More Claims Filed Against City

According to the Closed Session agenda for September 15, the City Council will be hearing updates on four Worker’s Compensation claims, as well as updates on labor negotiations and the ongoing litigation filed by Heather Costa. 

According to available records, the Worker’s Compensation claims have been several years in the making and involve two separate claimants. David Kring, an Electrician with the City of Hayward, filed one claim in 2022 and another in 2023. The claims allege injury to his back, hips, and knees. The second claimant is Police Officer Mark Smith who filed two claims in 2024 alleging injuries to his ankle and knees. 

Negotiations with all bargaining groups are almost certain to be an ongoing theme in the coming months as many Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) which have helped to keep the city from insolvency will be expiring at the end of this fiscal year. Despite the concessions, the city is still suffering from a $30,000,000 structural deficit which is largely being bridged with one-time sources like Measure C revenue and the OPEB Trust. 

The Council will also hear updates on the case of Heather Costa v. City of Hayward, which alleges that Ms. Costa, as Acting Jail Administrator, was subjected to an ongoing pattern of sex discrimination. The allegations include being passed over for promotions, given less desirable shifts, micromanagement of use of sick leave, and retaliation for raising concerns. These events appeared to have occurred under the leadership of then-Chief Toney Chaplin who was replaced by Chief Brian Matthews in 2024 after an extended medical leave.

Consent Calendar Updates

This week's City Council meeting has a lot of items that likely won't see too much discussion because they're generally believed to be "non-controversial." But that doesn't mean that they're not important. We take a look at the items that City Council won't talk about on: The Consent Calendar

Abode Housing to Get $500,000 Grant

The City of Hayward will approve allocating a $500,000 federal grant from the HOME Investment Partnership Program to Abode Services. This money will go to Project Independence, which is managed by Abode, to provide rental assistance to emancipated and former foster care youth.

All program participants are either fully emancipated youth or 18 years or older, having aged out of the foster care system. The participants are also those who either experiencing homelessness or at risk of being homeless, but they must also demonstrate the "ability to enter housing, including signing a lease agreement, abiding by the rules, and agreeing to pay the $75 deposit and first month’s rent," according to the staff report.

Current participants are housed in multiple rental units throughout Hayward, and the units are regularly inspected by Abode prior to move-in "to make sure that they live in a decent, safe, and sanitary environment," according to the staff report. The grant will pay the difference between the market value and either $75 or 30% of renter's adjusted income, unless a hardship can be determined.

Since 2008, the program has helped 83 individuals formerly in foster care and at-risk of homelessness. 26% of participants were enrolled in some formal education or vocational training and 56% secured stable housing after aging out of the program.

Police Department Grants For Traffic Safety

The Hayward Police Department are set to receive over $240,000 in grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety to fund two different programs.

$30,000 will fund the "Live to Ride" motorcycle safety courses, which will run from October 2026 to September 2027. The program provides free training to community members to enhance rider safety on our roadways. The staff report says that the program has, in the past, "helped reduce the number of motorcyclists involved in crashes by increasing rider proficiency, knowledge, and situational awareness." However, they do not cite any specific statistics on the matter.

$215,000 comes in the form of a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant, which HPD will use to "reduce the number of persons killed and injured in collisions involving alcohol and other collision-causing factors," according to a staff report.

The strategies suggested to meet these goals include:

1. Impaired driving enforcement.
2. Enforcement focusing on distracted driving.
3. Seat belt enforcement.
4. Special enforcement encouraging motorcycle safety.
5. Enforcement and public education in areas with high bicycle/pedestrian collisions.
6. Media outreach strategies designed to enhance public awareness, educate the public, and deter poor behavior.

HPD has received this grant in the past, citing the exact same strategies in 2023. As we mentioned in the past, since many of the strategies use the word "enforcement," it is likely that these strategies will involve traffic stops, ticketing, and arrests.

Safe Routes For Seniors In South Hayward

A Safe Routes for Seniors project will be coming to South Hayward around Tennyson Road. Most of the improvements are set to occur around Weekes Park near the Weekes Branch of the Hayward Public Library. According to the staff report, "Major improvements consist of sidewalk bulb-outs, median refuge islands, rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs), and a pedestrian signal that opens a closed crosswalk."

The project will largely be funded by Measure BB, but the report indicated that an additional $500,000 in funding may be necessary, but that after the bids are secured, staff will return to Council with a proposal to pull further funding from Measure BB and the Gas Tax. The money will come from paratransit revenue and be focused on the following improvement areas:

1. The Eden Healthcare Center at 27350 Tampa Avenue is a 121-bed skilled nursing facility providing short- and long-term healthcare.
   1. A midblock crosswalk connects the Eden Healthcare Center to Weekes Park. This crossing will be improved with bulb-outs and RRFBs.
2. The intersection of Patrick and Roosevelt also serves Weekes Park, in particular the Weekes Branch Library and AC Transit stops on Patrick Avenue.
   1. This project includes bulb-outs, bus boarding islands, and improved crosswalks.
3. The intersection of Patrick and Gomer also serves senior populations and AC Transit bus stops in the neighborhood.
   1. The project includes bulb-outs and median refuge islands.
4. The Josephine Lum Lodge is a 150-unit affordable senior apartment community at 2747 Oliver Drive, located adjacent to a closed crosswalk that this project will reopen, improving the accessibility of Mt. Eden Park.
   1. All locations include ADA-compliant crosswalks.

The proposed changes are designed to improve safety and accessibility for transit riders and pedestrians, especially seniors and people with disabilities.