution 25-038, "Resolution Accepting the Resignation of Mr. Lucas Banks from the Clean and Green Commission"
LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS
4. General Plan Annual Progress Report: Accept the Hayward 2040 General Plan Annual Progress Report for Calendar Year 2024 (Report from Development Services Director Buizer) LB 25-009
Staff report submitted by Development Services Director Buizer, dated March 25, 2025, was filed.
Principal Planner Schmidt provided a synopsis of the staff report.
Discussion ensued among members of the City Council and City staff and the following clarifications were made: While the School Resource Officer (SRO) program was discontinued, the Hayward Police Department maintains active collaboration with the Hayward Unified School District (HUSD) on school safety objectives and a review would be warranted; there is a growing regional issue of fentanyl and future updates to the General Plan could consider how substance use affects housing strategies; while Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) recommendations are applied to private development projects in the Community Safety Element, any expansion to City property or infrastructure would need to be addressed in future General Plan updates or through the City's Strategic Roadmap; although public art is referenced in the General Plan under the Economic Development Element (via a cultural commission), there is currently no adopted impact fee program related to public art; the "white glove service" service in the Economic Development Element is coordinated by the Economic Development team to serve as a liaison between businesses and City departments through City processes; over 300 of the General Plan's 433 Implementation Programs were recently added through the Housing Element and Climate Action Plan updates in 2023-2024 and more than 50% of all initiatives are currently underway or completed, aligned with City priorities, and supported by annual updates and strategic planning efforts; and while the General Plan is a long-term 20-year vision, the Strategic Roadmap serves as the City's short- term, adaptable guide, reviewed annually.
Council Member Roche advocated for reprioritizing climate-related goals, especially in response to extreme heat and its health impacts on vulnerable populations such as seniors.
Council Member Zermeño appreciated the inclusion of the Climate Action Plan in the General Plan.
Council Member Andrews recommended exploring the possibility of expanding (CPTED) recommendations to City property and an impact fee program related to public art in future General Plan updates or through the City's Strategic Roadmap; and requested performance goals or metrics of the City of Hayward's Business Concierge Program "white glove service" to evaluate its service effectiveness.
Council Member Bonilla Jr. sought clarification if the City's Strategic Roadmap determines which General Plan projects are prioritized, and received confirmation that General Plan updates offer the opportunity to evaluate and potentially remove or revise outdated/non- relevant projects.
Council Member Goldstein encouraged community members to explore the General Plan online and engage in dialogue with members of the City Council about how current priorities align with the General Plan.
Mayor Salinas opened the public hearing at 7:55 p.m.
Ro Aguilar raised concerns about whether the actions and policies in Housing Element Program H6 (inclusionary housing) are sufficient to meet the City's upcoming RHNA (Regional Housing Needs Allocation) targets; and noted her advocacy for income-integrated housing developments with diverse housing types.
Mayor Salinas closed the public hearing at 7:57 p.m.
Council Member Syrop emphasized the importance of clarifying the relationship between General Plan projects and Strategic Roadmap initiatives; supported Council Member Bonilla's observations; and advocated for a more intentional review process to evaluate the relevance of existing projects.
Council Member Andrews recommended that General Plan projects be included in the Strategic Roadmap discussion; encouraged advocacy for affordable housing funding at the state level; looked forward to seeing the results of the 100-day action plan for the downtown area and applied to more General Plan initiatives; and recommended leaning on partners, such as AC Transit, public safety, economic development, for bus stop initiatives.
Principal Planner Schmidt clarified that the General Plan progress report was informational and required annual submission to the state with no formal vote by the City Council.
Mayor Salinas and members of the City Council thanked City staff for all the work related to the General Plan progress report.
4| March 25.2025
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
777 B Street, Hayward, CA 94541
Council Chambers
ATA https://hayward.zoom.us/j/84370439951?pwd=BelcArbHVPu5bWdVYmPXG5PUqAg80b.1 CALIFORNA Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
COUNCIL REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Council Member Zermeño announced the celebration of Cesar Chavez's birthday at City Hall Plaza on March 29, 2025, highlighting performances by local students.
Mayor Salinas thanked colleagues and local elected officials for supporting the recent fundraiser at Casa Del Toro benefiting Tennyson High School's "We the People" class, and proudly announced that the fundraising goal was exceeded, allowing 22 students to travel to Washington, D.C., to learn about government and the legislative process.
COUNCIL REFERRALS
There were none.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Salinas adjourned the City Council meeting at 8:11 p.m.
APPROVED
ML - y
Mark Salinas
Mayor, City of Hayward
ATTEST:
Miriam Lens
City Clerk, City of Hayward