January 28, 2025 | 7:00 PM Page 1 of 7
City Council / Successor Agency
Regular Meeting Minutes
MINUTES
CITY OF UNION CITY / SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING
GARY SINGH, Mayor
SCOTT SAKAKIHARA, Vice Mayor (District 4)
LANCE NISHIHIRA, Councilmember (District 1)
JAMIE PATIÑO, Councilmember (District 2)
JEFF WANG, Councilmember (District 3)
Tuesday, January 28, 2025 | 7:00 PM
City Hall - Council Chamber
34009 Alvarado-Niles Road
Union City, CA 94587
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Singh called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM. Before proceeding, he acknowledged the passing of former Councilmember Pat Gacoscos’ husband, Onofre Gacoscos, who passed away January 27th, and stated that the meeting would be adjourned in his honor.
1.1. Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Singh led the Pledge of Allegiance.
1.2. Roll Call
Attendee Name Present
Councilmember Nishihira
Councilmember Patiño
Councilmember Wang
Vice Mayor Sakakihara
Mayor Singh
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
2. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was none.
3. PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
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City Council / Successor Agency
Regular Meeting Minutes
3.1. Proclamation Recognizing January 2025 as National Stalking Awareness Month
Mayor Singh read aloud the proclamation and presented it to Alameda County Family Justice Center Executive Director Karla Elias and Human Relations Commissioners Ann Yap and Nkechi Uzoew. All three provided brief remarks afterwards.
3.2. Proclamation Recognizing January 29, 2025, as Lunar New Year Mayor Singh read aloud the proclamation and presented it to Johnny Qiu, who later provided brief remarks.
3.3. Alameda County Fire Department Presentation
Alameda County Fire Chief Willie MacDonald provided the item presentation to Council.
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Singh opened Oral Communications. The following individual spoke on items that were not on the agenda:
Alma Gomez
Denise Homen
Lazaro Carrasco
Saad Muhammad
Wendy Huang
There being no further speakers, Mayor Singh closed Oral Communications.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion: Approve the Consent Calendar Items 5.1 – 5.8.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Councilmember Wang
SECONDER:Vice Mayor Sakakihara
AYES: Councilmembers Nishihira, Patiño, Wang, Vice Mayor Sakakihara, and Mayor Singh
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
5.1. Approve the January 14, 2025, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes A motion was made to approve the minutes.
5.2. Approve the January 22, 2025, City Council Special Meeting Minutes A motion was made to approve the minutes.
5.3. Adopt a Resolution Appointing Individuals to Serve on the Arts & Culture Commission, Human Relations Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, and Planning Commission
A motion was made to adopt the resolution.
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 2025-011
5.4. Adopt A Resolution Approving An Amendment To Update The Class Specification For The Classification Of Property And Evidence Specialist January 28, 2025 | 7:00 PM Page 3 of 7
City Council / Successor Agency
Regular Meeting Minutes
A motion was made to adopt the resolution.
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 2025-012
5.5. Adopt A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute An Agreement In A Form Approved By The City Attorney With Allied Waste Services Of North America, Inc. (Republic Services) In An Amount Not To Exceed $131,000.00 For Recycling Campaign Collateral Materials Production And Mailing Services
A motion was made to adopt the resolution.
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 2025-013
5.6. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the First Amendment to the Consulting Services Agreement With Good City Company for Planning Division and Geographic Information System (GIS) Support, in a Form Approved by the City Attorney, to Increase the Agreement Amount by $175,500, for a Total Not-to-Exceed Amount of $250,000, and to Extend the Agreement to December 31, 2026 A motion was made to adopt the resolution.
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 2025-014
5.7. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Second Amendment to the Consulting Services Agreement With Winter Consulting Group, LLC, in the Amount of $95,000, for Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Meeting Facilitation and Public Outreach for the Quarry Lakes Parkway Project, City Project No. 18-04, for a Total Contract Amount of $259,000
A motion was made to adopt the resolution.
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 2025-015
5.8. Adopt a Resolution Awarding A Construction Contract to James Day Construction, Inc., DBA Coastal Mountain Electric, in the Amount of $566,091, and Approving a Total Construction Budget in the Amount of $651,091 for the Ruggieri Senior Center Generator Upgrade Project, City Project No. 18-17, And Amending The Fiscal Year 2024-2025 General Fund and Capital Project Fund Budgets
A motion was made to adopt the resolution.
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 2025-016
For items 5.9, 5.10, and 5.11, Mayor Singh declared an economic conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act, as MV Transportation, Inc., a lessee of his real property, is a source of income for him. Items 5.9 and 5.10 involve funding actions that could benefit MV Transportation, Inc. as the operator of Union City Transit, while Item 5.11 pertains to an amendment providing additional funding. Additionally, pursuant to Government Code Section 1091, he has a remote interest in Item 5.11 due to his lease agreement with the company. Consequently, Mayor Singh recused himself from the discussion and left the Council Chambers during consideration of these items.
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City Council / Successor Agency
Regular Meeting Minutes
Vice Mayor Sakakihara opened Public Comment. Wendy Huang spoke during Public Comment. There being no further speakers, Vice Mayor Sakakihara closed Public Comment.
Motion: Approve the Consent Calendar Items 5.9 – 5.11.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Vice Mayor Sakakihara
SECONDER:Councilmember Patiño
AYES: Councilmembers Nishihira, Patiño, Wang, and Vice Mayor Sakakihara
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RECUSED: Mayor Singh
5.9. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Filing of Applications for Federal Transit Administration Formula Program and/or Surface Transportation Programs Funding for Operations and Capital Projects, and Committing the Necessary Local Match for the Projects and Stating the Assurance of the City of Union City to Complete the Projects
A motion was made to adopt the resolution.
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 2025-017
5.10. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing City Staff to File Annual Funding Applications With the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for the Allocation of Funds for the Operation of Union City Transit Services for Fiscal Year 2024-2025
A motion was made to adopt the resolution.
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 2025-018
5.11. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the First Option Year to the Operations and Maintenance Agreement With MV Transportation, Inc., for Union City Transit (Fixed- Route, Paratransit, and Microtransit), With a First Option Year Amount Not to Exceed $7,844,776, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Contract in a Form Approved by the City Attorney
A motion was made to adopt the resolution.
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 2025-019
Mayor Singh returned to the City Council Chambers.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were none.
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City Council / Successor Agency
Regular Meeting Minutes
7. CITY MANAGER REPORTS
7.1. Economic Development Update
Economic Development Manager Ortega provided staff presentation. She and Economic and Community Development Director Campbell responded to questions from the Council.
Mayor Singh opened Public Comment. There being no speakers, Mayor Singh closed Public Comment.
Council received the report.
7.2. Budget Calendar for the Review and Adoption of the Biennial Operating Budget for Fiscal Years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 and the Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Budget for Fiscal Years 2025-2026 through 2029-2030
Accounting Manager Thai provided staff presentation and responded to questions from council members.
Mayor Singh opened Public Comment. There being no speakers, Mayor Singh closed Public Comment.
Motion: Accept the proposed budget calendar for the review and adoption of the Biennial Operating Budget for Fiscal Years 2025- 2026 & 2026-2027 and the Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for Fiscal Years 2025-2026 through 2029-2030.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Councilmember Patiño
SECONDER: Councilmember Wang
AYES: Councilmembers Nishihira, Patiño,
Wang, Vice Mayor Sakakihara, and
Mayor Singh
NOES: None
8. SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
There were none.
9. AUTHORITIES AND AGENCIES
There were none.
10. CITY COMMISSION / COMMITTEE REPORTS
There were none.
11. ITEMS REFERRED BY COUNCIL
Councilmember Patiño reported on League of California Cities Governance, Transparency, and Labor Relations Committee.
Vice Mayor Sakakihara reported on Ava Community Energy and League of California Cities Revenue and Taxation Committee.
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City Council / Successor Agency
Regular Meeting Minutes
Councilmember Wang reported attending Alameda County Waste Management Authority, League of California Cities Public Safety Committee, and California District Attorneys Association.
Councilmember Nishihira reported his participation in the League of California Cities Mayors and Council Members Academy, Alameda County Library Commission, and Legislation and Policy Committee.
Mayor Singh attended the Mayor’s Conference in Washington, D.C., where he met with Congressman Swalwell to discuss federal funding for LED street and park lights in Union City. He also participated in the Alameda County Mayor’s Conference in Hayward and the Alameda County Transportation Commission meeting. Additionally, he provided an update on the Legislation and Policy Committee meeting.
12. GOOD OF THE ORDER
Councilmember Patiño reported attending the Hispanic Elected Local Officials (HELO) meeting on January 16th, where discussions included plans for the National League of Cities (NLC) Congressional City Summit in March, the Diversity Awards, and engaging with the new administration for increased Latino representation.
Additionally, he attended NLC meetings in Washington, D.C., where he met with Congressman Swalwell’s staff, Senator Padilla’s staff, and Senator Schiff to discuss federal issues, including topics previously raised by Mayor Singh. Senator Schiff expressed support for initiatives backed by Swalwell and Padilla.
Vice Mayor Sakakihara introduced two motions:
Motion: Agendize consideration of an Ad Hoc Committee on Climate Action to receive updates from staff and consultants and provide input on the Climate Action Plan update, aligning with the forthcoming presentation on the topic.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Vice Mayor Sakakihara
SECONDER:Councilmember Nishihira
AYES: Councilmembers Nishihira, Patiño, Vice Mayor Sakakihara, and Mayor Singh
NOES: Councilmember Wang
ABSENT: None
Motion: Agendize council consideration of an Ad Hoc Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs to monitor executive orders and other federal actions with the potential to impact Union City residents or federal funding for the City and provide input on possible responses.
RESULT: Fail
MOVER: Vice Mayor Sakakihara
SECONDER:Councilmember Nishihira
AYES: Councilmembers Nishihira and Vice Mayor Sakakihara NOES: Councilmembers Patiño, Wang, and Mayor Singh
ABSENT: None
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City Council / Successor Agency
Regular Meeting Minutes
Councilmember Wang reported attending the Mariner Park ribbon-cutting ceremony on January 25th alongside Mayor Singh and Councilmember Nishihira. He also visited the Union City Tennis Club, where members expressed appreciation for the city's recent tennis court upgrades. Additionally, he joined city staff for a Lunar New Year luncheon, recognizing it as the first time he had joined the city staff to formally celebrated the occasion. He also announced upcoming events, including a Lunar New Year celebration at Kennedy Park on February 2nd, a Chinese cultural performance at James Logan High School on February 2nd at 3:00 PM, and the 2025 USA International Kungfu Championships in Union City on February 16th. He advised that these events may lead to increased traffic in the area.
Councilmember Nishihira reported attending the Mariner Park ribbon-cutting ceremony on January 25th. That evening, he attended the New Haven Schools Foundation Diamonds in Education event, where he connected with city staff and community members while supporting fundraising efforts for local students. He also announced that grant season is beginning for the New Haven Schools Foundation.
Mayor Singh reported attending the Mariner Park ribbon-cutting ceremony and the Chinese New Year celebration at Tropics Mobile Park on Sunday.
13. CLOSED SESSION
There were none.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Singh adjourned the meeting in Onofre Gacoscos’ honor at 9:56 PM.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing minutes were duly and regularly adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council/Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Union City on February 11, 2025.
Thai Nam Pham, MMC, CPMC
City Clerk/Secretary for the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency