Board Draws Line Against FCI Dublin Reopening After 60-Plus Speakers Testify

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors sent its most forceful message yet to the federal government on April 7, unanimously opposing any effort to reopen the former Dublin federal prison as an immigration detention center or correctional facility. More than 60 speakers — abuse survivors, labor leaders, students, faith communities, and Japanese American descendants of WWII incarceration camps — packed the chamber for more than an hour of testimony before the 5-0 vote. Beyond the headline resolution, the board confirmed a new health director, advanced a county-wide electronic health records overhaul, and heard urgent warnings about a looming gap in senior meal services.

• Board votes 5-0 to oppose reopening FCI Dublin for any detention or correctional purpose after marathon public hearing

• More than 60 speakers — from abuse survivors to high school students to the Alameda Labor Council — urge supervisors to block federal detention plans

• Aneeka G. Chaudhry confirmed as permanent Alameda County Health Director after leading the agency for a year

• Seven new IT positions approved to launch Epic electronic health records across behavioral health, public health, and jail health systems

• Senior meal service advocates warn of potential July gap as new RFP timeline leaves almost no transition window

• Oakland Coliseum negotiations delayed again to April 28 at Supervisor Miley's request

"ICE or Any Prison Does Not Belong in Our County"

The dominant action of the April 7 meeting was the adoption of a resolution formally opposing the reopening or repurposing of the former Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Dublin for any future detention or correctional operations. Introduced by Board President David Haubert and Supervisor Elisa Márquez, the resolution passed 5-0 (For: Márquez, Tam, Miley, Fortunato Bas, Haubert; Against: 0; Absent: 0).

Why it matters: The Bureau of Prisons has already transferred the shuttered FCI Dublin facility to the General Services Administration, and $40 billion in federal detention expansion funding is on the table. The resolution puts Alameda County formally on record against any federal effort to site a detention or corrections facility on the property — a stance that could bolster legal and political resistance if DHS or another agency pursues the site.

Where things stand: Public testimony consumed more than an hour, with speakers spanning an extraordinary breadth of community constituencies. Kendra Drysdale, an abuse survivor and advocacy coordinator for the Dublin Prison Solidarity Coalition, described firsthand the conditions inside FCI Dublin and at the Otay Mesa ICE Detention Center. Multiple speakers cited research from the Detention Watch Network showing that proximity of a detention facility can increase local ICE arrests by up to seven times. As of March 31, 14 people had already died in ICE custody in 2026, speakers noted.

Adrian, a Dublin High School student, described his school's participation in a nationwide walkout:

"We walked out with knowledge that FCI Dublin was being considered for an ICE facility," he said, urging the board to move beyond symbolism to protect students.

Keith Brown of the Alameda Labor Council, representing over 100,000 working families, framed the issue as economic justice:

"Every dollar in detention is stolen from schools, health care, and housing," he said.

Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas, as chair of the Alameda County Together for All (ACT) Committee, connected the resolution to the board's $7 million investment in immigrant defense and to historical parallels with Japanese American imprisonment.

"As the daughter of Filipino immigrants and as a survivor and a county supervisor who's committed to protecting the dignity of all our residents, I also oppose the reopening of FCI Dublin for immigration, detention or corrections," she said.

She noted that research shows proximity of a detention center increases the chances that community members will be detained.

Vice Chair Lena Tam drew a direct line to WWII-era policy:

"The history back in 1942 with Executive Order 9066 was driven by hysteria and racism, things that we're seeing right now with this administration. We don't need to repeat that history."

The other side: Supervisor Nate Miley was the only board member to raise questions, pressing on the resolution's scope. Its language extends beyond ICE detention to oppose any correctional use of the site — a breadth that Miley flagged as potentially affecting the county's own facility planning.

"I always look for the unintended consequences," he said. "I'm not one who's opposed to facilities that detain people, because I do think there are people in our society … if anyone does something that's unlawful and they're determined to be prosecuted for that, that we need facilities to detain them."

The exchange drew heated reactions from some audience members. After deliberation, Miley said the documented history of abuse at FCI Dublin provided sufficient justification and voted in favor:

"I can support this resolution that's before us. I do recognize their passion around this issue."

Decisions: Márquez made the motion to adopt:

"I am proud to move the adoption of the resolution opposing the reopening or repurposing of the former Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin for any future detention or correctional operations. ICE or any prison does not belong in our county." Fortunato Bas seconded.

The board voted 5-0.

What's next: The resolution will be transmitted to federal agencies. With the GSA now controlling the property, any proposed use would require a new federal determination — and Alameda County has now gone on record against it.

Chaudhry Made Permanent as Health Director

The board unanimously confirmed Aneeka G. Chaudhry as permanent Director of Alameda County Health, effective April 12, at a biweekly salary of $12,974.40. Chaudhry had been leading the agency in an interim capacity for the past year.

Why it matters: The appointment provides stable leadership at a pivotal moment — the county is simultaneously rolling out a new electronic health records system, reforming behavioral health services, and managing jail health operations under the Care First, Jails Last framework.

"I appreciate the appointment and really have enjoyed working in this role for the last year," Chaudhry said. "I think that we've made some tough decisions during that time and there's a lot of tough decisions to come ahead."

Supervisor Elisa Márquez congratulated her and connected the appointment to the agency's ongoing Epic implementation and reimagined adult justice work.

Decisions: Approved 4-0 (For: Márquez, Tam, Fortunato Bas, Haubert; Against: 0; Absent: Miley). Motion by Márquez, seconded by Supervisor Lena Miley.

Epic EHR Rollout: County Gets Seven New IT Staff

The board approved seven new full-time positions, at an annual cost of $1.7 million, to support the county-wide rollout of the Epic electronic health record system across behavioral health, public health, and jail health operations.

The basics: Alameda County has not had a modern, integrated electronic health system. The Epic platform — already used by most Bay Area hospitals — will enable data exchange, improve care coordination between physical and behavioral health inside the county jail, and boost Medi-Cal billing revenue.

Why it matters: The system is central to the county's behavioral health reform efforts and to improving care for incarcerated individuals at Santa Rita Jail. Better billing infrastructure also means the county can capture more state and federal reimbursement.

"The county has not had a real electronic health system for a very long time. We desperately need it for the behavioral health department," said Director Aneeka G. Chaudhry said.

Chaudhry noting the system will also support jail health through MOUs with the Sheriff's Office.

Supervisor Elisa Márquez connected the item to the Reimagined Adult Justice and Care First, Jails Last initiatives, and flagged a joint public protection and health committee update scheduled for April 23.

Decisions: Approved as part of the mass motion, 4-0 (Miley absent).

Senior Meal Contracts Extended, but Clock Is Ticking

The board approved amendments to seven congregate and home-delivered meal service agreements for older adults and allocated additional Measure W funds. But the item drew a pointed warning from an advocate about a fast-approaching cliff.

Why it matters: Current contracts expire June 30. Wendy Peterson of the Senior Services Coalition of Alameda County told the board the RFP for the next four-year nutrition contract was released that very day — and with a mid-June intent to award, there would be virtually no time to transition equipment, client records, staff, and clients to a new provider. She raised additional alarm about four other RFPs not yet released, potentially leaving July without providers for case management and other continuity-of-care services.

Supervisor Elisa Márquez pressed for details:

"It looks like we're just extending a few months and just wanted to know the timeline, how it's overlapping."

SSA Director Andrea Ford confirmed the agency is working to prevent any gap but acknowledged the RFP process is still unfolding. President David Haubert stated his expectation clearly: no funding or service gap.

Decisions: Approved as part of the mass motion, 4-0 (Miley absent).

What's next: The board will be watching whether the mid-June award timeline holds and whether the four outstanding RFPs are released in time to avoid any disruption for the thousands of older adults who depend on these meals.

Floodplain Ordinance Tweaked to Protect Insurance Discounts

The board introduced, on first reading, an amendment to the county's floodplain management ordinance — a technical but consequential move to maintain residents' flood insurance discounts.

The basics: Two provisions are being formalized: a requirement that relocated facilities maintain carrying capacity (already standard practice) and a prohibition on man-made alteration of sand dunes (of which the county has none). Both are required by FEMA to preserve the county's Community Rating System score.

Why it matters: Without adoption, residents in flood-prone areas could lose 5-15% discounts on flood insurance premiums.

Vice Chair Lena Tam asked whether the requirements would affect future development. Public Works Director Daniel Wildezenbet said there would be no direct impact since these are existing practices being codified.

Decisions: First reading approved 4-0 (Miley absent). A second reading will follow at a future meeting.

Minor Items

• ACMEA labor agreement adopted on second reading; salary amendments introduced on first reading, including new drone license premium for Public Works employees and updated psychiatrist pay (4-0, Miley absent).

• Coliseum negotiations with Oakland continued to April 28 at Supervisor Miley's request — the second continuance for the item authorizing county staff to negotiate with Oakland over the Coliseum and Arena Complex properties.

• Curb marking and signage fee schedule adopted after a public hearing; fees aligned with the county's cost-recovery policy and described as mid-range compared to other jurisdictions (4-0, Miley absent).

• April proclaimed Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month, with 30,000 watercolor sheets distributed county-wide; Rachel Osajima of the Alameda County Arts Commission and Arts Commission Chair Teresa Rudy presented.

• April proclaimed Child Abuse Prevention Month; Ursula Jones Dickson of the District Attorney's Office highlighted a memorial flag ceremony on April 24 and noted the county received over 25,000 child welfare reports last year with more than $800,000 in state prevention funding helping 2,100 families.

• Consent calendar (items 60-63) approved, including legislative positions on 21 state and federal bills, board appointments, and ethics code updates (4-0, Miley absent).

• Mass motion approved items 2-56 (excluding items handled separately) with corrections to item 45 (4-0, Miley absent).

• Minutes approved for March 17 and March 24 regular meetings (4-0, Miley absent).

• Two closed-session litigation settlements totaling $325,000 reported out; the board approved joining amicus briefs in US v. Weber and US v. Benson (5-0).