Hayward City Council
June 16, 2026

CITY COUNCIL

MEETING
JUNE 16, 2026

DOCUMENTS

RECEIVED AFTER

PUBLISHED AGENDA
Item #13
CONS 26-251
Report and Nuisance
Abatement/Municipal Code
Violation Liens List and
Approving the filing of
Nuisance Abatement /
Municipal Code Liens with
the County Recorder's Office
for Non-Abatable Code
Violations
From: BC4AD
To: List-Mayor-Council
Subject: Council meeting 6/16/26 item CONS 26-251
Date: Monday, June 15, 2026 1:27:58 PM
CAUTION:This is an external email. Do not click on links or open attachments unless you know the content is safe.

Dear City Council,
I commend the city for taking this initiative. There is too much blight that is adversely impacting the city, its economy, & residents. I would also encourage the city to pursue sheriff sales for the most egregious violations & to send a message that blight will not be tolerated.

However, I would like to caution the city into never selling its lien rights. Numerous studies show that cities that sell lien rights to 3rd party entities make blight worse. As the incentive is for the 3rd parties to perpetually collect lien rights without actually improving properties.

Finally, I urge the city to start inspecting the larger apartments. Start with the 15+ units. We have received numerous complaints from people where landlords are consistently deferring maintenance while annually increasing rent. People are left to deal with minor repairs themselves to maintain habitable living standards.

This is completely unfair. These types of landlords are the ones who abuse the self reporting aspect of the housing ordinance. Also, they are not cracking down on tenants that are cooking for commercial purposes. Many of such cases have caused cockroach infestations. Innocent tenants are left to deal with this themselves. People should not be allowed to cook in residential areas for their massive commercial ventures such as food trucks & sidewalk stands.

The smell is unbearable, the cockroach infestations are a danger to public health & safety, & the use of large gas containers is also dangerous.

Best,
John
https://communityprogress.org/blog/tax-lien-sales-vital-tool-recovery-people-2/ https://crcmich.org/Blogs/2023/March10blog.pdf
Item #14
CONS 26-252
Report and Code
Enforcement Programs
Assessment Listing, and
Authorizing Transmittal to
the County Assessor for
Collection Associated with
Past Due Enforcement Fees
and Penalties

ARMADA LAW CORP

5776 Stoneridge Mall Road, Suite 360, Pleasanton, California 94588 (510) 200-8695 / [email protected]
June 16, 2026

VIA EMAIL ONLY
Office of the City Clerk
City of Hayward
777 B Street, Hayward, CA 94541
[email protected]
Re: Objection to Proposed Special Assessment — City Council Meeting of June 16, 2026 [Agenda Item No. 14 - CONS 26-252]

Prop.: 30630 San Antonio Street, Hayward, CA 94544 (APN 475-0021-031-00) Code Enforcement Case No. CE-CANSTD-2025-00008
Owner: San Antonio 30630 LLC

Dear City Clerk:

This firm represents San Antonio 30630 LLC (the “Owner”), record owner of the property at 30630 San Antonio Street (the “Property”). The Owner objects to the proposed special assessment of $14,459,184.00 against the Property set for confirmation at tonight ’s City Council meeting, and requests that the Council remove the Property from the assessment list or continue the matter.

Please enter this written objection into the record. The Owner raises and preserves each objection below; this letter is intended to present all objections to the Council so that none is forfeited.

1. The Owner had no notice of the penalties until May 27, 2026. Due process requires notice “reasonably calculated, under all the circumstances, to apprise interested parties … and afford them an opportunity to present their objections.” Mullane v. Central Hanover Bank & Trust Co., 339 U.S. 306, 314 (1950). The penalties were imposed and accrued without the Owner’s knowledge; the Owner first learned of them on May 27, 2026, and had no meaningful opportunity to cure or to contest them as they accrued. The City should produce its proofs of service for every notice and citation in this case.

2. Section 38773.5 authorizes assessment of abatement costs, not punitive penalties; the City must establish ordinance authority for assessing penalties. Government Code section 38773.5(a) permits a city to make “the cost of abatement of a nuisance” a special assessment.

Administrative penalties are a separate matter authorized and reviewed under Government Code section 53069.4. To place penalties on the tax roll, the City must identify an ordinance, enacted under sections 53069.4 and 38773.5, that expressly authorizes assessing penalties, and must show it followed that ordinance. The Owner objects that the proposed assessment improperly seeks to collect punitive penalties and requests that the City identify the specific ordinance and authority relied upon.

3. A penalty exceeding $14.45 million is a constitutionally excessive fine. The Excessive Fines Clauses limit punitive penalties. U.S. Const. amend. VIII ( Timbs v. Indiana , 586 U.S. 146 2 of 2

(2019)); Cal. Const. art. I, § 17. Proportionality is the touchstone, weighing the owner’s culpability, the relationship between the harm and the penalty, comparable penalties, and the owner’s ability to pay. People v. Kopp, 19 Cal.5th 1 (2024). Here the Owner’s culpability is minimal: the alleged use was a former tenant’s, the Owner did not profit, and a $14.45 million assessment is grossly disproportionate to the alleged violations at a single commercial parcel and exceeds the Owner’s ability to pay.

4. The alleged use was a former tenant’s, and the use has long been abated . The unpermitted use the City alleges was conducted by a former tenant, not the Owner. The Owner terminated that tenancy effective November 3, 2025 and the unlawful use has been abated. The Owner disputes the alleged violations and the charges and does not concede liability.

5. Preservation of all objections. To avoid any claim of forfeiture, the Owner raises and preserves all objections, statutory and constitutional, including those above and any applicable requirements of California Constitution article XIII D, and the City’s compliance with its own ordinances and with Government Code section 53069.4.

We request the following relief:

1. Remove the Property (APN 475 -0021-031-00) from the special assessment list to be confirmed tonight; or continue the matter to permit administrative resolution; and

2. Provide the Owner the complete administrative record, including all notices and proofs of service, the section 53069.4 citations, the penalty calculation and accrual basis, the implementing ordinance, and the assessment report.

This objection is submitted to be heard and to exhaust administrative remedies. It is not a waiver.

The Owner expressly reserves all rights and remedies, including judicial review by petition for writ of administrative mandamus (Code Civ. Proc. § 1094.5; s ee § 1094.6) and the right to pay under protest and seek a refund (Rev. & Tax. Code §§ 5096 et seq.), and to challenge the notice, the penalties, the assessment, and any resulting lien.

We are available to address the Council tonight and to confer with the City Attorney’s office immediately.

Respectfully,

Robert Finkle
Armada Law Corp
Counsel for San Antonio 30630 LLC

cc: Office of the City Attorney, City of Hayward ([email protected]); Code Enforcement / Community Preservation (community.preservation@hayward- ca.gov); Hayward City Council Public Comment ([email protected])

Good evening Mayor and Members of the City Council.

My name is Celina Ni, and I am one of the owners of the property located at 1085 Folsom Avenue.

Thank you for allowing me to speak regarding the proposed assessment.

First, I want to acknowledge the City's concerns about the property's condition. I understand that complaints

were

made,

and

I

appreciate

the

efforts

of

City

staff

and

public

safety

personnel

who

responded

to

those

concerns.

I am not here to dispute the City's actions. I am here to respectfully request consideration of a reduction

or

waiver

of

the

proposed

penalties

and

assessment

fees

due

to

extraordinary

circumstances

that

occurred

during

2025.

In early 2025, I was diagnosed with significant cataracts in both eyes. My vision deteriorated to the

point

that

reading

printed

documents

and

managing

paperwork

became

increasingly

difficult.

My

doctors

strongly

recommended

cataract

surgery,

At the same time, my partner suffered a life-threatening medical emergency and was hospitalized

in

the

UCSF

ICU

with

a

serious

infection

and

heart

complications.

After

his

discharge,

I

became

his

primary

caregiver

for

several

months,

administering

IV

antibiotics,

assisting

with

daily

care,

and

transporting

him

to

medical

appointments.

As my own vision worsened, I delayed my surgery because my partner depended on me for daily

care.

I

waited

until

he

became

stable

and

able

to

manage

his

basic

daily

activities

before

leaving

the

States

for

treatment.

Because

I

lacked

vision

insurance

and

could

not

afford

cataract

surgery

in

the

States,

I

ultimately

underwent

cataract

surgery

in

China.

During this period, while dealing with both my own medical condition and my caregiving responsibilities,

I

unfortunately

failed

to

respond

to

the

City's

notices

in

a

timely

manner.

I

take

responsibility

for

that

failure.

However, once I became aware of the situation, I acted immediately. I contacted the City, hired a landscaper

to

clear

the

overgrown

vegetation,

and

brought

the

property

into

compliance.

I

also

hired

a

landscaper

again

this

April

to

ensure

the

property

remained

maintained,

and

I

am

committed

to

continuing

regular

maintenance

going

forward.

I am not asking the Council to ignore what happened or excuse the City's costs. I respectfully ask

the

Council

to

consider

my

medical

hardship,

my

caregiving

responsibilities,

my

immediate

corrective

actions,

and

my

continued

compliance

since

that

time.

For these reasons, I respectfully request that the Council exercise compassion and discretion by reducing

or

waiving

all

or

part

of

the

proposed

penalties

and

assessment

fees.

Thank you very much.

Celina Ni
Item #26
LB 26-010
Military
Equipment Use
From: Claire Dugan
To: List-Mayor-Council
Cc: CityClerk
Subject: Support for drones as first responders
Date: Friday, June 12, 2026 11:25:32 AM
CAUTION:This is an external email. Do not click on links or open attachments unless you know the content is safe.

Dear Mayor and City Council. I am writing to support HPD’s request for the continued expansion of its unmanned aircraft systems UAS into a Drone as First Responder DFR program and Real Time Information Center RTIC. There are many benefits to the Hayward residents from the use of this technology. Foremost is improving the daily safety of all of it’s residents.

As a Hayward tax payer for over 40 years, this looks like a great use of taxpayer money by the City Council. I won’t list the many benefits of HPD using drones as those are already listed in other emails.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sent from my iPhone
From: Theresa Rezentes
To: List-Mayor-Council
Subject: Support for Drones as First Responders
Date: Sunday, June 14, 2026 11:03:08 AM
CAUTION:This is an external email. Do not click on links or open attachments unless you know the content is safe.

Good Morning City Council,
This email is to show support for drones in the Hayward PD.

Drones are an immediate responder in a time of a reduced police force.

It also enables a drone camera
to peruse the scene to determine:

1. Is this indeed a valid 911 call?

2. Is someone in immediate danger?

3. The police can prioritize 911 calls based on drone camera feedback.

Thank you for your support of drones for the HPD.

Sincerely,
Theresa Rezentes
Woodland Estates
Hayward, CA
From: G J
To: List-Mayor-Council; List-City Clerk; Daniel Olsen
Subject: Support for Drones as First Responders
Date: Monday, June 15, 2026 7:21:09 AM
CAUTION:This is an external email. Do not click on links or open attachments unless you know the content is safe.

Dear Mayor and Council,
I am writing to express my strong support for the proposed DFR program. This initiative directly addresses key concerns highlighted in the City's recent Resident Satisfaction Survey, specifically regarding disaster preparedness and the maintenance of safe streets.

Prioritizing fast emergency response is essential. By leveraging technology, the City can ensure quicker response times while more efficiently managing and prioritizing limited law enforcement resources. Providing the Hayward Police Department with these advanced tools will enhance public safety in the most effective way possible.

I trust that the DFR program is part of a broader effort by City leadership to explore rapidly evolving technologies and AI. Developing an AI strategic plan is vital for any complex organization today. I appreciate the Hayward Police Department’s leadership in this area and hope the City remains prepared for these advancements with your continued support.

Sincerely,
Greg Jones
Former Hayward City Councilmember
Former Hayward City Manager
From: Lowe, Elgin, DA
To: List-Mayor-Council; List-City Clerk; Daniel Olsen
Subject: Support for Drones as First Responders
Date: Monday, June 15, 2026 10:17:08 AM
CAUTION:This is an external email. Do not click on links or open attachments unless you know the content is safe.

PLEASE PROVIDE THIS EMAIL TO MAYOR SALINAS AND ALL CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRIOR TO THE JUNE 16, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
This is Elgin Lowe. You all are somewhat familiar with me in regards to my community involvement and professional career.

I am emailing to support the Drones as First Responders program for HPD. I can say that I have personally reviewed cases from the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department where drones were sent in as first responders. I greatly appreciate being able to have such quick access to the evolving situation. I can see for myself what actually happened and not have to rely on the narratives given by civilians to an officer or another’s opinion about what occurred. This information provides valuable insight into whether to charge a case, and/or what may be appropriate charges, if any.

My colleague who charges ACSO cases also appreciates having this information available when making these critical decision.

I recently had a stolen vehicle case where the drone was able to find the stolen vehicle within minutes of it being reported stolen. This vehicle’s locations were continually provided to dispatch, which then alerted ACSO deputies on the street to the vehicle’s location. The car was quickly stopped and recovered.

I believe that HPD has been using drones in certain capacities since 2022. Many law enforcement agencies are also using drones as a very effective tool in law enforcement.

While I understand the issues around privacy, if used properly, drones can be effectively used to protect the safety and rights of everyone, while being minimally invasive, if invasive at all, to any privacy concerns.

Thank you for taking the time to read my email and your careful and conscientious attention to this very important matter.

If any of you have any questions, please feel free to call me on my cell phone, Sincerely,
Elgin Lowe
From: HAYWARD CONCERNED CITIZENS
To: List-Mayor-Council
Subject: 6/16/26 City Council Meeting: Support for Drones as First Responders under agenda item LB 26-010 Date: Monday, June 15, 2026 10:41:51 AM
CAUTION:This is an external email. Do not click on links or open attachments unless you know the content is safe.

Mayor Salinas and City Council:

As a longtime member of HAYWARD CONCERNED CITIZENS, a strong advocate for public safety for all who live and work in our city, and a supporter of the Hayward Police Department, I am in favor of HPD’s request to expand its existing Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program to incorporate the concept of the Drone as First Responder (DFR) program and Real-Time Information Center (RTIC) capability.

Our group initially advocated
for a UAS program for police use when first proposed in 2021.

Since approved by council this
intervention used in the line of duty has proven itself to be an effective force multiplier, used appropriately and yielding positive outcomes in a variety of public safety situations.

Drones offer greater situational awareness during dangerous incidents, enhance officer and public safety, have aided with search and rescue efforts and evidence collection in criminal investigations, helped to de-escalate and reduce the need for higher risk responses in some situations, and uphold the transparency and accountability standards expected by the public.

To approve the expansion of the UAS system for DFR is a win for all parties involved.

It
meets a goal from the latest Resident Satisfaction Survey prioritizing safer neighborhoods and faster response times, keeps our officers safe as tools and resources are limited, ensures proper oversight, and will be fully funded by Hayward PD.

I appreciate the opportunity to share my thoughts on this matter and hope that council will give it thoughtful consideration,
TJ

HAYWARD CONCERNED CITIZENS
501(c)(4) nonprofit, public benefit organization
(#5924297)
From: Linda Cardott
To: List-Mayor-Council
Subject: HPD Drones support
Date: Monday, June 15, 2026 12:28:15 PM
CAUTION:This is an external email. Do not click on links or open attachments unless you know the content is safe.

Dear Mayor, Council members,
I am reaching out today to request support for Hayward Police Department Drones. The program is extremely important for Hayward's Public Safety and must be supported with all resources, including financial and personnel.

Thank you,
Linda Cardott

Hayward, CA

From: Suzanne Luther
To: List-Mayor-Council; List-City Clerk; Daniel Olsen
Subject: Support for Drones as First Responders LB 26-010 Date: Monday, June 15, 2026 9:17:46 PM
CAUTION:This is an external email. Do not click on links or open attachments unless you know the content is safe.

I ask that my email be included in the documents given to the Mayor and City Council prior to the start of the June 16, 2026 City Council meeting.

I am writing today to express my FULL SUPPORT for the Hayward Police Departments’ request for authorization for the continued expansion of its Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program into a Drone as First Responder (DFR) program and Real-Time Information Center (RTIC) capability.

The Hayward Police Department is currently 26 sworn officers short. With their budget being drastically cut and vacancies frozen (due to The City of Haywards budget crisis), this DFR program is a no brainer. It is very cost effective and there is no cost to the city since HPD is providing their own funding. This is a tool that can be a huge game changer for the very short staffed department.

The DFR and RTIC will provide quick emergency response to emergency calls for service including burglaries, missing persons and armed individuals to name a few. It will provide critical situational awareness that supports de-escalation and will help keep our officers and community safe. Safe neighborhoods and fast emergency response were top priorities identified by Hayward residents in the City’s 2025 Resident Satisfaction Survey. This will also benefit all Hayward First Responders to include Fire, Police and Dispatchers.

Please give your full consideration and support for Hayward Police Departments request for this state of the art program. This is a WIN WIN WIN for all. This is progress.

Thank you,
Suzanne Luther
Hayward Concerned Citizens
Sent from my iPad
Item #27
LB 26-013
Municipal Code
Amendment
From: HAYWARD CONCERNED CITIZENS
To: List-Mayor-Council
Subject: 6/16/26 City Council Meeting Agenda Item LB 26-013 (Introduction of Ordinance Amending the Hayward Municipal Code, Relating to the Community Services Commission) Date: Sunday, June 14, 2026 3:30:06 PM
CAUTION:This is an external email. Do not click on links or open attachments unless you know the content is safe.

Mayor and Council,
While you have reached another crossroads as to the future roles and responsibilities of the Community Services Commission, I would like to ask that you please carefully weigh the proposal of expanding the CSC‘s role to include advising on community, social service, and human service needs.

Though you were not all on council during the social upheaval of 2020 and 2021, you are likely aware that the CSC initially raised the issue of Russell City, bringing recommendations to council and even pushing the narrative for an inaccurate formal apology based on limited and poorly researched information and presumptions that to this day continue to impact staff time, city resources, public perception, and our taxpayer funds.

While I am not suggesting to deny the CSC the opportunity to partner with council, I want to remind our city leaders to exercise due diligence when responding to the perceived immediacy of future social justice concerns that this body may present to them. Rather than be reactive, I ask that council take a pragmatic approach toward investigation and public discussion (especially when taxpayer funds are to be directed toward a hot button cause) to verify facts and prevent acting on misinformation.

Sincerely,
TJ

HAYWARD CONCERNED CITIZENS
501(c)(4) nonprofit, public benefit organization
(#5924297)