COUNCIL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES – May 4, 2026
CALL TO ORDER: Council Member Andrews called the regular meeting to order at 5:05 p.m.
ATTENDANCE: (September 2025-July 2026)
Meeting Attendees
Present
05/4/26
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; Paul Nguyen, Chief Economic Development Officer; Daniel Mao, Economic Development Specialist; Javier Castro, Community Programs Specialist
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were none.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING April 6, 2026
A motion to approve the minutes from April 6, 2026, Regular Meeting was made by Council Member Bonilla and seconded by Council Member Andrews. The minutes were approved.
APPROVAL OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2027 CEDC REGULAR MEETING SCHEDULE A motion to approve the Fiscal Year 2027 CEDC Regular Meeting Schedule made by Council Member Bonilla and seconded by Council Member Andrews. The schedule was adopted.
Hayward Amplified: Program Overview
Chief Economic Development Officer Paul Nguyen introduced the item, and Economic Development Specialist Daniel Mao delivered the presentation.
Council Member Andrews asked how the City could transition this work to other agencies, such as the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) or the Hayward Chamber of Commerce. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen stated that Hayward Amplified is a new program with staff implementing it as a proof of concept. He explained that staff wants to collect additional data to demonstrate the program’s success and effectiveness before it becomes a model program that can be replicated by others. He added that other economic development organizations now conduct several COVID-19 recovery programs that Hayward initially launched. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen stated that the SBDC would not likely take on this program because it focuses on technical assistance and mentorship for small businesses. He added that staff could encourage the Downtown Hayward Improvement Association and the Hayward Chamber of Commerce to take on this work to benefit their memberships.
Council Member Andrews asked what the City could do to secure funding for activation events. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen stated that staff research found that private funders, including large businesses and banks, commonly sponsor these types of events. He added that some cities use tourism or visitors’ bureaus, which often receive fund allocations from transient occupancy taxes, provide event programming.
Council Member Andrews asked City Manager Jennifer Ott whether the City could use Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenue for activation events. City Manager Ott stated that the City could not use those funds in Fiscal Year 2027, but could potentially consider them in the following fiscal year.
Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen stated that the program provides businesses with the knowledge and tools to conduct their own activations. He added that, in the future, data showing how much businesses earn during activation events could motivate businesses to continue hosting activations independently.
Council Member Andrews stated that she would like staff to prioritize the Mission Boulevard, Tennyson Road, and Downtown Hayward corridors. She added that she would like to see events such as cup sleeve events. Council Member Andrews also stated that activations connect to public safety and asked whether staff could track crime statistics during activation events.
Council Member Bonilla asked how the City funds the program. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen stated that existing Fiscal Year 2026 allocations fund the program.
Council Member Bonilla asked whether the investment in the program would generate enough tax revenue or another form of return. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen stated that the City would not see a dollar-for-dollar return because revenue generation does not serve as the program’s primary goal. He explained that the program represents a long-term investment. Economic Development Specialist Mao stated that these programs create a cascading effect because businesses that do not directly receive funding can also benefit from increased activity. City Manager Ott added that other jurisdictions recognize that activation events can attract customers back to downtown areas, including on non-event days.
Council Member Bonilla suggested exploring a revolving loan or grant program that could continue assisting businesses while creating a self-sustaining funding model.
Council Member Bonilla asked how staff would select participants. Economic Development Specialist Mao stated that staff created a scoring rubric because the grant program uses a competitive selection process.
Council Member Bonilla asked whether any business could qualify and whether staff would apply an equity lens during the selection process. Economic Development Specialist Mao stated that staff applies an equity lens to all Economic Development programs and typically focuses funding on small businesses located throughout the City.
Council Member Bonilla asked whether staff consider previous City funding when reviewing applications. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen stated that staff consider previous City funding as part of the selection criteria. He added that staff must balance that consideration because Hayward includes a finite number of businesses and an even smaller number that actively engage with the City. Economic Development Specialist Mao added that staff also conducts direct recruitment to broaden the program’s reach because many businesses do not follow the City’s social media accounts or newsletters.
Council Member Bonilla asked what type of business would make an ideal participant. Economic Development Specialist Mao stated that applicants must provide adequate space to host their proposed activation. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen added that activations can range from large-scale to small-scale events as long as they activate the area and attract customers. Economic Development Specialist Mao added that businesses could also host multiple smaller events.
Council Member Bonilla stated that Mission Boulevard, Tennyson Road, and Southland Mall would serve as strong areas for activation events.
Council Member Bonilla asked whether the program would operate separately from a World Cup watch party. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen stated that a watch party could qualify as an activation because participating businesses could use the program toolkit to host those events and continue hosting future watch parties independently.
Mayor Salinas agreed with the other Council Members regarding the corridors that staff should prioritize.
Mayor Salinas stated that he would like staff to track how much revenue participating businesses generate during activation events.
Mayor Salinas also asked staff to prioritize family- and dog-friendly events.
Hayward Pulse: Business Engagement and Concierge Services Program Overview (Oral Report Only) Chief Economic Development Officer Paul Nguyen introduced the item, and Economic Development Specialist Daniel Mao delivered the presentation.
Council Member Andrews asked staff to prioritize Southland Mall and engage with businesses to better understand the challenges they face and how the City can support them. She also asked staff to consider how the City can better support its top revenue-generating businesses, businesses in struggling corridors, and businesses impacted by bike lane projects.
Council Member Bonilla asked who would participate from the City’s leadership team. Economic Development Specialist Mao stated that the team would include the Mayor, Council Members, and members of the executive team.
Council Member Bonilla asked whether staff would conduct site visits separately from CEDC meetings. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen stated that not every site visit would require participation from the entire City team. He added that when a site visit requires Council participation, staff could schedule the visit in conjunction with a CEDC meeting. City Manager Ott added that the program would also help the City retain businesses that plan to expand.
Council Member Bonilla stated that he would like the program to prioritize and uplift businesses that play an important role in the fabric of the community, particularly those that may be struggling.
Mayor Salinas asked staff to collect as much data as possible so the City can use the information to develop stronger programs to assist businesses in the future.
Committee Members/ Staff Announcements and Referrals
Council Member Andrews asked what opportunities exist for Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) activations and who could represent the City in pursuing those opportunities. City Manager Ott stated that she would follow up with the Council.
Council Member Andrews stated that she would not like another tour of Southland Mall but would like to meet with the new owners.
Council Member Andrews suggested engaging with Chabot College and California State University, East Bay to explore opportunities to better connect the institutions with the City, including events such as a Gladiator Day or Pioneer Day.
Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen stated that staff, in partnership with the Alameda County Workforce Development Board, hosted an Apprenticeship Pathway Employer and Educator Forum. He added that more than 50 people attended the event.
Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen announced that Cơm Tấm Bros, a Vietnamese restaurant located at 28565 Hesperian Boulevard, would open its doors on June 6 and host a lion dance as part of the celebration.
Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen announced that the Startup World Cup East Bay Regionals would take place on September 10. He stated that the City serves as a sponsor of the event and that the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) serves as the event organizer.
Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen announced that 1X Technologies, a robotics company in Hayward, began production of a humanoid robot designed for consumer use.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:07 p.m.
Hayward Council Economic Development Committee
Regular Meeting Minutes
May 4, 2026