Community Update

Transparency and Communications

This month, for the first time ever, City Council committee meetings, starting with the Rules Committee, will be recorded and the audio file posted on the city website. It is my goal that all committee meetings are recorded and accessible online, as well as meetings of City Commissions.  

Interim City Manager Lianne Marshall has been posting the City Manager's Weekly Update at http://www.sanleandro.org/depts/cityhall/city_manager/city_managers_weekly_update.asp.  In previous years, this was distributed only to the City Council and a few others.  

The City has resumed publishing a monthly Community Update, now online.  Printing and mailing of a city newsletter was stopped during the city budget crisis, but it remains a vital for the City to communicate with and listen to the community.

The Community Development Department also publishes online a monthly newsletter focused on major economic development projects in San Leandro as well as planning, zoning and building updates. Visit Community Development Update (September 2011)

You can sign up to receive these reports by email as soon as they posted on the city website at http://www.sanleandro.org/portal/default.asp

Moving Forward With Development Downtown

The City will hold a community workshop on Tuesday, September 27 at 7 p.m. to provide an update and obtain on the proposed Village Market Place retail center at 1550 East 14th Street (the former downtown Albertsons store). The workshop will be held in the Sister Cities Gallery at City Hall located at 835 East 14th Street.

The design of the Village Marketplace consists of a high-quality, neighborhood retail center, anchored by a specialty grocery store, most likely Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market.  We expect Peet’s Coffee & Tea to have store in the center.  The design concept includes additional retail and restaurant spaces with outdoor dining, and a public plaza and gathering place with a fountain.

The location is being used for replacement parking while the new downtown parking garage is under construction. The garage will be completed in early 2012 allowing construction to begin on the retail center next summer.

Joint Meeting Of Our School Boards and City Council

On Monday, September 12th, at 7 p.m., at the Dave Karp Room at the Main Library, the San Leandro and San Lorenzo school boards along with the CIty Council will come together to discuss how we can best address the needs of the children of our community.  I am excited that the three agencies are meeting - perhaps for the first time in over a decade - and I intend for us to meet jointly on an annual basis.

The agenda includes a presentation by Supervisor Wilma Chan on the county Adopt A School Program.  Alex Briscoe, Director of the county Health Services Department, will discuss health issues specific to the children of our community. 

City Supports Lawsuit To Keep San Leandro Hospital Open

In August, the in support of Eden Township's appeal in its lawsuit with Sutter Health.  Eden Township seeks to regain control of San Leandro Hospital and keep it open as a full service hospital.

Sutter argues closing our hospital to convert it into a rehabilitation facility is in the public interest.  The City’s brief filed vigorously countered Sutter's argument, explaining that Sutter's goal of closing the emergency room places our community's medical needs in jeopardy.

Along with other local leaders, I requested the Attorney General also file an amicus brief in support of the District, which she has. I am hopeful the appellate court will find the Attorney General's arguments persuasive.

Legacy of the Nisei Veterans Program Airing on Comcast Channel 15

The Legacy of the Nisei Veterans is a production of the San Leandro Public Library as part of a grant sponsored by the California Civic Libraries Public Education Program.  It captures a chapter of our nation’s history that must not be forgotten. 

The program is airing on Comcast Channel 15 Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m., and copies of the DVD are available for borrowing at all San Leandro Libraries.

Coffee with the Cops

The "Coffee with the Cops" outreach effort commences next week. These will take place across the City and are intended to foster dialogue on public safety and quality of life issues.  The first will occur on Tuesday, 8-9 am, on September 13th at Main Street Bagel, 1099 MacArthur Boulevard.

Let's Connect on Facebook and Twitter

You can also receive news as it occurs by connecting with me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephen-Cassidy-Mayor-of-San-Leandro/179919198694403 and at Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/MayorCassidy