Hayward sends out layoff notices; union gives city council a bag of coal
Oakland councilmember caught on video giving the finger; San Leandro begins to blur the lines between a citizen-led and city-backed measure; Progressive joins growing CA14 primary field
☕️MORNING BUZZ
—Hayward City Manager Jennifer Ott delivered grim holiday news at her first city council meeting Tuesday night, announcing the city will issue layoff notices as it grapples with a $30 million budget shortfall.
“Unfortunately—and I’m sorry that this is my first council meeting and this is what I’m having to say—but we will be issuing layoff notices,” Ott told the council.
Ott said staff explored every available option, but cuts to personnel are unavoidable.
“We turned over lots of rocks and increased revenues, but we are not able to close that $30 million gap without making some workforce reductions and personnel changes that will impact employees,” she said.
Although Ott officially began her role on Dec. 8, the appointment marks a return to Hayward. She previously served as the city’s assistant city manager before leaving in 2022 to become Alameda’s city manager.
“I want employees and the community to know I don’t take these decisions lightly,” Ott said. “In my professional judgment, these steps are necessary to stabilize the organization long term and get the city financially back on track.”
—Union representatives from SEIU Local 1021 and IFPTE Local 21 sharply criticized the announcement, calling for layoff notices to be delayed until formal meet-and-confer sessions are held.
In a symbolic holiday protest, one union member presented Mayor Mark Salínas with a bag of coal.
Amid the backlash, the city announced that Hayward’s firefighter unions had agreed to concessions that delay scheduled pay increases.
Despite the city’s urgent need for new revenue, Salínas voted against approving a cannabis dispensary on Foothill Boulevard that included a $1 million upfront payment based on projected first-year cannabis tax revenues.
The conditional-use permit was approved 5–2, late Tuesday night with Salínas and Councilmember Julie Roche voting no.
YEAR-END PUBLISHING SCHEDULE
Friday, Dec. 19 - ⏪Rewind 2025: Part 1 - Another FBI raid, indictments shake up East Bay; Oakland mayoral election heats up; Trump-proofing; New DA takes office
Monday, Dec 22 - ⏪Rewind 2025: Part 2
Tuesday, Dec 23 - ⏪Rewind 2025: Part 3
Tuesday, Dec. 23 - 🎙️EBI Podcast: Episode 122 - 3rd Annual Insidey Awards
Friday, Dec 26 - ⏪Rewind 2025: Part 4
Monday, Dec 29 - 🔝🔟Top 10 East Bay Stories of 2025
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