City Council - October 5, 2026

Council adopts positions on nine ballot measures

The City Council voted 7-0 to support state Propositions 1, 2, 4 and 37; oppose Propositions 39, 43 and 45; support local Measure J; and reaffirm its prior support for a regional transit measure.

The final package differed from staff's recommendations, most notably by opposing Proposition 43 after staff had recommended support. Discussion on Proposition 37 included a call for neutrality and concerns about demand-side housing subsidies and possible environmental effects, but the final motion retained the city's support. Public comment on Proposition 37 and Measure J was mixed.

Measure J is intended to fund the city's planned acquisition of the school district-owned seven-acre portion of Cubberley Community Center. The ballot-position vote endorsed the measure but did not itself approve the property purchase.

Aging-adult partnerships move ahead at Cubberley

The Council unanimously approved letters of intent with Avenidas and Cardiac Therapy Foundation/HeartFit for Life to pursue long-term public-private partnerships for expanded services for older adults at Cubberley Community Center.

The action was limited to letters of intent for collaboration. Representatives of both organizations supported the plan, which is part of the city's broader Cubberley revitalization effort. HeartFit for Life has operated at the site for 23 years, while Avenidas has run its Chinese Community Center there since 2018.

Council approves $1.29 million quiet-zone design contract

On the consent calendar, the Council unanimously approved a professional-services contract of up to $1,294,522 with BKF Engineers to design four-quadrant gate improvements at the Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive and Charleston Road railroad crossings.

The work is required for the city's quiet-zone crossing plans, and the approval covers engineering design rather than construction. During public comment elsewhere in the meeting, a resident raised noise, gate, traffic-backup and safety concerns at Churchill Avenue and Alma Street.

Council seeks tighter controls on consultant work

In a non-action study session, council members broadly supported a citywide guide for managing consultants but asked staff to strengthen its focus on cost-benefit analysis, budget transparency, local expertise and consequences for poor performance.

Members also sought earlier Council visibility into high-cost, high-profile or controversial scopes of work and clearer options to redirect, reduce or end contracts when circumstances change. Several emphasized that consultants should respond to Council's policy direction rather than continue advocating for recommendations the Council has rejected.

Staff plans to refine the manual, develop training, continue reviewing consultant spending through the budget process and create tools for escalating performance problems. No motion or final Council action was taken.

Commission work plans pass with transportation follow-up

The Council approved the city's FY 2027 commission work plans while asking for a separate follow-up on Transportation Department support for the Planning and Transportation Commission. The City Manager agreed to return the issue to the Council after discussion highlighted the need to integrate transportation review more consistently into major planning work.

Staff acknowledged that transportation personnel had not been involved in at least one recent project, prompting concerns about Safe Routes to School and broader planning coordination. Council members also showed interest in process changes, including potentially placing unanimous commission recommendations on the Council's consent calendar.

Historic Resources Board representatives asked the city to speed online publication of its historic-resource inventory and consider a limited three-property Mills Act pilot. Staff said a $10,500 grant-supported inventory update is prepared but awaiting data entry, while some preservation proposals lack assigned staff time or funding. The board is seeking future Council consideration of the pilot.

The Architectural Review Board also heard concerns that permanent parklet standards on California Avenue could reduce outdoor dining during cold or rainy weather. The board indicated it could revisit design or seasonal adjustments if businesses document negative effects.

Council adds $15,000 to neighborhood grants

The Council allocated $15,000 from its contingency fund to the Know Your Neighbor grant program after no objections were raised. The allocation was announced without a separate formal motion or roll-call vote.

The discussion noted that the program had run out of money, leaving a recent Midtown ice cream social without its usual grant support.

Primary sources

Watch the meeting on YouTube · Read the official meeting agenda