Child-proofing City Hall

San Leandro has quietly made two recent moves to reign in councilmember's propensity for slip-ups; Ro speaks for Lee

The curl is gone, but San Leandro Councilmember Bryan Azevedo and his made-up “office of the vice mayor” may be putting the city at risk.

CITY NEWS

SAN LEANDRO

—CHOKING HAZARDS—Last month, the San Leandro City Council approved a code of ethics and guidelines for communications with prospective contractors hoping to win the city’s garbage and recycling contract, which opens in 2025.

—The move appears to be a response to Councilmember Bryan Azevedo. During last year’s mayoral election, Azevedo received large donations from the owners of California Waste Solutions, which also holds Oakland’s franchise.

—Azevedo also posted images on social media of himself meeting with the California Waste Solutions owners, which raised questions about whether Azevedo’s campaign was poised to receive contributions from the owners (he did), and whether their donations were aimed at cozying up to the potential next mayor just as the garbage contract becomes open for bid.

—Violations of the code of ethics could result in unspecified sanctions against the elected official, but also result in the contractor being disqualified from consideration for the contract.

—Last week, in another administrative move that appears to place guardrails on Azevedo and his propensity for exposing himself to ethical violations, the council’s Rules Committee discussed adding a lengthy passage to its council handbook concerning council interference.

—Recallthat former San Leandro Councilmember Ed Hernandez suggested last year that Azevedo directed police officers to drive him to Hernandez’s home during National Night Out. This was despite Hernandez clearly notifying the city that he wanted no elected officials at his event.

—Azevedo directing a city employee constitutes interference. The same issue roiled Alameda’s politics a few years ago when the city manager alleged interference by two councilmembers.

—Although merely speculation at this point, the odd circumstances that led to Azevedo creating his own “office of the vice mayor” earlier this month has all the hallmarks of interference. This time involving coercing the city’s public information officer.

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