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San Leandro council approves district elections measure, contracts, appointments and license action
Summary
City councilors approved a slate of actions June 16 including moving to district-based elections, awarding a construction contract, appointing a youth member to the Community Police Review Board, adopting a contractor for Manor Library, approving a cannabis license expansion, and amending the salary schedule.
The San Leandro City Council on June 16 approved multiple actions during a single meeting including an ordinance to move council elections to district-based voting, a construction contract award, an appointment to the Community Police Review Board, a cannabis business action, and a salary-schedule amendment.
The council first moved an appointment: Casey Guo was appointed as an ex officio youth member to the Community Police Review Board. Council member Yvette Viveiros Walton moved the appointment and Vice Mayor Bowen seconded; the motion passed unanimously, 6–0–1 (Council member Simon absent). The appointee was sworn in during the recognitions portion of the meeting.
On the consent-pulled items, the council approved allocation of CDBG-related and CAP funding for nonprofit partners (agenda item 5a). Staff explained application and eligibility procedures for the Community Assistance Program (CAP) and the federally regulated Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). After clarifying last year’s carryover treatment and that one previous CDBG recipient declined federal funds and moved to CAP funding, the council voted 6–0–1 to adopt item 5a.
Council also approved a construction contract for the Manor Library project. Council member Acevedo moved to award a contract to Dry and Construction Incorporated and Council member Aguilar seconded. Council member Bolt recused himself from the item because of a real property interest near the project; the motion passed 5–1–1 with one recusal and one absence noted.
On the evening’s agenda items, the council adopted an uncodified ordinance that moves future city council elections to district-based voting pursuant to the Elections Code process noted in the meeting and the stipulation language associated with the city’s safe-harbor process. The city attorney explained that passage of the ordinance positions the city to use a statutory “safe harbor” and that any charter amendment required to implement district elections must be submitted to voters; the motion passed 6–0–1.
The council also approved an application from NUG/Nuggs to expand a cannabis retail operation in the city after public comment from the company and debate about process and equity in the licensing procedure. The item passed 5–1–1, with Council member Yvette Viveiros Walton voting no and Council member Simon absent.
Finally, the council amended the citywide master salary schedule to reflect previously negotiated adjustments for the city manager and police chief effective July 1, 2025. Human Resources staff cited California regulations requiring public posting of the current salary schedule; the item passed 6–0–1.
Votes at a glance: • Appointment — Casey Guo, ex officio youth member, Community Police Review Board (agenda item 10a): motion moved by Council member Yvette Viveiros Walton; second Vice Mayor Bowen; outcome: approved, 6–0–1 (Simon absent). • Item 5a — CDBG/CAP funding allocations: motion moved by Council member Yvette Viveiros Walton; seconded; outcome: approved, 6–0–1 (Simon absent). • Item 5b — Award construction contract to Dry and Construction Incorporated (Manor Library): motion moved by Council member Acevedo; second Council member Aguilar; outcome: approved, 5–1–1 (Council member Bolt recused; Simon absent). • Item 10b — Ordinance to establish by-district elections (uncodified ordinance / safe-harbor step): motion moved; outcome: approved, 6–0–1 (Simon absent). City attorney clarified charter amendment must be submitted to voters. • Item 10c — Expansion/approval for NUG cannabis retail item: motion moved by Council member Aguilar; seconded; outcome: approved, 5–1–1 (Council member Yvette Viveiros Walton voted no; Simon absent). • Item 10d — Amend citywide master salary schedule (city manager and police chief increases effective 07/01/2025): motion moved by Council member Bolt; second Council member Aguilar; outcome: approved, 6–0–1 (Simon absent).
Several council members noted process and equity concerns in the cannabis licensing item and in the district-election conversion discussion. One public commenter urged the council to consider removal or restriction of a council member facing federal inquiry; the comment was received as public input and not acted on during the meeting.
The council concluded its business and closed the meeting at 8:22 p.m.
