[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6627048,"mediaKeyId","2730580-d77f85c67e06ac6f8d2239ecd60d11e9","parentId",2730580,"title","Hayward reports $500,000 settlement in closed session; council to revisit city attorney and city clerk employment","audioSeconds",77,"startMs",182000,"endMs",259000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730580-d77f85c67e06ac6f8d2239ecd60d11e9&start=182&end=259","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730580-d77f85c67e06ac6f8d2239ecd60d11e9/thumbnail_182000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6627048/Hayward-City/Alameda-County/California/Hayward-reports-500000-settlement-in-closed-session-council-to-revisit-city-attorney-and-city-clerk-employment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627048-f969d7231c42a4006e38670b788fd840/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200652&Signature=mT8m2lGQccvMPWZA79TlinshMmTNMv0Uqk3SZ9OsLxaX6~0KpPHD--jNYvIS6tGS45rwH2XeI6uL4YhQ12A4Snp0WwYToF2ZQsAEPybx233PD5EY9YG4ABfdDoIz~~USDaQdtwjZwWyA35kTds9JvbFwkpG-jzTSkFrkzUN901eelDqYexWNJZ9m1TVEzg1pteZ2KgIjTuDmYE50sUZXqdvFpCWHUVwZDdwYxAesT7VV0vfOqo4TOxpjrgUKNXiwO-FT0RjcxDgjgb7VTDU2xuzK3~RdKEwiLkkYry7dXkd8Ob7Vt~DjvatL9p0kkgYd2Def2oCgVPk6-Wque5-cvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-19T04:58:34Z","article","The Hayward City attorney reported out of closed session at the start of the March 18 meeting that the council approved a settlement in the pending litigation matter Blickenstaff v. City of Hayward for a total of $500,000, with the city contributing $250,000 from budgeted funds and the city’s insurance partner contributing $250,000. The city attorney stated the action was unanimously approved during closed session; the meeting record does not show a public roll‑call tally for the closed session vote.

The city attorney also reported the council met with labor negotiators and gave direction to staff with no reportable action, and that the council discussed the public employment of the city attorney and city clerk and took a unanimous vote to return to the topic for further discussion after the council meeting.

Why it matters: Settlement payments and personnel matters reported after closed session can have budgetary and organizational impacts; the city attorney said the settlement will be funded with $250,000 from the city’s budget and $250,000 from the city’s insurer.

Actions recorded in the public report

- Approved settlement in Blickenstaff v. City of Hayward, total settlement $500,000; city contribution $250,000 from budgeted funds, insurer contribution $250,000. (Reported as unanimously approved in closed session.)
- Council met with labor negotiators for all bargaining groups and gave direction to staff; no reportable action.
- Council voted unanimously to return later for further discussion regarding public employment matters related to the city attorney and city clerk; no final public action was reported.

Council did not take further public votes on these items at the March 18 meeting. The city attorney noted there was no reportable action on other pending litigation matters discussed during closed sessions on March 8 and March 18.

Speakers

- City Attorney (reporting out of closed session) — name not provided in the public portion of the transcript.

Authorities

- Reference: pending litigation (Blickenstaff v. City of Hayward) and closed‑session reporting requirements under California law as summarized by the city attorney during the March 18 meeting.

Ending: The council’s closed‑session settlement was reported publicly; staff will continue follow‑up on personnel discussions at a later meeting, and the settlement will be funded as reported.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hayward City Council Meeting March 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The City Attorney reported a closed‑session settlement in the case Blickenstaff v. City of Hayward for $500,000, to be paid $250,000 from the city budget and $250,000 by the city’s insurance partner.","taxTitle","Hayward City, Alameda County, California","taxId",2907,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6627058,"Hayward council reviews major updates to proposed tree preservation ordinance, staff to return with draft",841,3138000,3979000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730580-d77f85c67e06ac6f8d2239ecd60d11e9&start=3138&end=3979","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730580-d77f85c67e06ac6f8d2239ecd60d11e9/thumbnail_3138000.jpg","/articles/6627058/Hayward-City/Alameda-County/California/Hayward-council-reviews-major-updates-to-proposed-tree-preservation-ordinance-staff-to-return-with-draft","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627058-f3d5447c1328f953e4a35e527f77595d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200652&Signature=aPclizHdCXdT5sAfEbAn8CtfsnZ9cKD2HQCkLebhN~LdqrRu9VJFJion~k4qpxZHPirCoAUvdD814mqNFlY~0Vi9AjK7mMnumIZERSXsyeEgVCl02cECO2xGLaOPW2QKkNf~1Z889XqWZpEQBBEHZfdfl2sqxLf4sb649LZTFAHz5dKXKHjIGJAMLJAlIw5yTWLTxPWNW3ByxzGls2hiLYU3d3SNiLaFnS-aP5VvPi7dyT8rJ6DlDuTZCl-m52AyfOMZ9Q4NMZkQcbqa0pTyMgg5ss2ZxuguPi6KKItYwut836mHOHJp8wqpkuvsl-3FkKCpI29uK3jKkpaGMtJJDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hayward City staff presented a revised draft of the city’s tree preservation ordinance at a March 18 work session, proposing new requirements for tree replacement, expanded protections for native trees in rear yards and a new in-lieu fee to fund citywide plantings and maintenance. The council did not vote; staff said it will finalize the draft and return for public review and formal consideration later this spring.

The proposal, introduced by Development Services staff, would automatically require two replacement trees for each tree a homeowner removes when removing one or two trees, eliminating the need for an arborist report for such small residential removals. “Staff is proposing an automatic 2 to 1 replacement policy when a homeowner is proposing to remove up to 2 trees on their residential property,” project lead Jeremy Locherico told the council. He said the change is intended to lower the cost burden on homeowners and to accelerate canopy growth over time.

Staff said the ordinance would still require an arborist report when an applicant seeks to remove three or more trees or when removals are part of a larger development project. In those cases the ordinance would rely on appraised tree values to determine mitigation requirements.

Why it matters: city staff and community groups framed trees as a climate and public‑health asset. In public comment, Amos White of 100,000 Trees for Humanity said, “Your public health is determined by the number of trees,” urging that the city use in-lieu funds to increase canopy in underserved neighborhoods.

Key proposals and operational changes

- Replacement and mitigation: automatic 2-to-1 replacement for up to two residential removals; arborist reports retained for three-or-more-tree removals and development projects. (Locherico)
- Rear-yard protection: staff recommended expanding protections to include native trees in backyards to preserve and regenerate locally appropriate canopy. (Locherico)
- Heritage tree review: the draft would create a heritage‑tree designation that triggers a higher‑level discretionary review (planning commission or city council depending on the project type). (Locherico)
- In-lieu fee: staff recommended an in-lieu fee based on a percentage of a tree’s appraised value; revenue would fund purchase, installation and two years of maintenance for city-directed plantings and maintenance in canopy-deficient areas. (Locherico)
- Penalties and timing: staff proposed a sliding penalty scale tied to the number of trees removed without a permit (current penalty is double the permit fee); the recommended permit duration would drop from one year to three months with a single three‑month extension available. (Locherico)
- Exemptions: the draft contains expedited exceptions for trees that pose public‑safety hazards (dying/dead, uprooting sidewalks, damaging foundations), trees in FAA flight safety zones around Hayward Executive Airport, and trees that reduce wildfire risk in designated wildland‑urban interface areas. Staff said those exemptions are meant to make safety‑based removals more efficient.

Public comment and key community concerns

Speakers from local nonprofits and residents generally supported stronger canopy goals while asking for protections for locally important habitat. Bruce Lepore, a longtime Hayward resident and retired East Bay Municipal Utility District employee, pressed staff on the ordinance’s legal clarity and enforcement: “What is the actual duty of care?” he asked, noting the draft uses phrases such as “safe and healthy condition” and “state of good health” without uniform definitions.

Monarch butterfly habitat drew repeated attention. Caller Mimi Dean urged preservation of the SkyWest groves, saying the site is “the fifth largest monarch butterfly site in the state of California,” and asked staff to consider the monarch habitat when planning removals. Keep Hayward Clean and Green and other local tree groups urged the city to preserve habitat where feasible while expanding plantings citywide.

Several councilmembers asked staff to clarify the appeals process, enforcement approach and economics behind the in-lieu fee and fines. Councilmembers expressed interest in a single, consistent appeals path and asked staff to confirm that penalties plus administrative costs would not make illegal removal more economical than compliance. Locherico said city staff can examine that analysis before bringing the draft back.

Airport and fire-safety tradeoffs

Council members and commenters also asked for clearer limits on the airport exemption so federal safety requirements or an airport master plan cannot be used to justify wholesale removal of community trees without local review. Staff said the airport exemptions respond to FAA guidance and that the city plans to use a GIS flight‑safety layer to identify where trees may pose aviation hazards; staff agreed to clarify draft language to tie exemptions closely to safety findings, not broader development commitments.

Staff direction and next steps

Locherico told the council staff will finalize the draft ordinance, add user‑friendly FAQs and outreach materials, and return to the Planning Commission and council later this spring for formal review and potential adoption. He also said staff intends to convene a follow‑up work session later in 2025 to seek council guidance on how in‑lieu fee revenue should be allocated.

Ending note: The item was a work session; council members provided feedback but took no formal action. Staff emphasized the intent to pair regulation with focused education and partnership with community groups to increase compliance and equitable canopy expansion.

Speakers

- Jeremy Locherico, Development Services staff (project presenter)
- Peter Jensen, landscape architect (project manager)
- Amos White, representative, 100,000 Trees for Humanity (public comment)
- Bruce Lepore, Hayward resident (public comment)
- Mimi Dean, caller / resident (public comment)
- Melissa Milliman, chair, Keep Hayward Clean and Green (public comment)

Authorities

- City of Hayward municipal code (proposed text amendments to tree preservation sections) — referenced in staff presentation.

Actions

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Eric Pearson, environmental services manager, told the council the inventory includes Hayward Executive Airport emissions for the first time. “We found that in 2023 approximately 4,779 metric tons of emissions came from the airport,” Pearson said, a figure staff said represents roughly 0.8% of communitywide emissions and about 1.3% of total transportation emissions.

The inventory’s headline results and context

- 35% reduction in community emissions in 2023 relative to the 2005 baseline; the city met its 2020 and 2025 interim goals (staff said the 2020 drop was strongly influenced by pandemic‑era changes in travel). (Eric Pearson)
- Electricity emissions have fallen substantially since 2005; staff credited community energy provider changes and grid decarbonization. Pearson reported that in 2023 the Bright Choice product was “88.9% carbon free” and noted PG&E’s 2023 supply figures.
- Transportation emissions fell 32% since 2005; vehicle miles traveled decreased during the pandemic and have not returned to pre‑pandemic levels, and an increase in electric vehicles also reduced per‑mile emissions.
- Off‑road emissions (construction equipment and landscaping tools) rose over the long term and were the lone sector to increase in the most recent years; staff noted the 2022 inventory addition of lawn‑and‑garden equipment as part of that trend.
- Water and wastewater and solid‑waste sectors also showed declines since 2005, with per‑capita residential water use falling from about 69 to 45 gallons per day, staff said.

What staff recommended and next steps

Pearson told the council the inventory should be treated as an estimate and noted typical methodological limits (it does not capture embedded emissions for purchased goods). Staff recommended the council review the results, accept public comment and use the inventory to guide implementation of measures in the recently adopted Climate Action Plan. Director Alex Amiri and Pearson identified reducing natural‑gas use in existing buildings, accelerating building electrification and continuing transportation‑demand strategies as high‑priority work to close the gap to the 2030 target.

Council and public questions focused on where the largest reductions must occur and how the city can accelerate change. Pearson highlighted anticipated regulatory changes (regional rules phasing in electrification of gas appliances) and the need for programs that help residents and businesses convert away from natural‑gas heating and water heating.

Speakers

- Eric Pearson, Environmental Services Manager, Hayward City (presentation)
- Alex Amiri, Director of Public Works (introductory remarks)

Actions

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Ending: Staff noted that while Hayward has achieved reductions relative to 2005, reaching the city’s 2030 goal of a 55% reduction will require accelerated building electrification, transportation changes and continued reductions in off‑road emissions.

Provenance and evidence

The inventory presentation and discussion took place in the council chamber and was presented by Environmental Services Manager Eric Pearson; staff explicitly added airport emissions following a council request earlier in the process. The council did not take final action on the inventory at the March 18 meeting.

","City staff presented the completed 2023 greenhouse‑gas (GHG) inventory showing a 35% reduction from a 2005 baseline and recommended next steps to meet the city’s 2030 target of 55% reduction. The inventory added Hayward Executive Airport emissions for the first time and identified buildings, transportation and off‑road equipment as key sectors.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hayward reports $500,000 settlement in closed session; council to revisit city attorney and city clerk employment

Hayward council reviews major updates to proposed tree preservation ordinance, staff to return with draft

Hayward presents 2023 greenhouse‑gas inventory; staff says city remains below 2005 baseline but 2030 target will be challenging