San Leandro council approves consent calendar; staff explains cost overruns on Haas Street pedestrian bridge demolition

The San Leandro City Council unanimously approved its consent calendar on Feb. 3, 2025, after pulling one item for brief discussion. Councilmember Aguilar moved approval of the consent calendar; the motion was seconded and the full calendar passed 7–0.

Council pulled item 5A — the demolition of the Haas Street pedestrian bridge — for questions about added cost. The council then held a short discussion in which staff said the contract cost rose because work beyond the original demolition scope became necessary after crews began work and discovered hidden conditions.

On the item, Public Works Director Sheila Marquesas explained that the bridge collapsed into a creek, that the creek corridor is not part of a clear municipally managed infrastructure footprint, and that heavy vegetation, unexpected subsurface features and regulatory permit requirements increased the work. “One of the requirements from the water board is that we implement erosion control and replanting of those slopes,” Marquesas said. She added that heavy cranes used to remove the bridge damaged adjacent pavement and that pavement restoration was added to the contract scope. A staff slide and the verbal report cited additional permits and permit‑driven mitigation as contributors to the higher cost.

During public comment on consent Douglas Spalding urged the council to consider future educational and creek-access uses when planning the reconstruction. At the meeting a resident asked why the demolition cost about $136,000; director Marquesas and staff said unanticipated site conditions — including hidden storm drainage and the need for erosion control and pavement restoration where heavy equipment operated — explained the extra work.

Council also approved a slate of board and commission appointments on the consent calendar; Councilmember Viveiros Walton asked a clerical amendment so the Senior Commission District 1 reappointment would list Deborah Lopez by name, and staff confirmed the item would be amended to reflect that request before finalization.

Ending: With the consent calendar and the demolition authorization approved 7–0, staff will proceed with the demolition work and with the follow-up edits to the appointments list; council asked staff to continue monitoring costs and to return if any further budget adjustments are needed.