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)
JAIME PATIÑO, Councilmember (District 2)
JEFF WANG, Councilmember (District 3)
Tuesday, March 25, 2025 | 7:00 PM
City Hall – Tom Kitayama City Council Chambers
34009 Alvarado-Niles Road, Union City, CA 94587
1. CALL TO ORDER
1.1. Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Singh called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM.
1.2. Roll Call
Attendee Name Present
Councilmember Nishihira
Councilmember Patiño
Councilmember Wang
Vice Mayor Sakakihara
Mayor Singh
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Mayor Singh also reported out of the Special Closed Session that was held prior to the meeting.
2. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There were none.
3. PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
There were none.
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4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Singh opened Oral Communications. The following individuals spoke during Oral Communications:
Shane Overton
Erin Ewing
Katherine Kaldis
Denisse Homen
Lindsay Andalis
Dave Bhatia
Abigail Andrade
Wendy Huang
Jeffrey Kurohara
Drew Balthazar
Cheris Crocker-Root
Jon Burnett
Shamsa Rafay
There being no further speakers, Mayor Singh closed Oral Communications.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion: Approve the Consent Calendar.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Councilmember Wang
SECONDER:Councilmember Patiño
AYES: Councilmembers Nishihira, Patiño, Wang, Vice Mayor Sakakihara, and Mayor Singh
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
5.1. Approve the Action Minutes of March 4, 2025 City Council Special Closed Session
A motion was made to approve the minutes.
5.2. Approve the Action Minutes of March 11, 2025 City Council Regular Meeting A motion was made to approve the minutes.
5.3. Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Union City Selecting the Fremont Argus as the City's Official Newspaper for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and Delegating Authority to City Staff Until Amended By City Council to Annually Publish a Notice Inviting Bids and Contract for the Publication of Public Notices
A motion was made to adopt the resolution.
Enactment No.: Resolution No: 2025-035
5.4. Adopt a Resolution Approving the Mayor's Appointment of Prairna Gupta Garg to the Planning Commission
A motion was made to adopt the resolution.
Enactment No.: Resolution No: 2025-036
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5.5. Adopt a Resolution Approving an Amendment to Update the Class Specification for the Classification of Community Service Aide A motion was made to adopt the resolution.
Enactment No.: Resolution No: 2025-037
5.6. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Consulting Services Agreement, in a Form Approved by the City Attorney, Between the City of Union City and David J. Powers for Preparation of Environmental Clearance Documentation for the Louie Ranch Project in an Amount Not to Exceed $251,860
A motion was made to adopt the resolution.
Enactment No.: Resolution No: 2025-038
5.7. Adopt a Resolution Accepting Completion of the Union Landing Pylon Signs Renovation Project, City Project No. 22-17
A motion was made to adopt the resolution.
Enactment No.: Resolution No: 2025-039
5.8. Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance for Zoning Text Amendment (AT-25-001) to Amend Title 18, Zoning, of the Union City Municipal Code to Support Implementation Program HE-2.D of the City’s 2023-2031 Housing Element by Rescinding and Replacing Chapter 18.34, Accessory Dwelling Units, to Comply with Government Code § 66310 et seq.; and Amending Chapters 18.08, Definitions; 18.31, SB 9 Subdivisions and Development Projects; 18.32, Residential Districts; and 18.33, Affordable Housing, for Consistency with the Updates to Chapter 18.34; and Find that the Amendments Are Exempt from Environmental Review per the Requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines § 15282(h), as well as Public Resources Code § 21080.17 A motion was made to adopt the ordinance.
Enactment No.: Ordinance No: 2025-002
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
6.1. Hold a Public Hearing and Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Union City Accepting the 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report and the 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report
Associate Planner Dean provided staff presentation. She and Economic and Community Development Director Campbell responded to questions from the Council.
Mayor Singh opened the Public Hearing at 7:53 PM. The following speakers spoke during the Public Hearing:
Dave Bhatia
Wendy Huang
There being no further speakers, Mayor Singh closed the Public Hearing at 7:59 PM.
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Motion: Adopt a resolution of the City Council of the City of Union City accepting the 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report and the 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Vice Mayor Sakakihara
SECONDER: Councilmember Nishihira
AYES: Councilmembers Nishihira, Patiño, Wang, Vice
Mayor Sakakihara, and Mayor Singh
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Enactment No.: Resolution No: 2025-040
7. CITY MANAGER REPORTS
7.1. Provide Policy Direction Regarding Request to Amend the Policy Governing Expenses for the City Council
Deputy City Manager Phan 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: Refer Councilmember Nishihira’s submitted items and Councilmember Patiño’s proposal to lift the $2,000 travel limit and explore potential future travel budget allotments to the Legislation and Policy Committee for discussion.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Councilmember Patiño
SECONDER: Councilmember Wang
AYES: Councilmembers Nishihira, Patiño, Wang, Vice
Mayor Sakakihara, and Mayor Singh
NOES: None
ABSENT: 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.
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11. ITEMS REFERRED BY COUNCIL
Councilmember Patiño provided an update on his recent activities, including attendance at Cal Cities East Bay Division and legislative update meetings, meetings with the City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan Update consultant, participation in the Arts and Culture Commission meeting to hear the presentation regarding the BART mural project from the consultant who will oversee the process, and testimony before the State Senate Committee on Local Government regarding proposed Brown Act amendments. He also noted his upcoming travel to Burbank as Chair of the League of California Cities Governance, Transparency, and Labor Relations Policy Committee.
Vice Mayor Sakakihara reported on several recent meetings, including the March 12 Housing Authority of Alameda County meeting, where uncertainty over HUD funding was discussed, and both the March 12 Ava Community Energy Finance Committee meeting and the March 19 Ava Community Energy Board of Directors meeting, where the primary topic was the mid-year budget update showing that finances were trending well relative to original forecasts. He also reported on the March 12 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, noting that only four commissioners were present, which reaffirmed the recent decision to reduce the commission's size from seven to five members. He recommended eventually opening recruitment for alternate member seats to assist with quorum in the future.
Councilmember Wang reported on the recent and upcoming Alameda County Waste Management Authority meetings. He also noted his upcoming travel to Burbank and the League of California Cities Public Safety Policy Committee meeting.
Councilmember Nishihira reported that he will be attending the Human Relations Commission meeting scheduled for March 26.
Mayor Singh reported attending the March 20 Business Disaster Preparedness Roundtable, led by staff with participation from local businesses, and recommended involving the Chamber of Commerce in future discussions. He also attended the Arts and Culture Commission meeting where the proposed mural project at Kennedy Park (BART pylons) was discussed and noted that a project estimate will be brought forward at a future meeting.
12. GOOD OF THE ORDER
Councilmember Patiño reported attending the Chamber of Commerce Spirit Awards. He then later traveled to the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference in Washington, D.C., where he attended the National League of Cities Finance Committee and Board of Directors meetings, and various other sessions with federal legislators and staff during his visit. He also attended the Union City National Little League opening ceremonies, the Old Alameda Creek tour, and the ABC NorCal apprenticeship graduation in Livermore. Furthermore, he attended Culture Fest in Union City and plans to attend a Habitat for Humanity tour in Hayward and again mentioned his travel plans to Burbank for the League of California Cities policy committee meetings.
Vice Mayor Sakakihara reported attending the Spectrum Community Services and SOS Meals on Wheels outreach event held at the Senior Center as part of the annual Community Outreach Week.
Councilmember Wang reported attending the National League of Cities Conference in Washington, D.C., where he was appointed as a Director for the Asian Pacific American March 25, 2025 | 7:00 PM Page 5 of 6
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Municipal Officials. He also met with Congressman Swalwell and other officials while in Washington, D.C. He then reported on his participation in the Old Alameda Creek tour, and attended the Coastal and Bay Cities regular meeting for the first time.
Councilmember Nishihira reported attending Culture Fest 2025, meeting with the City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan Update consultant, participating in the Business Disaster Preparedness Roundtable held at Emerald Packaging, and touring Old Alameda Creek. He announced plans to participate in the Arroyo Park cleanup on April 19 and New Haven Day on April 26.
Mayor Singh thanked City Staff and the Union City Police Department for leading the Old Alameda Creek tour. He shared observations from the visit, noting the need for future cleanup in the area and acknowledging the homeless encampments were both within the cities of Fremont and Union City.
13. CLOSED SESSION
There were none.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Singh adjourned the meeting at 8:44 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 April 8, 2025.
Thai Nam Pham, MMC, CPMC
City Clerk/Secretary for the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency