[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6611760,"mediaKeyId","2892951-4d51a7a51db219bcf73a21c559f95765","parentId",2892951,"title","Council unanimously appoints and swears in Nikki Washington to Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission","audioSeconds",187,"startMs",780000,"endMs",967000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2892951-4d51a7a51db219bcf73a21c559f95765&start=780&end=967","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2892951-4d51a7a51db219bcf73a21c559f95765/thumbnail_780000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6611760/San-Leandro/Alameda-County/California/Council-unanimously-appoints-and-swears-in-Nikki-Washington-to-Bicycle-Pedestrian-Advisory-Commission","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611760-28f76e0133dc6f4f3642744899801523/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154939&Signature=Gxh44L0tUqTcb9oCZQ1tQ4ZQMxC7Cb~MzEUCrgu2QQ~9c7WQHML52R9t1dNYUs3j5bMMvQQARTmTWk~V2Q4nyLnvce77LoP0KuOEk~knL64uO~~QIsp4C6hqzoCO3JLQiQbOEzitVA0IEmDrzalhYgjYPDVMGiolaItpd-q2PO2diSz8C2ax0DcUgd8CHmK6CtNwLxqC7tqRBWyKoOeyeo2xSHzKY4T3UaX1sC9twGNNXJOcHJ9cVBu~t-xvSuD~Ln1YBHlLQMOy7mz8O4irL1Q5OBOF7ONKaspr7lPUo15wiBIsVqzzsnBrn5LyXINvzHJlWfsbORWXSvH75k1ckw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","San Leandro","date","2025-04-08T04:15:56.47Z","article","The San Leandro City Council on April 7 appointed Nikki Washington to fill an at‑large vacancy on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission and conducted an on‑the‑record swearing in.

Deputy City Clerk Sarah Bunting introduced the nomination as the mayor’s appointment. Mayor Juan Gonzalez moved to appoint Washington; Councilmember Brezavito (listed as second) seconded the motion. The council voted 7‑0. Following the vote, Nikki Washington recited the statutory oath of office.

Clerk Bunting read the roll call votes into the record after the swearing‑in: Councilmembers Aguilar, Azevedo, Bolt, Simon, Viveiros Walton, Vice Mayor Bowen and Mayor Juan Gonzalez each voted yes.

Washington will serve in the at‑large seat on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission; staff will update commission records and post the appointment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 7, 2025 - City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The council appointed Nikki Washington to an at‑large vacancy on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission and swore her in immediately; the appointment passed unanimously on a motion by Mayor Gonzalez.","taxTitle","San Leandro , Alameda County, California","taxId",2910,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6611764,"Council clarifies sheriff contract spending; says $351,000 expended under $500,000 authority",227,2155000,2382000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2892951-4d51a7a51db219bcf73a21c559f95765&start=2155&end=2382","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2892951-4d51a7a51db219bcf73a21c559f95765/thumbnail_2155000.jpg","/articles/6611764/San-Leandro/Alameda-County/California/Council-clarifies-sheriff-contract-spending-says-351000-expended-under-500000-authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611764-7a4cf59191cecfff64ac91635e1317d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154939&Signature=obDvm8xl4pTRsUCkRgINumjXcnjo3TjQs5pEhq4jDODGYK2dZ7M2U72X52TR5UqXY2xz45aAlBTAX1s5u4MKvecfvxSeu7LY2DFmYDFV8YpgW0i0EqVIJfPJK3Wla1HOwefmfHWkkdcq0GuKRxqsX9mgYkqEpten2CQxHYMRDTkXhO0aeUotRPcqOJEzxXslbwOPN0T3TOQYQtZXtS8KohpqSd1cRuZ1bNfdjPmDDbE9Y-J26qnEJdLeEatT3inQNcX5Ohazmqd-YIHNS0ZgrU9Rv5olucfMGe9L1EhICEEL9EtRIBZI9BXTEl6FG3D0K0v8vKXwRL-fcZL0aOtQwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members on April 7 discussed and approved an item clarifying the city’s payments to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputy City Manager and the police chief told the council the original contract authority was for up to $500,000 but a March staff report incorrectly listed $300,000. The city spent $351,000 under the contract this cycle, and the item before council sought retroactive approval to reconcile the discrepancy. The police chief described the mismatch as an administrative error in the staff report and confirmed total spending did not exceed the $500,000 authority the council had originally approved.

Mayor Juan Gonzalez asked staff to confirm prior approvals and the city attorney and staff said they would verify records; councilmembers accepted the explanation and moved the item forward. The measure passed 7‑0.

Next steps: staff will finalize records to ensure the contract amount and staff reports align and will return any clarifying documentation if needed.","Council members clarified that the city’s contract authority with the Alameda County Sheriff was up to $500,000 but actual spending was $351,000; a staff report corrected a prior administrative error that listed the lower amount.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6611769,"Council approves second‑reading military equipment policy; public urged more transparency",149,1191000,1340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2892951-4d51a7a51db219bcf73a21c559f95765&start=1191&end=1340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2892951-4d51a7a51db219bcf73a21c559f95765/thumbnail_1191000.jpg","/articles/6611769/San-Leandro/Alameda-County/California/Council-approves-secondreading-military-equipment-policy-public-urged-more-transparency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611769-92ab6ed0fa830da772de677fd0c2541b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154939&Signature=DN44K-pueWq8bW1yJTdrXe-PUy9Gpmi-Ld87Hs~yfJHgOhajo9q~107-fr2zppLTvvNXfK14WHe7EcIs7qjCOKqHT5nlliwLvb71npgJqs6qLdhv5L0QwCN-4n77jH0hTJsk9PIo~aGiUPTsTp-g2tPf3UYLuVgd43-975wEDLfebqqE7lebQ6KSURENPPMwE7T5-HrTcnaIP5uJHoh8SnCLAyaK3WMFOHSbvssMQBC0D8fcY8Mn54Can9PdYKALEPQAK1JkNf0h3cQZzB9XpvAB3ZUonX51kKDCkfK6vQoabtRSDUi8JRwjUyl-4MDlDyhHxJPvUuvjXayl1C8Plw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Leandro City Council voted unanimously April 7 to adopt the second reading of a military equipment policy, formalizing the list and use‑rules for equipment available to the police department.

A member of the public, Douglas Spalding, urged the council to limit the quantity of equipment and to identify the department’s military equipment coordinator in the public materials. Councilmembers confirmed on the record that Lieutenant Robertson is the equipment coordinator and that the department will provide that clarification in published materials.

The council’s vote on the consent calendar item passed 7‑0. Mayor Juan Gonzalez and other councilmembers noted the item had been discussed previously; the public comment speaker repeated concerns about armored vehicles, rifle rounds, and the need for transparency about who coordinates the department’s specialized units.

No amendments were proposed during the meeting. The action passed as written; staff will update public documents to identify the military equipment coordinator as Lieutenant Robertson, per the discussion.","On a 7‑0 vote the council adopted a military equipment ordinance on second reading; one public commenter urged the city to name the department’s military equipment coordinator and publish officer rosters for transparency.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6611770,"Council approves library 'privacy pods' installation; members debate contingency funds",725,1375000,2100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2892951-4d51a7a51db219bcf73a21c559f95765&start=1375&end=2100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2892951-4d51a7a51db219bcf73a21c559f95765/thumbnail_1375000.jpg","/articles/6611770/San-Leandro/Alameda-County/California/Council-approves-library-privacy-pods-installation-members-debate-contingency-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611770-d3fef922b88d998e3601f5a47cc4266a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154939&Signature=Vgc2DujN2QvjEEsCSHGMRrxKaMYNlGjGgL1msaWBg-miJNgB1fSneAfHvflXKoinRAtXg8Aj8mIqiXlpcnQFBHZDF5h6mkvVkUrCOzIxi3rC6hl4bNQ~E~0-XCcAyn0yS8Q0WcG2KfwvXewcI0G1JvjG5uEEKcqnzwhc-9-guqNGrnMY2rRgSeRAeTA9yLVC1Rv1zbEXS2o4DbljPJ-0OOqtAOhULUhQzynV4WZZ0fRXCGvHMxZsSIjzCHmPeIohjV55Wc6iUBAkLfHUU0KCvTW2w0LoYep3reZAki~xerO1sDPlniOhY1s06shLB8zGbQKlM3hXfm1Z0vPjSCpz3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Leandro City Council on April 7 approved a contract to install prefabricated \"privacy pods\" in the Main Library, voting 7‑0 after discussion about a contingency line item.

Library Director Brian Simons told the council the pods are prefabricated and require floor anchoring; because the library building is about 25 years old the project includes a structural engineering review. Staff said the contingency – about $24,250 (roughly 9% of the contract) – is intended to cover possible alternate anchoring approaches discovered by the structural engineer and the risk of tariffs on imported components.

Council members questioned the contingency and asked for assurances about cost control. Simons said staff had identified budget offsets elsewhere and would seek multiple engineering options before spending contingency funds. The director also described how the pods will be managed: the city will use a reservation process similar to the Manor Branch study rooms, with two‑hour blocks available up to 24 hours in advance, and library staff will monitor usage rather than automating reservations.

Details provided in the meeting: six pods will be installed — four 4‑person pods and two single‑person pods, allowing up to 18 users simultaneously if fully occupied. Electrical hookups are required but the electrical work is contracted and billed separately from the pods contract; staff said electrical exists in the building and electricians will connect the units. Lead time for the prefabricated pods is approximately nine weeks after contract signing.

Councilmember Aguilar moved to approve the contract with contingency included; Councilmember Gonzales later withdrew an earlier motion to strike the contingency and ultimately the item passed on a motion by Gonzales and second by Aguilar, 7‑0. Councilmember Simon described a 9% contingency as \"relatively reasonable\" for construction projects but several council members urged staff to tighten contingency oversight in future procurements.

Next steps: staff will proceed with contract execution, schedule structural engineering scans, and coordinate electrical work with Public Works and city electricians.","San Leandro city council approved $269,806 for prefabricated privacy pods at the Main Library, including a 9% contingency to cover structural engineering work and potential tariffs; council debated whether contingencies should return for explicit approval.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6611772,"San Leandro council approves agreement to extend CVRA safe-harbor, sets timeline for district elections",2044,3322000,5366000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2892951-4d51a7a51db219bcf73a21c559f95765&start=3322&end=5366","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2892951-4d51a7a51db219bcf73a21c559f95765/thumbnail_3322000.jpg","/articles/6611772/San-Leandro/Alameda-County/California/San-Leandro-council-approves-agreement-to-extend-CVRA-safe-harbor-sets-timeline-for-district-elections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611772-8ec666ee85781aa880395647d9607048/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154939&Signature=H2LQRU-xXFAqgJaeOss5N9DDzP0r2PAiDedAxpJiceWdLub1YKcJoFeeHojNcEbAnf2ZsVOvJNhP~M27KoQF3Lwz3CxnoAhpoWg0vvGEQlzsoHWp~r0WTOAEB~yooxVrNMXqQvaArjGWZ2jhXwM6TV1RDtZxzTCH0jKL9jlGuxBampiAEmEkkqnJAhJg7Ha5F6~7FmdSUyxFuoxvPVU3uIanPG3dzvRAXO4r7N83mZ5Kv8TAmTU09sl5ciGr2RMGjRA3GMgW9Q1en4KMKNZTmTSHR9WhZtJuaFwx6qel4-WBMPlDIgTrD-wZHqQC2yJl3shZ4JebqjWWY7pSCB9~tA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Leandro City Council on April 7 approved a written agreement with a prospective plaintiff that extends the safe‑harbor period under the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA), giving the city additional time to conduct public outreach and adopt an ordinance to move to district‑based council elections.

The agreement, approved 7‑0, requires the council to adopt an ordinance establishing district elections by July 5, 2025, and anticipates a citywide charter amendment for voters to decide in the June 2026 primary. The agreement caps the plaintiff’s recoverable fees at $30,000 plus an inflation adjustment if the parties meet the safe‑harbor terms.

City staff described the timeline the council will follow if it approves the agreement: post a schedule of hearings within 10 days; hold four required public hearings through May and June; publish a draft map in mid‑May; and adopt a final map and ordinance by July 5. The extension preserves the city’s safe‑harbor from immediate litigation while staff conducts outreach and mapping work.

Deputy City Clerk Sarah Bunting and City Attorney Steve Ngo summarized the city’s interactions with the law firm that sent a pre‑litigation notice in 2024. Steve Ngo told the council the letter did not include the statistical expert data typically used to prove a claim of racially polarized voting; it cited past electoral outcomes and the at‑large system as the basis of the demand. The plaintiff named in the notice is Robert Bulutow.

Council members asked about the compressed timeline, outreach to multilingual communities, and the legal and cost risks of litigation. Vice Mayor Bowen and Councilmember Viveiros Walton pressed staff on outreach to Asian American residents and on whether the city had received prior communications from the plaintiff; staff said they would double‑check earlier correspondence. City staff said that absent the extension the city could face litigation exposure, citing examples of other California cities that litigated similar claims and incurred large legal fees.

Public commenters who spoke in support of district elections also urged the council to consider whether a charter amendment ballot measure is necessary or whether city ordinance alone could accomplish the change. Staff and counsel recommended the charter amendment route to keep the city charter and municipal code consistent.

The council voted unanimously to adopt the amended resolution authorizing the city manager to execute the written agreement with the prospective plaintiff and to proceed with the outreach and hearings schedule described by staff. Councilmembers agreed to return to the schedule of hearings and mapping decisions during the extended safe‑harbor period.

What happens next: staff will publish the hearing schedule and begin outreach; the council must adopt the ordinance by July 5, 2025, and voters would decide a charter amendment in June 2026 if the city proceeds as outlined in the agreement.","The City Council voted unanimously April 7 to enter a written agreement extending the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) safe-harbor period to allow public hearings and adoption of a district‑based elections ordinance by July 5, 2025; the agreement conditions a later charter amendment vote in June 2026.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council unanimously appoints and swears in Nikki Washington to Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission

Council clarifies sheriff contract spending; says $351,000 expended under $500,000 authority

Council approves second‑reading military equipment policy; public urged more transparency

Council approves library 'privacy pods' installation; members debate contingency funds

San Leandro council approves agreement to extend CVRA safe-harbor, sets timeline for district elections