Monday, May 4, 2026
5:00 PM
CITY OF HAYWARD
Hayward City Hall
777 B Street
Hayward, CA 94541
www.Hayward-CA.gov
Conference Room 2A and Virtual Platform (Zoom)
Council Economic Development Committee
Agenda
May 4, 2026Council Economic Development
Committee
Agenda
NOTICE: The Council Economic Development Committee will hold a meeting in Conference Room 2A.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
How to submit written Public Comment:
Send an email to economic [email protected] by 2:00 p.m. the day of the meeting. Please identify the Agenda Item Number in the subject line of your email. Emails will be compiled into one file, distributed to the Council Economic Development Committee and staff, and published on the City's Meeting & Agenda Center under Documents Received After Published Agenda. Written comments received after 2:00 p.m. that address an item on the agenda will still be included as part of the record.
How to provide live Public Comment during the meeting;
Participate in person Hayward City Hall, Conference Room 2A, 777 B Street, Hayward, CA 94541.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://hayward.zoom.us/j/83578005860?pwd=U32692vo5Fu7f433PtrN23Au2BkkmX.1 Webinar ID: 835 7800 5860
Password: CEDC-5/4!
Or join by phone:
US: 833 548 0282 (Toll Free) or 833 928 4608 (Toll Free) or 833 928 4609 (Toll Free) or 833 928 4610 (Toll Free) or 877 853 5247 (Toll Free) or 888 788 0099 (Toll Free) or 833 548 0276 (Toll Free) Webinar ID: 835 7800 5860
Password: 356845023
International numbers available: https://hayward.zoom.us/u/krxNjpsAx
ROLL CALL
May 4, 2026Council Economic Development
Committee
Agenda
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
The Public Comments section provides an opportunity to
address the Council Economic Development
Committee on items not listed on the agenda. The Council Economic Development Committee welcomes comments and
requests that speakers present their remarks in a respectful manner, within established time limits, and focus on issues which directly affect the City or are within the jurisdiction of the City. As the Council Economic Development Committee is prohibited by State law from discussing items not
listed on the agenda, items will be taken under consideration and may be referred to staff.
The Council Economic Development Committee welcomes
comments, including criticism, about the policies, procedures, programs, or services of the City, or of the acts or omissions of the Council Economic Development Committee. Speakers shall not use threatening, profane, or abusive language which disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of a meeting. The City is committed to maintaining a workplace free of unlawful harassment and is mindful that City staff regularly attend public meetings.
Discriminatory statements or conduct that is hostile,
intimidating, oppressive, or abusive – are per se disruptive to a meeting and will not be tolerated.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of the April 6, 2026 Regular Meeting MinutesMIN 26-0491.
Attachments: Attachment I Draft Minutes from the April 6, 2026 Regular CEDC Meeting
REPORTS/ACTION ITEMS
Approval of the Fiscal Year 2027 CEDC Regular Meeting
Schedule
ACT 26-0232.
Attachments: Attachment I FY 27 Draft CEDC Regular Meeting Schedule
May 4, 2026Council Economic Development
Committee
Agenda
Hayward Amplified: Program OverviewRPT 26-0373.
Attachments: Attachment I Staff Report
Hayward Pulse: Business Engagement and Concierge Services Program Overview (Oral Report Only)
RPT 26-0384.
COMMITTEE MEMBER/STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REFERRALS
ADJOURNMENT
CITY OF HAYWARD
Hayward City Hall
777 B Street
Hayward, CA 94541
www.Hayward-CA.gov
File #: MIN 26-049
DATE: May 4, 2026
TO: Council Economic Development Committee
FROM: Chief Economic Development Officer
SUBJECT
Approval of the April 6, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes
RECOMMENDATION
That the Committee Members review and approve the attached Draft Minutes from the April 6, 2026 Regular Meeting
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I Draft Minutes from the April 6, 2026 CEDC Meeting CITY OF HAYWARD Printed on 5/1/2026Page 1 of 1
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COUNCIL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES – April 6, 2026
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Salinas called the regular meeting to order at 5:06 p.m.
ATTENDANCE: (September 2025-July 2026)
Meeting Attendees
Present
04/6/26
All Meetings
Year to Date
Meetings Mandated
By Resolution
Present Absent Present Absent
Mayor Salinas 4 1 4 1
Council Member Andrews 5 0 5 0
Council Member Bonilla 4 1 4 1
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE:
Jennifer Ott, City Manager; Sara Buizer , Director of Development Services ; Paul Nguyen, Chief Economic Development Officer; Tracy Ir vin, Real Property Manager; Daniel Mao, Economic Development Specialist; Javier Castro, Community Programs Specialist; Lucy Lopez, CEO of Hayward Chamber of Commerce
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were none.
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING March 2, 2026
A motion to approve the minutes from March 2, 2026, Regular Meeting was made by Council Member Bonilla and seconded by Mayor Salinas. The minutes were approved.
2. Development Activity and Selected Property Updates (Oral Report Only)
Council Member Bonilla inquired about activity at the former Casper’s location on C Street. Chief Economic Development Officer Paul Nguyen stated the site was acquired by a group based in San Jose with the intent to open a burger concept, and that Economic Development staff provided support with building permit submittals . He noted the group became unresponsive, and the most recent understanding was that the property was listed for sale.
Mayor Salinas asked why Jiva Life, a cannabis dispensary approved at C Street and Foothill Boulevard, had one year to obtain a building permit prior to termination of its cannabis license. Director of Development Services Buizer explained that this was the third notice issued, with the most recent Hayward Council Economic Development Committee
Regular Meeting Minutes
April 6, 2026
action granting a final one-year extension. She added December 2026 is when the extension expires.
Council Member Bonilla asked about the status of the Islander Motel property. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen responded that, generally, hotels need at least 60% occupancy to remain financially viable, and indicated the motel was likely meeting that threshold to continue operating.
Council Member Bonilla requested an update on the former Kaiser site. Director of Development Services Buizer stated that while there had been inquiries from housing developers, no formal application had been submitted to date.
Mayor Salinas asked about the vacant parcel located at Mission Boulevard and Sorenson Road. Director of Development Services Buizer stated there were no updates for that site.
Council Member Andrews asked what the City’s focus should be along the Mission Boulevard corridor.
Director of Development Servic es Buizer stated that updates to the Mission Boulevard Code were completed to help facilitate and streamline new business activity.
Council Member Andrews asked whether there had been discussions regarding the formation of a business improvement association along Mission Boulevard. City Manager Jennifer Ott stated that this could be explored; however, participating property would need to be willing and able to support the associated tax assessments.
Council Member Andrews asked whether vacant parcels coul d be used for parking. Director of Development Services Buizer responded that conversion to parking could be costly, and property owners might be unwilling to make that investment; additionally, zoning constraints could limit such use.
Council Member Andr ews asked which development sectors were currently active. Real Estate and Property Manager Tracy Irvin stated that townhome and self-storage projects were being developed, though at limited levels. City Manager Ott added that data centers were also an emerging development type.
3. Overview of Real Estate Objectives and Strategy
Real Estate Property Manager Tracy Irvin delivered the presentation.
Council Member Bonilla asked about the market perspective for City-owned properties currently listed for sale. Real Estate and Property Manager Irvin stated that the market was challenging, particularly for housing. City Manager Jennifer Ott added that Cinema Place had a stronger outlook, as it was fully leased with paying tenants.
Council Member Andrews requested an update on the former Charlotte’s site on B Street. Director of Development Services Buizer stated there was no activity to report.
Council Member Andrews shared that during a recent visit to West Hollywood, a movie theater had closed and asked about the future of the Downtown Hayward theater. City Manager Ott stated that the current lease expired in approximately two years, and staff would evaluate options at that time.
Council Member Andrews noted that some theaters had been repurposed into conference space.
Hayward Council Economic Development Committee
Regular Meeting Minutes
April 6, 2026
Mayor Salinas asked whether, if Cinema Place were sold, the City could ensure the property remained fully leased. City Manager Ott stated that staff would analyze potential options, noting that as a public entity, the C ity had different objectives than a private owner. She added that while an operating covenant could be included as part of a sale, it would likely reduce the overall sale price.
City Manager Ott further noted that many existing tenants had lease agreement s in place, and a new property owner would need to negotiate buyouts to terminate those leases.
Chief Economic Development Officer Paul Nguyen stated that it was an optimal time to market Cinema Place, given that it was fully leased with established agreements and revenue.
4. Future Agenda Items
Council Member Andrews requested an update on efforts to make the Small Business Development Center more accessible and business -friendly. Chief Economic Development Officer Paul Nguyen stated that staff was in communication with the East Bay Small Business Development Center to coordinate targeted trainings, including social media marketing. He added that the Center was offering a variety of large scale events, and staff would re-engage following the completion of those events.
Council Member Andrews noted that outside agencies in other cities often led event programming and asked whether the City had a strategy to leverage major sporting events. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen stated that Economic Development was not the City’s events arm and would collaborate with other departments as appropriate. Council Member Andrews responded that while Economic Development might not lead events, the team had insight into what drove economic activity and suggested the formation of a task force or working group.
City Manager Jennifer Ott stated that the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District was actively hosting events, and that the City’s Community Media Relations team was developing a social media campaign to support tourism and hotel stays.
Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen introduced a new grant program, Hayward Amplified, which focused on business-led event activation. He explained that the program was designed to provide technical assistance and infrastructure support to businesses to host multiple events onsite, rather than one-time activations.
Mayor Salinas expressed frustration regarding missed opportunities and noted prior discussions with the Hayward Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Hayward Improvement Association. He stated that partner organizations should take a lead role in organizing events in collaboration with local businesses, citing major events such as the Super Bowl as opportunities that could be been better promoted. He add ed that the Chamber had indicated an expectation for the City to take the lead on such efforts.
Council Member Andrews stated that Development Services facilitated business permitting and Economic Development supported business attraction and launch efforts; however, ongoing activation should be led by business owners and supporting business organizations.
Hayward Council Economic Development Committee
Regular Meeting Minutes
April 6, 2026
Committee Members/ Staff Announcements and Referrals
City Manager Jennifer Ott announced that the City will begin parking enforcement in the Downtown area starting July 1. City Manager Ott clarified that parking will remain free of charge. She outlined that time limits will include two -hour parking along B Street, four -hour parking in municipal lots surrounding B Street, and eight -hour parking from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the top floor of the Cinema Place Parking Structure, as well as Municipal Lots 4 and 6. City Manager Ott added that Community Service Officers from the jail program will be repurposed to support enforcement.
Chief Economic Development Officer Paul Nguyen announced that Veev by Lennar and Zoox RoboTaxi received 2026 Innovation Awards from the East Bay Economic Development Alliance.
Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen announced that Economic Development sponsored the San Francisco Business Times Corridors: The Opportunity Along I -880 event held at Cal State East Bay. The event highlighted innovative businesses along the corridor. He noted that Skydio, a Hayward-based company, participated on a panel.
Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen announced that Economic Development, in partnership with the Alameda County Workforce Development Board, co -hosted the Apprenticeship Pathways:
Employer & Educator Forum on Thursday, April 23, 20 26, at Hayward City Hall. He stated that the event brought together employers, educators, and workforce partners to highlight the value of apprenticeship programs in building strong local talent pipelines and addressing workforce needs.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:47 p.m.
CITY OF HAYWARD
Hayward City Hall
777 B Street
Hayward, CA 94541
www.Hayward-CA.gov
File #: ACT 26-023
DATE: May 4, 2026
TO: Council Economic Development Committee
FROM: Chief Economic Development Officer
SUBJECT
Approval of the Fiscal Year 2027 CEDC Regular Meeting Schedule
RECOMMENDATION
That Committee Members review and approve the attached Fiscal Year 2027 Council Economic Development Committee Regular Meeting Schedule
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I FY 27 Draft CEDC Regular Meeting Schedule
CITY OF HAYWARD Printed on 5/1/2026Page 1 of 1
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COUNCIL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
2026-2027 REGULAR MEETING SCHEDULE
Meeting Location: CITY HALL
2ND FLOOR, CONFERENCE ROOM 2A/ZOOM (Hybrid meetings)
777 B STREET
HAYWARD, CALIFORNIA
Meeting Time: 5:00-6:30 P.M.
Meeting Dates: The Council Economic Development Committee meets quarterly on the first Monday except where noted otherwise.
October 5, 2026
February 1, 2027
April 5, 2027
June 7, 2027
CITY OF HAYWARD
Hayward City Hall
777 B Street
Hayward, CA 94541
www.Hayward-CA.gov
File #: RPT 26-037
DATE: May 4, 2026
TO: Council Economic Development Committee
FROM: Chief Economic Development Officer
SUBJECT
Hayward Amplified: Program Overview
RECOMMENDATION
That the Council Economic Development Committee receives updates on the launch of the Hayward Amplified Grant Program.
SUMMARY
Hayward Amplified is a new business activation grant program designed to support local businesses in hosting events and experiences that increase foot traffic, strengthen customer engagement, and support vibrancy across Hayward’s commercial corridors.
The program builds on lessons learned through prior activation efforts, including Hayward Live, while shifting from a City-run event model toward a business-led activation model, where businesses design and host experiences aligned with their brand, customer base, and location.
The program will award approximately $75,000 in funding, with grants of approximately $15,000 each to support a limited cohort of businesses through a competitive application process.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I Staff Report
CITY OF HAYWARD Printed on 5/1/2026Page 1 of 1
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DATE: May 4, 2026
TO: Council Economic Development Committee
FROM: Chief Economic Development Officer
SUBJECT: Hayward Amplified: Program Overview
RECOMMENDATION
That the Council Economic Development Committee receives updates on the launch of the Hayward Amplified Grant Program.
SUMMARY
Hayward Amplified is a new business activation grant program designed to support local businesses in hosting events and experiences that increase foot traffic, strengthen customer engagement, and support vibrancy across Hayward’s commercial corridors.
The program builds on lessons learned through prior activation efforts, including Hayward Live, while shifting from a City-run event model toward a business-led activation model, where businesses design and host experiences aligned with their brand, customer base, and location.
The program will award approximately $75,000 in funding, with grants of approximately $15,000 each to support a limited cohort of businesses through a competitive application process.
BACKGROUND
Activations and events are an emerging tool being used by retailers and restaurants to draw in consumers. These businesses have witnessed reduced foot traffic resulting from a myriad of reasons including the accelerated use of online shopping (e-commerce), increasing consumer preferences for convenience and rising prices. Businesses that are evolving traditional retail and dining excursions from a mere transaction point to vibrant experiences are drawing back consumers and expanding their brands.
By focusing on activation and customer engagement beyond the product itself, businesses can create a “social multiplier” effect where their customers become the marketing ambassadors, sharing their experiences online and building authenticity around their brand. This organic marketing helps attract other customers that seek more value for their dollar and replicate
what they saw online. These types of events also increase “dwell time” – an industry term for keeping a customer in the space longer, which leads to more spending. Activations also help create the “third place” where people can exist between where they live and where they work.
The “third place” is not just about being between these locations or getting more value, it also addresses consumer demand for more social experiences and agency. Modern consumers crave collective experiences where they are active participants in group settings rather than passive solo viewers. Market examples of this trend include movie theaters offering live streaming concerts and sporting events and restaurants and retail stores partnering to hosting themed events, pop-ups and watch parties for trending shows.
In 2023, the City launched Hayward Live to help reactivate Downtown Hayward following the pandemic through music, art, and small-scale activations in the public right-of-way.
While successful in generating activity, that model was primarily event-focused and geographically concentrated downtown.
DISCUSSION
Hayward Amplified is structured as a pilot competitive grant program that provides businesses funding and technical support to support creating the “experiential retail” environments that modern consumers demand. This innovative program represents an evolution of that work by expanding activation opportunities citywide and providing direct support to businesses to serve as organizers and place-makers within their own commercial corridors.
The program is also intended to help businesses leverage emerging opportunities tied to regional activity, including the upcoming FIFA World Cup, through activations such as watch parties and themed events that encourage customers to gather locally.
The program will award approximately $75,000 in funding, with grants of approximately $15,000 each to support a limited cohort of businesses through a competitive application process. The program is expected to support approximately five businesses citywide. Eligible activation concepts may include:
Live music and DJ events
Community meetups and themed activations
Food and retail collaborations
Influencer-hosted events
Watch parties and cultural events
Other creative experiences that increase customer activity
Applications are being reviewed based on activation concept, feasibility, anticipated economic impact, and geographic distribution.
In addition to grant funding, the program includes technical assistance and promotional support from Economic Development staff.
The program is intended to help test a scalable model for business-led activation that may inform future corridor programming. The approach will help build local businesses’ technical capabilities and enable them to continue to organize and host activations going forward.
ED staff will monitor program performance and provide a report back to CEDC on the program’s impact and lessons learned.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
The program is intended to generate economic activity through increased foot traffic, higher customer engagement, and additional spending at participating businesses, while contributing to broader corridor vitality.
By supporting destination-oriented experiences led by businesses, the program also advances the City’s economic development objectives related to placemaking, small business support, and local revenue generation.
FISCAL IMPACT
Hayward Amplified is funded at approximately $75,000 through existing Economic Development program funds and will be administered using existing staff resources. No additional General Fund appropriation is requested at this time.
Prepared by: Daniel Mao, Economic Development Specialist
Recommended by: Paul Nguyen, Chief Economic Development Officer
Approved by:
______________________________
Jennifer Ott, City Manager
CITY OF HAYWARD
Hayward City Hall
777 B Street
Hayward, CA 94541
www.Hayward-CA.gov
File #: RPT 26-038
DATE: May 4, 2026
TO: Council Economic Development Committee
FROM: Chief Economic Development Officer
SUBJECT: Hayward Pulse: Business Engagement and Concierge Services Program Overview (Oral Report Only)
RECOMMENDATION
That the Council Economic Development Committee receive an overview of the Hayward Pulse business engagement and concierge services program.
SUMMARY
Hayward Pulse is a proposed enhanced business engagement initiative designed to strengthen the City’s approach to business retention, expansion, and strategic relationship management through proactive outreach, refined concierge service criteria, and greater coordination between businesses and City leadership.
Building on the City’s existing Economic Development concierge approach, Hayward Pulse is intended to formalize a more structured Business Engagement 2.0 framework that includes direct staff outreach to key businesses, updated criteria for identifying projects and businesses that may warrant concierge-level support, and a coordinated approach to facilitating engagement between catalytic businesses and City leadership, including elected officials and the executive team. The program is intended to support several Economic Development objectives, including:
· Strengthening relationships with existing businesses through proactive outreach and engagement · Enhancing the City’s concierge services framework for high-impact projects and strategic employers
· Identifying business expansion opportunities, challenges, and early warning indicators through direct engagement
· Creating structured opportunities for City leadership to engage directly with catalytic and strategically significant businesses
· Supporting business retention, investment, and long-term economic competitiveness · Supporting city revenue generation and job creation in the private sector Hayward Pulse is envisioned as both a business retention strategy and a relationship management CITY OF HAYWARD Printed on 5/1/2026Page 1 of 2
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File #:RPT 26-038
framework intended to improve responsiveness, support strategic employers, and strengthen the City’s ability to identify opportunities and challenges earlier.
Staff will provide a high-level overview of the program concept at the meeting and seek Committee feedback as staff continues refining implementation details.
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