Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Union City public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
FY 2026-2027 CDBG Action Plan and ECHO Housing funding
A public hearing on how the city spent its 2025-2026 federal Community Development Block Grant money, before the report goes to HUD. This covers housing and community services spending.
Citywide Tree Pruning and Removal Contract
A two-year, $430,000 contract with P31 Enterprises would cover tree pruning and removal citywide, with options to extend to five years. Trees get maintained across all neighborhoods.
Alvarado-Niles Road Part-Time Transit Lane Pilot
Two items would advance design and funding for a part-time transit lane pilot on Alvarado-Niles Road, including a $325,001 design contract addition and a $41,208 funding swap. This could change traffic patterns on one of the city's busiest corridors.
Ava Community Energy Presentation
Ava Community Energy, the local clean-power provider, was scheduled to brief the council. The presentation could touch on electricity rates, renewable supply, and programs available to Union City customers.
Dyer Street Pavement Rehabilitation Phase 2
The council was scheduled to award a $641,564 construction contract to McKim Corporation to repave Dyer Street. Residents who use Dyer Street should expect smoother pavement once work is done.
Clean Air Day Recognition
The council was scheduled to recognize October 7, 2026, as Clean Air Day, a chance to spotlight local air-quality and pollution-reduction efforts. It is ceremonial, but it puts clean air on the community radar.
National Preparedness Month
September 2026 was slated to be recognized as National Preparedness Month, with a presentation on getting ready for earthquakes, wildfires, and other emergencies. It's a nudge for households to make their own emergency plans.
Fiscal Year 2025-26 Overtime Usage
A report on how much overtime city employees worked last fiscal year, which affects staffing costs and the budget.
Jolly Roger Land entertainment expansion at Union Landing
The Council was asked to approve the Union Landing Property Owners Association annual report and order assessments for the Union Landing business improvement district for calendar year 2027, with a 4.0% budget increase proposed.
Standardized selection of commission chairs and vice chairs
A proposed ordinance would change how Union City's advisory commission chairs and vice chairs are chosen each year, aiming for consistency across bodies. Two committees would get a uniform selection process under a companion resolution.
Ethics training requirements aligned with state law
A proposed ordinance would update Section 2.20.100 of the municipal code so the city's ethics training rules match current state law, mostly affecting elected and appointed officials.
Legislative advocacy and grant research consulting
The council was scheduled to consider hiring Townsend Public Affairs for up to $102,000 to lobby state and federal officials and scout grant money for the city. That spending would only pay off if it helps Union City land funding or favorable legislation.
League of California Cities 2026 conference voting position
The council was scheduled to review a League of California Cities annual conference resolution and direct its voting delegate, shaping the city's stance in statewide municipal policy discussions.
City Council Handbook and travel-fund policy
The new handbook standardizes council rules — ethics, meetings, August recess, public comment — but the council rejected letting members reroute unused travel funds to nonprofits, deciding leftover money returns to the general fund.
Contempo HOA siding project permit and safety concerns
Residents say the HOA's resumed siding project lacks proper owner authorization for permits and shows dangerous defects — rusted anchor bolts, concrete cracking, termite and wood rot damage. Mayor Singh reported towing complaints ($600 tows) and roof-repair refusals at Contempo Park, and staff agreed to follow up with the HOA.
Weed abatement program
Six vacant, overgrown properties were cleared by the city at owner expense ($710–$1,800 each, $6,780 total), with liens placed on tax bills — a streamlined new process aimed at fire prevention before July 4.
Library Roof Modernization
A construction contract was scheduled to modernize the library roof, protecting the building from leaks and long-term damage.
Route 84 Excess Properties Purchase Agreement Amendment
The Council was asked to let the City Manager sign a first amendment to the 2019 purchase and sale agreement with Caltrans for the Route 84 excess properties, connected to the Quarry Lakes Parkway Phase 2 project.
Station East Community Facilities District (Mello-Roos)
The city planned to form a new special-tax district for the Station East area, with authority to issue up to $38 million in bonds to pay for public facilities and services. A public hearing was required before adoption, and property owners in the district would vote on the special tax.
Adjusted Stormwater Fee
A public hearing was scheduled on an adjusted stormwater fee, which if approved would be collected on the county property tax roll. This affects most property owners' annual bills.
Online Permitting Software Agreement
A five-year deal with CentralSquare Technologies would keep the city's online building permit system running, with a budget boost of $140,000.
Station East Phase 1 Final Map (Tract 8251)
The council was set to approve the final map and subdivision agreements for Lennar's Station East Phase 1 housing development at 700 Decoto Road — a step toward construction.
Transit Short Range Transit Plan consulting contract
New bus schedules were set to take effect August 8, 2026. Riders should check whether their route times change.
Landscape and Lighting Assessment District No. 3
The annual public hearing to confirm the assessments property owners pay for lighting and landscaping maintenance in District No. 3 for fiscal year 2026-2027.
Military equipment use policy
The council was scheduled to consider a five-year, nearly $2 million deal with Axon for police technology like cameras and records systems. It's one of the largest items on the agenda and affects how police services are delivered.
Solid Waste, Recycling, and Organics Rate Adjustments
Annual rate adjustments for garbage, recycling, and organics collection take effect July 1, 2026 under the city's franchise agreements.
O'Connell Lane Residential Project Environmental Review
The council was to consider hiring First Carbon Solutions to prepare an environmental impact report for a proposed residential project on O'Connell Lane — a key early step in that development.
November 2026 general municipal election
The council was to discuss and give direction on a possible ballot measure for the November 2026 general municipal election.