COUNCIL INFRASTRUCTURE & AIRPORT COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING Hybrid Participation - Digital Zoom Meeting/Hayward Executive Airport
November 13, 2025
5:30 p.m.
MEETING MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER: Meeting called to order at 5:40 p.m. by Chair Salinas.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present:
Angela Andrews, City Council Member
George Syrop, City Council Member
Mark Salinas, Mayor/ Chair
Staff Present:
Alex Ameri, Director of Public Works
Douglas McNeeley, Airport Manager
Pamela Svrdlin, Airport Operations Supervisor
Byron Tang, Principal Transportation Engineer
Lucas Woodward, Senior Transportation Engineer
Jenny Feliciano, Senior Secretary
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Kelly Abreu said that Hayward Executive Airport is not a social service organization. He said the airport made mistakes by letting go of H.A.R.D. (Hayward Area Recreation and Park District). He said it went from a situation where the airport was making money to now needing to pay for landscape maintenance.
REPORTS/ACTION ITEMS
1. Skywest Properties Update Report
Director of Public Works, Alex Ameri acknowledged attendance of San Lorenzo and Hayward residents and confirmed this special meeting was specifically added at the airport, for convenience and to address the residents inquiries and concerns.
Airport Manager Douglas McNeeley presented an overview of the updated preliminary site plan for the SkyWest property redevelopment, including a brief summary of airport operations, its role as a federal grant sponsor, applicable federal laws and regulations, and associated operational limitations.
Public Comments
Mayor Salinas opened public comments by confirming that no final project has been approved for the Skywest Property and the purpose of this meeting was to gather additional input from the community.
Several Hayward and San Lorenzo residents, members of SOS Skywest, high school and college students, and faculty members were present to express a shared interest in keeping the Skywest property as an open space. All expressed the need and importance to preserve the existing wildlife and the overall health benefits to the community. Overall, various attendees shared many possible ideas for the space from maintaining an open, natural space to shared recreational space such as a TopGolf facility.
H.A.R.D. Board President, Louis Andrade, explained that it will all depend on what type of park is being considered for the redevelopment. Skywest has the potential for trail connections, a bicycle trail between San Lorenzo and the industrial park, and a trail to Kennedy Park. There could be a good co-existence with Kennedy Park, and both parks can help each other out.
Committee Member’s Comments
CM Andrews thanked the committee and callers, noting the discussion was more collaborative. She emphasized that Skywest is a closed golf course, raised concerns about minors entering unsupervised and potential liability, and reminded everyone to coordinate with Airport staff before visiting. She expressed concern about estimated costs, ongoing maintenance for amenities like a dog park, and the need for more research on preserving the monarch butterfly sanctuary, while encouraging partnerships with agencies such as EBDA, Save the Bay, and the state for Proposition 4 funding. She clarified that the City of Hayward does not own Southland Mall and supported holding more community meetings on the Skywest property.
CM Syrop requested a revised conceptual plan to clarify the City’s direction and said he does not support paving the site for a business park unless it significantly reduces the carbon footprint and protects ecological features. He emphasized identifying a suitable partner to help maintain the property and cover costs, noting the City is not prepared to manage 126 acres of open space. He also raised concerns about noise violations and fines, and Airport Manager McNeeley outlined ongoing efforts to bring aircraft into compliance and hold violators accountable.
Mayor Salinas appreciated the outreach but asked that feedback also be gathered from neighborhoods south of Hayward. He requested an inventory of open space within a 3–5- mile radius, including acres-per-person data, to support the study. He noted that the planned Amtrak realignment project could have significant environmental impacts and affect Skywest redevelopment.
Mayor Salinas requested a project timeline. Director Ameri responded that additional neighborhood outreach, along with environmental and economic studies, are needed before the project moves to the Planning Department, and the overall process could take up to a year.
2. Safe Streets Hayward Update (A St, B St, Tennyson)
Director of Public Works Ameri announced the City received a $3.2 million federal grant to develop a Speed Management Plan and a High-Injury Network Safety Plan.
Principal Transportation Engineer Byron Tang presented the project background and timeline, highlighted the comprehensive outreach conducted, and outlined the proposed alternatives for further study.
Public Comments
Residents and Bike Hayward members urged the Committee to consider concrete barriers instead of plastic flex posts, noting the posts are frequently damaged by drivers. Concerns were raised about fatalities on Tennyson Road, particularly near Segment 4 by Tennyson Park, the need for a safe, protected bike route there and on the I-880 overpass.
Committee Member’s Comments
CM Syrop thanked public commenters and urged staff to consider key feedback, especially for Tennyson, emphasizing investment in durable infrastructure rather than plastic pylons.
He praised the thoroughness of the work and stressed focusing on higher-impact safety solutions to save lives. Principal Engineer Tang explained the project is still in the planning phase, with phased design and construction to follow, some adjustments possible sooner, and additional community input needed; he also clarified these three streets are major offenders, with more to be studied under the Local Road Safety Plan.
CM Andrews called the report very comprehensive and reiterated her long-standing concern about the dangerous Tennyson exit, asking whether that portion could be expedited due to urgency. She praised the extensive outreach and encouraged similar meetings in areas where bike lanes are planned to better engage residents, especially those directly affected in front of their homes. She supported higher-investment options and a phased approach to allow adjustments if solutions do not work, while Director Ameri noted that non-concrete solutions offer flexibility to modify designs more easily.
Mayor Salinas agreed with medium to high investment options. He added that the committee and the Council have taken an undisputed approach to protecting bike lanes and investing in pedestrian safety. He liked the concrete barriers as well and will wait until the process unfolds.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
3. La Vista Park Update
Mayor Salinas would like to have the meeting at HLAC. Public comment was allowed and a request was made on behalf of H.A.R.D. that there is hesitation in having to meet at HLAC because the school district does not necessarily have to be in the conversation. It was agreed that a joint meeting with CI&AC and their Capital Committee is the better option.
COMMITTEE MEMBER/STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REFERRALS
Mayor Salinas discussed the success of the recent Hayward Rides Program and the number of thrilled children who participated in the event. CM Syrop confirmed with Director Ameri that funding had been secured to continue the Program.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Salinas adjourned the meeting at 8:11 p.m.
MEETINGS
Attendance
Present
11/13/25
Meeting
Present
to Date This
Fiscal Year
Excuse
to Date This
Fiscal Year
Absent
to Date This
Fiscal Year
Angela Andrews ✓ 12 0 0
Mark Salinas ✓ 12 0 0
George Syrop ✓ 12 0 0