More than 100 people gathered in front of City Hall at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 12. They were participating in coast-to-coast vigils to call for an immediate closure of federal detention camps holding refugees in what many consider inhumane conditions.
“Lights for Liberty,” a coalition dedicated to human rights, organized the protests. Valerie Landau who participated in the Alameda vigil said that protesters chanted “Close the camps,” as drivers and pedestrians cheered and honked to show support.
Renters gather as fight for rent control continues
Alameda tenants and their allies gathered at City Hall last Saturday, Aug. 12, for a rally and press conference. The tenants are speaking out against a charter amendment petition currently circulating around the city.
The tenants wish to protect the just-cause-eviction protections that the City Council wrote into Ordinance 3140 in May.
On Tuesday, June 6, the City invited its residents and officials to gather on the City Hall steps to celebrate the message “Love Our Island, LGBTQ Pride” (above).
Some members of the pride community decided they did not wish to stand with Mayor Trish Spencer. Vice-Mayor Malia Vella decided she would pose with a seperate group, instead of on the steps with Spencer.
Alameda residents and property owners marched to City Hall on Monday to express their displeasure at the prospect of the City Council possibly overturning parts of City Ordinance 3148, which the voters approved last November as Measure L1. The group, which has the support of Alamedans for Fair Rent Control, consider Ordinance 3148 a fair rent control ordinance. They do not support the removal of a property owner’s right to terminate a lease without just cause.
The national election proved very emotional for a lot of Alamedans. In an almost spontaneous reaction to Donald Trump’s election to the presidency, Susan Davis conceived the perfect retort. Instead of violence, peace. Instead of throwing rocks and spray painting graffiti, light candles; instead of spewing hate, pray. She and John Knox White invited Alamedans to gather at City Hall for a candlelight vigil.
Residents and revelers filled the City Hall steps and plaza for this year’s holiday tree lighting ceremony, above. Along with city officials lighting the tree, live music from the Mistle-Tones, Alameda Community Band and the Oakland Youth Chorus (below left), festive dances from Alameda’s resident Tap Dancing Christmas Trees (below right), Santa Claus also made an appearance. That man in the red suit will be making quite a few stops in Alameda in the upcoming weeks. Check the events listing on page 6 for more details.
The second year of the Art in City Hall program begins tomorrow night with the opening of two new exhibits. Images from Zacatlan by Frank Bette Center for the Arts (FBCA) artists, Erica Norelius and Paul Feinberg, will be displayed on the third floor of Alameda City Hall, 2263 Santa Clara Ave., and works by Michele Mohler on the ground floor.
City Hall has department just to streamline permitting
The Permit Center at City Hall is the central location for obtaining building, fire, planning, public works and special events permits. The friendly center staff is ready to assist residents throughout the permitting process from initial questions and preapplication meetings to inspections and final certificate of occupancy.
A consultation with the Planning Division should be the first step in the permitting process. Who would visit this permit center? Here are some examples:
At the Oct. 17 City Council meeting, Councilmembers approved “Art in City Hall,” which allows professional and emerging Alameda artists and arts organizations to display works on the walls of City Hall. City staff will run the program for one year with the goal of supporting the local arts community, creating a memorable experience for the public and celebrating Alameda’s diverse history and community. Applications are open now for artists to apply to have their work displayed in Alameda’s seat of government.
