Operators and residents urge help on a Hayward care home permit and safety improvements on Hayward Boulevard

Two members of the public used the council's public-comment period on June 17 to press the city on separate safety and permitting matters.

Glenn Ocal (transcript spelled "Glenn Ocal"), who said he operates Fulton Care, a residential facility serving people with serious mental illness, described a multi-year permitting effort for six additional rooms. He said the fire department ultimately required full-building sprinklers, a larger water meter, and other upgrades that drove his estimated costs from roughly $45,000 to an added $250,000, and that the escalation forced him to stop the project. Ocal said two residents died of COVID in his house during the pandemic and that he wants to expand to provide more supportive housing. Mayor Salinas asked staff to follow up; staff said they would contact Ocal and research the case.

An online commenter, identifying as Alejandro Hasso, urged the council to revisit a decision about Hayward Boulevard that he said left sidewalks too narrow and failed to provide safe space for people who cannot drive, including older residents, people with disabilities and families. Hasso criticized the city for not implementing recommendations in a recent safety study and said the city could be legally vulnerable if it fails to act after data showed safety improvements were warranted. The mayor thanked him and closed public comment.

Ending: The mayor and staff offered to have city staff follow up individually with both commenters and to review relevant permits and project decisions; no formal council action was taken during public comment.