Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Union City public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
22 issues
City Manager Employment Agreement Amendment
The Council considered changes to City Manager Joan Malloy's contract, tied to the city's salary schedule and a budget amendment. This affects the city's top administrator and how public funds cover executive compensation.
Playground and Park Fitness Equipment Replacement
The city planned an $86,275 purchase of replacement playground and fitness equipment for local parks, including William Cann Park.
Traffic Safety Grant for Extra Enforcement
The city finished its annual pavement program, is improving Dyer and Arizona Streets with bike lanes, converting 4,000+ streetlights to LED, building the BART station east entrance, and planning the Quarry Lake Parkway and a 2027 bus lane pilot on Alvarado-Niles Road.
Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update
The city renovated Sea Breeze and Old Alvarado Parks, will renovate the Larry Roscoe teen workshop with over $71,000 from Fremont Bank, is installing murals on BART pillars by 2027, and is updating the Parks & Recreation Master Plan to guide the next 15 years.
I Street At-Grade Crossing Closure Engineering
The city was set to approve more engineering money to close the I Street rail crossing, which supports a new pedestrian crossing at BART. That's a safety improvement near the station neighbors use daily.
Ballfield Use Policy and Reservation Guidelines
Staff presented recommended updates to the policy governing who can use and reserve Union City's sports fields. The rules affect youth leagues, adult teams, and anyone trying to book a field.
Economic development and jobs
A new roadmap to keep and grow Union City businesses, target semiconductors and robotics, and revitalize tired shopping centers in Alvarado and Dyer — with quarterly metrics to hold staff accountable.
Measure III utility user tax extension
The Council was asked to put a measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot letting voters extend the city's existing utility users tax — without raising the rate. If it fails, the city would eventually lose that revenue stream.
Fire and emergency services
Alameda County Fire responded to over 6,000 calls in Union City in 2025, over 4,000 of them medical. The city is working to secure a new fire engine and received $1 million from Assemblymember Ortega for fire station upgrades.
Housing Law and CEQA Framework
Station East broke ground with 813 units approved; phase two may add 240 units; up to 535 units with 25% affordable are planned at the former Caltrans site; and Lazuli Landing will bring 81 affordable units to Mission Boulevard.
Homelessness response
Union City's homeless count fell 26% since 2024, and the Caravan safe-parking program turned 10 with 474 vehicles served. Council wants better data on why people become homeless and pressed on tightening funding.
Crime reduction and police investment
Crime fell 30% from 2024 to 2025 — the third straight year of decline — with vehicle theft down 30% and crime at Union Landing down 50%. The city added officers, grew the COPS unit, and opened a police substation at Union Landing.
Proposed Raising Cane's at 31900 Dyer Street
A new Raising Cane's restaurant is proposed at 31900 Dyer Street, and the city has drafted an environmental review (Mitigated Negative Declaration) for it, along with general plan and zoning amendments. The study session was the public's chance to comment before any decision is made. Nearby residents typically care about traffic, noise, and drive-thru operations at this stage.
Dangerous dogs ordinance update
The council was set to introduce an ordinance updating city rules on vicious and potentially dangerous dogs, a public safety issue for neighborhoods and pet owners.
At-grade pedestrian crossing at BART
An additional $70,104 was scheduled to go to HDR for engineering on the long-planned pedestrian crossing at the BART station, bringing the total contract to $961,727. The crossing aims to make station access safer for walkers.
New city job classifications
Two new classifications — Revenue Coordinator and Junior Accountant — were slated for approval, along with a side letter with OE3 PEG and updates to the compensation plan.
Arizona Street Bike Boulevard construction
The council was scheduled to award a $491,698 construction contract to Pavement Coatings Company for a new bike boulevard on Arizona Street, with a total construction budget of $540,868. This would create a safer route for cyclists and pedestrians in the area.
Sidewalk Repair Underwriting Options
The council was set to approve a tiered structure for charging property owners for sidewalk repairs, with payment plans up to 24 months.
Union City Cybersecurity
The city was set to award a contract to keep City Hall's data center cooling and battery backup running — the systems that keep city computers online.
BART Transit Column Mural Project
The council was scheduled to get an update on the mural project at the BART transit columns, approve a revised timeline, and green-light the RFQ/RFP process plus a budget appropriation. Public input from a 2025 community forum shaped the plans.
Police labor agreement for COPPS unit
A side letter with the Police Officers Association was on the agenda to set up a pilot program schedule for the Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving unit.
Fremont Bank grant for teen workshop
An update was scheduled on the renovation of the Larry Orozco Teen Workshop, a facility serving Union City youth. The briefing would show residents how the project is progressing and what improvements to expect.