Public safety data, homelessness service agreements, and CalPERS compliance
On February 17, City Council will review public safety data, including increased police use-of-force incidents, rising traffic stops, and staffing challenges. Council will also review key homelessness service agreements, including long-term contracts to provide on-site therapeutic services, emergency supportive housing, and the day center and safe parking program. Action to maintain CalPERS compliance for city leadership roles will also be considered.
Police Department
Council will receive an informational presentation on Alameda Police Department data from the Police Auditor, Dr. Leigh Grossman. Notably, use-of-force incidents rose, with control holds and takedowns most common. Traffic stops also increased sharply (up by 89% in 2025), with outcomes generally split between citations and warnings across racial groups. Arrests, especially felony arrests, rose in 2025. Calls for service remained stable over three years.
Staffing continues to be a challenge, with sworn staffing levels remaining about 25% below authorized strength. Claims and lawsuits increased, largely due to vehicle-related incidents. Community survey results show strong satisfaction with dispatchers and officers, as well as improved perceptions of safety.
Alameda Family Services
Council will consider authorizing a five-year agreement with Alameda Family Services (AFS) to provide on-site therapeutic services at Dignity Village, Emergency Supportive Housing (ESH), and the Day Center/Safe Parking Program. AFS has been providing therapeutic services at Dignity Village since 2024 and expanded services in 2025 to ESH and the Day Center. The agreement supports the implementation of The Road Home homelessness strategic plan by ensuring continued access to trauma-informed mental health care for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Staff state that the services improve housing stability, participant well-being, and successful transitions to permanent housing. Not approving the agreement could create a gap in critical services.
Emergency Supportive Housing
Council will consider authorizing a five-year agreement with Ruby’s Place doing business as Restorative Pathways to operate Alameda’s Emergency Supportive Housing (ESH) program. Restorative Pathways was selected through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process and brings over 50 years of experience operating trauma-informed shelter programs.
The ESH program consists of four homes providing 24 beds for families and single adults, offering low-barrier shelter and wraparound services to help participants transition to permanent housing. Since inception, 32 participants have successfully transitioned to permanent housing. Staff state that approving the agreement will ensure service continuity and program stability; failure to approve could leave the program without an operator and disrupt shelter services.
Day Center and Safe Parking Program
Council will consider authorizing a five-year agreement with Urban Alchemy to operate Alameda’s Day Center and Safe Parking Program. Urban Alchemy was selected through a competitive RFP process and is recognized statewide for delivering low-barrier homeless services. The program provides emergency overnight shelter for up to 18 individuals indoors and safe parking for up to 25 vehicles, along with case management, therapeutic services, life skills support, and access to showers and laundry. The program will relocate to Alameda Point in Fall 2026, expanding facilities and services. Staff state that approving the agreement ensures continuity of this critical entry point to Alameda’s homelessness response system; failure to approve would create a service gap.
City Manager and City Attorney salaries
Council will also consider adopting and ratifying revised salary schedules for the City Manager and City Attorney to ensure compliance with California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) requirements.
How to participate
The meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 17, at 7 p.m. at the City Council Chambers, located on the third floor of City Hall, 2263 Santa Clara Avenue.
Members of the public are welcome to participate in person or via Zoom. They may comment on the Non-Agenda, Consent Calendar, and Regular Agenda portions of the Meeting Agenda (link downloads document).
The Non-Agenda portion of the meeting provides an opportunity for members of the public to address the Council regarding any matter not on the agenda over which the Council has jurisdiction. The Consent Calendar is intended for routine items and is approved by a single motion. The Regular Agenda is the central portion of the meeting, where each issue receives a presentation and time for Council discussion and public comment.
Complete this online form to request reasonable accommodation.
Click here for Zoom registration. The Zoom phone number for telephone participants is 669-900-9128; the Meeting ID is 817 1065 8925.
Information to assist with remote participation is available online in the Public Comment and City Council Meeting Guide. The meeting can also be viewed on the City of Alameda’s Facebook page. Note that comments posted there are not monitored.
For each issue, public speakers will have three minutes to speak if fewer than five are speaking, or two minutes if five or more are speaking.
Community members may also email Council Members on issues of interest before meetings.
Contributing writer Karin K. Jensen covers boards and commissions for the Alameda Post. Contact her via [email protected]. Her writing is collected at https://linktr.ee/karinkjensen and https://alamedapost.com/Karin-K-Jensen.
