{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 1, "text": "MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING\nTUESDAY--SEPTEMBER 21, 2021--5:00 P.M.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft convened the meeting at 5:04 p.m.\nRoll Call -\nPresent:\nCouncilmembers Daysog, Herrera Spencer, Knox White, Vella\nand Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft - 5. [Note: The meeting was held via\nZoom.]\nAbsent:\nNone.\nThe meeting was adjourned to Closed Session to consider:\n(21-569) Conference with Labor Negotiators (Pursuant to Government Code Section\n54957.6); City Negotiators: Eric Levitt, City Manager; Gerry Beaudin, Assistant City\nManager; and Nancy Bronstein, Human Resources Director; Employee Organizations:\nAlameda Fire Managers Association (AFMA), Alameda Police Officers Association (APOA),\nand Alameda Police Managers Association (APMA); Under Negotiation: Salaries, Employee\nBenefits and Terms of Employment.\n(21-570) Conference with Labor Negotiators (Pursuant to Government Code Section\n54957.6); City Negotiators: Eric Levitt, City Manager; Gerry Beaudin, Assistant City\nManager; and Nancy Bronstein, Human Resources Director; Employee Organizations: (All\nLabor Units) International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1245 (IBEW), Electric\nUtility Professional Association of Alameda (EUPA), Alameda City Employees Association\n(ACEA), Alameda Police Officers Association Non-Sworn Unit (PANS), and Alameda\nManagement and Confidential Employees Association (MCEA), International Association of\nFirefighter, Local 689 (IAFF), Alameda Fire Managers Association (AFMA), Alameda Police\nOfficers Association (APOA) and Alameda Police Managers Association (APMA), Executive\nManagement Employees (EXME) and Alameda Municipal Power Unrepresented\nManagement Employees (AMPU); Under Negotiation: Salaries, Employee Benefits and\nTerms of Employment.\n(21-571) Conference with Real Property Negotiators (Pursuant to Government Code\nSection 54956.8); Property: Alameda Point, Site A, Alameda, CA; City Negotiators: Eric\nLevitt, City Manager, Lisa Maxwell, Community Development Director, and Louis Liss, Base\nReuse Manager; Negotiating Parties: City of Alameda and Alameda Point Partners; Under\nNegotiation: Price and Terms.\n(21-572) Conference with Legal Counsel - Potential Litigation, Initiation of Litigation\n(Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9, subsection (d)(4)); Number of Cases: One\n(As Plaintiff - City Initiating Legal Action); Potential Defendant: Sustainable Technologies,\n1800 Orion Street, Suite 101 (Building 163) and 1820 Orion Street, Alameda Point (Building\n414). Not heard.\nFollowing the Closed Session, the meeting was reconvened and the City Clerk announced\nthat regarding Labor, staff provided information and Council provided direction by the\nSpecial Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nSeptember 21, 2021", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 2, "text": "following roll call vote: Councilmembers Daysog: Aye; Herrera Spencer: Aye; Knox White:\nAye; Vella: Aye; and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye; Ayes: 5; regarding All Labor Units, staff\nprovided information and Council provided direction with no vote was taken; and regarding\nReal Property, staff provided information and Council provided direction with no vote taken.\nAdjournment\nThere being no further business, Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft adjourned the meeting at 7:16 p.m.\nRespectfully submitted,\nLara Weisiger\nCity Clerk\nThe agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Sunshine Ordinance.\nSpecial Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nSeptember 21, 2021", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 3, "text": "MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL\nAND THE ALAMEDA PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY (APFA)\nTUESDAY--SEPTEMBER - 21, 2021 - -6:59 P.M.\nMayor/Chair\nEzzy\nAshcraft\nconvened\nthe\nmeeting\nat\n7:33\np.m.\nCouncilmember/Authority Member Daysog led the Pledge of Allegiance.\nROLL CALL -\nPresent:\nCouncilmembers/Authority Member Daysog, Herrera\nSpencer, Knox White, Vella and Mayor/Chair Ezzy\nAshcraft - 5. [Note: Vice Mayor/Authority Member\nVella joined the meeting at 7:36 p.m. The meeting\nwas held via Zoom.]\nAbsent:\nNone.\nCONSENT CALENDAR\nCouncilmember/Authority Member Knox White moved approval of the Consent\nCalendar.\nCouncilmember/Authority Member Herrera Spencer seconded the motion, which carried\nby the following roll call vote: Councilmembers/Commissioners Daysog: Aye; Herrera\nSpencer: Aye; Knox White: Aye; and Mayor/Chair Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 4.\n[Absent: Vice Mayor/Authority Member Vella - 1.] [Items so enacted or adopted are\nindicated by an asterisk preceding the paragraph number.]\n(*21-01 APFA) Minutes of the Special Alameda Public Financing Authority Meeting Held\non July 16, 2019. Approved.\nAGENDA ITEM\n(21-573 CC/21-02 APFA) City Council Resolution No. 15815 and APFA Resolution No.\n21-26, \"Authorizing the City of Alameda and the Alameda Public Financing Authority to\nCommence Proceedings in Connection with the Substitution of the Letter of Credit\nrelating to the Alameda Public Financing Authority Variable Rate Demand Revenue\nBonds, 2003 Series A and Series B (Alameda Point Improvement Project).\" Adopted.\nThe Finance Director gave a brief presentation.\nCouncilmember/Authority Member Knox White moved approval of the Consent\nCalendar.\nCouncilmember/Authority Member Herrera Spencer seconded the motion, which carried\nby the following roll call vote: Councilmembers/Commissioners Daysog: Aye; Herrera\nSpencer: Aye; Knox White: Aye; Vella: Aye; and Mayor/Chair Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes:\n5.\nSpecial Joint Meeting\nAlameda City Council Alameda Public Financing Authority\nSeptember 21, 2021\n1", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 4, "text": "ADJOURNMENT\nThere being no further business, Mayor/Chair Ezzy Ashcraft adjourned the meeting at\n7:39 p.m.\nRespectfully submitted,\nLara Weisiger, City Clerk\nSecretary, APFA\nThe agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Sunshine Ordinance.\nSpecial Joint Meeting\nAlameda City Council and Successor Agency\nto the Community Improvement Commission\n2\nJune 15, 2021", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 5, "text": "MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING\nTUESDAY- - -SEPTEMBER - 21, 2021- - -7:00 P.M.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft convened the meeting at 7:39 p.m.\nROLL CALL -\nPresent:\nCouncilmembers Daysog, Herrera Spencer, Knox\nWhite, Vella, and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft - 5. [Note:\nThe meeting was conducted via Zoom]\nAbsent:\nNone.\nAGENDA CHANGES\n(21-574) Councilmember Knox White moved approval of hearing the Council Referral\non unnecessary animal surgery [paragraph no. 21-575] first.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft requested an amendment to the motion to move up the\nnominations [paragraph no. 21-576].\nCouncilmember Knox White accepted the amendment to the motion.\nCouncilmember Herrera Spencer seconded the motion, which carried by the following\nroll call vote: Councilmembers Daysog: Aye; Herrera Spencer: Ayes; Knox White: Aye;\nVella: Aye; and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 5.\nCOUNCIL REFERRAL\n(21-575) Consider Adopting Resolution No. 15816, \"Calling on the State Legislature to\nImplement a Ban on Medically Unnecessary Animal Surgery, Such as Declawing of\nCats.\" (Councilmember Knox White). Adopted.\nCouncilmember Knox White gave a brief presentation.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft expressed support for the matter.\nUrged Council to vote yes and ban the act of cat de-clawing; discussed the procedure\ncausing life-long pain and suffering to felines; stated an affirmative vote will ensure\nsafety for cats, education of the public and proof that Alameda takes animal rights\nseriously; Alameda will lead the way: Ella Halisky, Alameda.\nVice Mayor Vella moved approval of the referral [adoption of the resolution].\nCouncilmember Herrera Spencer seconded the motion, which carried by the following\nroll call vote: Councilmembers Daysog: Aye; Herrera Spencer: Ayes; Knox White: Aye;\nVella: Aye; and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 5.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nSeptember 21, 2021\n1", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 6, "text": "COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS\n(21-576) Mayor's Nominations for Appointment to the Commission on Persons with\nDisabilities and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft nominated Lisa Hall, Jennifer Roloff and Kathryn Beehler for\nappointment to the Commission on Persons with Disabilities.\nPROCLAMATIONS, SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY AND ANNOUNCEMENTS\n(21-577) Proclamation Declaring September 15 through October 15, 2021 to be\nNational Hispanic Heritage Month.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft read the proclamation.\n(21-578) Proclamation Declaring October 3 through 9th, 2021 as Public Power Week.\nORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA\n(21-579) Dorothy Freeman, Alameda, discussed the Beltline Initiative; stated previous\nCouncils have supported the Jean Sweeney Open Space Park; discussed Union Pacific\nland being part of the design for final build-out and Council discussions being held in\nopen session; stated Council has gone beyond actions considered as good government\npolicy; outlined an offer from Union Pacific; discussed Council authorizing $1.9 million\nfor 0.55 of an acre; stated decisions about zoning and housing should be held in open\nsession with public discussion; attempts to bring the discussion to the public have been\nblocked.\n(21-580) Paul Foreman, Alameda, discussed 2014 and 2016 Council meetings related\nto the Jean Sweeney Master Plan; stated Council filed an Eminent Domain action at an\nopen Council meeting on September 4, 2018 to secure 2.8 of the 4.52 acres of land;\nCouncil has directed a settlement agreement, which conveys a little over one half acre\nwith easements for utilities and access; outlined open and closed meeting processes;\nstated authorizing final settlement for a case involving substantial downsizing of a\npublically approved park expansion requires a meeting with full public notice and ability\nfor comment; a Sunshine Ordinance complaint has been filed in order to seek\nplacement of the matter on a Council regular agenda; urged Council place the matter on\nthe October 5th regular agenda.\n(21-581) Jennifer Rakowski, Alameda, expressed support for Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft's\npublic letter regarding rental assistance; stated the need, availability and access to\nrental assistance has been accessed by families in Alameda; more needs to be\ndistributed.\nCONSENT CALENDAR\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nSeptember 21, 2021\n2", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 7, "text": "Councilmembers Herrera Spencer and Daysog recorded a no vote on the ordinance\namending the Sunshine Ordinance [paragraph no. 21-588].\nCouncilmember Daysog moved approval of the Consent Calendar.\nCouncilmember Knox White seconded the motion, which carried by the following roll call\nvote: Councilmembers Daysog: Aye; Herrera Spencer: Ayes; Knox White: Aye; Vella:\nAye; and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 5. [Items so enacted or adopted are\nindicated by an asterisk preceding the paragraph number.]\n(*21-582) Minutes of the Special City Council Meetings, the Continued July 6, 2021\nMeeting and the Regular Meeting Held on July 20, 2021. Approved.\n(*21-583) Ratified bills in the amount of $6,483,038.57.\n(*21-584) Recommendation to Consent to the Public Utilities Board's Request to\nAuction Surplus Vehicle 432, a Digger-Derrick. Accepted.\n(*21-585) Recommendation to Accept the Work of Bayside Stripe & Seal, Inc. for Fiscal\nYear 2020- 21 Sign and Striping Maintenance Project, No. P.W. 02-20-13. Accepted.\n(*21-586 Ordinance No. 3304, \"Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Second\nAmendment to the Lease with Dreyfuss Capital Partners, a California Limited Liability\nCompany to Extend the Term for Fifty-Nine (59) Months for Building 29, Located at\n1701 Monarch Street, at Alameda Point.\" Finally passed.\n(*21-587) Ordinance No. 3305, \"Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Second\nAmendment to the Lease with Small Size Big Mind, Inc., a California Corporation,\nSubstantially in the Form of Exhibit 4, to Extend the Term for One Year with One 12\nMonth Extension Option for Building 35, Located at 2450 Pan Am Way in the Main\nStreet Neighborhood at Alameda Point.\" Finally passed.\n(*21-588) Ordinance No. 3306, \"Amending the Alameda Municipal Code, Including\nArticle VIII (Sunshine Ordinance) of Chapter Il (Administration) to Clarify Enforcement\nProvisions and Provide for Other Updates and Enhancements to the Sunshine\nOrdinance. Finally passed.\nNote: Councilmembers Daysog and Herrera Spencer recorded a no vote, so the item\ncarried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Knox White, Vella and Mayor Ezzy\nAshcraft - 3. Noes: Councilmembers Daysog and Herrera Spencer - 2.\nREGULAR AGENDA ITEMS\n(21-589) Resolution No. 15817, \"Appointing Robert Lattimore as a Member of the Golf\nCommission. Adopted;\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nSeptember 21, 2021\n3", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 8, "text": "(21-589 A) Resolution No. 15818, \"Appointing Dimple Kanji as a Member of the Library\nBoard.\" Adopted; and\n(21-589 B) Resolution No. 15819, \"Appointing Sara Strickler as Members of the Library\nBoard.' Adopted.\nCouncilmember Knox White moved adoption of the resolution.\nVice Mayor Vella seconded the motion, which carried by the following roll call vote:\nCouncilmembers Daysog: Aye; Herrera Spencer: Aye; Knox White: Aye; Vella: Aye; and\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 5.\nThe City Clerk administered the Oath of Office and Mr. Lattimore, Ms. Kanji and Ms.\nStricker made brief comments.\n(21-590) Presentation by the Chief of Police.\n(21-591) Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft suggested the Police Chief be given 20 minutes or his\npresentation.\nVice Mayor Vella moved approval of allowing 20 minutes for the presentation.\nCouncilmember Knox White seconded the motion, which carried by the following roll call\nvote: Councilmembers Daysog: Aye; Herrera Spencer: Aye; Knox White: Aye; Vella:\nAye; and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 5.\nThe Police Chief gave a Power Point presentation.\nCouncilmember Herrera Spencer requested clarification about the use of the term\n\"clearance.\"\nThe Police Chief responded clearance is the term used to describe when clearing a\ncase through arrest; stated an investigation is conducted and the case is cleared when\nan arrest is made.\nExpressed support for the clarification of the term \"clearance;\" questioned the clearance\nnumbers reported for domestic violence cases; discussed her experience as a domestic\nviolence victim; discussed probation and court ordered violations; expressed support for\nAlameda Police Department (APD); questioned why repeat violators of probation are\nnot being arrested: Teresa Guarino.\nExpressed support for the organizational aspects of the report; discussed\ncorrespondence sent related to the challenges experienced by the Fernside Marina;\nstated the new program and organization takes serious and appropriate steps in\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nSeptember 21, 2021\n4", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 9, "text": "resolving problems; discussed a neighborhood watch program; expressed support for\nthe Police Chief and for the proposed recruitment process; urged Council to support\nAPD in all ways: Bill Garvine, Alameda.\nUrged the continuation of APD providing content-heavy presentations; stated that she\nis\npleased to hear the changes have been made to the Police Policy Manual; expressed\nconcern about page 84 referencing excited delirium; the reference is made to a concept\nwhich has been rejected by American Medical Association (AMA) and not recognized by\nthe American Psychiatric Association (APA) nor the World Health Organization (WHO);\nurged the Policy Manual be focused on science based medical relevance; urged the\npublic be engaged to update beat boundaries; expressed support for increased public\nparticipation in key policing decisions: Jennifer Rakowski, Alameda.\nStated deaths under Police supervision do not appear under the list of statistics;\ndiscussed the Mario Gonzales case; questioned the details being released for the Mario\nGonzales case; expressed support for clarification being provided for the Mario\nGonzales case: Marilyn Rothman, Alameda.\nExpressed support for the distinction between legality and procedural justice; stated\nlegality should be the floor of Police conduct with residents; questioned the boundaries\nof procedural justice; expressed support for working with the Police Chief in fleshing out\nthe commitment to equity and ways in which to remain accountable: Josh Geyer,\nAlameda.\nExpressed concern about the presentation not including information related to the Mario\nGonzales case; stated that she would like more information on how new Officers will be\nproperly trained; she is concerned to see many proposed new Officers and promotions\nto fill vacancies; the presentation did not provide much information related to bias and\ncorrecting a legacy of racism within APD; she is concerned about the emphasis on data;\nthe presentation has not addressed preventing the criminalization of Black and Brown\nfolks and civilian deaths at the hands of APD; discussed rape clearance rates; noted the\npublic has been asking for less Police interaction: Alexia Arocha, Alameda.\nStated there is a need for additional transparency and policy reforms; discussed a social\nmedia abuse case; stated two Officers were found guilty of violating social media\npolicies and manipulating social media; noted the two Officers had been fired from one\njurisdiction and hired by an alternate jurisdiction; expressed concern about the\npossibility of one of the Officers being hired at APD; stated there is a need for\ninvestigation at the Council level: Beth Kenney, Alameda.\nStated the murder and manslaughter report on the presentation is incorrect; discussed\nthe Mario Gonzales case; stated the City cannot look away from the irony; the City\nomitting information is providing the opposite of accountability and trust: Laura Cutrona,\nAlameda.\nStated a silent majority of people are upset with Council; discussed a lack of Council\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nSeptember 21, 2021\n5", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 10, "text": "support for APD; stated crime is increasing; noted people want to move out of Alameda\ndue to crime and lack of support for APD; discussed recent armed thefts: Wayel Fare,\nAlameda.\nExpressed support for the data-driven approach to the presentation; stated that she\nwould like the public to be able to access the information provided; questioned how\ncatalytic converter thefts are being addressed; stated that she would like additional\nOfficers patrolling between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m.; expressed concern\nabout a recent death on Fernside Boulevard; urged Police presence in potentially\nproblematic areas to serve as a deterrent: Carmen Reid, Alameda.\nDiscussed social media; stated there has been no indication of an investigation around\nOfficer social media related to the January 6th insurrection; questioned what APD is\nwilling to give up in order to budget more for neighbor survival needs: Jenice Anderson,\nAlameda.\nCouncilmember Daysog expressed support for the Police Chief and the presentation;\nstated the presentation demonstrates a new focus and key ways to address challenges;\nthe Police Chief is changing the culture of the organization to address wider types of\nissues being faced by the community and nation; he is eagerly looking forward to the\nimplementation of the Police Chief's vision in keeping Alameda a safe place; expressed\nsupport for the change in focus and boundaries; stated the Police Chief is responding to\nthe data presented; expressed support for directed patrols; discussed previous Officers\npatrolling for speeding on Otis Drive; expressed support for the strategy used to develop\nstaff and fill vacancies within APD.\nCouncilmember Herrera Spencer stated that she previously submitted a Council\nReferral for a presentation; the community has provided many comments and concerns;\nshe is hopeful an update will be provided every six months or once a year; inquired\nwhether the Police Chief would respond to any of the public comments received.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated public comments included themes of topics, including\ninappropriate social media use, possible hiring of Officers terminated from other\norganizations and approaches for catalytic converter thefts.\nCouncilmember Herrera Spencer stated that her inquiry is to have the Police Chief\nrespond to any of the public comments received or provide a method in which people\ncan receive responses; noted the APD website includes updates.\nThe Police Chief stated regarding the question related to domestic violence incidents,\nthe presentation numbers are from 2020; the number of domestic violence cases for\n2021 is 31 so far; he will follow up on the question related to page 84 of the Policy\nManual; Officers terminated for misconduct from other jurisdictions are not being hired.\nCouncilmember Herrera Spencer expressed support for the presentation data; stated\nthat she agrees with the sentiment of increased crime; outlined incidents of people\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nSeptember 21, 2021\n6", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 11, "text": "being followed and held up and someone shooting into a house; stated shooting into a\nhouse is a serious problem; expressed concern over assaults, rapes and violent crimes.\nThe Police Chief stated the rape assault clearance numbers show that the offenders are\nknown to the victim in all incidents; it is difficult to put a number on crimes in relation to\npublic safety in Alameda; hearing people's stories is important; he intends to take a\nqualitative and quantitative approach to the incidents; he has given direction to staff to\ninform him about incidents in order to meet with families to discuss the importance and\nseriousness of crimes; he is unable to place value on gun crimes; anytime a person is\nshot at, there is trauma.\nCouncilmember Herrera Spencer expressed support for comments related toward bias,\nracism and equity; stated the matters are important to the community; discussed the\narmored vehicle; stated that she understands a temporary policy has been in place for\nthe vehicle; inquired when the policy would be returning to Council for discussion.\nThe Police Chief responded the matter should come before Council after October.\nCouncilmember Herrera Spencer stated the armored vehicle discussion is important;\nexpressed support for the matter returning to Council for policy adoption; inquired\nwhether the Police Chief plans to bring forth a staff recommendation for License Plate\nReaders (LPR's), to which the Police Chief responded the matter will come to Council\nOctober 19th.\nCouncilmember Knox White expressed support for the approach brought by the Police\nChief; inquired the steps being taken by Officers and APD to stop shootings.\nThe Police Chief responded most shooting incidents are not random in occurrence;\nstated disturbances which escalate in a family or neighborhood will need steps taken\nearly to intervene and provide mediation to address underlying issues; there are\nopportunities to mitigate crimes that are not random; incidents where the use of a\nfirearm to commit a crime are challenging due to offenders looking for the perfect\nopportunity to commit a crime; offenders are looking for a victim and a location;\neliminating crimes means eliminating one of the three elements: offender, victim and\nlocation; offenders generally look for a location which is not well-lit and a victim who has\nbeen watched and is assumed to have valuable items; Police presence has some\ndeterring effect; however, the issue is part of a bigger discussion; people are committing\nrobberies due to being desperate; lack of opportunities tend to influence people's\ndecision; people are willing to take more of a chance when less hope is present; victims\nshould be more vigilant, be aware of surroundings, protect belongings and take\nadditional prevention steps; APD has provided several tips through social media and the\nCity's website; the tips minimize the opportunity for crime.\nCouncilmember Knox White expressed support for the Police Chief acknowledging the\ntrauma associated with gun crimes; noted the presentation shows robberies are down\n20% in the last year; inquired the role of APD in ensuring the community understands\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nSeptember 21, 2021\n7", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 12, "text": "risk and is not unintentionally being driven to believe that things are getting out of\ncontrol when random robbery numbers are going down.\nThe Police Chief responded the approach must be balanced; stated community\nmembers need to be aware that robberies are down; however, robberies are always a\npossibility; when robberies occur, victims are encouraged to cooperate and remain\nvigilant on the front-end; retaining as much information as possible is helpful for Police\nfollow-up; a balanced approach is key; numbers provide an indication; however, there is\nvalue to both understanding robbery numbers are down, yet incidents are still traumatic\nand unacceptable.\nCouncilmember Knox White expressed support for continuing to encourage the City and\nAPD to consider how to balance the messaging in order to convey both stories; stated\nthe result will show a dedicated APD that is doing a great job of clearing cases; urged\nCouncilmembers to convey the same message to avoid unintentionally feeding the story\nof being out of control when robberies and assaults are at a near historic low; expressed\nsupport for APD looking at data and what is known from the data; shootings are mostly\nrandom from a policing standpoint; urged the Police Chief and City Manager to review\nthe list of Council priorities related to LPRs; stated the LPRs are the last priority; noted\ntraffic stop policies and the armored vehicle have been prioritized; expressed concern\nabout LPR correspondence received driving Council discussions instead of Council-set\npriorities; LPRs barely had Council support at the time of setting priorities; he would like\nto ensure Council is focusing on a more holistic picture; expressed support for staff\nworking with the body of Council versus responding to the loudest voices in the room.\nVice Mayor Vella expressed support for the thought put into the presentation, for\nensuring APD is the department both wanted and needed and for the fresh perspective;\nstated the domestic violence and rape numbers are high; the crimes are typically ones\nwhere the victim knows the attacker; inquired the follow up procedures for referral\nservices; questioned whether people and victims are getting needed services and\nwhether delays are present; inquired what is being done to expand and provide\nresources in a timely manner; stated that she is interested in finding out options for\ninstances where the victim knows the attacker; many times services are not needed for\nrelated cases; often times the victim needs to cut ties financially, especially during a\npandemic; questioned whether the City is providing all alternatives and whether there\nare places, based off referrals provided, where the City can do more for people; stated\nthe City can find housing for people or alternatives; the situations are difficult for people\nand cause repeat offenses due to the difficulty in separating and stabilizing family\ninteractions and due to economic and housing pressures; discussions related to\ndefunding Police are meant to also ensure funding for services needed, such as mental\nhealth services and housing; there are cycles and different ties to crime data; expressed\nsupport for using data to make a concerted effort to collect the information to see where\na positive disruption can occur; noted the Mario Gonzales case is an active\ninvestigation; the Police Chief has taken a proactive approach in engaging the\ncommunity; urged continued engagement with the community by the Police Chief in\norder to address underlying concerns and questions; stated that she and Council will\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nSeptember 21, 2021\n8", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 13, "text": "provide support to the Police Chief; Council has prioritized many things and many\npriorities are being placed on APD; Council has ranked priorities; however, sometimes\nthe squeaky wheel gets addressed in a more timely manner; she would like to ensure\nthat any questions related to the priority list be reviewed; members of the public have\nspent a lot of time making recommendations and timeline updates would be helpful.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether the Police Chief should respond to the question\nrelated to resources available to domestic violence and rape victims.\nVice Mayor Vella responded in the affirmative; stated that she would like to know the\nefficacy of the resources and whether more resources are needed.\nThe Police Chief responded APD regularly contacts social services and provides three\nday follow-ups on domestic violence cases; stated APD's violent crimes unit meets\nquarterly with a task force that supports domestic violence victims in order to\nunderstand any underlying themes; the task force comes up with creative ways to help\nvictims' basic needs through hotel vouchers, prepaid phones and access to Uber and\nLyft rides; APD takes a support role in providing the mentioned resources; the lead role\nshould be taken by social services; he does not currently have efficacy data; however,\nhe will follow-up and look into the numbers; repeat domestic violence cases denote a\ncontinuing occurrence; however, the underlying causes or factors can be unknown; Vice\nMayor Vella's inquiry provides an indication of things to continue reviewing.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated the City and APD are fortunate to have the Police Chief;\ninquired whether more information can be provided related to increases in speeding.\nThe Police Chief responded APD has a role in speeding and traffic problems; stated\nGrand Avenue and Otis Drive is an example of an environmental design approach to\naddress speeding problems; the intersection previously had many collisions and issues\nwith public safety; the City has done a good job of addressing traffic; data is one way of\nviewing the problem, but is not the only way; fatalities and collisions are on a downturn;\nthe City is taking a holistic approach to the problem; environmental design has an\nimpact; APD supports the matter by enforcing the California Vehicle Code; with directed\npatrols, APD will patrol areas where complaints are received and issues are known to\noccur; all agencies can participate in supporting and mitigating problems; APD is also\nproviding education via social media, signage and presence; he does not believe\ncitations and ticketing will clear the problem; an approach from all angles will help;\napproaches and responses have lifespans, which require adjustment.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired the control held by APD over the District Attorney's report\nand Coroner's report in relation to the Mario Gonzales case.\nThe Police Chief responded the case is an active investigation; the investigation itself\ncannot be commented on; control over the investigation is not held by APD; the\ninvestigation is held by the Alameda County Sherriff's Office; the Coroner's report is\nbeing prepared by the Alameda County Coroner; APD no longer has anything to do with\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nSeptember 21, 2021\n9", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 14, "text": "the investigation.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft noted a public comment referenced Council not supporting APD\nenough in stopping crime; inquired the ways which Council can further support APD.\nThe Police Chief responded that he has felt supported since his arrival at the City;\nstated everyone needs to work together and approach safety in Alameda as a group;\nstaffing challenges are contributing to the issue; direction is needed; he clearly provides\ndirection to APD; it is too early to make requests of Council at this time; APD is headed\nin a good direction and he feels Council support; he will be seeking guidance and will\nmake requests as time progresses.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated Council does need to stop and realize that the Police\nChief's first day was June 8th; the 90-day update takes time to prepare; the first 90 days\nhave been exciting and ambitious; Council looks forward to hearing more from the\nPolice Chief.\nCouncilmember Herrera Spencer stated the previous Interim Police Chief reported a\ntotal of 17 shootings for 2020; inquired the current number of shootings for 2021, to\nwhich the Police Chief responded 16.\nCouncilmember Herrera Spencer stated the amount of shootings is why people feel as\nthough there is an issue; the jump from 7 shootings in 2019 to 17 in 2020 is a problem;\nshe hopes the amount of shootings for 2021 does not break the record; the City is at the\nhighest amount in four years; inquired the amount of assaults for the year.\nThe Police Chief responded assaults are up 215% through July 31; stated August\nnumbers are up 194%.\nCouncilmember Herrera Spencer stated the numbers are a significant increase;\nrobberies are shown at a negative 8.8% year to date; inquired how many of the\nrobberies included guns; noted not every robbery includes a gun.\nThe Police Chief responded the elements of robbery are the theft of personal property\nby use of force or fear; stated the instrument can be hands, brandishing a weapon or\nmaking threatening remarks; thefts by use of force are categorized as robberies; he\ndoes not have the breakdown for the robbery data; reports are generated and rank\ncrimes higher than others; if someone commits a shooting and a robbery, the crime will\nbe listed as a shooting.\nCouncilmember Herrera Spencer expressed support for the Police Chief sharing the\ndata for 2021 shootings being 16.\nThe Police Chief stated the amount reported is through July 31; the number will be\nhigher going through August.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nSeptember 21, 2021\n10", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 15, "text": "Councilmember Herrera Spencer outlined the previous Interim Police Chief's shooting\nreport for prior years; stated that she believes there is a reason to be concerned about\nthe number of shootings.\nThe Police Chief stated the numbers show a significant increase as opposed to prior\nyears.\nCouncilmember Herrera Spencer expressed support for future reports including the\ncurrent number of shootings.\nCouncilmember Knox White stated traffic fatalities have gone down from the previous\nyear; however, last year's traffic fatalities were a 10-year high; the trend is not down, the\ntrend is up; the likely way for someone to be injured or killed in Alameda is to be hit by a\ncar; public safety needs to include a focus of resources on places where the greatest\nharm will be; the Police will not be able to stop shootings; Alameda is doing a great job\nin following up on matters; the City is working regionally; expressed concern about\nspeeding; stated that he would like to ensure Council is not losing focus leading to the\ngreater harm in the community by chasing down numbers and not paying attention to\nwhat can be done; expressed support for a maintained focus on safety and creating\nsafety.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated the increase in shootings and automobile-related deaths\nare terrifying; there are more interventions to perform on the auto-related injuries and\nfatalities; inquired whether there are ways for APD to prevent shootings other than\nCouncil taking action on gun control legislation; noted California already has strong gun\ncontrol; it is fair to say too many guns are present; inquired how APD can address the\nissue; questioned whether it is better to apprehend individuals that commit crimes using\nguns.\nThe Police Chief responded the approach is multi-faceted; stated a shooting is less\nlikely to happen when a Police Officer is present; APD has a finite number of Officers;\nOfficers cannot be placed everywhere in order to prevent all shootings from happening;\npeople make calculated risks when choosing to use a firearm in a crime; planned\nshootings usually take calculated risks; some people are less thoughtful about risk in\nthe heat of the moment; those with the propensity for violence can be taken and held\naccountable through enforcement, which prevents re-offending; the solution is not as\nsimple as saying the Police can solely resolve it; a multi-faceted approach must be\ntaken; the Police can take a role by being present and preventing crimes from\nhappening; however, Officers cannot be in every location at all times; those involved in\nshootings can be held accountable; underlying issues causing people to choose crime\nmight include social issues; people are desperate and chances will be taken when hope\nis lost; social services being available as an option can help change choices; some\npeople will not make the choice even when social services are made available;\nexpressed support for trying every effort to ensure resources are available to people so\nthat they are less likely to offend; enforcement is an option to hold people accountable.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nSeptember 21, 2021\n11", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 16, "text": "Councilmember Daysog expressed support for having a good number of Officers on the\nstreets enforcing traffic laws or deterring gun violence; stated Officers cannot be in front\nof every home; a message of strong deterrence is sent when enough Officers are able\nto investigate and track down people who shoot a gun in langer; the question is not\nabout having enough Officers to deter gun violence; the City needs to improve the\namount of Officers on the street; he is confident that the Police Chief and City Manager\nare working to increase [APD] staffing numbers; the issue is not about stopping crime\nbefore it happens, but being able to follow-up and track down perpetrators of crime;\nnearby cities have a lot of crime which is not followed-up on due to capacity issues;\nAlameda's history has been to be able to track down people that commit violent crimes;\ndiscussed a killing at Washington Park; stated APD Officers have been able to track\ndown perpetrators of violent crimes as soon as possible; it is important to continue to\nwork to increase APD's staffing.\n***\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft called a recess at 9:48 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 10:11\np.m.\n***\n(21-592) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute an\nAgreement with Alameda Family Services for an Amount Not to Exceed $500,000 for\nOne-Year, with an Option to Extend for an Additional Year for an Amount Not To\nExceed $1,000,000 for Two-Years, to Provide for Mental Health Services Related to the\nCity's Alternative Response to Calls for Mental Health Crisis Support Pilot Program.\nThe Assistant City Manager gave a Power Point presentation.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft expressed concern about the proposal not being ready for a\nnumber of reasons; stated Council is being asked to approve allowing the City Manager\nauthority to enter into a Service Provider Agreement (SPA); the agreement provided\nreferences services to be performed in Exhibit A, which is not included; noted there was\nnot enough time to put together the exhibit; County approvals were cause for delay;\nexpressed concern about the Request for Proposals (RFP) being generic and put\ntogether by the Alameda Fire Department (AFD) that does not have experience with the\nservices; AFD is awaiting training; the RFP yielded one response, which is also\nconcerning; outlined Santa Clara County's Mental Health Response; stated Santa Clara\nCounty staff agreed to meet with Alameda City staff; proposed that the agreement be\ndone with an emphasis on correctness, not speed; expressed support for having the\nRFP re-issued in consultation with a firm that has relevant experience; County\nBehavioral Healthcare Services can provide assistance; respondents can apply or re-\napply to the new RFP; a new Fire Chief will be starting in the next month; AFD\nexecutive staff could be part of the selection process; the matter is premature and staff\nshould be given more time; getting the services right is more important than in getting\nthe program running fast; expressed concern about Alameda Family Services (AFS) not\nworking with people who are violent or engaged in criminal activities; stated there is a\nwide gap in services; a service provider with clinical experience is needed.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nSeptember 21, 2021\n12", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 17, "text": "Councilmember Herrera Spencer requested clarification about the Council discussion\nprocess; stated the current time is typically reserved for Council clarifying questions;\nexpressed support for proceeding with the item as agendized.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she raised concerns at the outset due to any Brown Act\nor Open Government Commission violations.\nDiscussed Council meeting rules; expressed support for the City engaging with AFS;\nstated the proposal is an important first step; further delay will be an unjustified\nextension of the status quo, which is unacceptable; discussed death in Police custody;\nurged Council to act: Erin Fraser, Alameda.\nExpressed support for the pilot with AFS; discussed her experience with Alameda\nUnified School District (AUSD) as a Principal for Island High School; stated her\nexperience with AFS has shown there would be an effective partnership for a pilot\nprogram; AFS is uniquely positioned to respond to the needed wrap around support;\nAFS has worked to divert youth from the justice system and has helped intervene and\nsupport with families dealing with gun violence, addiction, domestic violence and other\nmental health needs; the program will require a provider that knows the community with\ndeep ties and established history; AFS is plugged into the needs and resources in the\ncommunity in a way that no other agency has; AFS has multicultural staff, which\nsupports equitable access to the community: Alysse Castro, Alameda.\nStated that she is astounded to hear support for further delay of the program; discussed\nprevious support for the Felton Institute; stated further delays will result in more harm to\nthe community; she appreciates the detailed proposal from AFS; AFS has shown more\ndetail and care than the previous proposal, which included double the budget; the need\nfor a program like this is present and not just Monday through Friday from nine to five;\nshe hopes the proposal will be considered and is part of the beginning of efforts to limit\nPolice contact with vulnerable neighbors; expressed concern over the budget for the\nprogram being too low; stated the City can prevent another Mario Gonzales case from\nhappening; urged Council to do the right thing: Jenice Anderson, Alameda.\nStated the program has to be 24 hours, 7 days a week; the proposed hours are not long\nenough; many problems occur when most people are sleeping; the program would help\nthe prevention of crime; noted crime increases are due to the pandemic and the lack of\nhousing and work; Alameda needs a strong non-Police response to incidents: Marilyn\nRothman, Alameda.\nExpressed support for the proposal; stated that he is part of the Board of Directors for\nAFS; he also served on the subcommittee for unbundling Police services; the\nsubcommittee made the initial recommendation to remove mental health calls from the\npurview of APD; the next step is to engage a mental health provider; the City could not\ndo better than AFS; AFS has decades of experience with proven excellence in mental\nhealth services for the City; AFS has many partnerships nearby; the weaknesses in the\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nSeptember 21, 2021\n13", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 18, "text": "RFP are bounced out by the robustness provided by AFS; it is time for the City to make\nthe program happen; urged Council to support the proposal: Jono Soglin, Alameda.\nStated strong mental health programs and support are wanted; the program should be\nrooted in the community with strong and consistent local ties; staff has been directed to\nlisten to the necessity for 24 hour, 7 days a week response; the proposal has improved\nin order to create a strong and fiscally sound response; expressed support for the\nproposal: Jennifer Rakowski, Alameda.\nExpressed support for the pilot program; stated there is a need for the service the City\nshould be thankful to have a qualified, community-based organization; AFS has risen to\nthe occasion; issuing another RFP does not make sense; the City needs 24 hours, 7\ndays a week program with $1 million in funding each year; the alternatives to Police\nneed to continue to grow; delaying the program would be a miscarriage of justice; urged\nCouncil to approve the pilot program and swiftly do the right thing: Debra Mendoza,\nAlameda.\nExpressed support for the AFS proposal; discussed his experience working with AFS;\nstated AFS has highly competent staff, experienced leadership, a continuum of services\nand strong relationships with both the community and other providers; he is confident\nthat AFS will provide effective crisis mental health services; discussed his involvement\nwith the Justice and Mental Health Task Force; stated the community needs the\nproposed program: Matthew Madaus, The Behavioral Health Collaborative of Alameda\nCounty.\nStated the program will not work without everyone being able to access services;\nCouncil must stop delaying; the City does not have any more time to wait; Council has\nthe opportunity to do something; a pilot program is a pilot for a reason; the program is\nunique and will provide more than the County; the City is attempting something which is\na new way of living that will help everyone; the specifics and nit-picky details might be\nwarranted, but will not save lives; performing the work will help save lives; the need has\nbeen communicated to Council many times; AFS offer critical support to the most\nvulnerable within the community: Savanna Cheer, Alameda.\nStated that she is tired of waiting and delays; the program is a pilot and should begin;\nchanges and fixes can be made along the way; nothing can be fixed when nothing is\nstarted; expressed support for the proposal; urged Council to vote yes on the matter:\nMelodye Montgomery, Alameda.\nStated now is the time to act; the program is a pilot and does not have to be perfect;\nurged Council to approve the AFS proposal; stated AFD cannot be critiqued for putting\nforth the RFP; critiquing the RFP is disingenuous; discussed Felton Institute's\napplication; stated any organization could have applied at either point; opening another\nRFP would only cause further delay; the program restricts handling people who are\nviolent or criminal; the program is not meant to send case workers to serve as backup\nfor law enforcement; there is no reason for delay; the AFS proposal is sound and\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nSeptember 21, 2021\n14", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 19, "text": "comprehensive; urged Council award the contract to AFS: Carly Stadum-Liang,\nAlameda.\nStated the need for these services has greatly increased during the pandemic; the\nprogram needs to happen in order for the City to have an alternative response team; the\nprogram needs to contain mental health clinicians to be effective; urged Council to\nsupport the staff recommendation and accept Options 1A and 1C; stated the program is\na pilot which can be adjusted; it is more important to have a program in place than to\nhave something perfect: Beth Kenney, Alameda.\n(21-593) Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated a motion is need to consider new items after 11:00\np.m.\nVice Mayor Vella moved approval of continuing the meeting until midnight while trying to\nget through as many remaining agenda items as possible.\nCouncilmember Daysog seconded the motion, which carried by the following roll call\nvote: Councilmembers Daysog: Aye; Herrera Spencer: Aye; Knox White: Aye; Vella:\nAye; and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 5.\nVice Mayor Vella stated the details of the program matter; the program is a matter of life\nand death; Council is providing a set of services where people will call in for assistance;\nexpressed concern about Council not currently providing services; noted AFS clinicians\nwill receive a stipend for the 24 hours, 7 days a week on-call service; inquired whether\nclinicians would be bound to not be drinking by agreeing to be on an on-call shift.\nThe Assistant City Manager responded in the affirmative; stated the City's expectation\nwith the contract is to have trained, medical, clinical professionals and clinicians able to\nadminister services at any given hour; the professionals will be on-call similar to any\nother professional working on behalf of the City.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft outlined paragraph four of page 8 titled: \"Ability to Provide\nBehavioral Health Professional Services;\" stated the response time listed is 90 minutes;\nexpressed concern about 90 minutes being a long response time; stated the details of\nthe program are important.\nKatherine Schwartz, Alameda Family Services, stated under no circumstances will a\nclinician do anything which would inhibit their ability to perform job functions while being\non-call and paid via stipend; clinicians will be paid hourly when activated by call;\nclinicians will either be prepared to respond in-person or by phone; the expectation is to\nhave a clinician call back and respond within 15 minutes; noted the RFP indicated an\nacceptable response time of 90 minutes; stated the 90 minute response time would\nlikely be the longest response time period possible.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nSeptember 21, 2021\n15", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 20, "text": "Vice Mayor Vella inquired whether the call back includes interaction with the first\nresponder and whether there will be an opportunity for clinicians to speak with the\nindividual calling in for service or whether all communication will be limited to first\nresponders.\nMs. Schwartz responded in person requests for service are expected to engage with the\nrequestor; there is an opportunity for clinicians to speak with callers having a crisis;\na\nclinician's response will depend on the situation; clinicians will use judgement and work\nin collaboration with first responders to determine the best course of action.\nVice Mayor Vella inquired whether the clinician or the first responder will be the one to\ndetermine whether or not AFS response will be in-person.\nMs. Schwartz responded the determination will be part of a discussion; stated a first\nresponder could call AFS and determine in-person services are needed based on the\nsituation; the clinician could also make the determination for in-person services based\non information provided by the first responder; the clinician will use judgement based on\ninformation received.\nVice Mayor Vella inquired whether there will be a scenario where first responders will\nask for a clinician to respond in-person and the clinician will deny the response, to which\nMs. Schwartz responded in the negative.\nVice Mayor Vella stated if a first responder would like a clinician present, the clinician\nwill arrive without question; the 90 minute response time is assumed to allow for travel\ntime; inquired whether the first responders will remain on the phone in the interim or\nwhether the clinician will check-in with the first responders; questioned the process and\ncommunication for calls for service.\nThe Interim Fire Chief stated AFD has asked AFS to provide support to the program;\nseveral situations will expect assistance from AFS; one situation will be a tele-health\nconnection between an AFD first responder and an AFS clinician; AFD will have an\nopportunity to put the client on the call in order to speak directly to the clinician when\nwarranted; first responder units will remain on the scene until the completion of the call;\nthe second situation would be requesting a clinician to respond directly to the scene;\nAFD will remain with the caller until AFS arrives.\nVice Mayor Vella inquired whether the City has been working with Alameda County.\nThe Interim Fire Chief responded in the affirmative; stated staff has been working with\nthe County on program development, protocols and additional response criteria.\nThe City Manager stated the proposal includes wrap around services and referral to the\ncorrect agencies for follow-up, which is a critical component.\nVice Mayor Vella stated a proposal on paper can be different than the walk-through of\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nSeptember 21, 2021\n16", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 21, "text": "services; AFD is currently responding to calls for service; AFD has an understanding of\nneeds for calls for service; expressed support for receiving input from the Deputy Fire\nChief; stated that she understands the City discussing County requirements; inquired\nwhether language should be included in the agreement or if any changes or\nmodifications to the agreement need to be made; outlined the County providing program\nrequirements not currently outlined in the proposed agreement; inquired whether the\nlanguage needs to be negotiated at the present time.\nThe Deputy Fire Chief responded AFD is currently working with Alameda County Public\nHealth (ACPH) and Alameda County Emergency Medical Services (ACEMS); AFD\nworks under the County Medical Director; one of the things ACPH requires in order to\ninitiate 5150 calls by telemedicine is oversight from a licensed clinician; AFD would\nneed access to a licensed, on-call clinician able to assess a situation and provide input\nand consultation; APD is not currently required to have a licensed clinician on-call;\nACPH does not want to expand the right for people to invoke 5150; ACPH would like to\nlimit the amount of 5150 calls being placed and overwhelming the system; outlined the\n60-hour training completed by nine paramedics; stated if AFD responds to calls above\nwhat can be handled, staff will have clinician and Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training\nin order assess whether to initiate an AFS clinician; the calls may take a long time; the\nclinician can be present to provide expertise, complement the program and provide a\nteam effort to calls for service.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired how often AFD is able to use telemedicine for some of the\ncalls received; stated many references to the Mario Gonzales case have been made;\nquestioned whether telemedicine would have been used in the Mario Gonzales case\nand the parameters.\nThe Deputy Fire Chief responded that he cannot second guess the Mario Gonzales\ncase; stated that he was not part of the call for service; crisis mobile units would likely\nbe present in situations where APD would be moved back to deescalate; if AFD is not\nable to successfully deescalate a situation, an AFS clinician will be called in to assist.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired what occurs when the person is violent.\nThe Deputy Fire Chief responded any violent individual requires APD to be present for\nsafety purposes; noted AFD and AFS will be working as a team in order not to have\npeople in harm's way.\nVice Mayor Vella inquired whether de-escalation in a similar scenario would require\nAFD to come in and be the first face of the interaction to ensure the interaction is\ndifferent from APD.\nThe Deputy Fire Chief responded in the affirmative; stated that his hope is to have AFD\nout first with two people on a low profile crisis unit; the response will not include a Fire\nengine and ambulance or APD response; the response will include two people in a\nvehicle, dressed casually, to engage with the patient; APD may be present in the\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nSeptember 21, 2021\n17", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 22, "text": "background of the engagement process; AFD has held discussions with APD in order to\nconvey proper roles; AFD will work to de-escalate situations; if a weapon is involved or\nan individual is violent at the onset, AFD will need to ensure the safety of the scene and\nallow APD to secure the area; AFD has been transporting mental health patients since\n1982; the transport process is not new to AFD; the program allows AFD to expand\noptions and get people to the correct place; AFD's options are not limited to 5150 calls\nwith transport to psychiatric facilities; under the pilot program, AFD will now have\noptions which include treatment and release; AFD can refer and release known clients\nthrough AFS handling a caseload and providing follow-up; outlined various issues AFD\nwill potentially encounter; stated an office space for AFS is already available in the\ncommunity paramedic office and a clinician will be in the office Monday through Friday.\nVice Mayor Vella inquired whether the clinician being present will allow AFD to provide\nfollow-up and ensure the client has been seen as part of the refer and release program.\nThe Deputy Fire Chief responded in the affirmative; stated the presence will be a large\npart of the success of the program; there is currently no follow-up care for clients being\ntaken to a psychiatric ward on a 5150 call; the proposed program will be one of a kind\nfor California and the area; San Francisco is providing a similar program with a high\nsuccess rate.\nVice Mayor Vella expressed support for the program breakdown; stated the details\nprovide a more digestible understanding; she would like to ensure the Quality\nAssurance Board does not include AFS as part of the Board; it is important to not have\nAFS reviewing itself.\nThe Interim Fire Chief stated the Quality Assurance Board is available for each AFD\nprogram; the oversight is part of the process where AFD reviews what is done and\nwhere improvements can be made; AFD is working in collaboration with AFS and\nshould review the process together; staff has discussed the prospect of having an open\npublic meeting or committee meeting where AFD can potentially host a question and\nanswer event; AFD would like to remain as transparent as possible regarding the\nprogram's health and operation; data reporting will be coming from both AFD and AFS\nsources; AFD has robust internal data and records management; outlined patient care\nreports; stated that he would like to be able to answer community questions, as\nappropriate; quality assurance is a large part of the organization.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether there is a place for peer review in the program\nprocess.\nThe Deputy Fire Chief responded AFD staff will follow the San Francisco Crisis Mobile\nUnits' peer review model; a ride along with the San Francisco Mobile Unit will occur;\nACPH and ACEMS will also review the AFD pilot program, including data and\nresponses review; outlined training; noted some of the staff who volunteered for the\ntraining are veterans.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nSeptember 21, 2021\n18", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 23, "text": "Vice Mayor Vella stated the process should have a clause allowing for collaborative,\nregional peer review built into the agreement; expressed support for a bi-annual check\nin; stated San Francisco has been providing services for a short period of time; the\nmatter is regional; the peer review will be helpful; expressed concern about opening the\nQuality Assurance Board review up to a full public meeting; stated the program is a pilot\nin an emerging area and needs a lot of expertise; she is not in favor of the second year\noption being extended by mutual agreement; expressed support for the pilot coming\nback to Council after one year for review, a presentation on data and peer review\nresults; stated the program is a good starting point; a lot of work has been done to get\nhere; the City could end up looking for a different build-out; Council can make decisions\nat the one year mark; expressed support for the work put into the program; stated the\ngoal is to have the proposed alternative happen; she is concerned about the Exhibit A to\nthe agreement not being included; stated Council should provide direction on specifics\nand have the matter return in a clean fashion.\nCouncilmember Herrera Spencer stated that she would like to hear from the City\nAttorney regarding the missing Exhibit A; she understands the exhibit to be a tentative\ndocument; she believes Council can proceed with the language included in the report.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft expressed concern about an Open Government Commission\n(OGC) complaint being filed against the City Council.\nThe City Attorney stated if Council wishes to proceed with the matter, Council may\nprovide clear direction to staff; the staff report acknowledges that the contract is not\ncomplete; Council will need to provide as clear direction as possible so that the authority\ngiven to the City Manager is understood; alternatively, Council may consider providing\ndirection to have staff return with a clean Exhibit A; both options are legally viable.\nCouncilmember Herrera Spencer outlined the first page of the proposed agreement;\nstated her preference is to move forward and allow the City Manager to negotiate and\nexecute the agreement with AFS; the language is recommending Council approve the\nCity Manager being allowed to negotiate and execute the agreement with AFS; inquired\nhow the City Attorney believes Council should proceed.\nThe City Attorney responded that his previous response is consistent with the language\npresented; stated Council has multiple paths forward, including giving the City Manager\nauthority to negotiate and execute the agreement or staff can return to Council with\nsomething more precise; both approaches are within Council's authority.\nCouncilmember Herrera Spence moved approval of the staff recommendation to\nauthorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with Alameda\nFamily Services for an amount not to exceed $500,000 for one-year.\nCouncilmember Herrera Spencer expressed support for starting the term at one year\nand having Council make a decision to provide direction at the current meeting; stated\nthe direction complies with the staff recommendation; she hopes Council will support\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nSeptember 21, 2021\n19", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 24, "text": "moving forward with the motion; moving forward with the pilot program is important; she\nwas not on Council when the process began; she agrees with the community that it is\npast due; expressed support for first responders being present in times of crisis and for\nAFS and AFD joining as Alameda's team; stated AFS has been serving the City since\n1969; the community has been supporting AFS for over 50 years; AFS has a presence\nin the community; no other provider knows and serves Alameda better than AFS;\nexpressed support for the pilot program; stated the City has a head start; other cities are\ntrying to figure out similar programs; the program might need more money at some\npoint; the City can look at using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the\nprogram; mental health needs have increased due to COVID-19; time is of the essence.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated Vice Mayor Vella made recommendations; inquired whether\nthe recommendations are included within the motion as direction to the City Manager.\nCouncilmember Herrera Spencer responded in the negative; stated that she does not\nwant to back-pedal on the matter; expressed support for moving forward; stated that\nshe articulated the matter would come back in one-year for re-evaluation; the Council\nshould not get into the weeds; she is happy to consider friendly amendments to the\nmotion.\nCouncilmember Knox White stated that the program will be one and a half year into the\nduration before needed data is available to decide whether or not to continue with the\nprogram as-designed; it has taken four months to get to the point of having a program\nrecommendation put before Council for consideration and negotiation; the matter will be\nback in front of Council within three months to begin the discussion for year two.\nCouncilmember Knox White seconded the motion with amendment; to include the\noption to extend; stated if the program is proceeding poorly, Council can stop the\nprogram; the option to extend provides Council the option not to continue; Council will\ncause a lot of work without much benefit in having the matter return after one year.\nUnder discussion, Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated there is a clause stating that the\nagreement may be mutually extended up to one year at the sole discretion of the City\nManager; inquired whether the matter should come back to Council.\nCouncilmember Knox White responded that he would like to give the authority to the\nCity Manager.\nCouncilmember Herrera Spencer accepted the friendly amendment to the motion.\nCouncilmember Knox White expressed concern about stepping into the administrative\nrealm in writing the contract; outlined the Mali Watkins incident; stated there has been a\ncommitment to the community from the City Manager about being a leader in how the\nCity responds to calls for service within one year; Council is being provided with a\ncontract from City staff and AFS which encompasses that commitment; he would like\nCouncil to move forward; the program is a pilot and is iterative; recommended the\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nSeptember 21, 2021\n20", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 25, "text": "contract be written in such a way that Exhibit A can be changed by the City, with\nagreement from AFS and a 45 to 60 day notice as the program progresses and\niterations are made when approaches do not work; AFD and AFS can make the\nrecommendation to change when needed in order to create a mechanism for the\nprogram to go back and change the schedule in a simple manner versus having to\ncome back to Council and amend the contract; expressed support for the flexibility in\nallowing changes to be made, for Council giving direction to have quarterly updates\nprovided and allowing Council to raise issues prior to the one year extension option;\nstated there are ways that Council can create breaks; he agrees with public\ncommenters that the issue has taken 14 months and it is time to move forward.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether the proposed motion amendment becomes a\nsubstitute motion.\nThe City Clerk responded that she has heard the comment provided as amendment to\nthe motion on the floor.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she thought the entire Council must decide on the\nmotion amendments, not just the maker of the motion.\nThe City Clerk stated the usual procedure followed by the City is that the maker of the\nmotion accepts amendments to the motion.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated a motion has been made by Councilmember Herrera\nSpencer, which has been seconded and amended by Councilmember Knox White; the\nmaker of the motion has accepted the amendment to the motion.\nCouncilmember Daysog stated the program represents a historic opportunity for\nreforming policing in Alameda; the action will be looked at with pride by many\ngenerations of Alamedans; Council should move forward with the motion as-amended;\nhe has previously voted for Felton Institute to provide services; he is also confident that\nthe AFD can manage the contract; the RFP is only one and a half pages long; the RFP\nis written more as a Request for Qualifications (RFQ); AFD has asked for the\nqualifications with respect to the items and sub-items included in the RFP; the response\nand proposal from AFS is in-depth; AFS hit all pertinent points in the RFP to ensure\npolicing reform and allowing mental health professionals to deal with non-violent\nsituations of implied mental health needs; Council should not miss the rare opportunity\nto reform policing; he is unsure whether the program will be a model looked at by other\ncities; expressed support for the pilot program.\nVice Mayor Vella inquired how the quarterly updates will be provided; expressed\nconcern about the updates being placed on a Council meeting agenda; expressed\nsupport for the update to Council on the pilot program being agendized ahead of the\none year mark.\nCouncilmember Knox White responded an off-agenda report for the quarterly updates\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nSeptember 21, 2021\n21", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 26, "text": "seems great; the matter can always be put forth by a Councilmember; Council can\nprovide direction to have the matter return one month prior to the execution of the one\nyear extension.\nCouncilmember Herrera Spencer stated that she accepts all of the amendments made\nby Councilmember Knox White.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she has been persuaded on the matter; she has\nlistened to many of the speakers over the year process and holds respect for the time,\neffort and passion put into the program; expressed support for the work of the Assistant\nCity Manager; stated the process is iterative; thanked staff and AFS for further\nillustrating the program; expressed support for the pilot program; stated it is important to\nmove forward with the program now; staff will take the discussion points made by\nCouncil into consideration when finalizing negotiations.\nOn the call for the question, the motion carried by the following roll call vote:\nCouncilmembers Daysog: Aye; Herrera Spencer: Aye; Knox White: Aye; Vella: Aye; and\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 5.\n(21-594) Resolution No. 15820, \"To Apply for the San Francisco Bay Restoration\nAuthority Measure AA Grant to Fund Planning and Design of De-Pave Park and\nAllocate $50,000 in Matching Funds, if Awarded.' Adopted.\nExpressed support for the work being done; stated many people have been\ninstrumental in bringing the project to this point; DePave Park is an opportunity Alameda\nmust take; the Park will be a unique resource for wildlife due to location, will have\nsignificant potential to sequester carbon and will be a beautiful place of respite and\nlearning for all Alamedans; urged Council to vote in favor of the grant application and\nmatching funding: Linda Carloni, Golden Gate Audubon Society.\nExpressed support for comments provided by the Gold Gate Audubon Society and for\nthe matching funds; stated the matching funds will make a difference in the application;\nnoted the City was previously unsuccessful in the attempt at grant funding for DePave\nPark; stated previous budget requests have been for $280,000 and a $50,000 request is\na bargain: Ruth Abbe, Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda.\nThe Recreation and Parks Director gave a PowerPoint presentation.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft outlined a newspaper article that she authored about DePave Park\nand the second chance at grant funding efforts.\nVice Mayor Vella moved approval of the staff recommendation [including adoption of the\nresolution].\nCouncilmember Knox White seconded the motion.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nSeptember 21, 2021\n22", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 27, "text": "Under discussion, Councilmember Herrera Spencer expressed support for reaching a\nconsensus and consistency for the spelling of DePave Park; stated that she would like\nto have a discussion around Buildings 25 and 29; she would like to confirm that Council\nis not agreeing to demolish either building in approving the grant funding.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated Council is approving a resolution to allow the City to apply\nfor a grant.\nThe Recreation and Parks Director stated Buildings 25 and 29 will be a major topic of\ndiscussion for the DePave Park Master Plan process, which would be funded by the\ngrant if awarded.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft expressed support for an eventual new name for DePave Park.\nOn the call for the question, the motion carried by the following roll call vote:\nCouncilmembers Daysog: Aye; Herrera Spencer: Aye; Knox White: Aye; Vella: Aye; and\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 5.\n(21-595) Public Hearing to Consider Introduction of Ordinance Amending Alameda\nMunicipal Code Chapter XXIV Public Health to Add Section 24-14 Prohibition on\nGasoline-Powered Leaf Blowers. Introduced.\nThe City Planner gave a brief presentation.\nCouncilmember Herrera Spencer inquired whether the City is still using gasoline\npowered leaf blowers.\nThe City Planner responded in the negative; stated City contractors are not using\ngasoline powered leaf blowers.\nCouncilmember Herrera Spencer stated that she received a complaint about City\ncontractors using gasoline powered leaf blowers at a park; requested clarification about\nthe use for City contractors.\nThe City Manager stated the City is converting from gasoline powered leaf blowers to\nelectric; contracts are being converted to be consistent with the ordinance.\nCouncilmember Herrera Spencer stated that she supports the matter; she hopes the\nCity will finish the conversion of contractors; the City should be the leader in such\nmatters.\nVice Mayor Vella moved introduction of the ordinance.\nCouncilmember Daysog seconded the motion.\nUnder discussion, Councilmember Knox White stated that he plans to support the\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nSeptember 21, 2021\n23", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 28, "text": "motion; his only potential change would be to consider whether Council wants the\nordinance to go into effect immediately with enforcement not starting until 2023; the\nmatter will have the same enforcement timeline; rather than people continuing to use\ngasoline powered leaf blowers for a year and a half, the City can begin the education\nportion and phase in enforcement.\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft expressed support for staying with the staff recommendation;\nstated that the education piece for the matter is important, including bilingual outreach;\nthe City is impacting people's employment; there is hope that the change happens\nsooner rather than later.\nOn the call for the question, the motion carried by the following roll call vote:\nCouncilmembers Daysog: Aye; Herrera Spencer: Aye; Knox White: Aye; Vella: Aye; and\nMayor Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 5.\n(21-596) Recommendation to Review, Comment and Provide Direction on Preliminary\nNeeds Assessment and Recommendations for Development of Smart City Master Plan.\nVice Mayor Vella moved approval of continuing the item to the Continued Agenda Items\nsection of the October 5, 2021 Council meeting.\nCouncilmember Herrera Spencer seconded the motion, which carried by the following\nroll call vote: Councilmembers Daysog: Aye; Herrera Spencer: Aye; Knox White: Aye;\nVella: Aye; and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 5.\nCITY MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS\n(21-597) The City Manager made an announcement regarding the City's annual Job\nFair at South Shore Center; stated the City is seeking Community Service Award\nnominations for community members who have made tremendous contributions over\nthe past year in the City of Alameda.\nORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA\nNone.\nCOUNCIL REFERRALS\n(21-598) Considering Having an Introduction and Update from the New Police Chief\nregarding Strategies to Address Crimes. (Councilmember Herrera Spencer) Not heard.\n(21-599) Considering Directing Staff to Provide an Update on License Plate Readers.\n(Councilmember Herrera Spencer) Not heard.\n(21-600) Consider Directing Staff to Publicly Share Information on Parking Recreational\nVehicles. (Councilmember Herrera Spencer) Not heard.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nSeptember 21, 2021\n24", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}
{"body": "CityCouncil", "date": "2021-09-21", "page": 29, "text": "(21-601) Consider Directing Staff to Address Representation for Below Market Rate\nHomeowners on Homeowner Association (HOA) Boards and with Property\nManagement. (Councilmember Herrera Spencer) Not heard.\n(21-602) Consider Directing Staff to Support Removal of the US Navy Constraints\nLimiting Housing Development at Alameda Point. (Councilmember Herrera Spencer and\nCouncilmember Daysog) Not heard.\n(21-603) Consider Directing Staff to Address Identifying New Areas at Alameda Point to\nDevelop a Number of Housing Units Above the Originally-Agreed Upon Numbers of the\n2023-2031 Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). (Councilmember Daysog) Not\nheard.\nCOUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS\n(21-604) Councilmember Knox White discussed City Council and School Board\nSubcommittee meeting; stated the School District has been meeting with Alameda\nCounty about pushing back closing Emma Hood pool due to COVID-19; the current\nclosure is set for January; it is unclear whether the County is receptive; Encinal High\nSchool is looking to put up flood lights to have backup nighttime use of the Encinal High\nSchool pool; there is forward motion on the shared use agreement that allows the City\nto use Encinal High School pool for community swimming during the day; the matter\nshould come before Council by the end of the year; announced a $290 million bond\nbeing placed on the ballot in June; discussed an AFS contract with the School District;\nannounced 73% of students are vaccinated as of the previous week.\n(21-605) Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft made an announcement about a ribbon cutting for a new\napartment building at Alameda Point; stated the units are all market rate and are helping\nto fund the 25% affordable units; discussed the last of the \"Starlight Movies in the Park\"\nevent put on by the Recreation and Parks Department; stated that she attended a\nbeach cleanup at South Shore Beach.\nADJOURNMENT\n(21-606) There being no further business, Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft adjourned the meeting\nat 12:03 a.m. in memory of Nick Bianchi.\nRespectfully submitted,\nLara Weisiger\nCity Clerk\nThe agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Sunshine Ordinance.\nRegular Meeting\nAlameda City Council\nSeptember 21, 2021\n25", "path": "CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf"}