Quirk declines to carry tax authority bill, upsets Eden Health District directors; Bonta won't do it, either
EIR comes to Oakland City Council today; San Leandro USD appoints Cal senior to school board
—11TH HOUR REVERSAL—The Alameda County safety net health care provider, St. Rose Hospital in Hayward, has struggled to meet the needs of the area’s most needy for sometime. This despite periodic assistance from the county. One idea that has bounced around in recent years is to use the Eden Health District to move forward a tax-generating ballot measure to support St. Rose Hospital. But the Eden Health District does not posses taxing authority, leading to an effort to recruit a local legislator to carry a bill to give the district the ability to tax.
—Eden Health District officials thought that person was Assemblymember Bill Quirk, but he recently surprised the board by pulling his support for the potential legislation. “It’s disappointing because we thought we had a solid commitment there,” Eden Health District CEO Mark Friedman said.
—The district’s board had been working on the proposed bill with Quirk for two years, said Gordon Galvan, a member of the Eden Health District Board of Directors. “He’s leaving,” an annoyed Galvan said of Quirk, who is not seeking re-election to the assembly this year. “What difference does it make?”
—Perhaps because of Quirk’s lame-duck status, some board members were more loose with their words on Wednesday night. Several were upset that, despite working closely with Quirk over the past two years, the decision to remove support for carrying the bill came without the board having a seat at the table. “Why did Quirk do a flip-flop on us?” Galvan, a former San Leandro councilmember, reiterated.
—Several factors hinder the Eden Health District’s efforts in Sacramento. Paramount is the fact the health care district no longer operates or oversees a hospital. It mostly serves as conduit for supporting local non-profit health care-related ventures with grants. There were also indications from Quirk’s office that such a bill would not have successfully navigated the assembly committee stage, Eden board members said.
—Meanwhile time is running out, at least, for this legislative session. This Friday is the deadline for introducing new legislation. The Eden board has reached out to Assemblymember Mia Bonta to carry the taxing authority bill, but while they believe there is earnest interest, Bonta’s office told the district that their package of bills for this year is full. Eden official said they will ask Bonta to reconsider as the clock ticks towards Friday. At minimum, the board is hoping for a “spot bill” to be introduced, the board said, which would allow them the ability to further conversations in Sacramento.
CITY NEWS
HAYWARD
—FLAG-RAISING—Hayward will raise the red, black, green-striped Pan-African flag at City Hall on Feb. 22 at noon, the city announced on Thursday. Last week, the Hayward City Council approved Councilmember Angela Andrews’ referral to raise the banner during Black History Month, Juneteenth, and Aug. 17, the birthdate of Marcus Garvey, the creator of the flag.
SAN LEANDRO
—HOMECOMING—The San Leandro Unified School District board appointed Liz Toledo to replace Christian Rodriguez, the trustee who was tragically killed by a motorist in December. Toledo is a senior at U.C. Berkeley. It’s a homecoming of sorts for Toledo. While attending San Leandro High School during the 2017-18 school year, she served as a student board representative to the school board.
—PICK-ED—The Eden Health District filled an opening on its board for very different reasons than the San Leandro school board. The previous Eden Health District board director simply didn’t want to do the job after just one year in office and abruptly resigned last month. The Eden board unanimously selected former San Leandro Councilmember Ed Hernandez on Wednesday night to serve the remainder of Varsha Chauhan’s term. Just how long Hernandez’s term will be is to be determined. That’s because the Eden board is moving to district-based elections this year.
—If Hernandez, who lives in San Leandro, is drawn into the at-large district, he would serve the remaining two years of Chauhan’s term. If not, Hernandez would be up for election to a full four-year seat this November. It’s unclear whether Hernandez will seek re-election. His name has been floated in this year’s San Leandro mayoral race and the open 20th Assembly District seat.
—‘DRO COUNCIL PROSPECT—There’s much chatter about the lack of chatter in San Leandro’s District 5 council race being vacated by termed out Councilmember Corina Lopez. San Leandro has a history of open seats being sought by just a single candidate. There doesn’t seem to be much interest in District 5. However, keep an eye on Xouhoa Bowen. She unsuccessfully sought the appointment last night to the Eden Health District, but she was nonetheless impressive. Apparently, there are some in San Leandro who have urged her to run this year. Perhaps it’s why Bowen declined to answer last night whether she would run for re-election, if the Eden board had selected her?
ON THE AGENDA
OAKLAND - THURSDAY, 3:30pm
—HOWARD TERMINAL EIR—It’s a big day for supporters of the Howard Terminal Ballpark Project. The Oakland City Council will take on the massive Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed $12 billion ballpark development. The EIR was well received by the Oakland Planning Commission for its thoroughness. Much is to be done, though, before shovels hits the ground, but passage of the EIR will kickstart a new round of local approvals, including an important one at the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission. Don’t forget negotiations and approval of the development agreement coming later this year.
—What should you look for tonight? Will this meeting be a roller coaster of emotions that, in the end, turns out well for the project, like the Alameda County Board of Supervisors meeting last October? Or, does it reflect the positive, businesslike demeanor from the city and Oakland Athletics that we’ve witnessed in recent weeks? Expect the same opposition from Port of Oakland stakeholders that have been raised for more than a year. How will Councilmember Carroll Fife vote? She is believed to be the last fully skeptical councilmember. Will there be an actual vote tonight? Councilmember Dan Kalb raised that question two weeks ago.
DATEBOOK
—DA FORUM I—Alameda County District Attorney candidates will meet at candidate forum, hosted by the Fremont-Union City-Newark (FUN) Progressives on Sunday, Feb. 20, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Register for the virtual meeting HERE.
—DA FORUM II—Alameda County District Attorney candidates will meet in an endorsement forum, hosted by the Tri-Valley Democratic Club, Monday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m. Register for the virtual meeting HERE.
PODCAST
—EPISODE 43—On the next East Bay Insiders podcast, the newly-appointed Eden Health District Boardmember and former San Leandro councilmember Ed Hernandez joins me and Shawn Wilson for a San Leandro-centric discussion about this year’s election season, the proposed police oversight commission, among other ‘Dro issues. Look for the new episode soon! In the meantime, subscribe to the podcast for FREE on Apple Podcasts or wherever you download podcasts.