Dublin Centre Retail Deal, Garbage Rates and EV Charging Plan Dominate Marathon Session

The Dublin City Council worked past 11 p.m. Tuesday, reshaping the terms of the city's largest active housing development, approving higher garbage rates, and charting a path to hundreds of new EV charging ports — all without a single dissenting vote. The five-hour agenda also produced a quiet but meaningful change to election rules that could open the door for new candidates in November 2026.

• Dublin Centre development agreement amended to require all five Finian Way retail buildings before the 251st home permit, with three below-market-rate units guaranteed early (4-0, Mayor recused)

• Garbage and recycling rates rise 4.45% to $46.95/month for residential service as recycling market improvements begin to offset costs

• EV Infrastructure Plan adopted, targeting 345 new fast-charging ports by 2030 through private partnerships with no general fund commitment

• Candidate statement deposits cut to $250 for district races and $500 citywide, with the city absorbing excess printing costs

• Prop 218 ballots for a consolidated street lighting district to be counted June 17, with results declared July 21

Retail Before Rooftops: Dublin Centre DA Gets a Stronger Hammer

The basics: The Dublin Centre project — a 76-acre mixed-use development by Risewell Homes (formerly Landsea) — has been one of Dublin's most closely watched projects. The original development agreement required the developer to pull just one commercial building permit before continuing residential construction beyond 74 units. With Mayor Sherry Hu recused due to her home's proximity, Councilmember Michael McCorriston presided over this public hearing.

Why it matters: The amendment replaces a weak, single-permit trigger with a binding obligation to have all five Finian Way commercial buildings permitted and under active construction before the 251st residential unit can proceed. That's a significant upgrade for a city that has long struggled with retail delivery in large-scale developments.

Where things stand: Community Development Director Amy Million explained that the original DA language only required pulling permits — not actual construction. The new terms require the developer to demonstrate active construction progress on all five buildings. The developer initially requested a 325-unit threshold but negotiated down to 250 with staff. The Planning Commission recommended approval 3-0 with two abstentions.

Kevin Fryer of Mission Valley Properties, representing the applicant, framed the deal as advantageous for the city:

"250 homes that they would be able to build under this scenario is not enough, not nearly enough for them to make an economically viable project. This is a pretty cool opportunity to put yourself in a position to have a hammer to obligate the construction of the balance of these retail buildings."

Councilmember John Morada questioned why the threshold jumped from the original 74 units:

"Can we go back in time, explain to me what the rationale was by staff at that point in time to allow 75, but now we're doing 3x that amount four years later." S

taff explained the original number was set before district-wide infrastructure costs were fully understood.

The other side: Vice Mayor Jean Josey pressed staff on affordable housing phasing and the timeline for Finian Way shop houses.

"The intent has always been that we want the residential not to be completed before the retail and we want the retail to be done as soon as we can get it," she said, supporting the amendment while seeking specifics on unit mix.

Councilmember Kashef Qaadri pushed the deal further, proposing that three of the project's six below-market-rate units be included in the first 250 residential permits. The applicant confirmed feasibility, and the requirement was added to the motion.

Decisions: The ordinance was introduced 4-0, with Hu recused (For: McCorriston, Josey, Morada, Qaadri; Against: none; Absent: none). With roughly $250–$300 million in remaining project revenue contingent on the terms, the city retains substantial leverage over the commercial buildout.

What's next: The ordinance returns for a second reading. Risewell Homes can proceed with up to 250 market-rate units while permitting and constructing all five retail buildings.

Garbage Rates Rise 4.45% as Recycling Markets Improve

Why it matters: Every Dublin household will see garbage bills increase to $46.95 per month starting July 1, but the rate story has a silver lining: declining garbage tonnage and recovering recycling markets are beginning to offset costs under the city's compensation-based agreement with Amador Valley Industries, now operated by Livermore Sanitation/Waste Connections.

Where things stand: Finance Director Jay Baksa presented a detailed rate breakdown. The 4.45% increase is driven primarily by CPI adjustments and a 7.77% jump in Teamsters Local 70 labor costs tied to pension fund actuarial changes. Total compensation to the hauler is $32.6 million, up 8%, but partially offset by new accounts. Positive trends include garbage tonnage down nearly 7% and recycling costs down $9.37 per ton year-over-year as commercial accounts "right-size" to cheaper recycling and organics bins.

Staff announced plans to benchmark Dublin's rates against all 17 Alameda County jurisdictions going forward. Dublin currently ranks seventh out of 17 overall.

Councilmember Michael McCorriston zeroed in on the labor cost spike:

"A couple of things did stick out. And one of the things that appeared to me was something that really was moving it a little bit more than I would expect, and that was the labor cost."

Staff confirmed the Teamsters pension increase was an actuarial adjustment unlikely to repeat at the same magnitude.

Vice Mayor Jean Josey raised a structural question, noting that 90% of this year's account growth was commercial and urging staff to explore splitting the growth factor between residential and commercial customers.

Public commenter Carol Woodford Petersen questioned the removal of can and bottle recycling in Dublin. Josey noted a state bill is working through the Legislature to require stores to accept bottle and can returns.

Decisions: The rate increase passed 5-0 (For: Hu, Josey, Morada, Qaadri, McCorriston).

What's next: Staff will explore splitting growth factors and expand rate comparisons across Alameda County for the next cycle.

Dublin Charts an EV Charging Future — Without General Fund Dollars

Why it matters: Transportation accounts for 63% of Dublin's greenhouse gas emissions. With 22% of registered vehicles already electric or plug-in hybrid, the city approved a roadmap to close a 345-port fast-charging gap by 2030 — entirely through partnerships and grants.

Where things stand: Environmental and Sustainability Manager Shannon Young reported that Dublin needs 198 additional Level 2 and 345 DC fast charging ports to meet Climate Action Plan 2030 goals. Staff evaluated 13 high-ranking private sites and all city parking lots, estimating a full city-site buildout at approximately $21.5 million. The plan recommends third-party partnerships including Ava Community Energy, state CalEVIP grants, and low carbon fuel standard credits rather than general fund spending. Utilization rates at existing city chargers range from 10% to 40%.

Every councilmember expressed support, with a clear consensus: no general fund money. Vice Mayor Jean Josey added a practical request: "I would love for us to recommend that we do some enforcement around folks that are parked in EV charging stations while they're not charging or are parked all day and long after their car is finished charging."

Councilmember Michael McCorriston cautioned against connecting chargers to the city's planned fiber network, and Councilmember John Morada echoed the concern.

The other side: Public commenter Mike Grant opposed the plan, arguing that heavier EVs cause more road wear and tire consumption, and that manufacturers — not the city — should install their own chargers.

Decisions: The plan passed 5-0 with direction for compliance monitoring (For: Hu, McCorriston, Josey, Morada, Qaadri; Against: none; Absent: none).

What's next: Staff will pursue grant applications and third-party agreements, with compliance monitoring to track charging station usage and enforcement of parking violations at charging stations.

Lowering the Price of Entry: Candidate Statement Reform

Why it matters: Running for office in Dublin just got cheaper. The Council unanimously reduced candidate statement deposits from a proposed $750 to $250 for district elections and $500 for citywide races, with the city absorbing all excess printing costs — estimated at $5,000–$15,000 per election cycle.

Where things stand: The original staff recommendation proposed increasing the deposit from $500 to $750 because the city had been invoicing candidates above the $500 deposit in recent cycles. Councilmember Kashef Qaadri pushed back on equity grounds, noting three Alameda County cities — Emeryville, Piedmont, and Berkeley — charge nothing for candidate statements.

"I'm actually concerned about the cost and making it more restrictive, particularly where it may favor candidates with greater financial means and create more barriers to first-time candidates, for renters, for younger residents," he said.

Vice Mayor Jean Josey suggested differentiating between district and citywide races. After extended discussion, the council settled on the two-tier structure. Councilmember John Morada flagged SB 42, a state bill on public financing for campaigns supported by the League of California Cities, as a future consideration.

Decisions: Passed 5-0 (For: Hu, McCorriston, Josey, Morada, Qaadri; Against: none; Absent: none). The new deposits apply to the Nov. 3, 2026, general municipal election — Dublin's second cycle of district-based races.

Lighting District Consolidation Heads to Prop 218 Ballot Count

The basics: Proposition 218 requires voter approval for new or increased property assessments. The proposed SLAD 2026-1 would consolidate two existing street lighting districts — whose rates have been frozen since 2007 — into a single district with three benefit zones and maximum annual assessments of $17–$62 depending on lighting type.

Where things stand: Public Works Management Analyst Brad Olson presented two public hearings. The first approved annual assessments for three existing landscaping and lighting districts with modest increases of 1.35–1.88%. District 1986-1 faces a major capital expense for Alamo Creek fence replacement. City Attorney John Bacher explained that six written objections to SLAD 2026-1 were received and addressed through the administrative remedies process, with staff finding no constitutional issues requiring changes.

Decisions: Existing LLD assessments passed 5-0. The council voted 5-0 to proceed with Prop 218 balloting and directed the city clerk to publicly tabulate SLAD 2026-1 ballots at 9 a.m. on June 17 at Dublin Civic Center, with results to be declared at the July 21 meeting. As a contingency, the council also approved Item 5.9 to prepare existing districts if SLAD 2026-1 fails.

Minor Items

• Consent calendar approved 5-0, covering meeting minutes, CDBG cooperative agreement, utility box art, library mural, personnel system updates, and election procedures.

• Delegation of authority granted to the city manager for pedestrian/ADA infrastructure and Tassajara Road improvements during the council's June 17–July 20 summer recess.

• On-call consulting agreements approved across five public works disciplines including development review, geotechnical, ITS, inspection, and transportation planning.

• Alameda County library services agreement renewed, maintaining 51 total weekly hours at the Dublin library with a contractual 5% annual increase.

• Camp Parks recognition: Council honored departing Lt. Col. Richard B. King and Command Sergeant Major Steven D. Lorey for strengthening the city-military partnership over two years, including the Camp Parks sign preservation project and Iron Horse Trail Nature Park dedication.

• Dublin Pride Week contest winners recognized for photo, poster, and essay submissions, with more than 75 photo entries.

• Public comment: June Dharma and Girish Malampali presented Village One, a platform connecting Dublin families with local services including childcare and elder care. Carol Woodford Peterson asked why there is no swimming pool on Dublin's west side.

• Vice Mayor Josey requested staff bring back an item to reconsider the 1.7% employee COLA, arguing February was a CPI outlier; the request did not receive three head nods. A council compensation item will return at the next meeting.