Council Demands Caltrans Protect Historic Gates as Bridge Rebuild Tensions Mount

The Sunol Citizens Advisory Council squared off with Caltrans over the removal of a mature tree near the historic Sunol Water Temple Gates, unanimously approving a formal letter demanding the state agency consult with preservation authorities before any further work near the landmark. The confrontation anchored a packed July 15 meeting that also brought news of mandatory three-bin waste collection coming to Sunol this fall and the first tangible product of a multi-year downtown revitalization effort.

• Council unanimously demands Caltrans consult State Historic Preservation Office after tree removed near Water Temple Gates without notice
• Mandatory three-container waste service coming to Sunol in October under SB 1383; Board of Supervisors vote set for Aug. 4
• $29,383 approved for four permanent pedestrian wayfinding signs, capping years of community planning
• $1,000 Business Guild event funding request stalls over debate about Community Improvement Fund rules
• Caltrans commits to monthly construction updates and promises no further disturbance to gate structure during bridge rebuild
• Copper wire theft wave hits Palomares Canyon and Sunol Boulevard, with thieves cutting hundreds of yards of cable

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Caltrans on Notice: Water Temple Gates and the Arroyo de la Laguna Bridge

The most emotional exchanges of the night centered on the Arroyo de la Laguna bridge reconstruction and its collision with the Sunol Water Temple Gates, a historic landmark inscribed with the words "A thing of beauty is a joy forever."

Why it matters: A mature tree near the gates was removed to accommodate a relocated utility pole — work the community says violated commitments Caltrans made in its environmental impact report. The dispute encapsulates years of strained relations between the small unincorporated community and the state transportation agency.

Where things stand: Chair Connie De Grange presented a detailed letter, approved 5-0, asking Caltrans to consult with the State Historic Preservation Office before further work near the gates, use a qualified architectural historian, implement all mitigations in the final EIR, provide the council a copy of its historical review, and explain the lane configuration near the landmark.

"The inscription around the Water Temple is 'a thing of beauty is a joy forever. Its loveliness increases, it never passes into nothingness.' To take the tree like that out is like erasing a part of that aesthetic, that beauty and our history," said Chair De Grange.

She was blunt about the power dynamics. "Keep in mind the EIR is a legal document. Caltrans made commitments in that legal document. If Caltrans wants to change that design phase, they have to go back to the State Office of Preservation and back to the community," Chair De Grange said.

A public commenter recalled a past episode in which Caltrans lost a lawsuit over tree-clearing along Alameda Creek. "One of the guys from Caltrans made a sarcastic snide remark that 'what are these people arguing about? That road is going to be four lanes anyway, no matter what they say,'" said Bob, a longtime resident.

The Caltrans response: Three Caltrans officials — Public Information Officer Hector Tilla, Project Manager KB Sandhu, and Construction Engineer Bill Borman — presented a construction update. Borman acknowledged the tree removal was an oversight during design, saying the pole relocation was part of the approved plans but the conflict with the tree was missed.

"I don't know how somebody overlooked that tree. There's lots of bigger things that get overlooked on projects than one tree," said Borman.

Caltrans said it has spoken with SHPO and was told its actions are compliant. The agency committed to no further disturbance to the concrete gate structure itself.

Tilla pledged a new approach to community engagement: "I am your advocate at these construction meetings. My job is to hear the concerns, get these dates, and be that voice in these meetings." He committed to monthly construction updates and created a project-specific email notification list.

Chair De Grange disclosed that a senior Caltrans official had threatened her for raising concerns about the project: "Threatened me for bringing those issues up. Said that I was delaying the project and if I continued, they were going to stop the whole bridge project."

Bob summed up the community's frustration with Caltrans more broadly: "It has been one pile of steaming manure after another as you go to these meetings and promises are made. And then, 'oh my gosh, we did that.' Beg for forgiveness."

What's next: A potential 55-hour weekend bridge closure has been pushed from August to September; Caltrans is trying to avoid it entirely. The shuttle service launched for the construction period was halted due to minimal ridership but remains available with one week's notice. The council plans to lean on state legislators Alex Lee and Jerry McNerney for additional leverage over the state agency.

Decisions: Letter to Caltrans approved, 5-0 (For: Conant, Harrison, Mlan, Start, De Grange; Against: none; Absent: none).

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Three Bins or Certify: Sunol Faces Mandatory Waste Overhaul

The basics: SB 1383, the Short Lived Climate Pollutants Reduction Act, requires all California communities to provide three-container collection — garbage, recycling, and organics — to every household and business.

Why it matters: Sunol residents will receive new organics carts in October whether they asked for them or not. Rates for the most common 35-gallon cart will jump 12.3%, from $43.64 to $49 per month. Residents who don't want curbside service must formally certify as self-haulers every two years.

Where things stand: Andy Schneider, waste program manager for Alameda County's Community Development Agency, presented the plan. The county has negotiated with Pleasanton Garbage Service to create County Collection Service Zone 2, covering Sunol, Castlewood, Happy Valley, Little Valley, Sheridan Road and Andrade Road.

Current subscribers will automatically receive expanded service including organics collection, three annual bulky item pickups, battery and cell phone collection, used motor oil collection, holiday tree collection, and seven cubic yards of free yard trimmings drop-off annually.

"SB 1383 says that all communities, all cities, all counties will have three-container collection to make sure that all generators — that's the term for residents and businesses — have recycling and organics collection service available to them," said Schneider.

On rates, Schneider noted a split outcome: "Residents who have a 35-gallon garbage cart will have a 12.3% increase. That increase covers all those new programs — the organic service, the bulky collection, the reporting and the outreach. Interestingly, Sunol residents who currently have a 96-gallon garbage cart are going to see a slight reduction."

Residents who opt out must certify with the county. "You're not required to subscribe to curbside service. You just need to certify with us — it's fairly painless," Schneider said.

Community questions ranged from paint disposal (not included in curbside pickup) to dead chickens. "Organics facilities do not want mortalities," Schneider confirmed. He also addressed concerns about containers left on narrow roads, noting the county's Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance requires removal within 24 hours.

Notably, Supervisor David Haubert's office learned from a prior rollout near Livermore where confusing outreach generated negative newspaper coverage and committed to controlling outreach directly this time.

What's next: The Alameda County Board of Supervisors will consider the service agreement on Aug. 4. Containers are scheduled for delivery in October.

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$29,383 Approved for Pedestrian Wayfinding Signs

Why it matters: Four permanent wayfinding signs — one prototype already installed — are the first visible result of a downtown revitalization effort that began with 2022-2023 community meetings and an urban designer identifying signage as a top priority.

Where things stand: Council Member Benjamin Harrison presented the second reading, requesting $29,382.51 from the Community Improvement Fund for fabrication and installation. The signs are designed for pedestrians, not vehicles, highlighting historic features like the Bosco statues, Kilkare Woods, and the Water Temple.

"These wayfinding signs are designed for pedestrians. It's not 'you're going to 84 here.' It's designed for people walking. 'Where's the Bosco statues?'" said Harrison.

A local Sunol artist designed the signs, and an experienced sign company will fabricate them using UV-resistant coatings. The budget increased from the original estimate due to two to three years of material and labor cost inflation plus public works requirements for breakaway signs. Long-term maintenance will be funded through profits from coordinated house-number signs sold by the Sunol Business Guild.

The prototype received overwhelmingly positive community feedback.

Decisions: Approved 5-0 on second reading (For: Conant, Harrison, Mlan, Start, De Grange; Against: none; Absent: none).

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Can Community Funds Pay for a Fundraiser? Business Guild Request Stalls

Why it matters: A $1,000 request for a free community event exposed a fundamental question about governance in unincorporated areas: when there's no city government to sponsor events, can a community improvement fund fill the gap?

Where things stand: Veena Rossler of the Sunol Business Guild requested $1,000 from the Community Improvement Fund for "A Stroll in Sunol," a free Aug. 22 event doubling as a Business Guild fundraiser. The event already has $2,500 from Supervisor Haubert's office and 10 local business sponsors, with hard costs exceeding $3,500.

The other side: Bob, a founding Business Guild member, objected. "I have a problem with using the community fund money to sponsor a fundraiser that the Business Guild might be putting on," he said, arguing the fund was created for tangible community improvements like infrastructure and beautification.

Council Member Harrison echoed that concern, expressing a preference for "hard tangible things — blocks, monuments."

Rossler countered that the Business Guild returns approximately $10,000 to $15,000 annually to the community, including school scholarships, 4-H support, and field trips for disadvantaged youth. "We are not doing any kind of fundraiser to help the businesses. The businesses take on most of the cost to produce these events," she said, adding: "There's a sense of lost community since nobody is powering the bed races, the chili cook-offs, and we need help for that."

Chair De Grange noted that in unincorporated areas, there is no government entity to sponsor community events the way a city would.

Decisions: The item requires two readings. Because the event is Aug. 22 and the next meeting is in September, the council deferred action and directed research into the fund's bylaws before a September vote.

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Minor Items

• Sheriff's report: Deputy Edwards reported 4,028 calls for service in the Sunol area, 33 traffic stops, and 28 citations. An explosive ordnance disposal team responded to the Water Temple after workers found dynamite from the early 1900s that had been used as decoration in rocks. Copper thieves cut several hundred yards of cable on Palomares Canyon Road and Sunol Boulevard, stripping the copper and leaving low-hanging wires. A Knox box access dispute between fire and sheriff's departments is causing delays in responding to burglar alarms at gated properties.
• Fire report: 55 calls for service, no fires. Chief Bonnie Terra was on vacation; the report was read by the chair. A new reporting system now provides more granular call data.
• Fire Safety Workgroup: The Firewise community designation effort is advancing but needs more volunteers; only two qualified assessors are available. The workgroup is low on funds.
• Tree Advisory/Depot Gardens: The workgroup agreed to store salvaged trees for future use.
• Council comments: The council thanked CHP for increased patrols. PG&E declined to attend public meetings, forcing the community to rely on intermediaries for information about utility work. PG&E held an open house separately.
• Emergency communications presentation (Item 4b): Skipped; presenter was absent.
• Public comment: Bob announced the memorial service for former Alameda County Supervisor Scott Hay on July 25 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds and raised ongoing concerns about Zone 7 flood control inaction.
• Minutes: June 17, 2026, minutes approved 5-0.