Board Authorizes Coliseum Negotiations With Oakland After Months of Delay

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors finally cleared the way for staff to negotiate directly with Oakland over the future of the Coliseum complex — a decision twice postponed — while approving tens of millions in contracts, hearing a presiding judge warn about AI threats to courtrooms, and honoring communities from mock trial students to sexual assault survivors.

• County staff authorized to negotiate with Oakland over the Coliseum and Arena Complex after two prior continuances, passing 4-0 with one supervisor excused

• $12.2M approved for EV fast-charging stations across all five supervisorial districts, combining County funds with a state energy grant

• Presiding Judge Markman warns of "almost constant assault" on the rule of law, citing AI deepfakes, judicial security threats, and political pressures

• District Attorney Jones Dickson spotlights victim-witness advocates, emphasizing that survivors — not the system — choose their path through the justice process

• CAIR representative pushes the Board to fully implement its ethical investment policy, citing a record 8,683 anti-Muslim complaints in 2025

• 28 items pass in a single mass motion, including an $11.2M Sheriff records system, $12M juvenile food services contract, and June 2 public hearing dates for five property assessments

Coliseum Talks: County Staff Finally Get the Green Light

After being continued from March 17 and again from April 7, the Board voted to authorize Patrick O'Connell of the County Administrator's Office and General Services Agency Director Kimberly Gasaway to negotiate with the City of Oakland over the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum and Arena Complex at 7000 Coliseum Way.

The basics: Government code requires the Board to publicly identify real property negotiators in open session before terms can be discussed behind closed doors. The item was taken up before the closed session specifically to meet that requirement.

Where things stand: Public commenter Blair Beekman praised the Board for pairing the closed session discussion with a public agenda item and urged the Board to involve African American Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG) as a mediator between the County and Oakland. County Counsel Donna Ziegler clarified that the open session item is narrowly limited to identifying negotiators, and the terms would be discussed in closed session.

Board President David Haubert asked whether he and Supervisor Nate Miley could observe the negotiations but was advised that such discussion belonged in closed session.

Decisions: The motion passed 4-0 (For: Haubert, Marquez, Tam, Fortunato Bas; Absent: Miley). The Coliseum site represents one of the East Bay's largest publicly owned redevelopment opportunities, and the authorization clears the first procedural hurdle for County staff to sit across the table from Oakland.

What's next: Actual negotiation terms will be worked through in closed session. The Board has offered no public timeline for a deal.

Judge Sounds Alarm on AI and Courtroom Safety at Law Day

The Board and the Alameda County Superior Court jointly proclaimed May 1, 2026, as Law Day under the theme "Protecting the Rule of Law Which Advances the American Dream." What was billed as a ceremonial event turned into a substantive warning from the county's top judge about threats to the judiciary.

Why it matters: Presiding Judge Michael Markman used the platform to deliver a blunt assessment of the pressures facing courts.

"It feels to me, sitting across the street in department one of the courthouse, like the rule of law and the courts have been under almost constant assault for the past at least year and a half, if not longer," he said.

Markman specifically flagged AI and deepfakes as emerging dangers to the truth-finding process at the heart of trial courts.

"We are doing our best as a branch to innovate and to find ways to deal with threats posed by AI, but also the opportunities posed by AI because it really is a technology that can cut in both directions," he said.

He also noted that threats to judicial security have risen "tremendously."

Gordon Greenwood of Kazan, McClain, Satterley & Greenwood, whose firm has sponsored mock trial and Law Day for 28 years, told the students in the room:

"The law needs, really needs new minds, new ideas, young people like you to help us formulate and figure out not what the law was, but what you would like for the law to be."

Two mock trial students — Katie of Morro Catholic and Vikram of Mission San Jose High School — gave speeches about how the competition shaped their understanding of civic engagement.

Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas connected the ceremony to the Board's current policy work:

"We have been looking at the impacts of this federal administration and the importance of ensuring compliance with the Fifth Amendment, which is the right to counsel, especially for those who may not have it, including those with undocumented immigration status."

She cited Julie Su's career trajectory from workers' rights attorney to federal labor official as an example of what law careers can become.

Supervisor Nate Miley offered a more casual encouragement:

"A lot of us have law degrees and we don't practice, but we do a lot of other things. So it's a good learning experience."

DA: Survivors Set Their Own Pace Through the Justice System

Board President David Haubert read the Sexual Assault Awareness Month proclamation marking the 25th anniversary theme, "25 Years Stronger — Looking Back, Moving Forward." The proclamation also designated April 29 as Denim Day — a tradition originating from public outrage over a court ruling that used a survivor's clothing to undermine accountability.

Why it matters: District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson received the proclamation and immediately turned the spotlight to her victim-witness advocate team — Jennifer, Erica, James, Lloyd, and Myra — calling them "the angels in our office" because the work could not be done without them.

Jones Dickson delivered a pointed message about survivor agency:

"It is their choice when and how and if they want to be involved in any process relating to law enforcement, relating to therapeutic intervention. We don't get to push people to do that."

The framing represented a deliberate shift from prosecution-centered to survivor-centered support, with the D.A. urging her advocates to practice self-care given the vicarious trauma they carry.

CAIR Pushes for Ethical Investment Action at Heritage Proclamation

Supervisor Elisa Marquez presented a detailed proclamation for Arab American and Muslim American Heritage Month, citing California's status as home to the largest Arab American population in the U.S. and referencing Senate Concurrent Resolution 45 designating April as Muslim American Appreciation Month statewide.

Why it matters: The proclamation carried hard data: Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) reported a 419% increase in anti-Muslim hate incidents in 2023, with an even higher 8,683 complaints logged in 2025 — an unprecedented figure that underscored why community members view the proclamation as more than symbolic.

Where things stand: Musa Tariq of CAIR received the proclamation and turned to policy:

"We hope this proclamation serves as a stepping stone toward further action, including the full implementation of the ethical investment policy that was adopted in last fall's vote."

Additional speakers included Moina Shaikh, a president of a mosque in Newark), and Dr. Chowdhury, who spoke about organ donation education in the Muslim community. The proclamation acknowledged multiple Islamic organizations and institutions, including Zaytuna College, Lighthouse Mosque, and the Arab Resource and Organizing Center.

$12M for EV Chargers Across Every District

Tucked inside the mass motion but drawing questions from the dais, Item 14 designated $8.26M in County funding for EV charging stations and accepted up to $3.99M from the California Energy Commission's Clean Transportation Program — a combined $12.2M investment.

Supervisor Elisa Marquez asked the key equity question:

"Will there be charging stations in every supervisorial district?"

GSA Director Kimberly Gasaway confirmed yes and explained that the "Hayward" naming convention in project documents refers to the Hayward Energy Services Project, which includes both building energy services and EV charging implementation.

The combined commitment represents one of Alameda County's largest clean transportation infrastructure investments, with fast chargers planned for County facilities countywide.

Minor Items

• Three litigation settlements totaling $306,000 disclosed from closed session: Teixeira v. County of Alameda settled for $206,000 (4-0, Haubert excused); Smith v. County of Alameda settled for $100,000 (unanimous); Castro Valley Investment Group LLC v. Castro Valley Marketplace LLC resolved with no monetary payment over a paseo property dispute (unanimous).

• Four Veterans' Memorial Building Commissions consolidated into one body under an ordinance adopted 5-0 on second reading, merging Albany, Hayward, San Leandro, and Washington Township commissions and authorizing a $400 monthly stipend for commissioners.

• 28 items approved 5-0 in mass motion, including: $11.2M Mark43 records management system extension for the Sheriff's Office; $9.9M pooled network infrastructure contract (NWN Corporation); $12M Epicurean Federal food services contract for juvenile facilities; and $4.2M childhood lead prevention grant. Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas asked about food waste recovery at juvenile facilities in connection with the food services contract.

• June 2 public hearings set for five property assessment and fee districts: vector control, EMS, paramedic, clean water protection, and flood control.

• Healthy Homes Department recognized for 31 years of service; Director April Williamson noted the department has reached over 10,000 homes, reduced hazards in 2,500+ homes, made safety repairs for 1,000+ older adults and disabled homeowners, and trained 2,200+ individuals. "What makes Alameda County's approach unique is that we bring health, housing and environmental services together under one roof," she said.

• Emergency Preparedness Fair announced by Supervisor Fortunato Bas for Saturday, May 2, in Emeryville with the County Fire Department.

• Together for All Act committee meeting set for Thursday, April 30, at 3 p.m. to receive a four-to-five-month implementation study on the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, previewed by Supervisor Marquez.

• Consent calendar (Items 35-38) approved 5-0, including conflict of interest code updates and board/commission appointments.

• Minutes approved 5-0 for three April special meetings (April 14, 16, and 20).

• Public commenter Blair Beekman urged the Board to pursue a community-driven process for selecting a new ALPR vendor, similar to Oakland's approach, following up on the Board's recent Flock surveillance technology discussion.