Hayward · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Hayward public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
General Municipal Election — City Hall Vote Center
The November 3 council meeting was canceled so City Hall can serve as a vote center for the General Municipal Election. Residents can vote in person on Election Day from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, or early from October 31 through November 2. The next regular council meeting is November 17, 2026.
Sanctuary City Policy Statement
Hayward is reminding residents that local police don’t do immigration enforcement and city workers don’t track immigration status. It’s a reassurance for immigrant residents and anyone who cares how local cops interact with federal immigration authorities.
Business license tax modernization
The city is quietly moving toward a November 2026 ballot measure to modernize the business license tax, untouched for nearly 50 years. A consultant is being hired to build a fiscal model, and a community poll could happen within weeks. Estimates discussed ranged from $13-21 million (union estimate) to a prior assessment well below a $28 million figure.
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.
Unarmed security services contract increase
The council quietly added $356,000 to the First Shield security contract covering city locations and the Hayward Executive Airport, bringing the total to about $5.18 million.
Heat pump water heater program expansion
The city expanded its heat pump water heater direct installation program from select neighborhoods to the whole city, with installation cost help available by phone or text.
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.
Road Construction
Hayward is launching a $10 million street repair project starting with night repaving on A Street and Hathaway Avenue this late October. If you live or drive in those areas, expect some overnight noise and detours while the work gets done.
Tobacco retailer license enforcement and youth protection
The city is cracking down on tobacco shops that repeatedly sold flavored products, vapes, and items appealing to youth. Four licenses were revoked, and residents — including students and a prevention professional — urged the commission to hold violators accountable.
Election Information
Election Day is just around the corner, and Hayward's City Clerk is reminding everyone to check their registration and find their local drop box. Voters will be casting ballots for mayor and specific council districts, so it's time to make a plan to vote.
Downtown density increase via General Plan amendments
The commission recommended raising downtown density limits to 40–210 units per acre and remapping 130 parcels to match the Downtown Specific Plan. Consistency makes Hayward more competitive for One Bay Area Grant and transit-oriented community funding — potentially millions in state and regional money.
Shelter crisis declaration and tiny homes for domestic violence survivors
The council extended legal authorization for tiny homes on Huntwood Avenue that shelter survivors of domestic violence through 2036. A public commenter urged the city to also plan winter shelter for the city's 400-plus unhoused residents.
Business Friendly Hayward regulatory overhaul
Councilmembers Syrop and Andrews heard from developers that Hayward's permitting takes too many rounds of comments and drives up costs — like requiring separate water meters for each of 13 units. They want a coordinated push to make Hayward 'open for business.'
Invasive mosquito detected in Hayward
The mosquito abatement district found the invasive Aedes aegypti — an ankle-biting, disease-carrying species — downtown and near Hesperian. Residents are asked to dump standing water weekly and report dead birds; the service is already paid for through property taxes.
$1.5 million settlement of Costa v. City of Hayward
The council settled a lawsuit against the city for $1.5 million in closed session. Hayward's $800,000 share is already budgeted in the risk fund; insurance picks up the rest.
Care facility funding concerns raised in public comment
BACS will build an 83-bed locked mental health treatment center on the former Navigation Center site in West Hayward. The use is allowed by right under state law; the commission weighed only variances for building size, setbacks, and a 14-foot security fence driven by the parcels' odd shapes and easements.
Housing assistance for emancipated foster youth
The council renewed $500,000 in HOME funds for Abode Services' Project Independence, which provides rental assistance to young people aging out of foster care.
City Hall second-floor renovation during budget crunch
The council approved a $516,614.85 contract to build a conference room and offices at City Hall, over objections that the city recently cut jobs and services to balance its budget.
Workforce diversity and recruitment outreach
The annual diversity report shows 873 regular permanent employees, down 79 from last year, with 39 new hires — 72 fewer than the prior year. Commissioners pushed for more outreach to women in police, fire, and public works, and for events beyond downtown Hayward.
FY 2027 salary plan
The council took the first formal step to amend the city's CalPERS retirement contract covering classic members of the police and fire bargaining units — a resolution of intention and ordinance introduction. The final adoption comes later.
City Commission Appointments
Hayward fills volunteer seats on five commissions that advise the city on parks, libraries, personnel matters, and planning decisions. Who gets appointed shapes how residents' voices reach city hall.
Police surveillance technology expansion (Axon DFR and ALPR)
The council approved a five-year, up-to-$2.9M Axon package including drone-as-first-responder equipment and 64 license plate reader cameras, replacing expiring Flock cameras. Supporters point to solved abduction cases; critics worry about mass surveillance, data misuse, and ICE access.
Skywest open space vs. airport expansion
A resident urged the city to pursue green aviation and open space at the closed Skywest golf course property instead of industrial warehouses, including school partnerships and a trail loop. Staff confirmed the city is working with HARD on dedicating much of the property to open space and parks.
Russell City Redress Fund
Philanthropic Ventures Foundation was approved as fiscal sponsor for the Russell City Redress Fund, moving the redress effort forward.
AC Transit fiscal cliff and potential service cuts
The city put another $1.1 million of Measure BB money into paratransit rides, raising the Onward Health contract cap to about $1.98 million.
Data center environmental concerns
Data centers under 50 megawatts will be decided by the Planning Commission; bigger ones need City Council approval under a new major conditional use permit. Some commissioners questioned why large data centers face extra hurdles when Hayward sits on prime power and fiber infrastructure.
Eden Ranch 72-unit townhouse condominium development
Hayward is getting 72 new three-story townhouse-style condos on Mission Boulevard, including eight affordable homes — more than the city's minimum requirement. The project replaces a long-vacant site and preserves 1.5 acres of hillside as open space.
Code Enforcement Liens and Assessments
The council confirmed liens and sent past-due code enforcement penalties to the county for collection. Several property owners objected, including an attorney who said a $14.5 million penalty against his client — nearly four times the property's value — was unconstitutional, and a resident who cited medical hardship.
Downtown Parking Enforcement
Residents flagged that the city will begin enforcing long-dormant overnight parking and time limits in downtown garages on July 1 — right as the council goes on recess. Speakers said notice was thin and want a permit program in place before enforcement starts.
2025 Urban Water Management and Water Shortage Contingency Plans
Hayward adopted its required five-year water plans, projecting demand through 2050 and laying out drought stages. Council members pressed staff on data center water use, recycled water expansion, and whether residents would be prioritized in a shortage — staff said rationing choices would come back to the council during an emergency.
Juneteenth Recognition and Community Celebration
The mayor proclaimed June 19 as Juneteenth, with the sixth annual Juneteenth Freedom Celebration set for June 20 at Mount Eden High School, organized with Treasures Unleashed, HARD, Delta Sigma Theta, the NAACP, and the Wiggins Foundation.
Police Department Service Impacts and New Programs
A police department scandal involving a $1,000 bribe to cover a massage parlor was acknowledged; the implicated individual has pled not guilty and an investigation is underway.
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.'
Nighttime Safety Enhancement Plan
The $1.93 million federal grant for Regis Village came with a discussion about the facility's strain on police and fire services in District 1. A fire engine there was shut down to save overtime, and council wants state and county help to restore it.
Downtown Loop Redesign (Safe Streets Downtown)
Public commenters urged the city to convert downtown one-way streets back to two-way and rethink the freeway loop, arguing downtown feels like a pass-through. Professor Sherman Lewis presented a traffic circle concept for Foothill/Mission/Jackson with underground pedestrian crossings.
Homelessness Down 21% in Hayward
The latest county point-in-time count shows Hayward's homeless population dropped 21% — from 512 to 404 people — better than the countywide 13% decline. The mayor credited regional collaboration and housing investments.
Stormwater Trash Reduction Compliance Achieved
After a ten-year effort, Hayward now captures 100% of trash in its sewer system before it reaches the bay, using devices in roughly 600 sewers.
Ava Community Energy Impact Report
Hayward's default electricity provider reported $8.6 million in local customer savings, 55,000 local accounts, and programs including e-bike rebates and home battery incentives. The CEO also discussed how the agency is approaching data center power demands without shifting costs to residents.
GHAD FY 2026/27 Budget and La Vista Park Drainage Concern
Construction is underway on the 39-acre hillside La Vista Park in South Hayward, with completion expected by fall 2027 — Bay views, sports fields, a ridge trail, and an amphitheater, funded by Measure F1 bonds and developer in-lieu fees.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Funding (WIFIA/SRF)
The Water Resource Recovery Facility phase two upgrade is shovel-ready but has been waiting over a year for a federal WIFIA loan. Staff and Senator Padilla's office are pushing to unblock it; the project would create roughly 1,500 construction jobs and must be done by 2034.
Fire Department Staffing and Response Capacity
Hayward has about 100 trained CERT volunteers ready to deploy in a disaster, with a goal of adding 50-100 per year. Council members discussed recruiting more, partnering with Cal State East Bay, and whether council members should take the training themselves.
Public Safety Center Siting
The current police station no longer meets the department's needs, and the former Air National Guard site is now the preferred location for a new Public Safety Center. Staff is exploring phased approaches and possible public-private partnerships since the city can't fund full construction now.
FY27-FY36 Capital Improvement Program
Public Works launched an online dashboard letting residents track 100+ city construction projects, with council members asking for maps, renderings, and clearer status descriptions.
CDBG Funding and the Future of the Community Services Commission
With the community agency funding cycle canceled due to budget shortfalls, about $1.5 million in federal CDBG money is going to one-time internal projects instead of nonprofits. Commissioners told the council they felt shut out of the process, and the council directed staff to expand the commission into an advisory role with a community needs assessment.