Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Leandro public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues with high priority
Election and Voting Guide
Mail-in ballots for the November election are officially out, giving San Leandro residents a chance to weigh in on local races for mayor and city council alongside state contests. Just check your ballot, drop it off, and make sure your voice is heard before November 3.
Council Conflict Resolution and Rules Committee Scope
The city is updating its rules to help council members work through disagreements before fights escalate to formal investigations or legal complaints. New steps encourage members to talk things out directly or with the help of council leadership.
Llewellyn Interim Housing & Drop-In Center First Annual Report
City staff and partner organizations presented positive outcomes from the first year of the Llewellyn Interim Housing and Drop-In Center, highlighting high rates of chronically homeless individuals successfully transitioned into permanent housing.
Cannabis Retail Policy and Zoning Expansion
The city is considering expanding the number of cannabis dispensary operating permits from four to six and updating zoning restrictions and distancing requirements. Industry representatives and operators spoke in favor of updating out-of-date maps to allow fairer access across the city, while committee members emphasized balancing neighborhood preferences and youth safety.
Data Center Development Concerns
Residents and council members called for a ban or strict regulations on data centers due to concerns over water usage, electrical grid strain, noise pollution, and environmental impacts.
Fleet Fund Policy and Replacement Strategy
The city is evaluating its internal fleet fund to address aging vehicles, long procurement lead times for fire apparatus, and sustainable funding models. Officials discussed transitioning from a pay-as-you-go approach to a reserve-based model to avoid large one-time general fund hits.
FY 2025 Arts & Culture Grants Program Review
Staff reviewed the impact of $46,500 in grants given to local artists and non-profits in 2025, which resulted in community murals, public workshops, and cultural preservation projects.
Casa Peralta Historic Preservation and Assessment Costs
Residents and council members debated a proposed $566,000 architectural study for Casa Peralta. Critics argued the study costs too much without fixing physical damage, prompting the council to send the issue back to committee to evaluate gifting or alternative preservation strategies.
Restrictions on Outside Expert and Advocacy Speakers
Board members clashed with city staff over whether organizations engaged in advocacy, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation, can be invited to give formal presentations. Members argued that strict rules limit their ability to gather independent technical and privacy perspectives on technologies like automated license plate readers.
Basic Needs and Food Security Services
Davis Street Community Center reported rising demand for food distribution, senior support, and basic needs assistance amidst high living costs in San Leandro.
Age-Friendly Action Plan & Caregiver Support
The city is expanding caregiver support through newly awarded county grants, piloting memory cafes, and integrating age-friendly priorities directly into commission meetings.
Age-Friendly Initiative Priority Projects Update
The city is expanding caregiver support through newly awarded county grants, piloting memory cafes, and integrating age-friendly priorities directly into commission meetings.
Senior Paratransit and Food Delivery Programs
Mercy Brown Bag provides fresh groceries twice a month to nearly 1,000 low-income senior households in San Leandro, helping vulnerable residents maintain their health and housing.
City Council Priority Work Plans Review
The commission established four primary community projects for the next two years, including a library bike tour, a poetry contest, writing workshops for Latinx youth, and the Game of Shrooms art event.
MacArthur Roundabout Project Delays and Cost Increases
The MacArthur Roundabout project has faced years of delays, multi-agency coordination challenges with Caltrans and Oakland, and rising costs now estimated at $7.52 million. Residents and council members continue to push for faster delivery to address persistent safety concerns at the complex intersection.
District 2 Parking Restrictions and Enforcement
Residents from Cascade Road and Tudor Road expressed frustration over proposed red curbs that would eliminate parking in front of their homes following vehicle collisions.
School-Based Health and Youth Services
Fuente Wellness Center and school-based health centers provide medical, dental, and behavioral health services directly to students and youth in San Leandro and San Lorenzo.
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Zoning Code Updates
San Leandro is updating its local zoning code to comply with recent state housing laws regarding ADUs and JADUs. The changes shorten review timelines, expand unit allowances for multi-family properties, and adjust development standards.
Constitutional Policing Training and Oversight Framework
The Independent Police Auditor led a comprehensive training session on constitutional policing, examining how legal standards guide everyday police operations and board review.
Personnel Appointment
The city introduced a new interim police chief to guide the department during a transitional period.
Human Services and Parks and Recreation Department Reorganization
The city is reorganizing departments effective July 1, moving senior services to parks and recreation and human services into the city manager's office to achieve $350,000 in administrative savings.
Bayfair Community-Based Transportation Plan
City staff and consultants updated the committee on the multi-jurisdictional Bay Fair CBTP, highlighting community feedback focused on better lighting, safer pedestrian crossings, and improved access to the BART station.
Hesperian Boulevard Bike Lane Gap Closure
The city is planning bike lane improvements and intersection upgrades along Hesperian Boulevard between 150th Avenue and Bayfair Drive to close infrastructure gaps and boost safety.
HSIP Cycle 12 Uncontrolled Crosswalk Enhancements
The city received grant funding to install rapid flashing beacons and pedestrian hybrid beacons at seven dangerous uncontrolled crosswalks across San Leandro.
East Bay Greenway Regional Bikeway Construction
A 16-mile regional bike and pedestrian trail project is moving toward construction, bringing protected bike lanes, better street lighting, and improved crossings to San Leandro Boulevard and East 14th Street.
Economic Development and Retail Action Plan
City staff presented updates on boosting local business, attracting advanced industries like clean tech and life sciences, and filling empty retail spaces with modern shops and dining options.
SB 707 Compliance: Meeting Disruption and Language Access Policies
The city is reviewing new state rules under SB 707 that mandate hybrid access, agenda translations in Spanish and Chinese, and strict rules for remote participation by elected officials and advisory boards. The Rules Committee decided to keep current practices in place to avoid high costs and administrative confusion.
FY 2027 Master Fee Schedule and Tax Adjustments
The city is updating its Master Fee Schedule to balance cost recovery with public accessibility, while also proposing a 3% CPI increase on business license, emergency medical, and emergency communication taxes.
Luelling Boulevard Safety Improvements and Road Diet
Residents and commissioners raised concerns about speeding traffic and safety hazards on neighborhood streets like AMSA Way. Engineering staff explained the petition process for traffic calming measures and the strict national warrants required for stop signs.
Flex Rides Transit Program Operations and Future Design
Residents raised concerns about the distance between designated Flex bus stops and the need to reinstate former wave stop policies to improve senior mobility.
Police Department Transparency and Media Leaks
Board members and residents discussed recent media reports concerning police conduct and internal department leaks. Speakers debated the timing and motives behind the leaks and emphasized the need for community trust and accountability.
Police Department Military Equipment Inventory and Use
The board reviewed the police department's annual military equipment report, covering drones, armored vehicles, and less-lethal tools. Officials noted new acquisitions like kinetic breaching tools and confirmed no policy violations occurred.
Water Pollution Control Plant Capital Improvements Program
The city is managing a $97 million 10-year CIP for the wastewater plant, featuring a nature-based treatment wetland and aeration basin upgrades to comply with new 40% nitrogen reduction regulations.
Llewellyn Boulevard Class 4 Bikeways Project
The city is moving forward with a $6.5 million project to add protected bike lanes, improve crosswalks, and calm traffic along Llewellyn Boulevard between Wicks Boulevard and Washington Avenue to address past collisions.
Downtown Paid Parking Concerns
Local business owners and residents raised concerns about newly installed downtown parking meters and fees, stating they hurt small businesses and confuse elderly customers.
Ava Community Energy Electricity Default Options
The council successfully voted to default customers to Ava Community Energy's cheaper Bright Choice power mix, saving residents money while keeping emissions low.
Police Department Staffing and Recruitment
Police leadership shared positive updates on hiring, noting that the department reached 77 percent capacity for police captains and is actively recruiting lateral officers and dispatchers.
Annual RIPA Report and Stop Data Analysis
Auditors presented stop and search data comparing 2024 and 2025, discussing demographic trends, pretextual stops, and the need for accurate denominators like traffic accidents.
Alco Iron & Metal Facility Expansion
Alco Iron & Metal is expanding its metal recycling operations onto two adjacent parcels along Eden Road to improve truck stacking and reduce traffic congestion on Doolittle Drive. The project includes steel plate surfacing and drainage improvements to address historical flooding and circulation issues.
Private Sewer Lateral Ordinance and Stormwater Infiltration
The city is exploring whether to require homeowners to inspect and fix private sewer pipes when selling a home to keep rainwater out of the sewer system. Officials discussed whether a costly city-wide study is needed first or if they should move straight to drafting an ordinance.
Point-in-Time Homeless Count and Funding Impact
Commissioners reviewed the logistics and preliminary findings of the recent Point-in-Time count, noting how census numbers directly affect federal funding for local homelessness programs.
Street Repair Bidding
Get ready for some road work, San Leandro! The city is putting out bids for the next round of street repairs, meaning your commute might get a little less bumpy soon.
Pavement Condition and Street Repair Funding
Engineering staff reported that San Leandro's pavement condition index (PCI) sits at 56, classified as fair to poor. While the city spends $4.5 million annually on road repairs, it needs roughly $11 million a year just to maintain the current condition, prompting discussions around utility cut fees and potential revenue measures.
Commission Multi-Year Project Planning
Commissioners brainstormed creative, low-cost community projects for the upcoming year, including a library bike tour, Latinx youth reading programs, public poetry installations, art shows, and a local Fred Korematsu oral history project. These ideas will be refined and prioritized at the February meeting.
Mandatory Workplace Conduct and Harassment Prevention Training
City leaders completed required training on workplace conduct, covering how to spot discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, and how to handle complaints properly. The session ensures that elected officials understand their responsibilities as supervisors under California law.
Police Department Operational and Incident Updates
The police department reported on recent recruitment stats and detailed an officer-involved shooting incident that occurred on January 19. The board discussed the department's staffing levels and investigative protocols.
Marina Community Center Wall Repairs
The council approved a $318,498 contract to repair walls and water intrusion at the Marina Community Center, addressing ongoing moisture and mold issues.
2026 Federal and State Legislative Platforms
The council reviewed federal and state legislative priorities, including funding requests for water infrastructure and strategies for state budget deficits.
Streetlight Infrastructure and Pedestrian Safety
The city maintains over 5,000 streetlights, focusing on roadway visibility and transitioning to energy-efficient LEDs. Officials discussed ongoing maintenance challenges, such as wire theft and vehicle knockdowns, alongside the costs of adding brighter lights or pedestrian fixtures.
Public Corruption Investigation
A San Leandro city council member is under FBI investigation, and it's connected to a case involving Oakland's former mayor. This probe could have significant local repercussions.