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Council votes to approve appointments after dispute over StopWaste seat
Summary
The council approved a slate of appointments that replaced Vice Mayor Simon on the Alameda County StopWaste board, a move Simon and other councilmembers criticized as not preceded by outreach; the motion passed 4–1–2.
The San Leandro City Council approved a set of intergovernmental appointments that replaced Vice Mayor Fred Simon on the Alameda County StopWaste board after an extended floor discussion about process and courtesy.
Vice Mayor Fred Simon told the council, "I would like to request to remain on that committee," and said he had institutional knowledge from prior service and had not been contacted before being replaced. Several councilmembers and public commenters said they were troubled that Simon had not been consulted before the change.
The Nut Graf: The mayor said he would not accept segmentation of the consent item and put the citywide appointments to a vote after Simon pulled item 5d. Council members split over whether Simon should remain on StopWaste; proponents of the mayor’s slate argued for new leadership and broader participation on regional boards. A motion to approve the appointments passed 4 yes, 1 no and 2 abstentions.
Council discussion focused on process and courtesy. Council member Simon and others said the removal felt like a continuation of prior council disputes and that he had been on multiple conversations with other councilmembers but was not informed of the removal in advance. Council member Vivereas Walton and Council member Bolt spoke in favor of keeping experienced members when possible; Council member Bowen and others said expanding leadership to other councilmembers was appropriate.
The motion to approve the appointments (agenda item 5d) was moved and seconded; the city clerk recorded the final tally: Mayor Gonzales, yes; Council member Bolt, yes; Council member Bowen, yes; Vice Mayor Simon, no; Council member Aguilar, abstain; Council member Azevedo, abstain; Council member Viveiros Walton, yes. The clerk announced the motion passed 4 yeses, 1 no and 2 abstentions.
Ending: The council directed that future communications about appointments should be handled with courtesy and noted staff and intergovernmental bodies will be notified of the new representation. The underlying debate highlighted lingering tensions among councilmembers about transparency and inclusion in appointments.
