Hayward · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Hayward public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Data center moratorium referral
Staff proposes requiring conditional use permits for data centers and limiting them to the general industrial district. Prologis and several commissioners say that's too restrictive and could cost Hayward major investment; staff cites diesel generators and environmental impacts.
FY 2026-27 Operating Budget and $30M Structural Deficit
Hayward burned through roughly $30 million in reserves and is balancing this year's budget with layoffs, cuts, and one-time fixes. The city still needs $2-4 million more in cushion, and 94% of general fund revenue goes to salaries and benefits. The February 28 retreat is where the council will tackle long-term structural solutions.
FY 2026-27 Operating Budget and Structural Deficit
The city is running a 13.82% vacancy rate with 135 open positions as a deficit-reduction strategy. Union reps described burnout, a closed library Monday, and part-timers losing up to a third of their pay. Councilmembers said the smaller workforce may be the 'new normal.'
Traffic Safety Initiatives and Response
After three pedestrians were killed in ten days, staff proposed quick-build safety fixes at the ten most dangerous intersections, a Vision Zero crash response program, and a three-month police enforcement operation on high-injury corridors. Residents pushed for neighborhood traffic calming, closing cut-through streets like Hazel, and faster beacon repairs. The council endorsed prioritizing Tennyson Road for a federal grant of up to $25 million.
Pedestrian fatalities and street safety
Three pedestrians were killed on Hayward streets in ten days, all on the high-injury network. Residents demanded quick-build safety fixes and accountability; the city manager announced a fatal crash response program, quick-build improvements at Tennyson and Baldwin within weeks, and a street safety work session in March.
City employee layoffs and labor relations
Layoffs are going forward despite union concessions talks, and speakers accused the council of never intending to avoid them. Council members acknowledged the pain, with some pressing for unions to bring solutions to the February retreat and for transparency about what went wrong.