Elections have consequences
Pleasanton's proposed cuts to services was hastened by residents who voted against a sales tax measure last fall. Supporters of the ill-fated measure are now reminding everyone about who to blame
☕️MORNING BUZZ
—Nearly every city in Alameda County is facing budget deficits of various sizes, along with discussions about the severity of cuts to services, and reductions in reserve funds. However, these budget shortfalls didn’t happen overnight.
But the situation in Pleasanton is different. It’s in many ways self-inflicted.
Indeed, Pleasanton’s stagnant housing and economic development over the years has tamped down revenues.
“You can be a city that is full-service, and have all these nice amenities,” Pleasanton Councilmember Matt Gaidos said at Tuesday’s budget hearing.
“You can be a city that doesn’t want to raise taxes, or you can be a city that says no to development, but you can’t be all three at the same time, so something’s got to give,” Gaidos added.
That something was last fall when Pleasanton voters voted against Measure PP, a half-cent sales tax that was estimated to raise an additional $10 million a year for the next decade.
Coincidentally, Pleasanton’s current budget deficit is just over $10 million.
Councilmember Julie Testa, a supporter of Measure PP, lamented its defeat, calling it. a disservice to the community, while accusing opponents of misleading the public with false claims of fraud.
“I think a political agenda got us to where we’re at and it’s hurting our community,” She warned the public that future budgets will be worse.
A forecast of darkening fiscal skies in Pleasanton’s future was also offered by Councilmember Jeff Nibert, who warned the proposed use of about $9 million in one-time funding solutions is unwise.
“Wait until the one-time funds are not there anymore,” a perturbed Nibert forewarned. “Wait until we don’t have the $9 million to fill the gap.”
Nibert reluctantly rationalized the nearly 19,000 Pleasanton voters who opposed Measure PP, were calling for the city to live within its own means, essentially demanding budgetary cuts, he suggested.
“No doubt we have some challenges,” said Mayor Jack Balch, who made the jump from councilmember to mayor last fall by parlaying voter discontent over new taxes into an upset victory.
Balch urged the public on Tuesday night to be patient, while acknowledging the city’s budget outlook will remain problematic for some time..
“There’s no doubt for my mind that Pleasanton must make responsible fiscal decisions for a few more cycles, for sure, to strengthen our community long-term,” Balch said.
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CITY NEWS
PLEASANTON
—JUST DESSERTS—Pleasanton’s 2024 election was re-litigated at Tuesday’s city council meeting. Voters opposed Measure PP, a half-cent sales tax increase, and rewarded two candidates who also campaigned against the ballot measure.
—Six months later, Pleasanton officials are grappling with a $10 million budget deficit that risks cuts to programs and city services.
—Two supporters of Measure PP that lost their council seats last month returned to the council chambers to remind their opponents and the public of the city’s current budgetary realities.
—“Residents have not forgotten that two of you did not support Measure PP when it came forward,” former Pleasanton Mayor Karla Brown said on Tuesday night.
—“You refused to support the measure that would have provided a half-cent sales tax for 10 years. If it had passed, Measure PP could have funded our library, our swim center.”
—Pleasanton Mayor Jack Balch and Councilmember Craig Eicher, both elected in November, opposed Measure PP.
—Former Councilmember Valerie Arkin reiterated some of Brown’s talking points.
—“Two of you promoted unfounded claims during your campaign[s] suggesting city staff and certain councilmembers were misrepresenting or exaggerating the severity of the budget deficit,” Arkin said.
—“In the end, this narrative did a disservice to our community. And now, you are faced with the difficult reality of significant cuts to programs and services.”
HAYWARD
—MUMS THE WORD—Over the years, no other city council comes close to fostering a secretive, insular nature like Hayward.
—After the surprisingly swift decision to place its city manager on paid administrative leave after just 131 days on the job, Hayward officials tightly closed ranks as to the reasoning for thrusting City Hall into chaos.
—The last line of the city’s press release announcing the move to place City Manager Ana Alvarez on paid administrative leave and named City Attorney Michael Lawson as acting city manager, was firm: “No further comment on the matter will be forthcoming from the City at this time.”
—What is know in the public realm is that Alvarez’s executive style clearly and immediately clashed with city employees’ expectations.
—Over the past month, the chorus of city employee complaints at city council meetings clearly made Hayward elected officials feel uncomfortable.
—It’s unlikely a city manager placed on paid administrative leave will be reinstated. Nor, is it likely a city manager in the same position would accept reinstatement to a position in which their authority has been so severely undermined.
—In December, the Hayward City Council unanimously approved the appointment of Alvarez with glowing praise. “I am beyond excited to introduce Dr. Ana Alvarez as our new city manager,” Mayor Mark Salínas said in December.
—More than four months later, the city council unanimously placed Alvarez on paid administrative leave.
—It remains to be seen if Hayward residents will hold the city council accountable for their blunder.
—Going forward, Hayward may find it difficult to find a suitable permanent replacement for Alvarez in an atmosphere where prospective candidates may perceive their authority can be easily overridden by a few protests by underlings.
COUNTY NEWS
CASTRO VALLEY
—TROJAN PRIDE—The Castro Valley Unified School District board named Nia Rashidchi as its next superintendent on Wednesday night.
—The appointment is a promotion for Rashidchi, who previously served as assistant superintendent of educational services under long-time Superintendent Parvin Ahmadi, who announced her retirement in March.
—The school board praised Rashidchi, giving her a standing ovation upon adoption of her three-year, $360,000 contract that includes an annual three percent wage increase, effective July 1.
—Some residents criticized the process for lacking transparency, suggesting the promotion of Rashidchi was predetermined, despite the school board’s use of a headhunting firm.
—“You get a ‘F’ for transparency. You get a ‘F’ for collaboration, and frankly, as far as I’m concerned, you get a ‘F’ for being community,” said Frank Mellon, a Castro Valley resident and former East Bay MUD board director.
—Gary Howard, a member of the Castro Valley school board that served during the previous search for a new superintendent a decade ago, disputed the assertion, saying the same process was used to select Rashidchi.
