MINUTES
CITY OF UNION CITY
CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING
GARY SINGH, Mayor
JAIME PATIÑO, Vice Mayor (District 2)
LANCE NISHIHIRA, Councilmember (District 1)
JEFF WANG, Councilmember (District 3)
SCOTT SAKAKIHARA, Councilmember (District 4)
Tuesday, April 28, 2026 | 7:00 PM
City Hall – Tom Kitayama City Council Chambers
34009 Alvarado-Niles Road, Union City, CA 94587
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Singh called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
1.1. Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Singh led the Pledge of Allegiance.
1.2. Roll Call
Attendance Attendee Name
Present Lance Nishihira, Councilmember
Scott Sakakihara, Councilmember
Jeff Wang, Councilmember
Jaime Patiño, Vice Mayor (Remote)
Gary Singh, Mayor
Absent None
Mayor Singh stated for the record that Vice Mayor Patiño was participating via teleconference pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(b). Vice Mayor Patiño confirmed his participation and that no members of the public were present.
2. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Singh opened Oral Communications. The following speakers spoke on items that were not on the agenda:
Susie Garcia
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There being no further speakers, Mayor Singh closed Oral Communications.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Nishihira requested Item 3.6 be pulled from the Consent Calendar.
Motion: Approve the Consent Calendar Items 3.1 – 3.5 and Items 3.7 – 3.9.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Councilmember Sakakihara
SECONDER: Councilmember Wang
AYES: Councilmembers Nishihira, Sakakihara, Wang, Vice Mayor Patiño, and Mayor Singh
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
3.1. Approve the April 14, 2026 City Council Special Meeting Action Minutes Approved as part of the Consent Calendar.
3.2. Approve the April 14, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting Action Minutes Approved as part of the Consent Calendar.
3.3. Adopt a Resolution Increasing the Budget Appropriation from $111,500 to $125,000 and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an agreement with Crime Point, Inc.
Adopted as part of the Consent Calendar.
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 2026-042
3.4. Adopt a Resolution Approving an Amendment to the City’s Compensation Plan for Transit Analyst I, and Approving an Amendment to the City’s Classification and Compensation Plan and Salary Schedule in Conformance with California Code of Regulations, Title 2, Section 570.5 Adopted as part of the Consent Calendar.
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 2026-043
3.5. Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Union City Authorizing the Continued Participation of the City of Union City in the Alameda County HOME Consortium for HOME Funds and Authorizing Execution of the Necessary Documents to Maintain the Eligibility of the Consortium for HOME Program Funds in Accordance with the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990
Adopted as part of the Consent Calendar.
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 2026-044
3.6. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Consulting Services Agreement Between the City of Union City and David L. Gates and April 28, 2026 | 7:00 PM Page 3 of 7
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Associates, Inc., in a Form Approved by the City Attorney, for On-Call Landscape Consulting Services in an Amount Not to Exceed $300,000 Councilmember Nishihira pulled the item from the Consent Calendar.
3.7. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or Their Designee to Submit an Application to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) for the Allocation of Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 Pedestrian/Bicycle Project Funding, in the Amount of $155,475, for the Arizona Street Bike Boulevard, City Project No. 25-55
Adopted as part of the Consent Calendar.
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 2026-045
3.8. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Seventh Amendment to the Consulting Services Agreement with Apex Strategies, in the Amount of $150,000, for a Total Contract Amount of $648,190, for Transportation Strategies Support for the Quarry Lakes Parkway Project, City Project No. 18-04
Adopted as part of the Consent Calendar.
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 2026-046
3.9. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Amendment to Extend the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with City Ventures Homebuilding, LLC., for the Sale and Development of a Portion of the Gateway Property (Caltrans Site)
Adopted as part of the Consent Calendar.
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 2026-047
3.6. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Consulting Services Agreement Between the City of Union City and David L. Gates and Associates, Inc., in a Form Approved by the City Attorney, for On-Call Landscape Consulting Services in an Amount Not to Exceed $300,000 Councilmember Nishihira pulled this item from the Consent Calendar and requested clarification regarding the procurement process, which was not fully detailed in the staff report.
Economic and Community Development Director Campbell provided clarifications to the process for on-call landscape architect consulting services.
Councilmember Nishihira requested that the City Council consider an ordinance requiring California native plants on public projects.
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Motion: Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Consulting Services Agreement Between the City of Union City and David L. Gates and Associates, Inc., in a Form Approved by the City Attorney, for On-Call Landscape Consulting Services in an Amount Not to Exceed $300,000.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Councilmember Nishihira
SECONDER: Councilmember Sakakihara
AYES: Councilmembers Nishihira, Sakakihara, Wang, Vice Mayor Patiño, and Mayor Singh
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 2026-048
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
4.1. Conduct a Public Hearing and Accept the City of Union City Staff Report and Presentation Adhering to AB 2561 Requirements for Reporting on Vacancy Rates and Recruitment and Retention Efforts
Human Resources Director Castleberry provided staff presentation that included general data about employee demographics and a report on AB 2561. Director Castleberry responded to the Council's questions.
Mayor Singh opened the Public Hearing at 7:20 PM. There being no speakers, Mayor Singh closed the Public Hearing at 7:21 PM.
Councilmember Nishihira requested that employee commute data be included in next year’s report, if available. Mayor Singh and Vice Mayor Patino asked for more employee demographic information by job classification in future reports.
The City Council accepted the staff report and presentation.
4.2. Conduct a Public Hearing and Adopt a Resolution Approving the Master Fee Schedule
Finance Director Thai provided staff presentation and responded to questions from the Council.
Mayor Singh opened the Public Hearing at 7:30 PM. There being no speakers, Mayor Singh closed the Public Hearing at 7:30 PM.
Motion: Adopt a Resolution Approving the Master Fee Schedule.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Councilmember Sakakihara
SECONDER: Councilmember Wang
AYES: Councilmembers Nishihira, Sakakihara, Wang, Vice Mayor Patiño, and Mayor Singh
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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Enactment No.: Resolution No. 2026-049
5. CITY MANAGER REPORTS
5.1. Adopt a Resolution Approving the First Addendum to the Certified East West Connector Final Environmental Impact Report for the Quarry Lakes Parkway Project, Phases (Segments) 1-4, City Project No. 18-04
Public Works Director Ayupan provided staff presentation.
Mayor Singh called the following Speaker Card submitters to speak:
Maria Ramirez
Councilmember Nishihira requested that staff look into a potential mitigation bank in Union City for future projects.
Motion: Adopt a Resolution Approving the First Addendum to the Certified East West Connector Final Environmental Impact Report for the Quarry Lakes Parkway Project, Phases (Segments) 1-4, City Project No. 18-04.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Vice Mayor Patiño
SECONDER: Councilmember Wang
AYES: Councilmembers Nishihira, Sakakihara, Wang, Vice Mayor Patiño, and Mayor Singh
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 2026-050
5.2. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Rocky Ridge, LLC, for the Purchase and Sale of the Mitigation Values, in the Amount of $11,050,000, for the Quarry Lakes Parkway Project, Phases 1-4, City Project No. 18-04 – CEQA Review – First Addendum to the East West Connector Project Final Environmental Impact Report – April 2026 Public Works Director Ayupan provided the staff presentation.
Motion: Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Rocky Ridge, LLC, for the Purchase and Sale of the Mitigation Values, in the Amount of $11,050,000, for the Quarry Lakes Parkway Project, Phases 1-4, City Project No. 18-04 – CEQA Review – First Addendum to the East West Connector Project Final Environmental Impact Report – April 2026.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Councilmember Wang
SECONDER: Councilmember Sakakihara
AYES: Councilmembers Nishihira, Sakakihara, Wang, Vice Mayor Patiño, and Mayor Singh
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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Enactment No.: Resolution No. 2026-051
5.3. Adopt a Resolution Increasing the Cannabis Business Tax Rate Applicable to Retailers Pursuant to Union City Municipal Code Chapter 3.24 Deputy City Manager Phan provided staff presentation.
Motion: Adopt a Resolution Increasing the Cannabis Business Tax Rate Applicable to Retailers Pursuant to Union City Municipal Code Chapter
3.24. RESULT: Fail
MOVER: Mayor Singh
SECONDER: Councilmember Wang
AYES: Councilmember Wang, and Mayor Singh
NOES: Councilmembers Nishihira, Sakakihara, and Vice Mayor Patiño ABSENT: None
Vice Mayor Patiño requested that a subsequent motion be introduced.
Mayor Singh opened Public Comment.
Susie Garcia
There being no further speakers, Mayor Singh closed Public Comment.
Motion: Direct staff to bring back consideration of increasing the Cannabis Business Tax Rate Applicable to Retailers in January 2027.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Vice Mayor Patiño
SECONDER: Councilmember Wang
AYES: Councilmembers Sakakihara, Wang, Vice Mayor Patiño, and Mayor Singh
NOES: Councilmember Nishihira
ABSENT: None
6. SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
There were none.
7. ITEMS REFERRED BY COUNCIL
Councilmember Sakakihara reported that he attended the Regular Housing Commission Meeting and the Regular Ava Community Energy Board Meeting on April 15, and the Climate Action Plan Task Force Meeting on April 20.
Councilmember Wang reported that he attended the League of California Cities Summit in Sacramento on April 22 – 23.
Councilmember Nishihira reported that he attended the Alameda County Library Advisory Committee Meeting on April 15, the Legislation and Policy Committee Meeting on April 20, and the Joint Waste Management Authority Energy Council and Planning Commission Recycling Board Meeting on April 22.
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Vice Mayor Patiño reported that he attended the League of California Cities Summit in Sacramento on April 22 – 23 and the League of California Cities Board of Directors Meetings on April 24 – 25.
Mayor Singh reported that he attended the April 21 meeting regarding the Utility Users’ Tax Measure. He also reported that he attended the Legislation and Policy Committee Meeting on April 20 and the League of California Cities Summit on April 22 – 23.
8. GOOD OF THE ORDER
Councilmember Sakakihara reported that he attended the Sister Cities Plaza Renaming Event on April 16, the Citizens for Better Community Dinner on April 19, and the Bay Area Community Health Facility Tour on April 22.
Councilmember Wang reported that he attended the Sister Cities Plaza Renaming Event on April 16. With Council consensus, he requested that the Legislation and Policy Committee consider removing the designation of Cesar Chavez Park and retaining the designation as Old Alvarado Park. He further reported that he attended the Fremont Leadership Prayer Breakfast on April 24.
Councilmember Nishihira reported that he was unable to attend the Sister Cities Plaza Renaming Event on April 16.
Vice Mayor Patiño reported that he attended the HELO Board of Directors Meeting and the Sister Cities Plaza Renaming Event on April 16, the Azimuth Ribbon-Cutting Event on April 20, and the Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center Finance Committee Meeting and Board Meeting on April 23. He also clarified that January 13, 2026, was the last City Council meeting he attended remotely and that he did not attend any meetings remotely in 2025.
Mayor Singh noted that he had received four letters from residents regarding potholes throughout the City.
9. 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 and Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Union City on May 12, 2026.
Thai Nam Pham, MMC, CPMC
City Clerk and Secretary to the Successor Agency